Date: Thu, 1 Jun 1995 06:14:37 -0400 From: Bea Quindlen Okay, I finally got brave enough to send this. Some references may be familiar to those who attended the Weekend with Ger ("The Ger-thering").Other parts are the result of lack of sleep (sleep? what's that?) due to watching FK and particularly POTM many, many times while preparing afundraiser for a bunch of nuns (which fell on the same weekend as The Ger-thering and yeah, I missed the fund-raiser). Hope you enjoy this! SKUNKED (or FOREVER WEEK) Part 1 of 3 by OCaoin@AOL.com NIGHT 1 "Schank, what are you doing here? " "Hey, Partner, old buddy, old pal...?" "Schank... " "How ya doing?" Nick was immediately suspicious. Schanke has arrived at his loft two hours after shift, pizza, beer and suitcase in hand and with a definite air of... what? about him. Once before he had arrived this way - in his misguided attempt at bachelorhood. "Schank, you haven't left Myra again, have you?" Knight asked incredulously. "No, no, Nick," replied Schanke, aghast. "Myra's in Florida visiting her mom. I just thought maybe we could hang out together. You know, do guy stuff, see a few movies, down some brewskies..." Schanke's voice faded in light of Nick's dubious stare. "And... ?" prompted the blond. "And?" echoed Don innocently, "...share some pizza? I made sure they put garlic on it..." "Schank, now tell me what you aren't telling me." Nick contemplated hypnotizing his partner for the answer but quickly put the notion aside. He had no desire to see into the cobwebs of Donald G. Schanke's mind. "Nick, can I sleep here for the night?... er, the day? " "Why?" "Why?" gulped Schanke. "Why," reiterated Nick with a feeling of dejavu. "when you have a perfectly lovely house to stay in?" "Yeah, well, I sorta left the back door open when I left this morning and..." Nick Knight, vampire cop, sprang into readiness. "Did you get robbed?" "No, come on, Nick." Schanke turned to put the pizza in the oven. Knight, even with his extraordinary hearing, couldn't make out Don's next words. "What was that?" "I said, a family of skunks sort of wandered in and they got scared. The house needs to be fumigated..." his voice faded as his partner burst into laughter. "Skunks? Detective Don Schanke got skunked?" Nick whooped with laughter. "Har, har" replied a very red faced Schanke. "You're gonna broadcast this all over the station aren't you?" Nick's grin got bigger. "I don't suppose I could bribe you into keeping this quiet, could I, Partner? "Trying to bribe an officer of the law is a serious offense, Schank. Maybe I should run you in...?" "Keep it up, buddy and I'll triple my garlic intake." threatened Schanke. "Not while you're staying here..." interjected the vampire quickly. "Oh, good, I'll get my other bag from the car." "Schank, Schanke...," Nick's call bounced off the cindered elevator door. Knight collapsed into a dining room chair. His head dropped to beat a slow tattoo on the table top. "Skunked" he muttered. "I've been skunked by Schank!" ************ "Knight? Nick? Are you practicing some weird religious ritual?" asked Schank. Lost in his misery Nick hadn't even heard his return. Raising his head he watched his "other half" make himself at home. "I did some shopping on the way over," Don announced from somewhere inside the 'fridge as Nick heard the rattle of bottles being moved. "Beer, pepperoni, bacon & horseradish dip, chips, lotsa chips, spaghetti, sauce, garlic bread..." A bottle Nick retrieved during Schank's restocking nearly slipped to the floor. "Garlic?" mumbled Nick brokenly. Schanke turned to his partner full of concern. "You feeling ok, Nick? You're kinda green. Maybe you need to eat. How 'bout a Schanke special - an anchovy, garlic, onion and cheese omelette?" Nick thought he was going to toss his cookies - and considering he hadn't had any cookies in 767 years - that was bad. He grabbed his bottle, detoured through his partner's boxes, and headed into the safety of the living area. "Where's your duck?" croaked the ex-knight Knight. "My duck?" parroted the partner. "Why would I bring my duck?" "You did last time." "Nick, last time I was going through a personal crisis - nay, a personal hell" he emphasized, "I needed familiar objects around me for security, consolation. Besides, one of the skunks seemed to have taken a liking to the lamp. He was so cute - you shoulda seen him, Nick - all curled up asleep under the duck's neck. Wait'll you see the picture I took - photojournalism, here I come!" "Schank," Nick interrupted, "didn't you smell them before you went inside?" "No, Nick. They didn't smell yet. It wasn't until..." he paused, "...well, it wasn't until later that they did whatever they do... er, want a slice of pizza?" he rushed out, trying to change the subject quickly. Nick (being a detective) knew his partner was hiding something. "What scared them, Schank?" "Sure you don't want a