Chapter 13:

Comprensivo

Nicoletta flinched under Sands gaze. He hadn't said anything since her transformation and he didn't need to. From the look on his face she could tell how disgusted he was. She had had this reaction plenty of times, it wasn't anything new. However, she had no idea why she felt so bad this time. She felt like she had been punched in the stomach. She had anticipated this, expected it, and known it would happen. Yet she felt worse than all the other times. It was an arguably worse feeling than when Morgead had died. She didn't know why. Well, to be fair she did know why. Except she had to be wrong, she had never felt like that before and if she ever did it wouldn't be with this man. She pushed her thoughts away. Well, it was sooner or later. Slowly, she returned to her human form. Without saying anything to Sands she stood up and walked to the car and got in. She tried to keep her face away from him. Not wanting him to see how hurt she was.

Sands was shocked when she changed. This wasn't exactly something they had covered in the CIA training. (Not that he had paid attention anyway.) Strangely enough he wasn't actually that bothered. Once he had got over the initial shock he realised that it didn't make a difference. She was still Nicoletta Storms. Still smart, funny, savvy, brave, beautiful… Sands quickly stopped himself, turning his attention back to the panther in front of him. He had a rather unusual urge to stroke Nicoletta, to feel how soft her fur was, how silky. However he was rather aware of the sharp teeth she had recently acquired. He had no desire to feel them around his hand.

When she changed back he opened his, mouth to ask her about her unusual…talent. However to his surprise she simply got into the car, ignoring him. Sands was confused, what had just happened? Frowning he walked round to his side of the car and got it.

Nicoletta was facing the window, obscuring his vision of her face with her long black hair.

"Nickie, what's wrong?" he asked hesitantly.

"You hate me." Nickie said in a soft, flat voice.

Sands was completely confused, "When did I say that?"

You don't have to say it. I can tell you're disgusted with me." Nicoletta answered.

"What the fuck!" Sands exploded, "I am not fucking disgusted with you and there's no way I hate you! Why the fuck do you think that? Do you really think that little of me to believe that I'd actually be bothered by that?"

Sands knew he shouldn't be yelling at her. It wouldn't help, but hearing her say that to him had hurt him in more ways than he could have possibly imagined. He felt like she had stabbed him. He wasn't used to this feeling and he didn't like it.

Nicoletta turned around to face him and Sands instantly felt like a total prick. Her eyes were read and there were tear tracks down her cheeks, "That's what everyone else thought." She yelled back. "Everyone else treated me like a monster. The only person to ever look past it was Morgead. He was the only one who ever saw the person who I am. Not a monster. That's why we were such good friends. I only told you because I trust you. I don't want you to hate me!"

Sands stared at her, "Sugar butt," he said gently "I don't hate you and I never have done. I don't care how you're different to everyone else. You're still Nickie. It doesn't bother me."

Sands reached out to her, he wanted to comfort her, to make her feel better. He didn't know why, but seeing her like this made him hurt more than being shot. However, Nicoletta pushed his arms away, "Please, don't." She said softly, wiping her eyes.

Sands felt hurt, "What…" he began but Nickie cut him off.

"I'm tired, I just want to sleep." She said gently.

Sands nodded and she smiled slightly, snuggling down into the car and closing her eyes. Sands gazed at her for a second before starting the car engine and pulling back onto the road.

By the time he reached the hotel he was too tired to get the receptionist to understand what he wanted. Hoping that Nickie wouldn't mind he got one room with two beds. He tried to wake Nicoletta up but she wasn't going to move. So, with two bell-boys bringing up the luggage, he carried her to the room and laid her on her bed.

He momentarily wondered if he should undress her, just to make her comfortable. But he quickly pushed that thought away. He didn't want Nickie to wake up while he was doing that. He tucked her under the covers and then went to bed himself.

During the night Nickie woke up. After getting out of bed, getting changed and getting back into bed, she tried to get back to sleep. But she couldn't, it was cold and she couldn't seem to dream again. After along time arguing with herself she gave up. She knew how she could get to sleep. She just wasn't to keen on the idea. But, it was that or be practically dead in the morning. So, with a groan, she climbed out of bed, crossed the room and climbed in next to Sands. For a second she lay there hoping he hadn't woken up. After ten minutes of listening she was convinced and she closed her eyes, relaxing into the warmth.

That was when two strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist and pulled her flush against a very warm body.

"Exactly what are you doing, sugar butt?" Came Sands' very amused voice.

Nicoletta groaned and tried to free herself from his grasp. Unfortunately he wasn't having it. He wrapped his leg over hers, stopping her struggling. She could hear him chuckling in her ear.

"Sorry Nickie. You're here now you stay." He told her, not sounding too devastated.

Nicoletta sighed; she was too tired to fight. So she relaxed herself into his arms and without bothering to say anything, drifted to sleep.

Her last thought however wasn't of being different, Morgead, or the Bartulo cartel. It was of a certain CIA agent who had her wrapped in his arms, sleeping next to her.

The lady of the Shadows: Glad you're surprised by Nickie's gift! Yes I agree it is awesome! I would love to be like that. Post people are evil! Well some are, not all. They wake you early and bring you bills and lose your mail! Lol. Poor you, 9 o'clock on a Saturday that makes me want to cry! It should be illegal! Lol. WOAH! Loads of questions, scaring me! I hope you think this came quick enough! I thought he should understand her cos he's so sweet! (Ok maybe not!) I thought it would be good if she could have at least one person in her life, (2 if you count Morgead but he's dead) who is actually nice to her! I know I'm excellent! Lol, not really! Thank you and I'll keep writing! Hope this came quick enough! RandR my number one reviewer!

CaptainRaven: sniff I missed you honey! I'm glad you're still reviewing what would I do without your reviews to make me laugh! But, I forgive you for giving me such a great review! WOW! I stunned you into silence for…like…5 seconds. Get me an award please! Lol. Thank you that's so flattering! You thought she was an elf! Awww! I don't blame you, it must have been pretty confusing and I'm glad you found it so surprising, I didn't want it to be obvious! Yes I hope I have updated soon enough! Sands reaction is so sweet! Maybe not completely in character but I liked it so TOUGH Robert Rodriguez! I don't care! Lol. I'm glad you think the song looks cool cos I wrote it! I wasn't sure whether to put it in or not but as this story gave me the inspiration for it I decided I might as well! Thank you! RandR!

Joselyn-Greenleaf: YAY! A new box! You are the bestest person ever! I get a box and a cookie! YAY! MMM…I'll have…DOUBLE CHOC CHIP YAY! Double Choc Chip rules! Joselyn-Greenleaf rules too! Hope you like this update, where's my Sands plushie…and another cookie? YAY! Glad you liked my chapter and the book sounds cool! I might read it! RandR!

SpadesJade: Yeah I know what you mean! It's hard to keep up but if I don't write ahead then it would take me weeks, probably months to write anything! You have to start writing again soon cos I want to read one of your fics! I bet they're really good cos you're a great reviewer, you know loads about writing! I'm glad you think the cats appropriate cos I was gonna do lycanthropy but I didn't think it would fit! Sorry this one isn't much longer but I just say what I've got to say in them as I've got it all planned out. Hope you like this one! RandR!