A/N: Just FYI, Nick's a horndog in this (for explanation of the phrase read the chapter) so I'm upping the rating to PG-13…cause they kinda make out and I'm careful :) Plus there's violence but you'll read that later…
There will be a few twists and little surprises in this chapter. Some old friends show up, new friends are made, old problems are discussed…hence the title, out with the old, in with the new.
Also…there will be a surprise appearance from someone mentioned in Chapter 4 (and now you're gonna flip back to the other chapter to see who ya'll forgot about…) …Oh the madness to follow…
Chapter 9: "Out with the old, in with the new."
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Delmarco Residence
Tuesday May 10, 2004
4:51 p.m.
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Finally realizing what time it was, Nick stood up from the couch and stretched. He walked away from the living in search of Anna. He saw her walking out of her bedroom…looking even more beautiful than before. Nick could see her low cut shirt, with the necklace that he'd gotten her hanging there. He saw her shoes and smiled. "Do you have a shoe fetish…because you change your shoes more than anyone else I know?"
She smirked and shook her head, her brown curls bouncing as she did. "No, and for your information I was barefoot earlier."
Nick chuckled and shook his head. "You look beautiful either way." She blushed and ducked her head. "Oh, I forgot to ask you earlier…" He walked over to her and entwined his fingers with hers. He looked into her Amazon Green eyes and smiled. "Anna Delmarco, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"
She chuckled. "I kinda thought I already was."
"Well pretty much, but I wanted to make it official."
"Aww." Anna smiled and bit her bottom lip flirtatiously. Nick felt himself swoon, and he leaned in to gently kiss her. She pushed herself up on her tip toes and gladly receipted the kiss. She pulled away and smiled at him. His hands found hers and they entwined while she talked. "People are coming," He gave her another quick kiss, "You don't want them-" He kissed her again. "Walking in-" Another kiss, "On us kissing-" He snatched her up and gave her a long and passionate kiss and he pulled away smiling. "Do you?"
Nick rested his forehead against hers while planting soft kisses on her nose. "Screw everyone else." he brought his hands to cup her face while her hands rested on his forearms.
Anna chuckled and shook her head, "Man, and here I thought I was the one you wanted to screw, you're very ambitious."
Nick chuckled and slid one hand under her chin so he could kiss her again. She raised herself up and met him halfway. His index finger stayed under her chin while his thumb gently stroked her cheek. She pulled back smiling at him. "You are…and I am…but not in that area."
"Oh yeah, not what I heard Mr. Playboy."
"Hey." He feigned offense and she laughed. She pushed him away laughed and began to walk to the oven to pull out the Chicken. She set it on the counter and pulled the Vegetarian friendly food from the oven as well. Sara, as well as Jennifer and David were all vegetarians, but agreed to sit at the same table as meat as long as they didn't have to partake in the consumption of it.
Nick smiled as he watched her and he felt himself, once more, falling…figuratively, and hard.
Anna turned around to see him smile at her and she blushed. "What?" She asked curios and he shook his head.
"Nothing?"
"No, what?"
"It's nothing."
"Liar…tell me." She slipped her arms around his waist seductively and he laughed.
"Are you gonna do that every time I don't tell you somethin?" He asked.
"Yeah." She answered and leaned up to kiss him. Her lips grazed his, planting soft kisses, but then she gradually pressed harder and more passionately. His tongue begged entrance to her mouth, and she parted her lips to allow him in.
She sucked in a breath as his hands moved from the counter, to her back, to the small of her back, to her ass. She brought her hand up and brushed it over his hair and let it fall slowly down the back of his neck, tickling and enticing him at the same time. She let out a soft, barely audible moan and he felt himself being pushed over the edge. He brought his hands back up to her back and pressed her to him tighter. Desperately needing to feel her against him.
She pulled her body away, smiling deviously. He gaped at her. "You. Are. Evil." He stated. She chuckled, and slid her body against his again.
"Will you tell me now?" She asked in a soft, throaty voice. Nick felt a chill course through him at the sound of her seductive voice. He moaned and she brought her face only inches away from his.
"No."
"Fine." She said simply and pushed him away playfully. He growled playfully and she chuckled.
"You're mean Ms. Delmarco." He huffed like a little kid. She laughed and shook her head.
"That doesn't work with Regan and it won't work with you."
"She does that?"
"Not anymore…she used to until she discovered reverse psychology."
"When was that?"
Anna chuckled. "When she was five."
Nick laughed and shook his head. "Well…I'm gonna go get ready."
"You're not ready! I told you to get ready an hour ago!"
Nick chuckled, "Chill out Mom, I'm going to wash my hands."
"Okay. And where is your mother?" Anna asked curious.
"Dad said they had to go pick up the wine for tonight and sparkling water for the kids."
Anna nodded and went back to preparing the meals. Nick stopped in the doorway and watched her for the longest time. She never turned around, only said, "Unless you're gonna tell me why you're watchin me I suggest you leave."
"Gone."
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Regan's Room
5:13 p.m.
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Regan stood in front of her bed and looked over each outfit skeptically. She sighed and decided to resort to some outside help. "Anna!" She called, and soon the sound of her high heels clicking on the tile and smacking the carpet sounded.
A knock sounded. "Raggs?"
"Come on in." Anna appeared in the girl's room and smiled. "I need help. Which outfit do you like better?"
"Hmm." Anna said and stood behind Regan and put her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Well, I like the purple skort and white flower shirt."
"Hmmm…I wasn't so sure about that one."
