Date:         Tue, 11 May 1999 22:30:14 -0500 
From: CLone Star Software <cstar@AIRMAIL.NET> 
Subject:      A Beginning (1/5) 
To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU 

This story was started about two years ago.  It got mislaid (read put on a
diskette that I promptly lost) until about 3 months ago.  I decided to go
ahead and finish it. Part 4 will be posted under the Adult header on
fkfic-l and on NNAdult.  If you are not on these lists and wish to receive
it, please contact me OFF LIST and include and age statement.  Hope that
you enjoy it.

As always, I don't own the characters. The Forever Knight characters belong
to Columbia Tri/Star. No copyright infringement is intended.

ARCHIVE PERMISSION: Permission to archive to Mel's FKFanfic Archive,
Mortal Love Archive, and the FTP site.  All others must ask permission.

A Beginning
By Nightlady
(c) 1999


As the sun set below the horizon, Nick made one final check of his
appearance.  He was neatly groomed in a pair of dark slacks with a deep
burgundy shirt.  After somewhat nervously running a hand over his hair, he
grabbed his jacket and headed toward the door.  Taking the lift down to the
garage level, he got into the vintage Caddy and, after punching the remote
to open the garage door, started the car.

As he drove toward the downtown area of Toronto, he allowed his thoughts to
drift back over the events of the last few months.  He had been forced to
leave his previous life when he'd received word from his friend Henri Rosay
that LaCroix had learned of his whereabouts.  He had been in Toronto just
over a year when he had broken up an attempted robbery and managed to wind
up on the business end of a pipe bomb.  He had awakened from the effects of
the bomb in the morgue.

Nick was unaware of the smile that the thought of his first sight of
Natalie Lambert had brought to his face.  He could see the soft blue color
of her eyes and the warm chestnut curls of her hair in his mind.  Nick knew
that to have anything other than a casual, professional relationship with
her would be dangerous.  A part of him, that he was trying to ignore, knew
that it was already too late.  There was something about the attractive,
young pathologist that touched what was left of Nick's soul.

When he had realized that she was a resistor, he had decided to trust her
with his secret and, in violation of the Code, allow her to live.  Her
offer of help in trying to reverse the condition that he had lived with for
over 750 years gave much needed hope to his existence.

(Six months earlier)

"Why are you willing to help me?  What do you expect to gain?"  Nick looked
at the young woman seated across from him.

" I told you the other night. I expect to gain the answer to a puzzle."
Natalie Lambert said quietly.  She studied the handsome face of the
blond-haired man.  She noted the look of sadness that seemed to always show
in his eyes.  "You ... your condition is a challenge," she continued, "I've
always been a sucker for a challenge."  She spoke lightly, a smile on her
lips as she saw the faintest glimmer of hope in his expression.

Nick sat very still.  There was something about this mortal woman that made
him believe what she said.  He looked up sharply as her voice penetrated
his thoughts.

"Why did you risk your life to help two old people that you didn't even know?"

He managed a small smile.  "I could say that it was a conscious act of
atonement for all those helpless people I have destroyed through the
centuries."  He paused then caught her blue eyes with his own.  "I did it
because they needed my help and I could not walk away and leave them to
those thugs."

Natalie stood and started to gather up her things.  She had met Nick at a
small coffee shop on her way home.  As he walked her to the restaurant
door, she stopped and turning to him smiled.  "You're a good person, Nick."
 The look of raw longing and desire that briefly crossed his face startled
her.  Realizing how serious she sounded, she attempted to lighten the mood.
 "You ought to join the police, then you could help people every day or, in
your case, better make that every night.  Oh, I sent those samples over to
my friend's lab.  I should have something to tell you in a few days."  Nat
opened the door.  "Bye."

Nick raised his hand in farewell.  The nearness of the attractive mortal
woman had brought the beast in him roaring to just below the surface.  The
feeling of desire that swept through him stunned him.  He barely knew this
woman and yet he wanted her more than any woman he could recall.

As he headed back to his loft in his beloved Caddy he mulled over her last
words.  It had been almost 40 years since he had worked as a police
officer.  He had enjoyed the job; the sense of doing some good in people's
lives had eased his guilt.  He needed something to occupy his time, why not
work as a police officer?

The next day, Nick had telephoned the Toronto Metro Police's human resource
department.

(Present)

Pulling the Caddy into a parking space, Nick entered the building housing
Metro Division's 27th precinct.

He made his way to the office of Captain Stonetree.  Knocking on the door,
he heard Stonetree call out "Enter."

"Captain?  I just wanted to check in with you."  Nick said.



Stonetree looked up at the man standing in front of his desk.  "Sit down
Knight, I've just been going over your papers."  He paused as Nick sat in
the chair opposite him.  "I'm always in need of a good detective and
according to these," he indicated the file in front of him, "you are very
good."

Nick sighed inwardly. He hoped that he hadn't overdone it with the
recommendation from his 'former employer'.  "Well, my former Captain was
very generous, but I do try to do my best."

Stonetree nodded.  "Good, then we should get along fine.  I've managed to
arrange for you to work solo, at least for the time being."  Stonetree
said.  "How long you'll be able to continue like this I can't guarantee.
Department policy is that detectives are supposed to be a team.  I trust
that should you have to work with a partner I won't get any argument?"

Nick grimaced.  "I really prefer to work solo."  He noticed Stonetree's
raised eyebrow.  "Of course, if you tell me I have to have a partner, I'll
comply."

Stonetree stood, "Your desk is just outside opposite Don Schanke's.  You
won't see much of him, he's currently on the day shift."

Nick nodded his thanks and headed in the direction Stonetree had indicated.
 He found the desk without any difficulty.  He'd had only had enough time
to give the various forms and papers on it a cursory glance when the phone
rang.  For just a second Nick hesitated, "27th Precinct, Knight."

He listened for a moment as a voice on the other end whispered, "You cops
are all powerless to stop me.  I've left another present for you down near
the old shipyard."  Before Nick could reply, the connection was broken.
Quickly rising, Nick crossed to Stonetree's door.

"Excuse me, Captain, I just took a call from someone stating that they had
'left another present' for the police near the old shipyard."  Nick raised
an eyebrow hoping that Stonetree would have some clue as to what the call
meant.  When he saw the manner in which the Captain clinched his jaw, Nick
was glad that he had asked.

"Damn!  Sounds like the nut that's been killing prostitutes and dumping
their bodies for the past six months or so.  He kills, calls it in to the
proper precinct, and then disappears back under whatever rock he crawled
out from under.  Never any pattern either.  So far, we've found four dead
women, five if your call was from him."  Stonetree shook his head in
frustration.  "What is it Brazinski?"

Nick turned his head to look at the desk sergeant Stonetree had addressed.

