Disclaimer: I don't own nor have I written any of the songs that will be used in this story. A complete list of songs used will appear at the end of the story when it is finished. All credit/rights go to the artists, producers, and everyone else who was involved in making the song.

How could she have done this to him? He thought she was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with; the woman he wanted children with, the woman who was supposed to make him feel like he was loved. She wasn't that anymore. She would never be that person. She had cheated on him with his best friend, but what made the situation worse was the fact that a baby was involved. Not his child, his friend's child. Tim 'Speed' Speedle didn't know what to do, he was beyond furious. Life couldn't get any worse. Kristina and Eric hurt him beyond repair; he worked with the both of them at the Miami-Dade Crime Lab.

Speed had been gone two years. The FBI wanted him for an undercover operation to bring down one of New York's top Drug Lords. Why they had asked him, he didn't know. He hesitated and hadn't wanted to take the job, but Kristina had told him to take it. She said it would be a great opportunity for him. Eric Delko and his other co-workers, Calleigh Duquesne, Alexx Woods, and Horatio Caine had been hesitant. They didn't want to lose him. Speed wondered why Kristina wanted him to take such a risky job. He could have been killed. Now he had a good idea as to why. Speed needed to get some air.

The sun was just about to set when Speed parked his yellow Ducati motorcycle in the parking lot near the pier. He often came here to think after a tough case or when he had a mountain of things on his mind. As he walked closer he noticed a figure standing on the dock. It appeared to be a woman with long flowing hair. Speed debated on whether or not to stay or go. He didn't want to interrupt her if she needed time alone, but an odd feeling came over him telling him to stay.

The sound of his footsteps, on the wooden dock alerted the young woman. She didn't bother turning around. She must have thought it was someone else. "Jonathan, you made it perfectly clear you don't want to be with me anymore. I'm sorry I ruined your life. I'm sorry my career ruined your life. So just leave me alone, all right."

"Um, I'm not sure who this Jonathan guy is, but I know I'm not him," Speed said. His hands tucked loosely in his jeans pockets.

The young woman spun around. "Oh! I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else," she apologized.

"It's all right." He noticed her red and puffy eyes. "You okay?" This young woman looked very familiar to him. He felt like he'd seen her on TV, and in the tabloids.

She snickered. "Does it look like I'm okay?" He didn't say anything. "Sorry… again. I didn't mean to be rude. It's just I'm having a horrible-no-good-very-bad-day." She looked up into his eyes. She felt the urge to introduce herself. "Lauren Cranbrook, but my friends call me LC." He smiled.

Everything suddenly came together. This was Lauren Cranbrook, the Princess of Pop, the hottest woman in the entertainment industry. Her songs and films were always at the top of the charts. It seemed like everything she touched turned to gold. Lauren's face turned several shades of red. She could never get used to being recognized by people.

"Tim Speedle, but everyone calls me Speed," he said.

Silence filled their conversation; neither of them knew what to say next. Lauren was surprised by his actions. He wasn't asking her for an autograph. He wasn't trying to grope her or kiss her like most men out there.

"What brings you here, Mr. Speedle?" Lauren asked. Her eyes traveled to his waist; she had spotted two shinny objects; the moonlight bounced off them. One on his left hand and one clipped to his belt buckle. He was a police officer, and was a married man. Lauren felt somewhat safer knowing he was part of Law Enforcement. Speed shrugged his shoulders. He didn't want to bring up his problems to her, plus why would she want to hear them anyway.

"Just came out here to think, it's not a big deal. I'll let you be Miss Cranbrook. It was nice meeting you. Hope everything works out for you, I really do."

Speed started heading back to his Ducati when Lauren said, "He cheated on me and left me for another woman. We were supposed to be getting married!" She sobbed. "We were childhood sweethearts. We were supposed to be t-together forever." It is then he noticed the sparkly ring on her left hand. His heart broke in half for her, and he soon forgot about his problems. Gravity pulled him back toward her. "He told me I ruined his life. He said I made him stay with me and he felt 'obligated' to marry me." Speed pulled her in a hug letting her cry it out.

Pulling herself together Lauren stepped out of his embrace. She felt somewhat embarrassed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to dump all of my problems on you. You probably don't even care. You probably think I'm just being selfish and that I should be happy. I'm famous and I have everything. I must have the perfect life," she rambled. Lauren wiped the tears away from her eyes.

He looked at her, and could tell she was different from all the other celebrities he had met through his job. "No, it's okay, really. I don't think you're being selfish. Everyone's human," Speed said as a little smile crept a crossed his face. "Even you people are allowed to be normal."

"Us people?" Lauren raised her eyebrow. She could see he was smiling. Her body became weak. His smile was intoxicating.

