Okay. This is my very first sort of adult fan fiction. I'm not even sure it is bad enough to be considered adult. I'm sending it out on this list because it hints at making love. If this can be sent out on NNPack, tell me. Sorry if this isn't...uh, 'steamy' enough for the list. : ) Blame only me if there are mistakes because they are solely my own. I wrote this off an inspiration I had this morning when I was listening to Garth Brooks. Song Disclaimer: The story is set to "The Red Strokes" by Garth Brooks. I'm not making any profit off the use of these wonderful lyrics. Just borrowing the lyrics to set the mood. Thanks! FK Disclaimer: I'm not making profit off Nick and Natalie either. Just taking them for a spin, dance, and a little stress reliever : ) FTP site can archive, fkfanfic can too. So can Mel Buckley (I'll e- mail you it separately to make sure you get it). If jadfe thinks it's good for their site, knock your socks off. You can archive it too. If anyone else wants too, sure, go ahead. Just tell me so I can brag to my friends : ) LOL Well, here it goes... The Red Strokes by Laura Janvrin March 2001 Nick looked at the finished product with a sigh. The sun, the moon, dusk, dawn. Such contrasts, yet, they were his life. Contrasts. He and Natalie were contrasts. Maybe that's why he loved her. She was what he was not. She was the other half of his soul. He sighed longingly. Nick was pulled out of his revere by the music. He turned sharply to see that Natalie had let herself in and put on a Garth Brooks CD. "Where were you?" She asked softly when she noticed he had turned and was staring at her on the sofa. "Here. I was thinking about now. You. Me. Us." The words were so simple. Normally, he would not have said them, but his painting had turned up his emotions to the point they were impossible to hide anymore. Natalie smiled shyly and looked away from his serious expression. She said nothing though to change the subject, which gave him hope. "Natalie..." She looked up at him once again with her big beautiful green eyes. When he said no more, she stood up and walked over to him and his painting. She looked at the canvas, which was being bathed in moonlight. "It's beautiful, Nick," she whispered in awe. "Not as beautiful as you." The words were almost so quiet he wasn't even sure he said them. She looked at him in surprise. "You think I'm beautiful?" "Oh, Natalie...," he reached out and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. She leaned into his touch as if she were starving for just that. He quickly realized the feelings were mutual. Moonlight on canvas, midnight and wine Two shadows starting to softly combine Nick listened to the words of the song that came through. "The Red Strokes." They described what was happening here, now, between two hearts, between he and Natalie. The picture they're painting Is one of the heart And to those who have seen it It's a true work of art "Natalie? Can I have this dance?" His words were a horse whisper. Natalie nodded with a smile as she stepped into his embrace. Oh, the red strokes Passions uncaged Thundering moments of tenderness rage Oh, the red strokes Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn) Burning the night like the dawn Nick nuzzled Natalie chestnut mane with a sigh as he pulled her close. They fit perfectly. Nick kissed her hair softly. Steam on the window, salt in a kiss Two hearts have never pounded like this Inspired by a vision That they can't command Erasing the borders With each brush of a hand "Nick..." Natalie whispered in his ear as his lips reached the skin of her neck. He could hear the love in her voice. And the desire. The same desire that was rising in him. Oh, the red strokes Passions uncaged Thundering moments of tenderness rage Oh, the red strokes Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn) Burning the night like the dawn She turned her head to face him more. With a low moan, he finally claimed her lips. Oh, the blues will be blue and the jealousies green But when love picks its shade it demands to be seen Without even remembering how they ever got there, they were in front of the fireplace. Then they were undressed. And then Nick and Natalie were finally loving in a way that Nick never through they would. Oh, the red strokes Passions uncaged Thundering moments of tenderness rage Oh, the red strokes Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn) Burning the night like the dawn "Nick...Nick..." His name was so beautiful on her lips. He said her name in return, along with a declaration he never meant so much. "I love you, Natalie. Oh, how I love you." Oh, the red strokes Passions uncaged Thundering moments of tenderness rage Oh, the red strokes Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn) Burning the night like the dawn "I love you, Nick," she said mere seconds before he bit. Steam on the window, salt in a kiss Two hearts have never pounded like this Nick smiled at her smiling face. He stopped in time. The end