Standard disclaimer here... Menat Shak8spere He had just left her. There were no note and no goodbye phone call. He had just disappeared from her life. This had happened one month ago, and she was still reeling from the abrupt departure. The only clue that she had had to his disappearance was that he had taken all of his accumulated vacation time, for which the city auditor was thankful. He had stated in his request that there had been an emergency, nothing more specific. Nat had been a nervous wreck, and she was not getting any better as time wore on. The final straw came when at the end of a month and half of not hearing from him, she was informed that he had called the station to let them know that he was still alive and not to worry. No one had called to let her know especially not Nick. After this delightful turn of events, the coroner's department informed her that she was to attend a conference dealing with the various aspects of law enforcement, and she was to represent the coroner's department and learn the new techniques that were being introduced in forensics. She really was not in the mood for that kind of thing. She was the senior night coroner, and as such, was expected to attend to learn the new techniques and the new forensic discoveries that were dominating the criminal science world. As it turned out, the conference was interesting; she even attended some of the criminal investigation workshops for the supposed reason of letting Nick know about some the new developments. While she was listening in on a workshop dealing with the increased criminal activity in North America by the Mafia, she happened to notice the speaker. Ray Vecchio was a lieutenant in the Chicago Police Department. Vecchio had just finished an assignment working with the FBI as an undercover operative. Instead of going into the witness protection program, Ray had decided to become as visible as possible in an attempt to help other police departments combat the growing problem of mob incursion, especially into legitimate businesses. The intense detective immediately riveted Nat's attention. He was about thirty-five years old, of Italian descent, slightly stooped shouldered, had dark hair which was shorn close to his scalp, and had piercing brown eyes. His eyes told his story for him, as far as Nat was concerned. They seemed to burn into the listeners, professionals who had come to share information and learn from each other. Nat was on her way out of the conference center when she felt a slight touch on her arm. She turned and found herself facing the intense detective. "Hi," he said as he waited for her reaction. She grinned and replied, "Hello." "I saw you from on the stage when I was speaking. I wish everybody had paid that much attention. I feel stupid standing up there sometimes. Name's Ray Vecchio," he held out his hand and shook hers. Nat returned his handshake and noticed that he had the hands of a surgeon, long thin fingers and strong hands. "I'm Dr. Natalie Lambert, Metro Coroner's Office." "Coroner's office? What were you doing in there?" "I have some close friends who are detectives in homicide at the 27th and 96th precincts. Besides, it never hurts to learn as much as you can while you're alive. That's what life is- a learning process." Ray found that he was attracted to this coroner. She was a knock out in the looks department, but she also had a brain in her head. This quality had definitely been lacking in his recent companions since Benny had returned to Canada. Visiting him was the real reason that Ray had agreed to speak at this particular conference. He was already in Canada, so he figured that he could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Natalie definitely had potential, of that he was sure. He grinned in return and asked, "If you don't have any plans, would you like to join me for dinner? The food they serve at these things is not the best I've ever had." Nat looked Ray over as if to size up his intent. She found him open to the inspection, "You don't waste any time do you, detective?" Vecchio smiled and said, "Life's too short to waste time, especially when I know what I want." She liked what she saw; at least he was here, breathing and alive. She returned his grin and said, "Sure, why not?" She also found him to be an interesting dinner companion and the complete opposite of her most recent object of affection, a certain blonde detective who would remain nameless as far as she was concerned. Ray regaled her with stories about his family life back home in Chicago. It was interesting to hear about a family with so much character and warmth. Her own family background was lacking in passion and humor; and with the death of her brother, Richie, she had come to value family experiences all the more. She told him the bare basics of her life: the early death of her parents, having to live with her grandmother, medical school, starting at the morgue, some of the more interesting cases she had helped to solve, and finally ended with the deaths of her brother and of her friends, Detective Don Schanke and Captain Cohen. The rest of the evening was spent in conversation about general topics-was life better in Chicago or Toronto? Are Italians really great lovers? She blushed when she had asked that because he seemed about to answer that question. Before he could answer, the waiter brought the check, which Ray paid. She drove him back to his hotel at around 3:30 AM and then went to her apartment where she slept soundly for the first time since Nick had left. The following weeks Natalie spent more time with Ray. Ray was a wonderful man, and Natalie certainly enjoyed his company. He helped to ease her loneliness and made her enjoy the sun again. He was thoughtful, considerate, caring, witty, and she began to wonder if these characteristics carried over into the other areas of his personality. She experienced the answer to this question one morning when they had returned to her apartment after breakfast. He had walked her to her door and impulsively, she had kissed him. One thing had lead to another, and they had spent an enjoyable afternoon getting to know one another more intimately. Everyday afterwards, they had breakfast together after she got off from work, and they had dinner before she went in to work. Grace, Nat's friend and lab assistant, was glad to see her smile again. It had been a rough year for Natalie. Ray was just what the doctor ordered, as far as she was concerned, unlike a certain blond thoughtless detective who would remain nameless. Tonight, Natalie was finishing some reports that needed to be typed and filed as soon as possible due to paper mountain on her desk. She was considering her relationship with Ray when Grace came over to her and said, "Hey girl! How's it going? Did you and Ray have a nice evening?" "What makes you think that I've been out with Ray?" Natalie asked with a grin on her face. "You have that satisfied look on you face," Grace said with a smile that matched Natalie's. "Yes, I did have a nice time, thanks. Now, I am going to have a fun time finishing this paperwork," Natalie said sarcastically while making a face. "That's why they pay you the big bucks," Grace said with another big grin. The phone rang at about 4:30. It was Ray saying that he couldn't meet her for breakfast