CONTENT WARNINGS:  This story is an ADULT Nick & Nat story.  It contains
explicit sex (m/f), [Nick/Nat].  If such content would offend you, do 
NOT read and hit the DELETE key.

PERMISSION IS GRANTED to archive this story at FKFANFIC Archive, FKFTP 
site, N&NPACK MORTAL LOVE Archive, JADFE Archive, and DARK NICK & NAT 
Archives ONLY.  Anyone else must ask for permission from me first.  It 
will also be available at my fiction site at http://home.att.net/~nitemar/.

DEDICATION:  You can blame the posting of this story on the N&NNUTS, and 
especially Micki for the conversation that led to this story.  And a 
special thanks to my alpha/beta readers Nightlady and Heather-Anne!

DISCLAIMERS:  The Forever Knight characters belong to Columbia Tri/Star.  
No copyright infringement is intended.

Let me know what you thought of the story at Nitemar@worldnet.att.net


*********
By Design
By NiteMar
April 2001
**********
Part 1

"What do you think, Grace?" Nat asked, as she turned in front of the 
mirror.  Nat looked at her appearance in the clinging dress she had 
tried on.  It seemed to cling in all the right places, accenting her 
womanly curves.

"Oh, Nat!" Grace gushed.  "That looks gorgeous.  Nick's eyes will pop 
out of his head when he sees you in that."

Nat had spent the afternoon shopping with Grace, trying to find 
something special to wear for her date with Nick tonight.  They had been 
seeing each other away from work and their regular movie nights for about 
a month now.  It was time to move things forward, and Grace had taken it 
upon herself to make sure Nat had something sexy and alluring, something 
the detective could not ignore.

"I don't know, Grace.  I'm not sure about this one."  Nat turned towards 
Grace.  "Let's try one more shop."  Nat was feeling so jittery over the 
upcoming night out with Nick.  Something about his invitation for the 
night out made it seem different.  Their relationship had been moving 
beyond work and their friendship of the past, but there was still so much 
uncertainty about where it was leading.  She still wasn't sure how far 
Nick would let it go.

"Alright, Nat.  But time is getting short.  You want to have enough time 
to get ready," Grace warned, as Nat ran back into the dressing room to 
shed the current dress.

-----

As they walked, looking for another dress shop, Grace insisted, "You 
know, Nat, you have to do something to get your shy detective to respond 
to you.  First, he keeps denying you are more than friends, despite his 
obvious interest.  Now that you are actually dating, you say all that 
has happened is some damn good kissing."

Nat chuckled at Grace recalling her words.  "Well, yeah.  But it's 
complicated, Grace.  That's not exactly the whole picture," she started 
to explain carefully.  But even knowing the complications of Nick being 
a vampire, Nat still wanted to push the limit, push him over the edge.

"Well, as I see it, the man either wants you or he doesn't... You want 
him, don't you?"

Nat smiled.  "Yeah, I do want him.  A lot."  Nat had become increasingly 
frustrated with Nick, at his resistance to taking the next step.  He had 
seemed to be taking that step with his recent interest in becoming closer 
to her.  The dates they had shared that could no longer be seen as 
'friends doing something together'.  

"Well, then...let's get to work..." Grace said with a devilish grin.

As they turned the corner, they both spotted the shop at the same time.  
Unique Designs.  Nat and Grace stared back at each other, smiling.  They 
quickly stepped to the shop, anxious to see the designs inside.  The 
dresses in the display windows were gorgeous and sexy.  They couldn't 
wait to see more.

As they browsed inside the shop, they came upon a special section 
displaying very provocative designs.  Nat stared at the mannequins in 
shock.  

"OhmyGod, Nat.  Would you look at this?"  Grace rushed to the dress on 
the middle mannequin, reaching out to touch the material.

"Please don't touch the dress," a salesperson requested behind them.  
"It is very fragile."  She watched the two women eye the dress, admiring 
its intricate detail.  "But we do have some samples if you would like to 
try them on."

Grace looked at Nat with that determined look.

"No.  No, Grace.  I couldn't.  There is no way I could wear that."

"Yes, you can.  Trust me, it's perfect."

Nat continued to resist as the salesperson stood patiently nearby.

"Just try it on, Nat.  Try it."

After Nat put the dress on, with the salesperson's help, Grace stood 
back and sized up how she looked in it.  "Oh, Nick's eyes will 
definitely pop out on that one," she giggled.