"Yeah… you celebrity people." She laughed and playfully hit his shoulder.

Lauren stared up into his eyes. She wanted to know his reasons for being there. She could tell he was hurting. Being in the entertainment industry Lauren learned to read people well, and could tell he had a lot on his mind. "So Officer Speedle, what brings you out here? Tough case?" she asked again.
Speed sighed. "I guess you could say that. Please call me Tim or Speed."

"Well then call me Lauren, or LC. It'll make you feel better. I know I can't ask you what the case was about, but I can try and help. I'm a very good listener." He didn't know what to say. Speed wasn't a person who liked to express his feelings or show too much emotion. "You want to talk about it?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't want to bother you, like I said. You have enough going on right now."

"Are you sure because I-"Lauren was interrupted.

"Oh… my… god. If it isn't Lauren Cranbrook," a young college man said. "You are so sexy. I just heard your washed up boy-toy dumped you. How about you come with me and I'll show you a real good time."

This was exactly how most men treated her. "No that's okay really, thank you." Speed stood back and watched.

"Come on, my friends and I are waiting. In fact here they come now." Three handsome looking college boys came walking down the dock.

"No, I really don't want to go, but thank you," Lauren said backing up. She began to feel uneasy.

Speed picked up on it. It was time for him to step in. "Hey, why don't you back off? She said no."

"What are you, her bodyguard?" The young man snapped back walking up to Speed.

Speed pushed the man back and said, "How about, if you don't back off I'll arrest your alcohol pushing ass for harassing this young woman." He grabbed his police badge and flashed it in front of the man's face. He could smell the alcohol radiating from his body.

The man's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry Officer I was just trying to cheer this fine young woman up. She deserves a good night out." He stumbled forward bumping into Speed; he pushed the man back again.

"Take your drunk ass and your friends, and get the hell out of here." The college students left on that note.

Lauren folded her arms across her chest and looked down at her feet. "You uh, you really didn't have to do that you know."

"Yeah I did." He reached out and gently rubbed the side of Lauren's arm.

"Oh please. Taking your badge out, and telling those guys to leave me alone. Saving the 'damsel in distress'. Every guys fantasy, and since you're a cop, it was probably the badge talking."

"No, it's not the badge talking, really."

She looked up at him and smiled. Lauren could tell his was telling the truth. "Thanks."

He smiled back. "It's not a problem Lauren."

"Well… I guess I better go. I need to go call my friend and let her know I'm going to be staying with her awhile. It was nice meeting you, Speed. Maybe I'll see you around." Lauren held out her hand for him to shake. He happily took it. "I hope everything works out or whatever is troubling you. You seem like a nice guy. Your wife is a lucky woman."

Speed didn't know what to say. Kristina and he were done. "Hey Lauren… if you ever need anything here's my card." Lauren gladly took it. She thanked him, and made her way to the parking lot up ahead. Speed watched Lauren as she made her way back down the dock and to her car; it was a teal metallic Pontiac Grand Prix.

He turned around and faced the ocean again thinking about the day's events, but particularly when he arrived home. He closed his eyes and remembered what happened.

Speed's plane touched down at Miami International Airport around 6:00am. The FBI had let him go early due to the fact they had captured all members of the New York Drug Cartel.

An airport taxi was waiting for him when he exited the building. The man grabbed Speed's luggage, and loaded it into the van. "Do you think we could stop at the flower shop? I want to get some flowers for my wife. I haven't seen her in a long time," Speed said.

"Yeah, sure thing, sir. Where have you been?" the cab driver asked.

"I've been away on work."

"Well, welcome home sir. Do you have a certain flower shop in mind?"

"No, just whatever's closer." The cab driver nodded and headed to the nearest flower shop.

The flower shop didn't open until eight in the morning, so Speed decided to get some breakfast. He had a lot going through his mind, one being his wife, Kristina. They had been married for two years, but of those two years he was away for one and a half. The time away gave him time to think about life and his future. He wasn't sure what his feelings were for Kristina. He wasn't sure he loved her anymore in the way a husband and wife should love each other. He didn't know if he could see a life with her. They had been only dating for six months before they married, but he was willing to try.

After he had finished eating, the cab driver drove him to the flower shop, where he waited in a long line. Apparently everyone wanted flowers that day. "Thanks for driving me all over Donald," Speed said.

"It's not a problem, Officer Speedle," Donald said. He had recognized Speed only a few minutes after he drove off from the airport. Speedle paid Donald and exited the car. Speed grabbed his bags from the back of the van. When he walked past Donald, the man said, "Go welcome home your lady… if you know what I mean." He winked at Speed then drove off.

With no more distractions around him Speed noticed not only Kristina's car, but Eric's car as well. "Why would he be here?" he asked himself out loud. "Maybe he's just visiting?"

