Road Trip! The Final Frontier.

Thanks for the reviews everyone.

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Miami--beach, boardwalk

Katie: *sips drink*

Jess: So, how was the day?

Katie: Oh, fun.

Jess: *lifts brow* You don't sound entirely convinced.

Katie: It's not you, it's me.

Jess: I didn't realize we were breaking up.

Katie: *laughs*

Jess: Hee, see? Happiness is much more becoming.

Katie: I guess. Look, I'm really sorry I've been such a grouch lately. I guess with all of this happening, I lost focus.

Jess: It's okay. It's understandable that you feel cruddy. I just hope that you're willing to open up and be the Katie I remember for a while.

Katie: *smiles* Well I have been meaning to buy some Cheez-its and splatter them with mustard.

Jess: There ya go! *looks at watch* We'll have plenty of time for that...tomorrow.

Katie: Why? What's now?

Jess: Um, well you seemed kind of down and out about the whole, you having crappy relationships so I took the liberty to set you up on a date.

Katie: No no no no. No.

Jess: Why?

Katie: Because.

Jess: *crosses arms* Because why.

Katie: ..Because I have my eye on someone else, alright?

Jess: Speed?

Katie: *rolls eyes* No, for the last time.

Jess: Then who?

Katie: ...I don't want to say.

Jess: Come on, you can tell me.

Katie: No I can't. You'll end up telling the entire state of Florida by tomorrow.

Jess: No one else here knows you, it's alright.

Katie: *angry sigh* It's....Colton.

Jess: *gasp* I knew it. You go girl! He's a hot tamale that one. And he cleans up well.

Katie: *smiles*

Jess: Sooo, do you think he likes you?

Katie: I don't know. We had one date and it wasn't even a date. It was really awkward.

Jess: YOU WENT OUT ON A DATE?

Katie: ...Yes.

Jess: Hot damn girl. Okay, when we get back to Vegas, you two are going to have a good time together. And you know why? Because you can't go wrong with someone on the team.

Katie: *frowns*

Jess: Anymore.

Cellphone rings

Jess: *looks down at phone*

Katie: Who is it?

Jess: It's Josh.

Katie: Great. Melrose Place and CSI. Welcome to Miami everyone!

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

 

Thanks for the review!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Josh's house

Katie: *walks in slowly* Josh? ...Josh! Your text said to come here.

Josh: *runs downstairs* Hi.

Katie: So...what do you want?

Josh: I didn't have your number so Eric had me call Jess a-

Katie: Josh, just tell me what's going on.

Josh: You're off the hook.

Katie: *stares at Josh* ...Seriously?

Josh: *nods* Yeah. DA doesn't want to press charges.

Katie: ...That...is so wonderful! *hugs Josh*

Josh: *smiles*

Katie: TEEHEE! *lets go* Man now I have to call Jess! OH! I have to call Horatio! OH I HAVE TO CALL UH UH UH...UH EVERYONE! *jumps up and down*

Josh: Well hold on a second. Before you start calling everyone, I just want to uh, apologize for what I said before.

Katie: It's okay. I would have called me a slut too.

Josh: I didn't treat you with respect and I'm sorry. Even on my worst days, no one deserves that kind of attitude.

Katie: *nods* It's fine.

Josh: You're welcome to stay here until Eric gets them to release your home.

Katie: I don't want to impose.

Josh: I insist. Besides, it's kind of...empty around here.

Katie: What about Ethan and Cait?

Josh: Adult empty.

Katie: Oh. *smiles* Well, count me in.

Josh: Great! While you were out, I took the liberty of washing your laundry and having everything dry-cleaned. It's all upstairs for you. And I know how much you like pizza so there's a bunch on its way. And because beer is unhealthy, I bought you a gallon of water. *smiles*

Katie: ...Water. Oh, good. I like water. Wait, you did what to my clothes?

Josh: They're laying in order of colour and season.

Katie: ...I don't own a lot of colors and I only brought three shirts.

Josh: Yeah I know. I bought the rest for you. You really needed an update my dear.

Katie: *laughs* Uh, thanks, I think. I didn't realize you knew my size.