"Grace, this is ridiculous.  I mean, what will he say when he sees it?"

"Hopefully, he won't say anything," Grace replied with a smile and a 
wiggle of her eyebrows.

Nat looked back in the mirror, to reevaluate the dress.  "It's so fragile.  
It's so revealing.  Why spend all this money for something that will not 
last?"

The salesperson interrupted.  "I can guarantee you it will not last for 
a second wearing.  It is meant as a one-time wearing only, whether the 
young man in question is involved or not," she said with a smile.  
"This line of dresses has been quite popular, and the trend is spreading.  
The creator of these even has a design for a wedding dress." 

"A wedding dress?!" Nat repeated in shock.

"Nat, this is not like any other dress.  Nick will have no way to ignore 
what this is saying," Grace reasoned.

Nat turned to Grace.  "What is that, Grace?  Fuck me?"  Nat covered her 
mouth with her hand quickly, surprised at what she had said.

Grace chuckled and Nat joined her, as she looked back in the mirror.  
"Oh, God, how could I?"  She turned to the salesperson and spoke quickly 
before she had a chance to rethink her decision.  "Okay, I want this.  
I'll take it."

-----

Nick sighed loudly as he set the file aside and grabbed the next one.  
He glanced up at Schanke who was quietly working his way through more 
paperwork.  They always seemed to avoid this part of the job, causing 
it to pile up more than it needed to.  But they never seemed to be able 
to do the paperwork when they should.

"Detective Knight?"

Nick looked up to see a delivery courier with a small package at the 
front counter.  Finally, thought Nick.  He had been getting worried 
about the package arriving on time for tonight.  

"Sign here, please," the courier requested when Nick arrived at the 
counter.

Nick signed the delivery papers and walked back to his desk, setting 
the box in the center of his desk.  The box was now obviously Nick's 
main focus, and a curious Schanke looked up from his work.

Schanke, the ever-inquisitive friend and partner, probed, "What's that, 
Nick?"  Of course, any excuse for a small break from the paperwork was 
welcomed.  

Nick opened the box, and removing some packing material, lifted out a 
smaller box.  He opened the small box to look at the contents, and 
smiled in appreciation.

"Nick!"  Schanke repeated.  "Come on.  You have to tell me.  Let me see."  
Schanke jumped from his chair and rushed around to Nick to look at the 
item.

"Whoaah, Nick.  Are things moving that fast?" Schanke asked, staring at 
the open box.  Suddenly, he hit his forehead, thinking of what he had 
said.  "What am I talking about?  You were moving so slow before.  Now, 
I can't slow you down... Where are you taking her tonight?"

Nick looked up at his partner, grinning.  "Someplace special tonight.  
It's a surprise.  I'll tell you tomorrow about Nat's reaction," Nick 
said, closing the box and slipping the item into his jacket pocket.

"You better!  Damn, once you stop denying your feelings, there's no 
stopping you, buddy," teased Schanke.  "Hey, best of luck."

"Thanks, Schank."

Nick set aside the larger, empty box and the bubble wrap that had been 
used as packing material, and they both returned to their work.  
Subconsciously, Nick's fingers played with the bubble wrap, and he 
started popping the air-filled bubbles.  

Schanke looked up at Nick with an irritated look.  "This paperwork is 
hard enough to get through, Nick, without that noise."

"Sorry," Nick offered feebly.  But after only a few moments, he returned 
to popping the bubbles.  

Finally, Schanke had to comment again.  "Don't tell me," he started 
sarcastically.  "You are one of those people who have to pop every bubble 
on the bubble wrap."  

Nick smiled sheepishly at being found out and put the remaining bubble 
wrap inside the box, moving it away from his reach so they could finally 
finish their work.

-----

Nat carefully slipped into her new dress, cautious with the delicate 
material.  She had already applied her make-up and arranged her hair 
loosely about her face, hoping for less of a chance to damage the dress.  
She stood in front of the full-length mirror to examine her appearance.  
Oh, God, what had she been thinking when she bought this?  She couldn't 
go through with this.  Or could she?  It definitely would get a reaction 
>from him, that was for sure, she thought with a devilish grin.  It was 
all Grace's fault.  Whenever she was with Grace, she did crazy things.  

