Vesti la Giubba

By Spike Shovelton

The usual disclaimers apply.  Forever Knight and the ideas and characters
associated therewith are the property of Messrs Parriot and Cohen and
Sony/Tristar.  There is a guest appearance by a character from Star Trek.  I
don't think it's a crossover because he isn't really there.  He doesn't
belong to me either (worse luck) but is the property of Paramount Pictures.
No infringement of their rights is intended.  This story is mine and I claim
copyright hereto.   Archive permission is given to Mel for the fkfanfic
archive and to Cousin Mary if she wants it.  Anyone else who would like to
archive this is welcome but please ask first.

About a year ago I posted my first Forever Knight story called "Se Vuol
Ballare."  Now I have finally managed to write a sequel to it.  This one
won't make much sense unless you read the first story.  You can find it at
Mel's site, or Mary's site or I can send you a copy.  This is set after
Fever, but in my universe Screed survives.  This story is called "Vesti la
giubba" and the title comes from the opera Pagliacci by Leoncavello.

To recap on the first story: Tracy manages to get herself kidnapped by a
vampire wanting party snacks for his house party.  She gets out alive,
thanks to the enforcers.  Unfortunately they decide to recruit her.  Vachon
is out of town so she asks Screed to bring her across because she doesn't
trust anyone else.  That story ends just before she comes across.  This
story describes how Tracy begins her training as an enforcer.

Sincere thanks as always to Cousin Mary for beta reading this, for help with
Screed, and for the general encouragement.  Constructive comments are
welcome at blot30@hotmail.com but flames are not wanted.

Vesti la Giubba 1/5

By Spike Shovelton

Tracy smiled as she studied her maker.  "Any idea what happens next?"  She
asked and the vampire shook his head.

"I dunno fruit."  Screed sighed.  "They ain't exactly forthcoming.  Yer'll
be fine."  He patted her on the shoulder.  When the enforcers had ordered
her to join them they had given her a week to become accustomed to life as a
vampire.  The time was up and she looked at Screed.  He patted her on the
shoulder.  "Yer clever enough for 'em."

"Tracy."  Tracy turned to see Lendabair the enforcer looking at her.  Linda,
as she called herself, looked like a teenage girl, red haired, freckled, and
cute and not a day over seventeen.  In fact she was ancient and very
powerful.  "It is time and we are assembled.  Come."  She turned to Screed.
"Do not follow us, you will know if she survives."

Tracy followed her, trying to fly in a straight line although she was very
worried.  Supposing she failed or something.   "What happens now?"  She
asked the teenage enforcer.

"You go to be tested and test yourself."  Linda responded unhelpfully.  Then
she turned and sighed.  Motioning them to land on the edge of a wood.  "We
have a few moments to spare.  You go to be tested to see if you are worthy
and suitable to become a novice.  If you are then you will be required to
link to the one who is to teach you and then your tuition will begin.  The
next year will be spent as a novice."

"Who will teach me?"  Tracy asked.  "Screed?"  Linda shook her head.  "Why
not?"

"Our rules state that it should be an enforcer of 800 years or older and if
not then a vampire of 1200 years or older.  The teacher must have certain
abilities, and have passed our teacher training course."  Linda responded.
"He isn't old enough and he hasn't been trained."  She smiled.  "No your
carouche is out of the question."

"Who then, you?"  Tracy asked and the other chuckled ruefully.

"No, Lucius will teach you."  Linda smiled, as Tracy looked surprised.  "He
may be an arrogant bastard but he's one of the best teachers around.  If you
ever have a problem then he'll help straight away."  Linda ran a hand
through her hair.  "Tracy there are two reasons why I can't teach you.
Firstly I live in Quebec.  I don't think you'd agree to leave Toronto."
Tracy shook her head.  "You need your teacher to be there when emergencies
arise, there's no guarantee I can do that.  I travel around and my
responsibilities as an enforcer do not permit me to give you the attention
you deserve.  Also Lucius is a lot better teacher than I am."

"Makes sense I suppose."  Tracy conceded.

Linda nodded and continued her explanation.  "Secondly, you are going to
have a lot of trouble being a carouche.  There are some that will put
obstacles in your way.  You will need all the help you can get.  Having
someone like Lucius as teacher will make people less willing to cross you."
Linda sighed.  "He is very good, make no mistake.  He will work you very
hard and you'll hate him and you'll scream at him but you will learn."

"This teacher business, is it like being my maker?"  Tracy asked and the
redhead shrugged.

"Combination of things, coach, friend, mentor.  He won't replace Screed;
he's a supplement.  You'll do okay.  He's mellowed a little since he sired
de Brabant."  Linda smiled.  "You work together to get you ready for the
ordeal.  In twelve months time you have the ordeal and initiation.  You
survive that you spend the next 25 years as a trainee, working out how we
operate, deciding where you want to specialise.  You qualify and then work
for us in your chosen field."  She smiled and checked the time.  "Well you
would do if we get there on time.  Come on."  She took to the air and Tracy
followed her.

"Did you intend for Lacroix to bring me across?"  Tracy asked as they flew
onward.

"We'd sort of informally agreed that I would bring you across and he would
train you.  That way you'd have links to us both.  It's better that you be
trained by someone other than your sire, that way the teacher is not too
emotionally involved."  She grinned as they descended a little.  "Of course
you had to be stubborn and spoil that plan."

They came to land outside the town in a clearing near a farmhouse.  Linda
came forward with her and Tracy saw a group of people between some burning
torches.

"I am Lendabair Mac Culain.  I bring to you Tracy Vetter of the house of
Isabelle of France by Methuselah Screed.  She comes as one seeking to join
us."  The child was gone and the voice was that of a woman accustomed to
command.

Tracy counted five enforcers in the group and one of them stepped forwards,
a tall handsome man, built like a warrior, with ebony black skin, so black
as to be indistinguishable from the night, and short black hair.  He moved
with easy grace but his eyes were very cold.  "Tracy Vetter, we will put to
you questions.  Answer truthfully and honestly.  Lies are punished by
death."  He thought for a moment.  "When is killing tolerable?"

Tracy thought for a moment and frowned.  "I don't understand, you mean when
is it excusable or justifiable?"

"Tell us."  The man said firmly.

"In self defence, or in defence of others.  As a police officer I have taken
life in circumstances where there is a real threat to the lives, health,
safety or security of an individual.  There is some excuse if people are
provoked very badly, battered wives for instance."  She thought some more.
"If people are insane or do not realise it is wrong to kill then perhaps it
is excusable under some circumstances, but that would be manslaughter."

"What is your view of euthanasia?"  One of the others asked her.  Tracy
tried to find a rational answer to that and was asked several more questions
following up on that.  Then one of the female enforcers asked her to
describe battle tactics for combating a numerically superior force.

The questions continued for almost an hour, spanning history, ethics,
language skills, tactics and philosophy.   Tracy found it very difficult to
keep up and find answers or explanations.  She wondered what this was all
about.  Finally the enforcers looked at each other and then stopped by one
accord.

"Your answers are truthful, if sometimes misguided."  The leading male said
quickly.  "Come into the farmhouse."  Linda moved to her side and Tracy
followed the silent procession into the house.  The kitchen was silent and
they congregated around the table as one of the enforcers put a pan on to
boil and added wine to it.

"You must share wine with us."  One of the women said.  She was a delicate
woman, mostly Chinese, with dark eyes and fragile features.  The woman
smiled.  "I am Wang Lin Mei."

"A pleasure to meet you Ms Wang."  Tracy said and the woman smiled back.

"Good."  Two enforcers seemed to be preparing the wine and Tracy wondered at
the silence as she stood there.

"Be seated."  The Chinese woman said and Tracy sat where she was told,
trying to think of something to say.  The group around the cooker turned
back to her and put a large chalice on the table.   They all sat around the
table, except for Linda who stood beside Tracy.   The cup was golden,
decorated with huge rubies like drops of blood.  The wine looked like blood
and Tracy could smell herbs and garlic.  One of the enforcers put on the
table an ornate knife and they began to pass the cup between them.  Each one
slit his or her wrist and added a few drops of blood to the wine.

Then Linda put the goblet in front of Tracy.  "Drink and know."  She said
and then stepped back.

Tracy looked at the cup and then lifted it to her lips.  The stench was
awful and she did not imagine it would taste much better.  She drank it down
and could feel it burning her throat.  She paused and took in a deep breath
before draining the cup.

The fire passed down her throat and began to tear at her stomach.  She could
feel it pulling her to pieces, shredding her inside.  The scent of it went
to her head and she could no longer see the enforcers opposite as smoke
passed before her vision and the pain in her stomach spread, making her head
spin.

She was walking in a wood.  There were two paths in front of her.  One was
wide and easy and the other was difficult and stony.  Tracy remembered a
poem she had studied at university. Her father had insisted that she study
law or accountancy and to annoy him she had changed to English and French
Literature.

"O see ye not yon narrow road
So thick beset wi' thorns and briars?
That is the path of righteousness
Though after it but few inquires."

Tracy said, the words fitting the situation.  Then she heard another voice
and turned to see a handsome man in a Star Trek uniform.  She knew his face,
particularly mobile and charming with dark hair and impish eyes.  His tanned
skin suited the wine red uniform and it accentuated his muscular physique.

