The Last Knight and Beyond Jeannie Ecklund This is a Forever Knight/with a touch of Touched By An Angel story Disclaimers: No infringement of copyrights intended. I'm just borrowing the characters for this fiction work. Thank you to Linda B my sister who beta read this several times. Thanks so much to Kylie for all her help and encouragement. "Damn you, Nicholas," LaCroix yelled. He raised the staff. Nicholas looked away. A faint heart beat touched LaCroix1s senses. He threw the staff aside so violently that it shattered as it hit the stone fireplace. He grabbed Nicholas by the shirt, and pulled him away from Natalie. "You would rather die than face a future without her?!" He spat the words into Nick's face. His eyes were amber. Nick just stared into those piercing eyes and nodded, determined. LaCroix would never admit it to his son, but the thought of a day without Nicholas somewhere on this planet scared the hell out of him. He could not even fathom the thought. He stared back, searching his son1s eyes. The reality of Nicholas' determination hit him between the eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "I told you I was leaving tonight, with or without you. I will not come here again unless summoned. Are you coming with me or not?" Nick only stared at him blankly, unable, it seemed, to hear him. He grabbed, Nicholas by the shoulders and shook him hard, trying to bring him out of his shock. When it didn1t work. He back handed him across the face. "Nicholas, look at me!" he demanded. Nick focused on him, finally, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "No, LaCroix. I will not go with you, tonight. I must at least care for her body." Rejected, LaCroix allowed one blood red tear to slide down his cheek. Fiercely he pulled Nicholas into his arms, hugging him hard against his chest. Then he set the startled vampire, back onto his feet and rose into the air toward the skylight. "Nicholas," he called down, "she is not dead yet. Perhaps you should take her to a hospital." Then he was gone. Nick turned back to Natalie. "Not dead!" The words pierced his mind like a red hot poker, clearing away the cobwebs that had clouded his thoughts. He scooped her up and flew up through the skylight toward the nearest hospital. Now that he was thinking more clearly, he could hear the faint, surprisingly slow but steady heartbeat... almost too slow. He knew he didn't have much time before it faltered. He chose a dark empty spot in the parking lot to land, then ran with her into the ER, calling for help. Flashing his badge got him immediate attention and soon blood IV's were dripping into both of Natalie's arms. All Nick could do now was wait. He prayed to a God, he wasn't sure would even listen to him, but he had to try. He sat at her bedside hour after hour. Nurses came and went changing the blood bags and taking her vitals. In the morning, Nick was grateful that they accepted his need for a darkened room. He had tried to explain about his allergies. The nurse had looked at him curiously, but had drawn the curtains so he could sleep. He was determined not to leave Natalie's side until he had talked to her. In the late afternoon, Captain Reese came into the room. He saw Nick asleep with his head on the edge of the bed. The Large man reached out a big beefy hand to touch the young man's golden hair, checked himself, and shook him gently by the shoulder. Nick looked up at him through sleepy eyes. "Captain?" "Nick, how is she?" His boss asked, peering down at Natalie1s pale face. "The doctors told me a couple hours ago that she would make it. They do not know if there will be any permanent damage from the loss of blood. It was really close." Reese could see the pain in Nick's eyes. "What happened, Nick?" Nick looked away, "I don't know, Captain. I found her outside my build..." Reese interrupted. "I don't want the fabrication, Nick. I want to know what really happened... I don't just want to know," he whispered, his voice hard, his eye piercing into Nick's, "I demand to know." Nick looked at him fearfully, curious, "I don1t understand." "Nick, I'm a good detective. That's why I'm Captain. One of my people is down from loss of blood. We all know what you told the officers who took your statement." He leaned down and looked into Nick1s eyes... anger flashed. "Now, I want the truth!" Nick opened his mouth to protest again, but the look in Reese's eyes stopped him. This man already knew the truth! How? Where? Why? Nick could not understand. "How long have you known?" "I had my suspicions before the bomb, but afterwards, well no one could have gotten there and then gotten out like you did, Nick. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize you have super human abilities. I read through a lot of your older cases. To many perp's saw strange things that can't be explained. That time you were arrested, the officers found steer blood in your frig. You're allergic to the sun. Most people use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. You have to barricade yourself in your apartment. I guess what really convinced me, though, is Natalie. She's always running tests on you." Nick squirmed in his chair, dread filling his heart. He did not wish to hurt this man. Reese continued, "I've seen you at crime scenes, Nick. I saw your eyes change once. It's beyond me how you maintain control or even why you do the job you do." He leaned in closer, "You can trust me, Nick." Nick allowed his voice to deepen and his eyes to change to amber. "Knowledge can be a dangerous thing, "The threatened. "I could make you forget..." Reese pulled a chair closer and sat, "Yeah, I realize that, but I want to know what really happened. I know you and Natalie are under pressure. The death of her friend and then almost losing Tracy so close to Schanke's death. It's enough to take anyone over the edge." Nick had closed his eyes, but when he heard "almost", his eyes flew open and he exclaimed, "What! She1s not dead?!" "Damnedest thing happened. They took her to the morgue, and an hour later, when Grace went down, she saw her move. She's still hanging on and the doctor said she might make it." Nick sat, stunned. Tracy was still alive. Had Vachon gotten to her on time? He knew the Spaniard was still recovering from his staking and illness. He1d been away, hiding from Tracy. Nick had helped him to hide, hoping to prevent the heartache that he and Natalie suffered. He had also hoped to keep Vachon from bringing Tracy across. Still, he had called Vachon to tell him when he had found out that she was dying. He knew the other vampire had been on his way to see his love when all this with Natalie had begun. "That1s great news, Captain." He mentally shook himself. He realized that Reese was still waiting for an answer. Well, he would tell him... he could always make the man forget later on. Nick turned haunted eyes to look at Reese, "She came to me, and asked me to make love to her... asked me to take only a little blood at a time. A friend of mine regained her humanity that way." He looked back at Natalie and his hold on her tightened. Reese's eyebrows rose at the cure Nick had mentioned, but he didn't say anything. Nick continued to speak, slowly and with great sorrow in his voice, "My control was already lost. I was full of pain and regret. Tracy was shot because she didn't know the bullets wouldn't hurt me. All the harsh emotions that allow the Beast to take over, were right on the surface." He said, almost to himself, "I hadn't had human blood in a very long time. Reese watched, fascinated, as a blood red tear slipped out of Nick's eye and slid down his cheek, leaving a crimson trail. "There was no physical love making at all. I could not stop there before the fireplace. Her blood was like sweet ambrosia. It filled me in a way I have never been filled. Her love overwhelmed me. It has been over 800 years since I have felt that completeness. Only at my mother's breast was I so loved and filled with such peace." "800 years!" Reese croaked. "I had no idea." Nick continued, "I don1t know if she will ever be able to forgive me." He looked at her pale face. Agony radiated from his voice, "I could not bring her across as she asked me. I could not condemn her to the hell I live in. I was going to let her die..." Nick's anguish overwhelmed Reese and he reached out to put an arm around Nick's shoulders. "I asked a friend to help me join her, but he refused. When my friend left, he told me she was not yet dead, so I brought her here as fast as I could fly." Nick reached up and soothed her brow. He brought her pale hand to his lips. "A friend," Reese said, flatly. "LaCroix?" Nick turned quickly, placing Natalie's hand back at her side. He looked at Reese, astonished by the revelation. "You know about LaCroix?" "Don't you mean 'Father'?" Reese asked, a bit smugly. Nick nodded and admitted, "He is my 'sire', the creator of this 800 year hell. I have called him 'father'. He left Toronto last night. He as much as told me that he would not return while Natalie is alive." "You really think he will keep his word?" Reese asked, then added, "Nick, this might come as a surprise to you, but I was an FBI agent when I was very young. The agency knows of your kind." Nick rose quickly out of his chair, stepped around Reese and went to the window. The sun was down and he opened the curtains to stare out into the last rays of a glowing sunset. He watched until it was pitch black and the stars came out. Finally, turning to Reese, he asked, "If that1s true, why haven't they killed us? Why let us live?" Reese sighed, "It's complicated. For one thing, the FBI doesn't know how many of you there are. They don't want a Holy War on American soil or a panic among humans. For another thing, they do not want to bring attention to themselves. There are lots of things they keep secret from the world. Occasionally, one of your kind does a job or mission for them. Vampires make great spies. They can get into places that most people can't." "Do they know about me?" Nick asked. "No, Nick. At least I don't think so. I've been asked to keep an eye on the Raven, and LaCroix, but no one has even mentioned you. I'd rather keep it that way. I won]t say anything. You've tried to blend into society in a very benevolent way. I don't want to change that. Natalie needs you and you need her. Government involvement would only complicate things. Right now most of your people live on a donated food supply. I don't like what the few who don't do, but that has been put out of bounds of local jurisdictions. I have strict orders not to meddle in those cases or call attention to them. I don't. I did, however, notice that Natalie keeps covering them up. That also led me to you. I never mentioned this to the FBI. They just assume I'm doing my job. This is all something I wish I Didn't know about, but I've learned to live with it." "Captain Reese, why are you confiding all this to me? You must be aware that our society has pretty strict rules about not allowing our existence to be know to mortals." "I know I'm taking an chance, Nick. But I can see you need friends. The idea of what you are and have been is frightening, but I care about you, Nick. Sometimes I see a frightened boy in your eyes. You and Natalie belong together. I want to be here for you." "What's in it for you?" Nick asked, skeptically. "You're an officer under my command. You have all become my 'children'." He added, "You're a good cop and if I can help keep you here awhile longer, I want to. Tracy will need you here when she's better, and I..." he hesitated, "I have always wanted a son." "What!" Nick looked his Captain in the eyes. He saw something there he had only glimpsed a few times in LaCroix eyes... Love. "I know you may think I'm losing it, but something draws me to you, Nick. You're a fine young man. You strive to live a good life... help people. I admire your strength and desire to change what you are." He looked deeper into Nick's eyes and tears formed. "My wife's dying, Nick. She has Alzheimers. We can't even communicate anymore. I want to help you. I need to be there for someone. The girls are married and live so far away now. Please, Nick, you can trust me. I would value you as I would a boy of my Own." "I'm 800 years old," Nick reminded him. Reese smiled at him, "Well you wouldn't know it to look at you. Being what you are, does have it's advantages." He came close to Nick and then did an amazing thing. He reached out and drew Nick into a big bear hug. "What do you say, 'young' man? Do you want a human father, for a season in your life?" he asked, then released Nick and stepped back to look into the young man's eyes. Nick teared up again. "I would be honored," he said, touched beyond imagination. A tiny voice filtered into their consciousness, "Hey, can I have one of those hugs?" They both turned to see Natalie smiling weakly at them. Nick literally flew to her side and took her hand in his. Reese shook his head, amazed. "Natalie," Nick breathed in a whisper. He pressed his lips to her forehead. Natalie held out her other hand to Reese. "Captain," she said weakly with a look that added, "It's good of you to come." Reese took her cold hand and rubbed it gently. Natalie looked around and realized she was in the hospital. "Nick, how did I get here?" Reese answered for him. "Nick brought you here, Natalie. He loves you. Don't judge him to harshly. Talk to him... let him explain, then forgive him. You need him and so do I." He kissed her hand. "I'm going to get some coffee," he said as he left quietly. Natalie looked into Nick1s frightened eyes. "Was he holding you?" she asked, trying to lighten the moment. Nick nodded. "Nat, forgive me!" he burst out, unable to stand it anymore. Would she forgive him or send him away? He had to know! "For what!" she cried, seeing the anguish in his eyes. "I took too much... You almost died!" A ruby tear escaped his eye. Natalie was quiet for a few minutes. Nick could see she was thinking about what had happened. He walked to the window to give her time. Finally she called to him. "Nick, come closer." She raised her arms carefully, to avoid jerking the IV's. When he came to her, she slipped her arms around his neck, and gently drew him down to her. "Nick, it's okay... I'm still here... you're still here." Nick sobbed against her neck, "I couldn't stop, Nat! I couldn't!" He drew back to look her in the eyes. "I couldn't leave... not that way, Nat. I couldn't bring you across. I can't condemn you to this life of hell. I just can't. Please don1t ever ask me again... please!" He begged her. She looked at him stubbornly, "We'll talk about it." He looked at her with dread, "I still have to tell you the rest of it." "Then tell me if the need is so great," she whispered, tracing the lines of his face with her fingers. He pulled a chair close and lay his face against her hip. He still had an arm around her waist. She buried her fingers in his hair, gently stroking his head. With agony in his voice he told her, "LaCroix came as I was laying you down on the floor. He wanted me to leave you there and go with him." He felt her stiffen, and tried to pull away, ashamed. "Nick, tell me the rest," she pressed him, holding him to her. "He urged me to bring you across or