From: Caroline Disclaimers: Don't own FK or anything related to it. Don't own "In These Arms," that's the rightful property of Bon Jovi and Mercury Records. And I kind of mixed 2nd and 3rd season locations, try to restrain the urge to throw me into Lake Ontario. Spoilers: A More Permanent Hell, Ashes to Ashes Permission to DPs and Mel Moser to archive, anyone else, ask and ye shall receive. "In These Arms" (01/01) By Caroline LaRoche (July 28, 1999) Copyright @ 1999 "CERK, do you have a request?" The receptionist sounded incredibly bored. "Yeah, um, I do." Lacroix's attention was caught by the voice on the phone line. He stretched his senses and listened in on the call. " "In These Arms.' " "Ya gotta dedication?" She snapped her gum. "I...uumm...I...no, no one, I just like the song." The caller hung up. Lacroix smiled. He was familiar with this song; he had heard quite a bit of it during Nicholas' hard rock phase. An image of his son in tight leather pants and long blonde hair presented itself to him. Lacroix chuckled at the memory, then got to the business of finding the song. He clicked on his microphone. "Gentle listeners, it appears we have a request here on Nightwatch." He smiled. "Our caller wishes to hear a song from Bon Jovi, but did not have a dedication. Miss Vetter, I dedicate it...to you." He clicked it off and started the song. You want commitment Take a look into these eyes They burn with a fire, just for you now Until the end of time He had barely seen her, barely met her, but there was something about Tracy Vetter that had him enthralled. He would bring her across, in an instant, to have her with him forever. He hoped she was still listening. I would do anything I'd beg, I'd steal, I'd die To have you in these arms tonight Did she feel what he felt? The burning desire to be near her, to hold her, to kiss those rose-petal lips ever so gently? Baby I want you like the roses Want the rain You know I need you Like a poet needs the pain I would give anything My blood my love my life He could almost smell her blood just thinking about her; a crystal clear image of her beautiful face was forever etched in his mind. He knew all of her problems: her alcoholic mother, controlling father, her own personal battles to prove herself. They had spoken only once, briefly, but Lacroix had made it his business to find out all he could about Tracy. If you were in these arms tonight I'd hold you I'd need you I'd get down on my knees for you And make everything alright If you were in these arms I'd love you I'd please you I'd tell you that I'd never leave you And love you till the end of time If you were in these arms tonight Not since he had known Fleur had Lacroix's wish to bring across a mortal woman been so intense. Tracy was such a bright flame, flickering and lighting everyone's lives...even his own, such as it were. We stared at the sun And we made a promise A promise this world would never blind us He closed his eyes, thinking for the first time in years of the sun, remembering how it had colored and warmed Pompeii...Pompeii had been nothing without the sun, a city, no more. Maybe that was what Nick had been talking about. Would Tracy be the same? He tried to picture her, bathed in the golden brilliance of Italy's summer sun. These are my words Our words were our songs Our songs are our prayers These prayers keep me strong It's what I believe If you were in these arms tonight He could never let on to Nick how he felt of his son's partner. If Lacroix just kept quiet, he could continue dreaming that Tracy could, someday, be his. He didn't need Nick once more interfering, spoiling what could perhaps be something wonderful...it had been a long time since anything wonderful had been in Lacroix's world. If you were in these arms tonight I'd hold you I'd need you I'd get down on my knees for you And make everything alright Was she still listening? Did she think him simply arrogant, or was she listening to the song's lyrics, to his voice, telling her how much he needed her. Lacroix wondered who she had intended the song's listener to be. In the distance, out in reception, the phone rang. If you were in these arms I'd love you I'd please you I'd tell you that I'd never leave you And love you till the end of time If you were in these arms tonight A red light blinked on his radio console, indicating that the phone call had been forwarded to him. Lacroix quickly programmed in a few more songs and a prerecorded monologue...something told him this was not going to be a short conversation, though what he was not sure. Your clothes are still scattered All over our room "Mr. Lacroix?" "Miss Vetter. You remember me. I'm flattered." This old place still smells like Your cheap perfume Everything here reminds me of you And there's nothing that I Wouldn't do to be in your arms "Mr. Lacroix, I...." "Yes?" Tracy paused. And these were our words They keep me strong I'd hold you I'd need you I'd get down on my knees for you And make everything alright If you were in these arms I'd love you I'd please you I'd tell you that I'd never leave you And love you till the end of time If you were in these arms tonight "I don't know what it is, but I can't get you off of my mind." She laughed sweetly. "I only met you once, I don't know you, but...." "Perhaps," Lacroix carefully chose his words, "it was love at first sight." She hesitated. "That's nonsense. There is no such thing as love at first sight." "Ah, Miss Vetter, I have seen many things stranger than two people falling in love with one another the moment they meet. And besides, it wasn't too long ago, was it, that you said the same of vampires?" There was a sharp intake of breath. "I...how can you know that?" "Which one?" He chuckled. "Both. You're not...you can't be...." "Miss Vetter, I do believe we have certain matters to discuss. Perhaps you should meet me at the Raven." "I...." "I assure you, Miss Vetter, that your company and nothing more, tonight, would make me the happiest I've been in....centuries." *********************** Finita. Comments and Bon Jovi CDs and lead singers to Caroline cslar@ibm.net