<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;">The night was dark, but the city lights never let the darkness rule.  Even the moon paled in comparison to the various glitters of neon signs that showered reflections of bright solicitation over passersby.  Places like this were a haven for the undercurrents of society.  The things that no one else realized walked among them.  People could be oblivious when they wanted to be.  And they almost always were.<br/><br/>It was crowded, even at this time of night.  More so now, maybe, because the night practically seethed with party goers.<br/><br/>Walking along the edge of the harbor, Nicholas glanced down at the shuffling waves steps beyond the rails.  Metal barriers to separate land from sea, air from water.  Simple structures, meant to be broken.  He wasn't a city boy, never had been, though he'd never characterized himself as a rural homebody either.  More like a loner, perhaps.  And there was something appealing about the anonymity of a place like this.  No one cared who you were and what you wanted.  No one knew your name here.  Like the anti-Cheers.<br/><br/>Blonde hair waved slightly in the cool breeze that blew off the water.  He probably needed a haircut.  Almost self consciously, he ran a hand through lazily combed locks.  But what was more interesting to him was who else was waiting in the harbor.<br/><br/>It went months sometimes before she contacted him.  Years on occasion, depending on their various pursuits.  But it was always dangerous when they were together.  Too much temptation, maybe, and not always of the pleasant variety.  Things happened around them.  Unfortunate... things.  But it didn't mean he didn't want to see her.  The truth was, she was the only woman who could really understand him.  Who saw all the way to his soul, whether she realized what she did or not.<br/><br/>And there were those beautiful starlight curls, bouncing about her shoulders as she leaned over the railing in a pose that looked far younger than her years.   Reminiscent of the girl he'd once known.  But this was no girl.  Lynia was a formiddable woman.  When those brilliant eyes looked up at him, Nick felt the automatic smile tug at his lips.  It had truly been too long.  Now if only they could leave the harbor intact...<br/><br/>"Mon ami, you are looking well."  Nicholas gave a slight bow, as was his custom.  The French was an old joke, mostly.  He'd had a quality European education, and his accent was slight but varied, belonging to no country in particular.  It made him difficult to place, and that was for the best.  "I have missed you."   </span>