just turn my back. I couldn't do either. I asked him to end my life for me." "What!" she gasped. "No! Nick, I would never want that sacrifice from you. I understand why you don't want to bring me across, knowing how you feel about your life, but what good would it do to sacrifice yourself because of me." "I promised that whatever happened we would be together," he explained. "But not your death, Nick. I don't ever want that for you. Promise me, Nick.' "I can't, Nat. I can't! Life without you is not living. It would make this hell of a life more pointless than ever." He blurted out, "The beast is still here, Nat! It didn't work..." "Nick, you can't say it didn't work. It took months for Janette's cure! We've tried only once. You owe me to keep trying." "No! Nat, please don't ask me to endanger your life again... Please...," he begged. Natalie prayed for the right words. "Nick, it's our only hope. We'll try it differently. You'll go back on human blood. You won't be starving. I should have realized what I was asking. No more protein shakes. You'll feed before we make love, and you'll only take a little. I have faith in you." "Faith... that's what you said this time. I nearly killed you! I don't know..." He tried to move away. She clutched his arm, angry. "You nearly killed me, Nick," she accused him. "I don't remember giving you that option. Now you owe me. We will do it my way." Her voice quivered, "Don't you love me?" Nick looked startled and hurt. "How can you ask me that?!" he asked with a tortured voice. Anger crossed his features. "You ARE life to me! Without you, I might as well walk into the sun!" "Nick," she pleaded, "Promise me you will stay with me and see this through." She added again, not caring whether it hurt him, "You DO owe me, Nick. If you really love me, you will give us another chance." Nat, was right. He did owe her. Besides, what choice did he have. Life without her would not be life at all. Nick sighed and leaned to kiss her gently. He felt her fingers bury themselves in his hair as she pulled him closer for a deeper kiss. He drew back after a moment. "All right, Nat. We'll do it your way." "Promise?" she asked. "Promise," he smiled at her then leaned to kiss her again. She slumped back onto the bed, exhausted. "Nick, how long have you been here?" "I don't know... It's been over 24 hours." "Go home. I need sleep and you need to feed. Go to the Raven and get some supplies." 'Raven's closed now with LaCroix gone, but I do know where to get some supplies." "LaCroix's gone! What do you mean gone?" She sat up, hope renewed in her eyes. "Yes, he left town. He said he wouldn't come back unless we asked him." "Fat chance of that. Why didn't he force you to leave with him?" "He looked into my eyes when I asked him to end it for me and knew that if he didn't kill me I would take care of it myself. He told me you weren't dead and left, knowing I would not follow as long as you live." He leaned forward and laid his cheek against her shoulder. His body shuddered, "I'm free, Nat. Free to love you." She clutched him to her and laughed, then cried, elated at this turn of events... this blessing. "Nick, no matter what happens, cure or no cure, all I ask is that you stay with me. We'll move whenever we have to. Just stay with me. Promise me, Nick. Even if the cure doesn't work, promise me you will stay," she begged desperately, needing his promise. Nick stood again, took her hand, and pressed it against his lips, "I've already promised, Nat. Remember... I promised" he kissed her again. She smiled warmly at him, "I just needed to hear it again. Now go home, Nick. Get some rest... feed. I need to sleep." "All right. I love you, Nat." He held her close for a moment more and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Good night." He turned and left the room glancing back once to wave at her. Outside, Nick suddenly felt almost unable to move. He had been on edge for a very long time and now he realized how hungry he was. He began to wonder how he was going to make it home. He staggered, falling against the wall. A booming voice said, "Whoa!" A large arm slipped around his waist and held him on his feet. "Come on, Nick. Let me take you home." Nick protested, "I should go see Tracy." Reese replied, "She's still unconscious. You can't do her any good. I'll ask the nurse to call us if there is any change. Come on, Nick." Nick, to weak to protest, let the Captain lead him out of the hospital and into his car. They drove in silence back to the loft. Nick realized he was getting quite hungry. He marveled how satisfied his body had been up until the last couple hours. He hadn't even thought of all the blood that had been dripping around him. Now he could hear Reese's blood pumping through his veins and his steady heartbeat. He could smell Reese's blood. He looked at Reese with amber eyes and saw Reese turn to look at him. He heard the Captain's heartbeat speed up. He smiled, let his fangs show a bit, then let out a chuckle to ease his Captain1s fear. "Don't worry, I can hang on. I've had lots of practice. It is just a bit uncomfortable and I'm so tired." Reese let out a ragged sigh, "Sorry... you scared the hell out of me. For a Moment, I thought I might be breakfast." Nick laughed, then said seriously, "There's always a danger to those around me, but it's pretty minimal. That's why I have always kept Natalie at arms length. I didn't want what's happened, to happen. Right now you are safe. "I understand, Nick. It's worth the risk for me. I don't know what it is that draws me to you. I always wanted a son. It never happened. You're a fine young man," he said with a smile. His voice hardened, "Then there is LaCroix. He's not exactly 'Father' material. Maybe I just want you to see what a good father can be. At least I think I can be a better father." Nick agreed, "I have no doubt of that, Sir. It touches me more than you realize. You would think someone of my age needs no family ties. I've lived so long trying to break the ones I have... perhaps I have destroyed the only one I did want." Reese looked at him, "What?" Nick waved it away. "A long story... for another night." Reese smiled, "I'll hold you to it, son. I would be honored if you would share your stories with me. I'm a huge history buff. Imagine talking to someone who lived during the last 800 years. It's amazing." Nick said, "You have a deal." He sat back in silence, just basking in the glow of feeling wanted, and marveled at this new gift in his life. * * * Natalie lay crying. She couldn't stop the tears. Moments after Nick had left she had been seized with fear and elation in such a way that it had overwhelmed her. Nick had nearly killed her, and would have left her to die if not for LaCroix, yet now he was willing to see if their dreams might come true. This filled her with elation. She didn't fault him for what had happened. She knew it was her fault. What had she been thinking? She knew that Nick was on a starvation diet. She had thought to kill the beast by starving it to death, breaking it's hold on Nick. She should have realized what fresh blood would do to him. She had seen so many images in his blood... felt so many things. Joy, passion, lust, guilt and mostly an overwhelming love for her... and a desire that staggered her. It made her fear she could not live up to it. He saw her as an Angel. Fear that he would contaminate her had led him to almost let her die. She whispered to the room, "Why would LaCroix help him to save me?" Suddenly a cold chill touched her and she looked wildly around trying to see into the shadows of the darkened room. "LaCroix, I know you are in here. Come out where I can see you." The Vampire stepped onto the dim light that filtered through the door. "How?" she stammered. He could not have come through the doors or windows. "One acquires some useful abilities with experience and time." "Why didn't you show yourself to Nick?" she asked. "Nicholas was too tired and hungry to deal with me. I did promise I was leaving," he said, moving closer to her. She stared at him. The icy coldness she remembered seeing in his eyes was gone. A profound sadness radiated from him. "Why didn't you?" she queried looking him in the eyes. "Have you come to kill me?" she asked, fear gripping her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay." He fingered a rose idly, "My flight leaves in two hours." "When have you ever been concerned about me?" she accused him. She didn't let her gaze waver, but continued to stared at him. "I realized something last night, Dr. Lambert. Without you, Nicholas will walk into the sun. No matter what I do, eventually it will be so. Since I do not believe that it is possible for you to find Nicholas a cure, I can wait. This may be brutal, but in 50 -70 years you will be gone, and Nicholas will need me again." "What if I do find a cure?" she asked, afraid of the answer. His eyes flashed fire, "No! There IS no cure!" He came close and his cold breath chilled her. "You protest too much, LaCroix." She glared back at him, trying to look into his soul. An idea formed in her mind, "How many centuries did you search?" He look astonished, then shook his head sadly and sighed, '156 years! I tried every ancient cure there was. I vowed never to go through that again. I had to accept what I was. I suffered so much.. when I finally embraced this life, I found peace. When Nicholas entered my life, there was so much love for a time. Then he changed and the pain and unrest returned. I have tried to tell Nicholas this for century's, but he will not accept it. His pain is often mine. It wears at me and I lash out." His eyes turned red, "You will never tell Nicholas of my search." He came closer... his breath was cold as ice and made her shiver. "As you wish." What good would the knowledge do him anyway, she thought. He back up a bit, "You will die eventually, or he will be forced to bring you across before your age takes you." "Why did you tell him I was alive? You could have just let me die. Nick didn't even realize my heart was still beating." "No, my dear. Nicholas would have believed he killed you though it was your own folly that created the situation. You don't stand in front of a loaded gun and ask someone to pull the trigger." "For once I agree," she said, with shame. LaCroix continued, "When you are gone, I will at least have a chance of convincing him to come with me again. I may have a chance if I do not ask of him what he asked of me concerning his sister, Fluer. No matter what revenge I promised him, I know Nick could never live through the pain I did. He's a much gentler man." He came close again, "You don't realize the anguish you cause him by putting him on that starvation diet. The blood controls us, it's a need that never goes away... the raw craving and hunger... the blood is our only connection to life. Through it, for a few minutes, we feel alive again." Natalie felt hot tears on her cheeks. "I promise never to ask that of him again." "Good. There may be hope for you." Natalie asked, curiously, "If Nick brings me across, will you accept me?" She met his eyes again without faltering. LaCroix reached out, took her hand, and pressed his cold lips to it. She tried not to show her revulsion. He smiled, "You have my respect, Natalie. You would be a welcomed addition to my family." He allowed his eyes to go amber and the tips of his teeth to show, "If Nicholas will not do it, contact me. I would be happy too." He smiled at her letting his fangs show fully. She ignored him, trying to calm her trembling body. She said sincerely, "Thank you for my life, LaCroix." He ran up the hospital steps and inquired about Tracy's whereabouts. He found the room and entered. He was instantly aware that Vachon was sitting in a darkened corner keeping a vigil over his partner. He nodded to him and asked, "How is she?" He stared into Tracy's pale white face, "Did, you...?" Vachon came closer, "No, she's still human. I had nothing to do with this. She was already back in ICU when I got here. They moved her here a few hours ago. It's pretty much a miracle.' Nick looked at him, "You believe in miracles?" "Well," he fidgeted, "No other word fits. She was pronounced dead and now... she's not..." "Has she awakened?" he asked. Peering closely at her, he took her hand in his. "No, she's in an induced coma. It will help her heal faster." Nick looked around. "Where's her parents? I thought they'd be hanging around." "Out of country... Nurse said they are on a cruise and they haven't been able to notify them yet. Suits me fine... they'd never let me stay here." Nick smiled at the long haired, unkempt looking man. He was a man of few words and for his 500 years of un-dead life, he seemed to be uneducated, yet Nick knew him to be a brilliant Jack-of-all-Trades, a thief and a master musician. After Tracy had thought she'd killed him with the stake, Vachon had forced her to use on him when he was sick, she had buried him. Nick had been flying over the beach one night when he had felt Vachon calling for help. He'd unburied the half dead, un-dead Vampire, and had hidden him. He had thought it was better to let his partner think Vachon was still dead. Now he knew that he had been wrong. Vachon loved Tracy. They also deserved a chance to make a relationship work. Vachon spoke quietly, "Thanks for letting me come back, Nick." "So there's been no change?" Nick asked, peering closer. Vachon rose and came into the dim light from the corridor. "The doctor said she was in a lighter coma and could come out of it anytime. She's spoken a few words, but it's just been your name, Nick. She seems a bit agitated." Vachon said, curiosity heavy in his voice. "She saw what I was just before she was hit. She's pretty ticked and hurt." Nick, stroked the pale hand that he had picked up. "Ah," Vachon said, obviously relieved. "I thought maybe you had formed some sort of relationship while I was gone." "She's my partner and I love Natalie. I won't ask you to step back from Tracy ever again, Javier. If she loves you, then you both have to figure out what kind of relationship you need or want. Please just make sure it's what Tracy wants. Don't bring her across unless she asks.. no... begs" Vachon smiled, "Thanks, Nick. I will do as you ask." Nick reached down and kissed Tracy's forehead. "Thank you, Vanchon. I won't try to run her life anymore. We all have to make our own choices.2 Nick leaned down and kissed Tracy's forehead. "Hang in there, Kiddo," he whispered, brushing at the fine blond hair on her forehead. "I'll be in room 342 on the next floor, with Natalie." "Natalie's a patient?" Vachon asked. Nick nodded, "Don't ask... she'll be okay... I'll tell you about it someday." Vachon nodded, curious. He could see guilt and shame flashing across Nick's face. "Okay, Knight. I'll let you know when Tracy wakes up." Nick found Natalie standing by her bed, the IV's gone. She was holding a bouquet of yellow roses. "Nick, they are so beautiful! Smell..." she held them to his face. He breathed in the fragrant scent, then grabbed her and pulled her close. "Oh, Nat, you look wonderful." She dropped the roses on the bed and he pulled her against him, kissing her thoroughly until she sagged against him. "Wow!" she whispered, when he let