(Adult) A Strange Twist of Fate (01/08) Knightshadowwrtr@yahoo.com No infringement of anyone rights intended. For FK fans pleasure only. A thank you to amethystshells for her Beta work on this story and the story title, and also Stephanie for her content comments. Permission to archive in Jadfe or other adult sites just let me know. A Strange Twist of Fate Natalie sat staring at the walls. She saw nothing, nor did she hear the persistent meow of her hungry cat. Her reason for living seemed to have evaporated. She'd gone last night to see Nick and had found the loft empty. Stone cold empty, all traces of Nick's life here vanished. She found only a note on the kitchen counter: "Forgive me," It had begged from its two-dimensional self. "I cannot be near you. I will kill you if I stay." Nick It was so short and so impersonal. It felt like someone had pushed a red-hot poker through her heart and back. With blinding tears, she'd shredded the note into pieces and let them fly up into the air. She was out the door before the last piece had floated to the floor. Natalie couldn't even remember how she had gotten home that night. Sydney had been meowing for his dinner for hours, but Natalie hadn't heard him. He'd finally given up and curled up close to his mistress' side. Her pain was raw and permeated the room. A horrendous crash in the living room brought Natalie to her feet and to her senses. Someone was in her apartment. She looked around for a weapon and grabbed a long letter opener from the bedside table. The destruction continued. Someone was trashing her apartment. It sounded as if everything was being destroyed. She could call for help, but what if it was an Enforcer. Innocent people could die and nothing in the universe would save her anyway. Had LaCroix sent them? Had Nick? No she couldn't believe Nick would do that to her. She would have rather died in his arms feeling him draw the last drops of her blood from here than face the Enforcers alone. An agonizing cry from the other room froze her and chilled her to the bone. The door to her bedroom flew open, pulled away from its hinges as if by a bomb blast. A dark figure drew up filling the doorway, eyes red, blazing with anger. Natalie saw the glint of white fangs in the dim hall light. She pressed up against the wall then flung herself at the figure burying the letter opener into the chest of the attacker. Maybe it would incapacitate him long enough for her to escape. She knew that thought was foolish, but she had to try. As she sidled past the agonizing figure, a hand came out grabbing her and she was pulled face to face with LaCroix. She became furious. "What the hell are you doing here?!" She demanded, "How dare you destroy my place. Isn't it enough that he's gone? You've won!" Pale light from the open moon lit window illuminated his face. "You're still here!" he hissed through his pain. His surprise stopped her struggle and her anger. She saw beneath the physical pain. He was amazed and shocked and there where blood tears on his face. All the fight had drained out of both of them as he slipped to the floor. His hand grasped the hilt of the opener, which was buried deep in his chest. "You're here," he said defeated. "I thought he'd taken you with him." He released her hand and she stumbled back. "He ran from you too." He gritted his teeth against the pain. Betrayal flashed through his pain filled eyes. "Please remove this," he demanded through clinched teeth. Though it was not fatal the injury was sending waves of pain through him. With shaking hands, Natalie reached past him and switched on the light. Blood flowed out around the wound drenching his shirt. "Can't you pull it out?" "No, I've lost too much blood." He seemed to lose the remainder of his strength and slumped against the wall." "It's in pretty deep. It's going to hurt. " "It already hurts Doctor. Just get it out!" he growled. "Alright!" she threw back at him. She bent close. "I'll have to cut off your clothes." "Do it!" he whispered through his clinched teeth. Natalie got her bag and quickly cut the shirt away from his chest so she could see his flesh. She tested the tightness of the opener. "I'm going to have to place my foot against your chest for leverage." She put on rubber gloves to get more traction on the handle. She helped him to lie flat, she was glad she still had her work scrubs on. She placed a tennis shoed foot on his chest, leaned in and pulled. She heaved back and LaCroix clamped his mouth closed. A deep sucking noise filled the silence and then a popping sound. Natalie fell back onto her butt on the carpet holding the long tapered knife in her hand. She saw LaCroix take a shuddering breath of relief and the tension drained out of his face. The blood stopped seeping out and the wound closed. "Wow!" She reached out and touched the area; his skin was smooth and flawless. She suddenly realized he was looking at her quite intently. She blushed and pulled her hand back. Her fingers touched the nipple on his breast and it immediately hardened. Suddenly the room was ripe with sexual tension. Natalie could not take her eyes off the stimulated nipple. LaCroix' acid voice curbed that line of thought. "I'd oblige your curiosity, Doctor, but I need to feed." He stood and in a rush of air was gone from the room and the apartment out onto the balcony into the air. Natalie sat there staring after him. When Sidney mewed and crawled into her lap, she shook herself mentally and pulled the cat close. She climbed shakily to her feet. She reached around the door, switched the light on in the hall, and then went to the living room door. Another switch and she stood gaping at the destruction. Tears stung her eyes. "So you left him too." She found some comfort that LaCroix had also been left behind. At least Nick was still fleeing his vampire nature. She remembered something he had said recently when they had discussed his new ease with LaCroix. "If I ever move on and go with him, I will never be able to fight what I am. My search for humanity will be lost forever." She had not known at the time that he would abandon them both. Something caught her eye and she reached under a book and drew out a porcelain ballerina. She examined it amazed. It wasn't broken. Not one finger was gone or chipped. She cried and held the delicate piece to her breast. It was one of the few items left behind by her mother. Sidney rubbed against her leg, mewing for his food. She took the ballerina to her room and set it gently on her dresser, then took pity on the poor cat and went to the kitchen to feed him. Miraculously her front door was in one piece; she closed it and used the chain to secure it. No one had heard the noise and come to investigate. If anyone had heard anything, they must have thought it was her television. Nick often had turned up the volume of action adventure movies when they'd have a movie night at her place. Tears stung her eyes, "Damn you Nick!" She dismissed him, scrubbing the tears off her face with the back of her hand. She realized she still wore blood stained clothing. She went to the bathroom stripped and took a hot shower. She wrapped all the bloody things up in a plastic bag. She would dispose of them in the basement incinerator tomorrow. The rest of the place would have to wait. Her legs suddenly felt rubbery and she climbed into bed. She thought of LaCroix and all the emotions she'd seen in his face tonight. Then she remembered touching him. Could a vampire be stimulated so easily? It made her blush to think of purposely touching him. She drifted off to sleep with LaCroix' voice in her mind. Natalie woke the next morning feeling empty. Not the devastating emptiness of last night. No matter what LaCroix was, he was also hurting. That was food for thought. She would never forgive Nick for abandoning her this way. For not having the courage to tell her how he felt and why he was leaving. Had he really been losing control of the vampire and wanted to kill her or did he love her so much that he knew he couldn't resist her and would have done anything other than take her life. Nick's note had left her wanting so much. "Nick," she whispered as tears fell down her cheeks. Was he in worse pain than she or LaCroix? The doorbell shook her out of her thoughts. If someone saw this mess, what would they say? She scrambled into her robe. She opened the door to find a man wearing a three-piece suit and carrying a brief case. "Yes?" she asked looking at him curiously. "Dr. Lambert?" "Yes?" "I'm James Hancock, of Hancock and Hancock." He held out a card. Natalie took it and studied it. His law offices were well known. He continued, "I have been retained by an acquaintance of yours. May I speak with you?" "Does this have anything to do with Nick?" She asked curiously. The small man looked confused, "Nick? I have no client called Nick." He motioned asking for entrance. She held the door tightly, "I'm sorry the place is a mess. I work night and sleep days. It's hard to maintain the place." "I am aware your place is damaged Doctor. I was sent here to evaluate the damage and make repairs." Natalie was stunned, "A Tall White haired man hired you?" "Yes, please may I come in?" She opened the door and Natalie saw the man's eyes widen when he saw the mess. "Mr. LaCroix does have a temper doesn't he?" was all he said. "You know who your client is?" "Of course. He's a very unusual man, but he pays me an exorbitant amount of money for my retainer." "Oh" she said. He pushed the debris from a table and placed his briefcase on it. He opened the case and produced several documents. "This is a contract for workers to come in here to repair and replace everything they can." Surprised Natalie asked, "What about my cat?" "It's all been arranged for you to take him with you." "What does Mr. LaCroix expect in return?" "Pardon me?" "What does he want from me?" "Ma'am, Mr. LaCroix wishes only to repair the damage and make you as comfortable as he can while the repairs are being made. If you will sign here, I can be on my way. A young man will come in 4 hours to take you and your things to the hotel. The entire hotel and all the provisions for you and your cat have already been made, Dr. Lambert. I suggest you enjoy them. Five and a half hours later Natalie was driven up to the hotel in a Limo. She was greeted by a handful of people ready to cater to her every need. Sidney was meowing loudly in the unfamiliar cat carrier. The elevator they took was plush and beautiful. The "room" made Natalie gasp. It was no mere apartment. It was a penthouse. It even had a private balcony with a swimming pool. The manager asked, "Will this suit your needs, Dr. Lambert?" "Oh yes," she managed to choke out, "it's wonderful. "Thank you." The bellboys placed her luggage in the bedroom. "Please feel free to call house keeping if you need anything." Natalie reached into her purse for a tip, but the manager stopped her, "all tips and gratuities have been taken care of. My staff has been very well compensated for, Dr. Lambert. Please allow the staff to earn their tip. " She smiled, "I'll see what I can do, thank you." The man handed her a card, "Call me if you have any concerns day or night." "He was THAT generous," she laughed. "Yes Ma'am." "All right I will see what I can do, but I'm pretty self-sufficient. Where's the list of services your hotel offers?" The manager showed her the binder on the desk, "Anything in here you desire, let me know and if you come up with something you need not listed please just ask." Finally, the man left and the smile fell from Natalie's face. All the splendor and beauty would not bring Nick back. How could he have done this to her? "How, Nick?" she cried. She let Sydney out of the carrier and he ran around checking out his new surroundings. She sat heavily on the nearest couch and cried. A week ago, Nick had been over for a movie. He'd pulled her close kissing her deeply. He'd allowed himself to push her down onto the couch as he caressed her with his mouth and hands. She had felt his desire against her leg and knew he could smell hers. Then he'd reared back, his eyes amber and fangs descended. It had startled her and she screamed. She was not afraid; he'd only surprised her. But Nick had been horrified and pulled away apologizing. She had called to him, begging him to stay with her but he'd gone. She had decided to let him call her. Had that been a mistake? It had been 4 nights and she hadn't heard from him. She had gone looking for him, finding