Thanks for the reviews, gals!
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Gables Estates, house, front yard, 2 weeks later
Lori: *digs in dirt*
Tom: *steps out of car, shuts door*
Lori: *places flowers into dirt*
Tom: *walks over* You got a minute?
Lori: No.
Tom: *kneels* May I ask you a favor?
Lori: No.
Tom: I'm being sent to a forensics seminar on the weekend and it's supposed to last into next week. I was wondering if you would accompany me.
Lori: *looks at Tom* ...You want to drag me to a forensics seminar. Can't you bring your wife?
Tom: Not unless we want to bring 2 kids as well.
Lori: And you were the only one in the entire department to be going.
Tom: There are a couple more but I don't know any of them.
Lori: Make some friends or go alone. Never hurt anyone.
Tom: ...It's in LA.
Lori: So? *pats dirt*
Tom: My hotel's in a wierd neighborhood, I don't think it'd be a good idea if I went alone and I don't exactly want to advertise my history to the entire department.
Lori: *sits on grass, wipes hands* You think about asking Scott?
Tom: ...You don't think he's busy?
Lori: Talk to him. He might even set you up in a better hotel in a nicer neighborhood.
Tom: *nods* Where is he?
Lori: Backyard.
Tom: Thanks. *stands, walks away*
Backyard
Scott: *hammering wood*
Tom: *walks over*
Scott: *lifts eyes*
Tom: Hey.
Scott: Hi. What's up?
Tom: I need a babysitter.
Scott: Sure, send the kids over anytime.
Tom: For me.
Scott: *lifts brow*
Tom: I'm taking a trip to LA in a couple days for a seminar and...I need someone to keep me out of trouble. Y'know, be my support system or whatever.
Scott: And you're asking me?
Tom: You're the most straight-laced guy I know.
Scott: *nods*
Tom: How 'bout it?
Scott: Sure. Let me know when you're leaving.
Tom: I appreciate this, Scott.
Scott: It's not a problem.
Inside house, 10 minutes later
Lori: *grabs beer from fridge* You want one?
Tom: No, I should really be going.
Lori: *throws beer*
Tom: *catches beer*
Lori: Scott agreed?
Tom: Yeah. *places beer on table* Tell Scott to get his ass at the airport 8am sharp on Saturday. *walks away*
Lori: ...Okay.
Scott: *walks in* Tom gone?
Lori: Yeah.
Scott: *takes beer from table, opens it* It's weird. *drinks*
Lori: What.
Scott: Seeing you both so cold toward one another.
Lori: *shrugs* That's just how the pieces fell together.
Scott: Maybe you should try to be a little...less cold.
Lori: *lifts brow* I thought you were happy that I wasn't all hot and steamy with him.
Scott: You don't have to be hot and steamy, just friendly. There's no reason you can't get along.
Lori: You always have to strive for peace on Earth, huh.
Scott: *smirks*
Miami International Airport, 2 days later
Tom: *places luggage onto belt*
Lori: *walks over, smiling* Hey!
Tom: *looks at Lori*
Lori: *drops luggage onto belt* Ready for that seminar?
Tom: ...What the
hell are you doing here.
Lori: Scott couldn't make it. *places shades atop head* I don't suppose MDPD paid for first class.
Tom: No. Why exactly is Scott not doing this?
Lori: I told you. *looks at watch* You'd better pee now because it's a long flight.
Tom: Look, Anni doesn't want me around you.
Lori: Then you shouldn't have asked me first.
Tom: I didn't think I had another choice but obviously I do so call him up and get him down here. Stop messing around.
Lori: I'm not. He's really not coming.
Tom: If Anni finds out, m-
Lori: If you start back up on the dope, it's not just your marriage that'll be over so suck it up. *walks away*
Tom: *sigh*
Airplane
Lori: Let's get something straight. My only purpose for this trip is to make sure you don't get yourself into any trouble. We'll be sleeping in separate beds and there will be absolutely no alcohol. Is that understood?
Tom: *lifts brow* Yes mother.
Lori: Despite your little confession to me, I don't believe you want to pursue any kind of relationship with me and I feel exactly the same way. *opens magazine* So keep your hormones to yourself.
Tom: Same to you.
Lori: *looks at Tom*
Tom: *leans back in seat, crosses arms*
Inside plane, 3 hours later
Lori: *looks out window*
Plane shakes
Lori: *grabs onto seat*
Tom: *looks at Lori*
Lori: *lowers head, closes eyes*
Tom: You okay?
Lori: I'm fine.
Tom: You don't look fine.
Lori: Just a bit of...left-over anxiety. I think. *looks at Tom*
Tom: *stares at Lori*
Lori: Talk to me about something, anything.
Tom: Uh, okay. How are the kids?
Lori: Steph's been doing a lot of math, per Scott's encouragement. He thinks she should develop her left brain.
Tom: That's a good idea.
Lori: She's very artistic, I don't see why she can't be both creative and analytical.
Tom: I'm sure Scott's not trying to squash her other talents.
Lori: He has all these ideas about what our kids are going to be. Dominick's going to follow in his footsteps and be some big wig CEO and Steph's going to be an architect.
Tom: You have other ideas?
Lori: I have hopes like any other parent but I don't want to push them into anything.
Tom: Scott's probably just
overly hopeful.
Lori: He has a lot of rules for them. He's been getting...more strict.
Tom: Kids need structure.
Lori: Yeah. How about me?
Tom: He's been ordering you around?
Lori: Not exactly. But he's been...suggesting a lot. Giving me these looks when I'm not doing something he approves of.
Tom: And that bothers you.
Lori: He's still loving and kind.
Tom: Maybe he just likes things in order.
Lori: Yeah.
Tom: It's not like he's strict in the bedroom or anything, right? *laughs*
Lori: *frowns*
Tom: *stares at Lori*
Lori: *looks out window*
Tom: I take it you'll be doing that a lot this week.
TBC................................