Once again, I only own what you don't know
Hey, did you hear the one about...
Rumor #1
"Do you have the time
to listen to me whine?
about nothing and everything all at once?
I am one of those
melodramatic fools
neurotic to the bone
no doubt about it."
-Basket Case, Green Day
"I heard that they're already sleeping together! And she's only been here a week!"
"I heard that they had something going when she lived in New York before, had this nasty break up and that's why she went to Arizona. I guess they started something up long distance and that's why she came back."
"So that's why the ex boyfriend showed up here! 'Cause she was cheating on him!"
"I can't believe she's sleeping with him all ready!"
"Do you really blame her? I'd sleep with him if he so as much looked at me the right way!"
"Ladies," Stella sighed heavily as she stepped out of one of the stalls in the ladies staff restroom. Startling the two gossiping lab techs. "Don't you two have some work you could be doing?"
"We were just talking about..." the little Asian tech tried to explain.
"Oh I heard what you were talking about." Stella assured them. "And where ever you're getting this information from, ignore it."
"Its pretty reliable." this from the tall lenky blond.
Stell moved to the sinks to wash her hands. "Unless you hear it directly from either party your referring to, leave it alone. And really, if it is true, it's none of your business."
"Its just a little harmless gossip." the blond argued.
"There's never anything harmless about gossip." Stella informed them. "Now please, if you don't mind, we're a busy lab and if you don't have anything to do, I can find you something. In fact, the lunch room needs a nice thorough cleaning."
"Actually," the Asian girl said. "I do have samples that I can run."
"And I have some paper work to finish." added the blond.
Stella smirked as they hurried from the room. "That's what I thought!" she called after them.
Mac was at his desk, phone pressed to his ear when he spied Stella lingering in the doorway. He smiled warmly at her and waved her into the office.
"I know that this is short notice," Mac was saying into the phone. "but this is a serious situation right from Sinclair and you were the first person that popped into my head... it doesn't matter how fast you can see her, I just wanted you to set up an appointment and get the ball rolling... we're talking anger management and some personal and social issues... I can send you a copy of her employee file and the complaints... you're the perfect person for this... you'll really like her. She's a great kid. Just a little troubled and misunderstood... I appreciate it. Talk soon... bye."
Stella arched an eyebrow as he hung up.
"My niece, Gus." Mac explained. "You remember her."
"NYPD staff psychologist. Your niece on Claire's side. We don't get to see her very much."
"She's a very busy lady. Someone always needs help in this job."
"True enough. So who in the lab is she going to help?"
"Sinclair was just here." Mac held up a piece of paper. "Lindsay went straight to him and filed a complaint against Samantha over the little incident the two of them had in the locker room a couple days back."
"She is an immature, snivelling little brat." Stella declared. "Lindsay, I mean."
"Did you know about it?" Mac asked.
"I know that Samantha took exception to some things that Lindsay was saying and called her on them. I talked to Sam at the crime scene yesterday and let her know that she could come to either you or I with any problem and that was that. She said okay and that was that. She went about her business. She just has a tendency to use her heart and not her head, Mac. And this thing with her ex boyfriend..."
"Is the main issue." Mac said. "Seems that Flack decided to hand out some justice of his own. He went and broke into this guy's hotel room and put him in the hospital over night. And now he has a complaint lodged against him for his trouble."
"Nice to see there's some guys still willing to defend a woman's honour."
"Stella..."
"Okay, so it wasn't the smartest move on Flack's part. But in his defense, he was off duty and what he does off duty is his business. Mac, if he and Danny hadn't have come along when they did, the outcome would have been a lot different. We'd be looking at a missing person's case or even worse, a homicide. I guess Flack just couldn't let it go that easy."
"Which leads nicely into the next issue. Samantha and Flack."
Stella sighed.
"You know about that, too?"
"I more or less figured it out. Oh come on, Mac. They're both young, attractive single people. It shouldn't surprise you that something like this happened. I'm more surprised that she's not the blond, ditzy type he's usually with. I mean, she actually has a brain!"
"Stella..."
"Observation. Strictly an observation. We can't pull the two of them in here and tell them that can't date each other, Mac. I mean, come on, that would be just a little hypocritical of you considering..."
"All I want is for them to keep focused on their job and not let their hearts control what they do."
