Thanks for the reviews.
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Miami Lab, 7am
Steph: *grabs Speed's hand* Why are we here?
Speed: I need to talk to Horatio.
Steph: Oh. Who's that?
Speed: My boss.
Steph: And then I can go home?
Speed: I'll have to call your parents first.
Steph: They sure don't like us around, do they.
Speed: *looks at Steph* Of course they do. There's just been some stuff that's come up.
Steph: There's
always stuff comin' up, Grampa.
Speed: I know. *pushes through doors*
Trace lab
Tom: *lifts head*
Steph: TOMMY!
Tom: *looks at Speed*
Speed: Mind watching her for a few minutes? I have to speak with H.
Tom: Sure.
Speed: *kneels* Steph, listen to me very carefully.
Steph: *nods*
Speed: You cannot touch
anything in this room. Understand?
Steph: Okay.
Speed: *stands, walks away*
Steph: *looks at Tom*
Tom: Hop up.
Steph: Can't.
Tom: Why not?
Steph: Can't touch anything.
Tom: You can sit in the chair.
Steph: But then I'd be touching it.
Tom: He means everything else.
Steph: Oh. *climbs onto chair* Whatcha workin' on?
Tom: Very little pieces of thread.
Steph: Momma said you're a cop.
Tom: I am.
Steph: *looks around* This isn't a police station, Tommy.
Tom: It's a crime lab. I'm catching criminals with science.
Steph: Is it hard?
Tom: Sometimes.
Steph: I wanna catch bad guys too.
Tom: *smirks* Maybe you can someday.
Steph: Why can't I now?
Tom: Sweetie, the bad guys are a little bigger than you right now.
Steph: *crosses arms, leans back in chair* I hate being little.
Tom: Yeah it sucks. Here, check it out. *slides microscope over*
Steph: *looks at Tom*
Tom: It's okay. I want you to see something.
Steph: *looks into microscope*
Tom: *adjusts focus* Tell me when you see something.
Steph: I see.
Tom: Okay. What do you see?
Steph: Shiny stuff.
Tom: What else?
Steph: Brown. Kinda red too.
Tom: And?
Steph: It's really teeny. *lifts head* Tommy, I know what this is.
Tom: *smirks* Do you.
Steph: Yup. *places hands on hips* That's from a palm tree.
Tom: *lifts brow* Palm tree.
Steph: We have a bunch in the backyard. When I play with Dommy, he gets those thingies in his hair.
Tom: *looks at microscope* I'm not sure you can tell that just by looking at it.
Steph: They're all over the place, Tommy.
Speed: *walks over* Steph, let's go.
Tom: *scratches head*
Speed: What's wrong with you?
Tom: *spins microscope around* I need a second opinion.
Speed: *looks into microscope*
Tom: *crosses arms*
Speed: *lifts head* It's fibers from a palm tree.
Tom: What?
Steph: *smiles* I win.
Tom: That's impossible.
Speed: It's easy to recognize if you're familiar with the local plant life. Come on, Steph. I'll take you home.
Steph: *jumps off chair, runs*
Speed: *walks away*
Tom: *stares at microscope* ...A 6-year old beat me. I'm officially a loser.
Gables Estates, house, kitchen, 7:30am
Scott: *drinks coffee*
Lori: *walks over to table, grabs chair*
Scott: *lifts eyes* Morning.
Lori: *flops into chair, slams head on table*
Scott: I take it you've slowed down some.
Lori: I'm sure you find this very amusing.
Scott: I never like to see you suffer.
Lori: This is all your fault.
Scott: *stares at Lori*
Lori: Despite the fact that last night was incredibly fun.
Scott: *smirks, drinks coffee*
Lori: *lifts finger, wags it* Never ever again.
Scott: Think you're going to be okay?
Lori: I choose not to answer.
Scott: That concerns me.
Lori: *lifts eyes* ...Me too.
Scott: What are we going to do about it?
Lori: I want my kids.
Scott: Your father should be on his way.
Lori: Good.
Scott: *places hand on Lori's back* I know this is a bit short notice but I got a call early this morning and I have to head back to New York until tonight.
Lori: *lifts head* What? Why?
Scott: There's a building code inspector doing a second inspection and I have to be there. I'm sorry.
Lori: *sigh*
Scott: I'll try to get back as quick as I can.
Lori: Right.
Scott: I promise.
Lori: *nods*
Scott: *stands, walks away*
Lori: *lowers eyes*
Manhattan, apartment, 11am
Tia: *opens door, smiles*
Scott: How are you?
Tia: I'm...doing okay. Uh, please come in. *steps aside*
Scott: *walks in, looks around* I like what you've done with the place.
Tia: You were right. Color does seem to change one's mood and it's nice to come home to after a long night. Thanks for watching Noah the other night, by the way. You didn't have to.
Scott: It wasn't a problem. Which reminds me...*pulls envelope from jacket, hands it to Tia*
Tia: *takes envelope*
Scott: *stares at Tia*
Tia: *opens envelope, pulls out money* ...*lifts head* What's this for?
Scott: Noah.
Tia: This is 500 dollars.
Scott: Twice a month.
Tia: *sigh* Scott...I-
Scott: Can accept it.
Tia: *wraps arms around Scott*
Scott: *blinks*
Tia: You don't know how much this means.
Noah: *sits on couch, digs into cereal*
Tia: *steps back*
Scott: *looks at Noah*
Tia: Do you have to leave?
Scott: Yeah. I need to get back to Miami.
Tia: When will you be back?
Scott: Next week.
Tia: ...Noah has a school thing next week. It's a...father/son thing. He's been asking if...he's been asking for you.
Scott: *stares at Noah* ...I'll be here.
Tia: Thank you.
Scott: *places hand on Tia's shoulder* Take care.
Tia: *nods*
Scott: *leaves*
Tia: *sigh*
Gables Estates, house, kitchen, 4pm
Lori: *places plate on table*
Steph: *stares at plate*
Dominick: *scrunches nose*
Lori: What? It's good.
Steph: What is it?
Lori: Beans and noodles.
Steph: It's moving.
Lori: Oh stop it, it's not moving. You've been watching too many movies.
Steph: *pokes Dominick* It's moving.
Dominick: *starts to cry*
Lori: *frowns* Way to go. No dessert.
Steph: Aw, nuts.
Scott: *walks in, places briefcase onto counter* Something smells good.
Steph: It's worms.
Scott: *looks at Lori* I thought we decided no more grub.
Lori: Hilarious. My cooking might not be rosette standards but it gets the job done just as well.
Scott: *kisses Lori's cheek* It looks lovely.
Lori: Thank you.
TBC..................................