that morning; but he wanted to see her for dinner if she was free. She agreed and went straight back to her apartment and found Sidney lying in the middle of the floor like peanut butter on a piece of bread. "So Sid," she addressed the cat, "in the mood for a little lovin', too?" He jumped to the back of the sofa and began to rub against her outstretched hand. "Meow." He then jumped down and led his mistress into the kitchen. "Feed me" was implicit in this next "Meow." After taking care of Sidney's basic needs, Natalie popped a Two-Minute Gourmet meal into the microwave, and then she went into her bedroom and changed clothes. For some strange reason, she suddenly felt as though someone were watching her. She returned to the living room where she began to eat her food and watch the news. Nat did not check her answering machine, which sat with the light blinking until the next morning. When Nat checked the machine the next morning, it was only three hang-ups. She shivered involuntarily and began her day. Time went on for the next week and the phone calls increased in number. Every time the phone rang, Nick would hang up just before she could say "hello." He did not know exactly what to say to her yet. He called mainly to comfort himself with the sound of her breathing. During that week there was still no word from Nick, but Natalie had begun to judge time by a different standard. He had been gone a total of two months and had only called the station twice. He had not called Natalie at all; that is, until Friday night. She had answered the phone and thinking it was Ray she had said, "Ray, listen, I really can't talk now. I'm in the middle of weighing someone's organs. I'll see you later at my apartment." "Who is Ray?" The voice demanded jealously. She had recognized the voice on the end of the line immediately. An un-welcomed lump had formed in her throat. "That is not ANY of your concern!" she'd growled into the phone as she slammed the receiver down into its cradle. Nick was back in Toronto. From then on the phone calls started coming with more frequency. She began her tactic of ignoring them and him. A cold northeast wind seemed to settle in the coroner's office whenever she was there. She made arrangements to work days for the remaining time that Ray was to be in town. She did not want to see Nick. For his part, Nick was quiet and sullen at this turn of events. Nat had always been there for him. Her image in his mind was the only thing that had kept him sane while he had been gone. He had hoped to take up where they had left off before his abrupt departure. The question kept nagging at him until he decided to drop by the morgue and ask Grace about him. Grace was working with the slides on the Peachtree case when Nick quietly slipped into the room. He tapped his foot on the floor in an effort not to surprise her, and said, "Good evening, Grace. How's it going?" She jumped at least an inch from her chair, and whirled around to face him, "Detective, you scared me!" Despite her opinion of his treatment of Nat, she found that she still liked Knight as a co-worker so she smiled and said, "You must get some perverse thrill sneaking up on me and Nat like that." His smile wavered a little at the mention of Nat's name. He moved closer to Grace and asked, "Grace, may I ask you something? Nat's been avoiding me lately." He looked down at his shoes and continued, "Is she seeing someone?" Grace studied the blonde detective and saw no malice on his face; she saw only his confusion and hurt from the treatment that Nat had been giving him. Should she tell Nick about Ray? Nick was definitely right about Nat avoiding him, and Nat was obviously not going to tell him anything until she was ready. Before Grace could make up her mind, Nick made it up for her. He concentrated on her heartbeat and began the hypnosis. "Grace, I want to know everything that you know about this Ray character. Everything." Grace proceeded to tell Nick everything-everything that Nat had told her about Ray. He found out that Ray and Nat had been seeing each other while he had been gone. They had met at the law enforcement conference that he was supposed to have attended. They had then spent the following few weeks together. Grace proceeded to characterize in great detail the morning that Ray and Nat became more intimate. When Nick heard this, it took all of his self-control not to rip her throat out and then find Nat and reclaim what he considered his. He was seeing red by the time Grace had told him everything. He recovered enough of his self-control to suggest to her that he had never been there. Dark thoughts began to occupy his mind. Granted, he knew that he should have called her, but he had wanted to protect her. At first this had been what he told himself. It had become a matter of having time and then, a matter of wanting to surprise her with the change that had occurred in him while he was gone. Now his jealousy and fear that he had lost Natalie forever threatened all of his hard work and hard won knowledge. How COULD she do this to him! Thoughts of this Ray character making love to Natalie swirled around in his conscious mind. He took to the air to vent his rage and frustration to the uncaring skies. "Natalie!" he cried to the blackness of the night. "Natalie, why?" In the back of his mind he heard her voice say to him He arrived at the loft before sunrise and began to think about the whole thing. He went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of cow blood, the vampire equivalent to caffinated coffee. After pouring a mug and heating it in the microwave, he took the steaming cup and sat down on the sofa. He let his mind wander to thoughts of Natalie and their "friendship." Being around her since the shooting and the possession had been difficult. He had longed to taste her sweet blood, to feel her love for him in the only way he truly could so much that the cow blood had become a weak substitute for what he really needed- Natalie. He had begun to drink donated human blood, and much to his dismay, even this did not satisfy his cravings. So, he had gone away. He had gone away to gain some measure of control and to protect her. He knew he loved Natalie. She was the sun to his moon, the light to his darkness. He had never told her this after that fateful night at the Azure. However, he had taken her for granted for so long that he had always believed that she would wait for him until he was ready to show his love for her. Now he was ready to show her just how much he loved her and wanted her; the only problem was that he wasn't sure if she loved him anymore. He decided that it was time to find out the answer to that question. He also decided that the old saying was indeed correct, "All's fair in love and war." He would win Nat back for himself-this Ray character is damned! The next night, Natalie had to work because Dr. Wang had called in with the flu. She walked into the CFS building and went to her "new" cubby-like office. The door was slightly ajar as she approached it. Without bothering to turn on the lights, she walked in and brushed against the desk. She clicked on the desk lamp and gasped as she saw Nick sitting in her chair at her desk. Of course, she had known that there might have been a chance that he would show up at the