"Patrol unit just called in a body down by the lake."  Brazinski replied.
"M.E.'s been notified and is rolling."

"Is it near the old shipyard?"  Nick asked.

"Yeah, just outside the front gate."  Brazinski gave Nick a look of
curiosity.

"Sounds like your caller was for real," Stonetree said to Nick.  "Well,
don't just stand here get out there and find that killer."


"On my way Captain." Nick grabbed his jacket and hurried to his car.  He
was glad that he had spent many past nights driving around the streets of
the city.  At least he didn't have to ask where the old shipyard was
located.  His own explorations and some careful scrutinizing of city maps
had, thanks to his vampirically enhanced memory, enabled him to completely
memorize the layout of the entire city.

As Nick approached the shipyard he could see the flashing lights from the
other police and emergency vehicles already there.  Showing the uniformed
officer posted at the access to the scene his badge; Nick headed in the
direction of a knot of officers surrounding the body of a young woman.

The victim was propped against the rusting fence that surrounded the
abandoned shipyard.  Approaching, Nick caught the sweet smell of blood and
gunpowder.  Nick slowed his pace to allow himself the chance to firmly
control his beast's reaction to it.  He could see that the young woman had
been shot several times.  There was blood covering her chest and much of
the back of her head was missing.  As Nick moved around to the side for a
better look, he caught sight of a cascade of chestnut colored curls.  At
the same time he both heard the sound of a familiar mortal heartbeat and
caught the special, individual scent that he knew belonged to Natalie
Lambert.  He smiled slightly at her astonished look, which she quickly
masked, when she looked up from her examination of the corpse and saw him.

"I'm Detective Knight from the 27th," Nick said as if meeting her for the
first time.  "I take it you're the M.E. assigned to this case?"  He gave
Natalie his best boyish grin.

"Ah, yes, I'm Dr. Lambert." Nat managed to say.

Nick admired how quickly she recovered from the shock of seeing him.

Natalie gave Nick a hard look that clearly indicated that he would be
hearing a lot more about this...later.  In a calm, professional tone she
spoke while gesturing at the corpse.

"She's been shot at least three times, any of which are in areas that would
have been fatal.  You'll have to wait until I get back to the lab before I
can tell you much more."  Giving Nick a slightly wicked smile Nat
suggested,  "Why don't you stop by my offices later this evening?  I should
have some information for you by then."  'And I can find out what in the
world you think you're doing playing policeman.'  She thought.

Nick returned her smile.  "I'll do that."


End Part 1

Nightlady
All comments to: cstar@airmail.net or forevrnite@usa.net

Please see Part 1 for disclaimers.

A Beginning (2/5)
By Nightlady
(c) 1999


It was several hours later when Nick finally made it over to the Coroner's
building.  After asking directions to Natalie's office, he knocked on the
door before entering.  Natalie looked up from the papers on her desk and
raised an eyebrow as he crossed the room and perched on one corner of the
desk.  Nick knew that for her safety he had to maintain a distance in their
relationship, but he couldn't help himself.  He knew that one of the main
reasons he had decided to take this job was the interaction it would allow
him to have with this mortal woman he found so very attractive and
fascinating.  Even though he had only seen her three other times since he
had sat up on her autopsy table, he was drawn to her.  As he sat near her,
smelling her scent, he wanted to take her in his arms.  Exerting a firm
grip on his feelings and trying to keep a professional attitude he asked,
"What did you find?"

Nat didn't answer immediately.  She was still in a mild state of shock from
learning that the almost 800 year old vampire she was attempting to help
had joined the police force.  Slowly she answered.  "She was shot three
times at close range.  The first two shots hit her in the chest,
penetrating the lungs and nicking the aorta.  By the time the killer shot
her in the head she was already dead or very close to being dead."  Handing
Nick several files she added, "The bullets recovered at the scene match
those recovered in four other cases with similar M.O.'s."

Nick glanced at the files on the previous murders.  "Always three bullets,
two to the chest and a third to the head.  Always prostitutes in their late
twenties to early thirties and having similar appearance."  He looked down
at Natalie.  "I don't see anything about any similarities in where the
bodies were dumped."

"So far there haven't been any."  Nat said carefully.  She paused, "Unless
you consider the fact that they have all been outdoors.

Nick nodded, "Not a particularly noteworthy similarity."  He could tell
from the look on her face that she wanted to know how and why he was
suddenly a police detective.  Rather enjoying himself, Nick decided to see
if she would work up the nerve to ask.  He didn't have to wait long.

"Now that we've got that out of the way," Nat began, "would you mind
explaining to me just what in the hell you are doing?  Isn't this," she
said indicating the files in his hand, "a little out of your field?"

Nick started to act as if he didn't know what she was talking about when he
suddenly realized that Natalie was REALLY angry.  "It's work I've done
before," he noticed he skeptical look.  "I was a policeman in Chicago a few
decades ago.  I'm good at it and it makes me feel like I'm doing something
to atone for all the evil in my past."  The last was said just above a
whisper.

Nat could feel her anger with Nick Knight softening as she heard the pain
and sincerity in his voice.  She still wasn't sure if having a vampire, as
a police officer, much less a homicide detective, was a good idea.  She
was, however, willing to give it a chance.  She rather liked the idea that
she would have an opportunity to see more of this fascinating man.  Looking
up into his face, she found herself captivated by the depth of his blue
eyes.  Giving her head a shake she spoke.  "Just so long as you're sure
that you can handle some of the scenes.  I saw the look on your face
earlier.  I know that the blood was bothering you."

Nick nodded.  'It wasn't just the blood that was distracting me,' he
thought.  'It was you.  And I don't dare allow myself to care for you.'  "I
can handle it.  It just takes a few times for me to get used to it, again."
 Even though he knew he better he couldn't stop himself from laying his
hand over hers.  "Thanks."  The feel of her skin was like a bolt of
electricity, calling to his very soul.

Nat took a deep breath.  She loved the feel of his touch and a small hidden
part of her longed to feel it on more than just her hands.  As he turned to
leave she stood and found her voice.  "Nick, find this guy and stop him."
In answer, he gave her a smile that caused her legs to suddenly feel shaky.

Two nights later, Nick remembered what he had hated about police work; the
seemingly unending array of forms, reports, and other paperwork that was
needed to do the job.  To add to his discomfort, the day guy Schanke was
working late.  Nick thought that if he had to listen to the man for one
more minute, he would be tempted to forget his vow not to drink human
blood.  'He can't be human,' Nick thought, 'no human could talk and eat
like that.'

"So how do you like being one of Toronto's finest?"  Schanke asked around a
large bite of souvlaki?

