The Stress Club /Siobhan
 
Author: Eileen Thomson

E-Mail: indigotoast@yahoo.com
 
Rating: NC-17

Summary: "I can't forgive you for..."

Authors Notes: I raise my glass once more to Suzanne and Linda.
Without them I would not be so keen. By now Linda must be wishing
there was a book called `America for Beginners' I will be using
more of the information you sent.


 
 
--+--
 

Anyone looking at Nick Fallin could tell how angry he is. His mouth
is pinched and he has no color in his face at all. His head was down
and he looked as if he were ready to charge, for all the world like
a raging bull. "You promised me this would not happen. When I came
into the Club, this was the one thing I asked not to happen. Please,
don't do this to me, you know I can't even think about it."

Judge Tilson looks intently at him, "Nick, if I could get out of
this I would. We need this particular girl. Look at her resume. She
came second in her class at Harvard. She has done sterling work for
Green Peace and has done work for Amnesty International. She is
passionate and caring. She works for people's rights, she..."

Nick cuts in, "Okay, she's a saint. I still won't do it. If she has
just arrived from Chicago, why wasn't she recruited there? Why wait
until she is on our doorstep?"

"Nick it is taking all my powers of persuasion to talk her into
this."

"I can understand why, it's not an easy sell. The entrance
requirement must be worse for a woman, but I still don't wish to be
involved in any way."

"Nick, please allow me to finish with a sentence. She was not
recruited in Chicago because I wished to explain the Club to her,
since she was moving here. Some times it is easier to understand the
reason for the entrance requirements better, when it comes from a
woman. In this instance I do not think it made much impression.
Please, go meet with her, she is not very sure. Try to explain how
we work from your angle. Tell her of the good we do. Please Nick, do
this much, and if you truly can't recruit her, we will find someone
else. First let her know we need her. I have arranged for you to
meet her for coffee tomorrow morning before court. Will you go?"

Nick thinks abut this and finally shrugs. "I will talk with her, but
no more. I have to go now. Give me her name and where I am to meet
with her. "I may have to re-arrange my schedule. God forgive that I
should forget!"

"Nick, be nice. Her name is Siobhan Hannigan. You're to meet her at
10am at the café next to the Incline." Judge Tilson waves goodbye to
him as he stands still, trying to enter it in his Palm Pilot...

"Is she of Irish descent by any chance?" Nick mutters to himself.

-*-*-

10am. Nick is right on time and she is not there. He sits, drinking
his tea with his elbow on the table, and slowly slips into a semi
sleep. Weariness is Nick's constant companion these days; sleep is
often just beyond his reach. When he does sleep, his dreams are
violent and disturbing. It has been this way since Melissa was
killed. He is just drifting away on a black wave of warm soothing
water when--

"Nicholas Fallin? Are you sleeping?"

Nick's elbow slips from the table and he almost falls. "What the
hell are you doing?" he shouts. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
Jumping up, he turns to look at his tormentor.

`Black Irish' comes into his mind unbidden, and he is mesmerized by
her beauty. Her hair is short and curly, jet black in color. Her
eyes a sooty grey with dark blue tones and she had freckles all over
her nose. She was a picture of sweet allure. Nick is speechless. His
heart is pounding like a jackhammer.

"You were supposed to be waiting for me, not sleeping."

"You have freckles on your nose." Nick realizes what he has just
said and stammers out tersely, "I was not sleeping, I was resting my
eyes. Anyway you're late, I have to go to court now, so we'll have
to reschedule.

"Don't think you can order me to answer to your beck and call just
when it suits you. And I will not have sex with you." Siobhan shouts
the last part and they both stand stock still, neither one willing
nor able to address that remark.

Nick puts his head down near her ear and whispers, "Just shout when
you decide what you do intend to do then, and I will go to the next
town and listen to you from there. Anyway, I never intended to have
sex with you. I'm afraid you will have to get some one else to
service you." With that stinging retort he hurls himself out of the
door.

Siobhan sits down angrily and orders tea. She knows that was very
badly handled. *God, he is beautiful. Why couldn't he have been as
plain as a pikestaff?* She will have to apologize, but not yet.
Better to give the ravishing Nicholas Fallin time to calm down. She
can cope with him-- she has had to deal with much worse.

