Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 23:39:37 -0700 From: clark Subject: Questioning the Truth (01/01) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website and ftp site. It'll also be hanging around on my own 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. "Questioning the Truth" by S. Clark Tracy sat her coffee cup on her desk. She looked at Nick, then pulled out the chair as if to sit. Then she looked over at Nick again, as if uncertain what to do next. Nick glanced up at her. But, enjoying the look of anxiety on his partner's face, said nothing. Tracy pulled out the chair, and walked around the back of it. Then pushed it back into the desk. She again glanced at Nick, started to say something, and stopped herself. By this time he decided she'd suffered enough. He leaned back in his chair. "Is there something you wanted, Tracy?" Tracy nodded. "Yes," she said, voice clipped. "I need to ask you a question." "Ok," he replied, keeping his tone and manner relaxed. She still looked anxious. "In private?" Nick motioned towards the interrogation room, and waited for Tracy to lead the way. Once inside, she seated herself on the edge of straightback wooden chair, leaning forward, elbows resting on the table. Nick sat across from her. "Nick, tell me the truth." "About?" He dreaded what was going to come next. According to Vachon she was a resistor. Tracy fidgeted in the chair. "It's sort of personal." Nick nodded. "Go on. You can be frank with me, Trace." He hoped that, if needed, appearing to be open would help influence her thoughts. Tracy gritted her teeth. "Ok." Nick waited for her to continue. And waited. And waited. "Tracy?" he prodded. "Nick, I suppose I should just come out and say it." "Ok." She mouthed a word, but didn't make a sound. Nick motioned for her to continue. He didn't want to speak, fearing it might delay this process again. "Oh geez." Color was rising in her face. "Am I perky?" She blurted out the words. Nick held his face still, not wanting to move. He had to remind himself after several seconds to breath, just in case she was watching for that. "I know, it sounds odd. But I heard some of the guys talking. They were saying 'how can she be so up on the night shift?' And 'I've seen perky, but Vetter, that's super-Perky.' So, Nick. What do you think? Am I, you know, perky?" Nick mentally ran through the alphabet, backwards. Then conjugated the Latin verb 'to be.' With these exercises he'd diverted himself enough from her question to speak without breaking into a solid bout of laughter. "No Tracy," he lied. "I don't think you're perky." Tracy smiled. "Thanks, partner. I didn't think so, either. I knew you'd be honest with me, just like always." Nick pointed over his shoulder at the door. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go run some paperwork up to the desk sergeant." Tracy smiled. "Sure thing. And thanks." She followed him out of the room. Back at the bullpen, Nat was waiting at Nick's desk. Nick was just about to say hello, but Tracy raced ahead to Nat's side. She leaned down to talk to the other woman. With his enhanced hearing, Nick could pick up Tracy's words, even though she was whispering. "Nat, can I ask you a question?" "Sure," Nat replied. "In private?"