Attempting to avoid conversation and more than a little nauseated from the
garlic fumes emanating from the Greek food, Nick just shrugged and smiled.
He hoped that Schanke would get the message but apparently he was as
thickheaded as LaCroix had frequently accused Nick himself of being.  Just
as Nick had decided that it couldn't possibly get any worse Captain
Stonetree emerged from his office.  Looking around the bullpen he crossed
to where Nick and Schanke sat at their desks.

"Knight, Schanke, we just got another call from our killer.  He says he's
left another victim for us."  Stonetree shook his head in disgust.  "I want
the two of you to check it out."  He handed Nick a piece of paper.  This is
where he says we can find the body."

Nick started to protest having to take Schanke with him only to have
Stonetree silence him with a look.

"I know the two of you aren't partners but Schanke will be working this
case on days and you are handling it nights."  Stonetree said looking Nick
in the eyes.  "This way you both will have a first hand look at the scene.
Now get moving!"

Nick stood.  "Yes, Captain," he said sourly.  Grabbing his coat, he headed
for the door.  Behind him, Schanke's muttering seemed to indicate that he
was no happier about this than Nick.  After a brief debate over who's
vehicle to take, which Nick ended by simply getting in his Caddy and
starting the motor, they headed to the location Stonetree had provided.
Several times, on the way to the scene, Nick had to fight the urge to
whammy Schanke into silence.  With a sense of relief Nick parked the Caddy
near what he now recognized as Natalie's car.

Natalie was waiting for the photographer to finish before she started her
examination.  As Nick and Schanke walked up beside her, she greeted them
with a smile.  She had to struggle to keep from laughing as Nick very
carefully moved as far from Schanke as he could manage.  She had worked
with Schanke before and, while she both liked and respected him, it took
little imagination to know that he was most likely about to drive Nick
crazy.  Hoping to help, she engaged Schanke in small talk.

Nick was surprised at the sudden feeling of jealousy that he experienced as
he watched Natalie and Schanke together.  He knew that he had no claim on
the attractive M.E., but the sight of the easy camaraderie between the two
mortals cut into his soul.  Not only had the man filled his car with the
faint but detectable scent of garlic, but now he was taking Natalie's
attention too.  Realizing that she was looking in his direction, Nick
turned slightly away and pretended to be studying the scene.

Nat glanced over at Nick and seeing the hurt expression on his face
hurriedly finished her conversation with Schanke.  Walking over to where
Nick was standing she laid her hand on his arm.  She could feel a slight
tightening of the muscles beneath her hand.  "Nick?"  She said softly.
"How are you holding up?  I know that Schanke can take a bit of getting
used to."  She smiled as he turned to look at her.

Nick returned her smile.  "That is an understatement if ever I heard one."
He nodded in the direction of the crime scene.  "Looks, like the
photographer's finished.  We'd better start earning our pay."

Nat nodded and together they approached the body of the young woman laying
face down in the ditch.  After a quick examination, Nat turned to the two
detectives waiting beside her.  "From what I can tell here, the M.O.'s the
same."  She paused, and motioned for the waiting morgue crew to remove the
body then continued.  "I have a feeling that our killer has branched out
though.  Unless the victim was a very high-class call girl, I don't think
she was 'in the business'.  She's got on jewelry that most definitely did
not come from a discount store."

"Oh boy, just what we needed."  Schanke shook his head in disgust.  He
looked more closely at the body before them, then at Nat.  "You know Nat,
she kinda resembles you."

Nick realized that Schanke was correct.  All of the victims had been
somewhat petite, with curly hair that was shoulder length or longer.  Until
this one all had apparently lived on the fringes of society, but if the
killer had indeed branched out, Natalie Lambert did fit the physical profile.

Nat shrugged, "Well, yes I guess she does, but that applies to at least
one-third of the women in the city."  She suddenly realized that Nick was
watching her closely.  "Besides, whenever I'm out at night I'm surrounded
by police."  Seeing that the body had been loaded into the transport
vehicle, she gathered her equipment and started walking back to her car.
"I'll get started on her as soon as I get back to the lab.  If you want to
give me a call in a few hours I should have some information for you."

"Yeah, I'll do that."  Schanke said as Nat got into her car.  Nick just
stood watching her an unreadable expression on his face.

As Nat drove off she could feel Nick's gaze following her.

It was shortly before 4am when Nat finished the autopsy.  As if he had been
watching from a concealed spot, Nick walked into her office not more than
five minutes later.  "Just in time," Nat greeted him.  "I'm afraid that the
killer has struck again.  Any luck on finding an ID on her?"

Nick sighed, "Elizabeth Rawlings.  Her husband called the station after
hearing about the murder on a radio news report."  He sat heavily in a
chair.  "She had gone shopping for a dress to wear to her sister's wedding
next week.  When she hadn't returned by midnight, her husband started
driving the route from their house to the mall.  When he heard the
newscast..."

Nat closed her eyes.  "How awful. Is he coming over to do an identification?"

"Yes, he'll be here in a few minutes. Schanke is finishing up the interview
with him right now.  He had a snapshot ... it's definitely her."  Nick
hated the helpless feeling of knowing a killer was on the loose.  "Natalie,
Schanke is right.  You do resemble the victims."

Nat glanced at him and realized that he really was concerned.  She smiled
at the feeling of happiness this produced.  "I know, but only
superficially."  She said, trying to make light of the subject.

Nick laid his hand lightly on her arm.  "Be careful, okay?"

Nat looked into his eyes and saw the concern in them.  "I'll be careful,
but I don't think there's anything to be worried about."  She told him.  A
knock on the door cut off anything else she might have said. "Yes?"  Nat
called out.

The door opened and a man dressed in scrubs entered.  "Sorry to disturb you
Dr. Lambert, but Grace asked me to let you know that Mr. Rawlings is here
to make an identification."  The man said, giving Nick a curious glance.

Nat sighed. "Thanks, Louis.  Please tell Grace that Detective Knight and I
will be right there."

The man nodded and disappeared.


Nick sighed.  "I guess we'd better get this over with, not that he'll ever
be over it."  He stood aside, allowing Nat to exit the office ahead of him.

End Part 2

Nightlady
All comments to: cstar@aimail.net or forevrnite@usa.net
Please see Part 1 for disclaimers.

A Beginning (3/5)
By Nightlady
(c) 1999


Nick entered the squad room and noted with relief that Schanke appeared to
have left for the day.  He'd just sat down at his desk, when Stonetree
opened the door to his office.

"Knight, come in here."  Stonetree called out.

Nick rose and headed for the office.  As he entered he saw Schanke seated
in front of Stonetree's desk.  Nodding the barest of greetings to the other
man, Nick took the other chair.

"You were at the morgue when Mr. Rawlings identified his wife?"  Stonetree
asked.

"Yes," Nick said, "along with Dr. Lambert."

"How'd it go?"  Stonetree inquired.

