LaCroix and Natalie sat on the grass under the shadow of a large oak tree. They'd walked further that evening than they had on their previous outings. The park was nearly deserted, and even if it hadn't been, they were safely concealed in the shadows. No one would have seen them-- if, that is, there'd been anything to see.
They'd been talking about Ancient Rome... the art and music. LaCroix was his usual fount of wisdom, although tonight he didn't seem to *want* to divulge much of that wisdom. Nat felt as if she was pulling teeth. It reminded her a lot of Nick... all the times he'd refused to tell her something that had been painful to him.
LaCroix stopped talking suddenly. "It's getting late for you, my dear. We should be going back for your car now." Seeing the look of disappointment in her eyes, he amended, "Unless, of course, you'd like me to take you into work. We're not far from the Raven... I could get the car?" He suggested.
Nat nodded in acceptance. "I'd like that," she said as they both stood and began walking to the Raven.
Back at the Raven, LaCroix held open the car door for her. Before Natalie could slip onto the soft, leather seat, however, he embraced her, kissing tenderly. When he released he, he asked her to dinner... to celebrate.
"Celebrate what?" Nat asked, wondering what he was talking about.
"Why... don't you know? It must have slipped you mind. Tonight, my dear, is the anniversary of your... " he paused, trying to phrase this next part right. "... decision to leave Nicholas... and the night you declared your feelings for me."
So it was. Nat had been trying so hard to forget about that night-- the night she'd broken Nick's heart-- that she hadn't realized it had been a month ago.
She accepted his invitation to dinner.
When he dropped her off, he kissed her again before letting her leave the sports car. "Natalie..." he said, " I know I shouldn't, but I feel very strongly for you. You are a very special woman."
Although he hadn't said he loved her, his words left Natalie feeling as if she were floating.
When Nat entered the precinct people stopped to stare at her. At first, she couldn't figure out why. It was Tracy who made the only verbal observation.
"Wow!" Tracy exclaimed as Nat came to stand beside her. "Gosh, Nat! You're going to have to tell me all about him."
"Him? Tracy, what are you talking about?" Nat asked confusedly.
Nick, who had been glowering at his desk the whole time, looked up now, turning intensely jealous eyes in the direction of his partner and the ME. He said nothing, but if looks could kill, Nat wondered which of them would be dead.
Oblivious to any otherwise noticeable discomfort, Tracy went on. "Well, it's obvious you've got guy stashed away somewhere! You're *glowing,* Nat. You just can't hide it."
Nat was astounded. She hadn't realized it at all, but now that it was brought to her attention, she admitted that she *was* in the best mood she'd ever been in. "Oh," was all she said.
"Anyhow, like I was saying," Tracy bubbled on, "you *have* to tell me all abou--"
"Tracy!" Nick snapped. "Gossip later, will you? The rest of us have *work* to do."
Both Nat and Tracy gave Nick their full attention. Tracy's expression was one of wide-eyed disbelief. Had Nick really just been so harsh on her? Nat's, however, was a mixture of sadness and sympathy. Her heart yearned to tell Nick that nothing Tracy said was true. To make him feel better. That, unfortunately, would be a lie.
She was on the verge of saying something when Reese called them both into his office. When Tracy started to follow them, Reese ordered her back to her desk.
"You two..." Reese began when Nat and Nick were both behind his closed door. "I want you both to stay right here while I go make a phone call. I'll be back soon enough, and then we have to talk." Reese left the two alone, closing the door behind them.
"He's right, Nick,' said Nat after Reese left. "We *have* to talk."
Nick whirled to face her. "There's someone else!" he exclaimed. "You left me for another mortal, didn't you?" he accused, hurt and jealousy in his voice.
"Nick, I--" Nat stammered only to be cut off.
"No! I don't want to hear any excuses. All the stuff you said that night... about feeling unsure of yourself, about needing time... it was just a lie to get me out of the way, wasn't it?"
"Nick! Will you let me--" Nat protested, again to be interrupted.
"Let you what? Lie to me again? No, Nat, I won't. I trusted you. I *loved* you! How could you do this to me, Nat? How?" Nick was shouting now, so loudly in fact, that everyone could hear their muffled voices through the wall.
"Nick!" Nat was crying. Why was he making this so hard?
It was then that Reese returned, slamming the door behind him with such force that the room shook. "Stop it now, Knight, or I'll have no choice but to suspend you!" he bellowed. Nick quieted. "Good," Reese said, lowering his voice. "I just spoke to you boss, Natalie. We think it's time to sit you two down for a long talk." Reese sighed before continuing. "Look, I don't know what happened between you two... I don't even *want* to know... but when it effects how things get done in my precinct, I have to get involved. You two have to come to a truce." By now, both of them had their heads hung in shame. "I *know* you can work this out, whatever it is," said Reese.
Nick's head bobbed up at this remark. "No," he said, his voice a harsh whisper. "It can't be worked out." Nick stood abruptly and left the office, slamming the door behind him.
Reese briefly considered going after him, but turned to Natalie instead. "What happened between you? You were so close."
Eyes still down cast, Nat shook her
head sadly. "I'd rather not talk about it," was all she said.