Natalie hurriedly finished writing the last of her notes on the report.  Just as she dotted the last i, Schanke came into the room.  "Perfect timing.  I was just finishing."  She handed the file to Schanke.

"Thanks Nat."  Schanke looked at the papers in his hands.  He noticed her tired expression over the top of the reports.  "Nat are you okay.  You seem a little pale."

Natalie sighed, "Just a little tired.  I knew you were coming for that report and I still had lots to do on it.  I came in early to finish it.  I'll catch up on my sleep tomorrow."

Schanke shuffled his feet.  "Tomorrow?  Oh geez, Nat.  I was suppose to ask you if you would sing at the benefit this year?"

Natalie's face flushed, "Schanke, I don't think..."

Schanke chuckled, "Oh come on Nat...it's for charity.  You've done it in the past...your voice is beautiful."  

Nat thought for a second.  She would hate to disappoint the children, but the thought of a certain blond vampire watching her sing unnerved her.  Natalie had sang at all the previous benefits, but that was before his arrival.  There were parts of her life that she would prefer to keep to herself.  "Will Nick be there?"

Schanke shook his head, "Nah, unfortunately somebody has to work that night.  Nick drew the duty.  He won't be able to go."

Natalie sighed with relief.  Since Nick wouldn't be there, what would it hurt? "Alright Don, I'll dig out an old song and practice."

"Um, their doing it a little different this year, Nat.  The committee picked the songs, I guess they thought they were getting out of hand the last time... you know that streaker song...I think the Commissioner's wife passed out when O'Daniel ran across the stage the last time."  Schanke rolled his eyes.

Natalie laughed, "Yeah, I remember.  Come to think of it, I had a pretty good view of that.  Too bad he's working traffic now."

Schanke held out his hand, "Choose one."

Natalie looked at Schanke, "Choose one what?"  

"These are the only two songs left, choose one."

Natalie hesitantly reached for the left hand, but switched to the right.  She pulled the paper out of Schanke's hand and unfolded it.  "I know this song, it's lovely.

Schanke took the paper from her and agreed, "Nat, your voice will be beautiful singing that song.  The children will enjoy it.  I'll let the committee know."  He turned towards the door and waved back at her.  "Thanks again, Nat."

Natalie waved good-bye to Schanke.  "Night Schanke."

**********

Six weeks later Natalie nervously tugged at her long dark blue chiffon gown.  Her hair cascaded eloquently down above her bare shoulders.  The softness framed her face perfectly.  The past six weeks she had spent in rehearsal never really prepared her for the actual night of the show.  The butterflies were beginning to make themselves known.  As Natalie ran her fingers through her hair again, Schanke came up beside her with a clipboard.  "Nat...you look GREAT!  You're going to knock their eyes out."

Natalie blushed and smiled, "Thanks Schanke, but you better get me on that stage quick.  I'm starting to lose my nerve."

Schanke looked at his clipboard, "Well you're next, right after Johnson finishes his magic act.  Come on, I'll walk you over." Schanke took her by the arm and led her to the side stage.

As Natalie watched the rabbit disappear into the hat, she noticed a familiar figure sitting in the front row.  She moved closer to the curtain and peered out trying to get a better view.  Suddenly, her heart froze. "Schanke, you said Nick *wouldn't* be here."

Schanke looked in the audience, "Oh that.  When he heard you were going to sing I think he pulled every string he could so he could come tonight.  Actually, he's on after you.  I thought I told you."

Natalie stared him blankly in the face, "No...you didn't tell me.  Nick's singing too?"

Schanke shrugged, "Yeah.  Oh well, must have slipped my mind.  What's the big deal, you'll be great.  He'll be great.  Nick really bailed me out of a jam.  I was having a hard time getting someone to sing that other song.  Nick looked at it and agreed instantly."  Schanke heard a crash back stage, "Hold on a second, Nat."

Natalie thought about the song she was about to sing.  It was a beautiful ballad and over the past six weeks as she sang it, she discovered the song mirrored her own life.  She bit at her bottom lip, would Nick recognize the parallel?  Her eyes wandered to Nick sitting in the front row.  She smiled as she noticed him laugh at the magician when the rabbit appeared from under the table at the wrong time. 

