Valentine Kangaroos

By Nabiki

PART 1

All the girls were really into Valentine's Day. Sly, Clarisse, Aly, Dragonlady and Curlly were decorating the CLHQ’s. They couldn't stop talking about it. Trace and North had said that we were to have a Valentine's Dance, but Nabiki wasn't into the mood of the festivities.

Roy was in Sidney, filming a movie, and wouldn't be back on time for the party. If only she could be with him. She was thinking of just not going to the party. She wanted to spend it with Roy. As she entered the main entrance of the Headquarters, Clarisse stopped her.

"Nabiki, would you help us decorate the second floor?" her friend asked.

"Sure, Clarisse, but can I do it a little later? I'm going to check if I have any messages from Roy?"

"Nabiki, I'm sure you'll find one. I received an e-mail from him this morning and he said he was going to write you too", Dragon told her with red ribbons all around her. Nabiki couldn't forget how she had found Dragon on Christmas all tangled with Christmas lights and garlands, so she just smiled.

"Thanks, Dragon. I'll be just be a minute", as she continued her way.

"Guys, Nabiki really seems bummed. She's missing Roy like crazy. I wish we could help her out and lift her spirits", said Sly.

Well, the only way would be if we could become Roy and there is now way possible, is there?" commented Curlly trying to imitate Roy's accent. Everyone laughed at Curlly's thought and kept on doing the decoration.

Nabiki entered her room and went directly to the computer. As she accessed her mail, she didn't find a message from Roy. That made her feel worse. "OK, Nab, it's over. He forgot about you", was the thought that kept hammering in her head, even though her heart was sure he couldn't forget her that soon.

A knock on her door took her of her thoughts and she walked to the door. There, standing was Dragonlady.

"Did you here from my brother?" she asked as she walked into Nabiki’s room.

"No, there wasn’t a message. I guess he must be really up to his head with work. He was really excited when they told him they were going to film in Australia, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen him".

"Laughing out loud! Nabiki, it’s been one week!" said Dragon hugging her friend, "don’t worry, you’ll here from him soon".