"Well let's get a guy's opinion. Nick!" Anna called and he was there in a flash.
"Are you okay?"
Anna and Regan chuckled. "We're fine. We just need your help with an outfit."
Nick nodded and walked in the already open door. "Anna, he won't wanna do this, he's a guy."
"Hey, I grew up with five sisters and my mother…this doesn't bother me."
Anna laughed. "See? Okay, so which outfit do you like better?"
Nick put his hands on Anna's hips, stood behind her, and looked over her shoulder at the outfits on the bed. "Hmm…I like the striped green shirt and jeans."
Nick answered and Regan nodded. "Wow…we all agreed on different outfits…that doesn't help at all."
Anna chuckled and ruffled the girl's hair. "So play eney-miney-minie-moe…that's what I do."
Nick and Regan looked at her like she was nuts. "Do you really?" Nick asked and she elbowed him lightly in the stomach.
"Hey, don't judge. I got you to fall for me didn't I?"
"Who said I've fallen?" Nick lied and she nodded.
"True…"
Nick smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hello…lovely dovey adults, I still need help."
Nick looked at the bed and with one swift movement; he cleared the bed of all the clothes and replaced it with a different outfit from the closet. "Out with the old…in with the new."
The girls examined the outfit and nodded. "Not bad." Anna nodded approvingly.
"I like it. Thanks Nick." Regan smiled and shushed the two adults out the door.
Anna turned to Nick and pouted. "I helped too." She said in a baby voice.
Nick chuckled and slung his arm over her shoulders. "And you did a good job." He replied as though he was complimenting a two year old. "Good job."
Anna laughed and stopped at the dining room table. She began to adjust plates and rearrange the silver wear. Nick looked at her butt and smiled. "Nick, I can see your reflection in the mirror." She turned around to face his blushing cheeks. "And I must say, you are a horndog tonight." '
Nick laughed. "What the Hell's a horndog?"
"Don't tell me you've never been called a horndog."
Nick nodded. "Does that mean I'm excessively horny?"
Anna laughed and nodded, "Like a dog in heat."
"Well, when dogs are in heat they give off a particular scent that makes dogs of the opposite sex attracted to them…are you attracted to me Anna?" He asked backing her against the chair that her hands were resting on. Her hands were behind her back, and holding on to the top of the chair. Nick pressed himself against her and slid his hands from her shoulders, down her arms, to holding her hands down; pinning her between him and the chair.
Anna smiled, "You do know that female dogs are the ones that go through heat, and the scent they give off attracts male dogs right?" Anna asked as Nick's face took on a look of disgust and he pulled away. "So, when you agree with me, you were saying you're a horny bitch, otherwise known as a female dog, which is hot for a male dog, a mutt?" Anna finished and Nick frowned.
"The ultimate rainstorm over the pitched tent."
Anna laughed, "What?"
Nick laughed. "I said the ultimate rainstorm over the pitched tent. Also known as the ultimate anti-boner." Nick whispered.
"Oh…the pitched tent is the…yeah, okay I got it." She laughed and shook her head. "And then the rainstorm is what I said…okay, I get it."
She nodded and turned her attention back to the silver wear. "Are you OCD?"
Anna laughed. "Probably. But that comes from having a seven-year-old genius as a roommate, with no icky, messy, boys around." She poked Nick in the stomach and he laughed.
Nick nodded and helped her set the table. Once the pair finished Nick smiled at her. "What else do you want me to do?"
She thought about it and looked around to see if everything was done. She walked into the kitchen and looked around. "Nope. We're all set."
"Good." Nick took her hand. "Come snuggle with me."
She eyed him playfully and he rolled his eyes and held up his right hand as a peace sign, "Boy Scouts honor I won't try to cop a feel."
She chuckled. "I was actually wondering why a guy wants to cuddle, that's a first…but thanks for the reassurance." She smiled and Nick smirked. "You were a Boy Scout? Aww." She brought her hand up to cup his cheek affectionately. "Does that mean you could build me a house with just a tooth pick and a scrunchi?" Anna joked.
"Yes." He joked back and she chuckled.
"Good to know."
"Are you swooning?"
She laughed. "Am I what?"
"Swooning." Nick answered and Anna raised her eyebrow. "Do you feel yourself falling for me? Am I sweeping you off your feet? Am I making you never wanna leave my side?" Nick asked dramatically.
"Well now that you mention it…" She leaned in for a kiss but the sound of tiny footsteps tore their attention away from each other.
Regan saw what was about to happen and she dropped her jaw. "I did it again!"
Anna and Nick laughed. "Raggs, its fine." Anna said as Nick wrapped his arm around her waist.
"No, it isn't! I'll never forgive myself! I-" She stopped her yelling and looked at the two adults. "Why do I notice a small lack of sexual tension?" Anna looked at Nick, and Nick looked at Anna. Their faces were blank…but their eyes told the story. Regan's face lit up. "You've already kissed!"
Anna chuckled and Nick ran a tired hand over his face. "Go play Raggs." Anna instructed while chuckling.
"Have you two consummated the relationship yet?"
"Regan!" Anna screamed in horror. "Inappropriate!"
"What! I'm young and curios!" She defended.
"You're seven."
"With the mind of a seventeen year old…"
Anna moaned. "Don't remind me. Please go watch Barney and be a little kid."
Regan sighed. "Can I at least watch the Discovery Channel?"
Anna turned around and looked at Nick, "Does the Discovery Channel have anything biological on it? Like 'birds and the bees'?" Nick shook his head and Anna faced Regan. "Yes."