Josh: It's a talent, what can I say.

Katie: ...You didn't put roses on my bed or anything did you?

Josh: Why, would you like roses on your bed?

Katie: *stares blankly*

Josh: You look exhausted, I could start a bath for you if you want.

Katie: No, no. You've been...very hospitable up to this point..for some strange reason.

Josh: It's just so good to have another adult in the house. *sigh*

Katie: Where are the kids anyway?

Josh: Ethan's at his friend's house for a sleepover and Cait's upstairs on her computer pounding away at it.

Katie: *nods slowly*

Josh: What is it? You look..panicky.

Katie: Oh, it's...it's nothing. Really. I um...well, it's just...thanks.

Josh: *lifts brow* For what?

Katie: *sniffs* Um...*fans self* Ah geez, remember the song Katie, big girls don't cry. *wipes eyes*

Josh: Excuse me?

Katie: No, no I was just talking to myself. *sniffles* I uh, *covers eyes* Great.

Josh: You want to sit down or something?

Katie: *bursts into tears*

Josh: What did I say?

Katie: *crying* I...I...I...BAAAAA!

Josh: *hands over tissue*

Katie: *blows nose*

Josh: Did I do something wrong?

Katie: No. *sniffles* No you didn't. As a matter of fact, this is the first time in a long time that someone has treated me like a human being. Which is stupid, because yesterday you were acting like I was Hitler or something and now that you're not all crazy, I finally feel like I'm worth fussing over and stuff so it's nice. *exhales* And you even apologized.

Josh: *lifts brows*

Katie: Thank you. *walks upstairs*

Cait: *walks downstairs* What's her problem?

Josh: She's just tired.

Cait: Did you make her cry?

Josh: *throws hands up in air* I don't know what I did.

Cait: Mhm. Never fails.

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

 

Hehe, thanks for the review. LOL, looks like it's just the two of us again!

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Josh's House--Bathroom

Katie: *moves bubbles around, grabs book*

Josh: *walks in* Hey K-

Katie: *screams* JOSH! What are you doing!

Josh: *lifts dresses* Which one compliments your skin better? Dark blue or scarlet red?

Katie: *frowning* I'm trying to have a bath.

Josh: Well there's this art show downtown tonight and I was invited but I need to bring a guest.

Katie: Bring Cait.

Josh: A guest over 18. The art is rather risqué. I think. Well, some of it anyway. So which dress?

Katie: No dress. You don't barge into the bathroom when I'm..naked.

Josh: *laughs* Really? You're going to have this conversation with me?

Katie: ...

Josh: You have an hour to get ready. I hope that's long enough.

Katie: I was hoping to use the hour to relax.

Josh: If it's any consolation, the leather seats in my Camaro are very comfortable.

Katie: Good, because I don't think I'd want to step into a giant Hummer or sit on a motorcycle wearing that...very..pretty dress.

Josh: Oh the red one? You deserve a little sexiness.

Katie: I do?

Josh: Definitely.

Katie: Well then. I guess we're going to an art show.

Josh: Excellent.

Miami Art Museum

Katie: *grabs wine* I didn't realize you appreciated art.

Josh: I didn't before.

Katie: Before what?

Josh: *stares at painting*

Katie: *looks around* You know, for a room full of people and alcohol, it sure is quiet.

Josh: *points* The composition of this piece is really quite exquisite. You can even see the individual brush strokes. They add so much definition, don't they?

Katie: ...These are all painted with brushes, right?

Josh: No. Some have been hand painted. Some artisits choose to utilize arbitrary items like feathers or strips of paper.

Katie: Right. Because that totally made sense.

Man: *walks over* Josh!

Josh: *smiles* Hey! Long time no see.

Man: *hugs Josh* Been a while man. *lets go* Heeeey lovin' the new look. Love the whole...*waves hands* dirty grunge feel you have goin' there. Or are you just gettin' lazy. HA.

Josh: *laughs* Andy, this is Katie.

Katie: *nervous smile*

Andy: *grabs Katie's hand* En chanté.

Katie: *lifts brow*

Andy: I've always wanted to say that at a posh event like this.

Katie: So how do you two know each other?

