Past Sins

By StormyNite

Written in February 1999



Part 1



Nadine calmly headed for the cash register with her hands full as the 

tall blond man entered the store. It was well past midnight and she was 

leery.  She'd heard too many tales of midnight shootings in this area 

of town.  The convenience store clerk stared at the handsome man who 

walked in.  Nadine did a double take and smiled.  Yes, he was good 

looking and if she were 20 years younger, she'd probably do something 

about it herself.  Alas, she'd have to leave him to the younger woman.  

He seemed in a big hurry, so she'd just let him go first.  She'd 

forgotten the milk anyway.  Thank goodness for all night convenience 

stores or she'd never eat.  She turned and went back to the coolers in 

the rear of the store.  The loud bang caused her to stop and turn.  The 

blond man in the black trench coat ran for the door.  Nadine hurried to 

the front of the store to find the young cashier face down in her own 

blood.  Nadine screamed and glanced out the window as the green 

Cadillac with fins peeled rubber and disappeared down the street. 



----------------



Natalie had been called to fill in for Jerry at South.  He was off sick 

yet again.  She shook her head in dismay as she noticed the number of 

sightseers at the scene.  Blood and violence drew them like magnets.   

Just when she had been ready to go home and relax in a nice hot tub, 

the stupid beeper went off.  <Calgon take me away> she thought as she 

slammed the door, clipped her ID badge on her collar and headed toward 

the yellow tape.  She noticed the woman talking with the police, so 

they must have a witness.



"Hi, Dr. Lambert."  Adam from South lifted the tape for her to duck 

under.  "Looks like a pretty simple straight-forward robbery gone bad.  

Witness is describing the guy now and got a good look at him."



"How are you, Adam?"  Natalie smiled warmly.  "I mean when are you 

going to be the new daddy?"  They both proceeded to the body. 



"Any day now.  I think I'm more nervous than Jane is."  He rubbed his 

hand over his cell phone and glanced at it quickly.  Natalie chuckled.  

"Sorry, Dr. Lambert.  Just want to make sure it's on in case."



"No problem, Adam.  You are only a first-time father once.  Enjoy it."  

Nat knelt down by the body and started to work.



---------



Adam returned to Nat's side about 15 minutes later as she finished 

bagging the hands and okayed the final removal of the young woman.  The 

look on Adam's face was one of confusion.  "It's a 9 mm slug, by the 

looks of it.  According to her wallet, she's only 29 years old.  Death 

was instantaneous.  The bullet hit her straight in the heart, almost 

professional in nature.  If we didn't have a witness, I'd swear it was 

a hit.  Did you find out anything that might be useful?"  Nat waited 

for him to answer.



"Well, uh...sort of...I think...maybe..."  Adam hesitated.  He knew 

quite well that Dr. Lambert and Detective Knight were close friends.  

He didn't want to have to tell her this.



"Adam, what is wrong with you?  Do you know something or not?"  

Irritation edged her voice as well as her eyes.  She should be home in 

bed.  After all, it was supposed to have been her night off.

 

"Well, the witness described a tall blond man in a black trench coat, 

driving a vintage green Cadillac with fins.  She said she saw him come 

in, heard the shot and watched him run out the door and into his car.  

She remembered the car because her late husband collected caddies.  Not 

many of them around the city, let alone green ones."  Adam waited for 

the implication to sink in.



"Stop right there, Adam. I know where this is going, so let's just cut 

to the chase here."  Nat picked up her cell phone and dialed Nick's.  

He answered on the second ring.



"Nick, where are you right now?"  Nat's voice was serious, but not 

overly concerned.



"Hi to you as well, Nat."  He chuckled.  "Are you not enjoying your 

night off or what?"  Nick could hear the noise in the background and 

recognized the voices.  "Where are you, Nat?"



"I'm at a homicide over in South.  I'm filling in for Jerry again.  

Back to the question, Nick.  Where are you?"  Tension filtered through 

the connection and Nick picked up on it instantly.



"I'm sitting here at my desk filling out the interrogation report on 

Malone.  We've had him in here since 11 p.m.  He's not budging on his 

story even after 3 hours.  We are not...."



"Was Schanke or anyone else with you tonight?"



"Nat, what's up?  You know as well as I do that I have to have someone 

in the observation room or with me the whole time.  Schanke and Captain 

Cohen have been with me all night.  What is going on?"  Frustration 

crept into his voice.



Natalie sighed with relief.  "Not much except a witness, just fingered 

your car and described you as the shooter in a convenience store 

robbery.  I'll let Adam know you have an iron clad alibi and he can go 

from there.  Who do you know that owns a green tank like yours?  It 

might be helpful."



Nick felt the tension ease in her voice.  She was worried about him.  

He smiled in spite of the circumstances.   Their relationship had been 

fairly platonic since last Valentine's Day, out of necessity, but he 

still knew how he felt about her.  LaCroix couldn't take that away from 

him.  It was nice to know she cared even after her memory of that night 

had been erased.  "Tell me where you are and I'll be right down."



"No, that's not necessary.  I'll be at the morgue in about 20 minutes.  

Why don't you and Schanke meet Adam and I there? He can listen to your 

alibi and move forward on this thing.  Do some checking on early 

caddies in the area for him.  I'm sure that will help jog that perfect 

memory of yours."  Nat clicked off then turned to Adam.



"Meet us at the morgue in about 20 minutes.  Nick's been at the 

precinct in the interrogation room with a suspect for 3 hours.  His 

partner and the Captain will verify it for you, but that doesn't mean 

someone hasn't stolen the green tank.  I'm sure Nick will find out 

before we get there."  She looked sadly at the body, as the young woman 

was loaded into the coroner's wagon.  Life is way too short.  She 

smiled sadly and climbed in behind the wheel.



---------------



What was going on?  There are no other early 60's caddies in Toronto.  

Nick already knew that, but he flipped on the computer to check in 

spite of his knowledge.  After a few minutes, he confirmed what he 

already knew.  That meant only one thing.  Someone had his car.  Anger 

ripped through him.  No one touched his car.  He stood so quickly the 

chair fell backwards and crashed onto the floor.  Schanke looked up 

from his desk.



"Problems with our temper, Nick?"  He smiled, knowing how frustrated 

Nick became when he couldn't break the witness.



"Someone has my car!"  Nick growled and grabbed his coat off the coat 

rack in the corner.



"What?"  Schanke yelled and took off after Nick.



--------------



Nick virtually threw the back door off its hinges, letting it slam 

against the outside wall as he ran out the door.  Schanke followed 

close behind.  "Nick!  Wait up!"



Nick stopped suddenly in front of his car. The top had been put down 

and a beautiful brunette sat in the back seat with her head turned to 

the left, resting on the side of the car.  Nick could smell death.  He 

didn't need to move her to know she wasn't among the living.



"Nick, what is going on with you?"  Schanke skidded to a halt, bumping 

into Nick's left shoulder.  He followed Nick's gaze to the young woman.  

"You got them sleeping in your car until you get off shift now, Nick?"  

Schanke snorted in disgust, walked over to the car and started to shake 

her shoulder.  The man could always get the pretty ones.



Nick grabbed Schanke's arm before he touched her.  "She's dead, 

Schanke."  Nick stately calmly.



"What do you mean she's dead?"  Schanke pulled his arm away from Nick 

and shook her gently. The motion caused her neck and head to fall the 

other way.  Two neat puncture wounds graced her lovely throat.  Only 

then did Schanke notice the outfit.  He turned questioning eyes toward 

his partner.  "How the hell did you know she was dead, and who is she?"  



Nick walked closer to the car and stared at the costume the young woman 

wore, then glanced at her face.  His breath caught in his throat and 

his heart beat once.  It wasn't possible.   He stared closer at the 

woman and noticed the fine lines at the side of her face. Schanke 

watched in earnest at his partner's reaction.  Nick reached into his 

pocket and pulled out a set of rubber gloves he used at crime scenes.  

Quickly he peeled back part of the mask that covered her face.  The 

woman underneath was nothing like the mask.  Nick stepped back, pulled 

out his cell phone and dialed the Captain.







Part 2



------------



Natalie examined the body closely for any other marks.  The body 

couldn't have been dead longer than an hour. That left Nick free and 

clear, but it was a vampire kill and too many people had already 

witnessed the bite marks to cover it up now.  She turned worried eyes 

to Nick's.  He was somewhere else.  She'd seen the signs way too many 

times not to recognize it.  



She walked over to him as the rest of her crew began to bag the body 

and haul it over to the morgue.  "What is it, Nick?"  She touched his 

arm gently to bring him back to the present.



Guilty blue eyes met hers and her heart lurched.  This was a blatant, 

direct threat from his past.  He didn't need to say it and it scared 

her more than she was willing to admit.  The clothes on the woman were 

from about the 18th century, if she were guessing. 



"You want to tell me about it?"



"I didn't kill her, if that's what you want me to say, Nat."  Nick's 

voice was filled with anger and something else.  Gold flecked his eyes 

when he met hers and Nat reached forward to calm him down.  She touched 

his arm in support and he pulled back several steps.



She stared at him while he waged war within himself.  Could she ever 

understand what he fought everyday?  She lowered her voice, walked 

over, placed her arms around him and whispered into his ear.  "I never 

thought you did, Nick."  She felt him tense under her embrace, but she 

refused to back off.  She was not afraid of the vampire or the man.



The warmth of her body and the softness of her words brought him back 

to reality.  He relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, accepting the 

comfort she offered.  She felt his tension ease and gave into the 

feeling of his arms around her.  She'd missed that so much.  She'd 

missed what they had before Valentine's Day, the closeness, the love, 

and the discovery of what they meant to each other.  He thought he'd 

erased her memory and she let him believe it, because he needed 

to...but the stress was getting to her.  His words with LaCroix echoed 

through her mind for the thousandth time, along with the sweet words of 

love he'd whispered in her ear after his nemesis left.  He was 

protecting her again, from himself and LaCroix.



Nick buried his head in her hair and let her scent envelope him.  He 

loved the smell of her; the feel of her warmth as the love he felt 

washed over him.  Her feelings hadn't changed even though it had been a 

year...and neither had his.



"Talk to me, Nick.  She's a reminder, a calling card, isn't she?"  She 

started to pull away and he held her tight.



