I thank my beta readers Wendy, Shannon, and Jody for all of their efforts. The 
many helpful suggestions they made and the patience they showed is greatly 
appreciated. Without them this story wouldn't have been possible. I'd also like 
to thank the gang on IRC for their support and for being test subjects for 
various sections of this story. 


Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat, and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to me, 
and I am not attempting to make any type of profit from them.  All new 
characters are mine. 


Permission to archive this at Mel Moser's FKFanfic and the FK FTP site is 
granted.


THIS IS THE ADULT VERSION OF THE STORY.  If you are not 18 years of age or do 
not like sexually explicit stories DO NOT READ this. If you would like a PG 
version of this story, please contact me at: forevrnite@usa.net and I will be 
glad to send it to you. 



Farewells and New Beginnings 
By Nightlady 
(c) 1998 




Nick slowly opened his eyes. Beside him, her body molded against his own, Nat 
still slept. Even though he had, over the past several months, become use to the 
feel of her in his arms, this was different. This morning she wasn't merely his 
lover. She was his wife. A soft smile formed on Nick's face as he savored the 
sound of that word in his mind. He let his eyes drift to where Nat's hand lay 
upon his chest, the gold wedding band glinting in the small amount of light that 
seeped into the bedroom. Nick could feel the weight of the matching band on his 
own hand and allowed his thoughts to drift back to their wedding, only the night 
before.  The memory of how beautiful Nat had looked in her wedding gown, regal 
as a queen and ethereal as a vision of an angel, warmed him. He still felt the 
intense joy that had suffused him during the ceremony and, in the depths of 
whatever soul he could claim, knew that joy would never diminish but would only 
grow as time passed. 




So lost was Nick in his thoughts, he didn't realize that Nat had awakened until 
he felt her lips planting small, soft kisses on his chest. He slid his hand 
under her chin and, lifting her face, sought her mouth with his. As their lips 
met in a soft and tender kiss, Nick felt his body respond to Nat's nearness.  
Carefully, he deepened the kiss. Nat made a small sound of contentment then met 
his growing passion with her own.  Nick could hear the increase in her heart's 
rhythm as she met his questing tongue with her own.  It was several minutes 
later when they finally broke the kiss. 




"Thank you." Nat said, as she gazed lovingly into his eyes. 




Nick gave her a questioning look. "For what? If anything, I should be thanking 
you." 




Nat smiled. "For what you did last night," she explained. "I know how hard it 
had to be for you to allow me to taste your blood." 




A small knot of fear, that Nick hadn't realized existed until he heard her 
words, relaxed in his chest. He looked at the love in her eyes and heard the 
sincerity in her voice. "You know that I never wanted to condemn you to my world 
of darkness." He said, caressing her face.  "But, since that is what is 
happening, I wanted to make our wedding night special. I wanted to share all 
that I am with you."  He spoke quietly, praying that she would understand. 




"You succeeded. Last night was more wonderful than anything I ever imagined, 
even in my wildest dreams. I felt as if we were not two people, but two halves 
of one person." Nat's voice trembled slightly as the memory of the blood 
exchange flooded her mind. 




Nick stroked Nat's hair. "I was afraid that when you finally knew, really knew, 
the horrible things that I've done in the past you would never want to be near 
me again." He confessed. 




"They don't matter to me, Nick. They never have. All of that was long ago and 
you are not the same person that you were then." Nat met his eyes, watching as 
he slowly accepted the truth of her words. "The only thing that matters now is 
today and the future. Together, we will someday find a cure, for both of us." 




Nick kissed her forehead. "I must have done some good in my existence. Having 
you beside me is proof enough of that for me." He gazed into her eyes. "I love 
you with every fiber of my being, and that love will never fade." 




Nat smiled and slid her hand down his chest, drawing small circles along his 
nipples with the tips of her fingers.  "I don't suppose I could talk you into 
showing me just how much you love me?" she said, her eyes sparkling. 




Nick gave a small chuckle. "Your wish is my command, my love." He pulled her 
into a tight embrace, his mouth seeking hers. He tasted the sweet nectar of her 
lips, and plunged his tongue deep within her open, eager mouth. Her own tongue 
met and caressed his. Nick moaned with pleasure as he felt a deep tingling in 
his groin. Burying his hands in the wild, fullness of her hair, Nick deepened 
the kiss. The small sigh of pleasure that Nat made brought a sense of joy to his 
heart. He let his hands drift over the soft fullness of her body. First the 
delicate curve of her throat, then down to the proud swell of her breasts, 
farther down across the smooth skin of her stomach to the wiry mass of hair that 
covered the core of her femininity. His touch was soft, the territory familiar 
to him now. He caressed her there, with a touch that was almost ethereal and 
smiled as she pressed against him desiring more. At a leisurely pace, he brought 
his hands back up to her face, cupping it between his palms. 




Nat shivered with delectation and anticipation as Nick traced his hands along 
her body. She could feel every nerve ending they touched burst into exquisite 
pleasure. Over the past months her body had finally come to know the exultation 
of Nick's caresses. Caresses she had dreamed of, and for so many long years, 
feared never experiencing. She willingly gave herself to them, while at the same 
time she began her own exploration of him. She ran her tongue languidly across 
the backs of his teeth, paying special attention to his fangs. As she felt them 
grow against her tongue, she thrilled at the sleek feel of them. She smiled as 
she felt his cock hardening against her. The knowledge that Nick could 
experience their lovemaking with the full extent of his vampiric senses brought 
her a feeling of peace. 




Nick gasped as he felt Nat tease his fangs into descending. The emergence of his 
beast meant that all of his senses were intensified and he inhaled deeply, 
letting the rich scent that was uniquely Nat fill him. He was not in the least 
surprised to feel his manhood throbbing in response to this stimuli.  He felt 
Nat's hands as they kneaded and stroked the muscles of his shoulders and back. 
When she moved to graze his nipples with her slender fingers, he found that he 
was almost panting with the pleasure this produced. Breaking their kiss, he 
dropped his mouth to one of her full, inviting breasts and began to kiss and 
lick his way toward the darker center of it. Nat encouraged him with small 
sounds of arousal and arched her back to more easily enable him to find the 
sensitive nipple. As he reached his goal, he swirled his tongue in lazy circles 
around it, feeling the nipple pucker and tightened into a small hard nub. Only 
then did he take it fully into his mouth, still caressing it with his tongue 
even as he began to suck on it. After several minutes, he released one breast 
and repeated his actions on the other. 




Nat could feel her heartbeat accelerating as Nick suckled and toyed with her 
breasts. She felt has if she were going to explode from the wonderful waves of 
pleasure that were coursing through her. She could feel a slick moistness in 
between her legs and an aching feeling of longing for Nick's now hard cock to be 
inside her. She moaned at the feeling of ecstasy that was sweeping over her and 
marveled at Nick's ability to carry her so slowly and wonderfully to the heights 
of pleasure. She ran her hands over his muscled back, feeling the cool 
smoothness of his skin as she did so. She slid her hand down and across his 
thighs, until her questing fingers found and encircled his swollen, turgid 
shaft. Delicately she caressed the tip of it, feeling the slickness of his 
readiness. A grin formed on her lips as her action caused Nick to thrust his 
hips forward and draw in a shuddering gasp of air. Meeting his passion filled 
gold eyes with her gold flecked blue ones she whispered his name in a voice 
filled with passion and love. 




Nick luxuriated in the feel of Nat's touch on him. The mild pressure she exerted 
on his penis as she stroked him caused him to feel as if a molten fountain of 
energy ran from his manhood throughout his entire body. He dropped his lips from 
her breasts, nuzzling the softness of her abdomen as he worked downward. He 
licked the small depression of her belly button and heard her quick intake of 
breath. Turning so that he could explore her innermost folds, while still 
enabling her to continue her gentle exploration of him, he shuddered with 
delight as he felt her tongue deliberately trace the contours of his shaft. 




Nick carefully parted the folds of Nat's most intimate area to reveal the rosy 
slickness of her. First kissing the softness of her mound, he then stroked the 
outer lips with his tongue before allowing himself to taste her copious juices. 
That she was this eager for him only increased his own raging desire for her. 
Nick ran his tongue inside her, his head filled with the scent of her sex and 
her blood. His fangs ached to penetrate the honeyed sweetness of her flesh and 
release the bountiful goodness of her, but Nick resisted the urge. He wanted to 
prolong the experience; to ensure they were both fully satisfied. 




Nat eagerly lapped the lubricating juices that flowed from Nick's cock, the 
taste reminding her vividly of Nick's blood. She closed her eyes, and taking him 
into her mouth, rolled her tongue around him. She felt him harden further and 
began to softly suck on him, as well. She felt him twitch, slightly, as his body 
demanded more. She obliged by increasing the intensity of her actions. 
When Nick began to explore her innermost folds with his tongue, Nat could not 
control the shudders of intense excitement that flowed from her womb. The aching 
desire to hold him, not in her mouth but within her very core, intensified with 
each passing second. The need for release built until Nick held her teetering on 
the very edge. She could tell from the feel of him in her mouth that he, too, 
was at the brink. Releasing him she entreated, "Nick, please, I need you inside 
of me!" Her voice was ragged with need. 




Nick felt as if the whole universe had narrowed to the sound of Nat's blood 
rushing through her veins, the scent of her sex as it called to him and the 
fountain of lava that ran through his body. At Nat's words he turned, and 
positioning himself between her opened legs, entered the snug cocoon of her 
vagina. He felt her thrust up with her hips, seeking to take him farther into 
her, but he held her down as he gradually eased his fullness into her. When he 
was totally inside her he leaned forward and captured her mouth. For several 
moments he didn't move until at last he could no longer resist the insistence of 
his body for completion.  Slowly at first he began to thrust inside her, but his 
own burning fires, and her need for him, soon caused him to speed up. 




Nat writhed, as Nick seemed to take forever to penetrate her. Her body wanted to 
feel him completely and the slowness of his movement was a form of exquisite 
torture and delight.  At last, he was inside and for a moment it was enough to 
just feel his hardness within her. She welcomed his lips on hers and, when Nick 
again began to plunder her mouth with his, her desire and need for release 
skyrocketed. She ground her pelvis against him, seeking fulfillment. The first 
of his thrusts within her brought a cry of exaltation to her lips, and she felt 
her whole existence center on the source of such pleasure. As she felt herself 
reach the acme of her ecstasy, she arched her neck baring the pulsating vein to 
her love. "Nick, take me now!" She gasped as she urged his mouth to her throat. 
Just as she felt his fangs release her blood to his thirsty mouth, she cried out 
wordlessly as her orgasm broke over her. At the same, to her joy, she realized 
that she was feeling all that Nick felt too. The force of his climax met hers 
and merged with it. Nat once again screamed out in utter bliss, as this new 
pleasure ravaged her. She felt the overwhelming protectiveness, desire and, most 
of all, the love that came from Nick through their bond. 




Nick drew the sweetness of Nat's blood into his mouth and shuddered as his 
climax ripped through him. He could feel his cock pulsing as he ejaculated over 
and over in Nat. Her orgasm washed over him, the knowledge that he had given her 
such pleasure intensifying his own elation. The absolute peace of her soul and 
love for him that her blood showed him soothed him like nothing before ever had. 
He removed his fangs and kissed away the few drops of blood that lingered. 
Raising his head, he looked, with his now blue eyes, into the deep pools of love 
that shone in Nat's eyes. Sliding his now limp penis from her, he slid his 
weight off her and snuggled her into his arms. 




"Was that a good enough demonstration of how much I love you?" He asked with a 
mischievous twinkle in his eyes. 




Nat smiled back at him. "It'll do, for now." She said teasingly, "But I do plan 
to ask for further demonstrations." 




Nick hugged her against him. "That will be my great pleasure, for the rest of 
eternity, if necessary." He kissed her softly on the lips. 




"Please tell me that we don't have to get up yet?" Nat said as she burrowed 
against him. 




Nick chuckled. "No, we have several hours before then." He looked at the 
satisfied smile this news brought to Nat's lips. "Rest for now, we have a long 
night ahead of us." 




Nat raised an eyebrow, "You know, you still haven't told me where we're going 
for our honeymoon." She eyed the smug look on Nick's face. "And you're not going 
to tell me now, are you?" She said. 




"Nope, I want it to be a surprise for as long as possible." Nick replied. 




Nat shook her head then kissed his jaw. "All right. At least I know that it's 
somewhere warm!" She said as she settled in to sleep. 




Nick grinned to himself; he had made the travel plans with the idea of Nat 
needing to wear as few clothes as possible in mind. He closed his eyes, and 
drifted back to sleep. 




Nat reached out and turned off the spray of the shower. Stepping out of the 
stall a wisp of cool air caused her to shiver slightly. She grabbed a towel and 
began to briskly rub herself dry. 'I should have shared a shower with Nick,' she 
thought, 'then he could do this for me.' She smiled as she recalled other shared 
showers. 'Of course,' she mentally added, 'we'd never be ready to leave when 
Tracy got here if we had showered together.' Moving quickly, she shrugged into 
her warm, fuzzy robe. She wrapped a towel around her head turban style and 
stepped into the bedroom.  She paused, smiling as she watched Nick. He was nude 
from the waist up, the muscles in his back rippling beneath his pale skin. The 
snug fitting jeans he wore accentuated the taut firm shape of his butt. Sensing 
her behind him, Nick turned and met her eyes. Nat could swear that a current of 
electricity seemed to flow into her with his gaze. 




"You need to get moving," Nick said in a teasing voice. "Tracy is going to be 
here in less than thirty minutes." 




Nat glanced at the clock. "Yikes, I hadn't realized it was so late." She moved 
quickly toward the closet. As she passed by him, Nick reached out and pulled her 
into his arms. "Nick!" She said, as his lips found hers. It was several minutes 
until she was able to speak again. "If we're late now, I'm going to tell Tracy 
that it is all your fault." She teased. 




"Tracy, who?" Nick said, laughter sparkling in his eyes. At Nat's raised eyebrow 
he continued, "Oh, that Tracy." With a reluctant sigh he released Nat, patting 
her lightly on her rump as she hurried to the closet. 




Nick finished putting on his clothes and enjoyed watching Nat dress. He knew 
that the sight of her was one of which he would never tire. 




They had finished dressing and Natalie was munching on a piece of rye bread 
toast when Tracy arrived. Nick buzzed her up and, as the lift rose, began to 
collect their suitcases. 




"I can't help but feel like I haven't packed enough clothes." Nat said as she 
looked at the three bags and one carry-on piece of luggage Nick had assembled 
near the lift door. 




Nick laughed. Two of the suitcases were his, and he knew that most of Nat's was 
filled with an empty soft-sided bag. "I thought all women loved shopping?" He 
teased. "This way you even have a good reason to shop." 




Nat made a face at him. "I don't dislike shopping, I just feel odd leaving for a 
two week trip with only three changes of clothing." 




Nick hugged her. "I know, but you can buy an entire wardrobe once we get to the 
island." 




Nat perked up, "Island? We're going to an island?" She said with a smile on her 
face. She gave him a playful punch on the arm. "I don't suppose you'd like to 
tell me where this island is located?" 




Nick laughed and hugged her tighter. "No, not just yet. I think I'll keep you in 
suspense for a little longer." 




Nat looked into his eyes. "I really don't care where it is, so long as you're 
there with me." 




Nick bent his head and found her lips just as the lift stopped and Tracy stepped 
into the loft. 




"Nice to see the honeymoon is well underway." Tracy said chuckling. 




Nat blushed, but Nick just laughed. "Definitely well underway," he said. 




Tracy laughed, "Glad to hear that! After all both of you have been through, it's 
about time something nice happened." She glanced at her watch. "What time did 
you say your flight was?" 




Nat chuckled. "Don't look at me, I still have no idea what our destination is, 
much less what our flight is.  All I know is that it leaves during the 
daylight."  She flashed a concerned look a Nick. 




"The plane leaves at 3:10," Nick responded. "We need to get to the airport an 
hour before that." He smiled at Nat. "Which is why Tracy is giving us a lift to 
the airport. I can manage in her backseat with a blanket over me for the drive 
there. Once we get inside the parking garage, I'll be all right." He reassured 
Nat. 




"I can't help it, Nick. I worry about you." Nat said quietly. "How are you going 
to handle those huge windows in the waiting area?" 




Nick stroked the side of Nat's face with his hand. "I've made arrangements to 
deal with that." He could see that she was still concerned. "I've had to leave 
during the daytime before, Nat. I promise it will be okay." 




Nat managed a small smile. "Okay, I won't fuss anymore about it." She stood 
watching as Nick began to assemble the items that he'd need to survive a trip 
outside of the safety of the loft during the daytime. 




Tracy stepped over to Nat's side. "It's a very cloudy day. That will help won't 
it?" 




Nat gave a sigh of relief. "That will help a great deal. Thanks, Tracy." She 
reached out and the two of them embraced. 
  




Tracy watched as Nick began to dress for his excursion into the daylight. By the 
time he finished, only a small portion of his face was left exposed. "It's a 
good thing that you're doing this in the middle of winter. You'd look rather 
strange going out like that in the middle of July." She teased. 




Nat laughed. "Yeah, the sunglasses would work then, but the rest." She indicated 
the heavy coat, gloves, muffler and hat that Nick was wearing. "You would look a 
bit out of place." 




Nick nodded. "True, but if it meant that I got to spend two weeks alone with 
you, I'd take that risk." 




He lifted the bags. "Where exactly are you parked, Tracy?" he asked. 




"Just to the side of the garage doors." 




Nat spoke. "Why don't I go down, pull my car out of the garage, and let Tracy 
pull hers inside? That way we can load the car and get you settled without 
having to worry about the sunlight. After we're sure everything is ready, Tracy 
can pull back out and I'll repark my car." 




"Good idea," Nick agreed. "It will make things easier. I'll wait here until I 
hear the garage door close, then come down with the bags." 
  




As Tracy pulled her car into the underground parking facility at the airport, 
she let out a breath she hadn't been aware of holding. The drive to the airport 
had, thankfully, been uneventful. Nick had looked a little silly slouched under 
a blanket in the back seat, but that combined with the cloudiness of the day, 
had enabled him to make the trip without any real discomfort. 




"Here we are." She said as she turned off the car's motor. 




Nick let the blanket drop around him and got out of the car. He paused to offer 
his hand to assist Nat out of the front seat. Closing the doors, Nick took Nat's 
hand and they joined Tracy by the trunk of her car. Nick removed the bags, 
taking the three large ones, while Nat retrieved the carry-on bag. 




"You two have a wonderful trip!" Tracy said as she hugged Nat goodbye. "I'll be 
here to pick you up when you get back on the 22nd." She was meeting Vachon in 
just under an hour, and the two of them planned to go to the movies later in the 
evening. 




Nat returned Tracy's hug. "Thanks for all your help." 




Nick gave Tracy a quick hug, too. "Yes, thank you. You have our return flight 
number?" 




Tracy nodded. "Sure do. I have all the information hanging on my fridge door. 
Don't worry about a thing, just have a wonderful honeymoon." 




Nick gave her a smile that would have melted any woman's heart. "With Nat, 
there's not even the possibility of it being anything but wonderful." 




With a final wave, Nick and Nat headed for the check in area. 




Just over an hour later, Nat was seated in a very comfortable first class chair 
on board Air Canada flight 918 enroute to Miami, FL. Nick had been correct in 
that the windows in the waiting area proved to be no difficulty.  They had spent 
the time waiting to board in a private lounge area. 'Just one of the perks of 
flying first class.' Nat thought.  Another perk seemed to be the fact that there 
were few others in the first class section of the plane. Nick and Nat had seats 
in the front row, a benefit as it gave them more than ample legroom. The row 
across the aisle was empty, as was the row immediately behind them.  Nick had 
raised the armrest between their seats and Nat sat with his arm around her, 
resting her head against his shoulder. 




"Nick," she said, running her hand along his arm, "now will you tell me exactly 
where we're going?" 
  




Nick looked at her sparkling eyes. "We'll be catching another flight in Miami, 
to Kingston, Jamaica." He smiled as he saw the excitement in Nat's eyes. "We'll 
be staying at a private villa. It's a short drive from the city, the house is 
carved into the side of a mountain." 




"You've been there before?" Nat asked. 




Nick looked a little sheepish. "The property is technically owned by the 
deBrabant Foundation." He explained. "I oversaw the construction of it. I fell 
in love with the site, the view is spectacular, and decided that it would make a 
nice retreat. When we became possible, I knew that this was where I wanted to 
take you for our honeymoon." He noticed the somewhat dazed look on Nat's face. 
"What?" 




Nat shrugged. "Nothing, I guess that even thought I knew you didn't depend on 
the salary you get for being a detective, it hadn't really sunk in that you're, 
well, wealthy." 




Nick kissed the top of her head. "I know, one of the many things I love about 
you.  I've had plenty of money for centuries, Nat, but I am wealthy only because 
I have you. Money doesn't matter to me, your love does." 




Nat smiled softly. "Then know that you are very wealthy, because I love you more 
than anything in the world."  She raised her lips and they shared a tender kiss. 
When they drew apart, Nat looked at him. "I can't wait until we get to the villa 
so I can show you just how much I love you." 




Nick's eyes flecked briefly with gold. "Good, and I'll show you how much you are 
loved, too." He sighed with contentment as Nat snuggled against him. They talked 
of the layout of the house, and Nick enthusiastically described it to Nat. 




Several hours, one plane change, and a short drive into the base of the 
mountains later, they arrived at the villa. Nat marveled at how the house seemed 
to be a part of the mountain, and smiled up at Nick. "It's as beautiful as you 
said it would be." Nick took her arm and led her up the short flight of stairs 
to the wide porch that ran along three sides of the house. Nat turned around and 
made a sound of pleasure as she took in the view of the city lights below them.  
Nick opened the door and they stepped inside. 




"There is a staff that comes in to clean and cook," he explained as he pulled 
her into his arms. "They live in the smaller houses we passed on the way here." 
At her questioning expression he added, "No, they don't know about vampires." 
Nat nodded then asked, "How will we explain the hours we'll be keeping?" 




Nick laughed, "Don't worry about that! They're used to the idle rich that party 
all night and sleep half the day away." He nuzzled her neck, just below her ear. 




Nat pressed against him, "If you say so. Mmmm, I love it when you do that!" 




Nick found her lips with his own and effectively silenced any other questions. 
As he explored her mouth with his tongue, he slid his hands along her body, 
caressing and fondling her. Nat moaned in pleasure as he rubbed his thumb across 
her nipples and her passion inflamed his. He scooped her up in his arms, 
intending to carry her to the master bedroom. He had just passed the doorway to 
the living room, when a sound from the darkened room froze him in his tracks. He 
sensed another vampire.  Nick placed Nat on her feet, making sure he was between 
her and whoever had made the sound, and turned toward the room. A dark-haired 
man emerged from the room, smiling at Nick. Nat saw Nick relax as the man came 
into view. "Michael, you might have let me know you were here." Nick said as he 
held his hand out in greeting. 




"Sorry, Nick. When I realized you weren't alone, I'd planned to slip out and 
call you tomorrow." Michael said, smiling. He turned his gaze on Natalie. "I'm 
sure you would much rather be with this lovely lady than me." His eyes swept 
down the length of Natalie's body. "Very nice indeed," he commented. He reached 
forward, as if to touch Natalie on the cheek, only to find that he was prevented 
from doing so by Nick's firm grip on his arm. 




"Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Natalie." Nick said in a calm voice. 




Michael raised his eyebrows. "Your wife?" he asked, surprise and puzzlement 
clear in his voice. 




Nick nodded. "Yes, we were married last night, in Toronto. This trip is our 
honeymoon." He released Michael's arm. "Before you ask, Nat is fully aware of 
what I am." Nick added as he drew Nat to his side. 




