Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 03:51:34 -1000 From: Kevin Matsumoto I'm Gonna post this before I lose my nerve. Author's notes: Ok well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay togethor? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easilly enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). WARNING: This is my first attempt at creative writing since leaving college (Way to many years ago). So I apologize for rough syntax and grammatical faux paus that I have made. MAJOR WARNING: The first part of the this story (Not the first chapter) ends with a major sappy hollywood cliche. Don't say I didn't warn you. Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive critisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everthing that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 1 Downtown Toronto, Dark Alley Nick bent down to take a closer look at the body laying face down in the ally. Well... Not exactly facedown. The head had apparently been severed cleany from the body and currently was staring sightlessly at him from across the alley. "Dammit, Nick!" Tracy Vetter whispered, "Why do we get all the strange assignments?" If the situation hadn't been so disturbing Nick might have smiled, she almost sounded like Schanke. "I don't knot Tracy, Maybe because all the strange ones happen at night?" This was delivered with such a deadpan expression that Tracy frowned, trying to decide if he was joking. "Detective Knight! Over Here!!" Nick turned towards one of the uniformed officers who had been searching the other end of the alley. Going over to him, Nick asked, "What is it?" "I think I found the murder weapon" The young rookie pointed to a three foot long sword lying in the trash at one side of the alleyway. "You might be right." Nick said as he knelt to exam the blade. It was a classic longsword, similar to the one he used as Crusader when he was alive. As the officer turned away, Nick bent over and picked up the blade. Suddenly pain shot thru his hand. Nick dropped the sword and stared. The sword was a _Crusader's_ weapon, it even had a genuine relic somewhere on it. The pain had been caused by the fact that the sword was basically a holy item, like a cross or holy water, anathema to a vampire. This case was definetely getting weird. Coroner's office Nick and Tracy walked up behind Natalie as she finished the preliminary autopsy of the headless John Doe that had been found in the alley. "Found anything unusual?" he asked. Natalie gave out a small shriek then started in with "Nick, how many times have I asked you not to sneak..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed that Tracy was with him. So, for once, Nick hadn't been guilty of sneaking up on her. She had just been a little to involved in the autopsy. "No" she answered "nothing so far. Except the sword you brought in wasn't the murder weapon." "Oh?" "No, there were no traces of blood on the blade. Though from the cut itself, I'd have to say that something just as sharp had been used." Nick nodded, "So whoever killed him took the murder weapon with him and just happened to leave a museum quality longsword behind?" Natalie shrugged "That's not the really weird part, Nick. There were now fingerprints on the blade at all. And while removing his clothes for the autopsy, I found a sheath that doesn't match the sword, under the victim's trenchcoat." "So what are you trying to say? Natalie, That the victim and whoever killed him were engaging in a duel? In the middle of the city?" "Hell, I don't know, that parts your job. I can just tell how and when they died, not why." Nick nodded. He and Tracy turned to leave. As he was about to walk out the door, he turned and asked. "Nat, how about stopping over at my place after work?" Natalie shook her head. "Sorry, Nick but I have a dinner date." "A date.." Nick voice seemed flat. And his face had lost all expression becoming almost masklike. "Uh huh" Natalie was turned away from Nick and he couldn't see the amused expression on her face. "He's an old friend. Aaron Grey, I met him at an Elizabethan fair, about a year before I met you. He's been travelling the last few years. But we've kept in touch by phone and of course thru all the postcards he sent." "I see" Nick tried to keep the anxiety out of his voice. Then he heard his voice asking "What's he like?", Nick barely stifled a groan, hoping that he didn't sound as jealous as he felt. "Ohhh, he's good looking, in his late twenties..mid thirties by now." Natalie turned making sure that she had managed to remove all traces of humor from her face. "He's about 5'9", brown hair, good sense of humor." Natalie kept her eyes on Nick's face which gone from masklike to anxiety attack as she described her friend. Then she dropped the bomb. "He and his wife just arrived in town and they asked me out to dinner." "His what??" Nick voice expressed his relief and disbelief. "Gotcha", Natalie said as she broke out laughing. Finally managing to say "Oh, if you could only have seen the look on your face just then" She then collapsed in gales of laughter. Nick managed to pull his jaw back in, and put the sternest expression he could manage. "That wasn't funny Nat." "Oh, yes it was" came Tracy's amused voice from behind him. Nick managed to keep the stern expression on for a few more seconds and then his face fell into a sheepish grin. Tracy pulled Nick thru the door and led him out to his car. Just managing to get inside herself before she too began to laugh. end chapter 1 This is Chapter one part one of probably a four part arc. Yeah I know there have been several Crossover stories posted but I had to post this now or I would never have worked up the nerve again. (Basically I'm a Coward) Author's notes: Ok well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay togethor? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easilly enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). WARNING: This is my first attempt at creative writing since leaving college (Way to many years ago). So I apologize for rough syntax and grammatical faux paus that I have made. MAJOR WARNING: The first part of the this story (Not the first chapter) ends with a major sappy hollywood cliche. Don't say I didn't warn you. Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive critisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everthing that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. No copyright infringement intended. Forgot something last time: Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan and this particular story Copywrited by yours truly. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Metro Police Station Two days later Nick sat at his desk reading the autopsy report on the John Doe who had been beheaded in the alleyway. When Tracy walked in and stated... "Nick, you're never going to believe this one.!" "What one?" Nick asked with a sigh. "Our John Doe?, the one in the morgue. doing the Marie Antoinette impression?" "What about him?" "We finally got an ID. Turns out he's an American citizen, a professional soldier by the name of Justin Sinclair, we got a positive ID from the US Marines. He was honorably discharged 10 years ago. But that's not the weird part." "OK," Nick said with a half-smile "What's the weird part?" Tracy held out a fax and said "The real Justin Sinclair died almost 40 years ago in a children's ward in Chicago. Whoever this guy is he's been using Sinclair's name and birth certificate for at least 20 years." Nick frowned and looked back at Natalie's report. "Tracy, according to this report, Sinclair was in his late twenties. How could a ten year have joined the marines?" "I dunno, Nick but fingerprints don't lie." Nick shook his head, he was beginning to understand why Schanke hated "weird" so much. As Nick stopped pondering the complexities of this admittedly strange case, he saw Natalie walk in with a tall man in tow. Nick thought, as he watched them making a beeline for his desk. Nick suddenly had a sinking feeling he knew what was coming next. As the pair stopped in front of Nick, the man frowned as though he was seeing something he couldn't figure out. Nick waited until Natalie said "Nick this is Aaron, Aaron Nick." The pair shook hands and finally Aaron smiled shook his head and said "Its a pleasure to finally meet you Detective Knight. Natalie's written quite a lot about you in her letters." Nick looked at Natalie who was actually blushing... Smiling Aaron continued "She told us how you saved her life when that creep Roger attacked her." Nick finally turned back to Aaron and asked "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company." Inwardly Nick cringed and silently begged the fates "Well, my wife Terry is in her _writer's_ mode right now and can't be moved from her computer without a natural disaster." Aaron frowned and mused "come to think of it, she might not even notice a natural disaster. Anyway, I invited Nat out to dinner and she mentioned that you hadn't eaten yet. So I was wondering if you would like to join us. I've wanted to meet you ever since Natalie first mentioned you." Nick shot Natalie a look filled with ice. Natalie simply smiled "Come on, Nick it'll do you a world of good." She gave him "No you can't turn this one down" look that finally made him agree. Nick sighed "Certainly, I'd love to join you. Just let me finish this last piece of paperwork." Once Nick was finished the trio headed out of the building. Outside Vachon, who had come to talk to Tracy, noticed them and asked Tracy "Who's that with your partner and his doctor friend?" "Oh that must be Natalie's friend, Aaron." Vachon shrugged and the two continued their conversation where he had left off. Chez Michelle, A restaurant Nick was actually having a good time. He had for Natalie's sake actually managed to choke down some of the Sirloin Steak that he had ordered. The rest he was surreptitiously hiding in the cloth napkin when Aaron would turn to ask Natalie a question. He had learned that Aaron was a Professor of history at the local college and was noted for several papers whose slant on historical events had caused controversy in the academic circles. As Nick and Aaron discussed the papers, Nick realized that often Aaron's views were uncannily close to what had really happened. Natalie watched as Nick and Aaron discussed the political climate in Europe in the 1200's and argued about the _real_ reason for the Crusades. When she had an amusing thought Natalie listened as the conversation had grown more heated and became afraid that Nick might actually spill something that would rouse Aaron's suspicions. "Time out guys!" she interjected during one of the pauses in their arguing. Both Nick and Aaron turned to stare and her and then smiled both a little embarrassed about how intense the argument had gotten. Natalie trying to find a safe subject for them to discuss asked Aaron about Theresa's books. Aaron shrugged "She's been writing these gothic horror stories. You know _Vampires_ and such." Nat thought to herself as she could just see Nick laughing at her friend's novels. Nick had become worried when he heard the word Vampires come out of Aaron's mouth. Emily Weiss had been a successful writer of Victorian Vampire novels, that were so close to the reality of the vampiric existence. She had become a target not only of the Vampiric community but also of a crazed stalker. Nick had only just managed to save her and had been forced to use his mesmerizing powers to insure she would never write another vampire novel again. Aaron continued not realizing how uncomfortable both of his dinner guest's looked. "Now she's working on a story about vampire's trying to live in modern times. Posing as humans... that sort of thing." Nick thought "Personally I kinda find the idea of modern vampires a little boring. I prefer Emily Weiss's Victorian era books myself. Oh course if you ever mention that to her, I'll deny every word." He finished with a smile. Nick's answering smile never quite reached the rest of his face. End chapter 2 OK well things should get more interesting from here. Author's notes: Ok well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay together? