This is a follow up to the story "Nick & Nat Play Monopoly." It's posted under an adult header due to adult situations. It is intended for adult audiences only. If you're not of legal age to read such things, or if this type of story offends you, please don't read it.
Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website, the FTP site and the JADFE archives. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. Thanks to Mary Lou, who gave me the idea for this. And thanks to the Nuts, for listening and commenting. As always, feedback is welcomed.
This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use.
"Nick & Nat Play It Cool" (01/02)
by S. ClarkSchanke walked into the bullpen, a huge smile plastered on his face. He took his seat and looked over at his partner, the same grin still in view. He looked down at the report in his hand, then back up at his partner.
Nick put up with this for about two minutes, then decided he hit his limit. "Are you going to let me in on whatever is so funny?"
Schanke looked up at him, still grinning. "You know."
Nick set his pen down. "I do?"
Schanke nodded.
"Then why don't I have a klew about what you're laughing at?" Nick's frustration level was growing.
"I was just thinking about fashions," said Schanke, leaning back in his chair.
"Fashions?" As usual, Nick thought his partner was making no sense.
"Yeah, you know, how some things are popular."
"And this is important because?"
"Well, take women's coats for instance."
Nick rolled his eyes. "Let me guess, you've done something, and you owe Myra a present, but you need a loan until payday."
Schanke just broke out into another big grin. "Nah. But I was thinking, you know how some styles are so popular, everyone seems to have one."
Nick stared at his partner.
"Well, I noticed your date from the other night, you know," Schanke winked, "the one where you were taking for a walk on the boardwalk. Well, she had a coat just like the one I just saw your favorite M.E. wearing."
Nick's insides felt like lead.
"Amazing coincidence, isn't it. Of course, given the trends in women's fashions..."
"You giving him fashion tips, Schank?" It was Natalie. And she was wearing the coat.
Nick had been so amazed, and distraught, at his partner's detective work, he hadn't even noticed her approach.
Schanke immediately turned bright red, and leaned over his desk, pretending to focus on a report. "Just thinking about something for Myra," he mumbled.
"I'm sure she'll like it, whatever it is," said Natalie. She tried to motion to Nick to give her a klew of why Schanke was acting so odd, but Nick was lost in his own personal world.
She noted neither of the partners was paying her much attention, and went for the old stand-by, "Hey you," in Nick's direction.
"Hmmm?" he responded, once again Mr. Casual.
"You promised to give me a ride," she said, trying not to appear like she felt, the only sane one participating in the conversation.
Nick looked to Schanke, and thought his partner was going to burst a spleen.
"Of course," he said. "A ride home. Because your car's in the shop," he added for emphasis.
"Right, my car." Natalie was wondering which side of the twilight zone she'd walked into. Then decided it would be best just to get out of there, but Nick was still seated. "You coming?" she asked him.
He shot an icy glare in Schanke's direction, and walked over to her. "All set," he said.
Natalie put a hand on Schanke's shoulder, and thought he was going to bolt out of his skin. "Later, Schank."
"Yeah, see ya, Nat." He looked a Nick and winked. "Nick."
She held off asking Nick until they were outside. But by that point, she wasn't sure she wanted to know. "And that was about?"
"I'll tell you later," he said.
"You'll tell me soon," she warned.
Nick opened the passenger door to let her into the caddie. "It was just guy talk, Nat."
"Since when do you have guy talks with Schanke?"
Nick went around the back of the car and took a seat behind the steering wheel. "Since he noticed your coat was at my place the other evening."
Nat shrugged. "So, I'm there a lot. He knows that."
"The same night he found your bra in my couch."
Natalie turned bright red. "That night." She started to giggle.
"What?" Nick wasn't seeing an humor in this.
"I just think it's funny," she said.
"It's funny that Schanke is thinking we're having sex?"
"It's funny that he's thinking we did when, as I recall, my honor was still intact by the following morning."
He reached a hand up and stroked her cheek. "Do you regret that?"
She gave a wistful smile. "No. Being there, with you, it was all wonderful."
"I'm glad," he said, moving his hand down to the shifter, so he could start to maneuver the caddy from the lot.
"So, I guess at this point, there's only one thing to do," she said, matter of fact.
"And that is?"
Natalie leaned closer, her warm breath tickling his ear. "Make an honest harlot out of me."
Nick looked at her, then looked forward again and slammed on the brakes. He'd come within inches of hitting Captain Cohen's Chrysler. "Nat, don't say such things."
She just smiled back at him, unapologetic.
Nick put the car in reverse and started edging away from the obstacles.
Nat moved closer. She placed a hand on his knee, and started to slowly trace her fingertips up along his inseam. "Are you saying you don't want to?"
Nick turned to face her again. The surprise at her actions registered on his face. His other reaction to her ministrations was to inadvertently stomp on the gas pedal, missing his intended target, the brake.
The caddie lurched back and t-boned a patrol car that was sitting outside the station. Nick brought the car to a halt but it was too late, the damage had been done.
He and Nat got out of the car. "You all right?" he asked her. He walked behind her, ready to assist if she needed help.
"I'm fine. But I'm afraid I can't say the same..." her voice dropped off and she pointed towards the car.
Nick tried to resist but he found himself staring at his prized possession. The car was not just a vehicle. It was his
protection, his friend. He looked back at Nat, and saw how upset she was. "It'll be fine. A little body work. No major damage."She nodded, but couldn't help but feel guilty about the accident.
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Look, I need to stick around, get things set. Why don't you take a cab home, I'll call you later."
Natalie nodded, again feeling rather down over the turn of events. The evening had held such promise. And now, well, now she'd wrecked his car. She sometimes wondered who he liked better. At this point she had a pretty good idea.