-*-*-

Nick sits in his office and the work is not going down at all. His
mind is awash with thoughts of Siobhan. He feels the tingle in his
groin and knows about the headache that will follow. `Lack of blood
in the brain' he thinks laughing. Still, when he closes his eyes he
can see her turned up nose and all those freckles. He admits defeat
and picks up the phone.

"Siobhan Hannigan."

"It's Nick Fallin. Before you start shouting, can I get a word in?
We had a bad start this morning, and I would like to make it up to
you. Will you come out to the Post Gazette Pavillion with me
tonight? REM are playing and some of the local bands as well. It
would give you a chance to see some of the local talent, and I would
like to welcome you to Pittsburgh."

"I was just going to call you to say sorry. I was very nervous this
morning and I overreacted. Judge Tilson told me I would be meeting
with one of the important members of the Club, and I assumed you
would be some old man. Imagine my surprise," she laughs huskily.

"Does that mean you will come then?"

"Can you pick me up? I don't have a car yet."

Nick punches the air. "That will be no problem. Just give me your
address."

-*-*-

They sit side by side in the car, not talking, not knowing where to
begin.

Siobhan turns in her seat. "Tell me about this place we are going."

"The Post Gazette Pavillion is an outdoor amphitheater. I try never
to go to the seating area. I get a grass pass. That means we get a
blanket and sit on the grass and listen to the groups. I love lying
down, listening to the music, letting it wash over me, looking up at
the stars. It's a novel experience. Just wait. You'll see"

"Okay, I'll try that. It sounds cool, but what if the weather is
bad?"

"Honestly? I don't go. I hate being wet." Nick smiles.

Siobhan melts!

The music is more than Nick had described. It was a strange feeling
to lie next to Nick, their hands laced behind their heads, elbows
touching. She is always aware of his nearness. Every so often he
would move and his smell would drift over to her. She can not
believe the feelings racing through her body. `Get a grip girl! Get
a grip!'

When the concert is over they make no move to leave. They sit in
perfect harmony looking up to the full moon.

"Just as well waiting," says Nick, "the traffic is a major hassle
getting out of the park." They watch the crowd leaving the area,
listening to snippets of conversations people were having. Nick
glances at Siobhan. "Are you tired? I would like you to see
something, but it will be a bit of a drive. The roads are busy this
time of night."

"What do you want me to see?"

"Wait. You'll see."

In the car Nick starts to drive out of town. He makes a long loop
round to get to the North of the city near the airport. "Pittsburgh
is the only city in America with an entrance. When you come in by
this tunnel, you see the city at its very best, at its most
beautiful. As Nick glances over at her, his heart leaps. He drives
through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, and as they come through they can see
the city centre laid out before them. They are surrounded by tall
glistening skyscrapers, and all around are the rivers and green
parks. They drive slowly round, Nick filling the role of a tour
guide. "This is called The Golden Triangle. It is my favorite part
of Pittsburgh, especially at night.

Nick turns to Siobhan to ask what she thinks and is surprised to see
tears run down her cheeks.

"What is wrong?"

"I was so bad to you today, and yet you bring me to see the thing
most precious thing to you. You love this city, and you give it to
me as a gift." She leans over and hugs him.

Nick pulls up at Siobhan's house, and gets out to open the car door
for her. Keeping the door between them she kisses him gently on the
lips. "I had such a good time, Nicholas Fallin. Thank you."

-*-*-

Morning-- and Nick again has had little sleep. He stumbles to the
kitchen and puts on the kettle for tea. He turns on the news and
barely listens, as it just serves as background noise. Suddenly, he
is aware that he recognizes the voice he hears. He turns and sees
Siobhan shouting at the reporter, telling them it is her
constitutional right to demonstrate and if the police arrest her,
well, she knows some very good lawyers.

Nick grabs the phone and tries her cell, but either she has it off
or it can't be heard. He rushes upstairs to dress. Frantic he pulls
on jeans, black cowboy boots, and a white t- shirt. At the last
moment, he pulls a black shirt over the t-shirt and leaves the shirt
unbuttoned. He races for the car, cursing loudly the fiery soul that
is Siobhan Hannigan.

