Priorities Author: Sarah Grauvogl, a.k.a. NickandLuluFan Eamil: grauvose@muohio.edu. Rating: G Summary: Nick Fallin's priorities are called into question as he is torn between personal life and professional --- oh, and its a bit over 500 words, I found it hard to be concise :) Content: Part of the "Scratched Coffee Table" Series --+-- Allegheny County Court House Nick shook his head as he picked up the briefcase from the bench, "no, I have to get home," "Take Sam with you..." Laurie pleaded, needing to be back inside the court room herself in just a few moments. "I can't," Nick stammered, afraid he'd be late to pick up his father for his appointment. Not having any more time to loose, he needed an out, "why can't he just stay here?" "You're his guardian," Laurie began, but then stopped herself -- knowing better than to go that route. There was no choice in the matter, she picked up "the judge wants us back here in two hours..." "He can't come with me," he repeated, seeing no good reason why the boy just couldn't stay with the other wards somewhere upstairs and wait. Laurie rested her hand on his arm, and spoke to him sincerely, "Nick, please --- I wouldn't ask you to do this if there was an another option. " Nick pulled away, angered, and turned to the small little boy, "c'mon, let's go." The blonde boy's big blue eyes lit up, "where we goin' ?" ** Shadyside Lulu reached over to the seat and found her phone, the ringing was incessant, she answered quickly, "Louisa Archer." "Meet me at my house," Nick demanded without any greeting or introduction. Lulu knew the voice without question, "what?" Nick turned to check on the boy in the back seat, "just, just meet me there." "Where do you live?" she asked, not having any idea. "Nevermind, I'll find out," Lulu said softly, before ending the call and tossing the phone onto her passenger seat. ** Fallin Residence "Nicholas?" Burton called out, having heard the door opening, but unable to move just yet. Nick walked quickly to the living room, not wanting Burton to get up, "yeah..." "I thought that was you." Burton gave a slight nod, his head still heavy. "Are you about ready?" Nick asked, noting Burton hadn't moved from the couch. "Well, well, well... I'll be damned ... who is that you got with you?" Burton asked with a smile, seeing a little blonde-haired tyke peer out from behind Nick. Staring at the boy, he couldn't get over how much he reminded him of Nicholas when he was small. "Sam, a client" Nick answered dutifully, not wanting Burton to misinterpret the situation. ** "Uh oh.." the little Sam's clear blue eyes quickly filled with tears, looking at what he had done, the deep scratch set within the dark wood. Nick came over an inspected the coffee table, seeing the small red Matchbox car that had done the damage had already been strewn to the floor, "dammit." Sam looked up at Nick, seeing his frustration, "I sorry..." ** Nick opened the door for Burton, and then turned to Sam, "I'll be right back, I'm going to take him to the car and make a call." "Okay," Sam mumbled softly, used to being left behind. Nick escorted his father out to the heating car, and got him settled inside. He walked quickly back up to the house, trying to smile at the boy on the stairs as he came in. Nick immediately picked up the phone in the foyer, his back to the door, and dialed, getting an unanswered ring. "Hi Sam," Lulu said sweetly as she entered the house, unannounced. Nick turned quickly, setting the phone down, and demanded, "where have you been?" "Sorry," she said, seeing it was best not to fuel the fire, as Nick already seemed agitated, "I spoke with Burton on my way in." "I'll meet you at the court house," Nick said, grabbing his own jacket off the chair, ready to leave. Lulu walked with him to the door, with Sam trailing a few feet behind, "are you pissed about the table or is it more than that?" Nick looked at her intently, just relieved she was there, and nudged a small dark strand of hair behind her ear. The crisis had been resolved. Maybe they could talk later, maybe... ** THE END