Regan smiled at her while nodding. "Alright…but Anna…we need to have a talk about the 'birds and the bees' later."
"Out!" Anna instructed firmly. She turned around mortified to look at Nick's blushing face. "I am so sorry."
Nick waved his hand. "Nah, it's fine." He laughed. "I was a seven year old little sibling myself."
She gasped. "Did you ask your siblings that?"
Nick laughed. "Maybe…"
She swatted his arm. "Bad Nicky."
He shrugged and trotted to the couch, while holding her hand and taking her with him. He sat down on the couch and pulled her down with him. They both fell sideways and Nick laid behind her with his arm draped across her waist, with his other arm under his head, extending over the arm rest. Anna let one hand lay under her head, while the other one found Nick's hand around her waist and entwined fingers with it.
Nick picked up the remote and handed it to her. "Your choice." She smiled and began flipping through the channels. She landed on baseball. She handed him the remote and he pushed it away. "You can hold it, and watch what you want."
She smiled. "This is what I want. I love baseball."
"I know, I just wanted to make sure you weren't puttin it on here for me." Nick smiled and Anna scooted closer to him.
"Please…I don't like ya that much Stokes." Nick smirked and went after the sensitive spot on her neck. Her began kissing it and she squealed and laughed with joy. "Ahhh! Stop!" Nick immediately stopped and laid his head back down. "Why'd you stop?" Anna asked confused while glancing over her shoulder shortly.
"You said stop."
She furred her manicured eyebrows and laid her head back down. "I said stop before, when you did it the first time."
"Because I was just tickling you and everyone yells stop when they're tickling someone…this time I was kissing you." Nick explained.
"But I didn't want you to stop."
"Well than why'd you say it? That's like the international word for a guy to stop? Didn't you know that? What about your other boyfriends?"
She didn't respond.
"Anna?"
"What?" She asked as though she didn't know where this was going.
"What about your other boyfriends?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know what? Anna…" He brought his hand to her tiny waist and turned her towards him. He looked in her eyes and he could tell by the look on her face that she didn't want to talk about it. He rolled her back onto her other side so she could continued watching baseball.
"Don't give me that look." She said softly.
"What look?"
"That look." She turned to face him. "Don't do that."
Nick sighed. "I just wanted-"
"But I don't." She cut him off sharply and he sighed again and snuggled closer to her. His arm went around her waist tighter to show he was sorry, and her hold on his hand tightened, signally she was sorry too. Nick smiled into her hair and kissed the top of her head.
She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Thank you." She said.
Nick nodded. "You're Welcome."
Though she never clarified what she was thanking him for, Nick knew…for not pressuring her, for caring about her, stopping when she said stop; even if she didn't mean it, and for respecting her. Nick smiled wider and looked at her while she didn't know he was watching her…that was when he loved watching her the most…
He could see the real Anna…
No cover ups.
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Warrick's Tahoe
5:24 p.m.
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"Would you quit with the cover up? You look fine." He reassured Catherine.
"I'm not worried about looking fine, I'm worried about this massive hickey you gave me." She grumbled and Warrick laughed. She sighed and closed the compact and sat back in her seat. They had just dropped Lindsey off at her friend's house for the night. Catherine had wished that the girl would've come to the dinner…but she knew it wouldn't end well.
"You're thinkin about Linds." Warrick stated more than asked and she looked over at him shocked. He chuckled. "You made your 'Lindsey' face. Whenever you think about her you look out the window, bite your upper lip and constantly flip your hair off you shoulder. And occasionally you fur your eyebrows together..."
Catherine sighed. "I really wanted her to come to this tonight."
"I know you did, but you knew that if you would have forced it she would've purposely messed it up."
"I know. But I still want her there. She's slipping from me Warrick…just like I slipped from my mother." Warrick reached over and grabbed her hand, giving it a supportive squeeze.
"She won't slip."
"How do you know?"
Warrick paused a minute. "You know how they say fight fire with fire?"
"Yeah…"
"Well, Lindsey is just like you…while you look at that as a bad thing it's actually not. Yes, the two of you butt-heads constantly, you both are stubborn, and you act the same. But she's also passionate, and caring, and smart. Just like you. You know the road and choices it takes to end up where you did…so you can use that to your advantage and block those paths."
"What do you mean?"
"Tough Love." He answered. "You know she's not gonna agree with you, whatever you do just because she's so much like you and you're her mother. So why fight it? Use tough love to shape her into the person you know she can be."
"But it's like you said…she's just like me, and she knows how to get under my skin."
"Yeah, but that's why I'm here. I can help."
"It's gonna be tough."
Warrick chuckled. "That's why they call it 'tough love'." Catherine chuckled.
"What if you decide it's not worth it?"
"I won't." He said and turned to see the uncertainty in her eyes. "I've let too many people slip through my hands in the past…I'm not planning on letting two more get away. I'm in for the long haul." he kissed her head as he pulled into Anna's driveway.
"Wow, you see the stubborn side of me would feel compelled to ask if you were sure we were in the right place…but the geek parade on the front lawn made me have faith in you." She joked and Warrick chuckled as they got out of the car. They walked up to the crowd sitting on the front lawn. Grissom, Sara, Greg, Brass, and David were already there.
"Hey." Catherine greeted. "Why isn't anyone going inside?"
"The house is locked and no one has a key." Sara answered.
"No one answered?" Warrick asked.
