Chapter 19: Back to Work
Nikki came out of the hospital feeling happier than ever. She'd been cleared to go back to work, and to do stuff again. Almost anything, so, she decided to call Flack. After seven months of being out of work, she was more than ready to go back. Although, she knew that she would have to leave soon.
She got into her car, and headed for home. Nobody but Stella had talked to her since her release from the hospital. Her parents hadn't told anyone, especially Danny, thank goodness. She was just hoping that he would worry more about Lindsay and the baby. Nikki frowned, and realized she didn't even know her own niece or nephew's name. Let alone if it was a boy or a girl.
Nikki frowned all the way home, and tried to find reasons to figure out about her niece or nephew. She was determined to do at least that. Plus, she needed Don. She had cried herself to sleep the past three months since she got out of the hospital because she had felt that she had betrayed him. Life couldn't be simple and treat her fair, no, it had to be unfair and mean. She would get around it.
Nikki walked into her apartment, and immediately went for her phone. She dialled Mac's number. He answered, " Mac Taylor."
" Hey, Mac. It's me, Nikki", she replied.
" Nikki? How have you been?", Mac asked.
" I'm okay. Hey, guess what? The doctor cleared me for field work, and all that good stuff. So, when can I return to work?", Nikki asked, hopeful.
" Tomorrow, I guess. Eight o'clock ok?", Mac asked.
" Yes, definitely. I can't be cooped up here anymore. See ya tomorrow, Mac", Nikki answered. She hung up, and fell happily onto her couch and smiled a very happy smile.
Stella walked into Mac's office and seen the surprised look on his face. " Hey, Mac. What's up?", Stella asked, cautiously.
" I got a call from Nikki. She said that she was cleared to come back to work", Mac answered.
" And that's surprising, how?", Stella asked.
" I don't know. Do I look surprised?", Mac asked, looking up at Stella.
" A little, yes", Stella smiled.
" Oh, sorry. Don't tell anyone that she's coming back to work, okay?", Mac asked.
" Yeah, sure. I can do that", Stella replied, carefully. Her smile turned to a frown, but turned and walked out of his office and headed for lunch. Time to figure out what the hell is going on, and if Mindy's case can be solved, Stella thought.
As if there aren't enough problems already, Danny thought as he fixed a flat tire on his car. Lindsay was still home and would probably remain that way. He didn't feel the exact same love for Lindsay anymore. He loved Rose, but Lindsay took it too far with the grudge against Nikki.
Lindsay was just starting to bug the hell out of him. Grudges were something of the past, or at least, that's what he thought. Seven hellish months with Lindsay. Sure, he'd been concerned when Lindsay had gotten into that car accident. But, now, he was just plain annoyed. Nikki was his sister, and she had every right to see her niece. Danny mentally calculated how long it had been since he had talked to her. It had been exactly four months.
Danny finally got back into the car, and headed for work. Once he got there, he wanted to lose himself in work and forget all about his problems, they were for later, when he was really pissed off and felt like smacking them all. He laughed in spite of himself.
As Nikki awoke the next day, she felt excitement settle at the pit of her stomach. She felt giddy, despite her job. She rushed and then got to her car. It would be a good day, the sun was shining, and there was not a cloud in the sky that she could see. Driving into work was very quiet, but comforting.
Looking up at the building, Nikki felt a tingly sensation enter her toes and go up her body. She walked into the doors and headed for the elevators. She got in and pressed the 35th floor. In a matter of a minute, the doors opened, and she walked out into the familiar atmosphere. She walked straight to Mac's office and found him sitting in his chair, on the phone.
She knocked on the glass door and then seen him look up and nod at her to come in. She walked in, and sat down. Minutes later, Mac got off the phone and said, " Hey."
" Hey, Mac. It's been awhile", Nikki greeted him.
" It certainly has, ready to start?", Mac asked.
" Do you really need to ask?", Nikki smiled.
" No, I guess not. Okay, well there's a crime scene that's just been reported on 10th and Baker. Flack's there, but he needs a CSI, and right now, Stella's got a case, Danny and Hawkes got a case, I've got a case, we're all booked up. Would you be willing to go?", Mac asked.
" Oh my gosh, yes. I'll get right on it", Nikki exclaimed, as she loped to the door, turned and said, " Thanks, Mac. See ya later."
When Nikki got to the crime scene, grabbed her kit, and got out of the car. She looked around and headed for the building. It was a tall office building. Nikki shielded her eyes and looked up. It had to have at least forty-five floors. It was a tall building made of glass. Nikki could see the windows and offices that lined every floor in her sight.