Andy: We went to highschool together. Josh was quite the queen back in the day, eh Josh? *punches Josh* I remember you used to jump around the drama stage in a bright blue sparkly leotard singing..oh what was Liza Minelli's famous song?

Katie: *smirks*

Josh: I'm real happy you left highschool Andy.

Andy: Hey no problem. You know, I was this guy's only friend in the whole wide world? His own brother wouldn't even talk to him...well at least not on school grounds.

Katie: *lifts brows* Oh really.

Andy: Yeah this little faerie here always made quite an impact but probably not one everyone approved of. He cracked me up so I stuck with him, thick and thin.

Josh: Gee, and I thought it was because I was such a free spirit.

Andy: *sigh* Oh yes. Remember when you signed up for the cheerleading squad but you refused to do the routine unless you could have a tutu?

Josh: First of all, it's not a tutu and she'll believe that.

Katie: *giggles*

Andy: So how goes it man? You stalkin' me here in Miami? Ha.

Josh: Don't think that highly of yourself, And. I settled down here.

Andy: Oh. Well good for you. What do you for a living? You still own a salon?

Josh: Actually, I'm a police officer.

Andy: *laughs*

Josh: *stares at Andy*

Andy: ..Dude, you're serious?

Josh: *nods*

Andy: Wow. I feel like I should...hide my traffic tickets or something.

Josh: Don't worry about it, I'm a detective, not on patrol.

Andy: Uh anything else I should know there buddy?

Josh: I have two kids, a steady 401K and my own lawn.

Andy: *looks at Katie* OH! So this is your uh, wife? I guess? Dude you changed.

Josh: She's not my wife.

Andy: ...Ex-wife?

Josh: She's a friend.

Andy: *smiles* Excellent.

Josh: Andy...

Andy: Sorry man. Look, we should catch up sometime. I part-own an art shop down the street, you should come check it out. We can grab lunch or something.

Josh: That's a good idea.

Andy: Well, see you two later. *walks away*

Katie: *snorts*

Josh: *looks at Katie*

Katie: Sorry, I was just picturing you in a tutu.

Josh: *rolls eyes*

Hotel room, Vegas

Ryan: Okay, I can't believe you've never played Monopoly.

Greg: It's just never really come up at any family functions or rainy nights.

Heather: But everyone has played Monopoly. Even Horatio.

Greg: Well I'm not Horatio.

Ryan: Look, it's very simple. You buy properties, gain money and monopolize the entire game.

Greg: Seems kind of cruel.

Ryan: It's not real life.

Greg: So, when do I get one of these barns?

Ryan: This is a hotel.

Greg: Oh. *puts hotel onto board*

Ryan: No, no you can't have a hotel. You need 4 green houses before you can get a hotel.

Greg: Why? Regular people can build hotels without owning 4 homes.

Ryan: This isn't real life and it's just the rules of the game.

Jenna: I feel like I'm watching 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'.

Heather: *nods*

Ryan: So you've landed on Marvin Gardens. You want to buy it?

Greg: Why?

Ryan: Because it's worth money when people land on it.

Greg: But I don't like yellow and I don't want my property to be called Marvin anything.

Ryan: It doesn't matter what it's called.

Greg: As a property owner, it does.

Ryan: You're not a real property owner.

Greg: Then why are we playing this?

Ryan: UGH! *throws houses*

Greg: *wide-eyed* ACK! *holds neck, coughs*

Lora: Did you just throw a little green house in his mouth?

Greg: *turning purple*

Ryan: You weren't supposed to swallow! NO! STOP CHOKING!

Anni: Quick! Who knows the evasive maneuver!

Heather: No, it's called Hi-lick.

Jenna: No it's not. It's Heins Spit.

Heather: What? That doesn't even make sense.

Jenna: Neither does Hi-lick.

Heather: Yes it does. You grab 'em high and give 'em a lickin'.

Jenna: Well with mine, you Heins 'em and they spit.

Heather: Heins is ketchup.

Jenna: Exactly. You gotta pound the end of the bottle to get the ketchup out.

Lora: Look, who cares what it's called, just someone save him!