morgue, especially if she was there at night. "Natalie," he whispered her name like a prayer as he turned the chair to face her. He was dressed in his usual dark colors. His golden hair was a sharp contrast to his dark suit coat and trousers. His deep blue shirt was the only concession to color, and this caught the blue of his eyes and magnified them as he took in her surprised expression. She recovered enough of her composure to get angry. "Just what do you think you're doing in my office?" The air seemed charged with electricity as he stood and approached her. He moved with the easy grace of a predatory feline on the prowl; and this thought made her uneasy. For a brief moment, she was afraid for her life. His complexion did little to ease this fear; it was almost a normal healthy pink. She felt warmth coming from his skin, which she immediately understood. "Have a nice dinner, Nick?" she asked sarcastically. He ignored her question and quietly asked her, "Where have you been, Nat? I've been trying to get in touch with you for the past week." He gazed into her eyes with a longing that almost took her breath away. Despite what he knew about her affair with Ray, he could not get over her beauty and how much he loved her. He silently vowed to himself that he would not lose her. He leaned over casually, his breath caressing her cheek as he gave her his customary kiss on her forehead. His lips felt unusually warm and were soft against her skin. She felt dizzy. This was definitely Nick, but he was not the Nick that she was used to seeing or being with. This new Nick was more comfortable with who and what he was. The overhanging cloud of depression and despair that had always seemed to smother him was gone. Natalie brushed passed Nick to move to her desk and began to look through the case files that she was to evaluate tonight. He turned around and leaned against her desk, "You've been working a lot of dayshifts. Any particular reason? You're not thinking of transferring to days, are you?" Without glancing at him, she muttered, "There's certainly no reason not to, is there?" She busied herself with the paperwork until she felt him come up behind her. His hands captured hers and brought them to his lips. "Yes," he murmured, "there is a very good reason-us." His mouth captured hers in a soft, but intensely passionate kiss that seemed to make her toes curl. "I've missed you, Nat. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I'm sorry that I didn't call you. Please, forgive me," he said softly as he captured her lips in a deeper kiss which he filled with as much passion as he dared to show, given their present location. She felt herself drowning in the sensation of being kissed by him and of being in his arms. This feeling was what she had wanted for six long, frustrating years. Somewhere in the back of her mind, however, she remembered all of the times that he had hurt her and of all the times that she had forgiven him. Then she quickly thought of Ray and their short time together. Nick caught this last thought as clear as day even though no blood bond existed between the two of them. A low growl emitted from deep within his chest that vibrated to her through their kiss. She stepped back from his embrace and looked into his blue eyes. Sure enough, gold flecks were beginning to appear in their depths. "I've met someone, Nick." "I see," he said quietly. There was a short pause. He then asked in a strained voice, "Do you love him, Nat?" Nat turned her back on him and said to Nick in a voice devoid of emotion, "I've been seeing him while YOU were gone. You left me without even telling me where you were going. You didn't even have the decency to call me and let me know that you were okay. I thought you had moved on and left me." "That's not what I want to know, Nat. I want to know if you love him?" he whispered as he moved closer to her. Before she knew it, his arms were around her waist. He began to nuzzle her neck and caress her stomach. "Nat, I love you." He paused to let the revelation of his true feelings for her enter her mind. "I am so very sorry for not telling you anything before I left. Please...forgive me. There was a reason for my leaving as I did." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I know that I've pushed you away too many times, but I also know that you still love me somewhere inside your heart. Hopefully, you love me enough to give me one more chance." He stopped nuzzling her neck and moved to her ear. "I want you so much," he whispered, his voice hoarse with passion too long denied. She stiffened as he whispered his longing for her into her ear. She had almost melted when he was nuzzling and caressing her with his lips and fingers. Her brain had almost shut down until he had told her this. She whirled around to face him, her face a study in controlled anger. "How is it that this is possible now? In the past, it was always 'too dangerous for us to be together.' Is it less dangerous now for some spectacular reason, or is it because I've finally decided to start to live my life again?" A slow jealousy started to burn in his heart as he stepped back from Nat. The gold flecks in his eyes deepened into red, and he felt his fangs descend. She continued with her observation oblivious to his changed state. "It was never too dangerous with Janette, was it? Surprised? I've known about your little 'visits' with Janette for quite some time. Did you ever ask her how she felt being used by you? I've begun to wonder lately if you've even noticed that there are others in this life who have wants and needs besides yourself." His eyes returned to the calm blue of a springtime sky. He moved faster than her eyes could follow, and she found herself back in his arms looking into those blue eyes. "You're right, Natalie. It is a double standard. I am jealous of this"- he spat out the name-"Ray. I didn't take into account your feelings or needs when things started to get serious between us. As for Janette, I didn't consider her feelings either. I have been very selfish; and for that I am truly sorry. I don't want to lose you. I definitely do not want to see you with anyone else. I want you for myself. I NEED you for myself, for always," he murmured into her ear as he began to nuzzle her neck. He brushed his lips along the base of her jaw then moved down to her neck again. His question swam through her mind as Nick continued to nuzzle and lick her neck. How did she feel about Ray? How did she feel about Nick? Her head was beginning to spin. He kissed her lightly on her mouth and pulled her gently to him. She could feel his arousal and longing for her as he held her closely against his body. He covered her mouth in a deep kiss, and she almost moaned aloud despite the setting of this seduction when he tentatively slipped his tongue into her mouth. His hands continued to alternately stroke her back and stomach in feather light touches that made her feel warm down to her toes. Things were going way too fast; she was losing herself to his caressing lips and hands. She had to put a stop to this before she lost herself to him completely. Her chance came when she felt the tips of his fangs graze the tender spot beneath her ear and his fingertips brush her breasts in a feather-like touch. She shook herself forcefully. "Nick, I really