Se vuol ballare 1/3

Disclaimer

Well, after over a year of lurking I have managed to pluck up courage to
post something.  This is a Tracy centred story, rather dark perkish in
approach and classified PG for innuendo.  Forever Knight and all characters
associated with it are the properties of Sony/Tristar, Parriot, Cohen and no
infringements of their rights is intended.  Two gratuitous Buffy the Vampire
Slayer references belong to Buffy, the copyright to which is acknowledged to
belong to Joss Whedon.  Anything left over belongs to me, that means the
story and the original characters Linda and Ruthven.

The title is in Italian and means, "If you like dancing" coming from
Figaro's opening aria in the opera "Marriage of Figaro."  It seemed
appropriate.   Permission to archive is given to Mel's fanfic site.  Anyone
else who wants to archive it is welcome, as long as they let me know about
it and this disclaimer is attached and my authorship is acknowledged.  All
constructive comments are welcome to blot30@hotmail.com but be gentle with
me, this is the first time I have done this.  Flames are most definitely
unwelcome.  This is set after Fever, but in my universe Screed survives.  I
don't think there are any other spoilers. Heartfelt thanks to Cousin Mary
for beta reading this for me.   I think that is everything so here goes.

Se vuol ballare 1/3

By Spike Shovelton

Tracy sighed; this really was not her evening.  She was on the way back from
an excruciatingly dull "tarts and vicars" party given by one of her father's
cronies.  She had been getting out of the taxi when a dart had hit her.  She
did not remember what had happened after that.  Damn, they must have
tranquillised her.

She looked around: her eyes worked, two hands, check, two feet, check.  No
sign of any organs missing, it was just as well to check that.  She checked
her pulse, regular and steady.  Given some of the people she knew that check
was always worth making.  She looked around and saw that she was not alone.
The room was dark, but well furnished in dark blue and green colours.  There
were about twenty other women in the room, all dressed similarly, in short
skirts and skimpy tops.  She had a bad feeling about this.  She walked over
to the door and tried it, locked.  It was a heavy oak door and would not
give.  The key was not in the keyhole.

She was trying the window when she heard a moan and saw one of the other
women sitting up and looking around.  She started swearing.  "I knew this
was phoney."

"Hi."  Tracy said quickly.  "I'm Tracy."

"Sugar Cake."  The other smiled.  She was tall and thin with bleached blonde
hair and a very short candy pink dress on.  She looked sweet and pretty,
except for her eyes, which were too old for her and had seen too much evil.
"A trick offered me twice the going rate to go to his place."

The others were starting to waken up and one of them looked about to cry.
"It's okay."  Tracy said and looked at her.  She could not be more than
sixteen, if that.  Her short skirt and tank top revealed her figure and she
looked scared.  She had red hair and a charmingly freckled face.  "You'll be
okay sweetheart.  What's your name?"

"Linda."  The girl said and looked around.  "What happened?  Uncle Bob said
it would be okay.  He took me to one of his friends."  Tracy felt sick to
her stomach at this.  "I'm scared.  One of the girls told me about some of
the creeps on the streets.  I don't want to die."

"You won't die."  Tracy assured her.  "We'll find a way out of this.  It's
just like hide and seek."  Most of the women told a similar story, that they
had been offered a lot of money to come and did not remember much after
that.  Obviously the ones who had kidnapped her had taken her for a
prostitute.  "Now stop crying, Linda, your mascara will smudge.  Come and
help me with the window."

"Why bother?  The owner must be loaded."  Sugar said quickly and looked at
the room, taking in the dicor and furnishings.  "I say we case the joint."

"Forget it, priority is to get out and report it."  Tracy said quickly and
sighed.  "Window won't give.  Anyone here any good at B and E?"

The door opened and a figure in a suit came into the room and looked at
them.  "I apologise for needing to drug you.  As you may not all be aware,
we need you to entertain guests at a party.  That is why you were brought
here. We did not wish you to see the location, to avoid any publicity.
After the party we will pay you a basic rate of  #5000 each, I don't know
what that is in dollars.  On top of anything you can extract from the
guests."

Tracy looked at him; his skin was very pale.  She wondered if that was
coincidence or design?  She had a hard job believing that he would pay so
much to cheap hookers.  He was tall and had eyes so dark brown that the iris
was indistinguishable from the pupil. His hair was light brown and framed an
aristocratic face, and full lips set into a sneer.  His suit was expensive.
"So who are you?"  Sugar asked quickly.

"You may address me as Mr Ruthven."  Tracy shivered at that,  Ruthven was
the name of the vampire in Polidori's novel, not a good sign.  She had a bad
feeling about this. "There is a bathroom around the corner where you may
freshen up.  Make up is provided."  He smiled at them as a group of
thickset, strong looking men came into the room.  "You have thirty minutes
before you will be required.  Do not attempt to leave the house, it will set
off the alarms.  If you require anything then inform my servants."  He
smiled at them, indicating the men.  "The guests may tip you, if you please
them."

