This Vegas Sky Is Tainted

Steph’s pov

A buzz erupted from underneath my pillow stirring me form my sleep. I pulled it out knowing I was required to get up now but I just hoped it hadn’t disturbed Nick. As I looked over I smiled seeing that Nick was still fast asleep his breathing even and relaxed as he lay there. I gently lifted his arm from my stomach and placed it onto the mattress as I slid from under the covers. Once out I pulled the duvet up a little more on Nick as I moved over to the wardrobe to grab some clothes.

As I pulled open the cupboard I was startled as a pile of clothes belonging to Nick tumbled out pulling a photo album from the bottom of the wardrobe with them. The photo album landed on the floor with a thud and I turned around to see Nick roll onto his back grateful he hadn’t yet opened his eyes. He let out a slight groan before mumbling across the room.

“What time is it babe?”

“It’s only 10am. Go back to sleep hun I’m just going to take a walk I couldn’t get back to sleep. I won’t be long.

“Ok, love you.”

I smiled as Nick fell into a deep sleep once more and his breathing became quiet again. I picked up my clothes leaving Nick’s on the floor and headed into the bathroom getting changed and ready before picking up my keys and phone and leaving the flat in a quiet manner.

As I approached the convenience store just around the corner from the apartment I smiled to see that Grissom was already sat parked along the side of the street. As I approached the car I smiled and climbed into the passenger seat.

“Morning.”

“Yeah, don’t I know after the past few shifts.”

“I don’t mind you heading into work a little later this evening to allow you to catch up on some sleep? You are still recovering.”

“I shall what I do after this meeting for now. Depending when we leave I may be wide awake.”

It was only a short journey through Vegas traffic before we reached the diner. After Grissom had parked the truck in the almost empty parking lot we stepped inside taking the sweet smell of freshly cooked pancakes as well as the aroma of coffee. As we looked we around we both spotted Anna sat in an alcove on her own in the far corner of the diner and headed over to take a seat.

“Sorry about the early morning call it was the only time that I could get a last minute babysitter for.”

“It’s ok with us. We get used to early morning call out’s.”

“I will come straight out with what I bought you guys down here for. It’s a proposition I am putting to yourselves involving Brandon and yourselves.”

Grissom and I both nodded accepting we were listening to what Anna was about to say.

“I have been offered some work over in England. I’s double the money that I am earning now and is only for a year and a half. It’s obviously not a permanent job and is more of an opportunity to bring in some extra income to help with Brandon’s future but I wouldn’t want him to move over there and away from the place he knows and then have to come back. I was wondering if you and Lottie would mind taking care of him for that time?”

I just sat taking in the information. Thinking on how if she wanted us both to look after him why she hadn’t asked Lottie down to.

“Why didn’t you ask for Lottie to come down then to?”

My voce was soft as I continued think until I was given the reason.

“Because if I understand rightly Mr Grissom, Steph is still given permission for some leave if required which would benefit Brandon moving to a new location. I also understand that Greg and Lottie are working toward getting their level 3 CSI qualifications as we speak meaning their minds need to be fully on the job. Where as Nick has that qualification and you can’t do yours until your deemed 100% fit for work. I would also need to put only one of your names onto legal documents involving the care of Brandon as I was wondering if I could ask you to do that. Don’t get me wrong I want to Lottie to know I want her to care for Brandon just as much I just think that explaining why you and nick are preferred to start with is better to be explained to you?”

“I understand that but I’m sure that Lottie would of understood those choices to.”

“I also have a couple things I would like to ask from Lottie when I inform her of the choices to.”

I nod understanding the reasoning mum had given also the fact that mum didn’t know us that well still to know how situations would be taken.

“Mr Grissom this can only go ahead with your approval however and is why I e-mailed you specifically.”

“This is something that I will agree to. Steph you are able to take an extra two weeks on part-time rota for recovery yet so that I am happy for you to use for looking after Brandon until he’s settled. I am also happy to accept Brandon been present in the labs at times when shifts are very busy as well. Anna can I ask when you leave?”

“I leave in two days. I thank you Mr Grissom. Would it be possible for me to meet with Lottie at the labs this evening?”

“yes you can use my office her shit starts at 10.”

“Thank you also when I leave Thursday evening I was wondering if maybe one or both of you girls would bring Brandon to the airport to say goodbye. Would it also be possible if he is too move into the house tomorrow night so that it’s not a big rush?”