After some time and lots of trouble, Nick eventually sees Siobhan at
the demonstration. He reaches over to grab her, but she turns, sees
him, and throws herself into his arms.

"Nick I can't believe you are here! She is kissing him and hugging
him.

Nick pushes her away. "What in Hell's name are you doing? You are a
lawyer; you don't come to these things! You must be careful who you
are seen to side with. Better still, you don't take sides. You will
get yourself in trouble! Come with me, you impossible woman!"

Siobhan stops as if she is hit. "Nick, you came to take me away?
This is important! You didn't even ask what we are demonstrating
against."

Nick is still pulling her, and she stops him short. "Nick, I'd like
you to meet Josh."

Nick's good manners compel him to stop. "Nice to meet you, Josh, but
if you'll excuse us, we have to go."

All the way home she rails against him. "You should be with us. The
Taft-Hartley Act should be repealed. It is against all decency. It
is the "slave labor law." How can you not be interested in it? Take
this town. Your town--Pittsburgh was built on the back of steel
workers. She pulls at his sleeve. "Nick!! One of the biggest
demonstrations against the Act started in Philadelphia in 2000. Nick
please, listen to me!"

Nick stops at her door and lets her out. He has said nothing, but
has simmered all the way back. "Try to keep out of trouble, please,"
he says through clenched teeth.

Siobhan gets into the house. She gets her cell out of her purse. The
fury she feels is hot and volcanic, already erupting. She is beyond
any reasonable or coherent thoughts. "Josh, did that photographer
get the photo of you with that man and me? After the phone call
Siobhan sits crying into a cushion. "Oh Nick, I can't forgive you
for what you did, but I understand why you did it.

-*-*-

Part Two

In the offices of Fallin & Fallin the morning newspaper is being
passed round. When Nick bangs his way into the reception area, it is
quickly hidden. He barely growls a pleasantry. The staff watch as
Nick storms into his office When Burton enters the office, Nick's
newspaper is already in shreds. Nick is pacing back and forth, like
a demented tiger "I'll kill her! I swear I'll kill her." His anger
is palpable.

"Nicholas, you gave up tantrums when you were very young, I don't
think this is the time to start them again."

"Look at the morning paper," Nick says, throwing it to his father.

Siobhan is between Josh and Nick, an arm round each of their
shoulders. Nick and Josh are shaking hands. The caption
reads, `Fiery new lawyer in Pittsburgh, Siobhan Hannigan, joins
Deputy Leader of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union,
Josh Samboni, along with hot-shot corporate attorney Nicholas
Fallin, at the demonstration on Sunday. Does this mean that
corporate `might' will now back the repealing of the Taft-Hartley
Act?'

"Look what she has done! She set me up for that, I swear!"

Burton shakes his head. "Nicholas, what's done is done. At the
moment, we have no clients this will bother, but be careful in the
future." He pauses and says quietly, "My father believed in Unions."

-*-*-

Nick has stayed away from Siobhan for the whole week, for all the
good it has done him. She is in his thoughts and the now familiar
twinge in his groin tells him he must do something about this woman.
Only pride is keeping him from grabbing the phone.

"Nicholas Fallin," he almost growls into the phone.

"Come to dinner with me?

Nick stares at the phone in disbelief. "Nick, answer me. Are you
still mad? Please let me make it up to you. I-- I miss you. Nick,
don't be angry. Siobhan's voice caresses his ears.

"It's Friday and I have nothing special planned. What do you want to
do?" Nick shakes his head. `Oh God, I'm so easy!'

"What I want to do I can't, she says teasingly," but I would like to
take you to dinner."

"We will take a train tomorrow then; I'll check the times and book.
I'll pick you up about one anyway and make it a day trip, if we are
too early for the train, I'll take you for a drink. Okay?"

Siobhan quietly agrees. She didn't even ask why they would need a
train. She is so relieved he is speaking to her. She hangs up the
phone and jumps madly around the room. `It's more than you deserve,'
she thinks, but she licks her finger and crosses her heart, `God,
I'll be good, I promise.'