Tracy did not buy any of this.  She had a feeling it was meals on wheels as
much as anything.  She looked down at herself.  Next time she would go as a
vicar.  She had been wearing a short black skirt, fishnet stockings and a
dark pink velvet top, with a black leather jacket.  She sighed; this was
such a mistake.  Then again it hadn't been a good party.  She followed the
others into the bathroom and as she did so she saw Linda looking around.

"You stick with me, I'll try and get you out of here."  Tracy said to the
girl.

"I should be used to it, but it's different when it's in a hotel or in their
cars." Linda said and Tracy looked at her.

"How long have you been doing this?"  Tracy asked quickly.

"Two months.  We owe Uncle Bob so much rent, he says if I do this he won't
claim it."  Tracy felt a growing fury at this.  The poor child had been
pushed into selling herself by her landlord.  She was going to find out who
Uncle Bob was and crucify him.  Once she had brushed her hair she went back
to the living room and looked around.  She stopped at one of the pictures.
"Do you like that?" Linda asked quickly.

"It's excellent."  Tracy had always had a liking for Monet and knew most of
his works.  This looked like one of his.

"I don't see why.  It's all dots."  The girl objected.

"Stand back and look at the detail."  Tracy insisted and led the other back.
  "Monet specialised in country scenes.  He loved the river at Argenteuil,
among other places.  Must be a good copy to have all the colours so well
preserved.  I always feel if I touch it, that the water will be wet."

"I don't like it." She said quickly.  "What is that other one, that's even
worse."

"Dali."  Tracy said looking at the picture.  "Nobody else organised objects
like that.  It almost looks like an original."

"It is."  She turned to see Ruthven watching them.  "It is a family
heirloom."  He smiled at her.  "You like impressionism and surrealism?"

"I like impressionism, Monet, and Seurat and Berthe Morrisot.  It's an
interesting juxtaposition having a Monet on one wall and a Dali on the
other."  Tracy said quickly and looked at Linda.  "Why don't you like Dali?"

"All his people are twisted."  She responded and looked at Tracy, trembling
as she did so.

"Is it possible to make her some tea?  She is shivering.  You've got the
heating down."  She explained.

Ruthven smiled, softening his face.  "I will amend that.  Of course we can
make her some tea."  He looked at Tracy and smiled.  "It is rare to find one
so young with an appreciation of art.  Especially in your profession."  He
reached out and pinched her bottom.  Tracy repressed an urge to hit him,
reminding herself that hookers did not do that sort of thing.  Then again,
how many hookers did she know?

"Art soothes the soul.  Especially in my profession that is required."
Tracy said and smiled.  "Come on sweetheart, let's make you some tea.  I
could do with a coffee too."

"Of course.  This way."  Ruthven looked at her.  "I did not hear your name."

"Tracy."  She responded and smiled.  "You have a lovely house Mr Ruthven.
The Chippendale is excellent."  She realised that this was probably not the
sort of conversation used by prostitutes.  She had fallen into the ways of
her father's dinner parties, where that was expected.

"Thank you."  He studied her.  Intriguing as well as lovely, perhaps he
would keep this one for himself and enjoy her for a while.  He had not kept
a mortal slave in a long time.  They went into the kitchen and he watched as
she began to make coffee.

"Coffee or tea?"  She asked and began to boil water.  She looked through the
cupboards.  "No tea, coffee do you?" Linda nodded and she walked over to
her.  The vampire, if such he was, had gone.  "Don't worry, I will get you
out of here, you'll see.  We'll try and keep you out of the way."  Most of
the others seemed to view this as quite normal, a little eccentric but they
were reassured by the money.

She returned to the boiling kettle as Mr Ruthven came back in and looked at
her.  "Is there any chance of calling her parents, they must be worried to
know where she is."  She said quickly.  "You know how families are.  My
father always worries if I am not back when he calls."  As she spoke she had
a look out of the kitchen window.  They seemed quite deep in the
countryside.  She could see Ruthven's black clad henchmen patrolling the
grounds.  No way out that way.

Ruthven looked at her.  She moved with more grace than the others did, who
were talking and preening themselves.  "I will attempt to find one."

"Can I make you a coffee?"  Tracy asked quickly.  She was not looking
forward to finding a way out of this.  She had a bad feeling.  "I could do
with letting my pimp know what is going on.  He'll be expecting me back."
She did not think that fighting would help, he had friends and she only had
one stake.  Not enough to win in a fair fight, and he did not look the kind
to fight fair.

He nodded and gave her a phone.  She realised he was going to be waiting and
listening to the conversation.  She did not know if he knew the number of
the police station or not, no chance of calling that.  She could not call
Nick at home; odds were his machine would get it.  She had no number for
Vachon, who could she call?  She smiled as she remembered whose number she
did have.

Flashback, just after Fever

"Vachon."  Tracy smiled as she saw the vampire on her sofa.  He had cleaned
and tidied her flat, brought a beautiful array of flowers, put them in an
even more beautiful vase and then gone to sleep on the sofa.  Sitting up he
smiled at her.

