This one took a little longer for me to write; I got stuck. As much as I love the dynamic between Heather and Jim, I don't feel like I have her voice yet. So I decided to just keep going and my Heather might just be a tad OC. That said, I do hope you enjoy. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think. Seems people just aren't as involved with CSI as they used to be and the conversation has dwindled.
That night the three of them sat in almost the identical spot across the street from the building that housed Ellie. Nancy, sitting in the back, watched the interaction between Jim and this strange woman he had gone to for help. She couldn't decide if they were friends or enemies or what. There was certainly some antagonism; Jim's snarkiness had really come out as the hours passed. Yet, Heather tolerated it and even seemed amused by his comments in a dark sort of way. And as Nancy watched Jim, she recognized a twinkle in his eyes that told her underneath it all, Jim liked the woman. She certainly wasn't what Nancy had understood to be Jimmy's type. Nancy also got the impression that the woman knew her way around men and understood far more than she let others believe.
They'd just had another barb filled exchange that had Jimmy frowning and Heather looking out her window and sighing deeply. Then suddenly, as if a breeze blew through the vehicle and blew everything away, Jimmy's attitude changed. "Look Heather," he said in a much nicer tone.
She turned to him, her eyes questioning. "Captain Brass?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm and Nancy realized the woman was baiting him.
"It's just…" he paused and sighed. "Look, you're here…as a friend, so I think it'd be okay if you just called me Jim." He even smiled a little. Nancy knew his smiles, his genuine ones, were few and far between. In part, it was simply his nature. But she also knew he'd had his front teeth knocked out in a hockey game as a kid and he'd always been self conscious about that even though the fake teeth were so good no one knew the difference. But that he was smiling at this strange woman, even a little, surprised Nancy.
Heather studied Jim for a long moment, her eyes flickering over his face. "If you wish," she conceded.
"Good," he smiled again, this time even a bigger smile. "I uh…I know our history hasn't been …well, exactly friendly. But that's all…"
"In times gone by?" she offered. "you mean because I'm respectable now…Dr. Kessler instead of… well, yes those are times gone by. And you were just doing your job…isn't that the way most police officers describe their appalling behavior?"
"Was I really that mean to you?" He was smirking this time. And then flashing her his innocent look, as Nancy thought of it, he continued "Geez, I'm sorry." Nancy was certain Heather was rolling her eyes; she knew her own were rolling. But she realized he was teasing the woman…taunting Heather even, the way he once taunted her when he didn't know how to express his feelings.
"At times, yes. But more than that, you were judgmental. I deplore judgmental."
"Okay, I get it," he said more seriously, almost biting. "So no more judgmental from me…I promise." He was smiling again.
Nancy felt like she was watching her ex hitting on his next…conquest? Victim? She also had the feeling he was overmatched and Heather would be the victor of …whatever it was that was going on between them.
Jimmy opened his mouth to say something but then his eyes flickered to the front of the building. "There he goes," he said as he watched the john exit the building.
"I believe that is my cue," Heather said evenly. She exited the car and crossed the street, glancing in the direction the john had gone and then entered the building. Now all Jim and Nancy could do was wait.
The quiet made Nancy anxious and she tried to break it. "Who is that woman, Jimmy?"
"Heather?" He seemed uneasy with her question. "I met her years ago…on the job. One of her…" he hesitated, "employees was murdered. It was my investigation."
But you seem more familiar with her?"
"Yeah, well…there was another case involving her business and then later…well, her daughter was murdered. Then four…five years ago she was a victim in a case. She um….well, she nearly died. She's helped the department in other investigations too."
"Wow, she's had a tough life," Nancy commented.
His voice suddenly more tender and gentle, Jim replied, "yeah, she has. Some of it was of her own making but…well, she's not evil or anything. She just pushes the boundaries."
"But you…respect her…" Nancy commented.
With a shrug Jim nodded. "Yeah, I guess I do. She's smart and very good at figuring people out. And although I doubt she has many friends, she's very loyal to the ones she does have. She helped a friend of mine a few years back when no one else seemed to be able to get through to him… I just didn't much like her business before…"
"So you like her? In spite of the way you talk to her?"
Jim seemed surprised by that notion. "Yeah, I guess I do. I mean, we'll never be bosom buddies or anything but yeah, I guess so…"
Watching him closely, Nancy could tell her questions had sparked something in him but she couldn't tell for certain what. However, she had her suspicions. But for now all of his attention was on the doorway to the building.
Heather went to the apartment door and knocked softly. After a moment the door flew open and an angry young woman was glaring at her. "Yeah?"
