(Part 6/30) ADULT

    Forever Is A Long, Long Time

    Vickey Brickle-Macky

     When he could get his head together enough to call, Schanke called in sick for himself, while Nick and Nat then went off to think. He wanted to be alone for awhile before he headed finally to The Raven to see Janette. The club was almost deserted both inside and out. Sitting at the bar Janette looked up from her books in surprise to see Schanke wander in alone. The aura of sadness around him was overwhelming and she knew something was seriously wrong.

     "What is it Detective Schanke? Where's Nicholi?" she asked afraid to hear the answer.

      "I don't even know where to begin, Janette," he said, not sure where to start on the night's bizarre events. "May I have a drink, a strong one, a very strong one, please."

     "Aren't you on duty?" she asked, puzzled.

     "I'm off. I called in sick. I had to. I couldn't face the Captain--anyone."

      Inwardly, she braced herself. When one started with those words . . . it was going to be bad. "Then your news must be very bad."

     "It is." he admitted as he heavily sat downon the barstool. He sighed and shook his head, mentally making himself say what he had to. "There's no gentle way to say this. Nat's dead. Nick killed her. I walked into his apartment and saw it all. It's hard for me to say this," the man said taking the double scotch that the waiter brought and he gulped it down in two big swallows.

     "Oh, my . . ." Janette said putting her hands to her mouth, genuinely shocked at his news. "Nicholi killed his dear Natalie?" she asked wanting it verified again for her ears.

     "Yes, Nat's dead. I went over to Nick's place to pick him up for work, and the door was open so I walked in. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was standing there in the middle of the room with her in his arms. At first I thought I had come at a bad time again and was going to back out when Nick looked up there was blood on his mouth and chin--Nat's blood! I still can't believe what I saw," Schanke said. He knew he sounded like a crazy man, but he had to tell her no matter how bizarre it was sounding.

     "Are you sure of what you saw?" she asked afraid of his next words.

      "Janette, there was no mistake. I mean I've been on the force for over ten years, I'm trained to notice stuff like that. It was for real. He was drinking her blood." He shuddered visibly, and missed Janette's worried looks. "He's a . . . damn, I still don't believe it!" Schanke wasn't sure he could tell her. He still hadn't reconciled himself to what he had seen and what Nick had told him.

      "He's a what?" Janette pressed trying to be patient.

      He grimaced, and looked acutely embarrassed. She had the waiter bring another drink which Schanke which this time he drank a bit more slowly but he had to finish it before he could speak.

      "So what did you see? What do you think Nicholi is?" Janette asked determined to pry the information out of him even if it took all night.

      "Jeez--Janette, Nick's a vampire. A real blood sucking vampire. I saw it with my own two eyes. I know you don't believe me." He was acutely embarrassed now, dreading the laughter he knew would come, curiously enough there was none. He was very puzzled now.

      He was shocked to his core when he heard her reply: "I'm afraid I do, Don. So you saw?" Janette saw no reason to lie for the moment. After she got the facts about what he knew then she'd decide what to do about his knowledge.

      Schanke nodded dumbly not really hearing the bitter edge of agreement in her voice as he took a huge swig out of the new drink the waiter brought him. It was a long couple of moments before it did penetrate his numbed mind, but when it did his head shot up and he regarded her with angry hostility. "You knew?"

      She flinched under his gaze. In a way she deserved that, the human's world of certainties was crumbling down all around him and he was feeling very lost. Janette knew that nothing that she could say right now would make the memories of what he had seen and heard go away. And she did need to know what had occurred. "Yes. I've known Nicholi for many years. We have no secrets. So where is he now?"

      "At his apartment. I just left him sitting there with her. I couldn't take him in, not after everything we've been through and then after what he told me. . .. "

      "He told you what?"

      "That he was forced to kill her because of some other vampires. They had made him do it. I got the impression either he had to do it or they'd do it for him. He chose to do it himself. Nicky was still crying when I left. I had to get out of there. He says he's going to open the blinds and kill himself. Let the sun kill him and destroy his body and Nat's."

      "He was serious?"

      "Very serious."

      "I've got to stop him!"

      "Don't! He claims this is his punishment. He deserves this for what happened to Nat."

      "I see," she said grimly, her beautiful lips were stretched in a taunt line," he would. He was always noble that way. But you say he was forced to do this by others?"

      "That's what he claims. When I opened the door it was just him with Nat's dead body in his arms. There was blood on his mouth, and he really had fangs like in some horror movie. His eyes, I don't want to think what his eyes looked like--he scared the hell out of me like that. But he was crying and he cried red tears and through it all he was saying that somebody named LaCroix forced him to kill her."

      "LaCroix? Are you sure?" A cold chill stabbed through her. She knew real fear then and knew what Nicholas had been up against.

      "Positive. I see you are familiar with the name."

      She scanned the club in fear and nodded, slowly. "Oh yes, Detective, . . . very familar. Then the rumors were true then that he has returned. If it was true, and he was there in Nicholi's apartment then Nicholi truly had no choice. LaCroix would not allow him to have one. It would be like him to force Nicholi to kill Natalie. The alternative . . . ," she shuddered, not even wanting to think of those horrible possibilities for Natalie. Instead she told him, "Detective, LaCroix is a very dangerous man, very dangerous indeed."

      "I got that impression as well and that he was behind these recent killings. That leaves me a big problem as to how to get these cases closed, quietly. The Captain wouldn't believe me if I did tell him what I saw tonight and I'm not going to tell him the truth. I owe Nick that much"

      "Nick would appreciate that." she said, and mentally she added: I definitely appreciate it too. The fewer mortals that know, the better. "You must, Don, Do what you think best," Janette said thinking. It was not over. It was far from over. Then there was LaCroix. She still had to deal with him. This time she was not going to let it be. But that was private and not for mortal eyes.

      Schanke reached into his coat jacket and drew out the bank books and the notebook Nick had given him. "Nick said you would know what to do with these. I feel really odd doing this. It was like watching a guy with a terminal case of cancer who knew he was going die except he didn't know when, only that it would be soon. He's resigned to dying. With Nat gone . . . God, I still can't believe all this. Him, her--there's too much pain." His voice was cracking and he felt the tears threatening to fall once again.

      "I understand," Janette said, and she did this once. She understood what the mortal was going through as Nick had reawaken in her those feelings of humanity that she had kept suppressed. She felt Schanke's pain and her own and she was not pleased. She took the books and felt overwhelming sadness for her dear Nicholi's fate..

      "At least he will leave this world happy," he commented, seemingly offhandedly to Janette's ears.

      "I do not comprehend, Detective, " Janette said as she came out of her thoughts.

      "Him and Nat. He told me they finally made love if that is even a word to describe what they did according to him. He wanted a lifetime with her. I wish they could have had it. They both deserved it. If anyone did, they did," Schanke said as he took a large swallow of his drink and finished it.

      "Yes, they did," Janette agreed, gladden to find out that Nick had found the happiness he had sought. At least he had fulfilled his dreams in some small part.

      "Well, I should be getting home. Myra will be getting worried. As far as she will know along with the rest of the world, Nick and Nat just simply disappeared. He had planned to disappear because of this LaCroix guy anyway and had it all worked out and I'm going to leave it at that."

      "Thank you, Don, he'd appreciate that. And thank you for coming here and telling me all this." She said sincerely, her mind still in shock by it all. Maybe after he left she would react but right now she could only sit.

      "Janette, just do me one favor. Just let him be. I understand what he's going to do and why. Maybe it is better for him this way. I don't even want to think how I'd handle it if something happened to Myra. Let him work it out his own way. If you are the kind of friend I know you are to Nick, give him that. Give him his right to choose."

      "I will. I won't interfere. I want to, but I won't. Goodnight, Detective, go home to your wife. Thank you for everything," she said gracefully, meaning it.

