The Equation by Seductress Disclaimer: Forever Knight and its characters were created by James Parriott, et al., and are owned by Sony/TriStar. Please send me criticism good or bad or to tell me that somebody out there read my piece of fan fiction, I would appreciate it, Snowflake997@aol.com. Also for the record this is my very first fan fiction, and I hope it comes out good. I have not had this beta read. This is in a way a valentine story. I would like to be asked first before you post my story somewhere. Thanks. Natalie was working in her lab and it was turning out to be a very slow night. She had only had one case; a man died form a heart attack. The family was just not satisfied with the doctor report, so figured they would have it double-checked by Natalie. Natalie had agreed to it because she had not had a lot of patients in a while. It was times like these that she wished that Nick were still around. Nick had taken off a little over two months ago, after finally figured out what he wanted. "Or at least he thought he did" Natalie scoffed. What he figured out was that he was only in love with Janette and nobody else. This realization however, did not happen until the day after she had finally got her wish, to sleep with Nick. After that he did not even have the guts to tell her goodbye in person, he just left a letter. ********************************************************************* Flashback the last two months: When she had arrived at the loft she thought it was strange that there was no longer a security code to get in. She rode up the elevator and when she opened the door she found the loft EMPTY not a single piece of furniture. She also saw a white envelope laying by and open window. Her heart started to beat a mile a minute. There is no way that Nick would just fry himself to death after last night. Is there? Last night had been like a dream come true for her and him she thought. She had finally managed to seduce him into sleeping with her. She leaned over with trepidation and picked up the letter with a shaky hand. Her name was written on the letter in Nick's handwriting. While opening the letter she could feel her tear ducks about to explode from all the tears being held back. While reading the letter, she could feel those tears burning up and being converted into the steam coming out of her ears. By the end she could practically see red and all she wanted to do was to rip up the letter. Dear Nat, I have left, I have finally figured out what I truly want and will make me happy. You must realize that I am thankful, for all the time that we shared together, your hope for a cure that we searched for four years. I am sorry it took me till now to realize this, especially because of the way I acted last night. I have gone to find Janette my heart's true love. I will spare you the heartache and say it was nothing you did, just something I feel inside. I do not wish to be found so do not look for me. The High Council have promised not kill you as long as you keep the knowledge you know a secret. They are however, hopeful that you will continue your help with our kind even though I have left you. If you do I just hope that you take the necessary precautions. Wear a cross! My wish for you is for you to have a very happy life and do what you fined pleasure in. I am sorry Nat. Your good friend, Nick After eventually calming down enough, she began to be thankful that he had at least the courage to speak to the high council. She would not have to worry that her life would be in danger at every moment since Nick left. Surprisingly it had taken till now realized that her night in shining armor was nothing but a fraud. Now she was free from Nick's constant suicidal attempts. She also was relived that he had said goodbye and that he did not expect her to fallow him. She was not some lap dog that would be lost with out their master there to guide them. No, she was a strong intelligent woman. She was able to move on after her brother's death and others. Why would she not be able to get on with out him? She had not even known Nick all that well, if she thought about it. She could even go back to the day shift and see Grace more. She had missed her friend that she had had before Nick came along. This is was not denial; she realized this because her whole body felt like a ten-pound bolder had been lifted from her shoulders. She was free and she was never going to let anyone tie her down again. ANYONE. This did not mean that she was not going to date just that she was not going to let them become her life. In fact, She going to go back to the young and fun woman that she had once been. She knew that person had made lots of mistakes in giving her heart to somebody, but she always managed to get back on her feet. That person was also very immature; but was well educated and she showed it. She would need that if she were going to date again. Figuring that a month would make it look like she had cared and everyone would have gotten his or her sympathies apologies out of the way, then she could resume her old life again. One month later she did resume her life. She felt happier than she had in a long time. People at work had started to take her to lunch and resume old friendships. The very friends she turned away when she had meet Nick. Life was turning out better without Nick there to bug her constantly. Her first stop was to go to the Raven, because she had always wanted to go there (without Nick watching her every moment). The dress that she had picked out, during her lunch hour, was very seductive. It had a low neckline that showed off part of the top of her breasts. It had a slit that went to mid thigh and extenuated her legs. It was tight also and extenuated all of the other part that the slit did not cover. The dress was blood red. Her aim with the dress was to show that she was not going to go away just, because Nick was not here anymore. She put on her makeup carefully and then combed her hair. After having a hard time deciding weather to put it up or down she settled on down. Locking the door as she left, she hoped that she would encounter LaCroix. LaCroix and her had lots to talk about and now would be as good a time as any. Arriving at the Raven she walked up to the bouncer and he shook his head as if to clear it or to make sure that he was not dreaming. "Damn! Natalie you must be one of the most powerful seductress in Canada. It's a good thing that you are not one of the patrons or you would have people falling all over you with that extra power. I bet the owner will not even recognize you, without the doctor getup you usually wear. Be careful my love the patrons might not be able to keep their hands off of you looking like that." He said telling the truth. He could not even stop himself from wanting to take her, Not in bloodlust but in another more intimate way. "Thanks Joe, that is precisely what I was aiming for. I am so sick of being the nice girl. I wanted to go and enjoy myself like I use to before I became Nick's conscience. Oh and Joe would you care to come over to my house in a month and celebrate your conversion day? I just moved into the house you told me would help get my life back in gear, and I want to celebrate with you. I couldn't think of anybody better to help you celebrate with than an old friend." She smiled. Joe had been the guy that she had fallen for in college and her second love, all through Med. School they had been together. They had broken up, when Joe had started to feel he could not live without her. However, he was unwilling to bring her across. He told her that he would hurt her and did not want that ever to happen. He had not mentioned how he would hurt her due to the fact at the time she had no clue that vampires existed. They had been best friends even after the breakup, and truth be told they were ten times better at being friends than lovers. He told her that he was a vampire about a year after she had met Nick. He had wanted her back, but she had wanted to see if things could work out for her and Nick. Joe had also revealed to her what his age really was, 4000 years old, two thousand years older than LaCroix. Joe had told her that in his life he had only loved her. He was also one of the elders in the whole vampire community and one of the top five most powerful vampires, but no one in Canada new his real age, not even LaCroix. He was pretending to be five hundred so he could keep a better eye on the new fledglings. Joe was a really good friend and one of the most cherished in her life. Neither of them cared what the other was, and they would tell each other every thing, even Joe would never hold back any of his life from her. He secretively was watching, his friend of two hundred years, the General, to see what he had planned about her interference with Nick. He would even risk his life for hers if she got in trouble. In fact, the General did not even stand a chance against Joe if they went up against each other. Sometimes she wondered what LaCroix reaction would be if he ever found out who Joe really was. Joe also had always kept his word, especially if it was Natalie. They had spent at least two days together every week but had keep it platonic when Nick Knight had been incarnation. Since he left She had gone back to Joe. Joe had welcomed her with open arms. They had lived together for three weeks and he picked out a house that Natalie should move into, to get her life back on track. Joe had then told Natalie that he wanted to slow down, after they had been spending three weeks together. She had told him that she understood, which was the truth. He then said that if she were to get into another relationship with a vampire, besides him, that he would accept it and be happy for her. He had read in her blood that she was in love with LaCroix, but still loved him more. This is what lead to them slowing down; he wanted to make sure that she was happy with him. Also see that if given the chance would LaCroix actually fall for Natalie. He had been close friends with the General and had seen how much he loved and respected the people that he loved. He wanted to see both of his friends happy for once. "Have a great time, and I would love to celebrate my conversion day with you. Remember a month from today, I will set up." Natalie smiled a huge smile and gave him a very passionate kiss on the lips. She walked into the club leaving Joe stunned and wanting more. The people in the waiting line wondering about the two of them. All of the patrons' eyes turned to her as she walked into the club. The eyes' suddenly became leering eyes craving for her body, not even realizing who she was. She smiled in a seductive way at all of them. Then she noticed a certain pair of eyes that especially looked lustily at her, LaCroix's. He smiled when he saw that the mortal seductress had picked him out and had started to walk over to him. She stopped when she felt a cold arm being rapped around her middle from behind. Then she heard the voice of the arms owner, saying with hope, "Would you care to dance?" Not immediately recognizing the voice her pulse went up a little. When she did remember her pulse went back to normal, and she turned to him and pressed her body to his. "Why Vachon, that is the second nicest comment I have heard all day; and I would love too." She whispered, not a single vampire in the Raven could hear her, except for Vachon. He was stunned Nick's girl was saying 'yes' to him, to dance. He was about to say, "never mind", but then he felt how close her body was to his and saw how good she looked tonight. Then he remembered that Nick had walked out on her, so he made up his mind. He showed her that, by leading her out to the dance floor. She smiled seductively at him as he led her. They danced for about three dances getting closer to each other each time a new song played. They were both surprised at how the other person was such a good dancer, and how close their bodies were to each other. They had managed to become center stage with nobody else dancing but watching them instead. They realized they were the only once dancing by the end of the third song. The fourth song was another slow song and they were having lots of fun, so they looked into each other's eyes and agreed they would just shrug it off and start dancing again. However, when Vachon felt a hand on his shoulder he stopped dancing. He noticed that the hand belonged to nobody else, but the General. LaCroix leaned into Vachon's ear and whispered in a commanding voice "When are the other patrons going to get a turn?" Vachon realized quickly that LaCroix was not really talking about the other patrons, but himself. That added to the fact that Vachon was already afraid of the general, made him take a few steps back and offer the doctor to him. To say that LaCroix was stunned, to see whom the beautiful woman truly was, would be an understatement. All he had known was that Vachon had stopped the mortal seductress from coming to talk to him, and he had gotten bored of waiting for a turn to take her around the dance floor. He made up his mind and got up from the bar and commanded that he would have his turn now. When Vachon stepped away he was perplexed and stunned all at the same time. He wondered if she always looked this attractive or if it was just his imagination. With one look around he could tell it was not just his imagination, everybody was looking at her like a piece of meat, for the taking. LaCroix did not like that anybody was looking at her like that. He paid no attention to the fact that he had just done the same thing for the last thirty minutes. He could not figure out why for the life of him that, those looks directed at the doctor, like that would be bothering him. Maybe, it is because she used to be Nicholas's girl that I am so protective of her but that did not explain the attraction that he felt for her. He would not admit, to himself yet that the reason was that he had feelings for her that were not exactly platonically. LaCroix reached out for her hand expecting her not to give it to him, but was quickly surprised when she not only took his hand, but also placed her other hand around his waist. She willing pressed her body close to his and they both smiled a true smile of happiness. The dance was wonderful it was like a dream that you never want to stop dreaming. She marveled at how great a dancer LaCroix was. LaCroix was also pleasantly noting that the good doctor was a wonderful dancer as well. As they started to dance they did not even notice that every eye was once again on her. When the music stopped they were still swaying, causing every mouth including Vachon's to drop open in shock. LaCroix noticed that the song was over after a few seconds. They both were reluctant to move away from each other but they did. He escorted her from the dance floor to his private room in the back of the club. When they reached his private room in the back LaCroix held the door open for her. She gestured to a black leather chair across from the one he had so elegantly sat down in. When she was comfortably seated in the black leather chairs he spoke in a low voice "Natalie can I say that you look like a goddess tonight." "You are looking good too LaCroix it must be, because your family is back together again. The fact that Nick has freely chosen to rejoin the fold must add to that wonderful sex appeal " She said in kind. "How have you been doing since Nick left?" LaCroix really did care about how she was doing. She was right he had been happy that his family had been put back together for the first time in over one hundred years. " Well, if you notice I am having a whole lot more fun. I also am happy for once, surprised." " Oh" LaCroix had expected the doctor to be very depressed and lonely. This is certainly not the case here though. "Let me guess you expected me to be bitter and lonely." The only response she got was a smile that told her that she was right. " I am happy that Nick went and followed his true calling. I don't really care that he went back to the fold. The only thing I care about is that he is happy and that my life is being spared by that enforcers." LaCroix could not believe his ears the doctor was happy that Nick had gone back to the fold. This information made him like the doctor a whole lot more. He had viewed her as a worthy opponent because of her way of standing up for herself no matter who or what it was she was up against. Now that his son was gone and with this information, he could see a possible attraction begin to form. "Natalie, I would be honored if you would call me Lucien, now that we are no longer on opposite sides. I would also like to volunteer to be the one that is looking out for you from the community. I know that the enforcers promised not to kill you but there are still rouges that will not abide by what the code is. With me as your protector the rouges would be afraid to go near you. Let alone even think of doing bodily harm to one as lovely as thee." Natalie thought about it for a second considering her benefits and disadvantages to being under his care. She decided that even though Joe was watching out for her that having LaCroix declare to the public would be useful to her. Joe would even consider it a good idea. "La.. Lucien I would be deeply honored and glad if you would be my protector. If you wish you may call me Natalie." Lucien stood up and told her that he had his radio show to do to night but if she desired to get in touch with him just to call him at home. He presented her with his number at home and at work. He never gave out these numbers to anybody not even Nicholas had had his at home number. He walked her to the dance floor and gave her a kiss on the cheek to tell everyone that he was protecting her now that his son was away. Then he went up to his radio cubical that was in the Raven and started getting ready for The Nightcrawler show. Natalie decided it had been a long day and she had accomplished what she had set out to do here. She walked over to Vachon and told him that LaCroix was going to be her new protector. He cringed at that and told her to be careful then. He also asked if she would want to come over to the church and hang out tomorrow and told him that she would love to. While walking out of the club to go see Joe, one of the male patrons grabbed her. They got her around the front and pressed her body to theirs body and pushed her hair away from her neck. This act caught Joe's attention and he flew down the stairs. He let his age emanate from his body to the younger one who could only have been a hundred years old. The young one froze in place too shocked to move. Unfortunately the position that he froze in was with his mouth on Natalie's neck and his fangs out. The attacker had not yet drawn any blood. Natalie was frightened but would not let that show on her face. LaCroix had heard the trouble in the club but decided to let the bouncers handle it. Then he noticed that the heart beating a mile a minute belonged to Natalie. He placed a song on the radio without caring which song it was, which was very unusual for him to do. Then LaCroix came out of his office, to see how the ruckus was involved with Natalie. When he caught sight of the problem his blood began to boil. He had just declared that she was under his protection and some baby was now trying to have her for a snack. Not only this but the club still contained five or ten mortals. He flew down and landed right behind the attacker and let his presence be known. "Love, Just stay still and I will get him," Joe said in a friendly voice. Natalie just blinked with her eyes to say that she understood. LaCroix was shocked to hear the club's bouncer words to Natalie that he almost forgot about the stunned vampire at Natalie's neck. Joe never called anybody love let alone a mortal. Then just when he was about to help Natalie out, Joe grabbed the vampire quickly to quickly for the age he said he was but it worked and the young one was now being lead out by one of the other bouncers that worked the other door. LaCroix did not understand how Joe had moved that fast, but decided it must have been the lights that made it look that way. Natalie turned to Joe and threw her hands around him and refused to let go, so Joe just held her to him. They did not care who was watching, they were just happy that she was safe. Joe lifted his head up to see that LaCroix was still watching intently with a perplexed look on his face. Joe understood that his cover might have been blown but he did not care at that moment. He however noticed something else in LaCroix that he was interesting. Apparently Lucien had fallen in love with Natalie, but Joe doubt that Lucien knew that yet. He could tell because of the way he had let his body relax and the look underneath the perplexed one. Then while he while he was scrutinizing his friend's emotions Natalie chose that time to back up and kissed Joe on the neck. What nobody else knew even the General, was that she had kissed him in the most erotic part of Joe's neck. Most of the other vampires liked it lower, but Natalie knew perfectly well that that was not where Joe would most likely respond. The kiss on the neck all depended on age he had once told her. Then he had proceeded to point out all of the places with tiny kisses on her neck where as you grew older where the vampire would most like it. The kiss was directly were it would be most pleasurable, she always had good aim. His most pleasurable spot was where a thank you kiss would go for a 500-year- old vampire. "Thanks" "your welcome, just be more careful" Joe said almost having trouble keeping the huskiness out of his voice. After she left he thought 'Oh she will pay for that and I know just the day to make her pay. The day of my conversion celebration'. Meanwhile, LaCroix had detected the huskiness, but since he was not as old as Joe had no real explanation for it except maybe that he was responding to the way she was dressed. During the last few weeks she had been hanging out with Vachon, at his church and Joe, at his estate. Natalie and Vachon were spending hours together at a time just hanging out. She could listen to Vachon play his guitar for hours. What she enjoyed most about hanging out at Joe's estate was the indoor pool. LaCroix now protected her and just like she though Joe had supported her on that decision. He had even told her that that the community was all surprised at that unlikely change of events. He also told her that the Toronto community began to wonder if something was perhaps going on with the two of them. They both had a laugh at that but Joe was pretending to laugh, because he knew that LaCroix was actually in love with her. LaCroix thank god though would still not admit it to himself though. ********************************************************************** Present: "My dear doctor are you quite well?" LaCroix asked when he arrived. He had waited and thought his powerful presence would snap her out her trance but he was wrong and was getting a tad worried. "Oh, my I must have zoned out Lucien. Is there something I can help you with?" She said when she finally realized she was not alone. "I have a slight problem that I was hoping you could help me with." He said in his most seductive voice. "I would be happy to help you. What is it that you need help with?" She responded in her most seductive voice. " I… cannot seem to be able to…" He said in a very nervous voice. "Lucien you know I am always here for you if you neeeed me." "I am having trouble being able feed my hunger." He said leering at her. "Oh, and why is that. " She asked in a seductive manner. " I can not seem to be able to get my body to work right." He said in his soft voice. He walked closer to her. They were about a foot apart facing each other. He could not believe she was playing this little game so well. "What do you mean by that?" she said in a whisper. She was getting a little shaky but would not back down first. " I mean good doctor, that my fangs will not come out to play when food is presented to them. This is preventing me from enjoying myself." He said now in a very serious manner and sat down in a chair. "I get it now. Nick had the same problem." She said glad she was off the hook. "He did and how did he solve this little problem." He was as serious as can be. He had never seen his son have this problem. Meaning that possible that the good doctor could help him. "Yeah, Nick had the problem just before he left. I was able to solve the problem, but I am not sure that it will work on you. Or that either of us are up to performing the type of task this would involve." She said in her doctor voice. "I am up to anything as long as it can fix my problem." He said in confident voice. He was not afraid of anything he thought….until now. "You will have to live with me and stay by my side for seven days." She responded in her doctor voice. This is going to be along week if he agrees. I wonder who will try to kill each other first. She smiled at that thought. "Doctor really I do not see what there is to