War: Knighties:  "Two Ships Passing in the Knight" (01/01)
Date/Time:  Thurs., July 5, 2001; early evening; follows "The Sweet Smell of
Cookies"
Place:  Nick's loft
By Brooksie
All Knighties used with permission;  Natbody used with permission of the NNP
Synopsis:  Nick and Nat contact each other and the personalities rejoin
their factions
--------------------

The phone rang.  And rang.  And rang.  Multiple pairs of eyes looked
expectantly at Nick, who was huddled at the top of the loft's stairs.

"Well, it's not for me!"  he said plaintively.

The answering machine clicked on. 'Yeah, this is Nick Knight.  I am either
in bed or incommunicado.  So if you want, leave a message.'

"Hello, Nat?" said Natalie's voice.  "Are you there?"

Nancy ran to pick up the phone, as Nick was still looking shell-shocked.

"Hello, this is Nancy.  Is this, um, Nick?"

"Nancy!  Yes, but how did you know?"

"Something funky is going on Nick.  Nat is, er...  You, ah...  are not quite
yourself."

"Tell me about it.  It's a Natmare!"  Nat said and laughed.  Nancy heard
other voices laughing in the background.  The Knighties gathered around
Nancy and the phone, while others looked up at Nick.  Suddenly he shouted
down to Nancy.

"Tell Nick to get over here.  If I can fly, then he can go out in the sun.
Tell him yesterday isn't soon enough."  And then Nick went back to looking
shell-shocked.

Nancy said into the phone, "Nick, I think your body needs you!  Hurry!" and
then hung up.

"Nick's on his way, Nick, um, er, Nat." Nancy yelled up to Nick.  *Geez,
this is going to get weird,*  she thought.

The Knighties were mulling around the loft.  Some were munching on the
chocolate chip cookies that Nick had baked while watching the big screen TV.
Gemsong was plinking at the grand piano and singing.  Nancy was up on the
roof in Nick's radio shack, re-familiarizing herself with his expensive ham
radio set-up, and checking up on the Faraday shield installed in War 10 to
block electronic spying.  Mindy was also up on the roof, admiring the garden
that Roz had planted for Nick.  She was surprised to see sunflowers growing
there.

Brooksie was telling everyone how to arrange the furniture so that all the
sleeping bags would fit.  When she realized that no one was listening to
her, she decided to take her Golden Retriever, Ginger, for a walk.

Katrinka and Tracey were gathered around Nick at the top of the stairs,
trying to cheer him up.  Sandra was sketching the trio, trying not to think
about what was happening to her favorite vampire.  And Lisa was getting
advice on how to set up her medical school loans for the greatest tax
benefit from the Knightie accountant.

When the front door finally buzzed, Jenn got up to activate the security TV.

"Natalie's here," Brooksie's voice came through the TV.  "She's on her way
up."

Nick's head snapped up at the announcement and flew down to the sliding
elevator door just as Nat was pulling it open.

"Nick," she cried.

Nick gave Nat a bear hug and lifted her off the floor.  "Nat", she said,
acutely aware that all the Knighties were looking at them with misty eyes.
"Put me down.  This is embarrassing."

"Nick, this is all so confusing.  I didn't know what you go through every
day.  I had no idea.  Oh, Nick, I'm so sorry for ever doubting you.  Please
forgive me?"  Blood tears trickled down Nick's face.

Jenn grabbed a paper towel and passed it to Lisa who passed it to Nat who
gave it to Nick.  "Here.  Wipe your eyes.  You're going to ruin one of my
favorite shirts."

Nick swatted at Nat, then wiped his eyes, and blew his nose.

"Come on, we have to get you back to your apartment.  I promised the
Natpackers that I'd have you home by dark."

"B-b-b-but, it's still daylight out for at least another two hours," Nick
exaggerated.  "How are we going to get there?"

Natalie's face lit up.  "Well, there's my long raincoat, hat and dark
glasses.   I think that I still have some of that Skin Pretty SPF 50
sunscreen, and you get to ride in luxury in the back of the Caddy," she
paused for effect, "in the trunk!"

"WHAT?"  cried Nick.  "Wait a minute.  Is this some kind if revenge for that
court case when..." Knighties were dressing Nick in the aforementioned
clothing, "...I made that remark about smelling like coconuts...,"  someone
smeared Skin Pretty on Nick's face, "...Are you going to be able to drive
that boat?  I have short legs - I can barely see over the steering
wheel...,"  Nick was herded into the elevator with the other Knighties.

"N-iiiiiick!" he wailed as Nat closed the trunk lid over him.

"Nat, relax.  This car has the most trunk room of any car made.  You'll be
fine, you'll see.  Besides it’ll be after sunset when we get to your
apartment."  And with that Natalie got into the driver's seat and backed the
Caddy out of the garage.

END