The LSP Charity Ball

AUTHOR: Rosie 

Email: rosiiii@aol.com

RATING: R

CONTEXT: This is a stand alone Nick & LuLu fanfic - enjoy!
 
*(This is not a continuation of my romantic series featuring Nick Fallin and 
Louisa Archer. Those serial fan fictions, "Mother Knows Best," "Some Enchanted 
Evening," "Finally," "After the Glow," “Green-Eyed Nick,” and "The Apology," can 
all be found at NickFallin.com under my name "Rosie.” Enjoy! P.S. Soon, I hope 
to have all my fics at NickFallin.com, for one-stop shopping) 
 
DISCLAIMER: Some of the characters portrayed herein are taken from "The 
Guardian" - CBS TV Series. The characters mentioned in this story are their 
property. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and 
solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the 
story itself are the sole property of the author. 
 
WARNING: R rating & heavy romantic mush alert. 
_________________________
 
THE LSP Charity Ball by Rosie
 
 
You are cordially invited to the annual charity ball benefiting Legal Services 
of Pittsburgh, the invite read.
 
Nick only needed to know one thing. Was LuLu attending? If not, he wouldn't be 
going either. He'd write Alvin a fat check and call it a day.
 
Nick knocked on his way into LuLu's office. As usual, not bothering to stop at 
the door, and await a response. Nick Fallin didn’t ask for permission to enter, 
ever - not that she minded of course, that was just Nick being Nick. She watched 
him briskly stride up to her desk, one hand in his trouser pocket, the other 
holding an envelope. 
 
"Are you going to this?" Nick inquired curiously, with his usual intensity, 
showing her the invite.
 
"Oh, the charity ball? Well yeah, I have to." LuLu sighed, vaguely forlorn, 
brushing a shiny lock of hair out of her eyes.
 
"You don't sound too enthusiastic," he studied her expression, watching her bite 
her lower lip in what looked like mild anxiety.
 
"I'm not…now, I was looking forward to it until Alvin roped me into this charity 
auction thing," LuLu's head was in her hands.
 
"What? Do you have to host this or something?" Nick asked, a half smile on his 
face - taking a perverse enjoyment in her embarrassment.
 
"No, not exactly," she groaned.
 
"What?" he said, eyebrows raised.
 
"Remember when Alvin did this last year and some society matron bought him for 
2gs?" LuLu looked mortified remembering.
 
Nick laughed, nodding, "Oh yeah…I heard about that."
 
"Guess who gets to be put on the block this time?" she wailed softly.
 
Nick, surprised, stopped laughing, "You? You’re uh…not going to do it are you?" 
Suddenly this wasn't so funny anymore as Nick began imagining some prick buying 
LuLu for the evening.
 
"Alvin says it's all in good fun and no big deal - plus, he says he did it last 
year, so somebody else has to do it this time,” she sighed heavily. “James 
practically screamed and ran out of the room when I asked him if he’d do it,” 
she said annoyed. 
 
She raised her eyebrows, “I don't suppose you might want to...?" LuLu left the 
question open, almost 100 percent assured of the answer, but devilishly wanting 
to see something approaching terror cross Nick’s face.
 
Nick, wildly shaking his head, muttered, "No way.” He even backed up a little 
bit, she noticed.
 
"Just as I thought, all you guys are chickens," she said in mock disgust, 
laughing.
 
"Do you uh...do you need a ride...or anything?" Nick asked.
 
"To the ball? Are you asking me if I'd like to go with you?" LuLu said 
guilelessly.
 
"Well, seeing as we both have to go, I thought --" he shrugged.
 
LuLu smiled knowing that Nick Fallin didn't do anything he didn't want to do. 
 
"Well…okay, sure -- that’s a good idea! Pick me up at 6 o'clock," she said 
flashing her dimples, and sweeping by him and out into the bullpen.
 
Well that was easy, Nick thought to himself, a self-satisfied grin on his face 
as he left and headed over to F&F.
 
*********
 
Nick was early.
 
He wondered if LuLu would mind, as he bounded up the stairs in his black Armani 
tux and tie, and rang the bell.
 
It took a minute for her to answer the bell, but when she did - he was 
hard-pressed to remain unmoved. She was breathless as she swung open the door. 
 
"Nick! You're early, come in here!" She grabbed his forearm quickly pulling him 
inside and shutting the door. Nick followed along, letting her lead him 
wherever, no questions asked.
 
"I'm looking for my shoes," she said anxiously, darting around him, and running 
lightly upstairs. He watched her small shapely rear the entire way. He took a 
deep breath. He needed to snap out of it, before she noticed his heavy lidded 
sensual gaze.
 
"Found them!" She yelled, as she padded quickly back down, “they match this 
dress perfectly.”
 
LuLu wore a clingy dark red slip dress, with tiny, capped sleeves, and a sheered 
low-cut feminine bodice which hugged her in all the right places, displaying 
quite a bit of her pale golden skin and delectable figure. Her wide almond eyes 
were sexy and smoky, her full red lips matching her dress. Small silver hoop 
earrings sparkled beneath thick, shiny dark hair that bounced on her shoulders. 
 
Her small feet were bare, and as such she barely hit the underside of his chin. 
God, she was delicious. Nick gulped -- he couldn't speak, he just stared. How 
would he make it through the night?
 