smile about this situation. Why do I have to stay by your side for the next seven days?" "Well the chemical that will make this right is in my blood. NO drinking my blood would not help. You need to be near it and it will help you fangs come down at midnight the seventh night. The chemical is in my blood, because the chemical needed to be in human blood. Nick trusted me, so we decided to place it in my system. There is no harm done to the human body due to its compounds. Can you take down the food without your fangs" "No I can not that is what has driven me here to see you Natalie. I guess that means that we are roommates for the week. Are we going to live at your house or mine? " He asked now quite intrigued that this woman would take some chemical into her body just to help out Nick. He had stopped worrying about his son, because he knew that his son had gone back to the fold. "We will live at my house because I need to feed Sidney and all my clothes are there. More important we need to be at my house due to the fact that we need to share a room. My guess is that you do not have a house that consists of a bedroom with two beds in the same room. Do not worry my house has automatic shutters and it also has a door alarm. You may store your food in my refrigerator and seeing that you can not drink it I have devised a way to get it into your system and get it to give you pleasure at the same time." She said in a kind voice even though she was scared. "Thanks, I will go home and come back in a second with my supplies then we can drive to your house" he said. When he was done saying that he was gone. Natalie sat down and put her hands over head and wondered if she would be able to make it a whole week with him at her side. After, she called her boss, and booked of for the week. She also got the tool that would make his breakfast pleasurable. Then she sat and waited for LaCroix to return. LaCroix was worried about how he was going to be able to keep from touching Natalie for a whole week. He was beginning to tire of not showing or expressing his feeling about her. It had taken four years to realize how he felt about her and to be able to admit it. The fact was that some where along the course of the last four years he had fallen madly in love with Natalie. She was the true reason that he was not with Nicholas and Janette at this moment. He did not want to spend anytime away from Natalie. When his son realized that he was really in love with Janette he was grateful. He figured that now he could have his chance with Natalie. He had been the one to convince the council not to kill the doctor. He told the council that he was going to be watching over her and that the doctor had saved them from the fever so they owed her. He also asked that they tell his son that they would not harm her or perform any other kind of punishment to her. He did not realize at the time that Nick was going to take credit for the accomplishment of making the enforcers agree to this. The fact that his son did that infuriated him. He did not act out his anger, due to the fact that it seemed to make the doctor happy that the Nicholas had at least the decency to get her protected from the enforcer's raff before he took off for parts unknown. He landed and started packing all of his clothes and his food. He also went and looked at the calendar to see what he would have to cancel. "DAMN!!!" he forgot that this week he had a ball that he was suppose to attend. The ball was a very important event it only happened once a century and was for the elders and their children. He loved to go to these balls he looked forward to it every century. He had been to ten of them seeing that the elders had to be a thousand years old to go to them. "HMMM". Maybe I do not have to miss it I could take Natalie with me. All I would have to do is convince her that I will stay by her side the whole time and that I will make sure that no harm will come to her. I will make this a night to remember for her and me. This could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. He took to the air and flew back to the good doctor with his suitcase in tow. Arriving at the home Natalie was watching LaCroix face as to what he thought of the house. It was a very nice house it had a white picket fence so that her cat could run outside. It also had a good heater to keep the house nice and warm. The house was the color of gay but it still looked lovely. The house had shutters and a flowerbed that contained white roses. Natalie gardened in her free time and plus Joe liked to help, they would make a fun game out of it. LaCroix just stared and wondered how come he had not seen this house before. If he had he would have snatched it up for himself. He also wondered where Natalie had gotten the money to buy such a nice house. He knew that Nicholas had not given her any money to buy it, but someone must have. Natalie had gotten out in the mean time while Lucien just sat staring at the house or was he just in his own zone. She knew that it ran in their family so, he could be out for hours. She picked up her medical bag and whet in the house leaving him in the car. He will snap out of it when he wants to or the sun will fry him. She got to the door and was about to place the key in the look when the door opened from the inside and she was dragged into a dark house and the door shut behind her. Her pulse started going a mile a minute. Who would dare step foot in her house without her permission. "Hello, my love. How are you feeling?" Joe said with a smile. He was glad that he was able to surprise her. He then went to turn the lights on. Natalie was suddenly so happy that she forgot all about LaCroix in the car. "Don't tell me you forgot that you invited me to your house a month ago for your celebration" He said. He already knew she had, but it did not bother him. Natalie never forgot when he was suppose to come over so one time did not matter in his book. Plus, he could also get his surprise to work better now that she forgot. He also had some horrible news he had to break to her tonight. He just hoped she could be strong for the both of them. He knew that he was not going to be able to be the strong one. He led her over to the couch that was in the dark living room facing the fireplace. The back of the couch faced the door to the house. You could easily see the couch from the living room. He then put a hat on top of her head. Then he began explore her mouth with his. The kiss was anything but friendly it was a longing and good bye kind of kiss. LaCroix woke up and realized that he was alone in the car. He picked up his suitcase and went to the door and opened it. He was shocked no that is not strong enough word he was astounded to find Natalie on the couch wearing a birthday hat and in a fierce lip lock with an elder of his kind. He pulled in his presence, so he could watch them undetected. He got closer to the couple and then hid in a dark corner unspotted. He saw that the hat said happy 4003 Conversion Day. 'Who the hell did Natalie know that was that old. Let alone one that lives in Toronto' thought LaCroix. Then after she could no longer breathe she pulled back and backed up. "I can not believe you forgot my birthday, Love, we have planned it all month. I had to reschedule a meting with the enforcers and you know how hard it is to convince them to do anything." Joe said teasingly. "I did not forget your birthday I thought you would not be able to make it tonight, remember you told me of the meting." She laughed back both knowing it was a lie. "My love," He said looking in her eyes "I am also afraid I got some horrible news for you but I also have good news. Which do you care to hear first?" LaCroix was intrigued and shocked that it was Joe, the Raven's bodyguard, and his friend. Joe was 4003, that made him twice as old as he was. 'Natalie is in love with an elder, wouldn't his son be screaming', LaCroix laughed, in his head. He was also full of jealousy at the new information, even though he smirked at the interesting new information. Inside his heart was breaking, he began to feel that there was no way he could get her to be his. Her heart was already taken. Then, he became curious as to what the good and bad news could possible be. He knew that he would have chosen the bad news first, that way he would be grateful for the good news. "I will go with the bad news" Natalie declared softly. Joe had hoped she would go the other way but was not really surprised that she didn't. "Natalie you know you are the only one I have loved. I take it that those tears mean you know that. We have been together as lovers and as best friends, for thirteen years. My love, stop crying or I will not be able to be strong enough to tell you the bad news. That's better. I know that we have also had are troubled times. No, do not laugh it is the truth. Take for instance when you choose that crusader instead of coming back to me. I was very patient and happy when you decided to try and peruse a relationship with that crusader, instead of being a poor loser. Come to think of it, it probably had something to do with the fact you still spent half the week at my house. Shocked are you. You shouldn't be, I am and always will be happy, to be in your wonderful company. Even if it has to be on a platonic basis and I love to see you happy…Okay, I will quite buttering you up and tell you the bad news," he said playfully but down right serious about what he had said. "Joe stop acting like you are protecting me and tell me, it can't be that bad." "I am afraid it is that bad my love. You know, how much I hated the way the Knight left you with out a real goodbye. Sshhhh. I have not even told you the news yet. Unfortunately, you are right though, I am being forced to do the same. Defiantly not for the same reasons though…. " "What!? No, Why?" Natalie cut him off. She had been crying, but could not stop. She could sense, almost taste the dread in his voice. She could not hold back the thoughts that were tormenting her mind so she had yelled them out. "Natalie I have been reassigned. The high council has been kind in over looking my relationship with you for so long, because of my rank. They know how much I love you, but they still offered me the choice. Shh. The choices were either: that I can stay, but you will have to crossover; or I take the job offer that was given to me, and have to move on. The job is only given to very few people. I would…Darn, I did not think it would be this hard! …. I am to become one of the five leaders of High Council. Natalie I will not under any circumstances allow for you to become a vampire, let alone forced. I have to leave tonight before the sun comes up." " Joe, I…. don't… want…you… to go?" Natalie said between tears that were racking her body. Joe pulled her on to his lap and just held her and cried on to her shoulder. LaCroix was shocking. He could not believe the doctor was the true love of one of the High Council's members. You also have to be terrifyingly powerful to become a member of that elite group. Natalie loved this guy even knowing that. He did not even care that Joe was crying, because he knew the pains of leaving a true love behind, or at least he thought he did. It had taken him eight hundred years to love another, since Nick's sister. His other love was sitting here in front of him crying because her best friend was being ripped away from her. He at that moment had a whole new perspective of Natalie. She could make anybody that had half a brain fall madly in love with her. He now came to the conclusion that Nicholas had no brain at all, otherwise he would have never left Natalie. He also concluded that this love he felt for Natalie was not even remotely related to the on going vendetta he had with his son. Then he turned back to watching the two lovebirds. Joe pulled back and loosened his hold on her. " Now are you ready for the good news?" He said in a jokingly manner. He knew she was not ready for the good news yet. "Yeah, I guess I am ready. It can't be much worse than the bad news. Right?" Natalie said when she saw that Joe was getting ready to let her have it again. "Depends on how you look at it. It is good news for me, but probably will make you get that really crossed look I love so much. Here it goes, you know I have been consuming your blood. This is nothing to smile about, or to laugh about. Natalie, your blood tells a wonderful story of a strong girl that grew up and became a wonderful enchanting woman. It tells whom you have loved and hated. It tells me how deep our love runs. In your blood our love is the most powerful kinds of love, it transcends time and place. However, I have also seen another truer love resting in your heart too. This other love burns so bright, but it is hidden very carefully, so that you would never have to encounter it. I want you to know that, I would never ever have told you this but I am leaving and I want you to go and explore that other love. I will be watching to make sure that this other love does nothing to hurt you or I promise, I will stamp out his life with all the power I have." Natalie was in surprised and horrified that she could love any other person, but Joe, even though she loved Joe as only a best fiend. She could tell even though she was in a state of shock that he was rambling. She knew it was because he did not want her to be ashamed and it was easier to say it the long way about. The way that made the person all buttered up at first, and then he would drop the big bomb on them and it blows that person's life to kingdom come. It was a tactic that he used a lot when her life was about to crumble. It never failed to surprise her, that when the bomb was dropped that she was not truly ready for it. Then she heard him talking again, but this time in a joking manner to lighten the mood. Like it could really be lightened. "Let me guess you have totally no idea of who the other person is. No, it is not Nick. Need a hint?" Joe could see she was having trouble, so he lowered his voice and whispered the clues to her, so not even another vampire could possible hear him. "Okay. First it is someone that is also powerful. You still have no idea. Second, my love, I must say that you sure know how to fall in love with the community's elders. You still don't know. The third and final hint, I am the Uncle to his Daughter/Master" "No! You can't mean… no…it is impossible" LaCroix was unable to hear what the hints were but they must have lead to someone horrible for her to scream that loud. He did not think he knew anyone else that she hung around with except for Vachon and Screed. He was eager but waited to hear if they would voice the person's name. Joe decided that he should raise his voice so that his news got threw to her. "yeah , you are right. I thought it was a mistake in my blood reading skills but then I saw it appear there again so I knew I could not be wrong. You are in love with…LaCroix." hmm, Natalie just when I think I have you figured out you go and do something unexpected. Natalie had not made that face, but instead had gone completely pale and fainted in his arms. When she had guessed that it was LaCroix she was hoping she would be proven wrong, but when Joe confirmed that it was LaCroix it hit her like a ton of bricks and she fainted. She was still in shock from Joe leaving, and now was suppose to believe that she was really in love with LaCroix. " Somebody pinch me I must be having the worlds worst nightmare" she murmured when she awoke. No such luck she could feel Joe's strong-arms holding her close again his chest. She looked around and saw him what she hoped was a figment of her imagination, brought on by the sudden news. " Joe, am I seeing things, or is LaCroix lurking in the shadows?" Joe turned his head and could not believe his eyes. LaCroix was standing watching them like they were some spectacle, from the corner of the room. Joe's eyes flashed deadly red at the intrusion of this intimate moment he was sharing with his love. Natalie moved off of Joe's lap, as Joe got up to confront LaCroix. LaCroix had stopped breathing when he found out he was the person that Natalie loved. When she awoke, he walked a little bit closer to them. He had to make sure for himself that she was all right. He had forgotten that he was not suppose to be seen until he had been spotted. Then he saw his friend's eyes go the scariest shade of red he had ever scene. Joe walked up to him and his breath caught for the second time. "What are you doing here LaCroix?" he breathed out in a low, dark voice. " I came home with the doctor. She is helping me with a problem I have recently come across. She left me in the car and when I came in I did not want to disturb the two of you. I would have gone somewhere else but I do no know the house." LaCroix said with a breath of honesty. He did not want to get this man angry. Plus, he was partly telling the truth. "Oh" " I can not seem to be able to get my fangs to come out, and this is preventing me from eating." LaCroix said hoping that it would stop Joe's still raising anger. "Have a set Lucien." Joe had calmed down but now was sad that his time alone with Natalie was going to be cut short. After they had all sat down, Joe turned to Natalie " Natalie how do you plan on helping LaCroix with this problem?" Natalie told Joe all about how she had helped Nick successfully with this same problem. She still did not mention how she planned on getting the blood into LaCroix system. "Natalie promise me that you will be careful with this." "I will and do not worry I know you will have people watching over me and LaCroix." " yeah I know and they will report any trouble they see so I will always have my eyes on you." Joe said, directing his statement at LaCroix. " Natalie, if you do not mind me asking how did you meet Joe?" "I met Joe at the beginning of Med. School, we ran into each other in a sign up line. I didn't know that he was an elder, until about a year after I met Nick." "Its true I have been her constant companion for thirteen years now." "Interesting." "Natalie is that third hint still bothering you that much?" Joe could sense Natalie was just looking at him, like he was not the person that she had fallen in love with during college and later as friends. She also was looking at LaCroix differently too. "Huh. No, it just is hard to associate you with that…thing." "What thing is she referring to?" LaCroix asked pleasantly. "She is talking about my lineage, it has created some of the most awful fledglings. Natalie take that thing and picture it as you, now do you see why I would never bring you across. It is to dangerous." "Oh yeah, I got it loud in clear. Now, I can honestly say, I am glad you choose the job offer instead." Natalie said in a now understanding tone of voice. LaCroix was still looking at the two of them like they both had just grown to heads. "LaCroix, would you care for a tour of the house?" Natalie asked. They toured the house while Natalie told the rules of the house. She whispered to LaCroix that he would spend the night in the guestroom, because she had not told Joe that she would need to share a bedroom with LaCroix. Joe and Natalie headed toward their bedroom while LaCroix went to his. Joe walked out of Natalie's bedroom with no time to spare, but he had to tell LaCroix something before he left. He went down to the guestroom's door and knocked, a few seconds later he heard LaCroix's footsteps coming. He walked into the room when the door opened. "LaCroix, I know you love her. I knew even before you did. You didn't take her to a Valentine's dinner just to get the crusader mad; you wanted to see the doctor all dressed up. You also did not volunteer to be her protector because you felt obligated. You choose to do it the same reason I did, because you don't want to see some jerk hurt her or worse. I am happy you love her Lucien, because I know how much you loved the crusader's sister. If you love Natalie half as much as that, then I know in my heart that you will make her happy and be LOYAL to her. Under no circumstances are you to bring her over or to hurt her. If you do I will personally KILL you myself. Do I make myself clear." "Crystal. I do love her, more even than I did my son's sister." With that done Joe left LaCroix room and disappeared into thin air. LaCroix went to sleep. THE FIRST DAY OF THE CURE Natalie had been sleeping ever since Joe left. Joe was right she had loved her surprise. Joe had decorated the room, it was breath- taking, and there were rose petals and candles all over. When Joe had left she had cried for what seemed like an eternity. Then when she stopped she opened her eyes and on her bed lay a letter and black velvet box. The letter was much nicer than the one Nick had given her. Her name was stamped in gold lettering. She held it to her nose; yep she could smell the lovely sent of roses on the letter. She knew it was a goodbye letter, but to her it felt like a letter that told her how much she meant to him. She opened the letter as gently as she could. She took out the paper and began to read. Dear Natalie, You will always be my true love. Wear this ancient magical pendent all the time and we will feel as if we have never left each other. With this necklace we will always feel each other's emotions, and be able to find our way to each other, no matter how far away we are from each other. You must not let anybody take or hold it. If there is an emergency and need me, tell the bartender "Love needs papa bear". You can follow the pendant's pull, but only if I don't respond to your message. I know our love is undying, but your love for LaCroix is as a woman loves a man. Our love is based on an old and close friendship. Let it burn in the open. Yours forever, Joe. She picked up the soft velvet box, and opened it slowly, so not to break the necklace. It did not look old at all; in fact it was more breath taking than their room had been last night. It was made of gold, the shape of a heart with a ruby red diamond in the center. The red diamond sparked and shined like it held a life inside. The gold only made the diamond look as if truly existed on a reality outside of time and space. The heart was about the size of a quarter, and weighed less than a feather in the palm of her hand. She quickly took off the locket she had worn ever since she had met Nick. She placed it in the black velvet box and shut the box. Then she carefully unclasped the pendant that Joe had given her and placed it around her neck. She could feel how smooth it was around her neck and then she felt on her skin a blissful tingle. Then when she touch the pendant's diamond, she felt a surge of emotions go through her. The emotions she knew belonged to Joe, they were full of sadness then quickly changed to that of surprise then to a strong love. She removed here finger and felt the emotions fade out of reach. The other thing she had felt was a gentle pull on her soul, it meant that Joe, was located in that direction. She promised herself she would never take it off and then got up for the day. She heard a nock on the door and walked towards it. She opened it for Lucien and he smiled down at her. She smiled back. For some reason it actually felt natural for him to be at the door smiling and her to be smiling back. She told him that, they should go to the guestroom to retrieve his suitcase. When they had finished the moving into the master bedroom, she asked him to sit down. He was curious as to what she was about to say, but let her get her baring before she went on with the matter she wanted to discuss. "Lucien, I have something that I would with to present you with. This gift is priceless, and I wish for you to have it and cherish." She said tenderly to him. Lucien was surprised, a gift for him, but he had not done anything to deserve it. She handed him what felt like the purest silk, and it was even better it was black. He looked at her, but her eyes were full of encouragement, and was it love? He opened the box and inside was a golden oval locked on a matching gold chain. He looked at her cross- eyed. "You gave me a necklace?" She just looked at him and urged him to open it. He opened it expecting to find it empty, but what was inside brought a huge smile to his face. It was a picture of his son smiling. No, not just smiling, but truly happy smile. It was not marred with any of the guilt his son's face usually showed. Instead it showed a deep abiding love for someone. Then he noticed the other picture it was of Natalie. It was a picture from the night at Azure's, but it must have been taken before arriving that night. He stood up and went to Natalie and gave her a big hug and she did the same. When he sat back down and looked at the picture again then shut it. " I would like to thank you doctor, you were right the gift was priceless and I will cherish it." "I took that picture of Nick, when he came back from that visit with you after the head wound. He '"told me that he loved you and always would even if he did not show it."' I wanted to take a picture of a time when he