"Yes, Anna came to the door and told us to come in but we decided to lock ourselves outside instead." Greg joked and Sara slapped him upside the back of the head. He moaned but smiled when he saw a car pull up.
"Who is that?" Brass asked.
"Isn't that Nick's parents?" Warrick said.
Sure enough, Jillian and Bill Stokes stepped out of the car and walked up to the group on the front lawn. "Hello…we're Nick's parents. I'm Bill and this is Jillian."
"Hello." Everyone greeted.
"Why isn't anyone going inside?" Jillian asked.
"We're locked out." David informed them.
"Do you have a key by any chance?" Greg questioned.
"No…why would we?" Jillian questioned.
"Well I just figured because Nick's staying here he'd give you guys a key-Ow! Why'd you pinch me!" Greg looked over at Sara accusingly and she rolled her eyes. Jillian shot a death glare at Greg. Everyone was surprised but Sara. Regan had relayed her suspicion of Jillian not liking Anna and tryin to break her and Nick up earlier that day, so Sara was prepared.
"Nick doesn't live here. He lives at his house, he just didn't have enough room for us there and Anna didn't want us to stay in a hotel so the-"
"Nice and kind young woman offered to let us stay with her." Bill finished to keep his wife from saying anything mean. Catherine and Sara shared a knowing look. Sara knew Catherine would be the first to figure out Nick's mother's true feelings about Anna. Catherine had been in Anna's positions many times before.
"Yes…nice." Jillian said and put on a fake smile. Soon, another car drove up and Jennifer stepped out.
"Hey Mr. Stokes, Mrs. Stokes, and…everyone from the nightshift. I don't know your name though." She said looking at Brass.
"Hello, I'm James Brass. Everyone calls me Brass."
"Well hi, I'm Jennifer Gabbler. Everyone calls me Jennifer Gabbler." She joked and several people laughed.
"I bet you know me." A familiar voice said. She looked past Brass at the assistant coroner.
"David!" She squealed and rushed to give him a hug. "Oh my GOD! I haven't seen you since you got back from Boston!"
"I remember. I've been busy at the morgue."
"You work in Vegas? I thought you just came back to see Annie-Lee?"
"Who's Annie-Lee?" Catherine asked.
"And how do you know Jen?" Warrick questioned.
"Yeah, David, how do you know Anna?" Jillian asked.
"Annie-Lee is our nickname for Anna." Jennifer said.
"It's a long story." Sara stated.
"How do you know?" Catherine asked.
"I heard it earlier today."
"Who else knows?" Several people raised their hands. "What don't I know?"
"So Annie-Lee is Anna?" Bill asked confused.
"Okay, Annie-Lee is mine and David's nickname for Anna because we miss pronounced her name, David and I know each other form a vegetarian convention."
"I met my friend Melissa at one of those." Sara stated.
"They actually have Vegetarian conventions? Weird." Greg replied.
"You go to Star Trek conventions." Sara pointed out and Greg nodded.
"True."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, trying to comprehend what had brought up Star Wars. "Okay, anyways…I introduced David to Anna and they dated for about a year."
"You dated Anna?" Jillian asked and David nodded. Jillian smiled evilly and looked at Bill, who sighed exasperated. Sara looked at Catherine and raised her brow. Catherine merely shrugged and listened to the story.
"David reluctantly left her and Regan to go to Boston for school, the came back here when he finished to find her, but couldn't."
"So I decided to wait for her and became a coroner at the LVPD crime lab." David finished. "We finally met up earlier today on a case at Regan's school."
"Why was the crime lab at Regan's school?" Jillian asked.
"They found a dead body."
"Oh my GOD!" Bill exclaimed.
"She's fine. Grissom and she talked about bugs for the longest time." Sara said.
"Wow."
"So that's the story."
They were all quiet for a moment until Jennifer asked. "Question, um…why are we all outside?"
"The house is locked." Grissom said.
"Guess it's lucky I have a key huh?" Jennifer pulled a key from her pocket and smiled. "Wait, David what about your key?"
Everyone turned to him angrily. "You have a key?"
He blushed. "I left it at home…Oops." He chuckled and Jennifer shook her head. She unlocked the door and the large group of 10 filed into the house and looked around.
"Wow."
"It's beautiful."
"This is nice."
"Damn."
"It's even bigger than I remember."
Everyone was amazed by the house, and Jennifer walked into the living room and stopped abruptly. "Awwww." She whispered grabbing everyone's attention.
Everyone came forward to see what was so cute. Once they did everyone replied in unison; "Awwwwww."
Nick and Anna had fallen asleep on the couch, him spooning her, holding her tightly to him. His arm was wrapped protectively around her waist and they were holding hands with fingers entwined. His other hand was laying in her hair, falling limp as he had fallen asleep. "Look, he let her hold the remote." Sara pointed out and everyone 'Awwwww'd again.
"I have to get a picture." Jennifer said and Sara, Catherine, Jennifer and Jillian; despite herself, all took out their phones and started snapping pictures.
Greg took out his phone and snapped a few pictures. Warrick looked at him confused. "Why are you taking pictures?"
Greg nodded smiling deviously. "Black mail."
"Nice Nick, pick baseball to watch then give her the remote." Catherine scoffed.
"Nope. That's something Anna would watch." David replied and several chuckles were heard. Suddenly Anna rolled onto her other side, facing Nick and snuggled into his chest. His grasp on her tightened and, on cue, an "Awwwwww." was heard.
"Nick?" Anna said startling everyone.
