True Love

The night breeze blew the curtains into Dani's room as he snored softly. It was still an hour before dawn, and he was sound asleep. So asleep he didn't see the curtains move aside, and then tiny foot prints being left on the floor.

There was a soft giggle as his visitor looked over his slender form tangled in the sheet. It was a hot night and he was sleeping au naturel. His butt and most of his back were uncovered as he slept.

It was a nice butt, Nickel thought to herself as she appeared beside his bed, first in her smaller size, then in her larger one. A very nice butt indeed! She had two scrolls in her hand, but as she stood there in the dark bedroom admiring the scenery, she decided on a slight change of plans.

Some paints and brushes appeared and she giggled again, as she began using them. When Dani stirred a little in his sleep, she sang softly and he was still again. It didn't take long and she stood back to admire her handiwork. She leaned close and gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head and still grinning, tiptoed back out the way she came. She took with her one of the scrolls that she had planned to leave with the other, but there was no need for that one now. She just wished she could be there when he woke up, but the sun would be rising soon, and the party for all the fae folk would be starting in the magical glen.

Once the sun was up, Marie came around to knock on his door and wake him. Dani reluctantly rolled out of bed. He had been dreaming about Nickel again. He wondered when he would see her again. He splashed some water from the basin on his face and went out to feed the animals before breakfast, as always. He pulled on his work boots and pants, but didn't bother with a shirt.

Marie was collecting eggs and milking. "Good morning, Dani!" She grinned. "What's with the dreamy expression this morning? Dreaming of a special red-headed someone again?" She caught a glimpse of his back as he turned. "Dani, what's that?"

"There's something on your back. It looks like a tattoo or something. Come here a minute."

A confused look on his face, Dani stepped over. "My back? What's wrong with my back?" He twisted around, trying to see.

Marie started to laugh softly. "It looks like you've been painted! Let's hurry up with these chores! Then we've got to find out what that is!"

Dani smiled. "It must have been Nickel!" He raced through the feeding and was already taking off his boots and heading into the house when Marie finished the milking.

He raced up to his room and tried to see what it was in his small mirror. He could see that there indeed seemed to be some sort of map painted on his back. "What the hell?" he mumbled, wondering what the playful little leprechaun lass was up to now. It was then he noticed the rolled up scroll lying in the middle of the extra pillow on his bed.

His face broke into a smile. "I knew it!" He unrolled the scroll and it was another one with fancy writing he couldn't read. "Marie! Carol! I have another scroll!" He went racing down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Both women came running out to the kitchen excitedly. With trembling hands, Dani handed the scroll to Marie, who read it out loud.

"Two times I have sent thee to prove thy love, two times ye have returned to me with what I require.

This one last quest is all that is left.

Find for me these three things, and ye will ha’ proved that ye are a true love of mine wi’out any shadow of a doubt.

Find for me finger a ring with a heart of green held in hands of Grá, Dílseacht agus Cairdeas.

If it is me treasure ye are after, find me a bed of flowers that will never wilt or fade for to lay me down under.

Last, and most important of all, search the land until a house made not with human hands comes to light, and when you have won me heart, carry me there on wings of love.

To aid ye in this quest, a map have I left for ye.

Do this all, and surely it will be you and me in the one bed lying."

Dani frowned. "A map? I didn't see any map! It must still be in my room." He turned to go back upstairs.

Dani turned to Marie, a worried look on his face. "On my back? How did she do that? How will I read it?"

Marie giggled at him. "I guess she painted it on while you were sleeping. Don't worry. Pascal is here. He can copy it for us." She happened to look down and see a flash of color as Dani took a step. "Um... Dani? Could you let me see your foot a minute?" He was puzzled, but did as she asked. "You have one on the bottom of your foot, too!" She giggled.

Dani plopped down on the stair and grabbed the foot in question. Sure enough, a map was painted there in amazing detail. "This looks like the way to Gideon's cottage," he said, tracing the way. "And this is where we first met!"

"You see what happens when you sleep too deep, Dani?" Marie was still laughing. "Let me see if Pascal's up yet and after breakfast we'll have him copy those maps. You know, the more I get to know her, the more I like her." She headed off to the kitchen, still chuckling.

Dani picked up the message scroll, trying to figure it out. "A ring with a heart of green? Held by hands? What do those words mean?"

