Ok people, this is a little story I wrote because I was inspired by a lovely poet. Normal disclaimers apply here and I had full permission of the poet I quoted below. Feedback is ALWAYS wanted, if not needed and if you would like to check out more poetry by Ronn Allen, visit his website at http://www.ronnallenpoetry.com/ because he needs feedback and love too... :) This is Sing To Angels, signing off. And Tonight, As I Lie Gently Napping (part 01/01) *Tonight I woke just to watch you sleep...... * Nick started up out of his bed from a nightmare, covered in blood- sweat, he knew with a keen certainty that he could no longer stay in Toronto. He had to leave. There was no point in arguing with himself anymore. Four years, he had only been in Toronto for four years. Such a short time, and yet forces were moving and growing, making it all but impossible to for him to stay. And Natalie, oh such a sweet mortal. How he wished that he could stay by her side until time was no more. Until every star had blinked out of existance and there was only the two of them, left gazing at an eternity that streched before them unending. A place where they could make love without fearing reprecussions. Too bad that place didn't exist. *and to watch you dream....* Sighing, Nick got out of bed and went into the bathroom. Turning on the dim light, he looked at himself in the mirror. There was a man looking back, covered in a thin sheen of red, his hair almost pink. A man, just a man. Maybe 35 years old, seemingly at the prime of his health. Perhaps a little pale, but didn't he look like he could have anything he wanted? Be king of the Earth and ruler of all he surveyed? What a lovely fantasy. God apparently had a sense of humour. Nick made the appropriate calls. Aristotle was surprised that he was leaving this incarnation so soon, especially since he seemed to enjoy being Nick Knight so much. The precinct was called, he wouldn't be in tonight. The letter of resignation was typed, ready to be faxed in the morning. Only one matter left to settle. *hand held out reaching for mine knowing I would feed it my soul because I know inside you won't hurt or bruise it..... * Natalie slept. So peaceful for once. She had worked hard lately, the fine lines of worry and care were smoothed from her face in the gentle slumber she had earned. The one hand that was tossed carelessly over the side of the bed Nick carefully grasped with his own. He remembered all of the quiet times they had shared together. Natalie always encouraged him to look inside for the goodness that resided in his soul. She thought of him as an eternal crusader, always searching for a holy grail. But she was his cup of life. Natalie had always held his soul in her hands, from the moment she fearlessly carressed his face with her tender skin. *because you care and because you transcend those that you walk among in my eyes.....* Nick regretted Valentine's day. It should never have happened. And yet... if he had never had the joy of holding her lips pressed so closely to his own. If he had not felt her soft, quiet tongue with his own... Nick couldn't regret knowing her in that way. Innocence and grace, it bloomed more within her than in any woman he had known. Natalie was not cold, nor proud or chaste. She was an enigma, everything about her seemed to flow from a never ending spring. A delicate crimson tear fell from sightless eyes that were caught in memories of the past and pointless hopes for a future that could never be. Why was it so painful this time? He had moved on hundreds of times over the centuries and yet he had never been so attached to a mortal as he was to Natalie. He would always remember her. It would hopefully be less painful for the both of them if he didn't say good bye in person. *and even while you sleep you carry yourself with grace and deserve the respect which I will forever give to you.....* Nick tucked a note under the glass of water on her bedside table. He found the small wound that she had recieved the night before, a scapel fell from her hand and was caught improperly. Carefully opening the wound with a fang, he nipped his finger and let the blood slowly seep into the wound, healing it. She would need protection in case anyone in the community decided to hunt. They would sense that she was off-limits. *and you wear my love well for you are the woman I truly love.* Rising from beside the bed, Nick pushed the hair off of her face and kissed her forehead. "Good bye Natalie. I will never forget the lessons you taught me. Maybe someday, we will meet again. Until then, I hope you have a good life with all of the things I could never give you. I have too much respect to keep you from finding your destiny." As he kissed her on the mouth in farewell, Natalie opened her eyes and deepened the kiss. They remained locked in the final embrace for a moment. Blinking, Natalie opened her eyes again to darkness that was empty of any human form besides her own. Thinking it a dream, she settled back into the pillows and tried to recapture that last moment where she could almost taste Nick upon her lips. "For You" Tonight I woke just to watch you sleep ...... and to watch you dream.... hand held out reaching for mine knowing I would feed it my soul because I know inside you won't hurt or bruise it..... because you care and because you transcend those that you walk among in my eyes..... and even while you sleep you carry yourself with grace and deserve the respect which I will forever give to you..... and you wear my love well for you are the woman I truly love. -----Ronn Allen