"Don't, Nat.  Just let me hold you."  He pulled her head back to his 

shoulder and caressed her.  It felt so good, so right.  He'd been a 

fool and now it was probably too late.



"Okay, break it up, you two."  Schanke walked up to them.  "Friends, 

right?"  He smirked and waited for them to step apart.  "You wanna fill 

me in, partner, or do I have to wait and read it in a report."



Nick let go of Nat reluctantly, but she clasped his hand and refused to 

step away.  Somehow she knew he needed the support right now.  "It's a 

warning, Schank."  He motioned to the body being put in the coroner's 

wagon.  "They dressed her up to make her look like a woman I knew a 

long time ago."



"Well, fill me in, Nick.  Who is this guy?  Let's get this wacko off 

the street."



"It's not that simple, Schank.  He's dead or at least I thought he 

was...a long time ago."  Nick held Nat's hand in his for a moment then 

pulled her close and kissed her forehead.  "I can't answer any 

questions now."  His eyes pleaded with hers for something she wasn't 

sure she understood.



Nick handed Natalie over to Schanke.  "I want you to watch over 

Natalie, Schank, until I get some answers.  If it's who I think it is, 

you both are in danger because you're my friends.  Take Natalie home 

with you and keep her there.  I'll tell the Captain to post a guard 

outside your house."



"Nick!  Cut this out, fill me in!"  Schanke didn't care if his 

frustration showed.



"Just do it, Schank!  Please?"  Nick's blue eyes were filled with 

something Schanke had never seen before.  Schanke nodded in acceptance 

and Nick crawled in the caddy and started the engine.



Schanke stared at his partner as he drove away.  "He was scared, Nat."  

Schanke stated in awe.  "I've never seen him scared...never.  I didn't 

think that was possible."  



"It's not for himself, Schank.  It's for us.  We are just going to have 

to trust him."  She pulled him toward the door.  "Come on.  You're my 

babysitter and I've got two autopsies to perform.  How's your stomach 

tonight?"  Nat smiled wickedly as Schanke groaned.



-----------------



Nick turned the caddy toward the Raven.  Janette would know if anyone 

new was in town.  If worse things came to pass, he'd seek out LaCroix.  

His ancient father probably had something to do with it anyway.  Nick 

shook his head in disgust and knew it was a lie.  This was his problem, 

not LaCroix's.  He'd caused this, no one else.



**********Flashback*******



She was so beautiful.  The long brown hair streamed down her shoulders 

in soft curls.  Her neck was so graceful and porcelain white, he could 

see the pulse beating rapidly beneath the skin.  She called to the 

vampire and she knew it.



"It is alright, Nicholas.  I know what you are.  I have been watching 

you for days or should I say nights."  Madeline walked seductively 

closer and stopped only inches away from him.  "I have chosen you 

because you are the one that can capture my heart as well as my soul."  

She pressed her lips to his brazenly.



Nick was startled and stepped back.  "You haven't a clue as to what you 

deal with, Madame."  His words came out harder than he intended.  She 

simply smiled at him seductively.



She stepped closer to him once more, then rubbed a finger down his 

cheek and stopped over his lips.  "You mean I don't know about the 

vampire inside the man, or the fact that you aren't happy with what you 

are?"  Her sapphire blue eye twinkled in the moonlight.



Nick grabbed her hand in his and removed it from his face, perplexed 

and suspicious.  "And what do you want of me and my kind, Madame?  If 

you know what I am, then you know what I'm capable of."  She had his 

curiosity aroused.  Was she just another immortality seeker or someone 

who was a threat?  Either way, she no longer appealed to him.



"I seek nothing more than your attention, Nicholas.  I have heard it 

said to love a vampire was the biggest rush alive, both exciting and 

dangerous.  Apparently what I've heard is untrue and your kind are no 

different than mortal men.  You are frightened of a mortal woman that 

knows her own mind."  Her eyes taunted him, but Nick had centuries of 

practice with her kind.



"Go away, Madame.  You bore me."  Nick turned to leave and he felt a 

sharp prick on his hand.  He turned to see the small bamboo shaft 

sticking out of his skin.  It only angered him more.



"Do you honestly think anything you give me will work on my body?"  He 

stared at her, letting the gold fleck his eyes, then a great feeling of 

warmth flooded through his body and he staggered.



"Yes, Monsieur, I do."  She laughed as he started to collapse from the 

strange sensations flooding his system.  Strong arms caught him before 

he hit the ground.



"You used too much, Madeline!"  Edward sneered as he held Nick's limp 

form.  If he's not awake, how do you intend to control him?  You can't 

get him to bring you across if he's out cold.  It doesn't work that way 

and then where does that leave me?"  His angry eyes matched the words 

as he started to slap her.



"Be careful, Edward.  You have no skills in the arts.  I will get him 

to bring me across, but if I'm damaged he won't find me beautiful."  

She smiled as she ran her hand down Nick's smooth face.  "He is very 

handsome and I shall enjoy being made his.  They say the connection 

between master and child is almost intimate.  I'm looking forward to 

that."



Edward snorted in disgust.  "You would, you slut!  Just get it done. 

It's taken way too long to find one that associates with enough mortals 

that we could get close to him."  Edwards threw Nick's limp body over 

his shoulder and they headed for the carriage.



-----------



The fuzzy warm feeling that overwhelmed him earlier still remained, but 

he no longer felt light headed.  Finally the cloud lifted and he could 

see clearly once again.  Nick sat on the edge of the mattress and shook 

his head, trying to clear the last of the drug.  Then he heard her 

voice.



"Come to me, Nicholas.  Come to my side and be one with me."  



It was the woman's voice from the party.  He stood and tried to shake 

away the feeling, but it still lingered and there was something that 

called to him, something he couldn't refuse.  Quickly, he opened the 

door and followed the voice.



She sat on the lounge chaise in a beautiful gown of teal with her 

throat exposed fully, along with her breasts.  Her hair was done up in 

a high sweep of curls, letting only a few dangle free around her face, 

framing it like an angel.  She was beautiful and he wanted her.  Every 

fiber in his being wanted her and she called to him like nothing had 

before.  She smiled and the warmth inside him mushroomed.  He was by 

her side instantly.  She had bewitched him and he couldn't fight it.  

Maybe he didn't want to.  He wasn't sure anymore.



"Very good, Nicholas.  I see you have changed your mind about being 

around me. Maybe I should let you sample the wares."  She handed him a 

glass filled with blood.  "Drink my love, and see what ambrosia tastes 

like."



Nick tasted the blood and the warmth inside him exploded into an 

inferno of hot desire.  He stared at the glass and then her.  It was 

her blood laced with something he couldn't identify.  Everything in her 

blood was directed to him.  What was this?  He couldn't feel her, only 

the lust.  His eyes turned red and his fangs descended.  Only her blood 

would put out the fire that burned within him.  Before he realized what 

he was about to do, his fangs entered her sweet neck.  The first drop 

of her blood quenched the fire and dashed the warmth he'd felt earlier 

back into the darkness of his soul.  Images flooded his mind of how she 

intended to use him, to gain power and wealth for herself and her 

brother, but she was unaware of the full power of the vampire.  Her 

study of the black arts had made him surrender to her will, but with 

the first taste of her blood, the vampire was in control once 

more...and he was hungry.  Disgusted, Nick pulled away from her neck in 

anger.



"You will finish, Monsieur."  Edward pointed a crossbow at Nicholas' 

back.



Nick turned to find his potential death waiting.  "If you kill me you 

fool, she cannot return, and that's what you want, isn't it."  Nick 

held Madeline's limp body in his arms as her heart failed slowly.  His 

red eyes now turned golden, as he listened to her fight the final 

battle.



"Give her your blood!"  Edward screamed in frustration.  They hadn't 

counted on this.  Madeline's blood with her magic was supposed to have 

controlled him, even now, but it wasn't happening as the old woman had 

promised them.



Nick laughed and tossed her body to the floor.  "Not what you 

anticipated, Edward."  Nick simply stood motionless before him 

unafraid.



Edward glanced at his sister's lifeless form and that was enough.  Nick 

was behind him instantly.  He grabbed him from behind and jerked his 

neck to the side.  "I shall let you judge for yourself if it was worth 

the risk."  Nick planted his fangs deep within Edward's neck and 

drained him.  Anger raged through him and he gave into it.  When he 

finished, he tossed the body to the floor beside his sister.  



Nick stared at their lifeless bodies as the vampire receded and felt 

only self- loathing and disgust.  He'd murdered again.  He'd let the 

anger control him and the vampire had won.  Guilt crushed him to his 

knees and he screamed in frustration, then fled.



********End flashback********************



The horn honked on the car behind him and Nick finally realized he was 

sitting at a green light.  Edward must not have been completely dead 

and someone found him.  That was the only answer.  Nick pulled in front 

of the Raven, jumped out and slammed the car door in frustration.  He 

needed answers now.







Part 3







The Raven was very active for this early in the evening.  Business 

seemed to be increasing.  Nick could never understand the growing 

fascination with this place, but the mortal crowd had been increasing 

heavily over the past few months.  The mortals were astute enough to 

know there was something different about a great number of the 

clientele, but not smart enough to feel the evil behind the beautiful 

masks.  He watched Alma wrap her arms around a young man and bewitch 

him with her eyes and body.



"It is not your concern, Nicola."  Janette's soft, sensual voice danced 

across Nick's skin like velvet.  She'd used it for centuries to entice 

him, but it had lost its intended effect tonight.  What was between 

them was gone now because his heart was elsewhere.  Part of him still 

loved Janette and he supposed always would, but his heart belonged to 

Natalie.  Janette knew it when he'd given in to his frustration and 

shared blood with her.  He hadn't meant to use her and he cursed 

himself for being so weak.   



Nick turned to her lovely face and kissed her cheek softly.  "You are 

lovely as usual, Janette...and you are right.  It is not my concern, 

but it will be yours if bodies start showing up."  He smiled, then 

gently grasped her hand and kissed the top of it.



She smiled and felt the attraction between them once more.  It was 

those blue eyes and his charm.  He used it like she did her voice, only 

she was not as immune.  Realizing where her mind was drifting, she 

pulled her hand free.  "So to what do I owe this pleasure, Nicola?  

