Fic: Waiting to Happen
Title: Waiting to Happen
Fandom: Law & Order: SIU rpg, however you need not be familiar with the game to read it. Familiarity with L&O would help, though. The only thing you need to know is that Katie Gorton is the daughter of Jamie Ross. Technically, I guess this is a Law & Order/L&O:TBJ/Conviction/Night Court crossover.
Characters: Katie Gorton (L&O)/Nick Potter (Conviction), with mentions of Jamie Ross (L&O/TBJ), Dan Fielding (Night Court), Amanda Anderly (TBJ) and a special appearance by Robert Enslow (OC property of neojess)
Word Count: 2,989 (holy verbosity, Batman!)
Rating: PG-13 for Language
Notes: Written with neojess. The original character Robert Enslow is her property. All other characters are property of Dick Wolf, and in the case of Night Court, Reinholt Weege.
Outside the Chelsea brownstone, Katie Gorton, her shoulder-length brown hair upswept for the occasion, waited for her date to arrive. She was dressed appropriately for the cocktail party they were attending, in a simple black dress with a matching black rhinestone-studded clutch. As the town car approached, she smiled slightly to herself and stood at the curb, kitten heels teetering slightly over the edge.
A moment later, the car stopped and Nick Potter got out. He smiled when he saw Katie.
“You look great,” he told her.
Katie smirked. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Nick blushed at the compliment, still unused to them.
His propensity for getting embarrassed over the slightest things always made her smile and she did so then, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
Nick looked slightly uncomfortable. “We should go…”
Katie gave him one of her looks, one that read ‘aren’t you going to return the favor?’
His smile was almost stiff as he leaned over to give her the smallest peck on the cheek. Katie frowned slightly at that as she got into the car.
Following her into the car, Nick buckled his seatbelt before leaning over to give her an actual longer kiss.
“That’s better,” Katie said.
“Yes, well…” He tugged on his collar. “I’m not sure who I want to see that less…Uncle Dan or Aunt Jamie.”
Katie made a face. “My mom is totally not your aunt. And your uncle is not my stepdad.”
“But she’s married to my uncle.”
Katie blinked. “She’s not your aunt. Because then this would be weird.”
“But…”
“What?” Katie stared at him.
“It…Uh…they…” Nick stammered.
Katie crossed her arms with a frown and looked out the window.
“Is-is it weird?” Nick asked.
“I don’t think so,” Katie said. “We’re not blood related in any way whatsoever and we were dating before they got married. I think Dan makes it weirder than it needs to be and he weirds me out by doing so.”
“…he may do that on purpose,” Nick said of his uncle, Dan Fielding, who was very recently married to Katie’s mother, Jamie Ross.
“Why?” Katie’s tone was annoyed. She still wasn’t used to Fielding and found it hard to tell when he was joking or was actually being serious.
“You might not have noticed this, but…he provokes people,” Nick said, as if explaining a new concept.
“I knew that,” she sniffed. “He could be nicer. Anyway, where are we going again?”
“Cocktail party for the Law Review members,” Nick reminded her.
“Right.” She smoothed her dress and glanced over at him, dusting off invisible lint from the lapel of his jacket.
“There’ll be a few professors and judges there,” Nick went on.
“Oh, great.” Katie said. “Hopefully no one my mom knows.”
She was eager to make contacts in the world of law, but she also didn’t want to be constantly introduced as Judge Ross or Neil Gorton’s daughter. She did want to make a good impression, though. Usually when she went out with Nick, it was just the two of them. A couple of times she took him with her friends, to impress them with her older, lawyer boyfriend, but she hadn’t really been around his circle of friends.
She patted her hair and then Katie leaned over, straightening Nick’s tie. He fidgeted as she did so.
“What is it?” She asked, looking at him.
“The tie thing,” he said.
Her hand rested on his lapel. “What about it?”
“All men hate that,” he explained.
“Oh.” She smirked. “Too bad.”
He shook his head and she grinned.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the townhouse of Judge Amanda Anderly, where the gathering was being held. Nick took her arm when they got out, and they walked in together.
The foyer and the adjoining rooms were filled with mostly young lawyers who were milling about, drinking and eating off of small platters of hors’doeuvres. They were in their mid-twenties to early thirties, all on the rise to becoming the next big corporate lawyer or prosecutor. At nearly 21 and merely a pre-law student, Katie suddenly felt way out of her league.