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easily enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). WARNING: This is my first attempt at creative writing since leaving college (Way to many years ago). So I apologize for rough syntax and grammatical faux paus that I have made. Minor violence alert: There is a swordfight scene in this chapter and I got a little more graphic than I intended. I don't think this is over the top but you couldn't show it on prime time either. MAJOR WARNING: The first part of the this story (Not the first chapter) ends with a major sappy hollywood cliche. Don't say I didn't warn you. Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. Aaron Grey and Thereas Ryan and this story are mine. No copyright infringement intended. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 3 Coroner's Office Early Evening Nick entered Natalie's office making every effort not to sneak up on her. Nick mused. As he approached she turned and smiled. "Nick, I'm glad you're here. I have something for you." Nick already knew what was coming as Natalie thrust a glass tumbler filled with a pale pink liquid into his hands. "Drink" Nick managed to get about half of the glass down. Then he stopped and just barely managed to keep the blood substitute in his stomach. Natalie saw the look on his face and asked "Need's work? Huh" "I still say it might be better if it at least looked like the real thing." Natalie shook her head Nick took one more swallow of the liquid, just to appease her, then went over to where Natalie had placed the Sword that had been found at the murder scene 2 nights ago. Protecting his had with a glove, Nick picked up the sword and swung it back and forth a few times. _Something_ was wrong... Natalie looked at the frown on Nick's face and walked over "What is it?" Nick looked up from the blade he had been puzzling over and replied "This blade, the balance is wrong." "The balance?" Nick sighed. "There are basically two ways to balance any sword. The first was is to balance the blade to itself. These blades are called perfectly balanced and fit just about any hand." At Natalie's nod of understanding Nick continued. "The other way is to balance the blade to a specific bearer. These swords feel wrong in anyone else's hand." Natalie understood "So this blade was custom made for one specific person?" Nick nodded Now it was Natalie's turn to frown. "So if it was a duel this blade was either made for the person who killed Sinclair, or the perp was a exact physical match for the one the sword was meant for." Nick nodded then said "Either that or the person who killed Sinclair didn't really know anything about swords." Natalie shook her head. "The blade edge shows several nicks where it collided with a weapon of similar sharpness. The blade itself has been cared for and it was unlikely the nicks were more that a few hours old." Nick looked at the blade and asked "Nat, are you done with the testing on it?" "Sure, why?" "I might know someone who can tell me more about this blade." Small cottage, wooded area just outside of Toronto, Midnight. (Author's notes: I have never been to Canada and do not know whether there are homes in a wooded area outside of Toronto, so if I'm wrong my apologies.) "Takatasan?" Nick said quietly as he approached the entrance to the small cottage that Kiyoshi Takata lived in. Before becoming a vampire, Takata had been a swordsmith in Medieval Japan. "Nikusan" The burly oriental smiled as he opened the door. Nick had to smile at the sight of his friend. Takata belied all the stereotypes for an oriental. Nearly 5'11" and with broad shoulders he looked nothing like the small figure still seen in many cartoon rendering of the Japanese. Only the slanted eyes really made him stand out as an oriental. Nick bowed to his friend "I need your help" "Still playing the police officer, eh Nick?" Takata had long ago lost any accent he might have had, sounding more like a citizen of the US than an easterner. Nick unwrapped the Longsword from its protective canvas cocoon. Before he could warn Takata, the smith had seized the sword by the hilt and had given off a hiss of pain as his palm was seared by the holy relic within. Takata spent the rest of the night measuring the blade and jotting down notes on the laptop computer on his desk. Finally about two hours before dawn, he sighed and put down the blade. "Nick, whoever this blade was made for stood about 5'10" had an average reach for his height and unless he's one of us is definitely dead." Nick nodded "I figured that last part out for myself, what can you tell me about the sword." "Whoever made this blade was a genius to rival Muramasa. Its made in a way similar to the Japanese folding method. But the balance and grip are European in design. Very unusual most European blades of that period were forged out of one piece of steel. This one was closer to Damascus steel. But I can't quite figure out where it could have been made. There are no maker's marks, no stamps or engravings of any kind on the blade or hilt. I'm sorry Nick but that's all I can give you." Nick smiled as he got up to leave. "That's more than I had before." Abandoned Factory, Toronto Late Next Evening (Author's notes: see statement about cottage in the woods :) The two figures danced weaved as each attempted to break thru the others defenses. Flashing blades threw sparks as the two, parried and struck, each trying to inflict a fatal blow to the other. Finally one of them made a mistake, his blade came up just a little to far and a little to fast. Just enough to make blocking the cut across his abdomen impossible. The other smiled as her opponent slumped trying to stop the bleeding with his free hand. She watched as the other slid to one knee, eyes slightly blank from shock. Drawing back the sword she intoned "There can be only one." and brought the sword down in a two handed stroke. For one second the wounded man's eyes cleared and threw himself out of the way. The woman felt her blade strike the grating that made up the floor of walkway they were on. Then felt the terror as her sleeve caught on a jagged piece steel that had been broken during their fight. Before she could free herself, she saw the other's blade come down across her wrist, severing her hand. She watched dazed as her hand, still holding the sword, fell to the ground below. She simply stood there as the Cutlass removed her head from her body. From the outside it looked like a lightning storm had gone off inside the building. The deliver driver who was going by pulled over as every remaining piece of glass in the structure exploded outward, raining shards all over the roadway. Finally he went to the nearest pay phone and called the police. He didn't see the lone figure limp out of the building and begin to make a furtive dash to his car. "What happened!" Aaron turned in shock to see Theresa standing behind him. She took in his bloody clothes and the look on his face and nearly carried him to the car. Nearly forcing into the passenger's seat, she got in and drove the car off. "Aaron, Please tell me what happened?" Aaron sighed, "She almost got me, that's what happened. I overextended with this blade and she almost got me." Theresa's face was pale. "I thought you said you were used to that sword." "I am, but its not _my_ sword. I had the other for a good part of my life. I'm still not used to all the nuances in this thing" He said the final word with some disgust as pointed to the bloody weapon lying on the car floor. As he passed out, he didn't the notice decisive look that came over Theresa's face. end of chapter 3 Thanks to those who actually send me email praising this story. I'm writing as fast as I can but sometimes the scenes get away from me. As to the Identity of the Female Immortal? Well.. You get to Find out in the next chapter :) Any like I said in the beginning Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> The reason I am reposting this part is that I accidently sent an earlier draft of the story. Also it seems like some of the words got cut when I pasted it the first time... OH well try again. Author's notes: Ok well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay together? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easily enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. Felcia Maddox, Spiderman belong to Marvel (No they are not really in the story but you'll see ) Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan and this story are mine. No copyright infringement intended. