To Meet Again

Part 4:

Nick

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Knote: Poor Jason. Well don't worry. Things get better…or maybe not. Maybe they just might get worse.

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        Nick listened half-heartedly to Ash and nodded at appropriate moments. It was so rare for Jason get mad. What could have set him off? There was nothing that he could see. Still, a small part inside of Nick understood how Jason felt. Which was strange since he wasn't even sure what Jason was feeling at the moment. He probably should have gone after him but… Jason probably wouldn't like the company. When all was said and done, Nick didn't really know him. He's right, you know. You have only met once before. How could you have the slightest idea?

            "…there Nick?" Ash said. Nick blinked.

            "Umm…non? Oui? I don't know, where were we supposed to be?"

            "I asked if you were there… I guess that was a no."

            "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about Jason…"

            "Me too," Cassandra said. "I wonder why he just ran off like that? I hope I didn't offend him."

            "Don't worry about it Cass," Ash said, draping a big arm over her shoulder. Nick was filled with the sudden urge to yell at Ash for doing that. To prevent his big mouth from saying anything, he took a big sip of tea, scalding his tongue in the process.

            "But what if…?"

            "You were talking about being late. Maybe he had somewhere to be."  Nick shook his head. No. It was more then that. Jason had been really angry. Cassandra didn't seem to believe Ash either. The woman met his eyes and Nick was surprised at the concern there. It seemed to be far more concern then one would normally feel for a stranger. Maybe he was just imagining it…or maybe she was just a very caring person.

            "Well," Ash said, pushing his empty plate away. "That was a good omelette."  He pulled Cassandra closer to him.

            "Why don't we go back to your apartment for a while hmm?" He kissed the top of her head. Nick clenched his mug. Trying to keep the anger in. There was no reason to be angry with his friend. And yet some part insisted there was every reason to be.

            "Ash really. You are so insensitive," Cassandra said.

            "Exactly," Nick blurted before he could stop himself.

            "How could you even say something like that at a time like this?"

            "Really!"

            "A time like what? I don't even know the guy. Neither do you Nick, not really. What, were you going out with him or something Cassie?"

            "I've never…really properly met him before," the woman said. But you have haven' t you? Nick thought.

            "Do you believe in reincarnation?" Nick asked. Cassandra looked at him with wide eyes.

            "Gods Nick. Do you have to use that line on everyone you meet? Oh babee I sink I met you in zome past life. Let's shag," Ash said in a ridiculously high pitched voice. Nick decided to ignore him.  The bells above the door behind him rang. He turned and his heart sank when he saw Duncan.

            "Hello everyone. Mind if I join you?" he asked, pulling off three layers of gloves.

            "Is Jason at home then?"

"No… Isn't he here?" Nick solemnly shook his head. He opened his mouth to explain but Cassandra spoke for him.

            "He got mad about something and left. He said he had somewhere to go. Do…do you think he's all right?" Sea green eyes went wide.

            "Jason? Got mad? And you could tell?"

            "It was pretty obvious," Ash said. Duncan's forehead creased with worry and he began pulling on his gloves.

            "That's not good."

            "Do you think we should go look for him?" Nick asked, shrugging on his jacket. After a moment's consideration, Duncan nodded slowly.

            "Yes. But…I think I should go alone." Nick, who had been half standing, sat back down. A part of his mind protested. He was Jason's friend too! He should help look for him. The sensible part however invaded with cool logic. Duncan had known Jason longer. Duncan would know what was best.

            "I hope you find him," Cassandra said. Ash fixed his girlfriend with a level gaze.

            "You're sure you didn't date him Cassie?" The woman threw her hands in the air.

"No Ash! Will you stop?! I'm just concerned okay? Is that so wrong?" Ash snorted and laced his hands behind his head.

            "A bit too concerned if you ask me," he muttered.

            "Y…your name is C…Cassie?" Duncan asked. Nick looked at him strangely. His face had completely drained of color. Nick stood again, unconsciously reaching over and grabbing the young man's wrist.

            "What? What's wrong?" he asked.

            "My name is Cassandra actually… Are you all right? You look pale." Duncan slumped a little and Nick caught his forearm to keep him steady.

            "Oh no…" Duncan whispered.

            "What? What? Tell me!"  he cried. He hadn't realized he'd spoken in French until Duncan fixed him with a blank look. Nick was about to repeat himself when the young man responded in kind.

            "Do they speak French?"  The question caught him off guard.

            "Er…Ash does but what does that have to do…" Pulling him closer, Duncan whispered the problem in his ear. When he pulled away, Nick raised an eyebrow at him. So what if Cassandra was the same name as the girl he had a crush on in third grade? Duncan shot him with an exasperated look.

            "Danielle…" he said, as if that explained everything. Nick nodded, pretending he understood.

            "Oh." Then he suddenly did understand. He lifted a hand to his mouth. "Ooh mon dieu. But…it was third grade…do you really think Jason would…" But he knew the answer even before Duncan spoke it. Of course Jason would be upset over it. Jason would be practically traumatized over it. All these years he would have looked on a girl named Cassandra as a dream, and now seeing her…with someone else…

            "I am coming with you," Nick said, throwing his scarf around his neck and pulling on his own gloves. Nothing Duncan could say could stop him. Instead of arguing however, the twenty-year-old nodded.

            "Okay. We'll split up," he said, walking with long strides to the door. Nick hurried to catch up. Duncan's legs were entirely too long. A blast of arctic air met them outside. Duncan clutched his  jacket closer. Nick did as well, cursing Jason for a moment for deciding to have an episode in this weather. He couldn't have met Cassandra in the summer, oh no; he had to pick the coldest day in February. A well gloved hand on his shoulder pulled him from his sulk.

            "You head North North West for about two hundred yards and I'll go South South West and if we haven't found him we'll meet fifty paces from the library on the corner of Broker and Needle street."  Nick pulled back his sleeve and looked at his watch.

            "How about if we search for two hours and if we don't find him meet back here?"

            "Good idea. Let's go." Duncan shoved his hands in his pockets and strode off. Nick watched him go and shook his head. The boy always tried to make things so complicated. As if being complicated meant being smart. With a sigh he started in the opposite direction.  He adjusted his scarf to cover his freezing nose and looked around for any sign of Jason. It was then he noticed the large footprints, all ready starting to get covered by snow.  He bent his head and followed them, praying to anyone that would listen that Jason didn't decide to do anything stupid before he got there.