Title: Discomfort for Nick (1/2)
Date Written: 12/28/02
Author: JanetD
Rating: PG (mild language)
Summary: What might happen if Burton became romantically interested in Laurie Solt.
Author's Notes: This is a brief follow-up to where Laurie Solt and Burton Fallin met for the first time. It occurs a day after that encounter.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. The characters in this story are borrowed from the TV show "The Guardian". No money is being made from this story. Any resemblance of a character in this story to any real person living or dead is purely coincidental. Likewise, any resemblance between an organization depicted in this story and any such actual organization is purely coincidental.
December 2002
Attorney Nick Fallin was passing by his father's office when Burton flagged him down from inside the door.
Oh, Nicholas?
Come in here a minute.
Nick entered, and Burton closed the door. His father leaned in close in a conspiratorial fashion, and asked, That woman you introduced me to yesterday, Laurie Solt. Is she married?
She's a widow, Nick replied, as warning signs began to pop up in his head.
Ohh. Well, do you think if I invited her out to dinner she'd accept?
Disturbed now, Nick asked impatiently, Dad, why, why would you want to invite Laurie Solt out on a date?
Well, she's an attractive woman, son. Seems pleasant. I thought we might have something in common.
Something in common?
Nick asked with poor grace, What could you and a social worker possibly have in common? while in his head he added unhappily, besides me.
Burton replied with his good humor intact, Well, the normal things that two people our age have in common. By the time you get to be our age, Nicholas, just the fact that you've made it this far means you've shared a lot. We've lived through much of the same history, seen the same presidents come and go, that sort of thing.
She's a Democrat, Dad, an activist-type like Alvin Masterson.
Well, that might just add a little fuel to the fire, son, his father observed with a twinkle in his eye. It's no fun agreeing with a woman on everything.... So, whadaya think? Should I call her?
Nick sighed in frustration. What could he say--I don't want you to go out with her, Dad, because I don't want the two of you comparing notes on me'? That would sound really mature.... Damn. He guessed there was nothing for it. He'd just have to let this train wreck proceed on its natural course. Then again, maybe Laurie would turn Dad down.
Do whatever you want, I don't care, Nick said at last.
Okay. What's her number? Burton replied unperturbed, as he walked to his desk for a pen and paper.
Nick rattled off the number, and Burton jotted it down.
Thanks, son.
Nick nodded with irritation, and turned to go. As he reached the door, he heard his father dialing the phone. He paused just long enough to hear him say, Ms. Solt? then he closed the door, and walked away, brooding unhappily on this new complication in his life.
