Return-Path: Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 13:22:49 -0700 Reply-To: clark Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: clark Subject: Just Another Day (01/01) To: FKFIC-L@lists.psu.edu Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website as well as FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. Just Another Day by S. Clark Nat jumped when Nick came into the morgue. He'd even at the door. She was beginning to feel it was just a natural reaction to his presence. "Is this a good time?" he asked, blue eyes twinkling. Whenever he started with the charm, rather than reserving it for later, it concerned her. "I don't have your test results yet." He nodded, leaning himself back against the examination table. "I didn't come for those, actually. I just came to," he paused, "to visit." She spun around in her seat to face him. "Ok, let's visit." Her tone was inviting but her posture remained stiff. "How was your day?" "Fine. And yours?" "Fine." Silence. "Nick, small talk is not one of your strengths. Why are you here?" He started nervously tugging at his right hand with his left. "I was talking to Tracy earlier." "Really?" "We were making small talk, actually," he added, his face showing how pleased he was at that thought. "And?" "She mentioned you two had spent the afternoon together." Nat mentally kicked herself for not seeing this one coming when Nick just dropped by to 'visit.' "We went out to the park and tried rollerblading." He moved closer to her. "And?" "And it was a pleasant afternoon." She shrugged. He moved closer still, standing just before her. She rubbed at her forehead with her hand. "Is it ok if I return to my work now, Nick?" He grabbed her hand and tugged lightly. "C'mon." "Excuse me?" "C'mon. Let's go for a walk." "Nick, I'm working." "Is it urgent?" "It's necessary." "It can wait," he said. "Come on. Let's get out of here." They'd walked two blocks in silence. Nick clung to Natalie's hand. It wasn't a tight grip, more of a reminder he wasn't giving her a chance for escape. "So, we've come out here to be quiet?" She decided to get things stared. The sooner they start, the sooner they could finish. "I'm just concerned," he responded. "About?" "About you, Nat. I'm worried." "No need," she said, forcing a light tone into her voice. "I'm fine." "Tracy said..." He stopped walking but she continued, her hand finally slipping from his grasp. "Tracy said what, Nick?" She stopped, standing about five feet away. "She just mentioned you were upset today. I was concerned." "I'm fine. Just not very good at rollerblading, I guess." She continued with keeping their discussion on a lighter level. "No reason for concern." He walked to her. "You sure?" She smiled. "Of course. But I do need to get back to work." He nodded in assent and walked her back to the front of the morgue. Natalie entered the lab, alone, and locked the door behind her. She sat at the desk and pulled out a tissue. It would be needed for another inevitable crying spell. How could she have explained it to Tracy? Who, she thought, she was going to have to have a very long talk with about the privacy of conversations. As she sat in the sun this afternoon all she could think of was wanting to share this warmth with Nick. As she heard the children laughing she felt a pang of longing for children of her own. Children created by herself and Nick. She'd felt foolish breaking into tears while sitting in the park. But it had all hit her at once. The sunlight. The children. All the things she'd distanced herself from. Insulated through work. Secluded by her relationship with Nick. But all the things she wanted. All the things she wanted to share with Nick. She was having too many doubts these days. Was it right for her to have faith that she could bring him back? Was it right for her to feed into his hopes? And, mostly, was it right for her to expect him to want her as a part of his mortal life if they did succeed? He had worries enough of his own. She didn't want to add to his burden. Didn't want to force him into admitting feelings he may not feel. But being noble didn't ease the pain. It just made her feel more sad. And more alone. Outside the lab Nick could plainly hear her sobs. He wanted to bash open the door. He would sweep her into his arms and assure her everything would be fine. He would kneel before her and pledge his love. And, if she could accept his heart, he would promise her the world in return. But most of all he wanted her to be happy. And he knew that happiness did not live within a cold heart. Nick turned and walked back to the caddie. It was time to return to work.