Before slipping on her long wool coat, LuLu came right over to Nick and put her 
hand on his shoulder to balance herself as she slipped on strappy little sandals 
with 3inch heels. Relieved, LuLu remarked, "If I hadn't found these, Cinderella 
would not have been going to the ball." 
 
"Why is that?" Nick said softly, looking down at her sexily painted toes. 
 
"I would be a gussied up shrimp without heels on, that's why," LuLu said, 
suddenly looking up at him. She caught her breath just then, and veered back a 
bit, "Whoa...."
 
"What?" he said still looking down at her legs as she fiddled with the straps 
balanced on one leg.
 
"You look very handsome Nick," she said softly, a bit dazed at his appearance, 
now that she had calmed down sufficiently. She fastened the tiny buckle and 
stood up straight again, looking him over slowly.
 
"Uh…thanks," Nick actually felt himself blush. Great, he thought.
 
LuLu had observed that his suits always fit him to perfection but in this tux he 
was sublime. His broad shoulders and slim build were enhanced by the cut of the 
expensively tailored custom-made suit and fabric. The jet-black seemed to 
enhance his light tan and burnished dark golden hair, which had recently been 
cut shorter. She loved the way it tapered into his neck, the short locks dipping 
and waving. He had a hard time taming those curls LuLu smiled. Beneath his 
heavy-lidded countenance, the way his green-blue eyes could look at her so 
intensely was sometimes unnerving. Nick Fallin was one devastating enigma. She 
noticed the faint color high on his cheekbones and knew better than to comment.
 
"You ready?" Nick asked, slightly exasperated at himself.
 
"Yes." LuLu said, unable to restrain a grin.
 
They walked out to the car, and ever the gentleman, Nick held the door open, 
watching LuLu slide gracefully inside, and got a peek of a slim shapely thigh. 
Shutting the door, he looked skyward and exhaled. He felt like a kid on his way 
to the prom, nervous and shy. What the hell was his problem?  
 
----------------------------------------------
 
LuLu turned on the stereo as Nick climbed inside and buckled up. It was tuned to 
a soft jazz station, the same one LuLu listened to and she was pleasantly 
surprised.
 
"Hey, this is my station! You like jazz too?" she happily smiled.
 
"Yeah, I do - most of it," glancing over at her, he couldn't help smiling back, 
as he moved out into traffic.
 
She brushed her hair from her face, and leaned back. 
 
"So, uh…what time do you want to be leave the ball Cinderella?" he inquired.
 
"Oh, whenever you're ready is fine,” she said shrugging. 
 
"Don't say that, I'll have us out of there 15 minutes after we arrive." He 
deadpanned.
 
"Nick," she admonished him, "It might not be so bad."
 
He wanted to say, it won't be, since you’ll be there, but he just looked at her.
 
"Really, don't look like that -- we'll have fun," she said confidently.
 
LuLu took the opportunity to look at Nick while he watched the road, she noticed 
his strong, slender hands on the steering wheel. An expensive slim gold vintage 
watch shone against his tan wrist.
 
"Nice watch, is it new?" she asked.
 
"You're observant," Nick laughed softly, "Uh, yeah - it was a birthday present." 

 
"Oh really, when was your birthday?" she inquired.
 
"Two weeks ago," he replied.
 
"What? Oh no!" LuLu seemed horrified.
 
"Oh yeah, I had a party and everything," he said slyly, anticipating her 
reaction.
 
"A party? You had a party? Well, why didn’t you -- I mean…I didn't know about 
it," she commented softly, her voice trailing off bemusedly. LuLu was hurt, she 
couldn't believe Nick had had a party, and yet had not included her. 
 
"No, I know you didn't," Nick was really getting immense satisfaction from her 
forlorn expression, but he decided to let her off the hook. 
 
"I didn't know about it either LuLu. My Dad decided to act totally out of 
character and throw me a surprise birthday party," Nick shook his head, still 
amazed at the very idea. "He…uh…had disguised it as some client dinner, and 
well, not knowing, I -- uh, just blew it off. I had more pressing things to take 
care of at the time." 
 
"Oh, well -- were you sorry you missed it?" LuLu, very much relieved, inquired.
 
"Not really," he laughed, "I mean, yeah - I was sorry he went to all the trouble 
only to have the guest of honor fail to show up, but uh…no, I can't say I was 
sorry I wasn't there. Surprise parties are not my thing," Nick looked over at 
her.
 
“No kidding," she laughed, “so who gave you the watch?" she persisted, thinking 
it was a very personal gift that suited him perfectly. It was as elegant as he 
was. She had a strong suspicion a woman had chosen this particular gift, taking 
into consideration the man who would be wearing it. The idea of some significant 
other giving Nick such a significant gift bothered her. LuLu’s curiosity was 
getting the better of her. 
 
"My Dad," he said. LuLu was again relieved, however, she was surprised that she 
had guessed wrong, her intuition must be slipping. She was usually on the money, 
and that certainly looked like a woman’s gift to a man. A man she loved. Nick 
then went on to explain, "My Mother gave it to him when he opened his first 
practice." Aha, she thought, smiling to herself, she had indeed been pretty 
close to the truth.
 
