Send comments and criticism to: Guenvier@aol.com In my fiction universe, the last two episodes of Season 3 never happened and never will. Therefore, any events in the final episodes have no bearing on events or characters in this story. The Forever Knight characters do not belong to me, as we all know. I am only playing with them and I promise to return them unharmed when I am done. Surprises 1/2 by Debra Ann Fiorini "Nick, I think we're coming close!" Nat held up a test tube and grinned like the Cheshire Cat. She quickly continued speaking before Nick could flashback to some weird stuff that happened last year after he drank bad blood. "I think a cure is on the way. By Christmas time, you and I will be sitting together at morning Mass." She sounded as ecstatic as she looked. "So when can we try..." "A cure for what?" Tracy had slipped silently into the morgue and stopped Nick in mid-sentence. Both he and Nat turned to face her with the same dear-in-the-headlights look. In other words, Nat looked surprised, Nick looked normal. "Umm..." Nat was afraid her next few words wouldn't be very convincing. "I've been working on something to help Nick's allergy to...um...sunlight. Just my little bit for science." "Oh yeah." Tracy shook her straight blond hair. Nick and Nat grimaced in disgust as it fell perfectly back into place. She smiled, "Allergy...sure...allergy." Nat felt a little strange about Tracy's reaction to the situation. Nick, of course, didn't notice anything wrong. **** "I might have to kill her," Nick said to himself. "I might just have to drag her into an alley and kill her." It was beginning to be the only thing he thought of when he looked at Tracy. All that was stopping him was Nat's request not to do it until she could help. Nick's only consolation was the thought Tracy was mortal and one of these days she would be little more than a bad memory. At that moment, Nick smiled for the first time in 27 years. Tonight had been especially tense. At the close of the shift, Tracy was describing the night's arrests to whomever would listen. "So the perp just turns and runs," Tracy was employing arm gestures galore to embellish. "I take off running and Nick's behind me. All of a sudden, I turn the corner after the guy and there's Nick putting cuffs on the suspect! It was so amazing!"Tracy turned slightly so she was looking him straight in the eyes as she concluded, "He was so fast, it was as if he could fly." As if that wasn't the final straw for Nick, her next comment did it. "So Nick, if you don't mind me asking...do you purposely try to get your hair to look like that or is it just always really windy between your place and here?" Yes, he decided, she was soon going to be his first hot meal in several years. **** While some people counted down the hours until their work shift was over, and others without lives, like Natalie and LaCroix, counted the hours until their shifts as, respectively, coroner and on-air philosopher started, Nick counted down the hours until he could drop his partner off at home. Next, he decided a visit to LaCroix was due. They had gotten closer since the amnesia and possession incidents and Nick wanted to spend some time with his father before Nat's cures finally worked. He was nothing if not optimistic that he would be cured...or maybe naive is a better word for Nick. LaCroix, on the other hand, could think of many words to describe Nick, but none of them are printable here. Nick entered the back door of the Raven and found LaCroix sadly closing up the radio station for the night. Via radio was the only way he could get people to listen to him anymore. He really did little else, except for the knitting, but no one was supposed to know about that. Without turning around, LaCroix could sense his favourite son approaching. "What's wrong?" LaCroix had the type of voice which regardless of tone, demanded an answer. "I'm confused." Nick sat on the edge of the radio console and sighed. "I know that." LaCroix looked up. "You're not listening. I didn't ask what's usual, I asked what's wrong." "Huh?" asked Nick. "You say something? Oh yeah, the reason I'm here. I want to know why you've been following me around." "Nicolas, I can assure you, I have not been following you. For what reason would I do that?" "Get off it, LaCroix. I don't know why you do it, but every now and then while I'm working I can feel you in the distance. Something subtle." "You sense me?" LaCroix looked honestly mystified. "Not you exactly, but a vampire. A very old one. Close by. Since you're the only very ancient vampire I know, it has to be you." Nick was met with silence. "It is you, isn't it?" "No." LaCroix shook his head slowly and Nick could tell he was being truthful. "Then what else can it be? Another ancient vampire in Toronto? That's not possible." "I would have sensed it, surely." LaCroix was talking more to himself than to Nick. "Unless...." "Unless what?" "Very old vampires, those near my age, can disguise or mask themselves sometimes. It's difficult but possible. I did it myself the year you thought you killed me..." Nick winced. "I was watching you then, but not now." LaCroix continued. "Scout's honor." "You