The train ride to Greensburg, PA is calm, and it seems that Nick
forgives easily. This does not feel right and it worries
her. "You're not going to leave me here are you?" she asks timidly.

"It's what you deserve. I refuse to talk about it. But I did look up
the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, and the actions of George Bush in October
11 when dealing with the ILWU. If you don't mind, could we discuss
that when I feel a little less un-nerved by you? I promise I will
discuss it with you though, but please not over dinner!"

"Nick," Siobhan puts her arms round his neck. "You looked it up. I
just think you are the most surprising man ever." She snuggles in,
puts her head on his shoulder, and gives a small contented sigh.

Nick tells her all about the historic train station at Greenberg and
keeps up a steady but funny bantering tone about all they see.

Siobhan is amazed by the Red Star Brewery & Grill. This is not a
place she would have put Nick, he confounds her always. The
restaurant is casual and charming. The portions of food are huge and
the microbrews, amazing, and it has a truly romantic feel to it. Not
flowers and candle light, but then she will have to work for that
after what she did.

Again, Nick pecks her good night.

"Don't you want to come in? The house is looking quite lived in now."

"No, I have to do some work for one of the lawyers in the Club. It
has to be done this weekend. I'll see you tomorrow at the dinner,
won't I?

"Yes, I'll see you there," replies Siobhan sadly.

-*-*-

Nick is sitting with the staff from Fallin & Fallin in the City
Chamber Hall when Siobhan comes in with her colleagues. She is
wearing a blue velvet evening gown. Nick feels a stillness come over
him as his memory takes him back to something he had forgotten. He
stays clear of Siobhan the whole night. Her recruitment is coming up
and it un-nerves him. Eventually he goes to sit out on the balcony.

Siobhan comes out and sits on the steps. "We never talked about the
Club, Nick. The recruitment day is tomorrow. Are you going to do
this for me?"

Nick slides down and sits of the ground. "Sweet See-o-ban, Irish for
Joan- leader of people, Hebrew version Joanne- God is gracious. How
often I think about you. It seems you fill my days, my every
thought, and wander through my nights like a wraith, but See-o-ban,
I don't want to have sex with you."

Siobhan draws in her breath sharply and the tears squeeze from her
eyes, to drip on the stone in front of her. "See-o-ban," she whispers

I looked it up. I can't go one hour without thinking about you.
Nick continues without raising his eyes. "I want candlelight and
music. I want to make love with you. There is no way I can be a
party to this. I just can't. I'm sorry. I feel too much for you to
perform for anyone."

Siobhan can hear someone calling her name and gets up to go. She
comes over to Nick and reaches down and takes his hand. He kisses
her fingers.

-*-*-

3am and Nick is finished the deposition he has promised Hegget. He
hears a car door slam and thinks he hears Siobhan's voice. He hears
her come up the front steps. Opening the door, his breath catches as
he sees her, still in the blue velvet dress.

"Come in."

"Nick, where did you get that?" Siobhan laughs and points at a pink
plastic record player.

"What's in that bag?" Nick says indicating the huge bag she has with
her.

"You first, I asked first," replies Siobhan

"When you came in wearing that dress, I remembered something from
when I was a boy. The rain wouldn't stop and it had been miserable
for days. My mother took me with her up to attic to look for
something, and we came across this. She brought it down with some of
the records, and this was her favorite. She said she danced to it
with my Dad. She played it over and over, it made her happy that
day. I even remember the words." He paused. "Now it's your turn."

"Nick, what are you doing with a criminal law book?" Siobhan is
completely distracted by the sight of the book in his hand.

"I told you, I'm doing some work for one of the lawyers in the
Club." Nick sighed, he can see no way out of this. "You know the
case in the papers just now. The small time lawyer Hegget, defending
Collins who is accused of murder? Well, he is the one I'm helping."

"But Nick you are in corporate law! Why would you agree to help him?
It is out of your domain."

"I help because he asked me. There are three of us doing his
depositions and paralegal work. He pauses, "have you seen the old
man who sits behind him in court? He is just retiring from his
practice in Harrisburg. He makes sure Hegget gets the things he
needs at the proper time. The lady who does his typing, and is
keeping everything and everyone in order is Millicent Howell, only
the top legal secretary in Pittsburg. She knows where all the
bodies are buried. She alone could run rings round any lawyer! This
is how the Club works. You are never alone in any endeavor. All aid
is just a request away."