"Trace, you look good."  He said and looked her over.  Tracy studied him.
Given that she normally had a job even finding him when she needed help with
work this was suspicious.  He was the not the sort that brought flowers, or
tidied up.  She had not seen him for a few days.  She had checked when he
was recovering from the Fever and he had been fine, a little groggy but
fine.

"What can I do for you?"  Tracy asked, and looked him in the eye.

"What do you mean?"  Vachon looked away.

"You wouldn't clean up without an ulterior motive."  Tracy smiled at him.
"Not that I'm complaining."  She wondered if he was going to sweep her off
her feet.  Did she want that?  Probably not, but it might be fun.

"I need to go away for a while and I was planning to ask a favour."  He said
and looked at her.  "You don't have to do this, but if you could I would be
grateful."  He looked at her hopefully.  Tracy nodded and waited, him asking
a favour could be interesting.  "I was wondering if you'd visit Screed, he's
still getting over the fever and I'm concerned."

"Why not ask Urs?"  Tracy was interested.  Vachon normally tried to keep her
out of vampire business.

"Urs and Screed don't always get on very well."  Vachon said and looked at
Tracy hopefully.

On the one had she was flattered to be asked, on the other, Screed gave her
the creeps.  Still she could learn something interesting.  "Fine, I'll do
it."

She regretted that when she was picking her way through the sewer into the
part that he used as home.  "Hello?"  She said, looking around the room
carefully.  "Screed?"

"Ello fruit."  Came a voice and she turned to see the carouche coming from
another room off the sewer.  "What brings yer to me 'umble abode?"

"Vachon asked me to check on you.  He said you were convalescing."  Tracy
smiled.  She had only spoken to Screed the once and she did not quite know
what to say.  "He's out of town."

"I know, well then, come on in."  Screed looked at her.  He was not used to
visitors, especially mortal ones, and pretty mortal ones at that.  "Can I
make yer a coffee?"

"I never say no to coffee."  Tracy said and smiled, holding out a carrier
bag.  "I wasn't sure how well you'd be.  I had visions of you languishing in
bed."

"I'll be fine.  V Man always did worry."  Screed smiled and took the bag.
He smiled at her as he removed the glossy book from the bag.

"I thought grapes and things weren't quite right."  Tracy said quickly.
"Vachon said you were a sailor once."

Screed studied the book and smiled.  "Guiness Book of Naval Blunders."  He
flicked through it and smiled as he did so.  "Thanks fruit.  I can remember
some of them."  He was quite touched that she had come at all, and even more
so that she had tried to give him something.  "Lemme get the kettle.  C'mon
through."  He motioned her to follow him and she did so.

"Do you still drink coffee?"  Tracy asked.  Stupid question, she should
think of something better than that.

"In my time, coffee was for the nobs, long with chocolate.  I drinks 'em
both ter show I am as good as the rest."  He shook his head.  "Fair daft,
but there."

"Sensible."  Tracy smiled at him.  "So what did you drink, water?"

"You must be jokin', nobody in the Smoke would touch the water.  Came from
the Thames see, half the world had pissed in it."  He pulled a face.  "Beer
mostly, though that wasn't exactly good, wine or spirits."  He studied her.
"Not good, most folk didn't live past twenty five, marry young, breed quick,
die soon.  Still the grub in the navy was worse."

"So why did you join?"  Tracy asked with interest.

"No other choice.  I got pressed see."  Tracy looked at him in puzzlement.
"Picked up by the press gang.  T'weren't so bad, I got a look at life."  He
motioned her to a rather scruffy armchair and set the kettle to boil.  Tracy
decided not to ask how he managed to have electricity.  "If yer kept yer
head dahn, and did as you were told and didn't expect owt, yer got by.  If I
hadn't I wouldn't be 'ere now."

"Did you fight?"  Tracy asked quickly.

"A little, against Spain, and pirates.  Did more trading, spices and such
and black gold, though that was mostly later."  He saw her raise an eyebrow.
  "Black gold was the slaves, flower, poor miserable bastards stuck in the
hold.  They crammed 'em in with barely room to breathe and chained 'em up.
It fair turned me stummick.  We didn't think as they was 'uman see.  I
worked out as they were a while afore the rest of 'umanity.  Mind when I
become a carouche I learned a bit how they feel."  They talked a while
longer.  Tracy found herself fascinated by his tales of life and told a few
of her own, about police life.

"I'd better be going."  Tracy smiled as she checked the time.  "I am
supposed to be visiting my mother tonight."  She put her jacket back on and
smiled.  "Thanks for the coffee."

"Pleasure.  Come again, I don't often have company."  Screed said quickly.
"I can tell you some tales about Vachon."

"I'd like that."  Tracy meant that when she said it.  Screed was so normal,
proof that not all vampires were seductive and gorgeous.  He was, though,
quite amusing.  "You're welcome to visit me too.  I'll give you my number."
Screed handed her a business card.  "You have a business card?"

"Sure do.  Mobile phone too."   He said and she gave him her number.

