Series: Scenes From an Italian Restaurant

Title: Daemon and Pythias

Author: Carla

Email: cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Nicole/Carmen

Disclaimers: All the usual yada yada.

Archiving: okay to the Realm all others please ask.

Feedback: The good the bad the ugly to me at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

A/N: This fic takes place after Never, Never but before Dear Eloise.

Daemon and Pythias

Nicole looked up from the book she was reading, as the line she was in shuffled forward a bit. There were at least 10 people in line before her so she returned her attention to her book.

"You'd think we'd be able to register for classes online or over the phone." Nicole turned around to look at the person behind her.

"I'm sorry did you say something?"

"I said you'd think we would be able to register for classes online or over the phone."

"You'd think."

"I wonder why we can't."

"I read somewhere that we only have to do it this way first semester. Also there's that whole "Presidents Welcome" speech thing at 11:00 o'clock so maybe this is the only way to make sure all the new students are there for that and the orientation that follows."

"That's not mandatory is it?"

"Nah, but what's the harm, other than a colossal waste of time."

"But that's just it don't we all have something better to do. In fact I can think of about half a dozen other ways to spend our time." Nicole quirked an eyebrow at this.

"Our?"

"Sure why not?"

"For starters I don't even know you're name."

"Allow me to introduce myself then. Paul Holly" he stuck a hand out in greeting "At your service. And you are?"

"Nicole Julian."

"Hi Nicole a pleasure to meet you." The line inched forward some more.

"Nice to meet you Paul."

"Where are you from?"

"California and you?"

"Fairbanks, Alaska. Where in Cali?"

"Beverly Hills."

"So we're both far from home then. What made you come here?"

"My partner goes to school not to far from here. You?"

"It's not Alaska and they gave me the best financial aid package. Mercenary I know but what can you do?" Paul shrugged his shoulders.

"True. Are you living on campus then?"

"Yeah aren't you I thought it was mandatory for freshmen."

"If it is no one said anything to me."

"So where do you live then?"

"In Cobleskill about an hour away."

"Why so far? If I may ask."

"Carmen goes to school in Hyde Park and Cobleskill is halfway between here and there."

"Carmen?"

"My partner."

"Ah. What school does she go to then?"

"The Culinary Institute of America."

The line moved and Paul, Nicole and the others in line shuffled forward.

"So she's studying to be a chef huh?" Nicole nodded.

Paul reached into his knapsack and felt around for something, finally pulling his hand out with a triumphant grin he showed Nicole his day planner. "Phone number please I'll need to call for directions when I come for dinner next week."

Nicole laughed, she found herself liking this young man with his shoulder length black hair, lumberman's flannel jacket and ready grin. "What makes you think you'll be invited?"

"Hey a guy can hope. I'm far from home when's the next time I'm gonna get a home cooked meal huh?"

"When's the next flight to Fairbanks?"

"You wound me." Paul placed a hand over his heart and pretended to swoon.

"Here give me that." Nicole took the day planner from Paul's hand and wrote her number down. "If you ever call after ten at night you'll never be invited to dinner."

"I'll remember that." Paul put his planner back in his knapsack. "I'd give you mine but I don't have a phone yet. The lines supposed to be turned on tomorrow but you know how that goes."

"Hearing a dial tone is believing."

"You got that right."

"Do you have a roommate?"

"I lucked out. I have a double but no roommate yet."

"Nice. Where are you?"

"I'm in Whitney. That new one they just opened this year. I have to admit though that it is kind of nice knowing no one else has ever slept in my bed. I have this thing about that. I suppose it's because of that summer in camp when I got fleas from the mattress on my bunk."

"Eww!" Nicole shuddered. "They did not have fleas at cheerleading camp."

Paul guffawed. "You went to `cheerleading camp', they actually have those?"

"Yes. I thought Alaska would be to cold to have fleas."

"I went to camp in Idaho."

"Where I suppose you learned how to live in the hills and shoot federal marshals right?"

"It was bible camp."

"And apparently `cleanliness is not next to godliness' is it?"

"Yeah well it was the only one my grandparents would pay for. It wasn't that bad really and I only went for two weeks so…"

"Was it really religious?"

"We had Bible class in the mornings and prayer service at night but mostly we played games and went swimming or hiking. Looks like you're next."

