CSI:Miami Road Trip: Unlucky Number 13

Previous Thread

Seems as though we passed the thread cap a little while ago. Oops! Looks like it was time for a new one.

Welcome to the CSI:Miami Road Trip! 12 threads ago, the Miami team embarked on a journey to travel the world and become closer as a family (as it wasn't really working out very well in the lab. I'm looking at you, Horatio. ).

Through the years, we've seen characters come and go, bones broken and healed and of course laughs and tears along the way. Probably more tears than anything. If the team isn't getting into all sorts of trouble around the globe, they're doing it in the lab. Take that last one as you will.

Genre: Satire/Comedy/Action/Drama

Rating: G to PG-13

Characters: Cast from season 2-7. Also, some members of TalkCSI have generously allowed me to borrow their names and integrate them into the story as characters. THIS IS NOT AN RPG. Additionally, you'll find various OCs.

Disclaimer: I don't own the CSI:Miami characters. But if Speed's going up for auction as someone clearly didn't want him, I am prepared to bid up to 15 cents CAN and a pair of hot pink underwear.

Author's note: Sorry, only the 12th thread will be linked to. Between database purging and morning laziness on my part, well, you do the math.

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Want to thank y'all for the reviews in the previous thread! They definitely keep me encouraged to pursue my hobby of writing and being generally evil to fictional characters.

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Miami Beach, crime scene, 8:00am

Horatio, Calleigh, Eric, Ryan and Natalia walk in slow-motion across the beach; Alexx is seen in the sand, opening her kit

Horatio: We...*takes off shades* forgot to call Speed.

Ryan: Who?

Delko: Very funny.

Alexx: Couple of joggers called it in. ID says he's Bruce Sandeman, 37 years old.

Ryan: Wait, Bruce Sandeman the wrestler? This guy's The Sandman.

Calleigh: I didn't know you watched wrestling.

Ryan: It's a very engaging sport.

Delko: It's not a sport, it's a production. Boxing is a sport.

Ryan: The point is, this guy was supposed to enter the ring for his retirement match tonight.

Horatio And ended up...*puts on shades* retiring to a body bag.

Ryan: Word in the circle is that he was planning on announcing another year in the ring.

Calleigh: He wasn't really retiring?

Ryan: The association wanted him to retire after it was discovered he had terminal cancer.

Alexx: Looks like someone finished the job early. Drag marks toward the body, skin underneath his fingernails and dual lividity. This isn't our primary crime scene.

Everyone: *looks at Horatio*

Horatio: ...Oh, right. My cue. Our sandman is...*puts on shades* singing an ocean lullaby.

Everyone: *staring at Horatio*

Horatio: What, you think after this many years that my one-liners are going to get better? I'm probably senile for all you know.

Coconut Grove, condo

Katie: *pours coffee* You aren't heading to the crime scene?

Speed: ...What crime scene.

Katie: The beach murder. Everyone else went.

Speed: Damnit, it happened again. It was fine when Horatio forgot to buy me lunch and I didn't complain when my paycheck got sent to the graveyard but enough is enough.

Katie: He's probably just getting confused between that recurring nightmare and reality.

Speed: Yeah well the rest of the team doesn't have to encourage it.

Katie: *kisses Speed's cheek* You poor baby.

Speed: That's it, I'm going back to St. Petersburg.

Katie: I thought you came here from New York to work under Megan Donner but ended up forging a deep connection with Horatio after Megan's husband died in the line of duty, causing her to temporarily leave the lab.

Speed: Funny, I didn't realize smoking crack could affect one's memory.

Katie: It worked out great for Eric.

TBC.............................................

 

Thanks for the reviews!

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Miami Shores, house, 7:30am

Scott: *opens door*

Lori: *blinks* Did I wake you?

Scott: I was working out.

Lori: Oh. *lowers eyes*

Scott: ...Can I help you?

Lori: Right. *lifts rings* This is for you.

Scott: *looks at rings*

Lori: Given that we're separated, it's only fair that you should get the engagement and wedding ring back.

Scott: Keep 'em.

Lori: ...I don't want them.

Scott: Then...pawn them.

Lori: Scott, these are custom-made.

Scott: So?

Lori: Obviously this meant a lot to you.

Scott: You mean more to me than a couple of rings.

Lori: *grabs Scott's hand, drops rings* Take them.

Scott: *places rings in pocket*

Lori: We should probably file for divorce. Y'know, to make things final.