End Flashback


End Part One


Se vuol ballare 2/3

By Spike Shovelton

For disclaimer see Part 1


Tracy thanked whatever gods looked after cops that she had his number and
she waited as the phone rang, praying that he would be around.  "Hey baby."
She said when he answered.  "This is Tracy, your main girl."  They had met
up a few times for coffee after that first meeting, and were beginning to
form an uncertain friendship.  Screed was good, undemanding company.  Unlike
Vachon, he was willing to talk and if he felt unable to tell her something
he would say so.

Screed listened to this in amazement.  No doubts in his mind as to who that
was.  "Oh."  He said, was this a joke?

"You aren't still mad at me about the police officers are you?"  She
emphasised those words.

Screed realised that this was something serious.  She must be trying to talk
in code.  "No Pumpkin, I fergived yer ages ago.  What's up then?"

"Oh I'm working a big party tonight.  I was hoping you could apologise to
Nickypoos that I can't be there.  I'm sure one of the others will do.  Tracy
hoped to goodness that the message was getting through.

Screed had a bad feeling about this.  "I gotcha, not a problem."

"Oh you are good to me, you really are."  She smiled and looked up.  "What
time will the do be over?"

Ruthven looked at her, enjoying the sight of her legs..  He would keep this
one for himself a while.  "We should be done with you by dawn."  He reached
out to run a hand along her thigh, enjoying the movement of the muscles
beneath his hand.  He had lied, he would keep her a while.  He did not wish
to alarm her just yet.  The time for that would come.

"You get that, baby?"  Tracy said.  She just hoped he could follow her lead
and help her in this.

"Yeah."  Screed had got that, he recognised the voice.  This was not going
at all well.  "Receiving yer lahd and clear, Baby Jane.  You make sure and
come visit me later, orright?"

Tracy hoped to goodness this had worked.  She closed the conversation and
hung up.  Either he thought she was drunk or she had got the message across.
  She handed the phone to the other woman.  "You let your parents know."

Ruthven watched as the guests began to arrive.  He found it amusing that she
was obviously looking after the young girl.  He wondered which was the real
Tracy, the vacuous looking blonde who had talked to her pimp on the phone,
or the intelligent woman who had discussed pictures with him and tried to
look after an underage whore?

"Go tell the others it's time."  He said quickly and Tracy nodded.  Tracy
wondered afterwards why all her concerns were for the teenager, and yet for
herself she was not afraid.  She could feel the stake she had positioned
down her back.  Not much room in her outfit, but she had taken to carrying
one, for fear of enforcers.  Screed had insisted on that.  He had told her
that she was at risk.

She sighed; this was a bad idea, a seriously bad idea.  She watched as the
guests arrived, all men, mostly dressed in black, and pale as only a vampire
could be.  She shivered as she looked at the teenager.

"Don't know why you're looking after her.  She's just like the rest of us,
no better for looking pretty."  Sugar said quickly.  "And I ought to tell
you, that outfit of yours is terrible.  You look as if you're auditioning
for Rocky Horror show."

"Thanks."  Tracy said and smiled.  "Linda is a child, where I come from, we
don't abuse children, and those who do, suffer."

"I'm not a child." Linda objected.  "I'm sixteen."

"In my book that is a child."  Tracy said and smiled.  "Time to face the
enemy."

She smiled, it was easy enough to let the professionals go forwards and
ingratiate themselves with the guests.  She watched as the men began to pair
off with the women.  She sighed as she served drinks and fought the
instinctive urge to dodge the roving hands.  She smiled and tried to make
conversation.

"Another drink please."  She turned at the voice and walked over to the man
standing by the window.  He was paler than the others with an aristocratic
face graced with eyes resembling the sky on a winter day.  She handed him
his drink.  "So tell me, little one, what is your name?"  He made no attempt
to grope her, for which she was grateful.

Tracy looked at him, taking in the short hair and posture; no doubt this was
a soldier.  His voice was eerily familiar.  So this was the infamous
nightcrawler.  "Tracy.  I wish I could tell you that I like your show."  She
said before she could stop herself.  He nodded.  "I wish I could, but."  She
shrugged and smiled.

"Perhaps I can convince you of the benefits of Nightwatch."  He smiled at
her, quite pretty, and not too much make up either.

"Stranger things have happened.  You're a soldier I take it."  She said,
trying to make conversation.

"Why do you say that?"  Lacroix was intrigued by this attractive woman.  One
who would rather converse than anything else.  He had seen how she dodged
the others, avoiding staying for long..  Her scent was of apricots,
reminiscent of a summer day in Italy.  He would enjoy this.  Odd but she
also looked quite familiar.

"My Uncle Sonny was a Vietnam veteran.  I got to know some of his friends.
There is a look for war veterans, a way of standing and moving.  There is a
look for soldiers, and a look for those who have sent their men into battle,
sent them to die."  She studied him.  "You can take the man out of the army,
but you can't take the army out of the man.  You were an officer."  It was
not a question but he nodded.

"A general in fact."  He studied her.  "Was your Uncle American then?"