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 4 Metro Station Later that evening Nick had just gotten back from the local college. The professor of history there had been only slightly less helpful than Takata. He confirmed that the blade was most probably made in the late 10th or early 11th century A.D. and was made in singularly unique manner. But had been unable to tell where it was made. After leaving the blade in the evidence room. Nick returned to his desk where a excited Tracy Vetter had just gotten off the phone. "C'mon, Nick, we have to get moving. There's been another body found." Nodding, Nick simply turned around and followed Tracy to his car. "Where were you anyway?" Tracy asked curiously "Trying to track down where this sword may have come from." "Any luck?" "Aside from the probable date that the sword was made and a general height profile of the original owner, not much." Tracy heard Nick's discouraged tone and said "That's more than we had before." Nick managed a short laughing remark "That's what I told my friend." Abandoned Factory. Nick and Tracy entered the dark factory. They headed towards the body on the walkway. One of the uniformed officers saw them and waved them over. "We found her purse on the floor near the stairs. Her ID says that she is a French National by the name of Felecia Maddox" "Felicia Maddox?" Nick puzzled, "Why does that name sound familiar?" Tracy snickered "Ever read the comic, Spiderman...Nick?" "Maybe, why?" "Because Felicia Maddox is the name of a recurring character in the comic. She also goes by the Alias the _Black Cat_" "Great" the sarcasm in Nick's voice was nearly visible "Now we have a dead _superhero_ to contend with." Tracy smiled "Five'll get you Ten it's a alias" "No bets..." The officer who had been standing by throughout the conversation said. "We also found a sword on the ground below the catwalk." "Maybe this one is the murder weapon." Tracy muttered. Nick walked over to the sword "Not likely Trace" "Oh..." Tracy followed him over "Why no...." Her voice trailed off as she saw the hand still clutching the bloody blade. Then she startled Nick by smiling. "What??" Nick asked. "We might have more to go on than a general physical description now." Nick could hear her voice fill with triumph. He followed her eyes and saw what she had seen. The hilt of the blade was clear of blood, indicating that the severed wrist had not poured blood down the blade. But the blade itself was streaked with blood. Enough to indicate that whoever had been cut was hurt badly. Nick turned to one of the uniformed officers. "I want every hospital in town to notify us if someone comes in with any suspicious lacerations." The officer nodded and went to call it in on his car radio. "You do realize, Nick? That the killer might not go to a hospital." "I know Trace, but this streak is long and covers the whole blade. If he doesn't get to a hospital, chances are he isn't going to make it." Tracy nodded, together the two of them began the long process gathering and recording what evidence they had. Coroner's Office Natalie Lambert finished her preliminary autopsy and turned to a waiting Nick. "Well?" Nick asked impatiently. Natalie shrugged "Death was due to decapitation, probably by the same weapon used in the previous murder, or something very similar anyway." Nick rolled his eyes upwards. "I _already_ knew that..." "Ok, Ok" Natalie said with a smile "Just teasing a little" "The sword you brought in, of course, wasn't the murder weapon. The victim had type A blood and the blood on the weapon was O-" "So the blood belongs to the killer." Natalie shrugged "It's a possibility, I'm going to have a sample of the blood run thru a DNA test for more information. With any luck we might get a break." Nick began to walk out. Just before he left the room, he turned around. "Thanks Nat." Natalie sighed "You really want to thank me. Do me one favor" "Sure, whatever you ask." "Find this guy before he does this again." Nick nodded and continued out the door. Nick's desk. Metro station. Nick could hear Capt. Reese bellowing thru the glass walls of the Captain's office. With the volume that Reese was using he certainly didn't need his vampire senses to know the Captain was mad at something. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST THE SWORD!!!!!" Reese's bellow hit a new high. At those words Nick almost flew, literally, into the Captain's office. He got there just in time to hear the Captain chewing out the person on the other end. "I don't care what your people say, A three foot long razor sharp piece of steel doesn't just vanish into thin air... your people had better find it or heads will roll." Nick watched Captain Reese wince when he realized what he had said. "Knight, you're not going to believe this." "Lemme guess, somehow the longsword I put into the evidence room has turned up missing." "You heard that huh?" Reese looked a little chagrined. "Captain, I think the people in Calgary heard that part." Reese again began to build up steam. "The _Only_ material piece of evidence we have in this case and of course it just has to vanish." He put his head into his hands. "Actually, Captain..." Nick handed over the final paperwork on the latest killing "Not the only evidence" The Captain went over the report and smiled "That makes me feel a little better. "Then he got the point where Nick had put down his theory on why the murders had been commited. "A _swordfight_? Nick, I refuse to believe that two grown people fought to the death using swords. This is Toronto, Not Camelot." "It fits the facts, Captain. In each case the victim was found decapitated. Found next to them was a sword, forensics confirms that the sword's were not the murder weapons. In one case the victim's hand was still around the sword. From the damage to the walkway around the victim, we determined that at least one person up there was swinging a sword and missed. What else can we think?" Reese almost growled "I don't know may this is one really wacko serial killer and I want him off our streets. Do you think you can manage that!?" Nick nodded "We're a lot closer than we were 3 night's ago. I just wish someone hadn't needed to die to furnish us with this evidence." Reese sighed "I know, It still bothers me, the kind of things some people can do to another." Nick nodded again and left the office. A roomy home somewhere in Toronto. Early morning Aaron woke up after an exhausted sleep. Then turned to make sure the drapes were still closed tight and then rolled out of bed. As he stretched, he looked around the room. Theresa was not in bed. The last thing he remembered was Terry actually tucking him into bed. Just before he dropped of to sleep he vaguely recalled that she had said she was going out for a while. Quickly he went out into the den. He knew that she was probably just working on her latest book. But he couldn't help worrying about her. The logical part of his mind told him. The slightly frightened emotional side replied. The breath he had been holding came out in a rush of relief as he saw her sitting in the darkened den, typing away at the computer she used to finalize her novels. Then he noticed the sword sitting in the corner, _his_ sword. "How did you... Never mind I don't want to know." He smiled, walked over and put his arms around her. Gently kissing the base of her neck, he murmured in his best suggestive voice "Do you really have to work on that book right now? Or do you have time for something slightly less important but just as satisfying." He could feel her smile as he continued to nuzzle her neck. "You mean, definitely more important, _way_ more satisfying don't you." She purred. "Either way." he said as he picked her out of the chair and carried her back to the bedroom. 15 minutes later the power saver on the computer shut the monitor off. End of chapter 4 If anyone want's a more explicit scene... Make your own, you have my permission. I am one of those who believes that the imagination is the most power sex toy mankind has ever developed. :) You know what? This story is a lot longer than I first envisioned. I figured 5 chapters tops but it looks like I might be going into overtime... Oh well, I hope you're still reading at the end. I've got my fireproof suit ready for flames that will probably follow that ;> Any like I said in the beginning Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> AGGHHH!!, Sorry folks I meant to send this one and sent you another old copy. Somenights it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. Author's notes: OK well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay together? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easily enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). Disclaimer: in chapters 1 thru four. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 5 Metro Station. 3 nights later Nick was bent over his desk reading a file from the Calgary Police Dept. His eyes scanned the small text, trying to find some pattern to the killings. Calgary had had a similar string of murders 4 years ago. 3 people, 2 foreigners and 1 local resident had been found decapitated. Nick noted that unlike their victims, the victims in the Calgary cases were well respected individuals. Pillars of the Community. Definitely not the same as the two in the morgue. Felecia Maddox had turned out to be wanted by the French government for Industrial Espionage. She had an outstanding warrant for her, under the Katharine Noir. Justin Sinclair apparently was wanted by the Peruvian Govt. on gun running charges. "What's up?" Nick jumped slightly as he turned to the see the face of his partner Tracy Vetter peering down at him. "Not much. If it weren't for the fact that all the Calgary victims were decapitated, I'd just put this down to coincidence." Tracy looked at the sheets. "Well here's another coincidence for you then. Interpol says that a _Felicia Maddox_ left France for Canada, guess how many years ago?" Nick looked again at the papers in his hand. "Ahh...Let me take a wild guess... 