Ryan: Okay Greggo, hold on. *grabs Greg*

Greg: *turning blue*

Ryan: One, two, three! *hoists upward*

CRACK

Ryan: Uh oh.

Colton: Did you just break his rib?

Ryan: Does he look like he's in pain.

Heather: His eyes are rolling back into his head.

Anni: Call Horatio.

Heather: Horatio? Screw Horatio, call 9-1-1. It's not a crime scene..yet.

Lora: Screw Horatio? Yes ma'am.

Heather: *rolls eyes*

20 minutes later

Horatio: *takes off shades*

Everyone: *sitting on bed*

Horatio: It's not enough that you have to spend every day finding new ways to kill each other but you have to do that to Grissom's team as well.

Lora: Well in my defense, I wanted them to call you first.

Horatio: Stop talking.

Lora: Oooh I love it when he takes control.

Horatio: I almost thought we were past these shinannigans.

Colton: You thought wrong, red.

Horatio: Don't call me 'red'.

Calleigh: *walks in* What's going on?

Lora: WE KILLED KENNY!

Calleigh: What?

Ryan: Greg. And we didn't kill him.

Heather: Yeah, you killed him.

Ryan: Nobody killed him!

Miami Art Museum--2 hours later

Katie: *grabs wine*

Josh: *walks over* Hey, I've been looking for you.

Katie: *smiling* I've been observinganating this here picture thang. Haha, thang. That's what this painting has.

Josh: How many glasses of wine did you have?

Katie: *lifts fingers* Hmmm...I know I had this many. But I'm kinda seeing more than 2 on each stub. *giggles*

Josh: There are important people here. Politicians, delegates, judges-

Katie: So what are a place like us doing in a people like these?

Josh: I happen to have some connections.

Judge: *walks over* Josh, m'boy! The Mrs. and I were just talking about how talented you are. We just saw your piece over in the next atrium.

Josh: *smiles* Thank you sir.

Judge: And who's this young lady?

Katie: *giggles* He called me LADY.

Josh: *clears throat* This is Katie.

Katie: EN CHANTE!

Judge: Um, pleased to meet you.

Josh: She's actually uh, not feeling very well so-

Katie: What are you kermumbling about? I feel fine! *smiles* In fact, I'm feeling all sorts of neat things.

Judge: *looks at Josh*

Josh: Excuse us for a minute. *grabs Katie, walks away*

Judge: Please do. *lifts brow*

Corner of room

Josh: You have got to stop talking.

Katie: But if I stop talking, I'll puke.

Josh: You need to act like a human being for one more hour.

Katie: Well that'll be easy! I'm human afterall!

Josh: No, you're acting like an animal and keep your voice down.

Katie: Or what?

Josh: Or I'll...damnit.

Katie: HA!

Josh: Okay, just try to act...like yourself.

Katie: Isn't that what I'm doing right now?

Josh: Are you always this hammered?

Katie: Depends what I got stocked in the cupboards.

Judge: *walks over* Is everything okay?

Josh: Yes, yes it's fine. She was just feeling a little ill. She's fine now. *elbows Katie*

Katie: *clears throat* Monsieur Judge. *in thick brittish accent* I simply ADORE what you've done with the place. It's so full of art and naked men hanging from the walls.

Judge: This...is a museum.

Katie: Of course it is! *pats Judge on the shoulder* We're all a museum, aren't we? Well, unless you're homeless.

Judge: Um...Josh, I'm going to go over and speak with the mayor. You have my number if you'd like to discuss prices.

Josh: Yes sir.

Judge: *walks away*

Josh: That was yourself?

Katie: Could have been in a different life.

Josh: Let's get some air.

Outside

Katie: *sits on sidewalk*

Josh: You're not going to hurl are you? Because I'm not going to have my seats messed up.

Katie: You know what I like about you? You're a real man.

Josh: That's great. *gets out cellphone* I'll just call you a cab.

Katie: *sigh* How come all the gay ones are already gay? It's not fair.

Josh: It wouldn't matter what orientation I was, you're my sister-in-law. So get it out of your head.

Katie: I just appreciate you is all. I mean, I spent all evening with you and you didn't even try to hit on me or well...hit me.