Putting all his suspicions aside, he walked up the steps to their front door. He tried opening it, but the door was locked. Fishing out his keys from his pocket he inserted the house key into the lock, turned the key, opened the door, and walked in. "Krissy, I'm home!" Speed shouted. Nothing. The house was silent. "Kristina I'm home!" Silence. "Where is she?" he asked himself.
He set the flowers on the small kitchen table. Their house wasn't big, but it wasn't tiny. Neither Speed nor Kristina had a knack for design. Their house was furnished with hand-me-downs and whatever felt comfortable for them; the walls were painted all white; the floors were finished with cream twelve by twelve porcelain floor tiles.

Speed made his way upstairs. Again, white walls, but the floors were finished in a cream colored California Berber carpet that had tints and shades of brown. "Kris-" he began to say, but stopped when he heard a moaning sound. He listened closer to find out where the noise was
coming from, their bedroom.

Fearing the worst Speed broke into a fast pace walk. "Kristina!" he shouted. He grabbed the door handle and turned it. He was grateful the door wasn't locked, but would soon regret it. What he saw horrified him.

There on their bed was his wife and best friend stripped down naked, having sex. All Speed could do was stare. His voice had left him, and went all the way to Timbuktu. Kristina and Eric stopped what they were doing and looked at Speed, both shocked. "What are you doing home Timmy?" Kristina asked. Eric rolled off of her and faced Speed.

Speed's voice came back to him, he said, "What am I doing home? What am I DOING HOME? This is my house Kristina… this is OUR house!"

"Honey, it's not what you think-"

"Not what I think? You're in bed fucking, Eric! My best friend!" If looks could kill, Eric would be dead. He would've been massacred. The look on Speed's face was of pure anger and disgust. His eyes became dark and unrecognizable. "How could you? What the hell is WRONG with you two?"

"Speed, please just let us expl-"Eric tried to speak.

"Shut the fuck up, Delko. Just shut up! Oh my god! My wife is sleeping with my best friend." Speed rubbed his face with his hands. His head was throbbing.

While he did this, both Kristina and Eric got dressed. "Tim, calm down please," Kristina said softly.

"Calm down? Calm DOWN? I just walked in on you having sex with him." He pointed to Eric. Speed looked at the wall that was in front of him. There was a picture of their wedding day. He yanked it off the wall and threw it down on the tiled bathroom floor that was across from their bedroom. The glass in the frame shattered; the frame broke into three pieces; the rage inside of Speed was beginning to build. The fate of their marriage was sealed. It didn't exist to Speed anymore.

He was about to continue talking when a crying sound came from behind him. He looked down the hall and then to Kristina then Delko. "What's that?"

"It's, it's a baby crying," Kristina said.

"Why is there a baby crying in this house? Did your sister have a baby?" Speed asked.

"Well, no. Um not exactly… no."

"Then tell me why there is a baby crying in our-" Eric headed down the hall to the baby's room. Speed felt tears of anger filling the corners of his eyes. "Did, did you get pregnant and not tell me about our child?" Speed's voice cracked.

"Um… well she's… she's not-"

He flashed his 'if looks could kill' look. "The baby isn't mine is it?" Then it all came together. Eric had gone down the room to get the crying baby. The child was Eric's. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my fucking GOD! What the hell is happening here? I come home early to surprise you and this is what I get."

"Timmy, I'm sorry," she said sadly.

"Don't call me Timmy anymore." Eric came out with his daughter. Speed looked and saw she was almost a spitting image of Eric. Skin tone, eyes, and hair, were all the same, and the baby was too young to be his child. "Tell me Kristina… I want a straight answer… did you ever love me? Did you ever and I mean ever love me?"

"Yes… I did love you and still do-"

Speed interrupted her. "No you don't. You made your choice. You can expect divorce papers to be filed in the morning… I hope you two have a nice life," he said coldly. He kicked the picture frame one last time shattering it even more before he headed downstairs, and out of what use to be their house.

Opening his eyes he saw something draped over the railing on the dock. He walked closer and saw it was a scarf, an aqua and green scarf. He picked it up thinking maybe a name would be on it. He grabbed one end, but the tag wasn't there. He reached for the other end. When he found the tag he grabbed his cell phone to shine some light on it. He smiled seeing there was a name present on the tag. It read: TO LC FROM D. 'Lauren,' he said to himself. 'She must have set this down or it fell and she forgot it.' He smiled to himself again. Speed folded up the scarf so it was able to fit in his pocket. He would give this back to her if he had the chance to see her again. He searched for his keys and headed back to his bike. He was off to a hotel. He didn't have a place to go at the moment, and he didn't want to bother anyone.