4 years or so?" "And the plane landed in Calgary." Tracy finished. "The only reason she wasn't arrested on the spot was that they had no way of knowing that Felecia Maddox and Katharine Noir were one and the same individual until we faxed them that photograph." Tracy had picked up some of the papers that Nick hadn't managed to read yet and began browsing thru them. "Well, well, well..." "You found something?" Nick asked "I think so. You remember that pizza delivery guys statement. The part about the lightning?" "Sure, he said that it looked like _quote_ a scene from Star Wars _Unquote_. What about it." Tracy double checked the two reports in her hand. "According to this, in the two cases involving foreigners a _Freak_ lightning storm was described in the area." Nick shook his head. "But the police report on the last murder. The one involving the local. Occurred in the alleyway next to a bar and the witnesses didn't mention anything about a Lightning storm, Freak or otherwise." Tracy released an exasperated sigh and went back to reading the reports. Suddenly she exclaimed "Waitaminute, Nick, The local? Matt Rhyner?" "A Bank Manager. What about him?" "According the police records, while he was a upstanding citizen, he had a series of Drunk and Disorderly complaints filed against him. Apparently whenever he got drunk, he'd started harassing the first female that he saw. The alcohol level in his blood at the time of the murder was well over the legal limit of intoxication." Nick took the report from her hands and went over it. "So you think that maybe Rhyner harassed Maddox and she lured him outside and cut off his head?" "Or maybe he followed her outside and when he wouldn't leave her alone she killed him!" Tracy finished. "Even excluding that murder, it still doesn't bring us any closer to a pattern. Just that in every murder there was a lightning show." Tracy pouted, Nick thought. She looked at the papers in her hand like they could tell her something that wasn't written on the paper itself. "It also doesn't tell us, If Maddox did kill the three in Calgary..." This time Nick finished her sentence. "Who killed Maddox?" "Exactly" Nick sighed and went back to reading. This was going to be a very long night. A Palatial Estate about the same time. Brian Farmer looked around his estate as the _buzz_ that announced the presence of another Immortal was felt. Finally he saw the lone figure waiting near his favorite roses. Picking up his weapon Brian walked out of the palatial mansion and approached the waiting figure. "Alexander Tyrell at your service" He said speaking his true name as a courtesy. "And who do I have the pleasure of facing?" "Doesn't matter." Said the grim figure. "Either way who cares." With that, the man spun a battleaxe from behind him and cut at Brian's head. Brian dodged, only a fool attempts to block an axe with a saber. For the next several minutes both opponents tried to break the others defenses. Brian using a quick, fluid style that relied on subtle parrying moves which diverted the Axe rather than blocking it. And his opponent using the normally brutish axe with a skill that terrified Brian. Brian thought as his opponent's quick moves drove him steadily backwards. He stopped that train of thought and concentrated on suckering his foe into a trap. He kept his blade low as though anticipating a strike to his legs. His opponent took the bait, bringing his axe down in a crushing blow that would have shattered any blade attempting to block it. But Brian had never intended to block. In one fluid move he threw himself forward and to the right. Tucking and rolling he came up slightly behind his opponent facing his strong arm. In a fast cut, he sliced the arm from wrist to elbow. His opponent dropped the axe. Moving backwards he looked like he was about to run. Brian's smile was feral as he closed on his now helpless foe. Suddenly the man smiled. Brian paused, confused. Then he saw what the man had pulled out from his jacket pocket. He turned and began to run. He got as far as the door before the man emptied the gun into his back. Less than a minute later, all the alarms in the Estate went off as an electrical surge blew out every window facing the garden. Metro Station an hour later. As the phone rang, Nick gratefully stopped reading the Calgary reports and picked up. "Knight here." Whoever was on the other end got Nick's attention quickly. "Right, OK Right away. The Farmer estate, Got it." As Tracy looked up from her share of the files. Nick announced "C'mon Tracy, looks like he's struck again." Tracy shook her head as she grabbed her jacket and followed her partner out. Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Author's notes: OK well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay together? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easily enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series written by Tara O'shea, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). Disclaimer: in chapters 1 thru four. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 6 Farmer Estate Late Evening Nick went over the grounds again as he mulled over the pieces of this puzzle. Something _just_ didn't fit. The forensics team had just finished with the body so Nick walked over to ask a few questions. "So... Preliminary cause of death." "Take your pick" Natalie said with a long sigh. "If the bullets to the heart, lung and spine didn't kill him then the decapitation surely did." "Gunshots, It just doesn't fit the MO" Natalie shrugged "Maybe this was a copycat." "Great" Nick said sarcastically "Just what we need in this city 2 psychopaths." "Another thing." "More good news?" "Depends on your definition of good, I guess." Natalie pointed to the door. "The killer shot the victim at point blank range like this" She moved Nick in front of the door and stepped behind him about 5 feet away. "The victim then fell against the door in a kneeling position." She placed her hand right about where Farmer's head would have been. Just below a large gash in the wood. "Then he stepped up and while the victim was still sliding down the door. He swung straight into the victims neck with the edge of the blade and buried the blade into the door." She mimed a chopping motion with her hand. "You can tell by the blood spatter." Nick leaned in to take a closer look at the cut. Sure enough would was compressed along the grain evenly, become shallower in a symmetrical pattern. "Nat, a sword can't make a cut like that in flat piece of wood that wide. Besides to cut a head off with a sword, you'd usually use an left to right stroke with the point of the blade." Natalie nodded "But an axe would make just about that kind of cut and with an axe a straight in cut is more efficient." Nick looked disgusted. "That means this probably wasn't the same killer right?" Natalie shrugged "Most serial killers are pretty monogamous, one style of killing. That's how they're caught. Eventually someone puts their pattern together." "Nick over here!" sounded from behind them. While Natalie and Nick were going over the body and the area around the body, Tracy had been slowly following the footsteps backwards into the garden. At her excited shout, Nick and Natalie hurried over to where Tracy was standing. "Guess what I found?" She said smiling. "Let me guess..." Nick said, though he had a pretty good idea what was there. "A sword? right!?" "Give the man a prize!" Tracy exclaimed as she pointed her flashlight at the shiny piece of metal on the ground. As she did so Nick noticed the large gash less than 2 feet from the hilt. "Tracy, move your flashlight to the right a bit." As Tracy did so, Nick pointed his own flashlight at the spot. Kneeling down he looked carefully at the cut in the grass. Next to it he could still see small dark drops of something. His vampire senses told him it was blood. "Nat, you might want to take a few samples of that." he said pointing to the drops. Carefully avoiding the spots, Nick continued to move away from the house in a line with the body and the sword. Another 5 feet away he found the shell casings from the gun. Putting the casings in an evidence bag, Nick walked back over to the two women. "Nat, I think you'll find that Mr. Farmer was killed by a 9mm NATO round." Natalie took the bag from Nick's hand. Nick continued "My best guess is Farmer and his killer must have been fighting. Farmer managed to cut his killer and the killer dropped his weapon. The killer then pulled out a 9mm pistol and Farmer ran. The killer probably chased Farmer back to the door, shot him and then cut his head off." "But why cut his head off?" Tracy asked turning to Natalie "You said that the bullets wounds would have been fatal right?" Natalie nodded, her own face showed her confusion. Nick intervened "If we can answer that, we'll be on step closer to finding the killer." Both women nodded and all three went back to searching for evidence. Coroner's office just before the end of shift. Natalie Lambert sighed and stretched trying to relieve aching muscles caused by tension. She had been going over the latest victims autopsy with a finer toothed than usual comb, hoping to find something that would help break this case. Suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder, startling her. Whirling she cried out "Dammit! Nic..." Her voice died away as she saw the stern almost patriarchal features of Nick's Vampiric Sire. "LaCroix..." Holding up a hand LaCroix said "_Don't_ be alarmed my dear Doctor Lambert. This is strictly a professional visit. A consultation as it were." "Whose profession" Natalie asked flatly, her voice betraying only the slight tremor. "yours or mine?" "Why yours, of course Doctor. I have no profession, I simply am." "Get on with it, LaCroix." "Of course." LaCroix said with his usual quiet menace. "Certain member of _our_ community have become alarmed at the recent rash of beheadings to plague the city lately. Nicholas has told you that one of the surest ways to kill us is to remove the head from the neck. Has he not?" Natalie nodded "He did mention that once, I think." There was no doubt in her mind that the _our_ that LaCroix was referring to was the vampiric community in general and the Enforcers, specifically. "Then you can understand why I am here." Natalie puzzled "Why not ask Nick?" "Oh I intend to. Once I have the complete story from you. That way I can be sure that Nicholas will not be lying to protect these silly _Mortals_ and their laws that he has grown so fond of." "What makes you think that I will tell you the truth?" "Why to protect yourself and Nicholas too, of course. My Dear Doctor, you don't think that even Nicholas and I could protect you if the Enforcer's start to believe that a vampire hunter has entered Toronto do you?" "You? Protect me?" Natalie said with disbelief. "Who else? Between Nicholas and I, we have enough status in the community to keep you safe." "You don't even _like_ me, LaCroix..." Natalie stated in a flat tone. "Ahh.. But you see Doctor, I don't dislike you either. I admit that your predilection for believing that science holds all the answers does annoy me. But. You. Are. A. Challenge." The final words were accompanied by LaCroix stepping far too close to Natalie than she would have liked. "A challenge?" Natalie said far more calmly than she felt. "Not a threat?" She was startled by LaCroix's laughter. It sounded to her like genuine amusement. "You see." LaCroix said with a smile. "Do you know, My dear Doctor. That there are _vampires_ that would have bolted and run when faced by me like that. But you, you barely even flinch. Despite the fact that your heart is beating like a drum." He held up his forefinger to silence her retort. "Don't bother to deny I could hear that from across the room." "Do you have any idea how _dull_ life can be without any challenges? Especially for an immortal? You are part of my game with Nicholas." "Not as a pawn." he said when he saw her bristle. "As an adversary. One to be savored." "I make a move against Nicholas, either physical or mental and you help to counter it. It has been stimulating to say the least. You are courageous, insightful, resourceful