Josh: *looks at Katie*

Katie: I feel safe for once.

Josh: *kneels* Come on, I'll drive you home.

Katie: No cab?

Josh: *smirks* No cab.

Katie: But what if I puke on your seats?

Josh: I'll just buy a new car.

Katie: *laughs*

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

 

Wee! Thanks for the review.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Josh's house, next morning

Katie: *hobbles downstairs*

Cait: *pours cereal*

Josh: *drinks coffee*

Cait: OH! I got my test back. I got an A.

Josh: Great job, kiddo.

Cait: *smiles* Thanks. And today we're going to learn how to bake brownies for extra marks.

Katie: Ugh, don't talk about food. *sits*

Josh: Go upstairs and get dressed. Take your cereal with you.

Cait: Sure. I always love to eat while I'm in my underwear. *grabs bowl, runs upstairs*

Katie: *feels forehead*

Josh: You seemed to be having a good time last night.

Katie: *frowning* Yeah well next time, don't take me somewhere with booze.

Josh: You always have a choice.

Katie: Funny, you're the first person to tell me that in over...God, years.

Josh: Doesn't make it any less true.

Katie: So what, are you going to say I'm a boozer or something?

Josh: No.

Katie: Okay I uh...I know I made a complete fool out of myself yesterday, the question is how exactly?

Josh: You were articulate, beautiful and impressed everyone there.

Katie: I did?

Josh: *nods*

Katie: That doesn't really sound like me...*scratches head* I remember you getting mad at me.

Josh: So what are your plans for today?

Katie: I plan on bribing Eric to go back to Vegas. That is if Jess doesn't have a problem with it. They have a great relationship, y'know? I wish I had that. I mean, well, I used to have that for probably...a little bit. I've been thinking about that all week and...okay I feel a bit dumb layin' it all out there to you but-

Josh: It's okay.

Katie: No it's not. I don't want to crap all over your brother.

Josh: That's gross.

Katie: Not literally. Like, wasn't he a good brother?

Josh: *crosses arms* Not...100% of the time.

Katie: Well he wasn't a good husband, not even for 50% of the time. Okay, 50% of the time yes for a bit but then it was all downhill from there. And now he's all "oooh Anni I love you" and I'm bitter and scorned. And frankly a little jealous.

Josh: That goes along with bitter, I think.

Katie: And this whole thing sucks because it wasn't always bad and I still love him.

Josh: ...Should I be taking notes?

Katie: God no. I don't want anyone to know.

Josh: Then why did you tell me?

Katie: Because it's not the biggest secret ever. But I told people that I was over him but come on! It's Speed, y'know?

Josh: No.

Katie: Oh. Right. And I'm just scared that when Anni dies, I'm going to swoop in there and make a huge fool out of myself.

Josh: Why do you love him if he's such a terrible person?

Katie: You think he's terrible?

Josh: No. You do.

Katie: Not anymore.

Josh: I don't think you should do anything. It's stupid and disrespectful.

Katie: Wow, thanks for the support.

Josh: I'm not going to support you stealing my brother from his dying wife.

Katie: I wasn't going to steal...just borrow.

Josh: *frowns*

Katie: *rolls eyes* Fine, I won't steal him or borrow him or even talk to him. Happy?

Josh: *tilts head*

Katie: Ugh. I'm going to beat up Jess and her stupid perfect relationship.

Josh: No relationship is perfect.

Katie: Well some of them look awfully good.

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

 

Aw thanks so much for the reviews, y'all.

And thanks racefh853629! Wow, you read the entire thing? Hee.

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Vegas--crime lab

Horatio: *lifts wires*

Grissom: What are you doing?

Horatio: Putting the bomb together.

Grissom: ...There are no bombs in this case.

Horatio: That's what they want you to believe.

Grissom: No one wants you to believe anything.

Horatio: And that is what they want you to believe.

Break room

Nick: For the last time, no.

Calleigh: Please! Please I won't ask again.

Nick: *sigh* Alright but you have to promise not to tell anyone.

Calleigh: I promise.

Nick: *takes mustache out of pocket*

Calleigh: Oh wow it looks so real!