"That's a lovely gift Nick, I know it must mean a lot to you,” she said 
wistfully. She was looking at him with such open affection, that Nick didn’t 
quite know how to react. "I'm sorry I missed your birthday," LuLu said 
sincerely.
 
Nick basked in the sweet sentiment, which sent a warm flush straight through 
him, but he shrugged like it was no big deal.
 
"When was it exactly?" LuLu wanted to know.
 
Nick laughed under his breath at her persistence about this, "November 21st." 
Nick glanced over at her, "When's your birthday?"
 
"I don't have one,” she laughed.
 
"C'mon LuLu, everyone has one..." he teased back.
 
"Nope, not me." she said dismissively, turning the radio up. 
 
"Tell me." Nick said, pretending sternness.
 
"It could be today," LuLu shrugged her slender shoulders.
 
"Is it?" his eyebrows went up. 
 
"No, not that it makes any difference because I am not going to tell you when it 
is." She remarked stubbornly. 
 
LuLu had a thing about birthdays. She didn’t make a big deal out of them and 
sometimes almost managed to forget herself if she stayed busy enough. There had 
been too many birthdays spent sad and alone as a young girl, while her mother 
was jet-setting all over the world. Eventually she had learned not to expect 
much so as not to be disappointed. 
 
"Why?" There it was, that whine, she thought.
 
"You didn't tell me when yours was." She laughingly said by way of a defense.
 
"You know now," he said.
 
"Yeah, weeks after the fact -- and why didn't your Dad invite me? Doesn't he 
know you've got friends at LSP," she pouted, confused at that. 
 
Nick's heart warmed again, and he had to smile, recognizing her tactic, but 
refusing to take the bait, "When is it LuLu?"
 
"December 29th,” she sighed, relenting.
 
Nick was so stunned he let up on the gas slightly then recovered, "What?" he 
exclaimed, totally thrown for a loop.
 
"My birthday, that's when it is, December 29th - and you can forget about me 
telling you the year, but I'm years younger than you and that's all that 
matters," she saucily remarked, ribbing him.
 
Nick was still reeling, "That was my Mom's birthday."
 
"Really?" LuLu’s eyes brightened, and she smiled -- surprised.
 
"Yeah," Nick replied, still a bit dazed at the coincidence.
 
"I’ve seen her picture in your office, she was beautiful Nick," LuLu softly 
said.
 
"Yeah, she was…" Nick cleared his throat, "Thanks."
 
_______________________________________________________
 
 
Nick and LuLu walked into the Imperial Ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel, 
and most of the people there stopped what they were doing to watch the striking 
couple cross the room. The handsome dark blonde young man in his all-black tux, 
and the petite brunette beauty in deep scarlet. They saw Alvin put his hand up 
from across the room and wave them over. It was fairly crowded already, and LuLu 
felt Nick lightly clasp her arm, guiding her through the throngs of people to 
the table. 
 
With LuLu in front of him, Nick got a good look at the back of her dress. There 
wasn’t one…he swallowed hard. It was just bare light golden skin all the way 
down to slender hips. As they approached the table, Nick unable to resist, 
placed his hand at the small of her back. Her skin was as soft and silky smooth 
as it appeared. LuLu glanced back at him, feeling his intensity, and saw his 
gaze on her. His warm palm against her skin made her blush. 
 
“LuLu!” Brent Harris, former quarterback for the Steelers, current owner of a 
chain of Gold’s Gyms in Pittsburgh, of which LuLu was a member, was currently 
making his way over. Brent, a player in more ways than one, had seen LuLu 
working out in his gym one Saturday afternoon and made a personal play using one 
of the worst come-on lines known to man. He had fumbled big time needless to 
say, and had received a cool dismissive brush-off from LuLu. He had since 
redeemed himself in LuLu’s eyes, by acting like a human being, and not a 
lothario. She actually found him to be a nice guy. He came up, all 6’5” of him, 
to greet her warmly, stopping both she and Nick in their tracks, much to Nick’s 
irritation. 
 
“You look beautiful!” Brent very appreciatively gave LuLu
the once-over. Nick’s temple began to throb. 
 
“Thanks Brent, glad you could make it.” LuLu smiled back. “Nicholas, this is 
Brent Harris, Brent, Nicholas Fallin.” The two men sized each other up, Harris 
stuck out his hand and smiled, Nick nodded expressionless, shook it briefly, 
then placed his hand once again in the small of LuLu's back, and shifted his 
feet. 
 
LuLu smiled to herself, instantly getting the unspoken, but very obvious Nick 
Fallin command to brush this guy off and keep walking. Brent noticed as well, 
his face falling slightly, if this guy Fallin had anything to do with it, 
neither he nor anyone else would be getting too close to LuLu tonight. 
 
Nick vaguely recalled that Harris had been at a party he attended before he was 
clean, and from what he was able to very fuzzily recall, LuLu had no business at 
all being chummy with this guy. 
 
“Did you bring your family?” LuLu inquired. 
 
“Uh, no - no, I didn’t,” said Brent, looking down. Nick smirked slightly at 
that.
 
“Oh that’s too bad, I was looking forward to meeting your wife and kids - maybe 
next time,” LuLu expressed genuinely. Nick, was just now starting to coldly 
smile Harris’ way after hearing that, ‘You get the message now asshole?’ he 
thought to himself.
 
“Sure, sure…I’ll catch up with you later,” Brent said, as Nick gently nudged 
LuLu along.
 