"Yeah?"
"Do we have to get up?" Anna asked as neither of them opened their eyes. Everyone laughed.
"Well, considering we're surrounded by hungry hyenas…I'd say yes."
Anna moaned in displeasure as the couple opened their eyes and looked at the group surrounding them. "Morning sunshine." Warrick joked at Nick and he chuckled. "How long have you two been awake."
"Since 'Awwwwww.'" Nick answered.
"Which one?"
"Last one." Anna replied and sat up. She offered Nick her hand and helped him up. "How long were you watching us?"
"Only a few minutes." Sara replied.
"Why? Did something go on that we shouldn't have seen?" Jen asked wiggling her eyebrows. A few snickers could be heard and Anna rolled her eyes.
"You do realize Nick's parents are here?"
"Well I didn't remember that until now. I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Stokes." Jen apologized and blushed.
Anna chuckled but then looked around confused. "Where's Regan?" Anna asked and went off to the back portion of the house. She went to Regan's door and knocked on it. "Regan?" There was no answer. "Regan?" She knocked again and opened the door. She poked her head in, but went into the room fully when she saw no one was in there. She felt her heart beat quicken, but tried to calm herself down.
She turned around and came face to face with David. She gasped and clutched her chest. "David!" She shrieked.
"I'm sorry!" he said quickly and grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry."
She sighed. "Was Regan outside with you?"
David shook his head. "No. Why?" David furred his eyebrows together.
"Anna?" Nick asked and poked his head in the room. "David." he nodded. "Anna what's wrong?" He saw the distraught look on her face.
"Nothing…"
"Liar."
Anna sighed and pushed past them to see the guests in the living room, kitchen, parlor, and dining room. She put on a face and smiled at everyone. "Excuse me everybody. I have to go take care of something. Help yourself to the appetizers set out and make yourselves comfortable, I'll be right back." She replied and walked back to Nick and David. "Okay, don't alert anyone because she could just be in the backyard. David, will you check the front yard, but go around the back way because I don't want anyone to see and get worries, Nick can you look through the backyard, and I'm gonna check around the lake."
They all nodded and dispersed through the sliding doors, and David departed from them. "Anna, do you think she could have gone for a walk along the docks and…I hate to say it but…what if she…I don't know…"
Anna looked over at Nick and glared in disbelief. "What the Hell Nick? W-wh-why would you even say that! What could possibly be going through your mind as to make you think that's okay? Why would you say that?" She asked again and Nick turned to her feeling sorry.
"I'm sorry Anna, I just…I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking and…" Anna turned away and sighed. "I've seen that kinda thing before and-"
"Nick!"
"I'm sorry! I just don't want you to be unprepared."
Anna moaned and looked away from Nick. "Well thank you. Thank you very much. Now am I not only worried I'm paranoid I may never see her alive again! But hey at least I'm prepared!" She replied sarcastically and shook her head.
Nick sighed and looked over at her, she let her hair fall in front of her face and he saw her swipe a tear away. "Aw, Anna…Baby, I'm sorry." He pulled her into a comforting hug. "Sshh, baby, please don't cry. I'm sorry. Darlin please…we'll find her." He ran his hands up and down her back. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't cry."
David walked up to them. "Sorry guys, no sign of her in the front yard." He looked at Anna wiping her eyes and Nick's guilty face. "What'd you do to her?" He asked Nick accusingly.
"Nothing." Anna replied. "He didn't do anything."
"Then why are you crying?"
"No reason, okay, everyone needs to search the lake. It's a big area and we can be more efficient with more of us there…"
They began looking around the docks and around the pits of sea grass. But she was no where to be found. Nick broke away and began searching on his own. No footprints could be found, the plants were undisturbed, no small traces of evidence, no loose hairs, barrettes, nothing. Which told Nick one thing.
Regan didn't want to be found.
Nick looked up and saw a small cave like form and he smiled. "The Fortress." He stood up and walked to the small cave and poked his head in. "My Princess, may I enter?"
He asked reciting what he had been taught.
"Enter at thine own risk though I cannot be held responsible for the tragedies you endure Nube."
Nick moaned as he made his way in The Fortress. "I'm still a Nube?"
"The Queen hasn't made her choice yet…but you're pretty much in considering the fact that you're dating her."
"Yeah…so I'm dating The Queen…does that make me The King?"
"Well kinda, but that can't be your name."
"Why?"
"Because it's David's name." Nick felt a pang of jealousy strike through him. Nick didn't respond and Regan looked over at him. "Don't worry Nick. She doesn't have feelings for him."
"Maybe not…but she has history."
"So."
"So…he knows everything about her, about you…hell, he's known you since you were like three."
"So, Anna's crazy about you. And yeah, she used to be crazy about David…but that's history. That's their history. What are you like, scared that she's gonna leave you for him?"
Nick sighed, "I don't know."
"Well I do, and she won't. She cares Nick." Regan reassured. Nick looked at Regan.
"Why'd you leave the house and come here Regan? Anna's worried sick about you."
Regan sighed. "I didn't mean for her to worry. I figured she'd be so busy with dinner that she'd not notice I was missing."
Nick furred his brows and shook his head. He scooted closer to her and she sat next to him. "What in the world would make you think that? Has that ever happened before?" Nick asked finding I t hard to believe.
"No…but ya know, there's a first time for everything."
Nick shook his head. "Anna loves you and cares about you Regan…of course she'd notice if you were missing…but you still haven't answered my question. Why are you hiding?"