Nat smiled and leaned against Nick. "Hi, I take it you and Nick are old 
friends?" she asked. It had only taken her a few seconds to realize that the man 
she spoke to was a vampire. 




"Indeed," Michael responded, "Nick and I have been friends for a very long time. 
Please excuse my behavior a few moments ago." He cast a concerned look at Nick. 
"While I wish you both nothing but happiness, I do hope you realize the risk 
you're taking, Nick." 




"You mean from the Enforcers?" Nick asked. He saw Michael nod in agreement. 
"Nat's been aware of the Community's existence for about six years now. She's 
the one who managed find a cure for the virus that nearly destroyed us." He 
explained. "LaCroix got word from the Enforcers following that incident that 
because she had aided us, she would be left alone." 




Michael smiled, "I'm glad to hear that. I am going to assume that you, that is 
when...umm... that she's also safe from you?" He finally finished a bit 
awkwardly. 




"Don't worry, Michael. I plan on being married to Nat for the rest of my 
existence." Nick replied. He glanced at Nat, wanting her consent to tell Michael 
of her situation. When she smiled and gave him a small nod, he continued. "Nat 
has been helping me to try and find a cure for our condition. She has identified 
extra cells in our blood that seem to be what makes us vampires. She has this 
same vampire element in her blood and the amount of it present is slowly 
increasing. According to LaCroix something like this happening is rare, but not 
unheard of, and it means that eventually she will have to be completely brought 
across." 




Nat could hear the pain in Nick's voice as he spoke. She knew that he regretted 
that his loving her had caused this to happen. She slipped her arm around his 
waist and hugged him as she spoke. "I was fully aware that becoming a vampire 
was a possibility when I made the decision to love Nick." She said to Michael. 
"I have never and will never regret that decision. To be with him, to love him 
and to be his wife is worth it." 




Michael looked at her with respect. "I can see why he fell in love with you." He 
looked at Nick. "You are very fortunate, few of us can hope for someone like you 
have found." 




"I know," Nick said, gazing a Nat with love. "Believe me, Michael, I know." Nat 
raised her eyes to meet his and the look of love she gave him calmed his soul. 




Michael, observing them, suddenly felt very much out of place. "Nicholas, I'll 
leave my phone number on the front table. If you find time, call me, but if I 
don't hear from you I will completely understand."  He took Natalie's hand and 
placed a kiss on the back of it. "I am glad to have met you. Nicholas has always 
been a good friend, and I am pleased that he has you."  With a wave, he left 
them standing in the hallway. 




For a moment Nick and Nat just stood there, comfortable in one another's 
presence. 




Nick leaned forward and kissed Nat softly on the lips. "Where were we, before we 
were interrupted?" 




Nat grinned wickedly at him. "You were carrying me into the bedroom, where we 
were going to make wild, passionate love." She let her hands roam down his chest 
and past his waist, finding and gently squeezing the bulge of his manhood. 




Nick inhaled sharply as her touch inflamed his desire. "The hell with the 
bedroom," he said lifting her, "there's a nice wide couch in here and it's 
closer."  He heard her giggle as she nuzzled his neck. Their eager hands quickly 
stripped off one another's clothing and they fell onto the couch in a passionate 
embrace. The buttery leather of the couch squeaked softly as they explored the 
heights of their love and cradled them as they rested afterwards. 




Nat stood in the patio doorway of the kitchen, a light robe wrapped around her, 
drinking a glass of juice. She gazed out at the pool area, watching the sunset, 
a soft smile on her lips.  It had been three days since she and Nick had arrived 
in Jamaica and Natalie had never in her life known such happiness.  Nick, 
through his friend Michael, had arranged for a small fashion show at the house 
on the day after their arrival. Nat had been hesitant to buy much, she still had 
an intense practical side that questioned spending money for clothes she 
wouldn't be wearing to work, but Nick had taken over buying a complete wardrobe 
for her to enjoy. She had to admit that he had excellent taste in choosing 
clothes for her. 'He must have picked some of that up from all those centuries 
around Janette.' She thought with a silent laugh. 




They had gone into Kingston for dinner the past two nights, and Nat had 
delighted in all the new and varied tastes that Jamaican cuisine offered. So far 
this evening, they hadn't managed to get out of the house. Nat blushed slightly, 
remembering why. 'Well it IS my honeymoon.' She thought. 




Nick stepped silently into the kitchen.  He wore only a short robe, his eyes 
searched the room, and immediately found Nat as she stood framed in the light 
from the setting sun. He glanced at the angle of the light, and knew that it was 
low enough in the sky for him to be able to safely approach her.  Moving behind 
her, he slipped his arms around her waist, causing her to turn a smiling face to 
him. "Have I told you today how much I love you?" He said as he nuzzled her 
neck. 




Nat leaned against him. "Mmm, I think so, but I never mind hearing it again." 
She replied. 




Nick tightened his embrace. "I love you beyond anything else in my existence. 
You are my existence." He said. 




Nat turned in his arms. "And you are mine. Oh, Nick, I was just thinking that 
I've never been as happy in my life, as I have since our wedding."  Her eyes 
shown with her love for him, and she saw it answered in his. They stood for 
several minutes, watching the last of the sunset's colors fading from the sky, 
content to just be with one another. 




Nick looked at the now dark sky. "How about a swim?" he asked, indicating the 
pool. 




"Sure," Nat said, "just let me go get my suit." 




Nick hugged her. "Why? There's no one here but us." He gave her an impish grin. 
"We can go skinny dipping." 




Nat met his grin with one of her own. "Okay, but I am going to go get some 
towels. YOU might not feel chilled when you get out of the water, but I still 
do." 




Nick nodded, "Okay, I'll meet you outside." He watched her pad barefoot toward 
the linen closet then went outdoors. He paused to turn on the underwater lights 
then stripped off his robe and dove into the warm water of the pool. 




  
Natalie stepped out into the warm tropical night and laid the towels on a 
poolside table. The air, scented with the aroma of countless tropical blossoms, 
caressed her skin. She slipped off the light robe that she wore and let it fall 
to the ground. She paused for a moment, nude, before moving gracefully toward 
the heated pool. 




Slowly, she slid into the water, luxuriating at the feel of it on her breasts.  
She moved through the water to where Nick was waiting for her.  As she slipped 
into his arms, her hungry mouth found his. She laced her fingers through Nick's 
hair, as he plunged his tongue deeply into her mouth. 




She felt his hands as they slowly caressed first her back, then moved farther 
down to cup her buttocks. As she pressed against him, Nat could feel his arousal 
against her abdomen. She gave a small gasp of surprise as she felt Nick lift her 
into his arms. 




"What are you doing, Nick?" Nat panted. 




"I just happened to think of a wonderful use for that." Nick indicated a 
floating lounge chair. 




"Um, Nick," Nat said, eyeing the chair, "I don't think that will hold both of 
us." 




Nick smiled, his eyes sparkling. "It doesn't have to. For what I have in mind, 
it only has to hold you." 




Nat looked at him and smiled back. The past few days had been spent mainly 
eating, sleeping and making love. 




'The perfect honeymoon!' Nat thought. 




Nick carried her over to the float, and gently placed her on it. "Just lie back, 
and leave the rest to me." He whispered. Kissing her, he slowly made his way 
down her body. His cool lips caused her to shiver with pleasure as he teased her 
nipples and moved down her abdomen.  Lying on the float, Nat had a sense of 
weightlessness. There was nothing to distract her from the wonderful sensations 
that flowed through her body. 




She felt the float rock slightly and opened her eyes. Nick had pulled the float 
into the shallow section of the pool. As Nat watched, he ducked briefly 
underwater; coming back up with his head and shoulders in the section of the 
float that was open to allow the person using it to dangle their feet in the 
water if they wished.  This placed him between Nat's legs, with his face on a 
level with her mound. 




Nat's smile widened as she suddenly realized just how Nick planned to use the 
float. She moved down in the chair to more easily enable him to reach her. 




Nick planted kisses along the inside of Nat's thighs, licking his way toward her 
core. As he reached the curly hair that covered her soft, sensitive center, he 
gently parted it with his fingers. Moving his mouth to her, he began to slowly 
trace the outline of her labia and to circle her clit with his tongue. He heard 
Nat gasp with pleasure as he softly sucked on her most sensitive area. 




Nat lay back in the float and closed her eyes. The waves of pleasure that were 
emanating from Nick's actions rolled through her and made her feel as if she 
were flying. She moaned as he teased her clit with his tongue, while at the same 
time sliding his fingers into her vagina. 




Nick began to slowly move his fingers back and forth in Nat, while at the same 
time gradually increasing the speed and pressure with which he licked her. He 
massaged her thighs and abdomen with his other hand, feeling the gradual 
tightening of her muscles as she rose toward her climax. Nick didn't rush, he 
slowed his movements slightly and when he felt her relax a bit, only then did he 
renew his attentions. 




Nat sighed and gasped as Nick brought her to the very edge of orgasm. When he 
slowed his movements, she moaned in frustration. As he once again renewed his 
attentions, she felt herself rising to a climax that was stronger than any she 
had ever experienced. 




Nick smiled as Nat cried out his name, and he felt her body shudder with wave 
after wave of contractions. As her muscles finally relaxed, he eased himself 
from between her legs, and slipped back out to the side of the float. 




Nat lay still, trying to catch her breath. She sensed Nick beside her and opened 
her eyes.  "That was wonderful." She said, breathlessly. As Nick picked her up 
in his arms, she wrapped her arms about his neck. "Do you know what I'd like to 
do now?" She asked. 




Nick raised an eyebrow. "No, what?" 




"I'd like to return the favor and make you feel as wonderful as I do right now." 
Nat said. 




Nick smiled and carried her toward the house. "What about getting you some 
dinner?" he asked as he walked. 




"You are all the dinner I need." Nat replied with a wicked smile as she lightly 
nibbled Nick's neck. His look of eager anticipation caused her heart to feel 
full of joy. She loved to be able to give Nick the pleasure and love that he had 
so long denied himself. She lay her hand against his face. "I love you so much." 
She murmured as he carried her into the house. 
  
Nick set her on her feet, his arms pulling her against him. Her love made him 
feel as though nothing else mattered, not his vampirism, not LaCroix, and not 
any of the rest of the world. He wanted only to be with Natalie, to hold her and 
to share their love for one another. Her happiness was his only concern and an 
idea came to him of something that he was sure would please her. As Nat led him 
back toward their bed, he smiled not only because of the pleasure he knew 
awaited him there, but also in anticipation of Nat's reaction to his newly 
thought of surprise. He made a mental note to set the wheels in motion for this 
in the morning, then gave himself over to Nat's loving hands. 




The sun had been up only a few hours when Nick carefully eased out of the bed. 
Nat was deeply asleep, her hair fanned out on the pillow, one hand tucked 
beneath her cheek. Nick smiled as he recalled how they'd spent the just ended 
night, relishing not only the physical pleasures of their lovemaking but, even 
more important, the shared emotional commitment to one another. Nick had long 
despaired ever knowing that type of closeness and was still in awe that he had 
been so blessed in finding Nat. Nick could not resist planting a soft kiss on 
her cheek and murmuring a silent prayer of thanks. Nat sighed and smiled in her 
sleep as Nick silently left the room and headed for the phone in the front 
parlor. 




Tracy Vetter mumbled as she reached for the phone. A glance at the clock told 
her she'd only been asleep for about an hour and she was less than pleased at 
the interruption. Normally, she would still be awake but, with Nick away on his 
honeymoon, she had to take care of all of the paper work for their cases. 'Not 
that Nick ever does that much paper work anyway.' She thought with a grin. She 
sighed. Nick did a lot more of the other work than Tracy had ever realized, or 
given him credit for doing.  Lifting the receiver, she muttered a sleepy, 
"Hello?" into the mouthpiece. 




"Tracy, did I wake you?" Nick's voice asked. 




"Nick! Yeah, but it's okay. Why are you calling? Is something wrong?" Tracy 
babbled, startled to hear his voice. 




Nick laughed. "Nothings wrong, I just need to ask you to do me a favor and I 
didn't want to take the chance of Nat overhearing." He smiled as he pictured 
Nat's reaction to his plan.  "I want this to be a surprise for her when we get 
home."  He quickly explained what he had in mind and was pleased to hear Tracy's 
reaction to it. 




"Nick that sounds wonderful! Nat will love it, I'm sure." Tracy said, all 
thoughts of sleep gone. "When do you need me to let the workers into the 
building?" She listened, and noted the times on a pad she kept near the bed. 
"I'm glad to be able to help," she told Nick, "and you will let me use it too?" 
She laughed as she heard Nick's quick assurance. They chatted for a few more 
minutes, the pleasure in Nick's voice telling Tracy just how much he was 
enjoying being a married man, then hung up.  Tracy looked at the clock. She 
could get a few more hours of sleep before going over to Nick's. Pulling the 
covers over herself, she smiled wistfully as she thought of how lucky Nat was to 
have someone love her as deeply as Nick obviously did. 
  




March 21-about 3:15pm (Jamaica) 




Nat placed the final items in her suitcase and closed the lid. She looked around 
the room smiling even as she listened to the rain pounding out against the roof. 
An unexpected strong storm was headed for the islands and, as a result, she and 
Nick were cutting their official honeymoon short and returning to Toronto a day 
earlier than planned.  Nat didn't mind, although the trip had been wonderful she 
knew that it didn't matter where she was with Nick, for them the honeymoon would 
never end. Hearing Nick's footsteps in the hall, she walked over to meet him at 
the door. 




"I've changed the reservations and we're booked on Air Canada flight 982 leaving 
at 5:50 this afternoon." Nick said. " This storm means it will take us at least 
an hour to get there, so we'll have to leave soon." He smiled. "The good part is 
that it will make it dark enough, that I shouldn't have any problems." 




"I've got everything packed," Nat said, looking around the room. "It'll be good 
to be back home, but I am going to miss that pool." Nat sighed. "We did have 
some wonderful times in there." 




Nick nuzzled her neck. "Indeed we did," he said with a smile. "We could always 
have a pool like that installed at the loft. There's plenty of room on the 
ground floor."  He watched carefully to see her reaction. 




"Really? I hadn't thought about that." Nat said. "Do you think we could look 
into it when we get back? And find a float chair exactly like the one here?" She 
added with a seductive glance, her hands softly caressing Nick's chest. 




"Oh, definitely the same kind of chair." Nick said, as he planted light kisses 
on her lips. He was looking forward to Nat's reaction to the surprise he had 
waiting for her in Toronto. He hoped that everything would be finished, although 
Tracy had assured him in their last conversation that everything was going 
according to schedule. 




"I guess we're all set." Nat said. "We'd better start loading the car." 




Nick nodded and picked up several of the suitcases. "I think we should come back 
here every year for our anniversary." Nick remarked as they left the room. 




Nat smiled, "That would be wonderful!" She kissed his cheek. "You are spoiling 
me, you know?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with happiness. 




"Good! You deserve to be spoiled and I love seeing you looking this happy." Nick 
said. 




Nat's expression softened into a look of pure love. "So long as you are with me, 
I'd be happy in a shack." 




"Maybe, but it's just as easy to be happy with a few comforts." Nick said. 
"Although if you really want to live in a shack..." He teased. 




"Hmm, now that you put it that way, I think the current arrangements are fine." 
Nat said laughing. They paused in the front hall to put on rain gear, then 
headed for the car. 




The drive to the airport was, thankfully, uneventful. The majority of the people 
on the island were busy with making sure that their homes were secure against 
the storm heading their way. The storm clouds made the afternoon dark enough 
that Nick was comfortable driving, even if he did look a bid odd in dark 
sunglasses. Nat was glad to let him handle the vehicle; the heavy rain made 
visibility difficult and she had no desire to try and negotiate the narrow, 
unfamiliar streets.  She gave a small sigh of relief when they pulled into the 
covered parking area provided by the car rental company. 




Despite the weather, the flight departed on time. 




"Is Tracy going to meet us at the airport?" Nat asked, sipping the glass of wine 
provided by the flight attendants. 




"No, I thought we'd just hire a cab." Nick said, slipping his arm around her. 
"If she has to work tonight, I'd hate to make her feel bad about not being able 
to get us." He explained. 




"Be sure that the cab has a good working heater," Nat said chuckling. "I left my 
winter coat with Tracy, remember?" 




Nick pulled her closer to him. "I will personally make sure that you stay warm." 




Nat raised an eyebrow. "I think I like the sound of that. Maybe I'll just let 
Tracy keep my coat permanently." 




Nick chuckled and kissed her. They spent the rest of the flight talking softly, 
taking joy in the mere fact that they were together. Shortly before 10:00pm the 
plane landed in Toronto. After claiming their bags and clearing customs, Nick 
secured a cab, making certain it was very well heated, and they headed home to 
the loft. 




Tracy Vetter stood with her hands on her hips and surveyed the room around her. 
She gingerly rotated her shoulders, sore from moving several heavy planters 
around. A satisfied smile formed on her face as she took in the amazing change 
in the area. 




"It really is beautiful, isn't it?" She said to her companion. 




"It really is." Vachon replied. "You feel like you're in the tropics here, not 
the middle of snowy Toronto."  He inhaled deeply enjoying the variety of scents 
from the collection of night blooming plants that surrounded them.  "Knight will 
be very pleased. You've done a nice job, Trace." 




Tracy grinned. She'd spent virtually all of the free time in the past week 
overseeing the final work on Nick's surprise for Natalie.  A once dark, barren 
area of the ground floor of the building that housed Nick's loft was now a 
tropical paradise of vines, flowers and small shrubs.  Hidden growth bulbs would 
provide ample light for them and the moisture from the newly installed pool and 
spa would help to keep them healthy. A small artificial waterfall tumbled down 
moss covered rocks, making an almost musical sound.  The overall effect was one 
of peaceful comfort. A new lift had been installed to enable Nick and Nat to go 
directly from the bedroom area of the loft to the pool.  Flanking its doors were 
wickerwork cabinets already stocked with large towels and an armoire that held a 
number of dark blue, thick terrycloth robes. 




"You wouldn't believe it, but the hardest part of all this was finding that 
floating lounge chair." Tracy said shaking her head. "I'm not sure why, but Nick 
was very specific that it had to be THAT model." 




Vachon eyed the chair in question for a moment before grinning. 'Knight is more 
imaginative than I've given him credit' He thought. 




"What?" Tracy asked, seeing the look on his face. "Do you know why it had to be 
that one?" 




"Let's just say I can make an educated guess." Vachon said. "After all, they 
were on their honeymoon." 




Tracy looked back at the chair, a blush clearly spreading over her face. "You 
don't mean...I mean Nick?" She stuttered. 




Vachon laughed. "He's a man, and he's most definitely in love." He leaned closer 
to Tracy. "You want to try it?" 




Tracy's blush deepened. "Don't be silly. I do have to admit that the hot tub 
looks very inviting." 




"So why don't we give it a test run?" Vachon asked. 




"I don't know," Tracy said, hesitating. "I mean, what if someone came in or 
something?" 




"Who? The Knights aren't due back until tomorrow night." Vachon smiled and 
reached out to stroke Tracy's cheek. "Come on, you don't have to skinny dip. You 
can leave your bra and panties on."  He gently rubbed her shoulders. "Just think 
of how soothing that nice warm water will feel on your poor, sore muscles." 




Tracy glanced at her watch and saw that it was just a little after 11:00pm. If 
she went home now, all she'd have to look forward to was an evening alone. The 
water did look inviting and, in a manner of speaking, she felt like all her hard 
work had earned her the right to use the pool.  "Okay, it does sound good." 
Tracy relented. Her bra and panties would provide as much coverage as most 
swimsuits, more than some of the more revealing styles. She walked to the 
cabinet, removed two towels then paused by the armoire. "Do you want a robe?" 
she inquired of Vachon. 




"No, I'll be fine." Vachon's voice was slightly muffled as he pulled the sweater 
he was wearing over his head. His boots and socks were already off. 




Tracy paused, admiring the sleek lines of his body. Her eyes widened as he 
stripped off his jeans she realized that he wasn't an underwear person. 
"Vachon!" She exclaimed, quickly averting her eyes. 




"I said you didn't have to skinny dip, Trace, not that I wasn't going to." 
Vachon laughed as he slid into the water. "Oh this is nice. Hurry up and join 
me." 




Feeling somewhat self-conscious, Tracy removed her clothes, neatly folding each 
item before stacking it on a table. From the corner of her eye, she could see 
Vachon watching her every move and the look on his face told her he liked what 
he saw.  At last she eased into the water. "This is more than nice, this is 
heavenly." She sighed as the warm water eased the soreness of her muscles. 




"It sure is" Vachon said quietly, noticing that the water had made Tracy's bra 
and panties virtually transparent. He moved over close to her and eyeing the 
float asked, "You sure you don't want to give that a try?" 




A part of Tracy was tempted to say yes but instead she responded, "I don't think 
so, at least not tonight." She smiled, a little sadly at Vachon. 




Vachon reached up to stroke her face, then moved closer.  "But one day?" He said 
as he gently kissed her. 




Tracy felt herself respond to Vachon's kiss, the warmth of the water relaxing 
her. She leaned into, him enjoying the feel of his body against hers. She felt 
her heart speed up as Vachon's hands softly explored her body, easily slipping 
beneath the light bra she wore. She moaned softly and gave herself over to the 
sensations. 
  
  




"Brrrr! I'd forgotten how cold it is this time year." Nat said as she and Nick 
rode up to the loft in the lift. "I can't wait to get in front of a nice fire 
and warm up." 




Nick hugged her to him. "At least we're here and we really made good time. It's 
only 11:15." He smiled to himself as he thought of how pleased Nat was going to 
be with the new pool. A nice dip in it should warm her up very well.  He kissed 
her on the temple. "I think I know of an even better way than a fire to help you 
warm up." 




Nat looked at him, "Oh? Well I'm certainly willing to try it." 




"Good, but you have to do exactly as I tell you. Okay?" Nick said, grinning. 




"What are you up to?" Nat asked, smiling. "You look like a cat in a creamery." 




"If you promise, you'll find out." Nick said. 




"Okay, okay, I promise!" Nat laughed. "What do I have to do?" She asked as the 
lift came to a stop. 




Nick opened the door and held it for her. "First wait here while I do start a 
fire and turn up the heat a bit. Then, we'll go upstairs." 




Nat waited as Nick got a blaze started in the fireplace. Taking his hand she 
climbed upstairs. "Okay, what's next?" 




"Now you close your eyes and no peeking before I tell you to open them." Nick 
said sounding like an excited little boy. 




Nat could see that Nick was positively bursting with excitement, so she 
obediently closed her eyes. She let him lead her toward the bedroom, but instead 
of finding herself on the bed as she'd imagined she could tell from the feeling 
of motion that they were in another lift? "Nick?" She started to ask. 




"Only a few more moments, Nat, then you can look." Nick stood with his back to 
the lift door. He wanted to see Nat's face when she saw the pool. The lift came 
to a halt and he heard the door starting to open. "Okay you can look now. 
Surprise!" As he said the words, Nick became aware of a second mortal heartbeat 
and the sounds of more than one person in the room behind him. He saw Nat's eyes 
widen, first in delight then in some other emotion. Nick started to turn. 




Nat opened her eyes to a tropical paradise. Warm air wafted against her face as 
she looked around, and spotted two people whom her and Nick's arrival had 
obviously interrupted. Nat fought back a wave of laughter as Tracy and Vachon 
realized they had company. Vachon just smiled, somewhat sheepishly, but poor 
Tracy turned red as a beet and looked like she wished the earth would open up 
and swallow her. Nat realized that even though she was still technically wearing 
a bra, and Nat suspected panties, Tracy would be less than happy for Nick to see 
her in her current condition. A slight movement from Nick caused Nat to grab his 
arms. "Trust me, you do NOT want to turn around right now." Nat said, barely 
able to speak so great was the urge to dissolve in laughter. 




