Grinning at Alec in pleased surprise, she answers, "I would love to, Alec! You know, we really haven't taken a good look at this realm, have we?" Nettle squeezes Alec's hand and follows him.

Alec takes her arm and the two begin to walk into the realm. "Excited about this net thing are you? I know I am."

Nettle thinks for a moment. "I love to try new experiences, but if Veil hadn't been so enthusiastic about doing it, I would have had a lot more reservations. I'm still quite shocked to think that she's done this before! I didn't know Verbena were in the habit of leaving their bodies to go into a virtual-world!" Nettle looks down for a second. "I may have been a Verbena for only 9 months, but sometimes they forget that I've been a Wiccan for 5 years now, this past September!"

Alec nods silently as the two continue their walk through the grass. "Be careful is all I'm saying love, I can't afford to lose you too." He says keeping his eyes straight ahead, towards the palace.

Nettle puts her hand on Alec's arm to stop him from walking. "Let's talk out here-- I'm more comfortable outdoors...even if I'm not exactly sure what these outdoors are..." Nettle leads them veering off away from the path to the palace. As they walk, Nettle gazes up with curiosity at the deep navy blue sky, which holds no stars or moon, but gives off a dim light of its own. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, either, Alec...let's stick together in the net, OK?" Slowing down her pace, she looks at him thoughtfully. "How did you lose Sylvannia, Alec? Where is she now? If you don't want to talk about it I'll understand." she adds quickly.

Alec sighs and stops, "That's something I can't talk about right now, love." He smiles changing the subject, "So what are you sending to the store? No ABBA records I hope."

Nettle bursts out with a laugh at the question. "No, no ABBA records...yet!" she grins mischieviously. "You'll find out when it gets here, baby! I don't even want to give you a little hint!" Nettle's smile turns to a thoughtful expression as she ponders what could have happened between Alec and Sylvannia to make him not want to talk about it. As they walk, she bends down quickly and picks a clover from the grassy clearing, and begins twirling it in her fingers. "Alec...you don't know how much it meant to me to hear you say you loved me this evening..."

Alec stops, "I told you in case anything happened, love. I just wanted you to know." He continues to walk after that looking up at the deep blue sky. "Shall we retire to our rooms now?"

Nettle takes his arm and turns him to face her. "Thank you for that gift...and consideration. I would die a happy death knowing...well, anyway, are you that worried something's going to happen to us, Alec? And let's just stay out here...whatever happens out here will be heightened by the fact that anyone could be watching!" Nettle smiles slyly.

Alec smiles and takes Nettle in his arms, "Right!" He lifts her in his arms and lays her down kissing her....

Nettle wraps her arms around his neck and puts her nose behind his left ear, inhaling deeply. "I want to memorize your scent, Alec..." she says, kissing the area tenderly.

Alec smiles and looks into her eyes, "It's called Eternity, baby. Glad you like it, cheers."

"Mmmmmm...like it? I'll show you what it does for me..." Nettle whispers smoothly, and begins kissing his face...then his ears...his neck...and begins moving clothing out of her way as she inches her way down.

Afterwards... Alec holds Nettle in his arms as the two lay in the soft grass looking up at the sky. A figure standing next to them surprises Alec as he sits up. "Here, you might want this," the figure says as it hands him a blanket. Alec takes it looking up. Tania smiles and nods. "Keep it down tho', Jake and I need our sleep."

Nettle brushes some stray strands of hair out of her eyes and focuses on the shape standing near Alec. "Tania! What a pleasant surprise!" she says-- her blush not apparent in the darkness. "Thank you for the blanket, and I'm sorry if we disturbed you too much...I never realized a clearing could echo so loudly!" Laughing she continues, "You and Jake really need to spend a night out here some time!"

Tania shakes her head, "I don't think so. Have a good night you two." She says as she heads back to the Palace. Alec watches her and then looks back at Nettle grinning then bursting out laughing. "We can't go anywhere without waking someone up."

