Angsting 'R Us
by Sandra Gray
Place: The loft
Time: July 19, 2001, early dawn
       concurrent with and after "Knight Moves"
Everyone used with permission


The light woke Sandra.  She glanced over toward the windows and
saw Brooksie in conversation with Nick.  Her thoughts turned
back to her own private conversation with Nick.

*******Flashback*******

Place: The loft
Time: July 18, 2001


"Nick, can I speak to you for a minute?" asked Sandra.

"Sure," said Nick.  He favored her with a smile, which dimmed
as he saw her serious expression.  "What is it, Sandra?"

Sandra wrung her hands.  "Well, I don't know how much it
matters now, but I wanted to give my report on the mission
you sent me on."

Nick smiled.  "That doesn't matter now," he said.

"Yes, it does.  I...I didn't find out anything useful."  She
looked down at her clasped hands.  "I failed.  I'm sorry."

Nick stepped close to Sandra and lifted her chin with one
finger.  "So my idea didn't pan out. That's not your fault."
A familiar guilty expression came over his face.

"It's not your fault," she insisted.

Nick placed both his hands on her shoulders.  "Besides, you did
help solve the problem.  Katrinka told me you were the one who
came up with the idea of exposing everyone to good fanfic.  So..."
He paused.  "Why don't we both agree to stop angsting about it,
okay?"  He smiled and his blue eyes twinkled.

Sandra smiled back at him.  "Okay," she said.

Nick pulled her close and hugged her.  Then, keeping his arms
around her, he pulled back some and said, "I'm sorry I sent you
off on a wild goose chase."

"No more angsting, remember?" chided Sandra.  She was enjoying
being close to him, but hoped her pulse and temperature weren't
rising to uncomfortable levels for him.

Nick grinned.  "You're right.  Everything's fine now.  But I do
want you to know I appreciate everything you've done to help."
He glanced around the room.  "I appreciate everyone's help."

"Thanks, Nick," said Sandra.  Nick looked back at her and then
leaned down to give her a soft kiss on the lips.  He released her
and, giving her a final smile, walked away.

*******end Flashback*******

Sandra sighed at the memory of that kiss.  She noticed Nick had
placed an arm around Brooksie.  Smiling, she turned her back on
them and the light and went back to sleep.


--Sandra Gray, forever Knightie
--sandragray@rica.net