Though she felt that way, she certainly didn’t show it and as Nick took her around to people he knew, she smiled and laughed when appropriate, making small talk with his friends. He knew a surprising amount of people and was very polite with each of them.
When they’d left one group of people, Nick touched Katie’s arm lightly. “I have to go meet Judge Anderly for a moment.”
Katie nodded at the mention of the hostess. “Amanda?”
“You know her?” Nick asked.
“Yeah. She’s friends with my mom. I went to school with her son.”
“When we’re done, I’ll send her along, should I?” Nick asked.
Katie shrugged. “Just tell her I said hi. I just saw her the other day.”
“Oh, alright,” Nick said. “I’ll hurry back.”
“Okay, I’m gonna go get another drink.”
“Alright,” he said, starting toward where the blond judge was standing amidst a group of people.
Katie headed toward the bar. She walked up and didn’t immediately notice the man sitting in a chair, next to it. She ordered a screwdriver and waited for it.
“He-llo,” the man’s voice carried, singsong in tone.
Katie glanced over, unsure of whether he was talking to her or not.
“Yes, you with the legs,” he grinned, somewhat inebriated.
“Yeah?” She narrowed her eyes.
“You’re having a screwdriver?” He asked.
“What are you, the drink police?” She asked.
“Yes, I am,” Robert Enslow said cheerfully. “Your taste expired in the fifties, and that isn’t retro yet.”
She eyed him with disdain. “That’s a lot of judgment coming from someone wearing last season loafers.”
“That’s prep for you,” he shrugged.
She rolled her eyes and took a drink from her glass tumbler.
“Anyhow, what's a junior hot thing like you doing here?” he asked.
“I’m with someone who’s on the Law Review,” she said.
“That would be any of us,” Enslow pointed out.
Katie smirked, not so nicely.
“Want to bag this place?” he asked. “Wow, you look familiar.”
With a slight nose wrinkle, Katie addressed him, as if addressing something foul. “I'm with my boyfriend. Nick Potter. Maybe you know him.”
Rob thought a moment. “Potter...Potter... WIENER?
Katie narrowed her eyes at the incredulous tone in Enslow’s voice.
He couldn’t believe it.
“You're with HIM?”
“Yes.”
“YOU"RE with him?”
She crossed her arms, glaring.
“You’re WITH him?” He couldn’t get over it.
“That’s right,” she said, annoyed.
“That does not add up.” Rob frowned, still processing in his drunken state. “Wiener. Wiener Potter.”
“He's not a wiener,” Katie hissed.
“Yes, he is,” Rob grinned.
“I only see one dick at the moment, and I'm looking at him,” Katie tried to keep her voice down.
Enslow downed his gin. “Are you sure we haven’t slept with each other?”
“Ew,” Katie made a face. “You’re much too old.”
“Oh, really?” He raised his brows. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one,” she said, telling herself ‘close enough.’
“That's not out of range,” he said.
She looked at him with contempt. “It's out of my range. Besides. Like I said. Boyfriend.”
“Oh, yes. Wiener,” Rob grinned.
Katie rolled her eyes. “So mature.”
He squinted. “Then why do you look so familiar?”
“How would I know?” She frowned.
“Hmmm. Turn around?” He knew he’d seen that ass before. But where?
Katie glared. “No.”
“You…oh, well,” he shrugged. “I’ll just ask Wiener.”
“Ask him what?”
“Who you are.”
“Oh.” Katie sighed. “Katie Gorton.”
“Gorton…Gorton…” The name registered with Enslow. “Neil Gorton?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“That would mean your mother is…Jamie Ross?”
“Very good,” Katie rolled her eyes.
“I thought your legs looked familiar,” Rob grinned.
Katie turned red.
“Mmmhmm.” The grin didn’t lift.
“Jerk,” she muttered.
“Guilty,” he smirked.
Katie looked around for Nick, hoping he was finishing with the judge soon. Fortunately for her, he was returning just then.
Robert spotted him and with an almost child-like joy, called out, “Wiener!”
Nick turned bright red at the name. “Robert,” he managed.
Katie beelined for Nick, clutching his arm. He could see the annoyance on her face and put his hand over hers.
Not knowing what had transpired already, Nick simply put on his best polite face and said, “Robert, this is Katie, my girlfriend. Katie, this is Robert Enslow. He was clerking for Judge Anderly when I interned.”
