5.13. "It's fine Scottish weather we're having. The rain is falling straight down and kind of to the side like."
Braveheart

Co-written with timemaychange

Nathan was wet. And he was cold. His shoes were making interesting squishing noises as he hurried along the drenched Princeton sidewalk. He swore there had been no hint of rain when he left for work that morning, and it was why he decided to save some gas and just leave his car at home. He hadn't managed to get an apartment within easy walking distance of Princeton Plainsboro, but he had been up earlier than usual that morning and decided to make the effort to walk. What a damn mistake. By the time it was lunch time, it was pouring down. His day had gone from bad to worse as it was, and by the time he left, he missed the bus going in the direction of his home and a taxi couldn't get to him for as long as it would take him to walk home. So he just did.

( The thing was, he didn't realise just how late it had gotten by the time he did reach his street... )


Word Count | 3,434

LINK: As he walked back to his apartment in the rain, now soaking wet and looking like a drowned rat, Nathan really wished he had driven to work that morning and wondered when a pigeon was going to fly by and crap on him to top his shitty day off.

LINK: I baked... a cake... and now I need to be committed.

LINK: Plenty of time to be discreet when you're fucking dead.

[Backdated to New Years Eve night]

It was true that Gee had gone to ground, avoiding anyones calls but Stuart's. Even Matt's calls were left for voicemail to pick up, and Gee didn't know why. Maybe because she was ashamed. She was on the verge of falling forEuan , and she was just embarrassed that she had let it happen so easily. Talking to Matt was just going to drive it home. She didn't even pick up whenVee called, but did listen to the message telling her that Euan was in hospital. She'd just sat on the information until New Year's Eve was nearly over and she realised she would rather spend it inEuan's hospital room than home alone.

Another sign she was in trouble.

She tried to call Matt back finally, but only got his voicemail. Revenge, or he was tied up celebrating with his blonde. She didn't mind. Maybe it was better to wait until she knew what would happen next. The nurse on duty didn't seem to mind letting Gee in to see him, apparently disgruntled that she'd had to give up a party to cover someoneelse's shift, so at least someone should get what they want that night.

( Gee hovered in the doorway briefly before she crossed the room, and leaned down to press a kiss to Euan's lips. He looked like he was dead to the world, and still she'd rather be here than anywhere else... )


Word Count | 3,779

LINK: Got asked out on a date by a chick for the first time... I love feminism.

[Follows THIS and THIS]

Mel had to laugh at her brother sometimes. Matt had rung her all in a panic when he'd realised he'd left his cell at home, begging her to bring it to the hospital. She couldn't work out why he had to have it with only five hours of his shift to go. Especially when she figured he was already at work - they were hardly going to call him, were they? And most people would have called the hospital if he hadn't answered, and it was urgent.

Made her wonder if he was enjoying text sex with his lady boss, but she just made a mental note to ask when she handed over the phone. She wasn't so desperate to find out by looking through his phone. That was until it beeped with a message, and she might have opened it. Accidentally of course. The contents had her blushing from head to toe, and her question was well and truly answered.

Mel still had a hint of a blush as she stepped through the doors to the Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Her hair was a ruffled mess, but at least she was warm in her scarf, and jacket. Her hands were tucked into the pockets and she reluctantly pulled on free to try and smooth her hair back into some kind of order. At least the inside of the hospital was warm. Now all she had to do was remember how to get to Matt's floor. She headed to the elevator and had only just reached to push the button when the doors swung open and she found herself about to be hit by a wall of chest.

( A chest that seemed to be more familiar than it should of been... )


Word Count | 3,328

LINK: Superman undies aren't dorky, they're a vital part of every male's wardrobe.

[backdated to New Year's Eve]


Harri had no idea how she was going to last until midnight. She loved Aiden, and she had always been someone to look forward to New Year's, but she got tired easily these days. Especially when she up at all hours because of Campbell. She was on her own, with James away somewhere undercover, so there was no taking shifts with her partner. Pat and Aiden had been staying in New York to give her a hand, and she would be eternally grateful to them. Especially when they took Campbell off her hands long enough for her to get a few hours of solid sleep.

( She stifled a yawn, and looked down to doublecheck that she really hadn't put her undies on the outside, or looked too much like a mess. )


Words: 2668

LINK: Nathan couldn't believe that the parents of a kid with an infected pinkie toe could create more drama for hospital staff than those of a kid with meningitis.

[BACKDATED TO NEW YEARS EVE]

Harri had no idea how she was going to last until midnight. She loved Aiden, and she had always been someone to look forward to New Year's, but she got tired easily these days. Especially when she up at all hours because of Campbell. She was on her own, with James away somewhere undercover, so there was no taking shifts with her partner. Pat and Aiden had been staying in New York to give her a hand, and she would be eternally grateful to them. Especially when they took Campbell off her hands long enough for her to get a few hours of solid sleep.

