Okay... in honor of our list anniversary, here is a short story. Hopefully, it is as well received as my previous stories. This one takes place mid-second season, and assumes that 'I Will Repay' never happened... Richard is very much alive. Permission given to archive on the DarkNN site, Mel's fanfic site, the ftp site and JADFE. Standard Disclaimers: I don't own them. They are currently the property of lord-only-knows-who... I am just borrowing them, to make them a little happier. Storm of the Soul by KC Smith Nick walked up the steps of the lovely home in the suburbs and rang the bell. He smiled when the door opened and he was greeted by Richard Lambert. "Hey, Nick. Glad you could come. I know that it's your night off, but I really could use some help getting this case prepared for court." Richard said, as he motioned Nick into the front hall. "Can I get you anything?" He asked, as he took Nick's coat and hung it in the closet. "No, thank you. And I am glad to help." He looked at the simple, yet elegantly, furnished home, as they headed for the livingroom. "You have a lovely home." Richard smiled at him, as he motioned for him to take a seat. "Thank you. Sara did the decorating. She has a knack for it." Nick nodded in agreement. "Yes, she does." He noticed a picture of Richard and his family, with Natalie. He smiled, as he carefully picked it up to inspect it further. Richard saw the look in Nick's eyes and smiled to himself. He knew that his sister was very much in love with the Detective, and he could see that the feelings were mutual... if only he could get *them* to admit it. "We took that at Amie's last Birthday party." He told Nick. Nick nodded, as he gently replaced the picture. "Natalie looks very happy. I know she adores Amie." Richard smiled. "And Amie adores her. Sara and Amie are visiting her mother, so we don't have to worry about disturbing them." Nick nodded. "All right, then. Shall we?" A few hours later, Nick stood and stretched. "Do you have a restroom I could use?" Richard stood, as well. "Yes. Down the hall, third door on the left." Nick smiled in thanks, as he headed down the hallway. He really didn't need to use the facilities, but found that humans began questioning, when he didn't. So, he just pretended. He sighed. Pretending to be human was something he'd become very adept at. He only wished that he did not have to pretend. As he made his way down the hallway, he could hear the sound of a softly beating heart. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, he followed the sound further down the hall. He recognized the rhythm... it was Natalie. Smiling in puzzlement, he peeked into the room. Natalie lay curled up in the double bed, facing the doorway. She was sleeping soundly, her chestnut curls in disarray. Nick smiled at the sight, as he moved closer. He carefully sat on the edge of the bed, gazing down at her. This brave, young mortal woman had captured his heart. For the first time in a long time, he was deeply in love. He lightly brushed a curl from her forehead, then carefully leaned over and kissed her. Natalie stirred slightly, but was quickly still again. Nick stood, careful not to wake her, and made his way to the bathroom. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, marveling at the progress he and Natalie had made in his quest. He flushed the toilet, then washed his hands, so as not to raise any suspicions, then walked back out into the livingroom. Richard had watched Nick walk down the hall, and had seen him walk into the room where Natalie lay sleeping. He smiled, when he heard Nick go into the bathroom and close the door. As Nick came out of the bathroom, he looked up at him. Nick returned to his seat on the sofa and smiled at Richard. "I saw that Natalie is here. Does she stay here often?" Richard shook his head. "No. Only when there is a storm." Nick raised a questioning eyebrow, so Richard continued. "Natalie is terrified of storms. Especially when there is a lot of thunder and lightning and wind." He stood and handed Nick a photograph from off the mantle above the fireplace. "That's our mother and father. On the night our father was murdered, there was a big storm. And on the night our mother died, there was also a big storm. Natalie was home with her, I was at a friend's house. Natalie heard the thunder, and went racing to our mother's room... only to find that she had passed away. Nat was sixteen, and she was very angry at herself. She felt that she should have been able to do something." Nick looked at the picture of Natalie's parents. "She has your mother's smile." He noted. Richard smiled. "And Dad's eyes. She took their deaths very hard. I did, too. But I was younger and I had a better relationship with our grandmother." Nick looked up, as he handed the photo back to Richard. "Your grandmother and Nat didn't get along?" Richard shifted uncomfortably. "My grandmother, for some reason or other, was very hard on Nat. She used to get angry with her, very easily. I remember, when I was