Katie smirked, feeling more confident with Nick at her side. “Ah. Jerkboy has a name.”
“Jerk-ah, Katie,” Nick sighed, desperately not wanting a scene.
“Uh, Wiener, how old is your pal?” Robert looked at Katie, who was still glaring.
“Almost twenty-one,” Katie said, annoyed.
Robert looked amused. “Still too young for Hairy Potter...and that drink.”
“Go fall over in a trash can or something!” Katie exclaimed, angrily.
“Katie!” Nick turned red again.
“What?” she spat. “He's old and drunkish and was looking at my legs!”
“I'm only six years older than your love-muffin!” Robert said.
“Enslow!” Nick looked ready to faint.
“And yet, you look so much older,” Katie sneered.
“That's the gin,” Robert’s voice was matter-of-fact. “And besides, Potty looks like a high-schooler. See, some of us have hit puberty. Puuuuube-erty.”
Nick looked from his girlfriend to his acquaintance, not knowing who to shout at.
“You know, I don't have to stand here and listen to you,” Katie said. She turned on her heel, expecting Nick to follow as she stomped off.
“Ah…” Nick glanced at Enslow. “It was great to see you…er…no. Um. Er. Ass!” He sort of waved and then turned to follow Katie.
Robert nearly peed himself with amusement. “Go, Wiener!”
Katie muttered to herself as she walked away, toward the living room. “Freaking asshole…”
Nick caught up to her, walking by her side. “Katie…that was…I don’t like scenes…”
She glared at him. “He started it.”
“Yes, well, did you have to finish it?” Nick asked.
“He was being a jerk!”
“And? Ignore him.”
She frowned, hard. “And I guess it’s catching.” She held her purse tightly. “I’m going outside for some air.”
“We can leave if you want,” Nick said.
“No, no,” Katie said. “I’d hate for you to miss any of your other little buddies.” She made her way toward the door.
Nick sighed and went out onto the steps with her. She ignored him, getting out her phone and checking something on the screen. He lingered a moment more and then went inside to get a drink. Warily, he kept his eye on the doors.
On the steps, Katie stood, sulking. She sniffed a little, trying to compose herself, telling herself to be nice. After a few minutes, she went back inside.
When he saw her come back in, the relief was momentarily visible on Nick’s face. Katie didn’t notice, however, as she was looking around for him. Her countenance had since turned softer, no longer angry. Nick excused himself from the group he was talking with and went over to her.
Katie didn’t immediately say anything.
“How are you?” Nick asked, quietly.
“Hungry,” Katie said.
“There's canapés.....or we could go.” Nick looked at her. “If you want to go, we can...”
“Don’t you have to stay or something?” Katie asked.
“No. I don't have to do anything,” Nick said without pretension. “I'm Dan Fielding's nephew...JP Potter's son...and Judge Ross's...friend. I can do what I want.”
Her voice was quiet as she looked up at him. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to leave if you’re uncomfortable,” he said, looking around. “I said hello. If anyone here is my friend, I’ll see them around. I wanted you to meet people. You did.”
“I'm not uncomfortable,” Katie said. “That guy was just being dumb.”
“That's the way Enslow is. He reminds me of Uncle Dan.” Nick thought a moment. “Plus, he's much better at work. He hates these things, so he's usually completely in the bag.”
Katie was unimpressed. “It didn't bother you that he was sitting there ogling me?”
“He what?” Nick sounded for once annoyed.
“I told you he was looking at my legs,” Katie muttered.
“Yes, but...lots of people look at your legs.” Nick glanced down. “I did, before. I still do.”
She still looked indignant. “That's different. You're not lewd about it.”
“Drunk or not,” Nick’s voice became angry. “Did you tell him to stop?”
“No, I told him he was a jerk.” Katie rolled her eyes.
Nick’s face fell. “...then I can't hit him.”
“Telling him he was a jerk should have tipped him off not to do it,” Katie pointed out.
“Still,” Nick, ever about honor and fairness, said. “I'll demand that he apologize when he sobers up.”
“Good,” Katie said.
“Shall we go?” Nick asked.
Katie nodded and off they went.
After deciding to go back to Nick’s place and order in, they arrived not long after, courtesy again of his driver.
Katie went in with him, taking off her shoes and setting her purse near the door. Nick settled onto the couch and started rifling through takeout menus.