Scott: Is that what you really want?

Lori: *stares at Scott* ...What I want is to have met you in an alternate universe where I was a university graduate and you were a successful New York investor who didn't work on Tuesdays.

Scott: *smirks*

Lori: *walks in*

Scott: *looks back*

Lori: *looks around* Trimming up your muscles but not your hair.

Scott: *shuts door, turns around* Why does everyone have such a big problem with my hair?

Lori: You look like the drug user. Makes everyone think you still don't care.

Scott: *nods*

Lori: *grabs scissors from drawer* Sit.

Scott: No.

Lori: Come on, I promise I won't cut you.

Scott: There are salons in town.

Lori: *smiles* Perfect. Oh, let me check out your wardrobe first. *walks away*

Upstairs, bedroom

Lori: *steps in, looks around* ...You don't have anything.

Scott: Just the clothes on my back.

Lori: *turns around* You've been wearing this t-shirt and pants for the last 6 months?

Scott: I meant it metaphorically. I have a few other things in the closet.

Lori: *walks over to closet, opens it* How do you expect to go back to work without a wardrobe?

Scott: I'm not going back to work.

Lori: *turns around, grabs Scott's cheeks* Where's my Scott Finch?

Scott: *smiles*

Lori: There he is! *brushes hair from Scott's eyes* Alright, time to dress for success...since my father burned all your clothes in the backyard.

Scott: *smile fades*

Salon

Woman: *clipping hair*

Lori: You're going to make it short, right?

Woman: *looks at Lori* You're supposed to be in the waiting area.

Lori: Make sure to uncover his eyes, he doesn't need bangs. Oh! And c-

Woman: I've got it under control, ma'am.

Lori: But he has so much hair.

Scott: *looks down at magazine*

Lori: Trim his beard, too.

Scott: *smirks*

Woman: I will if you go away.

Lori: *sigh* Fine. I'm going to be next door picking out clothes. Here's some money, that should cover it. *places money on table*

Scott: *lifts eyes, looks at money*

Lori: *walks away*

Scott: *stares at money*

Clothing store, 30 minutes later

Lori: *places shirts on table* These will do, I think. Oh! He needs a belt. *turns around, screams*

Scott: *laughs*

Lori: That's not funny! Don't scare me like that. *tilts head* Huh. Much better. *steps closer, runs hands through Scott's hair* Finally, I can get through here without getting stuck.

Scott: *smiling, wraps arms around Lori's waist* It's so nice to see your beautiful face again.

Lori: *smiles* Same to you. Now don't let that grow too long again or I'ma gonna come back and hunt you down.

Scott: Maybe I should then.

Lori: *laughs* Don't push it, buster.

Scott: Alright, what did you pick out for me?

Lori: Well it turns out, Riley started a men's line so I get a discount. *steps back, walks away*

Scott: *follows*

Lori: *picks up shirt* This one.

Scott: It's pink.

Lori: It's Miami.

Scott: Maybe you should give this one to Bob.

Lori: *slaps Scott's chest* Stop it.

Scott: *smirks*

Lori: You're getting it. *picks up shirt* Try this on first. Blue is your color.

Scott: *grabs shirt*

Lori: Don't forget the pants. *drapes pants over Scott's shoulder* And I got you some shoes.

Scott: Great. I'll be all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Lori: You still own your company, it's not like you can't check in. Now get in that cubicle before I kick your butt.

Scott: Yes ma'am. *walks away*

10 minutes later

Lori: *taps foot* This year, Finch.

Scott: *walks out, buttoning cuffs* You have no patience.

Lori: *smiles* Handsome. I like. *walks over, faces mirror* I can get you...7 of these. Different colors and patterns.

Scott: *stares into mirror* It's a start.

Lori: *brushes Scott's shoulders* Perfect fit. Am I amazing or what?

Scott: The most.

Lori: *looks into mirror*

Scott: *turns around* Thank you.

Lori: *lifts eyes* It's the least I can do after the bonfire fun.

Scott: Oh, before I forget. *pulls money from wallet* Here's the change.

Lori: *takes money* How much was the cut?

Scott: 40.

Lori: *flips through money* ...I gave you 100. There's 20 missing.

Scott: *furrows brow* There can't be. *takes money, flips through it*

Lori: *lifts eyes*

Scott: Lori, there's 60 here.

Lori: *looks down at money*

Scott: One of the 20s got stuck.

Lori: Oh. *snatches money back* My bad. Wait, didn't you tip her?