“Nick, sheesh!” LuLu said laughing.
 
“What? What’d I do?” eyebrows raised, Nick tried to look innocent. LuLu laughed 
again looking at that face.
 
The LSP table was filling up, and as they approached, greetings rang out. “Wow, 
you two are looking good tonight,” said James Mooney resplendent and handsome in 
his charcoal gray suit, burgundy shirt and matching tie, “You clean up much 
better than the old man here.”
 
“Hey, hey - watch it!” Alvin said, pretending outrage.
 
“James, don’t be mean,” LuLu admonished teasingly, “you look great Alvin,” she 
smiled at her mentor, who did indeed look pretty snazzy in his formal wear. 
 
“Thanks LuLu,” preening a bit, Alvin lifted his glass of club soda. “Listen,” he 
began, “I don’t want you to be nervous about this -- it’s really all in good 
fun, okay? Plus, I’m sure you’ll rake in more money than I did last year, and 
that’s the important thing.” LuLu still looked apprehensive, “I think you need a 
drink,” Alvin laughed.
 
“How much did you go for last year Alvin?” Nick remarked nonchalantly, seating 
LuLu, and throwing his arm across the back of her chair. Alvin smiled when he 
saw this, he suspected Nick was laying claim even though he wasn’t really 
conscious of it. 
“I’m not ashamed to say I fetched a hefty 2Gs Nick, and I’d like to see you do 
as well at 53 years of age,” Alvin chuckled.
 
“Was that the blue book price man? Excellent, fair or poor condition?” James 
asked cheekily, and the table broke up.
 
Barbara was seen and heard, making her way to the table with a tray of drinks 
balanced on one upheld palm. Her cascading riotous red curls bouncing to and 
fro. “Make way folks -- it’s been a while since I’ve done this,” Barbara was 
agile, despite her girth, as she set the tray down, and taking a gander at Nick, 
exclaimed, “Be still my heart. Oh my! Do you know what havoc you’re causing 
right now among the ladies who lunch darlin’? They’d give up their summer homes 
for you Nick!” 
 
LuLu looked at him, happily grinning. Nick rubbed his neck, and rolled his eyes.
 
“Here hon!” Barbara said, turning to LuLu, “Oh don’t you look beautiful Lu! I’ve 
got a nice Merlot here. Drink up, you’re going to need it.” Laughs all around.
 
***************
 
"I suppose you all know why we asked you here tonight -- well, truth be told, we 
want your money…” the crowd laughed as Alvin started the proceedings. 
 
"Now, a couple years ago I found myself in a similar bind -- and I put myself on 
the auction block, willing to do whatever it took in the name of charity, but, 
by the looks of the room tonight, I don't think I'd catch a good price. Not that 
I wouldn't enjoy a night out on the town with one of Pittsburgh's bravest and 
finest or a handsome Pirate,” the crowd breaks up again.
 
“Damn,” James whispered to Nick, “Alvin’s pretty good at this.”
 
"Anyway,” Alvin continued, “You're not here to listen to me blather on about my 
personal preferences,” again the crowd roars, “I promised an auction and that's 
just what you're going to get. Please folks, ahem…gentleman, remember that it’s 
not about getting the girl, but the money is going to a great cause...Legal 
Services of Pittsburgh & the Allegheny Children’s Shelter!” Sustained applause 
was heard through the ballroom. “Let’s see if we can surpass the $500,000 tally 
we brought in last year!” Audience loudly applauds. 
 
“While some other valuable workers of this fine city will be auctioned off later 
this evening to fund our cause, I figured we could start off at the top of the 
list - and since I was never one who followed the old adage of saving the best 
for last... " 
 
Nick exhaled in exasperation, as he knew LuLu must be suffering the hounds of 
hell backstage while Alvin prattled on, “Is he ever going to just shut up and 
get on with it?”
 
“Oh honey, Alvin is in his element. I think he had unrealized dreams of being in 
show biz,” Barbara chuckled. 
 
"Gentlemen, with check books ready and pens in hand -- the best lookin' thing 
you'll ever see coming out of Legal Services, Louisa “LuLu,” Archer!
 
Thunderous applause, catcalls and whistles erupted, as LuLu stepped out from 
behind the curtain, and grabbed Alvin’s outstretched hand like it was a 
lifeline. 
 
“Never again Alvin,” she whispered in his ear. 
 
“Oh my God! The poor baby! She’s as red as her dress!” Laurie Solt, elegant and 
timeless in a dove gray formal gown exclaimed.
 
“Aw, Jesus…would ya look at her? Just gorgeous,” said Barbara sounding like a 
mother on her daughter’s wedding day, “Isn’t she gorgeous Nick?” She 
mischievously elbowed him in the side lightly, and twinkled knowingly at him. 
 
Nick winced good-naturedly, and nodded his head in agreement smiling, “Oh yeah.” 

 
Barbara was the only one at LSP who knew his secret, or so Nick thought. In 
actuality, Nick Fallin’s feelings towards LuLu might have very well have been 
written right on his forehead. There wasn’t a person in the office that couldn’t 
see the sparks that both attorneys sparked off one another. The fact that they 
both seemed to be clueless in the extreme about all the steam heat they were so 
obviously generating, was a favorite topic of discussion around the water 
cooler.
 
