^^ Welcome,
Something_wicked!
Thanks so much for the reviews. :adore:
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Miami, condo, 5 days later
Doorbell rings
Anni: *walks over to door, opens it*
Lori: *smiles*
Anni: HI! *hugs Lori*
Lori: Hi Anni.
Anni: *lets go* What brings you here?
Lori: Scott wanted to come down for a few days and I thought hey, may as well visit my parents.
Anni: Tim's in the kitchen with Riley.
Lori: *lifts brow* ...Riley.
Anni: Yep. Oh hey! You brought Stephanie! I almost didn't see her there. *kneels* Hi Stephanie!
Steph: *hugs Lori's leg*
Anni: *smiles* Awww she's a shy little thing, isn't she? *waves*
Steph: *stares at Anni*
Anni: You know...I might have some cookies in the cupboard if you want to come inside.
Steph: *wide-eyed, looks up*
Lori: *smiles* It's okay.
Steph: *smiles, runs over to Anni*
Anni: *grabs Steph's hand* Come on, I'll get them for you. *walks away*
Lori: *steps in, shuts door*
Kitchen
Riley: *laughing*
Speed: *smirks*
Riley: She actually did that?
Speed: Unfortunately.
Riley: Oh wow.
Lori: *steps over*
Riley/Speed: *look at Lori*
Lori: Hey.
Riley: *smiles* Lori! *runs over, hugs Lori*
Lori: *frowns*
Riley: It's so great to see you again, how are you?
Lori: *looks at Speed*
Speed: *lifts brows*
Lori: I'm great.
Riley: Awesome!
Anni: *lifts Steph up to cupboard* Okay, which ones do you want? We got all kinds.
Steph: *places finger on chin* Hmmm...
Speed: *looks at Steph*
Steph: *points to box* Those please.
Riley: Oh you brought your little girl! She's adorable! *runs over to Steph* Hi!
Steph: *smiles shyly* Hi.
Anni: I'm taking her over to the family room, you're welcome to come too.
Riley: I'd love to.
Anni: *walks away*
Riley: *walks away*
Speed: *looks at Lori*
Lori: *frowning*
Speed: It's nice to see you too.
Lori: Enjoying your visit with
her?
Speed: As a matter of fact, I am. She's a delightful young woman.
Lori: Mhm. And what the hell is she doing here?
Speed: She wanted to get to know us.
Lori: And you're letting her.
Speed: Uh yeah. She's my first-born child, it was a little hard to say no.
Lori: *crosses arms*
Speed: Are you jealous?
Lori: No. Why would I be jealous? You already treat Scott like a son so it's not like I've never had competition.
Speed: It's not a competition.
Lori: Huh, really wow because I've known you a lot longer and I
still never get more from you than a disappointed glare but you've known Riley what, 2 weeks out of her entire life and you're chummy with her?
Speed: *stares at Lori*
Lori: *looks down at floor*
Speed: *walks over, wraps arm around Lori* You're my little girl and I love you. That'll never change.
Lori: *lifts head, looks at Speed*
Speed: *staring at Lori*
Lori: *reaches up, grabs Speed's cheeks* You
are my father, right?
Speed: *pushes Lori's arms* Alright, that's enough.
Lori: *smiles* Just makin' sure. *walks over to counter, grabs water pitcher*
Speed: How's the little one?
Lori: *smiling* She's great. *pours water*
Speed: You and Scott are doing well?
Lori: Yep.
Speed: Is he in town too?
Lori: Yeah he said he wanted to take a swing by the APL building downtown and make sure everything's kosher over there. Y'know, since he's the big man VP and everything.
Speed: *nods*
Lori: *turns around* How's the baby-makin' going? Er, the general idea of it anyway.
Speed: Anni's still recovering.
Lori: *stares at Speed*
Speed: *frowns* From the gunshot wound.
Lori: *smirks* Right. Sorry. *sips water* Have you heard from Mom lately?
Speed: I've seen her a couple times at work, we haven't really spoke.
Lori: She messed up pretty bad.
Speed: Yeah.
Lori: *drinks water*
Speed: *leans on counter*
Riley: *runs over* Hey Tim, you mind if I grab that juice from the cupboard? Stephanie's thirsty from all the cookies.
Speed: It's fine with me if it's okay with Lori.
Riley: *looks at Lori* Is it okay?
Lori: *nods*
Riley: *runs over to cupboard, grabs peach juice*
Speed: *hands over cup*
Riley: *smiles* Thanks. *walks away*
Lori: *looks back*
Speed: *crosses arms*
Lori: *looks at Speed* ...