"No, he was idealistic, just out of school, went to America and joined up.
He had all these ideas about fighting for right.  They were glad enough to
have him.  I think he regretted it, I don't know."  Tracy smiled at him.
"Do you happen to have a name?"

"I have had many in my time."  He looked at her.  "Lucien Lacroix, for the
moment."

"Light of the cross?"  The idea of a vampire with that name was somehow
hilarious.  "Where did you find that one?"  Lacroix was unaccustomed to
women creasing with laughter.

"Does it matter?"  He was getting hungry and she smelled very good.  He
would enjoy this one.  "I could tell you, but I doubt you would believe me."
  His voice sank into a purr.  "Why don't we adjourn somewhere more private
and I might be persuaded to tell you."  Time to stop talking, as pleasant as
it was, he had something else in mind.

Tracy shivered as he took her hand.  This one was attractive, in every sense
of the word.  Where Ruthven annoyed her with his wish to touch her, Lacroix
was more subtle and effective too.  He reached for her hand, running one
finger up the back to her wrist and touching her pulse.  "I should serve
drinks."  She said quickly.

"You should do many things, what you are going to do, is a different
matter."  He purred into her ear.  She could smell his cologne now,
sandalwood and oranges, a surprisingly appealing scent.  "You are going to
come with me."  Tracy could feel his voice running through her, a physical
sensation.  She was being whammied.  She was trying to work out a tactful
way around this when she heard her name being called.

"Tracy." Linda came rushing back into the room.

"Oh you'll have to excuse me."  Tracy smiled at him.  She was glad the other
had come before she became too intrigued by the Nightcrawler.  "I'll take a
raincheck on the adjournment."

Lacroix raised an eyebrow, rare for a prostitute to postpone.  He watched as
she left.  Walking over to one of the other girls he whispered in her ear
and she nodded and went with him.  He needed some recreation, and it was a
long time since breakfast.

Tracy followed her out of the room and began to put the glasses back on the
tray.  The other motioned her into the kitchen.  "What is it?"  The girl
looked sheet white, almost as white as some of the guests.

"They're monsters." She said quickly.  "I saw one of them biting Helen, one
of the girls.  He had teeth and he wasn't human."  She was trembling.

"No, ssh now."  Tracy took the other girl's hands.  "It's okay, you're going
to be okay."  She looked through the cupboards and pulled out the salt.
"You forget all about monsters."

"He had teeth and his eyes were glowing, and he was biting her."   She was
shaking with terror now.  "I don t want to die, they're not human and they
want to kill us."

"Quiet."  Tracy snapped out the order.  "Quiet.  Now, I can probably get you
out but you need to forget whatever you think you saw.  I'm going to mix
salt and water.  You drink it and it will make you sick.  Then hopefully I
can get you to hospital, or at least get you home, but you need to promise
not to mention monsters, demons or any combination of these."  She said
quickly.

"You know what they are?" Linda came around and looked at Tracy.  "You knew
about this?  How did you know and not say anything?"

"It s rather a long story."  Tracy said quietly.  "The less you know, the
safer you'll be."

"That is debatable."  Tracy turned to see Ruthven sitting on the table and
listening to their conversation.  "What exactly do you know, Tracy?  Also
how do you know it?  I have time, I have a long time."  His smile was lethal
and his eyes were flecked with gold.

"What would you like me to tell you, Mr Polidori?"  Tracy said and corrected
herself.  "I mean Ruthven of course.  You kidnapped me off the streets.
That is the last time I attend a party dressed as a tart."  She smiled at
him.  "Sloppy, rather sloppy of you.  You really ought to know that people
are not quite what they may appear to be."  She walked over to him.  "I do
have friends in the community."

"As do I."  Ruthven looked at her.  Her eyes had turned to sapphire chips
and she looked deadly and beautiful.  "Suppose I agree to let your little
friend go."

"It's a start.  Alive I assume."  Tracy said, forcing her heart to beat more
slowly.

"Alive and well and not lacking any vital organs or fluids."  Ruthven
assured her.  "On that you can have my word."

"What is the quid pro quo?"  Tracy asked, without moving her eyes.

"That you will remain here, and amuse me."  He smiled as he studied her.
"Or I could ask my friends, all of whom are here, to tear you both to
pieces."  He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, running his
hand down her body and hovering over her breast.

"What would you want me to do, talk?"  Tracy asked quickly and he smiled.
She recognised that particularly smirking smile.  She twisted away from his
touch.

"That, and then we will see.  You will survive the experience, if your story
pleases me.  Quite how well you will be is a different question."  He looked
at her.  Tracy considered her options, whether this was the only way.  She
would do it to get Linda out of there, but she really didn't like the idea.
She tried to find another way but could think of nothing.  Perhaps if she
could get in close enough she could stake him, but she didn't want to try
that too soon.  She would only have one chance.  As she opened her mouth she
heard a movement.

"You ain't doing any such thing.  This is fitted with wooden bullets, dipped
in 'oly water.  Now move back a bit."  Came a voice.  Tracy looked up to see
Screed descend and point a gun at Ruthven.  He moved to flank Tracy,
pressing the gun to the other vampire's chest.  "You leave Fruit alone, she
'asn't done owt to yer."