She turned sideways in front of the mirror, looking at how the dress 
molded to her body.  It wasn't really that revealing because of the way 
the design was constructed, but it was the idea behind the dress itself 
that was so suggestive.  The dress simply screamed, "Take me.  Now!"  
Nat blushed at the thought of Nick doing just that.  

The doorbell rang, interrupting her private thoughts.  In a panic, she 
looked at her watch.  He's a few minutes early, she thought.  She 
quickly slipped her sandals on her feet and rushed to the door.  On the 
way, she grabbed her long trench coat lying on the couch arm.  She 
stopped in front of the door, quickly putting the coat on and secured 
it at the waist, making sure her dress was well covered.

Nat opened the door and Nick stepped inside, placing a soft peck on her 
cheek.  Worried about Nick noticing the dress, she stepped back, creating 
some distance between them.  

Surprised by her reaction, Nick looked at her entire appearance and 
noticed the long coat she was wearing.  "Nat, it's a nice night out.  
You won't need that coat."

Trying to ignore his comment, Nat asked, "Where are we going, Nick?"

"Well, I wanted to keep it a surprise.  Why?" Nick answered as he 
watched Nat run back into her bedroom, apparently finishing getting 
ready.

"How public will it be?" she shouted from the other room.

Nick smiled, thinking about his special plan for tonight.  "Not very.  
Why, is something wrong?" Nick asked, peering around the corner. 

Nick's questions were starting to get her very nervous, but Nat couldn't 
avoid him.  She turned to return to the living room only to run into Nick.  
Blushing, she turned away.  "I just don't want to be around a lot of 
people," Nat mumbled.

Nick wondered what was bothering her.  She was acting very strangely.  
Was she afraid to be alone with him tonight?  No.  She had specifically 
wanted to not be around other people, but to be alone with him.  He 
watched her fidget as she pulled her coat around her and she smoothed it.  
"You ready to go, Nat?"

Nat paused and looked up at Nick, feeling unsure.  "Just a sec, Nick."  
Nat rushed over to the mirror to check her hair, as if inspecting loose 
hairs or something that was uneven on her.

Nick quietly walked up behind her and softly rested his hands on her 
shoulders.  "You look beautiful, Nat."

Nat turned quickly, afraid Nick would know what lay underneath just by 
resting his hands on the coat.  "Let's go then," she said excitedly, and 
rushed toward the door ahead of a very confused vampire.

As Nat sat down on the front seat of the car, she heard a muffled sound 
under her leg, almost like a squeak of bare skin against leather.  But 
she knew exactly what the sound was, and it wasn't a squeak.  Oh, boy, 
she thought, this was going to be a long night.  She hoped she was doing 
the right thing, pushing Nick over the edge with this dress.  

As they drove, Nat quietly thought back on the recent times they had 
shared, times that convinced her how much he loved her, desired her.  
She took a deep breath and convinced herself that her decision to wear 
the dress was the right one.


******
Part 2
******

"Are you okay, Nat?  You are so quiet."

Realizing how quiet she had been, she looked over at Nick, smiling.  
"Yeah, I'm okay, Nick.  Better than okay.  I was just thinking about 
things."

"What things?" Nick asked, curious about Nat's strange quietness tonight.

"Well, um... the times we've had together lately, you know," Nat said.

Nick was just about to ask more to get to the bottom of things, but 
realized they were almost at their destination.  Nick pulled into the 
drive to an abandoned private park overlooking the city.  They passed 
some structures along the road, but Nat couldn't make out what they were 
in the dark.  The road led to a hill looking over the lake where an old 
building stood, softly lit with lights.

"What's this place, Nick?"

Nick stopped the car in front of the building, turning off the car.  
He turned to her, grinning.  "This place was a popular amusement park 
years ago, just outside the city.  Of course, when all the new and bigger 
parks opened, this one lost its customers and went out of business.  But 
nostalgic parks are making a comeback, and the property was recently 
purchased by a new owner, who is restoring the buildings and grounds for 
a reopening."

Nat watched Nick's face filled with excitement.  "And who might this new 
owner be?" she asked.

Nick smiled.  "Take a guess."

Nat smiled, already knowing who that owner was.  She didn't need to guess.

Nick turned, opening his door, saying, "Let's take a look."  He rushed 
over to her door and opened it for her.  Nat swung a leg onto the ground 
and started to step out of the car, just as she heard the sound again.  
She paused and cringed at the sound, knowing it was from the fragile 
dress she wore.

