From sclark@best.com Tue Jul 28 11:41:05 1998 Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 19:19:15 -0700 From: clark To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net Subject: Some Things Just Don't Mix Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website as well as FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. "Some Things Just Don't Mix" by S. Clark Nick landed a block away from the crime scene and sprinted the remainder of the way. By the time Schanke arrived with the rest of the investigation, he'd already blocked off the site, organized the uniformed officers on scene to prevent things from being moved, and taken statements from all the witnesses. Schanke just looked at Natalie and shook his head. "What?" she asked. "I don't know. But whatever's going on with him, can you fix it? He's driving the rest of us nuts." Schanke pulled out a cigarette but as he tried to light it the flame on the lighter was blown out as Nick rushed past. "I can't even relax with a smoke when he's around." Natalie shrugged. "You think I have any control over him?" Nick ran up to Nat and smiled. "Hi Nat. Good to see you." His smile was contagious, prompting her to smile, also. "Good to see you, also." "Yo Nick! How the hell you get here so fast? I thought you were in the station when we got the call." "I was out, Schank." Nick turned to Natalie. "Nat, can I walk you to your car?" She chuckled. "I think I'd better look over the body, first, Nick." He nodded. "Oh yeah." Natalie rolled her eyes and walked towards her latest customer. Apparently a pretty cut-and-dry case. Still, it took time to make sure she didn't miss anything on the scene. In fact, it took more time than usual as Nick hovered close, questioning her every movement. "Don't you have something to do here on the scene?" Her voice was low and controlled, but just barely. She could relate to how Schanke was feeling. "I've done it all. I'm waiting to walk you to your car." "Wonderful," she said, closing her eyes. "But do me a favor? Wait over there so I can get finished?" "Ok," he agreed, and headed off to a big cluster of police. Natalie felt a little sorry for the other cops, but at least Nick had done their job for them. When she stood from the body Nick was again at her side in what seemed to be little more than a heartbeat. "Nick," she whispered. "Watch yourself." He grinned. "I forget, I'm feeling so good these days." He guided her back to her car. "I noticed," she said. "But you're driving your partner crazy with your hyper-efficiency mode." Nick leaned forward and kissed Natalie, fully upon the lips. "I'll behave," he said, and he took off. Natalie was left feeling stunned and breathless. Maybe this behavior wasn't as bad as she'd originally thought. She smiled, tracing her lips lightly with her fingers. Not bad at all, she thought. The next evening Nat couldn't wait for Nick to drop by the morgue for the test results. It took all her patience not to drop by the loft the next day, just to check on the new attitude Nick. The phone rang, breaking her mood. She answered it a little too quickly. "Lambert." "Nat?" "Hey, Schank." "What'd ya do to my partner?" "Nothing, Schanke. Why?" "He's different today." "He's different everyday, Schank." "Yeah. But yesterday he was almost perky." Schanke's description of Nick as 'perky' brought a huge smile to her lips. "But today, he's just a grouch. What'd ya change about him yesterday?" "Nothing, Schank. I didn't get a chance." "Well, he's on his way over now. See if there's anything you can do. We'd all appreciate it." Nick's entrance to the morgue was like a chill wind blowing in. "You have results for me?" Natalie raised an eyebrow. "I suppose." "Good. We're busy." Natalie slammed the folder into his outstretched hand and he headed for the door. "Fine," she said. "Just leave. Quickly." Nick stopped and turned to look at her. "What'd I do?" "I don't know, Nick. What did you do?" "I don't understand." "Yesterday you were happy, even. Smiling. Affectionate." She paused, blushing. "Today, you're treating me as if I'd bathed in garlic." Nick frowned. "I suppose I have been a little odd." "Little? Nick, even for you, you've been off the charts." She moved closer to him. "I'm just concerned. Now, is there something going on? Something you can tell me?" He walked around by the examination table and set the folder down. "I guess I should confess. I've been trying my own experiment." "Nick," she gasped. "You haven't gone back to..." He put his hands up. "Don't worry. I'm still drinking cow. But, well, you know how sometimes we mix blood with wine?" She nodded. "I thought I'd try something else. Something more human." "And?" "Last night I'd mixed the blood with coffee." Nat put her hand up to her mouth, hiding a smile. "I felt wonderful. Elated. I could do anything." His eyes narrowed. "You're laughing." "Coffee, Nick?" "You like it," he said, now beginning to pace. "I felt so great, I just kept drinking. Then today, I couldn't sleep. I spent the day pacing the loft." He walked over to the desk and sat in the chair. "By the time I had to come in for work this morning," he shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm just a little off. Maybe I should drink more coffee." "Nick, you're on a caffeine low," she explained. "Maybe you should switch to decaf." "But I felt wonderful yesterday." He stood and walked over to her, taking her hands. "I was happy." She smiled. "You were happy. But you were so wired the department was ready to stake you even though they thought you were human. And today they're ready to stake you again for being a grouch." "Maybe I should leave the experiments to my doctor," he said. "Maybe," she agreed. "Still, if we work on the dosage, it's an experiment worth trying." He smiled. A hopeful, expectant smile. "Is it?" She remembered the kiss of the evening before. "Oh yes," she said. "It's definitely worth trying."