(Chapters 20-25)  ADULT

Forever Is Such A Long, Long Time

Vickey Brickle-Macky

          Several hours later Nick finally hung up the phone he had been using down at the bar and picked up his notepad and grabbed a bottle from behind the bar. The waiter had left long ago and had not resurfaced. He had heard a few people stirring back in the back areas of the club but no one had come to bother him during the last three hours he had been making calls to the insurance company, the arson squad and then some real estate agents and other people he needed to get in touch with.

          He had left Nat upstairs in bed. She had started to get shaky again after Schanke left so he put her to bed to get some rest. He had a feeling that they would all need rest for tonight. Her continued decline was worrying him. Despite more frequent drinks and even an attempt at her eating solid food of which she had only been able to take a bite or two before she threw up, her condition was worsening hourly. Almost if she was starving to death despite the blood. There was only one thing left to try and even though Janette had said it might be the wrong thing to do Nick felt like there wasn't any choice if Nat was going to live.

          He went back upstairs to their rooms. He opened the door and Nat sat up immediately in the bed. She relaxed when she saw it was him. "Any luck?" she asked as he closed the door and crossed over to sit on the edge of the bed.

          He shrugged. "I've got a couple of possibilities. We won't be able to check them out until tomorrow night. Tonight is too busy and looking at you I don't think you are up to it in your current state. It's getting close to sunset. Do you think you'll be up to handling a little shopping before we go see the Captain?" he asked, looking at her very concerned.

          She was looking worse than when he had left to go make his calls. Her face was almost white, her skin was dry, yet pasty like a corpse rather than a healthy vampire. Even her normal healthy hair looked dry and brittle. There were deep dark circles ringing her eyes, and the skin of her face was pulled taunt accenting all her bones and her lips were parched and cracking, even the skin of her hands and arms looked old and withered like an old woman's. The shirt she was wearing hung on her like she was a scarecrow. Nat knew she looked like hell, but she was trying not to panic as he was. She faced him bravely.

          "Not unless I want to scare half the shopping mall. I don't have to look in the mirror to know how bad I look. I can see it reflected in your eyes. So, Doc, how long to I have?" she asked seriously.

          "Nat, that's not fair. I've never seen this reaction before and I don't think anyone else has. There's only one thing I can think to do. And I know Janette told us not to but I can't stand by and let you just die before my eyes," he said meeting her eyes.

          "I've got to drink human blood?" she questioned confirming what he had in mind.

          "I can't see any other way right now. And this is diluted, not full strength. If it doesn't work . . . ." he let that hang.

          "I get the message. Okay, I don't see that I have a choice either, Nick. Give me it," she asked.

          He handed her the blue-tinged bottle. She looked at it a little afraid, then wet her lips nervously. She uncorked it and the scent hit her like a ton of bricks, making her hungry unlike any hunger she had ever known Willing herself to be calm, controlled, she lifted the bottle to her parched lips and took an experimental sip. At first it burned her mouth then it became smoother, easier. The stuff was thicker than wine but not too thick, though it was mixed with wine and water. She had expected to gag, react in some negative way but she did not. She closed her eyes and drank it down eagerly, not stopping until she had drained it dry. Embarrassed at her appetite, she lowered the empty bottle and opened her eyes to see Nick regarding her critically.

          "How do you feel? he asked watching her as she second by second improved visibly before his eyes.

          She grew more thoughtful. "Better . . . more energy . . . I don't feel sick or like I'm dying anymore. How do I look?" she asked, afraid to get up and look for herself.

          "Beautiful," he answered with a slight smile. Natalie was getting a healthy glow about her. Her skin looked healthy, her eyes were bright, luminous with the dark circles rapidly disappearing from around her eyes, her hair was becoming shiny, glossy, luxurious, and her skin was fleshing out and her body was becoming sexy, sensuous. "Are the shakes gone?"

          "Yes, finally. I feel alive, like I could take on the world," she said happily.

          "Anything else?"

          "No, the hunger is completely gone. I know you and I both hated for me to do taste human blood, but you were right--we didn't have a choice. Maybe now I can go back to drinking cow after this. Maybe I just needed something to kick me over the line and this will stabilize me. I mean, look at you --you're stable!" she exclaimed.

          "Yes, but at a cost. I drank your blood and it's difficult for me to just drink cow right now."

          "You haven't been seeming to have any problems. And I remember you after Richard."

          "He was already dying, Nat, and I only took enough to infect him so that he could cross over then he got my blood in return. I took considerably more of your blood as I didn't want you to be like me."

          She was silent then, not sure if she did want to reply. She knew he had expected her to die, and he was going to join her by letting the sun kill him. If Janette hadn't showed up and stopped him neither one of them would be here now . . . did he still regret that? She looked guiltily at the bottle in her hands. The deed was done, and if he had truly wished her to die he wouldn't have brought her this or keep talking about having a home or a life with her. "I know you didn't want me to be like this--but I am. It's done and we both regret it. But if I do start acting like Richard--kill me. For both our sakes--kill me," she told him, meeting his eyes but he turned away.

          'Nat. . . ," he protested, "I can't promise you that, not now."

          "But if I get that out of control you'll have to."

          Before Nick could make a reply there was a knock on the door. They both looked up sharply. Nick called out: "Who's there?"

          "It's me, darlings. I've brought you something. Open up," came Janette's voice from the hall.

          Nat looked at Nick puzzled, and he shrugged but he got up and went to unlock the door while Nat remained in bed under the covers. He opened the door to find Janette, all ready dressed for the evening ahead in one her slinky dresses, flanked by two of her handsome muscle man waiters carrying packages and bags. Nick looked at her questioning as she trooped in followed by the two men.

          "What's all this?" he asked, with an upraised eyebrow as he held on to the door.

          "Presents, Nicholi," she said with one of her dazzling smiles as she directed the men to put the packages down on the couch and then they left, leaving Janette alone with Nick and Nat. She turned to them still smiling, and then sat down on the arm of one of the chairs and took out a cigarette and lit it making herself comfortable before she spoke. "Don't look so shocked, Nicholi, with your fire and Natalie feeling so bad I took the liberty of ordering some clothes for you. I know you have a busy schedule tonight and I was just trying to help. One must keep up appearances, mustn't they? Let us just say it is on the house," Janette said sweetly as she gestured to the bags.

          Nat was flabbergasted as was Nick along with a little bit suspicious too.

          "Thank you, Janette, this is very generous of you," Nat told her, wondering what was going on as was Nick. She couldn't see Janette being this generous without some sort of an ulterior motive.

          "It's nothing, just friends helping friends. I had to guess on sizes, colors, etc., so I hope you won't be too disappointed with my selections," she chatted on but then she saw the questioning look on Nick's face. "Oh, have I overstepped myself?"

          "No, not all, Janette. I'm just wondering what you are up to that's all."

          She shook her head and looked hurt. "Nicholi, you mistrust me. I'm hurt. And I was going to give you this list of houses that are both suitable and available to be moved into immediately."

          "Trying to get rid of us so soon?"

          "Ummm, let's just say I am trying to avoid problems from certain quarters. He will not be pleased that I have given you sanctuary here if he is as we suspect--alive? I do wish to keep my life and my neck a bit longer," she said touching her ever present black neck band. "I have enough memories of his displeasure and do not wish to repeat it. He does not forgive easily, you know that," she said seriously.

          Nat stayed quiet just watching the interchange between the two. She was not pleased by Janette's attitude, but she could understand her fears and the woman had known LaCroix longer than either of them.

          "Janette, he will not harm you," Nick reassured her.

          "Are you so sure? I'm not. He has hurt both us terribly in the past for lesser things. Do you not remember England, that winter in Russia? No, this time his vengeance will be truly terrible. We are dealing with something that is beyond us, something beyond our understanding because he could not be alive, not after what you did--yet we both can feel that he is. You can feel our connection to him humming and it is not a sweet song," she said with fear in both her eyes and voice.

          "Yes, . . . I can feel it," he acknowledged, "but I will find a way to stop him. I have to there is too much at stake It has to end."

          "Unfortunately, my dear Nicholi, I fear it will end with you, not him. He always wins somehow."

          "Does he? Three times I have defeated him and I will again," he said with certainty and he would fight and keep fighting until LaCroix was completely defeated.

          She sighed deeply as her eyes regarded him sadly. "Oh, poor Nicholi, you will always be the dreamer, never the realist. I wish you luck, but I must bow out of this confrontation. I have too much at stake this time. I know that must make me appear the coward but I want peace in my old age," she said getting up. "Be careful, my love, and guard your lady. I must go, it is close to sunset and the club will be opening soon and there is much yet to be prepared. Goodnight, Nicholi, dear Natalie, . . . take care," she wished them opening the door, and then she was gone before they could say another word.

          "God, she's unbelievable," Nat said shaking her head in sheer disbelief in the wake of Janette's visit.

          "Don't judge her too harshly, Nat. She's been through a hell of a lot over the centuries, especially with LaCroix. She knows full well the extent of his cruelty and what he is capable of and has even been on the receiving end when he was displeased. She has just cause to fear," Nick said in Janette's defense, remembering the times he alone had saved her from LaCroix's bad temper.

          "Okay, you're right, I'm sorry," Nat apologized, knowing Nick was right. She sighed and then looked up at him seriously. "So the bottom line is that she is politely telling us to get the hell out of here as soon as possible?"

          "Yes, something like that. We do pose too great a danger to her and the club by being here. If we were not bound by more than just blood ties she wouldn't help us at all. But I mistrust her list. These places may be more that suitable but they might also be traps, even unbeknownst to her."

          "Is that the cop in you telling you that?"

          "Maybe, but I'd rather not be so easily found," he said determinedly, his mind already making plans for the evening and beyond. "Now, do you want to check out what she brought us?" he asked giving her a hand to help her out of bed as they both went over to inspect the packages on the couch.

         (Part 21/30)

Forever Is A Long, Long Time

Vickey Brickle-Macky

          An half hour later Nick and Nat dressed and were slipping out the back door to where the Caddie was parked in the back alley. The sun was just setting, twilight time in shades of roses and purples, and deep lengthening shadows. They approached the car cautiously all their senses on alert for surprise attacks from any direction. As far as he could tell the car had not been tampered with either by human or vampire. He opened the trunk and was relieved to see that his books and precious artifacts were still all there. They put their packages in and closed it. They got in and drove off relieved to be away from the club.

          Nat sighed heavily and leaned back against the seat. "Free at last. This is the only thing I can't get used to this being confined to quarters during the day. God, what a drag. How have you stood it all these years? Didn't it drive you nuts?" she asked.