LuLu was a dream. She looked amazing standing up there, seemingly shy of all the 
attention, Nick thought gazing at her. Much to his annoyance the catcalls and 
whistles hadn’t died down yet. Nick exhaled, this was not going to be pretty he 
thought. 
 
"May the highest bidder -- er...best man win, and please remember, she's due in 
at 8 tomorrow morning,” Alvin joked. The crowd laughed even harder as LuLu 
playfully slugged him and Alvin grimaced. 
 
Nick finally couldn’t restrain his smiles any longer, and he just sat there 
looking up at LuLu from the LSP table, his hooded eyes turning down at the 
corners. He looked every bit as smitten as he was. 
 
Just then Burton sidled up and took a seat at the LSP table, much to Nick’s 
surprise. 
 
“Hey everybody!” he boomed, he was greeted warmly by all, most particularly 
Laurie Solt. 
 
“Laurie, great to see you again. My goodness, you’re looking lovely tonight,” 
Burton schmoozed effortlessly.
 
Laurie beamed back, smiling, “Likewise Burton, a pleasure to see you.”
 
Jake came up behind Burton slapping him on the back, and giving the head nod to 
Nick, “Did I make it in time?”
 
Nick looked at Jake, “Time for what?”
 
“The bidding man, the bidding - I wanna make a down payment on that sexy little 
brunette up there, my checkbook’s burning a whole in my jacket pocket as we 
speak,” Jake Straka’s boyish affable grin sometimes irked all hell out of 
Nicholas. Nick frowned in mild disgust. Jake turned to Barbara and winked 
conspiratorially - they were up to something.
 
“Hey I may toss my hat into the ring myself, that is one lovely young lady - she 
reminds me of somebody…” Burton cut himself off, as he saw Nick’s eyes cut his 
way. “Okay, son…okay,” Burton chuckled.
 
-----------------------------------------------
 
 
“Nick Fallin!” a young man of about 17 approached the LSP table, and held out 
his hand to shake. Nick shook hands, and looked at him a moment longer trying to 
place the face. 
 
Suddenly it came to him.
 
“Dale?” Nick was pleasantly surprised to see the young man looking so fit -- a 
healthy weight, sandy blonde hair, and a twinkle in his eye.
 
“None other,” said Dale, cocksure with a date on his arm. 
 
“You look great,” Nick smiled warmly.
 
“Thanks man, I feel great too, and it’s all because of you,” he said as Nick 
shook his head. 
 
“Oh yeah, listen, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you, you saved my life,” 
Dale fervently assured a modest Nick. Burton sat back looking on, watching the 
interaction between the two young men. 
 
Burton wondered if Nicholas had set a record tonight. His face had been lit up 
from the minute he walked through the door with that cute little Archer gal on 
his arm, and it was showing no signs of abating. He had pegged the young woman 
in red as a major factor.
 
Nick saw Dale look beyond him to where LuLu and Alvin were standing on stage, 
“LuLuuuu,” the young man exhaled, a bit lustily, eyes glazing over a bit. Dale’s 
date frowned.
 
Nick looked back, somewhat yearningly himself.
 
Dale leaned in a devilish look in his eye, “Yo man, you gonna hit that?”
 
“Uh Dale…” Nick cautioned, pretending to be serious with the engaging kid.
 
“I’m just sayin’ dude, if I had your bank account--,” with raised brows, he 
shrugged his shoulders. 
 
“This is for charity Dale,” Nick said admonishingly, sipping his drink and 
staring at LuLu.
 
“Yeah but, it is the charity ball man, think about it,” Dale remarked. 
 
At that Nick almost choked on his tonic. The kid was funny. 
 
“I’m just playin’ with you man,” Dale laughingly replied, “tell Miss LuLu I said 
Hi, and that she’s looking mighty fine tonight.”
 
“I will Dale,” Nick said. They shook hands again, and Nick turned back to the 
table, and the stage, with a small smile.
 
“Do I hear 700? Alright, 700 we have from the local PBS affiliate. Do I hear 
750? 750 it is,” Alvin barked. The bids were coming fast and furious for LuLu, 
as Nick sat there and grinned. 
 
Burton observed his son with wonderment, he seemed to have actually been 
genuinely happy this entire evening. 
 
“We’ve got $1000…1150, over here. $3500 dollars folks, from Jason O’Reilly 
shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates right up front!
 
Nick caught Alvin’s eye, and gave a subtle motion with his hand, bidding four 
grand. The LSP table gasped in unison. 
 
“What?” Nick asked, looking around at them and shrugging his shoulders. Burton 
was grinning like a fox. “Nick put your hand down, you see her everyday!” Alvin 
joked from the stage, and the room broke up. LuLu
wide-eyed was staring at Nick, her mouth slightly open. She mouthed the word 
“No,” at him somewhat chastisingly. Nick sheepishly grinned back at her.
 
“Mr. Brent Harris, manager of Gold’s Gym, cutting to the chase with $4500! That 
settles it LuLu, you’re doing this next year for sure!” The audience guffawed at 
Alvin’s remark. LuLu put her hands over her face.
 
Nick, looked back over his shoulder at Harris and frowned. Jake noticed a 
pensive look come over his colleague, this should be fun he thought, deciding to 
yank Nick’s chain, and at that moment bid $5K himself. 
 