"And see ye not yon braid braid road
That lies across the lily leven?
That is the path of wickedness
Though some call it the Road to Heaven"

He gave the next stanza and smiled at her.  Tracy remembered where she had
seen him and frowned.  "You're Q in Star Trek.  What are you doing here?"

"This is your mind, how should I know?  I am here because you wished it."
He smiled at her.  "No that is not quite true.  I am here because you must
make a decision."

"So are you really Q, because there is something I have to know."   Tracy
asked him and he waited.  "I read this fanfic story where you seduced
Captain Picard."

"No I didn't."  Q responded.  "Not for want of trying, cher Jean-Luc is so
stuffy."  His tone was amused.  "Besides I am a fictional character, aren't
I?  How could I, a figment of someone else's imagination seduce anyone?"  He
smiled wickedly.  "Don't you just love paradoxes?  I cannot exist because I
am fictional but I stand here before you."

"Yes I see that."  Tracy objected and then screamed.  "Aaargh.  This is
maddening.  I don't even know if I exist."

"Assume you do then."  Q said and smirked at her.  "Given that I am a
fictional character I only exist in your mind so you must exist to imagine
me.  Unless this is someone else's imagining and he or she is imagining you
imagining me."  Tracy felt a strong urge to punch him in the jaw.  No wonder
Picard didn't like him very much.  "So what do you know?"

"I don't know where here is.  I don't remember anything after drinking that
disgusting blood."  She complained, studying the scenery.

"We are inside your mind."  Came a different voice and Tracy spun to see
Vachon, smiling as he played his guitar.  He was dressed in tight leather
trousers and looked delicious  "You must decide which path to take.  Either
the broad or the narrow."

"Take care."  Tracy turned to see Nick.  "Once you choose a path you cannot
turn back."  He stood there, watching her.

"You have to choose, either the wide path or the narrow."  Q said, echoing
Vachon, and smiled, turning to Nick.  He reached to a tree and pulled down
an apple, biting into the juicy green flesh.  Tracy watched as the alien
being ate the fruit with gusto.

"But he didn't."  Tracy forced herself to remember the poem.  "True Thomas
took another way."

"Is that your choice?" Q asked and Tracy paused.  "The broad road is the
easy route, back to what you were before, a normal vampire.  The narrow road
is the route to mortality, you can have that if you wish."  He bit the apple
again, white teeth flashing against the green skin.

"You could be mortal."  Nick said and smiled at her, walking to stand before
the narrow stony route.  "You could go back and live in the sun, have a real
life rather than this pitiful shell."

"Don't listen to that."  Vachon smiled at her, his eyes turning liquid
brown.  "Be a vampire, we can be together and happy for eternity.  Just
imagine what we can do.  We could be so well content, sleep all day, make
love all night and be as one."  He went to the wide route and began to play
his guitar.

"No."  Tracy said quickly ignoring both pleading voices.  "Where is the
other?"  Q clicked his fingers and the grass to one side receded and another
road emerged out of nowhere.   This one was red as blood and the way was
barred with a wall of stakes.

"And see ye not yon bonny road
That winds about the ferny brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland."

The voice came from down this road and Tracy saw Lacroix walking up it,
looking remarkable in eighteenth century clothing.  The tight breeches and
frilled shirt drew attention to his muscular physique.  He looked impossibly
good and Tracy enjoyed the sight in front of her for a second.

"This is the route to the Enforcers."  Lacroix smiled, showing long white
fangs.  "If you have the courage to take it then I will guide you."  The
wall of stakes let him by and then moved back to block the way.

Tracy looked at Q, standing there reading something from his tricorder.
"Well make your mind up.  Don't just stand there.  You know what you want,
so as the humans put it, follow your heart."

Tracy sighed; she could go back to mortality and be a normal, mortal woman.
Nothing would prevent that; she could have her normal life.  Except that she
couldn't go back.  She knew so much, could she be comfortable as a mortal
ever again?

She looked at Vachon and a part of her wanted that, being a vampire and
being with him, no duties, and no needs.  They could live the vampire life,
cut loose and go away together forever.  A nagging voice reminded her of the
weakness.  Tracy couldn't do nothing for eternity.  She needed something, a
cause to fight for, something to do.  Hell, when she got bored she
alphabetised her fridge.

She turned to Lacroix, realising that she had no other choice.  She could
only go onwards, that this was what she wanted.  "What do I do?"

"How does the rhyme go?"  Lacroix smiled at her and spoke another verse,
altering the words slightly.

"Harp and carp Tracy, he said
Harp and carp along wi' me
And if ye dare to kiss my lips
Sure of your body I will be."

"I have to kiss you?"  Tracy asked and he walked to the stake fence barring
the way.  He waited and she nodded and walked towards him.  He did not move
until she was standing next to him, close enough to smell his expensive
cologne and beneath that the sweetness of his bloodscent.  "Okay."  She
kissed him on the cheek.

"Properly."  He said and she looked at him before leaning up and kissing him
on the lips.  She felt his arms go around her, steel hard arms as his lips
pressed against hers.  The kiss was bitingly real and she felt excitement
run through her.  This might be a dream or vision but she decided to enjoy
it.  She heard a clattering sound and wondered what was going on.

"Tracy if you do this we can't be together."  Vachon called out but she
ignored it.

"Tracy if you do it then you can't be mortal again.  It isn't worth it."
Nick's voice followed her.

She slid one hand up to his head and ran it through his short hair, enjoying
the kiss.  She could feel his body against her and for a while she forgot
where she was.  As she moved away she looked down and saw that the stakes
had fallen.  Lacroix stepped aside and she took his hand as they walked down
the road.

End Part One

Vesti la Giubba 2/5

By Spike Shovelton

See Part One for disclaimers

Tracy blinked and sat up.  She was in the farmhouse kitchen and the
enforcers were watching her.  She shivered, she was cold but her hand was
warm and her stomach ached, like PMS cramps only ten times worse.  She
looked at the others, aware that she could see everything more acutely.  The
nights had been clear to her before but now she could see everything, hear
the gurgle in the pipes and sense many other things.  She closed her eyes at
the sensory overload.

She felt a hand on her own and saw Lacroix beside her, one hand rubbing
soothing circles on her back, the other holding hers tightly.  Her eyes were
gold she realised and she felt her fangs slide down into place.  As she
brought her tongue up she felt it tear slightly on her fang.  Odd they
shouldn't be so long.

"It is done then."  Linda said and the other enforcers nodded.  "You are a
novice now.  You have one year of noviciate to learn our ways.  One thing
remains to be done."

"You must bond to your instructor and guide.  The instructor will prepare
you for our service and teach you what you need to know."  The tall enforcer
said and smiled.  "Who is her instructor?"

"I am, Lucius Claudius by Divia of the line of Qua Ra."  Lacroix said
quickly.  "I take on the instruction and preparation as is my right as
elder."

"Does any object?"  Linda asked but nobody spoke.  "Lucius seal the accord
with blood and link to her."

Tracy looked at the enforcers and up at Lacroix.  She opened her mouth to
ask him what was happening now, but he raised his hand and put a finger to
her lips.  He raised her to her feet, steadying her and then brushed the
hair from her shoulders.

Tracy watched as he let his fangs drop again and without preliminaries
brought his lips to her throat.  Tracy gasped and her back arched as he sank
his fangs into her jugular.  The sensation was a kind of agonising pleasure
as she felt him know her and drink from her.  The feelings ran through her
and Tracy winced at their ferocity.  She had shared blood with Screed a
couple of times and it had always been gentle and pleasant but never
provoking such strong feelings.

Finally he pulled away and Tracy felt weak from loss of blood and brought
her head to his throat and Tracy felt herself drinking in liquid fire.  His
blood burned as much as the drugged wine but in a pleasanter manner.  Then
he drew away from her and she felt the strength leaving her.  He bit her
again and fed her again, until she could no longer tell who she was or where
she was.

The next thing she knew was that she was on a bed, resting and hearing half
a conversation.  "Yes I assure you she will be fine.  You can see her this
evening."

She opened her eyes and looked around.  She relaxed not quite ready to find
the energy to move.  She saw shadows moving and smiled, as she smelt freshly
brewing coffee.

"How do you feel?"  The voice seemed to penetrate her to the marrow and she
looked into azure blue eyes.

"Not too bad, just a little tired."  She smiled at him.  "Nice to see you
Lacroix."

"Lucius."  He corrected her and smiled.  "Well done, you survived the
tests."

"What was in that wine?"  Tracy asked and he smiled in amusement.

"A variety of things, some hallucinogens a stimulant and other substances.
The key ingredient can have a variety of effects, either it can purge the
vampire element from the consumer, or it has no effect, or it strengthens
the vampire skills, enhancing the senses.  You had to decide which you
wanted."  He studied her.  "You chose to take the enhancement."

"So that wasn't real?  You didn't kiss me?"  Tracy asked and he raised one
eyebrow.

"I am sad to report that I did not."  She squirmed under his gaze.  "It was
in your mind."

"Right."  Tracy became aware that she could still see and hear more acutely.
  She reached out mentally.  She could feel the comforting hum of her link
to Screed, but beside it she could feel another link, this one fresh and

still burning.  "I can feel you."  She said in surprise.

"Yes."  He looked at her in amusement then walked away, returning with
coffee.  Tracy took a deep sniff, real coffee with fresh blood.  "That's
nice."  She said approvingly.