have a lot of work to do," she said as she broke his hold on her and coldly moved back to her desk. Nick's eyes flashed slightly of gold, and then reverted to their deep blue. He followed her over to her desk. "Nat," he placed his hand over hers, "meet me at the loft this morning. Please." He stressed this word as he leaned against her desk to gently cup her chin in his hands. He kissed her softly, yet passionately on the lips. Before she could say anything else to him, he was gone. Natalie spent the rest of the evening trying to analyze samples from the Peachtree case but was thinking about her situation with Nick. She thought about the years that she had known him. They had often danced around the subject of their true feelings for each other. It was a frustrating tango. They always fell back into the friendship that had only lately seemed to be forced. It was obvious to everyone but him or her that they both wanted something more from their relationship than just friendship. Then, Nick had left without so much as a goodbye. Nat had been left to believe that he had moved on to a new life without her. She had been miserable until Ray had come into her life. Ray had been a breath of fresh air, but he was going to be leaving soon. She did not know what she wanted to do with either one of them. She shook her head at the insanity of the situation. She thought of the events of the night. Nick had been totally different. He had barely been able to keep his hands from caressing her, and he had never kissed her like that before. At least not since that night at the Azure when he had said those horrible things to "protect her." From that night, their relationship had been in the yo-yo mode: vacillating between being friends and becoming lovers. Natalie shook her head again. she thought as she shook off the confused feelings that Nick's visit had aroused. Nat picked up the phone and dialed Ray's number. "Are we still on for breakfast this morning?" she smiled as she heard him yawn. "Sure," He yawned again. He smiled and said, "Nat, I have an idea." "You do? Really?" "Very funny! Why don't you come over here? We order room service, and we spend the day together." He started to smile as he imagined her sitting at her desk thinking about the two of them alone for the day. He knew he could really fall for her if he were going to be town long enough. She smiled to herself and said, "Sounds good as long as a bath is involved. I'm bushed." "You got it. I'll order breakfast. See you in a few." As he hung up the phone he felt as if someone were dancing on his grave. He shivered in spite of himself and proceeded to get the place ready for Nat's visit. At that same moment, Nick was busy preparing for a visit from Nat. He had visited the gourmet food store around the corner and bought some of the finest Brie and some of the white wine that Nat favored. He had also purchased a box of fine Belgium chocolates. His next stop had been the flower store that seemed to cater to cops. He had bought two-dozen long stemmed, fresh cut roses. Nick flew home with his purchases and began to daydream about the coming morning. He was just about to put away the purchases when he heard the phone message. "Nick, I'm not coming this morning. I don't think I'll be visiting for quite awhile." Her voice cracked with barely suppressed emotion. "I need some time to decide how I feel about you, about us. Please don't call or visit me. Give me some room." The packages that had been in his arms fell to the floor in a heedless fashion when he heard this message. He felt his knees buckle and gave into gravity. He fell limply to the floor. Nat lay cradled in Ray's arms thinking of the message that she had left on Nick's machine. Did she want to give him another chance, or did she have a future with Ray somewhere else? Ray had never mentioned any commitment, and they had not discussed their past relationships in great detail. She knew that he had been married. He knew that she had been in a "complicated relationship" with a man whom she did not want to talk about. She lay there musing, until she felt Ray's fingers brush her hair. "Nat," he whispered, "You awake?" "Yeah." "A penny for 'em." "Just thinking." "Want to talk about it?" She turned over to face him and said, "Where are we headed?" He stopped brushing her hair with his fingers and smiled. "I don't know. I didn't come to Toronto with the plans to speak at a conference, fall in love with a coroner, and go back to Chicago." He paused slightly, "Want come with me?" The question was out of his mouth before he could stop himself. He waited to see her reaction. She closed her eyes and lay back on the bed. He lay on his side and looked down at her. "Nat, I just want you to be happy. This last month has been the most enjoyable month that I've had in a long time. My life is hectic at best. It sure would be great to have someone to keep me centered, but I want that someone to be in love with me totally. Look, we both have some unresolved issues in our lives. They aren't going to be resolved by the time I leave town on Saturday." He looked deeply into her blue eyes. "Work through this 'relationship' with this guy. I'll still be here for you when or if you need me." He captured her chin in his hand and kissed her gently. "Until Saturday though, you are with me, capice? So cheer up." His hands began exploring under the covers. She shivered at his touch and started to giggle uncontrollably when he found her tickle spot. Things got interesting from that point on, until they found themselves asleep in each other's arms for the third time that morning. Nick was semi-conscious on the sofa. The blood wine had done its job well. His head was fuzzy with the alcohol, and the contentment that the blood offered was almost enough to make him forget. The bottles were tossed carelessly on the floor around the sofa as if a wild game of spin the bottle had taken place. He stared empty-eyed at the portrait that he had started when he had first arrived home. It was a full- sized portrait of Natalie in that striking red dress she had worn to the Commissioner's Charity Ball, before the deaths of Schanke and Cohen. She had looked ravishing. He had wanted to take her as soon as he had seen her enter the convention center. The pretense of being "just friends" had stopped his instinctive reaction to someone he considered his. Schanke had been watching his reaction as soon as he had seen Natalie enter. Nick hadn't been about to let Schanke have something to hold over him. Nick remembered the smug expression on Schanke's face when he had caught Nick admiring Natalie's petite form as she engaged Captain Cohen in conversation. Nat's eyes had met Nick's just in time to catch him staring at her. She had blushed and quickly had looked away. Nick lost himself in the memories of that night. He remembered Schanke coming over and asking him why hadn't he asked Nat to dance. He had tried to give Schanke some excuse but had been practically pushed over to where Natalie had been standing talking with one of the day detectives. Robertson had been complimenting her appearance and suddenly had asked her to dance. She had glanced at Nick, who had stopped in his tracks as he heard Robertson's question. Nick had closed his eyes to keep the gold of his jealousy from