Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 17:27:00 -0700
From: mistress_n9@juno.com
Subject: The Shadow's Riddle Chapter 5

Disclaimer: you scare me if you don't know this by heart by now.

*Cringes from Aaron's loud voice then shouts back as loud as he was*
"WHAT?" *Pauses then remembers* "OH, HI!"

Shout Outs: just wanna say hi to some friends: Leo, Aaron (please,
please, please continue it! Please?!), Nike (THANK YOU A LOT! *waves
through the telescope*), NCfan, Sophie, Goldie-boy (^.~*), Lucas
Thompson, Mat (*muah*), Andy, Jacqi, Steph, and all of my fans.

Now I know I haven't been shamelessly plugging in stories but I need you
guys to check out 'Watching You Without Me' If you look past the initial
shock, you might find something good in there. It's worth a look.

Also read any fics by NCfan and Sophie V. Those two are the best authors
I know.

And let's not forget Carter's 'Open Arms.' It should be updated soon
enough. At least I HOPE so.

Now in this chapter, I came up with two endings. One, he dies. Two, he
lives and yadda, yadda, yadda. Have a good read!

"The Shadow's Riddle"
Act 5; Scene 1: The finale

Option 1: Dead
They creatures watched on as their friend wept for his beloved.
"Nick..." he moaned. "Our life...our plans...all gone." He stroked the
soft blonde hair. "All because of Mandah."

A few days later, they held a funeral for him with his friends and
family. Everyone else left while Thomas stood in the rain. He wore the
trench coat Nick wore in 'I Want It That Way.' He wrapped it around him
closer; inhaling Nick's scent. He placed a single red rose on the grave
and turned to leave. Later that day, they would meet at his lawyer's
office so they could read the will. He listened but his mind was
elsewhere.

He heard Aaron accept Nick's home and memories. The fellas get their
pick on his things. A sword to Nimm, Erin, and Harlequin as well as an
unfinished novel to the author.

"And to Thomas Aaron Burke I leave my most valued treasures. A video
tape, my ring, and a CD." They all gathered their things and left the
office. Nimm and Erin helped Thomas out of his chair and to their home.

*Later that evening*
"Tommy?" asked Erin as she stepped into Thomas' room. "Supper's almost
ready. And your things came today." Thomas gave no answer as the tears
continued to pour out of his eyes. "We're having spaghetti, I'll leave
some so you won't be starving." She left a brown paper package wrapped
up in white string on his bed. he got up like a zombie and opened it.
Sure enough, there was the videotape, the CD, and a ring.

He put the video in the VCR and turned on the TV. Nick's smiling face
flashed across the screen. "Hi honey." Nick smiled. "If you're watching
this, it probably means I'm dead. I bet you're wondering why I left you
this tape, a CD, and a ring. The reason why I left this tape was because
I have specific instructions for you, young man.

"I was going to give you the ring after that battle with Mandah. It was
supposed to be an engagement ring. I was going to seduce you good. And
after making love almost a zillion times, I would pop the question.
Since I wouldn't be around to do that, I figured that you'd be happy
with the ring. It'll be a symbol of our love.

"The CD contains songs I recorded especially for you. I wrote the songs
thinking of you. Since now I can't sing you to sleep, I thought I'd
record my voice. I did this during all the time we were apart. Harlequin
helped me in some areas. That was why I was meeting her that day." Nick
planted a loud kiss on the screen before the screen blacked out. Thomas
sat on the bed; crying. "Shhh...honey, don't do that." A comforting arm
draped around his shoulders.

"But I miss you so much." Thomas cried.

"Don't worry. We'll be together soon enough." Nick's Spirit comforted.
"Soon." He kissed Thomas one last time and disappeared.

*70 years later*
"Here lies Thomas Aaron Burke. Lover of Nickolas Gene Carter. Now, they
can remain together forever." Nimm smiled sadly at the two gravestones.
She looked towards the sunset and saw two figures, arm in arm, walking
and laughing and kissing into the sunset. "Maybe now I can return to my
home. My duty's over." She sighed as she was reduced back to her tiny,
faerie form. "And so this is the end of our tale."

FIN

Mistress_N9@juno.com

Use that email, bub.