I hold no rights to anything CSI except to look upon them lovingly every Thursday night.

I have to give thanks to Peggy who keeps my writing on the up and up. She’s my proofreader, my editor, and my friend.

A/N OK, this is my slightly twisted idea of how to get myself on the show. Yes, sadly, I’m an actor as well as a writer but a dreamer most of all. I would play Gwen. Please, R&R!

Family, Like It or Not

Chapter 61

New Year’s Eve was going to be a big deal among our friends at the Las Vegas crime lab. Welcoming in the year 2020 isn’t something they could just ignore. Catherine arranged for a private dining room so all the adults could have a nice evening together leaving the kids under the watchful eye of Lindsey. She and Michael had decided to stay in and offered to chaperone the younger sets ‘New Year’s Eve Camp In’. Basically, she and Michael had all the kids of the lab, 10 and under, at their place for a sleep over. This, of course, would mean Sam would be home alone. Well, not exactly.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Gwen asked her son one final time.

Sighing, Sam said, “Mom, I’ll be fine. If I need anything, I know where you’ll be and how to find you. The Matteo’s will be home all night if I have an emergency. Dad’s waiting in the car. Please. Would you just go?”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Have a good night. Love you.” Gwen kissed his cheek and stepped out the door, closing it behind her.

“Did he finally tell you to leave?” Jim asked his wife as she got in the car.

Sighing, Gwen nodded. “Tell me he’s old enough for this?”

“Honey, he’s old enough for this.” Jim said and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“Gil!” Sara called from the foot of the stairs. “What are you doing? We have to leave.”

Sara heard him walking down the hall toward her before he spoke. “I’m sorry, Honey. I wanted to double check my tie. You know how I hate this thing.” Gil was careful not to touch the bow tie so carefully tied at his throat.

“I think if you knew how sexy you looked in your tux you’d re-think that complaint.” Sara tweaked his butt as he passed by her.

“Hey!” Gil wasn’t really angry. “Sometimes, Mrs. Grissom, you make me feel like a piece of meat.”

“Now, Gil. You know that if you were a piece of meat, I’d have nothing to do with you. I’m a vegetarian.” She again pinched his butt as she sashayed to the front door. “Coming?”

Gil smiled and followed obediently, closing the door behind them.

“Ok, are you sure they don’t mind?” Sam asked into the phone.

“Don’t worry, Sammy. I’ll be there in about half an hour.” Sammy heard Abby say through the phone.

“I’ll see you then.” Sam closed his phone and looked around the living room. “Better get some snacks.” He shook his head as he moved into the kitchen. “Great, I’m so nervous I’m talking to myself.”

“Have fun, Abby,” Dr. Shreve said as he dropped his daughter off at the Brass home.

“I will, Daddy. Thanks for driving me.” Abby was about to close the door.

Mrs. Shreve said, “We’ll pick you up at 12:30AM. Ok?” Abby nodded and kissed her mother before she walked toward the door.

Dr. Shreve waited until he saw Sam let Abby into the house before they drove away. “I can’t believe that Jim isn’t taking Gwen out for New Year’s Eve.”

“Hey you.” Abby kissed Sam lightly after he closed the door.

“Hi. I still can’t believe your folks let you come over here with Mom and Dad out.” Sam showed Abby into the living room where they sat on the couch.

“I didn’t tell them.” Abby sipped from the soda Sam had put out for her.

Sam didn’t know what to do next. “Abby, I don’t think that was a good idea. They’re bound to find out my folks aren’t here.”

“Maybe, but not tonight they won’t. I can face the music tomorrow or whatever.” Abby clicked on the TV. “Do you want to watch the New Year’s Eve thing from New York, or put in a movie?”

“I think I’ll get a movie. I have one in my room, be right back.” Sam walked to the stairs and only looked over his shoulder nervously once. Getting to his room, he flipped open his phone and dialed.

“So, Dr. Grissom, what are your plans for me after this little get together with the gang?” Sara smirked at Gil as he offered his arm.

“For now, my dear, I think I’ll let you wonder.” Gil grinned as he led his wife into the hall.

“Geez, Sam, I don’t know.” He heard from the phone in his hand.

“I don’t know what she has in mind, maybe nothing. But, I just know we’re going to get caught.” Sam paced nervously.

“It’s not your fault, Sam.” Sam’s friend said to him.

“Think that’s how our parents will see it?” Sam asked into his phone. “Oh, no. I hear her coming up the stairs. I’d better go.” Sam got to the door of his room just as Abby did.

“Where’ve you been?” Abby asked.

“I couldn’t find the disc. It must’ve fallen under the bed. Let’s go.” Sam waved the disc as he tried to usher Abby back down stairs.

She stepped past him. “Can’t I see your room?”

“Uhmmm…ok.” Sam didn’t leave the doorway. “It’s not much really, just a room.”

Abby sat on the edge of Sam’s bed. “I like it. It has your personality all over it.”