"Are you okay, Nat?"  Nick had heard the sound twice now.  He wanted so 
desperately to ask her what that sound was, the sound of which she was 
apparently aware.    

"Yeah, I'm okay," Nat said as she finished standing.

Nick grabbed her hand in his and guided her towards the building, 
explaining its origin.  "This used to be a popular dance hall in the 
'40's where they played the big band music.  It's being restored to the 
way it once was.  The surrounding park, too," Nick explained as he swept 
his hand over the surrounding grounds.

As they approached the building, Nat noticed the intricate trellises and 
hanging blooms near the entry.  "This is beautiful, Nick," she commented, 
overwhelmed with the scope of Nick's plans.  "Nick, why are you doing 
this?  Does this place have some special meaning to you?"

Nick started to explain.  "I found out about this place during a case, 
and I just fell in love with it.  I don't know why."  Nick paused at the 
door, grabbing Nat's other hand in his as he faced her.  He added softly, 
"No, it doesn't have any special meaning to me.  Yet."

Nat's heart beat at the obvious romantic meaning of Nick's words.  After 
tonight, the place would definitely hold some memories, Nat thought in 
anticipation as Nick opened the door.  

Nick escorted her through the door, watching her reaction to what was 
inside.  He hoped she was pleased with his arrangement for a romantic 
evening together.

She stared at the startling clean interior.  Nick had been very busy.  
Although the building was still in need of repairs and restoration, much 
had been done on the interior.  The floors had been replaced and finished.  
New soft lighting, reminiscent of a nostalgic look, hung from the ceiling.  
At one end of the hall, a single table was set with linens and china.

Nat looked at Nick, smiling hopefully at her, his eyes full of love.  
"Nick, it's so beautiful."  She turned to take in the entire room.  
"You've done so much here already."  She turned back to Nick, and he 
gently placed a hand on the side of her face and kissed her lips.  

Nat placed her hand over his, grasping it as he pulled away from her 
lips.  They walked over to the table, and just as Nick started to coax 
the coat off Nat, a man, obviously the server judging by his attire, 
entered the room, carrying the wine.  Glad that she had only started to 
loosen the belt of the coat, she quickly reacted to another person's 
presence by pulling the coat tighter around her.

"Nat, this is just the server.  It's okay," Nick assured her.

Nat blushed.  "No it's not, Nick.  I thought we would be alone," she 
responded nervously.

"Nat, what is the problem?  I said it wouldn't be very public," Nick 
commented, concerned about her shyness tonight.  When Nick watched her 
cling to her coat, he turned to address the server.  "Michael, could 
you please leave the room a moment."

"Certainly, sir.  Call me when you need me."  He turned and left through 
the service door.

After Michael had left the room, Nick turned to Nat.  "We're alone now.  
What is it?"

She had been ready to remove her coat before she knew there was someone 
else around, but she couldn't avoid it any longer.  Nat opened her coat 
and slipped it off her arms, and draped the coat on the chair.  She 
stood there as Nick's eyes examined every inch of her, his mouth hanging 
open.  Nat started to worry she had made a mistake.  Had she assumed too 
much, was she being too suggestive?  As she grew more uncomfortable, she 
started to cross her arms across the front of her.

Nick grabbed her arms and pulled them back.  "No, don't.  Nat, I..." 
His eyes ran up and down her body, taking it all in.  The dress was 
made entirely from bubble wrap.  It was an actual design, not just 
sheets of wrap around her body.  It had the lines and shape of a real 
dress, with a scoop neckline and fitted waist.  The design would be a 
beautiful dress in any elegant fabric.  But it was made from bubble wrap.  
The use of the packing material was such that it was opaque, not 
revealing details of the body underneath, only a vague tint of flesh 
color penetrating the material.  But Nick's imagination had been enticed.  
He reached for her face, tilting it to look in her eyes, and smiled.

Nat smiled back, relieved that Nick seemed pleased, even excited.  Nick 
reached for her and softly pressed his lips to hers.  As he leaned 
against her dress, he popped a few bubbles.  Nick pulled back with a 
huge grin, thinking of his conversation with Schanke regarding his need 
to pop all the bubbles.

Then he remembered Michael in the other room.  He pulled away from Nat.  
"I'll be right back.  I need to take care of something," he whispered 
huskily, as he made his way towards the service area where Michael was.  