"They're both mature, professional adults, Mac." Stella pointed out. "We won't have another repeat of the Danny and Lindsay disaster."
He sighed. "I hope not."
"So where does Gus fit in?"
"Sinclair ordered Samantha to counselling."
"For what?"
"Anger management, anxiety disorders, social problems..."
"What?" Stella laughed. "There is nothing wrong with that girl's social skills. She is the most down to earth, unassuming person I've ever met. That's refreshing. She's so grown up and Brooklyn yet so little girl at the same time. And she's an amazing cop, Mac. This is the first time with a new CSI that I haven't had to hold their hand and coddle them. She is a major asset to us."
"And I'd like to keep her that way." Mac said. "Which is why I called Gus. She's agreed to meet with Samantha and I think she is the ideal one that Sam will feel comfortable with."
"Whatever helps, Mac. And while you're giving Sam and Flack your little keep things professional talk, maybe you might want to consider passing word around to the lab techs that company time is for working, not gossiping in the john."
"I know." he sighed. "I've heard a few good rumour myself and its only noon hour. I'll pass something along letting everyone know that stuff like that will not be tolerated."
"Good." Stella stood up. "But before you do that, could you do me a personal favor?"
"What's that?"
"Buy me some lunch. I'm starving."
Sam's stomach growled noisily and she glanced up at the clock above the door in the ballistics lab. It was only ten minutes past twelve. She'd made lunch plans for one. Carmen had been called out to help Danny down in the lay out room, leaving her and Hawkes and a table full of ammo and handguns. In their lab coats and yellow lens protective goggles.
"So how does someone go from being an ME to being a CSI?" Sam asked curiouslly, as she was busy disassemlbing a rusted out Colt 45 hand gun.
Hawkes was amazed at how fast she could work. "I just wanted to be out in the action." he replied. "See sunlight for a change. Feel like I was part of the bigger picture. Get some excitement."
"Well, one thing about this job is that it's never dull." Sam said, searching the table for use able parts. "Did you ever work in a hospital or anything like that?" she asked.
"After I did my various rotations, I worked in the OR at Sacred Heart for a couple of years. One bad experience made me realize I didn't want to have someones life in my hands ever again. So I became an ME. To help the dead get that final piece of justice and give their families some sense of closure. Am I making any sense?"
"Perfect sense." She began to rebuild the handgun, peice by painstaking piece, attempting to get it back into working condition.
"How did someone like you become an expert in ballistics?" Hawkes asked.
She smiled. "I don't look like the Soldier of Fortune type?"
"Not exactly. You look like the teaching a group of third graders or volunteering at Sunday school type. Holding a spot on the PTA."
Sam laughed. "A soccer mom? Sheldon Hawkes you poor delusional man!"
"Or the fine dining, dressed up, theatre type."
"Actually, surprisingly, I do own a couple dresses and I do like the theatre."
"I have two tickets to see The King and I next Saturday. If you'd like to accompany me, we could go somewhere for a nice quiet dinner, talk outside of work for a change, have a few drinks."
Sam shifted on her stool uncomfortably. "As wonderful as that sounds, Sheldon, I don't think that's a great idea. Its not that I don't like you. You're a very handsome, charming, smart man, it's just that I'm kinda seeing someone and I don't think it would be appropriate or fair to him, if I went out with you."
"It would be strictly as a friend." he assured her. "Two friends going out to have a nice time together. I don' t think Flack would be too offended by that."
She cleared her throat. "How did you know that that's who it was?"
"A lot or rumors flying around here today." he replied.
"That seems to be a problem around here." she sighed.
"Just as a friend, Samantha." he promised. "That's all. Give you a chance to enjoy yourself after everything you've been through. Give you a chance to relax . And its strictly honorable."
She smiled. "In that case, a night out at the theatre sounds really nice. I haven't been in a long, long time. When I was with Zack he..." she stopped, appalled with herself for even uttering that name. "I'd like to go." she said instead.
"Great. I'll pick you up around six at your place?" Hawkes offered.
"Sounds like a plan." she agreed.
"Now back to my original question." Hawkes said. "You and ballistics."