Nick hesitated, then answered.  "He seemed to be very broken up, nearly
fainted, or at least appeared to."  He saw Stonetree exchange a glance with
Schanke.  "Why?"

Stonetree fixed his gaze on Nick.  "Interesting.  Schanke said something
similar.  That Rawlings seemed to be all upset but that it almost had the
feel of a performance."  Stonetree stated, quietly.

Nick looked at Schanke, reevaluating the irritating mortal.  "In what way?"
 He asked.

"Well, he just seemed too intent on making sure that everyone in earshot
knew how upset and distraught he was."  Schanke replied.  "I mean, sure if
something like that happened to my Myra, I'd be upset but I wouldn't go
around wailing at the top of my lungs."  Schanke said.

"Not everyone handles tragedy the same way," Nick said.  "Just because you
wouldn't be vocal about a loss doesn't meant that Rawlings can't be."  Nick
realized that he was disagreeing with Schanke because it bothered him to
think that he and the day shift detective might actually be thinking along
the same lines.  He mentally shook himself and added.  "But I do think
that, in this case, Rawlings is keeping something from us. Whether it's
because he's our killer is another question."  Nick looked at Stonetree.  "
Any idea if there have been similar killings anywhere else?"

"Well," Stonetree said, "sitting here wondering about it won't tell us if
he is.  Schanke, tomorrow morning I want you to start interviewing all of
the Rawlings' neighbors.  See if any of them paint a less than rosy picture
of that marriage."  Stonetree turned to Nick.  " You've raised a good
point, too. Get working on the computer data records, see what you can find
on any similar killings anywhere in the country or in the United States."
Stonetree chuckled as he saw the look of distaste on Nick's face.  "I know
it's a lot of paper work, but that's how most cases get solved."  Eyeing
both men for a moment, he then turned to the paperwork on his desk,
effectively dismissing them.

Schanke and Nick took the hint and stood to leave.  Outside of the office,
Schanke gave Nick a slap on the shoulder.  "Could be worse, my friend.  You
could be having to sort through piles of old files instead of being able to
search a database on the computer."  Gathering his coat, Schanke sauntered
out the door.  Nick raised an eyebrow and watched him go.

Several hours later, having learned the Metro Homicide case inquiry system
by means of trial and error, mostly the latter, Nick had finally succeeded
in sending out a request for any cases that bore a resemblance to the
current slayings.  Hopefully, responses would be coming back by his next
shift.  He glanced at the clock and decided to drop by the morgue and see
if Nat had any more information on Elizabeth Rawlings that might help him.
Even as he walked out to his car, Nick admitted that the Rawlings case was
only an excuse.  His dreams of the day still lingered and he felt an
overwhelming urge to assure himself of Nat's continued good health.

He walked quickly down the hall of the Coroner's building.  He noticed the
man he'd seen the night before, Louis, staring at him from farther down the
hall.  Nick paused in the doorway to Nat's office and watched her as she
sat working at her desk.  When she happened to look up and saw him, she
smiled, and he again felt the attraction she held for him.  "I stopped by
to see if you had any more information on Elizabeth Rawlings."  He said
entering the office.  He gave a last glance down the hall at Louis.

Nat noticed his action.  "Something out there bothering you?"  She asked,
lightly.

Nick gave her a small smile and shrugged.  "I don't think Louis likes me."

Nat sighed.  "He's a strange one.  He's a hard worker and I know that
finding people who are willing to work here is difficult, but to be honest
he gives me the creeps."  She shook her head.

Nick frowned.  "In what way?"

Nat tilted her head to one side as she thought.  "That's just it.  He
hasn't actually done anything inappropriate but there is just something
about him that makes me uncomfortable."  She saw the brief flash of
amusement that crossed Nick's face and laughed.  "Yeah, I know.  You don't
make me uncomfortable but a mild, little man like Louis does.  Go figure."

Nick looked slightly embarrassed.  "Sorry, I don't mean to make light of
your feelings."


"Well somebody had better do just that.  It's an irrational reaction that I
have to him."  Nat said.  She picked up a folder and handed it to Nick.
"Here's the complete report on Elizabeth Rawlings, minus the serology tests
that haven't come back yet.  Death was due to trauma to the brain, heart,
and lungs caused by three 9mm bullets.  It only took the firearms people
about five minutes to confirm that the slugs I removed from Rawlings were
fired from the same gun used in the previous five slayings."  She reached
out and grasped his arm.  "Our killer has moved up in the world in so far
as his victims are concerned."

"Did Mike Rawlings reactions seem a bit overdone to you, Nat?"  Nick asked.

Nat allowed herself a mental smile as she noticed that Nick had used a
diminutive of her name.  "Hard to say, people react to shock and grief in
different ways.  But yes, there did seem to be something a bit off about
his reaction now that you mention it.  Almost like he wanted to be sure
that we knew how upset he was."  She looked at Nick.  "Do you think he's
the killer?"

"I don't know."  Nick admitted.  "Schanke is going to talk with some of
their neighbors tomorrow.  In the meantime, I've got the computers checking
for any other cases with similar M.O.'s."

"Sounds like a good idea," Nat said.  "Of course if we could just find one
thing connecting all the victims, we'd be a lot closer to solving this."
She noticed a worried look cross Nick's face.  "What?"

Nick looked at her.  "So far the only 'connection' is that the victims are
all similar in their physical appearance."  He reached out and lightly
touched her arm.  "They all also happen to look a lot like you."

Nat met his eyes.  "And, as I've said before, at least one-third of the
women in this city.  But thank you for worrying, I do appreciated it."  She
gave him a quick grin.  "Changing the subject, I need some more samples
from you and I have a possible nutritional substitute I'd like you to try."
 She laughed as she saw the look of distaste that crossed his face.  "I can
get the samples right now, but the drink is in my home fridge.  I need to
run over to my apartment during my dinner break anyway, so if you want to
drop by there at say about 9:30, I can give it to you."

Nick gave her a lopsided grin.  "It would probably be easier if I knew
where you lived."  He told her.  He'd followed her to her apartment the
first night he'd awakened on her autopsy table, but he knew that she
wouldn't appreciate his having done so.

Nat blushed.  "Oops, that's an understatement."  Writing her address on a
slip of paper, she handed it to Nick.  "See you later, then?"


Nick nodded.  "I'll be there."  He raised his hand in farewell as Nat's
phone started ringing.  As Nick headed down the hall, he heard her
laughingly talking with someone named Richard and a pang of jealousy ran
through him.  He forced himself to remember that he had no claim on her.

Shortly before 9:30 Nick arrived at Nat's apartment building.  He strode
quickly up the stairs and then froze as he saw Nat hugging a handsome blond
man at her door.  He started to turn around, not wanting to interrupt, when
Nat spotted him.  With a smile, she called out to him.