What tawdry little piece of police business brings you in to my den of 

iniquity tonight?"  She reached to retrieve the glass that Miklos has 

placed on the bar for her.  Miklos glanced at Nick and he shook his 

head no.



"Not police business I'm afraid, but personal."  He watched her cast a 

skeptical eye toward him, but she waited for him to explain.  She was 

good at that, but then she'd had centuries to know how his mind worked.  

"Have you noticed anyone new recently...possibly a tall man, dark hair, 

well built with a European look?"



She cast a suspicious eye toward her former lover before she answered.  

"Someone I should be cautious around, Nicola?"



"Possibly, but doubtful.  You would be too much for him to handle."  

Nick grasped her hand in his and rubbed it gently as he smiled.  "This 

vampire would be a little over 200, not much more.  He would be asking 

questions about me.  Anyone fit that description?"  More than idle 

curiosity was laced in his voice and she picked it up immediately.  



"You fear this creature, Nicholas?  Why?"  She clasped her hand over 

his.  "I have seen you defeat many older vampires than that.  Why do 

you concern yourself with his likes?  He should be of no concern to 

you." She watched him closely and saw something she'd not seen in a 

long time...fear.  "What is going on, Nicola?  What have you done that 

makes you fear him so?"



Nick pulled his hand free and guilt washed over his features.  He'd 

never told her centuries ago, because she would have never understood.  

Remorse was not in her nature. Janette felt guilty over nothing.  He 

envied her that.  "I killed his sister and he is seeking revenge, if I 

read the signs correctly.  He's killed twice in the last 12 hours and 

the last body was dumped in my caddy.  She wore the same clothes 

Madeline wore on the night she died."  Nick couldn't keep the remorse 

out of his voice.



"Nicola, when will you let go of your guilt.  It is so foolish.  She 

was mortal...you are a vampire.  It is our nature. Back then, we had 

limited options for our food.  If this man or vampire seeks revenge, 

destroy him as he would you.  Do not let your guilt cloud your 

judgement or you will pay the price, mon amore."  Janette rose from her 

stool gracefully.  "I shall ask around for you, but be careful.  Honor 

has disappeared...even among our kind."   



Nick grasped her hand in his and brought it to his lips once more.  

"Thanks, Janette.  I knew I could count on you."  She smiled, then 

slipped into the crowd.



------------- 



It was well past 4 a.m. and Nick wasn't any closer to finding Edward 

than he was 4 hours ago.  He'd talked to every person he knew, even the 

street people, and no one had seen anything or anyone strange.  He knew 

one thing...and that was...Edward was here. That meant he had to catch 

him before he went after Natalie or Schanke.  He couldn't let them get 

hurt.  They were his sins, not theirs, and he'd gotten too close.  He 

leaned back against the headrest and let his mind drift.  If he'd left 

when he should have, neither of them would be at risk.  LaCroix's voice 

echoed in his mind.  "To stay beyond one's time and involve yourself 

with these creatures only makes them easier prey, Nicholas.  You should 

know that by now."  Nick's cell-phone rang sharply breaking his 

reverie.



"Nick, its Schank!"  He sounded out of breath as he spoke.



"What's up, Schank?  Where are you?"  Nick's gut tightened.



"I'm at the hospital with Jenny.  She fell and broke her wrist.  Myra 

was in hysterics, so I had to come down.  I just thought you'd want to 

know I left Nat at the morgue with a whole bunch of people and a guard 

outside her door.  She said she'd be fine and ask them to take her 

home.  The Captain's going to have people patrol the neighborhood 

hourly to make sure everything is okay.  I'll get over there as soon as 

I can and bring her home with me."  Schanke sounded distracted while 

the intercom called his name.   



"Go take care of Jenny and Myra, Schank.  I'll stop by Nat's and make 

sure she's okay.  I need to talk to her tonight anyway...and, 

Schank...thanks for being my friend and my partner."  Nick tried to 

keep it light.  He hated leaving without telling him, but LaCroix had 

been right.  He had to find Edward, then disappear.  He was too close.  



Schanke picked up on it immediately.  He'd finally started to 

understand his partner a little bit.  Nick blamed himself for putting 

them in danger, and was going to use himself as bait. "Don't you go 

baiting this guy, Nick. It's too dangerous and you know it.  We'll 

catch him and put him away together."



"Thanks, Schank.  I wish you were right, but you don't know what you're 

dealing with.  I do.  Here you and Nat are prime targets as well as 

half the population.  He'll kill and keep killing until he has me.  

It's better to give him what he wants and end it once and for all."  

Nick sighed in resignation.  It wasn't what he wanted, but it was the 

only answer.  "Take care of yourself, Schank!"  Nick hung up and turned 

the caddy toward Nat's.



-------------



He parked the caddy underneath her window and watched the movement for 

a moment behind the shades.  This wasn't fair and she wasn't going to 

take it well.  Maybe it was better in the long run.  He'd put so much 

distance between them since last Valentine's Day to protect her from 

LaCroix, that it was hurting her.  He saw it in her eyes. He knew she 

remembered parts of it, but he just didn't have the guts to bring it up 

and find out how much.  The scene in the garden at the Azure played in 

his mind.  He wasn't sure he'd fooled LaCroix, but he'd left Nat alone 

since then, so there was hope.  He should have left that night, but he 

couldn't. This would be the hardest thing he'd ever done, because he 

truly loved Nat.  He'd admitted that to himself a year ago, but that in 

itself was a problem...and they both knew it.  Maybe this was better.  

She could move on after he'd gone.  Nick shook himself as the pain in 

his chest grew.  



His hand brushed the box in his pocket.  He pulled it out and flipped 

it open.  It was Nat's Valentine's present.  He'd picked it up a couple 

of days ago.  It was still a couple of days until Valentine's Day, but 

at least she'd have it and know what she'd done for him.  He stared at 

her form as she passed in front of the shade.  A police cruiser turned 

the block as Nick climbed out of the car.



-----------



Nat finished feeding Sydney and heated a glass of hot chocolate for 

herself.  She'd changed into tight leggings and a big shirt so she 

could work on the treadmill for a bit before calling it a night.  Odd 

she thought, most people found exercise woke them up, but she was just 

the opposite and she'd finally gotten into a routine that worked.  A 

soft knock on the door tore her away from her reverie.  She approached 

it cautiously, then peeked through the tiny hole in the door. Nick 

stood anxiously, checking the hallway.  She opened the door surprised.



"Well, I'm surprised.  Cutting it a little close, aren't you?  It will 

be sunrise in an hour or did you plan on babysitting me for the day?"  

Her blue eyes looked hopeful and he read it instantly.



A great sadness crossed his face, then he quickly tamped it down and 

put that stoic cold facade he used for the general public back in 

place.  "Don't do that, Nick."  She hated it when he did that.  He was 

backing away and she'd had enough.



"Nat, I just needed to check on you and bring you something."  He 

reached into his pocket and pulled out the small case.  "I had intended 

it for Valentines Day, but with things the way they are, I wanted you 

to have it."  He took a deep breath and waited.



She stared and him and knew what he was trying to tell her.  Finally, 

she flipped open the box.  In it stood a diamond cross, surrounded by a 

gold heart filled with rubies.  It was magnificent and she gasped.  A 

tear escaped her eye before she could stop it.



"Don't cry, Nat.  I didn't mean for it to make you cry."  His heart 

lurched and he clasped her hand in his as she held the box.  Quickly he 

removed the cross from the small case and held it in his hand.  He 

watched the cross's diamonds blink in the light and not burn his hand.  

He hadn't the slightest desire to look away.  It gave him hope that he 

was changing.  He glanced at her eyes as she stared at the cross in his 

hands.  "I just wanted you too see how much you have done for me...That 

I'm changing.  I know now that it's possible and it's all because of 

you."  He stared at her hopefully.  Could he tell her goodbye?  He 

wasn't sure he had a heart...until now.  Now he was sure, because it 

hurt so much it took his breath away.



Nat wrapped her fingers around his hand as it held the cross, then her 

tear-filled eyes met his.  "I don't want a farewell present, Nick.  I 

want you."  She waited for him to deny it, but knew he couldn't.  The 

emotions playing across his face tore at her heart.  With her other 

hand, she reached to caress his face as she had so many times before.  

"I don't need your protection, Nick.  I need your love.  Without it, 

I'm lost forever.  You are the only thing that has ever made sense to 

me.  I know what you are, and I know you are trying to protect me from 

LaCroix, this enemy of yours, and yourself, but your solution will 

destroy me.  I love you, Nick Knight, and I always will whether in this 

lifetime or the next." She gazed into his eyes filled with hope that 

he'd understand.  She only prayed the words of love he spoke after 

LaCroix left...were the real ones.  She'd put it all on the line.



True pain was written on her face while her words tore him apart.  She 

remembered the Azure, the hateful words he'd said, LaCroix, and she 

still loved him.  How was this possible?  Her touch, her warmth, her 

love all made him crave her beyond rational thought.  His own words 

echoed in his mind.  "If you love her, LaCroix, you will let her go."  

He loved her and it was ripping him apart.  LaCroix had been right.  

This was Hell.



"Nat, I have to do this.  I have to find Edward and then..."



She brought her lips to his to silence him.  The softness, the warmth, 

all blended into the essence that was Natalie, overwhelmed him and he 

gave into it.  He pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss.  His 

tongue slipped inside her mouth and dueled with hers until she moaned 

with desire.  He wanted her so much, to be a part of her life, her 

heart, and her soul.  It was all he'd ever wanted since the night they 

met and she hadn't run screaming into the darkness.  He ran his hands 

over her body, into her hair, rained kisses over her face and neck 

until she panted in his ear.



"Say it, Nick.  Please say it!"  She begged him as his hands and lips 

worked magic on her body.  Her knees were weak and he supported her.  

She kissed his neck, his face as his soft lips caressed her everywhere 

until they both moaned with the desires of the flesh.  "Nick..." Her 

soft pleas beckoned the man underneath the vampire and he loved her.