      "Goodnight, Janette. If you ever need anything--you know where to find me."

      She nodded in silent agreement and watched him walk slowly away . The upbeat music washed around him and had no effect as he went stiffly through the crowd to the stillness of the night outside.

      After he left Janette turned to her bartender and told him she was going to her private office. Then she left the club in her car out the back way. If anyone had gotten in her way she would have killed them.

     (Part 7/30)

     Forever Is A Long, Long Time

     Vickey Brickle-Macky

      From across the room a lone figure sitting at a table watched Janette and smiled into her untouched drink. She then motioned to another to join her and told her to keep watch while she left to inform the master. Then the striking blond left the club and walked to the alley before she lifted up and flew away into the darkness.

      She arrived at her destination quickly, a huge mansion on the edge of town surrounded by woods. Expensive cars were parked in the driveway and lights blazed from the windows. She went in. The guard at the door looked at her and let her pass. There was a party of sorts going on but she didn't care. She went directly to the master of the house as he held court in the huge formal living room.

      The tall, thin, white haired man turned his colorless eyes on her and acknowledged her presence. He curtly nodded in her direction then made his excuses to the group around him. They moved aside to let him pass and join the buxom blonde who looked poured into her black leather outfit who was waiting for him. They walked in silence to his study and he opened the door and then closed it behind them before he sat down in his throne-like chair behind the huge ornate oak desk.

      "Well, Alexandra?" he asked as he settled back into his chair, his chin supported by his hand, looking up at her impatiently.

      "His partner went to The Raven and talked with Janette. They talked for over an hour. She knows now what happened. I could tell by the way they were interacting. How much they both know and what I am not sure. I wasn't close enough to over hear every word," she reported, daring not to sit. She knew better.

      "And his partner, what was he like?" He asked trying to judge for himself.

      "He was sad, very sad. In mourning, I believe. And he handed Janette some things. Bank books, I believe," Alexandra said with a toss of her head.

      "Then Nicholas was still alive when he left him. He must have convinced him to give these things to Janette. So his partner couldn't shoot him after all. I'm disappointed," LaCroix said with disgust. His plans were not being not fully realized.

      "Did you really expect him to?"

      "I had hoped, but not expected. Human loyalties and bonds are so strong. Nicholas and his partner were quite close, you know. But revealing ourselves to Detective Schanke would have served no useful purpose and only complicated the problems we have with the Enforcers," LaCroix said meaningfully, she nodded.

      "So do you think he killed her?"

      "Possibly. If he gave those books to Janette then he has plans to do himself in as well. Should I let him take the easy way out or make him return to the fold?" he asked. It was more a question to himself than to the woman before him.

      "That is your decision. Personally, if the fool wants to die--let him. He will only serve to cause you problems. If he doesn't die and is brought forcibly back to the fold he will hate you and resent you. He will be quite dangerous, LaCroix. He has no qualms about killing his own kind now as I myself found out. No, he needs to be destroyed. If he wants to voluntarily do it, so be it."

      "But, my dear, I do not want that. I want him alive. I want to prolong his torment. I want revenge for his daring to turn away from me, his master. I want to drive a burning stake through his heart like he did to me. If he is destroyed, it will be by my own hand. There is no easy way out for my dear Nicholas. All these centuries I tended him. protected him. cherished him. He is mine, body, mind and eternal soul. I alone choose the hour and means of his death as I chose his birth into this life," LaCroix told her passionately, gesturing with his hands to prove his point. "There is no escape for him--none."

      "And what if he has merely brought the woman over, not killed her? What then?" Alexandra asked.

      LaCroix mouth screwed into a bitter smile. Then we bring her into the fold. I warp her, change her like I did dear innocent Alyce. Like I did when Nicholas was still virginal to all the ways of the flesh and of the world. Did you know that Janette was his first? He was thirty years old and had never known a woman because of his knightly vows. Let us say he did make up for it over the centuries."

      "Yes," she said disgustedly. She almost spat the word out as she remembered how Nicholas' seduction of her had led to her death and crossing over.

      "Ahh, that is a sore point with you still, isn't it , my dear. I apologize for my thoughtlessness. No, I think we should go back and check on our dear Nicholas, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, nor have Janette interfere. She will be hunting for me now. I think it's time she found me." He laughed getting up. "Gather Alyce and the others, the party has just started. I will join you the living room shortly."

      She inclined her head in acknowledgment and left to go do as he had asked. LaCroix left also and went to his room to change to more suitable attire for this night's final outing.

     (Part 8/30)

     Forever Is A Long, Long Time

     Vickey Brickle-Macky

      "Nicholi?" Janette called cautiously as she opened the door to his apartment. There was no answer but she knew he was here. Uninvited, she went in anyway.

      He did not look up at her approach. He sat on the couch cradling Natalie's lifeless body in his arms. His face was wet, and streaked with red. The remote control for the steel shuttered blinds lay next to him. They were open, only awaiting the arrival of the dawn which was fast approaching. The pre-dawn sky was lightening to soft pale blue-violet with wisps of rosy gold clouds racing high across the skyline while morning birds began their song. It was going to be a beautiful morning but he was blind to its beauty and could only welcome it as the bringer of final death and long sought-after peace.

      "Nicholi, talk to me. Don't let it end like this," Janette begged him as she came over and touched his shoulder. He was cool to the touch not warm as he had been in recent months.

      "It must end," he said in a hollow voice, devoid of all emotions. "I can't go on like this is any longer. There is no point. She's dead, Janette. . . . I killed her. I can't live with that. . . . I won't," he said not meeting her eyes.

      "Is she truly dead?"

      "Yes, I made sure. I couldn't bear the thought of her waking to this life even though it would have meant us being together."

      "That was stupid, mon cheri. She was succeeding with you. You could have still left with her, gotten away and tried to reverse the process again. You could have still lived your dream with her."

      "I know, I even thought of that, but what was the point? No, it's better this way to let the sun burn away my evil."

      NO! Nicholi, no! Let me see her!" Janette ordered, and he moved aside to let her.

      She checked for a pulse. She smiled when she found one, weak and far distant apart but still there. "She's still with us. You should be grateful that your skills are so rusty, my love," she chided him, with a smile.

      He looked at her in horror and disbelief. "She's not dead? Natalie's still alive?"

      "Yes, it seems her will to survive is greater than yours. Finish bringing her over, Nicholi. You must!" Janette demanded insistently. "Then you two can leave, start over, become mortal together if you choose. Are you so willing now to give her up after you've known her love?"

      "No, but to let her be like me?" he questioned, not pleased at the thought.

      "She was willing to take that risk. She was willing to take any risk to love you. She knew that if the two of you made love you might vamp out but she didn't care."

      "But I didn't, that was what was so wonderful. I made love to her as a mortal and not once did the vamp threaten her. It was beautiful, Janette. The most truly beautiful thing I have ever known."

      "Then don't let her go. Awaken her or I will and do something about those damn blinds. The sky is lightening. I do not share your wish for death, darling," she said looking apprehensively up towards the brightening of the navy sky outside.

      Obediently, he used the remote to close all the blinds and she breathed a sigh of relief. The he turned his attention to Natalie. Without further thought he bit into his wrist with his fangs to draw blood and then he pressed his bleeding wrist to her slightly opened mouth making sure his blood was going into her mouth. It took a minute or two for anything to happen but then she coughed violently several times and her body spasmed, as it sparkled back to "life". Her eyes flew open in surprise to see Nick bending above her.

      "Nick?" she questioned surprised, becoming very puzzled. Her voice was weak and shaky, but she was with him once again.

      "Take it easy, Nat. What do you remember?"