          "Sometimes, but I got used to it. I had to there really wasn't much of a choice. I think the confinement made me into a more serious scholar than I had been. Let's face it there wasn't all these wonderful electronics to distract one from reading and after a while conversations with Janette and LaCroix got rather boring, so I studied when I wasn't sleeping," he said remembering the many, many hours locked away in libraries and rooms pouring over books and papers as well as discussions with noted authors, scientists, and philosophers.

          "I got the impression that LaCroix kept you on a short chain."

          "In some ways, yes. For a long time I was never too far out of his sight, but it amused him that I loved books so he indulged me on that and it helped ease our way through the upper levels of society. I can speak most of the major languages of the world both modern and ancient and can read half of them."

          "I did good to get through Latin for both my degrees and med school. I'm lousy at languages, always have been. I just hope I can help you with all the stuff in the trunk."

          "You will be, if nothing else for moral support," he said with a smile.

          "By the way what are we up to? You told Schanke we wouldn't be in until nine and then Janette wants us back at the club at ten to met with her medical friend. So what does that leave us open for shopping, dinner, what?" Nat asked looking up at him.

          He grinned. "Since Janette was so thoughtful, shopping can wait. I thought we could at least drive by some of the houses on my list and check them out and also see about getting a room somewhere to stay. Staying at the club tonight is definitely out."

          "Yeah, that much was obvious. With luck we'll have a nice quiet evening.," she said, hoping there wouldn't be any trouble, then she grew serious again. "One thing I do want to do is check my machine at the apartment. In all the confusion the last couple of days I've forgotten to do that. Maybe John McCoy called with some good news. When I last talked to him he said he was getting close to an answer for you and there hasn't been time to call him."

          "Okay, no problem. We're pretty close to there all ready," he told her as he drove and within a couple of minutes they had pulled up in front of her building. This time they did get out. "Think you can handle it?" he asked.

          "Yeah, I'm going to try not to look or think too hard," she said as they went up the steps to her second floor apartment. They passed a few people who Nat said hello to. It was still early evening so there was more activity going on. He got her key out and opened the door. It was still a complete disaster area, and Nat braced herself as they stepped in and closed the door behind them. "It's still a mess, and it still makes me mad," she said as she gingerly stepped over the torn stuffing of her couch cushions and went to phone. The message light was blinking redly.

          She pushed rewind then play. The first couple of messages were ones from earlier in the week from Nick and then from the Captain but the next one was from John McCoy. They listened to it excitedly and then replayed it again to make sure they had heard it right. Nat looked at Nick with excitement in her eyes.

          "Wow, do you think we could be so lucky to really have a cure for this?" she asked him.

          "It sounds hopeful. It could be. You said he was close. He mentioned something about a package."

          "Yeah, I didn't see any notice in the mailbox about an attempted delivery. I don't know when he mailed it and when it could have arrived that's the problem. This call was made two nights ago and he said he had all ready sent it so it should have arrived, maybe today. Let me give him a call and see what's up," she said picking up the phone and dialing a long distance number.

          Nick wandered over to the couch and sat down on the arm to get out the way. She got a "this number has been disconnected" the first three times she tried then she tried his home number. Finally she got an answer. "Joanna, this is Natalie Lambert in Toronto, I hate to bother you but is John there? He left a message on my machine to call him and his office number says it is disconnected. Can you help me?" she asked talking with his wife. There was silence for a minute as Nat listened then she grew pale and sat down heavily on the chair by the table. Nick came over quickly to her side. Whatever she was hearing was bad news, that much was clear.

         "Oh my God, I'm sorry, Joanna. When did this happen? Two days ago? The fire destroyed everything and they're blaming John because his body was found in the debris? How horrible. No, it doesn't sound like him, not arson. He wasn't that kind of man. Do you know what he was working on?" Nat asked. "I see, thanks. No, I can't make it down for the funeral, I wish I could but I send you and Megan the best. If you need anything give me a call. Good bye Joanna, take care," Nat said hanging up the phone then staring at it a moment while she composed herself.

          "I take it John is dead? A fire at the lab?" he asked gently.

          "Yeah" Nat said fighting back the tears. "The night he made the phone call to me. In fact a half hour later to be exact from the phone company records. The lab claims he set the fire as he was the only one there. They didn't know what he was working on. All his notes and experiments were destroyed. So I don't even know whether he even got a chance to mail off his package to me. For all we know it got destroyed too. If somehow he was responsible for the fire it had to be an accident, Nick. The man had too much to live for--a good wife, a daughter and another baby on the way. It doesn't make any sense."

          "No, it doesn't. No one but you and I knew about his research for you."

          "No, wrong. LaCroix knew. He said so, I heard him. But John died after you beheaded LaCroix unless it was some of his groupies doing it. This has to be related to the research he was doing on for us--has to," she said with certainty.

          "You may be right, but we can't prove it and I'd rather we keep a low profile in connection with this. We don't need any more questions asked. The Captain's going to have enough. Which we still have to go see him. Is there anything you want to get while we are here?" Nick asked trying to get her mind off her friend's death.

          "No, not tonight, tomorrow maybe. Let's just get out of here. I need some air before I start screaming," she said standing up and grabbing her purse.

          They quickly left the building and Nat was grateful to get out into the cool crisp air. She needed to clear her head and calm down. She didn't need this upset on top of everything else. They got in and Nick just drove hoping that riding would help both of them.

          "How are you doing?' he finally asked her after they had not spoke for about twenty minutes.

          She grimaced and leaned back. "Miserable. It's not physical, it's all emotional and personal. When the body count starts hitting home that's when it gets to you and you wonder who's next, who else is going to get hurt. I'll get over it eventually but I'm blaming myself for getting John involved. If it wasn't LaCroix, it might have been the Enforcers which is probably worse. But this research wouldn't mean anything except to another vampire. I just want to know where the hell those papers ended up and hopefully not up in flames. If I understood John the formulas for converting the enzymes back to human normal are in there. Then all I need is a lab. I might be able to do it at work if it's not all that complex to reproduce," she said trying to think and stay calm, objective.

          "That's encouraging," he ventured to say.

          "But only if we can find out what happened to those papers," she said. Nat looked at her watch, seven forty-five. They still had a while until they had to met with the Captain. "You said you had some houses to show me?" she asked sitting up in the seat and looking inquiring at him.

          He nodded then grinned. "Yeah, we both need the distraction," he said and headed the car towards the first one on his list.

          * * * * *

          Across town Schanke was finally getting up. It had taken Myra awhile to get him up. But that was something she was used to doing over the years, especially when he worked back to back shifts or overtime. She knew something was going on with him involving both work and his partner but he wouldn't talk to her about it. That in itself was highly unusual because he was always going around the house complaining about work and his partner, Nick. Don was always saying how weird and strange his partner was. She had met Nick and didn't think there was anything weird about him in fact she thought he was a very nice young man and it was a shame he wasn't settled down with a wife and family. Don had agreed with her and told her about Nick and the lady medical examiner, Dr. Lambert, or Nat as he called her. Don had been speculating that the two were really going to get together any time, and that things were really starting to heat up.

          Then four days ago Don had come home white and shaken and wouldn't talk about anything. He just sat and stared off into nothingness until he finally fell asleep in his recliner in front of the TV and even that sleep had been troubled by nightmares. The last time she had seen him that way he had witnessed a really grisly set of murders involving children. She tried to ask him about it but he just looked at her with haunted eyes and shook his head telling her he couldn't talk about it and she didn't need to know. Then he had made a strange request. He wanted her and Jenny to wear their crucifixes and rosary beads and not to take them off ever. He had scared her with the intensity of his request but she had done it even though Jenny had whined and moaned about it wasn't cool to wear them because her friends would make fun of her. Myra understood that. Thirteen was a hard age and Jenny got teased a lot by her peers. But they both had done as Don had wanted.

          The next night was even worse. Don came back even more shaken and withdrawn as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his back or knew some terrible secret and it was tearing him up inside. She was worried for her husband and she didn't know what to do to help him. Even tonight she hadn't wanted to wake him, he was so exhausted and wrung out physically, mentally and emotionally but she also knew it'd be worse if she let him sleep so she woke him up.

          "Don, time to get up. You'll be late for work," she told him shaking him. No response, except tortured moans and groans and him trying to slap her hand away from his shoulder. She tried harder and he tried to roll over on his back. She turned on the light hoping that would help, instead his arm flew up to shield his still closed eyes. Then she saw something on his neck, a redness. She bent closer to inspect. He came awake instantly at that and looked at her alarmed. He flew up his hands as if to ward her away and scooted back across the bed in sheer terror and fear.

          "NO! Get away! Get away from me!" he screamed at her afraid as he waved his arms and tried to fend her off.

          She stepped back a couple of paces totally confused and now frightened herself at his strange behavior "Don, it's me, your wife. It's Myra!" she told him trying to stay calm and trying to get him calmed down.

          No response. His eyes were locked on some scene that only he could see and he was shaking all over as if he were freezing cold and it was far from cold in their house. "No, no , no. . . get away from me. Don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me!" he was yelling and backing away from her further across the king size bed.

          "DON!" she yelled. "It's me, you're home. There's no one here but me! Don wake up!" she yelled, and reached over and slapped his face hard figuring if it worked on TV it would work on him to bring him out of this.

          The slap connected and it was like a light switch bringing him back from his nightmare. He looked at her in shocked surprise and his hand went to his smarting cheek. He looked up at her angrily. "What the hell you do that for?" he asked moving his jaw to see if it still worked.

          "You were having a nightmare. You didn't know me. You were afraid of me. I was just trying to wake you up for work. I'm sorry" she apologized.

          "Geez, you didn't have to hit me so hard. You almost broke my jaw," he complained rubbing it. "Remind me not to get you really mad," he added sitting up. "Did I say anything?" he asked suddenly, looking at her worriedly.

          "No, not really. You yelled at me to keep away and to not hurt you but other than that--nothing," she replied. "Don, what's going on? All this week you've been acting really strange, very withdrawn and real secretive. Tell me what is happening--maybe I can help," she volunteered picking up his clothes from the floor and frowning when she saw red spots on his shirt collar. She touched it. It wasn't lipstick or makeup, it was blood. "What's this?" she asked showing him the spot.

          He saw what she had seen and grew alarmed but in a different way. He tried to lie as he grabbed the shirt. "Nothing, it's nothing. catsup. I had some on my hands and I got an itch."

          She stood there with folded arms not buying it.

          "It is really nothing. Don't worry about it. Hey, I'm going to be late. I got to get a shower and outta here pronto," he said springing up and she grabbed his arm before he could go anywhere.

          "Halt!" she ordered. Then took a good look at his neck and touched the inflamed spot with her free hand. "What is that on your neck?" she asked alarmed. "It looked inflected. It's all red and swollen. Let me look at it and put something on it," she said concerned.

          He pulled away from her quickly. "No! It's nothing. I'll take care of it myself. Don't worry about it." He got loose of her grasp and rushed to the bathroom locking himself in.