and wise. Far beyond any of the sheep that you live amongst. If it were not for the fact that it would drive Nicholas away from me forever, I might even have brought you across by now." That thought terrified Natalie. LaCroix noted the fear in her eyes and his smile grew a little triumphant. It was very rarely that he managed to unravel the Doctor's composure without resorting to force. "But, I think not." LaCroix regarded Natalie, his fingers steepled in front of his lips. "You see, in this game I have eternity, as does Nicholas. You do not." "But..." Natalie began only to be cut off by LaCroix holding his hand up. "What if you succeed in helping Nicholas to cross back?" Natalie could only nod. "Why I would simply bring him across again." LaCroix's smile did not quite reach his face. "He is my child and I will not allow anyone to interfere in that relationship." "If all this is true, then why did you threaten me on Valentine's day?" Natalie asked, wanting to wipe the smug look off of LaCroix's face. "YOU REMEMBER THAT!?!?" LaCroix shouted incredulously his eyes turning gold. "Of course." It was Natalie's turn to look smug. "Surely Nick told you that I am a _resistor_?" LaCroix had calmed down. "Then why...?" "Allow you and Nick to believe I had forgotten?" It was Natalie's turn to play mindreader as well. "Because if Nick believed that I still remembered he would have blamed himself. He would have become frightened that I would do something to convince you that he did love me and you would hurt me." "He would have gone away." She whispered the last line. LaCroix was silent for a moment. Then he whispered in voice that Natalie could barely hear. "And you love him." It was not a question, Natalie realized, it was statement of fact. "And that is why you help him, that is why you forgave him Janette." All Natalie could do was nod. "Then you have my sympathies." Natalie's head shot up like a rocket. She stared at LaCroix in pure shock. "You forget, I have had to deal with Nicholas's predilection for self-guilt for 800 years now. I am quite aware of how annoying it can be." "But at the Azure?" Natalie stammered. "I wasn't testing Nicholas's feelings for you, Doctor, but yours for him. If all you were interested in Nicholas for was the chance to investigate a unknown phenomenon. If you were just stringing him along, I think you call it. Then I would have been forced to deal with you as a threat to all of us. If you truly cared for Nicholas then I could go back to playing our game without fear of interference from the Enforcers. I had noted Nicholas's feelings for you quite well. But that was the first chance to see how you felt about him. It was... Illuminating." LaCroix continued "Now I am aware of your full feelings and can adjust my _play_ accordingly." He looked over Natalie's shoulder to the door. "And now so does Nicholas." (WARNING: Blatantly Mushy scene ahead. All nonromantics take the next cutoff please :) Natalie spun to see Nick standing there. Fear and Hope warred for final dominance of his expression. "Natalie..." Nick's voice was choked with emotion. "Its alright Nick." Natalie's voice was almost as choked. "Its alright." Nick moved over and gently took Natalie in his arms. "I hate to break up such a _tender_ scene. But you still haven't answered my question." LaCroix announced sardonically. Nick and Natalie pulled apart. Nicholas shielding Natalie behind his body. "I'll tell you what you want to know, LaCroix." "That's quite alright Nicholas, I'm sure that the good Doctor is willing to give me the full story." When Nick didn't move, LaCroix grew annoyed. "OH, do grow up, Nicholas! I have already given the Doctor my word. Isn't that enough?" Nick nodded, stepping so that Natalie was at his side. "You always keep your word. LaCroix." "Thank you." LaCroix intoned. Natalie gave LaCroix the details of the crimes. Speaking as though she were giving a verbal report to the Chief, she specified times of death, the location of the bodies and finally she told LaCroix the slight absurd theory that She, Tracy and Nick had come up with. Instead of laughing at the theory or heaping it with scorn as she would have expected LaCroix to do, he simply nodded as though the theory explained everything. "Yes, yes that makes sense. Of course. Very well. Nicholas. Doctor Lambert. I will inform those concerned that this is nothing to worry about and that it has nothing to do with our community." With those words he began to leave the room. Before he left he turned to Nick. "Oh yes. Nicholas, I hope you have noted that our relationship of late has become somewhat less strained?" Nick nodded. Since Janette's departure LaCroix had made an effort to be more accommodating. He still sniped and made cutting comments but he seemed to be trying to reopen, if not the friendship, at least the companionship that had been there before. "I make you one last promise then, Nicholas. A gift so to speak." "I will do nothing against the Good Doctor here, Unless of course she should somehow manage to bring you across or otherwise hurt you. Then, well, let's just say we'll burn that bridge when we come to it." At those words LaCroix left the room and allowed Nick and Natalie their privacy. The two stood in awkward silence for several moments until Nick finally spoke. "Natalie I'm sorry... I wanted to tell.." Natalie held a finger to Nick's mouth to silence him. Then she kissed him, softly, lightly. No passion, just a loving caress. "It's alright Nick, we'll work it out. Just as long as you love me." "You know I do Natalie." Then he shook his head. "No, I haven't said those words since that night. Have I?" Natalie shook her head. "I love you, Natalie Lambert. More than my own live. You have been the warmth in this cold existence of mine. The first real warmth in a very long time. If the day should come when you are taken from me by death. Wait for me, because I won't be more than the first sunrise behind you." Natalie's eyes filled with tears and the two just held each other for the longest time. End chapter 6 Author's notes: God I really hope this chapter works. If it doesn't let me know ok? It got a bit longer than I expected. By the way, what do you readers think of my take on LaCroix? I really want to know because I tried to get the feel of the character and the way he speaks. I didn't even intend to write him into this script but he appeared anyway. :) As before comments to kevinm@pixi.com Author's notes: OK well, the inspiration for this story (or the blame for giving me the idea :>) can go to Perri Smith for her excellent (IMHO) stories "What's Past is Prologue and House of the Rising Sun" which go me thinking _Why_ would a Vampire and an Immortal stay together? Especially when each tends to drift apart from their own kind easily enough. Also to the writers of the Niamh series written by Tara O'shea, The Forever Not story Revelations (The original inspiration for part of this story.). Disclaimer: in chapters 1 thru four. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 7 Coroner's Office. After LaCroix had left Nick and Natalie just held each other for several minutes. It felt right somehow, both realized they had reached a crossroads in their relationship and had taken the right path. Nick's eyes widened a little as he recalled LaCroix's parting words. His promise to leave Natalie alone. Nick thought. He worried a little. Again Nick smiled and held Natalie just a little bit tighter. If Natalie was being hurt by his squeezing she gave no indication of it. Returning his hug with one that rivaled his own. Suddenly the shrill sound of a phone ringing caused them to break apart. "Natalie's Bed and Breakfast." She began the stopped and listened "Detective Knight?. Yes he's here. Just a minute." Turning she put the line on hold. "Nick, it's the desk sergeant. He has a urgent call for you and someone remembered that you were coming down here. They're transferring the call." Nick picked up the phone. Expecting to hear about another murder he answered. "Knight here." "Nick?" "Vachon!? Is that you?" "Yeah" Vachon seemed to be trying to keep his voice down and in the background Nick could hear the sounds of the Raven, the nightclub owned by LaCroix. "Nick, that friend of Natalie's? Aaron?" "What about him?" Nick asked worried. "Well he's here and he just started to talk to one of us." "_Are You Sure?_" Nick asked in amazement. Aaron had seemed to be genuinely in love with his wife. Always talking about her. It seemed impossible that he had gone to the Raven to pick up a woman. "Well, I'm sure that she's one of us. But I've never seen her before. I tried to get closer but she saw me and warned me off. My wrist still hurts. Whoever she is she's strong." Nick thought. "Very well, I'll be right there. If they try to leave stall them." "And how I am I supposed to do that?" "I don't care, buy them a drink, slash his tires, just don't let them leave." "I'll try. But if she throws me thru anything. I'm telling Tracy your one of us, just to get even." Nick slammed to phone down. Startling Natalie. "Nick? What's wrong." "I'll tell you on the way." Nick said as he pulled her out to his car. Nick's Caddie on the way to the Raven. "I can't believe that Aaron is trying to cheat on Terry." Natalie said as they drove to the club. "I know Nat, but maybe he just stopped for a drink and she..." "What whammied him?" Natalie asked wanting to believe the best of her friend. "Maybe." "Then what I am doing here?" Natalie asked "Well if he is cheating on Terry, seeing you might just scare him enough to stay away from the Raven." "Oh.." Natalie said still not believing that about Aaron. Street Just Outside the Raven Nick pulled the car up across the street from the Raven. "I want you stay here." Nick said. "I know that LaCroix promised to leave you alone, but..." "You don't trust the others?" Natalie said slight annoyed. "Nat, Its not like this was a regular club." "All right, Nick. Just this once." She leaned back into the Caddie's seat and crossed her arms. "Thanks" Nick replied as he kissed her lips. Before he could pull away Natalie reached her hands around his head and pulled him into a deeper kiss. Nick pulled away from Natalie with a silly smile on his face. As he walked away he never saw the slightly smug expression on Nat's face. The Raven. Nick walked thru the club. Finally he spotted Vachon standing near a pillar looking around it like a peeking tom. "See anything interesting?" Nick said sneaking up behind him. Vachon spun startled. "Nick! Damn... you startled me." "They're over there." Vachon nodded to a couple sitting at a table. Nick looked at the couple for a second. It was Aaron sitting there along with female vampire that he had never seen before. She