"Why? That's Tracy's heart beat. What's wrong?" Nick asked concerned. Nick heard 
what was definitely Tracy's voice, give a small cry of dismay. 




"Nothing, that I can see, except I don't think she and Vachon were expecting 
company." Nat said as Tracy's head disappeared under the surface of the water. 
Nat gave Nick a meaningful look. 'If he were mortal, it might be a contest to 
see whether he or Tracy could blush the most.' Nat thought as Nick's expression 
clearly showed he understood what she had implied. 




"What do we do?" Nick asked. 




"Hold on." Nat said quietly to him.  In a louder voice she called out, "Tracy, 
Vachon, we're going back upstairs. You're both welcome to join us." A concerned 
look passed over her face. "Vachon, try to see that she surfaces for air? I'd 
hate to have her drown herself for no reason."  Finally unable to hold it in any 
longer, Nat punched the up button and burst out laughing. 




Nick looked at her, upset that his planned surprise had been interrupted, and 
extremely grateful that he'd decided that they could disrobe poolside instead of 
upstairs, then caught the humor of the situation and joined Nat. 




"I'm sorry Nick, but the look on both your and Tracy's faces..." Nat had to stop 
speaking as another bout of laughter overtook her. 




"When I wanted you to be surprised, that was NOT what I had in mind." Nick 
confessed. 




Nat got herself under control. "Nick it's beautiful, I love it, and I love you 
for thinking of it." She told him sincerely. "Thank you, it's like we have a 
little part of our honeymoon here with us."  She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. 




"I just want you to be happy." Nick said. 




"I am happy, whenever I'm with you." Nat replied. "Well, I'd better see about 
making some tea for Tracy and myself. You can find that bottle of bloodwine that 
Vachon left here at Christmas."  Arms around each other's waists, they went 
downstairs. 
  




"Come on, Tracy, time to get some air." Vachon said as he lifted Tracy up out of 
the water. 




Tracy gasped for air, then looked around. "Are they gone?" She asked, 
plaintively. At Vachon's affirmative nod, she buried her face in her hands. "How 
am I EVER going to live this down, never mind explain it?" She moaned. "Nick 
must be furious with me! I spoiled his surprise for Nat." 




"I don't know she looked pretty surprised to me," Vachon said. 




Tracy glared at him. "This is YOUR fault. You're the one who talked me into it! 
How come you didn't sense that they were there?" She closed her eyes. "I'm 
sorry. I didn't mean that." She apologized. "It's just that I know this was 
important to Nick and I feel so bad about ruining it." 




"I was otherwise occupied at the time." Vachon said grinning. "Besides, they 
weren't suppose to be back until tomorrow night, remember? If it's anyone's 
fault it's theirs for coming home a day early." 




Tracy knotted her brow, "I wonder why they did come back early? You don't think 
they had a fight or something?"  She watched as Vachon got out of the pool and 
wrapped a towel around his waist. 




"No, they didn't look like people who'd been fighting," Vachon said. He 
shrugged. "Why don't you get out, dry off and then we'll go on upstairs and find 
out why they're here early." He saw the panic in Tracy's eyes. "Look, you're 
going to have to face Knight eventually. Would you rather do it in the squad 
room?" Vachon picked up a robe and held it open for Tracy as she got out of the 
pool. After slipping it on her he nuzzled her neck. "I'll be there with you and 
I'll even take the blame." He said in her ear. 




Tracy leaned back against him, the feel of his arms around her calming her. "No, 
I'll explain to Nick." She said, then turned to face him. "It was worth however 
angry he might be." 




Vachon smiled and kissed her softly. "Somehow, I don't think he's going to be 
angry." He reassured her. He released her and she finished drying off. They both 
dressed then, deciding that entering through Nick and Nat's bedroom might be a 
bit too much, went through to the main lift and went upstairs. 
  




A short time later, a vastly relieved Tracy and Vachon departed. Nick had 
finally convinced her that he wasn't at all angry and then he and Tracy spent 
several minutes apologizing to one another, while Nat and Vachon watched in 
amusement. Nat finally put a halt to it by bringing out the presents she'd 
bought in Jamaica for Tracy and Vachon and soon all lingering awkwardness was 
gone. 




When the lift had closed behind Vachon and Tracy, Nick turned to Nat. "Feel up 
to taking a closer look at the pool?" He asked. 




Nat grinned, "I thought you'd never ask." She paused and then chuckled. "I saw 
the float chair, at least they weren't trying that out." 




Nick put his arm around her and led her to the stairs. "What do you say we go 
inaugurate that?" The passion-filled kiss Nat gave him told him her answer. 




(Three months later) 




Joe Reese paused in the door to his office watching Miller walk down the hall. 
He glanced down at the slip of paper in his hand and a look of sorrow crossed 
his face. "No point in putting it off," he muttered. "Damn, I hate this sort of 
thing!"  Reese walked into the squad room, silently noting the air of calm 
efficiency, and headed to where Nick and Tracy were working at their desks. 
They both looked up as he neared them. 




"Nick, I need to see you in my office." Reese said. 




Nick nodded and stood. He shrugged at Tracy's questioning glance, having no idea 
of what was wrong. Nick was sure, by the look on Reese's face and the general 
mien of the captain, that something was wrong. 




Once in Reese's office, Nick sat down in the chair indicated. "What is it?" he 
asked. 




"Nick," Reese said quietly, "Miller just took a call from the Vancouver PD. They 
have two car wreck victims in the hospital there and need us to notify the next 
of kin." 




Nick looked at Reese's face and a cold sense of dread filled him. "That's 
usually a task given to an uniformed officer. Why do you need to see me because 
of this?" 




Reese grimaced, "The next of kin that the Vancouver PD is trying to locate is 
Natalie." He saw the look of shock that crossed Nick's face. 




"Nat?" Nick said, shaken. He knew that it had to be Sara and Amy. Sara was the 
only child of only children. Her parents had died shortly after she'd married 
Richard, leaving her without any other relatives. Upon Richard's death, Nat had 
become the only family she had. Hoping that he was mistaken, he asked, "Is it 
Sara and Amy?" 




Reese nodded. "I'm afraid so. Miller, of course, recognized Natalie's name and 
came to me." He handed Nick the piece of paper with a phone number written on 
it. "That's the number for the hospital. Nick, from what the Vancouver police 
said it sounds bad. I figured that it might be easier for Natalie to hear this 
from you. Go ahead and book off for the night. She's going to need you." 




Nick stood. "Thanks, Captain. I think I'll try and see if the hospital will give 
me some details before I talk to Nat."  Nick sighed. "If it's as bad as it 
sounds, I know she'll need to go out there." 




Reese looked up at Nick. "Tell her that we all hope everything works out okay." 




"I will," Nick assured him and left the office. 




"Nick? What happened?" Tracy asked as he returned to his desk. 




"Sara and Amy have been hurt in a car wreck." Nick told her, "I'm going to see 
if I can get some details, then I'm going to go tell Nat." 




Tracy covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, no!  Is there anything I can do to 
help?" 




"If you could arrange to have someone bring Nat's car to the loft, that would be 
a great help." Nick said. 




"I'll bring it myself. I'll get a patrol car to give me a lift back here." Tracy 
said. 




Nick gave her a small smile and picked up the phone. 
  




Nick sat in his car outside the Coroner's building, dreading he pain he was 
about to inflict on Nat.  His conversation with the hospital in Vancouver had 
yielded little help, except to underscore how seriously Sara and Amy had been 
injured. Nick knew how much Nat cared about her sister-in-law and niece, 
especially since Richard's death. He sighed. Sitting here wasn't going to change 
the situation.  A movement beside him reminded Nick that he wasn't alone in the 
car. 




"Thanks again, Tracy." He looked at her with sad, haunted eyes. "I guess I'd 
better go get this over." 




Tracy reached over and gave Nick's arm a squeeze. "Tell Nat how sorry I am." 




Nick nodded, got out of the car, and headed toward the door. He waited, holding 
the door open for Tracy, then entered the building.  As they walked down the 
familiar corridor, Nick dampened his emotions. As the vampire element in Nat's 
blood multiplied, the bond between them was steadily strengthening. Nick didn't 
want her to sense his turmoil, much less the reason for it, before he was 
physically with her. He could tell from his many prior visits here that she was 
in her office. 




Grace looked up from her desk and smiled seeing Nick and Tracy approaching. The 
smile faded as she took in the grim expressions on their faces. "Nick. Tracy." 
She said uncertainly. Tracy stopped at her desk, but Nick didn't even pause. 
"Tracy, what's going on?" Grace asked her friend. 




Nick heard Tracy's murmured explanation, and Grace's subdued expression of 
dismay, as he headed toward Nat's office. He'd have to apologize to Grace later. 
She had always been a good friend to Nat, and he regretted not being able to 
personally tell her what was wrong, but right now all he could think of was 
reaching Nat. 




He paused in the doorway, watching silently as Nat finished writing up some 
notes on an autopsy chart. As always when he looked at Nat, Nick couldn't help 
but feel somehow blessed that she loved him. He drew a deep breath as she looked 
up and saw him, her face breaking into a smile. 




"Nick!" Nat said as she looked up and saw her husband standing, watching her 
from the doorway. The smile that lit her face at the sight of him suddenly froze 
as she both saw the sadness in his eyes and sensed it through their bond. 
"What's wrong, Nick?" She asked, her mind going back to the last time she'd seen 
such a look on Nick's face; the night he'd told her that Cynthia's body had been 
found. She stood up as he walked into the office and took her hands in his. 




"Nat, I..I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you." Nick began. He could hear 
Nat's heartbeat increase and he gripped her hands gently. "There's been an 
accident." Nick paused and swallowed. "We got a call from Vancouver. Sara and 
Amy have been hurt in a car wreck." 




Nat listened in disbelief to Nick's words. "Do you know how badly they've been 
injured?" She heard herself calmly say even as her mind was screaming in 
rejection of the news. 




"I called Vancouver General, that's the hospital they're at, and spoke to a Dr. 
Kraft." Nick said. "He wouldn't tell me much, I'm not technically the next of 
kin." Nick paused, then added, "But from what he said, it's very serious." He 
felt a lump forming in his throat as he saw the devastated look in Nat's eyes. 
Nick couldn't help but remember seeing that same look the night he'd had to tell 
Nat that they'd found the body of her Goddaughter, Cynthia, and when Richard had 
died. 




Nat forced herself to stay calm. "Do you have his number? I want to hear exactly 
what their conditions are."  She took the slip of paper Nick handed her and 
picked up the phone. After she had to start over dialing the number for the 
second time, Nick quietly reached over and dialed it for her. She welcomed his 
nearness and the calming hand he laid on her shoulder. 




After several minutes, Nat was connected with Dr. Kraft. She quickly explained 
her relationship to Sara and Amy and the fact that she was also a doctor. As Nat 
listened to this stranger describe what had happened, her heart sank. When he 
described Sara's injuries, Nat could feel her entire body start to tremble. Sara 
had been brought into the trauma center in a coma with several broken bones, and 
serious internal injuries. In addition to all this, and of far greater concern, 
she had suffered a severe closed head injury. At the present time, she was in 
critical and unstable condition and efforts were being made to stabilize her 
enough to attempt the surgeries she needed if there was to be any hope of her 
survival. 




In a voice that was barely controlled, Nat asked, "What about Amy?" Nat felt her 
heart relax a little as she learned that her niece, though critical, was stable. 
She, too, had suffered a head injury but hers did not appear to be as severe as 
Sara's was.  Amy was semi-conscious, and did respond to stimuli. She, like her 
mother, had some broken bones, but Amy did not appear to have any serious 
internal injuries.  Dr. Kraft added that both of the women had been wearing 
their seat belts, as evidenced by the bruising that the restraints had inflicted 
on them. 




"Will you be coming to Vancouver?" Dr. Kraft's voice asked. 




"I.." Nat hesitated. She wanted to be there for Sara and Amy but wasn't sure how 
Nick would react to her leaving for an extended period. It was only a second 
before she heard Nick's soft whisper in her ear telling her that he'd already 
booked her a seat on the first flight out in the morning.  "Yes, my husband just 
told me that he's already arranged for me to fly out in the morning." She told 
Dr. Kraft. 




"I'll see you then, I hope that I'll have better news for you then." Dr. Kraft 
replied. It seemed to Nat that he was about to say more; but instead, he merely 
said goodbye and hung up. 




Nat stood for a moment holding the silent receiver in her hand. Her mind was 
spinning, still unwilling to accept what she'd just heard. She felt Nick gently 
pry the phone from her hand, then wrap his arms around her. Turning in his arms, 
Nat laid her head against his chest, hugging him to her in a desperate need to 
feel safe. She didn't allow herself to cry, half-afraid that if she started she 
might not be able to stop. 




Nick could feel Nat's turmoil through their link, and tightened his hold on her. 
He stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. He wished with all his soul that he 
could have spared her this pain, for now all he could do was try and comfort her 
as best he could. "When you're ready, I'll take you home," he told her as he 
laid his cheek against the top of her head. 




Nat looked up at him. "Thank you for understanding that I need to be out there 
with them," she said in a shaky voice. 




"Of course you do." Nick replied, stroking the side of her face. "Sara and Amy 
are part of our family. I only wish that I could go with you in the morning." 




"Nick, from what Dr. Kraft said, there is a strong probability that Sara is not 
going to make it." Nat shut her eyes, but not before Nick saw the pained, 
haunted look in them. "I can't believe that this is happening." She laid her 
head back against his chest. 




Nick kissed her hair. "Let's go home." 




With a sigh, Nat let go of him and gathered her things. "I need to tell Grace 
what's happened." She said. 




"She knows," Nick said, "Tracy is waiting at her desk to drive your car back to 
the loft." 




"Oh, I hate to put her to the trouble. I can drive." Nat said. 




"Nat, please, ride with me." Nick said. "It will make me feel better and Tracy 
doesn't mind bringing your car. Reese has already arranged for a patrol car to 
pick her up at the loft and bring her back to the station."  He relaxed as he 
saw Nat nod in agreement. 




After receiving Grace's sympathy and once again thanking Tracy, Nick and Nat 
were soon headed back to the loft. During the drive home, Nick could tell that 
Nat was reaching the end of her control. It wasn't until they were alone, on the 
lift that the held back tears began to flow down her cheeks. In an instant, Nick 
had his arms around her holding her fiercely as she at last broke down and 
sobbed. When the lift stopped, he lifted her and carried her into the loft. 
Crossing to the leather couch he sat, holding her on his lap, and rocked her 
gently as one would a small child.  He could feel her hurt, pain and anger over 
what had happened and sought to soothe her, while at the same time allowing her 
the much needed release of her emotions.  Some twenty minutes later Nat's tears 
had slowed to an occasional ragged sob. 




She raised her head, her face swollen and puffy from the tears she'd shed and 
looked at Nick. "I'm sorry." She started to say. 




"Nothing for you to feel sorry about, my love." Nick said. "You've had a 
terrible shock and you needed to cry." He eased her from his lap. "Sit here, I'm 
going to make you some tea," he said as he handed her a box of tissues. He was 
just pouring the water into the teapot to steep, when Nick felt LaCroix's 
presence.  Turning, he saw his father standing near the staircase, regarding 
Nat, who was unaware of him, with an expression of concern.  Not wanting her to 
be startled by LaCroix, Nick spoke quietly. "What are you doing here, LaCroix?" 




"I couldn't help but sense that you, BOTH of you, were dreadfully upset. It 
caused me concern, so I came to find out what the problem is," LaCroix said, 
never taking his eyes from Natalie. "Have you suddenly regretted your situation, 
my dear?" He inquired. 




Nat gave him a sharp look. "My relationship with Nick is something that I not 
only do not regret, but for which I am more thankful every day." 




Nick spoke. "Sara and Amy Lambert, Nat's sister-in-law and niece, were in a car 
accident earlier tonight. They're both in critical condition."  It pleased Nick 
to see that his statement managed to make LaCroix look somewhat embarrassed. 




"Indeed. I do apologize." LaCroix said. 




"Fine," Nick said, "now if you don't mind, we'd like to be alone." 




LaCroix looked coolly at Nick. "Of course." He turned to face Nat. "If I can be 
of help to you, in any way." With a nod to both of them, he was gone. 




Nat sank back against the couch as Nick carried the tea things over. "Don't 
worry, Nick. I'm not going to make the same mistake with Sara that I made with 
Richard." 




Nick sat beside her. "I never thought you would." He handed her a cup of tea. 
"Drink this, then I'll help you pack. After that's done you should try and get 
some sleep." 




Nat accepted the tea. "I don't think I can sleep." She sipped at the hot liquid 
then laid her head on Nick's shoulder, drawing strength from his presence. They 
sat quietly while she finished the beverage then together they climbed upstairs. 
It only took a few minutes for Nat to pack. She automatically filled her 
suitcase, unable to forget the last time she had packed it and how much happier 
an occasion that had been. She was glad that Nick had come up with her; she 
needed his closeness. When she had finished packing, Nick lifted the suitcase 
from the bed and sat it near the bedroom door. 
  




"Nat, you should lie down for a while. It's only a little after midnight and 
Tracy won't be coming to pick you up to take you to the airport until after 
6:30am." Nick said, looking at her with concern. "Even if you don't sleep, at 
least you'll get some rest. You'll need your strength tomorrow." 




"You're right." Nat agreed. She looked at him. "Stay with me a while?" 




"I hadn't planned on doing anything else." Nick said. To his dismay, he 
desperately wanted was to make love to her knowing that Nat would be gone until 
the situation in Vancouver was over. 'She's worried sick over Sara and Amy and 
all I can do is think of my own selfish pleasure.' Nick mentally chided himself. 




Nat gave him a small smile. "Good." She dropped her eyes. "Nick, I know that 
this may sound terrible, but I want, no I need, you to make love to me." She 
raised her eyes to his. "I know that I should only be worrying about Sara and 
Amy right now, but a part of me is missing you already." 




Nick tilted her face up to his and softly kissed her lips. "I need to make love 
to you, too." He told her. He gently captured her lips and bestowed a deep, 
passionate kiss of great tenderness upon them. 




Nat sighed as Nick embraced her. Her body ached for the feel of his and the 
profound love that his kiss imparted to her brought tears to her eyes. She 
returned it with a matching passion. 




Nick lovingly undressed Nat. His hands sure and gentle as he removed her blouse 
and bra. He cupped her breasts in his hands; tenderly squeezing them as his 
thumbs found the sensitive nipples. He slid his hands down to the waistband of 
her skirt, undoing the button and zipper so that it fell in a pool at her feet. 
Nick lifted her onto the bed. First slipping off her shoes, he then removed her 
panties and hose.  He paused to remove his own shoes and clothing, then joined 
his wife on their bed. 




Nat lay still as Nick's hands softly caressed her body, his cool touch igniting 
waves of pleasure. His mouth placed loving kisses along her jaw and throat, 
causing her heart to beat faster in anticipation of what was to come. She felt 
her body responding to his delicate caresses; ever so slowly beginning to build 
toward the intense pleasure that she knew awaited her. Although Nick was never 
hurried in their lovemaking, tonight he seemed to be lavishing extra time and 
attention upon her. 




Nick plied his skillful hands and mouth upon Nat's body as he sought to savor 
each step of their lovemaking. In the months since he had first dared to fully 
express his love for her, instead of familiarity with Nat's responses to his 
attentions causing this act to be less intense or pleasurable, it had only 
increased his enjoyment. Nick unabashedly worshipped everything about his wife. 
His desire for her grew daily and he exhilarated in pleasuring her. Tonight, 
knowing that it would be days, or more likely weeks, before they would be 
together again, he wanted to prolong their mutual enjoyment as much as possible. 
He had already decided, for only the second time in their relationship, to share 
his blood with her. He wanted to be certain that she knew not only the depth of 
his feelings for her, but that she was not alone during this time. 




Nat writhed and moaned with enjoyment as Nick moved to lightly stroke and suck 
at her clit with his tongue. Her body began to tense as his actions caused 
lightning-like bolts of sensation to emanate from her sensitive core to every 
nerve in her body. The firm but tender manner in which his hands were 
manipulating her breasts added to her pleasure. She felt as if her entire body 
was one large orgasm waiting to burst upon her, like a crashing breaker bursting 
on a beach. Her fingers were entangled in Nick's hair, the silky feel of his 
golden curls adding to her excitement. As the powerful orgasm washed through 
her, she cried out his name, tears running from her closed eyes. Her entire body 
was tensed and then slowly relaxed as the waves of pleasure slowly abated. 




Nick felt Nat's body tense and tasted the change in her juices as she achieved 
her orgasm. His own body was eager for release, his cock hard and dripping. As 
he felt the intensity of her sexual bliss begin to ebb, he shifted from his 
position between her legs. Covering her now flushed body with his cool, pale 
one, he once again began to slowly carry her up the spiral of pleasure. 




To Nat's intense satisfaction, Nick was once again slowly, lovingly arousing 
her. As much as her orgasm had been euphoric in its power, she ached to feel 
Nick inside of her and to share the ultimate intimacy that only came when he 
drank from her. She also wanted him to enjoy his own release. She could feel the 
hard, thickness of his shaft against her abdomen and, reaching down, encircled 
it with her hand. She smiled as she felt the slickness of his pre-climax juices 
and slowly stroked him causing Nick to murmur her name in a deep hoarse voice. 
Nat gazed up into his golden eyes, and saw that his fangs had already descended. 
She wanted to take him into her at that moment, eager for the unique release 
that his drinking from her provided. Nick, however, had other plans and 
refrained from entering her hot, dripping core until she, too, was once again 
panting with the need for release. Only then did he slowly slip his cool, firm 
shaft into her. Even as Nick sighed as Nat's warm, moist vaginal muscles 
surrounded him, she gasped as his hardness filled her completely. 




For several moments they were still, then Nick slowly started to move in her. As 
she met his movements with her own, Nick felt his climax start to pulse deep 
within. His pace increased, as he slid almost totally out of her before plunging 
deep within her welcoming center. As they both reached the verge of their 
climaxes, Nat pulled his head down to her freely offered throat. Nick kissed and 
licked her skin, the sound and scent of the ambrosia he so desired filling his 
head and driving him to ever more intense thrusting. At last, he slid his fangs 
into her pliant skin and drank.  He felt her love for him, always the most 
prevalent of her emotions, as well as the comfort that he had been able to 
provide her this night. Her fears for Sara and Amy were also present and Nick 
sent his reassurance to her through the link they shared.  As his climax surged 
through him and he spurted his seed into her, he slipped his fangs from her neck 
and opened his own wrist offering it to her. 




Nat trembled on the edge of climax when Nick offered his blood to her. She 
remembered how intense, how totally one with him, tasting his blood on their 
wedding night had made her feel and, giving him a look of purest love, covered 
the oozing wound with her lips. The increased presence of the vampire element in 
her blood intensified the impact that this taste of Nick's essence had upon her. 
The power and depth of his love for her was almost overwhelming. Nat's eyes lost 
focus as she retreated inward to fully appreciate the increased acuity of the 
mental bond. Where the last time she had experienced this, the most she'd been 
able to receive was generalized emotions, now she was capable of finer 
discernment. Nat felt his sorrow over Sara and Amy, and his desire to be able to 
somehow give her the strength she needed. "You have my dearest heart." She 
thought and to her joy, she was able to feel his peace as he received the 
message. As the small wound ceased bleeding, the bond faded, but not as much as 
it had the first time. A sudden, complete sense of contentment washed through 
Nat and she was only vaguely aware of Nick sliding from on top of her. She felt 
his arms pull her against him and heard his soft, "Rest now." as she fell into a 
deep, dreamless slumber. 