Scott: I had some change.

Lori: *nods, shoves money into pocket*

Scott: *staring at Lori's jeans*

Lori: *lifts eyes* ...What's going through your mind?

Scott: Ways I can manipulate that money back into my wallet.

Lori: *nods*

Scott: I'm sorry.

Lori: It's okay, no one said you'd be 100% when you got back. It's a process, right?

Scott: Yeah.

Lori: I'll give you a ride home. *walks away*

Scott: *stares blankly*

TBC................................


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Gables Estates, house, 3pm

Lori: *smiles* And then we got some lunch before I drove him back to his place.

Katie: I hope he kept his fists to himself.

Lori: *smiling* Actually, things seemed pretty comfortable between us. Like old times.

Speed: How much money did he get out of you?

Lori: *smile fades*

Speed: *stares at Lori*

Lori: None.

Speed: Did you check your purse?

Lori: *frowns* He didn't steal any money. I was with him the whole time.

Katie: *hands over purse* Check anyway.

Lori: *grabs purse, opens it*

Katie: *crosses arms*

Lori: *digs through purse* ...*lifts head* I'm missing money.

Katie: Well look at that. You must have left your purse long enough for him to get his hand in there.

Lori: ...I went to the washroom during lunch but I swear, I must have taken my purse with me.

Katie: What can I say, Lori. An addict's an addict, no matter how handsome.

Lori: *looks at Speed*

Speed: *lowers eyes*

Lori: *frowns, walks away*

Front door slams

Speed: *shakes head*

Katie: Now she can concentrate on her kids and not depend on some washed-up ex-husband. *smiles* Our plan worked.

Speed: *looks at Katie* What plan?

Katie: *pulls money from pocket* I lifted it from her purse when I got here.

Speed: *frowns* Katie, she just went over there to chew him out and he didn't do anything wrong.

Katie: Oh come on, we both know he would have eventually.

Speed: No we don't. What do you have against them getting along?

Katie: He's a wife-beater, Tim.

Speed: He hasn't touched anyone!

Katie: He hit me.

Speed: He was high out of his mind and you probably deserved it for the way you behave and especially for what you just did. Stop meddling in other people's business.

Katie: Now you're defending him.

Speed: I'm defending the facts.

Katie: You take Scott's side and not Lori's, everytime.

Speed: This isn't about sides; you manipulated the situation.

Katie: For the greater good.

Speed: Katie, go over there and fix it.

Katie: No.

Speed: Then I will.

Katie: *grabs Speed* If you leave...so will I.

Speed: *stares at Katie*

Katie: You don't want to die alone, do you?

Speed: ...Do you enjoy toying with people's lives?

Katie: *sits at table, sips tea*

Speed: *looks at door*

Miami Shores, house

Lori: *walks in* SCOTT FINCH!

Scott: *runs downstairs* Lori?

Lori: *frowning, walks over* You son-of-a-bitch. *slaps Scott in the face*

Scott: *falls against wall*

Lori: I can't believe I was willing to help you, to connect with you. You're not even close to the same man I married.

Scott: *wipes lip, looks down at hand* ...I-I'm not sure I understand.

Lori: You were playing me the whole time!

Scott: *lifts eyes*

Lori: I guess that little confession was more true than I realized.

Scott: What are you talking about?

Lori: Oh you know exactly what I'm talking about. You went in my purse!

Scott: I didn't touch your purse.

Lori: Yes you did. You stole 50 bucks from me.

Scott: *stands straight* Lori, I didn't take any money from you. I swear.

Lori: I want to see your wallet.

Scott: *pulls out wallet*

Lori: *snatches wallet, opens it* Damn, of course. You already spent it.

Scott: I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.

Lori: *lifts head* Where are the drugs, Scott?

Scott: *opens mouth*

Lori: They've got to be around here somewhere if you haven't already taken them. *walks into kitchen, opens cabinets*

Scott: *looks at Lori*

Lori: *pulls drawers* What does 50 bucks get you anyways? Some oxy? How about some crank? *slams drawers*

Scott: *stares at Lori*

Lori: *walks over, grabs Scott by the shirt* WHERE IS IT!

Speed: *steps in* Lori.

Lori: *looks back*

Speed: He didn't take it. *lifts money* It's right here.

Lori: What? How?

Speed: Your mother took it. She wanted to frame him.

Lori: *looks at Scott*

Scott: *staring at Lori*

Lori: ...*wraps arms around Scott* I'm so sorry.