"So, he is not under all the pressure the news papers say. Oh boy,
what a system!" Siobhan is enthralled with the idea. "Nick this is
what the club is all about. You just explained to beautifully."

Nick sits on the stairs. "I wish I hadn't," he whispers
miserably. "Tell me what is in the bag."

"Please put out the lounge lights, will you? Then I'll show you."

Nick puts out the lights and turns to find the hall bathed in
flickering candlelight. His throat feels tight and he is misty eyed.

"No more time, Nick; I don't want to wait for you to make more
excuses. I gave you the candles, give me the music." She points at
the old record player.

"I love this song Siobhan, come dance with me."

`She wore blue velvet,
Bluer than velvet was the night.
Softer than satin was the light from the stars.
She wore blue velvet,
Bluer than velvet were her eyes.
Warmer than May her tender sighs,
Love was ours

Eyes of love I held tightly
Feeling the rapture's glow
Like a flame burning brightly
But when she left
Gone was the glow
Of blue velvet
But in my heart there'll always be
Precious and warm the memory
Through the years
And I still can see blue velvet
Through my tears.

As Nick danced Siobhan round the glimmering hall, he whispered the
words of the song in her ear. His body fused against hers in perfect
tandem of movement, like two people in one skin. They danced. The
record stopped, and then started again. Nick kissed her neck.

"I want so much to make love with you. I can't work, I can't eat. My
whole life has been turned upside down since you came into it. Let
me love you tonight. Stay with me?"

Siobhan walked over and blew out the candles. Turning she took Nicks
hand and allowed herself to be led up the dark stairway. Tonight
would be special. Blue Velvet played on.

-*-*-

At the Incline the next day, Nick and Siobhan were laughing and
playing around as only recent lovers do, when someone stopped at the
table.

"Judge Tilson, what is it?" Nick asked sharply.

"Siobhan, here is the time and place for you to join the Club. Do
you want it?"

"Yes." Siobhan looks pleadingly towards Nick. "Please."

Judge Tilson holds out the card and Nick snatches it. He looks at it
and it reads
`23.45 Burton Falllin Office – Start Midnight.' He crumples the card
and stands. He looks at Siobhan, "I'll see you later." He stares
hard at the judge. "God save me from interfering women."

Siobhan picks up the card and smoothes it out. "Will he be there?"

"Don't you worry, Nick has never let anyone he cares for down. He'll
be there."

-*-*-

Nick is sitting in his fathers chair when Siobhan comes into the
office. Barefoot, with his shirt open, he is a perfect picture of
manliness.

"Are you angry with me? Siobhan says quietly.

"No, I have to do this. I couldn't bear for anyone else to touch
you. Of course, it means that you will never feel the effect with
me. You will always hold me slightly in awe," he jokes. "Sex, the
great leveler, is not going to work here for us. The idea is that
it's not supposed to be enjoyed, it is more of a duty. It will only
work with the watchers and the players tonight."

The desk is cleared and Siobhan puts a dark sheet over it. Nick is
amused. "You want to keep my fathers desk clean?"

"No, Nick, if I have to do this, I want to do it on my terms. If
they need a show, then I will give them one."

"You will try to remember that I am here as well, won't you?"

"Lie back and enjoy," she replies huskily. "Midnight. Make your call
Nick."

Nick picks up the phone and dials. "Trouble and Brigindo." He turns
to Siobhan. "Are you going to ask what your name means?"

"I would cut out my tongue first! It is Irish and you would gloat
forever."

Nick puts on the light. As he turns back, he sees a bottle on the
corner of the desk.

"What is this?"

Siobhan comes over and takes off his shirt. She reaches down and
pulls down his zipper. When he is standing naked before her, she
starts to rub oil on his body. Nick is beside himself with ecstasy.
His pleasure is limitless and shows in his quickening breath. She
holds his erection in her hand and caresses it with unmistakable
joy. Nick is amazed by her. She stands in front of him and takes
off her dress and then strips out of her bra and thong. She hands
him the bottle.