his place empty nearly killed her but she'd not even had a choice. He'd gone and turned his back on loving her. She had seen it in his eyes, felt it in his kisses, in the touch of his hands on her breasts, and body. All of it was dust now. Part 2 She did not hear nor see the figure land on her Balcony and enter the apartment. When strong arms embraced her, she only clung and cried. After a time she realized it was LaCroix. She froze and he stopped stroking her hair and drew back. "How did you...?" she demanded, then saw the curtains swaying in the wind coming through the balcony door. "LaCroix, despite all you're doing for me, you cannot come and go as you please. If you think I am a paid Madam you are mistaken." LaCroix pushed her away and stood. "I assure you, I think none of those things. As for all this..." He swept his hand indicating the penthouse, "I figured I owed you. My workers say it will take about 4 weeks to make the repairs." "Four!" Nat broke in. "Four." he repeated, "You want it to be done right don't you? Oh, can I make some improvements? Color, Carpets?" "That's not necessary, LaCroix." "Please allow me to make up for the damage and your time away from your possessions." LaCroix heard the words come from his mouth and it made him angry. Why did he feel he owed this woman? Natalie shrugged, "knock yourself out." LaCroix said, stiffly, "Once this debt is paid there will be no reason for us to see one another again." He moved toward the balcony door and vanished into the night sky. "Well good riddance," she said aloud. After a month, vampires in her life would be history. She could live a normal life. The moment the words formed in her mind, she felt tears well up again in her eyes. "Damn you, Nick. Why didn't you ask me what I wanted?" She pushed the tears away and went to unpack. Natalie stood on her balcony next to the pool and dove in, she gasped for breath as she surfaced. It was a wonderful warm summer evening. She swam three or four laps and then came up on the side preparing to climb out. She suddenly realized with a gasp that someone was standing close watching her. "LaCroix! Why are you here again?" He extended a hand. Natalie stared at it, she wasn't sure she wanted him to see her in her suit, after a moment she sighed and reached up. LaCroix plucked her from the water with alarming speed. She gasped and found herself standing almost against his chest. He reached around her and gathered her robe. It brought his mouth rather close to her neck. She froze and found herself trembling. LaCroix only laid the robe against her shoulders then stepped back. "You need not fear me, Dr. Lambert. I will not harm you." He took her by the shoulders, turned her around, and held the robe back so she could slip her arms into it. When the robe settled on to her shoulders, he pulled her hair from under the collar. His cool fingers rubbed against her neck. She shivered and stepped away. He stepped away and held his hands up. He said nothing. "Sorry," she whispered, she hadn't really been afraid just startled by his touch but she found she didn't want to explain that to him. Let him think what he wanted. "Did you want something?" "Yes," he said in that soft silky voice. "Through a business acquaintance I acquired two tickets to the Symphony tomorrow night. Would you like to join me?" "A date? You want to take me on a date?" "Date? Well I'm not sure I would call it a date. I just thought you might like to get out of here on your night off." "How would you know it was my night off?" she eyed him suspiciously. "I called your office. I was told you would not be in tonight or tomorrow. I spoke to your co-worker Grace Balthazar isn't it?" Natalie smiled, Grace knew about LaCroix being a relative of Nick's. She would have to explain some of why she was suddenly living in one of the most expensive penthouses in the city. She knew Grace just thought of LaCroix as an eccentric bad tempered man, but a rich one and now that Nick was gone..." She turned back to LaCroix, "Alright, I would like to go with you." A smile touched the icy blue eyes, "Seven o'clock then, I'll take you out for some dinner first." "Can we dispense of the drugs this time," she asked, a devilish twinkle in her eye. She was rewarded by a shocked look that passed through his eyes. "You remember your night at the Azure?" "Yes, most of it. What was it all about?" "It was only a lesson for Nicholas." "Yes, well it was frightening, LaCroix, lets go somewhere else this time." "Of course, seven o'clock then." He rose back into the darkness and vanished. Natalie tugged her robe tightly around her and shivered, was she mad? She was going to the Symphony with an ancient vampire. He could be a gentleman though. She had never really thought of him as anything other than a monster before. Could it be that LaCroix was not the monster that Nick had painted him to be? She knew his nature made him cruel to a point, but he could be charming and very cultured. At least he was good at hiding the monster. She smiled thinking about their "date". She flung the robe away and dove back into the pool. LaCroix' fingers worked to straighten his collar and smooth down his jacket. He stared at his reflection and then turned in disgust. What was he doing taking Nicholas' human pet out for a night of dining and music. A woman he'd fought left and right to get out of his son's life. He glanced back in the mirror and found himself smiling. She was a woman of character. She knew what he was and met him face to face. He could sense some fear but her courage overshadowed it; she was an equal. Nicholas had been a fool. He should have fought for her instead of running. He switched off the light and headed for the waiting Limo. Natalie heard the doorbell and turned to look at herself briefly one more time. Her hair was done in cascades of big waves. Her off the shoulder green emerald formal flowed over her body and the v-neck was revealing, but modest. She wore pearls in her ears and at her throat for a very classic, classy look. Her lips were full and blood red. She liked what she saw and grabbed a shawl of the same color and a small bag. She opened the door and let out a surprised gasp. LaCroix looked magnificent in a new styles tux. It had a turtleneck with a button collar and vest. He seemed pleased by her reaction. "You're ravishing." He said kissing her on the hand. She smiled and resisted a sudden urge to caress the short white hair on his head. He stood looking curiously down at her as if he knew what she had been thinking. She blushed. He raised his eyebrow and offered his arm. Natalie wrapped her hand around his cool arm. She had to duck away from his eyes. His coolness reminded her of Nick and her eyes filled with tears. He covered her hand and squeezed her fingers in surprising tenderness, "I miss him too, Natalie. Do not be ashamed of your tears, he betrayed us both." As they walked down the hall to the elevator Natalie said, "I think he's probably in a lot more pain than we are LaCroix." "Lucien," he urged her. "Lucien," she repeated. "I agree, I can feel him sometimes at night. He is in pain, but this was his choice. He will have to learn to live with it." They both pushed their feelings aside and rode the elevator down in silence. They entered the waiting Limo. They sat side by side; he took her hand and pressed it against his lips again. The Limo ride was in silence; Natalie glanced at Lucien's face as he sipped a glass of blood wine. Emotions seemed to play across his face. He noticed her watching him and said, holding the glass out, "This human just became a new father. His blood is full of light and love. It's quite a fine vintage from one so young." "You can tell all that from the blood?" "We live through the blood Natalie. It reminds us about the lives we left behind. Feelings we lost." "You haven't lost your feelings, LaCroix. They are just mixed up with the needs of the vampire." "You really think so?" "Of course, my apartment is an epitaph to your feelings." "Anger only." "There would be no anger if you did not love him so." She reached out and instinctively covered the fingers of his hand that lay on his leg. She squeezed his fingers warmly. LaCroix' eyebrows rose. The warmth of her fingers surprised and pleased him. She suddenly drew her hand away, "I'm sorry. I did not mean to intrude upon your person. " "I do not mind your touch, Natalie, it was welcome." Color flooded her cheeks, as she blushed deeply, suddenly self- conscious. LaCroix' nostrils flared and there was a sudden shine to his eyes. He turned from her and emptied his glass then reached out for the bottle to pour another. Natalie fought her momentary panic at seeing the vampire appear. Was it fool hardy to spend so much time with this ancient vampire who had no compunction about taking fresh blood from the source. "Forgive me," his voice broke into her thoughts. "You need not fear me. I would leave the car before I harm you, Natalie." "Why didn't you feed before you came?" "I had a business situation and I did not want to be late." "Next time, be late." Natalie instructed. "Next time," LaCroix allowed a smile to touch his lips. Natalie blushed again, but this time LaCroix was in control. Natalie's hand flew to her face; "I'm sorry, I didn't mean," she stopped before she made a total fool of herself. Natalie swallowed her fears and relaxed back against the seat. She allowed her arm to touch his. "You're an enigma, Natalie." "As you are Lucien, it's hard to believe you are the monster I have heard so much about. I see a different man." LaCroix emptied his glass and set it down. He turned a bit toward her and looked into her face, "What do you see?" He asked curiously. "A cultured, intelligent man, capable of greatness. Yet there is a hardness about you." "Yesss." he hissed, "Beaten into me by my father." Natalie digested this information in silence. "Nick's dread of you, made me fear you." LaCroix' eyes became cold. "Nicholas brings out the worst in me. I get so angry that he chooses his guilt and pain over the amazing creature I made him." "He did not want that life. Did you sit him down and explain what he was choosing?" "He was with Janette. He wanted to be with her." "He was immature for his age. He desired her as a woman. It's quite possible that he never even heard what you said. His lust for her took over his very reason. It had been a long time since you felt that sort of passion for a woman. You forgot what it was like. You should have gotten to know him. You would have seen his gentle loving spirit. You would have realized he would eventually detest what he would become." LaCroix actually looked hurt and he turned away from her. She realized her words had touched an old wound. He had already realized his mistake, but it had been too late to turn back. She knew for certain that this ancient vampire really did love Nick so much that the pain of causing his son centuries of anguish had manifested itself into the fierce anger that always lashed out at Nick. "You've decided to let him go haven't you?" She ventured. "LaCroix looked back at her, and whispered, "Yes. I will never look for him again, Natalie. He is free to make his life what he will." "Why couldn't you have told him that while he was here? He might have stayed with me." "No Natalie, he left because he knew he would kill you. Your blood is a powerful drug he needs, because of his love for you. The drug was within his reach. It's over powering to him and he would rather die than harm you. Tears started to role down Natalie's face. LaCroix reached out and caught a tear on his finger. "Do not cry for him. He is your past." He reached around her shoulders and drew her to him. She turned slipping her arms around his neck and cried against his shoulder. Deep tearing sobs. She did not see the red blood tears that filled his eyes and slipped halfway down his cheek before being reabsorbed into his body. When Natalie was all cried out, she realized where she was and she tried to draw away. However LaCroix held her tightly to him,"Shhhh, I will not harm you my dear." He gently reassured her. She let herself relax against his chest. He was a rock. In his arms she felt safe, as crazy that was. She was enjoying the feel of his fingers as he stroked her hair trying to calm her. She suddenly felt a need for more intimacy. She raised her face toward his. The end Part 2 Part 3: He looked astonished but bent and covered her lips with his. He kissed her deeply and