“What do you feel like having?” Nick asked. “I need to get out of this suit.” He tugged at his tie.
“I’ll decide, you change,” Katie smiled, taking the menus. Just as she found an Italian place to order from, Nick returned in sweats and a Harvard t-shirt.
“Would you like to borrow something to wear?” Nick asked, eyeing her fancy dress getting wrinkled on the couch.
“Sure,” Katie said.
“I have some t-shirts you can use,” he added.
“Okay.” She smiled a little at him.
As she got up, he went on, quickly. “Um, Katie?”
“Yeah?” She looked at him expectantly.
“I really appreciate you standing up for me…” He looked tentative.
She didn’t notice, only shrugging. “If someone's rude to you when I'm around, I'm not just going to be quiet about it.”
“Yes…but there’s a time and a place…and a way,” Nick managed.
Katie frowned. “...meaning?”
“That was slightly embarrassing,” Nick said.
“Embarrassing?” She took a moment to register the statement.
“With the yelling and the…you know…”
Katie crossed her arms. “With the what?”
“You know…”
“What, Nick??”
Nick sighed. “Scenes.”
“Scenes? He was being an asshole!” She was indignant.
“Yes, he was…but…please…don’t react to that,” Nick said, his voice still even.
“Don’t react to that? What am I supposed to do, just shut up and let people be jerks?” Katie Gorton was not used to people treating her poorly, nor was she used to letting them get away with it if they did. She had learned from her father that if you wanted something, all you had to do was be loud about it, and she’d never been shown any different.
“Yes, ignore them,” Nick, who had been taught just the opposite, said calmly.
She glared. “So I won’t embarrass you.”
“Or you,” his voice wavered only slightly, and then added with more self-assurance, “Or yourself. You’re better than that.”
She sniffed a little. “So now I’m an embarrassment to myself? Thanks.”
“Katie, that’s not what I meant,” Nick insisted.
“Yeah, whatever. I saw the look you gave me at that stupid party, Nick. You chastised me like a little kid.”
“I didn’t!” He tried to put a hand on her arm.
“Is that what you think I am?” She sniffled again, angry tears falling down her cheeks. “I know I’m not as sophisticated as your friends, Nick…” Her arms were still crossed over her chest.
“I didn’t say that either. Katie…you’re sophisticated enough.” He sighed. “I just asked you to think next time. If you’re that upset, I’ll understand.”
She listened, chewing on her lip as she did so, more upset at herself, than anything. Quietly, she spoke. “I embarrassed you.”
He moved his hand to hers, trying to uncross her arms, if she’d let him. “Only a little. If I’d overreacted or seen you being insulted, I might have created a scene.”
Katie let him move her arms, so he was holding her hands in his, but she didn’t look up, embarrassed of herself. “I’m sorry,” she said, voice still subdued.
“It’s alright,” he said, sincerely. “Katie…if we’re trying to…I don’t know…be together…we have to talk about things, right?”
She nodded, sitting back down with him on the couch, looking a little sad.
“We have to try,” he said, his voice soft.
Wiping her eyes, she nodded again.
“I don’t want you to change who you are,” Nick said. “I’d never ask you to do that…Maybe I shouldn’t have said something.”
“No…” She looked down at her hands. “It was childish. I act…like a child.” Her voice was nearly inaudible. “I’m trying…to be better.”
“Katie…you’re twenty,” he said gently. “You’re a lot more mature than I was then.”
She looked doubtful. “That’s not true.”
“Okay, but…trying is good.” He thought a moment. “I’m trying to…not be a wuss.”
Finally, Katie looked up, giving him a sideways glance. “You’re not a wuss.”
“Yeah, sure,” he almost laughed.
Sitting straight up, she looked him in the eye, her face void of pretension or of being guarded. “ I think...you should stand up for yourself more often. But I don't think you're a wuss. You stand up when it counts...” She bit her lip. “And you're one of the nicest people I know.”
Nick was a bit shocked. “…thank you.”
Leaning over to kiss him, she only smiled. He kissed her back, putting a hesitant arm around her.
“I love that you get passionate about things,” he told her. “I do. It makes you who you are. And you’re terrific, Katie.”
Her eyes were watery again, but for a different reason. “Thanks,” she managed.
“No…it’s true,” he said.
She smiled a little and he leaned down to kiss her again. She returned it and stayed close a moment, looking up into his eyes.
