SN Fic: NST

[out_there]

For celli and her bad day:


N.S.T.

When Dan got in, Casey's coat was hanging on their coat-rack, but Casey himself wasn't in the office. Shrugging to himself, Dan pulled off his jacket and sat down at the table. He had half an hour until noon rundown, so really… he didn't have to do anything until then.

He tapped his fingers on the table and got the laptop out, just for something to do. When he flipped it open, there was a post-it stuck to his screen. He groaned as he read the three frightening letters, hastily scribbled in Casey's looped handwriting.

N. S. T.

At least that explained what Casey was doing. Dan scrunched up the note and headed to editing.

As expected, the room appeared empty. The lights were off, the door was shut and the screens were dark. But he knew that Casey would be slouched down on the couch, out of sight of anyone passing by.

Casey looked up in alarm as he opened the door, and then relaxed when he recognised Dan. "Sit down," he hissed, gesturing urgently.

Dan sat down beside him, and pretended that he was only hiding to indulge Casey. "I got your note."

"Ah," Casey said, and edged further down on the couch.

"You're hiding."

"Damn right."

"You're a grown man and you're sitting here and hiding."

Casey turned to give him a flat stare. "And what are you doing?"

"I'm keeping you company," Dan replied with a grin. "I wouldn't want you looking so pathetic and unmanly all by yourself."

"Especially not when you do it so well."

"I do it with style." Casey snickered and Dan sat there quietly, looking around the dark room. Finally, he sighed. "Do you want to edit something?"

"No."

He looked closely at Casey. There had to be something they could do. "Why not?"

"I'm busy."

"Doing what?"

"Hiding," Casey said seriously.

Dan was bored. Dan was bored and he was starting to fidget. He never could sit still for long. "So…"

"So?"

"NST, huh?"

Casey groaned. "NST."

"It's surprising that three little letters can contain such a world of fear."

"Don't blame the letters. It's not their fault." Dan sniggered, and Casey continued, "The power is all in the meaning of the letters."

"True." Dan nodded and shifted on the couch, almost sitting up straight, before he forgot. Casey glared at him.

"If you get us caught, Dan…" The threat was unspoken, but it was obviously meant.

Dan hunched his shoulders over and leaned forward. "Is it Dana?"

"No," Casey said with a tight-lipped smile.

"Kim?"

"No."

They were abruptly interrupted by the editing door smacking open. "Here you are," Natalie almost growled at them, glaring over her clipboard. "Do you think you two middle-aged morons could learn to read a clock?"

"Morning, Natalie," Dan tried bravely, and she glared. Casey just nodded, looking cowed.

"It's past noon, Dan. It's not morning, it's midday."

"It's…" Dan started, and then had a sinking realisation. "We're late for the noon rundown, aren't we?"

"And you guys forgot. Do you know how ridiculous it is that we have to keep reminding you two about this?" Natalie demanded, angrily pushing her hair out of her eyes. "We have the same meetings every damn day. Same time. Same place. Every damn day! It's not hard to remember."

"We're sorry, Natalie," Casey said sincerely. "We'll try to remember." Casey stared up her, all big contrite eyes, and Natalie's expression actually softened. She almost stopped scowling.

"Clocks, guys. The rest of us use them."

For such a small girl, she could really slam a door.

Dan waited until the outside door slammed as well, and then let out a long breath. "So, it's Natalie, huh?"

"How could you tell?" Casey deadpanned, his lips twitching slightly.

"The middle-aged crack kind of gave it away." Dan fought the urge to point out that since he wasn't even thirty, he certainly wasn't *middle-aged*. Casey smirked knowingly at him and Dan shrugged. "Nice move, by the way. Very convincing apology."

"I've had a lot of practice apologising to angry women," Casey said, standing up. "It does occasionally come in handy."

"I'll say." They were standing at the door, both of them waiting for the other to open it. "Casey?"

"Yeah?" Casey had his hand on the door handle, but didn't pull.

"Have I mentioned how much I *love* Nature's Special Time?"

"As do we all." Sighing, Casey opened the door. "Once more into the breach?"

"I don't think we have a choice." Dan looked balefully at Casey. "Do we?"

"No."

The End

Comments

[tobiascharity.livejournal.com]

heeeee. Natalie even outside of NST is a little scary. but I love your Danny and Casey banter in this. spot on.

-t

[out-there.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *beams*