actually was happy and did not have all the guilt. Plus it was a picture that would tell of his love for you. I did not know why then it would mean so much to me that he loved you, but I know now it is because I care for you. The picture of me, was taken by Grace, I had it miniaturized to fit into that locket. I want you to have it, so that you can always remember me. It will also allow you to look at Nick's love." She said. She knew Grace took the picture of her, but that was only because Grace had handed it to her. Lucien was just looking at her and wondering r, when she would quite surprising him. He thought he had fallen in love with her as far as he could, but he had just fallen even deeper with her. He now knew even if he tried, he could not pull himself out of that pit. He was going to enjoy the fall with ever piece of his heart. When she realized that he was hungry, she went down stairs and got two bags of blood. "Natalie, I want you to know that all that blood I brought was donated." "Lucien, I appreciate that you brought the donated blood into my house. You want to know something though? I think a vampire is better on a diet that is bottled, but I do not mind if it is the forced kind, as long as it is not drunk all the time. I also do not want to be told when you do that though." She said sweetly. Natalie felt happy that Lucien had done that, but Joe had not told her about his feeding. He only made sure she did not kiss him until after he had cleaned up (shower, toothpaste, and sometimes mouthwash, but only if it was the forced). Lucien was impressed, the doctor did not care what he drank, but had to get cleaned up before. " Do you trust me?" "Depends." " I am going to stick a needle in you, but I do not want you to do anything or make a sound. I am going to feed you." "Indeed." Natalie took the needle out of her pocket and placed one of the ends in Lucien's pleasure spot with perfect aim the other end in the plastic bag. She held the bag up so the blood would flow easier. Lucien could not believe what she had just done. She had probable been taught where on the neck was the most pleasurable, as you got older. Did she have to have such good aim? He was happy, but all he would allow to be shown on his face was a content smile. He could not remember the last time any body especially a mortal could make him smile, and he had been smiling non-stop for about two hours now. It all was because of Natalie too. Then he felt full all his hunger was gone, except that hunger for the doctor. Natalie had been enjoying all of Lucien's content smile and she remembered that Joe had told her to experience the love she had for Lucien. She bent down and gave him a friendly kiss on the lips, and pulled back before it could turn to more. She left the room and headed down stairs, with Lucien following. Natalie got her dinner out of the freezer and popped it in the microwave. She turned around and Lucien was looking at her with one of his famous eyebrows raised. "It is my dinner." She said simply. " Tomorrow I will take you out to dinner." She nodded her head and then walked past him. He followed her beginning to feel like a dog on a leash. "Do you play chess?" Natalie asked. He nodded his head, knowing there was no way she would beat him, but if she wanted to try more power to her. They had finished setting up the game when the bell sounded, telling her that dinner was done. She got up and went to get her dinner while Lucien set up the chess set. She sat back down with her dinner and waited for his first move. She had finished her dinner hours ago and it was now one o'clock. Lucien had gone paler and paler, probably because she had already won both games they had played. Lucien could not figure out, what he was doing wrong, nobody had ever been able to beat him. When he finished his move, she said in a kind voice " Checkmate, I won again." "Indeed." He said in his voice reserved for his radio show. Lucien knew when he had been beaten, and he was defiantly beaten. She turned to him and asked what he would like to do. He thought about that for a few seconds, then said, " what do you think about going to my radio station." Natalie always had wanted to see his show live, so she got her coat on, and went to the car. Lucien was having fun doing the show, and thought that it might be an interesting to hear Natalie join him. "Fellow night owls I have a special guest that I would like you to meet." He waved to Natalie to come and join him. She shook her head, but then figured what the heck it will be an adventure. "Hi" she said in her soft and seductress voice. The voice sounded as intriguing as Lucien's did. Lucien looked down, and smiled when he saw that all the lights had lit up. "Lets, take a phone call shall we." Natalie smiled at him and kissed his cheek. Lucien got tense when he picked up the phone; he felt the power of the caller over the phone. Then he heard the voice; "Angel is that you?" A surprised, High Council member said over the phone. Natalie looked to Lucien about weather she could answer or not. He nodded his head, but was beginning to feel this was a bad idea. This particular member is well known for her killing of humans, especially one's that hung out with vampires. "Eve, you guessed it, it is no other than your Angel. It has been awhile. " Natalie said with a bright smile on her face. "I know. How about five days from now, I take you out shopping, 5 O'clock? My treat. " Eve said with hope. Natalie looked at Lucien and thought about the cure, but then remembered that a few hours away would not deter the cure. "I would love to, meet me at my house. I bet Joe told you about it." Natalie said laughing. "Yeah, he did, I will, bye Angel." Eve said with a smile in her voice. Lucien put on a song and turned to her. He was shocked Natalie was apparently good friends with this High Council member too. "How long have you been friends with her, Eve?" He asked. "I have known Eve, for as long as I have known Joe. She was my collage roommate for four years. I know her HISTORY if that is why you are so worried. We try to keep in touch by email." Natalie said with honesty. "How many other elders do you know?" " I don't think I know anybody else. If it is you cure you are worried about, then you do not have to be, it will not be ruined by my absence for a few hours, but we can only be separated this once. " She had had a heart breaking morning, but then it had a lot better. Lucien was turning out to be a wonderful, concerned, caring, and fun, man. "I am not worried about the cure only your safety Natalie." He said with concern. They finished the rest of the show. They had even got each other to laugh of course when this happened they played a song so that way his dark image would not be ruined. Lucien had a wonderful laugh when it was not forced. They flirted with each other over the radio, by taking different sides of the caller situation. They had used lots of psychological Babble. Lucien was amazed that the doctor could manage to make almost as well constructed mind benders as him. Both were having lots of fun then they started to tease each other. They would get so into there own world they totally forgot about the caller. They signed off, and Lucien explained he would be off a few days. Lucien was happy and hoped that it would last forever. They got to Natalie's house and Natalie ate a quick meal and then feed Lucien. Lucien was greeted with a little longer kiss this time after finishing his dinner. They headed to the master bedroom. Natalie told him that he could sleep on the right side of the bed with his cloths on. She would sleep on the left, with her pajamas on, under the blanket. They both looked at each other smiling when they emerged from their changing areas. They made themselves comfortable and drifted off to sleep. THE SECOND DAY OF THE CURE Lucien had woken up first and looked to his left and found Natalie there. First he was shocked at her presence, then he remembered the other night and was happy for her company. She looked so peaceful and beautiful, even in pajamas. He shut his eyes when he sensed her awaken. She looked over and there was Lucien. He looked so handsome with his angelic face on and that wonderful body with its sexy muscles. She wanted to touch them and some how with out her permission her hand went over and caressed his muscles. She was amazed at how wonderful and strong they were. Then she pulled her hand back and got up. Lucien was disappointed when she stopped, but its not like he could complain that would tell her that he had been awake for that. He got up and went to get dressed too. Natalie emerged in a casual emerald green dress and it fit perfectly, it made her look like a goddess cast down to earth. She walked to the mirror to get a better look and noticed that with the scoped neckline it made her heart pendant standout even more. She touched it and felt Joe and his emotions change from sadness to love and happiness. She could tell that in his emotions he was telling her she was doing fine with Lucien and that it is okay to feel happy. She sent her love to him then removed her hand. She walked down the stairs to Lucien, and stopped dead in her tracks. Lucien had on nice black pants that made his legs and butt look so yummy. He was also wearing a button down white shirt under a black jacket. He looked wonderful and drop-dead gorgeous, that she couldn't wait to get to the dancing part of the dinner date. She walked down the stairs and his eyes looked as if the would pop out of his head. "Natalie you look like a Princess." He was having a hard time getting that sentence out she noticed to her delight. "You look dashing yourself General." She responded in a flirtatious voice. Lucien grabbed her around the waist and kissed her slowly and softly. She couldn't help but to respond. When Natalie needed a breath she backed up and went to get his dinner. When he was finally full she stopped and put her tools down. She walked over to him and gave him a passionate kiss then pulled back. They smiled at each other and Lucien put his arm around her waist to escort her to the car. The dinner was nice. Lucien had laughed at her stories of how some of the patients had weird tattoos in strange spots. One of the tattoos was of a vampire bat; it was on the guy's nipple and had red eyes. Lucien told her stories of what it was like to grow up in Rome and being a General (none of the raping though). He had cleverly avoided the whole issue of Divia and the brothel, but if she had strait out asked, he would have told her anything she wanted to know. Natalie already knew of Divia for her visit to town. Divia had not managed to kill Vachon or Urs. She also realized that some part of Lucien must miss his daughter even though she was a demon. They both were having so much fun talking that, they noticed that it was almost closing time and they had not danced once. Lucien got up and offered her his hand. They walked out to the dance floor when the singer said one more song. The song being sang was "I Want It That Way" from Backstreet boys. You are my fire The one desire Believe when I say I want it that way But we are two worlds apart Can't reach to your heart When you say That I want it that way Chorus Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a heartache Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a mistake Tell me why I never wanna to hear you say I want it that way Am I your fire Your one desire Yes I know it's too late But I want it that way Repeat chorus Now I can see that we've fallen apart From the way that it use to be, yeah No matter the distance I want you to know that Deep down inside of me You are my fire The one desire You are, you are, you are, you are Don't wanna hear you say… Ain't nothin' but a heartache Ain't nothin' but a mistake I wanna hear you say I never wanna hear you say I want it that way Repeat chorus Natalie and Lucien kept getting closer every time the song did a repeat of the chorus. By the end of the song they were kissing passionately. They both knew the truth in the song. Lucien was from the world of darkness and she was from the world of light. They both knew which world they belonged to and would not change it for the world, but still they could not help falling in love with each other. Lucien knew that she was becoming his fire. He knew that, because even if Nick asked him to come be a family he would never go until his new and last flower wilted and turned to dust. He just wished Natalie would love him as much as he loved her. He could not recall the last time he had done something fun. He laughed almost every second she was with him and he was becoming a lot less up tight. He would do almost anything for her and she was always full of surprises. Natalie thought it felt close to heaven when she was in Lucien's powerful and loving arms. She could see all the love and kindness that was buried there and was now bursting out. She was amazed at how he was showing her what nobody else probably could he had a sense of humor. He also liked to get wild with the rest of them. She couldn't believe that only three days ago she had thought who would kill each other first. Now it was when were they going to be able to say they love each other out loud. She couldn't imagine him ever leaving but then he could. She liked to surprise him so she used her next trick up,"I never wanna hear you say I want it that way" Natalie sang in her lovely voice in to his ear. He said "I will never leave you." "I never will either, but what about the fact your family has reunited again. You have spent centuries trying to get that to come true?" "Natalie you are what I have spent eight centuries looking for and you are more important to me than my family reunited. I want to have fun for the first time in a long time and Nicholas and I don't have much of that. Plus, Nicholas and I have eternity to spend together." He smiled at her then kissed her again. They went back to their coats and left the closing restaurant. When they got home they still had about two hours till the sun came up so they decided on a movie. They put the movie in and Natalie got up to make popcorn. When she came back Lucien was sitting there watching the movie, but was not really watching it, but remembering. She placed the popcorn softly on the table and grabbed a pillow. Then she swatted Lucien with the pillow in the stomach. He looked up, and instead of one of his lifted eyebrow or faces, he smiled. Then grabbed the pillow behind him and hit her lightly, so not to hurt her but to make her laugh. They had a full-blown pillow fight with the feathers going every where. She had hit him and he was hitting back. When she was about to swing she got a face full of popcorn. "NOW you have done it." She yelled and charged him full force with the pillow. Then grabbed some popcorn and did the same. They started to toss popcorn at the other person. When her cat came out and meowed at them, they finally stopped and surveyed the mess they had created and began to laugh even harder. She walked up and kissed him then backed up. They walked up to the couch after setting the blinds and spread out on the couch. Lucien took back and Natalie lay in front of him and they both faced the TV. Lucien hugged her closer by putting his strong arm around her and then he kissed her neck. They both fell into a deep slumber with their bodies intertwined on the couch. THE THIRD DAY OF THE CURE They both woke up and wondered what the other was thinking. That question was quickly answered when Natalie pulled him under her and gave him a seductive kiss. Then she preceded to kiss his pleasure spots on his neck thoroughly. "Natalie, don't" "what?" "I have not feed and I do not want are first time to be like this. I love you and this is not the way either of us truly want to go about it expressing our love for each other." He had other reasons too, like he did not want to treat her like some brothel girl. He wanted her to be his wife then they would consummate the marriage the way it was suppose to be done. Natalie was truthfully testing their love to see if he would tell her no, even if she really wanted it to be that way, which she didn't. She kissed him one more time before getting up and going to get changed. At that kiss he could tell it had really been a test of love. He got up to and went after her. "Natalie what do you want to do tonight? It is your turn to pick." He said in curiosity. He was curious as to what she would pick for the night's events and he was looking forward to what ever it is. "I want to go to the Raven and then come home and have you read out loud to me." She said with hope in her voice. How could he deny her anything, especially when she had that twinge of hope in her voice? "I would love too. Meet me down stairs when you are ready to go." He walked and got his stuff to go and then went to change. When Natalie came down the stairs his breathing got caught in his throat. Natalie was wearing black leather halter top that was low cut and short leather skirt and black leather boats that when up to her knees. She looked like someone that should be on the cover of vampire playboy magazine. He knew that she had done it to get a rise out of him, but she didn't get it. She got a very intense kiss that knocked her breath out. She barely had time to notice that sexy sword he liked to wear. She pulled back and saw that he had on his usual black outfit. She had always liked that outfit the best. She kissed him again seductively. "I find that sword to be the sexist thing. I also find the wearer to be the worlds top sexist man." She said in truth. He escorted her out of the house before he could have a serious change of heart. They arrived at the club and she was sad to see that Joe had already been replaced. Lucien caught sight of this and tilted her head up to his "I know it is hard when somebody leaves, but Joe is happy and he will always have your memory to get him through the tough patches. You have me and your memories for that." He said sweetly. "Thanks for not hating me for missing Joe, it means a lot." She said. They smiled to each other and then headed for the entry. The bodyguard looked at her like a piece of meat, and Lucien caught it. Lucien Shot him a dangerous look and reminded him who his boss is. When they walked inside, Lucien could feel his teeth go part way down. This meant that Natalie's cure was working and he would be able to go back to her not feeding him. This thought started out light and ended on a very sad note. He did not want Natalie to stop feeding him. The club all stopped at the sight of LaCroix and then Natalie, who most of them recognized this time. LaCroix looked around at them and then made a hand motion for the band to start again. "My fair lady would you care to dance a round or two?" " Why sir I would love to." She gave a half curtsy and offered her hand. They walked out to the dance floor. They slow danced awhile then they did some faster dances. They were both smiling at each other and then he bent down and gave her a kiss that was so good it practically made her faint. The whole club went quite again, they had never seen the great all mighty General kiss a woman, let alone the doctor. Natalie pulled back to get some air then kissed him with equal force. This time many of the patrons' eyes turned golden, they wanted in on the action. They released one another with a smile and then the music started again. They went over to were Vachon sat with his mouth still hanging wide open. "Vachon would you care to take Natalie around the dance floor, I need to try something." He smiled when he saw Vachon shut his mouth and gulp. Natalie was willing, but she would like to know what Lucien planned on doing. Natalie placed her hand out for Vachon "I don't bite." She said with a grin. "Only when she is hungry" Lucien couldn't resist the tease and Natalie went up to his neck and bit sucked at his pleasure spot. Vachon was in shock the General and the doctor who would have thought not me that's for sure he thought. Natalie turned back around and placed her hand in Vachon's and walked out to the floor. The dance was a slow song, so she got close to Vachon and placed her head on his shoulder. Now she could see what the Lucien was doing. She was happy, that he was trying to see if he had improved and by his smile he had. LaCroix went up to the bar and asked for a drink from his special stock. The bartender looked at him then gave him what he asked for. LaCroix tried it and to his surprise he could now feel the emotions of the blood but could not grasp any on the images that went with this victim. He was half way cured and he smiled a fake smile, because he knew she was watching from the mirror above the alcohol. He was sad that he knew she was not going to feed him any more. Then he remembered that the ball was in four days. He would tell her tomorrow over a dinner that he cooked. He went back to the dance floor and kissed the back of her neck. She spun around and did the same to his neck. Vachon left to go back to Urs who also had that who would have guessed face on. They danced and held each other close thinking about the way they had changed since they had first meet. They had tied to destroy each other and had tried to get Nick to stay away from the other. Now they were both in love and would tease each other and did not care who was watching them. Natalie felt that it was starting to get late, and she wanted Lucien to read to her still. She kissed his neck, "Lucien, lets go home." He nodded his head and walked her off the dance floor. They waved goodbye to Urs and Vachon who where both smiling at them. Apparently they were happy for them and were giving them both that look of encouragement. Natalie walked past the bodyguard and still felt that empty spot that Joe had left, but she knew Lucien would make her happy. She reached up and touched the necklace and Joe smiled through the link and she let him feel that she missed him, but was doing fine. "Why did you do that?" Lucien had not meant to ask that question out loud, but he had noticed that she had all the sudden gotten a lot happier. "I just wanted to make sure that it was still there." She said, it was not the whole truth and they both knew it, but he did not press her on the subject. When they got into the house Natalie headed for the freezer and made herself dinner. When she came back she had both his food and her food on the tray. She feed him until he told her he did not require any more and then she kissed him softly. She got ride of the evidence and then sat down on the couch with a book she wanted him to read to her. It was the Pride and Prejudice. She handed him the book and he looked totally puzzled. "You said that you would read to me." She said simply and lay against his shoulder. "Indeed, I just thought you would make me read you a medical journal." He replied. " I love this book. I think it is great how they have to over come their problems to love each other. He has to over come his pride and her prejudice." "I like the book to I have a first edition of the book." He started to read and when Natalie finished her dinner she laid down in his lap while listening to him read. His voice was so soothing that she soon found herself unable to stay awake much longer. He noticed her fall asleep and gently placed the book on the table with out moving his legs. Then he scooped her up and carried her to the master bedroom. He placed her on her side of the bed and tucked her in. He watched her sleep for awhile and then got on the other side and fell asleep. They both sleep with a smile on their face. THE FOURTH DAY OF THE CURE When they woke up they notice that they were both holding each other, but Natalie was still under the covers. She got out of bed and laughed. "I can't believe I was able to fall asleep in this getup." He started to laugh to. This was the fourth day Natalie realized and there was only three days left. She pressed the necklace and she could feel Joe's concern at her sorrow. She then laughed when she realized how pathetic she was being and sent her love for him over to him and the same then she released him. Lucien noticed her emotions change when she had touched that necklace, but refused to ask again. She crawled back on the bed and then kissed him a good morning. She got off the bed and looked at him. "What is your desire General." He was shocked he didn't like that question being asked by her. She was not a brothel lady, but he knew what she wanted to know was what he had planned for his day of adventure. "Natalie, can you promise never to call me general again. I love you so; I do not want you to say that. You know about part of my history, right. I would rather forget that history when I am around you, it makes me feel undeserving of you." He wanted her to know and that would only be achieved through honesty. "I know about that part of your life. I know you do not approve of incest, and I know that you raped and pillaged the places you conquered. I am also aware of Divia too. That is why I am afraid I will not