"Nick!  Come and meet Richard."

Nick forced a smile onto his face and walked to where they stood.  He
managed to greet both Nat and Richard politely.

Nat looped her arm through Richard's.  "This is the newest member of Metro
Homicide, Nick Knight."  She said to Richard.  She turned to Nick.
"Richard is a Crown Prosecutor, one of the best in my opinion."

Richard laughed as he held out his hand to Nick in greeting.  "Now if only
my superiors were as sure of that as my big sister is, I would be THE Crown
Prosecutor for the province."

Nick felt his smile become genuine as Richard's words sank in and a closer
glance clearly showed the resemblance between Nat and her brother.  "She
can be very persuasive," he told Richard, as he shook hands with him. "
Maybe you should have her speak to your superiors."

Nat laughed.  "Okay, okay, so I get enthusiastic," she acknowledged.

Richard leaned forward and kissed her cheek.  "I've got to get going. Talk
with you soon, sis."  He nodded at Nick.  "Nice to meet you."

"Same here."  Nick said.  After Richard had gone Nick followed Nat inside
her apartment.  "Your brother seems very nice."  He said, relishing the
smile that Nat gave him.

"He's an excellent attorney." Nat said.  "He and his family moved here from
Vancouver about six months ago.  I'm really enjoying having them so close."
 She went into the kitchen area and took a plastic bottle from the fridge.
"Remember, this is just my first attempt at finding something other than
blood that you can ingest.  We can experiment on finding the right
combination of ingredients to make it both palatable and digestible for
you."  She said as she handed the container to Nick.


Nick opened the lid and sniffed the contents.  "Well, it doesn't smell too
bad," he said, diplomatically. "It might be better if I wait till I'm off
duty before I actually try to drink any of it."  He added, thinking that
the last thing he wanted was to get sick on his first week of duty.

"Oh, I agree."  Nat said.  "If you can tolerate it, you can always claim
it's a high protein health food shake."  She gave Nick a mischievous look.
"It should be a lot easier to explain than your current diet."

Nick snorted.  "Yeah, I have to go along with that."

Nat glanced at her watch.  "I hate to do this, but I've got to head back to
the office."

Nick nodded, "And I'm suppose to be checking out a lead on Mike Rawlings."
He waited beside her as she locked the apartment door.  Together, they
walked out to where Nat's car was parked.  As she opened the door and
prepared to get into the car, Nick reached out and brushed a loose strand
of hair from her face.  "I'll call and let you know how the drink works
out, if that's okay?"  He asked.

Nat smiled the soft touch of his hand against her cheek made her heart skip
at beat.  "That would be fine."  She said.  Getting in the car she started
it and, with a wave, drove off.

Nick stood watching until her car rounded the corner then, smiling, walked
to his Caddy and left.

End Part 3

Nightlady
All comments to: cstar@airmail.net or forevrnite@usa.net
THIS SECTION CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT OF A SEXUAL NATURE.  IF YOU DO NOT LIKE
THIS SORT OF CONTENT, PLEASE STOP READING NOW.

Please see Part 1 for disclaimers.

A Beginning (4/5)
By Nightlady
(c) 1999


Several hours later Nick sat on the new leather sofa he'd purchased for the
loft he was currently calling home and recalled the relief he'd felt upon
learning that the handsome man was Nat's brother.

The thought of Nat caused Nick to smile.  He closed his eyes, seeing in his
mind her slender form.  Before he realized it, he was imaging her in his
arms.  Thanks to his vampiric senses he could easily recall her unique
blood scent, and that caused him to moan slightly as his manhood hardened.
Caught up in the pleasant feeling, Nick pictured himself kissing her, his
tongue probing deeply within the warm softness of her mouth.  He knew in
his heart that she would taste like the sweetest nectar.  Unbidden, his
hand dropped to his lap and he released his now throbbing penis from the
confines of his jeans.  As he imagined undressing Nat, freeing the pale
softness of her creamy skin to his view, he began to slowly stroke himself.

He pictured how he would slowly kiss every inch of her body before bringing
her, writhing and moaning, to the height of pleasure.  He could imagine the
warmth of her flesh beneath his and the softness of her hands as they
played over his skin.  In his mind he could see her face flushed with
passion, her eyes soft and gleaming with desire.  He pictured his hands in
her long curly hair, feeling it's silky softness against his skin.  His
strokes grew more rapid as he pictured her holding his manhood in one of
her delicate hands.  She would caress him until he moaned with his need for
her and then open her legs to him encouraging him to bury his cold, hard
shaft in the warm moistness of her innermost being.  Nick's breathing
quickened and his body twitched as his strokes grew harder and faster.  His
manhood was aching with his need for release.

Nick imagined that it was Nat's body that surrounded him and he felt his
fangs drop as his ever-present beast emerged to claim its due.  Eyes
clinched shut and lips pulled back in a grimace of pleasure, Nick growled
deep in his chest.  He blindly grabbed for the green glass bottle on the
table beside him.  Bringing it to his mouth, he gulped the contents and
found his release.  His entire body shook as his seed spurted in an arc to
land on his thighs dampening the fabric there.  Panting, Nick sank back
against the leather, the taste of the cow blood sour, still yearning for
her blood, Nat's blood.  A wave of revulsion swept over him as he pictured
her, like so many others over the centuries, pale and still the victim of
his uncontrollable bloodlust.  "NO!"  He cried.  "I will NOT harm her!"
His voice dropped until it was nearly inaudible as he admitted to himself
what he'd denied for the past several months.  "I love her."

He fought the wave of sorrow that swept over him.  He knew that he should
leave and not endanger her safety.  He also knew that he was powerless to
do so.  He couldn't bear the thought of not at least being able to see her,
smell her scent and hear her voice.  From his first glance of her that
night in the morgue, Natalie Lambert had captured his heart.  Sighing he
stood and went to the fridge.  There he removed the protein shake that Nat
had given him.  He again sniffed the contents, the mere odor causing his
stomach to churn.  Closing his eyes, he took a small swallow and gasped.
The thick liquid felt like molten glass as it coursed down his throat.
Sitting the remainder on the counter, he rushed to the sink.   Several
minutes later, Nick carefully poured the rest of the drink down the drain.
He'd considered trying another swallow, but the memory of the discomfort
the first small taste had caused easily dissuaded him.


(Just over three weeks later)

Natalie stepped out of the bath, a towel wrapped around her, and smiled as
she moved into the gentle embrace of her lover.  She sensed the tremendous
strength he possessed but with her, his touch was always tender and gentle.
 She felt his lips on her forehead as he began to kiss his way to her
mouth.  Lifting her face to his, she met his soft, lips with her own.  His
kiss, as always, seemed to turn her insides to liquid and making the
muscles of her legs feel like overcooked spaghetti.  She moaned softly as
he deepened the kiss.  She felt his hand as he ran it through her hair,
cradling her head while his tongue probed and caressed her mouth.  She
pressed against his firm body feeling his arousal against her thigh.
Molding herself to him, she returned the kiss with a fiery passion.