fiercely. She was trembling against him when he released her. She opened her mouth to ask why so much passion when the Limo came to a standstill, they had arrived at their destination. They drew apart with a sigh as the driver came to open the door. Natalie scrubbed at her tear stained face, suddenly conscious that her makeup was in ruins. She turned back, reaching up a hand to wipe the lipstick from his lips with her finger and thumb. He caught the tip of her finger in his lips and smiled as she drew it slowly away. "There's a powder room on the left side, just inside the door. You will want to freshen up there." She nodded as he moved past her and got out of the Limo. He then reached back in to take her hand and he drew her out. Natalie kept her face down and didn't look into anyone's face. She went directly to the ladies room, ducked into the first marble cubicle, and pressed herself against the cool wall. She felt overwhelmed and a bit panicked. "What am I doing? What must he think of me? I practically threw myself at him." She blushed remembering his deep kisses. His tongue was cool inside her fiery mouth. His taste was pleasant and tangy. She took a ragged breath and forced herself to pull out her compact. She repaired her makeup, applied new lipstick and freshened up. She then took a deep breath and stepped out of the cubicle. She tentatively smiled at several other women in the room, washed her hands and dried then thoroughly. When she could no longer stay there, she left the room. She found Lucien waiting patiently near the staircase. She discovered she was unable to speak to him. He offered his arm and she slipped hers under and around his. They went up the stairs. The seats of course were the best in the house, a private box center stage. They did not speak as they waited and finally the music began. After the first intermission in which they spoke only of the performance, LaCroix reached over and took her hand, "Do not be ashamed of your need for comfort. It was my pleasure." She sighed letting the tension go and relaxed. She squeezed his hand expecting him to let her go, yet he only interlaced their fingers and held her hand firmly but gently. She let herself lean against his shoulder. Suddenly Natalie woke with a start, "Oh, My God! I fell asleep!" She found herself cradled against LaCroix as the last notes of the Symphony were dying in the air. "Its okay, you were emotionally exhausted. The music was a lullaby." She smiled up gratefully. "Please tell me I didn't snore?" "No, of course, not." The look on his face was so innocent she found herself laughing at him, "I must have and you're being a gentleman." She was already learning to read his face. "You're a sweet liar." "Few people have ever referred to me as sweet." He got to his feet and pulled her to hers. "Come on, I'm in need of a drink." He guided her expertly and quickly through the crowd. The Limo was waiting for them at the curb. As soon as they were seated, LaCroix grabbed a flask set out for him and drained it. Natalie watched subtle emotions play across his face. He saw her curious stare. "A virgin in love. It is the finest blood." After that they sat close but quietly, each buried in their own thoughts. Natalie was confused about all the things she had learned tonight from LaCroix. She admitted to herself that he was a fascinating man. She found she did want to see him again. When they arrived at the hotel LaCroix insisted on seeing her up to her penthouse. They rode the elevator in silence and he held her hand the entire time. At the door she found her voice was trembling a bit as she asked, "Would you like to come in?" If I do, you would not leave the room alive. Are you ready for that?" Tears sprang to her eyes, "No" she whispered. He pulled her against him, kissing her breathless then he left vanishing into the elevator. Natalie looked after him a minute before turning and sliding her key through the lock. The door to the huge penthouse opened. She stepped in with a sigh of relief but then she realized disappointment. Being with LaCroix was like trying to tame a whirlwind. He might eventually take her life, but she knew she was powerless to resist him now. She slipped her heel off and sighed with relief. Sidney was already meowing and rubbing against her legs. She picked him up and held him close, then took him to the kitchen to feed him. As he ate, she went and stripped to take a warm shower. The multi-headed shower washed away the remaining tension. She slipped into a silky gown and crawled into bed. Sydney having finished his meal joined her. She fell into a deep sleep. Natalie slept through most the next day and woke feeling refreshed and better able to face the future that Nick had left her to face alone. She worked the next four nights. LaCroix called several times just to make sure that she was being well cared for. His manner was formal and impersonal. Natalie began to wonder if he had changed his mind. Did she have the power to frighten off the ancient vampire? On Thursday night at work, a dozen red roses were delivered. They were huge, velvety and perfect. The card read, "Please join me for a drink at the Raven when you get off tomorrow. I will have a car sent." LC She smiled as she shivered with excitement. She was going to see him again. The next night she was so excited she could barely concentrate on her work. She finally hustled Grace out of there and sent her home. She went into the ladies locker room to change into a simple black evening dress. She started to put up her hair but then realized that would leave her neck bare. That would be tempting fate considering she was going into a vampires' den. She placed a black choker of lace around her neck. She knew it would make LaCroix laugh, but it gave her a sense of security. The driver was waiting when she stepped from the building. There was another driver with him; he would take her car back to the hotel. "LaCroix had thought of everything." She said dropping her keys into the young man's hand. "Yes ma'am, the tip was huge too. I will take good care of your car." Natalie smiled and entered the Limo. She realized she was rather hungry and was pleased to find a fancy selection of fine food for her dinner. The traffic was light tonight and they arrived at the Raven nearly 15 minutes before the appointed time. The bouncer waved Natalie into the club. She took a deep breath and walked down the ramp, through the chains and the crowd of young gyrating bodies. The room was full of smoke and loud music. She spotted LaCroix by the bar. His back was turned toward her and she approached him quietly. He took her breath away. He was dressed immaculately; then she heard his voice. "Nicholas' human pet is coming here for a drink, Myklos. See that she is well taken care of. She may have news of him. I mean to stay on her good side." She let out an involuntary gasp and he turned. A panic rose in her, have I been wrong to trust him, she thought. "Human pet," he had called her. As if she was an animal. She turned away to escape and fear rose in waves out of her. Every vampire turned to look at her. They were all alert because of her fear and their hunting instincts were tuned to her. Suddenly a hand like a vise grip grabbed her arm and a command rang out, "Touch her and you die!" She found herself forced past the sea of faces and away from the huge room into a quiet secluded office in the back. The door was closed drowning out the noise and danger. She found herself held tightly against LaCroix' chest. "Let go of me," she hissed. "How dare you touch me?" She pushed against his chest. She was released and she raised her hand to slap LaCroix' face when the pain in his eyes stopped her. She lowered her hand and stood confused. "My words were not meant to injure you." "No? You did a damn fine job." "My words were not meant for your ears." He said in that soft whisper of his. "That's obvious. What kind of game are you playing, LaCroix." "It is no game, not for you anyway. I was setting up a scenario. One I could relax and enjoy your company with, without everyone wondering why you were with me. Just as Nicholas had to be careful with you around our people so do I. I must also answer to the Enforcers." She stared at him still furious. "You expect me to believe that?" He took a step toward her and Natalie held her ground. "You, Natalie are the most amazing woman. You must be protected at all cost." He grabbed her and kissed her so fiercely that she no longer questioned that he desired her too. She clung to him needing to believe him. Suddenly realizing he was the only person who might save her from the despair of losing Nick. She knew her association with him could possibly be fatal to her eventually, but she had already lost her heart to him. How could she have come to this place so quickly? Did he know?" "We must go back to the bar." He informed her. "No!" she cried, shaking with fear. "Natalie," he took her face in his hands. "You must act as if I hypnotized you into forgetting what you heard earlier." "Could you really do that to me? I am a resistor." "Yes I could, or at least take your memories for a time. If you wish I can do that." "No, I don't want that." "Good, I do not want to take your memories Natalie. If you are to trust me you must have your memories no matter how painful they might be." "Do you see me as Nicholas' human pet?" "No," he said as he caressed her face, "my dear. I do not. But until you are marked by me you can not come here without a reasonable explanation." "Marked?" "If I were to taste your blood you would bear my mark. Your blood would be infected minutely by me. Your blood would then have a signal telling the others to stay away. You would be under my protection. No other vampire would touch you." Natalie eyed him curiously, "How much blood?" "Only a few drops." Natalie raised her fingers toward his mouth. "Take it." "Natalie, right now you have freedom to be with me. If you are marked by me you will have to be brought across eventually." "I'm not sure I can go out there without your protection." "Do you understand what I have told you? You accused me of not informing Nicholas enough. She looked deeply into his eyes, she reached up her fingers and caressed his cheek and saw his eyes flash his relief and desire for her. She saw something there even she did not think he knew was there and she made up her mind, "Take it, Lucien. I want to belong to you. Taste my blood and you will know my words are true." LaCroix wrapped his fingers around hers, she extended her index finger, and with his other arm he drew her against him. His eyes took on a warm glow and his fangs extended. Natalie felt an overwhelming excitement. So powerful that her legs buckled and LaCroix supported her against him. He asked again, "Are you sure?" "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, do it." Her finger was drawn past his cool lips. His tongue swirled around the warm flesh and then she felt a prick and LaCroix sucked down the tiny drops of crimson fluid into his mouth. He groaned with pleasure and Natalie was suddenly aware that he physically desired her. He looked astonished as he let go of her finger. "How can you care for me so deeply, so quickly?" He drew her tightly against him in awe and confusion as he realized that ending her human life would hurt him. He loved her warmth and the feel of her beating heart against his chest. He held her and stroked her hair. He held her until the desire he felt for her was squashed by the knowledge that he did not need to take her forcefully, she wanted to be with him. He had all the time in the world. With a sigh, he released her, "Come we must go back out." Natalie didn't feel any different, but she trusted LaCroix and knew she would now be safe. She raised her face to his and he bent to kiss her gently. "I am here, I will keep you safe. You are mine now." He pulled her toward the door and she fell into step at his side. He held her hand against his arm to give her courage. As they came into the room, every eye turned to look. Natalie saw the surprise register on their faces as they recognized that she was marked. They then turned away one by one ignoring the couple. Natalie relaxed completely. She sat with LaCroix in a private booth. Fine wine was brought to her and LaCroix drank deeply from his goblet of blood wine. They talked about trivial things, her work and his nights. An hour later LaCroix escorted her out of the nightclub and into the waiting