      "LaCroix, his companions, you. I remember him making you . . . bite me. . . You did, didn't you? You began kissing me then there was this sharp pain at my neck. I could feel you drain my blood. I was afraid and yet not afraid and I knew I was dying--but I wasn't afraid and then came the darkness. But just before you woke me just now I was seeing a bright light and it was calling to me. I almost went but you called me back. Nick, I thought you killed me," she said slowly as the horror, the pain, and the fear all rushed back full force in her mind.

      "I did, or at least I thought I did. Janette told me otherwise. I brought you over, I'm sorry."

      "I'm like Richard was?" she asked numbly.

      "Yes," he told her truthfully.

      She closed her eyes in painful reminisce of her brother's brief life as a vampire. Inwardly, she shuttered. "Nick, I have to think about this. I feel so strange, so empty. I feel, . . . God . . . is this what you have been going through? This hunger, this thirst? You have my sincere condolences. . . ," she said. Nick helped her to sit up. She was very shaky. Her head was reeling and there were spots before her eyes. She found a bottle thrust into her hands.

      "Drink this!" he ordered.

      "Nick, I can't." She knew what was in the bottle and at that moment she knew she couldn't go through with it. She couldn't take that first drink knowing what was in it.

      "Nat, you have to!" he knew she was hesitating, but he couldn't let her. "The first couple of times are critical for you. If you don't, you'll go wild, have no control over yourself. Trust me on this. Listen to me. Once we get you stable then we can work on returning you back. We can find the way together."

      "Nick, I don't think I can do this."

      "Well, should I just open the blinds and get it over with?" he asked seriously, not wanting to force her.

      "No, I can't do that either. It's all happening too fast. I can't think. There's a buzz saw in my head."

      "Then drink, it'll go away. "

      From behind her Nat heard Janette's voice. "Be brave, Natalie. You're a fighter, you can do this. I will help you through this terrible time too."

      "Okay, you guys win. I'll drink the damn stuff!" she said in defeat as she lifted the bottle up and drank the contents, shivering the entire time as she felt it seep through her. At the same time she felt energized, fully alive in a way she had never felt before. Things took on a new sharpness, a new clarity. Like she was seeing the world with new eyes, and she was. All her senses were magnified, enriched, and as she looked around she realized she also had senses that had no names. "This is unbelievable," she said in awe as her scientific mind tried to sort out her impressions.

      "How do you feel," Nick asked worriedly.

      "I'm not sure yet. It's all so intense. The hunger is gone for the moment, but I still feel real weak," she said her hand to her head as she tried to get up.

      "You will be for a couple of days as your body begins to change and adjust itself to your new state. Then it will pass and you will be able to function more or less like you did before," Nick explained as Nat took it all in.

      "So am I dead or alive?"

      "You're the doctor. You didn't think I was dead so why would you think yourself dead as well? Are you angry at me for bringing you over?" he asked wanting to know that answer to that very critical question.

      "A part of me is, but no, Nick, I'd rather be here with you, in this whatever state I am than dead, dead-dead, that is. I could never be truly mad at you. You did what you had to do," she told him bluntly as she grasped his hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

      "Well, my darlings, it looks like my presence is no longer needed. And the day is almost upon us, I must go. I will keep up the charade that you and Nat are dead to all concerned. I know you two have many plans to make, just let me know if I can help," Janette said putting on her cloak.

      Then from out of nowhere came a chilling voice that froze them all . "How touching, my dear, Janette. Do I detect human feelings in you? Pity, compassion, for our fallen angel and his friend?" came LaCroix's mocking tones to their ears and they spun around to see him flanked by others.

      "LaCroix, how did you get in?" Nick snarled, his vamp rising in response to the anger he felt of having his home invaded again and his friends threatened.

      "That is my secret. Let's just say I've learned a few things since we last met. So I see you brought your lover over. Give her to me, Nicholas. I shall complete her education as I did with Alyce, make her into a proper vampire and not a mockery of one as you plan to do," LaCroix said as he stepped forward.

      "NO!" Nick said angrily and thrust Nat behind him and Janette moved to protect her as well.

      LaCroix was angry, yet amused as well. "So, Janette, My love, my sweet, you have abandoned me as well. I, your master, you can turn away from me? Your will is not that strong. It never has been. Give me the woman!" he commanded.

      "No, I won't. I have learned I don't have to do your bidding or cower when you call. I have my own life and concerns, none of which involve you. Nat is part of my famile now. I reject yours." Janette snarled at him, fangs displayed, her eyes glowed red and dangerously. She didn't resemble in any way the elegant lady she normally was as she faced her mentor.

      "My, we have changed. Since you won't hand the woman over, we will take her and you as well. You will return to us, Nicholas, and I will break you so that you will never defy me again."

      Nicholas started backing back from the couch with Nat behind him as did Janette. They were puzzled as to what he was up to until they saw the remote in his hands. Nat quickly caught on. They needed to get close to the windows and then dunk down below the angle of the wall while the soon-to-be bright sunshine hit the vampires full on. Janette followed her lead. Luckily, her hood was already on preparatory to going out.

      "You can't escape, Nicholas we have you out numbered and your friend is newly brought over, she doesn't have the strength to fight."

      "That's what you think, LaCroix!" Nat yelled, knowing her taunting him would bring him closer.

      "Oh, this one is a real spit fire, Nicholas. Are you going to be man enough to handle her? She interests me greatly." LaCroix smirked as he came slowly forward toying with them.

      "He's more a man than you'll ever know," Nat slung back, getting real sick of his condescending tones.

      "She's good, she's really good," LaCroix laughed impressed with Natalie's fire. "She has real brass this one. Enough, I weary of this game. Give in and I will show you mercy. Fight me and I will show you tortures you never dreamed existed."

      "Never, LaCroix!" Nick snarled, remote posed behind him.

      Like a sonic bomb the door clanked widely open. And sunlight poured in from that direction, freezing all motion in the room. Before anyone one could react fully to the intrusion, a gray and white mass of snarling fur streaked into the room and hit LaCroix square in the chest knocking him down. "FREEZE! POLICE!" Schanke shouted as he dove into the room with a gun, a string of garlic pods around his neck as well as several strands of rosaries.

      Nick hit the remote with full power and the blinds sprang quickly open while Nat and Janette fell to the ground under Janette's protective cloak. LaCroix was flat on his back on the floor still trying to get Sidney off of him and get away from the burning sunlight as Nick sprang to the wall above the fireplace and got one of the ceremonial broadswords off the wall. They were both smoking badly as the leading edge of sunlight hit their delicate flesh. Ignoring his own pain, Nick had no hesitation as he lift the sword high above his head and brought it whistling down upon LaCroix's exposed neck beheading him. The screaming head spun away to be lost in the deep shadows of the room. So great was the force of the blow that sword embedded itself deeply into Nick's wood floor. LaCroix's headless body burst into flames, consuming itself in a manner of seconds leaving only a charred, vaguely man-shaped space behind on the floor.

      Nicholas shook inwardly and outwardly from what he had done. He staggered away from the sword embedded on the floor, on the point of total collapse. He was beyond caring. He could feel the searing painful heat of the sun on his back and he knew he was smoking dangerously. In the fight he had lost the remote but Schanke came over and found it and quickly shut the blinds.

      "Schank, thanks for being the cavalry. How did you know?" Nick asked him as he helped Janette and Natalie up.

      "I had a suspicion that the nasties might be back to see if they finished the job. I'm glad I followed up on that hunch. I take it that was LaCroix?" Schanke asked as he looked at the large burn spot and the heap of oily ashes on the floor.

      "It was. Maybe this time it's ended finally," Nick said, still not sure whether his mentor was finally finished.

      From under the shadowed recesses of the couch crawled a gray and white ball of fur, who looked around cautiously before he headed for his mistress.

      "Sidney!" Natalie said delighted as she scooped up her cat who came willing into her arms. "Schank, what's Sidney doing here?" she asked, puzzled, but glad to see the both of them.