He made a sound, deep in his chest and tightened his embrace.  His hand
moved slowly, lovingly down her back to caress her rear.  She felt as if
she could barely stand as his hands and mouth played along her body.  Each
nerve seemed to be tingling with unpent desire.  She wrapped her arms
around his neck and, as his lips moved to kiss and nibble along the slim
column of her throat, she murmured in delight.

Nat undid the buttons on his shirt, her fingers sliding over the firm
muscles of his chest.  She slid the shirt from him and dropped her hands to
the fastenings of his pants.  She smiled as she saw how his erection bulged
against the fabric of his underwear.  Slipping her hand in them, she gently
squeezed his engorged member causing him to moan with pleasure.  Hooking
her thumbs into the waistband, she eased the under shorts from his hips.
He was already barefoot and stepped from the encumbrance of his clothing
without releasing her.  Her towel had dropped unheeded to the floor and she
sighed with delight as she felt her flesh against his.

She felt him lift her into his arms and she snuggled against him.  Never
had she felt so secure, so loved as she did when they were together.  As he
laid her on the bed, she could feel her juices flowing.  She ached to feel
him deep within her, filling her and carrying her to the heights of ecstasy.

He covered her body with his own, his hands finding the soft, warm mounds
of her breasts.  His lips played over her skin like a musician caressing
the strings of a harp.  He smiled as he felt Nat respond, her body writhing
and pressing against his while small sounds of pleasure came from her
throat.  He played with her breasts, stroking them with his hands and
suckling on them, until her nipples were hardened nubs.  As she clung to
him, her hands moving in sensuous patterns along the muscles of his back,
he softly, but firmly, caressed her mound and the hard button of her clit.
The scent of her arousal filled his head, and he gave himself to the
voluptuousness of it.

When he pressed his knee between her legs, urging her to grant him access
to her innermost sanctum; Nat readily parted her legs.  She reached down
and eagerly guided his hardness to her core's entrance.  As he gently
slipped his manhood inside her, she cried out in pleasure and lifted her
hips to take all of him within her.  His thick shaft filled her, the tip
pressing against her cervix.

For a moment they lay still, savoring the delectable feeling of unity.
Slowly he began to move, and Nat found herself scaling the cliff of desire
to its apex.  As the speed and intensity of his thrusts increased, she met
them with her own.

Nat's breath was coming in gasps as she neared the crest of her rapture.
As she reached the penultimate moment in their dance of sensual enjoyment
she cried out and felt her body contracting with wave after wave of
gratification.  She heard him cry out and felt his body shudder with his
own release, just as she felt the sharp sting of his fangs in her neck.

With a start, Nat sat up in bed.  Her heart was pounding and she could feel
the dampness between her legs.  The faint rays of sunlight that entered
through the closed draperies showed her that she was alone, yet her hand
still went to her throat, fingers searching for the marks that were not
there.  The sense of disappointment and loss that filled her heart brought
tears to her eyes.  The shrill sound of the phone on the bedside table
brought her back to reality.  Reaching for it, she took a deep breath
before speaking.  "Lambert."  She said into the mouthpiece.  She listened
as one of the day workers at the morgue apologized for awakening her.  The
worker then explained that the day shift M.E. had just been taken to the
hospital with a probably appendicitis attack and she was needed in to work
the rest of his shift as well as her own.  Sighing, she got up.  "Just as
well," Nat muttered as she headed for the shower, "after that dream I
wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon!"  She shook her head.  "Oh boy, only I
would fall head over heels for an eight hundred year old vampire who is
only interested in me for my medical know how."

*****************************************************************

"If our killer is following the pattern of the past months, we've got less
than a week before he strikes again."  Stonetree said.  "What have you got
on Rawlings?"  He looked at Nick.


"According to what Schanke has found out from the neighbors, Rawlings and
his wife were often heard fighting."  Nick said.  "He's also been seeing a
lot of a Virginia Whitehorse lately.  From what Schanke says, this doesn't
appear to be a new relationship."  That Schanke had been assigned to the
case too, still rankled somewhat.


"So he might have been seeing her on the side and decided to get rid of his
wife?"  Stonetree asked.

"He might, but we haven't anything that is admissible in court."  Nick
said.  He sighed as he saw the look Stonetree gave him.  "I did pull up
some very basic information on a couple of cases in other parts of the
country that are very similar to ours.  I'm waiting for the hard copy of
them from the investigating departments."

Stonetree raised his eyebrows.  "Hmm, good idea.  Let me know if you come
up with any leads."

Nick stood.  "Yes, captain."  He walked back to his desk and sat down.
Despite the frustration of this case, the past several weeks had been good
ones.  The latest drink that Nat had concocted, while bland and not
terribly pleasant tasting, was tolerable.  The garlic pills, however, were
a different story.  Just thinking of them made Nick's stomach ache and his
skin itch.  More importantly, his friendship with Nat was growing.  He
smiled as he thought of how they'd gone from carefully choosing each word
to an easier, more bantering sort of conversation.  He enjoyed the time he
spent around her, even if it was only picking up reports for his cases.  It
had been a long time since Nick had allowed himself to acknowledge any sort
of attraction to a mortal woman.  He hadn't planned on it, but there was
something about Natalie Lambert that drew him.  He closed his eyes, trying
to determine what made her different, and then smiled.  When he was with
her he felt hope and a sense of comfort.  Hope that perhaps there was a
cure for his condition and comfort in the way Nat seemed to accept him as
being worthy of trust and friendship despite his vampiric nature.

"Detective Knight?"

Nick opened his eyes to see Officer Miller standing a few feet from his
desk, two large manila envelopes in her hands.  "Sorry, guess I was wool
gathering."  Nick said with a smile.  He indicated the envelope.  "Are
those for me?"

Miller smiled back.  "Sure are.  One's from the homicide department of the
Regina Police Department and the other is from the Thunder Bay police."
She handed it to him and with a final smile, left.

Nick opened the first envelope.  As he read the reports on the crimes, his
brow furrowed.  Just like the killings in Toronto, the ones in Regina had
occurred over a period of about six months, all the victims had been shot
three times, and all had been left in open areas.  He picked up the
separate envelope that contained copies of the crime scene photos.  He felt
a hard knot form in his stomach as he looked at them.  Not only did each of
the victims resemble one another but they also all bore a striking
resemblance to Natalie Lambert.  Hurriedly, Nick opened the second
envelope.  Skipping over the written reports, he looked at the accompanying
pictures.  Again, the resemblance to Nat was all too vivid.