Scott: *looks at Speed, wraps arm around Lori*

Speed: *nods*

Scott: *lowers eyes*

Speed: *turns around, walks away*

Lori: *leans back, places hands on Scott's cheeks* I must have sounded like a raving idiot.

Scott: No, not at all.

Lori: That's nice of you to say.

Scott: *smiles*

Lori: ...I should let you get back to whatever you were doing.

Scott: Would you like to stay for dinner?

Lori: ...Dinner?

Scott: Yeah, I'm trying out a new salmon dish. Uh, canned salmon anyway.

Lori: Why don't we get the real thing.

Scott: *smirks*

TBC......................................

 

Thanks for the reviews! :adore:

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Gables Estates, house, 7pm

Anni: Where did Katie run off to?

Speed: She's pissed at me because I chose Scott over her.

Anni: *nods slowly* Not sure I want to know how that worked out.

Speed: *places Brook on lap*

Brook: *lies head on Speed's chest*

Anni: *points* Who's that, Brook?

Brook: Daddy 2.

Speed: *looks at Anni*

Anni: *smiles*

Speed: What did she just say?

Anni: You heard her.

Speed: *stares at Anni*

Anni: You gonna make it?

Speed: No.

Anni: *places hand on Speed's arm*

Upstairs, bedroom

Steph: Tommy, that's not where Barbie sleeps.

Tom: It's the bedroom, isn't it?

Steph: *shakes head* Barbie and Ken used to sleep in the bedroom but Ken isn't there anymore since Barbie fell in love with Prince Charming. *picks up doll*

Tom: I see...Barbie's moving on, huh.

Steph: Yep. Prince Charming and Barbie sleep in the guest bedroom.

Tom: What about Barbie's kids? Do they like Prince Charming?

Steph: *shrugs* They think he's nice.

Tom: *picks up doll* Is this one of Barbie's kids?

Steph: Yep. Polly Pocket.

Tom: She's pretty.

Steph: *smiles* Yep.

Tom: She probably wants Ken back home.

Steph: *shakes head*

Tom: *looks at Steph*

Steph: Ken's not her daddy anymore. *picks up doll* Superman is.

Tom: *lifts brow* Superman.

Steph: Yup. He loves Barbie too.

Tom: Does he.

Steph: *places Superman into dollhouse* He always makes sure Barbie's family is safe.

Tom: *wraps arm around Steph, kisses her forehead*

Miami Shores, house, backyard, 8pm

Scott: *sits, leans against tree*

Lori: *lies back*

Scott: Do you love him?

Lori: ...Bob?

Scott: Yeah.

Lori: Does it matter?

Scott: It does to me.

Lori: ...I don't know.

Scott: Do you love me?

Lori: *sits up, looks at Scott*

Scott: *lifts eyes*

Lori: ...I don't know.

Scott: I think you do.

Lori: *stares at Scott*

Scott: *sits up, kisses Lori*

Lori: *grabs Scott's hair, pushes him against tree*

Scott: *tosses Lori's blouse onto ground*

Lori: *sigh* Wait.

Scott: What?

Lori: You know what. *stands, grabs blouse*

Scott: *lifts head*

Lori: We're over, remember? *buttons up blouse*

Scott: *stands* If we were over, you wouldn't be here.

Lori: Don't.

Scott: It's true.

Lori: *flips hair onto shoulder* I need to get home.

Scott: When will you be back?

Lori: I might bring Steph by tomorrow.

Scott: Really?

Lori: Yeah.

Scott: *smiles*

Lori: Ugh, don't. You're going to make me want to stay.

Scott: *wraps arms around Lori, swings her around*

Lori: *smirks* Scott, stop.

Scott: *kisses Lori's cheek*

Lori: Alright, alright, I get it. I'll try not to be too late.

Scott: I love you.

Lori: I know you do. Now put me down.

Scott: *lets go*

Lori: See you tomorrow. *walks away*

Scott: I'll be here!

TBC....................................

 

Thanks for the reviews! Hee!

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Miami Lab, trace lab, 8am next day

Speed: *walks around table, pulls on latex gloves*

Anni: *walks past, stops* ...*steps back*

Speed: *grabs remote, presses button*

Rock music starts to play

Anni: You shouldn't be wearing white.

Speed: *looks at Anni* What?

Anni: *smiles* Gives us the wrong message about you.

Speed: Hilarious.