He loved the taste, the feel of her in his arms.  This was right.  It 

was where he belonged.  His body and soul both knew it, but the beast 

inside him fought it tooth and nail.  His eyes flared golden and the 

man fought for control.  The blood pouring through her veins cried out 

to the vampire.  He gasped and pulled back, but she refused to release 

him.  Blue eyes filled with love met gold ones as her hands surrounded 

his face.



"Say it, Nick.  I love all of you...can't you see that? I don't want to 

live without you."  No fear registered in her eyes and she wouldn't 

give up the fight...not this time.



"I love you, Nat.  God forgive me and help us, but I can't stop myself.  

I don't want to stop."  His lips crushed hers in need and she held on 

to him with faith and hope laced in every drop of her blood.  His fangs 

nicked her tongue and he sucked her blood greedily into his mouth.   

Passion and warmth flooded him and he was lost to the feel of it.  She 

wrapped her tongue around his sensitive fang and sliced it deeply. He 

sucked harder and gave into the sensations cascading through him.  She 

loved him unconditionally.  He wanted nothing more than to wrap himself 

in that love and die in her arms, but fear sat at the fringes.



He gasped at the enormity of it.  She wasn't afraid of the vampire or 

the darkness, but the loss of his love.  She'd risked everything to be 

with him uncertain what he truly felt.  She'd remembered it all from 

Valentines Day last year, the hateful words and the love he professed 

in her ear after his father left.  She'd clung to it in hopes he would 

see that what they had together was stronger than any obstacle.  She 

had faith based on love, but it wasn't enough if he didn't believe it, 

too.



He pulled his lips away from hers, then held her head firmly in his 

hands and let his eyes mirror his heart.  "Forgive me, Nat.  Forgive me 

for running away in the name of protecting you.  Love is not worth 

protecting if it isn't shared.  I've been a fool."  He rested his 

forehead on hers.  They had wasted so much precious time together.



"I can forgive you anything, Nick, if you love me."  She gazed into his 

eyes with doubt.  "Help me, Nick.  Help me feel everything that you 

are, everything that you feel for me...then we have a chance.  I can't 

see into your heart if you don't let me in.  I need you to be a part of 

me in my blood, just as I am in yours."  She waited for him to 

understand what she asked.  How much faith did he have in them 

together?  Was it enough?  She had to know.



He understood immediately and it terrified him.  Could he stand it if 

she ran screaming in fear?  What would it do to her...to him?  "Nat, do 

you know what you're asking?  I don't know what it will do to you.  I'm 

afraid.  The evil, what I've done, the death..." Fear was written in 

his eyes.



"If we are to have a chance, Nick, I have to understand it all."  She 

placed her finger on his lips, then her lips.  "Let me feel you, Nick, 

all of you and the love inside you, only then will we have a chance."  

Her eyes begged his.



He lowered his eyes.  When he looked up into hers again, they were 

golden.  He raised his hand to her soft cheek as a single blood tear 

escaped his eye.  He grasped her hand gently and sliced her wrist with 

his fangs.  He stared at the blood mesmerized, letting the smell 

envelope him with her scent.  He wanted to possess her totally, make 

them one, make her one with the man and the beast.  She sensed his 

struggle immediately and caressed his face with her other hand.  He 

pushed the beast back under control, then sliced his own wrist.  His 

blood dripped freely from the wound and his eyes came back to hers.



"I'm afraid, Nat, so afraid of what..."



She clasped her wrist to his and held onto his hand for support.  "I'm 

not, Nick.  The vampire is only a part of you.  Let me see and feel all 

of you.  Let me in."  He clasped her hand tightly in his as their blood 

mingled and he found her lips once more.  Finally, he let the images 

flow between them.



His cool lips found hers and his blood burned, then the images began to 

appear.  Warmth flooded through her in a feeling of peace and 

contentment.  It engulfed her, wrapped her in a soft fluffy blanket of 

protection.  It was Nick's love.  She pushed into it, rolled around in 

it, to feel it all, possess it and become one with him, then glowing 

eyes appeared.  He started for her throat, but she wasn't afraid.  One 

finger on his lips and the beast stopped, banished back behind the soft 

comfort of his protective love.  More images began to flood her mind as 

hunger, and the lust for blood washed over her.  They overwhelmed her, 

smothered her until she couldn't breathe.  She saw Janette, LaCroix, 

the pain, the anguish, the death, the women, Edward and Madeline, all 

the people Nick had killed.  She watched him kill without remorse, in 

lust and in hunger.  She could feel the lust like it was her own.  

Possession, passion, pain, desire all rolled into one emotion until it 

consumed all rational thought within her.  She felt drugged by it, 

controlled, overwhelmed until she craved it.  She was becoming one with 

the beast and she wanted it.  Then the pain crashed through her very 

soul.  Pain of denial, remorse, anguish, regret wrapped itself around 

her and she wanted to go back.  She wanted his warmth, the love she 

felt.  She wanted his protective embrace and she would be safe from the 

beast.  She felt herself withdrawing, running, running, until she 

couldn't feel her legs anymore and then he was there.  She collapsed 

into his arms and wept.



Nick felt her fear...then acceptance, love and warmth all rolled into 

one.  The beast appeared and tried to woo her into submission, but she 

had fought him and won with just a single thought.  With a single touch 

he'd felt through their link and she had defeated the beast.  She had 

such power...such hope and faith based on nothing but her love of him. 

She only needed confirmation of his.  He would love her for eternity, 

no matter what happened from here.  For the first time in his life, he 

was whole and it was Natalie who made him so.  She collapsed in his 

arms.



"Nat?"  He caught her limp body in his arms.  Had he been wrong?  Would 

she run away from him now that she'd seen the power of the beast?  

Would she crave it more than the man as so many had over the centuries?  

His mind drifted back to Madeline and Edward.  Swiftly Nick carried Nat 

into the bedroom and closed the drapes against the morning sun.  Her 

heartbeat was steady and strong, but what had his blood done to her 

mind?







Part 4/Adult







The sun had risen several hours ago and he couldn't rest.  Natalie lay 

sleeping restlessly on the bed as Nick paced the floor.  Periodically 

she would call his name, then scream.  Each minute without knowing was 

sheer torture.  He'd never shared blood with a mortal without bringing 

them across.  He didn't know if there was an effect or for how long.  

This was virgin territory.  Nat's blood mixed with his for over 10 

minutes.  She moaned his name again and he said a silent prayer.  Even 

if she hated him and was terrified of the beast, he could live with it 

if she were okay.  What had possessed him to do that? 



He sat down on the bed and caressed her face with one hand and held the 

other next to his heart.  He loved her, and she possessed his heart.  

"I love you, Natalie.  Please come back to me."  Nick leaned over and 

kissed her softly on the lips. 



A scream tore from her lips as she came conscious.  "Nooooooooo, Nick, 

Noooooo!" 



Her words ripped him apart.  He didn't know what to do.  She awoke 

terrified of him.  It was in her eyes, her actions.  He could smell the 

fear within her.  Each beat of her heart made the fear stronger as she 

came completely awake.  Pain ate at his heart.  It was his worst 

nightmare.  The only woman he had truly loved in his lifetime was 

terrified of him.



The blood overwhelmed her.  The smell, the volume, the pain, the 

anguish and the hateful words LaCroix used.  No matter what Nick did, 

he was at odds with his nature, his father, his very existence.  Every 

time he made a step forward, they forced him back and his sanity was 

losing the battle.  He would rather be dead than what he was.  It was 

in every cell of his blood, every part of his soul.  He'd given up hope 

until he'd met her and he'd refused to leave when it was prudent 

because of her.  He loved her for who she was.  The woman who'd wanted 

nothing but to help him with no strings attached.  He was so used to 

people wanting, needing him for his powers they never saw the man, but 

she knew different.  The man was filled with hope, desires, love, all 

meant to be shared.  Nicholas de Brabant, knight, crusader, protector 

of the innocent still survived no matter what they'd done to him over 

the centuries.



Images of Nick killing and enjoying the hunt flashed before her eyes.  

Parts of him had enjoyed it, parts were disgusted and finally the man's 

guilt overwhelmed the beast's ability to kill.  He'd won and never 

known it.  His fear of losing her by his own hand, or her rejection, 

because of what he'd been crushed her until she couldn't breathe.  His 

face filled with pain turned from her and he walked into the sun.  A 

scream tore from her lips.  Not now...she couldn't lose him now...



Her eyes focused as he sat before her with the same look on his face.  

Her eyes finally cleared and she felt the pain within him.  It was like 

her own and she understood, then he backed away.



"Nat, I'm so sorry..." His words were but a whisper as he watched the 

fear on her face.



"No, Nick!"  She lunged across the bed into his arms.  "I was wrong."  

She wrapped her arms around him tightly as he tensed underneath her 

embrace.  "You don't understand."  She pulled away far enough to gaze 

into his eyes.  Gold flecks danced behind the blue even now and she 

realized just how much of a battle his life was to be around humans, to 

be around her.  "I was wrong to think your condition was just physical.  

It's not!  Don't be sorry for showing me all that you are.  I finally 

understand."  She caressed his face as her words sank in.  "I'm not 

running away, Nick, and if it's possible, I love you more."  She 

brushed her lips to his tentatively until he responded.



He wasn't sure he believed the words, but her lips didn't lie.  Her 

arms around him, the need he could feel in her between their tiny link 

warmed his soul.  She loved him even after all that he'd done.  She 

still loved him.  Relief flooded through him and he gave into the feel 

of her lips on his.  He would never let her go...No more secrets, no 

more lies between them.  "I love you, too, Nat!"  His hands found their 

way into her hair and he caressed her mouth with his tongue.  He 

couldn't get enough of her.  She loved him...her words echoed through 

his mind over and over again.



Before he'd realized it, she lay naked beneath him.  The vampire 

feasted on the blood pulsing through her body, but the man was in 

control.  She didn't resist but encouraged his efforts as he drank in 

the sight of her naked body before him.  She placed his hand over her 

breast and brought his lips back to hers.  He placed feather light 

kisses on her lips, then sucked them gently into his mouth and he 

wanted more.  He trailed soft kisses down her neck to her breast 

causing her to arch in to meet him.   A soft moan escaped her lips as 

his hand trailed lower to her mound and kneaded softly.  She grabbed 

his hair and pulled him forcefully back to her mouth as his fingers 

slipped inside her wet core.   Her body reacted immediately, becoming 

wetter with each stroke until she growled into his lips.  