make you as happy as those brothel girls did or whoever Divia's mother was. I am not that holy either, I have a tendency to be flirtatious and I am no virgin. I have slept with three different guys, which is so far from being white. I have been engaged to a few and broken it off or they have broken it off. I love you Lucien and I don't care how many of them you slept with. All I want in for you to NEVER cheat on me Lucien or lie to protect me from the truth. Deal" She replied in honest. She new she would be compared to those other girls and she was not that inexperienced, but compared to him she looked like the pinnacle of purity. "I love you too and I would NEVER cheat or lie to you." He got out of bed and kissed her. He looked so good without his shirt on she thought. "Oh, Natalie I will show you what I have planned for this evening, but stay in the room and entertain yourself for an hour." He said with a smile. Natalie complied by staying away from him for an hour, by watching a movie in her room. When Lucien came to the door he was dressed like a waiter. He had on all black but had a white towel hanging over his arm. She looked at him then brook out into peals of laughter. She could never see him being a waiter; he was not molded to do such jobs. He smiled "Madam I will show you to your table. If you would please follow me." Natalie smiled and followed behind him. She saw the kitchen table had a table clothe and candle in the middle. She saw that the table was all arranged correctly and that there was two different types of wine bottles on the table. He pulled out her seat and she sat down "Thank you" she said politely. He poured her some wine then took his own set. He poured his wine, "Shall I propose a toast, to love conquers all." She willingly clicked his glass then took a drink. The wine was wonderful; she had never tasted such fine wine. She noticed that he was drinking his and it appeared the cure was working faster on him than it did on Nick. She had a wonderful salad and then the soup was even more wonderful. She was wondering where he had gotten it; she would have to get delivery from the place. The main course was even better if that was possible. The main course was a lobster and steak. She had never really like lobster, but after her first bite she changed her mind it was heavenly and the steak was made just how she liked it. When Lucien saw that her plate was empty he took it away, and came out with the best part of the meal, dessert. When he turned around to go sit back down she grabbed his butt in a seductive way that made him purr. She stopped, "I have always wanted to do that to a waiter." She laughed and then smiled angelically at him. "I am glad I could be of service. I take it that you like my cooking." He said when he noticed her heartbeat with excitement and happiness. "You cooked this? Yeah, it was wonderful." She said after finishing of her death by chocolate cake. She had loved every bit of her meal. He sat down across from her, after taking the plate away. "Natalie what would you say to going to a ball with me?" He had asked with hope. He had originally just planned on making her go, because he didn't want to miss it, but now wanted to go to show her off to his fellow elders. "What? I don't know, what type of ball?" she asked. "It is a ball for the elders. You have to be one thousand or older to go, and it only happens once every hundred years. I have gone every time since I was eligible. An elder may take a mortal date that will usually because they will be converted or dinner. I want you to go with me because I love you and I think it will be fun for us. I will be watching you every second so you will not have to worry about the other elders, they only take what is theirs." "Yes, Lucien I will go with you, but you must keep an eye on me" she was exited and it showed in her voice. She got up and sat on his lap and kissed him passionately. They got up and he told her that he wanted to take her for a walk around the park. They went out to the car, but Lucien stopped her from opening the car door. "Did anybody ever take you flying?" "No, but I have always wanted to go. The next thing she knew was that he had picked her up and was now cradling her in his wonderfully shaped arms. Then they lifted off the ground. "I suggest that you don't look down your first time up." "Didn't your mother ever teach you that when somebody says not to do something you automatically want to do it." He just smiled at her and kissed her forehead. She looked down and thought the view was not scary at all, but dreamlike and beautiful. "Wow. This is so peaceful. The view of the city is lovely." When they landed, she could not believe they had gotten there already. By car it took 20 minutes and it had only been three minutes. They walked around the park hand in hand. They talked of how nice the park was and then the noises that could be heard. Natalie got scared when she heard a howl and clung to Lucien. Lucien just laughed and thought about the irony of the situation. She was clinging to him a vampire, because she heard something howl. They sat down on one of the metal benches and watched the stars. They spent the rest of the night sitting on the bench contemplating and talking about the wonder of the stars. Lucien told her some of the old myths and Natalie surprised him by telling him some of the myths about the stars that she had heard. Lucien had never heard of some of the myths, and that made him love her all the more. When she started to get cold and he could feel the approaching sun, he took her home. Natalie clung to him trying to stay warm with the cold air swished by her. When they landed they went into the house and got something to eat. Natalie didn't feed Lucien this time, he was capable of eating by himself. He still was having difficulty he could not get a complete picture of the donator's life. They sat down on the couch and Lucien gave her a heated kiss then released her. "Lucien would you mind if I read to you tonight?" "If you wish." He had never been read to not even as a little boy. He had sometimes wondered what it would be like to be read to. Would he like it, would he hate it, or would he just be indifferent to it? He lay down on her lap and waited for her to begin. She started to read and her voice sounded like an angle was reading to him. He realized he loved being read to; and he also found it relaxing and peaceful. He smiled up at her and she smiled back at him. They finished the story then decided to spend the night on the couch again. They closed the window and Natalie took the inside this time and she faced Lucien and placed her hand around his middle and he did likewise. She kissed him "Goodnight Lucien." "Goodnight Natalie." They both fell into a peaceful dream. Natalie began to have a nightmare and then whimpered in her sleep. Then she started to cry in her sleep and shake. Lucien woke up when he heard the strange sounds coming from Natalie. "Natalie" he called softly and all she did was to shake even more at the sound of his voice. He called her a little louder still no reply. As a last resort he shook her gently and she woke up. "LaCroix….what are you doing in my house?" she asked in a scared voice and started to back up. "Natalie are you okay" he asked now very worried about her. "Lucien, I'm sorry, I was having the worst nightmare, you were trying to kill me." She said now shocked at what the dream had said. She got up when Lucien moved out of the way. "Do you know why I would do such a horrible thing to somebody I love?" He asked he was now very concerned. He would never do anything to harm her. Natalie was trying hard to forget the nightmare when he asked her the question. She gulped and then replied, "I had ruined your reputation by letting you fall in love with me." Lucien then got a smile on his face. "Lucien, there is nothing to smile about." "Natalie, you know I love more than anybody else. I will always love you no matter what happens to my social standing, I still care about my social standing, but not as much as I care about you. I also know that it will not fall. I know this, because you saved the vampire community and they respect you." "Okay. Thanks for making me feel better. I love you too Lucien LaCroix." They kissed each other like they had never done before and after the wonderful kiss the laid back down and went to sleep. They were in the same position that they had originally started off in before Natalie had that awful dream. Only this time Lucien held her closer so that she would feel securer and would hopefully have pleasanter dreams. They each had a soft smile on their face while they slept. THE FIFTH DAY OF THE CURE Natalie got up and found that Lucien was still sleeping. She nudged him and he looked at her and smiled. "Lucien I have to get up." It was four thirty and Eve would be coming in a half-hour to take her shopping. Lucien moved to let her up. They both walked up to the bedroom. "Natalie be careful." "I will." She responded to his demand. "It will give me a chance to pick out a gown too." She said sweetly. He laughed "Try to pick an appropriate gown out." He knew she would, but wanted to make sure. "I will get Eve to help me pick one out." She laughed at him. She knew Eve had great taste but she was not at all conservative. Lucien unfortunately had no idea what Eve's taste was, because High Council could only wear a black robe and white shirt underneath on days of work. They kissed each other heatedly then Lucien pulled away and looked at her with that evil grin. "You should be getting dressed." She laughed, "Can I help it if I just want to kiss you." Now it was his turn to laugh. Natalie left him and went to change. When she came back she was dressed in a white wool turtleneck, because it was winter. She had on a black skirt with a slit to her thigh and black boots on. She also had that same pendent on that she always wore that looked alive over that white turtleneck. She reached up to touch it and he could see her smile grow bigger. It was almost as if she was communicating with someone through the pendent. She released it and gave him another sweet kiss. They walked down to the kitchen and Natalie feed Lucien until he was full. Then she sat on his lap and looked into his eyes. When she did this she could see all the love that he held for. She could see that he actually looked happy and she was getting very good at seeing what he was feeling underneath the placid exterior. When he looked into her eyes he saw that she loved him and that she was happy of that fact. He also could see a gleam of evil in her eye, stood for all the surprises he was yet to experience from her. He couldn't wait to see what those little secrets and surprises were. "Lucien what are you planning on doing while I am out?" she really wanted to know. She had this unexplainable feeling that she had to know exactly were he would be. She soon realized it was the feeling of the separation. They had been living together for only five days yet it felt like forever and she never wanted him to leave her side. Lucien was feeling the same way. "Natalie, I am going to work." She smiled now that she knew where to find him if she needed to. The doorbell rang twice before Natalie realized she had to get up and answer the door. When the door opened she was greeted with a big hug that she returned. "Angel, I see you look as great as ever," She said once they separated to get a better look at one and other. "So do you Eve." Eve was dressed identical to Natalie they looked like twins (Author's note Eve does looks exactly like Natalie, in appearance). They both brook out laughing. "I think that wearing the same clothes will get more of the men to notice us You remember when me and you would go to the mall and see how many men would look at us with lust. I think that hunting with you was so much more fun than it was with Joe. Only problem was I couldn't eat them." Eve was vicious to mortals, but always loved to see how many lustful glances she could get. "Oh boy do I remember Joe use to get so mad at us. Those nights, I would stay at Simon's and Leo's, on the couch. I never wanted to walk all the way down to my room, after being up all night." Natalie laughed. "Sure, the couch," she laughed, "Oh, Joe told me to tell you that he misses you, but he is enjoying the new job." "Tell Joe I miss him too and that I am happy that he is enjoying the new Job." Natalie said seriously. Neither had noticed that Lucien had been listening to the conversation. He was very confused about who this Simon and Leo were, but would ask her about them at a different time, he figured that they were probably mortals that she was friends with during college. Eve saw him as he was getting his coat on to leave. "Natalie I didn't know you had company," she said sweetly. She had not suspected that Natalie would be having male company yet. She had thought she would be spending half the time at the mall comforting Natalie. " Lucien was just leaving for work," she said not totally wanting to get into that discussion at this point in time. Lucien walked up to them and gave Natalie a kiss on the check and then left for the night. As he walked out he could feel Eve's eyes on the back of his neck. Eve and Natalie soon walked out too. They climbed into Eve's black convertible and drove off. During the car ride Eve and Natalie talked about how it was great to be hanging out again. They both agreed that talking over the Internet was not half as fun as talking in real life. After awhile of driving they got to the mall. They piled out of the car both with their black leather purses in tow. "So what are we shopping for tonight?" Eve asked Natalie. "Lucien asked me to go to the elder's ball, so I have to find a drop dead gorgeous gown." Natalie had a huge smile on when she said that. Eve got a big smile too, she loved to see Angel happy. She knew that Natalie would be safe. Then she thought about it, Natalie probably had no idea that the High Council was going this time too, so she figured she would not ruin the surprise. She would only make it a hundred times better by making Natalie the best seductress in the place. She wanted all eyes to be watching Natalie with lust, but not blood lust, the other lust. She wanted to have Joe remember how beautiful Natalie was and the ball would be the perfect time to do it. She knew Joe felt bad for hurting Natalie a second time by leaving. She also knew that Natalie and Joe were closer and more protective of each other than they ever were when they had been lovers. "Natalie, we will find the best dress, then on the day of the ball I will come over and help you get ready. How does that sound." "Wonderful, Eve thanks. I was afraid you were going to tell me that I shouldn't go." Natalie replied happily. They walked into the mall and went straight for the best dress shops. While they shopped they talked about what Joe was up to. Natalie had not told her about the pendent though, for some reason she felt that if she told someone the soul of the pendent would die. Eve told Natalie that Joe was at odds with the chief member, but she also would not tell Natalie any of the names of any of the other members of the group. Eve then asked about the General and Natalie told her, that she and LaCroix are good friends. She left it at that and would not say his real name out to Eve. Natalie reserved that for only him. Natalie and Eve went into the last dress store and were getting agitated that they could not find a Gown that was anything like they wanted. They had tried a few on but they quickly found problems with the dresses. Eve had explained that she was trying on gowns for a big celebration that she had been incited to go to, so not to ruin the surprise. In the last store, a breath-taking gown caught Natalie's eye. She knew it was the dress she had been searching for. Eve looked at her when Natalie stopped dead in her tracks, then followed Natalie's gaze to the world's best looking gown. She knew that the gown was perfect for Natalie. Then she looked next to that dress and found the second best looking gown. They both cautiously approached the gowns as if they ran to fast it would disappear before their very eyes. Then they looked with dread anticipation for the right size. They both breathed a sigh of relief when they found their size. They walked with triumph to the changing room and carefully got into the gown. When they realized that it fit they were so exited that they rushed out of the changing room to show the other. Natalie saw that Eve looked like a Syrian (those ladies that made boats crash.). If looks could kill everyone in the store would be dead, except for Natalie, because she could over come it. (Author's note: sorry folks I will not describe the gowns, because I want you to use your imagination. Just imagine that Natalie's is the best gown on the face of the planet.) "Wow! You look great. What's your name Syrian." Natalie said with direct honesty. Eve was still in shock Natalie looked like she could beat Helen of Troy in a contest of beauty with that dress on. She easily could get every male's eyes to look at her with awe filled expression and lust. The dress was conservative and the pendent made her look 10 times sexier if that was possible. "Do you think I look okay or should I find another gown." Natalie asked after her best girl friend just kept gawking at her. "NO! That gown is wonderful. You will kill LaCroix with that dress. I would like to see that old general crumble when he sees you in that." She remembered she volunteered to help her get ready. She couldn't wait she wanted to see what Joe was going to do. She broke out laughing hysterically, and couldn't stop herself. Now she knew why she loved this mortal so much. Natalie could always put a smile on her face and make her laugh more that anybody else. If Natalie were ever in trouble she would help Natalie fight that person even if it cost her, her life. The next place they went in the mall was the shoe store to try and find shoes that would match perfectly. The gowns were amazingly cheap, because of some freaky sale that was going on. They both found the perfect pair of high heels in the first store and they matched the dress perfectly. The high heels showed off Natalie's best features more and made her feet even look molded by the heavens. Eve's pair was nice and comfortable and made her legs look long and shaped exactly like every man's dreams. The high heels were also surprisingly cheap. They were done shopping so they figured that they would go male hunting. Eve knew that even though Natalie had said she was a good friend of the General's, that she was actually very much in love with him. Natalie and Eve walked down the mall and made their best attempts to get guys to come up to them. About 5 guys came up to Natalie, all at different times. The best guy was a lawyer and had brown hair and blue eyes. He was sweet and rich. He had offered to give her a ride home in his limousine, but she declined his offer. She couldn't even stop thinking of Lucien while she talked to him. She kept picturing all the fun they had over the last five days. She knew now that she was a goner. She was hopelessly devoted to Lucien. Eve and Natalie decided to call it a night, it was almost one o'clock and she had to get home to feed Sidney. Eve was amazed that Natalie still had Sidney, she remembered Sidney from when he was just a kitten. Leo had bought it for her, and Natalie loved that cat to death. Eve was betting the cat would die a happy man. When they arrived at the house Natalie took Eve for a tour of the house. They said goodbye when the clock stuck twelve, and Natalie waited for Lucien to get home. Lucien had left Natalie with a kiss on the check and flew off to his job. When he reached work he sat down in his chair and started to miss Natalie even though she had not even been gone an hour. He went on the air, with tonight's topic being can two people from the opposite sides of the track fall in love. If so will it be worth it or is it just hopeless and destined to fail. He had listened to a few callers tonight to see what they had to say on the topic. After about two hours he was going crazy he had to see his Natalie. Since when is she his though, they loved each other yes, but were they truly committed to each other. Then he remembered the conversation earlier in the day and yes they were truly committed to each other. He knew the only other person that held her heart was Joe, and he didn't know if he liked playing second fiddle to Joe. He had long since known that she meant more to him than Fleur ever did. Fleur was one of his loves, but she could not make him feel half as much as Natalie could. He knew he could never leave Natalie even if she asked him to, but he had not felt that way about Fleur. The only reason was that he and Fluer were not as in love as him and Natalie. Lucien was willing to live with Natalie with her being a mortal till the day she died, but couldn't have done that with Fluer, because he was more in love with the blood that Flue had possessed. Natalie appealed to both but he knew that having her as a moral man would be more than pleasurable to him. Then a call came and that caller made him think everything he just thought over again. The caller had said that "I fell madly in love with this woman and married her. Only to find out that the only reason I loved her was because I was comfortable with her. I loved her because she used to be my son's girlfriend and when he left I thought it was my duty to fill his shoes. It had been so long since I had some action that it was nice to just have a bed with somebody in it waiting for only me. I had an affair and I found out I really did not love my wife." The caller just wanted to tell his story, so Lucien let him. This caller made him think that maybe it is just the fact that Natalie loves me and that she is willingly sharing her bed with me that I love her so much. Maybe I just need to sleep with somebody else to realize I don't really love Natalie at all and it is a figment of my imagination. The only thing that the caller said that I don't have is that I feel comfortable, but I also feel challenged. He signed off the air at nine o'clock go to the Raven. He walked in the door of the Raven and saw Urs. He walked up to her and held his hand out to her. She placed her hand in his and they walked to the dance floor. They danced for about an hour and Lucien kept feeling like it was wrong, he was in love with his doctor why did he have to prove it by sharing blood with Urs. He soon remembered why that stupid caller had made him question everything. He led Urs to one of the backrooms and she complied. When the door shut however the mood changed. "LaCroix why are you doing this? You and Natalie love each other more that I thought I would ever see two people in love. You two light up a room when you guys are together in it." Urs would gladly share blood with him, but wanted to know why the best couple in Toronto had broken up. "What makes you think I love her?" Lucien had to know so instead of it sounding like a question it came out more of a hiss. "I know you love her because when ever you look at her you have that sparkle in your eye, that sparkle that only somebody deeply in love could have, there is no way to fake a sparkle like that. You also flirt with each other openly and you won't stand for anybody else looking at her." She replied. He only countered with; "maybe it is because she use to be my son's lover." He knew that was not the reason, but still it made partial sense. "Maybe I am lonely and just need a good looking girl to make me feel sexy." "You are sexy LaCroix. If you think that sharing blood will make you feel as if you can prove that you do or don't love her, than go ahead." He kissed her passionately and she responded in kind. After he had bitten her he realized that he loved Natalie with his whole heart and soul. He also recalled the promise he had made to her earlier in the day, to never cheat, "WHAT HAVE I DONE." He whispered. He pulled her away form his neck after she had already had a mouth full and sat down on sofa. Urs could feel all the love that LaCroix carried for his doctor in his blood. It was so powerful that it nearly knocked her out, but then she couldn't leave she was addicted to that powerful feeling of his and Natalie's love. She wanted to feel it even if it wasn't his love for her, but for Natalie. Oh, no in all the excitement she had forgotten that she and Natalie were friends. Natalie had helped all of them with the fever and when Divia had attacked her she had brought her back. Here she was about sleeping with Natalie's love. When he pulled away from her she felt the strength to do the same. She looked at him "LaCroix, I could feel how much you love her. It is with your whole heart and sole. I just hope she can forgive you for what you just did." She said in a loving voice the first sentence and then the second with such venom and disgust that he looked up at her. She could see that he was on the verge of