were never a boy scout." Nick corrected. "No, but I once had one for lunch." LaCroix called after Nick's departing form. **** The knock on the door threw off LaCroix' counting. Now he would have to redo the hem on the slippers he was making. He stuck his knitting into the kitty- shaped basket and kicked it under his couch. "Enter." LaCroix rose to greet his guest. Upon seeing who it was, his blue eyes widened like saucers and he found himself at a loss for words. "You!" "I thought it was time we talked." "I never would have guessed. We must have never been close enough for me to sense you..." "I've been around. I just thought it easier to hide myself from you until now." LaCroix poured a glass of house special for his guest. "What do you want to talk about?" "Your son?" "Nicolas. Why?" "His search for a cure has gotten out of hand. I fear he and Dr. Lambert are coming a little too close. Since you haven't been watching him all too well, I have." "He feels you. Thinks it's me." "I know. Sometimes when I let my mind wander, I lose my grip and Nick senses something." "From what Nicolas tells me, your mind wanders a lot. He must be sensing you right and left." "Don't annoy me, Lucien. I could easily destroy both you and Nick!" "I meant no harm." "Well, I do. Stop Nick's silly quest once and for all...or I will." **** Tracy hung up the phone in a huff and stalked into the bathroom. She never could understand why her father had insisted on marrying that woman. She wasn't her real mother but for longer than Tracy wanted to remember, she had been forced to obey her and call her 'Mom'. How distressing. Maybe her father would do away with this woman soon and things would be easier. No more hearing she didn't get out enough or she didn't have the right kinds of friends. Tracy adjusted the revealing powder-blue lace blouse and put in her new gold and gemstone earrings. To think the woman in the jewelry store had suggested a pair of silver cross earrings. Those would not go over well with the company she kept. She was starting to feel a little nervous. Even after all these years, Tracy smiled at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. No matter how old she was, she still felt queasy in the last few minutes before her date arrived. It was actually fun to date a younger man, although sometimes she didn't know quite what to say. Trying to sound hip often just made her sound stupid. Of course, there would be much more for them to talk about when she told him the truth. , she thought as she paced back and forth in her living room, . **** End part 1/2 Disclaimers found in part 1. P.S. No offense to any lawyers. The joke below is a common old one. Surprises 2/2 by Debra Ann Fiorini Continued from part 1/2: Tracy's date called to say he would be running a bit late and asked her to meet him. She agreed and left in time to make another stop first. Something was bothering her and she wanted to deal with it before it proved too late. **** Nat jumped at the sound of Tracy's voice coming from behind her. "So, how's the big cure coming?" "Oh, Tracy, I didn't expect you. Do you need to pick something up?" "No, just thought I'd drop in for a friendly girl chat." "Where's Nick?" "I don't know. I didn't invite him along. He's not a girl." "I might not be a detective, Trace, but I did notice that about him." "Yes, well he is the planned topic of conversation though." "Really?" "Didn't you hear me when I came in? I asked how the big cure was coming along." "Whatever do you mean?" Natalie was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable and moved herself around to the other side of the examining table. "You know what I mean. The cure you are working on for Nick's ... condition. Coming close to a final result?" "Oh, you mean his allergy. No, nothing too promising right now." "Why don't you give up?" "Give up curing Nick. I don't follow." Nat shook her head in confusion. She never expected this conversation with Tracy of all people. "Give up working on a cure, yes. And give up calling it an 'allergy'. We both know the truth." "Truth? What truth?" "The fact you are dating a bloodsucking creature of the night." "How dare you accuse me of dating a lawyer! I don't even know any lawyers!" "I meant Nick!" "Oh my God! Nick's a lawyer. No wonder he's always too busy to spend time with me. I..." "I think you're overworked, Nat. I was referring to the fact Nick's a vampire." "Oh. I feel better now. Wait...you know! Why that rat Vachon! He told you, didn't he? After I made him swear not to." "You know Vachon?" "Well, when Nick's busy, you don't think I just sit home do you? I'm not that pathetic!" "You're a coroner in love with a dead man." "Undead." "Still and all." "Okay, I'm pathetic, just not that pathetic." Nat thought for a minute, then added, "You know Nick's a vampire and you want me to give up on his cure. Why?" "The both of you are a threat to the Community. Either stop what you are doing or meet dire consequences." "Wow Tracy, good use of a big word." "Thank you. Anyway, it's halt or die. LaCroix should have handled this years ago." "How do you know all this?" "I know many things." Tracy turned and showed her true self. In a