Shut Up and Kiss Me by Gayle McCreedy Occasion: Diane's hallucinatory birthday party Site: Diane's hospital room Diane moaned in her sleep as though her dream was troubling. After a moment, her brow smoothed and she fell once more into a deep sleep. To sleep, and perchance to dream... To dream of the continuing birthday party at the Raven. Time: 8:45p Nick was in the middle of a sensual slow dance with June when he spotted Natalie at the bar with LaCroix. Being a gentleman, he finished the dance with his partner. After thanking June for the dance, he lept over several dogs and one cousin in his haste to get to the bar. "Natalie!" he shouted in midair over a rotweiller. Natalie turned just in time to see Nick flying less than gracefully over the dog. LaCroix watched with an amused expression, and slid one hand protectively around Natalie's waist as he stood behind her. "LaCroix, back off," Nick warned in a low growl as he grabbed Natalie's arm. "Nick! Let GO!" shouted Natalie. "Who exactly do you think you are, buster?" "Me? I'm just the one who loves you. Now he, he is the one who wanted to make you an after-dinner mint." Nick began to pull Natalie's arm. Natalie, after a moment and still in a glower, turned to LaCroix and excused herself. LaCroix leaned back against the bar, a sardonic smile alighting his lips as he watched the mis-matched couple find a quiet corner of the bar. He sipped his private stock. LaCroix's attention was momentarily diverted by the sound of an announcer. "Hokay, everyone, we will be starting a karoke contest in just a few moments, just as soon as we finish our sound check. All you wanna-be-Elvises, get ready!" LaCroix winced at the sound level, and winced even more to realize that the tune they used to test their system was "Saturday Night Fever." Something other than the Bee Gees, surely could be found. Glancing over to the place where Nick and Natalie were leaning against the wall , he saw that they were still deep in heated conversation. Natalie didn't look overly happy, he noted with a smile. Secure with his status in the running, he walked over to the stage to *suggest* another choice in music. Soon the sound of Sting floated out over the bar, and people began dancing again. (Hey, I get to make LC a Sting fan if I want in a dream!) LaCroix looked back again to check on his progress in the Nick and Nat wars. To his surprise, Natalie was standing VERY close to Nick, her hands on his chest. Nick for his part, had his hands on Natalie's waist. Natalie's head was lowered as they talked, almost shyly, but her eyes never left Nick's face. After a moment, Nick's head lowered, and tentatively he kissed Natalie. It was a short, sweet kiss, and Natalie ducked her head again, laying it on his shoulder, as her arms cautiously encircled Nick's neck. Nick pulled Nat to him. The second kiss was a full, deep kiss. Natalie's hands entwined in Nick's hair as she arched against him. Nick's hands, well, let's just say that Nick's hands were thoroughly investigating the quality of the weave of her lab coat. LaCroix's expression turned quite black for a moment. Those within a few feet instinctively ducked. Then, with a sigh and a shrug, he turned his back on the couple. A petite IB eyed LaCroix's retreat with disgust. In a desperate attempt to break up the entwined couple, she spilled a pitcher full of ice water down Nick's back, causing him to startle. "Oh, geez, sorry!" the IB stammered, trying to look sorry. "It's okay," Nick replied sunnily, this tux is made out of miracle cloth. It will dry in the time it takes to go to commercial break. You know, I've even been shot in this coat, and look, no holes!" Nick looked as though he could go on for hours about the wonders of miracle cloth. Natalie grabbed his arm and made for the center of the room.