      "Nick gave me your key to get into your place. I figured your cat hadn't been fed since you came over here. Then as far as I knew you were dead, Nat, as in dead as a doornail dead, I couldn't leave him all alone there so I decided to take him home with me. But before I did I decided swing over here."

      "I'm glad you did, Schanke, you saved our lives." Nat said starting to come over and hug him and then stopped short. "What is that horrible smell? Garlic? Schank, can you kind of do something with your necklaces?" Nat said wrinkling her nose up in disgust.

      "These really bother you? " he asked in surprise. His eyes widening as if he couldn't believe it.

      "Even if I weren't a vampire, that much garlic would bother a normal person. Please, do something with your jewelry as well. Nat is pretty vulnerable at this stage," Nick said as he looked at Nat.

      "Yeah, sure, Nick," Schanke said apologetically as he took off both the garlic and the rosaries and dumped them in Nick's trash can. "So where did his friends vanish to?" Schank asked.

      "Good question. They're not here. Maybe they flew out when you came over to help me. The only problem is that they'll be back. I knew several in the group. They want revenge for things that happened in the past between us and now they'll really want me for his death."

      "Yes, they will. The danger is still around you, Nicholi. You are still going to have to leave here for awhile," Janette said adding her own comments to what Nick was saying.

      "So you are saying Nat and I should still leave?"

      "It would be safer for you."

      "I really hate the idea of running," Nat sank down wearily on the couch with her cat. He looked up at her friends to tired to argue.

      Nick was utterly spent to as he sat down next to her. It was difficult to think, plan, figure out what needed to be done. "So do I since LaCroix is finally destroyed. Schanke did you give those letters to the Captain and the other people?" Nick questioned.

      "Not yet. I should have, I know, but I wanted to be sure before I did in case you wanted to change you mind. And it looks like you have about some things, like killing yourself?" Schanke said as he leaned his rear against the back of the couch.

      "Yes, with Nat alive there is the possibility now that we could ride this out. It might work. But Nat, you can't go back to work for at least a couple of days. You still have to get your body stabilized first. Do you have any vacation or sick time coming?" Nick asked her seriously.

      Nat thought about it quickly. "Yeah, I'm due two weeks and I've got plenty of sick time. How about you?""

      "The same. Schanke, do you think the Captain and the department will buy us eloping or going off together?" I mean we can still call in and tell the Captain, but do you think anyone would buy it?" Nick asked him.

      Schanke grinned," Hell, yes, Nick. The speculations have been running pretty hot and heavy as to when you guys were going to get together. Stonetree may get a little mad, but he'll get over it. But before you split permanently--think about it ? I mean it will be damn difficult to replace you and Nat if you still decide to disappear. Though on the other hand how is Nat going to handle it if she does go back to work? She's working nights most of the time already but sometimes she's have been doing the day shift too," Schanke asked slightly concerned as he shifted his attention to Nat who was trying to think this out too.

      "Yeah, Schank, that will be a problem, a big one as I can't claim a sudden skin allergy like Nick. Maybe I want to work the same hours as my new husband? I don't know, it's just a idea," she blurted out. Then she realized what she had said and got more than a little embarrassed after she said it because of the look Nick shot her: shock, followed by amusement, then deep thoughtful speculation.

      Schanke was clearly pleased about the idea and started to say something but he saw Nat's look and then Nick's and decided it would be better if he kept his mouth shut at that point. Then there was Janette who was looking decidedly bored and impatient.

      Janette stood up and stretched. "Well, darlings, sorry to end this party but I need to get home. I will leave you to work out the details of this," Janette said pointedly as she put her hood back on and reached into her purse for her gloves and sunglasses.

      "Will you be alright, going outside as bright as it is?" Nat asked worriedly.

      "Yes, I have been out in worse light and been more exposed and survived. Age does offer some immunity," she smiled at Natalie in reassurance before turning to Nick and cupping him under his chin with her hand making him look at her. "Nicholi, take care of her and yourself. Let me know what you decide--after I wake up --please," she added.

      "I will," Nick promised as he kissed her cheek as she offered it to him before she left.

      "And thank you too, Detective Schanke. I am very grateful for your assistance in this. You are now privy to a very dark secret, remember that. I will depend upon your discretion. Do take care and watch yourself. LaCroix's playmates are still on the loose and now they will want your head as well as Nicholi's, and Natalie's along with my own ," she gently warned before she braced herself for the sunlight, then she opened the door and made a mad dash to her car.

      "Yeah," Schanke breathed after Janette left. "So have I now been initiated into the secret order of Vampires or what, Nick?"

      "Something like that Schank. Sorry to put you in this position. Do you understand now why I couldn't tell you, and wanted to protect you?"

      "Yeah, I understand, but Nick, I knew. In the back of my mind I always knew, even though I didn't want to believe it was true. I mean we've been partners for what--a couple of years? You are not a normal guy. I put two and two together a long time ago and the more I saw, the more I believed it was possible for you to be the unbelievable."

      "Schank . . .I"

      "Don't apologize, buddy. Because vampire or not, you are a good guy, a good cop. One of the best I have ever had the privilege to work with. You get results--that counts in my book. And I knew that wasn't wine you had in the fridge. In fact, early on, I swiped a bottle and had it analyzed. It came back as cow's blood, that just confirmed my suspicions even if I didn't want to believe. Nick, despite your problem, I still want you as my partner if you want to come back to work," Schanke told him, meaning it sincerely.

      "Thanks, Schank, I want to if there is any way I can. Right now my first concern is Natalie. Helping her through this. I was close to being mortal once again with Nat's help. Unfortunately, all that has been undone for the moment, but if it worked once then it'll work again. There is always that hope, for both of us," Nick said looking at her, knowing they had a lot to talk about.

      "Schanke, thanks covering us so far. After we do some talking we'll give the Captain a call and make it official," Nat said for both of them.

      "You two will be okay?" He asked, worried about the others coming back.

      "We'll be okay and Nat needs to get some rest," Nick said seeing how pale she was and how shaky she was despite her front.

      "If you're sure, then I'll get out of here. Myra's going to have my hide as it is. Don't forget that I still have the Caddy. Do you want it back?"

      "You keep it today but I will need it back this evening."

      "Okay, so I'll see you tonight, Knight. Take care--both of you. Hasta la bye-bye," he said as he went to the door and quickly left.

     (Part 9/30)

     Forever Is A Long, Long Time

     Vickey Brickle-Macky

      After Schanke left, Nat stood up and stretched, feeling still slightly edgy and even more so with being trapped there alone with Nick. It was definitely not like before when she could vanish out into the sunlight where she knew he couldn't follow, now she couldn't either. With a brave, cheery smile she turned to him, hands clasped behind her back as she announced: "Well, alone at last."

      He watched her amused. "Yes, we are. Hi."

      "Hi," she replied backing towards the couch unsure now. "So now what?" she questioned watching him watch her.

      "Umm, we could talk. It's seems we have a lot of time for that now."

      "We do?"

      "Uh huh, I even have a few questions of my own."

      "You do?" she asked nervously sitting down on the back edge of his couch, and Sidney came scrambling up out of nowhere to come sit in her lap as he was prone to do when she was home.

      "Yes, a few. Just out of curiosity what was that about: a new husband that might not want you to work days?" he questioned, keeping his voice neutral.

      She stopped dead in her stretching. "Ahh, . . it just kinda of . . popped off the top of my head. I didn't mean anything by it . . honestly," she said as she tried to disassemble and jump up as well as back away from him, more than a little flustered now as she watched him come over and look down at her.

      "Hmm, interesting mind you have," he commented moving closer, his blue-grey eyes lit with dancing lights as he watched her squirm under his gaze.

      She was getting flustered now, and embarrassed. "Nick, I . . . didn't mean anything by it. I was just trying to come up with something that would satisfy the office gossips. I mean, you, me . . us?" she tried to back away a step and found she couldn't as he had wrapped his arms around her waist and was drawing her to him before she could even react.