Nettle laughs equally hard, and hugs Alec. "Not even the inhabitants of the Horizon Realm are safe from our joyful cries...er, shrieks....maybe screams!" Nettle laughs some more and then grins at Alec. "I've never had so much fun getting into trouble as I've had since I met you, Alec! I hope you're feeling some peace in your life..." She looks into his eyes, and her joy and peace are evident.

A sad look returns to his face as he lies back down under the blanket. "Some, a little yes. I'll feel better once this is all done." He grabs his jacket and searches for his cigarette case. Finding it he pulls out a joint and lights it. Nettle feels him relax a bit as he inhales. "Better..." he sighs and lays back down staring at the sky.

"What's got you so worried, Alec? You're starting to freak me out!" Nettle leans closer to get a good look at Alec's eyes, and waits for his response.

"Nothin' love, nothin' really." He says in a quiet voice.

Nettle takes the joint from his fingers and stubs it out on the grass. Taking his head in her hands, she leans in and whispers, "Talk to me, Alec. Let me in...please." Her hazel eyes looks surprisingly fierce.

Alec looks at her a moment his eyes flash with anger as he stands and grabs his pants. He clothes himself angrily, keeping his back turned to Nettle.

Nettle jumps up quickly, letting the blanket fall to the ground. Staring at his back in fear and anger mixed, she ponders what to do as he gets dressed. "Alec...what did I do? What did I say??" Nervously, she fumbles on the ground for the joint, and then finds the pouch on her belt and takes out her lighter. Putting the joint in her mouth, she quickly lights it and inhales until the end glows a healthy cherry. Coughing a little, she runs to stand in front of Alec holding out the joint to him-- a look of fear in her eyes. "Here, Alec-- please take it! I'm sorry...I didn't mean to offend you!"

Alec shakes his head and takes the joint, he drops it to the ground and stamps it out. "I don't want the joint, right?" he says walking towards the palace. Leaving Nettle standing there.

A look of terror fills Nettle's eyes, and she stares numbly at the joint in the grass-- feeling her world crashing in around her. Visions of her Seeking spinning and twisting in her memory. Suddenly an anger begins to fill her-- anger than she would be so scared and prostrating of herself. She begins running determinedly toward the front door of the palace. Standing in front of it, she braces herself in the doorway-- arms and legs outstretched to block it. Her head lowered, she looks up at Alec through smoking eyes. "Do not attempt to pass into this palace, Alec. I would have words with you."

Alec stops looking at Nettle, a bit surprised. He looks her over and his shoulders slump, his anger seemingly draining from him. "Right, love. Let's hear it."

Moving towards him like an angry panther, she strides forward so forcefully that Alec begins to unconsciously walk backwards. Without touching him or moving an arm, she speaks. "How dare you leave me there without so much as an explanation?? I forgot my pride and bowed to return your joint! I begged you not to go! And this is how I am repaid? What did I do that could return such treatment to me? Would you like to see me do something drastic just to get your attention? What do I have to do?" Her voice rises from a low growl to a shriek-- the echos rolling across the dark clearing.

Alec backs up a bit and then anger returns to his face. He steps up to her. "How dare you keep asking about her! I told you I will tell you when I am fuckin ready and you keep asking! You want to know?! Do you? Do you like throwing salt on old wounds? Because that's what you are doing!"

"Asking about her?? This isn't about HER! Or IS it, Alec?? What the hell happened?? Everytime I asked you to let me in, you thought I was asking you to tell me about her? Well out with it, then! What could be so horrible that you shut down completely when I want a little mental intimacy??" Nettle stops walking, but the couples' proximity is very close, and they can feel the heat radiating off of each other.

"I killed her!" he shouts and then quietly, "I killed the woman I loved..." he slumps to the ground.

Nettle remains standing for a moment-- her eyes staring blankly at the place where Alec was just standing. Slowly her eyes trail down to see Alec slumped on the ground. In shock, she slowly kneels in front of Alec. "Why did you kill her, Alec. I've got to know. Please." she says in a monotone-- her eyes slightly glazed with new shock. Almost forcing herself, she holds out a hand inviting him to take hers.