“There are so many good things about you,” he said, “Just waiting to happen.”
Fandom: Law & Order: SIU rpg, however you need not be familiar with the game to read it. Familiarity with L&O would help, though. The only thing you need to know is that Katie Gorton is the daughter of Jamie Ross. Technically, I guess this is a Law & Order/L&O:TBJ/Conviction/Night Court crossover.
Characters: Katie Gorton (L&O)/Nick Potter (Conviction), with mentions of Jamie Ross (L&O/TBJ), Dan Fielding (Night Court), Amanda Anderly (TBJ) and a special appearance by Robert Enslow (OC property of neojess)
Word Count: 2,989 (holy verbosity, Batman!)
Rating: PG-13 for Language
Notes: Written with neojess. The original character Robert Enslow is her property. All other characters are property of Dick Wolf, and in the case of Night Court, Reinholt Weege.
Outside the Chelsea brownstone, Katie Gorton, her shoulder-length brown hair upswept for the occasion, waited for her date to arrive. She was dressed appropriately for the cocktail party they were attending, in a simple black dress with a matching black rhinestone-studded clutch. As the town car approached, she smiled slightly to herself and stood at the curb, kitten heels teetering slightly over the edge.
A moment later, the car stopped and Nick Potter got out. He smiled when he saw Katie.
“You look great,” he told her.
Katie smirked. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Nick blushed at the compliment, still unused to them.
His propensity for getting embarrassed over the slightest things always made her smile and she did so then, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
Nick looked slightly uncomfortable. “We should go…”
Katie gave him one of her looks, one that read ‘aren’t you going to return the favor?’
His smile was almost stiff as he leaned over to give her the smallest peck on the cheek. Katie frowned slightly at that as she got into the car.
Following her into the car, Nick buckled his seatbelt before leaning over to give her an actual longer kiss.
“That’s better,” Katie said.
“Yes, well…” He tugged on his collar. “I’m not sure who I want to see that less…Uncle Dan or Aunt Jamie.”
Katie made a face. “My mom is totally not your aunt. And your uncle is not my stepdad.”
“But she’s married to my uncle.”
Katie blinked. “She’s not your aunt. Because then this would be weird.”
“But…”
“What?” Katie stared at him.
“It…Uh…they…” Nick stammered.
Katie crossed her arms with a frown and looked out the window.
“Is-is it weird?” Nick asked.
“I don’t think so,” Katie said. “We’re not blood related in any way whatsoever and we were dating before they got married. I think Dan makes it weirder than it needs to be and he weirds me out by doing so.”
“…he may do that on purpose,” Nick said of his uncle, Dan Fielding, who was very recently married to Katie’s mother, Jamie Ross.
“Why?” Katie’s tone was annoyed. She still wasn’t used to Fielding and found it hard to tell when he was joking or was actually being serious.
“You might not have noticed this, but…he provokes people,” Nick said, as if explaining a new concept.
“I knew that,” she sniffed. “He could be nicer. Anyway, where are we going again?”
“Cocktail party for the Law Review members,” Nick reminded her.
“Right.” She smoothed her dress and glanced over at him, dusting off invisible lint from the lapel of his jacket.
“There’ll be a few professors and judges there,” Nick went on.
“Oh, great.” Katie said. “Hopefully no one my mom knows.”
She was eager to make contacts in the world of law, but she also didn’t want to be constantly introduced as Judge Ross or Neil Gorton’s daughter. She did want to make a good impression, though. Usually when she went out with Nick, it was just the two of them. A couple of times she took him with her friends, to impress them with her older, lawyer boyfriend, but she hadn’t really been around his circle of friends.
She patted her hair and then Katie leaned over, straightening Nick’s tie. He fidgeted as she did so.
“What is it?” She asked, looking at him.
“The tie thing,” he said.
Her hand rested on his lapel. “What about it?”
“All men hate that,” he explained.
“Oh.” She smirked. “Too bad.”
He shook his head and she grinned.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the townhouse of Judge Amanda Anderly, where the gathering was being held. Nick took her arm when they got out, and they walked in together.
The foyer and the adjoining rooms were filled with mostly young lawyers who were milling about, drinking and eating off of small platters of hors’doeuvres. They were in their mid-twenties to early thirties, all on the rise to becoming the next big corporate lawyer or prosecutor. At nearly 21 and merely a pre-law student, Katie suddenly felt way out of her league.