I nodded accepting that would be fine. Anna thanked us the informed us she had to leave and after saying goodbye me and Grissom sat there for a little while talking. We spoke how Grissom would arrange the rota’s once back and that he would explain to Lottie what had been said if needed to. He seemed to always understand how I felt about my sisters emotions to and I appreciated that. I however was in shock. Mum had known us for a few months and already she was trusting us to look after Brandon for over a year.

After Grissom bought breakfast and we had drank a couple of cups of coffee each we decided to head back. Grissom no doubt having not slept yet and the fact that I would have to think about starting to get the flat straightened out. Just as I rounded the corner to the apartment block after Grissom had dropped me at the convenience store I spotted Lottie and Greg on their way out.

I greeted them as they asked where I had been without nick informing them of my morning stroll before I headed inside and back into the apartment. As I opened the apartment door I smiled to see that Nick was wondering around awake even if he was only in his boxer short’s. Luckily we weren’t expecting visitors. As I took off my boots and put my keys down I greeted him with a kiss.

“Hmmm coffee.”

“Sorry ended up sat in the diner after a little while. Didn’t think to bring breakfast back.”

“Don’t worry, you should go get some more sleep though.”

“I may just get an extra couple of hour’s. You staying in here or coming to keep me company?”

I watched Nick’s face grow into a grin.

“Not in that way Mr Stokes, that can wait. I’m too tired for that.”

I couldn’t help but smile myself as he pouted a little but still followed me into the bedroom the two of us soon entwined in each other’s arms as I fell asleep.

After literally all of a couple of hours sleep I was awake again. I smiled as Nick lay there playing with a strand of my hair as I turned to face him pulling the duvet up around me more enjoying it’s warmth. As I looked up into his eyes he seemed to sense I was about say something.

“What do you know that I don’t?”

“It wasn’t a walk I went for this morning. I just didn’t want you getting all worke dup and to instead get some more sleep. Mum had asked me and Grissom to go meet with her. She’s going to work in England for a year and a half from Thursday and ha kind of asked a favour for us two.”

“What sort of favour?”

“She would like us to look after Brandon whilst she’s gone. He wants Lottie and Greg to look after him two but she wants us to fill in the legal documents and all that crap. I’m also going to be working on a part-time rota for the next two weeks again so that I can look after him and him settle. He moves in tomorrow night.”

“I…….that was unexpected. It sound’s like a great idea to me though he’s a lovely kid. What about Lottie’s approval though?”

“She’s surprising Lottie with it at the beginning of shift tonight. She also wants to talk to Lottie about a couple of other jobs she thinks she would be suitable to. I have an idea it’s relating to mum’s work here though.”

“What if we all have to work?”

“Grissom agrees to let Brandon stay in the labs where he will either be in Grissom’s office who one of the lab rats will be watching him in the break-room if we are all called to the scene.”

“Want me to make a start on the spare room now. You can watch a spot of TV before getting up and enjoy some time to relax a little? Since you are still meant to be recovering I don’t want you injuring yourself again.”

I smiled and accepted that but before nick moved we lay there sharing a few kisses. As his fingers slowly ran over the scars on my shoulder before he kissed my neck. After a few more minutes together I sent him on his way to start work flicking on the TV and watching whatever crap I found somewhat decent.

About an hour after I had been left to relax in bed there were a few loud bang’s come from across the apartment followed by some colourful language escaping Nick’s mouth. I couldn’t help but smile as I climbed out of bed and once again got dressed this time into clothes I would later be wearing for work. Once I emerged from the bedroom I watched nick step from the spare room a look of accomplishment on his face.

“It’s finished now.”

“What did you break or drop in the process?”

“I knocked over a couple of boxes full of some of Greg’s old magazines which he left here. The kind that need throwing out as they aren’t suitable for children’s eyes.”

I rolled my eyes as nick turned picking up the box and disappeared down to put it in the dumpster. We headed out to the shops then buying some little bit’s a pieces for the spare room suitable for a four year old before grabbing some dinner. By 9 o clock we were on our way to work in Nick’s truck battling through the traffic before pulling into the parking lot.

Once me and Nick had stepped into the lab’s greeting Sara, Catherine and Warrick before settling into the break room we were soon disturbed again. Just as Lottie and Greg stepped into the break room so didn’t Grissom handing out a couple of cases that had already come in before summoning Greg and Lottie to his office. I watched as both headed off looking a little worried.