Limo. He joined her on the ride. The driver pulled into the street apparently already aware of their destination. Back behind the privacy screen, Natalie asked, "The driver, is he a vampire?" "No human, sometimes it's necessary for me to be driven to business meetings during the day. With the darkened windows I am protected from the sun." Natalie snuggled against him and he held her close. He felt a fear for the first time in centuries. Was this why Nick had fled? The power of his desire for this woman was overwhelming. Had Nick felt this way, with his damn sense of right and wrong? It would have prevented him from taking her, making her, his. Was Nick's love for Natalie stronger than his, Nick had run rather than harm her? He himself, was weak he would never leave her side. He wanted her with him. He could not face his life without her. End Part 3 Part 4 He came into her Penthouse for a drink. He sipped the wine that Natalie gave him and then added a bit of his own reserve from a small silver flask he carried in his pocket. He was deep in thought and they barely talked. When he left he kissed her on the forehead and said, "Good night, Natalie." Then he was gone. Natalie stood there staring after him. Had she made a mistake? Where had his passion gone, his desire for her. Her body had ached for his touch, for his kisses. As the week went by Natalie thought a lot about Nick and LaCroix. She questioned herself at length about LaCroix. Was she with him only because he was a link to Nick? No, she dismissed that. She cared deeply for him. He was so different from what Nick had painted him. As for Nick, she realized her feelings for him had changed. She was no longer "in love" with him. She knew she would always care for him. She wished he would find what he was looking for. Was she allowing LaCroix to bring her over because she knew it would give her time to see Nick one day? Yes that was one reason. Not because she wanted Nick but she knew if she could give him her forgiveness, it would lighten his load and free him to look for love again. She also thought a lot about sex. Was it different for vampires? Was that why LaCroix no longer seemed to want her physically? He hadn't kissed her passionately since the Raven. She lay in her bed and cried at night. When LaCroix called several days later to tell her he had returned and to ask if he could drop by, she feigned a headache and begged him not to come. Had she heard confusion and hurt in his voice? "Natalie, what's wrong, have you changed your mind? You know that's impossible. As long as I am a vampire you will have this mark on you." "Lucien, I've not. I really do have a headache," she lied. He sighed and said "goodnight." Natalie laid hot tears on her face. How could she hide her desire from him? If it were not reciprocated perhaps being brought across would relieve this terrible need for him. The next night was her night off. In the afternoon a dozen red roses were delivered. Natalie smiled. The phone rang. It was LaCroix. "Please let me take you to dinner tonight. I have missed you." "Have you?" she asked. "Of course, how can you think otherwise? Please. I will be there at 8:00. I'll come up to escort you down." "No, I'll meet you downstairs." She hung up. LaCroix stared at the disconnected phone then snarled at it. "What the hell is wrong with her? She must feel she has made a mistake. Natalie was standing in the lobby when the Limo pulled up. LaCroix came out of the Limo and reached out for her. She put both hands behind her back. He stood aside and waved her toward the Limo. He didn't want to cause a scene. They sat stiffly next to each other, not touching. LaCroix ached to touch her. But she seemed determined to keep to herself. "How have you been?" Natalie lied, "Very busy, I've had no time to even think." "Indeed", he said as they settled back into silence. He drank a fair amount of blood wine to keep his temper in check. The evening was long and they barely spoke to each other. Both were confused but they were unwilling to voice their thoughts to one another. LaCroix, afraid Natalie had changed her mind; Natalie afraid that having become his protégé had destroyed his desire for her. He insisted on showing her to her door. He bent to place a kiss on her forehead and she ducked away and into the apartment, shutting the door in his face. Hot tears ran down her cheeks. LaCroix snarled. He'd let her stew tonight but he was going to find out what was wrong on their next date. Unfortunately, a very important case came Natalie's way and she worked non-stop for three days. She slept at the lab. She refused to talk to him, telling Grace to tell him she had no time. Grace was so curious about this sudden "Sugar Daddy" in Natalie's life. She could not fathom how Natalie had gone from radiant happiness to this sad withdrawn woman. Flowers arrived everyday and she saw Natalie cry each time. When she could stand it no more she demanded, "What is wrong girlfriend? This man obviously cares very much for you. I thought for a time you cared for him too." "I do, it's complicated, Grace. He's withdrawn his desire," she admitted, touching the velvet petals." "Are you sure, Natalie? These flowers look like a man who wants to win you back." "He only kissed my forehead the last couple times we were together." "Have you asked him why?" "No." "Why the hell not. These flowers are plea for your affection." Natalie looked at her friend, "It's complicated Grace, I can't explain it. He's older. Maybe he's just looking for a daughter." "You love this older man?" she asked. "Yes, very much." "Well good grief girl, tell him! This is only making you miserable. Talk to him. "Its com..." "Complicated, I know but you're miserable." "I can't..." Natalie protested turning away. Grace took her by the shoulders and turned her around drawing her friend to her large bosom. "You can, Natalie, otherwise your chance will be lost. Men find it almost impossible to talk about feelings. Women have to break the ice. This could go on forever." That word hit Natalie between the eyes. She could never live like this with LaCroix forever. Despair wrapped itself around her. She held her friend tightly for a while longer, then pulled away. "I'm going home Grace." "Talk to him," her friend pleaded as she went out the door. As she crawled into bed that early morning, she cried out his name with her heart. Almost in answer to her summons, she heard the doors to the balcony slide open. A burning scorched smell touched her nose. The sun had risen. A dark caped figure appeared in the door of her bedroom. LaCroix stood there, his face was full of rage. He strode to the bed, grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up against him pinning her painfully against his chest. He saw her white pale face and the tears and red eyes. "Do you detest the idea of being with me so much that you hide in your work or this room? He pulled her face up and bent to kiss her bruising her lips and cutting them with his fangs. The blood ignited the vampire and he sucked the blood hungrily from her lips. Natalie was afraid and thrilled, surprised to see his desire again. Would it take only her blood to ignite his passion now? She pushed against his chest, "Please let me go," she cried. LaCroix anger blazed. He threw her back onto the bed. She bounced and then stared at him. He turned to leave and realized the sun was up. He closed his eyes and fought the demon. Squashing its desire for the blood. He mastered the vampire and opened his blue eyes to look at her, "I do not understand this Natalie. Why have you withdrawn from me since I marked you? Do you already regret your choice?" "Do you?" she said ignoring her tears. "I don't want a Master, Lucien. I thought you realized that." "A Master?" He asked confused. "Ever since you tasted my blood you've withdrawn your physical desire." She saw him glaze over as if replaying his memories on the back of his own eyes. His anger seemed to dissipate. "You think I do not desire you?" "I've seen no evidence of it." Suddenly the air seemed to be knocked out of him as he sat heavily on the bed. "Forgive me." He started to take off his jacket. Natalie watched him as he took off his shoes and then crawled into the bed pulling her close. She clung to him crying. He let her cry and then he kissed her wet face. Natalie wanted to feel his bare skin against hers. She searched for his buttons on his shirt and undid them. LaCroix sighed when her warm hands touched his bare chest. It felt so wonderful. "Natalie." He covered her breast with his hand, gently teasing her nipple into a tight hard tip. Natalie moaned with pleasure. "Please make love to me, Lucien." He drew her closer, his hands becoming still on her body, "I can't, Natalie." "What!" she cried. She tried to pull away but he held her fast. "Natalie! Listen to me." he demanded. "I want to make love to you. I really do. More than you can imagine, but I can't." She was so embarrassed and angry she wasn't hearing him, "You should have told me when you tasted my blood that night. You should have told me it would make me like a daughter and not a wife." LaCroix looked at her, the confusion suddenly disappearing and understanding took its place. "Wife!" Natalie turned her face away. "Please look at me," he forced her face back to his, "In 2000 years I have never had a wife." He held her close and sat back on the bed pulling her into his lap. "Is that what you think happened when I tasted your blood?" She nodded, not looking at him, tears ran down her face. He raised her chin with his finger and made her look into his face. "Why do you think you would only be a daughter?" Trembling she gasped for breath and stammered, "You stopped kissing me like a starving man. You barely touched me. A kiss on the forehead is what a father gives a daughter. I want you, Lucien. I want to lose myself in your body. I want to touch and taste every part of you. Feel you inside of me." She was so upset she was sobbing. She saw laughter fill Lucien's eyes. "Damn you, LaCroix, is this a game to you, like the games you played with Nick. No wonder he wanted to get away from you." LaCroix unused to dealing with human emotions unleashed the vampire. His visage changed and she drew back afraid. "Never, never judge me by Nicholas' standards." Natalie drew further back in horror; raising her hands to cross her arms as if to ward off a blow and cowered down. An anguished cry escaped the vampire and he moved away letting her fall back onto the bed. He was so quiet that Natalie finally lowered her arms. He stood a few feet away and his body was shaking. His eyes were closed. He was battling for control of the vampire and when he opened his eyes, they were blue again. He had won. "How can Nicholas live like this? I allowed myself to love for a brief time 800 years ago and the pain of that failed relationship is still with me. Nicholas has fallen in love many times and each died in his arms. " He came closer, "Forgive me for my sins. I did not realize it would give you so many false impressions." He held out his hands to her and after a few moments of hesitation, she reached out for him. He drew her close again. "Natalie, when I took your blood, I saw your love. It was impossible that it should be there so quickly, and yet it was. You love me. Not as a father or a mentor but as a woman loves a man. The emotion of desire was overwhelming. I had to withdraw. If I hadn't I would have devoured you. I might have killed you." "Natalie, I do want you. More than you can ever know, but control is very important to your survival. I will not yet risk your life, Natalie. In time I will have to bring you across, but I want to enjoy your warmth first." She let her body relax against him, "Is it possible for us to make love?" She asked through her drying tears. He stroked her hair and ran a thumb over her cheek. "Yes, it's possible but I must have absolute control." "I want you so much Lucien. What happens after I am brought across? Can we still make love?" She glanced bashfully into his face. Humor touched his eyes, "Most definitely." She eyed him suspiciously, "What does a vampire define as making love?" "Define?" He teased her now, seeing the hope and gleam return to her eyes. "The blood is so overpowering we sometimes forgo the physical pleasures. Yet if it's the plumbing you're asking about, it works fine." Natalie giggled and snuggled against him, "I'm so glad." The mood in her room changed from anger and pain to excited