tears, but she cared little for that. She had done the sleaziest thing and he had cheated on someone he truly loved. Most of her wished that Natalie would not take him back, because Natalie deserved someone that would not cheat on her to prove his loyalty to himself. Then after one more glance his direction she had walked out the door and shut it behind her. He could not believe he had just done that. She never would forgive him. He was suppose to be the one that person that would love her, loyal and stayed with her. He had just broken every promise that he had held dear to her. He was an idiot, why had he let some caller make him think he didn't love her. He knew and felt that he loved her. He had the time of his life with Natalie and he wanted to marry her, before they consummated the relationship. He knew now that he had lost her she would go back to Joe and leave him. He would have to go live with his son and daughter. He would lock himself away like he did when Fleur died, but this time he would starve and refuse to talk. "I MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE." He cried. He didn't even care what time it was. When he looked at the clock he saw it was two o'clock. He went up to the old apartment that he had in the Raven and took a shower and changed into a different set of cloths that looked like the ones that he had worn that night. Then he saw his mother's wedding ring. He had carried it around for a long time. It was the last and only thing his mother had given him. He had loved his mother, she had died when he was young. The ring was shinny gold and had a diamond in it that was very rare. The ring was worth five times as much as Bill Gates is. He had planned on giving it to his true love and now he probably never would be able to. He took the ring and placed it in the velvet case then slid it into his pocket. If she didn't dump him then he knew he would ask her to be his wife. He arrived home about two o'clock and saw that his doctor was sleep on the couch with her chin resting on the back edge of the couch. She was turned to see him when he came in. Her face was etched in worry. He looked at her and could not believe he had been able to question his love that much to ruin their relationship. All he needed to do was look at her and he knew he wanted her for the rest of his unnatural life. He would agree to her being mortal, because he loved her that much. "Natalie" he said in a whisper and she awoke and batted her eyelashes at him. "Well, there you are where have you been. I missed you." She said with a playful grin. He knew this very moment this news would crush her. "Natalie I have something I have to tell you. I..." he was cut off. "NO, you are not leaving me." She said forcibly. She could not stand it if another one of her men left her, especially since it was somebody that she wanted to marry. "Natalie, I want you not to say a word until after I am done speaking okay,' he didn't think he would be able to get through it if she talked "I shared blood with Urs. Tonight to find out if I was truly in love with you or if I had some alternative motive behind it. You know that I always have a motive, but with love there should be no alternative motive, so I wanted to know if it was real of if I was just leading you on for some unknown reason." "You shared blood with Urs, So what did you find out?" She was very mad, but she held it back till he answered her question. "I found out that there is no other motive behind my love for you. I now know that I love you for you not the fact that you are mortal or my son's ex or even because I was lonely and wanted to share my bed with somebody. No I know that I love you with all my heart. I know now that I love you more than I ever loved Fleur." She smiled at him. If it took only that one kiss to figure out she loved him then she could forgive him. She realized she was doing the same thing with the pendant. She was trying to hold on to Joe, but both Joe and her knew it was just a best friend love that they were only allowed or would ever feel for each other again. She forgave him. She walked up to Lucien and he looked at her as if he knew he was going to be hit and he excepted that. She reached up and hugged her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely showing him all the passion she had for him. He kissed her back just as uncontrolled. She placed her legs around his middle and he lifted her up and held her there. Then he walked them over to the wall and placed her back against it. He realized what he and she where about to do and pulled out of the kiss. They both tried to get their breaths. "I forgive you Lucien" she whispered as she wiggled against the bulge in his pants. He groaned then kissed her thoroughly. She kept up a slow steady pace. They both wanted to tear the cloths right off the other. She ran her hand through his hair and over his back. Then when they heard the phone ring they both listened but didn't stop their actions. It was Vachon telling about what he heard from Urs and that he was sorry for her actions, and that she was very sorry too. Lucien pulled away from the kiss. "Are you sure you forgive me." He asked really wanting to know. She thrust against him again and that gave him his answer. "Never do it again, promise." He kissed her hard as if to say never in my wildest dreams. They had just initiated that kiss when the phone rang again. This time they both stopped and froze in place "Nat, its Nick I just wanted to check and see how you were doing. I will try again later. Bye." LaCroix was now staring at the red blinking light. He didn't know Natalie had kept in touch with Nick. "I don't keep in touch with him. That was the first time he has called since dumping me." She could read that expression plain as day. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her and they laughed. "I think you are the only person that can read my expressions." He said. She kissed him again passionately on the neck's pleasure spots. He gave another groan with a twinge of a growl and pulled her closer. The phone rang and this time both not only froze they went as white as ghosts. "Natalie love, answer the phone I know you are there." He was laughing so hard she could hardly hear what he was saying. Lucien let her down and she ran for the phone. "Joe, I am here." She said breathlessly. "Love, can you take me off speaker phone." He said laughing harder. Natalie had not realized she had him on speakerphone until he had told her. He calmed down enough to speak so Lucien could not hear them. "Natalie do mind taking off the pendant when you do that activity. I can feel your emotions when you do that." He said wickedly in a teasing manner. She reached up for the pendant and could feel Joe was not mad at all just sad and though it was humorous. She went red "I am sorry Joe I didn't realize that you would feel that. I though I only felt it when I touch it. Okay hold on." She looked at the pendent and felt it. Then she closed her eyed and she could feel the emotions too. "Your right Joe I can feel It." she now was laughing over the phone and Joe was laughing too. "I promise I will take it off if I ever do that again. I'm truly sorry Joe. Hey, thanks for that message from Eve. Still fighting with the master." She laughed. Lucien could now hear the conversation and realized they were talking about the pendent. Joe and her could feel each other's emotions through it. That is why she holds it sometimes, so she can communicate with him. He smiled; at least now he knew she was choosing him over Joe. "I have to go, but you take care and remember to take it off." He was laughing. "I miss you Joe take care." She said and they hung up. "Lucien I need to tell you something about me and Joe, we can feel each others emotions through the pendant, but nobody else is allowed to touch it besides me." She said worried that he would not understand. "Natalie I understand perfectly, and I'm not mad." With that he kissed her and carried her to the bedroom. In the bedroom they laid down and held each other then drifted off to sleep intertwined in each other's embraces. Natalie woke up with another dream, but this time it cheerful. Her dream told her that she would marry Lucien and love him all her life. She inched closer to him, as far as she could get and gave him a peck on the lips. She touched his muscular AB's and knew she could not wait for the day when all of him would be hers, and hers alone. She gave him another kiss and placed her head on his chest. Lucien opened his eyes as soon as she went back to sleep. He smiled he too could not wait for the day when they would be married to each other. He was thankful to that she was, so forgiving. That is why his son had thought he loved her. She would always forgive his affairs and his screw-ups. Lucien now knew though that he would not let himself do any more dumb mistakes to hurt her. She had the world's biggest heart and he was happy that he had a huge home in that heart. He went to sleep and held her closer to him. He could not get close enough to her. He was dreading the day when his precious flower would be taken away by God, but until that day no matter what doors they have to pass through they would be together. He will never leave her side, for any reason. With that thought he drifted off to sleep. THE SIXTH DAY OF THE CURE They woke up in each arm's. She gave him a playful grin. He kissed her check then sat up. Natalie sat up too and then moved to sit in his lap. Her arms went around his neck and his around her waist. "I keep wondering when the cynical old general is going to pop his ugly head out." She said in a serious manner. "I was not cynical, only naive." He said laughing. She gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder. "Do you think love is now worth the risk of a broken heart. You will end up with another wilted flower you know." She whispered she was sad that she would leave him. "I know that you are worth it." He gave her the biggest kiss. "I know the cure has worked Lucien." She told him and then kissed him again. This time playing with his fangs until they were fully extended. Then she pulled back and he growled. She gave a bright smile. "I guess you can have your own room now." She said playful. He lightly pulled her to him then pinned her on to the bed. He kept most of his weight off of her to protect her. "No, I think sharing a bed is so much more fun. Don't you?" He said. "MMM" was her only reply. Then he remembered his vow and got up. "So what did you want to do tonight?" He asked while brushing off imaginary lint. "I have an idea, and I think you will like it." She said smiling. "Oh" "Go change into something you don't care if you ever wear again." She said. "Your wish is my command." He said as he was leaving the room. He returned to find Natalie in a pair of jeans and a white sweeter. He noticed that she had taken off the pendent. Natalie just went and got his hand and walked him out to the car. They didn't say a word to each other until they arrived at the building. She turned to him, "Well general up to a match of sports." "What kind of sports?" he inquired. "We will start off with fencing then I figured we could play paintball." She couldn't hold back the laugh at the surprised look on Lucien's face. "Lead the way," He said. "Promise no holding back. I know I won't be." She smiled then took his hand and led him into the brick building. After getting ready they emerged dressed in their fencing masks and vests. Lucien was so confident that he would win that he could not hide his smile. She knew he was in for a big surprise. If he thought she was good at chess, just wait till he see her moves. Joe had teased her constantly about the fact that if she had become a general everyone would be cowering before her, refusing to go up against her. She gave him a smile and they moved to their respectable places on the floor. He started the attack but the move was quickly deflected then countered. He tried constantly to get a point, but it was to no avail, she was really good. She fought like a grand master; every counter move was unable to be deflected. She had perfect aim for where her target was. She had already won 4 games and he knew he was beat. She was a worthy opponent. When they stopped it was already one o'clock. "So my dear where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked truly wanting to know the answer. He was a great warrior and now he was loosing to a mortal woman. He had lost in chess, and fencing. "I was abused by my Grandma…so I took classes on fencing to get the anger out… I was world champion for awhile, then I quite when I got to med. School. My Grandma got sick so I figure I wouldn't need it any more. Joe told me I should have been in the army." She said the first part in anger then as she went along she got happier. Then when she said what Joe had told her she was laughing. "I'm sorry about your Grandma abusing you, but you sure got a lot of military training out of it. You could bet anyone in chess and fencing. I bet Joe learned the hard way not to challenge you in fencing." He smiled proud of her. He saw her nod at the comment about Joe. They walked out of the room when they were done changing. "Natalie lets skip the paintball and just go to the raven and hang out." He said. She complied and thought that it was wise not to beat him in more than two sports. She ran up and gave him a big kiss and then ran out of the building. When he walked out he got a face full of snow. He picked up snow and through it at her too. They started to chase each other with the snowballs. Natalie got snow down the inside of her jacket, "You know this means war right." She got a big ball and then threw it down his shirt. He looked at her evilly then pushed her to the ground gently and started an all out attack. She got him to fall down after a lot of trying. When he was down she crawled over to him and gave him a kiss. Secretively she was making the biggest snowball. She tossed the snowball perfectly aimed for his mouth. It hit him then she got up to run and hide, but he caught her ankle and she went face first in to the snow. He crawled over to her and kissed her, then did the same maneuver that she had done, except he was able to get away. Lucien and her played this game for about an hour before they got tired and Natalie got cold. They both looked like two snowmen that had come alive, because they were drenched with the snow. "We cannot go to the club looking like this." He said while trying to hold back a laugh. She looked at him; "you might have a point there." She got into the car and waited for him to join her. They headed home and mused about how much one little snowball could lead to a full- blown snowball fight. He was laughing at the way she looked when he hit her in the mouth. She was laughing at the fact that if any other person or vampire did that to Lucien, he would probably kill that person. When they arrived home it was already three o'clock. Where had all the time gone she wondered, but it was a fun night that still had a few hours left in it. She made her dinner and ate it, while Lucien drank his. They had decided that they would watch a movie. They had decided on "Interview With A Vampire", actually Natalie had he just went along with it. He had never watched it before and wondered what it would be like. He always had work to do first before he could read the Anne Rice series. Natalie sat down on Lucien's lap with her popcorn. He smiled and placed an arm around her. He watched the movie, but kept thinking of that girl as Divia, both had blond hair and it was a little curly. He saw her murder her master just like Divia had done, so many years before. She wanted her other father to be her lover just like Divia had. He was sad when the girl died. When the movie was over Natalie looked at him and could tell that something was on his mind. "Lucien, what is it?" she asked. "I just can't stop myself from seeing my little Divia in that girl." He said with a little crack in his voice. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to drag up bad memories. I bet before Divia was a vampire she was just a sweet little girl." She said with a sorry tone of voice. He looked at her and nodded and she put the popcorn down on the table. Then she leaned on him and he held her close and gave her a kiss on the forehead. They sat like this for thirty more minutes and dreaded going to bed. They both knew the sun would be up in five minutes, but going to bed would mean that tomorrow was their last day in the same room or the same house. Natalie feel asleep in his lap, with her head resting on his chest. He carried her to their room and placed her gently on the bed. He crawled under the blanket and held her back to his stomach. He loved the way she smelled and she was so beautiful even without makeup. She is a piece of heaven that God sent down to who ever was lucky enough to have her. She was his piece of heaven. He loved the way she made him feel. A tear spilled out of his eye and made a red track down his check as he went to sleep. THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE CURE Lucien turned over and reached his arm out for Natalie. When his arm failed to come in contact with his Natalie he woke up immediately. He had woken up everyday with Natalie in his arms. He could hardly remember what it felt like to be in bed alone, but now he knew and it felt dreadful, lonely and heartbreaking. He resolved to never feel this way ever again and he would achieve that by asking her the big question tonight. It was her that he wanted and if she said no he would be more than heartbroken. He felt as if he would die inside and pull even farther away from society. He now knew that the saying 'if you love somebody let them go' was a joke; he would never let Natalie go if she loved him no matter what obstacles stood in their way. She was the one he had spent his life waiting to meet and he would show her his love for her, till the day he died (forever). He broke his thoughts with a deep need to see Natalie and make sure she was all right. He put on his robe, over his pajamas and went to the door. He could sense that the sun had set and the time was five thirty, soon they would have to be getting ready for the ball. Then he picked up the wondrous sound of Natalie moving around in the living room. Natalie had gotten up and hour earlier and had carefully maneuvered out of Lucien's strong arms. She looked over at him and she smiled. He was, she knew without a doubt, the one person she loved and would love to spend the rest of her life with. She didn't care that he was Nick's father, or that he was a vampire, just that he loved her every bit as much as she did him. She headed down stairs to get a cup of water, and did not want to wake her man. As she made her way back up stairs, she looked down at poor Sidney, who was looking at the window. She knew that it had been a week since the house had any real sunlight. Sidney loved the sunset, they had made it a ritual to sit and watch the sunset before she went to work everyday. She walked over to the window and opened the metal seal. The light steaming in was magical; it made her feel as if it had been ages since she had seen the sun. She could feel Gods love and acceptance for the fact she loved Lucien. It seemed as if he was telling her that he had made her for some greater purpose and that one-day she would fulfill it. She had no idea what this purpose was, but she was glad to know that she was truly special to him in some way. She could also sense a caution, urging her to be careful and to follow the Ten Commandments the best she could. She accepted this agreement and was now happier than when she had woken up. She had been preparing for the worst if she married Lucien, one way ticket to hell, but now she knew that she was going to go to heaven even if she married Lucien. Given that she follows the Ten Commandments. She then picked up Sidney and placed him in her lap as she sat down on the couch. After finishing her water she began to think about how beautiful the sunset was, with all the different colors that intertwined to make the sky seem alive. How funny she thought twenty minutes ago it was really alive, God had touched her soul. She turned her thoughts away from that subject, and began to ponder the reason why she had not seen the sun, in nearly a week. She knew she had been blessed with him, even if he was a murderous fiend. She smiled at the fact that it had only been a week and already she could not picture her life with out him. He had taken her heart in one fall swoop. She knew Joe would always have a spot in her heart, but the spot would be that of a very loving and deep friendship, nothing more. After all he was the one that introduced her to her hidden feelings towards LaCroix. She then progressed to thinking of Lucien's troubled son, Nick, who also had been in her heart. She thought Nick had loved her, but it was just a delusion, she had not wanted to wake up to the truth. Then Nick had finally made her wake up from the delusion. He left her that dreadful letter, telling her that he had woken up from his own delusion; and saw the light, the way to happiness, Janette. Now she saw her own light to her happiness, Lucien. She smiled even more at the fact that it just happened to be Nick's father that she wanted to share her life with. Even after she had promised herself she would not be tied down, she now fiercely wanted to be tied down. She still considered Nick a friend, but no more. When her mind was about to wander to another subject, she felt the powerful and comforting hand of Lucien's on her shoulder. She placed her hand on his and rubbed it, not turning to look into his face. She put his hand to her lips and kissed it softly. Then set it back on her shoulder. He called to her, "Natalie." She turned her head to look sweetly into his eyes. At that moment, he could read her soul through her eyes. There was a very bright sparkle in her eyes. The sparkle was the deep love that she felt for him. He could also tell that she was still falling deeper in love with him, just as he was with her. However there was still a door that was shut to him, he hoped that someday she would open it to him. She got up and placed Sydney on the floor. She walked up to him and gave him a hug that she needed desperately. Lucien looked at her with his eyebrow raised. "What?" She gave him a peck on the check. "I was just thinking about how much my life has changed from two months ago." She smiled. He knew how much both of their lives had changed in just a short time. "I love you Lucien LaCroix and nothing is ever going to change that. Now, isn't it time to get ready for the ball?" She smiled never wavered when she said that, but his grew into a slight frown. He just hoped with all his heart that he never did anything ever again to put their love on the line. She laughed his expression and gave a kiss on the neck. "I know you are worried, but don't be, anything that happens we will work through together. The reason I love you so much is because, I find you to be loveable, fun, and sweet. Plus, I find it fun to tame the wild beast in you. Don't worry; I won't let anybody else know." She kissed him deeply and he kissed her conveying to her his love for her. He purred at her when she moved to kiss her way down his neck, with exultingly delightful aim. Just then the doorbell rung, before anything more could happen. "Just our luck." They both said, at the same time, with sarcasm. Lucien walked over to the door and opened it. On the other side he found Eve holding two white boxes. She smiled at him. When she noticed he was just standing there in shock, she joked, "So are you going to let me in or not." He waved her in and then they walked over to Natalie. Natalie ran up to Eve and gave her a big hug and her friend did the same. Natalie let go and turned to Lucien, "I guess with all the excitement, I forgot to tell you that Eve is going to help me get dressed." Lucien just smiled at her, but she could read the hidden meaning, 'be careful my dear'. Natalie smiled back her encouragement that she would be safe with Eve. Natalie took the boxes from her friend and led her up to the master bedroom. When Natalie had reached the balcony she gave one last look back and smiled at Lucien then walked the rest of the way down the hall and out of sight. Lucien looked at her and wondered what on earth could make her look any better than she already did. She looked alluring when she went to bed and woke up the next morning, even with a bit of sleep still at the corners of her eyes. He walked up the stairs slowly and turned to look at the window he had found Natalie sitting by. He wondered just what she had truly been thinking about before he had placed his hand on her shoulder. He knew the reason she had given was the truth, but only part of it. He knew the old Lucien would demand the whole truth, but the new Lucien could settle for finding out the truth at her pace, not his. He walked up to the guest bedroom, and looked down