      "You're digging a rather deep hole, doctor," he said as he smiled down at her.

      "Nick, all of this is all so new for me. Us, then LaCroix, and then finding myself like you," she tried to explain unsure of what he was feeling or thinking now.

      His expression softened seeing her fear and confusion and just hugged her gently. She did protest and let herself be comforted by his touch and nearness. "I know, Nat, I know. It's a lot to take in all at once. I won't complicate it further by asking you to marry me," he said carefully, his expression neutral, except for the gleam of amusement in his blue-grey eyes.

      His words took her by surprise. "Marry you? Nick, are you proposing?" she looked up at him in sheer disbelief.

      "Maybe. . . It would both simplify and complicate things for both of us."

      "That's a given," she agreed, not sure whether to take him seriously or not. "But my question still stands: are you proposing?"

      He smiled then. "Yes, I am. Will you marry me, Natalie? It's not something I've ever asked a woman before."

      "Not in all eight hundred some odd years?" she asked incrediously, not believing she was the first to be so honored.

      "No, never because I've never felt this way about anyone before. There are no differences between us now, Nat."

      "No, I guess not. I had hoped it to be the other way around--us both mortal, not immortal," she said with a smile. "But are you sure, Nick? Really sure? The words "until death do us part" definitely take on a slightly different meaning where we are concerned. Are you sure you won't get bored with me or something after we've been together for awhile?"

      "No, and you're hedging Nat."

      "Yeah, maybe a little, because I want to be sure and not find out that this is some sort of weird dream."

      "It's not a dream and I am very, very serious. Nat, even before all this happened I thought about asking you, but I was going to wait until I was fully mortal. That may be a while now. Then when I sat and held you through the night, I thought of all the wasted possibilities, all the things I hadn't said and done and should have and I swore if somehow we came out of this I wouldn't let the opportunities go by and when you mentioned marriage I decided to bring it up. If you don't want to I'll understand," he said, worried that he had acted in haste.

      "Yes, Nick, I'll marry you. Did you seriously think I'd say no?" she beamed at him, mischievously.

      "Maybe. You are a very difficult female to read, but that is one of the many reasons why I do love you," he smiled as her held her tight. "I don't know what kind of husband I will be. But you will never lack for a thing. All that I have is yours and more. And we'll work through this problem--together," he promised.

      "I'm glad to know you haven't given up. Nick, I just hope I can be a good wife to you. I mean I'm really not that great of a prize. When I think of all the women you have known . . ."

      "None of them can compare to you, Nat," he said seriously as he bent his head and kissed her gently of the lips then deepened it and her arms went around his neck as she molded herself to him.

      He was making her tingle all over, and she felt the desire she had for him magnified and intensified. It was like all her senses had been sensitized then put into overdrive. If this was the appetizer, what was the main course going to like? She looked forward to finding out.

      Their love making was interrupted by a furry body banging against both their ankles. They broke off their kiss to look down at Sidney who was looking up at them expectantly.

      "I take it he wants something?" Nick asked.

      "Food. I know you don't have cat food handy but is there some tuna fish or something along that line? If he doesn't get fed he gets worse," Nat warned, as she slipped out of his arms and went to the kitchen to check out the food situation.

      She rooted through his cabinets and finally found the tuna fish she had brought on one of her trips to the store. She started to open it and the smell assaulted her now very sensitive nose and made her nauseous. She had to hold it at arms length away to finish opening it and dump it in a bowl. She shook her head dizzily and had to hang on the counter for support. Nick rushed to her side concerned.

      "This may take a lot of getting used to," she commented in a weak voice as he guided her to a chair and made her sit. He then took care of feeding and watering Sidney who went immediately to the food.

      "Looks like even feeding Sidney is going to be difficult for awhile. I understand more and more what you were going through. All the times I pushed protein shakes at you, the garlic pills, the hamburgers. God, Nick, I'm sorry. I didn't know," she said embarrassed with sudden understanding on how it had been for him.

      " Don't apologize. There was no way you could have known. I have built up tolerances for many things over the years. You have none. Everything will be more intense for you for awhile. Just accept that," he said gently crouch down to squat by her chair so he was more or less on a level with her.

      "The only thing I worry about is becoming like Richard. I still have nightmares about the way he was at the end. Promise me Nick I won't be like that. Don't let me get like that," she begged, looking at his sad eyes.

      "The only thing I can do is try to help you through this. But you must listen to me and do what I say. Richard didn't and that's why he went crazy. How do you feel right now?" he asked.

      "Hungry again. Not ravenous, just hungry," she admitted.

      He nodded. The strain of the morning's events had made her needs more urgent and immediate. Normally it would have been at least another couple of hours before she needed to fed again , but stress had changed that. He got another bottle out of the fridge and mentally told himself he needed to restock. He handed it to her, she looked at it with some trepidation.

      "Do I have to?" she asked, "I can't try one of my protein drinks instead?"

      "No, not at this stage. And since this is only animal blood it's going to make the transition be a lot slower than the norm. But it is either this or human blood and I'd rather you not get addicted to human."

      "Why? You never explained before why except that you didn't want to kill," she asked curious.

      "You're not a killer Nat, and I'd rather you not become one. Human blood is addictive, especially when it is gotten in the normal way. Something about the taste of fear, the adrenaline in the blood is like the finest wine to most vampires. That is why I couldn't trust myself to have human blood around."

      "But you drank some when you sprang out of the body bag at the morgue."

      "Only because the only alternative would have been to attack you. I had just put my body back together and had lost a great deal of blood. I needed it. You don't know how close you came to being killed by me. I had to fight my urges for weeks afterwards because of drinking that blood bag," he confessed.

      "I had wondered about that after I got to know you if you had had problems. So for me human blood is a definite no no," she agreed looking over at his grim face.

      "For both of us if we want to become mortal. You're not having second thoughts about that are you now that you've crossed over?" he asked.

      She shook her head no. Her hands limply in her lap. "No," she replied firmly, then picked up the bottle and drank it. Grimacing a little at the taste and wondering why. "So I will be going through this transition for a couple of days at least?"

      "Yes, with human blood it's a matter of a day, but the urge to feed is more violent and one can kill in excess--like Richard. This takes longer but the blood rage is less intense. You should rest now, get some sleep."

      "What about you? Are you coming to bed?" she asked.

      "In a few minutes. I need to do some things first. Like leave a message for the Captain, explaining our disappearance and that we are going to be gone for a week or two. Tonight we'll go over to your apartment and get some of your things."

      "Yeah, that would be nice. " she commented, then put a hand to her head as she remembered all the stuff she did have at her place. He didn't realize what a pack rat she was. "God, Nick, what am I going to do with all my junk if I do move in here? I feel like I'm invading," she said looking around.

      "You're not, and if we are still going to get married some changes were going to naturally happen. Feel free to make any changes you want, Nat. This is your home too now," Nick said sincerely laying his hand on her shoulder. "You have carte blanc on decorating. If you want to throw everything out and start from scratch you can. Money is not a problem."

      "You keep saying that. I know you're not living like this on a cop's salary and given your true age then there is more than meets the eye. So what's the bottom line if I'm not being to nosy. Should I be sitting down still?"

      He grinned. "Yeah, brace yourself. The last time I bothered to check it was in the neighborhood of seven to ten million dollars, not including property and investments," he said calmly.

      Nat was more than a little stunned. "Seven to ten million dollars? Not counting property and investments?" she was more than a little incredulous. "Nick, I had no idea it was that much. A million maybe, but this? Then there's property as well, houses you said?"

      "At least twenty-five I can think of right off hand in various countries and cities. Given what I am, I need places to retreat to when my cover has gotten blown. The rule is to never let yourself get caught without somewhere to go-- preferably your own place but the network is quite vast and we never refuse one of our own if they need a place to stay."