"Ballistics and I go way back. Its been a good friend to me. My dad, stepfather, actually, he is an avid gun collector and he used to take Adam and I out back on his property to shoot cans and stuff. I know, sounds red neck. Anyway, Adam was never the weapons kind of guy. He's more the passive type. You know, computers, sci-fi, role playing. That kind of stuff."
"And you?"
"I was more than football and hockey with the guys and paintball type." she revealed. "Big Tom boy. My mom was getting a little worried there when I started taking my dad's guns apart over and over again, studying them and what not. I think she thought I was planning on going on a shooting spree or something. "
"So you went to university, got a masters and a b.a. and joined the Phoenix PD."
Sam nodded. "Did my year as a uniform and then asked fora job in ESU. Nothing available so I joined K-9 instead. Did two years there. Loved it. Those dogs area smarter than most humans And then got the job I wanted and trained as a sharp shooter and kept up with my interest ballistics. Moved over to the crime lab, and now..." she examined the newly built handgun "here I am."
"You did all of that and barely looked at it." Hawkes said in awe.
"All in a day's work." she declared and picked up a clip of ammunition and snapped it into place.
"You actually think it'll fire?" he looked skeptical.
"Only one way to find out." she said and pulled back on the chamber to load it. She held the gun out to Hawkes. "You do the honors."
He took the gun from her and moved to the firing tank. They slipped on their protective ear coverings and Hawkes aimed into the water and fired successfully.
He retrieved the bullet and gave her a huge grin.
"I am the ballistics bitch." she declared.
At five to one she was heading for the elevators to meet Flack downstairs. Only to be surprised by the sight of her brother in his usual drunken I just rolled off the couch frat boy attire, stepping off the elevator as she attempted to get on.
"Adam," she said when he grabbed her arm to prevent her from boarding and essentially missing the lift. "I have plans. I can't stick around. And what are you doing here anyway? Hang out here on your days off for shits and giggles?"
"I just came from the apartment." he informed her.
"Good for you. And?"
"You could have at least hidden it!"
"Hid what?"
"The fact that you were having sex all over my apartment! My sister! Having sex in my apartment!"
"Adam... look..."
"I wouldn't have even known if you hadn't left the condom package on the floor in the living room!"
Sam blushed slightly. "Well at least I'm having safe sex." she reasoned.
Adam glared at her, gesturing wildly with his hands as he spoke. "What the hell is wrong with you? After everything that happened
yesterday! You go and have sex with some guy you barely know?"
"Calm down, Adam. Don and I didn't actually have sex."
"Oh my God! So it is Flack!"
Sam tried to remain calm. And to not burst out laughing at her brother's disgusted, furious facial expression. "Look, what I do or who I do is none of your business. All right? We've already had this conversation."
"But Flack?! Of all people! Someone I work with and have to see every day! And why can't you just stay away from the men for a while? Quit being your own worst enemy!"
"Adam!" Sam snapped. "You're entering my personal space again! You're my brother, not my father! Do I complain when you and Kendall are having sex in the next room? No! At least I did it when you weren't around! And for the record, we didn't have sex. Other things, okay..."
"That's worse!" Adam shrieked. "I don't want to hear about you doin' things like that to Flack!"
"Fuck Adam! Grow up! Deal with it! At least I cleaned up the aftermath."
Adam clasped his hands over his ears. "Don't wanna hear this... don't wanna hear this... don't wanna hear this..."
"Get a grip! And do me a favor and go and by some more ice cream."
"You're disturbed! You really are! Using ice cream for that is sacrilegious!"
"At least I'm inventive. And quit the over protective father crap! I have to go. I have a lunch date and.."
"The Sarge is coming to New York!" Adam nearly wailed.
Sam stared at him in open mouth shock. "What? Why? When?"
"Mom called an hour ago and said he's got a two o'clock flight into JFK. And that he's staying with us!"
"What? No! He's not! Where the hell is he going to sleep?"
"Sleeping bag. On the floor. The same floor you had sex on!"
"He needs to rent a goddamn hotel room! He's got the money!"
Adam was near frantic tears. "Don't shoot the messenger!" he pleaded.
"And you call me mental? He's fucked! Too many grenades went off too close to that man's head! Or he's got some shrapnel lodged in his brain! I am so finding another place to stay while he's here!"
