by Renee Miller
(c) 1998
A bit of nonsense from the mind of the Dark Pink Ninja who actually watched Last Knight again and cried like an idiot when Tracy said, "You could've trusted me." Needless to say I was left a bit peeved at Nick, so I wrote this to take the edge off!
As always, thanks to my lost twin Mary Jenkins for all of her encouragement.
DISCLAIMER: Forever Knight and its characters are the property of Sony/Tristar and James Parriott, et al. No copyright infringement is intended.
Natalie sat on the couch, seething in anger and pressing an antiseptic-drenched cloth to her still tender throat. The object of her irritation sat on the floor crying.
"For Christ sake, Nick," she snarled, "would you cut that out. I can't stand it any more!"
Wiping his nose on his shirt sleeve, Nick looked up at her with puffy eyes. "But Nat," he whined, "I failed again! I almost killed you. I took too much then I couldn't bring myself to bring you across. If, if, if it weren't for LaCroix..." Breaking off, he dissolved into a sobbing heap again.
LaCroix covered his face in embarrassment and shook his head sadly.
"Nicholas, please, I beg of you, compose yourself. You are making a fool of yourself and shaming me!"
This was met by another wail of dismay from Nicholas, who appeared to be in the midst of a crying jag. LaCroix turned away in disgust; Natalie rolled her eyes, cursed and covered her ears.
Suddenly a sharp whack across the head with a tightly rolled up magazine and a loud "NO!" silenced Nick's caterwauling. Nick, LaCroix and Natalie all turned amazed eyes to the administrator of the blow.
"TRACY!!!" They all said in unison.
Standing defiantly before them, rolled up magazine still in her hand, was Tracy Vetter.
She gave them all a sultry half smile, tossed the magazine on the coffee table and announced, "That's my name, don't wear it out."
Nick and Natalie began questioning her at once, their voices running
together. Tracy held up her hand, requesting their silence. "Jody heard about the incident at the station and she and Perry flew," she smiled at her own pun, "right over to the hospital. When they realized there was no hope, Jody brought me across. I came by here because I figured something like this would be going on." She turned accusing eyes toward Nick who offered a half-hearted embarrassed smile.
"What did he do?" Tracy directed this question to Natalie.
With an angry glance at Nick, Natalie answered, "He screwed it up. I have the General here to thank for saving my life."
LaCroix shrugged and modestly murmured, "CERK had first aid awareness week and I was forced to take a class. I suppose some of it must have sunk in."
"Well, Jody, Perry and I are taking off, blowing this town." Tracy leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. She directed her gaze at Nick, "You should have told me Nick, you could have trusted me."
Nick looked down and started crying again. "Oh, shit!" three voices
announced.
"Natalie," Tracy walked over and sat down next to her, "how can you stand this crap?"
"He has always been this way during times of great stress." LaCroix
crossed the room and sat next to them. Leaning toward them and lowering his voice, he added, "A weakness in the genes I suppose."
"Shut up!" Nicholas yelled, sniffling.
"Well, it's true isn't it? Oh yes, I remember the time that he..."
LaCroix was cut off by a loud wail from Nick. He turned again to the women and said, "Some other time perhaps."
"Where will you go Tracy?" Natalie asked.
"Don't know yet. Somewhere warm and tropical sounds really good to me." Tracy leaned her head against the back of the couch and stared thoughtfully at the ceiling.
LaCroix's interest was piqued. "Tropical?" he asked. "I believe I would enjoy a bit of 'Island Magic' myself. Would you and your friends mind a bit of company, my dear?"
Tracy considered this for a moment. Giving LaCroix a quick once over, she decided that she liked what she saw. "Not at all General, the more the merrier!"
Tracy and LaCroix stood and linked arms. As they moved toward the center of the room Natalie took one glance at Nicholas, who remained on the floor crying, then jumped up and exclaimed, "You'll need someone to help during the day and take care of things and....well, can I come too? Please?"
Tracy reached out her hand and Natalie ran over and took it. They smiled at each other and all three turned to Nick who was staring up at them in astonishment.
"Where are you all going?" he whined.
LaCroix smiled. "Why, my dear boy, I should think that it would be painfully obvious. We're getting away from you!" With that LaCroix picked Natalie up in his arms, smiled at Tracy and the three of them left through the skylight and took to the night sky.
THE END
Gently worded comments, tropical drinks and suntan lotion gladly accepted by the author:
Auntie Ren
The Dark Pink Ninja, Protector of the Dark Perk Arsenal