happiness. They curled up in each other arms and talked. LaCroix explained that if they were to make love he would have to overfeed for a period of time until he had totally pacified the vampire into a stupor. The knowledge that he did want her seemed to ease her desperate need for him. She relaxed and just listened to his voice. Finally she asked, "Vampires don't have wives do they?" "You're wondering what it's like to live like we do? You will know if you decide to make that kind of commitment with me." "Would you desire that from me?" He kissed her again. They settled back against the pillows. "Shhhhh," he said holding her close, He thought, "Fleur is the past, she is dust. I have released Nicholas. It's done." They drifted off to sleep. Natalie rose in the late afternoon, climbed out from around LaCroix and went to feed Sidney. The doorbell rang and she found a delivery boy laden with a box of Raven's finest. She took the box and sat it on the counter in the kitchen. She then showered and dressed. About an hour before sundown, LaCroix stirred and sat up. He smiled when he realized Natalie was watching him. She came over and silently kissed him then went to open a bottle of blood wine to warm a cup for him. She came and sat on the bed and watched as he drank it down. She returned to fill it again and he was sitting on the edge of the bed. She reached up suddenly and ruffled his short white hair. He laughed at her and reached to catch her fingers kissing them before letting her go. "I always wondered what that would feel like." "And..." he waited for his answer. End part 4 Part 5 "It was wonderful." She moved between his knees and setting the cup down he wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his hair, "You're wonderful, Lucien, when you're loved." She breathed in his scent. "Love disarms me. I felt it only once 800 years ago." "That's when you brought Nick across. Did you love him that much?" "I did love Nicholas as a child, as my son, but I fell in love with his sister." "What?" She whispered. LaCroix pulled her into his lap and held her close. "Nick insisted we go to his home in Brabant so that he could say a final farewell to his family. At the time, he was a model son. A son to be proud of. I let him convince me it would be okay." "We arrived late one morning already exhausted from travel and damaged by the sun. Fleur touched me and I was captivated by her. We were only there a couple of nights. She accidentally cut herself on a thorn and I tasted her blood. She was mine." "Nick absolutely refused to let us have that happiness. He convinced me to leave. He told me if I really loved her, I would not take her life. She even discovered what I was. She wanted to join me, yet I left her. She died only a few years later. What a waste! I was devastated and I became angry. Nick felt guilty as always. The disappointment and pain took on a life of its own. The animosity that grew changed us. We hated the sight of each other. It got so bad that he would run and unable to stop wanting to punish him I pursued him over the centuries. It came down to Nicholas stabbing me with a fiery spear and I nearly died. It took me a year to rehabilitate enough to show myself in public." "Lucien, I didn't know." She held him tightly to her. "That's what that night at the Azure was all about?" "Yes," Natalie felt him shudder. "I was angry that Nicholas was declaring his love for you. That he blatantly ignored our pact." "But you were going to kill me." She trembled against his body. "No Natalie," he moved to look into her eyes, "I would never have taken your life. Not all of your life. I'm not sure I would even have brought you across. I just wanted to scare him away from you." He kissed her gently. "I was insanely jealous," he said softly. Natalie caressed his cheek with her fingers; she saw a small flash of amber in his eyes. She did not draw away but pressed kisses all over his face, loving the vampire away. When she drew back, she found he had blood tears in his eyes. "You forgive me for that night?" He was amazed at her willingness to love him no matter what. "If Nick had decided to fight you for me, what would you have done Lucien? Would you have killed him?" "No, Natalie, I would rather die than see my son perish. No matter what he's done to me. I know I've made his life hell. I did it to make him tough, to make him a survivor. To answer your question, I would have bloodied him pretty good, but I would have let him have you. I should have fought for Fleur." "Fleur," Natalie repeated, "A beautiful name." Finding out Lucien had been that much in love made her ache for him and for Nick. The battles fought between them all those centuries had been over a woman. To know Lucien had hurt all these centuries made her cry and she kissed him again. Because of Fleur, his bitterness had lashed out against humans. She felt herself trembling uncontrollably in his arms. Had he loved Fleur more than he did her? "She's dead and gone. You are real and warm and mine." He kissed her deeply wishing he could take her losing himself in her body and blood. But he set her up on her feet with a sigh. She caressed his soft hair again, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet, "Go freshen up, or whatever vampires do and I'll call in sick. We will go out." She went to her closet to find something to wear. Lucien watched in amazement at this woman. He had feared she would be jealous of Fleur and angry with him and Nick for their foolish human behavior that had destroyed their relationship. The utter irony was that Nick had left Natalie in the end, just as he had Fleur. Thus they were even now. He made a call to his driver and then went to take a shower. While LaCroix was in the shower, the doorbell rang and Natalie found the Limo driver with a black suit for Lucien, fresh from the cleaners. She thanked him and laid it on the bed. She had taken out a chic black knit dress and slipped it on. LaCroix came from the bathroom with only a towel around his waist. Natalie stared in open-mouthed appreciation. His body was perfect. Tight muscles, well defined abs. His suits had never revealed this. "I was a Roman General," he said guessing at her thoughts. "Of course," she came closer taking the towel from his hand and slowly rubbed the moisture from his shoulders and back in slow firm movements. He stood there letting her dry his hair. He had not been attended to in many years. She ran the towel down his arms and across his back again; leaning in she pressed her cheek against his back and then her lips. The towel fell to the floor and her hands caressed and studied the planes of his back. He was still warm from the shower and felt wonderful. Lucien closed his eyes, very aware of her stomach pressed to his buttocks. "Natalie?" He cautioned her. "I have not yet fed enough." Her hands reached around him to touch his nipples feeling them harden against her fingers. He clasped her hands pulling them away, "Natalie please." She froze and sighed pressing her face against his back again. "Okay, I'm going." She left the room walking on rubbery legs. She wanted him so badly. A few minutes later he came from the bedroom immaculately dressed as always. He took a mug of warmed blood wine drinking it down, then another and another until he'd drank the contents of two whole bottles. Finally, he shook his head when she offered to open another one. "Seems like your stomach would explode." She ventured. "It's absorbed by the whole body," he said. "Buy the way you look amazing, my dear. I would like to ravish you." "You could, I'm not stopping you." He pulled her close kissing her deeply, "I could..." He kissed her again, "satisfy your needs, my dear, but you would not be able to touch me." Natalie felt her legs weaken, "How?" she whispered. He picked her up and carried her to the bar. He sat her upon it, "Lay back," he said then left her briefly to grab a pillow from the couch to place it under her head. He took her hands and pressed them to the sides of the bar, "Hold onto the edge and do not let go for anything. Do you understand Natalie, for anything." Trembling with excitement, she nodded and clamped her hands on the sides. The rounded wood seemed to be a natural handhold. He carefully removed her shoes, pulled her dress up over her hips, and drew her stockings down and her panties off. His hands ran gently over her legs and then he drew her legs up, placed her feet on the bar, and spread her legs. He could hear her breathing increase and her body was trembling with deep desire and emotion. He pressed kisses against her thighs. His hands caressed her flesh and his mouth drew closer and closer to his goal. Natalie held the bar so tightly her fingers where aching. She cried out to him, "Lucien!" "Hold on Natalie," he whispered, his fingers dipped into her moist opening. She cried out with pleasure and arched against them. He ran his thumb over her nub and was rewarded by a gasp of delight. Then thrusting two fingers deep inside of her he bent and ran his tongue over her clitoris. She tasted of spice and wildflowers. He withdrew his fingers, wrapped his arms around the outside of her legs, and pulled her closer to his mouth. He sucked deeply and thrust his tongue into her in rapid succession. She was writhing and gasping with desire. "Faster Lucien," she cried arching against his face. Her orgasm built until she screamed his name and shuddered against his mouth. He sucked in her juices finding great satisfaction at knowing he'd relieved her needs. He placed kisses against her thighs then moved to her side, and covered her mouth in a deep penetrating kiss. Natalie tasted herself in his mouth let go of the bar and placed her arms around his neck as he lifted her from the bar. "You are so beautiful, Natalie. You were brave and strong." He carried her into the bedroom and sat her on the edge of the bed. She was spent and was unable to move. He smiled down at her and then went to get her a glass of orange juice. He made her drink it then helped her remove her dress so she could go into the bathroom to clean up. He fed some more pushing down his desires. He washed his own face and hands and then helped her dress again. Though she was still very quiet, she came along with him when he pulled her to the balcony. "Do you trust me?" He asked, indicating the night sky. Natalie's eyes grew big but she nodded. "That's my girl," he bent and picked her up in his arms and up they flew into the dark night sky. Natalie held tightly to him for a few minutes then relaxed in his arms. Her body was so satisfied she didn't care where they were going as long as Lucien held her close. They flew over the city and out into the edge of the country. Feeling stronger Natalie started to take notice of the surroundings. They were flying lower right above the trees. Natalie realized they were moving over the grounds of a large Estate. She looked at him curiously but he only smiled at her. He gently lit down in front of the door of the huge house. LaCroix sit Natalie down on her feet, still holding her around the waist to steady her. "Lucien, what is this place?" "This," he said sweeping his hand out to indicate the whole house and ground, "is going to be our home." Natalie gasped, "What? Oh Lucien." She eyed the place with more interest. He produced a key from his pocket and opened the door. They stepped into a warm foyer. It was grand. It had marble polished floors, high ceilings. A curved staircase went up to a second floor. Flowers sat in vases on warm rich dark wood tables making the place warm and fragrant. A huge glass chandelier hung in the foyer. He showed her a small intimate sitting room and a larger den. There were offices with state of the art equipment for both of them and a library filled with wonderful old and new books. The kitchen was huge and there was also a small private breakfast nook. There was a huge dining room table and Natalie giggled with the image of her at one end and he at the other. LaCroix opened a door off the kitchen. Natalie went through the door. She gasped in delight when her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. There was a beautiful indoor pool. It had deep blue tiles with gold woven in a Roman design with columns supporting the ceiling. The lighting was romantic and amazing. "Oh, Lucien," she cried, "it's wonderful. After gazing at it for a while longer and studying the statues that were also arranged in the water and on the sides they went back