Though she felt that way, she certainly didn’t show it and as Nick took her around to people he knew, she smiled and laughed when appropriate, making small talk with his friends. He knew a surprising amount of people and was very polite with each of them.
When they’d left one group of people, Nick touched Katie’s arm lightly. “I have to go meet Judge Anderly for a moment.”
Katie nodded at the mention of the hostess. “Amanda?”
“You know her?” Nick asked.
“Yeah. She’s friends with my mom. I went to school with her son.”
“When we’re done, I’ll send her along, should I?” Nick asked.
Katie shrugged. “Just tell her I said hi. I just saw her the other day.”
“Oh, alright,” Nick said. “I’ll hurry back.”
“Okay, I’m gonna go get another drink.”
“Alright,” he said, starting toward where the blond judge was standing amidst a group of people.
Katie headed toward the bar. She walked up and didn’t immediately notice the man sitting in a chair, next to it. She ordered a screwdriver and waited for it.
“He-llo,” the man’s voice carried, singsong in tone.
Katie glanced over, unsure of whether he was talking to her or not.
“Yes, you with the legs,” he grinned, somewhat inebriated.
“Yeah?” She narrowed her eyes.
“You’re having a screwdriver?” He asked.
“What are you, the drink police?” She asked.
“Yes, I am,” Robert Enslow said cheerfully. “Your taste expired in the fifties, and that isn’t retro yet.”
She eyed him with disdain. “That’s a lot of judgment coming from someone wearing last season loafers.”
“That’s prep for you,” he shrugged.
She rolled her eyes and took a drink from her glass tumbler.
“Anyhow, what's a junior hot thing like you doing here?” he asked.
“I’m with someone who’s on the Law Review,” she said.
“That would be any of us,” Enslow pointed out.
Katie smirked, not so nicely.
“Want to bag this place?” he asked. “Wow, you look familiar.”
With a slight nose wrinkle, Katie addressed him, as if addressing something foul. “I'm with my boyfriend. Nick Potter. Maybe you know him.”
Rob thought a moment. “Potter...Potter... WIENER?
Katie narrowed her eyes at the incredulous tone in Enslow’s voice.
He couldn’t believe it.
“You're with HIM?”
“Yes.”
“YOU"RE with him?”
She crossed her arms, glaring.
“You’re WITH him?” He couldn’t get over it.
“That’s right,” she said, annoyed.
“That does not add up.” Rob frowned, still processing in his drunken state. “Wiener. Wiener Potter.”
“He's not a wiener,” Katie hissed.
“Yes, he is,” Rob grinned.
“I only see one dick at the moment, and I'm looking at him,” Katie tried to keep her voice down.
Enslow downed his gin. “Are you sure we haven’t slept with each other?”
“Ew,” Katie made a face. “You’re much too old.”
“Oh, really?” He raised his brows. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one,” she said, telling herself ‘close enough.’
“That's not out of range,” he said.
She looked at him with contempt. “It's out of my range. Besides. Like I said. Boyfriend.”
“Oh, yes. Wiener,” Rob grinned.
Katie rolled her eyes. “So mature.”
He squinted. “Then why do you look so familiar?”
“How would I know?” She frowned.
“Hmmm. Turn around?” He knew he’d seen that ass before. But where?
Katie glared. “No.”
“You…oh, well,” he shrugged. “I’ll just ask Wiener.”
“Ask him what?”
“Who you are.”
“Oh.” Katie sighed. “Katie Gorton.”
“Gorton…Gorton…” The name registered with Enslow. “Neil Gorton?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“That would mean your mother is…Jamie Ross?”
“Very good,” Katie rolled her eyes.
“I thought your legs looked familiar,” Rob grinned.
Katie turned red.
“Mmmhmm.” The grin didn’t lift.
“Jerk,” she muttered.
“Guilty,” he smirked.
Katie looked around for Nick, hoping he was finishing with the judge soon. Fortunately for her, he was returning just then.
Robert spotted him and with an almost child-like joy, called out, “Wiener!”
Nick turned bright red at the name. “Robert,” he managed.
Katie beelined for Nick, clutching his arm. He could see the annoyance on her face and put his hand over hers.
Not knowing what had transpired already, Nick simply put on his best polite face and said, “Robert, this is Katie, my girlfriend. Katie, this is Robert Enslow. He was clerking for Judge Anderly when I interned.”