After Nick had dismissed Michael and brought out the wine and food by 
himself, he happily found Nat at the table.  Nick struggled not to stare 
too much, but he couldn't help it.  

"I'm sorry, Nat.  It's just so... I mean, I really can't see anything 
through the plastic, but..." he tried explaining, before taking a 
swallow of his blood wine.  He was so preoccupied with her dress that 
it was hard to concentrate.  How was he going to get through this evening?

Nat watched his reaction with pleasure.  He wanted her.  He stared at 
her, popping the bubbles in his mind, undressing her.  She noticed how 
he kept adjusting his trousers and the gold flecks that would appear in 
his eyes from time to time.  She took some bites from her plate as she 
continued watching him, but she wasn't really hungry.  Not for food.

Nat started to notice sounds of music drifting into the building from 
somewhere in the distance.  "What's that music, Nick?  Do you know where 
that is coming from?"

"That's one reason we came here," Nick explained.  "Down by the lake 
there is an outdoor concert of big band music.  Would you like to dance?  
Or do you want to wait till you're done eating?"

"Dance," Nat answered with a word.

Nick rose and reached his hand out for Nat to grasp.  As she took his 
hand and stood, he pulled her tightly against his chest.  Pop!  Pop!  
Nick looked into her eyes with a devilish look and spun her away from 
the table onto the center of the floor.

"You did that on purpose, Nick!" Nat gasped in mock surprise.

He answered her with a grin and pressed his hand into her waist for a 
few more pops.

Oh, she had created a monster!  He was popping them right and left.  
As his hand slid over her back, with a little applied pressure, there 
were a few more pops.  As the song ended, Nick held her face in his 
hands and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.  The pressure 
of leaning against her in the kiss popped even more.  She started to 
laugh into his mouth at the sounds.

Nick couldn't help it.  He laughed too.  He pulled back, looking at Nat.  
"You didn't know you were out with a bubble-popping maniac, did you?"  
Nick proceeded to place his fingers on her lower back and popped a few 
bubbles.  Then a hand slid over her rear and popped a few there.

Nat wiggled from his grasp, squealing and laughing, and his hands 
explored her dress, finally coming to rest near her breast.  They 
stared at each other and both stopped laughing. 

Nick suddenly found himself in an intimate situation, much faster than 
he had intended.  He looked in her eyes for some sign that she was upset 
with him for his touch.  Her look was intense, but not upset.  Then he 
saw her smile shyly at him.  Nick pressed into the bubble where his 
fingers rested.  

Nat continued to hold his gaze.  Nick's finger inched closer over her 
breast and popped another, then another, until finally his finger rested 
over the bubbles covering her nipple.  Nat licked her lips, never 
breaking his gaze.  

He could hear her heart beat rapidly.  Nick pressed the bubbles and 
massaged her nipple through the plastic.  Watching Nat, Nick lowered his 
lips to cover her nipple and bit the plastic, tearing it over her breast, 
exposing her flesh to his lips.  He covered her nipple with his lips, 
flicking his tongue across the pointed tip.  

Nat moaned at the sensations he was producing in her as he sucked and 
licked at her sensitized flesh.  Her fingers slid into his hair as his 
other hand slid over to cup her rear.

The pounding of her heart called to him and fed his desire for her.  
He felt consumed by her heat, as he slid his hand under the edge of the 
bubble dress and cupped her mound with his palm.  As Nat push into his 
hand, his fingers became wet with her moist desire.  

Wild with passion, he carried her to the table.  Swiftly pushing the 
table's contents to the floor, he set Nat on the table's edge.  Nick 
stepped between her legs, and Nat quickly grabbed at his shirt, 
unbuttoning it and pushing it aside.  Nick pressed against her and 
captured her swollen lips.

Her hands slid into his hair and pulled him tight against her.  Her 
hands slid down over his back's firm muscles as Nick's lips wandered 
over her face and neck.  

As Nick broke his trail of kissing and pulled back to gaze at Nat, she 
saw rich golden eyes looking back at her.  She slid her hands down Nick's 
backside, placing them firmly on his butt, and pulled him against her 
center.  Nat heard a subdued growl from his chest and smiled.  Moving 
her hands to the front of his trousers, Nat quickly fumbled with the 
belt and zipper.

Nick grabbed at his trousers as Nat undid the belt and zipper, pushing 
them over his hips along with his boxers in one swift movement.  His 
desire, his passion for his Natalie, was consuming him.  He couldn't 
think straight.  He didn't even care about the vampire as it wakened 
in him.

