Thanks for the reviews!
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Miami Lab, trace lab, 3 days later
Speed: *places phone up against ear, grabs pipet* No. I already told you 3 days was the limit, now you need to figure out what to do for yourself.
Tom: *looks at Speed*
Speed: Work at McDonalds.
Tom: *looks down at folder, writing*
Speed: Then talk to Scott, maybe he has a position open at his place.
Tom: *flips page*
Speed: Look, I need to get back to work. We can talk about this later. *hangs up phone*
Tom: Lori?
Speed: The girl's driving me nuts, she has to do things for herself.
Tom: I agree. But maybe in this case, it would be best to think of her as someone who was born yesterday.
Speed: *looks at Tom* What the hell are you talking about?
Tom: She has to learn everything over again. How to apply for a job, how to pay rent, how to do her taxes...in this case, treating her like a kniving drug addict when she has no recollection of it probably won't help. She simply isn't one.
Speed: ...Huh.
Tom: Think of it this way, it's like pressing 'play' and finding out your tape recorder messed up. You can't keep rewinding it hoping to find the missing pieces, you have to tape over it.
Speed: So you're saying I should just forget everything she's ever done.
Tom: *shrugs* She has. Literally.
Speed: I don't have time to fool around.
Tom: Brook's in daycare now, Anni's home alone with the baby. Maybe Lori can help out around the house and we can help her.
Speed: ...
You want her.
Tom: It's just an option.
Speed: Take her.
Tom: *smirks* I'll speak with Anni when I get home.
Speed: *looks around Tom*
Tom: *lifts brow*
Speed: Sorry, I was looking for Tom Carter.
Tom: It's Grey.
Speed: *nods*
Biscayne Park, house, 8pm
Lori: Why am I here?
Anni: *smiles* You're going to help me.
Lori: ...Help you do
what.
Anni: *hands over baby* Free room and board in exchange for nanny services.
Lori: *looks at baby* ...I'm not taking care of this thing.
Tom: *steps around Lori* This
thing is my baby.
Lori: *looks at Tom* So? I don't care.
Tom: You will treat her as if she were your own.
Lori: How do you know I treat my kids properly?
Tom: You're a wonderful mother.
Lori: *looks at Anni* He's starting to creep me out.
Anni: We think it would be good for you to concentrate on something productive.
Lori: Then I'll go home and take care of my own kids.
Anni: Your kids aren't babies.
Lori: Scott's a baby.
Tom: Cute. You want a place to stay, right?
Lori: *rolls eyes*
Tom: *takes baby from Lori* Come with me. *walks upstairs*
Lori: Is he always like this?
Anni: *smiles, sighs*
Lori: Oh brother. *walks away*
Bedroom
Tom: *places baby on table*
Lori: *walks over*
Tom: She needs to be changed. What's the first step?
Lori: Getting a baby that doesn't poop.
Tom: Taking off the diaper.
Lori: No. I don't do dirty diapers.
Tom: You do now.
Lori: *angry sigh* ...*steps closer, grabs diaper*
Tom: *stares at Lori*
Lori: *rips at diaper*
Tom: *grabs Lori's hand*
Lori: *looks at Tom*
Tom: She's a person, not a doll.
Lori: *rips hand away*
Tom: Try again.
Lori: *pulls off diaper*
Tom: Better. *hands over clean diaper*
Lori: *grabs diaper, grumbles*
Tom: Wait.
Lori: *looks at Tom* What? What did I do?
Tom: You need to wipe first.
Lori: Oh geez, I thought it was important like "you broke my baby" or something.
Tom: *lifts tissue*
Lori: *snatches tissue* All the rumors I've heard about you certainly don't do you justice.
Tom: Oh?
Lori: My mother says you're a womanizing pig who sells heroin to other cops.
Tom: You can fasten the diaper better if you lift the baby first.
Lori: ...Is it true?
Tom: Not anymore.
Lori: *fastens diaper, lifts baby* There. All done. *shoves baby into Tom's chest* I think I'll go read a book. *walks away*
Tom: Hold it.
Lori: *stops, turns around* What now, I have to breastfeed her too? I think I'm tapped out.
Tom: I want my car keys back.
Lori: *frowns* ...You're such a killjoy. *pulls keys from pocket, slams them onto table* Happy?
Tom: Very.
Lori: *walks away*
Anni: *steps in* How'd it go?
Tom: *places baby in crib* It's interesting.
Anni: What is?
Tom: *stands straight* How she's acting. Almost like a teenager.
Anni: She could be subconsciously seeking some sort of parental affection?
Tom: I think it's something else.
Anni: What?
Tom: It's almost like a regression.
Anni: ...I can't imagine what she must be remembering.
Tom: I have a feeling she hasn't told anyone either.
Anni: Couple that with being locked in a cold basement for 3 days...if that isn't a trigger, I don't know what is.
Tom: We should keep an eye on her.
Anni: *nods*
Bedroom, 11pm
Lori: *flips page of book*
Anni: *steps in* Mind if I come in?
Lori: *lifts eyes* ...Sure.
Anni: *walks over, sits on bed* Pretty eventful few months, huh.
Lori: I guess.
Anni: Can I get you anything?
Lori: A different life might be helpful.
Anni: Sorry, I'm all out of those.
Lori: *throws book onto bed* I want to go home.
Anni: *places hand on Lori's shoulder* I'm sure Scott wants you to, too.
Lori: I wish I loved him as much as he loves me.
Anni: It's probably not a competition for him.
Lori: You know, if he had hit me, I doubt everyone would be as comforting to him as you're trying to be to me.
Anni: *stares at Lori*
Lori: *lies down, wraps arm around pillow* What I did was not okay and I don't deserve a roof over my head.
Anni: *brushes hair from Lori's forehead* Why don't you get some sleep.
Lori: *closes eyes*
Anni: *stands, walks away*
TBC................................