into the house. He led her by the hand up the large carved staircase and down a hall with doors going to bedrooms. He stopped before one. "This will be your room." The door opened and she stepped into a huge room. It was gracefully decorated in creams and corals. The bed was in lightwood and the high posts of the bed where draped in a cream-colored canopy with coral flowers. There were plush cream carpets and the blonde furniture that matched the bed. It was beautiful. He then showed her the bathroom equipped with everything imaginable. It had white and coral marble, even a sunken tub. He took her to a room down the hall. It was quite the opposite of hers. There was a thick dark canopied bed with heavy drapes of blood red. She went to look on the bed and found a quilt of deep red, blues and greens in velvet it was beautiful. She reached out to run her hands over it, "It's beautiful, Lucien." He came and gathered her close to him, "I want this to be our union bed." She looked up into his eyes, "So it shall be my love." She looked around the rest of the room. The windows had matching black out drapes and thick blood red carpets. The bathroom was black with red tiles. Her eyes rested on the huge sunken tub. She blushed with the thought of making love to Lucien there. He said, "It has wonderful possibilities, don't you think?" The rest of the rooms on the floor were also bedrooms. These are for my children. Janette and Nicholas if he should decide to return." Natalie turned away. LaCroix came to her gathering her close from behind and leaned his chin on her shoulder. "When you become a vampire, if you survive your first year and live into the future you will eventually see him. I am his father Natalie. He will come back." "I don't want you to fight with him, Lucien. He does love me. He will be insanely jealous. You have worked through your feelings for him, but he has not changed how he feels about you." End Part 5 Part 6 "Perhaps by the time we find him he will have moved on emotionally. Do you think he will find someone else to help him with his search for humanity?" "Undoubtedly." Her voice held a sadness. "Nick will go on and on trying. He will never give up. If he could not stop and make me what he is, he never will give up." "Yes, he did love you with a purest of love I've never seen in him." He turned her toward him, "I am glad he left. Look how much you have changed me." "Have I really Lucien? I know you are good to me, but what would happen if I chose to leave, if I decide not to become a vampire?" He pulled away, "That decision was made when you gave me your blood." She followed him, "If after a few years I decide to leave and go look for Nick, what would you do?" Natalie saw him stiffen and he flinched when she touched his shoulder. "That's not possible a fledgling must stay with his master at least 50 years." She pressed him further, "If someone attacked me, and I was hurt badly?" "That person would die." He said turning to look at her with hard cold eyes. "You see you haven't really changed that much. She came to him now, and forced him to hold her even though her words had made him angry. "I said those things because I want you to think about things that are possible, but not probable Lucien." She looked up into his face, "I will never go back to Nick. Never Lucien. I promise you that. I would also ask you not to kill for me." His eyes softened and he held her close and his body relaxed against her. "I will try hard Natalie but it is very difficult to control the vampire when it is suddenly released. There are times it cannot be stopped." "The vampire is what it is. I have limited control. When provoked it is a formidable force. When it is hungry, it must be fed. The blood of about 1/2 a human a day is what keeps it under control. That's the only way to satisfy it. Natalie, all I was for years was a vampire. Now I am Lucien and a vampire. You don't know how much that means to me. Natalie smiled, with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You certainly were in control earlier tonight." He gave her an evil grin, "It was my pleasure." She pulled his head down to give him a deep kiss and their tongues danced for a bit." I don't expect too much change Lucien. I know what you are and I still love you. When I become like you, only then will I truly understand what it is you and Nick fight." "I dare say you will Natalie." He said holding her close. "Come on lets go downstairs. You're probably hungry after this night's excitement." "Now that you mention it." She smiled and took his hand. The kitchen was well stocked and as Lucien fed from a bottle of Raven's finest, Natalie found the food to make a great salad. They sat on bar stools and had their meals." Natalie asked, "Why are you waiting to bring me across, Lucien? Why not just do it. My life in Toronto is over. Nick's leaving changed how I feel about all of it." He reached over the counter and covered her fingers with his. "My reasons are purely selfish. I want to make love to you as you are, a beautiful warm human woman. I want to feel your warmth surround me. I want you to introduce me to your friends. I want you to show them your happiness. If you just vanish, they would search. If we live here together for a few years, we can show them your happiness, our happiness. They won't think twice when we move away. "Won't they think it odd that you can't go out in the sun either?" "Explain that I was Nick's father, adopted father because of our similar maladies. We met through a doctor who was treating both of us. A support group if you will. Nick was a young teenager from a nearby orphanage. He needed a home and I provided him with one. No one will think about it twice." She smiled running her fingers across his hand. "That is a good story. Reese will remember you and wonder why Nick didn't mention you were related." "Well we can't change that now, can we? He will just have to wonder. And I can take the edge off his memories if it becomes necessary. "He may ask about Nick. To see if you can tell him where he's gone so suddenly." "Well I cannot give answers to something I do not know. Let's not talk about Nicholas anymore tonight." He took her hand, pulled her around the counter, and kissed her thoroughly. They then took a walk out into the garden and the grounds that included a section of forest and a brook. The stars were bright and it was warm. Natalie enjoyed every moment of it. At about 4am they closed the house and LaCroix picked Natalie up into his arms and they flew back to the city. He left her at the balcony door. His desire for her so heightened by the close contact on the long flight that he dared not spend the day with her. He bent, kissing her deeply then with a moan of frustration pulled away and flew into the early morning darkness. Natalie watched until he was out of sight. She went into the penthouse and was accosted by a hungry cat. She fed him then sat on a bar stool and watched him eat. She couldn't help blushing deeply at the memories of writhing in ecstasy under Lucien's physical expertise the evening before. She picked up the happy cat and finally went to her bedroom. She sat him on the bed then went and took a warm shower. She crawled into bed as the sun rose high into the sky. She would have to work tonight. She found she no longer looked forward to her work. It was a hard miserable job. Grace was always looking at her with sad eyes wondering what had happened between her and Nick that made him run away from their relationship. She was now pestering her for news about the new man in her life. At least now with Lucien's permission, she could tell her friend a little more about their life together. At work the next night, Natalie was telling Grace, "He was a friend of Nick's, Grace. They were good friends while in the support group. Then Lucien found out Nick was an orphan. He adopted him. They were in a support group for people who can't go out into the sun." "So this new guy can't go out in the sun either. You got to admit Nat, that's a bit odd." "I know it is, Grace. It's a hard life not being able to live like most people. Anyway, we started to have feelings for one another. Nick couldn't handle it. I loved Nick but there's something extra special about Lucien. I never meant to hurt him like that." "That was a pretty rough blow, Natalie. I have a hard time believing you would do that to him." She handed Natalie a scalpel and watched as Natalie made an incision on their newest autopsy patient. "No wonder he left." Natalie felt her eyes well up with tears and she turned away. Grace came around the table and took her by the shoulders. "I'm sorry Natalie. I didn't mean to make you cry." Natalie let her hold her a moment, then she moved away. "I told Nick over and over how I felt about him. He just couldn't commit to me. I couldn't wait forever. I do love Lucien." "Are you sure he's not a replacement for Nick?" "No, Grace, he's not a replacement for Nick. He's a unique very special man who's not afraid to love me. I know his being Nick's father will make people talk, but it's just the way it is. We both care a great deal for Nick, but it was time to move on. We have agonized over this as well." "All right Natalie, no more lectures. As long as you are happy." "I am, Grace I am. He's the most amazing person I have ever known. It makes giving up the sun much easier." "Just because he can't go into the sun doesn't mean you have to give it up entirely. You need to have some sun to be healthy. You know that." "I know Grace, I will get some sun, but it's not hard for me to adjust to his lifestyle. I'm already a night person. You have to admit it's a good arrangement for me and for him." Grace smiled at her. "Tell me more about this man." Natalie got a dreamy smile on her face. "He's tall, incredibly handsome, cultured. He has a bit of an edge. I like that." "An edge, what does that mean?" "He commands a lot of power and is by the way, as you know he is very rich. He's also a very ruthless businessman." Natalie finished up and stripped off her gloves. "Are you sure it's just business?" Natalie shrugged as she dropped the gloves in a hazardous material container. She knew he was a dangerous man even to her, but he was in her blood, she blushed, actually she was in his. Grace looked at her curiously. "Well I suppose rich isn't a bad thing." Natalie grinned, "It defiantly has its perks," she would have loved to tell Grace about the house, but it might need to stay hers and Lucien's secret. "...and he's so damn sexy. I want to just rip his clothes off." She blushed again thinking of the bar in her penthouse. "Oh, girl, you have got it bad. He's that good huh?" Natalie nodded, pressing her cold hand against her hot cheek. She could only nod. "When can I meet this man?" "Soon Grace, he's coming on Wednesday to pick me up from work. He wants to meet you too. We are going out to dinner. I think it's going to be a very special evening." Grace didn't say anything just smiled that envious smile of all women who would like to be in love. "Let's get back to work. You take Mr. Williams to the cooler and I'll get out Jane Doe and prepare for her autopsy." About an hour later, a delivery boy arrived with a dozen roses for Natalie and a fine box of chocolates for Grace. Grace plucked a piece of the expensive chocolate out of the box and popped it into her mouth, "I like this man already, Natalie." Natalie grinned; she'd told Lucien the way to Grace's heart was through her taste buds. It had worked. Grace offered her a piece and she sighed with pleasure. "I'm going to have to ask him to send me a box, Grace, this is wonderful." Wednesday finally arrived. Natalie had slipped into her office after having taken a shower in the dressing room. She dressed in a black evening dress with gold threads woven into it. She left her hair down with soft thick waves. She knew Lucien loved to burry his hands in her hair. She applied her make up for a more natural look. Ready she went into the main lab to wait. Grace was there anxiously waiting for Natalie's beau, as she called him. He arrived exactly on time; he was dressed impeccable as always. Grace got a wide grin on her face when he took her hand and bent to press a cool kiss on it. "Lucien LaCroix." He said in that sexy soft voice of his. "Its nice to meet you, Mr. LaCroix, Natalie has nothing but good things to say about you." "Of course. I trust you enjoyed the chocolates?" "Yes, very much, thank you." "It was my pleasure." He