Nick’s left eyebrow went up, and if looks could kill, Jake would have been 
oozing blood on the floor. 
 
Brent Harris followed with a $5500 bid.
 
Just then Burton gets into the game and holds up 6, Nick almost sputters his 
club soda. “Dad, knock it off,” he says quietly. 
 
“What son?” Burton shrugged, saying under his breath, “You gonna let that sleazy 
no-neck ex-jock take out your girl?” 
 
“Uh, look…she’s not my girl -,” Nick started.
 
“Maybe not literally, not yet…” said Burton slyly, chuckling. “But I see the way 
you’ve been looking at her. You’d best get your head in the game son and make 
this thing happen.”
 
A bid of $8K goes up from the Kirk & McGhee table, to rousing applause. 
 
From the stage, Alvin cut a flinty stare, “Trying to lure my assistant away are 
you Bill?” 
 
“Why Bill, you son of a bitch!” Burton exclaimed, raising his bid to $9500, and 
really getting into it now. 
 
“Dad, chill out,” Nick replied.
 
“He’s always trying to one-up me the smarmy bastard.” Burton grumbled.
 
Four more pro ballplayers, a couple of well-known commercial developers, the 
newly single top anchor at WPITT, and Brent Harris started a flurry of bidding, 
which inched the bid ever so steadily towards $12K. 
 
Nick fed-up, reached into his suit pocket for his cell-phone.
 
******************
 
 
Delores Kilborn manning the phones of the real auction featuring donated items, 
rushed onstage and whispered to Alvin. 
 
“Uh, Oh my God - er…okay! Apparently we have a phone bid for $15,000!” The crowd 
oohs and aahhhs at this news. “Okay…well, Fifteen five anyone? Going once, 
twice, SOLD to the caller who is not showing his face!” The crowd leaps to its 
feet, bursting into sustained applause for a full 3 minutes. Nick stood up with 
the crowd, gazing at LuLu, and smiling at her blushes. 
 
Alvin beaming, announces, “I’ve been informed that our caller, Bidder 653, at 
this time prefers to remain anonymous. Hey buddy, as long as we can cash the 
check, that's fine by us!” The crowd roars again. Alvin grabs LuLu’s hand, 
squeezes her shoulders, and says “I think this should be a quarterly thing Lu, 
don’t ever get married okay?” LuLu rolled her eyes heavenward.
 
********************
 
“Wonder who it is?” LuLu asked worriedly.
 
Nick shrugged, acting genuinely perplexed.
 
“Well, when am I supposed to -,” she stopped as she saw Alvin approach, “When am 
I supposed to go out with this person Alvin?”
 
“Whenever he rings you up, and be nice.” Alvin warned.
 
“What else would I be?” LuLu said sincerely. The whole table laughed at that. 
LuLu could be a lot of other things besides nice. 
 
--------------------------------------------------------
 
 
“Are you uh…ready to go?” Nick said softly. 
 
“No, I want to have another dance first.” LuLu stated decisively, looking 
directly him and smiling happily. She had survived the torture of being onstage, 
and was now feeling no pain, her head bopping to the beat. Nick had thoroughly 
enjoyed watching her dance with James, her shiny hair bouncing on her shoulders, 
and her red dress sexily swirling up around her thighs. She was incredibly 
graceful, and with a natural rhythm that made his blood pound. 
 
“What -- with who?” Nick asked, eyeing her warily. He had no problems gleefully 
watching LuLu dance, but Nicholas Fallin was not planning to shake his ass under 
any circumstances.
 
“I don’t know. I don’t suppose you’d want to dance with me?” LuLu knew what he 
was going to say. Nick didn’t appear to be the dancing type, but with this being 
her favorite song, she decided to test that theory.
 
Nick heard the up tempo salsa beat, and with a slight smile, while shaking his 
head, said, “Uh…no, no -- I uh -- don’t really….”
 
“C’mon Nick,” she interrupted, tugging him to his feet and looking up at him 
engagingly flashing those dimples, “One dance, then we can blow this pop stand.” 

 
“No - ah…really LuLu,” he said a bit worriedly, dragging his feet as she pulled 
him along not listening. 
 
Just then the DJ changed songs and most importantly tempo, and the music lilted 
seamlessly into a slow jam -- “By Your Side,” by Sade. It was a song meant for 
lovers. LuLu gasped softly, and pulled up short, dropping Nick’s hand like a hot 
potato. This song you didn’t so much as dance to, as you simply hung on to that 
someone special real tight and slowly swayed. 
 
“What’s the matter?” Nick slyly said, in his soft raspy voice, coming up right 
behind her.
 
“Oh! Uh…nothing, just -- if you really don’t want to dance right now, that’s 
okay.” She said quickly, suddenly eager to sit this one out, and do his bidding.
 
Nick had to laugh at her sudden and very nervous generosity, “Well, thanks for 
thinking of me LuLu -- but I’ve had a change of heart. I think I’d like to 
dance, besides, this is a great song - don’t you think?” he grinned knowingly at 
her and moved around front, gently pulling LuLu towards the dance floor. 
 
“B-but Nick, this song…uh, you really can’t dance to it,” she whispered watching 
obvious couples and lovers crowd the floor, embracing and gently rocking each 
other.
 