"I have no idea, Dani. They must mean something in Irish, I would think. It's probably another puzzle to solve," Marie called from the kitchen.

Dani sat on the steps, puzzling over the scroll and the map on his foot and then Carol came down the steps, carrying Fab. "Good morning, Dani! What's that painted on your back?"

"A map," he sighed, handing her the scroll to read. "Nickel apparently came and visited me last night while I was sleeping."

Carol carefully read the scroll, keeping it away from Fab's inquisitive little hands. Then she handed it back to him, grinning. "Let me see." She turned him around. "You know, this continues down under your pants. Looks like she wanted you to need help with it." She chuckled. "This will be even more fun than the others!"

Carol laughed. "No telling what else she painted then, hm?" Fab started to fuss a little. "Well, we'll help you out after breakfast. I like her, Dani!"

"I do to," he sighed. "A lot. Before I met her, the only girls I knew were.. well, they were the business type."

Carol gave him a quick hug with her free arm and a kiss on the cheek. "Well, I think you're wonderful for each other and I'm really happy for you. Let's have some breakfast."

Dani followed them into the kitchen and sat down to eat. A few minutes later, Pascal, who had just returned home from the Monastery, came down to join them, raising his eyebrow at the decoration on Dani's back.

"Dani, what is this? From the lovely girlfriend, yes?" He grinned. Even at the Monastery he had heard about Dani and Nickel.

"Yes. She has another quest for me. A ring, some flowers that will never wilt, and a house that no man has built." He sighed heavily, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

Pascal grinned. "And what is this you are painted with?" He took a closer look at Dani's back. "A map. To find these things, yes? You need this copied. I can do that after I eat." He grinned. "She did this herself?"

"Maybe you will get more than maps painted on, if you do these things, yes?" Pascal chuckled. "She makes you work to get her."

Dani nodded, a frown on his face. "She is worth it though. I've never wanted anything as much as I want her," he said quietly.

Pascal smiled. "I have met someone I like very much, but I do not know if I feel that way yet. I did not expect a girl at the monastery."

Carol turned to look at Pascal. "You? Really? Tell me all about her! I want to know everything."

Pascal chuckled and told them all about the two fae that helped tend the herb garden of the Monastery. "Not all of the Brothers there have taken vows of celibacy," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Wow! I didn't know that. Sounds like you had a pretty good time there. Katherine will be over to see you after breakfast. She wants to know how your studies are coming along. Did you manage to do some of that while you were there?" Marie grinned at him as she served pancakes and sausages.

"Oui," he said as he dug in. "I learned a great deal. Brother Cadfael is a good teacher."

"Wonderful! There are getting to be so many people around here, we'll need another herbalist! You'll be in demand soon." Carol smiled at him. "I had a feeling about you, even when you first got here."

He grinned at her. "I am just glad you let me come home here," he said with a charming smile. "I was a bad boy, yes?"

Carol chuckled at him. "Yes. A very bad boy. I hope you're over that. I still have my sword upstairs, you know." She winked.

Marie grinned at him. "You're too cute to be mad at for long. Just don't tell Mac I said that."

He grinned at her as he made short work of the pancakes. Dani on the other hand was picking at his, his mind on the quest instead of food.

Carol leaned close and elbowed Dani in the ribs. "You might want to have a little more to eat. I hear there's a pretty big celebration tonight with all the fae and the leprechauns. You might need your strength.”

"Huh?" he said. "Oh yea. Nickel did say something about coming to dance with her this evening."

"And following all these maps to the things you need to find might take a little energy, you know," Marie added. "Let's see... There are three things you need to find and so far we've found two maps. I wonder where the other one is." She grinned at him.

"Stand up," Carol ordered. The next thing Dani knew, busy hands had undone his pants and pushed them down around his knees. He squawked, and grabbed a cloth napkin from the table to cover himself. As usual, he wasn't wearing any underwear under his jeans.

"We found the other one!" Carol giggled. "Very nice work. Right here on your butt." She patted him right on the map. "She could do paintings for money with work like this!"

Pascal chuckled and took the last forkful of his breakfast and took his plate to the sink. "I will get my paints and get ready to copy that map for you." He grinned. "I would much rather be looking at her than you, though."

Dani said some rather impolite things, making Carol shake her finger at him, telling him to watch his language. But no sooner did Pascal start copying the map, the door opened and Katherine breezed in. "Good morning, all," she said brightly. "Hmm, nice paint job, Dani, my boy!"