She sighed. "I didn't want to have to deal with everybody."
"Now I know that's a lie, you're a social butterfly."
"Well…"
"What about Elizabeth? Were you just gonna leave her there with a bunch of people she didn't know?"
"She's not coming…she called while you and Anna were asleep on the couch. She said she wasn't able to come."
"Raggs…I'm sorry. Did she say why?"
She nodded. "Her cooler friends decided they wanted to have a slumber party…she wanted to hang out with them instead."
Nick frowned and shook his head. "Regan, she isn't a true friend then. Do you really want someone who isn't your friend to be your friend?"
"No. But I'm Anna's social butterfly. I used to always make friends…till I got into high school. The kids just got meaner and meaner with each grade I skipped."
"Did you ever think maybe because they're jealous?"
"Yeah."
"Do you want people who are jealous of you and just using you to be your friend?" Nick asked and Regan shook her head. Nick put his around her shoulders and comforted her. "Regan, she obviously wasn't a true friend. And frankly she doesn't deserve your friendship."
"But what other friend options do I have?"
"Go back to the playground and try again…except this time, don't try to impress them with your knowledge of quantum physics, be a kid."
"You want me to play dumb?"
"No, no…just, try toning down the genius vibe. It's probably intimidating the kids." He suggested and Regan nodded.
"I could try."
"Are you okay kiddo?" She nodded and gave a small, embarrassed smile. He ruffled her hair and smiled. "Good. Now let's get out there before we give Anna a heart attack. She's too young to die of cardiac arrest."
Regan chuckled and the two of them crawled out from The Fortress to see Anna running towards them. She scooped up Regan in her arms and held her tight. "Anna…you're cutting of my air supply." Regan squeaked and she loosed her grip but still kept her close.
"Serves you right for scaring me like that." She joked dryly and set the girl down, kneeling next to her. "Honey, why'd you take off?"
"No reason…I just wanted to play in The Fortress." Regan lied.
Anna eyed her suspiciously. "You never play in The Fortress alone. If you go in The Fortress alone you do it to hide or think…I can't believe I didn't think of that earlier." She remarked to David. "Why'd you really go in there?"
Regan shifted her eyes to Nick as if a cue to cut in. "Uh, the guests are still waiting. Raggs, why don't you and David go back to the house and Anna and I will be up shortly. They watched them go and Anna turned to Nick.
"What do you know that I don't?" Nick smiled and opened his mouth to say something but she held up her hand. "Regarding Regan."
"Her friend called while we were asleep on the couch and said she was hanging out with her cooler friends instead."
Anna scoffed. "Little bitch."
"Anna." Nick said warningly and she rolled her eyes. "Anyway, she was embarrassed and didn't want to have to face everybody so she decided to go and hide in The Fortress." Nick informed her and Anna sighed.
"Okay…now how come she wouldn't tell me that? And why'd she lie to me? I hate being lied to."
Nick shrugged. "I don't know. Let's just go back up to the party." Nick suggested and Anna nodded. He slung his arm around her shoulders. Nick reached over and brushed a curl from her face and kissed her cheek. She turned to him and smiled sweetly. He kissed her softly on the lips. His lips brushed hers, and then he slowly pecked her lips. She felt herself melt and she leaned up and kissed him, opening her mouth slightly. Nick put his hand between her shoulder blades and the other was slightly below it. He hands cupped his face and held him to her un-forcefully.
Nick heard her sigh in pleasure and he smiled. They pulled away and Nick scooped her up in his arms and held her like a bride. "Ahhh! Nick! What are you doing!" She laughed and he merely smiled. He leaned into her and kissed her sweetly.
"I'm carrying you to the party." He replied simply. She laughed and slung her arm around his shoulder and opened the sliding door with the other one. Everybody looked up at them and chuckled.
"Don't tell me the two of you eloped while you were out there." Catherine stated smiling.
Anna chuckled. "No." Nick set her back down on her feet.
"So…" Sara asked wanting to know the reason for Nick's peculiar and happy behavior…besides the obvious one standing right next to him.
"I felt like carrying her in." Nick said as if it was so obvious. Anna chuckled as did everyone else…but Jillian. She rolled her eyes and went to refill her glass of wine.
"Okay, everyone, help yourself, the food is in the kitchen, eat in any of the rooms you want, make yourselves comfortable, and socialize. Ya here that Grissom?" Anna joked and Grissom rolled his eyes.
They all laughed, including Jillian, and Anna opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by the doorbell. She looked around curiously, everyone was already here. "Oh! Jillian, that must be the guest you invited." Anna smiled. Bill and Nick turned to Jillian. Bill raised an eyebrow, but it suddenly dawned on him.
"Jill…did you invite-"
"I'll get it." Anna said. Nick stopped her.
"You didn't tell me my mom invited someone."
"I didn't?" Anna asked perplexed and Nick shook his head. "Oh…well don't worry…you know him."
"Him?"
"Yeah…"
"I know him?"
"That's what your mom said as they continued walking through the house. The doorbell sounded again. "Coming!" Anna called and the two didn't notice as the group slowly began following them. Anna opened the door to a tall, dark, and handsome man. "Hi, I'm Anna Delmarco." She extended her hand. He looked her over and brought her hand to his lips.
"Hello Miss." He drawled. Catherine, Sara, Jennifer, and Anna all felt themselves blush and go weak at the knees. "I'm Darren Milane." The three other women rushed forward to shake his hand rattling off their names. He gave a crooked smile. "Nice to meet ya ladies."
