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#Post#: 312--------------------------------------------------
PIERCING THE ARMOR Part 11
By: Cyberfox277 Date: February 19, 2012, 9:08 pm
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[center][sub]***The part of Amanda is temporarily being
understudied***[/sub][/center]
[center]***Later that evening***[/center]
Nikki is sitting at one of the Five Card Draw tables on board
the Queen of Spades in the number three seat. She has been
playing for the past two hours and has accumulated a pretty good
sized stack of chips. The dealer has just finished dealing out
draw cards to those who want them and the bet comes round to
Nikki. She looks at her hand for several seconds...her face
completely devoid of expression..then she casually taps the
table top to check her bet. player to her left looks his cards
over for several minutes and Nikki places her hand, face down,
on the table in front of her...her left hand resting casually on
the pad at the edge of the table and just her fingertips
touching the corner of the pile of 5 cards. He finally folds his
hand leaving a middle aged man...most likely a salesman, Nikki
guesses to herself based on the way he is dressed...in the
number one seat and a young man in the number two seat who
appears to be an avid ****r and Nikki in the game. Player 1
raises his bet and player 2 calls. Nikki looks at the man in
seat number 1....watching his eyes and face for any tell but he
stares intently at the cards in his hand and only tension can be
seen on his face. Nikki leans forward and begins to slowly pick
up 3 chips off of one of her piles then let them drop back onto
the pile, creating a licking sound. She repeats this small and
seemingly innocent "chip fiddling" as she considers her next
move. "Bet's to you, young lady," player 1 says grumpily without
looking at Nikki. Nikki continues to fiddle with her chips for a
few more minutes as it seems to annoy player 1 then she picks up
several chips and tosses them onto the pile in the middle of the
table.
Nikki: See and raise.
Nikki says simply in a soft, sweet voice that has a hint of a
southern accent. Player 1 looks up at her a bit surprised and
furrows his brow. He looks at player 2 then back to Nikki and
then he looks at his cards. Finally he tosses some chips into
the pot and announces, "all in." He looks at player 2 over the
top edge of the cards in his hand with intensity as he shoves
his 3 stacks of chips toward the center of the table. Player 4
lets out a soft whistle and Player 2 tosses his cards onto the
table and says with reluctance, "fold." Player 1's facial
expression seems to relax slightly and he moves his stare to
Nikki. Without picking her cards back up to review them, Nikki
once again begins fiddling with her chips so that they make the
clicking sound that seems to annoy her only opponent She looks
at player 1 then down at the pot. She looks back at player 1 who
has small beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Nikki stares
at him...still devoid of expression...for several seconds then
looks at the dealer.
Nikki: How much to call?
Nikki asks politely and the dealer says, "it'll be 9076 to
call." Nikki nods and looks back down at the pot then picks up
the required amount of chips and tosses them into the pot as she
looks directly into player 1's eyes.
Nikki: Call.
Nikki announces in a soft and sweet voice. Player 1 looks at
Nikki for several seconds then looks at each of the other
players. He makes eye contact with a few of the bystanders who
have gathered around to watch the game then he looks at his
hand. Somehow in the few seconds that he looks at his hand the
middle aged man convinces himself that he still has the winning
hand and he begins to lay down each of his 5 cards...face
up...one at a time. When he has finished he has a 10, 9, 8, 7
and 6 of diamonds showing and he looks at Nikki with a
victorious smirk. Nikki frowns and picks up her
cards...pretending to look at them worriedly...for several
seconds. Only the sound of the slot machines can be heard as
everything has become silent around the table. Then Nikki lets
out a sigh of disappointment and gives a slight shrug.
Nikki: Gee.....all I have is....
Nikki lays out her cards face up on the table.
Nikki: ...an 8....9....10....jack and queen of spades.
The spectators begin to applaud. Player 4 joins in as player 2
stands up and whispers to Nikki, "nicely played," then picks up
his stack of chips and moves away from the table. Player 1
stares at Nikki's cards in disbelief for a few seconds then
looks at her defiantly. "I think you cheated," he announces
bitterly and the crowd of spectators let out groans and moans.
"Oh come on, dude," player 4 says shaking his head. Player 1
looks at the dealer and repeats his accusation.
Nikki: And just how did I manage to do that?
Nikki asks innocently as she looks from her accuser to the
dealer and back again. "I don't know," player 1 says. "You had
cards stashed somewhere," he says raising his voice. "Where
would she stash them?" Player 4 asks with a chuckle. "Sir," the
dealer says in a calm voice, "the young lady is wearing a
strapless top." "And her pants are skin tight," player 4 says
and he glances at Nikki and whispers, "and are very
complimentary."
Nikki: Thank you.
Nikki says to player 4 and bats her eyelashes innocently.
"Well....I say she cheated," player 1 insists.