Nat's heart raced in anticipation, as Nick stripped out of his clothes.  
She looked at his body as he stepped from the trouser legs.  His member 
stood out, thick and long.  He was beautiful.  She reached out to grasp 
his cock, wrapping her fingers around it.

Nick tilted his head up as he moaned at her touch.  As her fingers slid 
over his pulsing flesh, the moan turned into a deep growl and he looked 
back into her eyes.

Glowing, red eyes stared back at her.  It excited her, scared her.  She 
watched Nick as she licked her lips in hungry anticipation.


******
Part 3
******

Nick pushed her back on the table, leaning his face into her breast.  
He bit into the dress, tearing it open with his fangs down the middle, 
as his hands spread open the material.  His hands slid over her warm, 
living flesh as he moved the dress aside.  When the dress had been 
split all the way down, he paused at her mound, breathing in her scent 
of desire, allowing it to overwhelm him.  

His fingers massaged her mound and slid between her folds, spreading 
them.  Nick slid his tongue inside the open folds, drawing her moisture 
>from her opening and up to her already engorged clit.

Nat squirmed under his intimate touch and held him tight against her.  
"Oh, God, Nick.  Yes."

Nick continued his assault on her clit as she moaned and squirmed under 
his ministrations.  Her scent had nearly blinded him with the undeniable 
desire to have her, possess her.  As he felt her release come, he 
couldn't resist.  He nipped at her with his fangs, tasting a bit of 
her blood sweetened with her pleasure.  It was exquisite.  He wanted more.

Nat was surprised at the nipping of her flesh, but Nick's soft sucking 
at the pricks on her flesh felt warm and sensual.  It was not like an 
invasion, a cut or injury.  It was an intimate sharing, however brief.

Nick rose and pressed his cock against her swollen center, and then 
pushed into her welcoming sheath.  He pulled back and again plunged 
into her, starting a rhythm as Nat wrapped her legs around him.  Nick 
again plundered her lips, overwhelmed with his need to possess her.  
His lips left hers to kiss her cheeks, neck and breasts, only to return 
to her lips.  

Nat cried out as he pounded against her sensitive clit, bringing her 
close to the edge again.  Nick licked at her neck and increased the 
rhythm of his thrusts, bringing her to climax again.  Sharp fangs bit 
into her neck at the moment of her release, and Nat felt the warm 
connection she had only a glimpse of earlier.

Nick drank her lifeblood, again tasting her pleasure, but much more 
this time.  He thrust into her one more time as he found his release, 
spilling his seed into her center.  

Nick released her neck and collapsed against her in his spent pleasure.  
He eased her legs down and lifted his weight from her.  As the blinding 
passion passed, he realized what had taken place, what he had allowed to 
occur.  He quickly grew scared at Nat's lack of movement.

"Nat?"  Nick looked at her and slightly slapped his hand against her 
cheek.  "Are you okay?  Please, be okay."

Nat turned her head and looked at Nick, a satisfied smile crossing her 
face.  

A very relieved Nick pulled her into his arms, and he covered her 
with light kisses.  "Oh, Nat.  How could I?  I am so sorry."

Confused and hurt, Nat questioned, "Nick?  What do you mean...how 
could you?"

"I lost control, Nat... I never meant for this to happen."

Suddenly Nat felt very embarrassed.  She had caused this to happen.  
He would never have made love to her without her provoking him.  
Making love?  It was more like he was consumed with lust and ravaged 
her.  He never wanted to make love to her.  She had enticed the man 
and the vampire.  And they gave in to the temptation of it.

She pulled away from him, standing and hoping to hide the tears 
sliding over her cheeks.  "It's all my fault, Nick.  I shouldn't have 
worn that thing.  I was just wanting... I'm sorry."

Nick stood and grabbed Nat's shoulder, pulling her back to his gaze, 
cupping her face in his palm.  "Nat, I'm sorry only because I never 
intended to release the vampire like this.  At least not yet."

"Not yet?"

Nick smiled and kissed her lightly on the lips.  "Come on, let's go 
home.  We can talk more."  Nick grabbed Nat's coat and helped her 
into it, and then put on his own clothes.  He started to guide her 
to the door, when she paused and looked back at the mess.  "Don't 
worry about it, Nat.  It will be taken care of.  Come on."