Alec looks up at her tears in his eyes, "I...I didn't mean it." He looks back down, "We were ambushed by these men, I was struggling with one...he had my gun...it went off...I didn't mean it! I'm so sorry... so sorry..." he says head in his hands.

Nettle sees Alec crying, and a pang of sadness goes right through her soul. "Oh my Alec...my poor, tortured Alec..." Nettle moves forward quickly and folds Alec into her arms. Putting Alec's head on her breast, she strokes his hair and rocks him gently while murmuring. "I'm so sorry that happened to you...to both of you...I know how it feels to lose one you loved dearly in such a tragic way...please, it wasn't your fault...I believe you, Alec...I believe you, Alec..."

Alec continues to cry for awhile then stops. He looks up to her and nods. "I have never told anyone...anyone that. Not Jaf, not Willie...no one." He stands and takes her hand, "I feel so stupid for crying like a prat there. Let's go to my room....I...let's just go."

Nettle stands with him and kisses him-- meaning to make it a quick kiss, but wanting to show him she loves him deeply, she extends the kiss' length and passion. Putting her arm around him as they walk, she whispers, "I swear to never tell another living soul what you would have me not tell, Alec. I swear it." Pausing for a moment, she adds, "and I find a lot of comfort in knowing what good the crying must have done for your soul...and I also found you sexier then than at any other time." The look on her face is complete seriousness.

Alec chuckles a bit at this. They reach his door and he opens it for her. Walking in he closes it and kisses her. Music plays from the stereo a sad song of love and loss, and Alec lays on the bed.

Nettle gazes at Alec, and suddenly a look of surprise goes across her face. "Alec-- I left my clothes, sword, and equipment out on the grass-- not to mention Tania's blanket! Shit!" Nettle laughs quickly and turns to the door. Let me give you a moment to yourself as I run out to fetch the forgotten!" Nettle goes through the door quickly-- not even aware of her nakedness, it seems.

Alec watches her leave then stands and goes to the dresser. Taking out a packet he opens it and puts a bit of the stuff on his tongue and lays back down.

A few moments later, Alec hears a quick knock at his door, and then Nettle opens it, comes in, shuts it, and drops her things in a corner-- including the blanket. Seeing Alec laying on the bed, she walks over and mounts the moving water-mattress quickly so as not to cause too many waves. Sitting with her back to the headboard, she reaches out and holds Alec's hand in both of hers. "How are you feeling, baby?"

Alec's eyes are glazed over and he lays motionless. He barely notices Nettle's return or her taking his hand. "S'ok Pearl...I'm ok." he turns to her with a strange expression. Janis turns to him sitting next to Nettle. "Finally told someone eh? Bout time hon, you needed to let that off your chest." She leans past Nettle and grabs the bottle of jack on the nightstand. Taking a swig she offer some to Alec. He shakes his head. "No thanks, already juiced." Janis looks at him frowning, "I know, I wished you hadn't done that, this girl here loves you, you know. You should open more often." "Yeah, Pearl I know, I just needed a little somethin' to take my mind off an all." "Yeah well you know that shit you just took...it killed me remember..."

"Pearl?" Nettle looks carefully with confusion at Alec, noticing that his eyes are not quite looking at her as he speaks. Hearing him next say "No thanks, already juiced," she quickly scans Alec's room until her eyes fall on a packet laying on the dresser. Narrowing her eyes worriedly, she climbs over Alec quickly and gets to the dresser. Snatching the stuff up, she licks a finger and dips it into the power. Holding her tree-pendant in the other hand, she concentrates and channels using her rote "Test Substances." When she is ready, she places the powder on her tongue and waits. Suddenly her eyes fly open. "Heroin...no, Alec..." She runs over to his side, dropping the packet to the floor, then takes his head in her hands. Seeing the glazed look in his eyes, she quickly runs back to where she dropped her sword, unsheaths it, and brings it over to the bed. Taking Alec's left arm in her hand, she cuts a small line down his inner arm carefully, snaps the hematite choker off her neck, and wraps it around his elbow. She then begins to suck the blood out of the wound gently, using the Life-focus to bring the heroin into the blood she's sucking. Suddenly she feels her head buzzing, and quickly stops, sitting on the floor. The healing worked, but Nettle begins to feel dizzy as she realizes she swallowed some of the tainted blood. She sits on the floor trying to concentrate and breathing heavily.