"Oh, I'm sorry…is this a bad time?" Heather asked evenly, careful not to inflame the woman more.
"What? Who are you?"
"I'm looking for Ellie Brass. Are you Ellie Brass?"
The young woman frowned. "What do you care? I don't know you…" and then her eyes flickered and her demeanor changed. "My dad sent you didn't he?"
"He thought, I have experience with your…lifestyle and he thought you might be willing to speak with me for just a moment."
"Lifestyle? You're a hooker?"
"Not exactly. I am…was a dominatrix and had my own business. It was called The Dominion. That's how I met your father."
Ellie snorted and laughed. "Dad went to your place…oh tell me, was he the dom or the submissive?"
Heather smiled, letting a deep chuckle escape. "Neither. He was there for business, not pleasure. He is such a dominant personality however, I can't help thinking he might benefit from being a submissive."
"Yeah well… dominant; he's that alright. So what is it you are supposed to talk to me about? I'm not doing what he wants." She was still belligerent but was beginning to relax.
"Might I come in?"
Ellie frowned. "I don't know…"
"If your man comes back you can simply explain that I know about S&M and you thought I might advise you," Heather suggested.
Ellie relented and took a step back, allowing Heather to pass. Ellie went to a chair that was obviously a comfort place for her as she curled into it. "So what's Dad message this time?" She asked as Heather seated herself on the sofa. "All will be forgiven if I jut come home?"
"No, not exactly. He is concerned about you. He came to me because he saw the whip mark on your neck. That's a little unusual… he thought things might have gotten too rough. Did it?"
Ellie frowned. "It hurt…if that's what you mean. I'm not usually into that stuff but…the pay is good."
Heather smiled. "It can be…under the right circumstances. But it is not for everyone. Are you certain this is the path you wish to travel?"
"I need the money," Ellie confessed. "Things on the street were…not so good."
"Yes, that is often the case as a girl gets older."
"I thought about porn, even did one but…" Heather waited for Ellie to continue. The girl shrugged. "Most of the girls are younger and already…I dunno, used up. And the guys….I got the impression they weren't…healthy. I haven't always been exactly careful and I've had a couple STDs that were curable but I don't want to get…"
"Something that can't be cured," Heather offered.
"Right," Ellie nodded. "I thought this gig might be better but he's…"
"Manipulative?"
Ellie nodded. "Right. But worse, he has a cruel streak."
"Ellie, I know you don't want to be told what you should do, but I strongly suggest you leave now. This man will only treat you worse and worse as long as you stay here."
Ellie sighed. "I know. But I don't know where to go. I lost my room and I only have a couple sets of clothes. I got no place else to go."
"There are your parents. They are both very concerned for you and either would be willing to give you a place to live while you decide what your next step will be."
Shaking her head, Ellie was adamant. "No, I can't go back to them, either of them. Mom will just cry a lot and ask lots of questions and Dad…he'll …he…"
"He loves you very much."
"Right," Ellie shot back sarcastically.
"He does."
"Look, did he tell you that he told me I had just become a piece of plumbing; that I had made myself into a disposable human being?"
"He did not but it sounds like him. Your father can be very blunt. But I know from experience that he has a good heart. I also know that he loves you."
"How do you know that?"
"He came to me for help," Heather stated with amusement.
Heather watched as Ellie considered everything that had been said. She could tell Ellie was ready to leave but the girl was hesitating about going with her parents. "I believe I can offer another option," she said warmly. "I have a huge house with a lot of rooms. You could stay at my house for a little while."
"Your house? You would let me do that…stay there? You'd trust me in your house?"
"There is only one thing that I treasure more than life and that is my granddaughter. When she is visiting, you will behave appropriately or you can make yourself scarce. But she will not be a victim of your situation. Am I clear on that point?"
Tilting her head, Ellie stared at the other woman. "Yeah…sure…. Okay."
"You said you have a few things?"
"Yeah…in my bag. I'll be right back."
They left the apartment a few minutes later. As the elevator door opened on the ground floor, the john stood waiting for it. Seeing Ellie with another woman, he smirked. Then seeing her bag on her shoulder, he got angry. Heather saw the outside doors open over the man's shoulder and grabbed Ellie's arm.
"Where the hell you think you're going?" the man asked.
"I…" Ellie started to reply.
Heahter interrupted. "She is going with me," she said firmly.
"The hell she is!" he yelled. "Just who the hell are you anyway," he barked.
"Her friend," Heather answered flatly.
"Bitch," the man snapped. "She's staying here," he said as he grabbed Ellie's other arm.