Nat was still confused as they started their drive back to the loft.  
"I think you should just take me home, Nick."  She was feeling so 
embarrassed at coaxing Nick into this intimacy, when he didn't even 
want it.  But teasing the vampire had been too much for him to control.

Nick turned to her with pleading eyes.  "Nat, why?  Please come back 
to the loft with me.  There are things I want to talk about."

She could never resist those eyes.  She grasped her coat around her 
tighter.  "Alright, Nick."  Maybe he wanted to explain why this could 
never happen again.

Nick reached his arm around her shoulders and coaxed her closer.  
"Come here."

Nat allowed him to draw her closer, and he snuggled her close to him 
the rest of the way back.  She was asleep before they arrived back 
at the loft.

Nick pulled into the garage and quietly carried Nat inside.  She 
showed no signs of stirring, so he carried her upstairs to his bed 
and made her comfortable.

-----

Nat woke slowly to her surroundings, finding herself in silk sheets.  
She turned and realized she was lying next to Nick.  The previous 
night's events started tumbling into her thoughts.  She had gotten 
what she wanted.  Nick had noticed.  But her doubts returned, doubts 
about Nick loving her.  Was it just the vampire aroused last night?

Nick woke to Nat watching him.  "Mmm...Nat," he mumbled as he snuggled 
closer to her.  Nat snuggled with the man she was in love with as she 
thought over what had happened.

After a few moments, Nick lifted his head and leaned on his arm.  
"Are we okay, Nat?  I didn't totally mess things up last night, did I?" 
Nick asked, watching the emotions play across her face. 

"You mess up?  Nick, it's all my fault.  I just wanted more.  I 
tempted the vampire...I'm sorry, Nick."

"Come here," Nick commanded, lying back and pulling Nat to his chest.  
He fingers lightly caressed strands of her hair.  "You really took a 
chance last night doing that, arousing the vampire like that...  
Actually, you tempted more than the vampire.  You tempted the man 
pretty well, too," Nick chuckled.  

Nat pressed her face into his chest at his words, sliding her fingers 
across his chest.

"You never intended to make love to me," Nat stated.  "It was only 
because of the dress."

Nick smiled as he remembered Nat in the dress when she first took 
off her coat, and then later as he tore it off her body.  "Nat, no.  
I didn't intend to make love to you last night.  Not that I didn't 
want to.  I didn't think we...our relationship was ready for it yet.  
I didn't want to be too presumptuous.  And yes, the dress did prompt 
it to happen last night.  I did want our first time to be slower.  
I wanted to control the vampire better, to love you the way you 
deserved to be loved."

Nat smiled.  "You didn't scare me, Nick.  I know what you are.  And 
I love all of you."

"And I love all of you," Nick said, easing Nat gently onto her back 
and leaning over her to capture her lips in a lingering kiss.  His 
fingers lovingly caressed down the side of her face and neck.

Nat gasped as Nick broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, his 
sparkling blue pools smiling, full of love.  She reached her hand 
up to caress the side of his face.  She smiled, slipping her hand 
on his neck, and pulled him back to her lips.

Nick needed very little coaxing and captured Nat's lips again, his 
hand slowly slipping down to her breast, where he paused to massage 
her fullness before teasing her nipple erect.

Nat's hands moved down his strong back as Nick probed her mouth with 
a building desire.  Nat opened her mouth to him, meeting the intensity 
with her own as his caress stirred her body awake.  She slid her hands 
around to his chest, caressing his cool body and fueling her passion.

Nick pulled his mouth from hers and she whimpered in frustration, but 
only until he slid his head lower and captured a nipple in his mouth.  
Flicking a teasing tongue across the sensitive tip, Nick continued to 
assault her senses.  

Nat moaned as he alternated the sensations with sucking and licking, 
only to be repeated with her other breast.  Nat involuntarily pushed 
her pelvis towards his in response to the fire and need building in 
her core.

Nick could smell Nat's desire rise, demanding its release.  He 
watched her face as her pleasure grew along with the frustration.  He 
slid his hand to cup her mound and smiled as she pushed into his hand, 
wanting more.

"Nick, please..."  Nat looked at Nick, begging with her eyes.

Holding her gaze, Nick slipped a finger inside her to be rewarded 
with abundant wetness.  "Mmmm...Nat, you feel so wonderful."  Nick 
quickly slid his mouth down to her wet folds and slipped his tongue 
inside, tasting her.  Moving his mouth away from her, he added, "And 
you taste luscious, too."  He quickly slid his tongue back to her 
slick desire and caressed her nub.