She pushed the curtain back.  No, she couldn't do it.  As she practiced singing the song she found herself putting her entire heart and soul into it.  She could imagine saying these exact words to Nick.  With him sitting in the front row, she knew she would end up staring directly at Nick...singing to him.

As Schanke returned he noticed his shirt sleeve being tugged.  "Schanke, I can't do this.  You have to take me off the program.  Go ahead and let Nick sing in my place."

Schanke took her hand, "Are you ill, Nat?"

She shook her head, "No, I just can't sing *this* song.  Not with..."  She looked at Nick.  "Can I sing another?"

Schanke stared at her dumbfounded, "Nat, the orchestra has practiced this song.  You can't change on them now.  Besides...the name of the song was printed in the program.  What would the audience think?"

As Natalie began to object again, a very irate magician flew past chasing a couple of doves.  Schanke looked at the empty stage.  "Nat, you're next."

Before Nat could object, Schanke was on the stage beginning her introduction.  "Let's have a hand for Matt Johnson.  I'm sure he'll catch those birds eventually."  Schanke laughed as the audience joined in.  He looked over at the side of the stage.  Natalie was pleading with him shaking her head no.  Schanke's voice cracked, "And now, I would like to introduce a little gal who has the voice of an angel.  Will you all give a warm welcome for Miss Natalie Lambert singing I Honestly Love You."

Natalie froze as the spot light caught her standing side stage by the curtain.  She smiled and slowly walked out to the center of the stage passing Schanke along the way.  She nervously took the microphone in her hand and looked out over the audience.  Her eyes locked with Nick's briefly, then she looked at the opposite side of the audience from which he was sitting.  The music filled the auditorium.

<>

As Natalie's angelic voice filled the auditorium, Nick was mesmerized.  He never knew her voice was this lovely.  As she sang, the words of the song touched his heart.  He could almost imagine her speaking these exact words to him.  

<>

As Natalie began to sway with the music, she found her fears subsiding.  She slowly began to look around the auditorium.  Her eyes watched the smiling faces before her, before she could catch herself...her eyes locked upon a pair of blue eyes warmly staring at her.  Her breath caught as she found herself hopelessly staring back...singing with all her heart.

<>

Natalie blushed as Nick smiled at her.  She lost all her inhibitions and began to move about the stage.  Natalie closed her eyes as the words flowed freely from her lips.  

Nick stared at the vision before him.  She was so lovely.  He knew the words were intended for him.  He knew what he was about to do was right.

<>

As Natalie finished singing, she looked to where Nick had been sitting.  The chair was now empty.  She felt her heart sink as she dropped the microphone to her side.  She looked up when she heard Schanke's voice over the speakers.  "And now, Detective Nick Knight singing Precious Love."

Natalie looked over side stage, Nick had another microphone in his hand.  The music filled the air as he started walking towards her center stage.

<>

As Nick approached Natalie, his eyes were completely fixed upon her.  Natalie felt uneasy and looked out over the audience, then back at Nick.  He continued to move closer...he stopped only a couple of steps from her.  Nick completely ignored the audience and sang directly to her.

<>

Nick reached out and gently ran his hand down her cheek.  He silently thanked the fates for bringing her into his life three years ago.  He took Natalie's hand in his own and smiled as he pulled her closer.

<>

Nick pulled Natalie against his body and began to sway with her in his arms...

<>

Natalie wrapped her arms around his waist.  She smiled warmly as Nick let his forehead rest upon hers.

<>

Once the final words left his mouth...he captured Natalie's lips in a tender kiss.  Schanke and Cohen smiled and shook each other's hands as the audience sighed.  Once Nick released Nat, he finally looked out over the audience.  "I seem to be making a public spectacle of myself."  

Natalie smiled and responded.  "You haven't seen anything yet." She whispered into his ear, "Just wait until later."

Nick smiled as he gazed into her eyes.  He turned and looked back at Schanke noticing his thumbs up.  Nick turned back to Nat and laughed.  Letting himself go, he grabbed Natalie and swung her in the air against his body.  The kiss that ensued was spoken of for several years to come.

The End.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page