The buzz doesn't last as Alec rolls over and stumbles across the room. Opening the door, he walks dazedly to the bathroom and gets sick very loudly. He stumbles back to the room and sits with a thud next to Nettle. "What'd you do, baby?"

Nettle leans against Alec and puts her head on her shoulder, and he can see the blood around her mouth. "I, uh, tried an old camping-trick I learned as a very young Nettle..." she slurs a little. "You get bit by a snake, you apply tourniquette and suck out the poison!" Rubbing her eyes, she grins up at Alec. "It seems to have worked...but don't use that stuff again, OK baby? It's nasty, and I don't feel so well..." Looking around wildly, she sees Alec's trash can and leans over him to grab it-- throwing up what looks like only blood. She lets the can drop between her legs as her head falls back against the wall and she groans a little.

Alec takes the can and walks to the bathroom, he dumps it and returns. "I'll buy a new one," he helps Nettle up and onto the bed. Laying down next to her he holds her in his arms. "Why did you stop the high?"

Picking her head up a little, she asks, "Why did I? Because I tested the powder to see what it was, and it was heroin. Don't you know how dangerous and addictive heroin can be?? You're supposedly already addicted after the first time, Alec!! I was worried about you...have you done that stuff before?" she asks, motioning her eyes down at the packet on the floor.

Alec gets a faraway look, "Once...just once. No I'm not addicted. Just trying to get rid of old memories." He hugs Nettle close to him. "Feel any better?"

Nettle smiles a sneaky woman-smile at him. "I will if you'll let me flush that stuff down the toilet later!" Looking serious, she answers, "Yes, I feel OK now. What a roller-coaster ride it must be being inside your body-- taking stuff like that right and left...I'm sorry those memories are so painful for you, Alec. I wish I knew how to make them go away..."

He kisses her deeply then stops looking into her eyes. "You are, just by being here, love." He rolls over looking at her and he traces a line down her cheek to her chin. "I do love you..."

Nettle feels a wave of heat and electricity go through her body at those words, and a little sigh escapes out of her mouth. Going limp in his arms, she closes her eyes. "Wow...hearing you say that was...a beautiful high in and of itself..." Moving her mouth to his, she kisses him lovingly, and then with their mouths millimeters apart, she breathes, "Alec Gideon, I love you."

Putting her face in his hands he smiles, "You won't understand this, and I don't expect you to, but I *chose* you...I chose you Nettle."

Nettle's eyes get very wide and her mouth opens as she looks at him. She is speechless for a minute. "Y-you chose me, Alec? How? What do you mean?" She seems to not be able to say anything more as she waits for him to answer.

Alec smiles knowingly, "In my seeking I was given a choice, and it was you...your love that I chose. I picked you over enlightenment..."

Nettle's face pales for a second as the impact of this statement hits her like a ton of bricks. All her fears and wondering washes away, and she looks at Alec for the first time with complete security and relief. "Alec...I...I..." Nettle looks dizzy for a moment, and then her eyes focus again. "Your seeking was about me...and you chose me..." A few seconds later the tears start falling down her cheeks. "I pray the goddess I always feel the awe I'm feeling right now, and never do anything ever to hurt you, Alec. What a delicate and powerful being has been sent into my heart and arms..." she keeps gazing up at the ceiling, her hands playing across Alec's face.

Alec takes her chin and focuses her face into his, he kisses her lightly. "M'here love, I'm here." he brings her body against his underneath the sheets and kisses her with passion.

Nettle kisses him back, her eyes refocusing on him-- but still showing the awe she feels. "Alec...you've been through so much today. You've let me into places I never knew existed, and never knew I'd be shown, and I want to thank you for that. Tonight, you will not move a finger. Tonight is my night to show you how much I love you. Just lay back, Alec...and relax..." Nettle brushes her hand across Alec's eyelids to close them, and he feels her hair tickle across his arms. Now begins a night like none other Alec has ever experienced before.

