FIC: Delaney C.O.D. or D.O.A. 13/16
Title: Delaney C.O.D. or D.O.A. 13/16
Author: docwho2100 and ellie-no-name
Fandom and Pairing: Nikki/Nora - F/F
Timing: Takes place after the TV pilot and after the stories "I Want Them" , "Dark Lady", "Firsts" and "Seconds"
Rating: R - NC-17
Disclaimer: Nikki & Nora are the property of Nancylee Myatt and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement intended.
Authors' notes: Character thoughts appear between ~ ~ symbols
Ok - so my co writer puts together her piece and then I have mine and I am getting odd "looks" and have to explain as I wrote Nikki's piece, I was listening to Nancy Sinatra "These Boots Were Made for Walking", then Donny Osmond's "Any Dream Will Do" from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coast followed by Depeche Mode "Barrel of a Gun" and "All Fall Down" by OneRepublic. Perhaps I should not listen to such an odd mix of music :p
Chapter 13 10:19:06
Nikki swept into her room at her father's house, throwing her keys and two cell phones on a small mirror table, the stopwatch hanging around her neck. She stood, surveying the room, pushing both hands along the side of her head, grasping her damp hair and combing it back some as she contemplated her next move. She'd gotten a bit wet as the rain had started as she'd exited her car.
She had two more hours left to try and collect the rest of the cash for the bill and then prepare herself for the drop. This time there would be no backup, no newspapers stuffed in a duffel bag. It was just going to be her and the person who had her Nora.
The uproar in the squad room had been immediate upon Nikki's earlier remarks. Remarks that had come as the reason behind the jester and balloon had become apparent: it was the bill collector coming to collect what was due.
The popped balloon had brought two changes to the computer screen: the video feed had blacked out, replaced by the amount due, a time and a phone number. Nora's cell phone.
The second was the little bomb symbol had begun flashing, the words, "No Tricks This Time Beaumont" appearing next to it.
Nikki had gotten the message loud and clear and had announced she would do exactly as instructed. She'd scooped up the phone and turned, walking almost all the way out of the office before Dan had managed to block her, Bobby and the others trying to catch up.
"No way Detective, we don't…" Dan's hand was out, beckoning for the phone.
"I'm not a detective anymore today. I'm just a regular old citizen." She kept Nora's phone away from Dan as she unhooked her shield and placed it in Dan's hand. She however did not unholster her gun.
"Send some of the unis over to do whatever you want, even try to haul me in and hold me for questioning, I have to go grab some lunch, run some errands and stop by my father's house. So unless you plan on trying to tackle me down and handcuff me, move." She stared Dan down.
"This isn't the way…"
"The way we tried ended up burying Nora. I'm done sinking nails in her coffin."
"There's a difference between Justice and Vengeance," Dan said, worried for Nikki's mindset and what the consequences from this might be. As much as he wanted to think paying the blackmailer would bring Nora home, his gut was beating a message loud and clear that Nora's freedom depending on them finding her.
"I know Dan; justice isn’t what I'm after." Her voice surprised everyone in the room at how cold, calculating and ruthless it sounded. No one dared speak.
"You didn't give me your gun."
"I could just get one of my own from my house. I figured if I use this one, at least ballistics won’t have as hard a time matching the bullet to the weapon." Nikki shot back, turning then and strolling out of the room, aware that every single eye was on her.
A knock on her bedroom door dragged her from her reverie, she spun, crouching a little, finding her father there, his hands raised, a bag in one of them. "Whoa there darlin', no one but little ole' me. May I come in?" His voice was cautious, his eyes probing to assess his daughter's state.
She waved a hand at him, moving to her dresser to pull out some jeans and a fresh blouse. "Why are you here?"
"Now is that anyway to greet your Daddy?" he came over, dropping the bag on the bed, frowning at his daughter's response.
Nikki shoved the drawer in hard, her shoulders tense. She took in a breath, beating back a flippant reply before turning to come over to her father. She put the clothes on the bed and held up her arms, accepting and then returning the embrace her father gave her. Daughter and father stood that way for an immeasurable length of time before Arthur drew back, a thumb stroking over his daughter's cheek, catching the errant tear that had started down her angelic features.