Katie smirked, feeling more confident with Nick at her side. “Ah. Jerkboy has a name.”
“Jerk-ah, Katie,” Nick sighed, desperately not wanting a scene.
“Uh, Wiener, how old is your pal?” Robert looked at Katie, who was still glaring.
“Almost twenty-one,” Katie said, annoyed.
Robert looked amused. “Still too young for Hairy Potter...and that drink.”
“Go fall over in a trash can or something!” Katie exclaimed, angrily.
“Katie!” Nick turned red again.
“What?” she spat. “He's old and drunkish and was looking at my legs!”
“I'm only six years older than your love-muffin!” Robert said.
“Enslow!” Nick looked ready to faint.
“And yet, you look so much older,” Katie sneered.
“That's the gin,” Robert’s voice was matter-of-fact. “And besides, Potty looks like a high-schooler. See, some of us have hit puberty. Puuuuube-erty.”
Nick looked from his girlfriend to his acquaintance, not knowing who to shout at.
“You know, I don't have to stand here and listen to you,” Katie said. She turned on her heel, expecting Nick to follow as she stomped off.
“Ah…” Nick glanced at Enslow. “It was great to see you…er…no. Um. Er. Ass!” He sort of waved and then turned to follow Katie.
Robert nearly peed himself with amusement. “Go, Wiener!”
Katie muttered to herself as she walked away, toward the living room. “Freaking asshole…”
Nick caught up to her, walking by her side. “Katie…that was…I don’t like scenes…”
She glared at him. “He started it.”
“Yes, well, did you have to finish it?” Nick asked.
“He was being a jerk!”
“And? Ignore him.”
She frowned, hard. “And I guess it’s catching.” She held her purse tightly. “I’m going outside for some air.”
“We can leave if you want,” Nick said.
“No, no,” Katie said. “I’d hate for you to miss any of your other little buddies.” She made her way toward the door.
Nick sighed and went out onto the steps with her. She ignored him, getting out her phone and checking something on the screen. He lingered a moment more and then went inside to get a drink. Warily, he kept his eye on the doors.
On the steps, Katie stood, sulking. She sniffed a little, trying to compose herself, telling herself to be nice. After a few minutes, she went back inside.
When he saw her come back in, the relief was momentarily visible on Nick’s face. Katie didn’t notice, however, as she was looking around for him. Her countenance had since turned softer, no longer angry. Nick excused himself from the group he was talking with and went over to her.
Katie didn’t immediately say anything.
“How are you?” Nick asked, quietly.
“Hungry,” Katie said.
“There's canapés.....or we could go.” Nick looked at her. “If you want to go, we can...”
“Don’t you have to stay or something?” Katie asked.
“No. I don't have to do anything,” Nick said without pretension. “I'm Dan Fielding's nephew...JP Potter's son...and Judge Ross's...friend. I can do what I want.”
Her voice was quiet as she looked up at him. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to leave if you’re uncomfortable,” he said, looking around. “I said hello. If anyone here is my friend, I’ll see them around. I wanted you to meet people. You did.”
“I'm not uncomfortable,” Katie said. “That guy was just being dumb.”
“That's the way Enslow is. He reminds me of Uncle Dan.” Nick thought a moment. “Plus, he's much better at work. He hates these things, so he's usually completely in the bag.”
Katie was unimpressed. “It didn't bother you that he was sitting there ogling me?”
“He what?” Nick sounded for once annoyed.
“I told you he was looking at my legs,” Katie muttered.
“Yes, but...lots of people look at your legs.” Nick glanced down. “I did, before. I still do.”
She still looked indignant. “That's different. You're not lewd about it.”
“Drunk or not,” Nick’s voice became angry. “Did you tell him to stop?”
“No, I told him he was a jerk.” Katie rolled her eyes.
Nick’s face fell. “...then I can't hit him.”
“Telling him he was a jerk should have tipped him off not to do it,” Katie pointed out.
“Still,” Nick, ever about honor and fairness, said. “I'll demand that he apologize when he sobers up.”
“Good,” Katie said.
“Shall we go?” Nick asked.
Katie nodded and off they went.
After deciding to go back to Nick’s place and order in, they arrived not long after, courtesy again of his driver.
Katie went in with him, taking off her shoes and setting her purse near the door. Nick settled onto the couch and started rifling through takeout menus.
“What do you feel like having?” Nick asked. “I need to get out of this suit.” He tugged at his tie.
