Return-Path: Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 15:35:52 -0700 Reply-To: clark Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: clark Subject: Just Like Mom & Dad (01/01) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Someone wrote after I'd posted an earlier story and asked if she could be a minor character in one of my stories. Since such requests amuse me greatly, I couldn't say no. So, Liz appears with her own kind permission. Hopefully I didn't do anything too evil with her. Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website and the FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. As always, feedback is welcomed. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. "Just Like Mom & Dad" by S. Clark Nick held it up before him and took a sniff. Wrinkling his nose, he placed it back on the plate. The eyes of the young woman sitting across the table pleaded with him to give it one more try. He picked up the hamburger for a second time, the well done hamburger, and closed his eyes as if that would make the smell abate. It didn't help a bit. "I can't," he said. "Please," came the voice from across the table. "Pretty please, just for me?" Nick opened his eyes slightly and peeked at her. He grinned at her earnest expression. "Ok," he agreed. "One more try." He brought the offending substance to his mouth one more time, hoping he could get away with taking a bite, leaving the thing in his mouth for as long as he could stand, and, when possible, discretely discarding it in a napkin. With that plan fully in place Nick took a bite, a very small bite, of the hamburger. Just then the waitress, Liz, came over to the booth. She saw the look on Nick's face, his hand clenched around his throat and she knew it was trouble. He was pale, a complexion she usually found pleasant since it was so like her own. But his paleness was compounded the fact he wasn't breathing. 'He's choking,' she thought. And, what's worse, she knew dead people didn't tip. Liz thought back to the first aid class she'd taken in fifth grade and pounded, swift and sure, in the middle of his back. Nick, surprised by the blow, swallowed the piece of hamburger. He turned to look at towards his attacker and found himself face to face with a red-haired woman wearing gold framed glasses. "Thank you," he said, "I'm much better now." Liz smiled as she moved off to attend to her other customers. She knew people whose lives she saved tended to be good tippers. At least she hoped that was the case. This was her first time being a lifesaver. Maybe the graveyard shift wouldn't be bad after all. Nick heard the giggles of his dining partner. "Do it again," she pleaded. "One more time. Please." Nick clenched his teeth. "No," he said, voice firm, following it up by making an an 'icky' face. This sent Jenny Schanke into a deeper paroxysm. "Well, looks like I've been missing the fun," said Natalie, sliding into the booth next to Nick. "You should see him eat something," said Jenny, managing to hold the giggles down to a level where she could talk. "It's funny." Nick's normal skin color was quickly giving way to green. "Nat, could you excuse me for a second." Nick placed a hand over his mouth. Natalie was all too familiar with that look and let Nick out of the booth. He made a dash straight to the men's room. "Is he going to be ok?" asked Jenny. Her mercurial mood had swung to one of sadness. "I didn't mean to make him sick. My dad said no one could be allergic to everything." Natalie smiled at her. "Don't worry, he'll be fine." Jenny eyed the older woman cautiously. "Really?" Natalie nodded. "Really." And found herself smiling again as she watched Jenny's smile return. Jenny leaned across the table. "Want to know a secret?" Natalie leaned in and whispered back. "Sure." "Nick's promised to take me to a Sunflower Girl's dance." Jenny smiled. Natalie considered that for a moment. "Won't your father be disappointed if you don't go with him?" "We have one the week my Dad has to go away, so I'm sure he won't mind." Natalie nodded. "Besides," Jenny let out another giggle, "my dad's cool, but going with Nick, it's almost like a date. Know what I mean?" Natalie looked up at the ceiling to keep herself from laughing, or from crying. She knew all too well the 'almost like a date with Nick' syndrome. Unfortunately, she wasn't nine. Natalie smiled at Jenny, unable to remain unaffected by the girl's enthusiasm. "I know just what you mean." Nick returned to table. "Looks like I'm disturbing some girl talk." Jenny sat back and laughed again. Nick slid in next to Natalie. He gave her a peck on the temple. "I'm glad you could make it." Natalie smiled. "And I'm glad you ordered for me." She took the burger from his plate and helped herself to a big bite. "Eww," commented Jenny. "He ate off that already." Nick frowned, but Natalie just smiled over her chewing. Deep down she couldn't help but imagine how Nick would be with a child of his own. For that reason alone she wouldn't have passed up this opportunity to help Nick babysit Jenny Schanke. As soon as Jenny finished off her sandwich she started back in on Nick. "Can we go to the arcade now? You promised." "Are you ready, Natalie?" Natalie looked over her half-full plate of food. "Anytime," she said. "I believe young Miss Schanke is running the show tonight." Nick motioned for the check. He almost left no tip. After all, that woman had forced him to consume the animal flesh. But, based on a from Natalie, he relented. The waitress probably thought she'd done him a favor, saved his life or something. He left her a little extra. Jenny grabbed Nick's hand and tried to drag him to the door. "Come one," she ordered. She rolled her eyes, giving Nick and Natalie that look that only nine year olds experiencing a lack of patience can give. "Old people are so slow," she muttered to herself. Nick smiled and offered his other arm to Natalie. Natalie returned his smile. She leaned against Nick's shoulder and the threesome exited the diner.