“It’s actually the only kind of dancing I can do LuLu - so it looks like you 
lucked out,” he murmured, looking into her eyes. Nick tugged her farther out 
onto the dance floor, gracefully turning and pulling her into his arms. Their 
bodies meshed and hugged seemingly of their own accord.
 
LuLu’s heart was beating wildly, she was even shaking a bit. Because of their 
height difference, Nick put his arms around her waist, clasping his own wrist 
and locking her in the circle of his arms. LuLu had no choice but to reach up 
around his neck, and do the same. Nick looked down into her eyes, his lids at 
half-mast. “Nick,’ LuLu breathed softly. At that, Nick pulled her into him even 
closer, and slowly began to move to the steady beat. 
 
Burton was having a fine time chatting with Laurie, and had just come back from 
the open bar with a glass of Zin for her. He happened to glance down and see 
Nick’s bid card on his seat and looked at it curiously, wondering….
 
“Hey, uh…Laurie? You remember the number of the winning bidder for LuLu?” He 
asked, sitting down.
 
“Six fifty -- something? Hey Alvin, what was LuLu’s bidder’s number?” Laurie 
leaned back in her chair and asked Alvin.
 
“Six fifty three!” He answered back.
 
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Burton exclaimed smiling broadly, picking up Nick’s bid 
card off his seat, and showing the table. 
 
“I knew it!” James shouted loudly, laughing.
 
“You only knew it, because I clued you in,” Barbara snickered, then said, “Mr. 
Fallin your son is gone for LuLu Archer, in case you didn’t know.”
 
“Well…I figured there was somethin’ going on there, I just didn’t know what. Not 
until tonight anyway, I’ve never seen him act this way,” Burton remarked softly, 
still a bit dazed at the realization. He had intercepted several puppy-dog looks 
Nick had thrown little LuLu’s way tonight. At one point, seeing his Dad smiling 
good-naturedly at him, with one eyebrow raised, Nick had immediately gone on the 
defensive, saying, “What?” somewhat plaintively under his breath. Burton had 
laughed knowingly at that. 
 
 
Looking at his son on the dance floor, now all snuggled up tight with the 
beautiful brunette, her head tucked into his chest, he was amazed at how blind 
he had been before now. Watching them tonight, Burton had noticed that Nick 
seemed more comfortable with her than most anyone, ever. The two sometimes 
seemed to be communicating in ways other than speaking. The little teasing 
glances, friendly, knowing half-smiles and meaningful looks. 
 
Burton had always thought of Nicholas as a confounding and complex jigsaw 
puzzle, that as a father, he was not only at a loss to figure out, but 
apparently was missing the few pieces it took to get the puzzle right. LuLu 
however, seemed to have his boy figured, and was holding all of his pieces in 
her hot little hands, waiting for the moment when she was ready to complete him. 
Burton chuckled at his reverie, and the notion that his son was at the 
dark-haired beauty’s mercy. It was entirely explicable, thought Burton, since 
Nick’s mother Anne had done the same thing to him 36 years earlier.
 
He thought about all the times, Nick had been all to willing to rush back to LSP 
when he had time to kill, even after putting in 4-6 hour days there already. You 
never heard him complain either, nary a grumble, peeved look, or frown. Nick had 
grudgingly accepted his penalty and punishment at first, but soon after, there 
seemed to be a sense of graciousness and dedication when he realized how 
fortunate he had been in sentencing, and how the people down there needed his 
services. He had to wonder if Miss LuLu had driven that point home to him, she 
seemed feisty enough to have done it. 
 
Lately, Nick had increasingly demonstrated a desire to sincerely aid his 
disadvantaged clients to the best of his ability, so much so, that it had gotten 
to the point where Burton sometimes had to wonder if his priorities had shifted. 
Not that he would ever suggest that to him, as Nick worked 12 hour days most of 
the time with relish. Burton would never question his work ethic, sincerity, or 
commitment to either place - but he was curious about this aspect of his life. 
He wanted to know what Nick liked about his work over there, did he feel 
rewarded, and how did it compare with F&F and his corporate responsibilities? 
Burton longed for the day when he and Nick could talk openly, and share things. 
One thing’s for sure, Louisa Archer seemed to have instilled a fire in his son’s 
belly for LSP, and other things…because he certainly seemed intent on proving 
himself. 
 
__________________________________________
 
 
“LuLu…” Nick exhaled. His tawny blonde head was downbent as he nuzzled her hair, 
she smelled so good. He could see her eyes were closed. 
 
LuLu didn’t dare look up and into those soulful hooded eyes, she’d be a puddle 
at his feet. It was almost too much to feel their hearts beating in unison, and 
the warmth of his body against hers. She didn’t want the music to end. “Hmm…” 
she said softly. Nick’s arms enclosed her tighter, and she looked up. Their eyes 
met and as their heads started to come together, the sweet strains of the music 
grew lighter and lighter. The dance was ending. Still gazing softly at each 
other, Nick pulled her closer still, and discretely pressed his mouth against 
her left temple. One strap had slid from her shoulder, and before he could catch 
himself, he bent down softly kissing the smooth skin, and placed it back.
 
LuLu, surprised and a bit dazed at the contact, swallowed hard, and slowly 
unclasped her hands that had been linked around his neck. The fingers that had 
been gently stroking his nape, and sending tingles down his spine, brushed his 
collar and fell to her sides. Nick left one arm at her waist, turned, and 
escorted her back to the table, his hand at the small of her back.
 