slice?" "Schank... "The flash." was the softly muttered response. "What?" "The flash - it woke them up and they..." The rest of Schanke's answer was drowned out by Nick's laughter. ************ DAY 1 Nick slowly came to consciousness. Strange sounds assailed his ears. Who the hell is Jocko? he thought to himself. The noise seemed to be coming from downstairs. Then he remembered... Schanke. Schanke was his 'roomie' once again. And that meant early morning cartoons followed by a slew of talk shows. It was no use. The pillow over his head wasn't helping. There was nothing to do but 'wake up and smell the donuts' as little Lisa had said. Nick stumbled down the stairs of the loft and collapsed onto the comfy chair. Schanke was seated cross-legged on the floor (the bottoms of his moose pj's had pulled down, of course, showing an inordinate amount of Schanke) a box of cereal next to him, an enormous bowl in his lap. It was filled with something grey and mushy. "Whassat?" he mumbled. "Crmkn Chokulall" Schanke swallowed and repeated himself. "Count Chocula, want some? It's Jenny's favorite. Or, there's a box of the crispy oatmeal stuff. I thought it would go better with your diet. "But its na oatmeal" he intoned then chuckled. "I just love that commercial!" The sound of the elevator brought Nick to his feet. A few seconds later Natalie appeared in the doorway, obviously surprised at finding anyone awake in the loft. Dropping an assortment of packages on the dining table she exclaimed, "Nick! What are you doing up at this hour? Schanke? What are you doing here?" Natalie noticed the pjs on both men. "Ah, you guys having a jammy party and you didn't invite me? I've got these really cool Garfield pjs with feet - I coulda brought popcorn, movies, Twister... nice view, Schanke," she added as she nudged him from behind. A glance at the TV made her settle next to Schanke. "Oh, cool, Animaniacs." she said through a mouthful of cereal. "Nat? Why did you stop by?" A distracted wave towards a paper bag she had been carrying sent Nick to investigate. "Protein shakes. Gee, thanks, Natalie, and here I thought it was going to be a boring day." "Oh, stop complaining, Nick. If you want to be 'healthy'," she paused for emphasis, "you've got to eat what's good for you." "Like you and Schank?" he inquired with a nod towards the cereal box clutched in her hands. A handful of Count Chocula, pitched his way, was her only response. ************ Nick awoke slowly, certain that someone was watching him. Soft sounds whispered from the TV and over that Nick could hear one heart beat very close by. He opened one eye slowly. Nat sat curled up at the nearest end of the couch, watching him, smiling at him. He gave a sheepish smile in return. "Sorry, I must have dozed off..." "Do you know how cute you are when you're asleep?" she teased."All you need is a teddy bear." Choosing to ignore her observation, he continued, "I never drift off like that. I don't know... " Nat smiled again. "You were tired; you felt comfortable and safe," she emphasized. "You fell asleep." Natalie picked up her coffee mug as she stood. Passing Nick's chair, Nat reached across and tickled his stomach. "That's a very human thing to do." A quick tug on her arm and Toronto's coroner landed in the lap of her favorite vampire just as Schanke reappeared. "Pardon me if I'm interrupting anything," he called from the top of the stairs. Natalie wasn't sure whether Nick's arm was keeping her on his lap because he a) like her there or b) he was hiding behind her. Personally, she didn't care why but happily snuggled back against his cool torso a bit more. "Well, the good news is I got a fumigator." Schanke announced. "And?... " added Natalie. "Amnnppphhhhh... " added Nick from behind the doctor. "He can't come until the day after tomorrow and it'll take 48 hours to really clear the air. Lucky for me Myra won't be home for another week.Guess maybe we can have that jammy party after all. Right, Nick?... Nick? A load whimper from behind Nat was quickly cut off by a judiciously applied elbow. *********** The work days/nights had progressed far better than Nick's mornings. A case that had been plaguing them for two weeks turned out to have Chinatown connections and was gratefully turned over to another team at the 101st. Nick and Schanke couldn't figure out why Detective Caine's father was involved but, since no one in the 101st seemed to find it strange, they wrote it off. Besides, as Schanke pointed out, it wasn't much different than Nick getting help from his friend Janette. "Are we stopping by the Raven?" asked Schanke as the pair left the 101st. "Why?" responded Nick suspiciously. "Well, you always stop by the Raven when we're on a case!" "No I don't, Schank." "Yes, you do." "No, I don't ! " "Yes, you do!" "No!" "Yes!" ***81-Kilo*** See the woman. Location is the club called the Raven... *** "81-Kilo responding." snarled Nick