Dani sighed. "Does everyone in town know about this already?" He had the towel in front of him now, but he wasn't sure he liked having so many people staring at his butt like this.

"Know about what?" came a familiar male voice. "My, my Dani. When did you get all tattooed?"

Dani looked up and groaned loudly. "God. Cole! This is not a tattoo. It's paint! Nickel did it. It's maps I need to find some things."

"Oh, Dani, this is quite a detailed map!" Carol giggled behind him. “I think I need to take a closer look.”

"So do I." Marie grinned. "Kat, you should come take a look at this, too!" Dani complained royally, making the Scotswoman laugh along with the others.

Wally laughed as he puttered around in the kitchen fixing another batch of pancakes for himself and Cole. "The ladies will be teasing him about that forever."

"Quit that!" Dani yelped as he felt hands on his backside, spreading his buttock cheeks. "Enough is enough!"

Carol giggled. "Just making sure we don't miss any details of the map, Dani." She winked at Marie. "Are you absolutely sure it doesn't go around to the front?"

Dani yelped as Marie made a grab for the towel. "Pascal! Aren't you done yet?" he asked, a desperate plea in his voice.

Wally and Cole were nearly collapsing on the floor, they were laughing so hard. Pascal chuckled. "Almost, with the one on your back, but not the lower one." He was enjoying this, but was very glad it wasn't him.

Dani groaned pathetically. It couldn't get any worse, could it? It did. Shortly afterwards, John Clayton walked in, having taken care of the horse and cart. Looking at Dani, he shook his head. "Does this mean I get to wear my loin cloth again?" he asked.

Carol grinned at him. "You can, as far as I'm concerned." She caught Marie's eye and they both giggled.

Kat just grinned at him. "I don't mind, John. Just wait till we get home before you strip down, ok?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Carol and Marie found places to sit where they could watch Dani and see Pascal's work on the map. Carol smiled, "Pascal was telling us that he met a girl at the monastery."

Katherine laughed. "He would! Oh, Carol, do you need more of that special tea I've been supplying you?"

"Yes, please! I love the munchkin very much, but I'm not ready to go through that whole adventure again just yet. Although I think I have someone in mind for the next one." She smiled and winked at Wally.

Katherine dug into her bag, and handed Carol a small package. "Charity is on it too. So far it looks like the dosage is right. Brother Cadfael was supposed to have sent me one of the main ingredients. That is, if Pascal didn't smoke it on the way here," she said in a teasing tone.

Pascal sighed in mock offense. "I have it upstairs in my bag. There are several herbs he sent." He frowned. It would be a while before he was completely forgiven for what he had done. He put the finishing touches on the drawing, resisting the temptation to embellish it a little, but deciding that Dani had been tortured enough.

"Wasn't there another map on the bottom of his foot?" Carol was enjoying Dani's situation.

It took some juggling to get the pants on while still managing to keep his privates covered. Sighing in relief, he sat down on a chair and held up his foot.

Marie studied the maps. "I think I know where this one is, but I'm not really sure about the one from his butt." She grinned at Dani. "We might need a closer look again."

"No," he said firmly as he leaned down to study the map. "Isn't this our house?" he asked, pointing to the object in question.

"Yes. But I'm not sure what this is over here." Marie pointed to an odd symbol. "Have you seen anything like this before?" She turned to Carol.

"No. But we could try to follow it and find out what it is." Carol grinned. "You need to figure these out by tonight, don't you?"

"I would like to," Dani said, picking up the map. "Anyone coming to help me find what ever *X* marks the spot?"

"I'll go with you," Cole grinned. "I want to hear more about this leprechaun of yours.”

"Great," he said, and a few minutes later, the three of them left the house. The map had them head into the woods, and to follow a stream until they reached a little valley with a waterfall.

Dani looked around. He had been here before. It was a nice waterfall to cool off in on a hot day. When they walked closer, something shimmered in front of them. A little stone cottage with a thatched roof was now peeking through the trees. "What...?"

The others looked in the direction he was pointing. "Where did that come from?" Wally asked. "It wasn't here a moment ago!"

"It's a house! A stone house! Not made by human hands! That's one of the things I'm supposed to find! Let's look at it!" Dani said excitedly as he ran to it, throwing open the door and racing inside. "Wow! Come look!"