      Nat was looking at him in sheer awe. He was so casual about his wealth. She felt like a humble peasant beside him. Would she ever be so blasé about money like he was. There was so much she didn't know about him and the life they were going to share. She was really going to have to look at all of this objectively. There was so much to take in.

      "Nick, I think I will go up and lay down now. There's so much to think about, to learn. I feel like I'm back cramming for my medical exams at school. Just be patient with me, there's just so much I don't know."

      "I understand. I didn't tell Richard all the dangers, I won't make that mistake with you. You are going to have to throw out a lot of your previous conceptions about the world and the way things really work and what you can do and not do. But go up and I'll join you shortly," he said straightening up. Then he bent to kiss the top of her head and helped her up.

      Obedient this time, Nat did go up to the bedroom. Nick watched her go and then went and made his calls. When he was finished he got a bottle out for himself and drained it. From a secret cabinet he got some more bottles out and put them in. Finished, he went upstairs and joined Nat who was already asleep. Careful not to wake her, he undressed and crawled in next her then closed his eyes and slept too.

     (Part 10/30)

     Forever Is A Long, Long Time

     Vickey Brickle-Macky

      It was evening before Nick awoke. It took a minute for it to register that he was alone in bed when he shouldn't be. Where was Nat? he wondered worriedly as he got out of bed and threw his robe on. He wasn't quite panicking but it was close to it as he went downstairs.

      He heard music softly playing from the stereo and went down cautiously. Nat was sitting on the couch, wrapped in one of his large fluffy terrycloth robes. Her back was to him as she stared out the now opened window at the night sky that she could see from her angle. Her hair was freshly washed and she smelled of his shampoo. She turned at his approach. "Hi., I tried not to wake you. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so I took a shower and came down here to sit with Sidney. I never knew until now how much I could miss watching the sunset," she said with a touch of melancholy in her voice.

      On the coffee table was a almost untouched cup of coffee getting cold. Next to it was a capped green bottle and in her hands though was a half-drained glass of the dark red liquid. Guilty, she saw his look. "Old habits are hard to break. I tried to drink the coffee and found I couldn't get past the first swallow. Then Sidney came up and jumped in my lap, and I started petting him, and things got rather strange. I didn't realize . . . how strong these urges could be. I almost killed him, Nick. I almost killed my cat. I've had Sidney for seven years and I almost couldn't stop myself," she said breaking down and crying.

      "It's okay, Nat. It'll be okay, I promise," he said as he ran to her immediately, cradling her crying form in his arms and just let her get it out of her system. "Nick, I'm scared," she cried, frightened of what she was becoming.

      "Nat, I know. I know. It's not going to be easy for you. I never wanted you to go through this. That's why I was so afraid to make love to you. I was afraid I'd vamp out and hurt you. It's so easy to even when you don't want to. Maybe we should think of boarding Sidney at the vets or letting Schanke keep him for awhile until you feel like you can handle him around," Nick asked her and she nodded through her tears.

      "Yeah, maybe we should. I don't want him to get hurt because of me. Am I going to safe around anything that moves?"

      "Yes, you will. It's just right now that the urges are so strong. You'll have to go through three to five bottles a day for awhile then it'll taper down to two or one. Schanke should be coming over soon with my car and then we'll go get some of your things."

      "Okay, I guess I'd better go get dressed. You got any spare sweat suits I could borrow?" she asked hopefully.

      He grinned at that and that her good spirits were coming back. He wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her bathrobe before she saw the bloodstained tracks on her face in the mirror. He didn't think she could handle that yet. "Come on, let's see what we can find," he gave her a hand up and they went back upstairs.

      Nick found her a jogging outfit he hadn't worn in awhile and she took it gratefully. After she came out of the bathroom, he had to admit it looked better on her than it had ever had on him. She had dried her hair and caught it back at the neck with a rubber band. She looked a lot like her usual self.

      He had dressed casually himself in a sweatshirt and jeans. Since tonight was going to involve a lot of moving of boxes and stuff it was more practical than his usual dress clothes for work.

      They froze for a moment as they heard the front door clang open and footsteps. "YOOH! Anybody home?" came Schanke's voice from below. They both relaxed and Nick went to go greet his partner.

      "Yeah, Schanke, we'll be down in a moment," Nick yelled down to him from the upper balcony.

      "His timing is getting better," she commented as she followed Nick downstairs. He just grinned.

      "I didn't come at an awkward time?" Schanke asked looking from one to the other of them.

      "No, actually we were just coming down. So what's happening out in the world?" Nick asked.

      "The Captain got your message. At first he was pissed as hell because of all the cases pending, but I assured him it was cool. I'd manage, which I will if you help me out with a little homework off and on so we can get caught up by the time you "offically" return. And he did a lot of talking with personnel to get you both on vacation time. But he was pleased as punch that you were going to get hitched. Expect a surprise party when you get back and the same over at Forensics. Grace is positively bubbling. So everything is cool on that end," Schanke relayed.

      "I detect a "but" in there." Nick questioned.

      "Another body was found last night. Same MO, same area. The killer hit on a real big shot last night. The head of some electronics corporation in Southern California who had come up to make a multi-billion dollar deal. So far the press hasn't gotten word but it's just a matter of time. So the Captain is hot on this one. Given what I about the situation--what do I do about this, partner? The killings have got to stop."

      Nick nodded grimly. Yes, they were going to stop, and he had a good idea of who was doing it but it was where they were hiding? "I understand, Schank, I'll see what I can find out. One way or the other the killing will stop," Nick said with conviction.

      Schanke knew that Nick was as good as his word and knew he didn't want to know how Nick was going to get the killings stopped.

      "If you do pull a miracle, then afterwards we'll figure out what to do about the paperwork. Nick, Nat, I now begin to see what you two have been going through. This kind of knowledge that I can't talk to anyone about because they'll either think I'm crazy or it'll set off such a witch hunt in this city that I shudder to think about it, it's really scary knowing this. I have great respect for you guys."

      "Thanks, Schank. You going in to work?" Nick asked.

      "Yeah, gotta after last night. Myra's still after me to tell her what I was doing all night. And there ain't no way I'm going to tell her. At least after a couple of days she'll quit badgering me and get over it."

      "If it's okay with you I'll drop you off and then pick you up later. Nat and I need to do some rounds tonight, pick up a few things and I really don't want to leave her alone."

      "Sure, Nick, no problem. You ready to go?"

      Nick nodded and took Nat's hand. She was strangely silent. He glanced at her worried. "You okay?" he asked.

      "I'm fine, I think. You sure about me going?"

      "I don't want to leave you here in case LaCroix's new protégés come back. You're not ready to take on anyone. Are you worried you can't keep control?" he asked in a low voice.

      She nodded slowly, looking at him with frightened eyes.

      "You'll be okay. I'll have Schank drive and sit in between. Good enough?"

      "Okay," she agreed and took his hand again to follow him out the door in the night.

      Nick and Schank kept up a running conversation all the way to the station and Nick promised to pick him and take him home. Myra's car was finally out of the shop so he's have his own wheels for work tomorrow night. Nat breathed a sigh of relief when Schank was safety out of the car.

      "How do you do it?" she asked as they drove off.

      "Do what?" He was confused.

      "Stay sane around people? Riding with Schanke was worse than Sidney. Nick, this is scaring me big time," Nat said as she sank into a corner of the large, roomy front seat.

      "Nat, it's just part of the transition. By next week you'll have it pretty much under control and it won't get to you so bad," he assured her but he could tell that wasn't helping much.

      "And if I don't, what then? How can I even think about doing my job or being around normal people if I look at everyone like they are dinner on the hoof?" Nat said truthfully.

      "Maybe we should think of giving you protein supplements if it's that bad. Maybe Janette will have some ideas too. I'm sorry this happened to you, it's the last thing I wanted another person to go through," he said sadly glancing over at her as they drove to her apartment.