“Are you ready?” Nick bent down, asking softly, desire raw in his throat. The 
question held a wealth of meaning.
 
“Yes, I’m ready Nicholas.” LuLu whispered back, gazing into his tender eyes.
  
 
--------------------------------------------------
 
 
Nick, had shifted and was leaning back against the hood of his silver Beamer. He 
angled his head, tilting LuLu ’s back and lightly clasping a handful of her 
silken hair in his hand, he controlled the depth of the kiss. They inhaled the 
same breath, and tasted of each other so deeply they didn’t know where one ended 
and the other began. Nick moaned deep in his throat, his hands lowering to grasp 
LuLu’s slender hips through the soft chiffon and pull her closer, cradling her 
form between his legs. She moved sensually against him, and he deepened the kiss 
even further, his hand sliding up to slip the chiffon strap down her arm, and 
reveal the top of her breast. “LuLu,” he breathed huskily, control fast slipping 
away from him as he ground ever closer.
 
Overwhelmed by Nick, LuLu pulled back, breaking the kiss. Her lips red and 
swollen, Nick admired his handiwork and moved in yet again, to taste her. She 
softly ducked her head into his neck, and leaning up on tip-toe, meshing into 
his arousal, she placed her mouth near his nape, kissed and gently nibbled his 
jawline. She heard him gasp in response. 
 
“Let’s go inside LuLu,” Nick said hoarsely, yet firmly, staring down at her, 
their bodies still intimately pressed together.
 
“Alright,” LuLu kissed his chin, and bent to retrieve her purse from the front 
seat, still feeling Nick’s hand at her waist. She smiled, it was as if he did 
not want to stop touching her. Her eyes caught their bid cards which rested on 
the floor, her’s reading 315, and his, 65 - something. Something told her to 
move her card which obscured his, so she did. 653. The winning bid. 
 
Nick, wondered at her hesitation, then looked through the glass to see her 
reaching for his card. “Uh…LuLu?” he said, somewhat urgently, “Don’t --!”
 
“653? That’s your card Nicholas?” She had grasped it, pulled it out, and was now 
standing in front of him, looking bewildered and mildly upset.
 
“Uh…yeah…yeah it is,” Nick said, waiting for the inevitable shit to hit the fan.
 
“I see,” LuLu said softly, “Why Nick?” she questioned.
 
“Tax write-off?” he attempted to joke, instantly regretting that decision, when 
her beautiful dark eyes began to shoot sparks.
 
“Not funny.” LuLu remarked, hurt at his deception.
 
Nick enclosed her in his arms, his left hand cupping her chin, and tilting her 
head towards him, he gently rubbed his thumb against her pouting full lower lip, 
“LuLu, look at me…I’m kidding.”
 
“Why?”, she persisted.
 
Nick exhaled strongly, “Because…I…those assholes were driving me nuts in there 
bidding on you, I had had enough.” 
 
“What assholes?” LuLu asked, fascinated at this complex man standing in front of 
her…holding her…
 
“Well, first of all Larry from Kirk & McGhee, is a complete scumbag -- I know 
because he used to work for Fallin. Then there’s Brent Harris, a womanizing 
lecher, who does drugs and parties, this I know because I happened to cross 
paths with him before I got clean. Look, I could go on and on…” He argued 
passionately.
 
“Hmm…yeah, I uh…I bet you could.” LuLu said, watching him curiously, “You mean 
to tell there wasn’t one person that would have met with your approval tonight?” 
she asked skeptically.
 
Nick looked at her, seriously considering the question, “I guess my Dad would 
have been okay…”
 
LuLu started laughing at that, and couldn’t stop…
 
Nick continued, “but even my Dad is iffy,” he started to smile at her 
deliciously.
 
“What about Jake?” she said gasping, still laughing.
 
“No way,” he whispered shaking his head, and ducking his head down to caress her 
warm silky shoulder with his mouth, as she giggled and caressed his nape.
 
“You know this isn’t happening tonight, don’t you?” she inquired, gently smiling 
into his eyes. 
 
“Why not?” He complained stubbornly.
 
“Nick, you just paid 15 grand for a date with me -- think about it!” she 
exclaimed, then sputtered, “I can’t be with you, not tonight! It would make me 
bought and paid for, like a…a…callgirl!”
 
“LuLu that’s ridiculous!” Nick laughed.
 
“Oh no it’s not. We’ll have our perfectly platonic auction dinner this 
weekend…then we perhaps can…uh…continue…this,” she glanced down at her feet, 
“But I-I couldn’t tonight…knowing that you paid all that money - that’s just way 
too much pressure. You…you might end up asking for a refund,” she said, 
half-joking.
 
Nick’s eyes crinkled up and he laughed, hugging her closer and kissing the top 
of her head.
 
I just -- I can’t Nick,” she pleaded.
 
“I know, I understand.” He said, gazing down tenderly at her.
 
“You do?” LuLu’s eyes shyly assessed him. He nodded, not wanting to let her go.
 
“You want to come in for a $15,000 cup of cocoa?” she smiled into his eyes.
 
He grinned back, putting his arm around her and together they went inside.
 
The End....for now! ;-)