“I guess. Let’s go watch the movie.” Sam was still in the doorway.

“Sammy, why are you acting so funny?” Abby asked him.

Sam swallowed hard. “I’ve never had a girl over when my parents weren’t home. I’ve never had a girl in my room...ever.”

Abby smiled and walked toward Sam. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No! Well, not afraid. But, you lied to your folks, and we’re bound to get caught.” Sam stepped aside as Abby passed through the door into the hall.

“Sammy, I didn’t lie to my parents. They just assumed that your folks were home, and I let them believe it.” Abby started down the stairs.

Sam sighed. “Abby, a lie of omission is still a lie.”

“You sound like your dad.” Abby took her seat on the sofa.

Sam put the disc in the player and took his seat beside her. “It’s not that I don’t want you here or anything. But, if we get caught...” Abby’s kiss silenced him.

“Should we call and check on Sam?” Gwen asked Jim as they moved around the dance floor.

Jim smiled at her. “You really are worried.”

“He’s almost 14 years old Jim. What’s not to be worried about?” Gwen took a serious tone.

“Honey, Sam is a good kid. He’s never given us any reason to be concerned. Why would he start getting into trouble now?” Jim tried to keep the issue light.

“Because he’s almost 14 years old. Don’t you remember what it was like to be a 14 year old boy home alone?” Gwen’s mood was softening.

Jim thought for a moment. “Maybe you’re right.” He winked at Gwen, and she laughed at him.

“Hey, Sara!” Greg practically attacked her when she returned from the restroom.

“Geez, Greg, what’s the emergency?” Sara held up both hands to stave off Greg’s approach.

Greg looked around him and whispered. “I just got an ‘alert’ call from Sam.”

Sara was a little confused. “Sam? Sam Brass? Why would he call you? And what’s an ‘alert’ call.” Sara used her fingers to make quotes when she said alert.

“I gave him my phone number once and said if he couldn’t get his folks, he could call me anytime.” Greg explained.

“Oh,” Sara began. “I thought it was an emergency.”

Greg stopped her departure. “It is…sort of an emergency.” Sara stopped and turned on her heels.

“Spill it, Sanders.” She instructed Greg.

“Sam’s girlfriend invited herself over; and, apparently, her parents are under the impression that Jim and Gwen are home.” Greg detailed.

Sara thought for a moment. “Abby just showed up at Jim and Gwen’s house? That doesn’t sound like her.”

“No, she called to tell Sam she was coming over. Her mom and dad dropped her off. They assumed that Jim and Gwen were home, and Abby let them.” Greg was almost fidgeting.

“I think we should tell Jim and Gwen. I know they trust Sam, and Abby for that matter, but they really should know.” Sara started to walk away when Greg stopped her.

“I don’t want Sam to get into trouble. He feels bad enough already. Let me talk to Jim and Gwen.” Greg left Sara, and met Jim and Gwen on the dance floor.

“Sorry, Greg. I promised this dance to my husband.” Gwen met him with a smile.

Greg returned her smile only briefly. “Can I speak with you both for a minute?” When Jim hesitated, Greg added, “Please?”

The threesome left the dance floor.

After a few very serious kisses, Sam excused himself. “I’m gonna make some popcorn. Would you like anything?”

“I’m good, thanks. Should I stop the movie?” Abby asked him.

“Nah, I’ll only be a second. I can catch up.” Sam went into the kitchen. His thoughts were pounding in his head. “Wow! This is getting serious. What if she wants to do more than kiss? Nah…this is Abby. She’s a nice girl. My parents like her, I like her. I really like her. I’m so dead.”

“Sam? Are you ok?” Abby called from the sofa.

Sam emptied the bag of popcorn into a bowl and was returning to the living room. “On my way.”

As he sat on the sofa his phone rang. “Better get it.” He stood and took a few steps away from Abby. “Hello?”

“Hey, Sam. Everything ok?” Greg asked.

Sam sighed in relief. “Yeah, just watching a movie.”

“Ok, I wouldn’t worry. I think everything is going to be just fine.” Greg seemed confident.

“Ok, I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” Sam closed his phone and returned to Abby.

When Sam sat down, Abby snuggled into him. “Who was on the phone?”

“Uncle Greg. Uh…Greg Sanders. You’ve met him, right?” Sam reached for popcorn.

Abby answered, “Yeah, he brings his boxer, Olaf, in to see my dad.”

“I didn’t know you worked with your dad.” Sam tried to focus on anything except Abby’s proximity to him.

“I love animals. I’m going to be a vet someday, too. Did you know that it’s harder to get into veterinarian school than medical school?” Abby grabbed a handful of popcorn.

Sam swallowed hard and moved the bowl away from his lap. “I’ve heard that. Fortunately, I won’t be attempting either. I’m going into the police academy after college.”

“Maybe you could be an officer who works with the canine unit. Then I could take care of your dogs.” Abby snuggled in again.

“MmmHmm.” Sam didn’t move his eyes from the TV again.