"This is one of your friends?"  Ruthven said in disbelief.

"Among others."  Tracy responded.  "I am quite well liked, though, I don't
like to brag, as they say in Buffy."

End Part Two


Se vuol ballare 3/3

By Spike Shovelton

For disclaimer see Part 1

At this Linda burst into laughter and it rang through the kitchen.  Her
laughter was so different now; a rich healthy sound and she rocked under the
weight of it.  "You have to be joking."  She said and her voice changed,
losing some of the accent.  She sounded more powerful now, a figure to be
reckoned with. "Marcus of Huntingdon, known as Ruthven.  I am Lendabair Mac
Culain, of Albion, leader of the council of the Enforcers of the code.  Your
actions in this matter bring too much publicity on the community."

Her posture had changed.  She was no longer the frightened little girl.  She
stood proudly and without fear.  She looked a warrior despite her apparent
youth.  "I call upon you, by the power bestowed on me, under the code to
leave this country immediately.   On this occasion because of your age and
heritage we will take no further action.  Do not be so indiscreet in
future."

Tracy looked at the carouche and raised an eyebrow.  Her unspoken question
was plain and he nodded slightly.  "Now leave this place, and take your
friends with you.  Go now."  Her whisper held power and Ruthven turned and
ran.

Tracy looked at Linda, or Lendabair.  The little frightened teenager had
gone, replaced by a confident woman.  The enforcer returned her gaze.  "Tell
me something.  You were going to accept his offer, were you not?"

"Of course, Linda, Lendabair."  Tracy responded.

"Linda, it is easier in this day and age."  The enforcer said quickly.  "Why
accept it?  He would have killed you."

"I couldn't have got you out of there any other way.  Why didn't he know who
you were?  Come to that, why didn't I?"  Tracy said, studying Linda.  "I can
pick out most of the community.

"I am old enough to be able to shield myself and pass for human." Linda said
quickly.  "It is a skill I have.  Neither he, nor your carouche friend could
tell what I was."  Her smile grew.  "I find that useful."

"I can imagine."  Tracy looked at the other.  "What about the others?"

"Those of the women still alive, will be whammied to forget and released."
Linda said quickly.  "Why did you not attempt to save them also?"  Lacroix
emerged from the corridor, wiping his mouth with a tissue.

"They wanted to be here."  Tracy said and the enforcer nodded at this.
"They wanted to do this, if they had been kidnapped or here against their
will I would have done something else."

"Resourceful." Linda smiled.  "Ah Lucius.  How was the party?"

"Not without compensations.  Your frightened child act for one, and this
delightful young lady for another."

"So what do you think of my idea?" Linda said and he looked Tracy over so
thoroughly that the mortal  blushed.

"I begin to see your reasoning.  As ever you are quite right."  He smiled at
the child enforcer.  "That was most innovative of you."

"That's why I'm earning the big bucks, Lucius." Linda smiled in amusement.
"You want to do the honours?  No forget I asked.  I don't think we can trust
you to do so."

Tracy looked at this.  "So this was a sting?"

"Lucius and I worked together on the matter.  We needed someone to inform us
what was going on, and he felt that Ruthven was drawing too much attention
to Toronto."  Linda smiled.  "I suppose it was a sting, as you would term
it.  Or put it another way we gave Ruthven enough rope and let him hang
himself."  She smiled.  "Very successful, in that respect.  It also provided
us with a suitable test for you.  We heard about your party from the one
keeping an eye on you and the one sent to acquire the women suggested it.
The chance was too good to miss.  Better than anything we could design.  You
passed with flying colours."

"A test?"  Tracy frowned at this.  She did not like the sound of this.  "So
you knew who I was?"

"Of course we knew.  We have a file on you, as we do on all of those with
knowledge of us.  Yours was one of the most interesting of the files.  For
that reason we have decided that you would make an excellent enforcer and
invite you to join us."  Linda watched, seeing Tracy's jaw drop in stunned
amazement.

"You have to be joking."  They wanted her to be an enforcer?  Linda had to
be out of her mind.  "I'd be a terrible enforcer, and I don't want to be
staking people."

"On the contrary.  You are intelligent, resourceful, brave and protecting of
others.  You have all the qualities that we would ask of an enforcer."
Linda walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine and opened it.
"We've had an eye on you for some time.  Tonight only gave us a chance to
confirm our initial opinion.  Lucius, do you want a glass?"

"Yes please."  Lacroix smiled; oh this was going to annoy his Nicholas so
much.  He smiled; the little Vetter was a fetching thing.  "It simply
remains to decide who is going to bring you across and we can draw up your
training plan.  I think I should bring you across.  My age and strength will
give you the best chance."

"The fact you want to ravish her and annoy Nicholas having no influence on
this?"  Linda said in Gaelic and Lacroix chuckled.  Linda smiled at this.
"As a serving enforcer it will be more beneficial for her career prospects
if I were to bring her across.  Besides the last thing she needs is to get
dragged into your family power games."