"I am gratified."  He sat down beside her and they sat in silence.

"I feel different."  Tracy said and he nodded.  "My teeth are longer."

"Yes."  He responded.  "Enforcers need the edge to survive so their vampiric
senses are enhanced."

"That's good."  Tracy said and he nodded.  "So do I have enforcer abilities
now?"

"No."  He responded.  "The changes have been made but you must be taught to
recognise and adapt to them and learn to use these abilities."  He
considered the matter.  "Your instruction in the use of your new senses will
begin the day after tomorrow.  This will be coupled with instruction in the
code and some other skills you will need."  He looked at her.

"Have you done this before?"  He nodded and she waited.  "Right."

"All of my students have survived and I intend for you to do the same."  He
walked to the window and ensured the curtain was drawn.  "What you learn of
the enforcers you may speak of only to your maker, and me and other
enforcers."

"I see."   Tracy nodded and sat up looking around her.  "I need to call
Screed, let him know I am still alive."

"I told him that."  Lacroix smiled.  "I will be in the other bedroom if you
have need of me.  I suggest you sleep until dusk.  You have a great deal to
learn."  With that he bowed and turned to go.  "Oh would you like me to kiss
you?"  His laugh followed him out of the room.

Tracy called Screed, taking comfort in the easy, gentle conversation.  Then
she slept. By nightfall she felt almost normal again.  Her senses remained
acute.  She could almost hear the rustle of the leaves on the trees as they
returned home.  Lacroix said he would contact her and then left without
another word.

The next few weeks were very difficult.  Telling Nick what had happened was
one of the hardest things she had ever done.  He was incandescent with rage,
furious that she had been compelled to join them, and not happy that she had
chosen Screed as a maker.  He watched her with concern.  Tracy did not like
the suspicion in his eyes.  Vachon was not in town, and she wondered if that
was by accident or design.

Lacroix kept her so busy her head ached.  When it wasn't mental exercises
and strategy then it was spotting codes and commanding an army. He was also
seemingly keeping a distance from her.  Attractive as he was and seductive,
he did not seem to be attempting to seduce her.  Rather he was a strict
taskmaster, not brutal but insistent that she learn everything.

"I don't know."  She confided to Screed one evening.  "It is so hard, trying
to remember everything and manage it all.  Sometimes I just want to scream.
Nick still doesn't trust me."  Her voice was gloomy.  "I didn't ask to be an
enforcer but I am lumbered so I will be the best enforcer I can."

"I knows pet."  He smiled at Tracy.  "Nicky will come 'round.  'E don't like
carouche, see."  He touched her hand.  "Now tell t'owd devil ter give yer
tha night off.  I gots an idea, like.  Us can 'ave some fun."

Tracy studied her maker as they stood at the entrance to the fairground.
"You want us to go to the fair?"

"Why not?"  He smiled at her.  "Let's ferget everything and be daft."

They were, hooking ducks and winning the prize, then screaming on the
rollercoasters.  Tracy discovered that it helped knowing that it wouldn't
kill you.  Then they nearly got thrown off the "Dracula's Castle" ride for
laughing too much at the plastic bats.

It was a wonderfully carefree evening, a perfect moment as they enjoyed the
events.  "Did they do this when you were young?"  Tracy asked as they
wandered through the stalls.

"Nah.  Life wasn't much fun.  We 'ad a party when t'young queen took the
throne.  I seed 'er goin' through t'street.  She were tha purtiest thin' I'd
seen, all red 'air an' white skin."  Screed smiled at his childe.  "Other
than tha' t'were a struggle ta survive."  He looked at her.  "I survived,
mind."

"I'm glad."  Tracy said and smiled at him.  As they walked through the woods
heading home Tracy stiffened.  "What is that?"

"I don't see owt."  Screed looked at her as she stiffened.  Then he heard
the scream.  It was too faint for mortal ears.  He could barely hear it.
Just as well he did not mind her senses being more acute than his.  In time
she would be more powerful than he was.  That did not really bother him
either.  They went into one of the dark corners and took to the air,
following the sound to its source.

Tracy could feel it before she saw it, a group of vampires, all older than
her, but none over 200.  She could sense their individual signatures now,
another result of her enhancement.  She watched them and her face creased
into a frown.  The group had three young boys; one of them was dead, his
pulse silent.  The other two were alive; whimpering in a corner as the
vampires moved in and began undressing them.

"Oh tell me I don't see that."  She whispered to Screed.  "They're going to
rape those children?"

"Looks like it."  Screed looked at her.  "Sick innit?"  She nodded and
looked at him curiously.  "I've 'ad me share of birds, but I ain't gone for
brats.  I likes women, and I likes willing."  He looked at her.  "Code don't
espressly perhibit killing, just bringing attention on the community."

"I know."  Tracy snapped.  Lacroix had been making her learn the code and
the exceptions and the legal precedents.  She knew it word for word in some
parts.  "It does say no bringing attention on the community or gross
misconduct.  Besides, I am the enforcer."  For the first time she was glad
of her status.  "I certainly can't sit here and let them rape and murder two
more children."

She descended from the trees.  "What do you think you're doing?"  She
challenged them.

"We're having fun.  Go annoy someone else, child."  One of the leaders
smiled.

"You are violating the code."  Tracy said firmly.  "By the power vested in
me by the High Council of Enforcers I command you to desist."  Linda had
said something similar to Ruthven and it had worked for her.

"Power?"  One of them laughed.  "You are a child, you don't have power."

"Wrong again."  Tracy moved forwards.  "Appearances are very deceptive."
She smiled at them through dropped fangs.  "I am Tracy of the line of
Isabelle, and the pupil of Lucius of Rome and I order you to cease or face
my anger."  They laughed and Tracy smiled coldly.

Screed watched as a stake appeared in her hand as if from nowhere.  Buffy
was a terrible influence on her.  He smiled in amusement as she moved to
grapple with the vampires.  Why was he watching this?  He descended equally
lightly and joined the melee.  He moved so that he and Tracy fought back to
back.

Tracy was laughing and holding off the gang easily enough, staking one
calmly and kicking the others.  Screed wondered where she had learned to
fight so well.

"What exactly is going on?"  The fight stopped at the glacial tone emanating
from the side of the forest and Screed looked over with interest as Lucius
of Rome strode into the clearing.  "I did not authorise any combat."

Tracy folded her arms as the gang began to complain.  Lacroix turned to her.
  "Can you explain?"  His face was empty and blank.  Inside Lacroix was
amused to watch her.  She had looked so beautiful fighting.  Much as he
tried to remain dispassionate while instructing her, he did find her very
attractive.

"I found these people having killed one child and being on the point of
raping a second.  That is an unacceptable breach of the code and I reacted
accordingly."  Tracy said and refused to drop her eyes.  "That form of
behaviour is intolerable, Lucius, and I responded accordingly as the code
and the Enforcers require."

"True."  Lacroix studied her with interest.  Had she been simply his childe
then he would have told her to leave, then dealt with the gang before
punishing her for fighting.  However she was not his childe so he could not
discipline her as he would Nicholas.  He was like a schoolmaster and the
sanction lay with her parent.  Also she was an enforcer and when she claimed
their authority then he was bound to acknowledge it.  "I agree with your
intention and the code must be upheld."  This was difficult.  On the one
hand it would infringe his authority to accede to her request, on the other
hand the enforcers had a right to demand justice and if he refused to back
her then it would undermine the Enforcers and that was not ideal.

He sighed and looked at Tracy.  She looked innocently back.  "I uphold the
right of the Enforcers to impose punishment for this infringement of the
code, however as an elder I will put the matter before your superiors and
the senior Enforcers will deal with this matter.  Is this satisfactory?"  It
had been easier dealing with his own children.  Teaching this one, a
carouche who was not of his family, and being accountable to the Enforcers,
had meant that he had changed his approach.  It was less like disciplining a
childe and more like finding a compromise with an equal.  Although he would
suggest that Screed might discipline her for it.

"This is satisfactory."  Tracy said finally, realising that he was looking
for a way out.  "I leave it in your hands."  She looked at him.  "Provided
the children are returned safely and the matter concealed appropriately."
He nodded and she turned and left.  Screed followed her.  Once she was out
of sight she started shaking.  Screed took her hands as they moved away,
well out of earshot.  "I think he was annoyed."  She said finally.

"Yeah, it challenged his authority, like."  Screed explained.  "He don't
like that.  Yer put 'im in an awkward position."

"What should I have done, let them torture those children?"  Tracy asked.
"I'm an enforcer or I will be, I can't let them do that and not intervene."

"May a mere carouche make a suggestion?"  Screed said and she nodded.
"Apol'gise to 'im publicly fer it."

"Will do."  Tracy responded and smiled at him.  "Thanks for watching my
back."  Screed watched as her face returned to normal.  When she had
challenged the gang he had been amazed by how old she sounded, how
intelligent and powerful she appeared.

"Pleasure."  He fell into step as they went back to the fairground to amuse
themselves a little more.  He watched her as they went home, her hand on his
arm as she carried the goldfish he had won on hook a duck and given to her.
She looked so young, it was almost funny that she had been attacking a gang
of vampires a brief while ago.  He had very rarely made any children.  It
was not his way.  Now he was delighted that she had chosen him as a maker.
She had been offered one of the community elders and a senior enforcer and
she had chosen him, a carouche, because she trusted him.  She turned and ran
off to talk to someone across the park.