Nick lay awake the rest of the night, cradling Nat in his arms and watching her 
sleep. He was pleased that his effort to ensure that she'd rest by using their 
bond to influence her had worked.  Shortly before dawn, he gently awakened her, 
knowing that soon Tracy would arrive to take Nat to the airport. With Nat's 
departure, they would have only the memory of the previous night to sustain 
them. 
  




Vancouver, BC 




Nat pulled the rental car into a parking space and sat looking at the hospital 
building before her. She wished that Nick were beside her to give her the 
strength she needed to face what lay ahead. She looked at the gold and ruby ring 
on her left hand and lifted her hand so that the coolness of the jewel was 
against her cheek. Closing her eyes, she remembered the feel of Nick's arms and 
the intensity of their love. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and 
walked into the building. She stopped at the information desk and got directions 
to the critical care unit and soon was sitting in a small room waiting to talk 
with Sara and Amy's doctor. 




The door to the room opened and a tall, dark-haired man entered. 
"I'm Dr. Kraft. You must be Dr. Lambert." He said, extending his hand in 
greeting. 




"Actually, it's Lambert-Knight now. I married several months ago..." Nat broke 
off as she recalled how lovely Amy had looked in her wedding and how happy Sara 
had been.  Steeling herself, she asked, "How are my sister-in-law and niece?" 




Dr. Kraft's face was solemn. "As I told you last night, your niece, while still 
critical, is likely to recover without any serious impairments. She's still only 
semi-conscious, but she is improving. The rest of her injuries, the broken ribs 
and arm, aren't going to be problems." 




Nat said a silent prayer of thanks, then looked back at Dr. Kraft. "And Sara?" 




Dr. Kraft sighed. "Mrs. Lambert has suffered a very severe head injury. She came 
into the ER in a deep coma and thus far, has shown no signs of improvement." He 
sat down and took one of Nat's hands. "We had to do surgery on her last night to 
relieve some of the pressure in her skull. The results were not good. There was 
extensive tissue damage to the brain." 




Nat fought back tears as she listened to Dr. Kraft. She knew from what he was 
saying that even if Sara somehow survived her injuries, the likelihood was that 
she would never be able to take care of herself, much less Amy, again. She was 
aware that Dr. Kraft had finished speaking. "I'd like to see both of them if 
that's possible." She told him. 




"Of course." Dr. Kraft stood and held the door for Nat. He couldn't help but 
admire not only her beauty, but her strength as well. He wondered just how 
married she was? "Since you're a doctor, I'll arrange it so that you can visit 
anytime, not just during the normal hours," he told Nat as they walked down the 
corridor. He would also be sure that he was around to be a comfort to her when 
the inevitable happened with her sister-in-law. 'Who knows? With luck, maybe 
she'll be very grateful to me,' he thought as he allowed his eyes to ogle the 
fullness of her breasts beneath the light blouse she wore. Aloud, he asked, 
"Would you like to see your niece or her mother first?" 




Nat hesitated for only a second. "I'd like to see Amy." Kraft indicated a door 
on the right and Nat moved toward it. Noting that Kraft seemed intent on 
following her, she gave him a small smile. "If you don't mind, I'll go in alone. 
If you'll just point out where Sara is, I won't take up any more of your time."  
She noticed a brief flash of what seemed like disappointment and anger cross his 
face, but he politely told her how to get to Sara's room and then left. 




Nat took a deep breath to calm herself, she could feel her heart racing with 
anxiety, and opened the door. Amy lay on the bed in a pool of light, her pale 
blonde hair spread over the pillow. A bright blue cast encased her right arm. 
A quick glance at the various machines that surrounded Amy reassured Nat that 
her vital signs were strong and steady. Nat quietly walked closer, seeing the 
ugly bruise that ran down the right side of Amy's face from her cheekbone to 
hairline. Nat bent and gently kissed Amy on the forehead. "Amy? Sweetie, can you 
hear me?" Nat said softly. Even though Amy didn't open her eyes, she did stir 
and moan slightly. Nat took Amy's left hand in her own. "Amy, it's Aunt Nat. 
You're going to be okay. If you can hear me squeeze my hand." Nat said. She was 
rewarded a moment later by a slight movement of Amy's hand.  Pulling up a chair, 
Nat sat beside Amy's bed. For nearly a half-hour, she quietly spoke to her niece 
trying to reassure her that she would be all right. Finally, Nat rose. "You must 
rest and get better. I'm going to go check on you mom for a minute, but I'll be 
back in a little while." Nat told her. Fighting back tears at seeing her vibrant 
niece lying so still and pale, Nat kissed her again and headed for the door. 




Once in the hallway, Nat leaned against the wall dreading what she knew she 
would find in Sara's room. Shutting her eyes, she couldn't help thinking of Nick 
and longing for him to be here with her. To her surprise, even as far apart as 
they were, she could still feel the faintest hint of their bond. This mental 
touch, slight as it was, comforted her. She pushed all her love for him into the 
link on the hope that somehow Nick would sense it and know that she was thinking 
of him. 




Nick lay on the couch trying to rest. He chuckled wryly. 'She's been gone only a 
few hours and I'm already in this shape, how am I ever going to manage until she 
gets back?' He thought to himself. Having lived for so many centuries 
emotionally alone, even when he'd been in the physical presence of LaCroix and 
Janette, had made Nick cherish the intimacy and love that he'd found with Nat. 
He closed his eyes and concentrated on the link between them. To his pleasure, 
he found that it was stronger than he'd dared to hope. He wondered if Nat's 
abilities were developed enough to allow her to sense the link? Nick relaxed as 
the familiar, beloved sense of Nat's essence lapped against his consciousness. 
Closing his eyes, he gradually fell into a light sleep. The last thing Nick was 
aware of as sleep claimed him was Sidney's warm, furry body snuggling against 
him. 




Nat opened her eyes, the light contact with Nick having given her the strength 
she needed to face and accept what her intellect told her awaited in Sara's 
room. She walked calmly to the half-shut door and entered. Despite knowing what 
awaited her inside, unbidden tears flooded Nat's eyes as she looked at her 
sister-in-law. 




Sara lay unmoving beneath the stark white hospital sheets. Her head was covered 
in a bloodstained bandage, her face partially obscured by the ventilator that 
was keeping her breathing.  Dark bruises encircled her eyes in vivid contrast to 
the paleness of her skin. Tubes seemed to be everywhere as machinery and other 
medical tactics maintained Sara's life. 




When she reached the bedside, Nat saw small pieces of tape holding Sara's 
eyelids closed. She knew that this meant that even the reflex that causes a 
person to blink, thereby keeping the surface of the eye moist was no longer 
functional.  Any doubts that Nat may have had about Sara's chances of recovery 
were laid to rest.  Nothing less than a miracle would be needed for Sara to 
merely continue in her present condition and any hope that she would 'recover' 
from the accident would be ill founded. 




"Oh, Sara." Nat said, her voice filled with pain. She stood staring down at 
Sara, remembering the gentle, shy girl that Richard had married, as tears flowed 
silently down her cheeks. "Don't worry, Sara, I'll take care of Amy for you." 
Nat whispered to the still form on the bed. Looking at the readouts of the 
monitors above Sara's head, Nat could see that already there were some small 
irregularities in Sara's heartbeat. The tracing showing brain activity was even 
more distressing. While there was still some electrical activity occurring, it 
was vastly less than in a normal, healthy brain.  Nat wondered if there had been 
any change since Sara had been admitted to the hospital and if so, how much? 




She also wondered how, given her own situation, she was going to be able to 
fulfill her promise to Sara. What sort of reaction Nick would have to her having 
given it? Even though it was unlikely that Sara had any awareness of Nat's 
promise, or even that she was there, Nat was determined to somehow find a way to 
take care of her niece. At last, with a sigh, she left the room and returned to 
keep vigil at Amy's bedside. 




It was early evening when Nat finally checked in at her hotel. She walked 
wearily down the hallway to the room she'd been given. Opening the door she 
walked in and smiled. The room itself was lovely, and a large bouquet of roses, 
white, red, yellow and pink, waited on the round table at one end. Sitting her 
bag down, Nat went to the table and picked up the small white envelope in front 
of the vase. Opening it, she read the note inside. 




'I know that this has to have been a difficult day for you. I wish that I could 
be there with you, I hate that you have to face this alone.  I miss you and love 
you. Forever, Nick' 




A smile was on her lips as she finished reading. Leaning forward Nat inhaled the 
rich scent of the flowers, their lush aroma filling her head and raising her 
spirits. She blinked rapidly to clear her eyes of the tears that filled them, 
tears of happiness this time. Glancing at her watch she decided call Nick, 
hoping that he'd already be awake and getting ready for work, She crossed the 
room to sit on the bed and reached for the telephone. She needed to hear his 
voice before she attempted to rest. Dialing the loft's number, she leaned back 
against the pillows of the bed as she waited for the phone to be answered. 
'Probably get the answering machine," she thought as the phone began to ring. To 
her amazement Nick answered on the second ring. 




"Knight." Nick's voice said 




"Hi, I wanted to call and thank you for the beautiful roses." Nat said. "They 
are exactly what I needed tonight." 




"Nat!" Nick's voice was soft, his love and concern for her evident in his tone. 
"I was hoping that you'd call. How are things there?" 




Nat sighed. "Not good. Amy is doing better. I think she knew I was with her, but 
Sara..." She paused, her throat tight with emotion. Taking a deep breath she 
managed to continue. "I don't think she'll make it and even if she does, she'll 
never be more than a breathing shell of a person." Nat went on to tell Nick 
about the additional surgery that had been performed on Sara. 




Nick listened, his heart aching to be able to hold Nat and comfort her. He knew 
how much she cared about Sara and Amy. His mind began to figure out where it 
would be easiest to have a room and bath added to the loft's living area. Nat 
hadn't said anything, but Nick realized that Amy would almost certainly have to 
live with them. Even though the knowledge of what he was, and what Nat would 
soon become, presented a difficulty, Nick couldn't help but smile a little at 
the idea of having a surrogate daughter.  As Nat finished her recitation of the 
day's events, he turned his full attention back to her. 




"You sound exhausted. Are you planning on going back to the hospital later?" 
Nick asked her. 




"I am exhausted, and yes, I don't want to leave Sara alone." Nick could tell 
that Nat was either crying or on the verge of it. "Nobody should die all alone, 
Nick. I want to be there, when..." Nat stopped, unable to go on. 




"Nat, promise me that you'll sleep a few hours before you go back?" Nick said. 
"I understand and agree that you should be with Sara, but I don't want to worry 
that you'll have an accident, either."  Nick closed his eyes. "I love you. I 
couldn't bear it if something were to happen to you." 




"I'll be careful. I promise." Nat's voice was soft. She wanted to tell him how 
much she missed him but hesitated, knowing that it would only add to the 
frustration she could hear in his voice. She was too tired to attempt to explore 
what options, for Amy's future care, were open to them. "I'd better eat 
something and get some rest if I'm going back tonight. I'll try and call again 
in the morning before you go to sleep." 




"I'll be waiting to hear from you. Call anytime you can. I need to hear your 
voice." Nick admitted. "I love you, Nat. We'll get through this together." 




"I love you, too. I couldn't do this alone, Nick." Nat said. "I guess I'd better 
try and get some rest." 




"Yes, you should. Goodnight, my love." Nick said, wishing with all his soul that 
he were there with her. 




He heard her murmured response and the click as she hung up the phone. Sighing, 
Nick sat down his phone and headed for the door and another long night at work. 




(10 days later) 




Nat walked into the hotel room, and headed for the bath. She'd spent the day, as 
she had every day since arriving in Vancouver, at the hospital. Amy had 
continued to improve, she was awake and alert now, and would be ready to be 
released in the next day or so. She'd be wearing a cast for a few more weeks on 
her arm, but there didn't appear to be any lasting physical effects from the 
accident. What emotional scars there would be from it were still to be seen. Nat 
had accompanied Amy to see Sara, and held the sobbing child afterwards.  Nat 
sighed; she still hadn't approached Nick concerning their role in Amy's future. 
When she did get time to talk with him, she hadn't had the energy to attempt to 
discuss it. Nat had talked with Sara's attorney, and knew that Sara had named 
her and Nick as guardians for Amy.  Nat's eyes filled with tears as she thought 
of her sister-in-law. 
  




Sara's prognosis was a different story. Even though her body was healing from 
the injuries suffered in the car wreck, her brain was not. Everyday brought a 
decrease in electrical activity on the EEG and Nat knew that it was only a 
matter of time before Sara died. 




The wreck itself had been a freak accident. Sara and Amy had been on their way 
home from a movie when the car had been broadsided by a tractor-trailer that had 
suffered a failure of its airbrakes. A very thorough investigation had shown 
that a small clamp had broken off causing the brakes to fail.  It had hit on 
Sara's side of the car, explaining her far more severe injuries. The driver of 
the truck had an excellent record and was not in any way negligent; the truck 
had passed a safety inspection only the day before the accident. He'd come to 
the hospital twice since the accident, once the same day that Nat had arrived 
and later after Amy had regained consciousness. Nat had been unable to feel any 
animosity toward the man; his own grief over what had happened was evident. 




Fighting back her tears, Nat stripped off her clothes and turned on the shower. 
As the steam from the shower filled the bathroom, Nat stood beneath the spray, 
trying to ease some of the tiredness and tension from her muscles. She was 
mentally and emotionally exhausted as well as physically worn out from her 
vigil. Overlaying it all was her need for Nick. It haunted her like the dull 
ache of a tooth that has just undergone extensive work. It wasn't just an 
emotional need, but a physical one, as well. Her body craved his touch, his 
scent in her nostrils, and the taste of him. Their nightly chats, while soothing 
to her emotionally, only seemed to increase her physical longings. She shook her 
head, feeling weariness overcoming her. Turning off the shower, she dried off 
and slipping into a nightgown, headed for the bed. As she reached for the phone, 
it rang. Picking up the phone, Nat listened as the nurse on the other end 
informed her that Sara had taken a sudden turn for the worse. Her condition was 
now unstable and, although the nurse did not say it, Nat understood that the end 
was near. "I'll be right there," she said quietly. 




After a moment's consideration, Nat realized she was too tired to risk driving. 
She called the front desk and had them call a cab for her.   She dressed, and 
then called Nick, only to get just the answering machine. Disappointed, she left 
him a brief message, so that he wouldn't worry should he try to reach, then 
headed back downstairs. She paused briefly to thank William, the night clerk, 
for getting the cab, then hurried out the door. Sitting in the back of the cab, 
watching the darkened city pass by, Nat missed Nick at her side more keenly than 
ever. 




  
Nick walked swiftly through the Vancouver airport terminal. A half smile formed 
on his lips as he thought of how he would soon be holding Nat in his arms again.  
He sighed; he had missed her so much. He should have come to Vancouver sooner, 
but he'd waited to be sure that the new bedroom and bath for Amy were at least 
ready to be occupied before leaving Toronto. He'd had the painters do the walls 
in a cream color, figuring that Amy could choose a different one later if she 
wished. He quickly grabbed his luggage from the carousel and hailed a cab. In 
just a few minutes the cab was pulling up in front of the hotel, just as another 
cab was leaving. 




Nick went in to the front desk. Showing his identification to the clerk, he 
asked for a second key to Nat's room.  The clerk, after checking the 
registration for the room and verifying that Nick's name did appear on it, 
handed him the key saying, "You just missed your wife. That was her cab that 
pulled away as you arrived." 




"Do you know where she was going?" Nick asked. He was afraid that he knew the 
answer, but hoped that maybe Nat had gone somewhere other than the hospital. 




"Yes, sir. She said that she needed to go to Vancouver General." The clerk 
responded. 




Nick thought for a minute. "If she took a cab, then her car would be here. Did 
she by any chance use the valet parking?"  Nick knew that if she had, the keys 
for the car would be at the hotel. 




"Let me check," the clerk said, picking up the phone.  A few minutes later he 
confirmed that Nat had indeed used the valet parking. Nick decided to put his 
bags in the room, then take the car and go to the hospital to find Nat. 




Going upstairs, he unlocked the door to the room and smiled. The room, to Nick's 
vampiric senses, was redolent with Nat's familiar scent. Putting the bags down 
out of the way, Nick moved to pick up the nightgown Nat had tossed on the bed. 
He brought the silky fabric to his face, feeling his body automatically respond 
as he inhaled the orange and spice odor that was Nat's essence. A quick glance 
at the bed made it clear that she had already retired for the night when the 
hospital had called, a fact confirmed by the still damp towels he found in the 
bathroom. Nick sighed. He knew that Nat would have not returned to the hotel, 
much less gone to bed, had there been any hint that Sara's condition was 
deteriorating. The fact that whatever had happened must have occurred suddenly 
did not bode well. 




Nick hastily left the room. It was imperative that he get to the hospital 
quickly, as he suspected that both Nat and Amy might need whatever comfort he 
could give them.  A few well-placed words ensured that there was no argument 
over releasing the rental car to him and Nick headed to Vancouver General.  He'd 
checked on the address for the hospital before ever leaving Toronto and it was 
only a few minutes drive before he arrived at the building at Oak and 12th 
Avenue. He parked the car and hurried through the front doors of the hospital. 
  




Nat stood beside the chair in which Amy was seated, watching as Sara slipped 
from life.  Nat had her hand comfortingly on Amy's shoulder and, as the end grew 
closer, she knelt beside her niece encircling Amy with her arms. When Amy spoke, 
it was in so soft a whisper that Nat nearly didn't hear it. 




"What's going to happen to me now?" The question tore at Nat's heart. She wanted 
to tell Amy that there was nothing to worry about, but hesitated, unwilling to 
promise something she might not be able to deliver.  Silently Nat berated 
herself for not having discussed this very matter with Nick. She knew from the 
blood sharing, that Nick had tried and failed to raise his nephew, Andre. The 
pain Nick had felt when, discovering what his uncle was, Andre had rejected him 
was still fresh in Nick's heart. She wasn't sure that he would be willing to 
risk that kind of pain again.  Stroking Amy's hair Nat murmured, "Don't worry 
about that, sweetie." She grimaced at how inadequate that sounded even to her 
own ears. Just how inadequate was shown as Amy turned tear-filled eyes on her. 




"I'm scared, Aunt Natty. Where am I going to live? Will I have to go to an 
orphanage?" The words all but tumbled from Amy's mouth. 




'And why shouldn't they?' Nat thought. 'Her whole world has just collapsed 
around her.'  "Shhh, Amy.." Nat began to say when a voice from the doorway 
almost caused her to faint with relief. 




Nick stopped only briefly at the front desk to obtain a pass allowing him up to 
the ICU.  He could sense Nat's presence in the building and her distress. He 
stepped off the elevator on the floor the ICU was located; he instinctively 
turned in the direction that he sensed Nat to be. His progress was swiftly 
halted by a nurse who insisted on knowing what he was doing there at this time 
of night. 




Nick only had to say Sara's name and the nurse's expression changed from one of 
challenge to one of sympathy.  "I didn't realize Mrs. Lambert had other family?" 
she said, raising a questioning eyebrow. 




"Sara's late husband, Richard, was my wife's brother. In fact, I believe that my 
wife is here now, Natalie Knight?" Nick explained. 




Dr. Kraft looked up from the chart he was working on when he heard Natalie's 
name mentioned. One glance at the blond man at the nurse's station quashed any 
hopes he's had concerning her. Not only did the man radiate masculinity, but 
there was something about him that made Dr. Kraft sure he did NOT want this man 
angry with him. With a sigh of disappointment, he turned back to his work. 




The nurse nodded. "Yes, she's in Mrs. Lambert's room, along with Mrs. Lambert's 
daughter." She gave Nick a small, sad smile. "I'll show you where they're at." 




Nick followed, his keen hearing picking up Amy's questions as he arrived at the 
room. "You'll come back to Toronto with your aunt and I." Nick said softly as he 
walked into the room. "I promise you, Amy, you'll always have a home with us." 
Even though he was addressing Amy, Nick's eyes were fastened on Nat. 
  




Nat turned toward the sound of Nick's voice, her face a mixture of sorrow, 
relief, and joy.  Still kneeling beside Amy, Nat reached out her hand to Nick in 
a silent appeal. 




Nick crossed to the bedside, and clasped Nat's hand in his own. The contact 
intensified the emotions he was getting from her. He saw the questioning look in 
her eyes. He knew she was unsure of how they would handle explaining to Amy what 
he was and Nat was soon to become. She silently mouthed 'How?' to him. In reply 
he mouthed, 'With faith and love.' The glow of trust and love that filled Nat's 
face at this meant everything to Nick. 




Nat smiled at Nick's silent answer and laid her cheek against his hand. For the 
first time since news of the accident had reached her, she felt hopeful. Nick's 
presence was a balm for her ragged nerves. Somehow, with him beside her she felt 
as though there was a future to look forward to. 




Amy looked up at Nick. "Really?" Her voice shook slightly. She lowered her eyes. 
"I mean, you've just gotten married. I...I was afraid that you wouldn't want 
me." 




Nick gave Nat's hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it so that he could kneel 
down on the other side of Amy. He lightly caressed her hair before tenderly 
lifting her chin so that she was looking at him. "I mean it, Amy." Nick said 
softly. "I wish with all my heart that the circumstances requiring this had not 
happened, I know that Nat and I cannot possibly replace your mother." He wiped a 
tear from Amy's cheek. "Since it has happened, I want you to know that we aren't 
taking you because we feel we have to; we want you to be with us. We love you 
and we will do our best to always let you know just how much you mean to us." 




Amy looked into his eyes and saw the truth of his words. She managed a small 
smile. "Thank you. I think I already know." 




The sudden buzzing of the alarm on the cardiac monitor drew all of their 
attentions to the still figure on the bed. As the doctors and nurses entered, 
Amy leaned forward and took one of her mother's hands in her own. Tears rolled 
down her cheeks as she gently rubbed her thumb across the back of Sara's hand. 




Nat laid her arm around Amy's shoulders and Nick quietly moved to Nat's side. 
She felt him encircle her waist and leaned gratefully against him.  Together, 
they watched as the lines on the various monitors slowly flattened. 




As if she had waited to ensure that her child would be taken care of, and now 
knowing that was assured she could depart in peace, Sara Lambert died. 




After allowing Amy a few minutes alone for her final goodbye to Sara, Nick and 
Nat took Amy back to her room.  They sat by her bed, staying with her the 
medication prescribed by her doctor took effect. Only when they were certain 
that she was deeply asleep did Nick at last guide Nat from the room. It was 
after three in the morning and he could sense that Nat was staying awake by 
sheer force of will.  A small smile passed over his face as he thought of just 
how well he knew the strength of that will. 




Nat leaned against Nick as they walked down the dimly lit hospital hallway. 
Approaching the elevator, she managed to rouse herself. "We'll need a cab. I was 
too tired to drive," she said softly. 




Nick kissed her hair. "I stopped at the hotel first. I've got your rental car 
here."  Nat nodded her understanding as the elevator doors opened and they 
stepped inside joining several hospital employees. They rode down in silence, 
Nick never releasing his light hold on Nat. 




"Do you want to wait here while I get the car?" Nick asked as they entered the 
lobby area. 




"No. I don't want to be away from you even for a few minutes." Nat replied, 
looking up at him. 




"Okay. It's not parked very far away." Nick said.  As they exited the hospital, 
Nick looked quickly around and, seeing nobody watching, lifted Nat into his 
arms. 




"Nick!" Nat started to protest, then sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. 
She was exhausted and in all honesty was glad to not have to walk even a short 
distance to the parked car. She closed her eyes, relaxing in Nick's arms. 
Once they were in the car and heading back to the hotel, Nat turned to Nick. 
"Thank you for what you told Amy. I know how hard it was for you to offer that 
sort of commitment to her." 