"Wait a minute."  Tracy said, listening to the enforcers bicker.  The
language she did not know, but the tone was clear.  "Just who says I'm going
to come across or join you?  I have no intention to become a vampire or an
enforcer, and I certainly don't let anyone decide things for me."  She said,
glaring at the two old vampires.

"You do not wish to join us?"  Linda studied her.  "You may wish to
reconsider that.  You know an alarmingly large amount about us.  It could be
said that your knowledge makes you a danger to the community."

"I have not told anyone.  If you didn't act before now, you must have agreed
that I was not dangerous enough to harm."  Tracy said quickly.  She could
not quite believe that two old vampires were determined that she was going
to join their police force.

"That was then."  Linda smiled.  The innocent child with the questioning
eyes had vanished replaced by a woman, with eyes that were very old and
somehow sad.  "The enforcers have a 100% selection rate.  Unfortunate
accidents tend to happen to those who turn down our job offers."

Tracy looked at the other and paused.  She really did not feel ready to come
across.  Then again, would she ever feel ready?  "What is involved in being
an enforcer?"  She asked, trying to buy herself time to think.

"Several things.  The enforcement division covers a variety of areas."
Linda sat down on the edge of the table.  "Pastoral care for orphaned and
abandoned fledglings, there is a judicial division that investigates
complaints against other vampires, and provides a possible recourse.
Another division deals with the public profile, how we are portrayed in the
media, and the awareness of various intelligence agencies.  We also deal
with infringements of the code, and apply relevant sanctions."

"Such a lot."  Tracy murmured and Linda nodded.  "I wouldn't like the
applying sanctions part."

"You will spend time with different departments so we can decide where your
talents lie.  The first period with judicial investigation is compulsory.
After that you will have some element of choice in your postings."  Linda
went on.  Her smile faded.  "We will not compel you to this, but if you
choose not to join us, then the consequences may be serious."

Tracy sighed, carrot and stick techniques, as old as the vampires she was
talking with.  She really didn t have a choice.  She had a feeling she knew
what would happen if she refused, and she didn't really want to die.
Besides a part of her was quite interested.  Being a vampire was a tempting
thing; it had been from the start.  She had only resisted because she had
not felt ready, because she had been waiting for the right moment.

She nodded finally.  "I get to choose my maker."  She said and it was no
request.  She had a feeling that there was a power game between the two old
vampires, and she did not like to get involved with it.  She did not trust
Linda and she had a feeling that Lacroix had his own agenda.

"Of course.  You have the right to decide which of us would be more
appropriate.  I genuinely believe that you ought to have another enforcer,
for the position it will give you.  Lucius is only a few years my junior,
but equally strong.  However he is not an enforcer."  Linda responded.

"I want Vachon to do it."  Tracy said quickly and they both looked at her.

"Your Spanish lover is in Venezuela helping his friend Bourbon out of
trouble.  We do not have the time to summon him."  Lacroix said quickly.

"Well there is no way I'm having either of you.  I need someone I can
trust."  Tracy said and the other two smiled in amusement.

"Who else is there?"  Lacroix asked softly.  "Nicholas would not do it,
Ursula is far too young.  For a fledgling to be strong enough to be an
enforcer requires a sire of some age."  He smiled at her and Tracy thought
that his smile should be banned as a health risk.   It was far too
appealing. "I would see that you enjoyed your new life, and teach you a
great deal about us."

Tracy looked from the one to the other and as she looked around her eyes hit
the figure standing by the door, silently listening to the conversation and
planning.  He had been forgotten and ignored by the others and yet he seemed
perfectly aware of what was going on.  Tracy looked at Screed, her eyes
holding a question.  He returned her gaze for a moment then nodded.
"Screed."  She said and the two vampires turned to the carouche.  They had
obviously both forgotten that he was there.

"Impossible."  Linda said quickly.  "There has never been a carouche in the
enforcers."

"Are you biased?"  Tracy asked, she did like a challenge.

"No."  Linda said quickly.  "You might like to reconsider that.  You would
face a great deal of opposition inside as well as out."

"Is there a difference between vampires and carouches apart from diet?"
Tracy asked and the two old vampires looked at one another.  Screed had said
that there was none.

"The prevailing view is that the diet renders carouches less intelligent and
more like the animals they feed upon.  Research however has proven that
there is no correlation and that lifestyle circumstances and pre
transformation intelligence have a far greater influence."  Lacroix
admitted.  "You would be the first carouche to become an enforcer."

"Someone has to be the first."  Tracy said, she would show them all.  If she
were doing this then it would be on her own terms. "I trust Screed, I
wouldn't have to kill anyone, he is old enough, sounds perfect to me."

"Except for the rats."  Linda wrinkled her nose.

"We can work on cowsies for yer, fruit."  Screed smiled at her.  "My maker
was an elder, and she liked cowsies, so I reckon us can manage bottled."  He
studied her.  "I ain't even going ter ask fer drait de signey."

