One with the Universe

(I know that this chapter may be a little AU, but being from SoCal myself, I wanted Mike to experience as much of LA lifestyle as I could fit in! Thus, the mention of traffic jams, commutes, convertibles, SoCal terms, ethnic foods, and beaches. Another place associated with LA is the ever impressive Griffith Observatory and this was the only way of incorporating it into my story. I had actually thought to scrap that part of the chapter, but SilverChef convinced me otherwise. Thank you! And also a special shout-out to my friends, Abby, Amy, Maeva, Mary and Susan!)

(Don't worry, there is some courtroom testimony, too!)

Chapter 17

A hub for amateur astronomers for decades, the Griffith Observatory in Los Feliz was fashioned after the Art Deco style of its day. The three-domed structure was situated high on a hill, allowing for a breathtaking view of the LA basin.

Connie parked her car and they had to hike a ways up a hill to get to the observatory.

"Since when have you taken an interest in astronomy?" Mike wondered, as they continued up the walkway.

"I don't come here for star gazing, exactly, "Connie explained, "it's just my time away from real life. Luckily I know the director. Come on, I'll show you what I mean."

They had at last arrived at the top of the hill where the observatory was situated. Standing on the rooftop, The Beaux-Arts design of rear terraces and colonnade's offered a 180 degree view of the city while it surrounded the accessible displays of astronomy's wonders inside.

From their viewpoint, Connie pointed south towards Griffith Park, LA's answer to New York's Central Park. The rest of the area commanded a view of the LA Basin, including downtown LA to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest.

"Quite impressive!" Mike stated, as he looked around at the vastness of LA.

"You haven't seen anything yet!" promised Connie as they walked towards the grand structure.

When Mike and Connie passed through the historic bronze doors, they were greeted by the director, who seemed immensely pleased that Connie had brought a visitor for once.

They were escorted by him into the actual planetarium which was a 300 seat auditorium, with the seats tilted slightly back so observers could lean back and stare at the high-domed ceilings. The darkened ceiling was sprinkled throughout with nighttime stars.

The massive door made a huge sound as it shut again and Mike and Connie were left alone in the round room.

"If I come here early enough, before the place opens, " Connie expounded, her voice slightly echoing in the huge auditorium, "I can sit quietly in here. You can actually hear yourself thinking. It makes you realize our tiny place in the huge expanse of the entire Universe…here, take a seat."

Mike and Connie took front seats and leaned slightly back. They looked up at what seemed to be the authentic night sky, including twinkling stars.

She pointed out a few of the planets they could see with the naked eye: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. She also pointed out some of the more well known constellations.

"Well, I did recognize Saturn with its rings," stated Mike, purposely pausing, "...that one is pretty self-explanet ory."

Connie did a fake groan before a smile burst forth on her face.

They sat in quietness, as the intimate surroundings produced an experience that was not only awe-inspiring but also thought provoking.

Mike had promised himself to keep a professional distance away from Connie. The last thing he wanted to do was affect her career in LA. He didn't want any more secret photos taken of him and Connie together. But they were not out in the open; they were away from prying eyes.

As they continued silently gazing at the assemblage of stars, Mike inherently placed his arm around the back of Connie's chair. He had not even realized he had done it until he felt her body stiffen slightly next to him.

He was about to bring his arm back down, until he felt her body slightly leaning his way.

For a minute they sat in relative quietude. Connie even allowed herself to shut her eyes to just feel the possessiveness of his arm draped behind the back of her chair.

She had forgotten about the serenity of the majestic stars. All she could think about was the closeness of his body to hers. At last she turned and faced him.

"Mike," she said gently, her voice trembling.

The sound of his name on her lips spoken in such a sensual, hushed manner filled Mike with desire for her. The arm that had been on the back of her chair now came to rest on her shoulder. She did not flinch, but instead tilted her body even closer towards him until the only thing keeping their bodies from touching was the armrest.

Mike was so close now that she seemed like a breath away.

"Connie," he whispered in her ear against the lushness of the stars, "I haven't stopped thinking about what occurred between us at the beach."

Connie felt the hot touch of his breath against her hair, his lips just inches from hers. His nearness filled her with an ache of longing.

"Neither have I," she admitted softly.

Mike heard the sudden unsteadiness of her breathing as he inched further towards her. She turned her head, as both of them felt their attraction climb to an excruciating height.