showing. When he had opened them, Nick found that Natalie had taken the arm of Robertson and had danced with him for two dances. Nick remembered feeling anger and a wave of possessiveness at seeing Natalie with Robertson. He remembered feeling the vampire start to surge forth to claim its due. He hadn't stayed for the rest of the ball. "It's always easier to just run away, isn't it Nicky-boy?" he chided himself drunkenly. "If you had stayed around and given Natalie the love and attention she deserves, she wouldn't be in another man's arms and in his bed right now. She'd be with you this morning." Thoughts of how it could have been surfaced in his mind unbidden. He moaned as he imagined her with him at this moment. He could almost feel her warm touch on his cool face and chest, feel her kiss him deeply, hear her moan in pleasure at his touch on her responsive body. He fantasized about how it would feel to make love to her slowly and meet every desire, every need within her-to be everything to her as she was everything to him. He had to have her. There could be no other choice. He was completely empty without her. His last thought before he lost himself to his dreams was to find out about Ray and to do something about Ray. The next evening Natalie was off the schedule. She and Ray decided to catch an early movie and then stay at her apartment. Natalie told Ray that Sidney was grouchy due to lack of attention from his mistress. They were sitting quietly on the sofa. Sidney was spread over Ray's lap as the picture of comfort and contentment. Nat's head was resting on Ray's shoulder. The TV was on, but it was mainly background noise. Ray leaned his head closer to Natalie's and kissed her deeply. He pulled her gently to him and began to run his fingers through her chestnut colored mane. He loved the feel of her hair against his fingers. "Nat," he managed between kisses, "shall we move to the bedroom?" "I'm beginning to think that's all you want to do," she murmured with a smile, "not that I mind." She did not mind a bit. It had been so long since she had been loved this well and this often. It certainly helped to release a lot of pent up frustration. Was it seven or eight years? She couldn't remember who he had been, but it had been before she had met Nick. And, she certainly hadn't felt anything like this in the last six or seven years since-except for that shining night before Valentine's Day when Nick had first confessed his love for her. She remembered his arms around her that night and how right it had had felt. She immediately stopped her train of thought. She felt guilty for thinking of Nick when she was in Ray's arms and enjoying his lovemaking. No matter how hard she tried to keep her mind on Ray, she kept returning to Nick. He was just too deep into her psyche for her to have a "normal" relationship with anyone else. Ray felt her respond to his caresses, but he could tell that her mind was a million miles away. He thrust into her a little harder, and soon they lay spooned together enjoying their closeness. He lightly ran his fingers over her shoulder and asked, "So where were you, Nat?" She flushed and turned her gaze away from his searching eyes. "I'm so sorry, Ray. You don't deserve this." She lowered her head and stared at the opposite wall. "I just can't stop thinking about Nick." She got up from the bed and retrieved her robe from the hook on the door. Ray got up almost immediately and followed her into the kitchen where he found her at the table sipping a glass of water. "Nat," he whispered as he stooped down in front of her, "I'm not mad. It's okay...really, it is." He took her hands in his, brought them to his lips, and kissed them. "My ex-wife and I got divorced because we lost our baby daughter shortly after she was born. Ange and I just stopped talking. We stopped everything. I started working more hours, and she worked more hours. We were both cops, which didn't help the situation much. Communication is the most important factor in the survival of any relationship. I learned that the hard way. You should go to this pizan and tell him the facts straight out. Like I said before, I'll be here if you need me or when you want me," he finished with a grin that could melt butter. He stood and went back into the bedroom to give her time to digest his words. He shook his head and wondered what type of man this Nick was and if he really deserved Nat's love. He decided that the time had come to find out the answer to those questions. He was dressed when she came back into the room. "Are you leaving because of me?" she asked timidly. He sat next to her on the bed and kissed her gently. "No, silly. I'm just a little bit sore. It's not everyday that I get this much exercise, I mean-six times in the last two days. I think that must be a record for me." She blushed and swatted him on the shoulder. "As long as you're okay. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Ray." She kissed him deeply as he got up to go to the door. He smiled and said, "I know, Nat, I know. Listen, I'll see ya for dinner tomorrow night?" She grinned and winked, "Home cooked Italian, with dessert?" He grinned evilly as kissed her again. "I've never had dinner and dessert in a morgue before," he whispered seductively into her ear. She blushed deeply and swatted him as he turned to leave. "See ya tomorrow night." Nick awoke to a splitting headache and felt as if he had been hit by a Peterbuilt semi. He smelled the stale blood from empty bottles that were scattered around the sofa. He grunted and clenched his teeth as the sound resounded through his head like the sound of thunder. He thought as he tried unsuccessfully to lift himself from the sofa. After his third attempt to stand, he remembered the reason he had tried to drink himself into a stupor. His perfect memory brought back the phone message and the mental picture of this Ray character flashed before his eyes. A deep growl resonated from within his chest as he slowly made his way into the kitchen. He pulled out one of the last protein shakes that Natalie had made for him before he had left. He glanced at it and slowly put it back. A bottle of cow vintage was withdrawn and downed in almost three swallows. He grimaced at the taste as he trudged slowly up the stairs to his shower. After taking a burning hot shower, he sat down at his computer and began to dig for information about Raymond Vecchio of the Chicago PD. Four hours later, Nick found that under different circumstances he would have liked Ray as a friend. However, the way things were at the present, he could not let Ray take the only thing that made Nick's existence tolerable. He would confront Ray tonight. He finished his second bottle of cow and began to dress for work. Ray went to the 27th precinct on the off chance that he might catch Nick there. Nat had not told him what precinct in which Nick worked, and he decided to start with the 27th first. He walked up to the desk and introduced himself. A big hulk of a man came to the desk to meet him. The man extended his hand and said, "I'm Captain Joe Stonetree. John told me that you're looking for Nick Knight?" Ray took the captain's hand and smiled his best smile. "Yeah, my name's Ray Vecchio. I'm from the Chicago PD, and we have a mutual acquaintance. Is he a detective