"Don't abandon me!" Adam wanted to throw himself at her feet and beg for mercy. "Don't leave me alone with him! Please Sam!!"
"I'll sleep in Grand Central Station if I have to. I stopped living with my parents a long time ago and I'm not getting back on that bus ride to hell." she turned for the elevator and pressed the down button.
"Sam!" Adam pleaded. "Don't do this to me! If you love me, don't do it!"
"I am not staying in a one bedroom apartment with my brother and my father. Its not going to happen. Sorry. I have to go, Adam."
"Sam, please don't do this to me!"
"I'm late! Someone is waiting for me."
"Is it Flack?"
"Let it go, Adam." she said and stepped onto the elevator.
Flack checked his watch. 1:07. He tried to concentrate on the stack of reports in front of him. A rare slow day in New York City meant a day of catching up on things that routinely fell by the wayside. Paperwork was not his strong suit. Nor was the patience one needed to deal with it effectively.
He was slightly startled when someone slammed their hands down on his desk. He looked up into furious dark eyes.
"Yes?" he asked, and yanked his file out from under one of the hands.
"I gotta bone to pick with you, Flack." Angell said.
"Well get in line. And fair warning, it's a long wait."
"You said that the reason why you couldn't get involved with me was because you didn't agree with work place relationships. That it blurs the lines or some other bullshit."
Flack nodded and went back to his work. "That's what I said." he agreed.
"So then what the hell is this crap about you dating the new CSI?"
"None of your business." he calmly replied.
"You lied to me you sonofabitch! If you weren't interested, that's all you had to say. I'm a big girl, Flack. I can take rejection. And its not like you're the only man out there. Or the best either."
"Look, at that time, I didn't date people from work." he said.
"What's changed in four months?" Angell scoffed.
"Sam wasn't here for months ago." he replied. "And if she had have been, it would have been her I took out that night."
"But you work with her just like you work with me!"
"Sam's different." he reasoned.
''How? She's a co-worker, is she not?"
"For one thing," he tossed his pen aside and leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. "we don't have desks across from each other."
"Lame fucking reason, Flack."
"What do you want me to say? That the way I feel about her I've never felt for any one before in my entire life? That she just looks at me or says my name and I nearly go fucking crazy? Or that she's beautiful and smart and insanely funny and makes me feel comfortable being myself. That she doesn't give a shit about my arrest record or the big busts I've made or who my father is. Or how about I tell you that she makes me feel happy and accepted and loved?"
Angell stared at him.
"Or how about I tell you that she's standing right behind you and you're holding me up?"
Angell turned around to find the little CSI standing there. "Hey." she said simply.
"Hey." Sam said with a small smile.
"You are a fucking ass, Flack." Angell informed him and walked away.
"What was that about?" Sam asked, watching the detective go.
"Nothing important." Flack replied and stood up and grabbed his suit jacket off the back of his chair.
"Did you and her ever..."
"It never got of the ground. And that's what she's pissed about."
"Me?"
He nodded and slipped into his jacket.
"I wasn't the reason it didn't get off the ground was I?"
"No. She wanted something to happen and I didn't because I didn't want to get involved with anyone from work." he told her. "And she heard a rumor about me and you and called me on it."
"This rumor is spreading like wild fire. The whole lab knows."
"Does that bother you?" he asked.
"No. I don't care if people know. I just would have liked to tell certain people myself."
"Yeah, well people around here can't keep their mouths shut. Trust me. Ignore it. I do."
They headed for the front doors, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back.
"Mind you," Flack said "you wanna hear the good one I have about Danny and Lindsay and a pool table? I've been holding it in for months."
"A pool table?" Sam frowned. "How in the hell does that work?"
"It involves a lot of alcohol and some creativity. Maybe we should try it sometime."
"All that felt? No way. That can't be comfortable on your ass."
"I never realized your ass was so sensitive." he teased.
"That's because you haven't tapped it yet." she shot back.
He grinned and shook his head. "Good things come to those who wait." he promised.
They had a quiet, leisurely lunch at a small diner three blocks from the crime lab. Talked about everything under the sun and stayed away from any work related topics. It felt good to sit there and laugh and smile at each other and exchange flirtatious looks or comments like any other normal couple. Only the fact they both wore badges and he had a holster and gun under his jacket attested to the fact that they were anything but normal.
