Main | Fanfic | Nikki and Nora Index | New Stories
The Vieux Carré Takes Care of Her Own
Title: The Vieux Carré Takes Care of Her Own - 4/8
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.
------------------------------------
Authors' notes:
Character thoughts appear between ~ ~ symbols
Some of the quotes Arthur uses are by Henry Fielding
For more VCC info - http://www.cityofno.com/pg-59-7-architec...http://www.cityofno.com/pg-59-7-architectural-and-historical-ra
Chapter 4
-------------------------------
Wednesday
Nikki attempted to focus on reading the coroner's report; attempted the key word as she had become completely distracted by her partner's frustrated movements. It had become a predictable habit over the last 90 minutes. Nora would sigh as she hung up the phone, making a single scratch across the list of names she was working through. She would then stand, going around her desk, pausing to flick the head on the bobble head cat figurine she had picked up at the Mardi Paws store. Once that was bobbling at a furious pace, Nora was off, striding to the coffee station down the hall. She'd make her way back to her desk, making disgruntled noises, another flick to the cat's head completing the circuit as Nora would thump back into her chair to stare at the list. After about five minutes, Nora would repeat the cycle.
About to begin another round, Nikki placed her elbows on her desk, clearing her throat. This had the desired effect as Nora halted, her chair half pushed out, an expectant look on her face? "Something?"
"No," she held up her hand, seeing her partner's face fall towards a frown a begrudging grunt accompanying the shift. "And stay any grumpies you are about to pull out."
"I am not grumpy," Nora huffed.
"Honey, you would fit right in with the other dwarfs."
This reference caused Nora to narrow her eyes, "If I am Grumpy, then you are..."
"Sexy, Sassy and Smarty..." Nikki finished before Nora could retort.
"Smart-ass maybe," Nora groused, batting away a paper clip Nikki had thrown her direction.
"That should be wise-ass or smarty-pants. Darlin', you are so distracted you are falling off your prime. We will find a link..."
"None of the places we have called have had links to the Quarter, the victims or even purchase that brand. Maybe the shoe is not the way..."
Nikki pushed back, "What did I say about respecting the shoe?"
Nora's eyes narrowed to slits, Nikki shivering as the temperature seemed to plummet. "Alright, teasing aside, what if we take a different angle? What did the two victims have in common?"
Nikki came to sit on the corner of Nora's desk, reaching over to pull a pad from one of the file slots Nora used to organize her desk. She reviewed the list they had made earlier. "Well so far the only thing linking them seems to be their interest in the French Quarter. Michael a business owner and Nadine was born and lived here all her life. In fact, she was one of the founders of the VCPS and has served on the VC Commission." She stopped as she noted the look Nora was giving her.
Catching the unspoken question, Nikki explained. "The VC Commission is a board composed of volunteers that are appointed by the mayor to work to preserve the Quarter. All work undertaken on any building in the Quarter requires a permit from the Commission. So, if you wish to do something, you need their permission and approval. They do things such as rating every building to determine what can and can not be done and how it fits into the overall significance."
"You know, I've heard mutters about those groups."
Nikki pursed her lips trying to think of a polite way to jump in with a reply. "I've had dealings with them and Daddy interacts quite a bit."
"And that face you are making is your 'how do I say something that is really bad but in that social politically correct way so it sounds sweet and innocent' face."
Nikki chuckled, "You know me too well. Let's just say these people care very much for the Quarter and preserving the history and atmosphere."
"You mean they are a bunch of uptight, anal people who bully and control things with an iron fist, said fist that should be rammed..."
"Nora..." Nikki exclaimed cutting off the last few words.
"Well? Am I so wrong? Do they see things only their way or the highway?"
"They are very influential..." Nikki frowned a bit thinking of the last election. "It does well not to get on their bad side..."
"Well Schilling was very active in preservation, was on the VC Commission and use to be a member of the VCPS. Gosser was trying to push through some code so he could get his establishment up and running. Maybe we can go explore that for a bit?" Nora looked hopeful as she began to stand.
Reading her partner's impatience and edginess, Nikki nodded. "I know just who can help us explore." Pushing her chair in, she headed out of the squad room.