very young, after our dad died, Nana used to beat Natalie. I would hear her crying, but I was too afraid to go to her. I was afraid that my grandmother would do the same thing to me." Richard sighed. "Natalie never spoke of it, but I knew. I could see how much it affected her." Nick frowned at this bit of information. That explained a great deal. "You can't blame yourself. Your grandmother was responsible for her own actions." Nick said, softly. "I know. I just wish that I had been older, stronger. Maybe I would have been able to do something. Although, I doubt it. I probably would have just gotten the same treatment." Nick nodded in agreement. "Well, shall we finish this up?" He asked, motioning to the stack of files on the coffee table. Richard sighed. "Yeah... let's get it over with." Natalie awoke to the sound of voices. She stumbled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. After washing, she ran her fingers through her unruly mass of curls, then stepped out into the hall. Perhaps Sara and Amie had returned early. "Ritchie?" Nat called, as she made her way into the livingroom. She stopped dead, when she saw Nick look up at her, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't realize..." Richard laughed. "It's okay, Nat. I should have warned you. Nick came over to help me prepare for a trial. It's one of his cases." Natalie nodded, quickly avoiding Nick's gaze. "Is it mine, too? You know I like to help." Richard nodded. "Yes. But I thought you needed the rest. You didn't sleep at all today." Nat swallowed and nodded. "Yeah, well, the storm... you know." She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, jumping at the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder. "Ritchie!" She screeched. Richard was in the kitchen in a flash, wrapping his arms around her. "Shh. It's okay. Nat, it can't hurt you." He soothed. He was vaguely aware of Nick entering the kitchen, as the phone rang. Natalie gazed at the phone in silence, her heart racing and her eyes mirroring her fear. "Sara and Amie..." She whispered. Richard gave her an understanding look, as he moved to answer it. "I'm sure it's nothing. Hello?" Richard listened a moment, then glanced sharply back at Natalie. His eyes were full of concern. "No, I'm here. I'll be there, as soon as I can." He hung up the phone and looked at Natalie. Nat looked at her brother, her heart sinking. "Ritchie?" She whispered in fear. "What is it?" Richard took a deep breath. "Sara and Amie were in an accident." He said, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "They're okay, but I have to go and get them." "I'm going with you." Nat said, trying to pull away. "Nat, no. Stay here. Everything will be fine." He looked her in the eyes. "It's okay." Natalie shook her head. "No! It's not! Ritchie, if you go out there, you're never coming back! I know it!" Richard looked pleadingly at Nick. "Natalie. You have to stay here. My car isn't that big, and I have to bring back Sara and Amie and all of their stuff. Please. I won't be gone more than two hours." Nick came over and lightly touched Nat's arm. "Nat? I can stay with you. Richard's right, and he needs to get going." Natalie turned tearful eyes to Nick. "Are you sure you don't mind?" Nick smiled at her, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I'm sure." Natalie nodded and hugged Richard. "You'd better come back. Don't you dare leave me all alone." Richard smiled, as he kissed her on the forehead. "I won't. I promise." He pulled away and walked to the livingroom, pulling on his coat. "I'll call, if I can't get back before morning. I don't know how severe the storm is, and I may not want to drive back in it." Natalie nodded, as she watched him leave. She had a horrible feeling about this. Natalie looked back at Nick, her eyes reflecting her fear. Another flash of lightning, followed by the rumbling sound of thunder, caused her to jump. Nick walked over and pulled her into his comforting embrace. "Nat, it's okay." Natalie nodded, then pulled away. "Would you like to watch a video?" Nick smiled and nodded. Anything to take her mind off the storm. "Sure, I'd love to." He sat down on the sofa, as Natalie quickly skimmed Richard's video collection and popped one into the VCR. She sat on the sofa beside Nick, smiling as he motioned her closer and put his arm around her shoulders. Natalie had chosen 'Highlander'. She watched the movie in silence, until it came to the part where Connor's wife, Heather, was dying of old age. She began crying softly, doing her best to keep Nick from noticing. Nick heard Nat's quiet sobs and pulled her closer. "Nat? What is it?" Natalie just shook her head, as she stood and walked into the kitchen, grabbing a tissue from the table beside the sofa on her way. Nick turned off the movie and the tv, and followed Nat to the kitchen. Frowning, he watched as Nat stood staring out the window, her tears flowing. "Natalie... please. Tell me what's troubling you." Nat glanced back at him, taking in his concerned