was petite, sitting the top of her head was level with Aaron's shoulders. But Nick could almost feel the age radiating from her. Strength and Power in a deceptively small package. The vampire got up and walked away obviously telling Aaron she'd be back. Nick quickly walked over and tapped Aaron on the shoulder. "Nick!" Aaron said with a smile "I didn't think that this was your kind of club." "It isn't" Nick said puzzled. Why wasn't Aaron dismayed to see him? "We're leaving now." "But, I was just waiting for..." "I know, I saw her, Now come along." Nick grabbed Aaron by the elbow and quickmarched him out the door. "What is going on?" LaCroix asked as he came up beside Vachon. "A friend of Nick's, a mortal. Nick's trying to get him out of here before she spots them." "She?" LaCroix asked amused. "One of us." Vachon replied scanning the bar. Pointing he said "Her" As LaCroix watched the young female looked at the empty table and then saw Nick hustling Aaron out the door. In a moment she began to quickly make her way to the exit. Vachon began to intercept her when a hand at his shoulder stopped him. "Don't get involved in this, Vachon." LaCroix said with a smile. "Nicholas is in for a shocking surprise. That's all." "But..." "Come along Vachon." LaCroix voice made it clear that this was a command. Only the knowledge that LaCroix could break him in half kept Vachon from telling LaCroix where to stick his command and reluctantly he followed. Outside the Raven. Nick kept a firm grip on Aaron's elbow and tried to get him to cross the street. Finally Aaron pulled his arm out of Nick's grasp and shouted "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT!?!?!?" Natalie watched from her seat as Nick shoved Aaron in the alleyway out of the sight of the club entrance. Then she saw an auburn haired woman come out of the club at a run and head for the alleyway. Puzzled she got out of the car and went after her. Nick was keeping Aaron in place by holding his shoulder in a painful vicelike grip. "You are never going into that club again. What if Terry knew about this?" Aaron's eyes widened. "Nick you don..." Aaron's response was cut off as a small red-headed body slammed into Nick and sent him flying. Nick thought as he hit a garbage dumpster in the center of the alley. The thought of facing someone that powerful terrified him but he quickly released the vampire and snarled at her. She was already in full vampire mode and snarled back at him "YOU KEEP AWAY FROM HIM!!" Nick blinked in astonishment at the words that came from the female's mouth. Then he watched as Aaron calmly looked at both of them, walked over and put his arms around the female vampire. "Terry, Terry its ok" He said gently trying to calm her down. "That's Natalie's Nick." Natalie arrived just in time to see the ending and hear Aaron's words. She gasped as she saw the blazing red eyes of a vampire staring out of her friend's face. "Theresa?" She stammered surprised. Aaron looked now at Natalie then at Nick, who was still golden eyed, and asked "She knows about you then?" Nick closed his mouth and nodded. "I think we need to talk." Aaron again looked around. "Maybe someplace a little more private?" "My place, follow my car." Nick said curtly. He then led a still staring Natalie back to the Caddie. "This is getting complicated" Theresa said giggling a little. "At least now I know why Nick has so much trouble committing." As they walked to their car, Aaron smiled. "At least he doesn't know about me." "Natalie and Nick... Natalie and the Vampire Nick Knight" Aaron said with amusement. Turning to Theresa he asked "Do you believe in miraculous coincidences?" "Coincidences no" Theresa said "Miracles yes." "Really?" "Ever since I met you." Theresa finished as she wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned her head into the his shoulder. Aaron wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her tight. "You took the words right out of my mouth." End chapter 7 As before Any Remarks to kevinm@pixi.com Author's notes: In chapters 1 to 4 Disclaimer: see above. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 8 Aaron's Car Aaron followed Nick's Caddie as he drove to Nick's place. Theresa lay curled up against his side, her head on his shoulder just smiling. When his cellular phone went off, Theresa worked it out of his pocket and answered it. "Hello? Oh, hi Conner. You want to talk to Aaron? Well he's kinda got his hands full right now." She smiled at Aaron and snuggled in a little closer. Then blushed at whatever remark Conner made over the phone. "No, you didn't interrupt anything! It's just... _never mind!_" Aaron laughed at the embarrassed look on Theresa's face. Conner Macleod was one of the few people in the world that could make Theresa blush. When he stopped laughing he noticed Theresa now looked a little worried. "OK, I'll tell him. Thanks Conner." She hung up the phone and put it back in his coat pocket. "Tell me what?" Theresa still looked worried. "He said to tell you that someone named Silas Clay was seen heading this way and for you to watch out." Aaron stiffened. "Aaron? Who is he?" "An Immortal, one that cheats." Theresa looked concerned "Cheats?" "Yeah, he likes to find young Immortals. Those that haven't had much practice or haven't even become immortal yet. Then he kills them." "So why do you say he cheats?" "Because, Clay uses a gun when he starts to lose." "He's not coming after you is he?" "I don't know" came Aaron's soft reply. "He and I have never met before and I'm a lot more dangerous than the ones he usually faces. But he might be after someone else." "Who??" she swatted his arm. "C'mon, love don't say something like that and then leave me hanging. Tell me who he's after. A friend of yours?" "I'm just not sure. He might not even stop in Toronto anyway." "Hmmph...Well be that way then." Aaron could tell by the words alone that she was upset with him. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "Sorry love, but I really don't know who he's after. If he is heading for here, there are at least 3 other Immortals in the city. All of them under 200 years old. He might be after one of them." "Are you going to warn them?" She asked. "Right now." Aaron pulled the phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. "Is this the Farmer Estate? Could I speak to Brian Farmer please?...What? When? God... Okay thank you, I'm sorry to have disturbed you." Aaron looked shaken for a moment. Theresa saw the ashen look on his face and knew what had happened. "He's dead isn't he?" "Uh-huh, According the butler he was killed this earlier this evening." "Was he a friend?" Aaron smiled weakly "No, not really, but he was one of the honorable ones. I liked him." He pounded his fist into the dash. Then he began dialing again, his actions just a little more frantic. After a moment he heard a voice on the other end. "Kyle?, Thank god... This Aaron, Look have you heard about Alex? I mean Brian Farmer? yeah, I was sorry to hear it too. Well the reason I'm calling is the one that I think killed him is a Silas Clay." After listening for a moment he nodded "You've heard of him then? Good, No don't try to find him... He's way to good for you to beat. Kyle? KYLE!?" Aaron's face was angry "That idiot is actually going to try to find Clay and kill him." Then he shook his head sadly "He's going to die." He dialed the last number. After about 4 rings the answering machine picked up. "Hello, you've reached the Marshal residence. We are in Europe at the moment but if you leave your name and number, the Staff will forward your call to us. Bye." Aaron hung up. "At least he's safe." They drove the rest of the way in silence. Nick's Loft. The ride up to the loft was silent. Natalie and Nick had questions that were best asked when all parties concerned were comfortable. Aaron and Theresa were still mulling over what had happened recently. Finally, Nick opened the door to his loft. When they walked in, Aaron looked at several of the things that Nick had on display in his bookcase. "I can see you've been a Vampire for a while." Nick turned "And just how do you know that?" Aaron pointed to the bookcase. "Some of those items belong in a museum. You've got them displayed like they were mementos. Stands to reason when you got them they weren't very valuable." "800 hundreds or so" Aaron gave a low whistle. Natalie had listened to this exchange and turned to Theresa. "Terry, how long?" Theresa knew what she was asking about and answered wistfully "A little over 2000 years." As Aaron and Theresa settled on the couch. Natalie asked "How long have you been together?" This time Aaron answered in a quiet voice "Seems like forever..." He wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled until her back was resting against his chest. Natalie blushed a little but she just had to ask "Terry?" "Yes?" "How do... I mean I was led to understand that a Vampire and a Human can't... I... Oh god just forget it!" She finally stammered, her face flaming red. Theresa giggled "An Iron will" she said through the giggles. "Like with anything it just takes practice. Building up to the point gradually. Being completely sated before hand helps to of course." Natalie gratefully changed the subject when Theresa paused. "How did you first meet?" At that question both Aaron and Theresa got the same look that Nick often got when he remembered things. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ireland 1020 Theresa stood waiting as the four Norsemen approached her. She remained still. Acting terrified was easy enough. The trembling they took for fear was rage. These four and their compatriots had killed the small village that she had claimed. The villagers had understood. She would never kill one of them, just take enough blood to satisfy her. In exchange she protected them at night. When they were most vulnerable. These bastards had struck while she was sleeping. If not their bodies would now be under the Irish soil instead of the villagers. They had taken what was hers and she was going to make them pay. "Here pretty girl, If you don't struggle, maybe we'll let you go when this is over." The leader of the band leered at her. She waited, once they were far enough away from the forest, she'd strike. Then when they ran she'd pick them off one at a time until they were all dead. Suddenly a voice spoke out. "I'd leave the lass alone if I were you." Aaron had been wandering thru Ireland for days. He had been looking for an Irish Immortal said to be living in the North but hadn't found anyone. he realized. It was getting harder to face the years ahead. He knew he was feeling sorry for himself but even after 100 years the pain was still there. Elizabeth had been the last person in the world that he had loved. He had rescued her as a child. Together they had wandered the world. Gradually she had become a very beautiful young lady. And she had loved him. She knew that the truth, that she would age and he would be forever at the age when he had first died. But still she had decided to be with him. It still felt odd to realize that she had been taken from him not by the Game or by old age but in a stupid accident. He could still hear the sound of the horse as it hit the unseen hole in the earth. The sickening sound of bone breaking. He had held her, crying, wishing that he could die as well. For a time he had gone out seeking his own death. But the first Immortal he had met had been a monster, evil and he would be damned if this one would get his head. After that he just wandered, hoping that someday the pain would go away. His reverie was broken by a Vikings voice. "Here pretty girl, If you don't struggle, maybe we'll let you go when this is over." As he watched they closed in a circle around the defenseless lass. Without thinking he stepped out of the woods and challenged them. "I'd leave the lass alone if I were you." Theresa watched as her _savior_ fought the four men. He seemed to be completely unconcerned with his own welfare. continually telling her to run. She simply watched as he dealt with the first two as fast as they came in. The third was more cautious and the two began to fight in earnest. She watched as they circled and parried. She had gotten so caught up in the fight that she didn't notice the fourth Viking sneaking up on the pair. Not until he has stuck his sword clean thru the back of her rescuer. Before he fell, her rescuer managed to drive his own sword thru his opponents guard and drop him. The last Viking turned to her "Looks like I have you all to myself now." He advanced on her. At her suddenly pointed smile, he paled and began to back away. Before he could get very far she was on him. Her fangs punctured the arteries in his neck and she drained him. When she had finished, she turned to the one that had thought to save her. Surprisingly he was still alive. she thought to herself, seeing the severity of the wound. Gently she bent over him. He looked at her blankly for a moment then his eyes cleared and he asked "Are you all right?" Blinking back tears she understood that even while dying he was concerned for her... She made her decision and removing the sword. Held his head in her lap and sang a old song for saying farewell to a departing soul. Gradually the light went out of his eyes and she allowed the crimson tears to flow down her cheeks. Aaron came awake suddenly, as the quickening forced his body to heal at a fantastic rate. he thought. Still dizzy he looked up into the face of the girl that he had tried to save. The look she was giving him was one of pure disbelief. Suddenly she stated "Your not one of my kind... What are you?" he wondered, then he noticed the bloody streaks running from her eyes and the sharp canines that were far to long to be normal. "Vampire" was all he said. "No" She replied "I just said you're not of my kind. Again what are you?" "First tell me why your crying." She looked at him. "Because I didn't bring you across like I wanted to. Because I was going to be alone again." Aaron looked at her, what she had said had struck a chord inside him. He knew how she felt. So he told her about the Game and the Immortals. Then he asked her another question. "You wanted to bring me across? Make me into a vampire right?" at her nod he continued "Why didn't you." "You were concerned about me. Do didn't save me for yourself, you did just to help me. As much as I wanted a companion, I couldn't do that to you. You deserved a better ending." Gently he reached over and touched her face. "I'll make you a promise lass." She looked at him, a questioning look on her face. "I'll stay with you, be your companion, thru thick and thin. So long as you promise not take any innocent lives. What do you say lass?" She looked at him in amazement. "What do you get out of this deal?" "The same thing you do... A companion, someone to talk to. Someone who understands the idea of countless tommorrows." Now he stood up and extended his hand. "Well?" Slowly she took his hand and held tight. That was all the answer he needed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nick's Loft All that flashed thru Aaron's and Theresa's minds as the stood pondering how the answers Natalie's question. Finally Aaron said "I saw being bothered by a group of thugs. How was I supposed to know she wanted them for a snack? Owww!!" This last was caused by Theresa's sudden dig with her elbow into his ribs. Theresa finished. "When he helped me, I wanted to make him my childe but I couldn't. It wouldn't have been right. Instead we became companions, then lovers, then finally married." Natalie smiled as she looked over to Nick and wondered if the same would ever happen to them. End chapter 8 Author's notes: Well, you didn't think this would be a FK story without at least one flashback? Did you? ;) Send all comments to kevinm@pixi.com Any and all comments will be appreciated. Well except for flames. Those will be ignored. Author's notes: In chapters 1 to 4 Disclaimer: see above. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 9 Nick's loft. Aaron saw the way Natalie was looking at Nick and wondered if something had happened since the last time he had spoken to her? Before he could ask, Nick turned to Theresa "You write _Vampire Novels_?" When Theresa nodded Nick stammered "B...But the Enforcers..." "Know everything about it." She was smirking just a little. "I am simply using Poe's Idea." At that Natalie began to snicker. "Poe?" Nick asked exasperated. "As...As in Ed...Edgar Allen." Natalie managed to sputter out laughing. "The Purloined Letter?" Aaron finally interjected. "You know the best place to hide something is..." "In plain sight." Nick sighed "I still don't understand." "C'mon _Detective_" Theresa said. "Assume you are just a everyday cop. You know absolutely nothing about the Vampire Community. Suddenly a man rushes in and says I think that a vampire lives in the house next to me." "What's you first reaction?" "To have him checked for a psychiatric condition. Or for drugs." "Right. You certainly wouldn't take him seriously especially when he starts describing them as being like Anne Rice's vampires or Emily Weiss's or even mine." Nick finally understood. "The vampire stories are way to keep the public from thinking we might actually exist." "Exactly!" Theresa's voice was triumphant. "The ones that believe in us, already know we exist because they've seen us or are usually slightly unbalanced to begin with. No one is going to take them seriously. Not so long as vampires are fictional." Suddenly Aaron's watch began beeping. Looking at it he said. "Sorry, Nick but Terry and I have to get home. Sunrise is in an hour and it'll take at least 40 minutes to get there." As they were leaving, Aaron turned and asked "Nick, you and Natalie are off tomorrow right?" Both of them nodded. "Well, how about you join us for a early evening picnic. I know this great park that we can go too. It's out of the way and we can talk freely." As Nick nodded, Aaron and Theresa left the loft and headed home. Small park. Early evening. Nick and Natalie arrived about an hour after sunset. They saw Aaron and Theresa seated near a small grove of trees. Natalie smiled when she saw the very traditional meal laid out before her. Seeing the smile Aaron laughed "What did you expect? Nat. A row of unlabeled bottles? like those?" He pointed to two wine bottles sitting in the cooler. Natalie blushed "Well yes. But then I haven't been on many picnics with a pair of vampires before." Aaron continued laughing as he said. "Well, Theresa might like a liquid diet but I'm a meat and potatoes man." With that he picked up a chicken leg and bit in. Nick couldn't remember when he had had a more pleasant time. It was a pleasure to be able to just relax and not have to worry about someone finding out about his secret. Sure he could relax with Nat, or at the Raven. But it was nothing like this. Just talking and relaxing with friends. He even began to tease Aaron. "Admit it Gray, it was Theresa that told you all those facts you used to shake up the historians, Right?" Aaron flushed a little and mumbled "Something like that." Natalie laughed "Aha, so another man owes his position to his wife." Theresa had been laughing silently throughout this exchange and finally she managed to say "Some of the information might have come from me, Natalie. But Aaron got the corroborative data that made his papers acceptable to the academics." Nick and Aaron began talking about Professorships. Eventually Nick told them the story about how he had been blacklisted during the 50's and lost his position as a professor, when the government had found bottles of blood in his refrigerator. "Nicholas Girard!" Aaron suddenly exclaimed. "That's where I've seen your face before! It was in the papers." Nick nodded "That was one of the few jobs I truly loved. I felt like I was making a difference." "You're making a difference now. Nick" Natalie said. "Maybe but this latest case has me frustrated." Aaron looked at Nick for a second. "You mean the Headhunter case?" "Yes" Nick said with a sigh. "We've hit a dead end." He never noticed the look of relief that crossed Aaron's face. Suddenly Aaron stiffened and began scanning the area. After a moment he said "Nick, Get Natalie out of here now!" Nick looked around "What is it? C'mon Aaron what could be..." "I SAID NOW!" Aaron shouted as he drew a sword from under the blanket. Nick's eyes widened as he recognized the sword. The same sword that had managed to disappear from the evidence room. So caught up in the moment were both vampires, that neither noticed the man coming at them with the assault rifle. Aaron turned to face his opponent just as the staccato fire of the assault rifle ripped thru the air. Nick saw, almost in slow motion, Natalie's body as she was hit repeatedly by bullets from the gun. Then he felt rage build in him as both She and Aaron fell to the ground. For the first time in a very long time, Nick welcomed the Vampire. He gave in fully to the bloodthirst as he vision turned red. He turned to kill the monster that had hurt his Natalie. "nick..." The soft broken sound of Natalie's voice reached him. The vampire fled against a wave of grief. He turned back to Natalie and held her. the griefstricken part of his mind told him. Before he could though, he felt the life leave her body. Nick simply sat there. He hadn't prayed, not really, since he had been brought across. But now he heard words long thought forgotten pour