turned now to Natalie. "You look ravishing my dear." He drew Natalie close kissing her slowly and gently. Natalie clung to him a moment longer than necessary. "I missed you." Lucien smiled, caressing her cheek with his finger, "I promise to make the wait worth your while." His eyes devoured her. "Come Natalie we must be going. We don't want to be late for our reservation." He turned to Grace as he slipped an arm around Natalie's shoulder and drew her close. "It was nice to meet you Ms. Balthazar." He took her fingers in his for a brief moment then swept Natalie out of the room. Grace stared after them and shuddered. He was handsome and charming. "That man's as cold as death," she whispered as a shiver ran through her. Natalie obviously loved this man. He also seemed very taken with her. Yet with all his culture and charm, there was something not quite right about him. "Damn you, Nick. Despite your similarities to that man, you had a heart of gold, he does not." She vowed, if there came a time when this man hurt her Natalie, he would answer to her. She sighed and turned, "In the mean time I will just enjoy this box of chocolates." She said popping another piece into her mouth. The Limo was waiting for them and Natalie slid onto the fine leather seat and LaCroix moved in close. The driver shut the door. Natalie discovered a huge gold wrapped box with a big red bow sitting before her. She looked at LaCroix and he heard her heart beat speed up with excitement. He smiled this was the first time he'd given her a gift other than the repairs and changes to her apartment and of course the penthouse. "It is for you my dear." Natalie laughed with delight, leaned forward to snatch the bow off the box, and then struggled a bit with the large lid. Finally, it came lose and she flung it aside. She rifled through the soft tissue paper to reveal a beautiful sable red fur coat. "Oh Lucien," she gasped. She pursed her lips together not sure of what to say next. She had reached her hand out to touch it but had stopped a few inches away from it. LaCroix laughed behind her, "It won't bite you, Natalie, relax. I know you wouldn't approve of a real fur. It's one of the finest faux furs, money can buy. It's virtually indistinguishable from the real thing." End Part 6 Part 7 Natalie sighed, "It's beautiful." She buried her fingers in the soft rich fur. She pulled it from the box and held it over her lap. She leaned toward him and he pressed a soft kiss against her lips." "I'd like you to wear it tonight. Soon we're going to stop at a very posh restaurant and you will have a wonderful meal. Then I'm going to carry you to the house. We will be spending the night there. It's a bit cool tonight and I wanted you to be warm." "You should have told me, I would have packed an over night suitcase." "It's already taken care of." Natalie snuggled under the warm fur and said, "Thank you, Lucien. It's really lovely." "Mon amour, it's only one of the delights I have planned for you tonight." The dinner was wonderful, despite her excitement Natalie managed to eat a fairly good dinner. LaCroix fed on a great amount of uncut stock provided continuously by a waiter that Natalie suspected was a vampire. She knew Lucien had over indulged the vampire so that he the man could make love to her. After dinner, Lucien asked Natalie for a dance. On the dance floor he held her close and found that his desire for her was quickening, the vampire was nearly comatose from the rich blood. He whispered into her ear, "Let's go home." "Please," she sighed already damp with desire. They went out into the dark parking lot near the restaurant. Lucien picked Natalie up and leaped into the sky. She pulled her coat tightly around her. The flight wasn't too long, only a few miles from the site of the restaurant. Natalie loved being in Lucien's arms as he flew. He didn't seem to need to see where he was going as his lips kissed her deeply over and over. Natalie pressed herself against him, her body trembling with desire. They landed on the balcony of his room entering the house through the double doors. Lucien turned to lock the doors and drew deep blood red blackout curtains over the windows. "I must feed a bit more, my dear. I have some more gifts for you in the bathroom. Please go freshen up and chose whatever you like." She nodded and went into the amazing bathroom to find her favorite brands of soaps and cosmetics all laid out for her. There were thick towels and a variety of negligees for her to choose from. She tied her hair up and took a quick shower. Toweling off she rubbed scented creams quickly over her body and then slipped into the deep emerald green satin gown. She smiled at the white one and stared open mouthed at the red and black skimpy number it was sexy and vampish. She giggled at that thought. Would Lucien be pleased with her choice? She brushed her hair until it shinned and applied only the briefest touch of makeup. She exited the bathroom. The sight that met her made her gasp with pleasure. The entire room was bathed in flickering candle light. Beautiful little cut glass crystal bowls made the light dance around the room forming a thousand points of light. Lucien stood in the flickering light. He wore a pair of silk emerald green pajama bottoms and a rich brocade black and emerald smoking jacket. He was absolutely breathtaking in his magnificence. There was a naked look of desire that made her blush to her toes. He stepped forward and held out his hands, "Come to me, Natalie." She took a few steps forward reaching out to him and he stepped forward to meet her. "You look simply ravishing, my dear." he said against her forehead as he pressed a kiss there. "We match," he said obviously pleased as he bent to kiss her. His lips were cool and gentle. She opened her mouth to allow his gentle probing tongue to duel with hers. He was a masterful kisser. They kissed for some time; Natalie ran her hands over his back and up his neck into his short white hair. It was so soft. He pulled her tightly against him and she could feel his desire hard against her stomach. He drew back and his nostrils flared. He could smell her desire for him. She started to work on the tie of his jacket and pushed it off from his shoulders. She pressed her lips against his shoulder and heard him sigh with pleasure. She was pleased to be able to run her hands over the fine muscles she only glimpsed at that one time. His muscles rippled under her fingers, he was caressing her shoulders and then his hand slipped lower to cup one her breasts. He sighed with the pleasure of her soft warm breast in the palm of his hand his thumb teased the tip through the soft silk. He bent to pull the strap from her shoulder with his teeth and she laughed with delight pressing herself against his hand. He pressed his lips to her shoulder and pulled the other strap over her shoulder and the gown slipped to her waist. Natalie ran one hand down his chest and lower sliding it softly over the thick hard shaft lying tightly against his body. He groaned, "Natalie," he said in a silky sexy voice, "If you persist on that course, I will be unable to give you proper attention." She sighed and withdrew her hand, "we can do it only once?" She panted with emotion as he captured her lips again. "No of course not, but I want to attend to you as well." "Attend then, Lucien," she breathed rapidly, "but not too long." She smiled up into his eyes. My need to sheath you is great." He ran his hands down her silk clad body and pushed the gown down over her hips. It fell in a soft heap around her feet. He pulled her against him, needing to feel her warm breast pressed against his cool chest. He held her close kissing her face and sighed, "You feel so wonderful." He then drew back to look down at her, "You are so beautiful Natalie," he caressed her breast again as his thumb ran over her nipple making the rose brown tip hard and round. Natalie ran her hands around to his back and under the waistband of his pajamas and lightly squeezed his buttocks. He thrust his hips against her. She pulled the pajama bottoms down his hips and over his well-defined hard buttocks letting them fall to the floor. Lucien took her hand and they stepped from the garments and moved closer to the bed. Natalie gazed at his beautiful white body. He looked as if he had been chiseled from fine white marble. His penis was hard and tight against his stomach; the tip glistened with a drop of ruby red blood. She ran her hand up the thick shaft. "Please Lucien, I want you now." He needed no more encouragement, he picked her up and placed her among the rich silk sheets and crawled up beside her. He pulled her against the length of his body and held her a moment feeling her warmth. He bent to capture a breast in his mouth eliciting moans of pleasure from Natalie. She urged him on by rolling to her back pulling him on top of her. She spread herself wide and he settled between her knees. He kissed and sucked on her breast as she lay for a few minutes just feeling his caresses. She caressed his face and hair, her desire for him was so great, "Please, Lucien," she cried thrusting her hips against him. She reached down taking the thick shaft and caressed it, rubbing it against her warm moist opening. "Please Lucien, I want you now!" He rose up on his hands and looked into her pleading face filled with desire, "As you wish, mon amour," he thrust burying his shaft deep inside her. They cried out with pleasure, he pulled her against him still for a full minute drinking in her warmth like a starving man, and then began to move. He withdrew a bit and thrust deeply again. Natalie grasped at his buttocks urging him deeper with each thrust. He held her against him with one hand under her back the other under her buttocks. At first he kissed her, then as their bodies build toward the climax they concentrated on the building desire, Natalie cried, "faster!" LaCroix obliged, their bodies pounded against the bed. Natalie loved the feel of his buttocks and back as they moved thrusting into her. He finally thrust one more time; Natalie's eyes flew open as his fangs sank into her neck. She cried out with her orgasm and felt him spasm with his own. He pulled out his fangs after only one mouth full of blood, overcome by the sexual pleasure and they cried out with their pleasure of one another. Arching against each other, feeling the shuddering of the dying orgasm, Natalie clamped her legs around him holding him tightly inside of her and they kissed deeply. She caressed his hair, as he laid his face between her breasts, as her breathing steadied she said, "That was wonderful." "Yes, it was. It's been so long since I have loved a woman without her ending up dead. It's so easy to loose oneself in the blood. He moved to lick the wounds on her neck so they could begin the healing process. Natalie said, "It was my pleasure to be the first in all those years." "I love the feel of your hair. It's so soft." She said running her hands into his hair. He looked up into her face. "I love the feel of all of you. Now may I explore a bit. She caressed his check with her finger, "Please." LaCroix proceeded to kiss every inch of her. She kissed him back. Then he slid down her body a bit teasingly as he sucked and nipped on her breasts until she screamed with pleasure. He nipped drawing a few drops of blood from her nipple. She caressed what she could reach of his body and drew in a sharp breath of anticipation as he kissed and licked his way down her body. His hands fondled her breasts off and on while caressing the insides of her thighs. His fingers slowly made their way up into the warm soft folds of her labia. She moaned with pleasure as he dipped his fingers in rubbing her nub with expertise. She arched her body for him to have better access and her fingers entwined into the bed sheets. He spread her wider and bent to thrust his tongue into her warm dampness. He sucked and caressed her into a wild frenzy. She bucked against his face as he sucked and nipped at her nub. She cried out with pleasure as her orgasm hit robbing her of her senses. When she thought it was nearly over, he moved quickly up her body and thrust deeply into her, bringing them both to a swift hard orgasm. His fangs sunk into her shoulder drawing a small amount of blood. She wrapped her legs around him and let her love wash over him through the sharing of her blood. She saw images, images she could decipher. Images of their love as it grew and blossomed into