A short NN vignette set in the modern day. Disclaimers
at the ende.
================================
Afterglow

Natalie sat typing her notes up for the lecture she
was giving at the conference. She got up to refill her
coffee cup, the rain outside beating against the dark
windows. Daylight savings was only a few days away and
she was looking forward to the longer days. She
glanced at the clock and saw that it was just after
five-thirty. Tom had offered to pick the kids up then 

stop by and pick up dinner at Tonnelli's. 

She listened to the radio and stopped as she heard a
sweet song. Tears sprang to her eyes as she listened
to the lyrics, and 

she was transported back in time to a Toronto ten
years in the past, waking up in a darkened hospital
room, hooked up to an 

I.V. and a shadow in the moonlight. Across her lap was
a single red rose. 

Here I am 
Lost in the light of the moon 
That comes through my window 
Bathed in blue 
The walls of my memory 
Divides the thorns from the roses 
It's you and the roses 

"Nick?" The figure by the window turned toward her, a
look of profound sorrow and grief on his face. He
walked across the 

floor to kneel at her side. 

"Oh, Nat..." 

Touch me and I will follow 
In your afterglow 
Heal me from all this sorrow 
As I let you go 

I will find my way 
When I see your eyes 
Now I'm living 
In your afterglow 

"I have faith in you." Her words echoed between them. 

Here I am 
Lost in the ashes of time 
But who owns tomorrow 
In between 
The longing to hold you again 
I'm caught in your shadow 
I'm losing control 
My mind drifts away 

The golden hair bent under her hand in tender benison.
She knew without him saying that it was goodbye. Tears
formed in her 

eyes.

"Nick, please, don't leave me. I love you, and I don't
know if I can live without you."

Touch me and I will follow 
In your afterglow 
Heal me from all this sorrow 
As I let you go 

I will find my way 
I will sacrifice 
Till that blinding day 
When I see your eyes 
Now I'm living 
In your afterglow 

Blue eyes with unshed red tears in them bared
themselves to her. 

"Nat, I have to go. I cannot stay. I love you, more
than I have ever imagined possible. I will always be
there for you if you 

need me, I swear to you." He slowly stood and leaned
over to touch his cold lips to her warmth. "Know that
I love you. I'm 

going to continue looking for a cure, I promise you.
Be happy, Nat. For me."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she nodded, unable
to speak. Nick turned and left, glancing over his
shoulder as he walked 

through the door.


When the veils are gone 
As I let you go 
As I let you go 

Touch me and I will follow 
In your afterglow 
Heal me from all this sorrow 
As I let you go 

I will find my way 
I will sacrifice 
Now I'm living 
In your afterglow 
Bathed in blue 
The walls of my memory 
Divides the thorns from the roses 
It's you who is closest 

As the tender and powerful song ended, tears continued
to stream down her face. She went back into her office
and logged onto 

the internet. She pulled up Google and looked up
"Afterglow", and found out that it was by INXS.
Logging onto iTunes, she 

downloaded it. She started an email.

"I heard this and thought of you. I'm happy with my
family, but a piece of me is always with you. Take
care, all my love."

She attached the music file and sent it to 1228knight,
a sad smile on her face. 
=================================
Nick and Natalie don't belong to me, they are the sole
property of Sony-Tristar. Lyrics copyrights belong to
INXS. 


"The price for this gift is the darkness of the night,
and the blood of humanity to sustain you."
 -THICKER THAN WATER, Kristen Fife in progress
See my blog at http://spaces.msn.com/members/landinn/