"I had a little bird, a Bobby-bird stop by my office earlier. He was very insistent with my assistant. Had poor Sam all tangled up so she finally came and got me from my committee hearings."
Nikki pulled back, reluctantly letting the embrace go, a part of her wishing she could stay wrapped up in her father's arms, safe and childishly naïve once again. "Bobby-bird?' Her brows rose as she caught on.
"Yes seems Nora's younger brother shares her very decidedly stubborn streak and bullish approach. Thank goodness there was no china around."
"Daddy," She admonished, recalling a similar line of comments after the first few times he had met Nora.
"He told me about the development and how you had stormed out to find the money. He also said something about you giving your shield but not your weapon to Dan. What's this all about?" He made no effort to keep his concern from his voice and face.
She pushed away, scooping up her clothes. "I need Nora back." She said nothing more, meeting her Father's gaze.
Arthur held it a long, southern beat, then nodded. "It ain't easy raising a bit of cash, is it?"
She bit her lip and looked down at her hands, not wanting to admit her current defeat. She'd only manage to get some of the money and was unable to get a meeting with any of the family's friends in the banks. "I'd give everything I have for her Daddy."
He stepped up, tipping her chin up, leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. He waved at the bag. "Fortunately I have a few favors that needed paying and a few others willing to take a favor."
Confused, Nikki just stared at him until he pushed her to the bag. She threw the clothes down and opened the bag, stepping back as she saw the money. "I don't understand…"
"This is about family, you take care of family."
She took in a ragged breath, her heart bursting at this acceptance of Nora.
He said nothing else, simply turned to head out of the room. "I'll leave you be."
"Daddy," she paused seeing him pause but not turn back to her.
"Would you have killed for mamma?" She dared to ask, the question a whisper.
The Councilman's stature drooped a bit, then picked up. "No, I couldn't. But she would have , for me, for you. You do take after your mother, in many ways."
Nikki's eyes widened at this, stunned. "I need to know…"
"Not today little violet. Today is not the day, leave be." He started to leave, but hesitated outside the room. "There will be times when it will be out of my hands and you will have opportunity to learn more. But for now, leave be, focus on finding your love and your heart."
Nikki gritted her jaw back and forth as she listened to her father's footsteps fade, conflicted as more questions always seemed to answer her questions.
"Today will be here before you know it," she whispered. Sighing, she grabbed the cell phones and headed to finish getting ready, her mind slipping to her companion, willing her to hold on.
----------------------------
Not sure how she’d fallen asleep or if it was more of a blackout, Nora’s eyes cracked open again.
Time had no meaning, seconds seemed to last hours, and she’d cracked the face of her digital watch while flailing about earlier. "No," she murmured to herself, "I wasn’t flailing, I was, uh, checking the integrity of the box."
That sounded better.
Yet again she checked the seams, needing to keep her hands busy so they didn’t start pounding-err checking the box integrity.
Time.
It was something that she just couldn’t wrap her head around, at least not in her current condition. Instead the thought just gnawed at her, like the concept of infinity.
It was just too much. With a whimper she pulled her hands to her face, rubbing furiously at her cheeks and forehead a moment, the watch scratching her stained face. Nora's motions shifted focus as she attempted to get the obviously destroyed watch to function which resulted in even more abuse as she banged it against the plastic box and screamed. The cry lasted only seconds until it left her coughing. A bottle of water sure would be nice at this point. Even just a sip.
"Help," she spoke softly before slowly raising her voice. "Can anyone hear me? Dig! I’m trapped down here! Please?"
Of course her pleas only lead to crying. There would’ve been tears if not for her body already suffering from a lack of water. It didn’t take much longer for the crying to lead to dry heaves and on to coughing.
As the coughing subsided Nora pried the lump of plastic that had once been a watch from her wrist.
Useless.
It was then that the metal clasp chose to glint off of something above her head. With a frown the blonde tried to focus her attention. At this point she was going to take any distraction she could, no matter how feeble. Gripping the middle of the metal watch band, she began to scratch it against the plastic holding her in.
Her progress was non-existent, save for a white scratch that was more likely the cheap metal breaking down than the plastic, but she went with it. It would keep her distracted, for a while at least.