Anni: *walks over* Ooh. Haircut, new cologne...got laid?

Speed: *opens folder* Shouldn't you be firing off test shots in ballistics or something?

Anni: *smiles* You're a new man.

Speed: Anni...

Anni: Alright, alright, I'm going. *walks away*

Speed: *grabs pen*

Anni: *looks back* It was with Katie, right?

Speed: Get out.

Anni: *laughs, walks away*

Morgue

Tom: *walks over* How's my golf course DB doing?

Alexx: Shane Waters?

Tom: Yeah.

Alexx: Your victim was electrocuted.

Tom: *looks at Alexx*

Alexx: *pulls sheet down* We've been backed up for the past few days so I just finally got to him. Entry is though the left hand and the exit point is through the right foot.

Tom: You thinking taser?

Alexx: *shakes head* Judging by the amount of charring and melting on the bracelet he was wearing, I'd say it was something much stronger.

Tom: The attacker had something in his hand but the video was too degraded to see it clearly. *reaches down, grabs victim's hand* There's charring on his hand, too.

Alexx: He may have been grabbing at whatever electrocuted him. If I find any trace, I'll send it up.

Tom: Thanks.

A/V Lab, 3 hours later

Tom: *staring at screen*

Speed: *walks by, stops* Aren't you supposed to be meeting Anni for lunch?

Tom: I have to figure this out.

Speed: *steps over* Looks like a struggle. Tape's degraded.

Tom: Yeah and my victim was somehow electrocuted between the beginning of the struggle and when the video comes back.

Speed: Why was the video interrupted?

Tom: I don't know. Katie says it could have been a glitch because of its age.

Speed: What if it wasn't a glitch?

Tom: *looks at Speed*

Speed: Check out the pond.

Tom: *looks back at screen*

Speed: It's raining.

Tom: So?

Speed: Your killer might be the natural kind.

Tom: ...He was killed by lightening?

Speed: National weather service will be able to confirm a storm on the day in question.

Tom: *staring at screen*

Speed: With this job, you can't always assume your killer's another human. Consider all angles. Self-inflicted, natural, animal or environmental.

Tom: Right.

Speed: Have you found the other person on the tape? If it was a lightening strike, there's a good chance he was injured too.

Tom: I'll check local hospitals and cross-reference with my member list.

Speed: Good work. *grabs Tom's shoulder, walks away*

Tom: *nods*

Reception

Lori: Steph! Don't leave this hallway!

Steph: Okay Momma!

Speed: *walks over*

Lori: You have the money my mother stole?

Speed: Yeah. *hands over money*

Lori: Thanks for not leaving it at Scott's place. We got a little...sidetracked.

Speed: Where are you heading now?

Lori: Scott's place. I thought it'd be good for Steph to see him a little more now that he's making some progress. We're all going out for lunch.

Speed: *nods*

Lori: *stares at Speed*

Speed: *looks around*

Lori: You got laid.

Speed: *looks at Lori*

Lori: *smiles*

Speed: Steph's getting into the elevator.

Lori: *turns around, runs* STEPH!

Speed: *smirks*

Hospital room, 12:15pm

Tom: Judge Pollack.

Pollack: *looks at Tom*

Tom: I'm Thomas Grey, I work for Miami-Dade CSI.

Pollack: I knew you'd get here eventually. Shane's death wasn't my fault.

Tom: I know. He was struck by lightening and evidently so were you.

Pollack: Shane took the brunt. *shakes head* Damn kid wanted to continue playing when the storm started.

Tom: That's why he was struggling with you.

Pollack: *nods* I wanted him to turn in his clubs early but he insisted that it was nothing. We got into a scuffle, his leg fall back into the pond and before I knew it, I woke up in a bunker 30 feet away. Damaged pacemaker landed me in here.

Tom: Why didn't you call 9-1-1?

Pollack: He was already dead, detective. What else could I do? I just wanted to get the hell out of there and save my own life. Someone was bound to find him and they did.

Tom: *stares at Pollack*

Pollack: *rubs eyes* You hear about that stuff happening on golf courses but you never think it could happen to you. Like an urban legend.

Tom: It's not a legend, believe me.

Pollack: ...Shane was a good guy. He didn't deserve to go like that. *lifts eyes* Have you ever watched someone die right in front of you?

Tom: Yes sir.

Pollack: It changes lives.

Tom: *looks out window*

Pollack: At any rate...I'm thankful to still be here.

Tom: *nods*

TBC...........................................