Amanda had been wandering amongst the tables, glancing at
people's cards and checking for anyone who might be trying to
rip her off. As a conner herself, she knew by now what to look
for. She had spotted Nikki entering the Queen of Spades, before
heading to her office to handle some "business", but sauntered
over as the troublesome player decided to be an idiot. "Is there
a problem over here, darling?" she questioned easily, as she
peered from one to the other.
Player 1 repeats his accusation and Nikki simply looks up at
Amanda and shrugs....giving her a look that says "honestly....I
didn't."
Amanda peered at the player and answered cheerfully.
Amanda: I don't allow sore losers in my club, darling.
The dealer asks the man to sit back down because he is causing a
scene but the man hits the top of the table with his fist and
shouts, "you're siding with her? What happened to the customer's
always right?" Nikki simply shakes her head as she gets to her
feet.
Nikki: Look.....I don't want to cause any trouble. I'm just here
for a friendly game of cards.
Nikki says...still using her soft sweet southern accented voice.
Amanda arches a brow, and folds her arms as she studies the man.
She's taller than he is, particularly with the heels and it
isn't very hard to loom over him.
By this time two security guards have stepped up and are
standing behind the man.
Amanda: I side with the person who isn't interrupting everyone's
fun. I...assume you remember where the doors are?
Amanda snaps her fingers at the security guards, and gestures to
the man in a blase type of way.
The man is escorted out of the building and the spectators
applaud. Nikki looks at her friend and shrugs slightly.
Nikki: Sorry about that, Mand.
Nikki says apologetically.
Amanda gives a small, unconcerned shrug. The customers around
them, seeing that the commotion - and therefore, the
entertainment - was over, turn their attention to their games
once more.
Amanda: I've handled worse, darling.
Nikki: I know. I just don't like being the cause.
Nikki says then steps up and gives Amanda a sorority sister
style kiss on both cheeks.
Nikki: So how are you?
Nikki asks. The dealer informs her that they will tally up her
winnings and hold them for her and Nikki thanks the young woman.
Amanda: Hardly! Sore losers are the cause. What brings you over
here...apart from winning, that is?
Amanda smiles slightly, as she leads the way to the back tables.
Amanda: Oh, you know me.
Nikki shrugs as she moves away from the table and out of earshot
of the people still milling around.
Nikki: I think I need some advice.
Nikki says quietly.
Amanda: Oh?
Amanda looks more than a little interested. With the trouble
she's been in, in the last few months it kind of amused her that
anyone would come to her for advice.
Nikki: Can we go up top where it's more private?
Nikki asks referring to the boat's top deck where the private
dining rooms were.
Amanda gestures to her office, set back away from the tables.
Amanda: I have a wonderfully renovated new office.
Amanda winks, as she leads the way inside.
Nikki says with a giggle as she follows Amanda.
Amanda: So! What's new with you, darling?
Amanda relaxes forward on her hand, elbow on the arm of the
sofa.
Nikki: Besides the fact that I think I'm losing my mind?
Nikki says with a shrug.
Nikki: Offer me a drink and I'll tell you.
Nikki says with a wink.
Amanda: Now that I can do.
Amanda moves across to the bar, in the corner of the office.
"What do you want?"
Nikki: What do I want.
Nikki says thoughtfully.
Nikki: You mean besides a calorie free world...and never having
a bad hair day? How about a margarita?
Nikki says lightheartedly.
Amanda snickers a little, and grabs the Tequila and Triple Sec
for the Margarita.
Amanda: It feels like days since I've sat back and relaxed.
Nikki: You know.....I didn't put this boat together for you so
that you can work hard.
Nikki says as she watches her friend mix her drink.
Nikki: It was supposed to be for fun.
Amanda: Well, sometimes duty calls, darling.
Amanda says, uncharacteristically.
Nikki: Looks like it is definitely profitable. I had to give the
guy at the gate a $100 bill to let me in. He said you are booked
into June.
Nikki catches something in her friend's voice that gives her
pause but she decides not to say anything. After all....it may
just be her imagination.
Amanda: You should have just told them who you are, darling. It
would have been quicker.
Nikki: Ah.....you know me. I hate to brag.
Nikki says with a nonchalant shrug.
Amanda: Well, what exactly is wrong darling? Don't leave me
hanging.
Amanda asks cheerfully.
Nikki waits until the blender stops so she doesn't have to yell
over it then she leans forward....getting ready to accept her
drink when Amanda hands it to her.
Nikki: Well......this is going to sound bizarre but here goes.
Nikki takes a deep breath.
Nikki: I've been having really weird thoughts about someone.
Nikki begins.
Nikki: Weird thoughts....bizarre feelings.....and even a totally
weird dream.
Amanda: If it's weird and bizarre, then it can't be a dream
about MacLeod.
Amanda comments, as she sits back down with her drink.