one of the perfect red roses he had given her. His mouth left her shoulder and covered her mouth in a deep warm kiss and she tasted herself on his lips. They were still for a while...she was catching her breath as he was feeling her heart beating wildly against his chest. She was so warm, so alive. She loved him so much. He'd never thought he would feel love like that again. The idea of purposely ending her life was unthinkable. He loved everything about her. He suddenly found himself with a dilemma. When the time came could he bring her over into the darkness. She, who loved life and sunshine even though she lived in virtual darkness for him. That light seemed to wash over him during their orgasm. Something he thought wasn't possible. He saw the sun in her and the light had warmed him. He pushed the thought away as Natalie started to tease his nipple with her tongue. His nerves were so alive when he made love to her. He felt more alive than he had in 2000 years. What had Nick left behind? LaCroix woke to find Natalie nipping at his ear. He smiled, "You're insatiable." "Would you want it any other way?" She asked with a giggle. "Never. But I must bathe, come join me." He left her going into the bathroom and she could hear the water running. She dragged herself out of the bed and groaned from the sore muscles of lovemaking. She found the big sunken tub full of warm water. She laughed with delight to find it full of bubbles. LaCroix grinned at her as she stepped down into the tub and held his hand up to her. She came down the steps and into his arms. They lay cozy, along one of the wide shelves. Natalie sat between his legs lying back against his chest. He wrapped his legs around her hips. She relaxed in his all- encompassing presence feeling safer and more at peace than she'd ever been. "I love you." He said against her ear. She reached up to caress his cheek, "and I love you more than I thought it possible to love anyone of this world. When will you bring me across?" He held her tighter, "Not yet, my love. I must drink in more of your warmth." She took his hand and kissed his fingers. "Don't wait too long, Lucien. I'm not getting any younger." "Do you really want to die and live in the darkness as I do?" "Yes, I do, if that is what will keep me with you. I will be able to show you my love forever. I cannot bear the thought of you living for centuries without the love I can give you. Don't you want me to be with you?" He hugged her, "Yes, very much. I find you to be the light of my life." End Part 7 Part 8 She turned quickly to look into his face. "Light? No Lucien, "please not the light. I don't want to be your light, not if it means not joining you in the darkness." She trembled against him with fear that he would leave her like Nick had. "And you will," he said pulling her close so she could rest her cheek on his shoulder. "You will," he said but some how it felt like an empty promise. They bathed quietly and then helped each other dress. Afterwards, they explored the house a bit more. Both realized with a sigh that it was deep into the night and time to return to reality. Natalie put on her fur coat and LaCroix lifted her into his arms and flew them back to the city. Natalie loathed returning to her life in the city. When LaCroix left her on the balcony and flew away after kissing her deeply, she cried wanting to be nowhere else but in his arms waking up next to him. The next day the lawyer came to inform her that the apartment was complete and she could return that very day. With the staff's help, she packed her things and put Sydney into the cat carrier. After gazing fondly around the penthouse, her eyes rested on the bar, and her face blushed as she left the penthouse. She soon found herself in the Limo heading home. Yet she knew home was at the mansion, not in the small apartment she had left what seemed a lifetime ago. So much had changed for her. When she walked into the apartment, she sat the cat carrier on the floor and paid the Limo driver after he set her bags down. She stared around in disbelief and wonder. The rooms were now twice as large. LaCroix must have bought the apartment next door and had her place enlarged. The furniture was of rich creams and soft leathers. The windows were heavily clad in black out curtains. This comforted her. LaCroix was planning to spend time with her here. The kitchen was larger, lavish, and held familiar things as well as new ones. She could see some of LaCroix' things here and there mixed in among her things. She found his things in the bedroom and there was a huge canopied bed like the one in their bedroom at the mansion. She went running into the bathroom and stood gaping open mouthed at the sunken tub all in creams and corals. The room was huge and also had a modern shower. Yet what captured her attention was Lucien stark naked lying on a red velvet Roman couch with a glass of red wine in his hand. "Do you like it?" She laughed and came to him, nuzzling his nose and lips with soft kisses. "It's wonderful." "We do need a home away from home. I thought you might enjoy coming here every century or two. " She laughed caressing his body, her hand running down his side and over his hip. "I'm so glad to see you." "Yes, well," he sat up drawing her onto his lap and started to undress her, "I'd be much more comfortable if I could see you as well, my dear." Natalie laughed with pleasure as he swiftly undressed her and took her on that very red velvet couch. She tried to stifle her cries of pleasure until he informed her that the walls were now sound proof, so she let her pleasure ring through the large room. Later as they lay side by side in the large bed she told him, "I felt lost without you today Lucien. At first I did not even want to come here." He caressed her shoulder as he held her close. "I am sorry, forgive me. I wanted to surprise you." "Oh you surprised me. I have no complaints now." It was a wonderful homecoming." She sighed her body was so relaxed and at peace. "Will you bring me across, Lucien; please I want to be with you always." "When the time is right," he said. "Why wait." "I want to indulge myself in your warmth for a bit longer. Please allow me to satisfy this need in myself." "You will never tire of it until I am old and gray." She said pouting. He pushed her away and got out of the bed, "I do not want to discuss this, Natalie. I will know when it is right. I do not feel it is now. I am not ready to leave here. We have our house and this apartment. You know we will have to leave when you are brought across." "The house is well secluded. No one will know we are there for years." She felt the peace fly away and her heart was beating with fear. LaCroix found himself angry and he reached back taking her chin in his fingers, "I told you, I will know." Natalie pulled back, "You're hurting me." Her eyes were wide. "What's wrong Lucien?" He turned away angry and confused and suddenly realized his body was on fire. Pain overrode all his senses. There was a pain in his chest. He put his hand over his heart, turned and walked further away from Natalie, through the bedroom door into the living room. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard her stifle her crying. The pain blinded him and seared through his body and he fell to his knees, fear overwhelmed him and he screamed, "Natalie!" She was there, he could feel her hands, but he couldn't see her. He could hear her frightened voice and yet he couldn't understand her words. Someone had once told him that love, true, blinding passionate love of a woman could kill the vampire. Was he going to die here naked upon this floor? He felt her body slip beneath him and her breasts press against his back and her arms enclosed him. "Well if this is death let it come." He could think of nothing more pleasant than to die pressed against his love's beautiful body. The sound faded and darkness over came him and he lost all conscious thought. He heard Natalie's screams ring in his ears as he slipped into the inky black darkness. Lucien LaCroix became aware of a steady heartbeat. He wasn't dead. Natalie must still be pressed against him. He felt warm and comfortable. He found he could see light against his eyelids. He opened his eyes and found sunlight shining into them. "What?" He called out trying to shield himself. But the sun only warmed him. It didn't burn. "Natalie?" "Yes, Lucien." She was close. He felt her hands on his face. "What is this, what happened?" She lay down beside him drawing him against her body, "Something very unexpected. You're human." "What?" He tried to sit up and felt so weak he could not raise his own body. "That's impossible." "No, you loved me with all your heart." "Yes," his body was shaking with emotion. "The legend was true. Love can kill the vampire?" "It seems so." He heard disappointment in her voice. "You really wanted to be brought across?" "Yes." He felt warm tears on his chest. "I'm sorry, I had no idea it would happen to me." "I love you Lucien. We will survive this." She helped him stand and they made it back to the bed and fell into it. They did not speak again, each buried in their own thoughts trying to adjust to this amazing change. Exhausted Lucien slept and Natalie joined him. He woke in the cool darkness and thought, "It must have been a dream. I'm fine; I'm still a vampire. The thought made him sad. When he tried to sit up he found he could not. He realized that Natalie was asleep laying half across his chest. "Natalie?" He nudged her arm. "Wake up." She groaned and rolled off. He said, "I believe I have to go to the bathroom." Natalie grinned down into his face. "Do you remember how?" "Yes, I think I can manage it. He crawled off the bed. He found he was weak and stretched his aching muscles dragged down by gravity. He groaned in pain. Natalie frowned at him. "How old where you when you were brought across?" "44," he said heading for the bathroom. "Wow." We'll have to get you on a healthy diet and an exercise program. You'll want to stay as fit as possible. He grunted. Natalie turned and let her tears fall onto her pillow. This magnificent creature was now reduced to the most basic of human needs. She didn't hear him behind her and flinched when he touched her. "Natalie, please don't cry for me. I want to love you as a man not a monster. We'll adjust. It will be a new adventure." She turned to him eyes red. "You're not furious about this? You don't hate what you have become?" "No. I love you. You belong in the sun. Besides, I've lived 2000 years. I've learned to accept what comes along and go with it." He took her by the arms and drew her against his chest, "You can live in the sun, Natalie. You can have babies." She was shocked and gaped at him. "Babies?" "It is something I have kept in my heart. That is why I created Janette and Nicholas. I wanted children. Please Natalie, give this a chance. If this doesn't work I'm sure I could find us a good master." Suddenly the idea of Lucien LaCroix being human and giving her a child became a plus. Natalie had given up her dream of having a baby after falling in love with Nick. The idea had no longer even occurred to her when Lucien had fallen in love with her. The idea of a baby warmed her soul and she breathed in the fresh air and found life to suddenly have its points. Lucien saw her face soften and he felt relieved. She reached up and caressed his face. "A baby, really Lucien?" Tears flooded her eyes and he held her close and kissed her face. "I know of no one in my whole existence I would rather be the mother to my child than you." Natalie flung her arms around his neck and held tightly. "A baby is worth a trade for eternity." "Yes, it is my love." He pulled her off the bed, "Come on, let's go out into the afternoon sun." They dressed and Natalie opened the door cautiously. They went down the stairs and out onto the street. LaCroix squinted against the bright sun. They crossed the street into the park. The trees were rustling in the breeze and birds flew into a beautiful blue sky laced with fluffy white clouds. Children played and ran after dogs and balls. Their laughter washed over the couple. "It's beautiful, Natalie. I'd forgotten what the light was like. The colors..." "Come Lucien, let's walk down to the lake. We'll take it slow. We have the rest of our lives together." "Yes, the rest of our lives. Somehow that's a comforting thought." They strode arm in arm across the grass. Enjoying the beauty of the world around them. The End