Alec awakens to his alarm, he rolls over and turns it off. Looking over at Nettle he smiles thinking about last night. He kisses her softly to awaken her. Her eyes flutter open and he smiles, "Time to wake up sleeping beauty."

Nettle smiles contentedly as her eyes focus on Alec's face above hers. Kissing him back, she says, "Alec, you're so sweet!" Sitting up, she gets out of bed and goes over to Alec's side-- pulling him out of bed and to his feet. "We both need a shower!" Looking around the room, she sees the blanket Tania gave them the night before, and grabs it. Wrapping it around the two of them so their bodies are snug together, she grins happily. "Shall we go?" The two make their way to the door wrapped in the one blanket, and somehow get the door open and step outside.

The two laughing the entire way, hop to the bathroom and lock the door. Alec releases himself from the blanket and starts the shower. Checking the water he gets in and holds an arm out crooking his finger at Nettle. "Come in..." he says devilishly.

Nettle grabs his finger and bites it laughing playfully, and then gets into the shower with Alec. Sliding the door shut, the two enjoy a most-invigorating shower. An hour later, Nettle slides the door back and flops onto the toiletseat. "Phew...make sure everything's in order in there before you come out, OK Alec darling?" Nettle smiles and her eyes unfocus as she reminisces. When Alec comes out, she's standing in front of the mirror brushing her long hair.

"There, everything is in order," he says as he dries off. Seeing Nettle bushing her hair, he walks over and takes the brush from her, and begins to brush it himself. Finishing up, he combs his hair and puts on his robe. "Shite!" he says looking at his watch, "We're late to open the store..."

"Mmmmm...." Nettle says enjoying the hair-brushing. As she hears the alarm in Alec's voice, she snaps back into reality and looks around for the blanket. Gathering it around her, she and Alec make a run for their respective rooms to get dressed. When Nettle emerges, she's wearing white Doc Martins, white latex pants, a white tank top, and a white latex jacket. She has her usual bag slung over one shoulder. She gets to Alec's room and gives the door a curtesy-knock before opening it.

Alec has finished dressing as well. He looks in the mirror at his blue jacket and red shirt and blue pants. "There, let's go!" He escorts Nettle out of the horizon realm and the chantry to his car. Opening the door for her, he hops in and the gremlin roars off towards the store.

Nettle grabs the Jefferson Airplane C.D. out of Alec's collection and puts it in the C.D. player. A few seconds later she's doing the Swim, and some other 60s dances she learned growing up, while belting out, "Don't you want somebody to love! Don't you need somebody to love!" Suddenly turning to Alec she grabs his arm and sings along, "Your eyes, I say, your eyes..." and the car almost swerves into another lane. Laughing, Nettle apologizes, and without missing a beat, throws her arm around the back of Alec's seat, still singing along with the music.

Alec pulls into the store and laughs at Nettle, "You trying to kill us?" He walks over and unlocks the door, he holds it open for Nettle.

Nettle grins and shakes her head. "No...never!" Walking through the door Alec is holding open for her, she enters the music store and feels on the walls for the light switch. Flipping it on, she looks around. "Wow-- so you own this place? I really admire that! I can't even imagine myself owning a museum, although that's what I've thought about owning, if anything." Nettle walks over to inspect the bins, and begins flipping through records.

Alec walks behind the counter and takes some old records out and begins pricing them. "Thanks love, you know, I could use some help around here, since Jaf is back in India..."

Nettle looks over her shoulder. "Oh really? Are you offering me a job here, Alec?" Nettle grins and puts down the records she was looking through and approaches the counter to see what Alec is doing. "I would love to help you out here-- work here-- whatever you'd like me to do! Why did Jaf go back to India? Are you expecting him to return any time soon?"

"Yes I am offering you a job," he says with a smile. "Jaf and his family went back to India because they didn't like the States...go figure."

Nettle laughs. "Well, I hope YOU like the States enough to stay!" Nettle says with a gleam in her eye. "Oh! Speaking of other countries, what time do your shipments normally come in?" Nettle asks, looking around for a clock.