That was something, she trusted him and liked him.  It could be a lot worse;
her friendship was worth having that much he knew.  He watched as she talked
and laughed with a friend.  The man to whom she was speaking was tall and
elegant, dark haired and tanned.  Screed felt a surge of jealousy as he
watched the encounter.  His eyes turned golden.  She was his childe; his and
no mortal would ever touch her.  He wanted to grab the mortal and tear him
to pieces, keelhaul him until the skin tore from his bones, and take Tracy
and make love to her until she screamed.

What was the matter with him?  He wasn't supposed to do that.  He heard a
soft chuckle and turned to see Linda, the enforcer beside him.  "Jealousy is
an ugly thing."  Her voice was soft.

"I ain't Miss World."  He said and looked at her.  "Sides I don't mind 'er
seeing 'is Romanness."

"Yes but he is one of us, and that is not the same thing."  Linda sighed,
her wise eyes at odds with her youthful face.  "Mortals though are a
different matter."

"Yeah."  Screed looked at her.  He knew that she was very old.  Lendabair,
or Linda as she called herself now, was supposed to be one of the oldest
still alive.  "Any advice?"

"Try and court her.  She values your friendship but that doesn't preclude
you from being romantic."  Linda smiled.  "Don't get possessive or jealous,
women don't like it."

Tracy turned and saw them and beckoned them over to be introduced to her
friend.  Once he had gone she walked on with Screed and Linda.

"You are learning very well."  Linda said approvingly.  "Lucius gives me an
excellent report on your progress."

"Oh."  Tracy looked at the teenager.  "He's a good teacher."

"Yes."  Linda smiled.  "I hope you are being careful, the situation is
always volatile."

"What aren't you telling me?"  Tracy asked the other.  Linda beckoned her
over into a corner and Screed followed.

"There are several in the community who say that a carouche cannot succeed
as one of us.  They may attempt to prevent your succeeding."  Linda smiled
at Tracy.

Tracy smiled at her.  "I'll show them."

"Of course, but be careful, trust as few people as necessary."  Linda looked
at the other.  "Now I have an assignation with a very sexy man, so you must
excuse me."  She smiled as Tracy looked amazed.  "I only look sixteen.  I am
well over the age of consent."  She grinned at them and walked off.

"Who was yer friend?"  Screed asked as he and Tracy walked home.  "Be he a
rozzer too?"  Tracy looked blank.  "Ya know, a peeler, a copper, the fuzz."

"No. Patrick is a vet."  Tracy smiled softly.  "He and I were at university
together.  He helped me through science classes."

"Boyfriend?"  Screed tried to keep his tone even.  Tracy burst into
laughter.  "Whassup?"

"He's from a very strict RC background.  He's also gay.  His parents thought
homosexuals were doomed to eternal damnation and wanted him to settle down
and reproduce."  Tracy sighed quickly.  "At uni I was his girlfriend, I went
out with his parents for lunch and we danced together.  It helped me too,
having him if I needed a date."  She sighed.  "He needed someone to pretend
to be his girlfriend to keep his parents happy."  She looked at Screed,
catching the joy on his face.  "What?"

"Nuttin'."  Screed smiled at her as they went back.  He just hoped that
everything went well for her.  He wondered why V Man had not put in an
appearance.  He ought to be back to look after Tracy, or find out what had
happened.

End Part Two

Vesti la Giubba 3/5

By Spike Shovelton

See Part One for disclaimers

"So then Screed won a goldfish and gave it to me."  Tracy became aware that
Nick was looking out of the window, not taking a blind bit of notice.
Suddenly something snapped.  She was sick and tired of Nick ignoring her.
"Right, stop the damn car."  She shouted and he looked at her.  "I have had
enough of this, stop the car!"  He did so, and looked at her.  "Now we are
going to have this out.  What is wrong Nick?  Why aren't you talking to me?
What is the problem with the situation?"

"How can you ask?"  Nick said, not looking at her.  "You've gone over to
them."

"Who?  Is this because I'm carouche?"  Tracy asked.  "I am bloody proud of
Screed, I'd rather have him over you or Lacroix, or anyone else in this
stupid community."

"No."  Nick looked at her.  Since she had come over he had been reassessing
his image of carouche.  Tracy was not unintelligent, nor did she run around
in sewers.  Perhaps he had believed the stereotype.  "You are joining the
enforcers."

"Yes."  Tracy said and looked at him.  "Not my first choice, but I am coping
with it.  I am going to show them all that I can do it."  She looked at him.
  "I know the enforcers aren't very pleasant, but I am not going to turn
into a stake wielding psychopath overnight."

Nick looked at her open blue eyes and smiled.  Tracy returned the
expression.  "I've just lost friends to the enforcers before now."  He said
and his voice softened.  "You are always with Lacroix and that worries me."

"You're jealous?"  Tracy gurgled with laughter.  "You think I'm taking the
old Roman away."  She shook her head and looked at Nick in amusement.  "He's
not my sire, he teaches me, that's all."  She explained.  "Besides he's not
speaking to me at the moment, I don't think.  I need to go and eat humble
pie."

"I wouldn't it tasted bad enough as a mortal."  Nick said and Tracy frowned.
  "Humble pie was what was left over, bits of offal and leftovers in a pie.
You used to eat it during winter when there was not enough fresh food."

"You know what I mean."  Tracy smiled.  "I want us to work together."

"We will."  Nick assured her.  "Has Vachon come around yet?"

"I haven't seen him.  I don't know where he is, or what he is doing."  Tracy
ran a hand through her hair.  "I'm starting to get worried."

"Would you like me to try to find out?"  Nick asked and Tracy smiled at the
olive branch.

"Yes please."  She responded.  "You have contacts in the community.  I'd ask
Lacroix, but I think he's still mad with me."  She told Nick what had
happened.

"Tracy, you will be lucky if he doesn't tear you apart."  Nick chuckled
softly.  He had to admire her nerve.  "You just don't do that in his
community."  He saw the stubborn glint in her eyes.  "Surviving the
community is about keeping face.  You do not stand against him openly,
unless you have the power of the enforcers behind you.  Even then I'd be
careful."

"How did you do it then?"  She asked and Nick smiled.

"Carefully, he does accept logical argument, and can be reasoned with.
Don't play tricks though, and don't lie to him."  Nick studied her.  "I'll
ask around, see who can find Vachon and let him know that you want to see
him."

Tracy straightened her shoulders as she went into the Raven.  Now she had to
apologise and that would not be easy.  She saw Lacroix sitting in one of the
back booths.  As she crossed the floor she realised that people were looking
at her.  It was obvious from the way they drew back that they were aware
that she was a novice enforcer.

"General."  She said loudly as she came towards him.  "I hoped to find you
here."  He looked at her.  "I wish to apologise to you for even presuming to
question your ability to maintain discipline."

Lacroix studied her and smiled. "No apology is necessary.  Your position
requires that you look after the interests of the community."  He studied
her.

Tracy was reminded of her Japanese roommate at university explaining the tea
ceremony.  You had to apologise for the tea until the one taking it with you
accepted it.  "None the less I must offer my apologies and state my
confidence in your abilities."

"Then I accept your apology."  Lacroix was actually quite amused by this.
He could tell that the whole club was watching them.  "Let us retire for a
drink."  He stood and Tracy fell into step and went back to his flat.  "Very
good."  He looked at her in amusement.  "Just the right note."

"Thank you."  Tracy looked at him.  "I am sorry if I damaged your
reputation, but I couldn't let them abuse those children."

"I understand."  He looked at her.  "You see though, why being an enforcer
is difficult?"  She nodded.  "It is best not to argue openly."

"No."  Tracy smiled at him.  "So are we friends again?"

"No."  He responded and looked at her.  His smile was pleasingly evil.  "I
do not have many friends, you are family."  He looked her over.  "Intimate
family."

"How do you work that out?"  Tracy asked him.  "I mean you aren't my sire."

"I am not your sire but because I am linked to you then I consider you to be
family."  He smiled at her.  "You have all of the benefits of being my
childe and none of the drawbacks. You learn the general community matters,
flight and so forth from your sire and he has the right to discipline you.
My job is to prepare you for becoming an enforcer and ensure you can
survive.  No I do not seek to replace your sire.  He gives you what you need
to become and survive being a vampire, I give you what you want to become an
enforcer."  He smiled.  "After you survive the initiation then we can
terminate the link or retain it.  I think it would be better to remain
family."

Tracy shivered.  How did he do that?  He managed to make her feel both happy
and apprehensive.  "If you insist."

"I do.  Now let us resume our lessons."  He said and came over to her.  "I
think something different tonight."

*********************
Tracy groaned as she heard her phone ringing.  She had been enjoying a
wonderful dream in which she was an alien matriarch and two Vulcans, bearing
a startling resemblance to Lacroix and Screed were paying court to her.
That was the last time she watched Star Trek before bed.  At least Q hadn't
featured in this one.

She staggered to the telephone.  "Vetter."  She murmured.

"Tracy, it's Nick."  Her partner said. Tracy waited.  "Are you there?"

"Yeah, what is it?"  Tracy asked him.