Nora grabbed her keys and the folder, following behind Nikki,
"There ya go, told ya, action is the way."
"Shut up Gronzy," Nora growled as she continued past the detective's desk.
Gronzy watched the two women leave, chuckling to himself, "Can not wait till she comes over to our side."
Gronzy's partner gave the older detective a doubtful look.
"Just wait, watch and learn oh naïve rookie, just wait…"
---------------------------------------
"You know, these lunch meetings are becoming a favorite of mine, even if I am interrupting your digestion." Nikki joked as she hugged her father, perching on the edge of a seat at the table, Nora hovering behind, returning a wave to the young woman seated next to Arthur, Samantha Avoyelles Arthur's office assistant. "But if I can use you as an in with where I think we need to go next..."
"Well, I am not the best name to use as a reference with the VCPS." Arthur said, putting his napkin on his lap. "I'm afraid I tend to be a..." he made a slight face, casting a look at Samantha, the young woman returning a slight shrug and indifferent facial expression as she typed a few things into her digital pad. "A fencesitter and have gone against their recommendations on a few things."
Nikki chewed at her lip a bit, catching there was a bit of undercurrent, her glance idly cast downwards.
Nora frowned, picking up on the slight exchange between Arthur and his assistant.
"Among other things, I was the deciding vote a few months ago on a matter regarding height restrictions in the Quarter. I voted against their wishes, allowing the height restrictions to be overridden for an 18 month period."
Nikki reached out, absently wiping a bit of sausage that had spilled on her father's sleeve. Nora watched as Samantha's hand jerked back, the assistant having been moving to do the same thing, the young woman tucking her napkin back on her lap. "It's not like you to do something frivolous or that will hurt the Quarter." Her voice had risen in tone, a defensive quality percolating through. "I'm sure you saw things they did not.
Arthur smiled at his daughter's response, reaching out to pat her hand. "They miss many things as they are very fierce and loyal to the old ways and protecting the Quarter from encroaching marauders. Everyone lives in the past little one; it is just a matter of how they chose to do that."
"Was there a reason to vote against their recommendations?"
"Now we have come to the point where my gentle pushes were obviously, as usual, ignored. Leave be that little one.," Arthur, tugged at his tie, "they are having a meeting today, Samantha can give you the details. It is one of their weekly hen cluckings..."
"Daddy..."
"Well Sugar, it is. They sit around, crowing and complaining about the current state of affairs and thinking up ways to preserve and to pry and return to a time that can not ever exist again. Then they put some sucker on the hot seat and make them look like a simpering fool."
"You know, I believe that hot sauce has loosened your sensibilities." Nikki teased, glad to see a return smile from her father. "But, sometimes one must keep a stiff upper lip and make the best of it. At least that is what someone old and wise once told me."
"Old?" Arthur's eyebrow arched in disbelief. "I am in my prime, the world is my oyster."
"I think you've mixed metaphors there a bit, but I hope you find your pearl." Nikki stood, bending down to hug and kiss her father. She took the sheet of paper with the meeting information from Samantha.
"I've been blessed with two, but perhaps I may someday find a third." He replied as he returned the embrace. He settled back as he watched the two women begin to leave. "Oh Nikki,"
The two paused and turned back to the elder Beaumont.
"There are whisperings about that you and Jeremy are attending the festival this weekend."
Nikki's lips curled into an odd expression as she kept eye contact with her father, even as she felt the piercing stare from her partner. "And just where did you bump into those whispers?"
"Well you know what they say, love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea. And that gossip is something that goes in one ear, out the other, and over the back fence."
"I also know what you are really asking and the answer is, don't ask. How did you put it earlier, leave that be..." With that, Nikki turned on her heels and strode out of the restaurant.
Nora gave a last glance back at Nikki's father before heading out after her partner. She had sense enough to know not to pry right now and let Nikki cool, but it was just one more thing to store up and ask about later. Nikki might forget or let many things go, but Nora didn't.
Chapter 5
contact: docwho2000@hotmail.com
page last modified -
May 2, 2010
graphics from www.eosdev.com
|