"I meant it, Nat." Nick responded. "I'm not the same person I was with Andre. I 
think, I hope that we can make Amy understand." 




Nat looked at his profile, her love for him bringing tears to her eyes. "I KNOW 
that we can," she said, conviction ringing in her voice. Her tone softened as 
she continued. "Nick, I don't think I've ever loved you any more than I do right 
now. You may not be mortal, but you are more human than ninety percent of the 
people in this world." 




Nick smiled. "I will do anything I can to make sure that you never think any 
less of me. If I'm more human, it's because of you and your love." He said 
pulling into a parking space at the hotel.  He got out of the car and went 
around to help Nat. Together they went up to the room. 




Once inside, with the door locked, Nick pulled Nat close to him and kissed her 
softly, but passionately on the lips. He knew that she was far too exhausted, 
both emotionally and physically, to make love tonight but he wanted to be 
certain that she knew how much he loved and needed her. 




Nat felt her whole body relaxing as Nick's lips found hers. The empty ache in 
her heart vanished as she felt Nick's love. His kiss, while passionate, was not 
demanding but rather a promise of their future. She smiled as she felt the 
hardness of his manhood against her thigh. 




Nick broke the kiss looking into Nat's face. "I know that you're exhausted, but 
I can't help my body's reaction to you." He said, softly. "All I want tonight, 
is to hold you in my arms while you sleep." 




Nat smiled back. "I hope you never stop reacting like that, and I need you to 
hold me tonight."  She leaned against him as he swiftly undressed her and then 
slipped her nightgown over her head. In less than ten minutes, she was snuggled 
under the bedcovers, her head on Nick's chest and his arms cradling her against 
him. She barely remembered trying to murmur, "Good Night", before sleep claimed 
her. 




Nick lay awake for a short time savoring the scent and feel of Nat being once 
again in his arms.  He knew there would be many things to do here before they 
could return to Toronto, but they were together and together Nick was convinced 
they could do anything.  Shortly before dawn, he closed his eyes falling into a 
deep sleep. 
  




Nat opened her eyes, automatically reaching her hand out to find Nick. She 
sighed as she encountered nothing more than the empty space in the bed next to 
her.  Nick had left several nights earlier to return to Toronto. He'd been her 
and Amy's main support through the week that had immediately followed Sara's 
death. They'd switched from the room Nat had occupied to a two-bedroom suite 
following Amy's release from the hospital. Nat and Amy had gone over to the 
house and sorted through what items Amy wished to take with her to Toronto, and 
those which needed to be disposed of in order to settle the estate.  Nick had 
arranged to have the actual removal of the latter done after Nat and Amy's 
departure from Vancouver in order to spare Amy the stress of the process. Nick 
had returned to Toronto after that week in order to ensure that the furniture 
and other keepsakes that Amy had chosen would all be in place and waiting for 
her upon her arrival. Thankfully, Sara's estate was neither large nor 
complicated and now, three weeks following her death, Nat and Amy were ready to 
depart. 




Amy had either not noticed, or not mentioned, the fact that Nick never took a 
meal with them, but Nat knew that this state of affairs would not last long. She 
and Nick had already had several long discussions on what the best way to inform 
Amy of the situation would be, and had decided that unless Amy asked, they would 
postpone revealing what Nick was for a short time. Nat wanted Amy to adjust to 
Toronto a bit first before finding out that she was living with a vampire and a 
soon-to-be vampire. 




Getting out of bed, Nat showered and dressed. She could hear Amy moving about 
already. They had several last minute things to take care of, including one last 
stop at the attorney's office, before their evening flight to Toronto. Nat was 
organizing the day in her mind when a soft knock at the door caught her 
attention. "Come in," she called out. 




Amy opened the door and peeked inside. "Is it okay if I come in?" 




Nat turned to her niece and smiled. "Of course it is!" She said as she walked 
over and embraced her. She was grateful that, with the natural resiliency of 
youth, Amy seemed to be recovering from Sara's death but Nat was also very aware 
that full recovery was going to take months. 




Amy smiled back at her. "I don't want to be a bother to you." She said in 
explanation. 




"You are not a bother, Amy." Nat said. "I don't ever want you to think that. 
Nick and I love you and we're just glad we can be here for you." Nat cupped her 
niece's chin in her hands. "Nick and I can't have any children of our own, Amy. 
Your coming to live with us means that we will at least have a family." 




Amy looked at Nat. "Oh, Aunt Natty, I didn't know. I'm so sorry." 




Nat hugged her. "It's okay, Amy. I would give anything for your mom to still be 
here with you, but since she's not, I am very grateful that I'm going to have 
you."  Giving Amy's shoulders a final squeeze; Nat released her. "So, what do 
you say we see about getting some breakfast?" She inquired as they exited the 
room. 
  




Nat sat down in her seat aboard Air Canada flight 100. Even though they were 
leaving Vancouver at 2:15 in the afternoon and the flight only took a little 
over 4 hours, the time differences meant that they would arrive in Toronto at 
9:30pm. Even in the middle of July that was late enough for Nick to have no 
problem meeting them at the airport. 




The thought of Nick and of being with him in their home and their bed brought a 
smile to Nat's face. She had, if anything missed him even more these last two 
weeks than she had during the earlier ten-day separation. As the plane took off, 
Nat leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. With any luck she'd be able to 
catch a nap, the last thing she wanted was to be exhausted tonight. 




It seemed like she'd only shut her eyes when Amy's voice sounded in her ear. 




"Aunt Natty? I think we're getting ready to land." 




Nat opened her eyes to see darkness outside the plane windows and a glance at 
her watch told her that they were indeed less than ten minutes from landing. 




"Oh, I must have been more tired than I thought!" She said to Amy. "I'm sorry, 
here I went and slept and left you sitting all alone." 




Amy flashed her aunt a quick grin. "That's okay, I'd brought a book with me and 
I almost got it finished." She held up a romance novel. 




"Mmmm, good looking guy on the cover." Nat teased. 




Amy glanced at the bare-chested man depicted. "He's okay, but I think Uncle 
Nicky is better looking." 




Nat laughed. "You know, I think you're right. Besides, Uncle Nick might get 
jealous if I swooned over this fellow." 




Amy giggled. "Nah, all anyone has to do is watch the way you and Uncle Nicky 
look at each other. This guy doesn't stand a chance." 




The PA announcement of the landing instructions saved Nat from having to reply. 




Nick paced in the small waiting area, eager for Nat's plane to land. He'd been 
restless all day, anticipating her return and now the last few minutes seemed to 
be dragging out unbearably.  Finally the large Air Canada 767 pulled up to the 
gate and the doors opened. Nick watched as passengers entered the terminal and 
then broke into a grin as he spotted Nat and Amy.  As she stepped through the 
door, he caught Nat up in his arms, kissing her soundly then turned and hugged 
Amy, kissing the top of her head. "You don't know how good it is to have you 
both home." Nick said, still grinning. 




Nat looped her arm through his. "Oh, I bet I do. Let's get the bags and go home. 
I want to see what Amy's room looks like." 




"Oh yes! Me too!" Amy agreed. "But I'm sure I'll love it!" 




Nick smiled at her. "I hope you will, but if there is anything you want done 
differently, all you have to do is tell me." 




Amy smiled and nodded her agreement. 




To Nat's relief, the airline had managed to get all of the bags to Toronto and 
less than thirty minutes after landing; they pulled out of the airport parking 
lot in the Caddie. 




"It's a good thing this land barge has such a big trunk," Nat teased Nick, "or 
we'd never have fit all the luggage inside." 




"Land barge? Is that anyway to talk about a classic auto?" Nick responded. "Be 
glad it does have plenty of trunk space, otherwise you'd have to sit in the back 
seat with suitcases piled on you while Amy got to ride up front with me."  He 
glanced in the rearview mirror, catching Amy's eye, and winked. 




Amy giggled. "That's right. I couldn't hold the bags because I'm just a child." 
She chimed in. 




Nat rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh great, the two of you are going to gang up 
on me!"  She slid her hand over to Nick's leg and gave it a squeeze. She 
appreciated the fact that he was trying to not only include Amy as a part of 
their family, but to lighten her spirits as well. Not for the first time did Nat 
give a silent prayer of thanks for whatever force had brought Nick into her 
life.  As the Caddie pulled into the garage at the loft, Nat could feel herself 
relaxing. She was home. 




It was nearing 3am before Amy finally went to bed. With her body still 
functioning on Pacific Time and the excitement of a new home, Nat was not 
surprised that Amy had been unable to even think of sleeping earlier. Nat walked 
into the kitchen having just left Amy's room. She'd sat and talked with Amy for 
a few minutes before sleep overtook the young girl. Nat smiled as she thought of 
how Sidney had made himself comfortable by curling up near Amy's head. Making a 
cup of tea, Nat joined Nick on the couch, snuggling against him. 




"I think Amy liked the room." Nick said, after they'd sat in comfortable silence 
for several minutes. 




"She loved it. Shipping her bedroom furniture here was a good idea. It makes the 
room feel less strange for her."  Nat said. She finished her tea and sat the cup 
on the table. 




Nick slid his arms around her, pulling her across his chest. Nat laid her head 
on his shoulder, her forehead touching his jaw. She felt his lips as he placed 
soft kisses on her skin. Closing her eyes, Nat allowed herself to not think 
about anything and just enjoy this moment of quiet closeness.  She could feel 
her heart thumping as Nick ever so gradually began to explore her body with his 
hands. She raised her own hands and began tracing small circles against Nick's 
chest.  At last she raised her face toward Nick's and his mouth found hers. All 
of the pent up passion of the past several weeks was unleashed in the kiss that 
ensued. When she once again had a chance to breathe, she murmured, "Why don't we 
take this upstairs?"  In moments, they were in the bedroom, the rest of the 
world for the time being, forgotten. 




Across town, LaCroix smiled as he felt the onset of Nick and Nat's lovemaking. 
Carefully tapping only into the physical sensations, he soon lost himself in the 
ghostly pleasures of their bliss. 




He stood looking at her, admiring the way her hair formed a wild halo about her 
face. As he reached out his hand to touch her, the warmth of her skin radiated 
through his body. He could feel his penis hardening as he anticipated the 
pleasures that would soon follow. Slowly he let his hands trace the curves of 
her body, pausing only to undo the fastenings on her blouse and skirt. As the 
full ripeness of her body was revealed, his fangs began to ache and he could 
feel his beast emerging. He pulled her roughly into his arms, his mouth covering 
hers. He plundered her mouth with his tongue, bruising her lips against the 
hardness of his teeth. The small sounds she made only served to enflame his need 
for her. His tongue probed deep in her mouth, tasting every hidden crevice. His 
hands caressed and fondled her body, feeling the swell of her breasts and the 
soft fullness of her hips. Cupping her butt, he pressed her tightly against him, 
the heat of her warming the steel like fullness of his manhood. 




He could hear the pounding of the blood in her veins and smell her unique scent. 
These called out to the beast, tempting and promising fulfillment. He growled 
deep in his chest. The beast would get its due, but not until the man had found 
his pleasure. He released her mouth leaving her breathless and panting for air. 
With vampiric speed he removed his clothing and grasping her once again, pushed 
her backwards and down upon the bed. As he stood above her, he saw the soft, 
slightly unfocussed look that her passion brought to her eyes. He inhaled 
deeply, luxuriating in the rich, musk smell of her sex. Leaning over her, he 
undid the front clasp of Nat's bra baring the pale globes of her breasts. As she 
slipped the straps down her arms, he nuzzled the softness of her breasts, 
licking each of them. He smiled, as she sighed his name and reached to hold his 
head against her bosom. Tenderly, he fondled and toyed with each breast causing 
the darker nipples to pucker and harden. 




With both hands, he eased the filmy panties she wore over here hips and off. At 
last that which had haunted his dreams was before him. Joining her on the bed, 
he started at her forehead, kissing and tasting each section of her skin. She 
met his explorations with her own. Her tongue tasting him, while her hands slid 
down his firm muscles to find and encircle his now dripping shaft.  Her touch 
seemed to echo in all of his nerves and he trembled with the effort to control 
his need for her. 




As he traced trails of icy fire down her body, Nat moaned with her own need. Her 
hips twitched as she sought to rub her swollen clit against him. When he at last 
reached the wiry tangle of her pubic hair and the sensitive nub hidden there, 
she trembled with anticipation. The first lap of his tongue against her clit 
caused her to gasp and press his face to her. Exercising the greatest of 
patience, he very slowly drew her higher and higher toward the pinnacle of her 
pleasure.  The scent of her now copiously flowing juices filled his head and he 
lapped at them. The taste of her desire was finally too much and he quickly 
positioned himself between her legs. Lifting her hips, he found the warm, moist 
opening he desired and entered her. 




He felt Nat's entire body shake as she felt the cool hard fullness of his shaft 
enter her, filling her completely. She tightened her muscles around him, as if 
she wanted to hold him in her. When he started to slowly rock in her, he could 
feel all of her muscles tightening as she was swept toward the edge of her 
orgasm. Through the link he felt warmth building in her womb exploding through 
her body. She cried out in ecstasy as her body spasmed in release. 




He felt her vagina contract around him, and he gave into the force of his own 
climax. His fangs slid into the soft flesh and found a large vein. At the sweet, 
ghostly taste of her blood, LaCroix pushed into the link he had with his son, 
tasting the faintest echo of the richness, before retreating completely. He'd 
only shared the link to Nick's physical feelings, not his emotions. He chuckled, 
congratulating himself on having had the foresight to never teach this ability 
to Nick. Now that he was safely away, there was no way for Nick to even tell 
he'd been there as there would have been with a mental link.  LaCroix gulped the 
now bitter tasting blood from his 'private stock' and shuddered as he, too, 
attained climax.  As he lay alone on his bed he smiled as he carefully reached 
out to her mind. "One day Natalie, I shall taste your fullness for myself." He 
whispered both aloud and mentally. 




Nat was relishing the sensations that making love with Nick always produced. 
Eyes closed, she reveled in the total intimacy that they shared when he drank 
from her. This experience never ceased to fill her with awe. She was unprepared 
for the sudden overwhelming feeling that it was NOT Nick with her. Her heart 
began pounding in terror and her eyes snapped open as she instinctively tried to 
flee the unknown danger she sensed. 




Nick felt Nat suddenly stiffen and heard her gasp. Concern was etched on his 
face. "Nat? What's wrong?" He pushed her hair away from her face, noting that 
she looked pale. 




The familiar sound of Nick's voice caused some of the tension to ebb from Nat's 
body. "I...I don't know." She looked into his face, puzzlement clear in her 
eyes. "For just a moment I had the weird idea that you weren't you." She shook 
her head and managed a small smile. "Pretty strange, huh?" 




Nick rolled to the side and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He 
could feel her shivering slightly. 'Whatever it was has really upset her,' he 
thought. "Tell me what happened." He said softly. 




Nat burrowed against him. The feel of his body, his scent and the calm sound of 
his voice were comforting and she could feel her fear fading. "Just at the end, 
when you were drinking from me, I had the strangest feeling that it wasn't you. 
That you were someone else, someone who didn't love me but only wanted to 
possess me."  She raised troubled eyes to Nick's face. "I could feel your love 
for me, but it was like there was another person beneath that." 




Nick nodded, what she was saying made sense with what he'd suddenly tasted in 
her blood and felt through their link. Link? Nick silently cursed himself for 
having told LaCroix when Nat would be back home. Carefully, Nick concentrated, 
searching for any hint of LaCroix. To his relief, that link seemed to be silent. 
Even though he hated having to ask, and in a way dreaded hearing her answer, he 
spoke. "Could it have been my beast that you felt?" 




Nat shook her head. "No! I've felt your beast many times before and this was 
totally different." She saw the look of surprise and relief that flashed across 
his face. "I know that the vampire seeks to possess, but even with your beast 
there is an undercurrent of love that I can sense." She explained. "I know that 
it will never overpower your love for me. This was different, colder somehow. It 
wanted me merely for the ability to possess me, not out of any love." She kissed 
his lips. "I've never been afraid of the vampire in you, Nick, and I never will 
be." When she saw that he accepted this, she laid her head back on his shoulder. 
"Whatever it was, it's gone now." she murmured. "Just don't decide to leave for 
a while, okay?" 




Nick frowned as he wondered what it was Nat had felt. He had no doubts that 
there had been something, Nat was not given to sudden flights of fancy.  'Maybe 
it was just a reaction to the stress she's been under.' He mentally told 
himself. He looked at her, relaxing as he saw that the color had returned to her 
cheeks. His love for her filled his heart and he pressed her against his side. 
"I plan to stay right here." He assured her, kissing her. He softly stroked her 
hair as her breathing slowed and she slept. 




Nat awakened slowly. The feel of Nick's cool body next to hers tempted her to 
stay in bed but she knew that Amy would soon be awake, if she wasn't already. 
Moving carefully so as to not disturb Nick, Nat slid from the bed, grabbed her 
robe and unused nightgown, and padded into the bathroom. When she emerged 
several minutes later, she silently crossed the bedroom and went downstairs.  A 
quick glance in Amy's room showed her to still be sleeping. Nat went into the 
kitchen and started a pot of coffee brewing. 




While waiting for the coffee to finish Nat leaned against the counter and tried 
to mentally organize her day. She wasn't due back to work for another two days, 
giving her time to at least make a start on getting Amy settled in.  She sighed; 
there was so much to do, but first on the list had to be setting up an 
appointment for Amy with a grief counselor.  Nat knew from her own experience 
the pain of losing parents at a tender age and wanted to be certain that, unlike 
her own experience, Amy had all of the help she needed through this difficult 
time. Turning to go to Nick's desk for the telephone directory, she gave a small 
shriek as she found Nick standing only a few feet from her. "I really hate it 
when you do that!" She said, grinning to take the sting from her words. 




Nick smiled. "I know, and I really don't mean to startle you." He closed the 
distance between them and took her lightly in his arms. "I was just so taken 
with how beautiful you are, that I forgot to let you know I was here." 




Nat laughed. "No fair! How am I supposed to stay angry with you when you say 
things like that." 




Nick bent his head toward her. "You aren't." He said, as he kissed her. 




When he broke the kiss, Nat stayed in his arms, resting her head on his chest. 
"I've missed this." She murmured. 




Nick hugged her. "So have I." He listened carefully. "We're about to have 
company. I hear Amy moving around in her room." 




Nat reluctantly stepped away. "I better see what there is in the house I can 
make for breakfast." She headed to the fridge. Opening the door, she smiled as 
she saw the fresh container of milk, along with several bags of fruit.  She 
looked over at Nick, who was watching her with a proud expression. 




"I tried to get foods I've seen you buy." He said. "Is it okay?" 




"Okay? Nick it's wonderful!" Nat said, beaming. "I was afraid I might have to 
make a quick run to the store but thankfully there's more than enough here for 
breakfast."  She loved the way Nick's entire face reflected his satisfaction in 
having done a mortal task like grocery shopping well. She looked in the fridge 
again, something was different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. 




Nat turned her head as Amy walked into the main living area. Smiling, Amy 
inquired, "Did I hear someone say breakfast?" 




Nick laughed. "I think Nat is getting ready to fix some now. You might want to 
take a look in the fridge and see what you'd like to eat." 




It was only when Amy was rummaging through the contents of the fridge that it 
dawned on Nat that the familiar green glass bottles of blood were nowhere to be 
seen.  She threw an inquiring look at Nick. Nat knew that Nick still needed the 
blood. Indeed, with what she now knew first hand of what the vampire was like, 
she realized that her expectations that Nick should just stop drinking blood had 
been ill-advised.  There was some factor in blood that Nick had to have and 
without it. he would eventually starve to death. Nat had felt some guilt over 
all the times she'd insisted that he not drink blood and then accused him of not 
trying when his body had finally demanded that it be fed.  Once Amy was settled 
at the table and eating, Nat moved to Nick's side. 




"Where's the blood?" she whispered. 




Nick smiled. "When you go back upstairs, take a good look at the new mini fridge 
in our room." He looped an arm around her waist. "I think you may have missed 
seeing it last night." 




Nat leaned against him. "Well, I have to admit that I was not concentrating on 
the room furnishings."  She smiled and snuggled against him. 




"I thought that, at least until we explain things to Amy, keeping my supply 
upstairs might be easier." Nick said, hugging her close. He'd missed this casual 
intimacy while she'd been gone and was enjoying this moment. 




Nat nodded. "Yes, I'm glad you thought of that." She looked up at Nick. "I want 
to tell her soon, but I'd like to give her time to adjust to being here first." 




"I agree, but I also want to be certain that she finds out the way WE want her 
to." Nick said, his eyes darkening with remembered sadness of how Andre had 
learned about his vampirism. 




Nat knew that Nick was remembering his nephew and how devastated the youngster 
had been when LaCroix had shown him what Nick was.  From the bond she now shared 
with Nick, she knew how ashamed he'd been when Andre had found him feeding on a 
number of young women.  She took Nick's hand in her own. "It won't be like the 
last time, Nick." She said. "You are very different from what you were like 
then." 




Nick looked into her love filled eyes. "What I am hasn't changed, Nat." He said, 
quietly. "I'm still a vampire, a monster."  He saw the flash of gold in her 
eyes. 




"No, but how you deal with it has. You don't prey on mortals anymore, you work 
to help and protect them." Nat said. "You may be a vampire, but you are more 
human than most of the so-called normal people in this city."  She smiled at 
him. " I fell in love with a caring, loving man. I wouldn't have fallen in love 
with a monster. I have much better taste than that." 




Nick kissed her forehead. "With you beside me, I can make myself believe that." 




"Then there isn't a problem. I plan to be beside you forever." Nat said, softly. 




The ringing of the telephone cut off any reply. Nick answered it and at his 
"Yes, Captain?" Nat returned to the kitchen.  She and Amy had almost finished 
eating when Nick joined them.  Nat shot him a questioning look, "Problems?" 




"Just a very complicated case." Nick said sitting down. "Reese was asking if you 
would be in to work tonight. We've got a victim, but the cause of death seems to 
be eluding your fill-in." He smiled a certain amount of pride in how respected 
Nat was showing in his voice. "Reese has been asking when you were getting back 
every other day." Nick said. 




Nat laughed, "Gee, this might be a good time to hit them for a raise!" She took 
a final swallow of her coffee. "Who was my replacement?" she asked. 




Nick frowned. "A young guy, Matt Wilson. Just out of his residency and still wet 
behind the ears." 




She glanced at Amy, then looked back to Nick. "I hadn't planned to go back in 
prior to Monday, but if it's that much of a puzzle, I guess I could just go in 
long enough to look over everything." 




"I told Reese I couldn't promise him that you'd be in tonight." Nick said. 




"I'll be okay by myself." Amy spoke up. "Mom," her voice trembled slightly. "Mom 
sometimes had to work really late. I can fix my own dinner and then watch some 
TV until it's time for me to go to bed."  She looked at Nat. "I don't want to 
cause any problems for you." 




"You aren't, sweetie." Nat reassured her. "I just hate to leave you all alone on 
your first full day here." 




Nick suddenly smiled. "I think I may have the solution. While you were in 
Vancouver, Myra called. She wanted to let you know how badly she felt about 
Sara. Jenny was already asking when Amy could come to their house for a 
sleepover." 




"Bless Myra! That would be perfect. Let me give her a call and make sure that 
it's convenient for her." Nat headed for the phone. 
  