          She banged on the door. "Donald Schanke if you don't open this door and tell me what is going on . . . I'm going to . . .! Oww, I don't know what I'm going to do!" she yelled exasperated. "But you're going to tell me what's going on or else I'm going to handcuff you to the bed!" she yelled at him through the door, and he knew she's carry out her threat. She had before and he'd had a hell of a time explaining that one to the Captain and then it had made the rounds of the station he hadn't lived that down for six months.

          "Myra!" he yelled back. "If I could tell you I would, I really would. Just trust me on this one I can't tell you---I can't tell anyone," he said more to himself than to her and he leaned heavily against the door and began to cry. Then he sank finally to the bathroom floor and he stayed there for a long time.

          * * * * *

         (Part 22/30)

Forever Is A Long, Long Time

Vickey Brickle-Macky

          "It's beautiful, Nick," Nat said looking out the car window at the big two story house.

          The white and blue gingerbread trimmed Victorian mansion was in one of the older, more established residential areas. It had probably been built around the turn of the century but it had been carefully maintained. It's huge, acre and half park like grounds were surrounded by a high wrought iron fence. Along it's long driveway were plenty of ancient trees, bushes, and flower gardens. The only draw back she could see were the number of many tall windows on all sides but because of the trees most of them would be shaded during the daylight hours if becoming mortal again would not be possible. In the back yard was a swing set and even a built in swimming pool. This was a family home, the kind which dreams were made of.

          "I thought you might like it. I've had my eye on it for a long time. It reminds me of a house I had in England once," he said getting out. "Come on, the real estate agent said it was open. We can go take a quick peek around," he invited coming over and opening her door and letting her out.

          "If you're sure it's okay," she said taking his hand and standing up. She looked around taking in the beautiful yard and homey atmosphere of the house. "Isn't it a little ostentatious for both a cop's and a police medical examiner's salaries?" she questioned wanting the house already but afraid of the questions it would raise.

          Nick shrugged as he lead her up the cobblestone path to the front door. "Possibly, but there are ways to explain it. Insurance money, a sudden inheritance, investments, that sort of thing. True it was easier in the old days when they didn't run credit checks and all you had to show up with was a sack of gold. Actually, this house has been on the market for awhile because it has a reputation for being haunted and that people don't stay here long."

          She looked at him funny. "Haunted? You're kidding?" she laughed, not being able to picture this place as being in any way haunted or if there were such a thing as ghosts.

          "No, that's what the real estate agent warned when I asked him what the real problem was that this house hadn't been sold before this. I told him that even if it were it wouldn't be a problem--that I liked ghosts and it would make the house more interesting.," he said as he got the key from under the mat and opened the front door.

          The foyer was large and airy with a mahogany staircase going up towards the right ending in a large landing and a hall that went both left and right. The house had an empty hollow sound to it because of the lack of furniture and decorations to normally muffle sounds. Nick found the light switch and turned on the lights. Nat was impressed with the combination wood paneling and light painted walls. To either side of the entry hall were large double sliding doors. They went to the right and looked in, a formal living room complete with a carved white marble fireplace. It was large spacious, comfortable feeling. Nat could already visualize it with furniture and a fire burning in the fireplace. The other room was a study from all floor to ceiling built in book shelves that lined the paneled walls. The next room was the dining room, and beyond that was a modern kitchen with loads of cabinets, a walk in pantry, built in appliances and a center island. There was also space for a table and chairs. A door led down to the cellar but they only peeked in and decided not to explore. A huge glassed in sun porch ran the length of the back of the house overlooking the pool, and to one side of it was a laundry room with attachments for the machines.

          They walked back and found the back entrance to the upstairs by the downstairs bath, and went up the narrow stairway. The hall light had gone out and Nat was grateful for their night vision. The upstairs had four bedrooms and two baths, three medium size rooms ones and one large master bedroom with its own large bathroom. All the rooms had huge closets as did the hall and bathrooms. Whomever had lived here before had believed in plenty of room and plenty of storage spaces. There was even an attic but since it was getting close to nine they decided not to check it out and went down stairs.

          "So, what do you think?" Nick asked looking at her speculatively as they stood in the hall taking a last look around.

          "I'm sold, been sold from the minute we drove up. It's breathtaking. It's definitely a home, not a house," she said visualizing it with furniture and decorations.

          "Good, I'd hoped you'd say that," he grinned. "I already bought it. All I have to do is sign the final papers."

          "What??" she questioned. "How? When?"

          "Months ago really. I was out driving one night and saw the for sale sign and called the agent about it. Then I came and looked at it. When I saw it I thought of you. It's the kind of house I always pictured you'd like and I'm glad to see I was right. I wasn't sure the deal had gone through until I called today and found out it had. Think of it as kind of a wedding present," he said enjoying her surprise.

          "Nick, wow, I don't know what to say," she was still stunned. "So it's yours?"

          "Ours," he corrected drawing her to him. "I won't have it any other way," he added bending his head down and kissing her. "Unless you don't want the house?"

          "No, I want it. I want it," she said with tears in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him enthusiastically. "Nick, you're too wonderful!" she said kissing his face all over and hugging him.

          "I've been accused of many things but never of being too wonderful," he grinned down at her and held her close. "But I like the smile it brings to your face. You haven't smiled very much in the last couple of days and I've missed seeing it," he added touching her face and where her lips still curled into a smile.

          "Let's face it, there hasn't been that much to smile about until now," she sighed., " and the night isn't over yet. We better go. Stonetree is waiting and I want to get that over with."

          "Same here. The problem is we can't tell him the truth or the extent of our involvement in the murders."

          "I know. I've been puzzling what we can tell him."

          "Not much. We'll just have to wing it," he said opening the door for her then he closed and locked it behind him. Taking her hand they walked back into the night to the Caddie and went to go see Stonetree

          * * * * *.

          Stonetree looked up to see Schanke in his office door way. "You don't look so hot, Schanke. You sick?" he asked, looking over the detective critically.

          "Touch of flu, I think, Captain, " Schanke said coming further into the office and sitting down in a deflated heap on one of the chairs. And he did look like hell and he knew it. Even eating two cheeseburgers and a large order of fries hadn't helped, or the vitamins or anything else. Everything he ate made him more nauseous than he had been before and the spots on his neck were throbbing painfully. Myra had begged him to stay home and call in sick but he couldn't he had to come in, even if he wasn't sure why. He saw the Captain looking at him expectantly. "Has Knight come in yet?" he asked.

          "Nope, not yet. He told you nine?" Stonetree asked reaching for another folder on his desk.

          "Yeph, that's what he said and he's bring Nat with him just like you asked. He should have been here by now," he added as he looked at his watch which read fifteen after nine. "Maybe I should check at Forensics? Maybe they stopped there first," he said starting to get up.

          "Sit, Schanke, sit. They'll get here, just don't get yourself so worked up. Maybe you ought to think of going home early. You are looking a little green around the gills," the Captain said concerned, seeing how pale looking Schanke was and not acting like himself.

          "I'll make it," Schanke swore, and glanced out the open door in relief to see Nick and Nat winding their way through the rows of desks. "They're here, Cap'," he announced and stood up to watch their progress.

          They would get a couple of feet and then get stopped by congratulating co-workers and well-wishers who had heard that they had gotten married. At first they were going to tell everyone that they hadn't yet but everyone was so convinced that they were that they gave up and just accepted the congratulations. Finally they made it to Stonetree's office.

          Stonetree had even gotten up and come to greet them. "Well, the honeymooners at last. Hello Nick, Natalie, congratulations are in order I hear," he said coming forward to shake Nick's and Nat's hands.

          "Yeah, it took us by surprise too. We really weren't expecting such a reception, and we were trying to keep everything pretty low keyed," Nick said for the both of them as he ushered Nat to a chair while he remained standing.

          "You know how this bunch is. It's the biggest good news they've had in a while. I mean one of their own and the chief medical examiner, it's a match made in heaven. I'm just glad to see you two finally did it. Congratulations," he smiled, then grew serious. "Then I also heard about the fire at your place, Nick and that someone trashed your place, Nat. You piss someone off we should know about?" he asked.

          "No, we don't think so," Nick lied, "I don't think the two things are related, just weird coincidences that's all. A fluke."

          "Yeah, maybe, but I find it awful damn weird myself that as soon as you two get together your place gets trashed," Stonetree said pointing a finger at Nat, and then aimed it at Nick, "and then yours goes up in a fireball. That suggests that someone didn't like the idea of you getting together and wanted to put the two of you out of the picture permanently. Either of you have any old jealous boyfriends or girlfriends?"

          "No, that we know of. And before you ask: no, neither of us had received any threatening or obscene threats on the phone or by mail. We're puzzled too," Nick said.

          "Nat?" Stonetree asked.

          "Same here. The only possible threat I could even think of was Roger and he's put away for a real long time. And I can't think of any of my old boyfriends who would even know about Nick. And Nick said he can't think of anyone in his past that might want to do such a thing either," Nat lied and hoped Schanke would continue to keep his mouth shut.

          "Okay, and you don't think it might have to do with any of your past or present cases?"

          "Maybe, but kind of seems unlikely too."

          "How about the last set of vampire murders a couple of years back? I know we thought the guy died in the fire, but what if he had an accomplish who's just been waiting for his chance to get back at you for the death his friend? " Stonetree suggested.

          "What you think what's happened to Nat's I places has something to do with the latest killings?"

          "Could be--who knows? There's a lot of sickos out there and the way the guard in museum was killed is real damned similar to these so-called vampire murders. We need to put this case to rest. I know Schanke was supposed to fill in and take your cases but this thing just has too many loose ends like who was doing it, why haven't we been able to find them, and how did they do them and why. We haven't had another killing in four nights but I just got a report in from one of patrol's that they found another possible victim out on Clancy. Business man, well heeled, throat torn out, found dead in his car. Looks like same MO to me. I sent Dr. Jameson out to do the exam, but I want you Dr. Lambert--ah, Nat, to look it over too and see if it's the same as the other victims. I mean I hate pulling rank on you two under the circumstances but I've got the Mayor and Crown Office breathing down my neck on this one and I want this maniac caught--nailed, etc., and I want results. After we get this prep then you can have all the damn honeymoon you want--got it guys?" he asked deadly serious, looking from one to the other of them.

          They looked at one another and nodded. "Got you, Captain, right Nat?" Nick ed.

          "Right," she agreed.

          "Good. So where are you guys staying so I can get in touch with you?"

          "We were staying at a friend's but tonight we'll find a hotel somewhere until we can find a place. Nat's place is totally trashed. Whoever did it didn't leave very much intact," Nick said truthfully and knowing that Schanke had been compromised by LaCroix Nick was a little hesitant to give out too much information on their whereabouts. "I'll give you a call when we check in somewhere."

