Truly Madly Deeply By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com) Disclaimer: All characters herein were borrowed, abused, and put back. Characters are owned and copyrighted by Sony Pictures/Tristar Corp and were created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen. I'm just borrowing them for awhile, I promise to put them back in relatively good condition. No copyright infringement is intended. Any similarity to any real persons, living, dead or undead, or any other fan fiction, is purely coincidental. Also, nothing in this story is intended to offend anyone. If I screw something up, please let me know. Permission to archive by Mel on fkfanfic given. Additionally, Permission to archive on the Cerk Perk page given. ============================ LaCroix saw the blond woman, his son's mortal partner talking to Vachon at a table in the Raven. He saw her often here with him, but tonight was different. He felt lonely, and he hated that. It was his worst fear, his only complaint about this long life he had led, that he had been alone for much of it. All those he had given his gift to eventually left, or tried to. And his son had refused him the one mortal he'd loved, Fleur. His son, who so desperately tried to leave, had refused him his one love. So, he was alone. The feeling burned a hole deep in his heart. It ached with loneliness. Across the Raven, Tracy was talking to Vachon. "So, Vach, what do you think? Do you think the butler did it, or was it the colonel?" Tracy asked the longhaired vampire. "Trace, it really isn't my place to tell you what I think, you know I don't play clue," Vachon declared. She sighed. It was such a pity. And she once thought he was the right man for her. She guessed that was out. Across the Raven, LaCroix moved nearer the table where the two sat. Vachon tried to ignore him, but Tracy noticed his nervousness. "What's up, Vach? You look like you've seen a ghost." "Nothing. Look, Trace, I have to go." He got up and started for the door. "I'll see you later, k?" She barely had time to say anything as he left. She settled for a quick "K," that he probably didn't hear. She sighed and sat back down at the table. She finished her drink while drowning in her misery. Finally, she got up, paid for the drink and left. Nearby, LaCroix watched and followed. ------------------------- I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do.. I will be strong I will be faithful 'Cos I'm counting on a new beginning. A reason for living. A deeper meaning.. yeah.. -------------------------- Tracy put her key in the lock and opened the door to her apartment gratefully. In between work and her vampire friend, life outside the house was pretty stressful. As she closed the door, a hand stopped it in mid-flight. She jumped, startled. "Miss Vetter? I was hoping we could..." LaCroix thought of all the things he was hoping. "...talk." She considered this. She knew this guy's name was LaCroix, he hung out at the Raven, and he was probably a vampire. She really didn't want to get involved with another vampire, then she realized if that's what he was, nothing was going to keep him from getting in. On the other hand, if he was mortal, there was no telling what he would do to her if she let him in. She tried to close the door, regardless of his hand there. "Miss Vetter?" he said, his voice tinged with a bit of anger. She looked at him and saw his eyes spark gold for just an instant. That was enough for her, and she let him in. She figured if he meant her harm she'd be dead already. He moved slowly past her, relishing the scent of her. It tantalized him, and his heart ached again. ------------------------------------- I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me... -------------------------------------- Tracy helped herself to a drink, scotch on the rocks. "I'd offer you something...but..." she said. LaCroix smiled at the realization that his heart had caused him to override caution. "That's quite all right Miss Vetter..." "Please," she said, "Call me Tracy." "Tracy." LaCroix said, "And you may call me Lucien." "Lucien," Tracy said, imitating the French way LaCroix had said it. She liked the way it rolled off her tongue. -------------------------------------- And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry.. The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty. That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of.. The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you.. -------------------------------------- "And what would you like to talk about, Lucien?" she said. It was curious to her; what would an obviously powerful vampire need with her? "I..." LaCroix said. There were so many things he wanted to say. That he was lonely, that he needed her, that he wanted to hold her in his arms. So many emotions and feelings flowed through him. She saw the expression on his face change as he thought. Finally, he said, "I would like to take you out some time." "You mean, like a date?" It almost seemed funny to her. LaCroix swallowed thickly, feeling the silliness of the situation himself. He was so used to just taking what he wanted, and damn the consequences. This time, though, this time was different. He wanted her to come to him freely, not be forced. "Yes," he said, "A date. And if you don't want to..." "But..." she said, "I do." LaCroix's face lit up. "You *DO*?" -------------------------------------- Oh can't you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes 'Cos it's standing right before you. All that you need will surely come... I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope I'll be your love be everything that you need. I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do... -------------------------------------- Tracy scolded herself. Did she really want to go or did she just bend to some yearning she apparently had to die by vampire? The more she considered it, and those eyes, the more she realized she really did want to go. "Yes, I do want to go, Lucien." His smile almost broke her heart. "Azure? 10 tomorrow?" She thought about it. Nick would be absolutely furious if she booked off and left him with all the paperwork from the Parker case. "Sure," she said. "Wonderful," he said and before she could blink, he was gone in a rush of wind. ---------------------------------- I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do.. I will be strong I will be faithful ----------------------------------- She felt like a nervous virgin while getting ready. She'd already booked off, telling Reese she didn't feel well. He assumed she had female problems and didn't ask many questions. She knew Nick would be furious, but for once she didn't care. She chose a black dress that showed a small amount of cleavage and with an open back. It was allot sexier than she was used to wearing, but it made her feel good. She felt like a real woman for the first time in a long time. She got to azure at precisely 10 and she lingered in the foyer for a few minutes, appreciating the beauty of the place. She told the matre'd she was there with reservations for LaCroix. He turned pale and quickly led her to a table in the corner, away from the other patrons. LaCroix stood at her arrival. He was dressed to the nines with a full tux, bowtie and maroon sash. He looked stunning. The matre'd left them with menus and exited the area at close to a run. "You look wonderful," LaCroix said. "You, too," Tracy responded. She could feel her face coloring. He helped her into her chair then sat down himself. He felt content. Even if it ended badly, he had her for at least the night. He took comfort in that. ----------------------------------- And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry.. The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty. That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of.. The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you.. --------------------------------------- Dinner was interesting. He got some extreme enjoyment just watching her eat. He'd forgotten how erotic food could actually be. He, of course, did not eat, merely drank from his wineglass when the eroticism turned out to be too much. He'd found his vision becoming golden more than once during that meal. His fangs ached from being forced back and away. To have her would be to destroy her. Still, it didn't stop him from wanting her. She ate, oblivious to the danger before her. Oblivious to the stirrings she was causing to her date. "Tracy," he said, his voice husky from restraint, "Will you...could you...might you..." "What?" Tracy said, her voice full of concern. LaCroix's expression changed to one of consideration. She was his son's partner, and his friend. He wouldn't get any closer to his son if he did this, and it might be the last straw. He would be angry again, and LaCroix didn't need that. With a sigh, he blanked his expression, and whispered to her in a hypnotizing way..."You will go home...you were never here...you will not remember me..." "Never here..." she said. "Home." She got up slowly and made her way out of the restaurant. LaCroix closed his eyes and forced himself to be calm. He'd wanted her so bad. Why was it all the good mortals were Nicholas' friends or relatives? He sighed. It was going to be a long and lonely night. =================================== Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden =================================== Comments to: raven@naturesong.com