Nat pulled into the parking lot of the Coroner's Building. She'd dropped an 
enthusiastic Amy off at the Schanke's before coming here and now she paused to 
ready herself mentally for the work that lay ahead of her. Being gone as long as 
she had, she knew it meant that there was going to be a backlog of paperwork, 
not to mention Nick's latest case. While she dreaded the paperwork, it felt good 
to be back at her job. She wrinkled her nose as the odors of the building wafted 
to her. The intensity of them, while partly because she'd been away so long, 
also told her that the virus level in her blood had increased. She stopped just 
inside the door to gather her control. Hopefully, by the time Nick finished 
bringing her across, she would not have to struggle too much more to be able to 
continue to work. 




Grace was the first to see her, and Nat returned her friend's hug. It took 
several minutes before Nat was at last alone in her office. She looked at that 
huge stack of paperwork, and sighed. Deciding to tackle that after she'd had a 
look at the case Reese had called about, Nat went in search of the paperwork. 
  




Nat looked over the paperwork on the case, such as it was. Dr. Wilson had a lot 
to learn about how to write a proper autopsy report. The deceased was a young 
man of twenty-six, who had appeared to be in excellent health. An argument had 
escalated into a shoving match and, according to the witnesses, he'd been 
knocked down, striking his head against a large stone.  The toxicology reports 
were negative; he hadn't been using any illegal drugs. The slides of the brain 
showed very little hemorrhaging, certainly not enough to have caused the young 
man's death. She could see why Reese was puzzled. He needed a ruling on the 
cause of death. If it was due to the fall occasioned by the argument, another 
young man was looking at spending time in prison. 'Maybe there's something in 
the work up on the viscera,' Nat thought. She turned the page and frowned, there 
didn't seem to be any report on the condition of the other internal organs. 




Picking up her phone, she dialed Grace's extension. "Grace, do you have the rest 
of the Croom autopsy?"  Nat listened, then continued. "Would you mind looking 
around? The only report I have here is on the gross brain." Receiving Grace's 
assurance that she would, Nat hung up. When the voice spoke from behind her, she 
jumped slightly. 




"Good evening, Natalie." The smooth tones of LaCroix's voice sounded near her 
shoulder.  He smiled as Nat swiveled around in her chair. "I'm sorry, I didn't 
mean to startle you." 




Nat raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Then you might try using the door like other 
people." She said. "To what do I owe this visit?"  Concern about the case, not 
to mention how she would explain LaCroix's presence to Grace should she come in, 
was causing the beginnings of a headache. 




"I merely wished to extend my condolences on the death of your sister-in-law, 
and to welcome you back home." LaCroix said, quietly. 




Nat felt her cheeks redden.  She'd just jumped down his throat and he was 
actually trying to be nice. "Thank you, LaCroix. I'm sorry I snapped at you. 
Please understand that it's been a difficult few weeks." 




LaCroix laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder. "Not to worry, my dear. I 
understand completely." He looked at her sympathetically. "Nicholas says that 
your lovely niece, Amy isn't it, is going to be staying with the two of you?" 




Nat nodded. "Yes. Sara had no family and I'm the only relative that Amy has. I 
know it's not going to be easy, but Nick and I are certain that we can make Amy 
understand about us." 




LaCroix gave a small smile. "I'm sure that you will. Nicholas has learned a 
great deal since that unfortunate incident with young Andre." 




Nat bristled at the implication that what had happened with Nick's nephew had 
been solely Nick's fault.  "Perhaps, if Nick had been allowed to explain the 
situation to Andre in his OWN way, it wouldn't have been so unfortunate." She 
fixed LaCroix with a stern look. "I'm warning you LaCroix, don't try to 
interfere where Amy is concerned. I may not have all the powers of a vampire, 
yet, but I swear that if you do anything to upset my niece, I WILL make you 
regret it!" 




LaCroix chuckled. "It might be interesting if only to see just what you would 
do." He held his hands up in a placating gesture as he saw the flash of anger 
that crossed Nat's face. "Like Nicholas, I too, have learned a great deal in the 
years since Andre. Rest assured, I will leave it to you and Nicholas to inform 
Amy of your 'conditions'." He took Nat's hand in his and kissed the back of it. 
"Good night, my dear." Nat heard the slight rush of air and he was gone. 




"Nat, I have looked everywhere, but I can't find any other parts of the Croom 
autopsy report." Grace said, walking into Nat's office. She paused, wondering 
why Nat had her hand up in the air. 




Nat saw the look on Grace's face. "I had a bit of a muscle spasm, guess I've 
gotten out of training for writing all these reports." She improvised. 




Grace looked at the stack of paperwork, "Girl, even in training, that mess would 
be enough to give you a cramp!"  She said. 




Nat nodded. "Do you know if the body has been released yet?" 




"We're in luck there, he's still in the cooler." Grace said. "What room do you 
want him in?" 




Nat sighed, "Might as well make it suite A. Have someone wheel him in and I'll 
go change." She stood and stretched before heading to the locker room. 




When Nat walked into the autopsy suite and opened the body bag, she swore under 
her breath. Grabbing the phone she called Grace. "Find that nincompoop Wilson 
and tell him I want to see him ASAP!" She barked into it. Hanging the phone up 
she looked again at the body. The reason that there was no report on the 
internal organs was now clear, they'd never been examined! 




Several hours later, Nat had her answers. She shook her head as she recalled the 
blank look Dr. Wilson had given her when she'd pointed out that he hadn't done a 
complete internal examination. His explanation of "I didn't think it was needed, 
since the police were only concerned about the blow to the head." had resulted 
in her explaining the basic facts of forensic pathology to him. Nat smiled, she 
would guarantee that Wilson would NEVER make that mistake again! 




The answer to the cause of death had been a tumor on Croom's adrenal gland. When 
he'd gotten angry, it had cause such an onrush of adrenaline into his system 
that he'd died of a heart attack. He hadn't fallen because of the shove received 
during the argument; he'd collapsed because of the heart attack.  She was just 
finishing up her notes when there was a tap at her door and Nick walked in. 




"Is it safe? Grace says you've been eating young men for dinner tonight." He 
said smiling lovingly at her. He crossed to her desk and stood beside her chair. 




Nat laughed. "It's always safe for you." She handed Nick the report, watching as 
he scanned it. She was pleased to see him smile when he read her conclusions. 




"So Croom's death isn't a homicide? I'm glad. It's bad enough that one young man 
is dead and his family is grieving. At least this way, two lives aren't ruined."  
Nick said. 




Nat leaned her head against him. "I'm just sorry that the other young man has 
had to go through several days of anguish, when he should have been cleared 
within twenty-four hours." 




"He's in the clear now, thanks to you." Nick said. "Why don't you call it a 
night? I'm going to drop this off on Reese's desk and then head home, myself." 




Nat looked at the clock. "Yeah, I've already been here over eight hours. I'll 
meet you at the loft." She stood and Nick gave her a quick hug and kiss before 
leaving. It was only after he'd gone that she realized she hadn't told him about 
LaCroix's visit. After a moment's reflection, she was glad she hadn't. Nick 
didn't need another reminder of Andre and Nat was certain she could handle 
anything LaCroix had planned. Gathering her purse, she said goodnight to Grace 
and went to her car. Driving home, she thought about just how they would tell 
Amy. 'Please, let her understand and be able to see that what Nick is and I'm 
becoming doesn't change who we are,' Nat prayed. 




Once at the loft, she showered and, finding that she was exhausted, went 
straight to bed. She was sound asleep when Nick crawled into bed next to her and 
gathered her gently into his arms. 
  




(Late November) 




Nat stood before the roaring fire sipping a cup of hot chocolate.  In the almost 
five months since Amy had come to live with them, Nat had not once regretted the 
decision to keep Amy with them, rather than send her away to boarding school.  
In the weeks following the move, Nat had seen that Amy had received counseling. 
She knew that her niece had needed an opportunity to unleash the anger and 
sadness that Sara's death had caused.  Happily, Amy had made excellent progress 
and it had been over a month since her last session. 




Amy seemed to have adjusted to her new life well. She was making excellent 
grades at a prestigious local private school. Nat had worried that making new 
friends might pose a problem, but Nick had thought of that, too.  Myra Schanke 
had been surprised and overjoyed when Jenny became the recipient of a 
scholarship to the school, a scholarship funded by the deBrabant Foundation. 
Jenny was also thriving in the new environment and the two girls were close 
friends. 




Much to Natalie's surprise, LaCroix had not only kept his word about not 
revealing Nick's 'condition', but had actually become a sort of grandfather 
figure to Amy.  Although Nat still didn't trust him, she had to admit that his 
behavior toward Amy had been in no way suspicious. He'd even hosted a lovely 
dinner on Amy's thirteenth birthday. The evening had been very elegant and the 
novelty of it was enough to allow Amy to forget for a little while that her 
mother was gone.  Still, Nat was uncomfortable about the time Amy spent in 
LaCroix's presence. 




Nat sighed, soon she knew, Amy would have to be informed of the fact that Uncle 
Nick was a vampire and that Nat would soon be one, too. She hadn't yet figured 
out just what to say but time was running out. Nat walked over and removed a 
sheet of paper from her briefcase. The lab results from her latest blood work 
had come back earlier this evening. The 'unknown' element, the vampire 
component, was up to 65%. It would not be much longer before Nick would have to 
bring her completely across. She had no fear of Nick bringing her across. She 
knew that his love for her would call her back from the doorway between life and 
death. Nat also knew that if it were not for Amy's presence in their lives, the 
transition would most likely have already occurred. 




Nat closed her eyes as she remembered the subtle signs of the virus' increase. 
The gradual intensification of her sensitivity to the everyday odors at work, 
her gradually decreasing appetite for food, the steady strengthening of the 
mental link she had with Nick, and an increasing problem with bright light were 
the easy things to handle. The night last week that she'd been faced with a 
particularly bloody crime scene might have been a disaster.  She'd looked at the 
pools of gore surrounding the corpse and almost been overwhelmed by a sense of 
hunger. Nick had, thankfully, arrived at the scene before she'd done something 
that might have caused her to be referred for psychological help. By using their 
link, he'd been able to help her bring her desire for the still warm blood of 
the victim under control. She trembled slightly as she recalled how overwhelming 
that desire had been. 




Nick opened the door to the loft. His eyes found Nat as she stood before the 
fire, the light of the flames bringing out the red highlights in her hair and 
making her even more beautiful. 




"Penny for your thoughts." He said softly as he approached her. 




Nat turned to him and smiled. "Just thinking of how grateful I am that you 
always seem to be here to give me strength." She said, moving into his welcoming 
arms. "And trying to figure out what I say to Amy." 




Nick laid a finger on her lips. "What WE say to Amy." He saw the acceptance in 
her eyes. "I gather the tests came back?" 




Nat nodded. "Yes, 65%. It's going to have to be soon, Nick." 




Nick pulled her against him. He'd hoped that Nat would have more time before the 
final step had to be done. He knew that she was right, however, to delay 
bringing across for much longer would be to risk her life. The thought of losing 
Nat was more than he could bear; she was his soul, his very reason for existing. 
That when he looked in her eyes he found no condemnation for being the cause of 
her situation still amazed him. That her blood spoke to him only of her love and 
acceptance of what she would soon be gave him some small degree of comfort. 
"We'll find the right words, Nat; together, nothing is impossible for us."  He 
said kissing her softly. He felt her response, as she opened her mouth and 
pressed her body against his. When they at last broke the kiss, Nat sighed and 
snuggled in his arms. 




"I think we can wait a few more weeks. I'd hoped to get through Christmas." Nat 
raised her head and reached up to caress Nick's face. "The holiday is going to 
be hard enough for Amy, without having this to deal with, too." 




Nick considered. "Only if you promise to start checking your blood work every 
week." He at last conceded. 




"Promise." Nat said, as he drew her back into a long, passionate kiss. 
  




(Three nights later) 




There was a light snow falling as the lone figure stood outside the warehouse. 
Some twenty minutes earlier, it had watched as the green colored Caddy had 
driven away with its lone passenger. Gathering its courage, the figure began to 
move toward the warehouse, when the sudden sensing of another presence made it 
retreat into the shadows. It was only a few minutes before two figures emerged 
from the warehouse. As the watcher saw who it was, it frowned. The planned visit 
could wait, right now it seemed more important to follow the two that had 
emerged.  Keeping a safe distance to avoid detection, the watcher followed the 
two people to a large black car. As they got in and drove off, the watcher 
looked around to be certain that no one else was nearby, then took to the air. 




Natalie turned off the shower and, grabbing a large, soft towel, briskly dried 
herself off. She was humming happily, still enjoying the afterglow of the 
lovemaking she and Nick had shared a short time earlier. Despite all that had 
happened, she could not recall ever having been as happy or as full of peace.  
Marriage to Nick was everything that she'd hoped for and more. The close 
intimacy that the blood link gave them was beyond anything two mortals could 
experience.  Even knowing that soon she would give up the sunlight, until she 
could find a cure for both of them, didn't distract from her sense of well 
being. So long as she and Nick were together, Nat knew that she would be 
content. 




A glance at the clock told her that she had better step on it if she and Amy 
were going to make it to Eaton Center in time to do all the Christmas shopping 
they had planned.  Pulling on her clothes, Nat went to the top of the staircase. 
"Amy! I'm almost done here, get your things together so we can leave!" 




Nat waited for Amy's response. When there was no reply, a frown crossed her 
face. "Amy?" she called again, louder. Again, there was no reply. Nat started 
down the steps. 'She might be in her bathroom.' She thought, as she felt her 
nerves twitch with fear. At the bottom of the steps, Nat paused and listened. 
The only sounds in the loft were the soft humming of the refrigerator and the 
crackle of the flames in the fireplace. 




The figure followed the car, even though after a few minutes it was sure of the 
destination. Moving upwards, it alit on a rooftop and carefully made its way 
over to a skylight. A few moments later, the tall, shorthaired man escorted a 
young blonde-haired girl into the elegant apartment below. Frowning, the figure 
moved slightly closer in order to see more clearly. 




LaCroix smiled as he shut the door to his domain. He glanced at Amy, seated 
silently on the sofa, and a low chuckle escaped him. How easy it had been! For 
the past several months, he'd slowly inserted his presence into his son and 
Natalie's lives.  Amy had come to think of him as a welcomed visitor and, when 
he'd arrived at the loft this evening, readily allowed him to enter. To his 
satisfaction, the child, unlike her aunt, was not a resistor. It had only taken 
a moment to place her under his influence and lead her from the loft. Now to let 
dear Natalie know of her niece's whereabouts and the conditions she would have 
to meet to insure the child's continued safety.  As he crossed the room to the 
telephone, he hesitated, seeming to sense the lightest flutter of the presence 
of another vampire. Standing very still, he extended his senses outward and, 
finding no one, decided that it must have been someone passing by on their quest 
for nightly sustenance. Shaking his head at his foolishness, he reached for the 
phone. 




On the roof, the figure dampened all of its thoughts as it stood motionless in a 
deep shadow well away from the skylight. It was several minutes later, only when 
it heard the voice below, before it once again moved toward the skylight. 




Natalie could feel the tension in her body rising as it became clear that Amy 
was not in the loft.  She hurried to the telephone, jumping slightly when it 
rang just as she'd reached for it.  Lifting the receiver, she spoke, "Knight 
residence." She could hear the slight tremor in her voice. 




"Ah, I take it you have discovered that dear, young Amy is not there." LaCroix's 
voice said. 




Nat felt her stomach suddenly knot. "LaCroix! What's going on? Where is Amy?" 
The knowledge that the elder vampire was involved terrified Natalie. 




"Relax, my dear. The child is perfectly safe, and unharmed." LaCroix said 
congenially.  His voice hardened. "However, if you wish for her to remain in 
that condition, you will do exactly what I tell you." 




Natalie squeezed her eyes shut; her heart was pounding with fear for her niece. 
"LaCroix, please, she's just a child!" There was silence at the other end. 
Taking a deep breath, Nat asked. "What do I have to do?" 




"Very good decision," LaCroix said. "First of all you will NOT notify Nicholas 
of this 'situation'. You have ten minutes to come to this address." 




Nat frantically wrote down the address and directions on how to get there. "I'm 
not sure I can get there in ten minutes." She said, hoping to buy a little time. 
She had every intention of phoning Nick immediately. 




"Oh, it should not be a problem. I just made the drive in that amount of time." 
LaCroix smiled, this was indeed fun.  "And just to be certain that you do not 
disobey, you will lay down, but not hang up, the receiver to this phone and call 
this number on your cell phone." He heard her sharp intake of air as he gave her 
the number to call. "I'll be talking with you the entire time you are driving 
here," he chuckled, "think of it as insurance that you don't call Nicholas."  
Natalie's soft cursing brought a cold smile to his face. "Oh, and my dear? If 
you think to try to contact him by means of your link with him, do remember that 
I can also feel it?" 




Nat felt as if she were going to be ill. Damn LaCroix! She had to admit that he 
was thorough, if nothing else. "Okay, I'll do as you say. But if you have harmed 
Amy in anyway, so help me I'll see you fry in the sun." 




LaCroix laughed, he'd always enjoyed women with some fire in them. "Excellent, 
when you arrive, I'll explain the rest of the conditions." He looked at his 
watch. "Better leave now, Natalie, your time has started." 




Nat grabbed the keys to her car and, not bothering with a coat despite the cold, 
raced for the lift. 




As she approached intersection of Lake Shore Blvd. and Yonge, Nat found her path 
blocked by an accident. Frantically she spoke into the cell phone. "LaCroix, 
there's been a wreck, I'm stuck in traffic."  Her hands were shaking as she 
tried to keep her emotions damped and not think of Nick, fearful that LaCroix 
would sense it and harm Amy. 




"Put the phone out of the car window." LaCroix responded. She did so and after a 
moment pulled it back in. "Very well, I can hear that you are being truthful. 
You may have a small extension on the time you have to get here." 




Nat felt tears of relief sting her eyes. "Thank you." She said and concentrated 
on getting through the muddle of cars. Just over 15 minutes from the time she'd 
left the loft, she pulled up in front of a nondescript building. 
  




"Nick? Are you okay?" Tracy asked. Ever since he'd arrived tonight, Nick had 
been preoccupied.  "NICK!" She repeated. 




Nick startled. "What? Oh, yeah, I'm okay, Trace." He shook his head. "Sorry, I 
just can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right."  He looked at 
the young woman across from him. Tracy had matured a great deal in the past 
year. Gone was the almost overwhelming perkiness that she'd first exhibited. It 
had been replaced by a more considered manner. She thought before she acted, and 
it had made her a far more likable person. 




Tracy looked at him. "Not right where?" She looked around the precinct, noting 
that everything seemed to be calm. 




"That's what I can't put my finger on." Nick confessed with a small smile. "It's 
not anything definite, but something just doesn't feel right." He looked at the 
phone. "I think I'll give Nat a call, just to be sure she and Amy are okay."  He 
was more concerned than he wanted to let Tracy know. A vague sense of uneasiness 
had come over him as he'd left the loft earlier tonight. Dialing the loft, he 
frowned as the sound of a busy signal sounded in his ear.  "Maybe Amy is talking 
with Jenny or one of her other friends." He said hanging up. 




"Try Nat's cell phone." Tracy suggested. Nick's unease was beginning to affect 
her. "You're not going to be much good here unless you assure yourself that 
everything is okay." 




Nick nodded and dialed again. When he got the message that the line was in use, 
he frowned. "Come on Trace," he said standing. "I want to make a quick run by 
the loft."  He was halfway to the door as Tracy struggled into her coat and 
hurried after him. Tracy barely had time to close her door, let alone fumble for 
a seat belt, when Nick pulled the Caddy out of the lot with a squeal of tires. 




Nat parked the car and raced up the front steps of the building. As she reached 
the inner doors, the release buzzer sounded. Yanking the door open, she raced to 
the elevator and stabbed at the call button. It seemed to take hours for the 
slow moving cab to arrive. Once inside, she pushed the button for the top floor 
and leaned against the wall in an attempt to quiet her pounding heart. At last 
the doors opened and she stepped into a sparsely, but elegantly decorated room. 
The lush furnishings might as well have been orange crates, all that Nat had 
eyes for was the slender young girl who was clasped in LaCroix's tight embrace. 
"Amy!" Nat took in the unfocused stare and blank expression on her niece's face. 
As she met LaCroix's eyes, she felt her body tremble as she stared into the gold 
of his eyes. "I'm here, LaCroix, now let her go." 




"Yes, you're here, but you have yet to agree to the rest of my conditions." He 
said, his descended fangs clearly visible. 




"Fine," Nat spat out, "let's hear them." 




LaCroix smiled a smile that sent a cold chill down Nat's spine. "There really is 
only one condition," he said.  "You will allow me to bring you across, tonight, 
and in exchange I will not harm your niece." 




Nat felt like she was going to faint. The thought of LaCroix touching her, 
knowing her as intimately as he would from tasting her blood was abhorrent to 
her. Gathering her courage she spoke. "I always thought that you were someone 
who kept their word. You promised Nick that you wouldn't harm me." 




LaCroix smiled at her. "I promised that I would not harm you, but as I view it, 
making you a part of a superior species is hardly harming you." He saw her start 
to speak and quickly continued. "As for my promising that I would only bring you 
across if you or Nicholas requested me to do so, I shall be certain that you 
make the request before I begin." He gave a small chuckle. "It's very simple, my 
dear Natalie. You have a choice to make. You can leave here, this very moment, 
and I will not touch you." He lightly stroked Amy's golden curls. "I'm sure I 
can find some other way to satisfy my hunger. Or you can stay, and ask me to 
bring you across." 




"LaCroix, please, she's just a child!" Nat said. She looked at her niece and was 
grateful that Amy would have no memory of what was transpiring here. "If I 
choose to ask you to bring me across, do I have your word that you will release 
Amy?" Nat said, defeat clear in her voice. She waited but LaCroix didn't answer. 
Nat closed her eyes and tried to prepare herself for what she had to do. "Bring 
me across, LaCroix." She said softly. 




LaCroix smiled. "I shall enjoy doing so immensely." He sat Amy back down on the 
couch and walked over to where Natalie stood. Reaching out his hand, he slowly 
caressed her face. "I shall make you a powerful vampire, not as powerful as 
myself of course, and you shall learn the proper way to feed, by taking what you 
desire." 




Nat felt her skin crawl as LaCroix stroked her face. "You said you would let Amy 
go." She said, as boldly as she could. If she could just get Amy to safety, 
there might yet be a chance to stop this from happening. 




"I think that, perhaps, to ensure your continued cooperation she should stay 
here until we are finished." LaCroix replied. "I give you my word that no harm 
shall come to her."  Taking Natalie by the hand, he walked her across the room 
and opened the door to what was obviously his bedroom. 




Nat froze at the doorway. "LaCroix, at least tell me why you are doing this?" 




He looked down at her. "Because in you I have the best opportunity of regaining 
my son. Oh yes, he'll be furious with me at first, but he will also know that if 
he wishes to continue to see you, to be with you, he will have to please me." 




"All this so you can use me as a pawn against Nick?" Nat shook her head. "You 
could have a better relationship with him if you would just accept the fact that 
he is NOT you. He sees the world differently than you do." 




"HE IS MY CREATION!" LaCroix hissed at her. "He WILL learn to behave in the 
manner that is his destiny or he will watch me fondle you and never hold you in 
his arms again!" He pushed her roughly through the doorway. 




LaCroix's words burned into Nat's brain as she stumbled into the room. She knew 
now what she had to do. 'Oh Nick, please forgive me!' She thought. 'I love you 
too much to allow this to happen.' As LaCroix began to slowly caress her body 
and his lips sought hers, Nat steeled herself for what would be the only chance 
she'd have to try and let Nick know that she truly did love him. She shuddered 
as LaCroix whispered into her ear, "Do relax my dear, this is not something I 
intend to rush. Beauty and fire such as yours are meant to be savored." 
  