          "Good enough," the Captain agreed and Schanke just gave Nick a questioning look. "The address on the latest murder is 729 Clancy Street, get out there as soon as you can. Schanke, do you still want to work with Knight on this one or do you want to go home?"

          "I'll go. I hate missing out on the action," Schanke replied standing up and Nick and Nat did too.

          "Good. Well, you all have your assignments. Find something out so we can nail who ever this is. Dismissed," he told them all.

          They started to leave, but Nat hung back for a moment to ask a question. "Captain, do you know if a package arrived here at the station for me? I was expecting something from a friend and I don't know whether he sent it to my apartment or to here," she asked.

          "No, nothing that I know up but check at the desk and check at Forensics and see what they have."

          "Okay, thanks," she said a little disappointed and started heading for the front desk to see if she had any mail. Nick and Schanke followed and about halfway there Schanke remembered the package he had got at her apartment.

          "You're looking for a package, a big package?" he asked stopping Nat.

          "Yeah, you've seen it?" she questioned.

          "Something came for you at your apartment while I was there with the uniforms. I went ahead and signed for it and forgot to give you it at the club. It still should be in my back seat. Hold on a minute and I'll get it," he said, and headed out towards the parking lot.

          "Do you think we could be so lucky?" Nat said to Nick as Schanke left.

          "Let's hope so," he told her and squeezed her hand as they waited by the front desk.

          A minute later Schanke was back package in hand and gave it to Nat. She smiled when she saw the return address. "Nick, it is from John! He did send i!. It didn't get lost or destroyed!" she exclaimed happily, almost bouncing up and down.

          "That's great!" he agreed looking as happy as Nat which was making Schanke very confused.

          "I take it it's good news. What's in there?" he asked really curious now.

          "A miracle, Schanke, a wonderful miracle if everything goes right," Nat said.

          "Okay," he agreed, "now who's going where in what? We still have a murder to go check out, remember?" he reminded them.

          Nick and Nat looked a bit uncertain at one another. They hadn't expected this coming up and they were supposed to met with Janette's friend at the club in about twenty minutes. They couldn't do both and Stonetree was expecting them at the latest scene immediately. Hard choices, hard decisions.

          "Nat, You're going to have to go to the scene yourself. All your equipment is in your car. We're out of trunk space in mine," he reminded her. "Then Schank will ride with me," Nick told them both.

          "Nick, are you sure this is a good idea?" she asked, worriedly, not liking the idea of being alone.

          "No, but we don't have a choice and I'll follow you. If anything happens I'll be right there on your tail watching. It'll just be for an hour or so. I won't leave you, Nat. You know that?" he asked.

          "But La . . . .?" she started to say and thought better of it in the crowded station house.

          "Hopefully he'll leave us alone. Come on let's get this show on the road," Nick said taking her hand and leading her outside and to her car still parked in the lot.

          Schanke followed them scanning the area apprehensively himself. He didn't want any trouble either and wasn't sure what would happen if he ran into the head vampire again. Since Nick had hypnotically jogged his memories he hadn't been able to get LaCroix's face out of his mind, and the bite marks on his neck were vivid reminders of his all too real encounter. What else did the guy have in mind for him to do? He had been worrying since this afternoon. He wished he could remember but that part was blank.

          Nat's car was where she had left it in her reserved parking spot. She found her car keys and had Nick open the door then check the car out. It was safe and she got in. She was still apprehensive and nervous but for a number of reasons besides LaCroix and the threat he posed. She handed Nick the package. "You hang on to this. . . just in case, " she said carefully and he nodded, promising her with his eyes to guard it.

          Then he leaned down and kissed her before closing her door. "Be careful," he warned her and she nodded.

          Then he and Schanke went to the Caddie and got in and Nat started her car then they did and they followed her out of the lot and on to the murder scene.

         (Part 23/30)

Forever Is A Long, Long Time

Vickey Brickle-Macky

          Nat arrived first at the scene and parked her car near the already blocked off scene as did Nick and Schanke when they arrived thirty second later. She got out and got her equipment from the trunk. Dr. Richardson looked up in surprise to see her coming his way. He waved cheerfully at her.

          "Hi, Nat, heard that you and Detective Knight were off on your honeymoon. Why are you here?" he asked pausing in his examination.

          "Stonetree wanted me to come take a look and see if this case was related to the others. Since this case is so important he told us no honeymoon until we get this mess cleared up," she explained truthfully.

          "Tough break," he said in sympathy. Then he moved back so she could see the physical position of the corpse. "I haven't been here too long as you can tell. I was just starting a description of the body at the scene. As you can tell it's a middle age man late forties, early fifties. His head is pressed against the steering wheel and his eyes are open and his mouth is open as if he were trying to scream, other than that there is so sign of a struggle. Notably there is very little blood on him, on the car or around the area of the wound on his neck which unlike the others in your case files consists of two neat puncture holes. This man's throat has not been torn out like the others. In fact it fits the classic description of a vampire's bite. Either we are dealing with someone with a real morbid sense of humor who has gone to a lot of trouble to make it appear that a vampire did this or we are dealing with a real vampire as unlikely as that may be," he said straightening up from his crouched position by the open Buick LeSabre's door.

          "I see," Nat said noncommittally as she looked at the wound and mentally went 'oh shit'. There was no doubt that she was looking at a vampire bite but she couldn't tell Richardson that. Someone wanted to rub their face in this and tell them that the battle wasn't over, but whomever was doing this was being incredibly stupid too because it was flagging attention to the existence of real vampires and the Enforcers were not going to be happy. This threatened the existence of the whole community either to exposure or to destruction by either humans or the Enforcers themselves. It was in that instant of realization that Nat figured it out and it was all she could do to stay calm and collected while Richardson went on and on about the physical evidence at the crime scene.

          Nick and Schanke came up after talking to the officers on the scene and peered in. Nick could see the bites on the victim's neck from his angle and was not pleased, even could Schanke could tell what they were and looked at Nick for confirmation and his partner nodded.

          "Got any ID on the guy yet?" Schanke asked the two coroners.

          "Just a sec," Richardson said carefully checking the man's coat pockets then his pants pockets for his billfold. The car itself was clean, another rental. "Here we go," he said at last as he pulled out the man's wallet from the back hip pocket with his gloved hands and began flipping through it to the man's driver's license. "Scott Thomas, forty-four, Duluth, Georgia. It wasn't robbery as the man has four major credit cards, and three hundred dollars in American and two hundred in Canadian. So we can rule that out. There's hotel, car rental, and restaurant receipts for last two days. Here's his plane ticket with a return date for tomorrow. He won't be needing that now. And his business cards say he was in marketing for a television production company. I don't see any pictures of wife and kids but he probably had them."

          "He definitely fits the victim profile, business man here on business. Let's see if we can find any evidence of who did this. The last case showed traces of lipstick and that the prep was a female with long brown hair. So far the wound is clean of lipstick as is his face, and shirt collar. Jake, did you smell anything when you opened the door like perfume or anything else?" Nat asked looking at the victim carefully.

          "No, just an old musky cellar smell for a moment then it was gone, but no perfume," he said.

          Nat looked and Nick and he read her thoughts--LaCroix!

          "So you don't think the prep is the same? We're dealing with a copy cat or someone else?" Richardson asked.

          "It looks like it. And until we run some tests we won't be sure," Nat said looking in the back seat and then in the glove department for any other evidence. There wasn't. The rest of the car was clean.

          "Well, Nat do you want to the honors or do you want me to?" Richardson asked as he motioned for the waiting ambulance attendants to come over with the gurney so they could remove the body from the car and put it in a body bag for transporting back to the medical examiner's.

          That was a hard decision to make. On one hand she needed to oversee this exam because she did know what she was looking at and she needed to know for sure what was happening. On the other hand she wasn't sure whether she was physically up to dissecting a corpse. She was stable at the moment but how soon would she need a boaster? But it would give her legitimate access to the labs and equipment that she needed. She looked to Nick asking what he thought? Richardson was waiting expectantly for an answer.

          "It's up to you," he told her, "are you feeling alright?"

          "I'm fine. This will give me a chance to catch up on my other work," she said meaningfully

          He nodded understanding. "Schank and I have some work to finish up here, and then I'll meet you back at Forensics. Will you be okay?"

          "Should be," she said, not wanting to say too much in front of either Schanke or Richardson. She was still not sure of Schanke if he was under someone's influence and what hidden commands were still implanted in his mind.

          "I'd follow if I could," he apologized, and she nodded slightly. "Just be careful," he warned then bent down and kissed her check and squeezed her hand then went to inspect the rest of alley for any other physical evidence while Schanke did the same.

          "I will," she promised, and then she went to supervise the final loading of the body. Seeing that it was well under control she went to her car to get there before the body arrived. She put her equipment back in the trunk and checked her car out thoroughly before getting in. She was still apprehensive about being alone but she gritted her teeth and drove as quickly as she could back to the station.

          Nat arrived without incident, parked and hurriedly went to her office. She felt watched but she put that off to probably nerves. She arrived and was greeted with well wishers from her department who ooed and ahhed over her ring and how romantic Nick had finally been.. She was deeply touched. Everything felt normal and right like nothing had changed, yet everything had changed. More than her co-workers could ever realize or guess.

          She found a spare seat of sweats that she had left for such an emergency as this. The dress she was wearing was fine for business but impractical for dissecting bodies. She changed into the sweats and then put her medical scrubs over them. When she came back from getting changed she saw the ambulance attendants were bringing the body into the autopsy room.

          "Take it on in," she directed, "I'll take it from here." And they left the body on the gurney for her to deal with. Then she saw Richardson coming down the hall with the evidence bags of belongings from the body.

          "Need any help?" he asked.

          "No, I'll be fine. Nothing I can't handle. So what are you up to?" she asked politely.

          "I've got some paperwork on the Grossett and Kelly murders to finish up then I'm out of here. I've been having to pull doubles since you were gone. Next time warn everyone when you're going to elope so they can get extra help in here to cover."

          "That's not something you plan ahead. Eloping means spur of the moment. I'm sorry you had to do extra work.," she said, a little hurt at his attitude. Part of which came from her being promoted over him after she had only been there three years to his five and it was because she was a better forensic pathologist than he was and had a better track record of success in discovering cause and motive in murder cases.

          "I'm sorry, Nat, that was a cheap shot on my part. I've been under a lot of pressure, my wife, these hours. I hate working nights, always have. Are you back for good or is this just for this case?"

          "Just for this case and to get the others tied up then Nick and I are going to go on a real honeymoon. Except this time I will make arrangements to get someone to come in and cover," she said, finding it very easy to think of herself and Nick as being married and being real people with real lives.