her up for air. "Come on...back to bed," he urged. He moved the flowers, then picked her up and laid her back on the bed. "I'm tired, but I'm fully replenished and I want to go home. I can sleep in your bed with you, just as well as I can here." "My b...be...d! With me!" Nick stuttered. "Yes, Nick." She had expected that reaction. She smiled at him. His look was priceless. "I don't ever plan to sleep alone again." "But, Nat, shouldn't we talk about this? I knew you were coming to stay with me for awhile, but I was planning to sleep on the couch. It's still dangerous," he begged. "I know you're afraid, Nick, but I will never be afraid of you or the beast again. You need me now, and for some reason, I think it needs me too. I don't think it will harm me again." "A fairy told you this?" he asked sarcastically. "Sorry," he added, when he saw her annoyed look. Natalie smiled, "Maybe an Angel... I had a dream last night. I was told that you won't endanger me again." "It's a dream you're basing this on?" He was amazed. "No...it was more than a dream, Nick. Trust me. Haven't you felt more calm in your spirit since you took my blood? You sat here nearly 24 hours with blood all around you, and you didn't notice did you?" "No, I didn't, but I was worried about you," he protested. "I wasn't very hungry until after we got out of here, and then I guess I made Reese pretty worried on the way home." Natalie saw a tiny smile touch his lips. "What did you do, Nick?" she asked suspiciously. "I guess my eyes changed to amber and... I let my fangs show a bit," he said, sheepishly. "Oh, Nick, you didn't?" She saw the confirmation in his eyes and laughed. "Try to remember not to give him a heart attack. You did make him forget didn't you?" He told her about the conversation he'd had with Reese and she listened, then said, "That's amazing, Nick! I'm so happy for you. You need a friend like him." "What's amazing, Nat, is that he asked me if he could be my father now that LaCroix is gone." "What!" she exclaimed. Later their conversation came back to the blood. "Haven't you felt more contentment in your spirit, Nick? Do you feel ANY change from my blood?" "I was hungry, but I was satisfied with less blood. Still, it was human, Nat, not bovine. That in itself would make me calmer. I drank less this morning, too. I forced some down because I knew I would be sleeping all day, then coming here this evening." "Natalie, your blood made me feel so alive. It was like being in heaven. I have never felt so in control of the vampire." She reached up and caressed his cheek. "See, it's already working. We'll try again soon. Please trust our love, Nick." Nick sighed. He knew she would never let him rest until he agreed. "All right, Natalie, we'll try again." He held up a finger to stop her expression of victory, "But not until you are completely recovered and at the point were you would be allowed to give blood transfusions. We might try bottle donations so that I do not have to take it from you directly." Natalie sputtered, "But, Nick!" "No but Nick, me," he warned. "It takes time to recover and I will not endanger your health by trying again too soon." "That will take months, Nick! I don't know if I can wait that long.' He leaned to kiss her and said quietly, "We've known each other for a very long time, Nat. I promised you I would not leave you. If we have to leave Toronto, we will do it together. We'll just wait a while longer. I love you. I feel so amazingly good." He drew her close. "The acceptance and love I saw in your blood, is so overwhelming. Did you feel mine?" "Yes, I did. It was amazing and it's a bit scary isn't it." She listened for his nearly still heart to beat. "Yes, the power we have over each other is scary... and wonderful," he admitted. "Yes, it is wonderful." She flashed him one of her amazing smiles. "Nick, please see if I can go home with you. I feel great and I don't want to stay here anymore. I just want to sleep next to you and have you hold me." "All right, I'll go see what the doctor says." Natalie sat back and relaxed. Things weren't exactly as she wished, but it was a start for them. Nick returned later and said, "Okay, it's arranged. You will be released within the hour." "Did you have to put a wammy on someone?" she asked with a grin. "I'd never do that when it comes to your health," he said seriously. A nurse came to help Natalie dress, so Nick went into the hall and called Reese to tell him that he was taking her home. The Captain showed up a short time later to help. Finally Natalie was put into the wheelchair and Nick persuaded the Nurse to let Reese wheel her down one floor to see Tracy. Nick knew that she had awakened from a phone call he had made while Natalie was dressing. As they entered the dimly lit room, they found Vachon sitting by the bed. He was holding Tracy's hand and whispering quietly to her. Nick came close, and Vachon got up and moved to the side so that Nick could talk semi-privately to his partner. "Hey, Kiddo. It's good to see you," he told her as he took her hand. "Nick," her eyes filled with pain. "Why didn1t you trust me?" her voice, barely a whisper, quavered. Nick's eyes filled with blood tears, and his heart beat painfully. Guilt filled him. The pain of Tracy's injuries weighed heavily on his heart. "Forgive me, Tracy. I thought I was doing it for your own good... to protect you from the community. I failed to realize how dangerous it might be for you, to be my backup." A blood tear slipped down his face. Tracy reached up with a weak hand up and caught it on her finger, fascinated by it. She motioned for him to lean closer, then slipped her hand behind his neck, pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, "I forgive you about the bullets, Nick. I'm glad you weren't hurt." She pressed her cheek against his cold one. "I was careless." She continued, "I am very angry about Vachon. You should have told me he was still alive." She wrapped both arms around his neck, holding him close... angry, but so very happy that they were all alive. "You owe me big time," she said. Nick could feel her body trembling with emotional turmoil. She cried with him for a time. "Thanks for sending Vancho back to me." "You're welcome," he said, gently disengaged himself after a few minutes. "You need to rest, and I need to get Natalie home." Tracy realized, then, that Natalie was there and she strained to sit up higher so that she could see her. Nick took the bed controls and raised the head of the bed for her. "What happened?" she asked, but when she saw Natalie's pale face and the bandage at her throat, she realized that she already knew the answer to her question. She saw Natalie reach out to take Nick's hand. Whatever had happened, it was okay between them. Natalie said, "Hi, Tracy. It's good to see you." Reese pushed Natalie's chair closer. "I'm so glad you're better." Tracy asked, "And you?" Natalie nodded, "I'm good Trace. I'll tell you about it sometime. Now you1d better get some sleep... doctor's orders," she said with a smile. "I'll send Nick back to see you tomorrow night." Reese leaned closer, "Good to see you're better, Vetter. Get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon." "Thanks, Captain," she said, touched. She felt herself drifting off to sleep. Nick turned to his fellow vampire, "Vachon, thanks for being here for her. Come... walk with us to the car. I have some refreshment there for you." Vachon glanced at Reese. "He knows what we are. Relax... he's a friend. Come on, you're probably famished." Vachon smiled, "Thanks, Knight. I did sneak into the blood supply last night, but I'd appreciate not having to do it again. I am getting pretty hungry." His eyes flashed amber. Reese pushed Natalie a little faster down the hall, and the two vampires traded grins as they raced after him. Nick and Natalie stepped into the loft. Reese struggled behind, carrying several flower arrangements, then went back for more. Natalie was greeted by a big fur ball that threw itself at her. "Sidney!" she exclaimed, cuddling the cat close. "Thanks, Nick," she said, her voice muffled against the cat's fur. "Hey, boy, how are you? Oh....my sweet baby," she cooed, rubbing his fur. She looked up at Nick, surprised. "I thought I might as well bring the rest of the family here. Grace was only too happy to help," he shrugged. Natalie looked at him, "Family?" "Yes," he smiled, kissing her over the cat's furry back. "Wherever life leads us now, we will go together. Be it as Vampire, human, cat or Human, Human, cat... its together!" "Or Vampire, Vampire, cat," she added. Nick ignored her. "Twenty years down the road, someone might raise their eyebrows at the matronly woman with the young stud husband, but we can manage that, can't we?" "Husband?" she asked. "Of course... When you are better, we'll make it official." He turned away to help Reese with a new load of flowers he came struggling in with. Nat looked after him astonished. It was more than she had hoped for. She laughed nervously. Men! How could he just make such a mind bending statement so causally. She smiled and hugged herself. Nick wanted to marry her! She watched them as they placed all the flowers on the seldom used kitchen counters and watered them. She hugged Sidney again before setting him on his feet. Reese said, "Well, I guess I'd better get on home." They could hear the Reluctance in his voice. "Joe, remember you're welcome anytime," Nick reassured him. "I'm going to take Natalie upstairs. She needs to rest. Oh, Joe, could you feed Sidney before you leave. Cat food makes me nauseous." "Sure, Nick. See you, Natalie. Get some sleep." "Thanks, Joe," she called across the room. "Good Night." Nick took Natalie into his arms and flew with her up the stairs. They heard Joe's strangled cough below. Natalie thumped Nick on the shoulder as he set her down. "Nick! You're going to give that man a heart attack, not to mention me." She added, "That was a very odd sensation." Nick just gave her a devilish grin. "I'll run a bath for you," he said over his shoulder as he headed for the bathroom. Natalie called, "What's that smell?" "That's the new closet among other things," he said with a secretive smile. She followed him, curious. "Did you have a tub put in for me....?" she asked... Her voice trailed off... Nick knew she loved a tub more than a shower. Inside the remodeled bathroom was a beautiful sunken tub big enough for four people. The wall behind it was mirrored. It had steps that led up to it, and; it was a peach marble. A thick, off-white carpet framed the tub. There were candles all around that Nick was lighting. The water was already running, and it was filling with millions of bubbles. "Oh, Nick!" she squealed in delight, "How...?" "You can get almost anything done in a day if you have enough money and hire enough men." Natalie realized the smell was fresh paint. Fortunately she had always liked the smell of acrylic paint. She moved to Nick and caressed his cheek with her fingers, then reached up and kissed him gently. "It's beautiful, Nick... it's perfect!" Nick lowered the lights and said, "Climb in. I'll be back in a bit to check on you." She asked with a husky voice, "Will you wash my back?" She trailed a finger along his jaw. Nick stepped back, though he grinned, blushed, and warned, "Nat, you1ll have to make this easier on me." She sighed, "You're right... go on, I'll be okay." After he left, she looked around the rest of the room, marveling at how much it had changed. There were two matching sinks lined with mirrors. The commode was the same peach marble as the tub and a shower was tucked into a far corner. There was a new, bigger closet, too. The room was twice as big as it had been. She knew the loft sat in the middle of the big warehouse. There was room for expansion on both sides. She sighed, peeled her clothes off and stepped down into the warm water. Nick flew downstairs freaking out Sidney, who scattered with a yowl and hid under the couch. Nick ignored him, grabbed a bottle from the frig and swallowed about half. He corked the rest, got a glass and took it back up with him. He was very nervous, yet he looked forward to holding Natalie close while they slept. It had been a dream that he had always awakend from, to find an empty bed. He drew close to the door of the bathroom. It was ajar a couple inches, and he could hear Natalie humming. He stepped closer to the door and asked, "How do you like it?" She purred, "It's wonderful! Please, Nick, I haven't had a good back scrub in years." He wondered briefly who had given it to her, then thrust the thought away, took a deep breath and stepped into the bathroom. Natalie's shoulders were the only thing he could see above the bubbles. He sighed with relief, grateful that he'd thought of them. This was not easy on him. He pushed his desire to the back of his mind, knelt at the back edge of the tub and took the large sponge she was holding out to him. It was lathered with thick body wash. She had her eyes closed, and leaned forward a bit as he gently started to rub the sponge over and around her back. "Oh, Nick, that feels so good," she murmured. "A little lower, please. Now go to the right... a little higher... ah, that's perfect." Nick spent much longer than he needed to get the job done, but he was fascinated with the contours of her back, and his mind was forming the image of a painting he might do. When he finally came back to reality, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her shoulder. She raised a wet hand and caressed his cheek, leaving bubbles all over his face. Some got up his nose, destroying the dangerous line of thought he was allowing himself. "Nat!" he sputtered, pulling away and getting to his feet. She laughed at him and he grinned back at her. She started to stand, giving him a devilish grin. "No. No! Nat!" he cried out and dove for the huge fluffy white terry cloth robe so he could hold out it out to her. Being chivalrous, he averted his eyes as she stepped up out of the tub and into it. He wrapped it around her and held her close to him, feeling the damp warmth that was radiating through the cloth. Natalie giggled at his embarrassment and hugged his arms to her, holding them at her waist. It was wonderful to feel his arms around her. Nick felt her damp hair touch his chin, and breathed in the fresh clean scent of her. She leaned back against him, and he felt his body respond to her. It nearly took all his strength to set her back up on her feet. He zipped away so fast he left Natalie teetering back and forth. She grinned and gave herself a hug. It wasn't fair to Nick to tease him like that, but it was such fun to see him act like an adolescent boy and his shyness with her was wonderful. It made him seem new and clean in their relationship. Natalie looked into the closet and had pity on him. She found a baggy sweat suit, and slipped into the warm, thick material. When she stepped into the bedroom, the lights were out and there were a few candles around the room in tall glass lanterns. She knew Nick wasn't fond of electric light. He was wearing black silk pajamas, and was sitting on the bed... a bit nervously, she noticed. A bottle of bloodwine sat near him on the nightstand. He took in the sweat suit and seemed to sigh with relief and thankfulness. He held out his arms to her and she slid into the bed beside him. With a huge sigh they laid on their sides spooning themselves together. It was a perfect fit. Nick laid his cheek against hers. He pressed his lips to her cheek and realized she had already fallen into an exhausted sleep. He smiled and let himself drift off to sleep. He woke about 11:00 the next morning and found himself alone. Had it just been another dream? Then, he heard the shower and Natalie humming. He smiled and let himself stretch like a long sleek cat. He realized he hadn't felt this content in centuries. He took the bottle from the side of the bed, poured a glass and sipped at it while he listened to Natalie going about her morning regimen. Natalie came from the bathroom wrapped in the white robe. She smiled warmly at him. "You're finally awake," she said. "You do sleep like the dead," she commented, then leaned over the bed and kissed his lips very briefly. Nick realized the bloodwine was probably stopping her from a more affectionate kiss. He understood. Getting up, he hugged her briefly and slipped past her into the shower. Natalie looked into the closet and discovered a good sampling of her own clothes there. "Thanks Grace," she whispered aloud. Nick was so considerate to have thought of bringing her stuff here. She was warmed that he hadn't put up much of an argument for her not to come live with him. She slipped into some clothes hurriedly, before he came back from his shower. "I see you found your things," he said. "You can decide if you want this closet, the one in the bathroom, or part of both." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with abandonment. His fresh, minty breath tasted good. He held her tightly for a moment, but when a noise from downstairs distracted them, they looked curiously at each other and went to investigate. As they came down the stairs, they spotted Capt. Reese in the kitchen. He was busy emptying groceries into the frig and cabinets. He looked up at them, "Hey, I hope you guys don't mind. I went shopping to get some supplies for you, Natalie." Natalie was touched. She went to him, gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Great, I'm starving," she said thankfully. Reese glanced at Nick, "Did you sleep well?" Nick nodded, "Yes, Pop, very well." Reese looked a bit startled, then touched. "I hope you don't mind," Nick explained. I always wanted to call LaCroix, Pop, but, of course it didn't fit, and he would have drained me if I had." His two guests stared at him a moment, then Natalie started to laugh and pretty soon they were all laughing. Reese croaked out, "LaCroix... Pop! That's funny, Nick." Natalie said, "I'd love to have seen his face!" She giggled. Then Reese sobered, "I'd like it if you'd call me 'Pop'. My girls did." Natalie attacked the grocery bag that still stood on the counter, "Grapenuts! That's a favorite of mine. How1d you know?" Reese looked smug. 'I asked Grace. By the way, she's thrilled you're going to stay here. She wants you to call her tonight.' "She's a good friend. You know, Joe, she's got a crush on you." Reese was startled, but only smiled. Nick stood back watching the easy banter back and forth between his love and his new father. The happiness he felt, overwhelmed him. He turned away, feeling blood tears sting his eyes. He felt Natalie's arms wrap around him, so he turned and buried his face in her hair. "Nick! What's wrong?" she asked anxiously. "A few nights ago I thought my life was over. Now I have a beautiful woman that I love here with me, and a father I can respect and love. My life is so full." Natalie and Reese both held him in a circle of love. They stood in silence letting the emotion pass over Nick in waves. Days passed as the three built a life together. Nick had a room and bath built on the first level of the loft for Reese to stay in when he couldn't face going home. Some nights, the three friends would sit with Reese's dying wife and read or talk to her in Reese's big house. Natalie had taken a three month leave from her job to recover. She would go at night to sit with Denise. After awhile, she started to read the Bible to the sick woman. It seemed to bring her comfort. Natalie started to take in the words of the Bible, and renewed her faith in the Lord, praying for hours for the relationship that she and Nick were building. Sometimes, the three would sit at the loft and Nick would tell stories about his many lives and the times he had lived in. Reese got a small laptop and started to write the details down. Nick had given him permission to write a book about characters living in those times. It made him feel good that some of the lives he had touched would not be forgotten. There were times when Nick would take Natalie out for a late night walk or a movie. Tracy had recovered and was back at work. On occasion they would meet her and Vachon and see a movie together. One night the guys took the girls flying. Tracy seemed to love it but Natalie clung to Nick so hard she nearly strangled him. They set down on a hill over looking the city. The lights twinkled forever. It was a warm summer night. "Natalie, you nearly strangled me," Nick complained, though he was grinning from ear to ear. She slapped his shoulder, "You love scaring me half to death!" "Giving you a thrill is more the idea." he pouted. Tracy remarked, "I love it. It's so freeing and so amazing up there. Someday I'll be able to do it on my own." Natalie and Nick both looked at her and said in unison, "No!" They looked at each other, then Natalie said, "Tracy, think about this very carefully before you decide. There is so much that goes with the perks of being able to fly." "Yes," Nick said, "Like never being able to stand in the sunlight? constant hunger? being dangerous to the ones you love. The darkness is the worst." Tracy sighed. They'd had this conversation a lot, but she'd pretty much decided that she would have Vachon bring her across in about 5 years. "I'm already living at night, exclusively. I can't imagine life without Vachon," she said, taking his arm and pulling him close to her. "He has no desire to live in the sun, so I will live in the darkness." "What about faith? Religion? It could be lost to you," Natalie pleaded. Tracy shrugged. "It's never been a part of my life, Natalie. I don't see that I will miss it." That night, conversation had faded off into the darkness. They finally gave up and flew back to the Loft. After that, the four friends saw less of each other. The gulf between those who wanted humanity and those who wanted vampirism grew. Natalie, with her new faith, was worried about Tracy's soul. A week later, Denise Reese died. Joe was devastated. He planned the service for the evening so that Nick and Vachon could come. They had all stood in the light of garden torches looking down on the grave sight, silent in their own thoughts. Nick finally spoke quietly, "Pop, please come and stay with Natalie and I on a permanent basis. I know you do not want to go back to your house alone." Reese had looked at him with tears streaking his face, "Thanks, Son. I will come." A voice came from behind them, "Dad, what are you saying! You can't leave Mom's house." Reese turned to his daughter, Laura. "Please, honey? we will talk about this later." "No, Now!" Laura, his distraught daughter demanded. "First, you have mom's funeral in the dark... She always loved the morning." "You know Nick's allergic to sunlight," Reese reminded her. "So who is he to us... to mom? Rachael is so upset about this she refuses to even talk to you. Now you're just walking away from all of it?" Grace, having come to the funeral along with half the department, came from the larger group of officers to see what the commotion was. She touched Natalie's arm, her face full of questions. Everyone was taking notice of the raised voices. Natalie shook her head, mouthing 'not now'. Natalie took her Grace's and held her friend close for support. Reese begged, "Please don't do this here. I know you're hurt that mom is gone, but these people have been at our side for months... you haven't..." He said angrily and a bit too loudly. "Pop, please...let's just go to the house for now and you can .....", Nick started. Laura, becoming hysterical now, struck out at Nick, "Pop? He's NOT your father, and he never will be!" She turned again on her father, "Dad, come with me now!" Reese said, "No, Nick and Natalie have offered me a place to stay and I Can't go back to the house now... not tonight, at least. Please understand, that house is too empty for me right now." Nick looked at Natalie desperately. "Laura?" she spoke to the woman. "Please try to see your father's needs in this matter. You're welcome to come to our place to talk with him." "I don't intend to. He belongs with us... at mother's house." Grace added quietly, "Your mother's gone. You need to think about what your father needs." "Who are you? His girl friend?" Laura snapped. Everyone stared, open mouthed. Nick explained, "Grace is only a co-worker. Your father would never cheat on your mother." He allowed the beast to surface a bit. His voice was deep and dripped with anger. Natalie let go of Grace and dragged him away. Vachon, who was with Tracy, followed. Many of the officers felt for their Captain and started to herd the on lookers away. Rachael had left her husband's side and came to join in the argument. Before Long, it became a shouting match and ended with the girl's husbands dragging them away. Reese was devastated and fell to his knees before the grave. Grace looked around and found she was alone with the torn man. She knelt beside him and he blindly grabbed hold of her and held on, sobbing for his loss... for the pain and embarrassment his daughters had caused him. She soothed him by rubbing his back and softly humming, 'Amazing Grace'. A few minutes later, Natalie returned and changed places with her. "Natalie?" Grace heard him say as she walked away. She wondered, as she left the cemetery, if Joe had even realized, that she had been there with him. Reese came to stay with Natalie and Nick. About a week after the funeral, Joe told Nick, "Take Natalie out, Nick. Make it a special evening. You've put your lives on hold for me for too long. Sidney and I will be just fine." Nick smiled, "Thanks, Pop. I have been wanting to ask her a very special question." "Well, well," Reese said. "It's long over due, son. Go on... make your plans." So that evening Nick found himself sitting before Natalie in a very posh restaurant in a secluded side room. She was so gorgeous. She was dressed in green velvet, and had small, emerald earrings on. Her reddish brown hair was piled high on her head, with tiny curls slipping down her neck, making it a very inviting place. Nick felt his fangs itch. She smiled a knowing smile. Sometimes she ached for his fangs to bury Them selves in her neck, too. The sensations she had felt the night Nick had taken her blood overwhelmed her. Nick seemed to shake himself. He reached out to take her hand. "You know how much I love you, Natalie. Soon it will be time for us to try again." He stood, came closer, and then went down on one knee. He could already hear her heart beating faster. "Marry me, Natalie. Make our first time together, be really together. Make this a holy union between us. If it's God's will that we be together, let's do it right." Natalie was so touched that tears ran down her face. She had been waiting for months for Nick to ask her to marry him. They'd been sleeping in the same bed together since she had come home. Some nights had been easy and other nights had been hard. Sometimes Nick slept on the couch... others she did. She thought back a few nights. Nick had been pulling away, almost afraid of physical contact, and he'd snapped at her several times. Finally she had grabbed him and turned him to face her. He'd seen the hurt in her face and had been aghast. He took her in his arms and had pulled her stiff and unyielding body close. She'd had to will herself to relax against him. "What's wrong?" she'd pleaded with him, her voice loud, her fear radiating from her. Finally he had admitted, "I'm afraid. It will be okay soon to be with you, Nat. I nearly killed you the last time. I don't know if I can take that chance again. I can't live without you." "Nick," she'd said, sternly, "Things are so different now. We're sleeping together most of the time. I know it's been a struggle at times, but you have learned a lot of restraint." Nick had admitted slowly, "That's true. It is easier now." "You're not hungry all the time, anymore" Nick nodded in agreement, his fear receding. He knew that no matter what they talked about, he would never be totally sure he could pull away. Natalie's blood was like a sweet nectar. It was very rare for a Vampire to find a mortal to love one who could love them back with equal strength. The taking of her blood had made him feel so alive. If it hadn't been for the pain of nearly losing her, he would have been in heaven. The well being he had felt from her blood touched his very soul. He hadn't felt like that since he had knelt before the cross as a crusader and pledged his life to the Lord's service. LaCroix had felt it in Nick's blood, and had pursed him over the centuries to feel that life again each time he had taken Nick's blood; sometimes by mutual agreement, sometimes by force. At first, Nick had loved him fiercely, bestowing on him all the love that he hadn't gotten from his father. When LaCroix had brought him across he had felt that unconditional love from Nick. That's why he could never let Nick go, knowing that only in those moments they were together would he feel that life. Nick understood him a bit better now, having been filled with Natalie's blood. As Natalie looked down into his eyes, she saw all his love and his fear, yet now she knew he was ready to join with her again no matter what the cost. In her heart she knew Nick would not hurt her again. All these thoughts had flashed through in a second and Nick was still awaiting her answer. "Yes!