FIC: The Vieux Carré Takes Care of Her Own - 6/8
Title: The Vieux Carré Takes Care of Her Own - 6/8
Author: docwho2100
Fandom and Pairing: Nikki/Nora - F/F
Timing: This is the seventh in a series. It takes place after the TV pilot and after the stories "I Want Them", "Dark Lady", "Firsts", "Seconds", "Delaney C.O.D. or D.O.A." and "Mississippi Straddle" - you can find these stories here - home.comcast.net/~jstratton1/storywebsite/nikkinora/index.htm
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Nikki & Nora are the property of Nancylee Myatt and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement intended.
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Authors' notes:
Character thoughts appear between ~ ~ symbols
As to what happens to Nora in the second half, I based that on an actual experience I had with my grandmother and her elderly neighbor one time, unfortunately I did not escape the dreaded kleenex of death (yes ewwwww)
VCPS = Vieux Carre Preservation Society
Chapter 6
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Wednesday
"Honey and lemon yes, thank you." Nikki said as she sat down on the edge of the loveseat, Nora perched in a very stiff manner beside her. She elbowed Nora in the ribs as she leaned forward to accept the blue china teacup.
"Um, no thanks," Nora said as the President of the VCPS looked at her.
"It is so welcome to finally have the Police Department listening." Clara said as she fixed a cup of tea for the woman sitting on her right. "Jenna?"
Jenna Weston, vice president of the VCPS, nodded. "I believe I will try my tea like the Detective. Buck the old ways." She chuckled and winked at Nikki, the detective giving the proper gracious laugh and return wink. "I second Clara's comment. In fact I know I speak for all when I say perhaps the wind has finally turned." She paused as she heard an amen from her right where the group's secretary, Pauline Garces was sitting.
"Well, I will go with just a bit of cream." The woman sitting next to Nikki interjected.
"Leave it to Lauralee to continue tradition. That is why we entrust the group's funds to her."
"That and because the Barnes Foundation continues to make contributions to a certain President's pet project." Lauralee retorted as she accepted her cup and saucer from Clara.
"What goes around comes around," Jenna said giving Lauralee a smug look. "I heardtell the Port's request to relocate the parking meters near your building has been blocked."
"I have been blessed," Lauralee replied before taking a sip. "That and a few choice words from a certain secretary at the last town meeting."
Paula blushed, "It was just a little collection of words."
Jenna scoffed, "Little? You blustered on in front of the Council for almost three quarters of an hour."
Nikki winced as she recalled a comment her father had made last week about some very long-winded, boorish townsfolk bringing business to the meeting. Now she had a better view of what her father endured. She was beginning to appreciate her father's favorite statement regarding prudish windbags blowing ill winds.
"Um, about our case..." Nora tried jumping in, hoping she could prevent another round of self congratulations.
"Oh yes, you wanted to talk to us about Nadine." As Clara said the name, her voice and tone soured. Nora noticed the other three women also adopted sour and disapproving frowns. She glanced at Nikki, catching a slight head bob that indicated she too was catching the shift in mood.
"Nadine was robbing the cradle." Jenna said in a haughty tone.
Nora's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"You want to know about Nadine, well in addition to destroying the very values and work we have been toiling to build, besides stealing away precious money, votes and attention to the real victim, our Quarter, Nadine focused on trying to regain the fountain of youth and reinvent herself."
"Really, driving one of those hot, little sportscars." Pauline threw out, her lips pursed in a frown. "And frequenting the disreputable establishments that have begun to infest our precious Quarter. She and Mr. Gosser were an, what do they say, an item!"
"I take it she adopted habits that do not fit in with the..." Nikki paused, considering her words carefully, "bylaws and mission of your group?"
"Exactly," Jenna said in an excited voice, giving Nikki a smile, warming up to the detective. " It is just as we heard at that banquet a few weeks ago. People have become lost; it seems the normal methods of expecting decency is a waste. As that nice young man said, new times call for new ways, for some to be bold and consider the higher good. Nadine use to be the vice president of the VCPS and one of the founding members over 35 years ago. And then, like Eve taking the apple, she was seduced by the lure of money and greed. "
All four women in unison clucked their tongues and shook their heads. Nora coughed trying to keep her face neutral.
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Nora walked stiffly through the small courtyard, squinting as she hit the sunlight. She leaned against the entryway to the courtyard, waiting for Nikki to catch up. Nora had not been able to remain polite any longer and had given a brusque goodbye as she fled; only slightly guilty for leaving Nikki to play politically correct cleanup.
