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 TRAINING Epilogue

   The next day, everything was almost back to normal.  Kat spent some time
back at her apartment, playing with her cat and catching up on some
reading. Upon her return to the Club, it was like nothing had changed. 
Almost.  Every time he was in the general area, Mr.  Nielson always made it
a point to come by.  He would be immaculately dressed, as always, and would
always ask the same question every time.  "Good morning, Ms.  Kathryn.  How
are you enjoying your day?" That was the only clue of anything that had
occurred.  Everyone else he just about ignored.  If he did speak to them,
they were addressed by their last name.  In her case, and her case alone,
he sought her out and addressed her by his name for her.  His tone was
even, and he never changed his expression, but she knew he wanted to, his
position preventing it.  He was considered the closest thing to a boss
here, and he had an image to maintain, but the affection was there, if you
knew where to look.  One week before Christmas, she had packed up her
things, and was watching the driver load them up, when Mr.  Nielson
appeared behind her.  "I hope you enjoy your holidays with your parents,
Ms. Kathryn." She turned around and looked at him, a smile on her lips. 
His hands were behind his back, and he stood stiffly, as always.  She
continued smiling as she spoke.  "I have something for you," she said.  He
was about to protest when she said, "I want to give it to you,
for...everything.  In response, all I desire is that you accept it with no
fuss.  It is yours, now, and I want you to have it." With that, she turned
back to her things.  She reached into her garment bag and removed a large,
squarish package wrapped in bright green paper.  She turned back around and
handed it to him.  "Merry Christmas, Mr.  Nielson." She nodded once, then
skipped back to the car, and it pulled away with her inside.  Paul Nielson
was overwhelmed.  He had never received any gift from guests or staff, let
alone had any friends among them.  That was his place, and he accepted it.
He walked back to his office, sat down at his desk, and began to open the
wrapping.  Looking at the now uncovered gift, a single tear trickled down
his cheek.  He was utterly amazed at her kindness.  He knew this was her
favorite, and that it held a special memory for the both of them.  The fact
that she had given it to him left him utterly speechless.

   When Kat returned to the Club, there was an envelope waiting for her. 
It was an invitation to that evening's New Year's Masquerade Ball.  It was
a highly anticipated event, by invitation only.  There was no signature on
the card, but there was two hand written word along the bottom edge. 
'Please come.' Kat arrived dressed to the nines.  Even the mask she wore
was silk, with emeralds dotting it.  She entered, eyed the crowd, and
proceeded to mingle.  Most of the night was a disappointment.  She chatted
and talked, strolling through the crowd, but no one in particular struck
her as her secret host.  Wandering away, she made her way out to the empty
stone porch overlooking the hedge maze.  Gazing at the moon overhead, she
heard someone approach behind her.  Without turning, she said, "You're
late." A deep, soft voice replied, "For you, I would race the sun itself."
She turned towards him.  He was wearing a black tuxedo, including cape and
top had.  To complete the look, his puppy brown eyes peeked out from behind
a Phantom of the Opera mask.  He gazed down at her, and as a waltz was
struck, they danced beneath the moon, holding each other, alone in the
world.  He took her to her room, carrying her in his arms, laying her down
on the bed.  He took her many times that night, paying as much attention as
he did the first time.  Again and Again, she let him take her to heaven. 
Finally, when the sun threatened to awaken, they slept.  When she awoke,
she was alone.  On his pillow, there were two long stemmed roses, one a
deep red, the other a bright yellow.  Love and Friendship.  But what
surprised her the most was the photograph.  On the back were the words,
"You will not allow me to reciprocate, so I can only show you how much it
means." The picture showed Mr.  Nielson's office, the same one as she saw,
so long ago.  The only difference was that on the wall over the back of his
desk, in a place of honor, was a painting of a stunning brunette, topless
with a small bikini bottom, lounging in the sun.  Kathryn smiled, smelling
the roses and holding the photograph to her chest.  From that day forward,
throughout the year, they were simply a staff manager and a member of the
Club.  No one had a clue as to their friendship.  It was always 'Mr. 
Nielson' and 'Ms.  Kathryn'.  However, every New Year's Eve, two anonymous
masked individuals danced the night away under the stars, sharing something
magical between them.