It wasn't a big house. There were two main rooms, a living room with fireplace and a bedroom. A small bathroom with a claw foot tub completed the house. The house had some furniture in it, but it had an empty, unlived in look. There were no curtains, no personal items of any type.

Dani was enchanted with the place. "All it needs is our stuff in it! And green. Lots of green! Curtains, rugs, and things. She would love it!"

Wally and Cole exchanged glances. Was Dani really that taken with the girl? Was he planning to actually move in with her?

Smiling like a kid at Christmas, Dani ran back out. "Let's see where these other two maps lead! I don't have much time! There's a lot to do!"

They spread out the other maps on the small wooden table to study them. "This is Kat's place, I think," Dani said.

Wally traced the line they were apparently intended to follow. “It looks as though this leads to another house. I'm not sure whose that is. Shall we go and see?"

Dani nodded, and with one last look at the charming thatched roof cottage, the three men left, following the trail that eventually led them to Gideon's house. Angel was waiting for them. “Follow the flowers,” she giggled. The men looked around and finally noticed a trail of blossoms, strewn in a line off into the forest again.

The trail led to a stump that was laid out with a mug of ale and some bread and cheese. "This is where we met!" Dani beamed at the memory." The trail continued to a tall tree and petals were tucked into cracks in the bark up the trunk, leading high into the branches. With a sigh, he started to climb it.

Cole had confiscated the ale and Wally the food. "Good stuff, Dani boy," Cole said as Dani started up the tree. Wally didn’t comment. His mouth was too full.

It wasn't so easy to get up into the first branches, they were a little high, but once he got started, the climb wasn't too bad. Then the blossoms led higher and higher, into smaller and smaller branches. He took a deep breath and forced himself not to look down and kept climbing.

The others were watching from below, yelling encouragement. As he climbed to heights that made him almost dizzy, he saw something that was tied to a limb sparkling in the sunlight filtering down through the leaves.

"I see something up here! It's green!" He moved slowly and carefully, as the branches were so thin they sagged a little with his weight. Finally, he was close enough to reach with his long arms and long, slender hands. "Got it!" He carefully put it in his pocket and concentrated on getting out of the tree before taking it out to study it.

He managed to get down to the ground without breaking any of his appendages. Fishing into his pocket, he brought out the object and showed it to the others.

"It's a Claddagh ring," Wally said, looking at the design of a green emerald heart being held in a pair of hands underneath a crown "Irish, of course. The heart is love, the hands friendship, the crown loyalty. That’s what those words on your scroll mean. The Irish use it as a wedding ring, I do believe."

Dani studied the lovely thing with new interest. "A wedding ring," he murmured. It suddenly struck him that that was what all this was about. He smiled to himself. "Let's see about this last one."

They returned to the little clearing. This time, they found three mugs of ale on the stump. "Thanks, Nickel," Dani called out automatically. As they drank down the offering, they studied the last map. "It looks like it leads us into town," Dani said, scratching his head in puzzlement.

They followed the map into town. It took a little arguing, but they finally decided which house they were being directed to. Wally pushed Dani to the front of their little group. Dani took a deep breath and finally knocked on the door.

Duncan MacLeod opened the door, his son asleep in his arms. "Yes?" he said, looking at the three men curiously.

Dani blinked, not sure what to say, then he glanced into the room past Duncan and there was a lovely quilt, embroidered with flowers all over. His expression lit up like a lamp. "Nickel's map sent me here…,” he began."

Wally saw the same quilt. "Flowers that will never wilt," he mumbled. "A quilt! And I do believe the pattern is called Grandmother's Flower Garden or something like that! But this one is fancier than most."

"That's one of the things I need to fix up the house for her! I want to have it all ready when I see her tonight. Everything has to be right."

Dani was smiling in a way Cole had never seen before. "Dani, what are you saying? You want to marry her?"

Dani stopped dead in his tracks as he reached for the quilt, a deer caught in the headlights look on his face. Swallowing hard, he nodded. "Yeah, I think I do. No, I know I do!"

Wally, surprised, looked at Dani. "Looks like he's serious." He paused, thinking a moment. "You want some help getting that cottage fixed up for her? I think we might be able to find a few things for you."