          "Well, if you need help just give me a holler, I'll be right down the hall. And you'll probably need these," he added as he handed her the evidence bags.

          She took them and went into the autopsy room putting them on one of the counters to look at later if she needed to. Then she went over to the body bag and opened it. The smell of death hit her full force and staggered her. She had forgotten how sensitive her senses now were. As a human the smell from a body bag was bad enough but now. . . she felt nauseous, weak, and had to hang onto the gurney for support until the waves of dizziness passed. She got the body on the table without any problem and then began striping it of clothes. Normally Grace helped her with this but Grace was off tonight. She got the clothes off and put them into evidence bags for examination and analysis noting the lack of blood on the victim's clothes and body.

          She turned on her tape recorder and began recording the examination as she worked. Outside of the extreme loss of blood there was no other trauma or injury to the body, so it would have to be sudden blood loss that killed him. Take blood and cell samples she looked at them under her microscope and she could see the same V-virus in each of her samples. She didn't want to think Richardson would have said if he or any other doctor saw these samples and tried to figure out what the strange virus was. She was boxed into a corner and knew it. She couldn't let anyone else know about the viruses and she couldn't give the true cause of death, but she had to give some explanation to the Captain--one that would satisfy him and put this case to rest permanently--but what that was she didn't have a clue.

          She was just finishing up and about to put the body in the freezer when Nick and Schanke finally showed up. "Hi, guys," she greeted them as she pushed the gurney into the freezer and shut it.

          "Hi, see you got through the autopsy. Any problems?" he asked concerned.

          "It was bearable. And you, find anything?" she asked, letting him know that she wasn't going to discuss much in front of Schanke.

          "The scene was clean, the car, the area around it, and the alley. No one saw or heard anything. The last place our victim was was at the Raven. As far as Janette and her staff knows he came in with a bunch of people, had a few drinks, talked with these people that none of the regulars knew and tried to pick up one of the local girls. He finally gave up and left slightly upset about something. The doorman said he left alone. That was about ten, fifteen minutes before he was killed and he was found seven blocks from the club." Nick told her.

          "Why the Raven? Seems like a little bit out of the ordinary place for an out of town business man to just drop in on.?" she questioned.

          "I know. Janette doesn't advertise and deliberately discourages walk in traffic, usually it's invite only and word of mouth."

          "That's what I thought, so what gives? He was human, no doubt on that, and he was drained. My guess our prep was male not female, or female not wearing any cosmetics as I could find no trace of any on him," Nat said.

          "Our killer is a vampire? No one trying to fake it out?" Schanke asked leaning against one of the tables.

          "No, and I'm not sure how long I can sit on this one or what I can tell him. He's not going to believe it even if I do tell him the truth and that's all we have left."

          "Yeah, he is rather resistant to hearing such things, I know I've tried in the past," Schanke commented.

          Nick raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" he questioned.

          Schanke looked embarrassed. "Yeah, back when we started working together. I saw you doing some strange stuff like flying, super strength, and caught you with your fangs out once, but every time I tried to tell the Captain he told me to forget it. You and Stonetree got something going? Is that why he doesn't listen?" Schanke asked seriously.

          "No, as far as I know he doesn't know what I am and if he does I didn't tell him. And he is human, Schank, before you even ask. So I don't know what gives anymore than you do. No, I wish we could pin this on some weirdo draining blood like with the homeless victims but we can't. And we're not sure whether this ties in with the earlier cases. It's not Alyce because she's dead, the Enforcers got here, and she was the one doing them. This one who can say and most importantly why unless it's to keep things going?"

          "It's why part that has me bothered too with all the media-hype as the Enforcers will be back."

          "Enforcers?" Schanke questioned. "I don't like the sound of that. Why does that make me nervous?"

          "It should. These are real mean ones. They're elder vampires who go around making sure our secret society stays secret whether one is human or vampire, generally by killing the offender," Nick explained, "and they have been keeping close tabs on these killings and the media. But I'm not sure what they will do if it can be proved conclusively to the world that there are vampires," Nick said trying like Nat had earlier to think out all the possibilities.

          "There isn't is there?" Schanke asked.

          "Isn't what?" Nick asked.

          "A way to prove vampires exist, is there?" Schanke asked.

          Nat and Nick exchanged looks. "Schank, we'd rather not say one way or the other. For your own sake leave it at that. Please," Nick asked him.

          "You don't trust me, great, that's just great, Nick. We've been partners for two years," he protested.

          "And I've told you what you needed to know, but the problem now is that you've been compromised and there are things you don't need to know or do we want others to know. For your own sake trust us on this," Nick said seriously looking at his partner, begging him to understand.

          For his part Schanke was angry and disgusted. He didn't want to be protected and he wanted to know everything and decide for himself what was what. He glared at the both of them. "Fine, be that way. And I thought you guys were my friends. I know you aren't going to tell me anything so I'm out of here. Goodnight people. Just stay in touch, Knight," he said in parting as he left out of the room in a huff.

          Nat looked after Schanke shaking her head, then she turned to Nick. "We didn't have any choice, not really."

          "Yeah, I know, still I hate to do Schank that way after all he's been through with us the last couple of days. But it had to be done for his good," he said, then turned to her. "You going to give the Captain you're report?"

          "We can try and see where it goes. I'm finished here. Let me go change and then get it over with," she told him.

          She left and came back ten minutes later dressed and ready to go talk to the Captain. "Are we stopping by the Raven later?" she asked getting her report together.

          "No, I think we should try and find a hotel somewhere. I talked to Janette and her friend will be back tomorrow if we want to talk to him. I did get supplies if that's what you're concerned about, enough for a couple of days until we get settled."

          "Good, I wasn't sure if I should borrow something or not," she said standing up ready to go.

          "It would be better if you didn't. Ready?" he asked.

          "Ready," she confirmed and they left the autopsy room going over to the Captain's office.

          * * * * *

          "Finished with the autopsy, Dr. Lambert?" Stonetree asked, looking up from his paperwork.

          "Yes, here's the results. You're not going to like my conclusions but there isn't other explanation for this murder," she said handing him the report.

          He took it looking bewilderedly at her, then started reading through the report. His frown grew until it was a scowl. "Dr. Lambert, you can't expect me to believe this is your conclusion--vampires? You're not buying into all this media hype, are you?" he asked angrily.

          "Well what else can I conclude when there are two puncture wounds obviously made by a human mouth with human type canine teeth into the carotid artery and three pints of the victim's blood is missing. The victim died of shock and severe blood loss. There were no other injuries or physical traumas on the victim to explain his death. So what else can I conclude, sir," she said.

          "What about the other victims--you said that a pump may have been used to remove the blood and a jagged edge weapon to open the wound, are you sticking with that? Are these incidents even related?" he demanded.

          "I believe they are but possibly not by the same prep. The ones earlier were by a woman while with this one it is difficult to determine the sex of the prep."

          "But this one could have been killed by the same one? "

          "Yes, maybe." She didn't want to commit herself.

          "And mechanical rather than supernatural means could have been used to drain the body of blood?" Stonetree questioned.

          "Yes," she had to answer truthfully.

          "Good," he said in satisfaction, "we stick to that: the prep used a pump to drain the body."

          "But, Captain??" she protested. "That's not accurate, the prep . . . ."

          "Dr. Lambert, this is the twentieth century--there are no vampires, no werewolves, no zombies, ghosts or ghouls--period! There will be no mention of such in this station house as long as I am commander here--is that clear?" he asked, slapping a ham-fisted hand down hard on his desk and making everything on it rattle as he almost rose from his desk to emphasis the point.

          "Yes, sir, it's very clear," she said backing down and backing away a foot from his desk, wondering what burr had gotten under his saddle.

          "And Dr. Lambert, you will not discuss this case outside of this office and especially not to the press--is that clear as well?" he asked eyeing her hard and she tried not to flinch.

          "Yes, perfectly," she said not daring to argue with him. If that was the way he wanted it so be it and if he wanted to handle the press, that was fine too. That was one less headache for her.

          "Good," he said satisfied. "Did Knight or Schanke find anything to argue to the contrary?"

          "They said they didn't find a thing, and there were no witnesses that could be found."

          "That's even better. So you're through for the night? You and Knight?" he asked, his voice softening.

          "I think so."

          "I know you're not staying at your place, so just stay in touch. When you check in somewhere give me a ring. It won't go further than this desk. And Natalie, congratulations. It's about time you and him settled down. The tension between the two of you was getting so thick you could cut it with a knife, and personally I think you two make a damn good looking couple too. Everyone at the station told me to tell you that we all wish you guys well," he said getting up to walk her to the door.

          "Thanks, Captain," she smiled, the tension easing between them as she opened the door to a waiting Nick sitting right outside.

          "Dismissed you two. I want you to go somewhere and get some sleep--that's an order. Until we get this prep nabbed this case isn't closed. Got it?"

          They both nodded, and they left Stonetree standing in his office doorway watching them carefully, a strange expression on his chubby face as they walked through the station house and left.

         (Part 24/30)

Forever Is A Long, Long Time

Vickey Brickle-Macky

          "God, I'm bushed," Nat said as she collapsed gratefully against the seat cushion of the Caddie.

          "You look it, " he teased and he was rewarded by a playful punch to the ribs .

          "Thanks, I needed it. What happened to you by the way?" she inquired as she sat up and put her seat belt on.

          "I couldn't get there sooner. Schanke and I got tied up interviewing people at the Raven. I hated being gone so long but it couldn't be helped. So how did work go?" he asked as he started the car up and they pulled out of the parking lot.

          She struggled. "It was both easier and harder. All my senses are more acute Things that I could barely smell--just hit me full force--about lost it a couple of times. I really feel bad now for all the things I put you through," she apologized.

          "It wasn't that bad. I have been a doctor on occasion so seeing cut up bodies was not that hard to deal with except on an empty stomach. But you didn't have problems with all the people and blood around?" he questioned seriously, looking at her .

          Nat shook her head. "No, not really and their were no problems with being around people. It was the same as it always was."

          He regarded her puzzled, since she had been having real problems earlier she should have really had problems doing her work. "You didn't experience any bloodlust or interest in anyone?"

          "No, should I have?" she asked wondering what he was getting at.

          "There's always some no matter how stable or sated one is."

          "How about you? I haven't noticed you having any particular problems and you haven't been drinking that much that I can tell.

          He thought back, and shook his head. "No, you're right. But this may be only a temporary thing. In the meantime I called and got us a room and I'd like to get checked in before it gets too much later," he said as he drove towards downtown.

          "Sounds good to me. I'm ready to land somewhere."

          "This is just temporary until we get the house and can get it livable. Do you really like it or do you want to look more?" he asked.

          "No, I really, really like it. It has great possibilities. The only problem is it's so huge for just two people," she commented thinking about all the extra bedrooms.