Author: docwho2100 and ellie-no-name
Fandom and Pairing: Nikki/Nora - F/F
Timing: Takes place after the TV pilot and after the stories "I Want Them" , "Dark Lady", "Firsts" and "Seconds"
Rating: R - NC-17
Disclaimer: Nikki & Nora are the property of Nancylee Myatt and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement intended.
Authors' notes: Character thoughts appear between ~ ~ symbols
Ok - so my co writer puts together her piece and then I have mine and I am getting odd "looks" and have to explain as I wrote Nikki's piece, I was listening to Nancy Sinatra "These Boots Were Made for Walking", then Donny Osmond's "Any Dream Will Do" from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coast followed by Depeche Mode "Barrel of a Gun" and "All Fall Down" by OneRepublic. Perhaps I should not listen to such an odd mix of music :p
Chapter 13 10:19:06
Nikki swept into her room at her father's house, throwing her keys and two cell phones on a small mirror table, the stopwatch hanging around her neck. She stood, surveying the room, pushing both hands along the side of her head, grasping her damp hair and combing it back some as she contemplated her next move. She'd gotten a bit wet as the rain had started as she'd exited her car.
She had two more hours left to try and collect the rest of the cash for the bill and then prepare herself for the drop. This time there would be no backup, no newspapers stuffed in a duffel bag. It was just going to be her and the person who had her Nora.
The uproar in the squad room had been immediate upon Nikki's earlier remarks. Remarks that had come as the reason behind the jester and balloon had become apparent: it was the bill collector coming to collect what was due.
The popped balloon had brought two changes to the computer screen: the video feed had blacked out, replaced by the amount due, a time and a phone number. Nora's cell phone.
The second was the little bomb symbol had begun flashing, the words, "No Tricks This Time Beaumont" appearing next to it.
Nikki had gotten the message loud and clear and had announced she would do exactly as instructed. She'd scooped up the phone and turned, walking almost all the way out of the office before Dan had managed to block her, Bobby and the others trying to catch up.
"No way Detective, we don't…" Dan's hand was out, beckoning for the phone.
"I'm not a detective anymore today. I'm just a regular old citizen." She kept Nora's phone away from Dan as she unhooked her shield and placed it in Dan's hand. She however did not unholster her gun.
"Send some of the unis over to do whatever you want, even try to haul me in and hold me for questioning, I have to go grab some lunch, run some errands and stop by my father's house. So unless you plan on trying to tackle me down and handcuff me, move." She stared Dan down.
"This isn't the way…"
"The way we tried ended up burying Nora. I'm done sinking nails in her coffin."
"There's a difference between Justice and Vengeance," Dan said, worried for Nikki's mindset and what the consequences from this might be. As much as he wanted to think paying the blackmailer would bring Nora home, his gut was beating a message loud and clear that Nora's freedom depending on them finding her.
"I know Dan; justice isn’t what I'm after." Her voice surprised everyone in the room at how cold, calculating and ruthless it sounded. No one dared speak.
"You didn't give me your gun."
"I could just get one of my own from my house. I figured if I use this one, at least ballistics won’t have as hard a time matching the bullet to the weapon." Nikki shot back, turning then and strolling out of the room, aware that every single eye was on her.
A knock on her bedroom door dragged her from her reverie, she spun, crouching a little, finding her father there, his hands raised, a bag in one of them. "Whoa there darlin', no one but little ole' me. May I come in?" His voice was cautious, his eyes probing to assess his daughter's state.
She waved a hand at him, moving to her dresser to pull out some jeans and a fresh blouse. "Why are you here?"
"Now is that anyway to greet your Daddy?" he came over, dropping the bag on the bed, frowning at his daughter's response.
Nikki shoved the drawer in hard, her shoulders tense. She took in a breath, beating back a flippant reply before turning to come over to her father. She put the clothes on the bed and held up her arms, accepting and then returning the embrace her father gave her. Daughter and father stood that way for an immeasurable length of time before Arthur drew back, a thumb stroking over his daughter's cheek, catching the errant tear that had started down her angelic features.
