A/N: For ShiningZephyr, with love. 3

Characters: Rick Stetler, with guest appearance from ShiningZephyr

Genre: Friendship


81. Pen and Paper

The girl stood in the corner of his office, staring out the window. Sighing, she tucked a piece of her curly orange hair behind her ear. She was feeling very down that day, and honestly didn't know what kept pushing her forward.

Then, a voice came from behind her.

"What are you doing in my office?!?" Rick Stetler demanded an answer as to why she was in his office.

"Hi, Rick."

The man's words caught in his throat. That was it? "Hi, Rick"? No "I'm going to do this and this and THIS to you today"? No "I'm sticking you in an uncomfortable situation in the next chapter"? He was confused.

"What's wrong?" he tilted his head to the side as he stared at the girl's back.

"Nothing, Rick."

Hm. He must do something about this. The man sighed, and stepped over to his desk. Reaching into a drawer, he pulled out a pen and a notepad. He then nudged the girl's right arm. She turned to look at it, and saw what he held in his hand.

"I don't understand?"

"I don't care if you make me go buy tampons, or if you make we walk into the women's bathroom. I don't care if blenders are out to get me, or if Horatio is out to get me. All I care about is that you are the one doing those things to me. So sit down, and write."

She stared at the man, astonished. However, she took a step over to the desk, and Rick pulled the chair out for her. She sat, and he placed the pen and paper in front of her. A smile crept across her face.

"Thanks, Stetty-Pants."

Rick smiled sheepishly. "No problem, Shiny."

The girl sighed, and picked up the pen. An idea popped into her head, and she smirked. "Hey Rick, have you ever tried to make cookies?"