Nick took a deep breath and slowly read the Thunder Bay reports.  The
crimes there were identical to both Regina's and the ones currently being
investigated. Thinking for a minute, Nick pulled out the witness reports
and the interviews that were done with various acquaintances of the victims.

Some three hours later, Nick was starting to wonder if he'd ever find the
connection between the murders.  When his phone rang he grabbed the
receiver and barked into it.  "Knight."

"Yeah, I know."  Schanke's voice came over the line.  "Listen, I have some
bad news for us.  We were right about Rawlings playing around on the side,
but I just finished talking with the lady in question.  Rawlings has air
tight alibis for the nights of each of the killings, including his wife's."

"Great," Nick responded, "I finally got the reports from Regina and Thunder
Bay.  The cases there are identical to ours, but other than that I
haven't..." Nick broke off as he suddenly saw a name that appeared on both
sets of papers.


"You haven't what?"  Schanke asked.

"DAMN!  It's him!"  Nick exclaimed.  "Schanke, meet me at the Coroner's
building!  The killer is there!"

Schanke heard the sound of the receiver being hung up.  Muttering about
people that can't take the time to give all the information, he hurried to
his car and headed to the Coroner's building.

End Part 4

Nightlady
All comments to: cstar@airmail.net or forevrnite@usa.net
Please see Part 1 for disclaimers.

A Beginning (5/5)
By Nightlady
(c) 1999


Nat sat behind her desk working her way through the pile of routine
paperwork, that never seemed to grow smaller, and trying to concentrate.
Her mind was still returning to the dream she'd been having when the phone
had rung.  A gentle smile graced her face as she recalled how very loved
she'd felt in the dream.  The soft knock on her door startled her.  She
looked up and saw who was standing there.  "Yes, Louis?"  Nat mentally
chided herself for her reaction to the man, but there was just something
about him that made her uncomfortable.

"I think it's time that you and I had a long talk."  Louis said as he
entered the office and shut the door behind him.

Nat frowned.  She started to get up to open the door but the look on Louis'
face stopped her.  Trying to stay calm she asked, "What did you want to
talk about?"

Louis gave her an eerie smile.  "About why I have to do this.  About how
you have to be punished for not being faithful to me."

Nat felt her heart start to pound and the blood drained from her face as
she saw Louis remove a pistol, with a silencer, from his coat pocket.  The
memory of the resemblance of the serial victims flashed in her mind.  She
knew that her only chance was to keep him talking and hope that someone
would come looking for her allowing her a chance to escape.  "I'm sorry,
Louis.  I never meant to be unfaithful to you."  She said softly.

Louis only glared at her.  "I've seen you with that detective.  You don't
care about me, you're too busy trying to entice him."  He grabbed her arm
and pulled her to her feet.  "We're going to go for a little walk.  If we
meet anyone, you just smile and act normal or I'll kill them."

Nat grimaced as Louis' fingers dug into her arm.  She watched as he
carefully placed the gun in his pocket not letting go of it but merely
hiding it from a cursory glance.  "Where are we going?"  She asked.  Nat
could feel her heart racing with terror even as her mind was frantically
trying to figure out how a way to escape.

"I've got the perfect place picked out for your last moments."  Louis said.
 "Stop trying to delay the inevitable and move."  He pushed her toward the
office door.


Nick pulled his Caddy over to the curb in front of the Coroner's Building.
As he was getting out of the car, Schanke's gray Chevy and a squad car
pulled up.  Schanke and the two uniformed officers got out of their cars
and came over.  "You said the killer's here?" Schanke said to Nick.

Nick nodded and handed Schanke the folder he'd brought with him.  "It's the
morgue worker, Louis.  I just got these photo's of suspects that were
interviewed in two cases with the same M.O. as ours."

Schanke flipped through the file.  "Man, oh man!  Did you get a look at the
victims in these cases?"  He asked Nick.


Nick nodded in agreement.  "Yes, they all look like Nat."  He stepped away
from the car.  "Let's get this guy."


As they entered the building, Nick used his vampiric hearing wanting to
reassure himself that Nat was safe.  He felt his heart lurch as he heard
Louis' voice ordering her down the hall to the rear entrance.  Thinking
fast, he spoke.  "Schanke, I'm going to go around back in case he tries to
make a break for it that way."  Nick barely heard Schanke's reply as he
hurried back out of the door.

Once outside, Nick glanced around to be certain that no one else was
around, then releasing his beast sped toward the rear of the building. He
felt a moment's panic rush through him as scanned the parking area and
found it empty of any sign of either Nat or Louis.  Focusing his hearing on
the building, he gave a sigh of relief as he heard the sound of Louis'
voice from within.  As Nick listened to what the man was saying to Nat and
then heard her small cry of pain, Nick felt his beast longing for
satisfaction.  Nick moved to a position near the door that was out of the
view of anyone inside the building.


Nat was trying desperately to figure out how she might escape from Louis.
As she walked just ahead of him down the hallway, she contemplated making a
run for safety when they reached the parking area.  The cars would provide
her with some cover and with luck she might be able to work her way to a
point where she could run for help.  She didn't dare do anything while
still inside, the thought of her actions causing some other person to be
shot was as frightening as her own predicament.  All the time, she listened
as Louis continued to berate her for her imagined unfaithfulness.  Just
before they reached the door, he grabbed her arm and twisted it up behind
her back.  A fiery bolt of pain raced the length of her arm causing her to
cry out in pain.  As tears filled her eyes and she prayed that her arm
wasn't broken, she heard Louis laugh at her discomfort.  She stumbled
slightly as they went through the door.

Louis paused as the reached the outside door.  He glanced out to assure
himself that the parking area was empty of any bystanders that might
interfere with his plans.  Opening the door he maintained his grip on Nat,
even as he pushed her through the door.


Schanke hurried as fast as his bulk would allow, down the hallway.  A quick
stop at Grace's desk had provided him with the information that she'd seen
Louis go into Nat's office about ten minutes earlier.  Grace had phoned
Nat's office, but there had been no answer.  Leaving the uniformed officers
there, in case Louis should come that way, Schanke headed for Natalie's
office.  He rounded the corner just in time to see the rear door leading to
the parking lot closing.  He broke into a run as he heard the distinctive
'pfft' sound of a silenced gun.