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, Nick. I'll marry you." Nick stood, drawing her to her feet. He kissed her with wild abandonment. Then he pulled the small, red velvet box from his pocket. She took the box with trembling hands and it crackled as she opened it. Inside was a beautiful heart shaped diamond of about four carats. "Oh, my! It's so beautiful, Nick." "You are my heart and soul, Natalie." His fingers trembled as they took the ring from its velvet cushion and slipped it on her finger. It seemed to catch the many lights from the beautiful chandelier above them and the facets danced as the tiny lights reflected all over them. It seemed as if bells rang and they both looked around. "What?" Nick asked the air. Natalie giggled, "Wow! Do you think there is some truth to the saying, about a marriage made in heaven?" Nick answered, "What would heaven want with me?" Sadness flashed across his face. Natalie leaned forward and kissed him. "Heaven knows of you. You just have to find your way back, my love." Knowing it was not the time to get into one of their conversations, Natalie asked him to dance with her. They stepped from their private alcove and onto the main ballroom floor. Natalie in her velvet gown and Nick in his black tux, garnered attention. Soon all eyes in the room locked on the two lovers as they glided around the room. Their feet didn't even seem to be touching the ground. In fact, Natalie realized she was slightly elevated. "Nick, put me down. People are watching," she whispered. "It's a good thing my dress is so long." She giggled against his neck as she felt her feet touch the ground again. He drew his head back and grinned at her, "Guess we'd better get out of here." He guided her back to their dining table and soon they sat gazing at each other. Nick had a special bottle delivered to him by a waiter who was a member of the community, and Natalie dined on a fine steak as they planned what kind of wedding they would have. Three months later, the bride and groom stood in the light of the bright full moon, accompanied by a few torches. They pledged their love to each other among their friends. Joe was best man, and Grace was Maid of Honor. Tracy and Vachon were there, though they stood off a bit, and so were many precinct co-workers. Natalie had a beautiful 12th century, white gown on and Nick was dressed like a knight; with sword and all. On lookers just thought it was a play on his name. They did not know it was because that was who Nick was in his heart. Fathe Rochefort married them. Reese walked Natalie down an isle between rows of chairs, then took his place at Nick's side, pride radiating from him. He prayed that all would be well and that Nick would have the control he needed to make tonight a blessed event. He knew he would be holding his breath. He still had his house, and he had learned to go there on occasion to give the 'kids1 some privacy. He dreaded having to stay there for days on end. It was still too soon. He pushed his thoughts aside and concentrated on the wedding. Gazing into each other's eyes, Nick and Natalie spoke words of love and devotion and then were pronounced Man and Wife. The company of friends held candles. Flowers surrounded them. A warm breeze caressed them. It was late, about 9:00 pm, because of summer hours, but they had a band and dancing. Amidst garden torches and candles, the Bride and Groom danced together as one. They didn1't see or hear anything around them. It was only them and their skin touching at the palms of their hands and Nick's hand at her waist. She was touching the cool skin at his neck. The music had finished long before they realized it, and the crowd of friends laughed warmly at them. They cut the cake, and Nick forced a tiny bit of it down. The wine was served by Vachon, discreetly, from two bottles of red wine. Nick took a sip and his eyes widened. It was Natalie's blood. Her eyes were laughing with pleasure as he received her gift. "Thank you," he whispered against her lips. He fed from the glass, which Vachon kept filling by slight of hand. The bouquet was finally thrown, and Grace caught it. Much to everyone's surprise, Joe caught the garter. The look of surprise and fear that crossed his face made everyone laugh. Grace was urged to dance with him. She slipped into his arms. He was very stiff and uncomfortable. "Relax, Captain. It's just a dance. I understand that all this is too soon for you. The crowd's only having some fun. Tomorrow we each go back to our own lives," she reassured him. Joe relaxed, and they continued to dance and talk a bit. At the song's conclusion, he released her. "Thank you, Grace," he said quietly, feeling guilty for having enjoyed himself so much. They went their separate ways. Both would have dreams to keep them company that night. Photos of everything were, taken. Finally, Nick tugged at Natalie. "Lets go," he whispered. She turned to smile at him, "I thought you1d never ask." In no time at all they were heading for the Caddie, only to discover that it was covered in tissue paper flowers and, to Nick's horror, tin cans were tied to the back bumper. Natalie laughed at the look on his face. Amidst falling bird seed and well wishes, they speed away through the darkness toward home. Nick had wanted to give Natalie a wonderful honeymoon, but she told him that she felt safer in the loft. It would give them all the privacy they needed and they would have the supplies Nick needed to feed on. Nick pulled up into the Loft garage and helped Natalie out of the car. He swung her up into his arms. She laughed with pleasure as he fought to punch in the code for the lift. Finally inside, he captured her lips. They nearly tumbled out into the room when the lift door opened. Nick set her down on the floor and she squealed with happiness as she found their apartment full of roses: Blood red ones intertwined with pure white ones. "Oh, Nick, they're prefect!" She caressed his cheek with her fingers and took one of each, smelling them. She kept them in her hand as she took pity on his nervousness and went to the frig to get another of the special bottles. She poured him a drink and watched the gratification flutter across his face. Finally he took her hand and led her up the stairs toward their bedroom. They took another special bottle with them. Natalie had been able to store two units of blood, and Vachon had taken care of the bottling process. With fingers that shook slightly, Nick slowly undid the row of pearl buttons at the back of her dress. He leaned to kiss her bare shoulders as he slid the dress from them. Candle light danced off them and her dark reddish brown tresses. As her dress dropped to the floor, Natalie stepped away from it and turned toward him. She wore a beautiful white-lace teddy. "Natalie, you're so breathtakingly beautiful," he whispered. He kissed her, gently tasting her lips and mouth, exploring with his tongue. He drew her to him and she ran her hands up his sides and to the front of his shirt. As she undid the buttons at the shoulders of his uniform, the tunic fell away. She slipped her hands over his cool chest. He moaned in pleasure against her lips. He moved away long enough to kick off his sandals and undo the leggings. Nat followed to help him. Slowly... and with great care, they gently undressed each other. Finally Nick picked his beautiful bride up and carried her to his bed. He laid her down, poured himself another small glass of bloodwine and drank it down. Natalie watched as bliss spread across his face. It was her blood that nourished his body. She reached out, took the glass and sat it on the nightstand, then she took his hands and drew him down to her. Gently they explored each other. Touch, taste and smell, caress after caress brought their bodies closer and closer until they became one. Nick sent a prayer heavenward, "God, please don't let me hurt her." Their movements became more rapid, their hands clutched at each other, their lips bruised each other. Passion ignited into a torrent of emotion that engulfed them. Natalie looked deep into Nick's eyes and saw them turn to amber. Wanting to pacify him, she spoke in words of love, soothing the beast.. not allowing it to take over. She bared her neck to him, "Only take a little, Nick," she instructed him through her breathless passion. Nick drew back his head, fangs bared. He struck firmly burying his fangs into her neck. Passion swept over them. They became each other and saw the other's love. Natalie was ready for the images this time. She knew Nick and loved him for all he was and had fought to achieve. She saw his bond with her. Nick saw himself in her mind, the shining Knight. She saw him at her side holding babies that they would one day have. He was overwhelmed by her love. He drank deeply for only a moment, and their bodies reached a climax that brought cries of extreme pleasure. Nick threw his head back and growled in such ecstasy that Natalie found herself laughing with the joy of it. They clung to each other as their breathing returned to normal. Natalie held Nick tightly, not letting him move away... He let her hold him, and his unusually quiet heart beat quite rapidly for a few moments. Nick and Natalie gasped for breath. He laid his cheek against her breast and she felt blood tears run between her breasts... tears of relief that they had made love and she was still alive and safe. Eventually, Nick slipped to the side and rolled to his back pulling her to him. She laid her cheek against his shoulder so she could reach up, kiss his chin and nuzzle his ear. They drifted off to sleep. Nick whispered before slipping into sleep, "Thank you, Lord." They were awakened late the next afternoon by the phone. Nick reached out fumbling for it, "Hello? Pop!" Nick smiled down at his sleepy bride. She snuggled closer to him. "Yeah...Were fine." He held the phone toward Natalie, "Hi, Pop," she called. Nick could hear Joe let out a deep breath. "It worked, Pop!" No one needed to explain what 'it' was. "Nick, I prayed that God would be with you and Natalie. I'll let you go. I just needed to know you were okay. Check in with me tomorrow, please?" "Sure, Pop." Nick hung up the phone and hugged Natalie to him. "Good morning, my beautiful Wife." Natalie caressed his chest with her fingers. "Good morning, my wonderful Husband," she said, then added, "I'm glad he called. He's probably been sweating the whole thing all night." Nick chuckled, "You're probably right, Nat." "Nick, do you realize how blessed we have been?" she asked him. He turned so he could face her, propped his head up on his hand and looked into her eyes. "Yes, Nat. In my heart I am beginning to believe salvation is possible for me." "Really, Nick! Really?" she asked, tears of joy running down her face. She hugged him to her. "Just ask God to forgive you. Let His son, Jesus into your heart. I'm your wife and we shared more than any human pair can share. It was a gift to us, to confirm our love and let you know that if you ask for forgiveness we could possibly live as human husband and wife." She cautioned him, "If you do become human again you will lose the ability to feel and see our love through our bond. You won't be able to fly or hypnotize anyone. Your extra strength may be gone." He stopped her with a kiss. "All those things are true, but to walk in the sun, to make love to you without fear of killing you, to hold our babies in my arms... I can learn to deal with the loss of strength, Nat. If I have to, I can live like many handicapped people live. Filling my life with you, I'll learn to adjust. Most of all, I'll grow old with you and I won't live for centuries afterwards with only half a soul left. You know coming across with me is no solution." She nodded, "Yes, Nick, I know. I will never ask that of you for as long as we live. I promise. It's out of our hands. You will either be human or Vampire. Janette's cure will work or it won't. We'll take it one day at a time. You will know when it is time for you to reach out to the Lord." Natalie kissed him, then swung out of bed and went into the bathroom. Nick smiled, watching her beautiful body move until the door closed behind her. He hoped out of bed and went downstairs to check on Sidney. He took the half bottle of Natalie's blood and stored it in the frig, preferring to feed on another vintage, and save Nat's blood for special occasions. He went to stand by the window and felt the warmth of the sun that radiated through the closed blinds. Curious, he raised the blind an inch or two and then slowly reached out a finger. The hot sun stung it and he jerked it back, expecting it to see blisters, but there wasn't a mark on it. He turned to shout up at Natalie, then stopped himself. What if it didn't last? It would only hurt to giver her hope. He closed the window and went to feed Sidney. Natalie came down the stairs wrapped in the white terry robe. Nick was happy that she liked it. He'd bought it on an impulse. She had been urging him to try something other than black and gray.... yet once out of the box, the pure white had made him nervous. He'd never tried to wear it... to pure for his taste. Now as he watched his wife come toward him, he was glad that he had bought it. It was a definite improvement over the pink nightmare she had worn when she had occasionally spent the night sleeping on the couch. Natalie kissed him as she passed. He watched her munch on a breakfast of cereal and fruit while he drank a glass of bloodwine. Nick thought of the special bottle he had placed in the frig and his fangs itched. He forced the thoughts out of his mind. Then he realized that Natalie was staring at him. "What?" He asked, fidgeting. She smiled and looked away, "Sorry, I never tire of looking at you, and dressed only in those black silk pajama bottoms... Well...." She let her voice trail off. "I know what you mean, Nat, but we don't have too much bottled blood left, and you can't afford to lose much more. Remember, I wasn't supposed to take it directly from the source and risk losing control again. We've talked about it." Natalie reached up to touch the two partially healed fang marks on her neck. "Why should you have all the fun. The bond vision was amazing, Nick. I needed to know how much you love me. I need to see it and feel it. I will never doubt the depth of those feelings again, nor will I be jealous of Janette if she should come back into our lives. Somehow I knew The Lord would protect us from evil. Nick, did you feel as if you were expelled from me, after only a moment?" Nick let the moment replay in his mind. "I don't know if expelled was quite the word. I just felt so satisfied that I drew away expressing my pleasure audibly." Nick went over to Natalie, who was sitting on a high bar stool. He got close enough to hold her against him. She laid her face against his chest. "I guess I would described it as a force. Satisfaction for the vampire was so swift that he seemed go to sleep and I was free to feel all the physical satisfaction that we had together. I was free with you for that final moment that we were one. I almost felt human." Natalie listened for his heartbeat. "It's already working Nick.... Hey! I just heard your heart beat." He smiled down at her like one would a child, "It does that occasionally." "No," she smacked him playfully on the chest, "I mean it beat again. I just heard it a couple minutes ago." "You always make my heart beat faster, Natalie," he teased. "Nick! I'm serious!" she pushed him away and bound across the room. She grabbed up her medical bag and motioned for him to take her place on the stool. He sat, but he had a guarded look on his face. "Nat, it's our honeymoon. Can't we leave the tests for another time?" he protested. Natalie grinned at him, "Let's play doctor then." He smiled back, delighted with the thought, but knew she was already slipping into her serious doctor mode. She suddenly stuck the stethoscope to his chest. "Nat, that's cold!" he said, jumping back. She stared at him, "You can feel the temperature difference? You've never complained before." "I haven't, have I?" he said, hope dancing through his brain. "Shhhh," she admonished him. So they sat in silence for 10 minutes as she listened and wrote a few notes. She took his temperature and then a blood sample. Finally, Nick couldn't wait another second, "Nat! What did you find?" "Nick," she said, her hand trembling, as she