Nick pours the oil in a line down between her breasts and slowly
rubs it on, over her breasts and her pointed nipples. Down lower he
goes, with his hands sliding silkily over her belly and into her
tight pubic hair. He falls to his knees and rubs her legs and slips
his hand between her thighs. He runs his hand up her leg and gently
puts his fingers inside her. He goes behind her and rubs up her tush
and her back, groaning with pleasure. He holds her to him and they
slide together. Nick loves this game.

Siobhan turns and asks him to lie on the desk. Lying back, his long
legs dangle off the end. Siobhan starts gliding up his body. Rubbing
her breasts against his legs, she starts to slide up to his chest.
As she passes her tongue glides over the tip of his strong erection.
Her breasts bump gently over him. She climbs onto the desk beside
him and straddles him Nick growls in his enjoyment. Then she sits on
him and slides back and forwards along his erection. Nick puts his
hand between her legs and as his fingers slide into her, his thumb
kneads her clitoris.

"Siobhan, are you going to make me beg?" Nick says as he tries to
raise her so he can enter her.

"Beg. Go on," she giggles.

She lies down on him kisses him, and wriggles her body all over him.

"Oh God, please, Siobhan, please," Nick is panting with desire.

Siobhan raises her self up and Nick pushes himself into her with
great lunging movements, desperate now, and the tension too much to
bear. They slide off each other, slipping out of each others grasp.

"Get back here," says Nick, laughing now, as he grabs her and pulls
her to the end of the desk. He put her legs over his shoulders and
enters her again. He moves in short thrusting movements and slowly
brings her to climax. He whispers, "Turn over for me, sweetheart,"
and moves her legs down until they are hanging off the desk. Nick
traps her legs with his and stands perfectly still, throbbing inside
her, not moving, but gritting his teeth with the effort it takes.

Siobhan squirms, and tries to get purchase on the desk with her
hands. She looks over her shoulder at Nick. He is standing there,
the devil of a smile touching his lips.

"Do you want me to beg? I won't."

Nick moves gently inside her and she moans with delight, then he
stops.

"Please Nick, please, please, finish it now, I want you to, please."

Nick starts to pump rhythmically and the sound of their oily bodies
make a shushing sound as they meet. Siobhan can no longer hold and
whoops her joy in coming to the rafters. Nick is just behind her and
he whispers his usual, `Paradise' before he pounds into her and
climaxes with great heaving shudders. He collapses across her back.
and holds her to him with a remarkable tenderness.

Nick climbs up on the desk beside Siobhan, sliding his hands all
over her oily body.
"We have to shower and get you to the Club. Do you want to shower
alone or shall I keep you company? Only in case you need support in
there," he chortles. "Well?"

"Come with me," she whispers, and takes him by the penis and leads
him to the shower.

"Hey, you be careful with that!"

Much, much later they arrive at the Club and Nick knocks on the door.

"Trouble and Brigindo," he says.

As Nick passes he hears someone whisper quietly, `exhibitionist',
and he smiles. Siobhan is welcomed, and when she has met almost
everyone Nick takes her to the man sitting in the corner.

"Brigindo, please meet Prometheus, Siobhan, I would like you to meet
my Father Burton Fallin.

Burton takes her hand and kisses the back of it. "Welcome Brigindo,
welcome Siobhan."

Judge Tilson stops by them. "I have to ask, Nick, who is Brigindo?"

Siobhan moans, "There will be no living with him now. Why did you
ask?"

"Brigindo is the Celtic Goddess of Sunlight; she is a healer, a
fertility goddess and also the goddess of fire, which I thought was
quite appropriate. She is patroness of smiths, poets and
physicians. Two sanctuaries are maintained for her, one in Kildare,
where a flame burns day and night.

"And the other," Siobhan asks

Nick takes her hand and puts it on his heart.

Leaving the Club later, they stop outside, and Siobhan bites Nicks
in the neck.

"I think I wakened a monster," Nick says jokingly.

Siobhan runs her hand down to his budding erection and says, "Nick,
I think you'll find that that was me."



The End