"I've found Vachon."  Nick said and Tracy felt a curious mixture of
sensations.  "He's in trouble."

"When isn't he in trouble?"  Tracy asked and then sobered.  "Serious
trouble?"

"Serious enough.  Can you come to the Raven when the sun sets?  I don't want
to discuss this over the phone."  Nick said and Tracy agreed.

Sunset found her pacing up and down in the private quarters above the club,
with Screed and Lacroix both looking at her.  "We'll get 'im outta it,
wha'ever trouble e's in."  Screed assured her.  "I've allus managed ta save
'im afore."

"I'm worried."  Tracy said quickly and looked at him.  "Does Urs know
anything?"

"She wuz with 'im, no sign of 'er."  Screed saw the momentary pain in her
eyes.  "Do ya love 'im?"

"I wish I knew."  Tracy said glumly.  "I know I owe him my life, so whatever
trouble he is in then we help him."

"I doubt it."  Came a soft voice and Tracy saw Linda come in.  "Sorry I'm
late, that idiot bouncer wouldn't let me in.  You have to do something about
your staff Lucius.  Do I look underage?"

"Yes."  Lacroix responded and the teenage vampire chuckled ruefully.  "I
will discipline him, when he recovers from whatever you did to him to get
by."

"Lacroix."  Tracy saw Nick come up the stairs, Natalie in tow.  The coroner
looked very uncertain and Tracy understood why.  A roomful of vampires was
not an ideal place for a mortal to be.  Tracy wondered why the mortal had
come at all.  "Nat you know Screed, don't you?"

"I 'member."  Screed smiled remembering her curing him of the fever.  "Ello
Doctor Natty."

"Screed."  Natalie turned to the one she did not recognise.  "Hi, I'm
Natalie."

"Linda."  The enforcer responded and smiled.  "It's a pleasure to meet you
Dr Lambert.  I am a great admirer of your work.  You have made some
remarkable discoveries about the vampire condition.  My lover is a doctor
and he's been asking to be introduced to you for a while now.  Would you
like to compare notes?"

Tracy hid a smile at the look on Nat's face.  Linda didn't look like a
vampire.  She looked sixteen years old, sweet and freckled and slightly
wicked.  "I see."  Natalie fought for control as she looked at the other.
"Well I could do that, I guess.  I'd love some samples from you, see how a
female vampire compares to Nick."

"That could be arranged."  Linda smiled then the levity faded.  "What brings
you here?"

"She insisted on coming."  Nick said and Lacroix raised an eyebrow.  "I told
her to stay at him and she poured a protein shake over me."

"I was with Nick when he discovered that Vachon was in trouble.  I refused
to stay at home."  Natalie smiled.  "Besides he might need medical
assistance."  She set her chin as the vampires looked dubious.  "I am not
going away."

"Very well then."  Linda glared at Nick.  "I do wish you didn't insist on
telling every beautiful woman who falls for your big blue eyes all the gory
details of community life.  How am I supposed to uphold the code?"  She
sighed heavily and then the amused irritation faded from her eyes.
"Seriously, your Spanish friend is in deep trouble.  Some enforcers have
taken him."

"I heard that."  Nick said and looked at Tracy.  "I don't know why."

"They claim that a carouche lacks the independence and clearness of mind to
survive as an enforcer."  Linda said and saw the way Screed's eyes turned
red and looked at the fangs Lacroix was not concealing.  "Believe me that
this was not my doing, nor did I sanction it.  Rather the opposite happened
in fact.  I received word of it this morning."

"So we get him out?"  Tracy said and pulled out a stake and began sharpening
it.

"That is the test."  Linda said.  "If you go after him they will claim that
you are ruled by your passions and unable to set aside your feelings, and so
incapable of the clearheaded approach that an enforcer must take."  Her face
fell.  "If you do nothing then Vachon will die in two nights time and Ursula
possibly with him."

"You're joking.  Great."  Tracy sighed.  "They think I will let him die like
that?"  She looked at the other.  "Since when does being an enforcer mean I
can't have feelings?"

"They want an excuse."  Lacroix said quietly.  "They want any excuse to
invalidate your candidacy.  You passed the initial tests and are adapting
very well.  You challenged me most effectively.  I believe they organised
the incident with the paedophiles to test your ability to handle the
situation.  Judging by the results of my interrogations of the gang."

"Wonderful."  Tracy sighed.  "Either I help Vachon and I'm screwed, or I
don't and I'm screwed."  She looked at Screed.  "Advice?"

"We're gonna do it, ol' Screed, an' Dr Natty and Nicky.  Nowt as says we
can'ts do it."  He grinned.

"Natalie can't do it."  Nick objected.  "She might get hurt."

"You want another protein shake in your hair?"  Natalie asked and looked at
the others.  "Look we don't know what they've done to him, I am not staying
behind."  She insisted.  Natalie looked at Nick, refusing to back down.
Also she wanted to spend time with him.  This could provide some more
information.  Plus she was tired of being kept out of community things.  She
had found herself increasingly drawn to the community.

"But..."  Nick began.

"Nick accept defeat."  Linda said in amusement.  "You need all the help you
can get."

"That would seem logical."  Lacroix said and looked at the others.  "Would
you agree to stay behind?"  He asked Tracy.

"I don't know."  Tracy sat down.  "A part of me wants to rush off and rescue
him."  She said.  "I just don't want them to win, and if I go for him then I
am doing what they want."

"It will take a lot of effort."  Lacroix said.  "You must take no part in
it, in fact it would be better if you argued with Screed on the matter.  Can
you appear sufficiently heartless?"

"I will have to."  Tracy looked at the old/young face of the enforcer.   "Is
it always so difficult?"

"Being a carouche means that every step is more difficult.  If you had
agreed to have Lucius, or myself bring you across then the enforcers would
allow you and your Spanish lover to be together for the rest of the year
until you end the noviciate year and begin the twenty-five year training."
Tracy looked blankly at her.  "Lucius, you did not tell her?"

"I have not had the opportunity."  Lacroix said and looked at Tracy, his
eyes very blue.  "My dear, enforcer trainees are not permitted relationships
with other vampires not of the enforcers or not of their immediate family.
It is to ensure detachment and clearheaded approach.  After the twenty-five
year training period ends then the restrictions are lifted."

"You're serious?"  Tracy said and Linda nodded.  "So what does that mean?"

"You may be intimate with other enforcers but not your immediate
supervisors.  You may be intimate with your sire, and any of his immediate
family, any other childer he has made and any of his siblings."

"I thought Vachon was your sire."  Tracy whispered to Screed.

"Nah we just runs tergether."  Screed whispered back.  "Me sire were a
woman.  I saved 'er from 'unters and she brung me over.  She died a cent'ry
ago."  He saw the look on her face.  "Sorry fruit."

"Ahem."  Rachel said, drawing Tracy's attention back.  "As I was saying, you
may be intimate with Lucius, because he is your teacher.  Also he is very
good in the sack."  Linda said and the others all glared at her.  "What?
Stop thinking of me as a teenager.  That man can do incredible things with
his tongue."

"I think we are missing the point."  Lacroix said, smirking slightly, as
Nick looked horrified.  "The point, is that you would be forbidden from
continuing an intimate relationship with him past the ending of your
noviciate."

Linda took over at this point.  "Customarily the noviciate is a time for the
enforcer to move away from previous relationships and prepare for the
training to follow.  The teacher is there to provide support and
satisfaction."  She smiled.  "He didn't tell you that part?"  Lacroix
studied her and sighed.

"Yes but I didn't think it meant that I had to not see Vachon."  Tracy
looked at the others.  "You didn't tell me."

"I assumed Linda had done so."  Lacroix said and then turned his head.  "It
said in some of the books I gave you."

"Yeah, Screed and I had a great time translating the bits in Latin."  Tracy
looked at him.  "Plus the Arabic, of course they teach that at police
academy."  Her voice dripped with angry sarcasm.

"You might at least have told me."  He said.  "I will translate them next
time."

"I think we are losing the point."  Natalie interjected, taking control of
the situation.  "The important thing is what Tracy is to do."

"I've invested so much in this."  Tracy shook her head.  "I didn't want to,
but now I want to be an enforcer, I want to stop creeps like those from
attacking people, I want to show them that I'm better."

"So we go with the plan?"  Nick asked and Tracy nodded.

"Fine."  Lacroix said and looked at Tracy.  "I am very sorry."

"Yeah."  Tracy said and looked at Linda.

"I think you had better leave."  Linda said quietly.  "It is important that
you do not know of any rescue plans.  They will seek to involve you in it,
to prove your incompetence."

"Just tell me when you get him out.  I want to know."  Tracy said and turned
to go.  "No, please excuse me."  She said to Linda who made to follow her.
She took to the skies and vanished into the darkness.

End Part Three


Vesti la Giubba 4/5

By Spike Shovelton

See Part One for disclaimer

"Well then, we had better get planning."  Nick said and Screed nodded.  "Any
suggestions?"

"Yes."  Lacroix said and they looked at him.  "Well I am the best tactician.
  I cannot join in the attack, but I will help you plan it, then I will
ensure that Tracy is visible to the spies that the enforcers have set."

"I will also help."  Came another voice.  They turned to see a diminutive
Eurasian woman enter.  "Their actions are despicable and bring contempt upon
us."

"Wang Lin Mei."  Linda said and smiled at the other.  "You should not have
come, Mei."