"Take your clothes off, Nick.  I want to feel you inside me.  I want to 

love you like you deserve to be loved."  She stared into his uncertain 

eyes then he stood and quickly divested himself of his clothes.  He 

stood before her gloriously naked and she admired the view.



Hesitantly, he lay down on top of her, afraid of crushing her petite 

form.  His cool hard shaft rubbed her inner thigh and they both moaned.  

Her hands ran over his back and pulled him on top of her as he ground 

his pelvis slowly into her mound and found her lips again.  They were 

lost to the feel of each other's body as the tiny link between them 

began to sizzle.  She could feel his fear and need all laced into one 

burning into her soul. She reached out to him.  She wasn't sure if it 

was her body or her mind that wanted all of him, but it didn't matter.  

She wanted to love him, show him what he meant to her.  Her hands had a 

mind of their own as his lips worked magic on hers, and it wasn't 

enough for either of them.



With the first touch of her skin, his bloodlust disappeared to be 

replaced with something stronger.  Passion and desire to be one with 

her overwhelmed him, then he felt her need.  He sheathed himself in her 

wet core in one stroke.  She gasped and so did he.  Her warmth flooded 

his body and he craved it more than blood.  He pulled out far enough to 

make her whimper, before he plunged back deep within her body until 

they were both lost to the feel of each other.  His tongue plundered 

her mouth as his hard cock stroked them both into a blazing inferno.  

It wasn't enough, he wanted more, she wanted more, but he was afraid 

he'd hurt her.  He tried to slow down, but she wouldn't let him.   Each 

stroke was pure heaven and she'd let go to the link between them.  

Pleasure and love washed through him with each movement and she rode it 

with him.  She was close to her release and the vampire wanted his due.  

Her blood pounded in his brain, but he fought it until she began to 

contract around his shaft.  She screamed his name and his eyes blazed 

red.  He wanted to feel it all, to have her feel him, be a part of him 

for eternity.  "Natalie..."  He pounded deeper within her as she fell 

over the edge of sanity into pure pleasure.   "Please...Nat...help 

me...I don't want to..."  Her emotions poured through their link and he 

was lost.  His fangs descended as he struggled against the desire for 

blood.



Sensations like she'd never felt before engulfed her into sheer bliss.  

Passion, lust, need, desire all wrapped together enveloped her and she 

didn't ever want to let go, then she heard him cry her name.  It was 

both their needs she felt, not just her own.  She opened her eyes to 

the blood red desire of the vampire, but she wasn't afraid.  She 

reached up to slice her wrist on his fangs.  The smell and taste of her 

blood made the vampire stronger.  He pushed her back on the bed and 

buried his shaft deeper with each stroke in preparation of full 

possession.



"Share your blood with me, Nick.  Don't let the vampire win.  We can 

defeat him together."  Each stroke felt better than the one before and 

she found herself climbing the mountain of pleasure once more.  She 

wanted to feel him again, be a part of him and he a part of her.  "Give 

me your wrist, Nick!"  She screamed in passion and he finally 

understood.



Quickly, he sliced his own wrist.  She clasped her hand in his, then he 

pushed their wrists together.  Fire shot through him as their blood and 

bodies united and still there was more.  He held her wrist tightly and 

plunged his cock deep inside her very core.  As his lips found hers, 

his seed poured into her along with his heart.



She felt his release and she orgasmed again.  She wanted him to ride it 

with her.  She reached out with her emotions and felt him immediately.  

His passion and love surrounded her like a blanket and she willingly 

rolled up inside it. For the first time in her life she was whole.  

Happiness and joy overwhelmed her as she looked into his eyes.  Blood 

tears streaked his face. She reached to wipe them away in confusion.



"Nick?  Talk to me.  Tell me what's wrong."  Had she hurt him, did this 

cause him pain?  Tears filled her own eyes.  



He rolled off her and pulled her into his arms, then wept.  Relief 

flooded the link between them as 800 years of denial and anguish was 

banished into the darkness.  Silently holding each other, they let love 

heal both their wounds.  Finally, they slept.







Part 5







He stood at the base of the window and could hear her heartbeat and 

feel his son.  It was time to end this once and for all.  This little 

problem was just another example of Nick's not finishing what he 

started.  Not even the curtains moved as LaCroix appeared inside 

Natalie's apartment.  All the drapes had been closed tightly, so 

apparently Nicholas had spent the day.  He eyed the couch to find it 

empty and felt Nicholas begin to stir.  Something was different in his 

son.  Obviously the good doctors handiwork again.  He would fix that 

soon enough.



LaCroix appeared in the bedroom to find Natalie still lying naked in 

Nick's arms.  Stunned LaCroix stopped and listened.  Her heart beat 

strong and hard and his son's connection had weakened.  What was this?  

It was not possible for Nicholas to bed the good doctor and not take 

her blood.  Nicholas would never be able to stop once he'd tasted the 

sweet nectar in her veins and the love she possessed for him.  He would 

be lost to the pleasure and the mutual love the carried for each other.  

It wasn't possible?  LaCroix reached for Natalie only to find his hand 

stopped before he touched her.



"Touch her, LaCroix, and I WILL kill you!"  Nicholas voice lacked any 

fear or hesitation.  Nick's blue eyes blazed gold as he flung his 

father's arm from his beloved.  Nat awoke and tensed in his arms, but 

she drew strength from his anger and her own as she listened.



"How quaint, Nicholas.  I see you and the good doctor have changed your 

sleeping arrangements.  I must admit I'm surprised she's still alive.  

You've been hiding things from me again, Nicholas."  LaCroix smiled 

evilly then used the power of his mind to toss Nick across the room 

while he snatched Natalie.



He wrapped steel arms around her naked body, but she did not struggle.  

Nick recovered and stalked his father.



"I've come to collect my debt, Nicholas.  You will pay as agreed or I 

will kill her."  LaCroix pulled Nat's head to one side, exposing the 

creamy flesh and the pulsing gift of life her blood offered.  Her heart 

raced only briefly then slowed.  Nicholas stopped suddenly.  They were 

blood-connected.  How was that possible?  LaCroix hesitated only 

briefly, but it was enough.  She turned and kneed him in the groin with 

her full weight and stepped back.  He doubled in pain and confusion.  

Nick was at her side immediately.



LaCroix caught his breath and let his body heal the minor 

inconvenience. Finally, arrogantly he stood and fought the anger 

building deep within him.  Frightened, but in control, Natalie stepped 

away from Nick and confronted her worst nightmare.



"Let's cut to the chase, shall we, LaCroix?"  Natalie glared at LaCroix 

as she stood before him gloriously naked.  She would not give into the 

fear within her, so she went with anger instead.  "Take a good look, 

LaCroix, because this is as close as you get to this or my blood."  He 

moved toward her, but she didn't budge.



"Go ahead, kill me, then watch your son walk into the sun.  I don't 

think so.  You've spent 800 years trying to possess him and control 

him.  You aren't willing to risk that.  He's different than all the 

rest of them, isn't he?  He's the one that has the power to be one with 

both worlds and you want it.  He fights you at every turn so you resort 

to physical violence, threats, and finally something that will destroy 

him if he losses it.  Well, it won't work this time and you know it.  

You know what's in his blood, just as you knew he lied to you at the 

Azure, but it was easier to make him believe you bought it than explain 

why you wouldn't kill me."  Nat walked over to the nightstand and 

picked up Nick's silk pajama top and put it on slowly taking a deep 

breath to calm her nerves.



"You want me to believe it's the power within him you want, but it's 

not.  It's much simpler than that.  He's your son and you can't bear to 

lose him.  It's the man you crave just as you did 8 centuries ago.  

He's your last touch with humanity and you would die if you lost it.  

You know what's in his blood and have for some time.  Kill me and he 

will walk into the sun.  Drain me and try to make me one of your 

children and I will die." 



Natalie walked back calmly to the ancient vampire before her, watching 

the anger seethe behind his golden eyes.  She should be frightened, but 

this time she wasn't.  She was right.  She understood even more than 

Nick did.  "You see, Monsieur LaCroix, if you drain me I would not 

return for you.  There is nothing you can offer me that I would want 

bad enough to share the evil within you.  If I die, you lose us both."  

Nat turned and walked back to Nick and wrapped her arms around him.  

They faced him together.



Nick stared at his father and felt the anger beneath the surface, but 

he also felt the truth.  Natalie was right.  LaCroix's need for him was 

based on love, the only kind the ancient vampire knew...possession.  

Nick felt sorry for him and LaCroix sensed it immediately.  It angered 

the ancient vampire even more.  "I am sorry, LaCroix, for having denied 

you Fleur if you truly loved her.  The pain you have felt over her loss 

grieves me, for I would not be able to stand it.  I love Natalie and 

have for a long time.  I made a promise to you that night in the garden 

and the decision as to whether we live or die is still within your 

power.  I cannot stop you if you wish to collect the debt, but know 

that I will not live without her." Nick understood his father better 

now.  If they were to survive then LaCroix had to make the decision.  

LaCroix would not be forced or manipulated into it.  



LaCroix reached out to his son between their link and felt the resolve 

and power that flowed within Nicholas' veins.  He glanced at the good 

doctor.  United, the power between them had increased.  Soon they would 

learn how to use it and he could not allow that.  Nicholas was too 

bright not to use what was given him.  Even now in the afterglow of 

love and sex, Nicholas was stronger, more confident.  After centuries 

of practice, Nick knew how to achieve what he wanted from his father.  

LaCroix always admired that as he did now.  Threats and violence would 

never free Nicholas from his debt, but letting the choice of losing his 

son be the price of his choice, would slow even one of his age. 



LaCroix had known for a long time of his son's emotional attachment to 

this mortal.  Until now he'd been able to manipulate Nicholas to stay 

away from her.  That was no longer an option, but he would not let him 

off so easily.  Once more in complete control, LaCroix approached his 

son and the lovely doctor.  Even stark naked, Nicholas did not back 

down.  LaCroix let his power wash over Nick causing him intense pain.  

LaCroix caught him as his knees buckled, but Nick refused to scream.  