expression. "A lot of things. The storm. Painful memories. Fear of the future..." She trailed off and turned back to the window. "It's silly, isn't it? I'm thirty years old, and I'm terrified of a little storm." She laughed, bitterly. Nick came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. "No. It isn't silly, at all. Ritchie told me why you're frightened of them. I understand." He lightly kissed her cheek. "Are those the painful memories you're talking about?" Nat nodded. "I miss them, so much. I remember how safe I used to feel in Daddy's arms. And my mother... she used to sit by the fire and read to me whenever I was afraid." She told him, softly. Nick smiled. "My mother did the same thing. I guess some things never change over time." At that, Natalie broke down, hugging her arms around herself, sobbing. Nick, unsure of what he had said to upset her, turned her in his arms and pulled her closer. "Nat. Shhh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." He gently stroked her hair. Nat nodded against his shoulder. "I know. It's okay." She sniffled, wiping her nose with the tissue. Nick pulled away and looked into her eyes. "It's something else, isn't it? It started with the movie..." Nat averted her eyes and tried to pull away. "It's nothing." Nick held onto her. "It isn't 'nothing'. Tell me." Nat looked into his eyes, they were full of pain and uncertainty. She sighed. "It's not the movie, so much as that particular scene. Is that how it is for you? Never growing older, having to watch the people you love die?" Nick closed his eyes a moment, then opened them and nodded. "It never gets easier." He whispered, softly. "At least you get to experience love. Even if it is just for a short time." She turned away from him. "No matter how short lived, love and happiness are rare treasures... at least, that's what I've heard." Nick looked at Natalie with dawning understanding. He took her hand and pulled her into the livingroom, seating her on the sofa, before sitting beside her. "Nat, tell me about you. I want to know everything there is to know." Nat shook her head slowly. "My life is so dull. Trust me, I would put you to sleep." She smiled sadly at him. Nick raised an eyebrow, grinning at her. "It can't be that dull. You are, after all, the youngest Chief Coroner in the country... and a woman, at that. I'd say that is quite an accomplishment. And I know that you are very good at your job." He took her hand in his. "Nat..." He said, hesitantly. "Richard told me about your grandmother. How she used to abuse you... it might help to talk about it." Natalie stiffened slightly. "Ritchie has a big mouth." She said, swallowing hard. Nick smiled. "He wasn't trying to be intrusive. And neither was I. I know from experience, it helps to talk about the things that you've been through." Natalie looked at him and sighed. Perhaps it was time to trust someone. And she knew, beyond a doubt, that she could trust Nick. "Okay..." She started, taking a deep breath. "It started when I was about six. A police officer came to the door and told my mother that my father had been killed..." Over two hours later, Natalie had cried herself to sleep in Nick's embrace. He was amazed at all she had suffered in her short life. He was even more amazed, that she had survived it all. He smiled down at her, brushing her hair from her eyes. God, he loved her. The ringing of the phone brought him out of his reverie. He carefully laid Nat on the sofa, and picked up the phone. "Hello?" "Nick?" Richard's voice came over a static-filled line. "Yeah. Richard? Is everything okay?" Nick asked. He saw Nat sit up and turn fearful eyes in his direction. "Everything is fine. Is Natalie awake?" Richard asked. "Yes. Here she is." He walked over and handed the phone to Natalie. "Ritchie? Where are you? You should be home, by now." Nat scolded, her voice full of concern. "Calm down, sis. We are all fine. Sara's mother wants us to stay overnight, and possibly tomorrow, as well. The storm is pretty fierce, especially up this way. There is quite a bit of snow flying. Will you be okay, if I don't get back right away?" Richard asked. Natalie looked at Nick. She knew he could hear the whole conversation. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Nick is here, and I'd feel better if I knew you weren't out driving in this." "Okay. Help yourself to anything you need or want. Mi casa, su casa." He laughed. Natalie laughed, too. "Okay. I love you, Ritchie." Richard smiled to himself. "I love you, too, Nat. Get some rest. We'll see you, tomorrow sometime. Bye." "Bye." Nat said, hanging up the phone and looking at Nick. "I don't suppose you could stay the day?" Nick smiled at her. "Sure I can. We just have to cover the windows." Natalie nodded, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. "Dammit. I hate it when I get this emotional. I look awful when I cry." Nick walked up to her and brushed a tear away with his thumb. "No. To me, you are always beautiful..." He said softly, leaning