          "Maybe in time there will be more than just us if . . . there is a cure," he looked at her, and she smiled back embarrassed.

          "Maybe . . . , " she agreed, hoping too that dream could be fulfilled too.

          Both of them lapsed into silence lost in their own thoughts and hopes of a future untainted by what they were now. And Nat these last days was becoming more and more sure of a future with Nick. If she had had doubts before he was dispensing them by his actions, words, and deeds. She still didn't feel worthy of his love. Of all the women he had known and could have chosen he still picked her. It blew her away and probably always would.

          Five minutes later they were pulling up in front of the downtown Hilton. "Ritzy," Nat commented as they got out and Nick opened the trunk to get their things out which consisted of the clothes from Janette, and the large box and the two sacks of books and papers.

          A bell man with a cart came out to meet them and they put the stuff on the cart. The bell man eyed them and their belongings dubiously, but offered no comment as Nick went to go park the Caddie while Nat and bell man went to the desk to check in. Nick was back in a couple of minutes. He put the room on his credit card and the bell man ushered them upstairs explaining the hotel amenities. Nat only half-listened as she had been there once or twice in the past. The hotel was part of a larger cluster of hotels and convention center and was connected to a indoor shopping mall by a underground tunnel. In fact most of the hotel was in some way shaded or blocked from the sun and Nick had requested a room on the inner courtyard side facing west so sun would not be a problem until late afternoon.

          They got out of the elevator on one of the locked-key VIP floors. Nick was taking no chances with uninvited guests human or otherwise. Going a ways down the hall the bell man finally stopped in front of a door and opened it. Their room was huge with a king size bed, a couch, table and chairs, full cable TV and plush bathroom. Nat was impressed. The cart was unloaded and Nick tipped the bell man and he left.

          Nat flopped down on the big bed and watched him move the books and bags closer to the table and do a quick check of them to make sure nothing was missing.

          "Is it all there?" she asked from the bed, laying on her stomach and her head propped up on her arms. Her shoes fell chunk, chunk to the floor as she kicked them off getting more comfortable.

          "Seems to be. We were lucky and with more luck we weren't followed and should be safe here today."

          "I hope so. I just want one day of peace so we can think and plan," she said seriously and watched him sort through his books and journals looking for particular ones. She was a little disappointed as that was not what she had envisioned them doing. "It looks like you're getting ready to sit up reading."

          He looked over her and shrugged. "I had thought about it, and you've got some reading of your own to do with what your friend sent. I take it you had something else in mind?" he inquired innocently as the looks she was giving him were beginning to register.

          "Maybe, I just hoped . . . we might make use of this bed?" she suggested a little embarrassed.

          He grinned and raised an eyebrow, then set down the books he was holding to regard her. "Maybe?" he questioned, his grin getting devilish as he slowly got up and came over to the bed and reached for her.

          She eluded him with a giggle. "I didn't say I was going to make it easy though," she laughed and rolled over and he had to pursue her across the huge bed.

          Capture her he finally did, grabbing her wrists and lying on top of her, straddling her easily. He grinned down at her. "I think I won," he smiled as he bent down and kissed her.

          "Maybe," she smiled back meeting his lips in short sweet kisses and he released her wrists and her arms went around his neck while his slid suggestively down her body and she melted into him.

          They made love for several hours and finally fell asleep somewhere before dawn. It was about two in the afternoon that they finally awoke. Curiously, neither was very hungry but they drank from their supplies anyway to keep up their strength.

          "I miss my coffee," Nat said taking a sip from her glass as she sat in bed and opened up McCoy's package.

          "If your friend was on the right track, then you won't have long to wait for it," Nick replied, grabbing his notebook on his French excavations.

          "Let's hope," she agreed as she scanned the papers and then looked at the six carefully bubble wrapped capped test tubes that contained the finished formulas.

          "What are those?" he asked looking at the bottles.

          "The completed formulas that replace the missing enzymes and that kill the alien ones to reverse the process of the virus. He suggests that I give you a small amount to begin, then three more larger doses about every six hours, and monitor you for side effects. He said we should start seeing results in twelve to eighteen hours. He doesn't make any guarantees that this will work. It worked on the blood and tissue samples but in the real world, he's not sure. He said because of your age it should be in slow, careful amounts, taking it all at once could cause rapid aging or death. He also says to not drink blood of any kind after you start taking it and to try eating solid food and drink plenty of liquids like regular water, fruit juice, etc.. Sunlight isn't safe until the process is almost completed. For you the process should take three or four days. He also sent me the chemical formulas if I need to duplicate the serum," she said happily reading his cover letter out loud to Nick.

          He looked at the vials. "Do I drink it or inject it?" he asked.

          "Injection would be quicker but we don't have the equipment here, so you'll have to drink it. Are you game?" she asked.

          "You know I am. This is the dream of a long lifetime if it works," he said seriously. "What about you?"

          "I want to be normal again. I want my life back," Nat said.

          'And if it doesn't work?"

          "Then we've at least tried. Who wants to go first?" she asked holding up one of the vitals and eyeing the clear pale blue stuff inside.

          "We'll do it together," he said. "How much?"

          "He has it marked, looks like half of a vial is a dose. It's now two-thirty, next dose will be at eight-thirty, then two-thirty again, etc.," she said handing one to him. "Bottoms up," she said as she uncapped hers and closed her eyes as she swallowed down some. She opened her eyes long enough to check if she had taken more or less of the amount she needed to. It was close enough so she stopped and closed her vital.

          She could feel and appreciable change in herself. Nick wasn't showing any changes either. "How do you feel?" she asked seriously.

          "I don't feel any different. There's no burning, tingling, or dizziness. If I start feeling strange I'll let you know," he said putting the cap on his. "In the meantime, we need to look for references of prehistoric vampires or visitors from the stars in these books," Nick told her looking towards the box and bags of books.

          "Why?" Nat asked pulling the extra vitals away in her purse for later.

          "It was something that Janette told me recently when I asked her about LaCroix. He was always very reluctant to talk about his past. He's the oldest vampire that either of us know. He was once boasting to a vampire named Lucas that he had watched man crawl out of the caves and that it would take man a long time to reach where he already was as his knowledge came from beyond the heavens. He always struck me as an observer, as he was only there to watch us all vampire and human alike. He never got actively involved with any of the lives we led, didn't even try. As far as I know he has kept no journals or diaries of what he has seen and warned me strongly on more than one occasion not to," Nick explained.

          "But you did anyway."

          "Yes, of what I saw, heard and felt. Despite what I am I privileged to have seen history unfold. I witnessed many things, the rise and fall of many kingdoms, how the people lived, what they thought, and why. I've tried to remember it all in hopes of someday being able to show the world how far it has come. That is another way I thought of paying back society for my sins by giving it a new perspective on its past. That's what I tried to do when I was an assistant professor in Chicago and a historian in others."

          "Maybe you'll get around to writing a book or two."

          He smiled. "I have already, about twenty or so over the centuries under various names. On history, literature, natural science, archaeology, mythology, sociology and philosophy. There are even some works of poetry and a romantic novel."

          She was still reeling from his news. "You a real author and even a romance writer?" she tried not to laugh. It didn't fit the macho image she had of him.

          He knew writing was not something she associated with him. "Someone wagered me I couldn't do it or get it published. It turned out to be number one on a best seller's list for twelve weeks. Writing is just one of many ways I've built my fortune."

          She should have been used to his surprises by now but she decided both the discussion on his writing and his money could wait. There were so many things she still had to learn about him. She knew that there were still layers and layers of secret identities and secrets still to be revealed and time was pressing. So she went back to his original topic. "You think there might be something about LaCroix somewhere in those books and records, maybe a way to stop him?"

          "That's what I hope, but it's a wild shot. Anything we can find to use against LaCroix is going to be."

          "So you are convinced that LaCroix is still alive?" she asked.

          "I don't want to be but I am. And he has to be stopped for the sake of not just us but the larger world. Too long has he been allowed to spread his evil and go on unpunished."

          Nat didn't like the sound of that. It was one thing to fight LaCroix when he came to you, but quite another to seek him out. The man was deadly, dangerous and psychotic with no conscience as to what he did, who he might hurt or how. She agreed he needed to be stopped but she wasn't sure if they should be the ones doing it or if there was any way to short of a nuclear explosion to permanently put LaCroix out of anyone's picture. Natalie decided to keep her fears to herself. Nick probably had the same ones and more because he knew his nemesis so well.

          "I agree with you, Nick, but I'm not going up against him until we have something to fight him with. I'm brave but I'm not suicidal. Give me a couple of those books and let me see if I can find anything," she requested reaching for a stack of the books that Nick had separated into piles.

          He gave her three and she began to scan through them as he tackled another batch. There wasn't much conversation as they flipped through the pages and made notes on anything interesting they came across. Hours later towards late afternoon they decided to take a break.

          Nat was beginning to feel hungry, and for food not blood. "How are you doing? she asked, wondering if he was hungry as she set her book down on the bed.

          "I feel strange. I can't define it and my stomach feels empty," he replied as he tried to pin down how he was feeling. With his hand he brushed through his uncombed hair trying to pin down exactly what he was feeling as he set down his pen and the stack of notes he had been working on.

          "With me I know I need something to eat. That may be what you're feeling and not know it. Do you want to try some food? My stomach is starting to growl at the thought of it," she said.

          "My experience with what constitutes hunger for food is limited, so I bow to your greater knowledge," he said with a grin and a mock bow.

          She glanced over at the heavily curtained window that was still closed against the day outside. It hard to hide from something she had embraced her entire life but she was learning as a finger experimentally put into a stray beam had hissed and burned immediately and she had jerked back in terror and belief of how deadly the sun was now to her. She sighed knowing there were places in the lobby not sheltered from the sun that they would have to walk through, that made their leaving this room before sunset and impossibility. "Since it's still pretty bright out there I don't think wandering down to one of the restaurants is a good idea yet. We can order from room service," she suggested as an alternative to also getting up and getting dressed.

          "I'm game. Is there a menu around here?" he asking willing to try.

          Nat smiled and reached her body over his lap to open the night stand drawer and pulled out the room services menu and handed it to him. Settling down close to him they both looked at it. Like most hotels they had everything from entrees to deserts. Considering that would be the first solid food in four or five days she had had she thought that they ought to keep it simple and light. Unfortunately, everything looked good.

          "A hamburger with fries and catsup and maybe some tea to drink," Nick said looking to her to see if that met her approval.

          "Not too daring are we?" Nat teased. "Unless you get it cooked to death the hamburger is going to have blood which is a no, no. How about a seafood and pasta dish or a chicken or even a egg dish? I'm going after the three cheese omelet with the fruit cup," she told him.

          "Okay, I'll try the seafood primavae with the vegetables," he decided, still wanting beef but willing to bow to Nat on this.