"I thought these might help."  Lin Mei held out a set of plans.  "They are
holding him in a house in the country near Montreal.  Here are the plans of
the house.  You may find them useful."  With that she had left.

"The odds are getting better."  Lacroix said and they began to make battle
plans.  Three hours later he found Tracy at the sports centre, swimming
endless lengths of the deserted swimming pool, the water washing her bloody
tears away.  "Come ma cherie."  He said softly.  "Time to go home."  He
helped her out of the pool and looked at her gently.  "I assumed you would
know the strictures on relationships, I apologise."

"My fault."  Tracy said and looked at him.  "Are they watching us?"

"I should imagine so."  Lacroix studied her.  "Come I will ensure we lose
them."  He waited for her to emerge from the changing rooms and slid an arm
around her.  "Come with me."  He gathered her up and led her away. Tracy
followed him as they flew across town and to a small suburban house.  He led
her inside.  "This is not mine, so it probably will not be bugged.  It
belongs to a friend.  I think I have lost them."

"I hope so."  Tracy said and looked at him, trying to repress the tears that
wanted to flow, and the screams she wanted to emit.  She felt so powerless,
and guilty that she had not gone to rescue Vachon.  "Could you...."  She
trailed off.  "Hold me please."  She just wanted to be held and forget the
fact that the world was screwed up.

Lacroix nodded and held her, not minding the tears marking his designer
black silk shirt.  He soothed her gently.  This was going to be very
difficult.  Of course it was her own fault for choosing Screed.  He
considered that issue and changed his mind.  No, it was reasonable from her
perspective.  She knew Screed and she did not know him or Lendabair and she
was correct he had his own agenda.  He enjoyed the feel of her in his arms
and the scent of her blood.  Enforcers had a stronger scent, so that the
vampires would know their status, and hers was heady.

Tracy rested against him.  He was so strong it was comforting.  She did not
want to think about the consequences or anything and she looked at him, able
to see his pulse beat once in his throat.  He concentrated on comforting her
until she was able to stand unaided.  "Thanks Lucius."  She said softly.
"Will you stay with me?  I'll start thinking if I'm alone."

"Of course."  He said.  "Today we are alone, you may say what you will.
This evening you must mask it.  We will go to the opera, and then out
dancing.  "Can you get leave from work?"

"I took three nights off when I heard Vachon was in trouble."  Tracy
answered and smiled softly.  "I wasn't sure what was going on and I wanted
to be around.  Joe Reese says I work too hard anyhow and was easily
persuaded to let me have the time."

"Come evening you must be beautiful and happy and never show your true
feelings."  He looked at her.  "I will pour you a drink, you are quite
pale."  He did so and poured one for himself.  "You do not doubt that this
is your chosen profession?"

"No."  Tracy said quickly.  "I knew when we stood on the path and you kissed
me."  She looked at him and coloured.  "In my dream."  She explained.  "I
had to decide and I knew that I could be nothing else, that this was the way
forward."  She considered the issue.  "It's a little like being a cop in
some ways.  Righting wrongs and stopping people raping children."

"Yes that is true."  Lacroix agreed.  "You think it is like your work?"

"I do."  Tracy said quickly.  "I don't want to stake people for letting
mortals know but I want to do the sort of things I do in homicide, fighting
crime, stopping hunters.  As I read about the work of the different enforcer
divisions I think it could be really rewarding.  After all, as a vampire, I
can't be a cop forever.  This might be one way to continue that."

"I see."  Lacroix sat down.  They talked a while, of meaningless
inconsequential things.  Tracy tried not to think of what she had done, what
she had chosen to do but eventually she held up her hand and looked at him.
"What, cherie?"  He asked her softly.

"I can't stop thinking."  She said finally.  "I just want to stop thinking
about what Vachon must be going through."  She looked at him.  "I sometimes
wish I'd never gone to that party."

"I do not.  You were a beautiful tart."  His voice was amused.  "Apart from
the fact that you had more style than most."

"You know when you were trying to get me to go with you?"  Tracy asked and
he nodded.  "What would have happened if I had?"

"I had not quite decided."  He responded and looked at her.   "You were
quite fascinating, ma belle."  His voice was very soft.  "You remain quite
fascinating.  Perhaps that was why I did not tell you that you may not
retain a relationship with Vachon."  He studied her.

"Probably wouldn't have worked out between us."  Tracy sighed.  "I just feel
that whatever I'd decided it would have been wrong.  Is it cold of me to
want to make it as an enforcer?"

"Sensible."  Lacroix said quickly.  "Lendabair would not have chosen you had
you been other than suitable for the job."  He smiled.  "You need to give
yourself more credit."  He touched her face.  "Now you need to get some
rest."

"Will you sit with me?"  Tracy asked him, not wanting to be alone because
she might change her mind if she were left alone.

"Of course.  I am at your disposal.  I will sit with you if you wish, read
to you if you wish, or seduce you if you wish."  She smiled for a moment
then shook her head.

"No, not with my friends in danger.  Aren't you concerned about Nick and
Nat?"  Tracy asked and he nodded.

"Very much so."  He said and studied her.  "However Nicholas, for all his
flaws, is a very competent soldier.  Lacroix smiled for a moment.  "I have
every confidence in his ability to carry out a mission.  He will also
protect Natalie Lambert.  I think it would have been better for her to
remain here, but she is very stubborn and she would not let Nicholas go
alone.  If he had attempted to stop her she would have followed."  He paused
for a moment.  "Your maker will certainly survive also."

"I hope so."  Tracy said and looked at him.  She just hoped they would
manage.

The next evening found Nick and Natalie following the carouche through the
streets of Montreal.  "Orright, 'ere we be."  Screed smiled at the other two
as they turned down a deserted back alley.  He led them over to a sewer
grate.  "We goes in through this sewer.  Folly Screed."

Natalie wrinkled her nose as Nick helped her down into the sewer.  They
walked along the narrow gantry over the oozing sewer and she shrugged
helplessly, wondering how she managed to get into this kind of situation,
going along a sewer to rescue a vampire.  Someone had it in for her.  No
that wasn't true.  She could have remained in Toronto but she was getting
fed up of being protected.

"Is this it?"  Natalie asked and Screed nodded.

"Brings ya up in the kitchen."  He pulled out his plans.  "V-Man's going ta
be in the cellar. Ol' Screed will make a diversion."  He said and smiled.
"When they comes after me, gets V-Man outta there."

With that he was gone and Nick looked at Natalie.  "I wish you had agreed to
stay out of it."

"Nick, I am not letting you do this alone."  Natalie smiled.  "Now come on,
will you."  She pulled herself up into the kitchen.

"Perfect."  Lacroix said as Tracy finished powdering her face into a perfect
mask.  She smiled at him, but it was a false, forced expression.  "I brought
you something."  He handed her a small box and Tracy opened it and gasped in
amazement at the gleaming sapphires and diamonds in the necklace, and
matching chandeliers of diamond earrings.  She let him slide them around
her.  She studied herself one final time.  In a long black evening dress,
low cut and beautifully tailored, she looked like a vampire.  Her skin was
even paler in this outfit.

She shivered at the set expression and wondered who this beautiful vampire
in the mirror was.  "Good job I still have a reflection."  She said
bitterly.

"Yes."  Lacroix purred.  "You look incredible.  Do you have a coat?  I have
a fur wrap in the car."

"Forget it."  Tracy said, her eyes as hard as her necklace.  "I don't wear
fur."  She caught his amusement.  "What's funny?"

"Merely the prospect of a vampire caring about dead animals."  He watched as
she pulled out a coat from her cupboard.  "You are a stubborn woman."  His
tone was not disapproving.  "Now you must be happy and detached and cold."

"Yes boss."  Tracy smiled at him as she slid the high-heeled shoes on her
feet.  She put one hand on his arm and looked at Lacroix.  That man looked
seriously delicious in a tuxedo.  "If I doze off during the opera then poke
me."

"Such lack of culture."  Lacroix said and smiled at her.  "I have booked us
a box.  We will be very much on display."

They were.  Tracy felt every eye in the house on her.  They did not stop
watching her.  She did not like this in the least.  She wished she had gone
with the others.  In an ideal world she would have rescued Vachon and walked
into the sunset with him.  This wasn't ideal, if she wanted Vachon, and a
part of her did, she would have to give up something she didn't even know
she wanted.

She sighed.  Vachon would never forgive her for not going to him.  If he
died then she would never forgive herself.  She forced the smile back on her
face and turned to Lacroix.  The curtain went up.  Tracy did not know even
afterwards what the opera was.  She clutched the programme in her hands but
was unable to make words out of the letters on the cover.  She gazed blankly
at the events taking place on the stage, trying to make out what was
happening.

Lots of people seemed to be dying slowly and loudly, but beyond that she
couldn't work out very much.  She clapped when it was over and smiled at
Lacroix.  "Next time I will find something other than Wagner."  He murmured
in her ear and she smiled at him.  "Now we are going dancing."

"I just hope they're doing okay."  Tracy murmured and Lacroix nodded as they
wondered how two vampires and a mortal could fight the enforcers.

"Bang, another one bites the dust."  Nat crowed as she staked another
enforcer to the walls.  "Hey Nick, think they'd have me on Buffy?"