Then before he realized it, Mike cupped her chin up, leaned forward and caught her lips with his, searching for a deeper taste of her. At first Connie seem paralyzed but soon she began savoring the fire that consumed both of them.

He angled his lips even more, as the kiss became sweet and supple. A sigh escaped Connie as she surrendered almost magically to him. As the kiss lengthened, they strained to be even closer, despite being at awkward angles with an armrest between them.

When the kiss ended, Mike was staring into the passionate softness of her dark eyes.

"Connie," Mike whispered, "What happened in Malibu...it wasn't because of the beach, was it?"

She knew exactly what he was referring to, "No, Mike...it's us."

Connie noted how the illumination from the stars above skimmed unevenly on Mike's face as the tip of her finger lovingly caressed his cheek, the gleam from the stars touching his closely shaven bristles.

She was still enclosed in Mike's arms when the door suddenly burst opened, causing them to break apart instantly. The enchantment of the night skies above vanished under the spotlight of artificial light coming from the outside.

The director walked in, informing them that regretfully, a school bus of elementary school children had just pulled up.

Brightness and real life soon took the place of the luminous nebulous skies.

.

.

Mike and Connie had decided to grab a quick brunch before heading back to court.

It would be a long afternoon of testimony.

Attached to the planetarium was a simple snack bar area cleverly called, 'The Café at the Edge of the Universe' It was located at the lower level between the Depths of Space exhibit hall and the Transit Corridor.

The cafeteria-style café had an industrial feel to it with its exposed ceiling pipes and plastic table and chairs. But the truly impressive part of it was the large ceiling- to- floor windows that captured the fantastic panoramic outside views of landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign to Downtown LA.

Silence gently fell between them at first as they waited for their food. The images of their intimate embrace flickered in each of their minds.

"Did you enjoy the observatory?" Connie asked, as she sat across from him.

"More than I can say," Mike's voiced seemed low and sensual.

Connie should have blushed at the implied reference to what had occurred between them in the auditorium, but instead she was soon caught by his warm gaze. Her mouth then tilted upwards at the corners in the promise of a smile as thoughts of how attractive he looked flitted through her mind.

"Are you very hungry?" asked Connie, and then for some reason, she felt she needed to ask, "for uh, food?"

His gaze fastened on hers and it seemed to take forever for Mike to answer, "I'm starved."

They were having a perfectly normal conversation, yet, Connie felt a tightness in her stomach as she worked at sounding casual, "Good, because I have already ordered two of the specialty of the house!"

They spoke about the case as they waited for their food to arrive. At one pause, Mike looked out the window, before facing her again.

"This is so perfect!" he announced,

"The view is exquisite, isn't it?" agreed Connie, as she pointed out the window, "and we are very fortunate because there is not much smog today. So if you look over there, you can even catch a glimpse of Catalina Island."

He never took his eyes off of her, "I was referring to being with you."

A sweet numbness filled Connie.

"Oh, Mike..." there was a tremor in her voice when she spoke.

Mike knew they were out in public and there was only a small chance that North had them followed. But at this point, he didn't care.

His hand settled gently on her hand.

Connie lowered her lashes as she looked longingly at his hand now covering hers. His hand felt masculine and warm at the same time.

Mike leaned in closer to her, his velvety murmur causing the back of her neck to tingle excitedly.

"Connie," asked Mike softly, "Thank you...I really needed this..."

His obvious attraction for her was almost too much for Connie to bear.

"Mike," Connie admitted with difficulty, "I was the one who had a wonderful time today...and well, not just today... ever since you've arrived here…"

As Mike watched her, all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms again.

Impressions of their kiss was forefront on both of their minds, despite their best efforts to set it aside.

But the moment was interrupted when the waiter brought their plates.

With the waiter hovering over them, Connie took a deep breath in and produced a sunny smile, switching to a lighter mood.

"Here it is...the specialty of the house!" Connie teased, "This exact dish has been prepared for the most discerning of tastes…the school bus children who come here!"

As the plates were placed in front of them Mike grinned at the two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that were enticingly displayed on a plate alongside a side of potato chips, carrots, and an apple.

"Did I not tell you this is the most exquisite of meals?" asked Connie. Another cafe worker came over and produced two wine glasses filled with...milk.

After the food servers left, Mike looked across at Connie, looking most pleased.