"Gawd I hate this job sometimes," she muttered, sucking on the inside of her cheek as she looked around. She scuffed at the cobbled walkway, toeing at one of the silver disc termite traps that could be found all over the Quarter. "Why does everyone say one thing and do..." She trailed off, focused on the area she'd been kicking at. Her brow drawing into a deep V, she crouched, her fingers pushing at some dirt that surrounded the trap.
"Do what Nora, honey?"
"Damn," Nora started, losing her balance and tipping over onto her side, the detective contorting to make sure she did not fall on the area she had been studying. "You need to wear bells or something," she grumbled, reaching up to accept the hand Nikki was offering.
"As long as they are silver and gold," Nikki quipped, helping to dust Nora's butt off, spending a little extra time "dusting" that area.
"Hey," Nora looked around, dancing out of the way as Nikki had ended her cleaning session with a quick pinch.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch; I checked before pinching, we are alone." Nikki had meant to tease, but her tone came out a little more caustic.
Nora wrinkled her lips to the side, holding Nikki's gaze for a long beat before shrugging a little and pointing at the area near the silver disc. "Take a look at what I found."
Disappointed Nora had backed down from the conversation; the brunette let her partner dance away, focusing on what Nora was pointing at. "Yes, one of those experimental things. They are all over the place."
Nora shook her head, "No, look at what is beside it." She made a circle above what she had spotted.
Squinting, Nikki crouched beside Nora. "Is that..."
"Ayup, it's the same shoe impression, here in their courtyard. Come on," she stood, pulling Nikki up and along, the brunette tripping as she worked to catch her balance and keep up.
"Ah, excuse me," Nora called out, seeing the ladies were starting to leave. They turned, waiting for the detectives to approach.
"Have you had any other visitors here today?"
"Why no. Just you." Clara replied, putting the key to the house in her purse.
"Actually, Antonio was here," Pauline corrected as she came over, picking a piece of lint from Nora's sleeve.
"Antonio?" Nora prompted, trying not to flinch back from the older woman's picking as she caught Nikki giving her a squinted eye look. The ole, 'Nora behave' signal.
"He works for the pest company that treats the house here as well as many residents in the Quarter," Lauralee interjected as she came over and pointed out another spot of dirt on Nora's jeans. Pauline nodded, thanking the treasurer. "I have a lint brush, let me just catch that."
Helpless, Nora stood, trying to smile politely as the woman dug in her bag. "And he was here because..."
Jenna glanced at Lauralee as Clara answered, "Well, I am not sure why today. He comes once a week to check on the traps and also make sure we stay pest free. I so wish he could remove other pests." Clara's laugh tinkled across the courtyard, the others joining in as Pauline began rolling the lint brush over Nora's shirt and jeans.
"Detectives gather so much wool and spots." Pauline clucked her tongue, making Nora spin around so she could catch the back. Nikki shaking her head no as Nora mouthed 'help me'. She almost burst out laughing as Nora glowered at her, crossing her hands over her chest as she resigned herself to the impromptu cleaning.
"Straighten up dearie, you don't want a slouch to mar your beauty. Posture is everything. Pull those shoulders back." Pauline smacked Nora in the butt, the detective yelping and immediately letting her hands fall to her side as she did stand straighter.
"Well, his family has been ailing and he is trying to earn extra money to send back," Jenna's comment wrestled Nikki's attention from Nora's grooming session. "It is so sad."
All four women nodded their heads making assorted sounds of sympathy.
"We asked him to come over so we could pay him."
"Pay?" Nora asked over her shoulder.
Lauralee came over, shaking a finger at Nora. "Let Pauline finish little one, you are so frisky. Whatever man you go home to must have his hands full."
"Oh he does," Nikki murmured, the comment earning a prunish look from Nora.
"What Lauralee meant was a donation, for some extra work he did for us. He did some extra pest service. It was a way to have him earn the money to keep his manly macho intact. Some people are so bullheaded and stubborn. Pride goeth before a fall." Jenna shook her head. "And that is what happened to Gosser. A shame, but some do not listen to much else."
Pauline handed Nora the lint brush. "Please keep this; you need it more than I do. Oh, you have a smudge on your cheek, I have a kleenex in here." She began digging in her purse, Nora backpedaling out of reach.
"Thank you for your time ladies, we'll call if we need more information. Come on Nikki." Nora tugged at Nikki's arm, praying they would be able to clear out before the kleenex was found.