"What as Cordelia?"  Nick asked moving towards the dungeon.  They tried the
door but it was locked.

"Thought you didn't watch Buffy."  Natalie responded and looked at him.
"How do we open the doors?"  Nick kicked the door down.  "Might have known.
Vachon, this is the rescue party."

"Matey."  Screed said coming up behind them.  "We're 'ere."  He paused.
"V-Man, it's me."  He went into the cell and looked at the figure on the
bed.  "Get Dr Natty out of 'ere."  He said, seeing how Vachon's yellow eyes
were focusing on the mortal woman.  "Ain't been fed?"  Vachon looked at him
blankly.  Screed rushed over and rolled up his sleeve.  "Here ya goes."  He
winced as the starving vampire bit into his wrist.

Screed pulled his wrist away and looked at the other vampire.  Vachon had
more control and looked less demented now.  His eyes cleared slightly and he
looked at Screed.  "Screed?"

"Yup."  Screed motioned to him.  "We'd best hustle and find Ursie."  He led
the other over to the door where Nick was waiting.  "Need more?"  He asked
as Nick pulled out a bottle and handed it to him.

Tracy smiled as she danced with the old vampire.  He did not let her go, and
seemed possessive but not in an offensive manner.  They were at some
expensive private party.  Tracy could sense a mixture of vampires.  A lot of
them gave out the heavy scent of enforcers.  Now that her sense were more
acute she could place their ages quite well.

"Hey Tracy."  Linda came over.  The young looking vampire had made her face
up and looked older, about twenty.  She was wearing a bright purple skirt
and a silver blouse.  She had a tall slender man, who Tracy recognised from
her initiation, and who stood behind her.  "You remember Peter Marcus?"
Tracy nodded.  He had been quiet during the questioning but his eyes had
been cold and hostile.

"Oh I remember Ms Vetter."  Marcus smiled, but it was a cruel smile.  "You
are not with your Spanish lover?"

Tracy laughed.  "Goodness no.  I have moved on to something better."  She
squeezed the hand around her waist.  "Lucius works me so hard I wouldn't
have time for anyone else."

"Is that so?"  Marcus studied her.  "So where is your Spanish lover?"

"Probably in trouble somewhere."  Tracy shrugged.  "Not that it matters.  We
didn't have much of a relationship before I joined you and when I did, I
decided to cut those ties."  Her tone was cruel and she laughed sharply.
"As I say Lucius is more than enough for me.  Experience has many
advantages."

"Now if you will excuse us."  Lacroix said and Tracy felt the reassurance he
was sending her through their link.  "I think we should dance."  They moved
onto the dance floor and Lacroix settled her hand on his shoulder as he slid
one arm around her back.  "Go where I lead."

"Only if I have to."  Tracy said and Lacroix could feel her hand trembling
on his shoulder.  He began to lead her in the dance and Tracy sighed,
letting herself follow where he led.  A part of her was enjoying the dance,
the feeling of unity and pleasure in the contact.  The other part was
wracked with guilt.  "How are we doing?"

"Very well."  Lacroix said and studied her.  "I am going to kiss you."

"Be still my beating heart."  Tracy said and he smiled at her deadpan tone.
"I take it kicking you in the nuts is the wrong reaction?"

"Is that your usual reaction?"  Lacroix asked.

"To being kissed by very strange men?  Almost certainly."  Her voice was
light.  "Very well, I can pretend to enjoy it."

"Pretence not necessary."  Lacroix purred in her ear.  Tracy turned slightly
and he kissed her.  His kiss was real and the link between them throbbed
from the intensity of the sensation.  Tracy could smell his blood and as the
kiss deepened she felt her fangs aching to descend and forced them back by a
sheer effort of will.  His arms drew her closer and Tracy shivered at the
pleasure that she was feeling from his kiss.

He drew away and she closed her eyes until she had controlled the colour.
Looking up she saw that his eyes were curiously shuttered and she was unable
to read the emotions in the azure depths.  "Let me fetch you another drink."
  He led them back off the dancefloor.

"Thanks."  Tracy said and as he turned to go she caught his arm and he
turned back.  Impelled by some impulse Tracy leaned up and kissed him on the
lips, enjoying surprising him.  She savoured the taste of him and let the
tip of one fang down, closing her eyes so nobody could see it as she bit his
lip slightly, enough to draw blood.  Lacroix chuckled; she was a vicious
little thing and refused to surrender.

Tracy savoured the taste of him, better than she remembered or imagined,
rich and delicious and unbelievably seductive.  Then she drew back and let
him go to the bar.

End Part Four

Vesti la Giubba 5/5

By Spike Shovelton

See part one for disclaimer

"You are getting the idea."  Linda said with an amused chuckle.  "What else
is your teacher for, after all?  Mine was particularly skilled in that
direction."

"You are serious?"  Tracy said and Linda nodded.

"Oh yes.  The instructor must teach you and meet your needs as you remove
yourself from other connections.  Usually the instructor is your maker, but
you are lucky in that you have two."  She smiled wryly.  "That was the other
reason I decided against teaching you myself.  Lucius is far more your type
than I am."  Linda smiled, looking wickedly beautiful.  "Nothing to stop you
dividing yourself between Screed and Lucius.  Stop looking so shocked, we
don't need to follow mortal customs of monogamy."

"Yes but it's just the concept."  Tracy considered that.  "I was wondering
what to do."  A waiter came over with wine for Linda and asked her how old
she was, clearly unhappy.  "Doesn't that bother you?"  Tracy asked, trying
to change the subject.  "I mean people thinking you are a child.  Don't you
feel you have missed out?"

Linda laughed softly.  "Tracy, in my era people grew up a lot faster.  I was
married at fourteen.  My husband died of a fever and the same fever caused
me to miscarry our child at fifteen."  She sighed sadly.  "I gave up being a
child a long time ago."  Her smile became more impish.  "Besides I like the
way I look.  I can pass for eighteen easily enough, my ID says I am twenty,
so I don't have problems."

"I suppose not."  Tracy said and looked at the other woman.  It was just
that Linda looked so young.  Tracy still thought of her as the young
prostitute that she had appeared to be not the woman that she was.

"Don't worry about it, believe me, I don't worry about it."  Linda smiled.
"Marcus is coming back over."  She smiled at the other enforcer, but it was
not the same smile she had given Tracy.

"You are quite vicious."  He said and looked at her.  "Lacroix has no
objection to sharing you with your carouche sire?"

"Not that he has told me."  Tracy said and looked at him.   "Besides my
carouche sire is still my sire and as such I refuse him nothing.  Does not
the code require that?"  Lacroix came over and handed her a glass of wine.

"Lacroix, we were discussing obedience.  How do you ensure your children
remain obedient?  After all the whole community sees how obedient your
children are."  Marcus asked, the words spiced with venom.

"By giving them freedom to make mistakes and then correcting them when they
do."  Lacroix responded.  That was slightly exaggerating his tolerance but
it would work well in theory.  "It is the same way I tutor Tracy, although
she makes very few mistakes."  He reached up to straighten her necklace.
"She will make a fine enforcer.  Then again, good enforcers are born and not
made."

"Then perhaps your Ms Vetter will spare me a dance."  Marcus said and looked
at Tracy.

"That is for her to decide."  Lacroix said and Tracy looked at him.

"One dance, I promised the rest to Lucius."  Tracy said, knowing that to
refuse was a sign of cowardice.  "But I am so bored of waltzing.  Lucius ask
them to play something with spirit, a tango."

Lacroix complied and she smiled.  She was not going to float in his arms.  A
tango was almost a battle, a duel of the wills.  She had learnt to tango
from her flatmate at university, an elegant woman from Buenos Aires who was
reading metallurgy at Toronto University.  Mercedes had tutored Tracy in how
to dance the tango while Tracy had helped the other learn Canadian customs.

"She's good."  Linda said and smiled.  "I can't wait for her to become a
full enforcer.  Heads are going to roll."  Her tone was satisfied.

"He is not dancing easily."  Lacroix frowned as he saw how the enforcer was
whipping around, trying to catch and hurt her.

"No perhaps not."  Linda said and paused, pulling out her pager.  "Excuse me
a moment."  She returned soon afterwards with a smirk on her face and
Lacroix felt his mobile phone ring softly.  He moved aside and pulled it
out.  The text message on the screen made him smile.

"V & URS SAFE, C U SOON :-) N."  He watched as the dance finished and Tracy
pulled away from her partner and came over to him.  "Cherie."  He said,
sliding one arm around her.  "You dance as well as you do everything.  Does
she not, Marcus?"

"Without a doubt.  She dances excellently for a carouche."  Marcus smiled.
"Although she is rather temperamental.  You ought to discipline her more
often."

"It is the right of her sire to discipline her."  Lacroix said, his voice
dangerously soft.  "I am training her.  Are you questioning my training
methods?"

"No of course not."  Marcus said, his eyes betraying his alarm.  Tracy
realised that he was genuinely afraid of Lacroix.

"Lucius, can we dance some more?"  Tracy asked and he nodded, sliding his
arm around her.

"Glad we're out of there."  Nat said and stretched out against the bed.
They had taken a two-roomed suite in the Hilton and she had fixed crosses to
the windows and poured holy water on the sills to keep out any unwanted
enforcers.  It was almost dawn and they had not had time to get back to
Toronto so they were stuck here for the day.  She patted the bed beside her.
  "Sit down Nick."  He obeyed.  "Are you still angry with Tracy?"