          "Okay, that's settled. Would you hand me the phone?" she asked and he did and she dialed in their orders as she leaned over him again. "They said it'll be a half-hour or so," and he nodded as he hung up the phone and his hand came down possessively on her upturned rump across his lap. She tried to move back to where she had been sitting but found she couldn't, she looked back at him across her shoulder and he grinned back.

          "What's the password?" he asked.

          "The password?" she queried, pushed her rumpled curls out of her eyes to look up at him wondering what he was up to but she'd play along. "Rumplestillskin? " she asked.

          "Nope, try again," he grinned.

          "Grateful Dead? Woodstock? The French Revolution?" What? You got me," wiggling and trying to get loose but she couldn't.

          "Yeah, you might say that," he grinned patting her sheet covered rump. "You look very fetching this way."

          "Nick, don't you think we ought to be getting dressed? Our food will be here soon."

          "I know but I find you more interesting than food. . . ," he smiled then traced a finger down her bare back making her shiver and more.

          "Oh? What did you have in mind?" she asked speculatively trying to turn over.

          "This . . . ," he smiled devilishly and kissed her shoulder and began working downward. Nat turned and reached up to pull his head down and kissed him passionately and his hands went to embrace her and pull her closer and she surrendered willing to his lovemaking

          True to the kitchen's word there came a knock to their door a half-hour later. They froze in their love making and both their heads jerked up and stared at the door.

          Nick yelled: "Who's there?"

          Through the door they got back: "Room Service."

          He sprang up and grabbed his pants and put them on quickly. "Just a minute!" he yelled back as Nat burrowed under the covers deciding it better to stay put.

          Nick opened the door cautiously and saw to his relief that it was just room service and not an unwelcome visitor. He paid the man and took their tray then closed the door and locked it behind him. The table was too piled up with books and papers so he set the tray on the bed, then sat down himself. Nat poked her head from under the covers. "Is it safe yet?" she asked, looking around.

          He laughed, "come on, out the food's here."

          "Let's not expect too much the first time out for either of us," she warned as he lifted the tray's cover.

          The smell of the food was both pleasant and unpleasant as they took their plates and dug into their meals. Nat did have any problems until three quarters of the way through while Nick had a harder time getting through his meal. Chewing and swallowing food was going to take some getting used to as was the taste and smell of it after so many centuries. Nat made him drink water to wash it down. She was pleased with his progress. He was keeping it down and wasn't running to go throw up as he had before with the hamburger. And she was pleased that she was eating again and could enjoy it along with her coffee.

          "God, I've missed this," she said with a self satisfied smile holding up her coffee cup.

          "Nat, it's only been a few days," he chided her as they put their plates back on the tray.

          "I know but I still missed it, that and chocolate. Maybe later we can try the desert menu," she laughed feeling immeasurable better already as she sat back against the headboard.

          "So you think it's working?" he asked not sure what he was feeling.

          "Sure seems to be. I already feel different and I just checked myself a minute ago and I have a noticeable pulse and temperature. Can I check you?" she asked.

          He nodded, moving over closer so she could check him. Temperature wise he didn't feel any different. She'd need to pick up a thermometer to check. His heartbeat had improved, it was still slower than hers but up to a beat a minute over one every ten minutes as it had been.

          "How am I?" he asked as she checked him over.

          "Definitely on the road to recovery. How's your stomach feel?" she asked.

          "Strange. It's not used to this yet. I take it you are recovering quickly?"

          "Seem to be. I think it was because I hadn't quite changed over so it'll be quicker for me. You, it's going to take a little longer but I'm impressed. You're already beyond where we were a couple of days ago. I hate to ask this but can you still vamp out?"

          "I think so. Want me to?"

          "No, not really. I just wanted to know if you could," she said, then thinking to herself that he still might need to use his abilities to fight with LaCroix. She'd hate to have turned him human only to have him killed because he didn't have the strength or abilities to fight. "Did you call the Captain?" she asked changing the subject.

          "No, not yet. I will. I did call the real estate agent earlier and told him we'd be over after dark to sign the papers on the house. That is if you still want it. If you don't we can look some more," he asked seriously.

          "Nick, you know I like it. I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed by everything," she said seriously. "But we can't live in a hotel room for the rest of our lives, and both our places are trashed. . . . I guess what it comes down to is I'm still a little nervous over all the big steps we've been taking. Then all the guys at work now think we're married."

          "In my mind we already are but I know it's the offical sanction that's missing. I could see about arranging it?"

          "Not until we become human all the way. Our blood is going to look pretty strange under a microscope right about now. I don't want to give some poor technician heart failure," she laughed, "but seriously, we can get the house tonight. Maybe tomorrow we'll be up for furniture shopping?" she said and tried to envision them wandering around shops to create a home.

          "I hope so. I always hate being homeless, not having roots. Most people move maybe four or five times in their lives, me it's been thousands of times. I never want to have to move again."

          She could understand that. Moving was not one of her favorite things to do either. "Have you been by your place yet to see the damage?" she asked cautiously.

          "No, I could bring myself to look at it, then there was you to worry about. I thought maybe tonight we'd go back and check. Maybe we'll get lucky and find Sidney too," he said.

          "I hope so. If he got out then he's got to be hanging around somewhere. The sun will be setting in about a half hour. I'm going to take a quick shower and get dressed. I want to see what the shops have as no offense Janette's selections are okay but they aren't me."

          "Too flashy?"

          "You could say that. Why don't you call Stonetree and see what is happening and if he needs us," she asked as she got up out of bed and bounded for the bathroom. Thirty seconds later he heard the shower going.

          He reached for the phone and dialed the station and got connected with the Captain. The Captain didn't need them immediately but told him to keep his radio on and to check in. That meant they could still get some things done that they needed to.

          Nat came out in a towel, her wet hair wrapped in another one and he relayed his news to her. "Good," was her response as she toweled her hair. I really wasn't anxious to go into work anyway."

          "Neither am I. There's too much other we have to do," he agreed and went into take his shower.

         (Part 25/30)

Forever Is A Long, Long Time

Vickey Brickle-Macky

          Janette watched her master, LaCroix, with murder in her eyes. The things she wished she could do to him were running through her mind in ever increasing degrees of revenge--but as always she didn't dare--she never dared. Too many years of servitude had ingrained the lessons against fighting him or disobeying his wishes, too well, too deep. That, however, didn't keep her from thinking what she would like to do the man so cavalierly using her phone.

          She had never expected to see LaCroix again. When he showed up on her doorstep that morning she had just stood there in shock. She and Nicholi had suspected he was still alive but to have him verify it, himself, in the flesh was more than a little unnerving. Then too, he had been most pleasant and charming instead of ready to rip out her throat in rage for her part in his recent "death". She had been prepared for his rage but not this super cool calmness which was in many ways more unnerving than any temper fit he could have thrown. For the most part he had said little to her and had been preoccupied with her phone. He had told her to go to bed and to get some sleep that she would need it. At first she balked then she complied, bored with his games, and went to her bed and slept most of the day. When she did finally awake in the late afternoon he was still on the phone, his back towards her.

          She wrapped herself in a robe and went to the refrigerator to get a bottle. She made a mental note to restock as she got a glass out the cabinet, poured herself breakfast and then went to the couch to sit. He hadn't turned, so she knew he was ignoring her, too caught up in his phone calls. Janette looked at his disgustedly as she coiled upon the couch and sipped her drink and watched him. She noted he hadn't changed, even his taste in clothes--black on black so his white skin and white hair would be emphasized. His clothes were not leather this time, rather trendycasual cottons to blend in rather than stand out. That was a switch from the last time when he wanted to be noticed. It was hard not to notice a man in leather. What was his game and what did he want with her, she wondered? Bored now, with being made a prisoner in her own rooms, Janette tried not to listen in to his current conversation, but it was hard not to.

          "You're sure that's where Nicholas is staying?" asked LaCroix with a satisfied smile. "Good, I thank you for the assistance. Keep an eye on him. Let me know where he goes, who he sees. . . . Very good, I'll talk to you later tonight" he added and then hung up the phone then finally turned around to face Janette who was stifling a bored yawn and glaring at him.

          LaCroix ignored her. He knew she was angry and he didn't care, he was angry too at the way things had been going and it was going to end soon. With a satisfied smirk he informed her: "He and his lady have been staying at a downtown hotel since last night. It was wrong of you to dismiss them, my dear. Here I could have kept an eye on them and it would have been easier to confront and dispose of them," he said very displeased as he regarded Janette who was glaring back.

          "You are why I sent him away. I knew you would come here. Can't you leave Nicholi alone? That is all he wants: to be alone to live his own life whether it be as a vampire or a mortal," she told him angrily.

          "I'm aware of what he wants and why. But I will never let him go, not now, not ever. As his "father" I have an obligation to guide his path back to where it should be safe in the bosom of his family. I will not allow him to seek refuge in the mortal world with his lady who was coming too close to "curing" him. Even now they seek to become mortal," he sneered.

          "Let them or he will fight you and try to destroy you again," she warned him sitting up, her eyes flashing fire.

          He chuckled, whether from daring to argue with him or from the notion of he and Nicholas getting into a final battle again. "I know that's what makes this so much fun. . . this test of wills with him. I cannot be destroyed while he is so easily destroyed as to laughable. I cannot allow him to succeed at his quest to become mortal because then he will be a symbol to others that it can be done and others will follow. I will not let our race die. But he can't change. He doesn't have the means. I saw to that."

          "What do you mean--you saw to that?" Janette questioned.

          "That is my concern," he said pacing away from her, making a savage, angry slash downward to cut off the conversation.

          She didn't like the sound of that, just the way he said it suggested he had done something to block Nick. What had he stopped, she wondered nervously? Was it the fire, trashing Natalie's apartment? She didn't think so, there something much more important at stake that mere property or belongings and she shivered suddenly afraid for her Nicholi and his Natalie. "I want no part of this, LaCroix. Why must you continue to inflict yourself on me?" she said testily, just wanting him to go and leave her alone.

          He turned back with a sneer. "Because my dear, you owe me as does he. And you also know I can destroy you in many ways besides just the physical. You cling to life just as he does, and this soft life you have made for yourself is very precious to you. Don't deny it. You have done remarkably well here --it would be a pity to have to start all over again before you have to, would it not?" he asked pointedly picking up a small marble statue of a cherub and playing with it.

          "You dare to threaten me? The Enforcers still hunt for you, especially now. There was another killing not far from here--they are not pleased. It is making it very dangerous for all of us," she told him.

          He shrugged. "I am aware, very aware of how dangerous it is. I think a little danger is good for the soul and to shake us from our complacency."