Looking down through the skylight, the watcher waited until the elder vampire 
was totally engrossed with the auburn-haired woman. Only then did the watcher 
slip silently into the apartment. Only a few years ago, what happened to Natalie 
Lambert would not have mattered to the watcher. 'But that was before I met you, 
Robert.' Janette thought. 'Before I understood just how precious love is.' 




Moving swiftly, she gathered Amy into her arms and flew out, heading to the 
loft. That this child had to be taken as far as possible from LaCroix was the 
first thing that must be done. Janette wished there were somewhere safer that 
she could take the child, but there wasn't time to find such a place. At least 
the young girl was so thoroughly under LaCroix's influence that it would be safe 
to leave her alone. It would take the rising of the sun to break the spell he 
had her under. 




Janette pushed into the weakened link she had with Nicolas, hoping that he would 
sense her turmoil and seek her. She dropped down toward the building that housed 
the loft. 'I hope that Nicolas is still in the habit of leaving the skylight 
unlocked. If he isn't I'm going to make quite a mess for him to clean up later.' 
She thought with a rueful smile. It was with relief that she found that the 
skylight was indeed still unlocked and swiftly depositing Amy on the couch, 
Janette flew back into the night, racing to reach LaCroix's before he could 
complete his plan. 
  




A sense of pure rage swept through Natalie as LaCroix reached to undo the 
buttons on her blouse. With a cry of fury, she clawed at his face, getting no 
small amount of satisfaction from the roar of pain her nails caused him to 
utter. "I agreed to be brought across by you," she spat at him, "not to let you 
have sex with me!" 




LaCroix looked at the blood on his fingers. His eyes blazed red as he almost 
casually backhanded Nat. "You will do what ever I wish, either now or after I 
have brought you across." He snarled at her. "But since you seem so determined, 
I'm willing to wait until after. Then you will be more appreciative of the 
skills of a vampire that accepts their true nature." He gripped her in an iron 
embrace and wrenched her head to the side, exposing the pale column of her 
throat. 




Nat felt the muscles in her neck ache as LaCroix forced her head to one side. 
She struggled to calm herself. She would only have one chance to try and reach 
Nick and she knew that it would take every bit of mental strength and will that 
she possessed. As tears of sorrow flowed from beneath her closed lids, she 
focused all of her thoughts on the love that she and Nick shared. When she felt 
the sharp prick of LaCroix's fangs, she pushed into her link with Nick. She 
prayed that he would understand that she could not allow LaCroix to make her a 
pawn, no matter how painful being parted from Nick would be. She also prayed for 
the strength to resist LaCroix when he tried to call her back. She gave a 
strangled cry as images from LaCroix's past suddenly flooded her mind. She 
didn't even hear him as he suddenly roared in agony. She was only vaguely aware 
of a sudden whooshing sound when a sharp pain radiated through the back of her 
skull and then welcome darkness claimed her. 




LaCroix closed his eyes as the first drops of Natalie's blood entered his mouth. 
The sweetness of her blood was beyond any that he'd ever known. Greedily, he 
began to drink deeply.  As Natalie reached out mentally to Nicholas, his 
pleasure was turned to agony. The taste suddenly seemed to blossom into fiery 
liquid. The purity of Natalie's love for Nick was unbearable to LaCroix. He felt 
as if the burning rays of the sun were suddenly coursing throughout his body. He 
pulled his fangs from her throat, and flung her from him just as he was 
unexpectedly struck from the side and himself knocked to the floor. Bellowing 
with rage and he turned to face his attacker and stopped, stunned as his eyes 
focused on the face of his one time daughter. As the agony in his blood overcame 
him he dropped to the floor. 




Bursting into the room, Janette realized that LaCroix had already begun to drain 
Natalie's life from her. She could hear Natalie's heart beating in terror and by 
means of her own connection with Nicolas, Janette, too, felt the white-hot fire 
of Natalie's love. Janette recognized the purity and depth of such a love; it 
was a bittersweet reminder of what she had shared for so brief a time with 
Robert. Determination to prevent the destruction of so valuable a thing gave 
Janette the courage to dare to attack LaCroix. She flew toward the pair, intent 
on wresting Natalie from the elder vampire's grasp. Just as she drew close 
enough, LaCroix's expression changed from one of bliss to one of horror. Too 
quickly for Janette to react, he'd flung Natalie away from him. Even as Janette 
slammed into LaCroix, knocking him backwards and farther from Natalie, she heard 
the dull sound of Nat's head as it hit the marble of the fireplace mantle. As 
LaCroix dropped to his knees in pain, Janette sped to Natalie's side. Relief 
washed through her when she determined that the blow Natalie had suffered had 
not fractured her skull. The steady, if slightly weakened sound of her heartbeat 
was further assurance to Janette that she appeared to have been successful in 
her efforts.  She shivered slightly as she felt Nicolas' rage and fear and she 
braced herself for his imminent arrival. 
  




Tracy glanced uneasily at Nick. The closer they got to the loft, the more 
agitated he seemed to become. She gave a sigh of relief when the Caddy finally 
came to a halt outside the garage. Nick all but leaped from the vehicle and, too 
impatient to wait for the lift, disappeared into the sky. Tracy shrugged and 
punched in the security code. By the time the lift arrived at the loft, Nick was 
kneeling beside the couch, talking in a soft voice to Amy. Tracy immediately 
noted that the responses he was receiving sounded like those of a sleepwalker. 
As she crossed to the couch, Tracy noted that the telephone was off the hook, 
the receiver lying on the table. She also noted Nat's coat and purse were lying 
on a chair. "Nick?" 




"She's been hypnotized," Nick said, giving Tracy a quick glance. "She's not 
making any sense." He ran his hand through his hair his voice full of concern. 




"Can you unhypnotize..." Tracy started, when Nick suddenly gave a cry of pain 
and clutched at his head. "Nick! What's wrong?!"  Tracy reached out to support 
him. 




"Nat! No, NAT!" Nick's scream was full of agony and fear. "He's going to try and 
bring her across. She's not going to come back!" He panted as he struggled to 
rise. The fear for Nat, and the rage he felt for LaCroix, caused him to release 
the vampire. Turning a furious visage to Tracy he managed to growl out, "Stay 
here with Amy, please," before he sped out through the skylight. 




Tracy's eyes widened as the shock of Nick's words and the sight of her partner 
in full vampire mode sank in. Giving herself a shake, she moved to check on Amy. 
'I hope he gets there in time!' She thought. 




Nick pushed every bit of speed he could from his body. He could still feel Nat 
through their link, but so faintly that he had to fight to keep from screaming 
in fear. He couldn't lose her, not now when they were so happy. 'Please Nat, 
don't leave me!' He thought over and over. It seemed to take hours to reach 
LaCroix's private apartment. Nick burst into the room and froze at the tableau 
before him. 




LaCroix lay writhing in torment, blood sweat covering his skin. On the other 
side of the room, Janette, fully vamped, knelt beside Nat's unmoving form. From 
where he stood, Nick could see a bruise forming on Nat's face and the marks left 
on Nat's throat from LaCroix's fangs. The wounds were still so fresh that blood 
trickled from them.  Nick moved toward LaCroix, intent on slowly dismembering 
his master, so great was his rage. He turned as he heard a faint moan from Nat. 
Janette looked up meeting Nick's furious gaze. "Leave LaCroix! Your wife needs 
you more!" She said, as she gently brushed Nat's hair from her face. 




Nick gave LaCroix one last glance of hatred then moved to kneel opposite 
Janette. "I felt you," he told her, "just before I felt Nat." He listened 
carefully to the sounds of Nat's heart and breathing. Though perceivably more 
labored than they should be, Nick knew that, for some reason, LaCroix had not 
drained her to a truly dangerous level. He tenderly gathered her into his arms, 
holding her against him as blood tears fell from his eyes.  He looked at 
Janette. "I thought I'd lost her." He said, his voice cracking with emotion. 
"Thank you for saving her, for stopping LaCroix." 




Janette shook her head. "No, I just helped. Natalie stopped him. I don't know 
how." She looked over at her former master. "But I intend to find out!" Crossing 
the room she took LaCroix's arm and, using her nail, opened a gash. Cautiously, 
she tasted of his blood. Her eyes widened and then she smiled in satisfaction. 
"It was the power of her love for you. While her love for you, like Robert's for 
me, warms you and makes you feel redeemed, for him it was like the sun's rays. 
He will recover, but not for several hours." 




Nick nodded in understanding. As Nat groaned again and moved slightly, he stood, 
lifting her in his arms. "I want to get her out of here. I don't want her to 
come to anywhere near this place."  He gave Janette a smile. "Please, come back 
to the loft. I know that Nat will want to see you when she wakes up." 




"Thank you, Nicolas." Janette said. "If you think she will not mind, I'll drive 
Natalie's car back over there. And I will tell you all that I know about this 
night's events." 




Nick nodded and, cradling Nat against, him took flight. He continued to murmur 
to her the entire time he flew back to the loft. Over and over, he whispered his 
love for her, his need of her. Nick dropped down into the loft and going 
straight to their bedroom, gently laid her on the bed. His hands shook as he 
carefully straightened her limbs, the pallor of her face and her stillness 
worrying him. 




Tracy had managed, without any real difficulty, to lead Amy to her bedroom. 'Not 
a bad trick,' Tracy thought reflecting on Amy's vampire-induced condition, 
'obedient, but totally unaware of what is happening around them.' She told Amy 
to change and go to bed. Even though she wasn't aware of her presence, Tracy 
left the room to give Amy time to change into her nightclothes in private. 
Returning a few minutes later, Tracy was pleased to see that Amy was already in 
bed. "Amy, go to sleep now," Tracy said, and watched as Amy obediently closed 
her eyes. 




Going back to the main living area, Tracy sat on the now vacant couch. She'd 
only been there a moment when the now familiar whooshing sound caught her 
attention. She looked up in time to see Nick moving rapidly toward the upstairs 
bedroom, carrying Nat in his arms.  Tracy hurried up the stairs. Reaching the 
door to the bedroom, she paused. 




Nat lay unmoving on the bed, the only sign that she was even alive the slow rise 
and fall of her chest as she breathed. Bending over her was Nick, saying 
something too faint for Tracy to hear. As he moved slightly, Tracy got a good 
look at Nat's face. A livid bruise stood out in stark contrast to the pallor of 
her skin.  Tracy's eyes widened as she saw the angry looking wounds on Nat's 
neck. "Nick? Is she going to be okay?" Tracy asked anxiously. 




Nick turned at the sound of her voice and, seeing the pain and fear on his face, 
Tracy gasped slightly. 




"I can't tell yet, Tracy. She should be all right physically, but I don't know 
how the mental contact with LaCroix may have affected her." Nick sighed, his 
shoulders slumping. "He was going to bring her across, to use her against me. 
Nat was planning on dying rather than allow that to happen." He spoke in a 
monotone. A look of anguish crossed his face. "She has to be okay, Tracy. I 
cannot survive without her." 




Tracy moved over to where Nick stood and lightly laid her hand on his shoulder. 
"You have to believe that she'll be okay." She told him. 




Nick managed a feeble smile. "I'm trying, Trace." He reached up and gave her 
hand a squeeze of thanks. "Do me a favor? Stay with her while I go downstairs 
and call in to book off." At Tracy's nod, Nick hurried downstairs. The sight of 
the phone, still off the hook, caused Nick's anger toward LaCroix to surge.  
Impatiently he waited until he was connected with Reese. Telling the Captain 
that he thought he might be coming down with the flu, Nick hurriedly arranged to 
take off the rest of his shift. In less than three minutes, he was back in the 
bedroom with Nat. 




He listened as Tracy told him that Amy was asleep in her own bed, and again 
thanked her for all of the help she'd been. Her mention of the young girl 
reminded Nick that Janette would soon be arriving. He decided that having to 
explain her presence to Tracy, especially after the incident last year, was more 
than he could handle right now.  It was with relief that he bade Tracy farewell. 




Less than five minutes later; Nick heard the lift motor kick in. He sensed 
Janette's nearness through their link. That Janette, of all people, would have 
been instrumental in saving Nat and Amy still amazed Nick. He did, however, 
admit to himself that it felt good to have Janette back in his life. Nat had 
been right, he would always love Janette and, he suspected she would always love 
him. It would never again be a sexual love, but merely the close affection that 
existed between a brother and sister. That he was now technically Janette's 
father, Nick chose to ignore. 




Janette entered the loft, her perfect memory enabling her to immediately note 
the subtle changes that first Nat's, and now Amy's presence had made in it. She 
nodded approvingly. The large, rather dark area seemed somehow warmer and more 
of a home than in the past.  Moving to the fridge, she cursed softly in French 
as she searched unsuccessfully for a bottle of blood. Nick, she knew, needed to 
replenish his strength. Sighing, she headed up the stairs.  "I know that you are 
still one of us, so tell me where you are keeping that awful swill you insist on 
drinking?" she said as she entered the bedroom. Memories of the years that she 
had spent in Nick's arms surfaced, and to her pleasure, they were just that-
pleasant remembrances of the past. She looked at how Nick hovered at Natalie's 
side and was truly glad that he had found the sort of love with Natalie, which 
she'd known with Robert. 




Nick nodded toward the small, discrete fridge on the other side of the room. 
"It's over there. Since Amy has been living with us, I've kept my supply up 
here." 




Janette went to the small fridge and opened it. She pulled out a bottle, opened 
it, and handed it to Nick. "Drink this, you need your strength, SHE needs your 
strength." She said, indicating Natalie. 




Nick accepted the bottle; he knew that Janette was right. "There should be 
something more to your tastes in the cupboard next to the fridge." He told her. 
At her raised eyebrow and startled expression, he explained. "I'm going to have 
to bring Nat across soon, probably even sooner after tonight, and I stocked up 
on donated human blood for her." 




Janette stood stunned. "Why do you have to bring her across? I didn't have that 
difficulty with Robert." She listened as he explained how he'd inadvertently 
infected Natalie and how the level of the 'vampire' element was steadily 
increasing in her system. 




"Nat thinks that there was some sort of antibody in Robert's blood that 
protected him from being infected and that caused your change." Nick finished.  
"If we had known what had happened to you before he died, she might have been 
able to culture whatever that element was and found a cure." 




Janette closed her eyes. Of course, that WOULD make more sense than her 
miraculous cure having been solely the result of the love that she and Robert 
shared. That the love, faith, and trust Nicolas and Natalie shared was as true 
as hers and Robert's, Janette had no doubts.  Regret that she had not contacted 
Nicolas when there would have been time for him to share in a cure saddened her. 
"I didn't realize.." she began. 




"There would have been no reason for you to even think of it." Nick gave her a 
small smile. 




"I always thought it was because of our love." Janette said, softly. 




"Nat thinks that the chemical changes in your body, because of your love for 
Robert, is what triggered whatever it was in his blood to act on you, and to 
protect him." Nick said. "And the love you shared was undoubtedly a factor in 
keeping you from draining him the first time you made love." He turned his 
attention again to Nat. "Why hasn't she awakened?" he asked. 




Janette pulled two chairs over to the bedside. Making Nick sit in one, she took 
the other. "She hit her head on the mantle and LaCroix did take a good deal of 
blood from her." Janette told Nick. "Even with the aid of her changed 
metabolism, it is going to take a while for her to come to." She listened 
carefully. "Her heartbeat is stronger. I know it is difficult, but you must be 
patient, Nicolas." She smiled at him. "Tell me about the wedding, it will help 
to make the time pass."  She settled back and listened as Nick spoke of his and 
Nat's wedding and of how much happiness he'd found.  She smiled, even though he 
would occasionally glance at her, most of the time his attention was riveted on 
Natalie. He held her hand in his own, and frequently reached out to lightly 
caress her face. "Natalie is fortunate,' Janette mused.  'Few ever know this 
depth of love.' 




The conversation turned to the events of the past year. Janette made it clear 
that she had forgiven Nick's returning her to a vampiric state. She smiled as 
she told how, while planning a way to provide financially for Patrick, she'd 
decided to help not just him but other children in his situation.  The 
foundation was only in its infancy, but had already supplied money for tuition, 
medical care, and counseling to over two hundred and fifty children. 




Nick could hear in Janette's voice the satisfaction that this brought to her. 
Nick told her of the car wreck that had killed Sara and resulted in Amy residing 
with them. He explained that so far, the young teen didn't know what he was and 
how he and Nat planned to tell her. "We had hoped to postpone telling her until 
after the holidays, but now..." 




  Nick broke off in mid-sentence as Nat moaned and stirred. Instantly, all of 
his attention was on her.  Dropping to his knees beside the bed, he leaned over 
his face only an inch or so from hers. "Nat, wake up." He said, before lightly 
kissing her cheek. From the corner of his eye he realized that Janette had 
quietly left the room. 




Nat slowly rose out of the darkness that had claimed her. Her desperate attempt 
to reach Nick had somehow shattered LaCroix's barriers. She knew the unending 
loneliness that he'd endured daily for centuries. The unfulfilled need to be 
loved, and the inability to open himself to anyone enough to accept love.  She'd 
felt the sense of horror he'd known when his golden child, Divia, had shown 
herself to be of such great evil. He had loved her deeply, and the bitterness, 
shame and guilt he felt for, as he'd then thought, having destroyed her had been 
like a constantly reopened wound. Having allowed himself to love Divia 
unconditionally, upon her destruction he'd conditioned himself to never do so 
again, to never allow himself to be in a position to experience such pain. At 
the same time however, he craved that very sort of love.  Nick and Janette's 
ability to love deeply, unconditionally and to care for others attracted him, 
while at the same time, his jealousy of this ability cause him to try and 
destroy it. Nat realized that it was the offer of such and unconditional love 
that had so attracted LaCroix to Fleur and his fear of it, more than Nick's 
words, that had made him agree to not bring her across. It was all of these 
combined pains that caused him to try and destroy what she and Nick had 
together.  Gradually, she became aware of the murmuring sound of two voices. Her 
mind was not yet clear enough to make out the words, but her soul recognized one 
of them. NICK! Her heart sang with each murmur of his voice and the pain of 
LaCroix's memories faded, replaced by pity for him. 




Nat groaned and at once Nick's voice came closer to her and she felt the soft 
touch of his lips on her skin. She clung to the feel of him, the sound of his 
voice and finally her eyes fluttered open.  As her vision focused, she realized 
that she was back in the loft, in their room. Nick's face was close to hers, his 
hair tousled, his eyes filled with a combination of worry and relief.  She met 
his gaze and reached a shaking hand toward his face. As her memory cleared, she 
felt a stab of fright. "Amy! Nick, he had Amy!" Her voice was weak, but her fear 
was evident. 




Nick let out the breath he'd been holding as Nat opened her eyes and met his. He 
caught her hand and pressed it to his lips. He calmed her fears for her niece, 
reassuring her that Amy was safe downstairs. He told her of Janette's 
involvement then, when he saw her eyes fill with tears, he pulled her into his 
embrace. For long minutes they merely clung to one another, each of them 
rejoicing in something they'd feared to never again know. Nat began to speak 
softly, telling Nick what she remembered of the night before.  When she spoke of 
her determination to die rather than be LaCroix's tool against Nick, he felt his 
own tears slid down his cheeks.  At last, Nick lifted Nat's chin so he could 
look into her eyes. "I understand why you thought you had to do what you did." 
He assured her. "But I would rather be LaCroix's slave than lose you. If you had 
died, I would have, too." He found her lips and kissed her tenderly. 




Nat felt the last of the tension leave as Nick's love seemed to pour into her. 
She sighed and laid her head on his chest when they broke the kiss. "I would 
never want you to grow to hate me. I felt as if you eventually would, if I 
allowed LaCroix to use me like that." 




Nick kissed the top of her head. "Natalie Lambert Knight, there is nothing that 
you could do that will ever change the way I feel about you. You are my soul and 
my life and I will never, ever stop loving you." 




Nat snuggled against his chest. "Nor I you." 




A soft knock at the doorway caused them both to look in that direction.  Janette 
stood there, smiling and carrying a tray. "I am sorry to intrude, but I thought 
perhaps Natalie could use some nourishment. I made some soup." She said, 
indicating the bowl on the tray, as she entered the room. 




Nick reached out with one hand and arranged the pillow so Nat could comfortably 
sit up in the bed. That done, he lovingly eased her back against them, kissing 
her once again before he moved to allow Janette to approach. 




Nat looked up at the woman who had been her rival and was now her rescuer. After 
Janette had placed the tray before her, Nat caught the other woman's hand. 
"Janette, thank you." She said. "If anything had happened to Amy..." 




Janette gave Natalie's hand a soft squeeze. "Shh. I know that we haven't always 
seen eye to eye, Natalie, but I did mean what I said in the note I sent for your 
wedding. Even before I understood the love that you and Nicolas share, I always 
respected you." She gave a nervous smile. "I would like for us to be friends, if 
you think that is possible." 




Nat smiled back. "I think I would like that very much." A wicked gleam came into 
her eyes. "You can tell me how you managed to train Nick so well." She said with 
a chuckle. 




Janette's smile was genuine. "I will be delighted! He can be extremely stubborn 
at times you know." 




Nick laughed, "Hey, don't I get any say so in this?" 




Both women turned to him and said in unison, "NO!" 




Nick shook his head in mock horror, "Okay, okay, I know when I'm outnumbered!" 
He resumed his seat next to the bed, watching as Nat devoured the steaming bowl 
of soup.  As she ate, the three of them talked quietly. After Nat had finished 
her soup, Janette rose. "I think I will be going now," she said to Nick. 
"Natalie still needs to rest, and I have some errands I must finish." She didn't 
mention that one of these was checking on LaCroix. 




Natalie quietly asked, "Have you got somewhere to stay, Janette? You're welcome 
to stay here if you wish." 




"I appreciate the offer, but I'm staying with Miklos." She leaned over and 
kissed Nick on the cheek. "I will call you later, after the sun is up." With 
that she left the room. 




Nick looked at Nat. The bruise on her cheek had faded and the angry marks on her 
throat healed, but he could sense that she was still exhausted from her ordeal. 
"Why don't you go change and catch a couple of hours sleep? Amy won't be up 
before after sunrise, so you won't need to worry about her." 




Nat knew that he was right. "Only if you agree to hold me. I'm too tired to make 
love, but I need to know that you're here." 




Nick smiled; he needed to know that she was safe, too. "Your wish, my love, is 
my command." He crossed to the dresser and took out a pair of black silk 
pajamas. Holding them up, he grinned wickedly at Nat. "Want to share?" 




"Only if I get the top!" Nat said. They changed into the pajamas, crawled 
beneath the sheets, and were soon asleep in each other's arms. It was several 
hours later when Amy's voice calling their names roused them from slumber. Nick 
rose quickly, and pulling on a robe, headed for the downstairs. "I'll go on 
down, take your time." He told Nat as he left the room. 




Nat eased herself from the bed. She was still a little weak from the blood loss, 
but all things considered, not in too bad of shape. She used the bathroom, then 
followed Nick downstairs. As she reached the main living area, she found Nick 
and Amy seated on the couch with Nick talking quietly to the girl. 




Amy looked up as Nat reached the bottom of the stairs and ran to embrace her 
Aunt. 
  
"Aunt Natty! You really are okay!" Amy exclaimed. 




Nat shot an inquiring look at Nick, who said, "Amy was telling me about a dream 
she had last night." He nodded slightly to let Nat know that Amy did indeed 
remember at least a portion of the events of the previous evening. 




Nat hugged Amy. "Why don't we sit down? I'd like to hear about this dream, too." 
Putting her arm around Amy's shoulders, she guided her back to the couch. Nick 
moved into the adjoining chair. 




As Amy spoke, it was clear that LaCroix's hypnotism had been a good deal less 
than perfect. Although somewhat blurred, Amy's memories of the events were, for 
the most part, extremely accurate. When she finished speaking, Nat sighed. They 
had to tell her the truth soon, and now seemed to be as good of time as any.  
Nat looked to Nick who, his eyes sad, nodded his agreement. 