"This is not over, Nicholas!"  LaCroix growled into his son's ear.  "I 

have powers you cannot even imagine and I WILL have my revenge."  He 

stood and let Nick collapse on the floor in agony.  He turned to 

Natalie, but she refused to run.  She had more grit than any mortal 

he'd ever met. He could feel her fear but she refused to give into it. 

Together, she and his son would provide him with many challenging 

hours.  He looked forward to it.



LaCroix released the power over Nicholas and the pain stopped 

immediately.  Nick gasped for breath, but still refused to call out to 

his father.  Every fiber of his body knew what his ancient mentor 

wanted and he would die before he gave into it.  LaCroix stared at his 

son.  "You have another problem to take care of, Nicholas, before we 

finish this.  You left life in that little heathen's brother you 

dispatched centuries ago and now he is back.  He is careless and has 

drawn attention to the community.  Take care of it or pay the price 

from the Enforcers."  In the blink of an eye LaCroix washed the room 

with his power once again, then disappeared right before them.



Nat rushed to Nick's side.  She had been affected by LaCroix's power, 

but only slightly.  LaCroix had directed the pain and intensity toward 

Nick.  Nick struggled to catch his breath as the power and pain faded, 

then he felt her fear.  They would never be safe as long as LaCroix 

lived.  He stared into Nat's terrified blue eyes.  Her words were but a 

whisper.  "He will see us dead before he loses you."  She wrapped her 

arms around his neck and gave in to the tears.



Nick wrapped his arms around her and tried to comfort her, but this was 

so new to her.  To Nicholas, it had been is own personal hell and the 

only thing he known for 800 years...until now.  "It will be okay, Nat."  

He caressed her arms and back, then finally pulled her off his shoulder 

to see what was in his eyes.  "It doesn't matter what he does, Nat.  

Either way we shall be together.  I have faith in us.  We can do 

anything as long as we are together."  He waited for her to accept it, 

and finally she smiled and kissed him softly.



"I love you Nick Knight...and nothing will change that...even LaCroix."









Part 6





------------------





Nick dropped Nat off at the morgue under heavy guard.  Nick had 

arranged for Janette to keep an eye on Natalie without her knowing it.  

It was one of many favors owed and she paid it grudgingly.  Janette 

arrived only moments after Nick stepped out the back door.  He felt her 

instantly and smiled.  Janette hissed in displeasure.  "Know this, 

Nicola.  I will not stand and watch her torture the dead."  She glared 

at the morgue window.  "We shall be even when this is finished."  Her 

eyes glowed faintly in the light.



"I know it not your favorite place and you and Natalie don't get along, 

but I need your help, Janette.  If Edward shows up, normal bullets will 

not stop him but you can.  Do this for me as my friend."  His blue eyes 

were sincere and she was not immune.



"All right, Nicola.  I shall watch your mortal pet and protect her, but 

do not expect me to be happy about it."  She disappeared into the 

building.



Relieved Nick headed for his car. When he opened the door, the old 

parchment lifted slightly then settled back on his seat.  The 

handwriting was articulate and very distinct.  



	'Time to finish what we started.  4th & Waters.'



Nick tossed the paper in his car and took to the air.



---------------  



Schanke had searched the entire precinct.  Nat said Nick had already 

left, but his car was still in the parking lot.  Where had he gone?  

Schanke approached the caddy and noticed the thin white paper on the 

floor.  He picked it up, then pulled out his cell phone.  

"Captain...Nick's at 4th and Waters.  There's going to be trouble.  

Send a couple of marked cars as back up, will you?"  Schanke listened 

then hopped in the caddy.  He fiddled under the dash until the engine 

turned over, then he slammed the car in reverse.  Nick would kill him 

if he scratched it again, providing of course he lived through the 

whole thing anyway.



---------------



Nick dropped through the skylight silently and reached out with his 

senses.  He could feel another of his kind close but the exact location 

was hazy.  How was he doing that?  It was a trap and Nick was well 

aware of it.  He took a deep breath and relaxed making the haze clear 

until he pinpointed his target.  Within seconds Nick landed silently 

behind Edward.  



Edward sensed him immediately, and turned laughing.  "Nice of you to 

come, de Brabant.  I've waited a long time for this."  He pushed a 

button and the cargo net dropped silently, but Nick was gone before it 

reached the floor.  The heavy, soaked netting brushed Edwards skin 

before he could step back.  He hissed as the fluid burned his skin.



"You will have to do better than that, Edward.  Holy water has a 

specific smell or haven't you learned that yet?"  Nick eyed him closely 

and let his eyes glow in the dim light of the warehouse.  



Edward lunged at Nick to find only air.  He was no match for Nicholas' 

age or speed.  He growled in frustration.  "You will wish you were dead 

before this is over, de Brabant."  He noticed the flashing red light on 

the post to his right and smiled evilly.  "We will take what I wanted 

in the first place and you will lose everything that means anything to 

you."  He walked slowly toward Nick who stood calmly by the wet cargo 

net on the floor.  You see, I don't want to kill you, yet.  I want you 

to watch the woman you love tortured before your very eyes like I 

watched Madeline, then I'm going to kill you."  He began to laugh 

hysterically. The light blinked again and Nick realized instantly what 

had happened. 



It had been a diversion from Natalie.  Nick stared at the light and 

pushed into their newly formed link.  Nat was confused and fuzzy.  

She'd been drugged.  Anger engulfed Nick as Edward continued to laugh.  



"Maybe I'll give you an address Nicholas, then again maybe I won't."  

Edward snorted then chuckled.  It would be as they planned from the 

beginning.  He watched de Brabant simmer, then calm before his very 

eyes.  To his dismay Nick bent to pick up the wet heavy net behind him.  

Edward stared in horror when Nick tossed the netting into the air, over 

his head.

 

"Noooooo!"  Edward screamed in terror as the holy water burned into his 

skin.  He began to smoke.  



"Nick!"  Schanke screamed as he ran into the warehouse with his gun 

drawn.  He watched Nick toss the heavy cargo net like it was paper over 

the man.  The man screamed in agony as Nick stood watching.  Schanke 

could feel the cold aloof detachment of his partner.  He would never 

understand Nick.  If he lived to be 1000, he'd never understand him.  

"Nick, what are you doing?"  Schanke reached to remove the net, but it 

was too heavy.  



"Leave it, Schank!"  Nick's cold voice made shivers run down Schanke's 

spine.  He turned to face his unpredictable partner.  Red eyes met his 

and Schanke stepped back automatically.



Nick walked over to Edward as his screamed.  Blisters were forming all 

over Edward's body as the smoke poured from his skin.  He was on fire 

inside.  "Tell me where they are, Edward, and I'll be merciful.  If you 

don't, I'll leave you to the morning sun and your own handiwork here."  

Nick lifted a corner of the net without any effect of the holy water on 

his skin.



"Your loft!"  He screamed.  "I was to bring you there, so you could 

watch her die in your own home!  Please! Please! "  Edward struggled as 

the netting burned through his skin.  



Schanke watched mesmerized as Nick lifted the net and tossed it across 

the room with virtually no effort. Nick jerked the burning man to his 

feet and slammed him hard against the nearest post.  None of this made 

any sense.  How could Nick do that?  Why would Nick torture this guy?  

This wasn't Nick, but then again...   



Nick grabbed and huge piece of angle iron and wrapped it around 

Edward's body until he couldn't move.  The metal on the burns caused 

him to bleed freely and Nick was non-plussed by it.  "You better pray 

you're wrong, young one."  Nick glared at the skylight above him.  

"Because if Natalie is harmed or I die, then you're going to get to see 

what sunlight feels like on that lovely burn."  Nick turned to face 

Schanke.



Schanke stared into the red of Nick's eyes and cringed in fear.  Nick 

caught it immediately and fought for control as Schanke watched. 

Finally all the pieces began to fit.  "You want to explain all this to 

me or..."



Gold eyes met Schanke's as Nick growled the words at his partner and 

friend. Anger and fear were his constant companion.  "They want to kill 

Nat and have me watch.  I not sure there's anything in the police 

manual that covers revenge and retribution by vampires, Schank."  Nick 

glared at Edward as he struggled with his bindings.  "And I am being 

more than generous.  I didn't kill him."  Nick headed for the door.



A feeling of great power washed over Schanke until he gasped for 

breath.  He stared at his partner's back realizing for the first time 

what Nick was and the control he possessed.  "Wait up, Nick."  Schanke 

took off at a dead run after his blond partner.  He watched Nick smash 

the warehouse door down, then lift into the sky.  "Damn, Nick.  The 

least you could have done was trust me."  He ran for the caddy.



---------------



Nick landed softly outside the loft and reached out with his senses.  

He decided the skylight would be the expected entry so he headed for 

the door.  His phone rang and he flipped it open.   "Nicola?"  

Janette's voice was still groggy.



"Janette?  Are you okay?"  He stomach tightened as he worried.



"Yes, yes, but she drugged me with something.  It was so quick, I 

couldn't move.  It was different than curare.  I couldn't stop her.  

I'm sorry, mon amore, but she has Natalie.  The drug has a different 

effect on her.  She seemed groggy but not immobilized.  Who is this 

creature?  She is more than a vampire.  Her eyes were like nothing I've 

ever seen before."  Fear crept across her delicate skin as she relived 

the image of the hateful woman peering at her helpless form lying on 

the ground.



"I'm not sure I even know anymore. I thought they were dead.  

Apparently I was wrong on both accounts."  Nick stared at the floors 

above him, knowing full well it was a trap but he had no choice.  "Be 

careful, Janette.  If she finds out we are connected and I don't make 

it, you will be next."  Worry laced his words and it pleased her even 

though she knew his heart was elsewhere. 



"Wait until LaCroix arrives, Nicola.  Together you will find a way to 

defeat her black magic."  She hoped he would listen, but knew 

otherwise.



"She has Natalie.  I can't wait.  Tell LaCroix everything."  Nick 

snapped the cell-phone closed and disappeared into the stairwell.



------------



The drug she'd injected her with was wearing off.  It must not have 

been curare or she'd already be dead.  It was a trap for Nick.  Natalie 

fought the haze that clouded her vision and forced herself to remain 

calm.  Her strength indicated vampire, but her eyes were dead.  What 

was she?  Natalie took a deep breath to clear her head.  She needed to 

help Nick.