from his lips. Vaguely he heard the snarls and screams as Theresa killed the gun wielding maniac. He felt a hand touch his shoulder. Looking up, he saw the crimson streaked face of Theresa looking down. "Nick, I'm so sorry." "I'm sorry for you too." Theresa looked over at Aaron's body. Slowly she walked over and knelt by him, her face calm, almost unconcerned. Nick now just stared Aaron's eyes opened with a jerk. He rolled over, and felt Theresa take his hand. Suddenly memory came flooding back. "Omigosh!, Nat!" He looked around and saw Nick, cradling Natalie's still form, just staring at him. "Nick, I'm sorry. I didn't want it to happen this way." Nick simply turned away from him and looked at Natalie. A lost expression filled his face as he began to cry. Aaron's face filled with rage as he picked up his sword. Clay got up just as he arrived. Quickly, Clay picked up the heavy axe that he had always used. Aaron didn't bother with finesse, he simply began hacking at the man. The sudden ferocity of the attack drove Clay back. In desperation Clay grabbed Aaron's swordarm at the wrist. Aaron returned the favor and for a moment the two stood deadlocked. Then Aaron smiled. "You know Clay you made one serious mistake." "What was that?" Clay sneered he was bigger and stronger than Gray and he knew he could overpower him. "You pissed me off." Aaron replied as he viciously brought his knee up into Clay's groin. As Clay howled in pain, Aaron dropped his own sword, wrenched Clay's axe out of his hands and brought the axe around in a 360 degree circle. Neatly severing Clay's head. As Clay's body fell, a faint luminescence flowed out of it. Suddenly Aaron was surrounded by flaring arcing light that resembled lightning. He twisted and jerked as the lightning struck him. Finally the light faded and Aaron knelt on the ground catching his breath. Nick barely noticed all this as he continued to whisper his prayers and hold Natalie's body. He looked up in amazement has he suddenly heard her take a gasping breath. "nick?" the voice was weak but unmistakably Natalie's. Natalie looked around, she remembered the paid of the bullets hitting her and came to the only conclusion. "You brought me across? I wish I could say I was sorry you did but I wasn't ready to leave you yet." Nick's smile was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. But the words that accompanied the smile confused her. "I didn't get the chance to bring you across." "Then how...?" her voice broke off as she felt a funny sensation in her head. Almost like a buzzing feeling it seemed to be coming from Aaron who was approaching them. "Nat." Aaron said. He had a tired look on his face. "I really think we need to have a talk." End chapter 9. Notes: OK so I messed up a little I thought I could get the entire finale into one chapter. One more to go folks. How am I doing? All comments, criticisms, praises to kevinm@pixi.com Folks, sorry but I just went over my copy of the story that I sent and for some reason several words were missing so I am reposting it correctly. Author's notes: In chapters 1 to 4 Disclaimer: see above. Companionship by Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 10 Nick's loft. Nick slammed his fist into the table hard enough to crack the hard wood surface. "YOU ACTUALLY EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT!?!?" He had allowed Aaron to grab all of the picnic supplies and hustle them to the loft. Aaron had promised to explain everything once they got there. But for the last several minutes he had been listening to a fantastic story about immortals and swordfights and a game that Natalie was, somehow, involved in. "You know Nick, coming from a 800 year old vampire. That's a pretty silly statement." Nick whirled glaring at Theresa, who sat there laughing. Suddenly he realized how stupid his statement was. Slowly he relaxed and said "All right, Aaron. You're an immortal and so is Natalie. But you still haven't explained what this game is." Aaron still looked a little tired. "I think maybe I'd better explain the rules first." "One...We never fight on holy ground." Natalie broke in "Why holy ground?" "_I_ don't know! Its convention. None of us will break that rule. Not even a cheat like Clay would have done that." "two..." Aaron said before Natalie could interrupt again. "we always fight one on one." "_Let me guess_ convention again?" Natalie said, her voice filled with exasperation. Aaron shrugged. "Actually in this case its logic. The quickening goes to the nearest immortal. You don't want someone else to get the power you fought for." "three...the only way to die is to be decapitated." "four... we use hand to hand weapons as a matter of honor." "What happens if someone doesn't follow that rule?" Natalie asked. "Nothing actually" Aaron admitted. "It's part of the code but there have been a few who don't follow that one." "Of course." Aaron continued "The ones that do are usually well known to us. We tend to either avoid them or keep out the line of fire until he runs out of bullets." "_five_... There can be only one." "What?" Natalie asked. "In the end the last Immortals will fight until only one of us is left. The last one alive wins the prize." "Lemme guess, I get to pass go and get two hundred dollars." Natalie deadpanned. Aaron stifled a laugh. "No... whenever we take another Immortals head, his quickening, his lifeforce if you will enters our body. We gain some of their power and memories. Supposedly the prize is total access to all the power and abilities of every Immortal that ever lived." "Six.." "There's more!" Nick exclaimed. "_Six_, there are no other rules." "None?" Natalie said amazed. "None, everything else is just personal honor. Several Immortals have used loved ones to coerce their opponents into giving up without a fight. Others have simply befriended other immortals then betrayed them. I know of one that goes around pretending to be a new made immortal asking for help and then killing her benefactors once she learns all that she can." Natalie shivered for a moment. As Nick wrapped his arms around her, she leaned gratefully into his embrace. Finally she looked over at Aaron and asked "What if I don't want to play the game?" "You don't get that choice." Aaron paced back and forth in front of the couch. "The gathering, the time when all the Immortals are supposed to begin the final fight for the Prize had begun. If you don't fight, then one of them will find you and kill you." "Gee...you mean I became immortal just in time to get killed by one of you." Natalie said sarcastically. "Not exactly Nat." Aaron stopped pacing and looked straight at the two very different type of immortals staring at him. "The Gathering may have begun but it isn't if full swing yet. The final fight will begin when there are only a few of us left. I don't know what a few means but there are still a lot of us around and more are being _born_ every generation." "The final Gathering may begin tomorrow or a thousand years from now. The only way to get thru this is one day at time." Natalie looked dazed. Aaron knew exactly how she felt becoming an Immortal was a lot to take in. "So what do I do now?" "For now you learn." Aaron looked at Nick. "I'll teach you what I can, and I'm sure Nick can help. Since he's 800 years old I'm sure that he's handled a sword or two in his time." "A _sword_?" Natalie looked shaken. "You prefer a axe instead?" "No..." "Well then, I'll provide the sword. Then we begin your training." Natalie finally said "I need time to think about this." "I know that its a lot to think about" Aaron said gently. "But don't worry everything will work out all right." Slowly Natalie nodded. She watched as Aaron and Theresa got up to leave. Suddenly she grinned, stretched up and whispered something in Nick's ear. Aaron saw the movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned in time to see the light flush that passed for a blush on a vampire. "Nick can I talk to you for a sec?" He pulled Nick over to one side. "If what happens is what I think is going to happen I've got to tell you something." Nick's face got just a little more flushed, confirming Aaron's suspicion. "I have to tell you that we _can_ die. But the only way for us to be permanently dead is beheading. If things go too far and you... Well you know." Now Aaron felt his face flush a little. "Don't freak! Nat'll be fine, she'll come around and probably be really thirsty. Replacing that much blood kinda drains a person." Nick looked at Aaron angrily. "You don't think I'd..." "_No_ I don't think you'd do it deliberately." Aaron broke in. "But the possibility is always there. Just don't fall back to self-recrimination, ok? It just takes time to learn how to control the instinct." As Aaron turned to leave he heard Nick ask "How do you know about..." Aaron turned back to see Natalie pull Nick into a rather heated kiss. Smiling he joined his wife in the hallway and shut the door. Theresa turned to him and asked "Was that little talk really necessary?" Aaron nodded once. "Nick has this tendency to blame himself if anything goes wrong. I remember the first time we made love. I woke up with a terrific thirst, remember?" Theresa blushed and rapped him in the arm. "That was almost 900 years ago!" Aaron laughed as they headed for his car. "But I remember it, like it was yesterday. Nick hasn't had that long. I didn't want Natalie to come to and find a pile of ash on the floor." Theresa began laughing as well. As their car pulled away they could see the lights go out in Nick's loft. The End. Phew... Finally, you know for a story that was supposed to be 5 chapters long this kinda got away from me. Well I hoped you liked it. The second part tentatively titled "Remembrances" will hopefully begin posting soon. A few notes: The scene where Natalie baits Nick was actually written first. I saw the "Only the Lonely" and remembered the scene where Nick tried to act pleased about Natalie's date and tried to recapture that feeling. The original version of this story was only about 1 chapter long and was inspired by the Forever Not story "Revelations" the one where Schanke is turned into an immortal. The first version had Nick, Natalie and two immortals, but was so reminiscent of Revelations that I couldn't bring myself to post it. Like I said, Perri Smith's stories got me to wondering about an Immortal, Vampire pairing. I finally created the characters of Theresa Ryan and Aaron Gray to work out my questions about why they would stay together after hundreds of years. Think about it, I seriously doubt that any two Immortals have stayed together longer than a hundred years in the TV series and LaCroix mentions that vampires are always leaving. Any Comments may be sent to kevinm@pixi.com