here?" Stonetree looked at the Chicago detective and returned his smile. "No, Nick was transferred to the 96th, that's Captain Reese's precinct. When you see Nick, tell him not to be such a stranger." "Sure thing, Cap. It was nice meeting you." Ray drove over to the 96th precinct and introduced himself to the captain. He was told that Nick was not due in until after sunset due to his photophobia, a severe allergy to the sunlight. Reese introduced him to Nick's partner, Tracy Vetter. Tracy sized Ray up and smiled as he flashed his million-dollar smile in return. Grace had been right; he did have a nice smile. She had originally taken an instant dislike to Ray due to what she viewed as an intrusion into Nick and Nat's relationship. After having finally met him, she found herself liking him. She felt a little bit guilty about it. Tracy excused herself when she caught sight of Nick making his way to his desk. As he neared the desk, Nick caught sight of a man calmly sipping coffee sitting near his desk. His enhanced senses caught a slight whiff of Natalie's scent-nutmeg and cinnamon. The scent of passion was entwined with her familiar scent, and Nick quickly had to hide his face as he felt his fangs descend in response to the sudden images that her scent unleashed in his mind. Ray noticed the detective's approach and rose to meet him. "We have to talk. About Natalie. Now." Ray said shortly. Nick nodded his head and lead Ray to an interviewing room that was not being used due to a camera malfunction. Nick closed the door behind himself as Ray tried to get comfortable in one of the chairs that were situated around the table. He silently waited for Nick to begin. Nick turned to face Ray. "Detective Vecchio, what is it that you want to discuss?" He asked as he sat facing Ray in the opposite chair. Ray scrutinized Nick and found himself thinking that the man was not what he seemed. There was something about Nick that made the tiny hairs on the back of his head stand on end. "I want to know what do you plan on doing about Natalie?" Nick stared at Ray and said, "I don't know what you're talking about. She doesn't want anything to do with me." His gaze burned into Ray. "Now that you're here." "Look, I'm not here for the macho crap. I don't give a damn about what you think of me. Nat is the one who is important here. I want her to be happy. Unfortunately, I don't think that I'm the one to fit the bill. So, detective, I ask you again. What are you planning to do about Natalie?" Ray raised his voice slightly. Nick seemed to cave in on himself. He let his head drop and whispered, "Anything she wants me to do. I can't lose her." He brought his head up and Ray could read the anguish in Nick's eyes. "I was not really sure what I wanted until I left. I missed her so much it was like a knife in my heart." He had almost said stake in the heart but had caught himself at the last moment. "I know now that whatever happens in my life must involve Natalie. She is my life." Ray stood and started to walk to the door. Nick got up from the table and followed Ray. He caught hold of Ray's coat sleeve and said, "Where are you going?" "Look, I have some arrangements I have to change." Ray looked Nick levelly in the eye and said, "I'm scheduled to leave Toronto on Saturday. It might help things more if I leave earlier." Ray gave the blonde haired detective a steely stare and said quietly, "I want you to know something. Nat has my number and my address in Chicago. I do not want to hear from her, if you get my meaning. If she calls and I hear the slightest hint of pain in her voice, I will be looking you up, understand?" Nick almost grinned at the threat that Ray leveled his way. A mortal could not really harm him unless that mortal knew exactly with what he was dealing. Nick returned Ray's stare and said, "I promise you this, as a fellow police officer, you won't hear from Nat under those conditions. I want to give her everything I have, and I want to make her the happiest woman on the face of this earth." The Italian detective turned around and began to walk out of the precinct. Again, Nick stopped him. "Ray, I think you're a good man. I really wish we could have met under different circumstances." Ray took Nick's out-stretched hand and shook it quickly. "See ya around, Knight." The rest of the shift, Nick was occupied with the banality of paperwork. He let his thoughts drift to the conversation that had occurred only hours before. He was beginning to like Ray in spite of himself. Ray was an honorable man and had honorably stepped aside so that Nick would have a chance to be with Nat. Nick didn't know if he could have done the same if the situations had been reversed. He hoped that the detective had not done this in vain. He wondered what Nat would say when she found out what Ray had done. Did he even stand a chance with Natalie anymore? The paperwork was completed. Tracy was surprised at how diligently Nick had filled out his share of the paperwork. She could tell that he was preoccupied with Ray's visit. She was dying to know what had happened, but no blood had been spilled so she guessed that everything had been resolved. Nick stood up from his desk, put on his sunglasses, and mumbled, "See ya later, Trace. Sunrise is coming." Tracy waved as he started for the front of the building. He was beginning to feel the vague fatigue that came with the rising of the sun. Nick settled himself in his '62 caddy and drove to the loft. He arrived shortly before the sun rose over the Toronto skyline. Nick fed, showered, and dozed lightly the rest of the day. He kept his senses on alert for a phone call. Nat spent her day off making up for the sleep that she had missed after spending the day with Ray. She missed his warmth next to her as she woke from a sound sleep. Sidney was curled in a ball of fur at the foot of the bed next to her feet. She gently nudged him awake. He made his way up to the head of the bed and proceeded to make himself comfortable on her stomach. She began to stroke his fur and think about what she was going to do. She needed to get her head together before she faced Nick. She was very sure of this fact. Ray was supposed to leave the next day, and she wanted to just enjoy the time they had left. While she lay there musing about the dinner that they had discussed, the phone rang. "Nat?" "Hi, Ray. What's up?" There was a silence. "Nothing much. Listen, we're going to have to change our dinner plans to lunch plans. I've been called back to Chicago. My vacation time's run out, and they're wondering where the hell I am." She could hear the smile in his voice. She had mixed feelings as she replied, "This doesn't have anything to do with what happened yesterday, does it?" "Nat, I told ya everything was fine last night. This is the truth. I just have to leave a day earlier. I miscalculated my leave time, and you know how bureaucrats are-they have to manage every dime and all the time." She laughed and said, "I'd love to have lunch with you, but I think dessert in the morgue will have to be canceled. It's too busy a place in the daytime." He laughed. "I'll take a rain check. I'll meet you at your place in an hour. I'm checking out of the hotel now. See ya then." She hung up the phone and headed for the shower. She was going to miss their desserts. If things had