      "Nick, I know, I'm sorry. Let's just drop it for awhile. I've always been in control of everything I did. I knew what I wanted and I knew how I wanted to do it. This vampire thing, it's controlling me, I feel so damn powerless, so out of control and I'm not coping too well," she confessed biting her lip and wrapping her arms around herself as she tried not to start crying again.

      Nick reached his hand over and touched her arm to comfort her. She accepted the gesture and closed her hand over his and squeezed gently.

      They drove the rest of the way in easy silence. He pulled up in front of her apartment building and parked. They got out and went in. They were both grateful that they didn't run into any of Nat's neighbors. She wasn't up to that yet. He opened the door. to let her in but they were not prepared for what they saw. Someone had broken in and trashed the place. Nat didn't know whether to yell in rage or cry, she did both.

      "DAMN THEM!" she yelled as Nick closed the door. "DAMN THEM ALL TO HELL! WHY? WHY THE HELL DID THEY HAVE TO TRASH MY PLACE!"

      "Who?" Nick asked.

      "Nick, it has to be Alyce and the others. It's too coincidental to be otherwise. Jeez, what do we do, call it in or what?" she asked as she sat down heavily on her completely wrecked couch, shaking her head and wiping at her tears with her sleeve. She looked up alarmed when she saw the pink stains on the tan colored sleeve.

      Nick, I'm bleeding," she said in alarm.

      He rushed over to reassure her. "No, Nat, you're not. We cry and sweat blood instead of regular tears. It's another side effect of what we are. We're supposed to be on our honeymoon right along now, so it's be kind of strange if you called this in now. I think the best thing will be for us to get what you need for awhile and then come back later and deal with this. Unless you feel up to talking to the uniforms?"

      "No," she admitted. "But this makes me furious. It's petty, real damn petty. And I don't like it. Hopefully, they didn't destroy my clothes, too," she said getting up and heading for her bedroom to see what had happened in there.

      It was a shambles too, her clothes were everywhere, as well as her personal mementos and pictures. She did break down and cry then, sinking down on the bare mattress of her torn apart bed. She hit a fist down in frustrated rage and stuffing flew everywhere adding to the mess. At that she laughed.

      "Well, Nick," she said looking around finally. "It looks like I won't have too much packing to do. They destroyed all of my good clothes, not that I had that many to begin with. It just makes me sick." she said picking up a shredded party dress, one of only two she had.

      The drawers of her dresser had all been pulled out and their contents were also scattered too. She picked up a black lace teddy from the floor, and bit her lip. "This was my birthday present from the guys this year. In hopes of me getting to wear it for you. Now I won't even get the chance," she said dropping it to the floor.

      "Nat, it's still early. If you want we can go shopping, get you whatever you want," Nick offered not sure what else to do.

      At first she was going to say no, but looking around there wasn't anything left to pack. It was like all that she was, all that she had been was gone. All she had left intact were her memories because her personal possessions were gone for good, just that much trash now.

      "Nick, let's get out of here. I can't stand it any longer. Maybe when I calm down I can handle it, make some sense of all this but right now . . . ," she said bitterly, as she turned and left the room and went to the kitchen to see if they had at least left Sidney's food and litter alone. They had, and she took the cat stuff, but everything else they left behind.

      He took her to the mall to do serious clothes shopping. He insisted and would not take no for an answer or listen to any protests that they were spending too much money on her. This he wanted to do, for her. He knew she had never indulged herself like this, so he helped her to pick out clothes. He had excellent taste in what did look good on her.

      Nick," she protested as he swept her into one of the more expensive shops in the mall. One that she had only dared to look in the windows at. "I don't feel worthy of being in here," she told him in a whisper as they walked in. "J. C. Penny's would have be fine, really."

      "Nat, indulge yourself. My treat. No looking at the price tags," he told her as he moved her towards a rack of fancy designer dresses.

      "I feel like Cinderella," she flushed as she reached out a hand to inspect a long black sequined gown.

      "May I help you?" asked a cultured female voice from behind them.

      "We're just looking for the moment," he told the nervous salesclerk who had them pegged as low life browsers with no intent to buy. "See anything you like Nat?" he asked helping her look through the dresses.

      "A few things but no place to wear them even if I did get one, " she said truthfully putting them back on the rack. "I think I'd better stick to the usual--business suits and dresses for work."

      "I told you to indulge yourself and you never know about having a place to wear a dress like this to," he said with a grin as he held up a slinky jewel toned long dress to her, deciding it was definitely her.

      "It's gorgeous," she admitted shyly as he steered her over to the full length mirror to hold it up in front of her. She did have to admit it did look good against her.

      "Try it on," he suggested.

      She looked at him dumbly, and then took it to go to the changing room. Five minutes later she emerged from the dressing room. She was breathtakingly beautiful. He whistled.

      "Nick, I don't look that good, do I?" she asked unsure.

      "Yes, you do. That dress is definitely you. We'll take it. How about that black sequined one you've been eyeing?" he inquired taking it off the rack and handing it to her.

      "Do you think I should?" she asked and he nodded.

      "Isn't one dress enough?

      He shook his head no, and motioned her to go try it on. Obediently she did and he looked over the racks for suitable business clothes and casual wear. He picked out several of each, mentally dressing her in each one he picked out.

      Nat came out in the black dress, and he was impressed. It fit her perfectly. "You look great. Get it."

      "Thanks. What are those? More to try on?" she asked looking at the bundle of clothes he was holding. Then she looked at her watch. "Not much time left. The mall closes in a hour and I still need to get --other things," she told him meaningfully. "We need to go to a few more places. I trust your taste," she added as she went back to the dressing room to put her sweats back on.

      He turned to the salesclerk and handed her their selections. "We'll take all of these," he told her and she looked at him suspiciously.

      "Cash or charge?" she asked taking them to the register.

      "Charge," Nick replied taking his wallet out and getting out one of his credit cards then he handed it to her.

      She took and saw it was a platinum level card with his photo. Her eyebrows raised a bit. "Mr. Knight, I'll have to call to verify your purchases".

      "No problem," he replied as Nat came over to the counter with the dress to add to the stack already there.

      The clerk totaled up the purchases and called in the credit card. She was shaken when she got off the phone and finished the transaction. "Here, you are Mr. Knight. Sorry for the delay," she apologized rather in awe of him now.

      After they left the store Nat looked up at him rather in awe too. "Should I ask or should I stay in blissful unawareness of how much this set you back?" she inquired.

      He grinned. "It's only money. So what's the next stop?"

      "Penny's, indulge me on this one," Nat requested.

      Nick shrugged. "Lead on."

      Nat definitely knew her way around the store as went from department to department gathering up more practical everyday wear like jeans, skirts, blouses, sweats outfits, pullover tops, socks, shoes, underwear as well as nightgowns, pajamas, a huge red terrycloth robe as well as an all purpose jacket. The salesclerk that they descended upon to ring up their purchases was not pleased especially since it was almost closing time.

      Nick handed the woman a J. C. Penny's' card and she began to ring the items up. Nat was embarrassed at the total which she didn't know was considerably under what they had spent at the luxury shop.

      "Nat, it's okay. It really is. Actually it's way under what I had estimated it might be for all that you picked up," he tried to reassure her.

      "Nick, I've never spent this much money in my life at one time. I've never seen this much," she added in a low tone.

      "Nat, I told you everything I have is yours and I meant it. You can have whatever you want when ever you want," he told her truthfully giving her hand a squeeze.

      The clerk overhearing the conversation looked up and gave Nat a wistful look like she wished she could be so lucky to have a good looking, generous hearted man take care of her like this. She finished the transaction and handed him back the card. "Thank you sir, for shopping with us and come back again," she told him as she finished bagging everything.