second, Natalie screamed. "What's the matter?!" Tracy jumped from Nat's unexpected reaction. "Oh sorry." Nat blushed. "When I turned to look at you, I noticed my own reflection in the mirror over there. I didn't realize I was having such a bad hair day...er...night." "No problem." Calmer now, as she combed her hair, Nat asked, "So how long have you been a vampire, Tracy?" With her eyes still glowing, Tracy answered, "Longer than you would believe. I've been with the Enforcers since 1642." "Enforcers," Nat shuddered. "Do tell." "First, promise to give up curing Nick." "Oh, that. There's really no cure. I figured out three years ago it was a lost cause." "But Nick thinks..." "Not on a regular basis." Nat chimed in. Tracy laughed. "So you've been stringing him along?" "It keeps him close to me. Wouldn't you do the same?" "Yeah." Tracy said. "I'm pleased there's no cure. Now if I can get Nick to give up his quest..." "You win a prize?" "No - I save you both from execution." **** Vachon paced and blinked. "I've always tried to be as truthful with you As possible and you hide this from me!" "Don't you realize we can now be together? I was an Enforcer, I needed to be secretive. Now that I've decided to stay in Toronto, I can finally reveal my true self." "What about your family?" "Daddy's really my master." "Your mom?" "Mortal and expendable." Vachon paced and blinked some more before Tracy spoke again. "Can't you accept this?" "I have no problem with you being a vampire, Tracy. It's just you're older than LaCroix and that gives me second thoughts." "Why?" "Well, you're 2300 and I'm 451." "So?" "I don't normally like to date older women. I'll need some time to think this through." **** Under the extraordinary circumstances of this night, Nat took her chances and went to the Raven to locate Nick. The possibility he might be terminated by the Enforcers caused her to risk her life to warn him. She found him at the bar pawing a scantily clad young woman. "Nick!" Shocked, Nick slipped off his barstool, entangling his hand in the young woman's garter belt. "I thought you came here to talk to LaCroix." Nat freed Nick's hand from the young slut...er...woman and dragged him away. "You mean that wasn't LaCroix?" Nick feigned surprise and ignorance...more so than usual. "I should say not!" "Oops, guess I left my glasses at home.' "Uh huh." "So, what's wrong? Why'd you come here?" "I have to tell you something about Tracy. Brace yourself. She's just like you." "Hey! There is no reason to insult me!" "No, I didn't say you're like her. I said she's like you! A ...you know..." "A cop? Yeah, I know." Nick was temporarily stunned by the hit to his head. "I think what the good doctor is trying to make you understand, but with little luck, is your partner is the ancient vampire you've been sensing." LaCroix had sauntered over and was congratulating Natalie on her perfect aim. "No way." "Yes, Nick. I think we should talk." Tracy seated herself at the table. Nat and LaCroix took it as their cue to leave. **** Two weeks later... LaCroix poured two drinks and handed one to Tracy. "I like my son much Better now that he is back to his old self. When he and Nat came to me with the request of bringing her across, I couldn't refuse. I know two weeks of training isn't much, but the good doctor catches on quickly and she and my son are lovely together. She is helping him embrace his true nature. Whatever did you say to make him give up his silly quest for a cure?" "Well," Tracy took a sip from her glass, "I know he was feeling guilty about the lives he took. I just helped him to think about the lives he saved. Many people who would have been dead are now alive because of him. Murderers caught, victims rescued, and so on. If his life had ended in 1228,there are many wrongs which wouldn't have been righted without him. He never thought of it that way before." "Ah, Nick without so much guilt. How can I ever repay you?" Before Tracy could answer, Vachon entered the Raven and found her. "Tracy, I finally decided I miss you and I want you back." "Sorry, too late." "What?" "I decided you really were way too young for me. So, I've moved on to someone closer to my age." "Who?" "LaCroix." "But, you said you loved me. You said you loved running your fingers through my long hair." "Until I lost my favourite ring in there. Did you find it yet?" "No, sorry. Not yet. Anyway, you can't do that to him." "Actually," Tracy grinned, "I dress up as Little Bo Peep and LaCroix dresses...hey, never mind! The point is we're happy together." Vachon had more to say, but when he saw LaCroix working his way back over to them, he thought better of it and took off to find Urs. LaCroix slipped his arm around Tracy's shoulder. "How did he take it?" "As good as can be expected." Tracy sighed. "So you never did tell me how I can repay you for bringing Nicolas back to me." Tracy giggled and pulled a Little Bo Peep costume out from under the bar. "Guess." Finis. Copyright 1996. Debra Ann Fiorini Send comments and criticism to: Guenvier@aol.com **** Debra Ann Fiorini **** **** Guenvier@aol.com or fiorini@ac.marywood.edu **** **** Dark Knightie * Nick&NatPacker **** **** Proud HeLLLion ****