stepped back from the microscope. "Your heart's beating every 2.6 minutes. That's a vast improvement from once every 9.8 minutes. Your body temperature is up 5 degrees." She indicated the microscope, "Best of all, your blood is changing. There are nearly half the abnormal cells there used to be." Nick jumped from the stool. "Nat!" he exalted picking her up and swung her around, "It's working then?" Nat nodded, but was rather subdued and reserved. "Nat?" he asked, fear lacing his eyes. "Oh, Nick!" she exclaimed, "I'm so afraid. I don't want to get your hopes up. Neither one of us knows if this is temporary or what we have to do to keep it progressing the way we want it to." Nick laughed. "We will just make love a lot," he said with glee. He took her by the arms. Natalie blushed, "Sounds wonderful, Nick, but can we both keep it up. Last night was the most wonderful experience in my life..." she looked away. "But..." he asked, speaking the answer she couldn't. "You're still afraid of me," he said flatly, backing away. "No, Nick!" she protested, then whispered, "Yes..." She tried to explain, reaching out to touched his back. She felt the muscles twitch and draw away from her touch, but she barreled on. "In my heart I love you, more than I ever thought I could love anyone. I just felt, for a fraction of a second when you were about to strike, fear.. fear for self preservation. Nick, what would happen to the vampire if, all of a sudden, my instinct took over and I fought back... not of my own volition, but from a primal need to survive. Instinctually, I have a raw fear of death brought on from the night you nearly drained me." "Nick, listen to me... I only want us to be safe... take it slow. Lets just love each other and not have to bring up my fears..." She wrapped her arms around him, and begged, "Please let's go slow.. my love.. my life." He held her tightly. He didn't doubt that she loved him, and her words were wise. "Okay... we'll go slow." She sighed. It was a sigh that spoke of both relief and regret. Nick asked, "What now?" She looked at him, a little embarrassed, "Sometimes I wish I had more courage. I often get what I ask for, and I know it's necessary, but what I really want to do is to ravish you!" She smiled and, turning him toward her, kissed him fiercely." This led to more kisses. Suddenly Nick pushed her away...his eyes were amber. "No, Nick." She drew him to the couch and comforted the vampire until he slipped into a light sleep. She sat, stroking his hair gently, and prayed..."Lord let this beautiful man be freed from the demon that lives within him. He believed before, and in my heart I know he still does. Let him find you again and believe in you. Help him to release his pain and guilt, and set his spirit free. I know you can do this in Jesus' name." She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Her love for the Lord was so strong now. She prayed constantly. She felt that her life with Nick was meant to be. It was scary, sometimes, knowing what was inside the man she loved more than anything, but she felt that her blood, cleansed by the Lord, was what was making the demon weak. The Lord living in her heart, was combating this evil in silence, not invading their lives too much, so far, but soon Nick would have to chose. What if he didn't? Would she be forced to walk away? She knew that Jesus must come first in her life...even over Nick. She prayed that choice would never have to be made. Last night, when Nick had told her he believed it might be possible for him to be forgiven, her heart had sung. Nick started to stir and she leaned down to kiss him again. Somehow, Nick found the strength to go to the frig again before things became mindless between them. He drank more of Natalie's blood from the bottle of bloodwine, and when they made love before the fire, he only took a small amount from her. Their passion spent, they laid in each others arms on the thick white carpet. The sun had set, and Nick took the remote and opened the blinds. It seemed as if a thousand stars shone down on them, blessing their union. Nick was sitting against the couch and Natalie leaned against his bare chest. He was basking in the light touch of her shoulders and arms. She linked her fingers with his, and raised their hands to kiss his. "Oh, Nick. Did you ever think it would be this good for us?" she asked as she assaulted his fingers with kisses and nibbles. "To be honest, Nat, I thought this was only possible if I were human." Drawing her hand to his mouth to kiss her finger tips, he added "Your love has changed my heart tonight. I barely felt the vampire. He's weak, Nat. I feel he is losing his battle to hold on to me... You know what else, my beautiful Wife?" She twisted around to look into his eyes. "No, Nick. What?" she asked, her heart beating expectantly. There were tears in his eyes, "You have given me back my faith in God. I see it in your mind, and feel it in your heart. I see His word living in you, my love." Natalie heard his words with a joyous heart. "Nick, do you think you're ready to ask the Lord into your heart. Can you ask Him to protect you from the Vampire." "Do you think He would really answer my prayer?" he asked, hope in his eyes. She rose to kneel before him. "Nick, just ask Him. Ask Him to cleanse you, if that's what you want. I can't do it for you. It has to come from your heart. Would you like me to leave you alone?" "I'm afraid, Nat. Maybe it would kill me?" he said, clinging to her hands. "No, Nick. I do not believe that is possible. You have always had a good heart. The demon... the vampire, will have to go. It might be painful, but you're no stranger to pain, and the reward could be your humanity. God did not put us together by mistake. I believe I am here to start the process. My blood is already weakening the vampire. My love, and the love of the Lord in me, weakens the vampire." She clarified, "You, Nick. You must ask for the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse your heart and save you from this monstrous presence that steals your life from you. Ask Nick... if that is what you feel in your heart." She leaned in and held him close for a moment, then kissed him, stood, grabbed up the white robe and headed for the stairs. "Nat, don't go to far," he called after her. "I'll be on the landing, my love," she called to him. She went up the stairs, slipping on the robe and wrapping it around her for comfort. A knot of fear twisted in her stomach. She knew it was time for choices and she had seen in Nick's eyes that the time was now. Whatever happened tonight would determine the rest of their lives. No matter what, she would never divorce Nick or love another. In her heart she knew the Lord could take the vampire away, but Nick had to believe as well. She sat near the top of the stairs, slipping into the shadows. She drew her knees to her chin and wrapped her arms around them. She waited, listened and prayed. Nick stood before the fire, dressed only in the black silk pajama bottoms. Fear was winding around his cold heart, and he felt a need to pray. There was so much power in the Vampire. It was a supernatural being beyond man's understanding. He believed that was why his kind could not go into the light...the demon of the vampire could never face the light. He went to the window and stared out into the stars. "Lord, where did I bury my faith? How could I have gotten so far away from you, that I allowed such a monster to enter me. LaCroix has so many demons in him. That's why he abuses me so much. He can't help it. Maybe he sees I still have faith and can't stand it." "I see the pain in his eyes afterwards. It's like they let him, the man he really is, see the pain he causes me. He is also trapped. Lord, I don't want to bend to LaCroix's will or the demon within me anymore. Free me from this entity and fill my heart and soul with Your Holy Spirit. Let me walk in your light. Sear my insides clean and take this evil from me." He voice was a cry now, "Be my personal Savior, Lord Jesus." Tears ran freely down his face. Natalie also cried... she stuffed her fist in her mouth so that she wouldn't make a sound to distract him. She wanted to run down the stairs to him, but something was holding her back. It felt like an invisible hand. The image of an angle came to mind and she felt warm and safe. A scream of agony ripped from Nick. An unbearable heat surrounded him. It seemed to be of white light that came from nowhere and engulfed him. The light was around him, in him, searing through him... Nick's mouth roared, yet inside, Nick felt disconnected and safe. He realized the roar of rage came from the vampire. Natalie struggled against the hands that held her, "Please, I must go to him!" The light was so bright she had to look away. She heard a voice, "No, baby... not yet." Nick felt his body being picked up by the light, and he seemed to float for a moment. Then he felt his body heave. Black putrid blood came from his stomach.. from every cell in his body. It poured out onto the floor, wracking his body with unbelievable pain. There was an un-holy scream that ripped through the room sending shivers through Natalie's body. She saw Nick lowered to the floor...the light faded... and was gone. She struggled again, then looked back over her shoulder and found that a large black woman was holding her close. The love that radiated out of her eyes spoke of great wisdom and love. "Go now, baby, Nick needs you," the angel told her, releasing her. Nick came to and found himself on the floor, with Natalie cradling his head. An unbelievable peace and calm surrounded him. He was warm... warmer than he ever believed he could be. Natalie was gently rocking him, "Nick... oh, Nick," she cried into his hair. "Nat, did you see? Did you see Jesus? He came and wrapped His arms around me. The peace was so amazing." "Yes, I saw, Nick," she said laughing and crying at the same time. She was overwhelmed by what had happened. Natalie held Nick a long time. Finally she realized he had fallen asleep. She drew his robe from the floor and covered him. She laid her hand on his chest and felt his steady heartbeat. His face was pink and his cheeks, flushed. She knew he was human again. Ignoring the tears that steamed down her face, Natalie brushed a golden curl away from his eyes. She kissed him and prayed a prayer of thanks to her Lord for this blessing. After a time, she went to the phone and called the precinct. "Reese, here," Joe answered. "Pop, can you come, please. I need your help," she asked. "Natalie, are you okay?" His voice was full of concern and fear. "Joe," she laughed and cried. "I'm wonderful," she said, sniffling, But I need your help. Nick's on the floor, and I need to get him to bed." "What happened?" he shouted, rising from his seat. The people in the bull pen looked toward his open door. "Pop, we're fine. I just need help." "Okay, Natalie. I'm on my way." He threw down the phone, grabbed his coat off the back of his chair and shouted on his way out, "I'll be at the Knight's." Everyone stared at his back, itching with curiosity. What on earth could two newlyweds want their Captain for? Tracy reached for the phone to call Vachon. Reese arrived about fifteen minutes later, busting into the loft, with a loud, "What happened?" He stopped short, seeing Nick on the floor and the dark blood all over. Nick was half covered by it. "Pop, please! I'll explain, but first help me get him cleaned up and into bed," she urged the startled man. "Sure, Natalie...but is he hurt? Did LaCroix come back?" He was so confused. Blood was everywhere and Natalie looked so happy. Had she lost it. They got Nick up the stairs and laid him beside the bed. Natalie got some warm wet cloths, and as they cleaned him, Reese realized that the blood was not from injuries. "Tell me what's going on," he urged her. "What happened...?" "Nick accepted the Lord tonight. Oh, Pop! You should have seen it. The light was so amazing! So pure! I couldn't even keep looking..." Reese looked at her closely. There was a small steak of white in her hair. His mouth hung open. "Nat, some of your hair is white." "Really?" She raised a hand and fingered the spot, somehow knowing. She told Joe about what had happened while they washed and redressed Nick in clean pajamas. Natalie checked all of Nick's vital signs. All were normal for a human male. Finally they picked him up and put him in the bed. Joe signaled Natalie to follow him downstairs. There he wrapped her in his huge arms and held her against his big chest. She was shaking from the emotional shock of the ordeal and with hope for their future. She cried for a long time, letting all the tension drain from her body. Joe caressed her hair, comforting her. Natalie wondered if his daughters would someday realize how much they were missing. She couldn't remember her father much. This big man, with his beautiful smile and kind face was so precious to her. In a very short time, Joe had become a father to both of them. She knew the department's tongues wagged about it being strange, but those who really knew and loved the three of them, knew how much they all needed each other. Reese soothed her, "There now, what are all these tears? You should be happy." Natalie pulled her head away from his chest and looked into his eyes, "Oh, Pop, I am happy! It's such an overwhelming relief. This means a normal life for Nick and I. A life in the sun... maybe even babies. We'll be able to go to church together. It's almost too much to take in." She leaned heavily on him. He was going to guide her to the couch when he remembered the mess. He took her to the kitchen instead, and made her drink a can of Boost, then said, "Go up to bed and sleep with your human husband, Natalie. I'll clean up the mess in the other room." He smiled, "Now I can think of grandbabies!" Natalie stretched up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for coming, Pop." She turned to go, then turned back, "Oh, the stuff to get blood out is under the kitchen sink. Maybe I won't have to use it ever again." Natalie found that Nick was still sleeping. She took a quick shower and crawled into bed. Nick instinctively moved closer, wrapping his arms around him. She drifted off to sleep. After she was gone, Joe grabbed rags and the cleaning solution. First he sprayed the rug really well and took it into his shower to rinse most of the blood away, then he doused it good with wine to put a wine stain on it. After that, he rolled up the rug and would take it to the cleansers. Just as he finished cleaning up the floor where the rug had been, he heard a pitiful meow. He looked around for Sidney. "Here kitty..." he called. There was another pitiful meow. It came from overhead. He looked up and saw Sidney peeking over a high ledge that ran around the upper part of the room. "How'd you get up there, you rascal?" he said. "More to the point, how am I going to get you down?" His eyes surveyed the room. Sidney must have been frightened by what happened and had run up the furniture, nearly flying to the ledge above. "Boy, I would have loved to have seen you scatter," he laughed at the cat. "I bet you're pretty hungry." He set out bowls of milk and cat food. Pretty soon, Sidney started along the ledge, jumped