Tim?
Speed: I never preferred the 'Mister Speedle' thing.
Lori: *nods slowly*
Speed: Why don't we go in there and visit.
Lori: I don't like her.
Speed: *places hand on Lori's back* Too bad. Move your butt.
Lori: *frowns* Yes sir.
Kendall, house
Scott: *knocks on door*
1 minute later
Scott: *bangs on door* ... *looks around, opens mailbox, reaches inside* Great. *pulls out key*
Inside house
Scott: *shuts door* Tom! *looks over by couch* Tom. *runs over*
Tom: *slumped over on couch*
Scott: *looks at table*
Syringes are seen everywhere
Scott: God. *turns around, grabs Tom's face* TOM! *sits him up* Tom, wake up! *places ear up to Tom's mouth* ...Damnit. *pulls out cellphone*
Condo
Anni: *laughs* Stephanie, come over here. Grandpa wants to see you!
Steph: *latches onto Lori*
Speed: Good choice.
Anni: *slaps Speed*
Cellphone rings
Lori: *pulls out phone from purse, presses button* Yeah...*looks at Speed* what did he take?...How long ago did he take it?
Speed: *lifts brow*
Lori: Run into the kitchen, there should be a first aid kit in the cupboard over the sink. Find a bottle called naloxone and spray it up his nose. It'll stop the overdose if you got there on time...okay, go. *closes phone*
Speed: Who's overdosing?
Lori: My idiot friend Tom.
Speed: Tom
Carter?
Lori: Yeah.
Riley: Is he a junkie?
Lori: Police officer.
Riley: Yikes...that's unfortunate. I hope he'll be okay.
Speed: Are
you going to be okay, Lori?
Lori: DO I LOOK OKAY!
Speed: *stares at Lori*
Steph: *jumps off Lori's lap, runs over to Anni, sits on couch*
Lori: *scratches head* I'm sorry.
Speed: You want to go?
Lori: *sits up* Can I?
Speed: *nods*
Lori: *stands, runs*
Riley: I take it she's always like that.
Kendall, house
Scott: Come on, come on. *throws bottle, shakes Tom* Wake up!
Tom: *inhales, coughs*
Scott: *nods* Good.
Tom: *leans over couch, vomits*
Scott: *places hand on Tom's shoulder*
Tom: *coughs* There had *clears throat* better be a hot chick sitting beside me.
Scott: Sorry to disappoint.
Tom: *places hand on forehead*
God I hate you.
Scott: Don't mention it.
30 minutes later
Lori: *runs in* Is he alive?!
Scott: Yeah.
Lori: *runs over to couch, grabs Tom, hugs him*
Scott: *looks at Lori*
Lori: *lets go* YOU JACKASS! *punches Tom's arm*
Tom: *winces*
Lori: YOU ALIVE JACKASS! *hugs Tom*
Tom: Lucky me.
Lori: *lets go* Why would you do this?
Tom: I don't have to explain shit to you.
Lori: *looks at Scott* Why were you even here? Did you know he was going to do this?
Scott: *looks at Tom*
Tom: *lowers head*
Scott: I came by to talk to him about his little visit to New York.
Lori: *looks at Tom* How do you feel?
Tom: Pretty fuckin' irritated.
Lori: *places hand on Tom's cheek* You scared the crap out of me.
Tom: *pulls head away*
Lori: Tom...remember what we talked about that one night? About you having a family someday? Don't dismiss that.
Tom: *shakes head* It's not going to happen.
Lori: If
I can do it, you certainly can.
Tom: No. It
can't happen.
Lori: You're just upset, it'll pass. You just have to-
Tom: I had endocarditis.
Lori: ...What the hell is that?
Tom: It's a...type of infection in the heart. It was probably caused by the heroin use. I was treated for it.
Lori: Okay, so?
Tom: The infection damaged my heart valves. Severely. 2 of the valves can't be repaired and need to be replaced but my insurance, unfortunately, doesn't cover junkies.
Lori: You're not a junkie, you're a cop.
Tom: They don't see it that way. I did this to myself and hell, once everything's fixed, I might go back on the dope so it's not worth paying for. That's how they put it anyway. So thank you Scott, for prolonging my death.
Scott: *blinks*
Lori: *stares at Tom* ...When did you find this out?
Tom: Couple weeks ago.
Lori: *hugs Tom*
Scott: *lowers eyes*
TBC................................