The temperature was nearly a hundred when they walked back to the crime lab. Taking their time. She sipped a strawberry smoothie and talked about how hot it was in Arizona and how New York summers were Arizona cold season. She was a little surprised when he took her hand as they walked. But she just smiled at him in that innocent little girl way had about her from time to time and held his hand in return.
"What?" he asked when he saw her look down at their joined hands.
"Nothing. I was just thinking how boyfriend and girlfriend this must look."
"Isn't that what you are? If I'm introducing you to someone I'm gonna say girlfriend. You're not gonna say boyfriend?"
"Is that what you are? My boyfriend?"
Flack stopped walking and faced her. "You don't like to make things easy for me, do you."
She shook her head and sipped her smoothie.
He grinned.
"You so wanna kiss me right now don't you, Don."
"You have no idea." he said.
"Then why don't you? 'Cause I really want you to kiss me right now."
He took her face in his hands and pulled her gently towards him and kissed her. Long and soft.
"Mmmm..." she said afterwards and reached up to wipe smoothie off his lips.
"I was thinking that instead of going out tomorrow, maybe we can just order in, have some wine. At my place. Where no one is going to interrupt us."
"You're hoping for a repeat of last night?" the fingers of one hand travelled discreetly to his belt buckle.
"You do stuff like that, I'm going to have to take you in an alley way somewhere."
"How romantic..." she tugged playfully at the waist of his pants. "And that sounds like a nice way to spend a Friday night. But I'll only sleep over on one condition."
"What's that?"
"What are you going to make me for breakfast in the morning?"
"You know, that's what I love best about you. You're not afraid to eat."
"I actually have meat on my ass and hips."
"A very nice ass and hips I may add. And as for breakfast, you'll have to be surprised."
"Hmmm... that gives me some incentive to stay over."
"Trust me, I'll give you a hell of a lot of incentive by the time I'm through with you."
She grinned broadly. "You have a lot of expectations to live up to, Detective Flack. Think you can do it?"
"Absolutely." he replied confidently and leaned in to press a kiss to her ear before taking her hand again.
"I have a small problem." she said.
"Uh-oh."
"Nothing major. I'm running away from home."
"What?"
"My dad is headed to New York to check on me and apparently, he's camping out on my living room floor."
"Okay. And..."
"There is no way I can put up with him and Adam. I'll go nuts. And I know this is still new between me and you and you might be uncomfortable with the idea and you have every right to say no..."
"I should say no for the way you snore."
"I do not snore!" she laughed.
"You do. And you talk something fierce. Shouldn't surprise me. You never shut up when you're awake."
"Don, admit it. If something was to happen to me and you never heard my voice again, you'd miss it."
"You know what? I would. But we're not going to talk about stuff like that. You gonna bring those pyjamas you wore last night?"
"I have better ones. Little lace boyshorts and camis."
He cleared his throat. "Maybe I should sleep on the couch." he suggested. "'Cause you get me all worked up and I ain't gonna be able to stop."
"That's a good thing." she said and smiled devilishly. "So you don't mind? If I stay with you?"
"Why would I mind?" he asked and helped himself to some of her smoothie. "You'll be the first woman I've had stay for more than one night."
"I'm flattered." she said.
"You should be." he teased and she slapped his stomach. He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her close for another kiss.
"You are going to get us fired." she informed him.
"We're a block away from the lab. Whose gonna see?"
"Well in that case." she said and grabbed him by his tie and planted a searing kiss on him.
"You're gonna kill me woman." he said, staring into her eyes with pure unadulterated lust.
"What a way to go." she said.
Carmen walked into the bull pen. Anxious to get onto one of the computers and start her reports early. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Tim Speedle in the room. Sitting at one of the tables, a clipboard in front of him, writing feverishly on it.
"Are you still here?" she asked.
"Hello to you too." he replied without looking up.
"What are you doing in here anyway? This is employees only."
"Sorry to disappoint ya, Red..." he stood long enough for her to get a look at the badge, holster and gun and a temporary employee i.d. "I am an employee."
She stared at him. "Excuse me?"
"I work here." he clarified.
"Since when?"
Speed checked his watch. "About an hour and a half ago."
"You said you were just here to see Danny Messer."