"Thanks" Nicole turned slightly so that she could keep an eye out for the next open registration clerk while she continued talking to Paul. "What classes are you signing up for?"

"Intro stuff mostly except for math. Geology, Chemistry, English, French and Advanced Calculus. You?"

"Basic Principles of Engineering, Intro to Sociology, Intro to Psyche and Advanced Calculus. That's a heavy load you're signing up for don't you think?"

"Yeah but I absolutely need to get my degree in four years or less can't really afford for it to take any longer than that unfortunately."

"I take it you're not working then."

"Not during the school year…you're up."

"Great. Hey wanna grab a cup of coffee after this?"

"Sure. Meet you outside?"

"Okay see you in a bit then."

Nicole was waiting outside taking in the sun and reading her book while she waited for Paul to finish registering.

"Did you get everything you wanted?"

"Yep. You?"

"No the Chem. lab section I wanted was closed out and the only one I could get into cut into Geology so something had to go. It's okay I guess I mean I don't have class on Friday at all now but on the other hand my first class is at 9:00 AM Monday."

"Yikes that sucks big. Good thing you live on campus then."

"True, true. What about you, you get the schedule you wanted?"

"Yeah."

"Still want to have that coffee or do you want to go to that `President's Welcome' thing you were talking about?"

"Coffee we could go into town. My car's right over there." Nic pointed towards the parking lot.

"Hey would you mind taking me to Wal-Mart I need to get some things and without a car it's kind of hard to get there."

"Sure no problem you'll have to tell me how to get there though. I know how to get from my house to here and back."

"I printed out directions at the library last night."

"Cool. I don't know about you but I need caffeine, we could hit the drive through at Starbucks on the way."

"Sounds like a plan. I need to get my wallet from my room. Wanna come up?"

"Sure."

They spent the rest of the morning and afternoon together shopping and then stopped for a late lunch at a diner near the mall.

"So wait a minute let me see if I have this straight, so to speak, you and Carmen have been together two years…"

"Two years in October." Nicole cut in.

"Almost two years and you guys bought a house together already? Mind if I ask how you can afford it?"

"Nana."

"Say no more. Mine is going to give me an allowance so that I don't have to work during the school year but I know it will make things a little tight for her sometimes."

"Mine's dead."

"Oh sorry."

"Don't be you didn't know. She died about six years back."

They continued to eat in awkward silence, the first one of the day, until Nicole's cell phone rang.

"Hello…Hi honey…no I forgot. Look why don't you start without me if I head out now I should only be a couple of minutes late…okay…yes uh-huh…I love you too…okay bye now."

"What's up?"

"Nothing…I forgot we were supposed to interview these people tonight." Nicole signaled the waitress for the check.

"Interview?"

Nicole ducked her head feeling somewhat awkward and slightly embarrassed as she said "For a maid. It's a big house."

"Must be."

The waitress put the check down on the table and Paul reached for it saying "My treat for taking me to Wal-Mart. You can pay next time."

"That's alright."

"No really, my treat. We better get going you don't want to be any later than necessary."

"Actually you know we're closer to my house than to campus if you don't mind hanging around while Carmen and I talk to this woman we can drive you back… after dinner even if you want."

"Um…I don't know…I mean I don't want to intrude and it's a pain in the ass for you to have to drive me back. There's a bus that runs from here to town I could take that."

"It's not a problem really…it's just if we go from here I can get home early and if I take you now I'll be a few minutes late. Look if you wanted to you could spend the night even. I get a good vibe off of you." Paul laughed evilly at this.

"Fooled you didn't I?"

"Seriously Paul I get a good vibe off of you I have a feeling you and I are going to be great friends."

"Me too." Paul opened the door for Nicole as they left the diner. "So now where do you live again?"

"Cobleskill it's about half an hour away from here." Nicole unlocked the car and they climbed in. "Hey you bought swim trunks at Wal-Mart didn't you?"

"Yeah they were on sale couldn't pass them up. I love swimming."

"You can go for a swim while Carm and I are busy if you want."

"You have a pool. If you tell me you have a tennis court I'm moving in."

"No tennis court sorry."

"Rats. Campus it is then." Paul sighed heavily. "You should call your girlfriend and ask her if its alright for me to come over don't you think?"