“I’ll decide, you change,” Katie smiled, taking the menus. Just as she found an Italian place to order from, Nick returned in sweats and a Harvard t-shirt.
“Would you like to borrow something to wear?” Nick asked, eyeing her fancy dress getting wrinkled on the couch.
“Sure,” Katie said.
“I have some t-shirts you can use,” he added.
“Okay.” She smiled a little at him.
As she got up, he went on, quickly. “Um, Katie?”
“Yeah?” She looked at him expectantly.
“I really appreciate you standing up for me…” He looked tentative.
She didn’t notice, only shrugging. “If someone's rude to you when I'm around, I'm not just going to be quiet about it.”
“Yes…but there’s a time and a place…and a way,” Nick managed.
Katie frowned. “...meaning?”
“That was slightly embarrassing,” Nick said.
“Embarrassing?” She took a moment to register the statement.
“With the yelling and the…you know…”
Katie crossed her arms. “With the what?”
“You know…”
“What, Nick??”
Nick sighed. “Scenes.”
“Scenes? He was being an asshole!” She was indignant.
“Yes, he was…but…please…don’t react to that,” Nick said, his voice still even.
“Don’t react to that? What am I supposed to do, just shut up and let people be jerks?” Katie Gorton was not used to people treating her poorly, nor was she used to letting them get away with it if they did. She had learned from her father that if you wanted something, all you had to do was be loud about it, and she’d never been shown any different.
“Yes, ignore them,” Nick, who had been taught just the opposite, said calmly.
She glared. “So I won’t embarrass you.”
“Or you,” his voice wavered only slightly, and then added with more self-assurance, “Or yourself. You’re better than that.”
She sniffed a little. “So now I’m an embarrassment to myself? Thanks.”
“Katie, that’s not what I meant,” Nick insisted.
“Yeah, whatever. I saw the look you gave me at that stupid party, Nick. You chastised me like a little kid.”
“I didn’t!” He tried to put a hand on her arm.
“Is that what you think I am?” She sniffled again, angry tears falling down her cheeks. “I know I’m not as sophisticated as your friends, Nick…” Her arms were still crossed over her chest.
“I didn’t say that either. Katie…you’re sophisticated enough.” He sighed. “I just asked you to think next time. If you’re that upset, I’ll understand.”
She listened, chewing on her lip as she did so, more upset at herself, than anything. Quietly, she spoke. “I embarrassed you.”
He moved his hand to hers, trying to uncross her arms, if she’d let him. “Only a little. If I’d overreacted or seen you being insulted, I might have created a scene.”
Katie let him move her arms, so he was holding her hands in his, but she didn’t look up, embarrassed of herself. “I’m sorry,” she said, voice still subdued.
“It’s alright,” he said, sincerely. “Katie…if we’re trying to…I don’t know…be together…we have to talk about things, right?”
She nodded, sitting back down with him on the couch, looking a little sad.
“We have to try,” he said, his voice soft.
Wiping her eyes, she nodded again.
“I don’t want you to change who you are,” Nick said. “I’d never ask you to do that…Maybe I shouldn’t have said something.”
“No…” She looked down at her hands. “It was childish. I act…like a child.” Her voice was nearly inaudible. “I’m trying…to be better.”
“Katie…you’re twenty,” he said gently. “You’re a lot more mature than I was then.”
She looked doubtful. “That’s not true.”
“Okay, but…trying is good.” He thought a moment. “I’m trying to…not be a wuss.”
Finally, Katie looked up, giving him a sideways glance. “You’re not a wuss.”
“Yeah, sure,” he almost laughed.
Sitting straight up, she looked him in the eye, her face void of pretension or of being guarded. “ I think...you should stand up for yourself more often. But I don't think you're a wuss. You stand up when it counts...” She bit her lip. “And you're one of the nicest people I know.”
Nick was a bit shocked. “…thank you.”
Leaning over to kiss him, she only smiled. He kissed her back, putting a hesitant arm around her.
“I love that you get passionate about things,” he told her. “I do. It makes you who you are. And you’re terrific, Katie.”
Her eyes were watery again, but for a different reason. “Thanks,” she managed.
“No…it’s true,” he said.
She smiled a little and he leaned down to kiss her again. She returned it and stayed close a moment, looking up into his eyes.
“There are so many good things about you,” he said, “Just waiting to happen.”