Wally nodded, clapping him on the back. "You stay here and try to talk Sarah Jo out of her pretty quilt she made. Leave the rest to me and Cole here."

Dani smiled. "Thanks! I'll really owe you. This is the best day of my life." He turned back to Duncan. "Is there any way I could have that to give to Nickel? If you want, I could work it off or whatever you want." He couldn't keep the pleading look out of his eyes.

Duncan shrugged. "Sarah Jo is the one that spent all winter making it, but I got a feeling she will let you have it if you tell her if will be for your wedding bed. Women are sentimental that way. She should be back in a few minutes. You can ask her then."

Dani nodded, sitting down on the chair that had the quilt thrown over the back of it. It was bright and colorful, and each hexagon *flower* had leaves of emerald green sewn around it.

He smiled and admired the quilt. "Nickel would love this. The green leaves and all the pretty flowers... Part of the quest she gave me this morning is to find a bed of flowers that never wilts. I already found the ring and the house." Dani smiled as he spoke of his lovely leprechaun.

A short time later, Sarah Jo arrived as promised. It took some doing, but finally Dani was able to convince her that he was sincere in his wish to have the quilt for his and Nickel's wedding night, not just a tumble.

She folded it up for him, and then proceeded to fill up a huge basket full of stuff for the cottage. "If you are going to set up housekeeping, she will need some of these things," the freckled faced nurse told him.

With a big grin on his face, Dani thanked her, and his arms full, walked out of the house to find Wally and Cole sitting in a wagon full of all sorts of items. Sitting in the back of the wagon on a loveseat was one of the Irish priests, Father Philip! Beside him was his lovely bride, Fiona, and they were each holding one of the twins. His two men laughed at the expression on his face.

Dani knew now that he was serious, because even the sight of the priest didn't make him have second thoughts. There was a festive atmosphere as everyone trooped over to the little stone cottage. Carol and Marie were there, as well and everything was soon arranged. The green curtains at the windows set it off nicely. There were dishes with a shamrock design from someone. A big copper kettle was placed by the fire. There were sheets and blankets and towels... Dani was inside marveling at the way everything looked so perfect and when he stepped outside, he found that Carol had planted roses on either side of the door and a small herb garden for them by the back door, near the kitchen.

But the greatest surprises were yet to come. As they were finishing up and Dani walked back into the bedroom to put a vase of flowers in it, he stopped at the door with a shocked expression on his face. There, lying on the bed was a beautiful ivory colored lace gown with green Celtic knot embroidery on the bodice. "I made it for me," Katherine said, a smile on her face. "But I’ve gotten bigger up top since I’ve been nursing, and I haven’t been able to wear it. It should fit Nickel just fine. Take a look in the wardrobe!"

He was so astounded at the number of things people had donated for them, he didn't know what to say. He was nearly in shock when he opened the wardrobe and saw a beautiful suit. It was copied from an Armani suit that another CLim had been wearing on his arrival. His eyes started to feel moist and he blinked and turned back to Katherine. "I've never known so many nice people in my whole life."

"You are nice people too, Dani," she told him sincerely. "And we are all happy that you found Nickel. Now come outside, there is one thing more."

Dani's jaw dropped open in astonishment. There was a team of perfectly matched chestnut ponies, their hair a lovely red that matched Nickel's. They were harnessed to a beautiful cart, all carved and painted emerald green.

"Charity and Sam sent them over. They had a feeling the wind was blowing this way for you, and they selected and trained these two little beauties for the two of you," Marie told Dani, giving him a hug. With misty eyes, Dani hugged her back, then noticed that the cart now had someone sitting in it. It was his little friend, Angel. She was wearing a fancy emerald green dress, and held a flower basket in her lap. "The sun is going down," she told him. "You can come to the party now. Nickel is waiting for you!" Dani ran back into the cottage to change and then, grinning from ear to ear, he climbed up into the cart beside Angel.

By the time Dani arrived at the glen, there was a train of people behind him. It seemed that everyone and his cousin had heard about his final quest, and wanted to see the outcome of it. Some, like the Fab Four and the Monkees, were planning on coming anyway, but decided to tag along with the crowd to see what would happen next.

As they approached the glen, Dani looked down at himself. He wasn't used to wearing such nice clothes. He was glad he had thought to put on the nice suit before coming here. The beautiful wedding dress was in the cart, being held by Angel and the ring was in his pocket. He scanned the groups of fae, impatient to see Nickel.