into the mike. "Business as usual?" queried Schanke. NIGHT 3 Janette sensed Knight's presence as soon as he entered the building. "Oh, la la, Nichola," she purred as she turned to smile at him. The smile aborted quickly, "You look like hell! What's happened? Sit down, you need a drink." The mother hen in Janette took over as she shooed Nick to a table and signaled Miklos for a 'Knightly Special'. "Now, Nichola, what is wrong?" "Schanke... " "Has something happened to your partner? Pity, I was beginning to grow fond of him." she purred as she entwined her arm with Nick's. Knight tried unsuccessfully to ignore the finger tickling his ear. "No, he's fine but driving me crazy. He's staying at my place again. He said one night - it's been three. I haven't slept, my house smells like a pizzeria, there are dirty clothes all over the place... " "Now, now, Nichola, you must be patient. Mortals are not as wealthy as our kind.They must... how do they put it... 'do laundry'. They can't afford to toss it out as we do." She shuddered. "Think what our closets would be like if we 'laundered' and kept everything?" "Janette, some of us do do laundry. But that's not the point. I feel like I'm a goldfish in a bowl. I don't have any privacy anymore. He's planning every minute of every day! The fumigator comes tomorrow but its still two more days before he goes home. I'm going crazy!!!" Janette knew Nick wanted her sympathy but his situation was just too funny and irresistible.She motioned to Miklos to refill Knight's glass as Schanke puffed his way into the club. Collapsing into a seat he asked, "Knight, why is it when you drive you get to park illegally but when I drive, oh, no, I have to park legally which means 3 blocks away! Hi, Janette, how ya doing? Can I have something to drink." Catching a look at Nick's goblet he added, "Don't forget, we're on duty, partner. No vino!" "It's all right" purred Janette. "It's one of his horrid protein drinks, isn't it, cherie?" Turning to Schanke she continued, "So, Nicky tells me you are 'roomies' again, oui? What fun you must be having! Are you testing the waters of bachelorhood again, Detective?" "No, nothing like that. Just getting some work done on the house while the wife's out out town. Really!" he emphasized in response to Janette's upraised eyebrow. "Actually, Janette, I wanna ask you something." "This should be interesting." muttered Nick. "I've got four tickets to tomorrow night's Jays game. I usually take Myra, Jenny and one of her little friends but since they're away... how'd you like to go? Nick and I are off, so's Natalie. I thought we could make it a foursome. Be a shame to waste the tickets." Janette was set to decline when she caught the look on her fellow vampire's face. The expression of shock and disbelief registered there was priceless. "A Jay's game? How exciting. It should be fun. I'd love to round off your little group, Donny." "Janette, you can't... " "Great, we'll pick you up at 5:30." "6:30" she altered with an intense stare. "Right, 6:30" Schanke mumbled. "Now, what did you want to see us about?" ******** Schanke left to retrieve his car about thirty minutes later after documenting a report of 'suspicious characters' lurking around the Raven, although how anyone could spot a suspicious character in the club was beyond Schanke's imagination. Meanwhile back at the bar, Nick was graciously trying to let Janette off the hook. Or was it himself? "Janette, I have no intention of going. I didn't even know about it until he asked you." He leaned across to her to give her a kiss on the cheek. Quick action on her part turned it into a kiss on the lips. Several minutes later they broke apart, breathless. "I'll.............tell.............Schanke.............to............ find.........someone......" "No... no... Nick.... Pick.....me... up......at... 6:30. (Janette recovers much faster!) Now go! A bein toit, cherie! Shooo!" Janette watched the still dazed Nick leave the Raven. Handing her goblet to the bartender for a refill she asked,"Miklos, what does one wear to a 'Jays' game?" She took a long draw from her refilled glass. "Miklos, what is a 'Jay'? ************ NIGHT 4 Nick began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. The fumigators had arrived and deskunked the Schanke household. Just three more nights and Don could go back home. The baseball game turned out to be pleasant experience for everyone. Janette dressed casually - if one can call black leather jeans and tank top both so tight they looked painted on and topped with a super sheer red lace 't-shirt'. Natalie was more traditional in a humongous Jays t-shirt with a Toronto PD sweat shirt tied around her waist. She sat between Schanke and Nick acting as a buffer to keep Don from seeing the vampires "disposing" of the assortment of hot dogs, beer, peanuts and pop corn he kept passing. The highlight of the night, other than