"I'd have come to rescue him."  Nick said and looked at her.  "Wouldn't
you?"

"It would depend.  If it were you, then without question, but Tracy and
Vachon are not the same as you and I, at least I hope not."  Nick looked at
her.  Natalie took a deep breath and looked at him.  "I love you Nick, I
always have.  I want to be with you, whatever it costs."

"Oh Nat."  Nick looked into her beautiful blue eyes and smiled.  She was the
loveliest thing he had seen in centuries and he was no longer able to
conceal his thoughts.  "You are the sun in my life."  He said and slid his
arms around her.  "I would give everything else up to be with you, beside
you nothing matters."

"That is the difference.  Tracy doesn't love that much, not so much that
nothing else matters, that everything else pales into insignificance.
Neither I think does Vachon."  Natalie smiled.  Nick looked at her and
leaned over and kissed her gently.

"I am glad that we do, though."  Nick murmured in her ear.  Natalie nodded
and settled into his arms.

"Ya can't jus' go."  Screed studied his old friend.  "What 'bout Baby Jane?"
  He looked at the bed where Urs tossed in uneasy dreams.  They had found
her upstairs, sedated by the enforcers but unharmed.  She had come out of
the drugged sleep, smiled at Vachon and gone to sleep clutching his hand.
"What 'bout Ursie?"

"Urs will be fine."  Vachon moved closer to his beautiful childe.  "Tracy,
on the other hand, doesn't want me."  Vachon said and looked at the other.
"If she had then she would have come."

"She wanted to."  Screed said quickly.

"Yes but she wanted to be an enforcer more."  Vachon sighed.

"Does ya love 'er?"  Screed looked at the other.  "Why not?"  He asked,
seeing the truth in the other man's eyes.

"I could have, once.  When she did not know other vampires, when she was
curious and looked at me with interest."  Vachon sighed.  "I find her
attractive, but we do not have enough in common, we are too different."

"An' Urs?"  Screed asked.

"I will take her with me."  Vachon looked at the other.  "If Tracy had come
for me, then perhaps I would have gone with her, but I cannot forget that
she chose her profession over me."  He looked at the other.  "Look after
her?"

"Course I wills."  Screed smiled.  "Ya can rely on Ol' Screed."  Screed felt
a sudden pleasure that Vachon was not coming back, that he would have Tracy
to himself.  Well apart from sharing her with Lacroix and the Enforcers and
her job.  Then he felt guilty that he was so happy when it meant that Tracy
and Vachon would not be together.

"Don't worry about it."  Vachon smiled sadly.  "She will make an excellent
enforcer."

"Yep.  She be so strong, s'like Britannia, gonna knock 'em dead."  Screed
smiled.  "Give it two centuries and none of 'em can stop 'er."

"She will be stronger than you."  Vachon said warningly and Screed nodded.
"You do not see a problem there?"

"I likes birds with strength."  Screed smiled.  "They 'mind me of Queen
Bess."  He thought of Tracy fighting those paedophiles and smiled at the
memory.  She had looked so beautiful in action.  A wiser person would have
stayed out of that fight and called for help.  His Tracy had done what she
felt to be right and he respected her for that.  "But ya ought ta go back,
esplain ta 'er.  She deserves that, don't she?"  He looked at Vachon and the
other sighed.

"Well done."  Lacroix said as he and Tracy went into his flat.  "You have
done exceedingly well.  Although Marcus may create more trouble for you in
the future."

"I know."  Tracy sighed.  "You're sure they're all safe?"

"Of course."  Lacroix said and saw her relax.  "Now you need to rest.  I
will have more mental exercises for you in the future."

"Assuming I am allowed to continue as an enforcer."  Tracy said and he
nodded.  "I just hope Vachon comes back so I can explain to him."  She
sighed and he took her hand.  She looked at him.  "I hope he doesn't hate
me."  She considered further.  "Are people going to talk?  I mean I gave out
that we were involved."

"They would assume that."  Lacroix smiled as he studied her.  "It is the
norm in vampire society."  He smiled.  "Nobody would disapprove.  They would
not dare it."

Tracy reached to her neck and unfastened the necklace and removed the
earrings.  She held them out to him.  "Thanks for lending me the jewellery."

"I intended them as a gift."  He studied her.

"I can't.  IA would have a field day if they saw me owning anything so
expensive.  They'd think I was on the take."  Tracy saw the pain in his
eyes, instantly hidden.  "I know, you can mind them and I'll come for them
when I need them."  She looked at him.  "They're beautiful and you're kind
to me."

"I am not kind.  I have never been a kind man."  Lacroix responded,
grimacing at her choice of words.  "You are my student and I respect and
desire you, it is that simple."  His smile softened.  "Now rest, we can talk
again later."

"I'm sorry, pet."  Screed looked at her.  "I tried ta persuade 'im ta come
back."

"I know."  Tracy looked at her sire with interest.  "I just wanted to
explain why."  Tracy sighed.  "It's such a mess."  She walked across the
room.  "Thanks though."

"For what?"  Screed enquired.

"Everything, rescuing Vachon, standing by me, being such a help."  Tracy
sighed again.  "Just being there helps."  Her tone was very soft.  "I am
very lucky to have you as my sire."  She assured him.  "Don't think I would
ever forget that."

He hugged her quickly, savouring the contact.  "Ya gonna be the best
enforcer.  Ya gots me an' 'is Romanness, an' Lindybear all rootin' for ya."

Tracy went home quietly.  Both Screed and Lacroix had offered to spend the
evening with her but she had declined, wanting to be alone.  As she settled
down in front of the television to watch Star Trek she heard a movement at
her window and felt a vampire come into the room.  She looked up, reaching
for the ever-present stake.

"Vachon?"  She said softly.  "I thought you'd gone."

"I thought perhaps we ought to talk."  Vachon said softly and looked at her.
  "I intended just to go but I wanted to say goodbye."

"I'm sorry Vachon.  I should have come for you myself."  Tracy looked at him
and he smiled his eyes very gentle now, richly brown eyes containing so much
understanding.

"No."  He looked at her.  "Perhaps it is my fault.  If I had the courage to
act, to make you love me then you would have come."  He looked at her.  "You
could have loved me, I think, but the time was not right."

"No."  Tracy agreed.  "I wish it had been."  She studied him.  "It would
have been good."  She looked at the other.  "I don't know what to say other
than sorry."  She looked at him.

"No need."  Vachon said. "Perhaps in time we can be together, in fifty
years, a hundred years if we meet again then things may be different.  Time
is something that we both have in abundance."  He looked at her.  "It would
be difficult for us to try to be together now, we have too much between us."
  He looked her over.  "I'll see you sometime and if you ever need anything
then you only have to ask."  He smiled.  "Now I need to go.  Do not worry,
you'll hardly miss me."  He kissed her on one cheek and then was gone.

The worst of it was that he was right.  Tracy knew that she would not miss
him and felt oddly guilty that she did not.  It was another loose end tied
up, another door closed on what she had been and another step towards what
she was becoming.  She sighed heavily.  This was becoming way too
complicated.

She realised that her telephone was ringing.  It was Screed asking if she
wanted to meet up with him for a walk in the country the following evening.
That was followed by Lacroix with her next set of mental exercises and
homework on the code and an invitation to another party.

The third call was Natalie asking if Tracy would come over so she could
examine her.  Then the precinct asking if she had remembered that it was
charities week the following week, then a call from Linda suggesting that
they meet up for coffee in a few weeks when the enforcer returned from a
trip to Seattle.

After this Tracy left the phone off the hook and sighed.  Life never let up
did it?  It looked like being interesting, what with Lacroix and Screed both
helping her and Linda as a friend.  Now she just needed to sort that Marcus
out.  He would have to watch it.  The age of the carouche was coming.  At
least it would be when she had got some sleep.  Tracy went into her room and
turned out the light.

The End

Notes

1) Vesti la Giubba comes from the opera Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavello
and it means "on with the motley."  The song takes place just after the
protagonist had discovered that his wife was unfaithful.  He has to go on
stage and perform the role of a cuckolded husband and is trying to reconcile
art and life.

2) The poem quoted is called "Thomas Rymer" and is quite old, origin
unknown.  It details the adventures of one Thomas who goes away with the
Fairy Queen and spent seven years with her.

3) Q is a character in Star Trek, the Next Generation.  He's a powerful,
extra dimensional entity who enjoys tormenting Captain Picard of the
Enterprise.  A substantial body of Star Trek fanfiction presupposes a
relationship between Q and Picard.  I just couldn't resist bringing it in.

4) The young queen to whom Screed refers was Elizabeth I of England, whose
coronation took place in 1558.  Humble pie was something to do with the
leftovers.  In the Middle Ages you used to put leftover offal and bits into
a pie and when you had nothing else during the winter then you would eat
humble pie. By all accounts it was pretty vile.

5) Hook a duck is a game played at fairs.  Plastic or wooden ducks travel
around a channel of water.  The ducks have rings on their heads.  You are
given a fishing rod with a hook on it.  The object is to hook one of the
ducks and pick it up.  If it is marked on the bottom then you win a prize.
Rozzer is a Victorian slang term meaning policeman.  Peeler and Copper have
the same meanings.