      From overhead came the announcement that the store was closing in five minutes. All total they had over a dozen large, not to mention heavy bags to carry back to Nick's car. All of which Nat found to be surprising lightweight to carry now, even though they were still bulky and awkward.

      Nat was still embarrassed by his generosity and his attentions. She had never allowed anyone to take care of her, it was hard doing so now. It was hard being treated like a princess after being a peasant. Buying the new clothes cheered her up a little, but it still couldn't replace the bitterness and anger that was tearing up her inside.

      "Are you up to stopping by The Raven and seeing Janette?" he asked as they left the mall.

      "I guess. I'm feeling a little shaky. Maybe we should go <"home"> and let me get something?" she asked.

      "Janette will be able to take care of that," Nick said and saw her startle. "The Raven is slightly more than just a trendy mortal nightclub, didn't you ever suspect that?" he asked.

      "No, I never really gave it a thought. I've only been in there twice and the customers didn't strike me as that unusual for that type of bar," she replied, understanding more now.

      "It's sort of a central gathering spot for everyone in the community."

      "Well, since I've joined the club it sounds like just the place for me." She commented with a bit of an edge to her voice.

      He sighed inwardly as they pulled up in front of The Raven.

      "Will everything in the car be okay?" she asked as they got out, feeling more than slightly underdressed for going in the stylish nightclub.

      "I'll have Eddie keep an eye on the car. Most people that come here know whose car it is and don't come near it."

      "That's what I'm afraid of. That they will know we're here. Do you think any of them will show up?" Nat asked.

      "Not unless they are stupid. Remember Janette got a look at LaCroix's friends. She'll have her people keep an eye out for them and also see if they can find out where they are hiding out," he told her.

      Nick stopped briefly to talk to the doorman about his car. The young man nodded and went back to his black leather clad statue like pose before the door. They walked in through the black smoked glass double doors, the heavy throbbing rock music and rapidly swirling lights immediately assaulted their senses and hearing. Nat took a step back and then plunged forward determined to make her way forward against all the intense sights and sounds as well as forcing her way through the almost solid mass of dancing, bouncing flesh.

      Gratefully, Nat felt Nick's hand on her elbow guiding her through the crowd. She was now beginning to tell by just scent who was mortal and who was vampire. As far as she could tell the proportion was running more heavily to vampire than to mortal. And the smell of the mortals so close to her was getting to her. Luckily, the crowd started thinning out as they reached Janette's private table by the bar. The beautiful dark haired lady wearing a slinky black sheath dress looked up in surprise, but whether she was delighted or dismayed by their presence, she couldn't tell.

      Janette greeted them graciously in any event. "Nicholi, Natalie, what a pleasant surprise to see you out and about."

      "We had some running to do to get some of Nat's things and thought we'd stop by. I wish it had been a better evening so far, Janette. We went by Nat's earlier to get some of her things and we found that her whole apartment had been trashed. Even her clothes were destroyed, we had to go shopping for new ones for her," he said seating Nat and then sitting himself on one of the high bar stools.

      "That's terrible, darlings. Is there anything I can do?" Janette asked sincerely.

      "Truthfully," Nick said leaning over towards her so he could be heard over the music, "you can help us to find LaCroix's new groupies. Especially, where they are hanging out for a start. But we have a more immediate problem. Nat needs some of the house special before she collapses on me," Nick told her knowing she would get Nat the animal based drink rather than human based as most of the patrons here preferred.

      Janette looked at Nat's paler than pale face and nodded quickly, signaling one of her waiters and told him what she wanted. He returned almost instantly with a dark green bottle similar to what Nick kept in his refrigerator and two empty glasses, and a full goblet one for Janette.

      Nick took the glasses and poured one out for both himself and Nat. He handed her hers and she took it grimly, but dutifully she drank down the contents under his watchful eyes. Within minutes she was feeling better and able to cope with what was happening. Janette looked on with approval as color returned to Nat's face.

      "You look much better, my dear," Janette said warmly. "It will get better, I assure you. Nicholi, had a difficult transition, too. So much of it is attitude. How you view the changes happening to you. If you fight or fear them, then it makes it that much harder and longer until you do stabilize. I think you and I need to have a woman to woman talk about what is happening," Janette said meaningfully.

      "I think I'd appreciate that. I have a feeling that there are a few things happening to me that Nick might not know the answers to," Nat said and saw his innocent look towards her.

      "Maybe now, Nat, while Nicholi runs an errand for me. The address is 1427 Rue de Charlay road out in Addlebury Pike," Janette said smoothly.

      "That's where the they're hiding out, isn't it," Nat said catching on quickly. "Nick, I'm going with you. It's more than a little personal now," she almost growled, the anger rising again.

      "No, you're not." he said firmly, his hand on her arm holding her down before she could spring up. His expression also said he wasn't going to argue about this. "You will stay here, safe, with Janette. You can't fight this bunch in your condition."

      "What about you? One against you don't know how many there might be. How are you going to win?" Nat asked him, using logic.

      "I'm just going over there to check out the place, Nat, not get into a confrontation. I'm surprised that the Enforcers haven't put in an appearance since there was another murder last night."

      "They have, darling, earlier tonight. They emptied my club. I never saw so many people move so quickly. That we have any crowd here now is amazing. They know that it isn't you and that you are working to find the perpetrators. They were also sent to the address I just gave you. There may not be much to find, if they have done their usual work . . . ," she let that hang meaningfully.

      "So you're saying that justice may have already been served and you want me to find out for sure?" he asked.

      "Yes. Just that. Then you can tell Schanke and the two of you can figure out an appropriate story to tell the mortal world and get this case closed for all concerned," Janette told him as she toyed with her drink.

      Nat calmed when she heard that. And didn't offer to go with Nick any more. She poured herself another drink from the bottle and drank it watching the subtle interplay the two old friends and let them talk.

      Sometimes she felt like a spare wheel when around the two of them. She knew there was nothing but friendship now between them, still she did feel pangs of jealousy as she watched them, maybe because there hadn't been any time for closeness between her and Nick since this morning. She had half-way expected him to make love to her this morning but she had fallen asleep before he came to bed and he hadn't awaken her.

      Sleeping beside him was still strange. She hadn't really shared a bed with anyone. Even her one night stands had been few and far between. So to wake with Nick beside her was going to take some getting used to. As was everything else, including their tentative plans to get married. That was still making her mind whirl. Was he still serious about marrying her or was he having second thoughts?

      He hadn't really kissed her either since she'd changed. That was beginning to bother her. She had expected more closeness, not less. Maybe once everything had settled down? She sighed. So much right had happened, and just so much wrong, too. Pluses and minus.

      "Nat, I'll be back in a hour or so," she heard Nick say and looked up to seeing him standing by her, she hadn't noticed him get up. She had been so lost in her thoughts.

      "Right," she replied, resigned to stay put until he returned for her. His chivalry and the need to protect her was going to take some getting used to too.

      He surprised her when he bent down and kissed her rather passionately on her lips. She melted into that kiss without a thought, wrapping her arms around his neck. He deepened it for a moment before he released them both to come up for air. She flushed a little as she remembered where she was and quickly released her arms from his neck. She looked up to see his eyes sparkling with delight along with a smoldering fire that he promised to rekindle later.

      Janette was looking artfully away but there was a very amused smile on her lips. "Just pretend that I'm not here, darlings," she said as she took another sip of her drink.

      "I love you," he murmured to Nat with a last kiss to her hand, then he was gone.

      Nat just stared after him feeling very cherished after all.

      "Ah, if that man could be bottled," Janette sighed from across the table. "Do you want to sit out here or would you rather retire to my rooms to have our chat?"

      "I think some quiet would be appreciated," Nat said turning her attention back to Janette.

      "Good, shall we go, dear Natalie?" Janette said rising and Nat did the same and followed the older woman to the private section of the club.

End of Chapters 6-10