the Jay's victory of course, was Nick giving a crash course in baseball to Janette, comparing it to cricket and babbling about '11 guys go in and another 11 guys go out and when the 11 guys go out get out, the 11 guys who go in, go out and the guys who are out , go in'. Pop flys, sacrifices and bunts were totally lost on the french vamp who kept Natalie amused and Nick embarrassed with her observations. "Balls? Double header? Oh, la la, Nicky, I would have come out sooner if you had mentioned those!" "Nichola, what is the significance of that signal?" Janette asked demurely as yet another player scratched himself publicly. ******** DAY 4 Nick slept in the late the next day. Schanke had risen early and disappeared to 'do some shopping and check on the house'. The vampire slept so well, in fact, that he overslept and arrived at work 30 minutes late. Cohen was waiting. "You're late, Detective. Get your butt in here fast." Nick slipped into the captain's office, squeezing in between Lieutenant MacDonald and Sargeant Weston. The entire shift seemed to be crammed into the small room. The smell of raspberry jelly and cinnamon sugar emanating from the donuts each officer held nearly overpowered the vampire. He prayed (as much as a vampire can) the meeting would be short. "All right, ladies and gentlemen. Listen up. Last night's arson at the strip mall has seriously effected this precinct. The 'Pins and Needles' bowling alley and tattoo parlor has suffered water and smoke damage and will not re-open until next month." A collective groan resounded through the room - collective except for a very pale blond brick , (Opps,I mean...) Nick by the door. "The charity bowl-a-thon will still be held this Saturday if we can get a new location. We've got calls in to two other spots. The Holy Rollers Bowling Alley and Religious Goods will take us if we can't get any place else but, and this is a big but, we have to out before midnight. Sister Jeanne said they definitely won't stay open on Sunday. And besides, they only have a wine bar. We're hoping to get space at the Merry Munchkins Yellow Brick Lanes. After all, this is for children so it would be more fitting. Also, we'll need a new D.J.. Radio Ron was arrested early this morning by Vice. Knight, Schanke," she called, "you've finally cleared all your cases. You're in charge of pulling this off and you've only got two days. Anyone with any suggestions, see them. Dismissed." The room quickly cleared except for a stunned Knight and a flustered Schanke. "But, Captain... " they began together. "But nothing, gentlemen, get your butts moving and find us a place to bowl. And a D.J.. That should be easy for you, Knight," Cohen said as she stirred her cappuccino with her pen. She made a face - she had to remember not to use her fountain pen! "Schanke tells me you know that Night Crawler guy. Get him." Schanke pounded his partner on the back in an effort to stop Nick's coughing fit. "I don't think he'd do it, Captain." he finally croaked out. "He's not exactly what I'd call charitable." "Get someone, Knight. That's an order. Or you'll be doing it yourself!" Schanke, employing a firm grip on Knight's vest, dragged the vampire from the office, not quite kicking and screaming but definitely whimpering. He settled the blond at his desk and sat at his own ,flipping the phone book open to the B's. Nick had that far away look in his eyes. Oh, oh, Schanke thought, he's going strange on me again. Nick stood suddenly, knocking both desks and causing Don's chocolate amaretto coffee to slosh onto his keyboard. "I'm... um... " he turned and pointed to the door, still in a daze. "Yeah, yeah," responded Schanke with a wave of coffee soaked kleenix. "Say 'hello' to Janette for me." ************ "There's a disturbance in the force." Janette nearly dropped her goblet at the voice behind her." She rolled her eyes. I never should have given him the Star Wars Trilogy. she thought. "LaCroix," she acknowledged."You're here because of Nichola?" "What has happened to him now?" he sighed. "I sense that his... 'spirit'?... is troubled. Not that that's anything new but I'm usually the cause." "And you are innocent this time?" questioned his eldest 'child'. "Does that make you jealous?" "He's coming" LaCroix responded, only slightly changing the subject. "Do not let on I am here just yet." Sure enough, LaCroix had just swirled into the back room of the Raven when Nick came barreling through the door. "Nicky, what's wrong? Has Don acquired more baseball tickets?" she teased. "I'm in trouble, Janette." "Ah, has your partner figured out your 'alternate lifestyle'? "No." "Have they cancelled your health insurance?" "No." "Has Natalie told you she's pregnant?" "NO! Janette, this is serious." "Do you want me to call Aristotle?" "No. It's not that bad yet. Somehow Schanke found out I know LaCroix, well not LaCroix, but the Night Crawler. I've