I hope everyone enjoys this. It is a Nick/Nat story for Christmas. Anyone can put this story on their page. Also, no beta reader, so sorry for typos. Disclamer: None of these characters are mine, I am simply borrowing them. (I'm hoping for an extended lease on the cop!) The Gift (01/03) By Danii, the Twilight Knight Nick Knight turned his head just as the lift doors opened to reveal Natalie Lambert coming through them. He had been playing the "Carol of the Bells" on his piano before she had walked in and still sat at the piano. "What were you playing, Nick?" she asked. "Nothing specific really..." "Oh. So, do you plan on going to the Christmas party at the precinct?" Natalie said while walking over to where Nick sat, "It'll be fun". "Probably not" Nick said with a slightly lonely look in his sapphire blue eyes, "Christmas is not my thing". Nat wanted to make Nick smile, so while she ran her right hand through his blonde hair she mussed it up. Nick then attacked Natalie's auburn curls. They fought, each trying to mess up the other's hair like a couple of third- graders. All negative emotion was forgotten. Nick had superior speed, but Natalie had practice, having a brother and all. Nat's right hand darted in and out of Nick's hair, making a horrible mess of it, while Nick just rearranged Natalie's unruly, but beautiful, hair. They both giggled the entire time, each enjoying the other's smile. "So what's up? Any particular reason for the visit?" Nick finally asked after they had both stopped and straightened up. "Nah. Just wanted to see you for a little bit, but I have to go Christmas shopping for my brother and his family." Nat would've offered Nick to come, but she also needed to shop for him. But what do you get for the 800 year old man who has everything? The Gift (02,/03) By Danii, the Twilight Knight Natalie was done with all her shopping. All except Nick's gift. She was wondering what to get him, when she saw something that caught her eye. It was a dog pound. She turned into the driveway. As Nat pulled into a parking spot, she had a feeling that this was the right place for Nick's gift. What do you get the man who has everything? Natalie thought again. "You get him Love" * * * As Natalie stepped though the doors of the dog pound, she decided that the first place she should go would be the area with the young puppies. It wasn't that she thought Nick wouldn't like an older dog, it was just that puppies are easier to train. It would have to be trained very carefully. Nick loved his artifacts and antiques; she was certain he didn't want to come home to discover Joan of Arc's cross finding a new use as a chew toy. She broswed around until she came upon a cage with a single, small, black puppy. He was (Nat could see it was a male) curled up on the shredded newspaper, but he suddenly glanced up. Nat put her right hand up to the cage bars. The puppy ran over to the hand and started to rub against it, occasionaly licking her hand. Just then, a woman working at the pound walked over to her. "Wow, Raleigh never likes anyone", the woman said, "Oh hi, my name is Barb." "Nice to meet you Barb", Natalie said, then she tilted her head questioningly, "What do you mean the dog 'never likes anyone'?" "Well", Barb replied, "Normally Raliegh barks, bites, or doesn't respond at all. That's why he's been here for a while. Puppies usually get an owner within a week. He's been here for three weeks. He'll be put ot sleep in a bit." While Nat had been listening, she had been petting the dog. She found it odd that the dog only liked her right hand. Whenever she used her left hand, the pup would walk away, and it would only return when the right hand returned. But when she heard that the puppy was going to be put to sleep, she decided that this one was it. "I'll take him", Nat said, feeling that she was definately making the right choice, "What did you say his name was? Raliegh?" "Yes", Barb answered, "That's it. Now, would you just sign a few papers . . ." The Gift (03/03) by Danii, the Twilight Knight It was about 9:00 PM. Natalie sat on her couch, surrounded by Christmas decorations and and animitronic Christmas dolls. She was waiting for Nick. He was supposed to have been there at 8:30. Natalie had gone through alot of trouble to set it up so that Nick's gift would be a suprise. To disguise the puppy's heartbeat, she had set the Christmas music up high, and she had aksed a friend to watch Sydney so that, in the event that he could hear the heartbeat, Nick would think it was her cat. At about 9:05, Nick finally stepped through the door. He was wearing his favorite coat, a tilted Santa hat, and he was carrying a few wrapped boxes. "Merry Christmas, Nat!" he exclamed as he put down the gifts and hugged her, "Sorry I'm late. Holiday traffic, ya know..." "Well, at least your here", Nat replied, "I was starting worry. I almost called the precinct to put a APB on you!" She hugged Nick warmly. "Merry Christmas!" They then proceeded to give each other gifts. Nat recieved a skirt suit, a chrystal figure of an angel (she especially loved that), and a beautiful gold bracelet. After she had opened her gifts and thanked Nick throughly, she said "Stay there. I'll be right back." Natalie was nearly jumping with anticipation. She entered her room and put the pup into a prewrapped box that had little holes in it. "Sush, Raliegh... You'll see him in a minute." She picked up the box and proceeded to the hall. Natalie was able to contain her excitement enough to carry the puppy without jiggling him. She walked slowly, turning the corner that brought the living room, and Nick, into view. "Here it is, Nick..." she said quietly, "I hope you like it." Nick looked at her, puzzled, and took the gift. He was very curious. As Nat sat down, Nick pulled the top off the box. And their was the puppy. Nothing registered in either Nick or the puppy for a second, and then the puppy ran toward Nick in undescribable joy. Nick, his eyes watering with bloodtears, picked up the puppy. "Raleigh, Raleigh, old boy, oh Raleigh...", Nick cryed softly to the puppy, who nuzzled itself into Nick's arm. "Oh, Nat" he said, turning to her with tears of joy in his eyes, "Thank you, oh thank you..." Nick turned back to the puppy and continued to whisper "Raleigh". Nat was so glad to have brought Nick such joy, but she was also confused. "How did you know his name?", she asked Nick. "I just did", Nick replied, joy shining in his eyes and his voice, "I just did". Natalie began to tear at this point also. Not wanting to mess up her make up too much, she walked to the adjoining kitchen and wiped her eyes. "Merry Christmas, Nick" Nat said as she watched Nick play with the puppy, comepletely enraptured, "Merry Christmas..." Finish - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I hope everyone liked it. I just had to do it.