She stifled a yawn, and looked down to doublecheck that she really hadn't put her undies on the outside, or looked too much like a mess. She had pads in her bra to try and hide the leakagage, and Campbell was tucked against her chest as he slept after having a feed. She tried to keep the times regular, but her baby boy didn't believe in a schedule. He was already a demanding little diva, but she loved him. She looked down at his tiny face in awe, still amazed she'd produced a little bundle like him.

Harri glanced back up when she realised someone had slid into the booth opposite her, and smiled. "Alex. It's been a while."

( Alex snorted as he smirked at her... )


Word Count | 2,668

[Follows THIS]

The brief talk with Lachlan more than had Aiden in brooding contemplation. The Scot had a tendency to do that to people. He left you with a bunch of mental tools that set your brain into overdrive before you could stop it. Aiden was standing in the kitchen of his trendy Upper East Side apartment, absentmindedly stirring a cup of coffee probably way more than it needed as he stared out the kitchen windows across the rooftops of the neighbouring apartments. The rest of the apartment was quiet as he waited for Pat to come back from the gym. Cameron was staying there with them for a few days, but had yet to surface after the big New Year party the night before which had also functioned as Aiden's birthday bash. Everything seemed brilliant the night before, and he had an awesome time. It was only this morning that things got tense again. Another failed attempt in the bedroom had them nearly in an argument, probably only prevent by Pat's escaped to the gym before voices and tempers could flare any further.

( Aiden was so lost in his thoughts that he jumped when he heard the apartment door open, but he abandoned the untouched coffee to head through into the main part of the apartment... )


Word Count | 2,826

[Follows THIS]

The brief talk with Lachlan more than had Aiden in brooding contemplation. The Scot had a tendency to do that to people. He left you with a bunch of mental tools that set your brain into overdrive before you could stop it. Aiden was standing in the kitchen of his trendy Upper East Side apartment, absentmindedly stirring a cup of coffee probably way more than it needed as he stared out the kitchen windows across the rooftops of the neighbouring apartments. The rest of the apartment was quiet as he waited for Pat to come back from the gym. Cameron was staying there with them for a few days, but had yet to surface after the big New Year party the night before which had also functioned as Aiden's birthday bash. Everything seemed brilliant the night before, and he had an awesome time. It was only this morning that things got tense again. Another failed attempt in the bedroom had them nearly in an argument, probably only prevent by Pat's escaped to the gym before voices and tempers could flare any further.

( Aiden was so lost in his thoughts that he jumped when he heard the apartment door open, but he abandoned the untouched coffee to head through into the main part of the apartment... )


Word Count | 2,826

[All muses referenced are from the princeton2nyc universe]

Despite working at The Bondi in New York for a few years, this was the first time Nathan had actually DJ'ed at one of Luke's private functions. He knew they occurred regularly, but Luke's wife was part of a band who totally rocked and a DJ was far from anyones mind on those nights. Nathan had been to a few of the band's gigs, and he was in awe. One of the best acts he'd seen in a long time, and he knew his music. But that night, it was a birthday party as well as a New Year's party, and the band wanted (and needed, according to Luke) a night off to let their hair down. He wanted his best DJ to step in to cater the music, if he wasn't working and was able to come along to New York. Of course, Nathan jumped at the chance. It wasn't like he had any other New Year plans other than sitting at home with a pizza and his remote control. The night, as expected, was rocking.

The thing Nathan really enjoyed about this group was that they included their infants in the celebrations. Three little babies here to celebrate with their families, and it was just awesome. Nathan was laughing at the Scotsman's baby son who seemed to be almost bouncing off the walls in excitement and giggling while he had people wrapped around his little finger with his big blue eyes. He looked to be just finding his feet, too, getting a few steps when he managed to escapesomeones clutches, only to fall flat on his butt before he could get too far. Nathan adored kids, so it was fun to see. He locked in the next loop of songs, introducing some old classic rock and some good dance tracks before he sat back on his stool, picking up his water bottle for a long drink. It might be the middle of winter, but it was warm in the bar and he pushed his fedora hat back to wipe some sweat off his forehead with the back of his wrist, taking in the happy surroundings with a smile.

( Mel wasn't so out of place that she didn't know anyone... )


Word Count | 4,285

LINK: So fucking glad that year is over.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

An hour an a half into 2010 here, and I think maybe the first New Year in over a decade I havenae been pissed, but hey! This is the year my lassie makes an honest man out of me, so it's all awesome!

Hope you all had a good one and best wishes for the next 365 days.

Cheers!

LINK: I swear Vodka, Red Bull and Cherry Coke shooters sounded good at the time.