been different, she could envision herself relocating to Chicago. She was waiting on the sofa when the doorbell rang. She kissed him deeply as he stepped into the apartment. His resolve almost faltered as he felt her warm body next to his. He knew he could definitely get used to having Nat around, but he also knew that right now her heart belonged to Knight. He wanted to let her know that he would be there for her should she need or want him, so he returned her kiss. "Nat, we need to get going before we get distracted. My flight leaves in two hours, and the cab is downstairs eating what's left of my money." "Let him go. I'll take you to the airport," she said. He looked into her eyes and saw a trace of sadness there. "Maybe it would be easier if I just took the cab. I don't want this to be harder on either of us than it has to be." She took his hand in hers and said, "Ray, I'm a big girl. I won't fall apart. I'll miss you, but I won't shatter into a million pieces. Let me see you off." He nodded and smiled at her. He thought to himself. He put his arm around her shoulder as they walked down the stairs to the waiting cab. Ray put his luggage into the trunk of her car, and they proceeded to Giovanni's for the promised Italian lunch. His plane arrived on time and left on time. She stayed at the airport until it was only visible as a speck on the horizon. The sun was setting, and she had called the morgue to say that she would work that night after all. She just couldn't stand the thought of going home to an empty apartment, not tonight at least. Despite his intention to remain alert, Nick was sleeping soundly when he was rudely brought back to consciousness by the telephone. "Knight, I'm in the air en route to Chicago. Don't blow it." The line was dead before Nick could reply. He stared at the receiver for a few minutes and hung up automatically. He stared at the phone. Nat was now free to be loved by him and only him. He stopped that thought. He called the florist and ordered a dozen roses to be delivered to her apartment and a dozen roses to be delivered to the morgue. He hoped that she would be surprised and comforted when she went into work the next night and found the roses waiting for her. While she was at home tonight, he hoped the roses would bring her some small feeling of joy and let her know that he was there for her whenever she felt ready. He so wanted to comfort her in another way, but he knew that she might not be open to anything from him except friendship for a while. "If ever," he ended darkly. Nick began to get ready for the night at the precinct. The inevitable meeting of the two happened when Nick made a run to get some files from Grace. He also wanted to make sure that the flowers had been delivered and would be perfect for Natalie when she came in the next evening. He walked into the morgue to find Natalie hunched over her desk staring blankly into the screen of her computer. He wryly thought as he stepped back towards the door. The movement caught Nat's eye and she found herself catching Nick in the middle of a vanishing act. "Thanks for the roses, Nick," she said quietly. He took a hesitant step closer to her desk and smiled. "Are you going to be alright, Nat? You've been through a lot in the last few months." He bent down next to her as she sat at her desk and almost lost himself in her sad blue eyes. "I never wanted to hurt you, Nat. It was just getting so hard to control myself when I was around you so much. I didn't want anything to happen to you; you're too precious to me to lose you." She blushed slightly and said, "Nick, I still need some time." "I know," he whispered as he kissed her cheek softly. He straightened and took her hands into his. "Nat, if there is one thing I have enough of, it's time. I'll wait as long as you need me to wait. I just need to know that we have a chance together-that it's me you want to be with. I love you so very much, my angel." He bent his head close to hers and kissed her softly. He left quietly. True to his word, Nick waited. He did not press her for anything except what she was willing to give. She was pleasantly surprised by his change in demeanor. He had become less self-absorbed and was there for her whenever she needed anything. He was not overbearing, and she didn't feel smothered. She wondered exactly what he had done in the two months that he had been gone that had wrought so miraculous a change in him. The only thing that disappointed her was that he had started to drink human blood again, although it was donated freely. She found out that the DeBrabant Foundation had acquired a blood bank and a clinic, which would meet the needs of the underprivileged in the area near the waterfront. The donors were screened for the usual things, but their moods were also brought into question. The donors were adequately compensated for their donation, which meant repeat clients. Natalie began to feel comfortable in their friendship again. Nick was doing everything he could do to give Natalie the time and the space that she needed to get over the hurt that he had caused her and the loss that Ray's departure had brought to her. Many times, he found himself wishing that he could hold her and comfort her, especially the times when he caught her staring off into space. A gentle cough from him or Tracy was usually enough to bring her back to reality, but she sometimes wore that pained expression for many minutes afterwards. He had tentatively invited her to dinner and a movie for the following weekend. She had begged out of it by saying that she was tired and wanted to spend some time alone. His resolve not to push their relationship was getting harder to maintain. Her nearness and fragrance were intoxicating. He was having daydreams about her and the love that they could share. Nat was at her computer when Nick walked in the following Saturday. It had been exactly two and half months since Ray had departed Toronto for Chicago. She still missed him, but it was getting easier being alone again. She peered over the top of her computer to spy Nick standing off to one side holding something behind his back. "Hi, Nick," she said as she gestured for him to come to her desk. Nick slid into the adjacent chair and silently handed Nat a golden wrapped box. He smiled and said, "Open it, Nat. Happy birthday, and happy anniversary." His eyes turned serious for a moment. He moved his head to hers and kissed her softly. When he felt no resistance to his kiss, he deepened it and held her close to him. She broke the kiss and took a deep breath. Mentally, she shook herself and felt at a loss. She had completely forgotten her own birthday. Since her birthday was also the night that she had met Nick, anniversary was not entirely the wrong word to use for this particular date. She looked askance at Nick. "Open it, Nat," he repeated softly. Nat tore open the expensive paper and found a ring box of red velvet. Her eyes doubled in size with this knowledge. "A ring?" she asked breathlessly. Nick calmly took the box from her, smiled, and moved to the floor in a kneeling position. He opened the box and took the ring from inside. "Natalie, you have been my doctor, my confidant, and my best friend. I want you to be my wife and my lover." He caught her chin and kissed her deeply. While searching