"Yeah, I don't think so," Jim said from behind the man. The man turned and glowered at Jim. "And who the hell are you?" he demanded.
Heather could see the coil tighten in Jim's demeanor. Staring at the man, Jim sized him up quickly. "I'm the guy that's gonna put your lights out if you don't let them go," he said in a low, threatening tone.
"Right," the man snorted as he took a swing at Jim. Jim dodged the blow and attacked, grabbing the man's arm and turning him, so that Jim had his arm tight against his back. The younger man tried to break away and Jim jerked his arm up and then, because he was so angry, Jim shoved him into the wall, mashing his face against it. "Heather, please take Ellie to the car," he growled.
Ellie stood firmly in her place however and Heather paused beside her. "What are you going to do, Dad?" Ellie demanded.
Jim closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts which were all over the place along with his emotions. Tightening his grip on the john slightly, he leaned into the man a little more, pushing him further against the wall. "What do you want me to do?" Jim asked gruffly.
"I…I don't want you to hurt him or take him to jail," Ellie said softly, almost apologetically.
"But he hurt you," Jim countered.
"Who the hell are you?" the man whimpered, his face still mashed against the cold hard surface of the wall.
Leaning in closer, Jim growled. "I'm her dad." His voice was laced with animosity and anger.
"Dad, please…just let him go."
Jim sighed. "Alright. Go with Heather…your mother's waiting in the car. I'll be out in a minute."
Ellie hesitated until Heather touched her elbow. "Listen to him, Ellie. He simply wants you safe before he releases the man. Come with me."
Ellie looked at Heather and then back at her father. "You promise, right dad?"
"Yeah, now please…go."
The two women turned and left the building. Once they were outside, Jim jerked the man's arm up even higher. Then patting his pockets, Jim pulled out his wallet and with one hand opened it. "Jonathan Mueller," he read aloud. Dropping the wallet, Jim used both hands to jerk the guy around and pushed him into the wall, his back against the hard surface now. "I'm red flagging you at PD, Mueller. You so much as jaywalk and you'll be brought in and will spend the night in my house. I'll be sure to put you in with the guys that are partial to pretty boys and we'll see how you like being on the receiving end of things. And you ever go near my daughter again and I promise …after I get finished with you, you won't have the equipment to charm the ladies with anymore. Understand?"
Mueller nodded, staring at Jim menacingly. Then he smirked. "Ellie's not the only bitch in town," he sneered.
"That'll be another conversation another day," Jim assured him. Then giving him one last shove, Jim released him and walked away.
Climbing back in the car, he was relieved to see Ellie sitting with her mother, Nancy's arms around their daughter. "Everybody ok?" he asked.
All three women nodded solemnly. Then Ellie asked, "you let him go?"
"Only because you wanted me to," Jim replied. "But I made sure he knows you're hands off first."
Ellie sighed, relieved. "Thanks."
He headed for Heather's place and as they pulled into her drive, he cut the engine and turned to her. "Thanks Heather. I owe you a big one," he said warmly.
Heather looked back at Ellie and Nancy and then at Jim, who was finally beginning to relax. "Not at all." She seemed hesitant and Jim realized there was something more going on with her. He also realized something else…about the way he usually treated her. Climbing out the car, he walked around to her side, opened the door and offered her his hand. She took it and climbed out of the car. "Thank you…Jim," she said with a smile.
Jim returned her smile. "This being friends is new territory," he teased.
"Yes, but I find it a much better place, don't you?"
"I do."
Just then the back door opened and Ellie climbed out. Jim looked at her, perplexed. "She's going to stay with me for a little while," Heather said softly.
Jim opened his mouth to object but something in Heather's expression told him to keep quiet. Finally he nodded. "Alright….at least I know she'll be safe and warm."
"She needs time," Heather suggested.
"Yeah right…." Then turning to Ellie, he smiled nervously. "You gonna be okay here, kid?"
"It's better this way, Dad."
Jim sighed. "Yeah, I get it. Just…keep in touch? And maybe, if it's okay, I'll drop by to check in once in awhile?" He looked between the two women. Heather nodded her agreement but Ellie hesitated. Finally she shrugged. "Yeah, okay…once in a while."
Jim stood and watched as the two women walked across the porch and entered the house. He saw lights flicker on and heard the lock tumble in the front door. Satisfied that they were in safely, he turned to Nancy who had gotten out of the car by now. "I need a drink," he breathed out.
"Me too," she smiled. "I noticed you've got a great stash at your place."
"Yeah, let's go home…" he said as he opened the front car door for her.
Home, Nancy thought as she settled inside. As she watched him get in and start the car, she smiled. Yeah…home….