From: Laurie A Rock To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 00:53:53 -0500 Subject: [DarkNN] The Wait (1/1) From: Laurie A Rock Here's the next one. It follows The Shock. I don't own them, they belong to TPTB. Permission to post granted to those listed above, and to Mel at the FK Fanfic site. All others please ask. The Wait Laurie Rock "Come back!…Please!" You blew it. Why did she leave? Why do you think? She said she loves me. She does. Then why? Think about it. She came here, professed her love for you, wanted your response and what did you do? What do you mean? You walked away from her when she needed you most. I went to get the ring. She didn't know that. To her it appeared that you turned your back on her. She took it the only way she could. She believes I don't care. Now you're catching on. She thinks I don't love her. That maybe I was just using her for my own selfish gains. Exactly! Oh God! What have I done? It's not what you've done, you know that already. It's what you're going to do. I've got to tell her. Before it's too late! Yes. But how. I can't go after her. The sun is up. Try the phone. Oh, yeah. His fingers flew over the keypad, but like his earlier attempt, the response he received was automated. "Hi, you've reached Natalie Lambert…" If only it was true. "I'm not available to take your call, so please, leave a message. If this is an emergency, you can reach me through my service at 555-1234. Bye" Her voice was so cheerful. "Uh, Nat…It's me. You left before I could…Please, call me as soon as you get home." Coward. You should have told her. I'm not going to say that over the phone. She deserves better. Yeah, better than this morning. Enough already. He reset the phone and dialed again. "This is Detective Knight with Metro Homicide. Yes she does…yes… have her call me as soon as possible. No, that will be fine." All I can do now is wait. Try the morgue. She just got off work; she wouldn't be there. If she is…? He called her workplace. Well, she isn't there. And to top it all off, she's got the next two days off. Hey, that will give you both time to work things out. Only if she calls me back. If she doesn't, then go see her when the sun sets. Nick walked around the room and turned off all the lights except for the one above his stove. The cold fluorescence casting shadows in various shades of gray. He sat in the armchair that earlier held his life. He stared at the phone, willing it to ring. Call me Nat; don't leave me like this. For the sixth time that day, the voice on the machine mocked him. "Natalie I'm worried, if you never want to see me again, I understand, but please, let me know you're alright." He replaced the phone and hung his head. She won't even answer the phone. Then take the initiative. The sun's going down. Go to her. She won't see me. Then SEE her. You never let something as trivial as a door stop you. I won't force her. Who's talking about force? She loves you and you her. Just explain it to her. It'll work out. You'll see. I don't know. Have Faith. The shutters opened as the sensors measured the available light. Go! He did. Nick drove the Caddy. The last vestiges of daylight still made an occasional appearance. Flying would have been too dangerous. The trip was automatic, his thoughts centered on Natalie. His hand moved, the arm swung, the vehicle responded. The windows of her apartment were dark. That's not a good sign. She could be asleep. I don't know. Well, find out. He pulled into the parking lot in the back of the building. She's not here; the car's gone. She probably went to the store. Go in and wait for her. I should leave. You can't run away. You've done that too many times. You have to see this through. For her sake and yours. For her sake. When he arrived at her door, he took a moment to collect his thoughts. He knocked. He listened. No answer. Again he knocked. A sound. A soft meow, and the padding of Sydney's feet. He removed his keys and opened the door. The blinds were open allowing some light to enter. Before he could even turn on the lights, Sydney was pressing his head against his legs. "Yeah, you can see in the dark too, can't you boy?" Nonetheless, he flipped the switch. Sydney trotted to the entrance of the kitchen. "Meow?" His eye closed then opened. Clearly an invitation. "What's wrong boy?" As Nick approached, Sydney proceeded into the room. He pulled the cord for the overhead light. Sydney was by his empty food dish, a pleading look in his eyes. The large water bowl still had plenty in it. She hasn't been home. Now I'm really worried. Don't panic. Calm down. There's a reasonable explanation. Like what. I don't know. She wouldn't leave her cat like this. He's got plenty of water, and from the size of him, he could skip a meal or two. Where could she be? As Nick pondered that question, he filled Sydney's dish with dry food, gave him fresh water, and as an afterthought, searched through the cupboard and retrieved a can of tuna. When the unexpected bounty was placed before him, Sydney immediately dug in. Little squeaks escaped him as he happily consumed the fish. One problem solved. As for the other… I should call the precinct. Report her missing. You can't, she hasn't been gone long enough. Besides, what are you going to tell them? 'I didn't tell her I love her and she took off on me?' I can check the hospitals. You're overreacting again. She's fine. She probably just had to get away, take some time to think. She'll be back. She wouldn't leave her cat. Nick let out a small chuckle. Yeah…so what do I do now? Get something to eat. It wouldn't do for you to snack on her when she does come home. I guess that wouldn't be a bad idea. He suddenly realized he hadn't had any blood since last night when he went to work. Just the protein drink. Thinking about that brought a smile to his lips. I've been so worried, I hadn't really noticed. If it's working, keep it up. But make sure you have some bottles handy just in case. He did just that. Flying home in the now black sky, he gathered his needed supplies and returned to her apartment. He drank the shake and refilled the glass with blood as a precaution. Sipping the liquid as he walked through the rooms. His mind wandered back to the times they had been together as he viewed the evidence of their history. Every once in a while he came across an item that would make him smile. Other times his heart would tighten. I didn't realize what I did. You never knew how she felt. I'm a detective; I should have recognized the clues. It wasn't that obvious. Besides you know now. Things are going to be different. I hope so… Nick took a book off the shelf and sat in the living room. As he started to read, Sydney jumped onto his lap, settled down and awaited his mistresses' return with the man who so thoughtfully fed him. The sun rose. The blinds were closed. He covered the windows with a blanket. The rooms were comfortably darkened. He didn't sleep. She didn't come home. The sun set. Sydney was fed. He consumed one bottle of blood and the rest of the protein mix. He didn't sleep. She didn't come home. Dawn approached. He drank another bottle. He didn't sleep. She didn't come home. He called the hospitals. She wasn't there. A minor relief. He called the morgue. No one had seen her. She was due in tonight. He called the precinct. She hadn't been there. Aren't you on vacation? If she doesn't show by tonight, report her missing. If something's happened to her, I'll… Have Faith. Right now that's all I have. He continued to pace the floor. Back and forth through the living room and kitchen. Exhaustion was taking its toll. He finally entered her bedroom. There was no sun coming through the windows. Since she also slept days, the room was shielded with a thick roll-down shade and heavy drapes. Nick sat on her bed and hugged her pillow to his chest. Her scent still clung to the fibers. He inhaled deeply. Her image flooded his mind. "Please come back to me Nat…Please." He buried his face in her pillow and curled up on the bed. Please… Silence answered him. Sleep claimed him. A solitary liquid crystal dropped to the bedding below. The End Laurie Rock LaurieRock@Juno.com " I trust you" Got you going didn't I?