forward and brushing her lips with his own. Nat started a bit, then smiled shyly at him. "Maybe we should--" Nick cut her off, as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. It was still several hours to sunrise. The windows could wait... Natalie wrapped her arms around Nick, pulling him closer to her. She couldn't quite believe that this was really happening. Nick kissed Nat deeply, probing her warm, moist mouth with his tongue, gently caressing her back. He loved the feel of her against him. He pulled away for a moment, gazing into her eyes. His own eyes reflected his love and desire, and his unspoken question. Was she afraid of him? Natalie looked into Nick's eyes and drew in a deep breath. She could see the love and desire for her reflected there. It made her heart swell with joy, to know that he cared for her, as much as she cared for him. She also saw the unspoken question. She smiled warmly at him, caressing his cheek with her fingertips. She leaned forward and kissed him, pulling him closer to her. Nick was relieved to see the lack of fear in Nat's eyes. He kissed her for several minutes, rubbing her back and shoulders, kissing his way along her jaw line to her neck. He traced the vein in her neck up to her ears, nipping lightly at the soft lobes. Natalie shivered in delight, as she felt Nick kissing her neck and then her ears. She had often dreamed of Nick kissing her and touching her in this manner, but found the reality was so much more exciting. Nick continued on, trailing light kisses along her jaw, her neck and ears, lightly kissing her cheeks and eyelids. All the while his lips were kissing her face and neck, his hands were caressing her arms, shoulders and back. At last, he pulled her into a deep kiss, and moved his hands around, up under her long nightshirt and gently massaged her soft, full breasts. Natalie gasped, as she felt Nick's touch on her skin. She had been so lost in the sensations, she'd barely noticed him moving his caresses to the front of her body. As Nick stepped back and pulled the nightshirt over her head, she felt a blush start from her head to her toes. Nick smiled, when he saw Natalie blush. 'Oh, but that is a delicious shade you turn.' He thought to himself, as he again pulled her close to him. He kissed his way down her neck to one of her cream colored mounds and began to lightly suckle. Nat threw her head back, panting with pleasure. She felt as if her whole body were on fire, and she loved every sensation. She tangled her fingers in Nick's hair, as she felt him move from one breast to the other. Nick continued his gentle sucking, as he ran his hands down her sides. He couldn't help touching every inch of her silky skin. He reached the waistband of her leggings and began to push them down. Natalie felt Nick pushing her leggings from her, and she pulled slightly away. "Nick... wait..." She gasped. Nick stopped mid-motion, looking up into Natalie's eyes. He looked away in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Nat. I shouldn't be pushing you so fast..." Natalie grabbed his hand and looked at him. "It isn't that. Really. It's just that, well... I um, it's... that 'time'..." Now she was the one that was embarrassed. Nick looked at her, as he began to understand. Of course. He had been smelling her blood much stronger than usual, that was why. He smiled a dark, seductive smile, as he pulled her close to him once again. "Ah... but that's okay." He said, softly. He closed his eyes momentarily, and when he opened them again, they were glowing softly. He bared his fangs at her in a non-threatening way and grinned. "You see, my love, that is one advantage. I *like* blood... and I am simply aching to taste yours." Natalie shivered in delight. She'd only seen this darker part of Nick a few times, but she was extremely attracted to it. She sighed, as she felt him lean forward and lightly kiss her lips. "Unless, of course, you don't want to...?" Nick said, softly. He refused to do anything to harm or frighten her. Natalie smiled a soft, sultry smile. "Oh, but I do..." Nick nodded, as he picked her up and carried her into the spare bedroom. He set her on her feet beside the bed, quickly removing his clothing, and the rest of hers. He pulled her close and kissed her, before carefully pushing her down onto the bed. Natalie laid back and began touching every inch of Nick she could reach. She'd always wondered what he looked like, and she was fascinated with his flawless alabaster skin. Nick kissed Natalie once, before trailing kisses down to her breasts. He took his time, worshipping each one with kisses and gentle suckling. He smiled, as he heard Nat moan in pleasure, then began trailing kisses down her flat stomach to the wiry patch of curls at her pubic bone. He nuzzled her once, inhaling deeply the wonderful scent of her, before he began to lightly stroke her clit with his thumb. He smiled to himself, as she lifted her hips slightly to meet him. He continued to pleasure her, until he could no longer