" Nikki?", called a sultry voice, only Nikki would recognize. Nikki turned and smiled. Don Flack stood in a grey suit with a white shirt and a blue tie. Nikki felt her heartbeat start to accelerate.
" Hey there stranger", Nikki greeted him. They hugged and Don felt his pulse start to race.
" Oh, I'm the stranger, huh? It's good to see you. Long time. Last time I seen you, you had two casts and a few bandages", he teased, " But, you're definitely looking better now."
" Thank you. You aren't looking so bad yourself", Nikki replied. Looking over at the building, Nikki said, " So, what do we have here?"
" You're my CSI, are you?", Don teased, " Well, we have a man, mid-thirties, caucasian, no I.D. and well, you'll have to see for yourself." Nikki looked at him and then followed him inside.
In an office was the guy, completely naked, and a scarf around his neck. Nikki walked around the table and found that his genital area was the colour pink. Nikki gasped and hid a giggle. " Umm… the genital area?", Nikki asked.
" Yeah, pink, right? What exactly happened here?", Don asked.
" Well, my best guess, a heart attack due to sexual pleasure and the girl gave a scarf as a souvenir?", Nikki guessed, taking a look at the scarf wrapped around his neck.
" I get it, the sex blows", Don teased.
" Good one, a little shaky on the landing though, Don", Nikki replied, between snapping pictures.
Don smirked and watched as she worked. Her movements were careful, almost calculated. She had never said anything about what happened, but whatever did happen, caused her more fluid movements to become careful and calculated, almost as if she were preparing for another attack.
" What are you doing tonight?", Nikki asked, over her shoulder.
" Nothing. Why?", Don replied.
" Want to get a drink after work? Catch up on some things?", Nikki suggested.
" Sure", was all Don answered with.
It took Nikki a total of two and a half hours to process the scene and then the body was to de taken to the morgue. Then, Nikki straightened up and headed for her truck. She put her kit in the truck and drove to the lab.
She entered the lab again, and felt like an outsider. She felt that she was someplace she didn't belong. Still, she kept on walking. Walking into a lab, and seeing Adam Ross kept her spirits up. " Hey, Adam", she greeted him.
" Nikki? Oh, wow. You're here", Adam replied, shocked.
" Yes, I didn't die, I'm still growing strong. How are you?", Nikki asked.
" I'm good, good. You?", Adam answered.
" I'm great. I just got back from a crime scene. First day out in the field, in the job, again. Can you examine this trace evidence I found on the body at 10th and Baker, please?", Nikki pleaded.
" Yeah, sure. I'll get right on it", Adam responded, and when Nikki smiled and turned to leave, added, " It's great to have you back, Nikki." She smiled at him and headed out the door.
After an hour, Nikki went down to autopsy, and got exactly what she wanted. Heart attack. The John Doe was only in his early forties. He was in excellent health, which was why Nikki wondered, Why did this guy die of a heart attack? Of course, Sid was still waiting for a toxicology report. Maybe he was overdosed on something that caused him to have a heart attack.
Nikki went to meet Flack for drinks and talk. He was waiting for her directly outside the lab. He rolled down the windows on his car, and said, " Hey."
" Hey", Nikki replied, a little shocked.
" You sound a little surprised", Don speculated, grinning.
" I am, a little. I was expecting to meet you at the bar, but this will do", Nikki smiled, as she got into the passenger side. He drove off, and they arrived at Sullivan's a short time after.
They went inside and ordered a couple of beers. Then, went and sat in a booth to talk.
" So, how have you been feeling lately?", Don asked, as he sipped his beer.
" I've been feeling pretty good. I can drive and walk without crutches. I have a scar on my stomach now, but just knowing that Jeremy won't be bugging me again clears all the dreadful thoughts away", Nikki replied.
" Well, that's really good. It's good to see you at work again", Don said.
" Well, it's good to be back at work again", Nikki replied, " I got so tired of being cooped up in my apartment, I was ready to beg Mac to come back to work."
" I'm sure Mac wouldn't have let you beg. He's been understaffed since Lindsay had the baby. Lindsay and Danny haven't been at work. Danny came back today. Lindsay is still at home. Rose is so beautiful", Don smiled.
" Rose?", Nikki asked.
" Oh, your niece. You don't know the name of your niece?", Don asked back.
" No, I haven't talked to Danny for four months. I wouldn't have even known that my apparent niece was born if I didn't have parents", Nikki answered.
" Are you kidding me?", Don asked, surprised.
Nikki shook her head, " No."
" Oh, wow. Is it really that bad between you and Lindsay?", Don asked, " If you don't mind me asking, of course."