the hall were he heard both Natalie's and Eve's laughter. He opened the door to the guestroom and grabbed his tux that hung by the door. He walked into the bathroom and took a shower, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair. He almost forgot to do the most important part, shaving. He shaved and put on his after-shave lotion. He looked in the mirror and wondered what lady vampires would be attending; but then again the only person he cared about impressing was in this very house with him. "Oh, will Nicholas be mad when he finds out I made Natalie, Mrs. Lucien LaCroix." He knew this wasn't a personal vendetta against his son, he truly loved the doctor, but that didn't stop him from wondering what Nicky Boy would say about it. He walked out of the bathroom and put on his black tux. He smoothed out the invisible wrinkles, and brushed off the invisible lint. He put on the pin he was famous for wearing and made his doctor weak in the knees. He took one last look into the mirror and worked on getting rid of the nervousness that suddenly he was being attacked with. What if she said no what if I make a mistake and trip, what if…no I will be strong, I am not a school teenage boy tying to get a date, no I am an Elder. He walked to the nightstand and put the velvet box into his pocket. He couldn't wait to see her expression when he gave it to her. He walked out of the guestroom with that evil grin on his face. He decided he would wait in the living room as he usually did, but first he grabbed some of the blood the fridge, and filled up a glass. Then walked over to the window and look at the wonderful night sky. Meanwhile, Natalie had shown Eve to the main bedroom, where they would be getting dressed. "Eve you didn't tell me your big celebration was tonight too." Natalie asked astounded. "Oh, I didn't, I must have forgotten to Angel." She smiled. "Vampires never forget anything." Natalie laughed. "Well, with old age you tend to forget a few things." She laughed. They both laughed harder when they heard the door down the hall open. "Let's start in the shower department first, shall we." Natalie looked at her shocked and bewildered. "Natalie relax, I was just going to give you stuff to use to make your skin softer and cleaner." Natalie relaxed and took in what she was supposed to do. Natalie emerged from the bathroom with a towel rapped around her and a towel in her hair. Eve was next to take the bathroom and she emerged in the same fashion as her friend had. They both dried and then put on a white cotton bathrobe. "I can say we definitely smell better than we did before." Eve said. They both laughed. "Who gets to do the others nails first." Natalie said. Eve started to grin in a playfully evil fashion, which that meant that Natalie was going to do the honors first. Natalie grabbed the black nail polish and a pillow. She painted Eves nails and they looked better than if they were professionally done. Then it was Eve's turn to repay the gesture, she grabbed the color that matched Natalie's dress perfectly. Eve placed a special design on her friend's nail's, that meant that Natalie was well protected among the High Council. The emblem was only put on things of great importance and value to the High Council, and Natalie was both of these things. Natalie had two friends that sat on the council and possible more. "Eve that rose is gorgeous" Natalie said sweetly. Eve smiled back and wondered what would be Joe's reaction would be to see Natalie again, but on the arm of the General. It hadn't occurred to her that Joe had been the one to introduce them. "I will help you get your makeup on first Eve." Natalie said making her friend come back to reality. They both went into the bathroom and grabbed the huge bag of makeup. After Natalie had done Eve's makeup, Eve started on Natalie's. They both came out of the bathroom looking natural, but with some slight adjustments. They looked even more wonderful than when they started. Natalie had decided to leave her hair down, Lucien had indicated he liked it better when it fell down around her shoulders. Eve had decided to put her hair up in a way that made her neck look like it was just waiting to be bitten. They both went to get their gowns and when they had them on; they did a double check in the mirror and a few last minute touch ups. Natalie placed her hand on the pendent and she could feel Joe. She smiled at his feeling of surprise, but it was quickly replaced with a sharing of their love. She released the pendent and let a tear almost creep into her eye. "Angel what's the matter." Eve had felt the quick charge of emotion in the air and then the sorrow that followed it. "I'm just sad that Joe isn't here to see me all dressed up for the ball, he would get a kick out of me in a dress. I also feel guilty that I have fallen hopelessly in love with Lucien." She admitted finally out loud. She had been unwilling to admit to it to herself even a few minutes ago, but somehow with Eve she felt she could. Eve was shocked that Angel had fallen so hard for the General of all people, but she knew she would have had to be blind not to see how much those two loved each other. Lucien appeared to be a whole different person when he was around Natalie, happier, silly, flirtatious, the basic symptoms of true love. Natalie was also different, but in a good way, she was happy, fun to name a few. She knew what was bothering Natalie the fact that Joe had been gone a whole week and she had already moved on and fallen in love with another man. Meanwhile, Eve knew Joe had not been doing well since the separation from his true love. He had told her that her that as long as he knew Natalie was happy, he was happy, which was true. He was happy that Natalie was happy, but he wished he could still be living near her. This would be Joe's and Natalie's last time to see each other and she was going to help it be special. This new realization also made her take a double look at her friend and then get to working double hard on making her look like the most attractive woman in the room. After a few slight adjustments to Natalie's makeup and hair, Natalie looked even better than she had the first time in the store. She could make Helen of Troy seem like nothing but an ugly sewer rat. "Joe definitely would get a kick out of it. You shouldn't feel bad that you are in love with the General, because you are happy and that is what Joe wants for you, for you to be happy." Eve then turned and walked out of the room and down the stairs, leaving Natalie to be a surprise for LaCroix and for Natalie to think about what Eve had just told her. When Lucien saw Eve walk down the stairs his mouth dropped open and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Eve?" he felt as if he had just woken up in some weird dream. "Yes, General, it is I, didn't Natalie do a superb job." She smiled at his look of astonishment. She figured if he got this kind of reaction out of her being dressed up, that he would probably pass out when Natalie emerged from her room. She walked over and took the glass from his hand, so he wouldn't spill it on the rug. Lucien was still too much in shock to do much else than to let her have the glass. Natalie walked out of her room with a natural grace, and she gave a million-dollar smile in his direction. She proceeded to walk down the stairs, and looked into his eyes the whole way down. She could see the surprise in his eyes and the question of weather it was really her or not. She was also in her own stage of shock. Lucien looked irresistible and very dashing in his tux. When she reached the ground floor she turned and faced him, "Lucien" she whispered into the air. "Natalie," he whispered back at her and with out realizing it his eyes turned to a passionate red color. They were still at a loss for words. They could not believe how good the other looked. Lucien finally found his tongue, "Natalie I am honored that you are my date; and might I say you look like a vision of loveliness tonight." She smiled and he shut his mouth and forced his eyes change back to their regular color. He had some trouble on the second part, despite his age and training. "Lucien you look so wonderful…I'm speechless. I am honored too that I am your date to the ball." Natalie said with a raspy voice, conveying all that she could not formulate into words. Eve realized that if those two were going to make it there on time that they better start heading toward the limo, which is waiting out side for them. "You two better leave now or you will arrive late." She said. Natalie turned toward Eve and looked as if she didn't recognize her for a moment. "Angel you don't want to be late for this special occasion do you?" Eve said hoping against hope that Natalie and the General would awaken from this daze that they were in. This snapped both of them out of their dazed expressions and they then took on the look of complete embarrassment. Natalie walked up to Eve and gave her a hug. "Thanks for helping me get dressed. I will see you soon, okay." Natalie said and then gave her another hug. "I know you will have fun, but try not to sweep too many Elders of their feet, Joe is still working on getting rid of the ones from college." Eve joked with Natalie. Natalie smiled then laughed, "Very funny Eve." Natalie gave a slight tap on the arm when she said this. This made Lucien jumpy, but he didn't let it show; Natalie just hit a High Council member. He expected Eve to get mad, but was surprised when he heard a roar of laughter come out of Eve. "Who's joking?" Eve said, causing them to both break into another laughing fit. Lucien was meanwhile, realizing he would always be prone to think the worst of High Council members, except for maybe Joe. Lucien and Natalie walked out with Eve and when they were outside, Eve took off into the night sky. Lucien held the door to the limo open for Natalie to get in. When she was comfortably seated he climbed in too. He took out some red wine and poured two glasses, but only part way so that neither could loose any memory of this magical night. "Shall, we toast to this special occasion and the love that we have for each other, may nothing tear it asunder." Natalie offered. Lucien agreed and they looped their arms and drank their wine. Natalie leaned back on Lucien's chest with his arm around her. She smiled up at her handsome General. They sat this way until they reached the banquet hall. Lucien had told her about the way balls had changed since he had been around. They now had a singer and there was a band too. Lucien had told her that she should talk in a low voice so that only he or his acquaintances could hear her, because it would be disrespectful for anyone to do otherwise. When they were closer he restated what he had told her already in the car. She should act polite and should only shake their hands; anything else would be impolite. He also told her that if she found someone she knows to greet him or her as she normally would. She had agreed it wasn't like she would know anybody anyway (at least she thought she wouldn't). He also told her that she should stick close to him and avoid all curtained off areas, and dark corners. If a vampire other than him was to touch her neck, she was to tell him right away and he would handle it. She had agreed she did not even want to go near the curtained areas, the only thing she wanted to do was dance with Lucien tonight. Lucien stepped out of the limo first and then helped her get out. He shut the door behind her and then offered her his arm. She took it gratefully and they walked to the door of the building. The building was a grand it was shaped to resemble a mystical palace. There was a red carpet that was placed at the doorway. Mortals were parking the cars of the guests that arrived with limousines. There were also vampires that were outside smoking or waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. The men were all dressed in their best tuxes and women in their best gowns. Natalie thought the place looked mystical, but had an edge of spookiness to it. She held on tighter to Lucien when they approached the doorman. All of the male vampires that were outside turned to looked at her with tinted eyes of gold. The tint was brought on by the way Natalie looked in the dress. Lucien also noticed the woman had a tinted color to their eyes, when they looked at him. When they went into the building, the doorman (vampire) winked at her and then offered to take their coat from them. They both handed their coats to him and walked on. Lucien then noticed that Natalie had worn the pendent to the ball, but he didn't mind it made her look more alive. He thought it was odd however, that he hadn't noticed it before though. Lucien led her to the ballroom. Lucien past a few of his acquaintances and they gave him a look that meant 'way to go'. A few of the girls gave him a look that meant, he should ditch the brunet and meet them in the cornered off area, but he just ignored these looks and walked on with Natalie on his arm. When they reached to door to the ball he stopped and turned to Natalie. "Natalie this is your last chance to turn back." He stated in a commanding voice. Natalie responded by squeezing his arm and saying, "Lucien, I want to go in; as long as I have you by my side I will be happy." This brought a smile to his lips then he nodded and pushed open the door to the ballroom. He showed Natalie through. Natalie saw a man announcing the names of the guests as they walked farther into the room. The vampire was standing next to a set of stairs that led down to the main level. She saw that the room was divided in half. The front half was the dancing area where the band was off to the side on the stage. She wondered if they were all vampires playing and if so, were they also Elders. The main singer was on the stage too, but was in front with his microphone stand. The singer was perfect he hit every note on the right beat and he wasn't to bad looking either. The tables were in the back of the room, they were covered with a black table cloth and had two white candles on top; between the two candles was a red rose center piece. The table looked like it came right out of a magazine, though what magazine she couldn't fathom. The only thing she knew was that it was an excellent addition to the room. There were several crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. She deduced that once everyone had arrived the lights would probably be turned down lower. She then noticed there was a man approaching them. The man had a short white beard and black hair. He must be a vampire, because there was a presence about him that screamed Elder. When the Elder approached them, he was about to ask for their names, when he noticed the woman was no other than Natalie. "Well, I don't have to ask what your name is, my sweet." He said and gave Natalie a great big bear hug. Natalie wasn't shocked at this action "Jim?! I don't believe it, how have you been?" "Great, but it sure is dull without you to liven up the parties." He leered at her. "Jim, I am not hear to liven up the party or to be dinner." She laughed and gave him another bear hug. "I can still remember your numbers with Simon, we had some good times you and I" he said smiling, "I know you are not here as dinner, you make a much better friend." "Yes, Jim we definitely had some great times. Now are you going to announce LaCroix and me? Or am I going to have to do it." Jim laughed then nodded his head and led them to the stairs. "Announcing Lucien LaCroix and Miss Natalie Lambert." They walked off the platform and found their table; it was one of the exclusive front tables. Lucien was wondering how they had got this table. Yes, he was the oldest in Toronto, but that still didn't give him superiority to be in the exclusive section. He pulled out Natalie's chair for her, and once she was seated, he pushed it back in. He sat down next to her and gave her a smile. He noticed that there were six empty chairs at their table. They both were wondering who the other guests at their table would be. Lucien's mind then turned to Jim, the Elder. "I thought you said you didn't know any other Elders besides Joe and Eve?" He whispered harshly into her ear. She turned to him and nodded at that statement. Then she went to his ear, "I said I didn't know if they were, not that I didn't know more of the community." She was right, but that other vampire, Jim was 3,500 years old and could he help if he felt protective of her. "LaCroix may we dance." Natalie asked in her sweet seductive voice, what else could he say, but yes. He pulled the chair out for her then took her hand. He looked at the hand then deeply into her eyes. "What?" she asked as he just stood there not moving and was glaring at her. "The rose is not a rose" he said as if that said it all. She looked at him and tried to understand but didn't. "What are you trying to say?" "My dear this rose is the crest of the High Council," he said. When she looked at him still puzzled he told her what it meant. She reassured him that it was just Eve being overprotective of her, and that it meant nothing else. He knew she was telling the truth as she knew it to be, but he still questioned whether the other High Council members knew her, and didn't know that they were members. He led her to the dancing floor. The song playing was a slow song. He felt it was funny, that this was the first time that he had brought a mortal to the Elder ball and it was as a date not food. He placed his arms snuggly around her waist and she placed hers around his neck. They were the best looking couple on the dance floor. The other vampires started to move into a circle around them and look on with interest. Neither, Natalie or LaCroix was aware of what was going on outside of their little world they had escaped to. Then when the song ended and they looked up they notice all the other vampires were looking on with interest and lust. LaCroix gave them a look that made all the other vampires decide to comply with his wishes for them to go on back to what they were doing before they choose to watch them. Natalie looked up and in to Lucien's deep eyes and saw no malice or ill will directed at her, just the opposite she saw a hidden smile in his expression. He loved the attention; in fact he looked to be taking it as an ego booster. She laughed, but only Lucien could hear her. He looked down and gave her a passionate kiss on the neck again they became oblivious to the one intent on looker. Janette had arrived during the time when everyone had formed into a big circle around a couple that looked to be igniting the dance floor with their passion for one and other. Janette just had to get a better look at the couple; it appeared as if it was a mortal woman and an Elder male that were showing such passion towards one and other. When she got nearer she noticed it was no other than her master and some mortal. She couldn't tell who the mortal was or even guess at who it may be. When she saw LaCroix bend down and kiss the mortals neck the way he did, she knew he must be in love with this girl who ever she may be. When the next song started it was a tango and she again could see all the love demonstrated in each and every one of their steps. The way their hands moved along each other's bodies. She could hardly believe it was her master that was acting like a wild beast in public let alone with a mortal. She was getting hot from just watching them. Then she started to recall everyone of his countless remarks on why one should not waste time with any mortal; they were the pray and we are the hunters. She could almost laugh at the strange turn of events. She noticed that again that the other dancers were watching them out of the counter of their eyes. When the song stopped LaCroix had the girl in a dip and they were both looking at each other with such love and devotion. Then, she noticed that there was something familiar about the girl's eyes. She thought that they resembled the way Nick's doctor's eyes were shaped. Janette couldn't even fathom the idea, why would LaCroix be in love with that doctor. Then she looked again to make sure that her old eyes were not starting to fail her, and of course there was no mistake about it; it was the doctor. Janette approached LaCroix and placed her hand on his shoulder. Lucien had set Natalie again on her feet when out of no where, out of his and Natalie's little world, he felt a hand placed on his shoulder. He kept one hand around Natalie's waist as he turned around to see whom the hand belonged to. When they saw who it was Natalie let out a gasp and Lucien just stood looking at Janette with his eyebrow raised. "I didn't really believe it was you Natalie, that was in LaCroix's arms, but I see now it must be." "Janette, where's Nicholas?" LaCroix said. Janette smiled and looked to see what that smile was doing to Natalie, but she was astonished it had no effect of jealousy in the slightest. Natalie looked happy that she was smiling. "Nick couldn't make it; he is grading those awful school papers, and sent me stag." Janette looked disgusted at that. "So he is enjoying his new incarnation?" Natalie asked. Janette looked at her and smiled, "Oui, he loves being married to me, and he has decided to go back to human. He still insists in doing good, but only because he thinks it is fun, he loves teaching." Janette smiled and held her hand out for both of them to see the same wedding ring she had worn centuries before. LaCroix smiled at this announcement, and Natalie smiled too. "I'm glad that he's happy. I am also very happy for you Janette." Natalie stated clearly so that there would be no assumptions that she was jealousy in the least, which she most definitely wasn't. She wasn't jealousy because she knew that both LaCroix and Joe was twice the man Nick was. Lucien and Joe both knew the meaning of loyalty to ones partner, one lesson Nick seemed to have never learned. Janette was starting to see a side to Natalie she had never seen before, or had never wanted to see before, because they were rivals. Natalie seemed to be more balanced than she had originally thought. Natalie was also not so concerned with what Nick was doing, but the fact that he was happy doing it. Janette had original thought Natalie was some evil doctor that was just concerned with finding a cure, and not caring what these proverbial cures did to him as long as they might cure him. Natalie was now as she saw it taken advantage of by Nick and not the other way around. That led her to believe that is how LaCroix must feel too. He must also have found these admirable qualities about her. "Natalie you know he was grateful that you tried to help, and he was worried about how you were doing. I will tell him you are doing great, right?" Janette now felt this overpowering feeling that could only be described as a deep friendship, could form between the two of them. She also had this erg to make sure Natalie was okay. "Yeah, I have been so happy with Lucien and life at the morgue is slow, but great." Natalie said. She could almost feel this magnet that was drawing her into a deep friendship with Janette. She and Janette looked at each other than started laughing. They were picturing the irony in the situation. Lucien had never heard Janette laugh so full heartedly, especially with the doctor. He felt that his family would be fine, and happy with Natalie being his wife. Janette might even like having Natalie as a stepmother. Then irony of the situation got to be much for even him to handle and he started laughing too, but not too loud as to draw attention to himself or Natalie. Janette heard her master laugh and knew then that Natalie was definitely a keeper. Anyone that could get the upright, tough General to laugh was worthy of respect and a saint in her book as well as everyone else she had ever meet. She couldn't wait to tell Nick about the fact that Natalie and LaCroix were a couple now, it would be interesting to see how he would react. She wondered if he would get furious with his master or just get angry at Natalie for choosing LaCroix when there were better fish in the sea, or both for that matter. He might even be resigned to the fact that they are together; hey a girl can dream can't she. Janette then saw this great looking guy looking at her from across the room. He had magnificent golden brown hair and crystal blue eyes and had nice muscles too boot. He was dressed in a fabulous and very formal tux. Janette thought he could very well be a fairytale knight in shinning armor. She was star stuck with his elegance and the way he moved his body when he walked. When the guy started to walk her direction her breath caught in her throat. She looked at her companions and could see that Natalie couldn't possible see him, because her back was turned in the direction he was coming from. LaCroix also couldn't see because he had let go of Natalie and was now in his own little world just like his son had a tendency of doing, she luckily had not inherited that trait. When the guy got to be were they were he put his