| Worth the Risk | |
|---|---|
| Author | Calliope24 |
| Date | 6 June 2025 |
| Where posted | FK Fic Fest |
| Rating/Warning | G |
| Genres | drama |
| Format | novelette |
| Archive Location | |
Story Recap[]
Secrets strain the bonds of friendship between Nick, Schanke, and Natalie.
Notes[]
Written for FK Fic Fest 2025 to the prompts "Keeping secrets" and "A lucky break, a chance meeting, and a friend in need". The story was released from the queue on 6 June. Length: 10,340 words. Beta'd by LittleBlackaPony.
Quotes[]
Nick glanced at the precinct clock. Schanke was late. It was the third time this week and if Cohen noticed there would be trouble. And the last thing Schanke needed was any additional hassles at work.
“Speak of the devil.” Nick looked pointedly at the clock as Don Schanke slid into the opposing desk chair. “I was just wondering if I needed to put out an APB on you.”
Schanke didn’t crack a smile. “Very funny, coming from the guy who seems to disappear into thin air at the drop of a hat. The guy who I have actually had to put an APB out on, I might add!”
Comments[]
- "My favorite part of your "Worth the Risk" is Schanke having put together all the mounting second-season clues that Nick has more money than readily explained [...]. I did not expect him to bring that up with Natalie any more than she did, because of course the show reinforced wiping away cumulative impacts, in the episodic style of its time, especially in my favorite first season." — excerpted from comment by Brightknightie on AO3
- "As I was trying to come up with a story for this year's FicFest, one of the things that came to mind was how prominently Nick's wealth was a focus in the second season, while barely mentioned in the first, and not at all in the third--unless you count his possession of the Black Buddha with all its pretty jewels. I felt that gave me something to work with, in spite of the compartmentalization of episodes in those days." — excerpted from reply by Calliope24 on AO3
- "It's very good to see the Schanke character being genuinely skilled at his profession unless otherwise preoccupied (which first-season Schanke unfailingly is, even though second-season Schanke sometimes falls behind)." — excerpted from reply by Brightknightie on AO3
- "As I was trying to come up with a story for this year's FicFest, one of the things that came to mind was how prominently Nick's wealth was a focus in the second season, while barely mentioned in the first, and not at all in the third--unless you count his possession of the Black Buddha with all its pretty jewels. I felt that gave me something to work with, in spite of the compartmentalization of episodes in those days." — excerpted from reply by Calliope24 on AO3
- "(Another parallel that caught my attention is how far into illegal and unethical activities this Schanke is dipping without apparent guilt, alongside Natalie's use of records and supplies and time.)" — additional excerpt from comment by Brightknightie on AO3
- "I think all three characters displayed some degree of moral ambiguity here--Schanke bending some rules by working off the books, Natalie ultimately breaks her confidence by telling Nick, and Nick does what he has to do to preserve his secret. I do think that each of their intentions are good. Schanke is helping family, Natalie is acting in what she feels is Schanke's best interests, and Nick only wants to help his friend, yet is compelled to follow rules of the vampire society. For me that moral ambiguity is part of what makes FK so interesting." — excerpted from reply by Calliope24 on AO3
- "Interesting that Schanke still has some resentment toward Nick and how Nick always seems to steal the show. I thought PotM tried to wrap that up a leeeeeettle too neatly." — excerpted from comment by Switchbladeeyes on AO3
- "I can appreciate Nick's concern for revealing his secret to Schanke. I play with the idea that it may not have gone as well as we would like. And it would be a tough secret to keep for such as garrulous man." — excerpted from reply by Calliope24 on AO3