"You're right. I'm sure it won't be a problem though." Nicole called Carmen at the house. "Hi it's me…no, no problems…its just I made a new friend today…Paul…waiting to register for classes…he's with me now. We went to Wal-Mart…it's just that if I take him back to campus and then go home I'll be later than I thought…that's what I was thinking…good, we'll see you soon. Love you."

"I take it you got the green light."

"Yep."

"Cool."

~~~~~

Nicole gave the horn two short taps as she put the car in park in front of the house.

"Why did you do that?"

"Long story short version: force of habit. Why are you laughing?"

"That's funny my father use to do the Honey-I'm-Home honk when I was a kid too."

"You mean he didn't have a sled and dog team."

"No he didn't. Oh look the wife is meeting you at the door." Paul said as the door opened and Carmen stepped outside.

"Not yet but some day."

They got out of the car, Paul following Nicole up the path that led to the front door as he took in the house and the surrounding property.

"If she doesn't marry you I will" Nicole over heard her guest murmur.

"Hey beautiful" Carmen whispered in Nic's ear as she wrapped her arms around the shorter girl. They kissed briefly before introductions were made.

"Paul this is my partner, Carmen. Carmen this is my new friend, Paul Holly."

"Hi Paul pleased to meet you."

"Hi Carmen nice to meet you. Nicole neglected to mention that you were baking…" he sniffed the air appreciatively "apple pie it smells like?"

"Good nose you have there. Come inside."

They went inside and Nic gave Paul a quick tour of the downstairs while Carmen went to check on things in the kitchen.

"Hey do you guys want anything to drink. Paul we have pop, juice, water or would you like some coffee maybe? Nikki sweetie what about you?" Carmen called out from the kitchen.

"Could you make lattes?" Nic asked as she and Paul joined Carmen in the kitchen.

"Sure. Paul would you like one too?"

"That would be great. Wow this place is amazing…this kitchen oh my god I would die for a kitchen like this and I don't even boil water well."

~~~~~

Later that night as they were getting ready for bed Nicole filled her lover in on her day and answered Carmen's questions about her new friend as best she could.

"I don't know. He didn't mention a girlfriend but then again he didn't mention a boyfriend either. Who knows who cares" she shrugged.

"I was just wondering he seems really nice I liked him. Funny guy."

"Yeah I'm glad I met him. Did I tell you it turns out we have the same Calculus class."

"No. That's great. It's nice to have a class with someone you know. I'm nervous at least when you start school next week you'll know someone."

"You'll make friends."

"Oh I know I will eventually I'm just nervous is all."

"You got your schedule already and everything right? What time do you have to be in on Monday?"

"First lecture begins at 8:45 sharp. I thought I would leave at around seven maybe quarter past no later than that. I'm driving over to the school tomorrow to pick up my books and equipment feel like going with?"

"You bet."

They got into bed. Carmen on her back cradled Nicole as the blonde snuggled into her neck sighing contentedly as she did so.

"Your hair smells nice. New shampoo?"

"Uh-hmm." Soft lips settled over the pulse point on Carmen's neck in a feather-light kiss.

"What did you think of her?"

"Who?"

"Donna, who else?"

"Well we interviewed that woman Sofia yesterday" Nicole pointed out.

"True but c'mon could you see her in our house."

Sofia was an elderly Hungarian woman who spoke with a thick accent and a gruff manner. She'd been out of the running as far as Carmen was concerned when she had referred to the kitchen as `hers'.

"You mean you can't see her in `your' kitchen. I know you." Nicole chuckled then ran the flat of her tongue over the soft skin of her lover's neck.

"Yes you do."

"I like that she has a son. I think a little kid would be fun to have around don't you."

"You like the fact that he climbed into your lap five minutes after meeting you and fell asleep. I know you…affection hog."

"Yes you do."

"So should we?"

"Should we what?"

"Offer her the job silly?"

"Her references checked out didn't they?"

"According to the report your mother's people put together. Are you sure your mom gets her info legally `cuz I swear the only thing that wasn't in that report was the color of her underwear."

"Blue"

"Nikki!"

"Just kidding. So you want her huh?"

"Yeah she's the one."

"Okay. Donna and Javier it is."