hands around…Natalie's middle and started to kiss his way down Natalie's neck starting sensuously with the earlobe and ending at the color bone. Janette couldn't believe what she was seeing; Natalie had moved closer into the guy's arms and had tilted her head to expose her neck to him. LaCroix was still in his other world, and Janette was too paralyzed to do anything to help poor Natalie. Not as if what she had seen was bad enough Natalie now was turning around and hugging this prince. Then she fell to the floor with what hit her next. Natalie had not been paying to much attention to her surroundings only Lucien and Janette, she feared she was developing a habit of doing this. Then she felt a familiar man's arm sneak around her mid section and pull her back into him. She snuggled up closer into his hold and pressed her body against his. She could feel the excitement in the man as she did this. She then felt a brush of a hand against her neck, it was so gentle and pleasurable she wanted the man to do it again. Instead the male decided to sensuously kiss his way down her neck hitting with all of the pleasure spots the person knew by heart. She was well on her way to being overly pleased. She slowly turned around and into the man's loving and oh so gentle arms. She kissed her way down his neck and hit a few more pleasure spots that were on the other side of his neck. She of course still had her deadly aim and the male reacted with a mix of a groan, a roar, and an, oh so magical purr. She knew she had made both of them even more excited than she had counted on especial due to the fact Lucien was who she was completely in love with not this man. She rapped both her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. If hugs could be categorized it would no doubt fall into a passionate hug between friends who use to be lovers, and as soul mates bonding their souls together one last time. The necklace was touching both bodies, when this hug occurred and their bodies were pressed against each other's, the necklace let go a bright blue color lightning bolt. This lightning bolt made everyone unbalanced and some even fell to the floor except for Natalie and her friend. Nobody was hurt, but they were a little surprised. Everyone turned and stared at the two standing, the most beautiful mortal woman any had ever seen and a High Council male member. They all wanted answers, but then it registered in their hearts that it was the force of a deep and loving friendship so great that it couldn't be contained. They then recognized the woman to be the girl that was brought in with LaCroix, but others that knew about Natalie and the High Council member, like Jim were clapping. Nobody in the room thought any less of them in fact they admired her and now held her in high regard. They could see Natalie was embarrassed, and had her head ducked into the man's neck, and the man was just smiling at the humor of what had happened. They weren't embarrassed about the way they had acted only the way that they had now become center stage. Within a couple of minutes the party went back to its original loudness and the music started again. Natalie still had her head resting against the guy's neck. She lifted her head once she was sure no one was watching them any more. She gave the guy a kiss on the forehead then both checks and on the tip of his nose. "Joe, I have missed you so much." She would have been crying, but she forced back the tears, so her make-up would not be ruined. "I have missed you to my love. Nothing is the same without you in my arms. Nothing." He held onto her and fought back his own tears at being this close to her again. She looked so wonderful in the dress she was wearing that he couldn't stop holding her close to him or restrained from his kisses earlier. He knew he was not suppose to cry, he was a man and a highly respected man of the community, but still none of that mattered when he was in his true loves arms, none of it. He looked and he could now LaCroix and his daughter looking at them. Joe stepped back, but still kept one arm around Natalie. They walked over to a very stunned Janette and LaCroix with a placid look on his face. "How is it going old friend." Joe tried to be pleasant, but he knew the situation was anything but. LaCroix just looked at Natalie and replied "I thought it was going well." Natalie was crushed she hadn't meant to hurt Lucien and she hadn't meant to act inappropriate with Joe it was just natural reaction, added to the pain she felt that he had left her. "Lucien I didn't mean for that to happen I didn't know that a simple hug between old friends would do that. I was…" She couldn't finish the sentence, because they both knew it was the truth, she let the truth of her statement show in her eyes. She was telling the truth that she hadn't meant for that to happen to the people around her but she wasn't sorry for what she had kissed Joe's neck after all they still were best friends. Joe was defiantly not sorry he had kissed his loves neck, and that she had returned the gesture. Maybe it just was as friends, but at lest now he still knew Natalie still loved him in some capacity. Janette was still confused about who the guy was, and why Natalie had responded like that to him. She had thought that Natalie was perfectly happy with Lucien, but could she have been wrong. What did Natalie mean when he said 'old friends' and how many 'old friends' did she have. She would have thought Natalie would have only known her, Nick, and Lucien, and no other vampires, but it seemed to be that most of the Elders knew her and admired her. Janette also realized that many of them knew what these two used to be like together and were amazed at it. Even the Enforcers seemed to know her and admire her. "Lucien I only responded out of instinct, and so did Joe. Do you really think it has been easy on us, being separated? (Lucien doesn't say anything) Well, it hasn't Joe will always have a huge piece of my heart, that part however will only be characterized as the love one has for a very good friend. The pendent Joe gave me is a reminder of how much Joe and I…Used to mean to one and other…but you Lucien are my rock. You were able to cheer me up and make my cold heart be filled with joy and love; you have captured my heart. I love you Lucien and there is nothing that will change that, do you hear me nothing. I will still love Joe, as a friend loves a friend, and nothing will ever change that. You knew that I loved Joe and that I would still love him in some capacity, that of a friend, when you and I got together. You still love Nick's sister in some capacity. The only difference is, is that Joe is living now and his sister only lives on in your memories and your heart." She looked into Lucien's eyes the whole time she said that and never once blinked or looked away. Lucien was instantly by her side he gave her a big passionate hug. He knew she was right he knew she only loved Joe in a deep friendship manner, and that she did in fact love him more. If he had to settle with the fact she would always love Joe as a friend he could, just as long as he knew she loved him. He also realized it was instinct and that she hadn't planned on going any father than kissing his neck it was their usual greeting. LaCroix backed up and looked at Joe, "You know I never truly thanked you for letting me be with Natalie. I also want to congratulate you on your new title." "What title is that?" Janette asked. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself to you, I am Joe, the new member of the High Council." He stuck out his hand for Janette's and then kissed her hand, nothing passionate about it what's so ever. Now Janette could add gentleman and powerful to her list about him. "I am Janette." "Congratulations on your marriage to the crusader." He said politely, buy with an evil grin. Natalie gave him a slight tap on the shoulder and he smiled and tried to hold back a laugh. Janette didn't understand what was so funny. "I am sorry Janette; he never got over the fact that when Nick left, he got me all to himself for three..." She started to giggle, and Joe quickly erupted into his own laugh. Lucien understood what they had done after the breakup, Vachon had told him that she had lived with a man for three weeks then after she moved out she got herself a new house. He still didn't know if Joe bought that house or if Natalie had. "This is not fair to you I am sorry. Let me explain. As I said before I'm Joe, and I have been in an on and off romantic relationship with Natalie, ever since Med. school. I Love Natalie with all my heart, but as Nick was afraid of hurting her, so am I. I don't want anyone to bring her over, or I will deal with that vampire and believe me it will be a slow and agonizing torture resulting in death. Before you ask, any time we are on an off time in our romance we have always been best friends. Natalie and I never lived ten minutes apart ever since college. I was offered a choice and I choose the hardest option, but the best one." He said and then stopped as if that choose had altered and shattered the world around him. Natalie looked at Lucien then went to Joe and walked into his arms and held on to him as if their world was starting to crumble all over again. They stayed that way for about two minutes neither saying a word just leaning on each other as if one moved the whole tower would crumble. Then Joe moved his head but didn't let go of his girl, his best friend; he held on with all his might, but not enough to do damage to her. Natalie hung on to him even more. They were both relieved the pendant had not shot bolts of energy out; it probable was, because it was using that energy to keep their hearts from shattering to a million pieces. "You see the choice shattered my world and hers. I had the choice of becoming a High Council member and move leaving her behind; or Marrying my first and last love, my soul mate, but I would have to make her into a vampire. I choose the new position. At my age and with the amount of power I have I can protect Natalie still. Natalie, you do know I made this choice out of love for you and the other reason." Joe said the beginning part to Janette and the last part to Natalie who was still in his tight embrace. "I know you did Joe and I will always love you for it, but it still hurts to be separated from you, I don't like my best friend being so far away." She said. Then she felt him kiss her neck once as to say 'I know'. LaCroix thought the kiss was fitting after all they were reliving the horrible decision they were forced to make. Janette was wondering how those two ever lived without each other. They were right they were part of the same soul and appeared to be great friends. She was heartbroken at their story. Those two were probably once a very in love couple, but something had ended that relationship or mutated it into something different. She wondered why with all the power he said that he had, didn't he fight back against the decision. And also how old he was. She also had this other voice in the back of her head saying 'what will Nick say… what will Nick say'. Some how, Nick had gotten between these two; and they still remained that close, even after Nick separated them, for four years. She wondered how much Lucien loved her, but by the looks of things, he loved her more than he had ever love any other woman he had ever known. Natalie also appeared to love Lucien more no matter how much she still loved Joe. "Joe, how old are you?" "I am 4000, and very powerful telling by my position," he said, not bragging at all just stating the facts as they were. He had only told a few people his power rank, including Natalie. "Wow, Natalie you sure like them old don't you?" Janette couldn't help the small joke. "She always did, she usually only dated guys in their thousands," Said a feminine voice, which came from the direction of behind Natalie. Joe started to laugh and Natalie tapped him on the back, because she was still in the hug. The tap however only made him laugh harder. Natalie scooted out of his arms and went to give Eve a hug. "How did you get here, I thought you were at a celebration." She smiled. Eve grinned evilly, "I lied Angel, forgive me." "Depends on why you lied." Eve had now joined their small circle on the dancing floor. She was standing in-between Lucien and Natalie, Natalie was standing next to Joe and Joe was next to Janette who was next to LaCroix. Everyone in the group was interested in this answer. "I lied, because I wanted to see what Joe would do when he saw you in that dress. For the whole week he has been nothing but down. I also wanted to see what you would do. I thought it was a very interesting show, if I do say so myself. I also knew there was something more to that pendant. Plus, this is a celebration; the High council members are here celebrating Joe's new position." She said now fully smiling at the two of them. Joe looked evilly at her and replied, "It sounds like something you would do. Always trying to get a gut reaction out of me when it comes to Natalie." "Of course, although this defiantly wasn't as good as when you…never mind." "When Simon and Natalie dressed-up for Halloween. I definitely went by my gut feeling." He said laughing. "Oh, no not that story." Natalie laughed. Then Eve as if just realizing that somebody else was in the circle; she extended her hand to Janette. They shook hands and then Janette introduced herself for the second time. "I'm Janette, LaCroix daughter. I'm also married to Nick." "Hi, Janette, I'm Eve, I'm also one of the other High Council members. Natalie was my college roommate, and is one of my dearest friends." Eve smiled. Natalie looked at Janette confirming what Eve had just said. Janette was just realizing how Eve and Natalie looked exactly like identical twins except; one was probably about 5,000 years older than the other was. Janette then spotted another prince and vowed that it was her turn to get the guy, even if she was married. The prince had majestic dark brown hair and sparkling emerald green eyes. His lips were very enticing, and he was clad in a very hansom tux. She could stare at him forever and never be bored. The guy noticed the group and decided to pay a very over do visit to an old comrade. He walked over to the group so quietly that nobody noticed him, except the brown haired woman. He walked up behind Natalie and kissed her neck, in a ravenous way. Then the prince whispered, in a wolfish tone of voice, into Natalie's ear, "Still as tasty as ever young one." Natalie had gulped at the kiss and then when she heard the voice, turned around. She gave a little squeal of delight and then through her arms around his neck and swayed side to side. The guy did the same thing, but he had a goofy smile on his face. Then he saw Joe and let Natalie go. "You know I should have guessed you were an oldie but a goody. How are you Tim?" "Well I am glad that Joe finally took his rightful position, but I am sad he didn't make you his wife. Maybe now I can have that chance." He said giving her another hug. "Nope sorry, Tim she is already taken by the General." Joe said smiling at his long time friend. "Sorry, Tim I guess you will have to settle with remaining my good friend" "Oh, well at least I got that one day. I am always glad to be anything to you Natalie. You know that." Tim smiled. "Tim what day are you talking about?" both Eve and Natalie asked the same time, immediately after he finished what he was saying. "The time when I was sick…you slept in my room with me." Tim said. "I remember now, I was up all day before studding for my mid term. I was in my sweat pants and shirt, so I hardly consider that anything. Plus, I remember you sleeping in you bed and I slept on the couch across the room. Anyway I crashed it wasn't like you and I weren't good friends." She laughed at the many excuses she had found for that explanation. Joe had found her and eventually moved her to his bedroom and she spent the rest of the day with him in his room. "Janette, this is Joe's roommate and a very good friend of mine Tim, and Tim this is LaCroix and his daughter, Janette." Janette and Tim shook hands and Tim joined the group right between Joe and Janette. "Nice to meet you Janette." "Likewise." Natalie smiled, she couldn't believe it, and this now made three High Council members she knew and respected and considered close friends. "Is there anymore of my college buddies here Joe?" He smiled broadly and would not say. The next thing she knew there was a hand placed on her hand from behind. She could have recognized that hand anywhere. She clasped their hands together and was twirled out of the circle and into a tall, dark and handsome man's arms. She shook her head as if baffled by him being a member. She started to dance with the man. They performed a tango, that was even better than the one she and Lucien had engaged in, but there was not the same amount of passion, no, there was more, it was also had more tricky stunts involved. When they were done the room applauded and they walked back to the group. The guy stood in-between Natalie and Eve. "Well, I'm not too bad for my age am I Sugar. Then again I know I am no Simon." He said adoringly to Natalie. He had always tried to get Natalie to be his girl, but had settled for best friend after their breakup, there was nobody closer to Natalie than him, not even Joe, Eve, Simon or even Lacroix, combined. The truth was they dated through out high school, but after Natalie graduated she was engaged to him and then they settled on just being best friends. They kept in touch every week at least twice no matter where they where or what they were doing. They also visited each other when they had time off of work. He was the second oldest in the community and definitely out ranking the General more than a couple of times over. "Leo, I would have to say that was magnificent. You are starting to become a superb dancer, but you're still no Simon." She said giving him a hug. "I swear that one of these days I will beat you again in either: checkers, fencing, or dancing." He said warmly. Everybody except Janette started to laugh. "In your dreams Leo… maybe." Tim said. Leo extended his hand to Janette who cautiously took it. Janette could tell that he was the second oldest just by the presence he gave off. Leo kissed her hand and then withdrew his. "You must be Janette, the one married to the crusader. It's nice to meet you. I am Leo a member of the High Council; I have known Natalie ever since the day she was born at the hospital. She was my fencing student until she surpassed even my skills. I am like her second father." He winked at Natalie who gave him a light tap. "Yeah right, you have to be kidding me with your history." Joe said laughing; he knew most of the whole story. "Would you rather tell it Joe?" Leo asked. "No, Leo you tell it better." Natalie said and went to hold his hand friendly. "Okay, all of high school we dated. I took her to both her proms and when she graduated she broke my heart." He stopped when Natalie pinched him for saying that, he looked at her apologetically and then they started laughing. "Leo was my first boyfriend he taught me how to play chess and fence. I broke up with him after we had been engaged for a year, than I decided to go to college where I met Joe. We had every class together all through college. He never gave up on trying to win me back in college. He is now more of a father than an ex." Leo gave her a hug and he was glad that Natalie still loved him even if it was a father or best friend. "So General thinking of becoming my son in- law." he said joking and everyone laughed, even Lucien. Lucien was worried now he would have a High Council member as his father in-law. Leo also didn't much care for the crusader, as the rest of High Council didn't. It was mostly do to the way he had treated Natalie nothing else; the search for a cure didn't really bother them as much as they let on. "Leo, you know I can't believe you are a member of the community. Why didn't you tell me?" She asked in a now realizing she was hurt by his betrayal. "Sugar, I couldn't tell you because I didn't want you to think any different of me. I couldn't bear it if you thought less of me." He said seriously. "Leo, you are the best friend, and father a person could ever ask for, I could never think less of you. You helped me deal with some of the hardest times in my life." She said just as seriously and gave him a forgiving huge hug, which he returned. Leo felt like a great weight had been lifted off his heart. "I love you Sugar and I am sorry I didn't tell you." Leo said. She kissed his cheek as if to say 'I forgive you'. LaCroix and Janette were just baffled at the new information that they were getting. Now he knew that there was no doubt Natalie was a very worthy ally and had very strong connections with the superior level of the community. It was almost shocking; that a woman he had tried to kill and thought was just a measly mortal was anything but. She had managed single handedly to capture his heart and apparently the majority of the High Council member's hearts too, if not all of the member's. Janette was simply shocked that the pure innocent Natalie had so many high ranking evil members groveling at her feet. She knew that a deep friendship would form between Natalie and her. "I suggest we go to the table and sit I'm sure our last guest will be arriving shortly. When she said this every High Council member looked at Joe; Joe looked enraged by this element, as if he wished the last guest would not dare show his or her face. "Joe who ever it is can't be that bad." Natalie declared. "You have no idea how bad this situation is going to be. I bet he doesn't know you are here like none of us knew you would be here tonight. He will distort every thing or put everything in perspective for you, my love." Joe said in a dreading voice. Now Natalie and Lucien were very curious as to whom it was. Janette figured it was either another boyfriend of Natalie's or the fifth High Council member. She was betting it would be a boyfriend, because the highest member of the community had never been seen only heard about. He was like a mythical creature that was told about to keep vampires in their places. When they reached the table Joe pulled Natalie's chair out for her and pushed it in. Tim Pulled Janette's out and pushed it in for her. Leo did the same for Eve. LaCroix just sat down once he realized Natalie had already been seated. They all sat down in their original spots that they had stood in the circle. Tim, the usual joker, took out a folded white piece of paper. "I have here a manuscript that is usually archived; it has your name on it Natalie, but nothing to indicate why it was put there. I think I should share the reason why with you." Tim spoke to the entire group. The group knew that the Enforcers kept records of some of the most dangerous mortals and rouge vampires. The records were always kept in the archives so no other vampires, besides the High Council and Enforcers knew who was in the files. "Why is Natalie in there?" both Joe and Lucien asked, getting annoyed at Tim for pausing. Tim just smiled and noticed that Natalie had stiffened a little at the news. "I shall tell you. You, Natalie are written into the archives because of your many abilities. You are a master at countless athletic endeavors, such as fencing and dancing. Oh and how can I forget a whiz at playing chess? Natalie you are the most protected mortal living, any one of us would gladly risk our live for yours. We also did it to have written documentation stating that if anyone does harm to you, we will handle the matter as a strict violation of the Code." Tim said in his most heart felt voice. He had looked at her the whole time while saying this and had seen her almost shed a tear at how many devoted friends and loved ones she had. Looking around the table Natalie saw that every one of her long time friends agreed fully with every word that Tim had just spoken especially the part about risking their lives for hers. "We all love you that much Angle you should know that by now." Eve said reaching over and patting Natalie's hand. Natalie smiled and both Joe and Leo leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the neck. "If all four of my college amigos are High Council members do I by any chance know the fifth member?" Natalie asked to Leo, because she knew she wouldn't get a straight answerer from Joe on this one subject. The only subject Joe would not talk about is who else was a vampire. Leo looked at Joe for a hint at how to answer that and got the reply that he shouldn't answer it. Leo shrugged with resignation, "Natalie the fifth member never goes out to parties." He knew that every word he had just spoken was not the answer to her question and was just as equal to a lie and his heart shattered a little each time he said another word. Natalie had just forgiven him for his last lie and here he was doing it again. He was about to say something again to her, but stopped when