Nick: *winks* That's what I want them to think.

A/V Lab

Ryan: *walks in*

Greg: *typing*

Ryan: ...*backs up*

Greg: RYAN WOLFE. *stands, turns around*

Ryan: Wrong room. *runs*

Greg: *runs*

Hallway

Ryan: *backing up* Look man, I didn't know you were going to swallow the monopoly house.

Greg: It wouldn't have happened if you had not thrown it.

Ryan: So aren't we both at fault here?

Greg: No. *pounds fist into hand* Time to die.

Ryan: No! Stop! Wait..uh..HA. I have a bodyguard. HEATHER!

Heather: *jumps down from stairs* You rang?

Ryan: Greg wants to kill me.

Heather: ...So?

Ryan: So protect me.

Heather: Hell no. What do I look like, your bodyguard?

Ryan: I thought you were my bodyguard.

Heather: What gave you an idea like that?

Ryan: You're always around me and yelling a lot.

Heather: ...How does that make me your bodyguard?

Ryan: I thought you were doing it to protect me.

Heather: *bursts out laughing*

Greg: *walks forward*

Ryan: *screams, runs away*

Heather: GO GET 'EM TIGER!

Men's washroom

Greg: *slams Ryan against wall*

Ryan: OW OW! Not the arms, not the arms.

Greg: *squishes Ryan's arm*

Ryan: OW! I said NOT the arms!

Greg: *punching Ryan* No one kills Greg Sanders with a little green house!

Ryan: I didn't mean to! AND YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY DEAD!

Greg: I could have been! *punching Ryan*

Ryan: HORATIO! HORATIO!

Greg: Your god can't hear you now!

Ryan: What? I was calling for Horatio. What do you call your boss?

Greg: I call him Grissom. Sometimes Gris for short. Depends what mood he's in and how much I've screwed up or accomplished. *punches Ryan's face*

Ryan: AH! OW! COME ON!

Speed: *flushes urinal* Seriously, every time. *walks to sink*

Ryan: Oh, sorry man.

Greg: *knees Ryan in the stomach*

Ryan: OOF!

Greg: How would you like it if I shoved things down your throat?

Ryan: Is that supposed to mean something else?

Greg: *slaps Ryan's face* NO.

Ryan: *flaps hands* GET AWAY FROM ME!

Greg: DIE!

Speed: *walks over, grabs Greg/Ryan's ears*

Ryan: OW! OW!

Greg: OWIE! OW OW!

Speed: Both of you knock it off. This is the men's room not Heather and Lilly's dream fantasies.

Greg: Who's Lilly?

Ryan: Ow! HE'S PULLING OFF MY EAR!

Speed: Stop struggling.

Ryan: Is that what you say to all your victims?

Speed: *lets go*

Ryan: *holds ear*

Greg: *holds ear*

Ryan: He started it.

Greg: I started it? YOU started it.

Ryan: You wanted to play monopoly.

Greg: You invited me back to your hotel room.

Speed: ...I'm leaving that one alone. *walks away*

Hallway

Anni: Hey! I want to talk to you.

Speed: Sure.

Anni: *walking* Did you talk to Horatio yet?

Speed: No.

Anni: Well it's just...we really could use the money. You know, since we were evicted and everything.

Speed: H and I aren't exactly on great terms at the moment.

Anni: I know but you won't accept money from my parents and damnit I'm not going to die in an alley.

Speed: *stops walking* You're not going to die in an alley.

Anni: Okay, back of the car.

Speed: Actually, that car was towed back to the dealership. Payments slipped.

Anni: What?

Speed: We only had 500 bucks left in the account before we left.

Anni: How much do we have now?

Speed: The last I checked? Nothing.

Anni: Nothing?

Speed: Your healthcare isn't exactly free.

Anni: You need a job.

Speed: Horatio's not going to re-hire me. Not after what got me fired in the first place.

Anni: And you think anyone else is going to hire you? A fired cop doesn't exactly look good on a resumé.

Speed: No kidding.

Anni: *rubs forehead*

Speed: You okay?

Anni: Headache. Okay, I am going to talk to Horatio.

Speed: No you're not.