"Later," she said finally, and went back inside to call a taxi.
Nat got home and took a bath. The warm water helped relax the tension she was feeling. Who was she fooling. Nick had obviously resisted any kind of relationship with her, aside from a few gropes and cuddles. She felt foolish, expecting more.
She got out of the shower and dried herself with a big fluffy towel, wrapping a second around her hair. She decided to slip on a short blue silk robe rather than her usual pink terrycloth. She didn't wear it too often, but she had to admit she enjoyed the feel of the silk against her skin. Maybe the robe just reminded her of Nick's
pyjamas. Again, her thought drifted back to him. To how safe and secure she felt in his arms.She settled in on the couch and pulled out an exciting journal on forensic pathology. Within two minutes she was sound asleep.
<end part 1>
"Nick & Nat Play It Cool" (02/02)
by S. ClarkNatalie drifted into the most wonderful dream. It was Nick, in her apartment. He had come in through the balcony and snuggled in behind her on the couch. She leaned back against his chest, enjoying the feeling of security as he wrapped his strong arms around her.
She felt his cool lips trace along her neck, her throat. She realized she should be afraid of the vampire, but this was Nick. She knew they needed to be aware of the dangers, but she never felt unsafe with him. She never felt he would hurt her.
"Natalie." She could hear him whispering her name.
She smiled and leaned into him. It was such a nice dream, she didn't want to awaken.
"Natalie," he repeated. She opened her eyes and found it wasn't a dream. Nick was really here, sitting with her.
She looked down at the front of her robe. It was mussed, and almost pulled open. She nervously tried to straighten it out. "I thought you were going to call."
"You don't mind, do you?" He kept his voice low, and his arms around her, even though he'd felt her tense.
"No." She looked back at him, giving him a nervous smile. "I just thought that..."
"Thought what?" he asked, pulling the towel from her damp hair.
She could feel a flush rising in her face. "I felt you might be upset, about the caddie."
He nuzzled his cheek against hers. "That's funny, I was thinking the same thing. That you might be upset."
"Well, I was worried about the car."
"It's in the shop," he said.
"And what the others might say, about the accident."
"I told them a dog ran through the parking lot. I was trying not to hit it."
"In reverse?"
He ran his hand up her arm, lightly tracing his way along her soft skin. "They were too busy laughing to ask too many questions."
"This is better than a phone call," she said. She reached a hand around to the back of his head and pulled him down for a kiss.
"I thought so," he agreed, and then returned to her mouth. He broke away from her lips and started to place softer kisses up her cheeks, to her temple.
Natalie squirmed out of his grasp, and moved around straddle his hips. "I suppose I do owe you, anyway, for the incident in the parking lot."
"Perhaps," he said, running his hands up her legs.
She started to unbutton his shirt. "Will this make it better?" she asked. She pulled the shirt open and ran her hands over his chest, allowing her fingers to play in the light blond hairs.
"It's a start," he said, cupping his hands under her buttocks.
She leaned forward for another kiss, happy to see the vampire had yet to emerge. "Let me know if there's anything you need."
He was just as eager as she, it seemed. Nick gave a low moan as she let her hands fall below his waist, tracing the bulge that was straining against the front of his jeans.
He pushed his hands up under the front of her robe and gave a gentle tug. The silk belt pulled open, revealing her body to him. He brought his hands up to her breasts, letting his thumbs work her nipples into hardened nubs.
Natalie threw her head back, lost in the exquisite feeling of his cool touch on her sensitive skin.
He ran his hands around to her back, pulling her forward to place his mouth on one breast, then over on the other. While he alternated his attention on her breasts, he moved a hand down, and started running his hand over her mound of curls.
Natalie put her arms around his head, trying to keep him engaged in his current activity. "Oh, Nick," she whispered. She let out a gasp as his hand parted her, and his fingers found her sensitive nub.
Nick's entire focus was upon Natalie, upon pleasing her. He loved the way she reacted to his touch. He could smell her arousal, and was excited by the fact she had been brought to this state by his actions.
He moved his mouth up to her neck, and could smell her blood pulsing beneath the delicate skin. But the man was still in charge. It was the man who was giving her pleasure. The vampire was still within his control.
Nick moved his hand to where he could plunge his fingers within her slick core. He alternated the thrusts with attention to her hardened clit. He could hear her breath coming in shorter and shorter gasps, and knew she was approaching her peak.
A few moments later he felt her shudder. She slumped forward against him.
He ran his arms around her, wanting her as close as was possible. "Did I do okay?" he asked.
"Hmmmm," she responded. He mostly felt the reply, as a light humming against his cheek.
Nick could feel the vampire seeking control, feeling the desire for Natalie that arose with her release. He still had his own human desire for her, also, but dared not take a risk trying to fulfill that now.
She leaned back to get a look at him, tracing his face with her fingertips. "But what about you?"
"This is something we'll need to take slowly, Natalie."
She frowned. "Are you sure?"
He nodded, giving her a smile. "You're so beautiful."
She blushed, covering her face with her hands.
He pulled her hands away, holding them within his. "You are. And I never want to do anything that might hurt you."
"So what happens next?"
He raised one hand to his mouth and gave it a light kiss. "It's close to dawn. Mind if I spend the day?"
She returned his smile. "Well, we already know we're pretty good at cuddling."
"My thoughts exactly," he said. "Besides, I need a favor."
"Hmmm?"
"I'm going to need a ride to work. My car's in the shop."
"I think we can arrange that," she agreed.
"In exchange for?"
"More experiments," she said.
"A fair price," he said, planting a kiss at the tip of her nose. "A more than fair price."
<fin>