"Come on in." Anna invited and moved aside to let him in. He watched her as he stepped into the house.
"Nick Stokes." He said smiling.
Nick narrowed his gaze. "Darren…how've you been?" He asked sounding less than interested.
"I've been good." He answered absently as he watched Anna talk to the other women. Nick followed his gaze and subconsciously puffed out his chest and tightened his jaw.
Jillian stepped forward. "Darren, how was the flight?" She asked and smiled.
"Mrs. Stokes, you grow more gracious and poised each time I see you." He smiled and kissed her hand. "And thank you for asking, the flight was fine."
"So Darren, what are you doin in Vegas?" Nick asked his accent ten times thicker.
"I'm here on business." He lied, and Nick could see it in his eyes.
Bill stepped forward and shook the young man's hand. He knew why Jillian had invited him…and he wasn't happy about it. "Hello Darren, nice to see you."
"You too sir." Darren said pleasantly. Nick had met Darren during his bachelor days in Texas, Nick needed someone to cruise for girls with and Darren was that guy. They were friends until Nick caught his girlfriend cheating on him with Darren. They hadn't spoken much since. "Well, something sure smells delicious." He drawled.
Anna turned around. "That's the food. You're welcome to help yourself." She said nicely. Nick looked over and saw Darren's smile as he watched Anna.
"Thank you ma'am. Can I get a plate for you?"
Anna chuckled and shook her head. "No, I can get it myself."
"Please, I insist. You've made all this delicious food by yourself," He said glancing at Nick insinuating he hadn't helped. "Let me get you a plate."
"Well thank you Mr. Milane-"
"Darren."
She smiled. "Darren, I'm fine. Nicky helped me cook." She said gesturing to Nick and smiling at him.
Darren turned around to Jillian stunned. "Mrs. Stokes! When did you house-train this boy?" He joked and Everyone but Nick and Bill laughed. "Last time I saw him he was eatin cold peas from a can. Boy couldn't work a microwave to save his life!"
"Well he must've been trained for a while, because he cooked dinner for us all last night, and the night before that." Regan chimed, appearing from behind Sara.
Darren turned to her and smiled. "Well hello little girl, what's your name?"
Anna stepped forward. "This is my little sister Regan."
"Well…I can see good looks run hereditary in this family. She's a beautiful little girl. And her sister's gorgeous." Darren complimented. Anna looked over at Nick in worry and he took a step towards Darren. Anna rushed over and stood in front of Nick and held his hand.
"Well thank you sir. Regan," She signaled to the girl. Regan's arms were crossed over her chest and she rolled her eyes.
"Thank you." She said.
Jennifer, Sara, and Catherine all pouted. "Why does she get all the cowboys?" Sara whispered.
"No fair." Catherine grumbled.
"Hey, you've got someone, a babe let me mind you, save the pouting for the single chicks." Jennifer joked.
"Are Anna and Nick dating or courting?" Catherine asked.
"I think they're dating." Jennifer replied.
"Uh oh." Sara said. "Nicky's got a jealousy gene the size of Texas."
"He almost beat the shit out of someone for touchin his girlfriend's ass when he first got here." Catherine explained.
"Uh oh. I can already tell this is gonna be an eventful party." Jennifer stated.
Catherine scoffed, "Are any of them with night shift involved not?"
Bill leaned over to Jillian. "I told you not to invite him…if Nick and him get into it…"
"They won't."
"Hey Rick," Greg whispered. "Isn't Nick easily jealous?"
Warrick sighed. "Yeah."
Grissom shook his head. "He better not get into it. When he first came it was excused because he was new…now…"
"Don't worry Gil; I don't think Anna would let it get that far." David replied.
"None of us will." Brass stated. They all dispersed and began to get their food. Anna pulled Nick aside.
"Honey…I'm guessing from the whispering around us that uh…you have a jealousy gene?" Anna asked and Nick sighed. "Please keep it in check…I can tell you and Darren are at ends with each other, I'm guessing over a previous girlfriend…just be calm."
Nick nodded his head. "Okay. But he makes a move on you-"
"I'll kick his ass…you already got to be the hero once today…twice actually if you count the Regan incident, it's my turn Stokes, share the limelight." Anna joked and Nick smiled.
"Alright." He looked up and caught Darren staring at Anna from across the room while he was talking to Greg. Anna followed his gaze and turned back around.
"Hey, Nick…promise me you won't start anything with him…Nick, promise me." Nick looked back down at her and her pleading green eyes. he felt himself melt and he gave a small smile.
"I promise baby." He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes as he brought her head to his chest and stroked her curls.
"Thank you Honey…" She looked back up at him and raised herself to kiss his cheek. "I appreciate it."
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Delmarco Residence
Dinning Room
8:13 p.m.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Everyone had eventually drifted into the dinning room for dessert and were now discussing previous parties and how they all met. "So Darren," Jennifer began. "How did you and Nick meet?"
Anna, Nick, and Bill all looked at her. "Jen, no." Anna whispered fiercely. Darren watched this and smiled.
"It's alright Anna." Darren drawled and made eyes at her. "Well, Jennifer, Nick and I go back to high school." Darren began, his blue eyes dancing with cruel delight. "We hung out often and were friends for several years. We made it through most of college and then split sophomore year. We haven't really discussed why but-"
"Well there wasn't much to talk about I mean, you slept with my girlfriend." Nick said mock-casually as he leaned forwards and rested his arms on the table. The tension in the room thickened as everyone glanced nervously between each other. Should they leave? Should they stay? Should they change the subject?