Nat bucked her hips forward as Nick thrust his tongue into her and 
caressed her sensitive nub.  "OhGod, Nick.  That feels...ohGod...Nick."  
She was suddenly thrust over the edge into blissful release, and she 
squeezed her fingers in Nick's hair.

Nick slid between her legs, pressing his throbbing cock into her 
waiting core.  He kissed her lips, pressing his tongue into her as 
his cock thrust deep inside her.

Nat whimpered and she wrapped her legs around him, pushing him 
deeper.  As Nick pulled back, he increased the thrusting rhythm as 
he watched the pleasure on Nat's face.

Nat turned her neck to him as she saw him near his release.  She 
barely felt it as Nick slid his fangs into her flesh and drank from 
her.  The sensations from the contact were stronger this time, though, 
a connection deeper and more vivid than before.  Flashes of images 
bombarded her senses: Nick hunting, Nick battling LaCroix, Nick with 
other women.  Images of the pain of watching friends die, strangers, 
sometimes because of who he was.  The bloodlust, the hunger that was 
always present.  Nick's love for her, a love since he first saw her, 
hidden from her to protect her.  Unable to fight his growing love for 
her, his desire to be with her, his need to have her.

Nick was overwhelmed with the taste of love freely given in Nat's 
blood, even stronger than before.  After a few sweet swallows, he 
had no trouble pulling his fangs from her neck.  Not that he didn't 
want to keep tasting her lifeblood, taking it into himself, but he 
didn't have an intense fight with the vampire's hunger or need to 
possess so totally.  He licked the wounds and kissed along her neck 
and chin to meet her lips.

Nat whimpered as Nick stopped taking her blood and kissed his way to 
her lips.  The intensity of their connection extended the strong 
sensations surging through her body still.  She sighed into his mouth 
as she tightened her hold around his neck.

Nick reluctantly lay to her side, pulling her with him.  They cuddled, 
relishing in their extended ecstasy.  Nick caressed her arm and kissed 
the top of her head.  After several minutes, Nick whispered, "Nat, I 
have something for you."

Nat mumbled, "Mmmm... something more?"

Nick chuckled, kissing her forehead.  "Yes."

Nat lifted her head, looking up at him with a questioning look.

Smiling, Nick continued, "I planned to give this to you last night, 
but... with how things happened, well, I had to wait until later."

Nick turned away and reached for his pants on the floor, pulling out 
a small jeweler's box and handing it to her.  "Nat, we have known 
each other for years, but as friends.  I don't want this to seem so 
sudden, so rash, because it really isn't.  I've been struggling with 
my feelings for you a long time because of what I am.  But I just 
can't imagine my life without you, Nat.  I love you."

Nat opened the box and gasped at the beautiful diamond ring in a 
setting with blood-red rubies.  "Nick?" she said in shock, looking 
up into his smiling eyes.

"Will you marry me, Nat?"

Nat took the ring from the box and slid it on her finger, admiring it 
quietly for a moment.  She then threw herself at Nick, hugging him and 
kissing him.  "Yes!  Yes, I will marry you, Nick."

Nick rocked her in his embrace, happy as he ever thought he could be.

Nat pulled back and looked at him.  "You decided to ask me before you 
knew we could make love...without hurting me?"

Nick paused, answering with uncertainty.  "I didn't know for sure.  
I only hoped.  I just knew I couldn't go on without you."  Then a 
slow grin crept over Nick's face.  "But you solved the problem of 
not knowing about the vampire hurting you, didn't you?"

Nat laughed.  "Yeah, now we know I can survive sex with a vampire.  
And a vampire with an obsession with bubble-popping," Nat chuckled.

~The End~

**************
Author's Note:  This story was inspired by a chat in IRC about a 
unique fashion trend a few of us heard about.  I saw the trend using 
bubble wrap for dresses and swimwear talked about on a cable program 
when I was channel surfing one night, and Micki saw some of the 
apparel in an Edmonton shop.  After much silly speculation about Nick's 
reaction to Nat wearing such a piece of clothing, it was suggested a 
story be written to explore that scenario.  I hope you enjoyed the 
story.<G>  Let me know what you thought at Nitemar@worldnet.att.net