"No... what I said was I was looking for him. I was looking for him to pass my time before my interview with Mac Taylor."
"And you said you were in PI work." Carmen added.
"I said was." Speed corrected. "Past tense."
She huffed noisily and plopped down at the farthest computer.
"Where's your little friend?" Speed asked.
"Her name is Samantha and she has a boyfriend so back off." Carmen replied.
"All I wanted to know was where she was." Speed said calmly.
"Out with her boyfriend. He's a cop. Homicide detective. He could break you in half with one hand."
"Good for him. What happened to her? Someone beat her up?"
"That is none of your business."
"The boyfriend?"
"Yeah...right. Don't let him hear you say that." Carmen laughed dryly.
"A perp?" Speed tried again.
"I already said it was none of your business." Carmen snapped.
"Take it easy, Red. Just making conversation."
They were silent for some time. Speed's eyes on the forms he was filing out. Carmen's eyes on him.
"So why you leave Miami?" she asked casually.
"Personal." he replied simply.
"A girl?"
He snorted.
"Guy?"
"I took a bullet to the chest and that's all you need to know." he said dismissively.
"Why don't you go back to Miami?" she inquired.
"I can't."
"Because..." she pressed.
"Because I can't." he said and smiled.
Both of their attentions were drawn to yelling from down at the end of the hall.
"What the hell are you doing here, Zack?!" Sam's voice.
"You see what your boyfriend did to me! Do you see it!!"
"He should have killed you!" she bellowed.
"Same way I should have killed you a long time ago, bitch!"
"Gun!" an unfamiliar voice yelled in warning.
Carmen was off her chair in a flash. Speed followed behind her.
Samantha and a badly beaten and bruised and broken Zack were at the reception desk. Startled, concerned and scared lab techs and other employees gathered around. All staring at the gun in Zack's hand.
"What the fuck!" Carmen exclaimed, pushing her way through the crowd.
"You're crazy!" Sam yelled "Put the gun away, Zack! Look at all these cops! You think you can just walk in here and do this?"
"One last chance, Samantha! You come with me or you did right here. What'll it be?"
"Get out of here Zack!" Carmen yelled, stepping beside Samantha.
"Who the hell are you?" the burly state trooper asked.
"You put that gun down and maybe you'll live long enough to find out!" Carmen replied.
"Fuck you bitch!" Zack roared.
Carmen took a step towards him and Speed caught her by the arm and stepped in front of her and Samantha.
"You don't wanna do this." Speed told the irate man. "Put the gun down on the ground and step away from it."
"Stay out of this!"
"Can't do that. You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us." Speed informed him. "And if one guy can do that hell of a mess to you, imagine what a few of us can do."
"I said stay out of this!" Zack yelled.
"Put the gun down, kid. Put it on the ground and kick it towards me and step back."
Zack switched off the safety.
"Are you crazy!!" Samantha yelled.
"Put the gun down." Speed said slowly.
Zack shook his head. "She has to pay! She has too!"
"You're outnumbered here, buddy." Speed continued. "Be smart and put the gun down."
Before Zack knew what hit him, Mac pushed his way through the throng of people, landed a punch to the man's solar plexus and knocked him to his knees. Then stepped behind him and put him in a strong arm hold.
Speed took the opportunity to grab the gun.
Zack roared in pain as Mac increased the pressure on his arm. Carmen grabbed a shocked, trembling Samantha and got her out of the situation.
"You walk into my lab and threaten my employee!" Mac bellowed. "You assault her at a crime scene! You were going to abduct her! You crazy, stupid sonofabitch! I will make sure you get what's coming to you. And its gonna make that beating you were handed last night look tame!" Mac handcuffed him. 'Now get up!" he yelled and yanked Zack roughly to his feet.
"Glock." Speed said as he looked over the weapon. "Nine mill. Fully loaded clip. One in the chamber."
"Welcome aboard Detective Speedle." Mac said and pushed and pulled Zack roughly towards waiting uniformed officers.
"Happy to be here." Speed said. He looked around and caught Carmen's eye. He smiled reassuringly.
She smiled back and mouthed: "Thank you."
That was for all of my loyal readers (you know who you are! lots of love!) who love Speed soooo much. There's lots more of this lovely man to come!