"Later around 11 am." He says as he finishes the records and puts them on the shelf. "So when is the gift supposed to arrive?"

Nettle laughs. "Oh, well, um, sounds like 11:00 AM!" Grinning, she joins Alec behind the counter looking for something to help with. "What would you like me to do, boss?" Alec can tell she's antsy and trying to keep herself occupied.

"Well, check the stock see if we have any Robert Johnson on hand, and oh yeah," he sets out a box on the counter. "Wanna put up these Who boxed sets while I assemble the display?"

Nettle grins happily-- enjoying the novelty of working for Alec. "Sure, baby!" Giving him a kiss on the cheek, she walks back around the counter picks up the box of boxed-sets, and makes her way to the boxed-sets section while doing her little hip-sway action. A few minutes later she calls out, "Oh-- there's no Robert Johnson that I can find, Alec!"

"Alright then love." Alec watches her sway her hips, smiles, and walks back to the basement. He wraps his arms around her, surprising her. "Hey baby, we never discussed how much you earn here. What do you think you're worth?"

Nettle jumps a little when she feels Alec's arms go around her, but then relaxes and leans back against him. "Well, well, well, Alec! That's a good question! How about if you take me for a test-drive and tell me what you would pay for me?" Nettle smiles, looking off into the basement.

Alec smiles, "Sounds like a reasonable plan." He lifts her up setting her on the back counter. "How about that love, you're worth your weight in gold it seems."

A surprised smile plays across Nettle's mouth. "Oh-- that was really sweet, Alec! You seem in good spirits today!" She leans over and gives him a hug and kiss. "Seriously, you don't have to pay me anything. As long as we have money for food, clothes, music, whatever else comes up, that's all I ask for in life! Working here with you is all the payment I ask."

"That's all you need eh? Hmmm well then how about a quick seeing-to as the payment for services rendered?" He chuckles "It has a good retirement plan..."

"Oh yes? Tell me about this retirement-plan, Alec!" Nettle grins. "And about seeing to me..." Nettle takes off her jacket and drops it to the floor. "I have a lot that needs to be seen to!" Nettle raises an eyebrow and looks at Alec.

Alec keeps his cool and kisses her, "I was thinking you should move your stuff into my bedroom. All your stuff."

Nettle looks surprised and happy at the same time. "Oh really? You won't mind having my stuff in your room, too? What about my dressers and bed? We can leave the rest of my worship-items in my room and just use it for that...but then there's the, um, rings I had installed in the ceiling..." Nettle looks directly at Alec and grins. "Let's leave the bed in there! Do you think there's room for another dresser in your room?"

"Sure, love I'll make room." he says as he brings her closer.

Nettle smiles and puts her arms around him. "I think it will be romantic to be getting our clothes from the same closet now!" She leans forward and kisses him. "You zip up my dress...I'll zip up your pants..." Nettle laughs slyly.

Alec laughs genuinely, "Now that's a change, eh? We're usually trying to unzip." He kisses her back and roughly brings her to him. "I've got lots of closet space."

"Ooooh, Alec! It sounds like you're getting ideas of putting something in MY closet!" Nettle grins. "Well...as long as there are not customers around..." Nettle wraps her legs around the backs of Alec's legs and kisses him passionately, knocking things off the counter-top.

As the two begin their passionate embrace there is a ring of bells as the door to the store opens and a tallish man in a UPS suit walks in. "I have an order here. Ummm hello?"

Alec stops moving and cocks an ear. He frowns, "Shite he's early." Nettle looks frustrated for a moment, and then asks, "Oh! You mean the delivery-guy??" She jumps off the counter and snatches her jacket from the floor in one fluid motion, and runs up the stairs. "Yes, yes, sorry about that! We were just downstairs! I'll sign for the deliveries!" she says as she sees the UPS man standing there. Looking at what he has for the store, she barely keeps in a happy shout when she sees what she's been waiting for next to another box.