Anni: Why? Because you don't want to damage what little pride you have left?

Speed: No. I'll take care of it.

Anni: Well take care of it quickly. *walks away*

Speed: *frowns*

Break room

Calleigh: *smiling* So, you single?

Nick: *laughs* As a matter of fact, I am.

Calleigh: Great! Hey listen, we should get some dinner tonight.

Nick: That sounds like a great idea. I know a great place on The Strip.

Calleigh: *gasp* THE STRIP! Oh wow, I've never really seen The Strip. Well, I did but that's because Eric was being arrested on it. *shakes head* Anyway, I'd love to go back. *smiling*

Nick: Cool, I'll pick you up around 8.

Calleigh: I look forward to it!

Colton: *walks in*

Calleigh: I HAVE A DATE WITH A COWBOY!

Colton: I have a date with the coffee machine but you don't see me bragging. *walks over to coffee pot*

Calleigh: *jumps up and down* A REAL COWBOY!

Nick: *laughs* Well, in all honesty, I can't remember the last time I rode a horse or okay I'm a cowboy. *smiles*

Colton: *rolls eyes* Yick.

Calleigh: Oh ma gosh I'm so excited.

Colton: I'm excited for you.

Calleigh: Good. I thought you'd take it wrong.

Colton: You were actually thinking while you were bouncing over there?

Calleigh: Yes. I can multi task, it's the beauty of being a woman.

Colton: Well that's fine because I have a date already.

Calleigh: *wide-eyed* You do? Who?

Colton: Not really your business.

Calleigh: It's not a hooker, right?

Colton: Go back to being excited.

Calleigh: OKAY! *jumps up and down*

Outside

Speed: *dials phone*

Miami, tarmac

Lori: *looks down at phone*

Tony: We're ready to go.

Lori: I'll be inside in a minute.

Tony: Okay. *gets into plane*

Lori: *opens phone* What.

Vegas, outside

Speed: Wow. I was expecting something a little less bitchy.

Lori: I'm on a schedule. What can I do for you, father?

Speed: ...

Lori: Hello?

Speed: How's the drug business treating you?

Lori: You called me to ask how the drug business was? Is this some sort of lame sting?

Speed: Just curious.

Lori: Quite well, actually. Why?

Speed: How well.

Lori: Well enough that I own my own jet. Are you going to get to the point? My plane leaves in 3 minutes.

Speed: I need a favour.

Lori: Name it.

Speed: Anni and I are...having financial trouble. And she has some rather large medical bills coming in the mail.

Lori: Define trouble.

Speed: Well the bank statements are full of zeros but there aren't any numbers in front of them. Look, it's okay if you don't want-

Lori: How much do you need?

Speed: Uh...not much.

Lori: I'll wire some cash to your account.

Speed: Don't you need my account information to do that?

Lori: I'll take care of it.

Click

Speed: *looks down at phone*

Miami Lab

Jess: *walks over* Whatcha workin' on?

Delko: Katie's case.

Jess: I thought she was off the hook.

Delko: She was. Now I'm not so sure.

Jess: What did you find?

Delko: I searched her home. She has a lot of weapons in her garage.

Jess: So?

Delko: The victim she supposedly stabbed to death? Was actually shot.

Jess: Okay, how did the ME mistaken gunshot wounds for stab wounds?

Delko: The ME was the one who said they were gunshot wounds.

Jess: So her story suddenly changes.

Delko: The question is why.

Jess: Maybe she forgot?

Delko: *hands over paper*

Jess: What's this?

Delko: Toxicology analysis of her hair. Large amounts of DMT.

Jess: *shakes head* DMT.

Delko: It's a hallucinatory drug.

Jess: Wow, this dates back a few months. Why would she be taking this?

Delko: That's just one question out of a hundred more I have.

Jess: And I thought I knew her.

Delko: I guess our perception of others can be misconstrued.

Jess: *looks at Eric* That supposed to mean something?

Delko: *shrugs*

Jess: This isn't because of the kid thing is it? Look, I said I'd think about it.

Delko: And have you?

Jess: Yeah. I think it's a bad idea.