Anna sighed and put her forehead in her hand. Bill nudged Jillian and gave her a scowl. "You sure he's not gonna start anything?" Bill whispered to her.
"Yeah, Anna won't let him." Jillian replied and Bill nodded.
"Uh huh, and what does that tell you about her?" Bill asked and with that, Jillian was silent.
"Listen Nick, I tried to make nice afterwards…I said I was sorry."
"No you didn't. If I remember correctly, you said you'd do it again if you could." Nick snapped.
"Oooh." Greg replied nervously. Everyone turned to him and he blushed. "Sorry."
"Nick, calm down…it wouldn't have worked out between you two anyway…" He replied and looked at Anna smiling. "I wonder if history will repeat itself."
Nick stood up but Anna's arm came down on his shoulder.
"Oh no he didn't." Warrick replied but Catherine held him down.
"No." She instructed.
"Darren…" Jillian began warningly.
"Chill Mrs. Stokes…Nicky boy won't do anything…he's too much of a 'gentleman'. That's code for 'he's whipped'." Darren replied sarcastically. Nick stood up so quickly he gave everybody whiplash. Anna pulled Nick back down into his chair. Darren laughed. "See!"
Nick stood again and Anna saw Nick's fists tighten. "Nicky…"
Nick looked at her, then back to Darren, "No Darren, I'm not starting anything because I made a promise to a very special person that I wouldn't start anything…so talk all you want." Nick replied and sat back down.
"Mr. Milane I think it's time for you to leave." Anna replied and tightened her jaw. "I'll see you out." She replied and Nick's hand was on her arm.
"Anna…"
She shook her head. "I'll be fine. I'm just walking him to the door." Nick reluctantly let go of her arm and watched as she followed Darren out of the room. He sighed and looked at the faces around him.
Anna watched as Darren strode down the hall and stopped to face her at the door. "Sorry it didn't work out kid."
"What didn't work out?" She asked perplexed.
"This." he replied and kissed her fiercely on the lips. She was shocked at first, but quickly pushed him away and back handed him across the face.
"What the Hell!" She asked astounded at his blunt perverseness. He chuckled and rubbed his face.
"You're feisty…I like that. You ain't that bad lookin either. Too bad you settled for second best."
Anna rolled her eyes and frowned. "Get out."
He winked at her. "See ya later Sweetheart." Nick appeared from around the corner and saw her wiping her lips in disgust.
"Ugh, ass hole." She remarked and looked up to see Nick.
"Did he make a move on you?" Nick asked angrily and Anna was too shocked to reply. He moved past her and fled out the door.
"Shit." She murmured and raced after him. Nick chased after him.
"Milane!" He called and Darren turned around as Nick's fist connected with his jaw. Nick turned to walk away and Darren turned him around and punched him back. Nick swung at him and knocked him to the ground.
"Nick!" Anna yelled and picked up her pace, she kicked off her sandals so she could run. Darren stood back up and punched Nick back. Nick stumbled but didn't loose his balance. "Don't!" She yelled and Nick stopped.
"Yeah Nicky, listen to the bitch, you-" Before he could finish his sentence Nick ran at full force and tackled Darren to the ground.
"Nick no!" Anna yelled as Nick pinned him to the ground. The group had surfaced to the front door and steps as they watched. The fighting continued and Warrick and Grissom rushed forward. Anna was just about to jump in their little scrap when Grissom grabbed her and held her aside. "No!"
Warrick went in and pulled Nick off of Darren. "Nick stop!" But Nick didn't listen and he continued beating up Darren. "Nick! Look what you're doing to Anna!" Warrick yelled and Nick stopped and looked back at Anna. Tears were streaming down her face and she wore a pained expression.
Nick sighed and got up off Darren. Grissom let Anna go and she rushed to Nick. She began inspecting him profusely for any serious damage besides the evident. Darren stood up wobbly and looked at Nick. "Wuss!" He yelled as Catherine and Sara walked up to the two men.
"Shut up!" Catherine ordered. "If Nick's such a wuss how'd he kick your ass in a fair fight!" Darren looked at the ground. "I have no idea why you came here and I really don't care. I suggest you get in your car, and go far away from here and never try to make contact with anyone here again." Catherine ordered and Darren did as he was told. She scoffed. "Frankly Nicky I'm glad you beat his ass to a pulp…before I did at least. He was annoying."
"Should we yell at him now or later?" Warrick asked the three others.
Anna sighed and looked at Nick. "What the Hell is wrong with you!" She yelled and Nick winced knowing he had disappointed her. "Are you crazy! Have you lost your friggin mind?"
"No…I think we can leave that to Anna." Grissom replied and the four of them watched as she reamed Nick.
"Damn she's feisty when she's pissed." Sara stated.
"Wow…it's like it never stops…I like her." Catherine declared.
"Hey…Anna's Greek right?" Warrick asked knowing that Greeks tend to be excellent 'naggers'. The four of them laughed as they watched Anna circle Nick, arms flailing, and voice raised.
"Do we rescue him yet?" Sara asked.
"Nah…she'll stop when she's ready." Grissom said.
"Are you sure she'll stop?" Catherine scoffed.
A/N: So…yeah…lots of drama…I know…I'm good at that. But if you're lovin the drama then you're in luck because there's more to come!
Read and Review! (Thanks to everyone who is! I appreciate it. It helps the chapters flow.)
--Chella Belle