"OK, just sign here...and here." The UPS man looks at Nettle in surprise at how quickly and energetically she signs for the packages. "Thank you SO much! You're such a good delivery-boy!" Nettle says scooting him out of the store after she's done signing. "Bye!" She waves and closes the door in the face of the startled UPS man, and then runs back to the boxes. Taking the larger one, she hurriedly slides it underneath the counter. As Alec comes up the stairs, he sees her lifting the box of records onto the counter.

Alec walks over to the counter and opens the box. Taking out some of the records he nods. "Good I have been waiting for these." Looking at Nettle he walks over to behind the counter.

Nettle nervously runs up to block him from coming behind the counter. "How about if you, uh, start pricing those...over there?" she asks, handing Alec a pricing-gun and pointing to another counter-top.

Alec shrugs, "Sure." he takes the price-gun and the box, heading over to the other counter he begins to price them. "Say aren't you supposed to meet with Jake today?"

As soon as Alec's back is turned, Nettle quickly grabs the box-opener and bends down to open the box. Sliding through the tape, she opens the box up, and pulls the contents out. Doing a quick inspection to make sure everything's in order, she exhales a "Thank you, Gram and Gramps!" and pushes the item back under the counter. Standing up with the now-empty box, she replies, "Aaah...true. Well, we have another free-day until we're doing this cyber-trip, so he can do it tomorrow!" Walking up to join Alec at his counter, she asks, "Where do you leave the empty boxes?"

Alec looks over his shoulder, "Just crush it down and put it outside in the back. There's a recycle truck that picks it up, cheers." he says as he finishes and sets the records down walking over to the counter.

Nettle nods and takes the box back to the back of the building.

Alec walks behind the counter and unlookingly puts the price-gun back. He sits at the counter and pops in a cd, T-Rex fills the room. *Your'e dirty and sweet oh yeah!*

Nettle comes back into the room and sees Alec sitting at the counter and gets nervous. Quickly approaching, she sees that nothing's been disturbed, and exhales in relief. Smiling, she pulls up a stool next to Alec's and asks, "Would you like to hear a cool story, Alec?"

Alec swivels the chair back to face Nettle, "Always, love."

Nettle takes a deep breath and begins. "Growing up, my English grandparents told me the story about one of the first guitars John Lennon bought as a Beatle-- you probably know this story, too! I've heard it so many times that I know it word-for-word now! The guitar was a Gibson J-160E acoustic/ electric guitar with a tobacco sunburst finish, and John bought it on Sept. 10, 1962. It was used the next day to record "Love Me Do," and also used through the Please, Please Me sessions. Then during the 1963 Christmas show at the Finsbury Park Astoria Theatre in London, the guitar was stolen." Looking at Alec with suppressed excitement, Nettle continues. "Alec-- my grandparents were at that concert, and it's been a well-kept family-secret that they left that concert with more than they came in with. When my grandfather set his mind on something, he always got it." Nettle bends down and slides a large, black guitar case out from under the counter. Alec hears the clicks as she opens it, and a few seconds later she holds up a Gibson J-160E acoustic/ electric guitar with a tobacco sunburst finish. "Alec, this is that guitar, and my grandparents told me years ago that it was mine whenever I wanted it. Well, I wanted it...to give to you." She holds out the guitar with a radiant look on her face, waiting for Alec to take it.

Alec nearly falls from the stool as he stands. His face a mask of shock as he takes the offered guitar. "I...I don't know what to say." He puts it down and lifts Nettle into the air to him kissing her with much passion.

Nettle kisses him back laughing between kisses. "I thought you'd like it! Happy early Yule, baby! I know it will be in good hands-- appreciative hands-- now!" Nettle hugs him tight-- the tension from trying to keep the secret for so long running off of her like water.

Alec takes Nettle's hand and the guitar, "Come with me back home. I want to show you my appreciation in private, love." He leads her to the door.

Nettle grins and squeezes his hand back. "I'm all yours! And I'm all ears! I like how you show your appreciation, Alec! I'm sure it will leave me...a bit unbalanced for tomorrow with Jacob!" she says laughing.

"That's what viagra does baby!" the two walk out of the store and into the parking lot. A couple stops by the door. "Hey aren't you open?" the guy asks. Alec turns and shakes his head. "Sorry, old son, no sale."

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