Delko: You know, there would be two of us. So even if you think I'm too immature to handle a child, which I've already done countless times, you'd be there too.

Jess: Eric, I don't want to get into this again.

Delko: Get into what? The fact that the last time we had a child, you ran off with her and raised her alone and now I'm to blame for my lack of parenting skills?

Jess: I just think you want a kid so you don't have to deal with the guilt of losing Alena and knowing that you weren't much of a father to her.

Delko: Gee, when she was being murdered, where the hell were you? Oh yeah, standing right there.

Jess: HEY. There was nothing I could have done.

Delko: *shrugs*

Jess: You can't force me to have a child.

Delko: I'm not forcing you to do anything.

Jess: It sure as hell seems like it.

Delko: *typing on computer*

Jess: Eric.

Delko: Nevermind, just forget about the whole thing.

Jess: So what, you're going to be mad at me all day now?

Delko: *staring at screen*

Jess: Fine. This is exactly what I was talking about. Immature. *walks away*

Josh: *walks over* What was that about?

Delko: Nothing.

Josh: Seemed like a fight to me.

Delko: It's none of your business.

Josh: Whoa, I didn't mean to piss in your cornflakes.

Delko: What's wrong with women? Why is it always the man's fault?

Josh: Because it usually is.

Delko: No it's not. This time, it's her fault.

Josh: Well you guys could probably shift around fault all day but it won't fix the problem.

Delko: And what problem is that?

Josh: I don't know. Something serious enough or you wouldn't be...destroying the keyboard.

Delko: *lifts hands* Sorry.

Josh: No problem. *winks*

Delko: ...Okay that's starting to freak me out.

Josh: Whatever the problem is between you two, stand your ground since it seems so important to you. Don't give up and let her run you up a tree.

Delko: Like you did?

Josh: *smiles* There's a difference. That was incredibly fun.

Vegas, hotel room

Anni: *walks in* Hey.

Speed: *closes laptop*

Anni: ...What were you doing?

Speed: *looks at laptop* Checking our bank account.

Anni: Oh. Darn and I thought you were normal.

Speed: *frowns*

Anni: So did you talk to Horatio?

Speed: No.

Anni: What? Why not?

Speed: He was arguing with Grissom about explosives.

Anni: 'Cause that's a regular thing for him to be arguing about. *opens laptop* So what does our account say?

Speed: *grabs laptop* I took care of it.

Anni: Already?

Speed: Yeah.

Anni: So let me see. It's not like there's any money in it unless you're very quick about paycheques.

Speed: If there's nothing in it, why do you need to see?

Anni: Because you're hiding it from me.

Speed: That's because it's not important.

Anni: Then there should be no reason to hide. *grabs laptop, opens it* ...

Speed: *scratches head*

Anni: ...Tim.

Speed: Yeah.

Anni: It says we have 2.5 million dollars. We don't have 2.5 million dollars.

Speed: We do now.

Anni: What did you do, rob a BANK?

Speed: I actually um...I called Lori.

Anni: Did she rob a bank?

Speed: I'd have to ask.

Anni: I need to sit. *sits on bed*

Speed: Look, I just asked if she could help us out.

Anni: And this, th-this this is helping out? You wouldn't even ask my mother for 2 grand and you get 2.5 million from Lori?

Speed: We didn't exactly discuss a number. She just...forwarded all of this to our account.

Anni: Since when does she have that much money?

Speed: Uh...since she started running drugs from South America to Miami.

Anni: Are you freaking kidding me? That's like blood money.

Speed: We need to pay your healthcare costs and it's going to get more expensive from here. I don't want to see you end up in some shelter with expired food and medicine.

Anni: This is wrong.

Speed: I don't care.

Anni: You don't care that your daughter is selling drugs on the streets of Miami probably to a bunch of grade school kids and the profits from that have just gone into our bank account.

Speed: No. You're more important.

Anni: No I'm not!

Speed: You are to me.

Anni: *covers eyes* This is ridiculous.

Speed: I know.

Anni: ....So I guess we can get our apartment back.

Speed: *smirks*

Anni: What?

Speed: We are not going back to that crap hole.

Anni: Hey, I liked that apartment.

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