As soon as Nat had cleared the doorway, Nick sprang into action.  With a
snarl of rage he threw himself on Louis while at the same time pulling Nat
free and pushing her to the side.  To his horror, Nick heard the gun in
Louis' hand discharge.  As he glanced in Nat's direction, Nick saw her
lying face down, motionless, on the ground.  Furious, Nick slammed Louis
against the wall of the building.  "If she's hurt, I promise I will kill
you!"  Nick hissed in Louis' ear.  The beast raged wanting to taste the
blood of the now helpless man, but Nick knew that to do that would mean
that he would have to abandon this new life.  To do so would mean that he'd
never see Nat again, never have the chance to become mortal that she
offered him, and most importantly, never have an opportunity to try and
find a way to win her love.  As he managed to gain control over the
vampire, and his eyes returned to their soft blue color, Schanke burst
through the door.  Nick shoved Louis in Schanke's direction.  "Get him out
of here, will you?"  He said in a voice that was nearly a growl.  He heard
Schanke's affirmative reply and, as soon as Schanke had a hold on Louis,
Nick hurried to where Nat lay.

Nat felt herself suddenly tossed to one side at the same time she heard the
gun discharge.  There was a sense of something rushing past her ear and of
heat near her head.  Falling heavily to the ground she lay still too
stunned to move.  It was only when Nick's voice registered in her ear,
followed by Schanke's that she finally rolled over.  She looked up just as
Nick appeared at her side, his expression changing from one of fear to one
of relief as he saw her move.

Nick dropped to his knees beside Nat.  "Are you hurt?  Are you okay?"  He
inquired anxiously.

Nat managed to speak.  "I think I'm okay."

Nick could tell that she hadn't been hit by the bullet, as he didn't smell
the scent of fresh blood.  Carefully, almost as if he was afraid that she
might shatter like a fine crystal, he helped her to stand.  Once she was on
her feet, he folded her into his embrace, resting his cheek against the
softness of her hair.  He could feel her trembling and he murmured soft
words of reassurance and comfort.

Nat closed her eyes and savored the feeling of safety she found in Nick's
arms.  His voice, soft and caring, caressed her while she trembled from the
adrenaline that the experience with Louis had poured into her system.  She
raised her head from his chest and looked into his concern filled face.
"I...I felt the bullet go by my head."  Her voice cracked and she began to
sob.  "He was going to kill me, like the others, Nick.  If it hadn't been
for you..." She broke off as the sobs racked her body making speech
impossible.


Nick pushed Nat's hair away from her flushed face and gently wiped the
tears flowing down her cheeks. "Shh, it's over now.  You're safe and he
can't hurt you."  Nick held her again as she sobbed.  At last she calmed.
"Nat, we're going to need a statement from you."  Nick said gently.  "If
you feel up to it tonight, I can take you over to the station now, and then
after, I'll take you home."

Nat nodded.  "I know.  I'm okay now."  She looked up and managed a shaky
attempt at a smile.  "I would appreciate a lift home though.  I really
don't think I'm in any shape to be driving."

Nick returned her smile.  "I'll have one of the uniformed officers drop
your car off at your building."  He put his arm around her shoulders and
guided her back inside the Coroner's Building so that she could collect her
purse.  As they walked down the hallway, both found comfort in the other's
presence.

Schanke had waited only long enough to assure himself that Natalie was
unharmed.  After placing Louis in handcuffs, he took the man back to the
front of the building.  There he turned Louis over to the waiting uniform
officers and instructed them to transport the prisoner to the precinct.
That done, Schanke went in search of Knight and Natalie.  He paused as he
saw them coming down the hallway.  Something about the way that Knight had
his arm around the lovely young woman made Schanke think that the new
detective's interest in her wasn't solely professional.  'He's an odd one,
but I can't fault him for his taste in women.'  Schanke thought wryly.
Schanke waited until Nat had gone into her office before he continued down
the hall.  "How's she doing?"  He asked, his honest concern evident in his
voice.

Nick looked at Schanke.  "She's had a bad scare and she's understandably
shaken, but I think she's going to be fine."  He nodded toward the door.
"She's getting her things and then I'm taking her over to the station so
she can give her statement."  Nick straightened slightly.  "Where's Louis?"

"Sent him on over to the holding cell with the uniforms."  Schanke replied.
"Hopefully by the time I get back there, the preliminary booking will be
done, he'll have a lawyer on the way and I'll get to go home fairly soon."
Schanke yawned.  "Man I hate working these long shifts."

Nat stepped out of her office.  "I'm ready.  Let's get this over."  She
said, softly.

Nick nodded and the three of them headed out to the cars.

*******************************************************

Nat sat in one of the interrogation rooms sipping a cup of hot tea while
the stenographer typed up the statement she'd just given.  Nearby, Nick sat
quietly, waiting to take her home.  Nat could feel several tender areas on
her side, which were most likely bruised when Nick had shoved her to the
ground.  Considering what would have happened had he not done so; Nat
wasn't about to complain.  She looked up as the door to the room opened
admitting Schanke and Stonetree.  From the satisfied looks on both their
faces, Nat surmised that their session with Louis had gone well.

"Despite his lawyer's urgings, Louis has give us a full confession."
Stonetree told them.  "That, along with your statement," he nodded at
Natalie, "means the Crown shouldn't have any problem getting a conviction."


"Yeah, and I talked to the folks in Thunder Bay and Regina.  When we're
through with him, they want their chance at him."  Schanke added.

"All in all, a good job."  Stonetree said.  He watched as the stenographer
handed Natalie the typed copy of her statement to read over.


Nat read the statement and finding that it was accurate, signed her name to
it.  She handed it to Stonetree.  "Here Captain, all done."  She looked at
Nick.

Nick stood.  "I'm going to book off and take Dr. Lambert home, Captain."
He told Stonetree.

"Good idea, Knight.  See you tomorrow."  Stonetree replied.  He watched the
subtle interaction between the M.E. and his newest detective.  Once they'd
left, he turned to Don Schanke.  "You might as well head out too.  You're
due back on duty in just over six hours."

Schanke nodded, "Yeah, Myra will be happier if I at least get a couple of
hours sleep.  Night, Captain."  He too left.

Stonetree sighed and headed back to his office as slight smile on his face.
 'I think Detective Knight is going to work out very well.'  He thought.


Nick pulled the Caddy over to the curb.  Getting out he went around, opened
the passenger side door, and helped Nat out.  "If you want, I'll be glad to
stay with you for a while."  He offered.

Nat smiled.  "Thanks, but all I want to do is climb into bed and sleep.  I
know that Louis is in custody and that I'm safe, thanks to you."  She said
as Nick escorted her to her door.  After unlocking it and stepping just
inside, she turned back to him.  "When I first found out you'd taken a job
as a police officer I have to admit wondering if you had the proper
qualifications.  But now, having seen you on a case I'm glad that you took
the job."  She stood on tiptoes and lightly kissed his cheek.  "You're a
good man, Nick, don't ever doubt that."  With a last soft smile, Nat closed
the door.

Nick stood for a moment, feeling the warmth of her lips on his skin.
Smiling he turned and headed back to the car.  He felt more alive than he
had in many decades, he felt like this wasn't just another life but rather
a beginning.

The End.

Nightlady
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