          "Fine you be suicidal --leave me alone!" she said getting up and heading for the door but LaCroix was there before her blocking her way. "I need to get downstairs. I have a business to run," she told him, her eyes flashing fire.

          "Not tonight. You're talking the night off. Your staff has already been informed," he smiled.

          "What???" she sputtered. "You told my staff??"

          "They did not question me--they wouldn't be so stupid," he said meaningfully. "Tonight, you and I have business elsewhere. Get up and get dressed, my dear. And don't be long, you know how impatient I get when you keep me waiting," he told her meaningfully. She glared at him but with a defiant toss of her raven wing hair she turned and went to get dressed.

          * * * * * * *

          Nick and Nat did a quick run through the mall shops to pick up some extra clothes and personal things. Then Nick took them upstairs while Nat waited at a table in the central fast food area. She had not noticed their tail who was watching her every move including the fact she was actually drinking the cup of coffee she had ordered along with munching on some chocolate chip cookies. The watcher had been told she had been brought over so he was slightly confused at her behavior. He was even more confused when Nick came and joined her with his own coffee and an order of fries and he ate and drank. The couple finished their food and then went back to the hotel going to the parking garage. The watcher saw them getting into Nick's car and headed for his own parked nearby and followed them out to the streets.

          He followed them to the real estate agents office and waited patiently for them to come out. They went from the agents to a late hours furniture store. He went in following them around and ending up a buying a new chair for himself so that he wouldn't be conspicuous. He noted that they were furnishing a large house by what they picked out. He knew about the fire to Nick's apartment--it had been all over the news, so getting new furniture was understandable. He managed to get his purchase finished before they came up to get theirs totaled. He hung around so he could be close enough to overhear the address it was to be delivered to tomorrow evening. Nick paid by credit card and they left.

          The next stop was a department store with housewares where they got other household items from both linens and kitchenwares. The shopping in housewares confused the watcher as the overheard conversation was about cooking and to how to properly stock a kitchen. He had bought housewares but mainly for decoration not for use, but the woman was dead serious about what kind of pots and pans, knifes and other gadgets they needed as well as dishes, glassware, and silverware. They even bought knickknacks with a sun, star and moon motif in blues and golds. The items from both departments were totaled up and paid by credit card as before. They also picked out a vacuum cleaner and a microwave, but didn't make any decisions on a washer and dyer or a dishwasher. They wandered through the lawn care department and looked at tools, or rather the woman explained the tools and the man just listened and nodded and leafed through some of the how to do books.

          Finally the watcher gave up following deciding he was on a wild goose chase and he was tailing the wrong couple as they sounded just like any mortal couple out shopping. He went out to his car to wait, and they came out a little later with some packages and got in Nick's car. The woman appeared to be looking at her watch and said something while she pulled a glass tube with liquid in it out. She took a couple of swallows from it and then handed the tube to the man who finished it. Finished the man started his car and they left the parking lot.

          He followed them to the Metro Police station and they pulled in, parked, and got out to go in. At the door was a man whom the watcher recognized as the man's partner, they all went in together. About an hour later the two men came out and got into the Caddie while the woman got into another car marked coroner's office and drove off alone. He decided to follow the woman. She went across town and stopped at what was evidently a crime scene by the number of police cars, an ambulance, and the number of people walking hurriedly around and sealing off the area with yellow tape and sawhorses. He was about to back up and leave when the Caddie pulled in behind him and Nick and his partner burst out of the doors with guns leveled across the hood pointed at him. "FREEZE POLICE!" Schanke yelled, and the watcher did.

          Schanke came from one side and Nick from the other and Nick threw open the door of the watcher's car with his gun steadily pointed at his head. "Get out--easy," Nick ordered, and the watcher did raising his arms up so they could be seen and getting out of the car.

          Then Nick threw him back against the car and had Schanke frisk him, pulling out his wallet from his back pocket and flipping it open to show Nick.

          "Okay, Mr. Curwin, why have you been following me all night?" Nick asked, clearly angry.

          "Following you?" Curwin tried to lie and act innocent.

          "Yeah, following. Like from my hotel, the real estate agent's, the stores. Who are you and who are you working for?" Nick asked putting on the vamp and finding it wasn't working the way it should. The watcher just grinned back and Nick knew. "Damn . . .," he growled and cursed under his breath and Schanke looked confused.

          "What? What's the problem?" he asked looking from the watcher to Nick then back.

          "He's a vamp," Nick said in a low disgusted tone, feeling like he wanted to hit someone right about then.

          "Ohh," Schanke said in sympathy, "so now what?"

          "I'm still going to get some answers of why I was being followed and by whom," Nick said grabbing the front of the watcher's shirt and sticking his face in the man's. "Talk," he ordered in a low menacing tone with a growl for emphasis.

          The watcher only grinned, not afraid. He shrugged, "sure. Why not? LaCroix had me watch you and the woman. He wants to know what you're doing since you missed out on the fireworks at your place. He was disappointed you missed it but not surprised. My job was just to keep tabs on you nothing else," Curwin replied truthfully.

          "Did he say why or what his plans were?" Nick asked.

          "Nope, not to me."

          "So where is he hiding?" Nick asked not expecting an answer.

          "I'm not sure but he gave me a number to call to report in. A woman answered with a French accent. I think it's the gal that owns the Raven but I'm not sure. Sounded like her," he volunteered.

          "I see. Thanks. But you don't know who LaCroix is hanging around with? Have you heard of the names of Alyce, or Alexandra or the Baroness Yvette?" Nick questioned.

          "Yeah, I'd heard talk of those names but I also heard the Enforcers got them along with some others. They were ones I didn't know personally, but there's a number of us here in town that I don't know personally."

          "You're saying there's a gathering?"

          "Could be, can't tell yet, but there are more of us around than normal for a city this size. And I've been here for a long time too, going on close to fifty years," the watcher told them.

          "So how did you get mixed up with LaCroix? " Schanke asked, figuring him as a street punk, squealer and all around flunky.

          "Friends who owed LaCroix. I'm not one of his but you don't say no to an Ancient, that is if you want to keep on living," he said looking up at Nick. "And you're one too aren't you? You have that look about you and then I heard lots about you about how you want to become mortal again. Like you think it really can be done," he laughed up at Nick.

          Nick just smiled back. "You never know. But your tailing me ends now! Is that understood or you won't get to see the next sunset--is that clear?" Nick told him firmly.

          "Yeah," the man grudgingly agreed, "but what am I going to tell LaCroix?"

          "Tell him to talk to me. No more games."

          "Got it," the man nodded slowly and saw how serious and deadly Nick was and he shivered seeing something in Nick's eyes that made him very afraid to cross him.

          "Good," Nick said and released his hold on him. "Now go and don't let me see you around again."

          The man bowed his head and took off like he was on fire and got into his car and took off.

          After the guy took off Schanke turned back to Nick who was staring after the guy thoughtfully. "So this LaCroix character set him on you and Nat? Sounds like he's is alive and kicking despite what you did to him."

          "Yeah, and that makes me very nervous because I can't think of any way to stop him. If beheading and fire didn't do it then what's left?" Nick asked worriedly as he looked up into the night sky, then he turned back to Schanke, "Come on let's see what's Nat's got tonight."

          The two men went to the already over peopled crime scene and made their way past the uniforms and back to where Nat and Richardson where working over the latest vampire victim found in his car.

          "What's you got?" asked Schanke looking over the body of another middle aged business type with a deep wound on his neck and a lot more blood around the neck than the previous bodies had.

          "Our killer's on a roll it seems, but messier this time as you can see by all the blood. This guy tried to fight him off and lost. There's skin under the fingernails and some loose light colored hair on the hands and stuck in the blood on the shirt. Our victim here is a brunette so the hair most likely belongs to our killer," Nat said straightening up and Richardson began zipping up the body bag.

          "Same MO?"

          "Looks like it. ID says he's Harry Waxonfax from Los Angeles, senior VP for Intel Electronics here for business meetings with several Canadian manufacturers. Though this time it looks like someone took all his cash, but his credit cards are still here. Then there's a receipt for a hotel room at the Grand Marque," she said handing the wallet to Schanke in an evidence bag for him to get the information off of and to begin the job of tracking down the victim's relatives

          "So far our killer is still picking on out of country business men and they've all been white, well to do, in rental cars, out alone for the night. How are they getting picked and why? The guy last night had been over at the Raven. I wonder about this one if he had been hobnobbing over there as well?" Schanke said looking at Nick.

          He shrugged. "Maybe, we can check, but I don't expect to find that he had. I think last night was just a coincidence. But it is a place to start," Nick said thinking about it. "Nat, are you going in to do the autopsy?"

          "Yeah, I think I better. You took care of the "problem" I see. Did you find out who?" she asked being careful of what she said with Richardson so close.

          "Yeah, LaCroix and I think I need to go have a talk with him--alone," he said with determination.

          "Nick, don't. He's too dangerous--especially now."

          "If I wait then I won't be able to do it. And I want you safe and not involved in this," he told her firmly, then he turned to Schanke. "Schank, keep an eye on her. And neither of you are to come after me--no matter what--is that clear?" he asked looking at them both and they nodded agreement reluctantly. "I'll call you when I find out something," he added as he walked away and headed for the Caddie.

          "Dumb son-of-bitch," Schanke commented after him. "I take it you don't think Knight's odds are too good for a one on one?" he asked looking at her.

          "Yeah," she admitted worriedly. "I'll tell you in the car on the way back to the station. I need the company," she told him, adding the last for Richardson's benefit.

          "Sure, got you."

          "Ready?" she asked Richardson who had been listening and not following any of the conversation between the three.

          "Yeah, guess so. I'll tell them to load up and meet you there," he told her and went off in the direction of the ambulance.

          Nat and Schanke got in her car and left the crime scene following behind the ambulance. They were both tense, nervous, and worried about Nick. "So what gives, Nat?" Schanke asked clearing the air and breaking the dead silence in the car.

          "I probably shouldn't be telling you this but you need to know. There is a possible cure for the vampirism. A friend of mine in New York has been working on it for over a year. Just before he was killed he sent me some of the formula and we both have been taking it. So far we've had two doses and there's four more to go," she said carefully.

          Schanke was stunned. "That's incredible. Is it working?"

          "It appears to be. One thing I was going to do tonight was take some samples and check them out. But we're both eating now and I can feel changes in me. I expect I will revert easier than Nick, but it's hopeful. The only problem is he won't be on the same level as LaCroix and could get hurt. . . . or killed," she added.

          "Yeah, he could and unfortunately, Nick is right, we can't do anything to help and I hate to say this Nat, but Nick may not walk away from this if LaCroix is as invulnerable as what I've heard."

          "Yeah, . .. I know," she said softly gripping the steering wheel even tighter as they drove back to the station.

End of Forever Is A Long, Long Time:  Chapters 20-25