"Oh Dragon, I hope so. Well, let’s go, I know you guys need help with the decorations" were Nabiki’s last words as the both of them walked out her room.

~~~~~~

"Cut, cut, cut", said the director. "Roy, what is wrong with you? You seemed totally distracted," said the man as he walked up to where Roy was standing.

"I’m sorry Emilio, but I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m very excited with this movie, and I’ve studied my lines and everything, but the minute we start filming, I’m a complete blank page", Roy said as he rubbed his forehead in worry. He was very distracted during this movie and it wasn’t a "normal" situation for him.

Of course, he wasn’t in a "normal" relationship now either. Nabiki and him had been together since Thanksgiving and things had gotten quite serious during Christmas and now, Valentine’s was approaching and he wasn’t with her.

It had been a difficult decision not to stay at with her but this movie was the opportunity of a lifetime. They had discussed even the possibility of Nabiki coming with him and after long thought they had decided that he should go alone. He couldn’t stop thinking of her and how much she would love Australia. He had tried to send her a message earlier, but he had been interrupted. He needed to send her the message and then maybe he’d be able to finish the scene. He walked to his dressing room, hooked the laptop and checked his e-mail. "No message from her" he thought, and then he wrote:

And then he hit the send button. He hoped she’d answer him soon. Then he left the room and went back to filming.

************

PART 2

Back at Headquarters all the decorations were done. It had taken more than 3 hours to finish it, and everyone was tired, but very happy. Suddenly, North and Trace walked in with a tray of hot cocoa, and everyone was grateful.

"Well, girls, after all the hard work, I thought nothing better than a hot cup of cocoa to get the strength back. North and I have been talking and we want to make a special get together tonight. Everyone in their pj’s. We’ll make some popcorn, hot cocoa again, cookies, and for Curlly’s delight, strawberry cheesecake", said Trace before everyone heard Curlly’s screech as Trace mentioned cheesecake.

Nabiki wasn’t up to this. She wanted to wait and see if Roy sent her a message, but before she could tell everyone what she was going to do, Clarisse and Sherry sat beside her.

"Nabiki, what are you going to wear tonight? I was thinking of my silk red pj’s, what about you Clarisse?"

"Oh, Sherry, I don’t know yet. Maybe my cotton flannel with kitten motives. What about you, Nab?" said Clarisse looking at her friend and then back to Sherry.

"Um, guys, I think I’m going to skip the gathering tonight. I’m really not up to it"

"But Nabiki, what are you going to do? I’m sure that by now, a message from Roy is awaiting you. If you stay alone in your room, you’ll just miss him more, if that’s possible, and you’ll feel miserable," said Sherry while signaling Clarisse that it was a hug moment. Suddenly every girl that was in the room was hugging Nabiki, Clarisse and Sherry and Nabiki couldn’t do anything else but start laughing.

"You guys are the best. And I will join you tonight. But if I’m not great company, you’ve all been warned", Nabiki said.

"Don’t worry girl, we’ll make sure you laugh until your tummy hurts", said Aly, as she rolled up to Trace and started doing monkey faces to her.

Everyone laughed and decided to meet again in the family room at 9:00 p.m.

Nabiki ran to her room and accessed her e-mail, and there was Roy’s message. Her heart was beating out of control and when she read the message, she thought she had read it wrong. "Things are OK between us," she thought as she re-read the message. Then she wrote him back:

And then she sent it. Her spirits were high again. She wanted to sing and dance and run through her room, but then she remembered that she didn’t have any pj to wear for tonight.

~~

After finishing filming for the day, Roy was exhausted. He still had a couple of more weeks to go. He was trying his best to finish, pack and go home. He went to his dressing room, picked up his things and left for the hotel.

Once, there after taking a shower and eating, Roy connected his laptop and went through his messages. There he found the one from Nabiki. As he read it, he felt closer to her and it brightened his night. He couldn’t stop laughing at Nabiki’s remark about not forgetting his lines. He felt as she had seen him that afternoon. When he read about the dance, he couldn’t believe he was going to miss it. Valentine’s Day was such a special occasion.

Then, he made a decision. He wasn’t going to spend Valentine’s alone.

Then he wrote her another e-mail:

After hitting the send button, an idea had started growing in his mind. He decided he’d take a chance and see if it paid off, and he sent another message

~~

Back in the Headquarters, the girls were having a blast. Everyone was laughing and telling stories about their previous valentine’s and what had happen each time. Even though Nabiki had laughed with the girls and was having a good time, every now and then, she would disconnect and go back to missing Roy.

Aly and Trace had been playing tricks on each other, and everyone couldn’t believe them. Curlly had "kidnapped" the cheesecake and Clarisse and North had been trying to make her talk. Sherry and Sly had been trying to pick the most original pj of the evening and had come up with a tie.

Then Avillion had brought up the dance. All the girls had started talking at once about it. Trace had a date with Gray, Clarisse with Callum, Sherry was going with Michael, Northstar was going with… well, no one was sure with whom North was going. Sly had heard from Walter, but wasn’t sure yet if she was to accept.

************

PART 3

Nabiki’s presence had been required at North’s office. She knocked on North’s door and was asked to enter. She was worried, cause she didn’t have any idea of what they wanted from her. As she entered North and Trace were waiting for her.

"Hello, Nabiki, please take a seat", North said as she looked trough a pile of papers.

"Your presence has been asked because we need you to do us a favor. There has been a problem at one of Section’s sub-station and we need you to handle it. You will be debriefed once you’re on the plane. The destiny will be revealed once you have arrived. Good luck", were the last words of Trace, looking very worried.

"I’ll do it. With Roy been out of town, I wasn’t up for all the excitement. Enjoy the party".

"Thank you, Nabiki. We will be waiting for your return. Enjoy your adventure down under", said North

"Down under, enjoy? Girls, I don’t think I’m going to enjoy a mission. What are you hiding?" Nabiki asked feeling that they were hiding something from her.

"Nothing, dear, it’s just that been Valentine’s and everything, we wanted you to remember that we are your friends and that we hope the best for you", said Trace, trying to cover up North’s slip up.

"Ok, then, have a great time at the dance, and take care", said Nabiki as she left North’s office.

"Wow, North, that was close. She almost figured it out", were Trace’s words as she let herself fall on the sofa.

"That’s right, Trace, but you were wonderful. Now, let’s tell Roy that his surprise is on her way", North commented as she turned to her computer and started writing.

~~

Michael had been preparing things for Nabiki's arrival. There were so many things to do and so little time. Nabiki was going to be very surprised when she arrived and he couldn't wait to look at her face. He had already booked a room for her and had white roses for the room. He'd taken care of reservations for the Opera House and other activities. In 5 more hours, she would be in Sidney and they would spend Valentine’s Day together.

~~

As Nabiki was sitting in the plane, she didn’t understand many things. The debrief was not complete as North had said. It was all very complicated. It didn’t say where she was going or what her mission was. And a sub-station needed her help, but which sub-station? And North’s words about enjoying a mission was totally out of place. Who would enjoy a mission? Something was really wrong in this mission and it only gave her the goose bumps.

************

PART 4

"Nabiki, we have arrived to your destination. Please wait to be retrieved. And Happy Valentine’s Day", said the pilot as the plane had landed and was stopping.

"Oh God, everyone was into the festivities, and I’m not" Nabiki thought as she needed to get in touch with Roy before she started her mission. She knew that after that it would be a couple of days until she would have access to a laptop.

She started to write his message:

Suddenly, someone had kissed Nabiki’s neck. She turned around in combat mode when she couldn’t believe her eyes. Right there in front of her, was Roy. She started crying, while they hugged and kissed.

"There, there, my sweet Nabiki, what is wrong? Aren’t you happy to see me? I can’t believe you’re here," Roy said while kissing Nabiki’s eyelids and hugging her very tight.

"Oh, Roy, it’s really you. I’m so happy to see you. I thought I’d be spending Valentine’s Day in a mission. Ohh, wait. I’ve been set. There is no mission, is there?"

"There is a mission, love, but not the type of mission you were waiting for. Your mission is to enjoy the time we have together and enjoy Australia".

The only thing the pilot and co-pilot heard after that was someone yelling: "Yiiiipeeeeee!!"

~~~~

Michael and Nabiki walked around Sydney, enjoying the view. They had loved the Opera House. It was beautiful, especially at night. The temperature was chilly, but not bad. As they walked through the streets along the harbor holding hands, everything was marvelous.

On Valentine's Day, Roy had rented a boat and they went sailing through Sidney's harbor. They had a picnic that Nabiki had made. Everything was perfect. She had to thank North and Trace for arranging her trip.

They ended the evening with dinner in a restaurant that looked to the harbor. Roy was dressed in a tuxedo and Nabiki with one of her favorite white dresses. As their evening was coming to an end, in the Sidney Bay, were a display of fireworks, that brought new happiness for everyone. It was a new Millenium with a new hope for good things to come. Nabiki and Roy had hopes for their own. Australia was magical and it had brought magic to their relationship. Who knew what awaited the young couple.

The End?

This story ©copyright Nabiki, 2000