"For what?"  Tracy asked quickly, looking at him.

"Droit de seigneur."  Linda said and smiled.  "Customary for a maker to
demand a fee in pleasure from the one he crosses."  A shadow crossed her
face.  "I take it you would prefer to remain in your current life for a
while."  Tracy nodded and set her jaw.  "In that case we will have to
schedule your training carefully.  Lucius will assist me in this."  The
other nodded.  "You have until midnight to come across.  We will then give
you one week with your maker, to allow him to teach you the basics.  After
that time you will be initiated as a novice and begin your training.  It
takes one year for the basic training.  That is concluded with the ordeal
and full initiation.  After that time you will become an apprentice enforcer
and your induction into the enforcers will begin in earnest.  That takes on
average twenty five years."

Tracy shook her head in amazement at this.  Sounded like some secret
society.  Still she would have to do the best she could.  She was trying to
accept all this, take in the changes in her life, when Screed came up beside
her.  "Come on pet, let's get yer home."  He held out one hand and Tracy
took it.  "Yer can all give her some space, see.  She's had enough on fer
the minnit, so I don't want ter see either of yer for at least a week."

"Let's go, Screed."  Tracy said and took his arm.  He led her away and she
felt suddenly tired.  She had been running on adrenaline for the last part
and she sighed heavily.  She did not even manage a farewell to the two
elders before Screed gathered her up and took to the skies.

Tracy tried to ignore the fact that someone was shaking her.  She did not
remember a thing after Screed had taken off.  She certainly did not remember
getting to bed.  She sat up and saw Screed, standing over her.  "Sorry to
wake yer, but I thought as yer'd like ter watch the sun coming up.  Yer
doesn't want ter spend the last day of mortality sleeping?"

"No."  Tracy climbed out of bed and went into the living room where she
watched the dawn lighting the morning sky with a faint pink, and then
spreading.  She sat and watched until the light had come, then went into the
bedroom where Screed was waiting.  "Thanks for staying."  She said, sitting
down on her bed.  "Thanks for agreeing to do this."

"Old Devil was right, this ain't going ter make life any easier for yer."
Screed said quickly.  "Some folk hates carouche, for being carouche.  Yer
might be better off with someone normal."  She shook her head.  "Fair enough
then and it won't be bad, I mean, I agree you'd make a champion enforcer.  I
don't like them forcing yer, but you got guts enough and yer'll show 'em
all."  He smiled.  "Now I need some kip.  I think yer should enjoy the last
day, then come back at dusk and we'll go out fer dinner, then we can see to
crossing yer over."

"Sounds good to me."  Tracy smiled at him.  "Thanks for everything."  She
realised that she was half dressed.  He had taken her shoes and jacket and
skirt off when they had arrived, but not the rest.  For which she was
exceedingly grateful.  "You need somewhere to stay the day?"

"No.  I can get back to me pad through the sewer, no worries."  He smiled at
her.  "Just like Spike and Angel, only better looking, that's me."

"Thanks then."  Tracy smiled at him.  She was glad she was not the only one
who liked Buffy.  At least it would give her something else in common with
her soon to be maker.  "I mean it, thanks very much."  She walked him to the
door.  "I'll expect you about seven then."  He nodded.  "Bye Screed."  She
leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek before closing the door behind
him.

On the other side of the door Screed touched his face and smiled.  He could
still smell her and he forced himself to remember that this was Vachon's
woman, going to be an enforcer, and he would not push his luck.  Even if she
was the prettiest, most unusual bird he had seen in a long time.

Tracy sighed as she looked at the morning sky.  This was her last day as a
mortal.  She would think positive, she would have to.  She would show them
all, become the best enforcer she could be.   They had forced her into their
game, and she was playing to win.  They would learn not to underestimate her
and not to push her too far.  Positive thinking, she could do it.  When a
pawn reached the other side of the chessboard she became a queen.  This pawn
was going to do exactly that.

The end (Probably)

"If you like dancing, Count Almaviva
You'll pay the piper, but I'll call the tune, yes
I'll call the tune, yes I'll call the tune."

From  "The marriage of Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo da
Ponte

Footnotes

1) Lord Ruthven was the name used by the vampire in the book "The Vampyre: A
Tale" by Dr John Polidori.  Polidori is believed to have based his vampire
on Lord Byron, and his was one of the earliest vampire stories.  My
character is not the same one, he just uses the name.

2) There really is a book called "The Guinness book of Naval Blunders"
detailing some of the great blunders and mistakes made on the sea.

3) I'm working on the assumption that Screed lived during the Tudor period
and the 16th century.  Going by Vachon's line in Fever that Screed was 450
years old.  If anyone has evidence to the contrary let me know.

4) The line "I don't want to brag" is a direct quote from Buffy: The Vampire
Slayer.  It was spoken by Spike in the episode "School Hard."  The line
ought to be as follows.  "I don't like to brag.  Who am I kidding, I love to
brag."  I couldn't resist it.

Feedback is a good thing and makes authors happy.  If you like it let me
know.