"Very good, Cherie.  Breathe deeply...I want you wide awake when he 

gets here."  Madeline slapped Natalie hard, then pushed her toward the 

fireplace and glanced around the room.  "I see your lover lives well.  

Of course, being a vampire has its advantages as we all know."  She 

laughed as her fangs dropped and she stalked Natalie, enjoying her 

fear.  She loved the feel of it when they saw the fangs, and with the 

power of her dark lord, Locar, on her side, she was invincible.  She'd 

waited too long for her revenge and she would have it tonight.  After 

200 years of learning and searching, she would have de Brabant's 

ability to be one with the mortal world and her revenge in one stroke.  

The thought pleased her and laughter bubbled forth, but this mortal was 

different.  She pushed her fear away and held onto something stronger.



"What is it you cling to, mortal?"  Madeline pressed Natalie hard into 

the wood on the mantel as she tightened her grip on her throat, yet the 

mortal refused to panic.  It enraged Madeline further.



Natalie watched the evil and insanity play in the woman's eyes.  She 

was Madeline.  Her image flashed through her mind along with Nick's 

guilt and anger at himself for losing control.  She was a follower of 

the black arts and it obviously had kept her alive, that and a little 

help from a vampire.  Nick hadn't brought her across, so who had.



"You control your fear better than any mortal I have met, Doctor.  How 

is this possible?  Surely you aren't naïve enough to believe you will 

survive this.  I need you alive only long enough to hurt de Brabant.  

He will give me what I want willingly or you will die right before his 

eyes."  She released Nat and stepped back.  There was something about 

this mortal.  She could almost feel her, like most vampires, but her 

heart beat strong, only a little irregular.  It would please her 

immensely to find out what caused this phenomena.  De Brabant was here.  

She could feel him...Her time was at hand.



Nick appeared behind her before she could turn.  He was better than she 

remembered, but then she'd underestimated him before...not this time.  

She raised the gun toward Natalie, but never turned to meet her 

adversary. "Good of you to arrive in time to watch the execution."  

Madeline laughed as she squeezed the trigger.



Nick threw himself across the room and covered Natalie with his body.  

The bullets tore into his skin and she fired again, until the chamber 

was empty.  Pain swept through him as the bullets penetrated deeper 

into his back and lodged near his heart.  A scream of rage tore from 

his lips as they exploded inside, spreading the concoction into his 

system.  Wood bullets filled with something evil erupted inside him.  

Fire engulfed him and he fought for control.



"Go ahead, Nicholas.  Fight the drug.  It likes that."  She walked over 

to him as he struggled to stand.  "You didn't think I would be foolish 

enough to use regular bullets.  She pushed him to the floor and bared 

her fangs.  "Now I will have what LaCroix wished most...your soul.  

Then I will crush your heart by killing the woman you love and you 

won't stop me."  Her head descended toward his neck as Nick struggled 

weakly against her.



The drug was slowly causing him to lose mobility.  It was stronger than 

curare, as Janette had said.  The more he fought, the faster it worked.  

He could not give into it, but fighting made it stronger.  Her fangs 

glistened in the early morning light flooding through the windows.  It 

was near sunrise.  If he could only force her into the sun...



She laughed at his struggle and forced him back to the floor.  She felt 

a sharp stab in the back, then instant fire.  It spread swiftly and she 

howled in rage and turned to the cause.  Natalie jerked the syringe 

free and backed away.



Madeline flew at her and pinned her against the wall.  Burning knives 

sliced through her veins as Madeline looked in horror at her skin.  It 

began to blister before her eyes and the numbness began to take affect.  

"Bitch!"  She screamed as she tightened the grip on Natalie's throat.  

Anther sharp stick and she glanced down at the mortal's hand, attached 

to the syringe near her heart.  "What have you done?" Sharp knives cut 

into her heart as she watched the young mortal woman's hand press the 

plunger.  Her grip lessened as the drug took effect.



"You didn't think you were the only one to use curare laced with a few 

goodies, did you?  Add a little morphine to it and you get a real fast 

delivery system."  Nat stared at the creature before her with no fear, 

while she watched Madeline's arms began to smoke.  "Did I mention, that 

I used holy water as the solvent?"



"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"  Madeline howled in rage and lunged at Nat in full 

vampire mode.  She grabbed for Natalie's throat only to be hit from 

behind.



Nick's body carried them toward the window just as the sun crested the 

horizon and flooded the room.  They both screamed in pain as the curare 

did its job.  His legs refused to move, but Natalie was safe.  Fire 

erupted inside him like the flames of hell and he resigned himself to 

his fate with only one regret.



"Nick!"  Nat screamed as the sunlight tortured his body.  She pulled 

him free of Madeline.  His body was limp now and she could see the pain 

in his eyes.  Franticly, she pulled at his body to get him out of the 

sun.  The difference in their sizes and his weight made it slow, but 

she managed to drag him behind the couch out of the burning rays of the 

sun.  Madeline's body blistered and smoked, but she was unable to move.  

Nat cradled Nick's head in her lap and refused to watch the woman's 

final demise.  "Stay with me, Nick.  Come on."



Schanke burst into the loft with his gun drawn.  Nat sat rocking Nick 

like a child as tears cascaded down her cheeks unchecked.  The figure 

in the sunlight smoldered, then finally burst into bright flames and 

disappeared before his eyes.  Schanke rushed to Nick's side as Nat sat 

crying.  



"Nat?"  Schanke tried to get her to stop moving, but she wouldn't.  

"Come on, Nat.  You're not going to help him like that.  He needs our 

help."  Desperation seeped into his voice.  What would he do, if Nat 

didn't help?  What the hell did he know about Nick's condition anyway?  

Was he one of the undead?  He glanced at the small pile of ash on the 

floor.  All the books he'd read on vampires filled his mind with even 

more questions.  



"Nat, please!"  Schanke grabbed her arms and forced her to look at him.  

"You have to tell me what to do, Nat.  Help me out here."  He said a 

silent prayer as he shook her.  "Are you with me, Natalie?"



Schanke was right.  Nick needed them both.  "Help me get him upstairs."  

Nat whispered and Schanke nodded approval.  Together they got him into 

bed and Nat started the tedious procedure of removing the wooden 

bullets buried in Nick's body.





Part 7







Nick remained motionless as Natalie dug the slugs out of his body.  Not 

once did he moan or move.  Fear was her constant companion as she 

listened to Schanke shoot a thousand questions at her while she worked.  

So far she hadn't responded.  Information on Nick could be lethal.  She 

didn't want Schanke any more involved than he already was.



"Nat, are you going to answer me?"  Schanke's frustrated voice yelled 

at her from across the bed.  She had been oblivious to any of his 

rantings and it took him ten minutes to figure it out.  Was Nick dead?  

What had that creature shot him with?  He noticed the growing pile of 

wood pieces collecting in the small basin beside the bed as Natalie 

continued to dig them out of his partner's motionless body.  Tears 

streaked her face, but she continued to prod and dig into Nick's prone 

form without a word.



"Nat?  Is...is he alive?"  He was afraid of the answer, but Schanke 

waited impatiently for her to speak.



Tear-filled blue eyes met his when she whispered.  "I don't know, 

Schank.  I don't know.  The wood was next to his heart for so long and 

they were filled with curare and something else.  I don't know what she 

used.  She wanted him to die slowly, unable to move, while watching her 

kill me...But he beat it, Schank.  He beat it!"  She turned and softly 

caressed Nick's face.  "He's not dead, Schank.  He can't be dead."  She 

reached into her bag in frustration and removed a scalpel.  Quickly, 

she sliced her own wrist.



"Natalie, what are you doing?"  Schanke grabbed her bleeding wrist. 

Confusion covered his expression as he looked into her terrified eyes.  

His heart lurched when he saw the raw pain in her beautiful face.



"Please, Schank.  I have to know if he's okay.  I love him and he loves 

me.  Let go...Please!"  She jerked her wrist from his grasp and quickly 

sliced Nick's.  Without hesitation, she placed them together and let 

their blood mix.  She took several deep breaths and tried to relax.



Fear overwhelmed her, then pain, as her eyes searched Nick's. She began 

to gasp as the emotions began to flow between them.  He was alive and 

his body struggled to repair itself.  The pain from the bullets was 

diminishing and she regretted the knowledge she'd added to his distress 

while removing them.  "It's okay, Nick."  She caressed his smooth skin 

with her other hand and let her love for him flood his battered senses.  

He moaned immediately.  Warmth spread through her followed by 

contentment.  Finally, she lay down beside him and gave into it.  He 

wanted her near him...even now. 



"I'm here, Nick.  Just relax and let the poison work out of your 

system."  She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled closer, being 

careful not to break the blood bond between them.  Only then did she 

give into the fatigue that overwhelmed them both.



"Nat?"  Schanke could feel the electricity in the room.  He watched in 

fascination as Natalie's face went from fear to peaceful contentment 

and finally she relaxed totally.  "Tell me what you feel, Natalie.  Is 

he..."



"I feel love."  Nat mumbled as Nick's fatigue pulled her down into 

slumber with him.  "Get Janette.  He'll need bloo...dd."  Her words 

faded as she surrendered to the safety of Nick's love and they slept.



"Janette?  Natalie?  Janette is a vam...?"  She was gone.  Schanke 

reached over and felt for a pulse.  Natalie's was strong and regular as 

well as her breathing.  He started to pull their wrists apart but Nick 

moaned in protest.  "Okay, okay...I get it."  Schanke rested Nick's 

wrist back against Nat's and headed for the door.



"Of course, Janette, you idiot.  I bet she's older than she looks, 

too."  Schanke snorted in disgust then grabbed Nick's keys off the 

counter.  At least he wouldn't have to hot-wire the green boat this 

time.



------------  



It was just after dusk as LaCroix stood silently watching the two 

lovers lay sleeping.  Their bond was becoming stronger.  He'd felt it 

grow all day, yet the good doctor still remained mortal.  He would end 

that little problem now.  The answer was before him all the time.  A 

smug smile etched its way across his face.  Even after 12 hours, he 

could feel the effect of the curare still trying to work its way out of 

his son.  Slowly he walked to the bed and gazed into his son's blue 

eyes.  "Yes, you are awake, aren't you, Nicholas?  Good, that will make 

this even better."  Suddenly he snatched Natalie's limp form from his 

son.  She was using her blood to help fight the effects of the curare 

and it was draining her.  She'd probably kept him alive.