been ordered... Janette, did you tell him?" he asked at her somewhat guilty expression. "I'm sorry, cherie. It just sort of 'slipped out' last night during the seventh inning stretch. He was quite impressed, really." she soothed. "Besides what harm is there in him knowing?" "What harm? I've been ordered to get him... " he paused as Janette choked on her 'wine'. "As a D.J." he clarified. "We need one fast for a... um... a charity function. Schanke told Captain Cohen I know the Night Crawler, so... " he shrugged and sheepishly rubbed his nose in that way that made all the female denizens of the Raven weak. "What am I going to do? Do you know any D.J.'s, Janette?" he asked hopefully. ************ Lucien LaCroix sat at the desk in Janette's office, listening to his 'children'. So, Nicholas was once more in a mortal predicament. LaCroix smiled. And he needs me to 'save the day' or night as the case may be. LaCroix drummed his fingers on the desk. He reached for Janette's phone. He knew her so well and her love of conveniences served him to good purpose. Neatly lettered on the base were her speed dial numbers. #1 Nicola-home, #2 Nicola- work, #3 CERK. Well, he would have to work on her rating system. "Toronto Police, Detective Schanke, speaking." "Good evening, Detective" LaCroix crooned in his best Crawler tone. "This is Lucien LaCroix. I'm returning Nicholas' call," he lied. "Please tell him I would be delighted to assist in your very worthwhile cause. Have him get back to me with the details such as time and location. I am so looking forward to the evening." "Uh, gee, thanks, Mr. LaCrawl. We really appreciate your help. I'll have Nick get back to you pronto." "Until then, Detective." answered LaCroix. "Yeah, right!" responded Schanke cheerfully, then to the passing Cohen. "Hey, Captain, Nick got the Night Crawler!" LaCroix leaned back in his chair, templing his fingers in front of him. He smiled. 'What delightful torture for my dear Nicholas!' he thought.He checked his internal clock. Yes, it was almost air time. He's have to hurry. ***************** The sound of breaking glass broke through Nick's misery. "Wha... ?" he began as he looked to Janette. Janette restrained him and gave a resigned sigh. 'Another window to be replaced! Perhaps I should switch to plexiglass.' "It's nothing, Nichola" she fudged, "probably just Alma checking the stock. She is sometimes quite clumsy." ****************** Since he was depressed Nick entertained himself with flashbacks rather than the radio on his ride back to the precinct. Entering the office, he was met with a round of applause. This was the third time that had happened to him. Once, when he falsely claimed to have seen Kozak commit murder, once, when he forgot to zip up and now. He quickly reviewed his recent cases. No, he wasn't testifying on anything. He tried unobtrusively to XYZ - (eXamine Your Zipper!) that was O.K. too. So what was going on? His 'birthday' was months away... "Congratulations, partner!" greeted a grinning Schanke. "You did it! The Night Crawler called while you were out. He's gonna do the bowl-a-thon for us and we got an alley. The Munchkins came through, too. I took the liberty of calling the radio station and giving him the details so that's all taken care of. He sounds like a really nice guy on the phone, too. Turn on the radio. He's even announced it on air! Nick? Nick, why are you banging your head on the desk?" ********* Nick Knight used some of his accumulated sick time and left work early. Head pounding can really give a guy, even a vampire, quite a headache. And besides, he wanted time to be alone with his misery. He stumbled into the quiet loft. He wasn't alone. LaCroix was seated in the comfy chair -grinning. "Nicholas, tsk, tsk. You've hurt me once again. Not 'mortally' this time, but... " "How did you know... " "I've told you before, Nicholas, a father knows when his child is in trouble. You should have come to me yourself. Or would you have come? Do you feel indebted to me? Are you afraid of what I might do at your little bowl-a-thon? Do you think I am entirely uncharitable? My dear child, would I do anything to hurt you?" "Yes. Yes, you would and you do - every chance you get. What's your game this time, LaCroix?" asked Nick derisively. "My game this time" he answered, "is bowling. Actually I'm very good. Does that surprise you? With our strength and eyesight it's quite an easy game. In fact, Janette's team will probably win even if they do have Alma on it." "Janette's team?" Nick was beginning to whimper again. "Of course! We are a family, Nicholas. One big, happy, supportive, blood sucking family. You would do well to remember that in the future." "Why are you doing this, LaCroix?" Nick seemed to remember asking LaCroix that once before. "Why, to make your life a living hell!" the older vampire answered as he crashed through the skylight and disappeared into