stand the siren call of her blood. Leaning forward, he carefully parted her labia and gently probed her inner cavern with his tongue. Natalie inhaled sharply at the first touch of Nick's tongue against her. She was writhing in pleasure, matching the thrusts of his tongue with her hips. As she climbed higher on a spiral of pleasure, she reached up and grasped the wooden headboard, holding on as if for dear life. Nick could feel and smell Natalie nearing her release. The taste of her blood was sweeter than any he'd ever known, and it excited him. As he heard Natalie screaming his name in release, he quickly lapped up the warm fluid rushing from within her. Making sure he didn't have any traces of blood on his face, he trailed a wet path with his tongue up her abdomen to her breasts, stopping momentarily to kiss each one, then he moved on top of her, pulling her grasp from the headboard as he sheathed himself deep within her. Natalie cried out in ecstasy, as Nick entered her, filling her completely. She shuddered with excitement, tightly grasping his hands with her own, as she felt him begin to move within her. She arched her back slightly, as she met his rhythm thrust for thrust. Nick looked into Natalie's eyes, as he moved within her. He knew his own eyes were glowing red with passion, yet she was still unafraid. He pumped harder into her, knowing his own release was growing closer, yet wanting her to experience the pleasure once again. Nat looked into Nick's eyes and smiled at him. She felt his thrusts become harder, faster, and she wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Nick! Yes... oh, god, yes..." She gasped out, as she felt the wave of orgasm wash over her. Nick heard Nat's cries, felt the contractions of her vaginal muscles around his rigid member, and knew that it was time. He gently sank his fangs into the vein in her neck, feeling all of her wash over him like the morning tide. He took only a few swallows, licking the wounds shut, as his body spasmed deep within her. At last, he collapsed. Natalie felt the prick of Nick's fangs as they entered her throat, but strangely, it didn't hurt. Instead, it added to the intense pleasure she was already feeling. She wrapped her fingers in his hair, as she felt his cold seed spurting deep into her womb and, at last, relaxed. After several moments, Nick lifted himself off of her slightly, smiling down at her. "Are you all right?" Nat grinned at him with a dreamy smile. "I've never experienced anything like that in my entire life." She lightly caressed his cheek with her palm. "Neither have I." Nick told her. Noting her slight frown as she averted her eyes, he turned her head to face him, looking deep into her eyes. "Natalie, I mean it. Never, in over eight centuries, have I ever experienced anything as wonderful as making love to you. Your blood calmed my soul, made me feel whole again. I wouldn't lie to you." Nat looked at him and could see in his eyes that he was telling the truth. She smiled at him. "Nick? I... I love you." She whispered. Nick wrapped his arms tightly around her, as he turned them onto their sides. He kissed her deeply, then caressed her cheek with his palm. "I love you, too, Natalie Lambert." He turned onto his back, pulling Nat slightly across him, so that he could keep her in his embrace. Within fifteen minutes, Natalie was sound asleep. Nick lay silently, listening to the soothing sounds of her breathing and heartbeat. Richard carried Amie in and tucked her into bed, careful not to wake her. He'd seen Nat's car out front, as well as Nick's, but had not seen any sign of either of them. Walking softly down the hall, he opened the door to the guest room and peeked in. What he saw made him grin. Nick lay sleeping, with Natalie wrapped securely in his arms. Both were modestly covered, but he could tell what they'd been up to. The drapes were drawn, and the window was covered with a heavy blanket, to keep the sunlight out. Nick heard a slight noise and opened his eyes. Seeing Richard in the door, he pulled the blankets more securely around Nat. "Uh, Richard... Hi." Nick said, clearly uncomfortable. Richard smiled. "Hi. Relax, will you? Natalie's a grown woman, I trust her judgement." Nick grinned sheepishly. "Am I that transparent?" Richard laughed. "You? Nah... Seriously, Nick, I'm happy for you both. And it is the first time in nearly fifteen years that Nat has slept through a storm. Obviously, you are very good for her." Nick smiled at that. Then, turning serious, he looked at Nat's brother. "Richard? I wouldn't do anything to hurt Natalie... you know that, right?" Richard nodded. "I know, Nick. Thanks. Get some sleep. I doubt that Nat's gonna let you get much, now that you're together." He grinned, closing the door. Nick chuckled lightly, as he kissed Nat on the top of the head and settled in. Richard walked down the hall to his bedroom. Sara looked at him and smiled. "Are Nick and Natalie still here?" She asked. He nodded. "Oh, yeah. They're sleeping. At least, they