September 11th, 2001
by Sara Caldwell 

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Natalie and Nick sat watching the news in horror. World Trade Centers were
no more, there had been a rumored car bomb at the U.S. State department
building, and the Pentagon had been attacked. Memories of the plane crash
that had clamed Scanke's and Cohen's deaths flashed through their minds as
they watched the screen.

That mourning after their shifts they had gone to Nick's to watch tapes as
they had in the old days. When the VCR was turned off, they learned of the
fate of so many innocent people.

"Oh, God.", Natalie breathed with a physical pain. Nick was far to stunned
to say anything, much less look away from the screen.

As reports of the number of people that worked in each of the ruined builds
came across the screen, upwards of 20,000 in each building, Natalie
collapsed to the floor. "Nick why would someone do that? So many people..",
yet the shock was not allowing her to cry. It was far too much to take in.
Nor was Nick able to make any attempt to comfort her there on the floor.
Like her, he was in shock.

Natalie's cell began to ring. Methodically she answered.

"Yes, Jake, I 'm watching.....You guys are? When? Can I catch a ride?...When
are you going? I'll meet you at your place." She slapped the flap closed on
her phone and regarded Nick for a brief moment.

"What was that about?"

"Some friends of mine from med. school are going down to New York to help
out with the wounded. We leave in six hours."

"Nat. No. You can't go. Not right now. These attacks won't stop here. I
don't want you in the US."

"Nick I have to go." The pleading look in her eye told him that nothing he
could say or do would make her stay. He embraced her then, tight and long,
breathing in her unique sent, smelling her hair like it would be the last
time he could do so. His lips graced her forehead and eyes, memorizing ever
curve and contour. Her tears and his mingled together on their cheeks. They
wept for the dead, the dying, and for those that might die in the future.

They pulled away from each other, knowing that she had little time to get
ready. "Stop by before you leave. I'll have some things from the foundation
for you."

"Alright. I'll see you in about five hours."

"Bye, Nat."

And with that she went home to pack.
-----------------------
Natalie sat in the car with her four doctor friends, trying to get into the
US to give aid. She had stopped by Nick's as he had asked. they said their
good-byes, he asked her one list time to stay. When she refused again he
handed her two large envelopes. One was from Nick containing information
form the Foundation. Apparently, Nick had it set up so that all Natalie had
to do was make a call and what ever was needed was going to get to her in
twenty four hours. The second envelope came, oddly enough, from LaCroix.
It's contents, she soon found out, were a set of keys, a letter, and a check
for one million dollars.

Doctor Lambert,

My son has informed me of the nature of your trip. I have included items
that may be of some use to you. The set of keys is for my penthouse in upper
Manhattan. You and your doctor friends may use this and my driver located
there at your will. The check you may use as you see fit. I trust that you
will do the right things.

As to my reasons for doing this, let us leave it at this; I like Manhattan.
-Lucien LaCroix

-The end