" No, it's fine. Lindsay hasn't talked to me in a long time. She's still holding a grudge against me, I think. Danny hasn't tried contacting me in four months", Nikki answered. She took a long gulp before putting her beer down.
" Oh, that bad. Can I ask you something?", Don hesitated, looking down at his beer, rather than at Nikki.
" Sure, Flack", Nikki replied.
" Where did you go after you were released from the hospital?", Don asked, quietly.
" I stayed at my parents house", Nikki replied, " Why?"
" It's nothing. You just didn't tell me, and when I found out that you were gone from the hospital, I got worried", Don admitted.
" Oh, Don. You didn't think that I'd go to my parents?", Nikki asked, smiling.
" No. I didn't. I asked, Danny if he knew where you'd gone, and he said that he had no idea. I got really worried then", Don admitted, lowering his head.
" It's ok-", Don cut her off.
" No, it's not ok. You disappeared, and I couldn't find you. I worried, a lot. I don't even think you know how much. I didn't sleep for two weeks. I tried finding you, and I came up blank. I didn't know where you'd gone. I worried so much, I thought I'd lost you", Don couldn't continue as tears came to his eyes.
Nikki pulled him into her arms and smoothed his hair down as she reassured him that she was ok. He finally straightened up and then wiped his eyes. " I'm really sorry for doing that", he apologized.
" It's fine", Nikki smiled.
" Are you hungry?", Don asked, suddenly.
" I am actually", Nikki admitted, smiling weakly.
" I'll take you to my place. Cook something, cause now that I think about it, I'm hungry too", Don grinned. Nikki looked his straight in the eyes, and felt her heart melt, and bit her bottom lip, trying to figure if that was the best thing to do.
" Sure", she replied, getting up from the table. They walked out into the rain, and drove to his apartment.
" This is really nice, Don", Nikki commented.
" Thanks. I was punished if I didn't clean my room everyday, it kinda stuck with me", Don admitted, sheepishly.
" What are you planning on cooking?", Nikki asked, curious.
" A great pasta that you will love. My mom used to make it all the time. It's an old family recipe", Don replied from the kitchen, " Would you like something to drink?"
" Sure", Nikki answered. A few minutes later, Don came out with a glass of what looked like wine.
" It's really good, trust me", Don said, as he handed her the glass.
She took a sip, and then exclaimed, " Wow, this is really good, Flack. Oh my God, this taste is really beautiful."
" I told you", Flack replied, in his I-told-you-so look. They sipped in silence and then he went and turned on the radio as he headed for the kitchen again. He disappeared around the corner, and Nikki felt like it was right to be where she was.
They ate half an hour later, she tasted the pasta, and then once again exclaimed, " This is really good, Flack. You are an amazing cook. Some woman is going to be really lucky to have you as a husband."
Don smiled, and then at those words, frowned. He quickly picked up his glass of wine and gulped it. Then grabbed another. " Thank you", he smiled.
" You're quite welcome", Nikki replied. They finished eating in silence, and then washed the dishes together.
They went and sat down on couch and then Don heard a really nice song. He stood up and turned to Nikki. " Would you like to dance?", he asked.
Nikki looked up at him and then said, " Sure."
He took her hand and danced with her. Nikki had never been so close to him before. Now that she was, she was drawn closer to him. Their bodies melded together until they fit together perfectly. Don did a sharp intake of breath as Nikki moved closer and her breasts rubbed against his chest. Being so close to her was pushing him closer to an edge he wasn't sure he could control.
He held her against him as the song went on, and he smelled the scent of vanilla and jasmine in her hair. He inhaled the scent as if to store it away in a memory for later. She looked up at him with eyes that held the look of held in passion waiting to get out. He looked down at her and she kissed his jaw very lightly.
The song ended and he still held her to him. He wasn't about to let her go just yet. She looked up at him again, and he stole that moment to lean down and kiss her. The kiss was gentle and passionate. It turned into something more, and her felt that precious control slipping away, but at the moment, he really didn't care.
She responded to him as he gently led her to the bedroom. She wasn't about to let him stop. He laid her down and they both stripped down to nothing. As he began moving against her, she felt pleasure slowly slither through her body.
He didn't want to stop, he just wanted to hold Nikki against him all night long. He touched her in places she never knew could ignite pleasure. When he finally entered her, she felt as if she was about to explode. She thought that she had better tell him that she was leaving in two weeks, but at the moment, she just wanted to fell him against her.
He began to thrust in a way that had Nikki writhing for release. He increased the tempo, and they moved together. Her release came not too long after that, and soon did his. He collapsed on top of her, and then rolled to the side of her. He pulled her close to him and held her. He continued to make love to her throughout the night.