LaCroix turned her in his arms and smoothed the mass of auburn curls 

away from her slim neck.  "Very good, Doctor.  You saved him for both 

of us and now I shall have my revenge."  He stared at Nick and could 

feel the fear within him, but Nick was still under the affect of the 

curare.  LaCroix laughed as his fangs descended.  "She won't come back 

for me, Nicholas, but she will for you."  He turned evil red eyes to 

his son.  "...And she will be part mine."  He sank his fangs deep into 

Natalie's neck and drank greedily.



Strong emotions crashed through him filled with passion, love, and lust 

all combined into one. It caused him to hesitate briefly, but he had to 

possess it totally.  The beast was greedy, but she fought him.  He 

could take her blood but not her heart.  Nicholas' face swam before his 

eyes as her anchor.  He cursed in anger as he broke away and tossed her 

body on to the floor.  The images in her blood burned into his until he 

gasped in pain and fell to his knees.  The intensity of what she felt 

for his son crushed him to the floor until he couldn't breathe.  Her 

blood was like a poison to him, as the goodness within her waged war 

with his evil.  He screamed in agony and tried to strike out at her 

lifeless form on the floor.  He could never possess any part of her.



"Damn you, Doctor.  Damn you to Hell!"  He crawled on his knees to her 

side.  If he could not have her, neither would Nicholas.  He reached 

for her throat, but a petite white hand crushed it and jerked him to 

his feet.



"You think killing her would stop them from being together?  You are a 

fool, LaCroix!"  Janette hissed in her master's face.  The fire burned 

in her as well with the first drop of Natalie's blood.  "They are one.  

You kill one, you kill the other and I for one am not willing to 

sacrifice Nicola for your stupid male pride."  



She tossed LaCroix against the wall and let her anger control the 

vampire.  "Get out and stay away from them.  He will kill you for this 

and this time...with her help...he WILL succeed."  



She marched toward LaCroix and let the anger within her blaze brightly.  

"Leave before I regret ever being a part of you."  She turned back to 

Nick and felt only a slight breeze as LaCroix vanished.





Part 8





Tears streaked down Nick's cheek and Janette wiped them away gently.  

"It will be alright, mon amore."  She reached down to the floor and 

picked up Natalie as if she weighed nothing.  She laid her gently 

beside Nick and sliced his wrist.  She stared into his blue eyes and 

saw hatred along with fear.  "Forgive me, Nicola, but I cannot let you 

go like this.  She will not come back for anyone but you.  You know 

that as well as I."  She placed his bleeding wrist over Natalie's lips.  



Nick's blood dripped slowly into Natalie's mouth, yet she didn't 

respond.  Janette checked her pulse as Nat's heart labored while losing 

the battle.  Janette turned to Nick finding his blue eyes now flecked 

with gold.  "Call her to you, Nicola!  Don't be foolish.  She loves you 

and you love her beyond anything either of us could ever imagine.  

Don't throw that away out of fear.  Don't throw away the only thing 

that makes this life worth living.  You will find a way back together."  

She forced his wrist to bleed heavily and placed it over Natalie's lips 

once more.



"Drink, Natalie.  It is Nicola's blood.  Feel it and come back to him.  

You cannot leave him now.  You have found the answer."  Janette held 

Nick's wrist to Natalie's lips until she finally began to drink.



It was sweet, yet salty and it was familiar.  She felt strange and she 

could see Janette sitting beside them, but she couldn't understand the 

words.  Pain flooded through her that turned into a hot fire. It burned 

brightly for only a moment then became something warm and cuddly.  She 

wanted to feel more of it, taste it all.  It made her feel contented, 

happy, almost euphoric, as the pleasure she felt mushroomed into 

something stronger.  A great power engulfed her and she gasped when the 

beast appeared and bared his fangs.  She started to touch it when 

Nick's face appeared.  It was part of him and she understood that now, 

just as she was a part of him.  She smiled, reached out to the beast 

and let her love caress him into submission.  She welcomed all of him 

with open arms and she sought his lips.  With the first touch of his 

tender lips, they were united forever and she was unafraid.  His fear 

of her rejection and hatred for bringing her into his darkness flooded 

her senses, but she refused to give into it.  She was whole now and his 

love had banished all of LaCroix's evil.  She was of both worlds now.



He watched as Janette sliced his wrist.  His head told him to stop, but 

his heart refused to obey.  Natalie was his reason for living.  He 

could not go on without her and she refused to give up this world just 

yet.  He wouldn't either as long as she was at his side.  He watched 

her face the beast and reject it for something more beautiful.  It was 

her love that gave him strength now.  He could feel the power between 

them as her lips met his, even though the curare still hampered his 

movements.  Passion, lust, desire all rolled into a warmth, bathed his 

tortured soul.  He knew it was the essence of what she was and it 

filled all the holes in his battered heart.  They were as they were 

always meant to be and it filled him with great joy.



Janette felt the change in the room as she watched Natalie kiss Nick.  

She found herself gasping for air as the electricity crackled and 

sucked something evil away.  For the first time in 1000 years, she felt 

lighter, happy, beyond anything she could imagine.  The sparks danced 

around the room in a brilliant display of color and life. Such a 

feeling of fulfillment overwhelmed her that blood tears escaped her 

eyes.  What was happening?  She turned to watch Nicola wrap his arms 

around his beloved mortal and Janette listen to Natalie's heart began 

to beat steady once again.  



Janette stared in amazement and felt the connection of 800 years 

between Nick and herself diminish, then return, only weaker.  What was 

it that she felt?  She pushed into her link with Nick to find all his 

angst gone and something much stronger in its place.  They had found 

the answer and the part of Janette that still loved him grieved over 

what she had lost.  She watched Nick mold Natalie into his arms as they 

became one.  She realized her time with Nick had been only a single 

step in a long journey.



A great sadness washed over her and she accepted it, just as she had so 

many other things in her life over the centuries.  Finally, she stood 

and walked toward the window feeling the dawn approach.  She stared out 

the small glass frame as Natalie came to her side, but Janette refused 

to turn. 



"You will always be a part of him, Janette.  You gave him the strength 

to go on and I am more grateful than you will ever know."  Natalie's 

soft voice floated over the petite brunette watching the sun begin to 

crest the horizon.  "Stay and help us show the others that we are all 

part of each other, both good and evil."  Natalie laid her hand gently 

on Janette's shoulder and made the beautiful vampire look into her 

peaceful eyes.  "You, too, can have the happiness you deserve."



Janette saw no anger or resentment, only love in the bright blue eyes 

before her.  Nicola had been right all along.  There was more strength 

in love and faith than any power on earth.  Natalie offered her new 

sister her hand.  Janette accepted and stepped out of the dawn of a new 

day into the shadows.  Nat smiled, then let go of her hand and stepped 

into the sunlight. The rays of the new dawn danced in her auburn hair, 

bringing life to it like the woman underneath.  Natalie bathed herself 

in the warmth and light of the sun for only a few moments to remind her 

of what she had to share.  Finally, she closed the shade and returned 

to the bed where Nick lay quietly watching.  He offered her his hand to 

join him, which she did gladly as fatigue pulled them both into a 

peaceful, healing sleep. 



--------------



It was well past noon when Schanke walked into the bedroom and found 

Nat sound asleep in Nick's arms.  Janette sat asleep in the chair 

beside them.  Nick had lots of explaining to do on this one and he 

wasn't going to accept any half-truths this time.  He approached the 

bed.  Nat rose silently and came to his side.  She touched his arm 

gently and smiled.  "Thanks for being our friend, Schank, but you have 

to forget everything you've seen for the last few days."



Schanke snorted.  "Yeah, right, Nat. I'm suppose to forget my partner 

is a creature of the night that drinks blood and is probably older than 

my grandmother."



"He's a lot older than your grandmother, Schank."  Patient blue eyes 

held his.



"Look, Nat.  I know you're in love with the guy, but he's no knight in 

shining armor.  He's a vampire.  He could have killed you just like 

that maniac in the warehouse.  They are supposed to be evil and..."



"If you truly believed that, Schank, you wouldn't be here.  Don't 

believe all the hype you read.  Listen to your heart.  It's what 

brought you here.  There is good and evil in Nick, just as there is in 

you and me.  He just has to fight his a little harder.  That's why he's 

a cop.  Go with your gut, Schank, then listen to your heart."  His 

heartbeat increased and pounded loudly in his ears, but for some reason 

it didn't frighten him.  It was so calming, so natural.  



He listened as her words played in his mind.  "You must forget 

everything that happened for the last couple of days.  Nick and I just 

decided to spend some time with each other.  We are friends, close 

friends and that's what they do.  You were just covering for us, giving 

us time to be alone and expand our relationship."  She repeated it 

until Schanke began to repeat the words, then she released him and 

stepped back.



Janette stared in awe as she watched Natalie hypnotize Schanke with the 

experience of one of many years, then she turned to find Nick's eyes 

fixed on his partner.  He was channeling through Natalie and the power 

was incredible.  Schanke turned to leave and Nick brought his attention 

to her.  A new clarity and understanding shown brightly through his 

eyes and Janette smiled broadly.



She rose gracefully from the chair and headed toward the bedroom door.  

"I think, Nicola, when LaCroix returns...he will find his mistakes have 

a much higher price tag than yours."  She smiled and winked at Natalie.  

"You alone have always been a challenge to him, Nicola.  Now…I think he 

shall truly discover the cost of past sins."  She laughed softly then 

closed the door. 





The end

All comments to:





              StormyNite**nitewind@www.plantnet.com**

 **NN Packer to the End ** Hopelessly  Hopeful  Romantic**

**Light Cousin***MadNatter*** X-File DieHard***Xenite**GWDFC**

 ******Only Love is Forever and Death Shall Have No Dominion*******

>http://ns.plantnet.com/~nitewind/Main.html   FK SciFi Window

>http://ns.plantnet.com/~nitewind/Fiction2.html   StormyNite Fiction