he saw that the last guest was approaching. The last guest had not paid any attention as to who was at the table except that the other members of his party had arrived. He cloaked his power so that he gave of the impression that he was a thousand years old, just barely old enough to be there. The man noticed that the General had not noticed him nor had the rest of the table except Leo. Leo was starting straight at him. He was glad he had dress appropriately for this night, he seemed to look just like a God (Author note: imagine him looking like mister right, but the only thing is he is a vampire). The mystery man looked around the table and then his eyes fell upon the most beautiful mortal woman he had ever laid eyes on. When he got closer to the table he almost jumped out of his skin when he realized who the woman was, he couldn't believe his eyes, he figured it must be a mirage built, on the long time sadness over the past years heartbreak. He decided that he would treat the woman as if it was the woman he thought it was. He got down on one knee down behind her chair and then lovingly rapped his arms around her middle. He kissed his way down her neck and then back up it. He didn't care how many or who saw him do it. He realized on the first kiss that it was the same woman. He could smell the same sweet and luring blood he had tasted many times and the same lovely and silky skin. Natalie had sat contemplating what Leo had just told her and she somehow knew that he was lying to her. She could understand it was to protect her but was still a little hurt. When she was about to switch topics she felt the ghostly arms around her and then she felt the long remembered kisses. She couldn't believe it was him, she thought it was another of Tim's cruel jokes or her heart replaying her last tragedy before this one. Then she saw that everyone was staring at the ghost, so it couldn't be a ghost. She could feel the uncontrollable tears running down her cheeks. She got up and saw her Simon kneeling on the floor. He got up and looked as if the world around him was crumbling, but he didn't care, his ex-lover was standing no less that a foot away from him and she was as breathtaking as ever. Simon let a tear run unchecked out of the corner of his eye. Natalie then knew she wasn't dreaming the tear was blood red but she didn't care. She opened her arms and Simon did the same. They walked almost ran into each other's arms. Simon swung her around in a tight embrace and the shock wave of love was at least ten times the one that Joe and Natalie had given out. This time, however it wasn't the release of power from the necklace, but the power of two souls recombining together. The power ricocheted off of the floors and the wall anything that was in its path. They let hold of it when they felt their lover's arms around each other tighten they pulled it back in. Natalie had not been shocked they lost control of their souls. Simon was unquestionably the Chief and was dreadfully old. That did not affect the way she felt for him, only made her love him more for being so kind and loving towards her all those years. They stood that way for ten minutes at least. Natalie had not stopped crying and Simon had a few more tears in his eye. Simon knew this was bad for his reputation and could bring danger to Natalie, the kind he had tried to prevent, but he didn't care about all those reasons right then, only that he could once again feel her in his arms. Back at the table Joe was not surprised by her reaction, but was angry that Simon had showed his face. He was about to get up and have a few words with Simon, but Leo placed a restraining hand on his. "Joe, calm down if there is anyone to blame for this catastrophe it is Eve." Tim said not liking the situation much himself. He had the privilege of seeing what Natalie and Simon where like together and it was extremely magical but it was too dangerous to Natalie's life. They were happy and loved each other; Natalie had eventually grown to love Simon more than Joe. Joe had taken that badly and had refused to acknowledge those two's relationship. Every eye turned to Eve. "You wanted this to happen, didn't you?!" Joe couldn't restrain his anger very well when those two were together. "I didn't think Joe, I truly didn't I… I'm sorry Joe truly I am." Eve was sorry and she should have thought. She knew to well what those two were like together, and she thought that it was wonderful when they were, but it was far to dangerous even Natalie to handle. She also knew how depressed Joe had been since leaving Natalie, and he sure as hell didn't need to have this to deal with tonight of all nights. "I'm sorry, Eve I just…" Joe said now acknowledging he had taken his anger out on Eve and not who he was truly angry with, Simon. "I know Joe," Eve said laying a hand on Joe's hand too. "Is someone going to tell me what this is all about?" Lucien asked. He could see that neither Natalie nor this Simon where letting go of each other. He also saw that they were both crying and that was not natural for a man of Simon's caliber. "They will tell you, if they ever let go of one and other." Tim said in a sarcastic way due to his anger at the situation. Janette sat there wondering how they knew each other, and better yet why they were both crying and clinging to each other like they were seeing a miracle. She grasped then that Natalie had been hiding this world from Nick and protecting him from her own faults, as he had done with Natalie. No wonder the cure was unreachable with them; they couldn't truly explore the areas of each other's world, without risking each other and they wanted to protect one and other. Nick probably did love Natalie, but figured it was best to let her go and let her live out her life as she wished. Natalie returned to the table after a few more hugs, and kisses, on the check. Simon sat down in Natalie's chair and Natalie sat down in the chair next to Lucien. She placed her hand on his and squeezed it reassuring him of her love for him. He smiled down at her, but still wanted his question answered. Simon smiled at Joe then turned his attention on the General and Natalie. "Natasha I've missed you a lot these past years." Simon said, noticing that his girl had not sat down on his lap like she used to do in the old days. "You are the one that left me not the other way around remember." Natalie said scornfully. Simon had given her that pet name to make her associate it with good memories; and not the bad memories, that her grandmother had given her, when she used that name. "Maybe we should have a private talk about that my Natasha." He said, his voice ringing with sadness, but not at all demanding. Natalie just sat there and held onto Lucien's hand and said quietly "I am not yours any more Simon, and I will not speak privately to the devil's spawn. You want to talk about it then talk!" Natalie world was crushing again at the insight that Simon had been dishonest to her about his age and purposely so. "Simon, I think you should explain the whole story to her. Start at the beginning and maybe she will feel better about your dishonesty." Leo said. Leo was a long time friend of both Joe and Simon. He had thought that when Natalie had gotten with Simon there would be trouble with Joe and Simon's friendship but nothing that couldn't be repaired. He wasn't wrong; they had remained friendly on all accounts except when it came to Natalie. They both knew however how the other felt, so over the last five years had declared a truce of sorts. Joe and Simon both cared about Natalie's safety above all else. Leo had chosen not to take sides, but was supportive of Simon's and Natalie's relationship, even though he still wanted her to be his again. "Your right Leo, Simon should explain the whole story. It should make for an interesting twist on the truth." Joe had never heard the whole story of the relationship. That was due to the fact he didn't like it, and was too pig headed to acknowledge that one even existed. "If you wish, as most of you know I was Natalie's RA. I decide that it would be a good way to keep up with the new generation. I also would be closer to the other members of the community. Leo was my roommate. Natasha and I became friends; and we started to develop this wonderful game of constant flirting, but it was harmless. I never took for granted her relationship with Joe. After a year of this, Eve and Natalie started on their hunting sprees." He said then stopped to see what reactions people were having. The Generals face had no emotion, probably he thought due to the fact he was now declaring to them that he is indeed the chief, and that he had a relationship with Natalie. The Generals daughter looked a little taken aback and the rest seemed to have an air of interest. Natasha seemed to be listening to what he was saying so he continued. "After these hunting sprees Natasha would be too tired to walk all the way to her room, so she would sleep on Leo's couch. She started to sleep over on Saturday's and it became our ritual. She would always have a movie for us to watch. I never touched her, not once during that year. I was becoming a friendlier person, because of her. The next years she would come over almost every other night after she came back from a date with you Joe. She paid the same amount of time with Leo too. The second to last year she would go out with me to clubs and other hangouts. The last year we palled around almost every second she wasn't with Joe, Eve or Leo. How she got the highest grade in her class I will never know. Then the day after graduation Joe broke up with Natasha." He then paused to catch his breath and notice that every eye was looking on with a mix of interest and horror. "That's when the betrayal started Simon, right?" Natalie asked demandingly, making all eyes' now shift to looking at her. "No, there never was a betrayal Natasha. Let me finish and I will prove it to you." He said. He looked into her eyes. She nodded as if to wish for him to continue. "After Joe broke your heart you came to me and Leo and we helped mend it. Natasha then moved into a house in Toronto. She got her Job as chief coroner of the night shift. Natalie and I lived together for six months, the best months of my life. We were engaged before she moved in with me. We had even committed to a church for the marriage. I figured she was worth the pain of being in a church. One night, about two weeks before our marriage, I decided that if I truly loved her I would let her go. I planned on ending my incarnation that I had at that time, the day after next and move on. I treated Natasha the best way I could that day and night. When the day came I pretended to die in an automobile accident that caught fire. After she saw the flames I left and stayed away from her out of love, but I still kept tabs on what she was doing. Any piece of news was good no matter how bad it was. Now do you understand Natasha?" Simon asked her. He had given what he considered the abbreviated story to her. "I understand your reasons Simon, but it still hurts." Natalie said reaching across the table and placing her other hand on Simon's. Simon smiled and nodded that it meant everything for her to forgive him. He gave her hand an affectionate squeeze then let go. "Well, Simon that was defiantly an interesting version of the story. It makes me have a whole other perspective of events. I heard it was because she was damaging your reputation and you didn't want to endanger her life," Joe said to his friend. Simon smiled and told Joe, "That is because this was the real version not the one you made up to make yourself feel better." Joe nodded. "See what I mean Natalie, you always fell for the eldest of the community." Eve said trying to lighten the mood. Natalie laughed at that and soon all the rest of the table was laughing. "Natasha can I have one dance for old times sake?" Simon asked. "Well, Simon I promised I would only dance with my date and who he lets me dance with." Natalie said with an extra emphasis on the word, date. Simon looked at Loe. "So Leo, are you going to let her?" "I'm not her date this evening" "Oh, Natalie didn't come with you. Then who had the courage to bring her here?" Simon said in a warning voice. "Simon relax, I came with Lucien." Her face lit up when she said her date's name. Simon witnessed this and began to relax. "Well, General I must congratulate you on picking a most wonderful woman to be your date. What are your intentions for the lovely Natasha?" Simon completely flipped roles from being ex-lover to lord and protector of Natalie. "I was planning on seeing her as long as she wants me too." He said holding back that he planned to make her his wife. Simon could tell that he had held back something, and figured it was that Lucien was holding back a marriage proposal. "I approve." Was all he said and Lucien understood that he was giving permission for him to marry Natalie. Now he had three blessings Joe's, Simon's and Janette's. "Simon if you would like to dance with Natalie you could, but only if it is okay with her." He said as a thank you, which he wasn't use to doing. Simon got out of his set and offered his hand to Natalie who took it gently. Simon escorted her to the dance floor when all of the sudden the lights dimmed and then a spotlight were upon them. Jim went on stage, "Hello, this next song is dedicated to the best dancing couple that most of us ever will know, Natalie and Simon. Have fun kids." The crowed all knew what these two were alike on the dance floor and loved to watch. Everyone returned to their seats to watch them together and to give them room. The song that started playing was their song; it was "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley. They started their dance; they knew it like the back of their hand. Their moves were precise and with the beat. They radiate the presence of a great love and passion for each other. The dance made every eye in the place turn red with desire to have the mortal in a more intimate way. Some of the women were starting to wonder if they had a chance at getting him into the closed off area. When the music stopped Natalie was in his arms in a dip position. They heard the clapping and whistling all around them. When she was standing straight and looked around the room not one eye was their normal color they were all red with passion. She got closer to Simon for protection and he walked her back to their table. Despite the fact that Simon was with her a few of the Elders tried to make a grab for her, and when Simon brought up only a part of his age they quit trying and left them alone. "You were right Natalie; I never will be as good as you and Simon are together." Leo said when they reached the table. Natalie started laughing when she noticed his eyes had morphed red too. "What lovely shade of eyes you have father." Leo got the hit and his eyes changed back into their normal color, but not with out a lot of trouble. Natalie leaned down and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Angel that was wonderful, but I can't believe Jim did that to you," voiced Eve. "I have to admit I haven't heard our song in a long time, probably because I try to avoid it." Natalie said with a slight frown to Simon. Simon laughed, "You know I do believe that was supposed to be our first song at our wedding." "It was." Natalie said with a sad tone. Natalie reached over and took Lucien's hand and smiled at him. He smiled back at her, and he knew that she was not going to leave him for Simon, by the look in her eye. He offered her his hand and they headed out to dance. Simon looked at Eve, "care to dance." "Always." They got up and headed for the dance floor too. "Would you care to dance Janette," asked Joe. Her only reply was a nod of her head and to place her hand in his. The couples danced this way for an hour until it was dinnertime. They walked back to the tables and everyone had a smile on their face, even Janette. Janette had enjoyed dancing with Joe and could see why Natalie liked him, so much. Eve hadn't danced with Simon in at least a century, and had a marvelous time, he was a wonderful dance partner. They sat down and Leo smiled at Natalie, "I believe I could find something for you to eat if you want. I could even bring you a slice of chocolate cake." "That would be lovely Leo, thank you." Leo was back within a minute and was bearing a plate of Chinese food and a mouth-watering piece of chocolate cake. "I love Chinese food, thanks Leo." Natalie said sweetly. "I know how much…you love it." Leo said. Everyone burst out laughing, including Natalie. "To Joe our new member, may he enjoy his new title." Said Tim, and everyone clicked glasses. Natalie was the only one drinking white at the table and it didn't bother her, except Leo who she had never seen drinking blood wine. After they had finished their drinks and she finished eating they took of for the dance floor. Natalie placed her hand in Leo's and dragged him out to the dance floor. Lucien took Janette and Eve danced with Simon again. They danced it this pairing till there was only a half-hour left of the ball. Natalie had wanted to dance with Leo and get his opinion on what he thought of her taking the next step with Lucien. After all aren't good little girls supposed to ask their parents what they think, and Leo was the closest thing she had to that. "I think it would be sad to lose my chance to ever having you as my companion, but the General is a very honorable guy. Plus, I will always be there to protect you before you get hurt in anyway. I was transferred to Toronto, I will be the newest night coroner, surprise." Leo said. Natalie was speechless, she kissed and tickled at his neck till he was laughing and purring at the same time. "So I will see you every day, this will be great, having my best friend there and being able to talk to you face to face." They hugged each other tightly and they smiled, they were finally going to be reunited after all these years. Lucien was dancing with his daughter just to make sure she would be okay with him marring Natalie. He didn't really care what she thought, but what she would have him do in order for her not to tell Nick, before he had the chance too. "Janette I forbid you to tell Nick of my relationship with Natalie." LaCroix said. "I won't" she said sadly, she never was able to stand up against her father. Janette couldn't remember a time when her father was this happy or this in love. She had already learned how great Natalie was and how much power she could wield. She would be perfect for her father, in fact she couldn't think of a better woman for him. Natalie and Lucien switched partners. The song that would forever be remembered as their song started playing, "TRULY MADLY DEEPLY (Savage Garden)" I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do.. I will be strong I will be faithful 'cos I'm counting on A new beginning. A reason for living. A deeper meaning. I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me... And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry.. The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty. That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of.. The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you.. I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me... Oh can't you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes 'cos it's standing right before you. All that you need will surely come... I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope I'll be your love be everything that you need. I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do... I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me... (repeat until fade) I want to stand with you on a mountain.... "Lucien, I know today was hard for us being confronted with all my ex's. One good thing came out of it though. I realized that it's YOU and only you that I truly love with all my heart and soul. Those other guys are all better friends than they were boyfriend or even lovers. Leo, has and always will be a better father to me, he helped raise me to the woman that has the ability to speak her mind and tell the man she loves just how much she does. Joe has always been my rebound guy and best friend. He was my rebound guy after Leo and after Simon and even sadly even after Nick. That is how I know that you are not a rebound guy or just some passing phase of mine. I know just by the way that every morning I dread getting up, because I know as soon as I do I won't feel those strong arms around me or that muscular body pressed up against mine. Tim has always been like a big brother to me. He taught me to look out for guys trying to use me, obviously I failed when it came to Nick, but I have a feeling that I can trust you Lucien to be there for me when I stumble. You are the one person that I hope will never leave me stranded. Simon taught me one thing that you should always let the thing you love most free and if it really loves you it will return. I believe that I have put you up to that test and you have passed with flying colors. The last thing I learned was from Eve, she taught me to follow my heart and my heart has led me to you. I may have made some bad choices in the past, but I know now that if I hadn't I would have never met you or fallen head over heals in love with you. I guess what I am trying to say is that, Lucien LaCroix will you marry me? I can't picture spending another day without you in my life." Natalie said with hope and love carved into each word. "Natalie, I would love to marry you. I can't picture another day without you in my life. I don't even want to picture it. I love you with all my heart. I will always be there for you no matter what." Lucien said with a tear falling from his eye. Lucien got down on one knee and presented her with his mother's ring. Natalie looked at the ring and a single white tear slid down her face. She allowed Lucien to place the ring on her finger. He kissed the ring once it was completely on her finger. Then she pulled out her father's ring that had been passed down from generation to generation for along long time to every male. It was the last thing she had gotten from her father before he died. She had never given the ring to anyone, she however, deemed Lucien worthy to wear the ring. Natalie slid the ring onto Lucien's finger. The ring was a wonderful color of gold and had a small diamond; it was the perfect engagement band for a man. Natalie kissed the ring and Lucien raised an eyebrow. Natalie told him the story of how she had gotten the ring form her father and that he was the only one she deemed worthy to wear the ring. Lucien then told her of the ring he had given her. The ring was his mother's. Natalie let a few more tears slide down her check. Then they kissed sealing their bond forever. Eve got on the stage and started to sing,"THIS KISS (Faith Hill)". All Natalie's friends were watching them and smiling. They all regretted letting her go, but at least now she had somebody that would never leave her and would make her a happy woman all the days of her life. I don't want another heartbreak I don't need another turn to cry I don't want to learn the hard way Baby, hello, oh, no, goodbye But you got me like a rocket Shooting straight across the sky It's the way you love me It's a feeling like this It's centrifugal motion It's perpetual bliss It's that pivotal moment It's impossible This kiss, this kiss (Unstoppable) This kiss, this kiss Cinderella said to Snow White How does love get so off course All I wanted was a white knight With a good heart, soft touch, fast horse Ride me off into the sunset Baby, I'm forever yours It's the way you love me It's a feeling like this It's centrifugal motion It's perpetual bliss It's that pivotal moment It's unthinkable This kiss, this kiss (Unsinkable) This kiss, this kiss You can kiss me in the moonlight On the rooftop under the sky You can kiss me with the windows open While the rain comes pouring inside Kiss me in sweet slow motion Let's let every thing slide You got me floating, you got me flying It's the way you love me It's a feeling like this It's centrifugal motion It's perpetual bliss It's that pivotal moment It's subliminal This kiss, this kiss (It's Criminal) This kiss, this kiss Natalie and Lucien separated after the song ended. The song was the last song of the ball and their kiss had be the pivotal moment in their lives. "I think we should get married in a church, preferably tomarrow." Lucien said. "Only if you feel comfortable." Natalie said not wanting their wedding day to be ruined due to a church. "I want it to be in a church. I know how much religion means to you; you don't have to pretend it doesn't. I want to be married in front of your friends and mine." Lucien said. "Thank you" was all Natalie could say. She did want their wedding to be in front of God and for it to be blessed by him. Natalie went to say good night to her friends and then left with Lucien. The end, there will be a sequel made to this story that will be posted in a few months, called The Experiment.