her eyes for any sign of fear, he softly said, "I want to try Janette's cure. I can control myself now." She stood and walked to the door of her office. "Nick, why is it possible now? After Janette came back, you told me that you didn't want to take that chance with my life. How?" she asked as she turned to face him. He bowed his head and put the ring back into his pocket. Nick stood and approached her silently. Again, Nat was reminded of a predatory feline on the hunt. She shuddered involuntarily. He felt her shiver and turned her body into his in a warm comforting embrace. After kissing her softly, he said, "Nat, it all has to do with the reason that I left Toronto four months ago. Come on, let's leave, and I'll tell you everything. It's alright, I cleared it with Grace earlier." He grabbed her coat and helped her into it. He draped his arm around her shoulder and walked her to her car. "Follow me to the loft?" he asked hopefully as she nodded her head. The loft had been prepared just the way he had imagined. The decorator had come highly recommended by Janette. Gone was the doom and gloom black interior. Splashes of soft light accentuated the new white sofa, the deep red carpeting, and the paintings of beautiful country scenes, portrayed at night under starry skies and in the day under the summer sun. He had kept the nicer knick-knacks from his past and put the reminders of his tortured nights went into storage. He had come to understand that the past is unchangeable and only the future is malleable. Nick knew that in his heart of hearts that Natalie was the biggest part of this future. She came up in the elevator a short time after Nick. On the threshold of the entrance, she stood in wonder at the changes that Nick had made, changes that were not only in his person but also in his home. He smiled as he came forward to take her coat. "Do you like it? It is quite a change, isn't it?" He led the way to the new sofa. After sitting down at the end, he gently tugged Nat down to sit next to him. Nick reached for her scrunchy to unleash the chestnut glory that he so loved. "Nat," he began, "I left Toronto because I needed to get control of my life and my emotions. So many things have happened this year; I was feeling overwhelmed. I needed some time." He turned slightly to see the expression on her face. She nodded for him to continue. She settled herself into the sofa, admiring its softness. "You know about the Code and you know more about us than any living being. You have done the Community a great service, and the Council has granted you immunity and protection from the Enforcers." Again, he looked in her eyes to read her feelings. He heard an audible sigh of relief. Nick gently kissed her hands as he took them into his larger ones. "Let me begin at the beginning. When I was brought across, LaCroix had a decision to make. I suspect that he didn't want a rival and that is why he chose to do it in the way he did. Janette wanted a companion, an easily controlled lover, almost like a child really. I wasn't given the complete knowledge and abilities that should have been mine when I was brought across. I was created as a child. I couldn't live like that anymore, especially not after what happened with Janette. She was dying, and I couldn't stand the thought that she wouldn't be in the world any longer. I guess I was also more than a little jealous that she had achieved in a short time something that I had been searching almost 200 years for. I brought her back across." He stopped his tale to search her eyes. She was gazing at him intently and listening without judgment. "I found out the true nature of my dilemma by tasting her blood. She was not the stronger of the two of us anymore, which meant that she couldn't control the flow of information in the blood link. I learned everything. She and I parted company, and she hasn't spoken to me since. I was around you so much I became tempted to try her cure despite what I had told you. I needed you so much, Nat; it hurt physically. I began to drink donated human blood again, even that didn't help. I craved you, all of you. I finally went to LaCroix and told him to bring me fully across, to give me what he had withheld from me so many centuries ago. When he refused, I went to the Council. I was with them for the full two months. One of the Elders gave me what should have been mine: full knowledge and full strength. With these, I obtained full control of the hunger. It is still there, but now I control it; it doesn't control me. Nat, I do still want to be mortal again, but I only want this if you will be with me. I have learned that mortality doesn't mean morality. I have more morality than most of the criminals that I hunt and put in jail. I love you no matter what I am, and I want you either way." He ended his tale by taking Nat's hands into his own and kissing her fingers. She was silent for a few minutes. Would they be able to duplicate Janette's results? Would Nick become mortal again? He was leaving the decision up to her. Did she want him to become mortal again? Her heart stopped momentarily. Would he bring her across? "Have you changed your mind about bringing me across?" she asked before she realized what she said. Nick paused from kissing her fingers and smiled. "Nat, I told you that I want to be with you. This is a decision that you have to make for yourself. I want you to be one hundred percent positive. I also do not want you to regret your decision and hate me later on for doing this for you. I couldn't bear you hating me throughout eternity. Anyway, there really is no hurry to decide. We can get married and live together for a while. If Janette's cure doesn't work, then I'll bring you across. I want you to know, I will never let anything take you from me, especially death." He smiled that little lost boy smile of his and pulled her closer to him. "Nat, I know a judge who owes me a favor...do you have any plans for tonight?" She was floored by the events that had taken place so far tonight. She felt as if she couldn't handle another surprise. "How long have you been planning this?" she asked as she gazed upon his face in wonder. "I've been planning it since Ray left. I wanted to ask you when I returned from my trip, but I found you otherwise engaged. I thought I'd lost you, Nat. I knew that I needed to make sure that nothing like this happened again. Say yes, Natalie." He placed the ring on her finger and kissed her hands. His kisses moved up her left arm and to her shoulder and then to her neck. He inhaled the scent of her hair and said as he nuzzled it, "Nat, I do love your hair. I love the way it feels against my fingers. I love you, Mon amour." His lips moved back to her neck and shoulders. Nat was beginning to feel lightheaded and to be lost in his kisses. She smiled shyly as Nick began to kiss the front of her neck and down to her chest. "Nick, let's get married." He smiled and helped her get up from the sofa. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her passionately. She was breathless as he reluctantly pulled away from her. "Your wish is my command," he said as her led her to the elevator. He escorted her to the caddy and half an hour later they were standing in the chambers of Judge Dupre, an old acquaintance of Nick's. They were married that night.