He spotted her, as usual, out on the dance floor with the other leprechaun girls, wearing her short green dress with the golden Celtic knot on the bodice, red hair flying and feet moving in unison as they danced.

Dani leapt out of the cart and made his way to her. As people saw him and the way he was dressed, they made way for him. When he reached her, he got down on one knee like he'd heard about in stories and seen in movies. "Nickel, I've done all you asked and more." He reached into his pocket and brought out the ring. "This is the prettiest ring I've ever seen and I would be honored if you would wear it and be my wife."

She looked both pleased and shocked. On the sidelines, the Leprechaun King cleared his throat. "Not that me opinion was wanted or asked..." The last part came out as a yelp as his wife Mary stomped hard on his foot.

"We both are thinkin' that would be a grand thing, ye gettin' married," she said, quelling any further comments from her husband with a stern look.

Dani smiled and looked hopefully from them back to Nickel. "The flowers that will never wilt are waiting in the house. I tried to make it right for you. I love you."

"And just what house would that be?" Nickel said, the other Leprechaun girls giggling behind her.

"The one you wanted me to find. It just appeared when I was looking. A nice little stone house with the straw roof. It looks like a little Irish house." He smiled at her. Maybe she wouldn't tease too long today.

She held out her hand for him to slip the ring onto her finger. "Then I accept. And just when do ye wa' this weddin' to take place, little man?"

"Wherever you want it to be, Nickel. I have a dress you might want to wear for it. Katherine gave it to us. And I brought a priest to marry us." His eyes were shining as he talked to her.

"Have ye now?" she asked, her eyebrow rising. Looking around, she saw Father Philip standing with his wife, Fiona. The Irish priest gave her a big grin and a thumbs up.

"Níl aon leigheas ar an ngrá ach pósadh. The only cure for love is marriage," Father Philip called out. "I should know." He gave his wife a happy hug.

Dani smiled. "I want to do everything for you, to make you happy. I never met anyone like you before. You're perfect."

She reached out and gently caressed his face. "So where is this dress ye were babblin' on about?"

"It's in the cart. A green cart that was given to us. Angel is there holding the dress for us. I didn't want it to get dirty or anything." He seemed to glow with happiness as he rose to his feet. "It's really great! You have to see this!"

He took the bemused leprechaun by the hand and led her to the cart, where Angel presented her with the dress. The next thing Nickel knew, she was being whisked away to a weeping willow tree, whose drooping branches provided an adequate privacy screen for her while she changed.

Dani waited by the cart and Cole came up, with a huge smile on his face. "You surprise me. But, I'm happy for you, Dani. She's quite a girl."

When Nickel emerged from under the willow tree in the dress, Dani could barely speak. She was the prettiest girl he had ever seen.

Mary elbowed Seamus hard, and he jumped forward, taking Nickel by the hand and then placing it into Dani's. "I give her to ye," he said grudgingly.

Dani blinked, as though waking up from a dream. "Thank you." He gave Nickel's hand a squeeze and then brought it up to his mouth for a kiss. His eyes looked into hers as he asked, "Should we be married right here?”

She shrugged, a sassy smile on her face. "This is as good a place as any. Hasn't there been one weddin' already here tonight?"

He gave a little whoop and took her into his arms, twirling her around, laughing with delight. "This is the happiest day of my life!"

As everyone gathered around, Father Philip performed a simple but beautiful ceremony, ending it with an Irish blessing. "May God give you...for every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise, and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh, a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer."

The priest smiled at them. "I now pronounce you man and wife. Dani, you may kiss your bride!"

Dani smiled tenderly down at his lovely redheaded bride. Gently, he tilted her chin up and brought his lips to meet hers. The kiss began very sweet and started to heat up. By the time it ended, people were grinning and whispering. "A kiss to remember," he whispered to her.

Sweeping her into his arms, he took her out onto the dance floor, where as the music started up again, they danced, their eyes never leaving each other’s.

He smiled, as much to himself as to everyone else. This was the best time of his life. "Nickel..." All he could say was her name. He hoped she'd be able to read the rest without words.

As the song ended, Nickel clung to him. It seemed to Dani that he was floating on air. Until he glanced down and saw that he was. "Leprechauns can fly when they are in love," Nickel giggled into his ear.