are, now." Sara looked surprised. "Oh? Ritchie, they didn't!" He just smiled at her and nodded. "Yeah, they did. It's okay. Don't ask me how, but I just know that Nick is the One. They love each other, and I am happy for them. And I've never seen Natalie sleep through a storm, before." As if to emphasize his point, there was a bright flash of lightning and a loud rumble of thunder. Sara smiled at her husband, as she slipped into the bed beside him. "I'm happy for them, too. I guess we should start making an effort to get to know Nick better... I mean, after all, he's going to be family." Richard laughed. "Don't let Natalie hear you say that. At least, not until they've made it formal." Sara laughed, too, then kissed him. "I guess we should get some sleep. Amie will be awake before much longer." She settled into his warm embrace and fell asleep. *Three years later* Nick surreptitiously handed the toddler in the playpen another chocolate cookie, grinning as he kissed her dirty cheek. "Shh. Don't tell your mom." He whispered. Natalie watched him from the corner of her eye, shaking her head. "Nick, you are going to make her sick." Richard laughed at his sister. "Oh, Nat, lighten up. How often does he get to spoil her?" Nat raised an eyebrow at her brother. "More often than I can count." She pulled a baby wipe and the sunscreen out of the diaper bag and walked over to her daughter. "Here, let's clean you up." Nick looked down towards the water's edge, watching Sara and Amie splashing in the waves. "Why don't I just take her and wash her in the water?" Nat tossed him the sunscreen. "Fine. But you better put some of this on you, too. You may be cured, but you still burn." She lifted the sticky thirteen-month old from the playpen. "I'll go with you." She smiled. Nick finished covering himself with sunscreen, then stood and kissed her. "Okay. Come on. Coming Richard?" He asked. Richard nodded. "Yeah. The Schankes will be here around four, we can light the barbeque at around three-thirty." Nick nodded. "Sounds good." They headed down the beach, the sun reflecting off of the waves. Natalie shrieked in delight, as Nick splashed her with the cold water. "Nick! You'll scare Emma!" She said, clutching the toddler more tightly to her. Nick came over and took Emma from her. "Nah! Daddy's girl loves the water, don't you?" He asked Emma, who was now laughing at Nick holding her above his head and lightly shaking her. Natalie and the others broke into hysterical laughter, as Emma promptly spit up the cookies she'd just eaten, all over Nick. Nick made a face. "Eeew! Em!" He held her in one arm, as he cleaned himself off with the cold water. Then he held her tightly, dipping her into the water and rinsing her clean, as well. They splashed and played for awhile, then Nick and Natalie moved away from the water and sat with Emma, building a sand castle. Nick was telling Natalie and Emma a story from his childhood, when he looked up to see Don Schanke approaching. "Hey ya, partner! Lookin' good! You three are a picture perfect family, if ever I saw one." He lifted his camera and aimed it at them. "Say cheese!" Nick pulled Nat and Em closer, grinning at his partner. "Hey Schank!" He said, once the picture had been snapped. "You're here, early." He glanced at his watch. It was only three o'clock. "Yeah, well, I pleaded guilty and begged a little. I told Cohen I was meeting you guys, and she released me, early." He grinned at the three. He picked up the beautiful blonde haired, blue-eyed little girl and tickled her. "How is Uncle Donny's little angel?" Nat sat back as she watched Nick and Schanke fussing over their daughter. She was happier than she ever thought possible. Nick was no longer the angsting, sad vampire he had once been. He'd begun to slowly change, after the first night they'd made love. Neither of them knew how, or why. Nick was convinced that God had forgiven him. That his mortality was proof that he'd paid his pennance. Nat didn't argue with him. They were both at peace. Natalie smiled as she thought about the night that she and Nick had first made love. Ironic, wasn't it? It took a thunderstorm, to calm the storms within their souls. "Natalie!" Nick called from the picnic area. "Come on!" "I'm coming!" Nat said, as she began gathering Emma's toys. As she joined her family and friends, Natalie smiled at Nick and nodded. Nick put his arms around Nat's shoulders, as he smiled at the assembled group. "Guess what, everyone? Em's going to have a baby brother or sister!" He announced, his eyes sparkling. They found themselves suddenly surrounded, hugs and kisses being given out with murmurs of 'Congratulations'. Nick stood back a ways, as Nat and the other ladies began chatting and Richard and Schanke got into a philosophical discussion on the best way to light the barbeque. 'No.' He thought to himself. 'Things couldn't get any better than this.' *END KC Smith tigrlady2u@juno.com NickNatpacker with Dark Knightie tendencies. "I've never met a chocolate I didn't like."