Nikki takes a sip of her drink and leans back against the sofa
cushions. She puts her feet on the coffee table and gets
comfortable as she takes another sip.
Nikki: It's definitely not about MacLeod.
Nikki says softly...shaking her head.
Nikki: OK......remember last year when I went to Ireland and
discovered my father is still alive?
Nikki asks and takes another sip of her drink.
Amanda nods her head, and idly slips a finger around the edge of
the glass to get the salt.
Nikki: And you remember who went with me?
Nikki asks as she tries to figure out the right words to use to
explain.
Amanda appears somewhat dubious at the question.
Amanda: ...Methos, unless my memory is fading with age, darling.
Nikki: Well.....ever since we got back I haven't been able to
get him out of my head.
Nikki finally says point blank.
Nikki: And then.....this afternoon....I had
this.....ummm....dream about him.
Amanda feels a little smirk surfacing at first, and giggles a
little bit. This reaction quickly fades however, as she notes
Nikki's expression and her tone of voice.
Nikki takes a few sips of her drink as she stalls.
Nikki: It's like.....
Nikki says and stops to think a minute.
Nikki: ...everything is different between us. Or something. Or
maybe I'm just imagining it.
Nikki empties her glass and sets it on the coffee table. Nervous
she gets up and walks over to the window of Amanda's office and
looks out at the peninsula
Nikki: I mean.....for all the years I've known him....he's
always treated me like a bratty kid sister or something.
Now......
Nikki stops and chews on her lower lip.
Nikki: Am I losing it?
Nikki asks looking directly at Amanda.
Nikki: I've tried everything I can think of to stop but I can't.
The dream? This afternoon? We made love, Mand. Beautiful love.
Nikki walks over and sits down on the front edge of the sofa and
turns to face her friend.
Nikki: I mean I feel like a stupid silly school girl. Can this
be real?
Nikki shakes her head.
Nikki: I know it's not. It can't be.
Nikki answers her own question and gets back up. She walks back
over to the window.
Nikki: I mean....come on. Me and Methos? It's ridiculous. He'd
laugh me into the ground.
Nikki turns around and looks at Amanda questioningly.
Nikki: Wouldn't he?
Amanda watches her friend with concern.
Amanda: I'd be more concerned about the fact that he's
perpetually unable to commit, darling.
Nikki laughs.
Nikki: Oh....and like I'm the poster girl for commitment? I turn
down a proposal from a perfectly wonderful guy....Craig.....and
when Duncan starts sounding like he's serious I pack up and
hightail it out of there. Not once....but twice.
Nikki comes back and sits back down.
Nikki: I mean....the thought of saying the L word scares the you
know what out of me.
Amanda: Why is that exactly?
Amanda asks and reaches out to pat Nikki on the hand.
Amanda: What's the worse that can happen?
Nikki looks at Amanda completely serious.
Nikki: I could lose him.....them....whatever.
Nikki says and lowers her head....ashamed of showing her fear to
Amanda.
Amanda: That is always a possibility with an Immortal. And a
probability with a Mortal. But let me ask you this. When you are
as old as I am and look back on your life....do you want to have
never known what it felt like to be in love? Because there's
nothing like it in the whole world. To have not experienced
being in love and having someone in love with you would be like
never having tasted champagne and chocolate.
Amanda says looking at her friend.
Nikki: Champagne and chocolate can't break your heart.
Nikki says emphatically.
Amanda: So what are you going to do? Run from it forever? I
never took you for the cowardly type.
Amanda says, feigning disappointment.
Nikki shoots her a dirty look but says nothing.
Amanda: If you want my opinion....Methos takes some getting used
to. But once you get past his smarmy exterior....he's got a
heart the size of Texas and he's a good man. But you know that
already. Besides....you guys have already established one of the
best foundations that a relationship can be built on and that is
friendship. He trusts you....which is saying a lot for
Methos....and you trust him....right?
Nikki: With my life.
Amanda: Look. The way I see it you have a choice. You can either
give in to it and tell him how you feel or you can bury your
feelings and run away. And only you can decide which way to go.
Amanda says. Just then Amanda's secretary pokes her head around
the corner and says, "Excuse me, Miss Darieux. I hate to bother
you but Mr. Philbin is on line 2."
Amanda: Thank you. I'll be down in a second.
Amanda says to her secretary and gets to her feet.
Amanda: I have to take this, Nik.
Nikki stands up and smiles.
Nikki: That's OK. I have to get going anyway. Thanks, Mand, for
listening.
Amanda: That's what friends do.
Amanda says and hugs Nikki.
Amanda: Whatever your decision....I'll be here for you.
Amanda says and lets go of her friend. She turns and heads
downstairs to her office.
[i][color=bluepurple]Nikki walks over to the railing and looks
out over the peninsula...deep in thought.
[center]To be continued[/center]
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