from the ledge to the stereo speaker mounted near it, then to the TV, and on down to the floor. The cat started to chow down. Joe reached down to scratch his head. "I envy you, Sid. I wish I could have been watching on that ledge." He turned off the lights and went back to work, trying to figure out what he was going to tell everyone. Natalie woke with a start. The windows were open, and for a moment, the bright sunshine frightened her. Then she remembered, and turned to see Nick holding his fingers up into the rays of light. He had a childish grin on his face as he watched the light dance through them. The golden rays of the sun flickered over his features and turned his hair into a golden halo. Natalie realized Nick had graying hair on his temples, and reached up to touch the white streak in her hair, remembering the perfect light. Nick turned and noticed that she was watching him. "Nat, it's been so long since I've seen the sun... felt its warmth on my fingers without it burning them. I have such a feeling of peace inside. With the Lidobuterin B, I felt crazy, anxious...not in control. Now I'm filled with peace and a feeling of fulfillment. I can't even express it properly." He reached over and touched her auburn hair, watching the highlights of gold and red shimmer as he ran his fingers through it. "Natalie, you are so beautiful." He leaned to kiss her. "I always wondered what I might do on my first morning as a mortal." She smiled, "Yeah!" accepting a more passionate kiss. Nick suddenly bounced out of the bed and said, "Let's go for a walk." "You are recently married. You have a gorgeous woman in your bed. You're human, and you want to go for a walk?" she teased. For a moment Nick took her seriously. "Oh, Nat... I didn't mean...you know I want you..." he let his voice trail off lamely, looking stricken. She bounded out of the bed, laughing, "Nick, I'm teasing! I'd love nothing more than to take a walk on this beautiful morning with you." She kissed him. He laughed against her lips, "I love you," he held her close a moment. They then went into the bathroom, took fast showers, then dressed in sweat suits. The mornings were always cool. They fed Sidney, who found it curious that they were going out during the day. Nick drove the Caddie to a nearby park. They stepped onto the grass and started toward the little manmade lake in the center. Natalie made sure he had his sunglasses on. He wanted to jog like some of the other people in the park. Nat smiled indulgently at him and off they went. Pretty soon Nick stopped gasping for breath. She laughed at him, "Well, I guess we'll have to take it easy on you, old man." Nick smiled, but didn't comment. It was the truth. He was old, but he felt as new as when the world was new... a little out of breath, but new. "Hey, why don't we use today as my birthday...it would seem fitting." Natalie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him sensuously, "That's a wonderful idea, Nick! Happy Birthday! I have a present for you when we get home," she teased. He nipped playfully at her lower lip. ''I'll be sure to collect it, my love." They walked around the park, and Nick looked at, and touched, everything. "The colors... Nat... I'd forgotten how beautiful nature is. At night it's all darks and grays. Only at a crime scene could I see any colors, and the lights were almost painful, but I still took some pleasure in seeing color as it was. The grass... the trees...you have no idea how colorless the world of the un-dead can be!" Natalie drew him close, pressing her cheek against his. "Why didn't you tell me about this, Nick?" He held her close and said, "I didn't want to make you sad or put more on you than you already had to bear at those scenes." Then he asked a totally unexpected question. "Do you still love your work?" They continued their walk. Natalie thought about it as they walked, and Nick waited patiently for her answer. She finally said, "Honestly, Nick, I'm tired of looking at death... smelling it... touching it...I stayed this long because I was able to help you there. I was able to help the community. Would you mind if I did something else?" 'What do you think you'd like to do?" he asked, lacing his finger with hers. He brought her hand up and kissed the back of it. "Maybe a free lance researcher... or a pediatrician. It depends on where life leads us and how soon we start our family. I only know I have no need to look on death anymore. I don't need to love death." Nick had real salt tears running down his face. He kissed her with a smile, shining through the wetness. Natalie took one tear on her finger and showed it to him. He touched it, amazed. "It's pure and clean, Nat." He leaned to kiss her, "It's so wonderful to be alive, Natalie!" He threw his arms up into the air and turned in a circle taking in the trees and the sky in a whirl. "Just this day, to stand here and see the sun on your face, is worth all we've been through." They started to walk again. Nick made an observation, "Grace will miss you." "She deserves a promotion, and I will try to see she gets it. She's very good, Nick, and she enjoys the challenge like I did when I came there." "Mmmm...smell that?" they quickened their pace. Rounding a bend in the path, they caught sight of a coffee stand. "Come on, Nick. Let's get something for breakfast. You're probably hungry." They chose two cream and sugar coffee's, and poppy seed muffins. The happy couple sat on the grass cross legged, and Natalie watched as Nick took a sip of the coffee. Rapture spread over his face. "Oh, Nat.. it's sooo good. I understand how you feel about it now." He drank some more, letting it warm him inside. He took a bite of the muffin, and found he couldn't chew it. "Nat!" he said, "What's wrong with this thing? I can't chew it. He spat out what he had in his mouth. Natalie, laughing at him, took the muffin. "You have to peel this paper off." She showed him how, and then fed him a piece. Bliss spread across his face. "I sure hope you don't like everything, Nick. I'll have to put you on a diet before long. I remember Schanke said you ate your way across town the last time you were in the sun." Nick's face took on the memory. He smiled sadly, "I sure miss Schank." Natalie nodded. "I do too, Nick. He was a good partner and a good friend. I thought you were going to quit when you first found out you were going to work with him though." She laughed, "He was so obnoxious back then, but you brought out the best in each other." "Yes, we did." Nick said, warmed by the memory of his last partner and friend. Natalie asked, "How will we tell Tracy? Vachon will know the minute we see him..." "We'll take it one step at a time." He looked around at the kids playing with kites. "Hey, I've always wanted to get a big red kite and fly it in the sun." Natalie jumped to her feet, "Come on! That sounds like fun! Let's go get one from the shopping center across the street." She thought about the last time she had been in the park, flying a kite. That horrible Roger Jameson. "I could use a new kite flying memory." She dusted crumbs off her hands and they tossed their trash in the can close by and headed for the mall. They purchased the biggest, reddest kite they could find. It had a huge yellow sun on it. It was perfect. They picked up some picnic supplies. Natalie got the strongest sun screen and lavished it all over Nick's, already too pink, skin. Nick mumbled and groaned. Never before having the need for skin protection, it felt a lot like the paint he'd used when he'd been an actor. He'd always hated it. Nick spent some time trying to put the kite together. He fumbled with it so much that Natalie was in tears from laughing at him. Finally, an eight year old boy had pity on them and had it fixed in no time. With his parents permission, they treated him to ice cream. They ran back and fourth, finally getting it into the air. Natalie watched Nick's face more than the kite, enjoying the childish wonder emanating from it. She also loved watching the sunlight dance across his face as they ran through the trees. Nick watched the kite play tag with the sun, bobbing here and there through the sky like a tiny ship in a storm. They finally collapsed under the shade of a tree where they had laid out the blanket. Natalie sat and let Nick lay his head in her lap. They talked and fed each other fruit and cheese, and drank Gatorade from the bottle. Nick tasted everything, marveling at the differences in texture, color, and smell. Some things such as the grapes and cheese brought back memories of his childhood. In the late afternoon, Natalie spied an ice cream cart across the way. She ran and bought two chocolate Sundae cups. She sat on the blanket with Nick cross-legged before her, and scooped out a glop of fudge and vanilla ice cream on the little wooden spoon. "Close your eyes," she bid him. Nick closed his eyes and opened his mouth. This was something he had longed to experience. Natalie spooned it in to his waiting mouth. The coldness felt heavenly on his warm, overheated tongue. The rich, exquisite taste of chocolate and the smooth, creamy ice cream, melted and ran down his throat. He moaned with pleasure. It was all Natalie had told him it was. "Oh, that's wonderful, Nat!" He took a glob and fed it to her, leaving some of it on her lips. He learned forward to reclaim it, tasting it and her. "This it what I taste when I taste you, My Love!" he said, a bit surprised. "Chocolate, cream and something else." He thought a moment. "The scent of yellow roses," he added, pleased that he'd figured out what it was. Natalie was touched. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, claiming his lips for a longer kiss. A shadow fell over them. "Hey, there!" a deep voice said, "No public displays of affection allowed..." Nick and Natalie shaded their eyes from the glaring sun. There stood Capt. Reese, with a big smile covering his face. "Pop!" they shouted with happiness, dragging him down to the blanket with them. "What are you doing here?" He explained, "Burns came running into the Bullpen swearing he saw Officer Knight and Dr. Lambert flying a kite in the park. Since this was such an unusual occurrence," he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "I had to come see for myself... Sorry I missed it," he added, nodding at the great kite laying on the grass. Natalie was curious. "Joe, what did you tell them in the bullpen, about last night?" Reese laughed, "I told them you had given Nick a potion to get rid of the allergy he has for the sun, and it made him get sick so he passed out. You just freaked out, being a newlywed and all. They had a good laugh. Tracy seemed more subdued." Natalie looked embarrassed, "I guess that's as good a reason as any. I'm sure I'll get teased about poisoning my husband on our honeymoon. At least now they'll think it worked." Joe commented, "Well, I could have said Nick got drunk and passed out, but I didn't want to have that rumor started. This was closer to the truth." Nick replied, "I'm glad you came to help. Natalie told me all about it. Joe, you have no idea how wonderful this gift of life is." Joe said, "Son, it's wonderful to see you in the light." The newlyweds got up, and Nick said, "Come on, Nat, lets see if we can get this kite up once more for Pop." With a bit of effort they got the kite into the air and laughed as Reese struggled to keep it there. Natalie noticed that the people in the park had stopped what they were doing and were all looking toward the street pointing. She looked in that direction and discovered that the whole street was lined with police cars, and the officers were standing, laughing and pointing toward the three kite flyers. "Pop, Nick, look!" she called out. Reese came to a dead stop and stared at men from his precinct and some other local precincts. All of a sudden, there was string looping and cascading all around him, and he was nearly knocked over as the kite crashed into him. There he stood with the giant red kite pinning his arms to his sides, part of the red paper hanging over his eyes. Nick was stunned, and Natalie's body was shaking with silent laughter. Reese shouted, "What are you men and women doing here! Get back to work!" There was a scramble for the cars as officers bumped into each other. Within moments, the cars all sped away leaving two of the three in the park screaming with laughter. Nick went to Joe and tried to lift the kite up and over his head, but he was shaking with laughter so much he couldn't free it so Natalie came to help him. Joe was practically blowing steam from his ears. Then his face crumbled and he started to laugh. They all fell in a heap on the grass holding their sides. The people in the park were still staring, but when the kids started to laugh, the rest soon joined in. Joe gasped for breath, "I will never live this down. They probably think We've all gone mad." Nick noticed that a familiar car was still there and a young blond woman was heading their way...Tracy. He stood and headed for her. She was looking at him with wonder and confusion. "Nick, what's going on? How is this possible?" Nick grabbed her up and swung her around. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "Police scanner at home," she stated, staring at him. She reached out to touch his sweating brow. "I'm cured, Trace! I'm human," he whispered into her ear. "What!" She said, fear touching her eyes. "But the community? Nick, this is dangerous." Nick pulled her down to sit on the grass with him. He noted, with relief, that the people in the park were going about their own business now and Natalie was keeping Joe away so that he could talk to her alone. "I was cured through Natalie's love. Love that cleansed her blood... love she has from the Lord our God." Emotion was thick in his voice. "I can walk in the sun again." "Nick, you gave up what you were and all that power to walk in the sun?" she asked, floored. Nick realized she was serious. "Trace?" He saw disappointment in her eyes. "This is what I've always wanted, Trace... to be able to love Natalie without endangering her... to have babies... to have a soul... to serve the Lord." She had tears in her eyes now. "But you could fly! You could hypnotize! You could bend people to your will! You would have lived forever, never aging... bullets didn't hurt you. It was what made you a hero... a great cop, Nick." She pulled away from him, got up and ran back toward her waiting partner and the car. Nick stared after her and then felt Natalie grab his arm. "Let her go. She needs time to think this through." "Yeah, Nick," Joe said, "She's going to have to accept it. I think maybe your partner was a bit enamored by what you were. She probably has romanticized it so much because of her love for Vachone. We will have to pray for her." Nick suddenly realized that there were shadows lengthening all around them. "Natalie, let's go home." He grabbed up their things and headed toward the car. Natalie looked at Reese and shrugged. "I'll call you. It was fun, Pop," she called as she ran to catch up with Nick. The two headed back to his car. They got into the loft just as the sun went down. Natalie could see that Nick had a fine sheen of sweat on his brow. She put her hand against his chest and found that his heart was beating rapidly. "What1s wrong, Nick?" she queried. He wiped the sweat off with his hand and peered at it to make sure it was colorless. "I'm sorry," he said. "I just found myself getting scared to death, wondering if we would meet any vampires I knew." Natalie reached out and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his body tremble against her. "Nick, let's leave here. There should be some mountain cabin we could buy that would give us distance from here, and some peace. You could have a trainer come to teach you the art of combat and self defense, and hone the abilities your human body is capable of. I know you feel a loss of your powers. With survival and other training you can be master of yourself again... get your confidence back. You're a good cop, and if you want to come back later, I would support you, but please, not yet." "You can afford it. We could call it an extended honeymoon." She held herself, lovingly, against him. Nick had opened his mouth to reply to her ideas when a coldness enveloped him and he turned to see a figure sitting in the living room. Nick knew instantly who it was. His blood ran cold, and he moved quickly, thrusting Natalie behind him. Natalie also recognized him. "Nick," she cried in fear. "LaCroix!" LaCroix stood, "Nicholas!" His eyes were amber, his fangs exposed. "I see you have achieved your goal. I did not believe it was possible." Nick accused him, 'You never left did you?" LaCroix came closer. "On the contrary, Nicholas. I only arrived from Rome an hour ago. I felt your pain last night... horrible pain. I thought perhaps you were injured or even dead. I came to take revenge, but now I see that I will have the pleasure of bring you back across" He breathed into Nick's face, chilling the young man. "Back off, LaCroix," Nick warned. "I will never be yours again. Never! I have another father now." "Your Captain Reese cannot save you now. He can not possibly parent you the way I can... forever!" "I'm not talking, about Joe. I speak of my Lord, Jesus Christ." A cry of anguish, turned anger, ripped from the vampire. "No!" he backed away. "Nicholas... do not speak those words! You know how much I love you. You are my life!" "Life?" Nick spat at him. "You doled out affection, in selfish tiny drops. You beat me and abused me in every possible way for centuries. You have been my hell for 800 years. I thought I loved you, but I have only been like your pup. One that always came back to lick the hand of the master who beat it. I know that you have been the only reason I have survived in the community so long, but I do not need you anymore." LaCroix lunged at him. Natalie was knocked away and collided with the wall. She cried out, "Jesus, protect us from this evil!" LaCroix grabbed Nick by the arm and punched him in the face. Nick felt LaCroix1s hand close around his throat. He was sure he was going to die, and he prayed for Natalie1s safety. LaCroix suddenly roared in pain. He jerked his hand back. It was blistered and nearly blazing. He stared at his injuries with confusion and amazement. Natalie struggled to her feet. She blinked. There, in front of Nick, stood the large black woman she knew to be her Angel. There was a golden glow around her. "You must go lest you be consumed," the Angel warned LaCroix. Both Nick and LaCroix looked at her, stunned. Then Nick's face changed to awe, while LaCroix's went from rage to fear. The Angel continued, "This one will never belong to you again. The Father will not allow you to touch either of them or harm them physically. You must go, or you will be consumed by fire." LaCroix looked at Nick. He snarled, "You have won." "You may never see me again, but perhaps your children will..." he threatened, with an ugly sneer. The Angel warned, "If you want what Nick has, send an ambassador to talk with Nick... otherwise DO NOT approach this family again. You will not survive. The God of all, makes this promise." LaCroix turned his eyes to Nick again. "Nicholas!" he cried, in anguish. These were not the amber or red eyes of the vampire, but the eyes of LaCroix, pleading with him. The light around the angel brightened. The old vampire threw his hands up over his eyes. His skin began to smoke. He rose, with a roar of defeat, and flew toward the open skylight. Nick called after him, "Believe, LaCroix. You, too, can be saved!" Nick turned and gathered Natalie in his arms and they both cried. Their bodies shook. Warm, gentle hands took them by the arms and lead them to the couch. Nick and Natalie looked into wise, ageless eyes. "Who are you?" Nick asked, already knowing what she was. "I am called Tess." she replied, simply. "That monster is gone for good, if that is what you wish. Live your life...have your babies. Love the Lord with all your heart. That's all He asks. Nick, He waited 800 years for you to come back." She touched his face tenderly. A peace flowed over Nick. Natalie stammered, "B...b...babies?" Tess took her by the chin. "Yes, babies, Baby. The Lord knows how much you want children. Nick, He's well pleased with you. You've carried Him in a corner of your heart all these years. He's always been with you, child. You were just hiding your face from Him." Natalie noticed the blood running down his face from were LaCroix had punched him. She pulled the scarf from her neck and dabbed at it. Tess reached out a finger, ran it over the injury and it vanished. Then she rubbed Natalie's shoulder, and the pain disappeared. "That evil being can never again harm your family physically. You are wise to consider leaving here. Take Joe, and find a place, at least for a season, to rest, regroup and allow yourselves to heal. Allow yourselves to live, love and raise that family. Take the Lord with you, and nothing un-human will ever harm you again." Nick and Natalie looked at each other, renewed hope and amazement shining in their eyes. They turned, as one, to say, "Thank y..." and realized she was gone. They continued to hold each other, still shaking from the adrenalin rush. There was a knock at the skylight. They both turned fear filled eyes toward the window above. There was Vachon looking down at them. Nick looked at Nat, and she nodded to him. "Come on down, Vachon," Nick motioned to him. Vachon slipped through the skylight and floated to the floor. "I saw LaCroix leave. I thought it better to wait until he was completely gone. He might have torn me in half, just for something to do." Nick smiled, "He might have," he replied. "Can we help you?" "Knight, I need you to talk to Tracy. She's pretty upset over this. She can't see why you would willingly chose to leave the life you had, behind. She does not know, nor can I make her understand, how lonely the centuries can be," Vachon said, quietly. Natalie invited, "Come. Sit." Vachon sat on the couch, while Nick pulled a chair for himself to sit in front of the couch facing Vachon. "You, Vachon, what do you think of this?" Nick asked. "It's not for me to judge. I did not chose to be what I am. There are times I wish I had never seen my master, but I am who I am and I have accepted it. I enjoy seeing the centuries pass. The problem is Tracy. She's begging me to bring her across now. She doesn't want to wait. She's still a child, Knight. I love her, but I want an equal. With her in my future I think I could drive away some of the loneliness, at least for a century or two. I can wait for her to mature. Can you talk to her, please?" Nick sighed, "Of course I will talk to her. She's my partner. I have more to lay on her. I can't go back to the Force right now. I have little strength and little control over this body as far as skills I might need as a cop. I won't endanger my life with Natalie right now. It's time to move on for a season or two." "Wow!" Vachon said, "I was just getting used to having you there in case I needed help with her. I don't want her to go to another vampire in anger. She could be lost to me forever." "I understand," Nick said. "I can't promise that Tracy will listen to anything I have to say. She's very disappointed and angry, but I will try," he assured the vampire. "I will let you know where we settle." Vachon rose from his seat. "Knight, call me if you ever need my special abilities." "Thanks, Javier." Nick said, using the vampire's first name. "Be happy, Nick...Natalie. I wish you all the best." He turned to Nick. I'll miss bumping into you every century or so, old man." Nick smiled, "Check in on my offspring now and again, from afar." "I understand and I will, Nick." Natalie had headed for the kitchen and was loading a box full of bottles and a couple bags of frozen blood from the frig and freezer. "Vachon, take these with you. No sense letting it go to waste." "Thanks!" he said, taking the box. His eyes became amber looking at all the frozen blood. He nodded to them both and rose, disappearing through the skylight. Nick sighed, "Do you mind if I call Tracy now and get this over with, Nat?" "No, go ahead, Nick. It's best not to have to worry about it." She hugged him. "Happy Birthday," she said, sadly. "There is always going to be sadness, Nat. It was a wonderful day, filled with miracles. Nothing can spoil it." He kissed her and then headed for the phone. He called Tracy, and with a little coaxing, she agreed to come. His partner arrived about 20 minutes later. She hardly looked at him, but came into the living room and plopped down on the couch, like a pouting child summoned by her father for a lecture. Natalie excused herself after greeting Tracy, and went upstairs. She thought it was better if Nick talked partner to partner. "Tracy, Vachon came to see me," Nick told her. "He shouldn't have," She said defiantly. "He told me about your desire to come across very soon." "Yes! It's what I want, Nick." "Please wait another few years. I know you're twenty five, but you look eighteen, Tracy. Simple logic...if you come across now, you will always look 18 No one will ever take you seriously. It was hard for me, and I was 32. Give yourself time to live. I'd urge you to marry and have a child, too. Once you come across, there will never be those possibilities again, unless you accept the Lord, as I do, fully and completely. Forever sounds nice, Trace, but it can be terribly frightening and lonely." "I will have Vachon! There is no place for children or marriage to a human," she told him, angrily. "I thought I would have Janette forever, at one time. Forever gets boring. We were married 100 years, Tracy, and we grew apart. Eventually you will become a killer. It will be your nature. You strive to uphold the law. How will you feel the first time you drain someone, and lay him on the ground and know there is no life left." "But I won't, Nick. You had the world at your feet. You could do or go anywhere you wanted and you chose this puny life as a cop. You were like a God and you wasted it." "You're scaring me, Tracy. This world is not wild and un-abandoned like it was. The vampire today has to follow rules, just like humans to some extent. The enforcers will not allow you to survive if you misuse the power you will gain." He made her look at him. "I have had to destroy two converts that I created. They couldn't handle the power. They became unmanageable. They would have called attention to me and the community. The enforcers would have taken care of them if I hadn't. It's terribly painful to destroy your own child, but all vampire are sworn to this. If you get out of hand, Vachon will be forced to take you out. Do you want to do that to a man who loves you?" That seemed to take the wind out of her sails. Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. "Nick, I idolized you. These months since Natalie came to live with you, have been the best. I knew who you were, and I saw you do so many amazing things to make us the best in the precinct. I wanted to be like you so I could right wrongs. I'm sorry...I am just disappointed. We both know you won't come back to work now...at least until you know how your body reacts and what you can, or can not, do... You're not used to dodging bullets. Reese would never let you return. I have to start all over now. I'll have to work harder to keep myself safe." Nick slumped back, "You're right, Tracy. I have made it harder for you. Maybe that's why I tried to keep my secrets. In the end it would have been better for you." He sat forward again and took her hands. "I know what you said about believing in God, Tracy, but what you will be doing, if you come across, is allowing evil to enter you. Not just evil, but an evil Being. It won't allow you to control it often. It will control you. It took a long time for me to control the desires it had. Hundreds of years, Tracy! There's a price for immortality, a very high price. Sure, Vachon will be at your side, but he's very undisciplined. There will be very little structure in your life. Please take a little longer before you make a decision. Let me answer your questions. Let your life see where it will lead you. Do not commit to this course yet. Please, Tracy." She lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek. "All right...I'll reevaluate in a year." "Promise?" he said, breathing a little easier. "I promise, big brother." She leaned forward and brushed his lips with hers. Nick pulled back, surprised. "Big brother?" "Why not? We're partners... we're almost like family." She got up, unwinding her tall, thin frame. "Tracy," he stood and hugged her, "Please be careful out there. I'll miss you and the job." "Me too, Nick. Thanks," she said, heading for the door. "Call me anytime. Natalie and I are going away for awhile, to regroup. I'll let you know where we settle." Tracy nodded and hurried through the door so that Nick could not see the tears that spilled down her cheeks. Later that night, as Nick and Natalie sat cross-legged on their bed and eating They talked about what they should do. Sidney lay curled at the head of the bed. Nick promised to call his agent, a non-vampire employee who ran the de Brabant Corporation, and have him search out that mountain hideaway. As soon as Joe retired, in a few months, they would go toward that new life. Nick would take a sabbatical from his job, and Natalie decided she would resign. Decisions made, they relaxed and enjoyed each other. After they fed each other bits of fruit and cheese and drank some juice, they kissed, entwined their bodies and slept. Natalie woke as the first rays of sunlight came through the windows. She woke Nick with a kiss, and they began to explore each other1s bodies for the first time as human husband and wife. Abandoning all restraint, they let touch and taste, guide their hands and mouth's. Velvet soft skin touched velvet soft skin, giving to each other the way God had meant them to be. Afterwards, when they had satisfied their desires, they decided to bathe. They filled the tub and sat together. Natalie brought Nick's fingers, laced with her1s, to her lips. "Nick?" "What, my love?" he said, marveling at his new wife and the life they had ahead of them. "I think we just made a baby," she said, with conviction. Nick turned her toward him, looking into her face. She was glowing. He gathered her close. "I think so, too, My Love," he agreed, kissing her. The End