Mike lifted his wine glass of milk, as he proposed a toast, "...to justice..."

"Justice," echoed Connie, also lifting her.

Their glasses clinked.

As Connie took a small sip, Mike warned', "Hey, go easy on the drink! You're the designated driver!"

"Ooo," joked Connie, "It went straight to my head!"

Mike laughed.

They both thought this was their best lunch ever.

.

.

It was late afternoon and the judge called court to session. After the relaxing morning they just experienced, Mike and Connie were ready for court to resume.

Connie knew Mike's strategy was to show that Larry Cantrell had planned the meeting of Paige with the two defendants, acting as a pimp, so to speak.

Mike stood, "The People call Larry Cantrell to the stand."

Stanford Bennett rushed to Cantrell's defense.

"Your Honor," stated an indignant Bennett, "I must strenuously object! Mr. Cantrell is scheduled as our witness, therefore, with Mr. Cutter's direct, I will advise Mr. Cantrell to invoke his fifth amendment rights."

"But Mr. Cantrell is not the one on trial here, your honor" Mike pointed out, "therefore he cannot plead the fifth on his testimony."

The Judge nodded, "Mr. Cantrell will take the stand and answer all questions directed at him."

When Larry Cantrell appeared reluctant, the judge added, "You must take the stand, Mr. Cantrell or be held in contempt of court."

Cantrell hesitantly approached the stand and went through the preliminaries before taking his seat on the witness stand.

"Now, Mr. Cantrell, "began Mike, "Let's start at the beginning. When did you first meet Paige Regan?"

Cantrell's expression showed resentment.

"When she came to the beach-house on January 10th," he tersely stated.

"So the first time she was at the beach house was a week earlier than the alleged incident, is that right, Mr. Cantrell?"

He gritted his teeth.

"Yes."

"Why was Miss Regan there that first time?"

"She was hired as a stripper."

"You mean, " Mike corrected, "an exotic dancer."

Mike looked over at Paige, who gave a slight smile at the correction.

"Regarding the January 10th party, did you hire her, yourself, Mr. Cantrell?"

"No," Cantrell shook his head, "all the guys at the party chipped in."

Mike tilted his head.

"That would answer the question who paid for her services, Mr. Cantrell," Mike asserted, "I asked if you were the one who hired her."

Cantrell glared at Mike, "Yes."

"I see, " Mike nodded, "So, she came to your beach-house a week earlier and performed an exotic dance."

"Yes."

"And did you like it?"

Defense lawyer Bennett was up, "Objection! How is Mr. Cantrell's opinion of her dancing relevant?"

"Your Honor," reasoned Mike, "According to Miss Regan, Mr. Cantrell was the one, who invited her to their next beach party where the rape allegedly took place. I am just trying to ascertain why he would do that."

"Then just ask him!" exclaimed Bennett.

Judge Sonya Cruz agreed, "Sustained."

Mike nodded.

"So, Mr. Cantrell, you did think Miss Regan was a good dancer..."

Bennett shot out of his seat, "Your Honor,you had already instructed Mr. Cutter..."

"Defense is interrupting in the middle of my question, your Honor!" Mike looked indignant.

The Judge nodded, "Sit down and try and be more patient, Mr. Bennett!"

Flustered, Bennett sat.

..."SO," Mike continued "Miss Regan being a good dancer is the reason why you asked her up to the beach house the following week, am I correct?"

Cantrell paused before answering begrudgingly.

"You could say that."

"No, I don't want to say that, Mr. Cantrell," said Mike.

Cantrell rolled his eyes.

"Okay, then! Yes!" Cantrell looked thoroughly annoyed, "She was a good dancer so I asked her to come the following week! Alright, happy now?"

Connie sat up and took notice.

There was something odd about the way Cantrell was answering the questions. He was so reluctant, so hostile... more so than she had expected. She pondered over the meaning of his antagonism. Something else was going on here. If she didn't know any better, it was a sign of...

Suddenly an idea formulated in Connie's mind.

She began writing furiously on her legal pad, hurriedly underlining the last part. She caught Mike's eye from across the room and pointed to her pad with a pen. Nonchalantly Mike walked over to the prosecution table to read what she had written:

Mike, we were WRONG! Cantrell didn't ask her to the party to set her up with the two defendants... he asked becauseHE LIKED HER!

They exchanged looks.

This changed everything.

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Next chapter...the trial continues!

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