the night. "Plexiglass" Nick thought, "perhaps I should switch to plexiglass.... " ************* NIGHT 7 Nick collapsed into the comfy chair. He had made it through the past two nights without any mishaps or further confrontations with LaCroix. In fact, tonight LaCroix had been... charming, entertaining, even funny. And he never knew the older vampire could imitate Elvis so well. He wished someone had taped the event but then again, that might bring the enforcers and he wasn't up to dealing with them again. The bowl-a-thon was over and a huge success. Thanks to three anonymous benefactors, the COC fund (Children of Cops) had banked over $75,000. (The event itself only raised $5,000. I said they were generous!) Janette's team - the Ravenettes - did indeed walk away (flew away once they were out of sight) with the top score trophy. And the only slip of the evening was when LaCroix refered to children as 'future food sources'. Luckily, it was late and most of the humans were too drunk to have heard right and thought he said 'future blood donors' which is really the same thing to a vampire but certainly more acceptable to humans. Nick threw his legs over the side of the chair. He finally had the loft to himself again. He turned on the TV. And turned off the TV. 'Christ, it's quiet in here,' he thought. He couldn't quite bring himself to use 'quiet as a tomb'. He turned on the radio. LaCroix's voice whispered across the airwaves. Nick, with his vampiric memory, recognized the pre-recorded program. He turned off the radio. He turned on the CD player. Bachman Turner Overdrive filtered through the speakers. Schanke's. Don had left his disk in the player. Nick got up and wandered into the kitchen. Opening the 'fridge he reached past the bottles of 'private stock' and poured a healthy slug of protein shake into a mug. Downing half, he topped off the mug and returned to the living area. Then he saw it. It was sitting on the bottom step. Gaily wrapped with enormous bows, two boxes sat side by side. A small card was attached. He opened the envelope gingerly. A small brownish foldover with a duck decoy on the front bore the simple phrase, 'thanks'. Inside, a handwritten note, 'Thanks to a great partner and a greater friend, Don." He opened the first package. A pair of silk pajamas lay in blood red tissue. White, with comic moose heads grinning forth, they were a perfect example of Donald G. Schanke's taste. The second box beckoned. The top came off easily to expose four winking eyes, two felt tongues and four antlers all pointing in different directions. The perfect accessory for the pjs - moose head slippers! Nick looked around the vast loft suddenly feeling lonely. His 'fortress of solitude' felt too cold, too empty. He picked up the phone, hitting the speed dial. A machine answered. "Nat, it's Nick. I was just wondering... well... feel like having a jammy party? I've got popcorn and some really neat pjs... Call me." He felt like silly and childish as he hung up. As the minutes passed without a call back he began to feel foolish and depressed. Fifteen minutes later he gave up and began turning off the lights. Bachman Turner had just faded when he heard the elevator. The door opened to reveal Natalie Lambert, M.D., dressed in baggy Garfield pajamas - complete with feet, her hair gathered in two ponytails; overnight bag and video tapes clutched in her arms. Looking about twelve years old, she announced, "I brought the movies, no vampires tonight, present company excluded. Cool outfit, NIck." "It was a gift from Schanke." he informed her through a huge grin. "That was really thoughtful of him. You know, silk pjs are going for $580 bucks in some places." She headed into the living area. He turned to follow and was pushed onto the couch. "Get comfy." A model of efficiency, she put a tape in the VCR, grabbed a soda and a bag of caramel coated popcorn and settled next to Nick in a matter of seconds. "More King Kong movies?" he queried. "Not this time, although some of the themes may be familiar. This one's about friendship, love... eternity." She snuggled against Nick's side as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She made a mental note to thank Schanke for teaching Nick the value of companionship and conversely, the lack thereof. The viewers were closer by the time Captain Gregg dictated his memoirs to Mrs. Muir. Natalie was lying wrapped in Nick's arms by the time Susan Muir grew up and at the end of the movie both were red-eyed and grateful that Schanke had finally gone home and left them some privacy. Sometime during the night, Nick made a mental pledge to repay his partner for the cracks Schanke had forced in the walls that surrounded him for so long. He snuggled closer to Natalie, hugged her and drifted off to sleep sometime during An Affair to Remember conscious only of Natalie and the watchful gaze of his moose slippers. The end