"I had a little bird, a Bobby-bird stop by my office earlier. He was very insistent with my assistant. Had poor Sam all tangled up so she finally came and got me from my committee hearings."
Nikki pulled back, reluctantly letting the embrace go, a part of her wishing she could stay wrapped up in her father's arms, safe and childishly naïve once again. "Bobby-bird?' Her brows rose as she caught on.
"Yes seems Nora's younger brother shares her very decidedly stubborn streak and bullish approach. Thank goodness there was no china around."
"Daddy," She admonished, recalling a similar line of comments after the first few times he had met Nora.
"He told me about the development and how you had stormed out to find the money. He also said something about you giving your shield but not your weapon to Dan. What's this all about?" He made no effort to keep his concern from his voice and face.
She pushed away, scooping up her clothes. "I need Nora back." She said nothing more, meeting her Father's gaze.
Arthur held it a long, southern beat, then nodded. "It ain't easy raising a bit of cash, is it?"
She bit her lip and looked down at her hands, not wanting to admit her current defeat. She'd only manage to get some of the money and was unable to get a meeting with any of the family's friends in the banks. "I'd give everything I have for her Daddy."
He stepped up, tipping her chin up, leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. He waved at the bag. "Fortunately I have a few favors that needed paying and a few others willing to take a favor."
Confused, Nikki just stared at him until he pushed her to the bag. She threw the clothes down and opened the bag, stepping back as she saw the money. "I don't understand…"
"This is about family, you take care of family."
She took in a ragged breath, her heart bursting at this acceptance of Nora.
He said nothing else, simply turned to head out of the room. "I'll leave you be."
"Daddy," she paused seeing him pause but not turn back to her.
"Would you have killed for mamma?" She dared to ask, the question a whisper.
The Councilman's stature drooped a bit, then picked up. "No, I couldn't. But she would have , for me, for you. You do take after your mother, in many ways."
Nikki's eyes widened at this, stunned. "I need to know…"
"Not today little violet. Today is not the day, leave be." He started to leave, but hesitated outside the room. "There will be times when it will be out of my hands and you will have opportunity to learn more. But for now, leave be, focus on finding your love and your heart."
Nikki gritted her jaw back and forth as she listened to her father's footsteps fade, conflicted as more questions always seemed to answer her questions.
"Today will be here before you know it," she whispered. Sighing, she grabbed the cell phones and headed to finish getting ready, her mind slipping to her companion, willing her to hold on.
----------------------------
Not sure how she’d fallen asleep or if it was more of a blackout, Nora’s eyes cracked open again.
Time had no meaning, seconds seemed to last hours, and she’d cracked the face of her digital watch while flailing about earlier. "No," she murmured to herself, "I wasn’t flailing, I was, uh, checking the integrity of the box."
That sounded better.
Yet again she checked the seams, needing to keep her hands busy so they didn’t start pounding-err checking the box integrity.
Time.
It was something that she just couldn’t wrap her head around, at least not in her current condition. Instead the thought just gnawed at her, like the concept of infinity.
It was just too much. With a whimper she pulled her hands to her face, rubbing furiously at her cheeks and forehead a moment, the watch scratching her stained face. Nora's motions shifted focus as she attempted to get the obviously destroyed watch to function which resulted in even more abuse as she banged it against the plastic box and screamed. The cry lasted only seconds until it left her coughing. A bottle of water sure would be nice at this point. Even just a sip.
"Help," she spoke softly before slowly raising her voice. "Can anyone hear me? Dig! I’m trapped down here! Please?"
Of course her pleas only lead to crying. There would’ve been tears if not for her body already suffering from a lack of water. It didn’t take much longer for the crying to lead to dry heaves and on to coughing.
As the coughing subsided Nora pried the lump of plastic that had once been a watch from her wrist.
Useless.
It was then that the metal clasp chose to glint off of something above her head. With a frown the blonde tried to focus her attention. At this point she was going to take any distraction she could, no matter how feeble. Gripping the middle of the metal watch band, she began to scratch it against the plastic holding her in.
Her progress was non-existent, save for a white scratch that was more likely the cheap metal breaking down than the plastic, but she went with it. It would keep her distracted, for a while at least.