Nat took a deep breath. "Amy, what would you say if I told you that wasn't a 
dream you had last night?" she inquired. 




Amy looked at her and grinned. "Please! Vampires? Get real Aunt Natty!" As she 
realized that her aunt was serious, the grin faded. "Are telling me that there 
are such things as vampires and that Mr. LaCroix is a real vampire?" Amy asked. 




Nat reached out and took her niece's hands in her own. "Yes, Amy, I am." Nat 
looked into the trusting eyes. "Vampires do exist. They don't turn into bats or 
mist, like in the movies, but they are real." Nat shot a quick look at Nick 
before adding, "Amy, Nick is a vampire, too." 




Amy sat very still. "Uncle Nick?" She shook her head, disbelief battling with 
her trust in her aunt. As her mind suddenly made sense of the daylight shutters, 
Nick's habit of never eating with them, his paleness and other small easily 
disguised clues, Amy's eyes widened. She looked at Nick in horror, only vaguely 
noting the look of pain and sadness that flitted across his features as he saw 
her reaction.  "Aunt Natty, vampires are evil, they're monsters. How do you know 
that he won't make a snack of you one night!" 




Nat was stunned by the vehemence of Amy's reaction. She'd sensed the hurt that 
Amy's words had caused Nick. "Amy! Stop this! You have known Nick for most of 
your life. You know that he's not evil." Nat could feel tears threatening. "You 
owe Nick an apology." 




Amy shook her head defiantly. "I won't apologize. If vampires are real and he's 
one, then he's a monster and I hate him!" Amy looked at Nat wildly. "Vampires 
kill people, so they can drink their blood! If you think that's okay then I hate 
you, too!" She pulled away from Nat's grip and ran from the room. 




Nat stood to follow her. "Amy! Come back here!" she cried. 




Nick stood and caught Nat's arm and turned her to face him. "Nat, let her go for 
now. She's been through a lot and this is not an easy thing for anyone to 
accept." He wrapped his arms around Nat, holding her in his embrace. "She's only 
gone to her room. Give her some time to think this through." He urged. 




Nat lay her head on Nick's shoulder and gave into her tears. "I never thought 
that she'd be this upset. I thought that she'd understand." She raised a tear-
streaked face to him. "Nick, if this is her reaction to finding out about you, 
how is she going to ever understand about me?" 




Nick felt his heart ache for the pain that Nat was experiencing. "We'll make her 
understand, Nat.  You'll see." He said, trying to console her. He held her 
tightly as she sobbed. When her tears finally slowed, he lifted her chin and 
kissed her. "Remember that together, we can do anything." He said softly. "Even 
make a thirteen-year-old girl understand about vampires." 




Nat looked into his eyes. "I hope you're right, Nick.  I hope you're right." 




Nick sat on the couch and glanced at the clock. Amy had been in her room for 
almost three hours now; he could hear the faint sounds that told him she was 
crying.  He'd taken Nat back upstairs almost two hours ago. The stress of the 
night and Amy's reaction had taken their toll on her. Nick was thankful that Nat 
had fallen into a deep, if somewhat restless, sleep. He'd eased out of the bed, 
and dressed. Now he sat, hoping that somehow, he could think of a way to 
convince Amy that he was not the evil creature she thought he was. 'And while 
I'm at it, maybe I can convince myself, too.' Nick thought glumly. The look of 
horror on Amy's face had wounded him. He truly loved the girl; she was the 
nearest thing to a real family he'd had since, since Andre. Nick sighed, that 
had been a disaster, too, but he'd hoped that somehow this situation would be 
different. 'It should have been different. If only LaCroix hadn't frightened her 
so last night.' He broke off his thoughts and shook his head. Once again, 
LaCroix had managed to ruin things. Nick ran his fingers through his already 
mussed hair.  A small sound behind him caused Nick to raise his head. Amy stood 
just inside the kitchen, her reddened eyes and blotchy face attesting to her 
unhappiness. 




Amy had fled to her room, ignoring Nat's cry. Her mind was reeling at what she'd 
just been told. She'd slammed the door and then waited, terrified, with scenes 
from all the horror movies she'd ever seen running through her mind, for Nick to 
come and kill her. When, after a few minutes, this hadn't occurred, she 
carefully eased the door open a little. Listening carefully, she could hear Aunt 
Nat's voice, and could tell that her aunt was crying. She heard Nick's voice, 
quiet, soothing, as he obviously comforted Aunt Nat. She knew that she'd hurt 
her aunt deeply.  Amy sank down on the floor. How could someone who behaved like 
Uncle Nicky be a monster? She closed her eyes and tried to remember all the 
times she'd seen Nick. As she did this, tears began to stream slowly down her 
face. 




All the times, when her mom and dad had been alive, that Aunt Nat and Nick had 
visited them, he had always been nice to her. She could remember eagerly 
awaiting a visit from them. Nick never arrived empty handed; he always had some 
small gift that was sure to please a little girl.  Amy knew that her parents had 
liked him, too. She remembered snips of overheard conversations between them. 
Her dad had been glad to see his sister with such a nice man. She'd seen how her 
mom had been so very happy for Aunt Natty at the wedding. Amy also knew that her 
mom had trusted both Aunt Natty and Nick enough to name them as her guardians. 
Amy's tears became sobs as she recalled how Nick had unhesitantly taken on that 
responsibility without ever once making her feel as if she were a burden to him. 




Again and again Amy remembered the obvious love between her aunt and Nick. The 
look on his face when he'd watched Nat come down the aisle at their wedding had 
been so full of love that it was almost a palpable thing. Amy remembered wishing 
then that someday she would be lucky enough to have someone look at her that 
way. 




Sobbing even harder, she remembered the brief look of pain and sorrow that she'd 
seen today on Nick's face when she called him a monster. "If he really were a 
monster, all he'd feel would be anger." Amy mumbled. "Monsters don't care about 
anyone but themselves." 




New tears flowed as Amy realized just how wrong she'd been. Nick Knight had 
shown her nothing but kindness and love, and she'd all but slapped him in the 
face with her words. There was only one thing she could do now. She had to 
apologize and hope that one day Uncle Nicky would forgive her. Wiping at her 
face with the back of her hand, she rose, opened the door, and went to find her 
aunt and uncle. 




Nick watched in silence as Amy slowly approached him. He didn't want to do 
anything that might frighten her. As she neared he softly spoke her name. "Amy?" 
The look of misery she gave him tore at Nick's soul. Slowly he stood and held 
out his arms to her. 




Amy watched as Nick stood. Her heart was pounding so hard she couldn't speak. 
She met his eyes and when she saw not the anger she'd feared, but compassion, 
she flew into his outstretched arms. Sobbing, she felt him gently embrace her 
and she wrapped her arms around his waist. 




Nick closed his eyes in relief as he hugged Amy. He rubbed her back, comforting 
her. Gradually, her sobs lessened and she eased her grip on him. She looked up 
at him and in a small voice said, "I'm sorry about what I said earlier." 




Nick smiled, "It's okay, Amy. I wasn't angry with you and neither is your aunt." 
He guided her over to the table. "Sit down, I'll make you some hot chocolate." 
Nick knew, from past experience with Nat, that hot chocolate seemed to be good 
for any situation. As Amy nodded and sat down, he began to assemble the 
ingredients he'd need. Watching Amy out of the corner of his eye, Nick waited 
until she'd regained some of her composure before sitting a large mug of hot 
chocolate in front of her and taking a seat in the chair opposite her. 




Amy sipped at the hot beverage, then looked at Nick. "I was wrong when I said 
you were evil and a monster, Uncle Nicky.  Evil people only care about 
themselves. You're a policeman; you help other people every day. Monsters can't 
love, but you love Aunt Natty." 




Nick carefully reached over and covered her hand with his. When she didn't try 
to pull away from his touch, he smiled. "Amy, believe me when I tell you that I 
love your aunt more than my own existence."  He spoke softly as he added, "And 
believe me when I say that I love you, too." 




Amy looked at him in surprise. "Even after the way I acted?" 




Nick nodded. "Learning what I am is not an easy experience. Until I met your 
aunt, I felt pretty much the way you did about myself. I know you must have a 
lot of questions about all this. I'll try and answer any that I can." 




Amy slowly began to ask Nick about his life as a vampire. He told her the truth 
and to his relief, she seemed to be more fascinated than afraid. When she asked 
him how old he was, and he'd told her, she smiled. "Boy are you going to be a 
big help for my history classes!" She exclaimed. When Nick began to laugh at the 
way a teenager's mind worked, Amy looked first puzzled, then joined him. 




Nat awakened to the wonderful sound of Nick and Amy's laughter. Springing from 
the bed, she hurried downstairs. Tears of happiness formed in her eyes as she 
saw Nick and Amy seated at the dinning-room table, laughing joyously. When they 
became aware of her, they both smiled at her. "Want to let me in on the joke?" 
Nat asked, pleased that her voice didn't shake too much. 




"All I said was that Uncle Nick was going to be a big help for my history 
classes." Amy explained, still giggling. She stood and went over to Nat. 
"I'm really sorry I acted the way I did earlier." 




Nat hugged her. "I know. I'm just glad that you are okay about things now." 




Amy nodded. "I do have one more question, though. All the stuff I've ever seen 
about vampires says that when they, you know, do IT, they bite the person they 
are doing IT with." She paused, but continued when Nat nodded encouragement. "It 
also says that person will eventually become a vampire, too." 




Nat lead Amy to the couch. "Well, while a lot that is written about vampires is 
incorrect, that part is accurate."  She smiled at Amy. "Nick didn't want this to 
happen to me. That's one reason that it took us so long to admit how we felt for 
each other." 




Amy bit her lip. "How long before you become a vampire?" 




Nat smoothed Amy's hair. "Soon. When Nick brings me across, you'll need to go 
stay with Jenny for a few days." 




Nick came over and sat beside Nat. "Amy, remember I told you that while I always 
crave blood, I'd learned to control those cravings and because of that control, 
I would never hurt you?" he asked. When she nodded that she did, he continued. 
"Nat will have to learn to do the same thing. Because she is slowly becoming a 
vampire, she's already had some practice at control. When I make her a full 
vampire, it hopefully be as difficult for her, or take her as long as it did me, 
to learn to control her urges. Until she has learned this, it could be dangerous 
for you to be here with her." 




"You mean she might try and bite me?" Amy looked a little frightened. 




"Yes, that could happen, but only until Nat learns how to control her hunger. 
Once she does that, then it will be safe for you to come back home."  Nick told 
her. 




Nat spoke.  "Knowing that you can't be here, where you belong, until I do will 
make me try extra hard.  I'm going to miss you terribly, even if it is only a 
few days." 




Amy gave them a small grin. "Okay, I understand. Does Jenny know about you, 
Uncle Nicky?" 




Nick shook his head. "No, and I'm afraid that you can't tell her either. Amy, 
it's very important that you don't tell ANYONE about me, or about vampires. 
Remember how you felt just a little while ago? That's the way most people would 
react if they knew that vampires exist."  He didn't want to bring up the 
Enforcers if he could help it, at least not today. 




Amy was quiet for a moment. "Yeah, I think I see. They might not know you like I 
do and they'd want to kill you cause they'd just think you were a monster." She 
sighed, a typical teen. "Darn! Something this neat and I can't talk to anyone 
about it!" Amy complained. 




"Well," Nat began, looking at Nick for his agreement. When he glanced at her she 
mouthed the word TRACY and saw his smile.  "There is ONE person you can talk to 
about it. Nick's partner, Tracy Vetter, knows about vampires, too." 




Amy looked up, "Cool! I'll bet that having a vampire as a partner makes being a 
police officer easier!" 




Nick laughed, "Sometimes, but it has drawbacks, too.  Any work that has to be 
done during the day is all Tracy's!" 




The three of them talked for several more hours and when at last the 
conversation ended, Nick and Nat felt that one major obstacle to raising Amy had 
been overcome. 




(One week later-Christmas Eve) 




Nat smiled as she looked at the people gathered in the loft.  Myra and Jenny 
Schanke, Captain Reese and his family, Tracy, Vachon, Grace, and numerous others 
from both the precinct and the Coroner's office were laughing, eating, and 
enjoying a festive mood. Janette would be by tomorrow. With both Reese and Tracy 
present, it was unwise for her to put in an appearance tonight. Nat smiled as 
Nick walked up beside her and slipped his arm around her waist. "This was a good 
idea, I'm glad you thought of it." She said. 




Nick rubbed his face against her hair. "It was a good idea. I think we should 
make this an annual tradition." He nodded his head indicating Amy and Jenny. 
"Those two seem to be enjoying themselves," Nick said happily.  He was relieved 
that Amy had, in the end, had accepted the truth about him. In fact, the 
knowledge seemed to have matured her. He'd noticed that since that day she'd 
given up the childish Aunt Natty and Uncle Nicky. During the past week she'd 
begun calling them Aunt Nat and Uncle Nick. 




"I agree. Having Jenny here is making this easier for Amy, too. I'm glad those 
two have become such good friends." Nat said. She'd worried about how Amy was 
going to cope with this first Christmas since Sara's death. Nick's suggestion, 
of having an open house on Christmas Eve and a quieter 'family' Christmas on the 
day itself, seemed the perfect solution. Watching Amy and Jenny as they giggled 
together, made all the work needed for the party worthwhile. Myra had invited 
Amy to accompany her and Jenny on a skiing trip from December 26 through New 
Year's Day. They had readily agreed to this, to Amy's great satisfaction.  The 
trip would also provide ample time for Nick to finish bringing Nat across and 
for her to hopefully learn to master the bloodlust sufficiently to pose no 
danger to anyone. 




Nat admitted that having the date set for this final step was causing her a mild 
case of butterflies in the stomach. She's carefully analyzed the reason for her 
nervousness and was secure in heart that fear was not a factor. Having learned 
from the tragedy of Richard's brief time as a vampire, Nick had made it very 
clear that he would not leave her side until they were both confident that she 
had gained control over her new condition. 




She turned to kiss Nick, when her senses were suddenly bombarded by an onslaught 
of sound and odors.  It seemed to Nat as if she were trapped in an echo chamber 
while several people banged on drums. At the same time, tantalizing aromas 
filled her nostrils and she could feel her mouth watering as a wave of intense 
hunger swept over her. She gasped slightly at the shock and clutched at Nick for 
support. 




Nick was instantly aware of what was happening to Nat. A quick glance showed him 
that her eyes were almost totally flecked with gold and he swiftly pulled her 
close to him in a snug embrace.  "Relax, love. You can beat this." He murmured 
into her ear. He felt her tremble as she fought to impose her will upon the 
desires of the nascent beast within her. He reached out through their link to 
her, adding his strength and his support to her. After only a few moments, he 
felt her relax as she won this battle with the desires that had flooded her 
body.  Taking a deep breath, she raised her once again blue eyes to him and 
managed a tremulous smile. "That was the strongest yet." She said, leaning 
against him. 




Nick stroked her hair, silently. The attack by LaCroix had accelerated the 
virus' growth. His brow furrowed slightly as he recalled Janette's phone call 
reporting that LaCroix was recovering.  Nick hoped that Janette would make it 
very clear to LaCroix that he was not welcome at the loft, or anywhere around 
Nat and Amy.  It was only because of Nat's intervention that Nick had not gone 
over and permanently removed LaCroix from the world. A part of him still wished 
he'd done so, but Nat's pity for his master had won out. "It'll be easier, in 
some ways, after I bring you across." He reassured Nat. "The fact that you can 
defeat it now, means that it won't be hard for you to be in control of it, 
rather than it of you." 




Nat nodded and kissed his cheek. "As long as I have you beside me, I'm not 
afraid."  She straightened up. "Come on, we need to mingle with our guests." She 
said as she brushed her lipstick marks from his cheek. 




Nick caught her hand, kissing the palm before releasing it. "Yes, we'd better. 
I'm not sure that I like the way Reese is eyeing Vachon." His remark made Nat 
laugh, the sound a balm to his soul. 




"Oh dear, and it even looks like Vachon shaved and washed his hair for this 
party, too." Nat remarked. In a lower voice she muttered something about 
conditioners. 




By the time the party ended, it was technically Christmas Day.  Amy had long 
since trundled off to bed and Nick and Nat sat alone, the only light in the room 
the myriad of bulbs on the tree. Nat was wrapped in Nick's arms with her head 
cradled on his shoulder, content to just share this moment of quiet beauty with 
him. 




"Remember last year?" Nick asked, as he stroked her silky curls. 




"How could I possibly forget?" Nat replied. "You proposed to me on Christmas 
night, and made me happier than I ever dreamed I could be." 




Their lips met in the softest of kisses. 




"Nat, do you have any regrets, about what loving me has done to you?" Nick 
looked into her eyes seeking reassurance. 




Nat's expression softened even more. "None. Your love is worth any price, Nick. 
The joy that being your wife has brought me is something I would walk through 
Hell for without a second thought."  They kissed again. "Never, ever think of 
your love for me as anything but what it is...the most precious gift I have ever 
received." 




The undeniable conviction in Nat's voice finally allowed Nick to accept her 
words. "With your love, eternity suddenly seems too short a time." Nick 
breathed, holding her tightly then, seeing the fatigue in her eyes effortlessly 
lifted her and carried her to bed. 
  




(December 26) 




"Amy! Better get a move on! Jenny and her mom will be here any minute." Nat 
called to her niece.  She smiled at Nick, who was fussing like a mother hen 
making sure that Amy had every possible thing she'd need for the trip. 'When we 
find a cure and have our own children, I'm going to have a real battle to keep 
him from spoiling them rotten!' Nat thought, smiling. "Nick, they do have stores 
at the ski resort, you know. If there is anything vital that Amy needs and has 
forgotten, she can get it there." She said. 




Nick gave her a sheepish look. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He went to her and 
she slid comfortably into his arms. "My, but you are particularly beautiful this 
morning." He told her as he listened carefully to the sounds of her heart. 




Nat smile. She knew that Nick was concerned she might be nervous or having 
seconds thoughts, about what they planned for today. "I'm fine, Nick." She told 
him and then kissed him deeply to prove it.  To her surprise, all the 
nervousness had vanished and been replaced by a sense of anticipation. She broke 
off the kiss as Amy entered. 




"All set!" Amy announced brightly. 




Nick picked up the various bags. "I'll put these down in the garage." 




Nat knew that he was leaving to give her a few minutes alone with Amy. "We'll be 
down in a few minutes." She told him. As the lift door closed, she turned to her 
niece. "Remember your manners and do what Myra tells you to." She said. 




"I will, Aunt Nat." Amy said. She hugged Nat. "Do you think you or Uncle Nick 
can maybe call and let me know that everything went okay?" she asked. 




"Of course we will," Nat assured her, "but I don't want you to worry about 
anything. Nick loves me and he's not going to let anything go wrong."  They 
headed for the lift. "You just have a good time. I'm going to want to hear all 
about your trip when you get home." As the lift carried them down to the lower 
level, she gave Amy a conspiratorial grin, adding, "Especially about all the 
good looking guys." 




Amy laughed, "Oh Aunt Nat, what do you care about good looking guys when you 
have someone as gorgeous as Uncle Nick!"  Both of them were still giggling when 
the lift stopped and Nick opened the door for them. 




"Why do I have the impression that I'm the reason for all this laughter?" he 
asked. 




"Only because you are, according to Amy, gorgeous." Nat replied. 




"Only according to Amy?" Nick teased. 




"Well, I have to admit that I am in full agreement with her." Nat said. The 
sound of a horn outside the garage door alerted them to the fact that Myra and 
Jenny had arrived.  Amy gave Nick a quick hug, and he retreated from the doorway 
area. Nat picked up two of the bags and Amy grabbed the other and went out to 
Myra's car. 




It was only a few minutes before Nat waved farewell and returned to the garage. 
After the door closed, Nick joined her and they walked arm in arm to the lift. 
Riding up, Nick asked. "What time is Tracy coming by?" His partner had 
volunteered to keep Sidney until Nat felt in control enough to not endanger her 
beloved pet. 




"Not before four or so." Nat answered. "Plenty of time for us to get some 
sleep." She laid her head on Nick's shoulder. 




"Nat, are you sure you wouldn't rather spend the day outside?" Nick asked. He 
didn't want her to regret not having a last full day in the sunlight. 




"No, I was just outside, remember? It's cold, gray and feels like it might start 
snowing any minute."  The lift stopped and they went into the loft. Once there, 
Nat turned and draped her arms around Nick's neck. "I would much rather spend 
the day snuggled in your arms in our bed." She said, then raised an eyebrow at 
him. "Unless, of course, that doesn't appeal to you?" 




Nick's kiss showed her just how much that idea did appeal to him. She laughed 
breathlessly when he finally broke it. "Ummm, I'm going to take that as a vote 
in favor of spending the day in bed." 




Nick looked closely at her, loving the look of happiness on her face. "Today and 
for all eternity that will always be my first choice of a way to spend the day." 
He swung her up into his arms and carried Nat off to the bedroom. 




Nat watched out the window as Tracy's car drove off into the late afternoon 
sunlight, then went to the lift and set the locking mechanism on it. The last 
thing she wanted was an unexpected guest tonight. 'Although if LaCroix does 
decide to pay us a visit, this certainly isn't going to stop him.' She thought. 
Janette had reassured both she and Nick that LaCroix would not be any problem. 
Nat hoped that Janette was right. Deciding that worry wasn't going to accomplish 
anything, Nat headed back up the stairs. As she reached the top, Nick stepped 
out of the bedroom, his pale chest bared above the black silk pajama bottoms he 
wore. 




"Tracy gone?" he asked. 




"Yes, and she's taken her houseguest with her." Nat said. "It's still about an 
hour until sunset, are you staying up?" 




Nick nodded. "Why don't you get back in bed while I shower? I've got a few 
things I want to take care of before we start and I can do them while you shower 
and dress." 




"Sounds good to me." Nat said moving into the bedroom. She was glad that she 
would have the chance to dress alone. She'd picked out a dress specifically with 
this occasion in mind and she wanted to be able to 'make an entrance' in it. 




As she slipped beneath the sheets, Nick sat on the bed next to her. "Nat, I know 
that in the end, the choice of whether you cross into the light or return to me, 
is yours. I want you to know that no matter which choice you make, I will love 
you forever." 




Nat leaned into him. "Don't worry, I'm not going to leave you. I can't leave 
half my soul." They sat quietly for a while, and then Nick rose and headed for 
the shower. Nat lay back against the pillows and waited for her turn in the 
bath. She hoped that Nick would go slowly in their lovemaking tonight. She 
wanted to fully savor each moment, so that she could relive it for eternity. 




It was only about fifteen minutes later that the shower shut off and Nick 
emerged from the bathroom. Nat could feel her body ache for his touch as she 
viewed him, clad only in a towel around his waist and with droplets of water 
still glistening in his hair. She rose from the bed and stripped off the pajama 
top she'd been wearing. Turning, she found Nick silently watching her. The 
suddenly tented appearance of the front of the towel indicating the direction 
his thoughts were taking. His eyes met hers, and she felt a wave of acute desire 
wash through her body. Giving him a smile full of the promise of later 
pleasures, she went into the bathroom. 




Nick loved to watch Nat. The mere sight of her, nude or clothed, was enough to 
cause him to want her. As she met his eyes, he promised himself that if she were 
going to have to remember tonight for all of eternity, he was going to be 
certain it would be with the utmost pleasure.  He could hear the mild 
acceleration of her heart as her eyes met his, and although no words were 
spoken, he knew that she had much the same idea in mind. As the door to the 
bathroom shut behind her, he began to prepare for the night. 




It was close to a half-hour later that Nat emerged from the bath, a large towel 
wrapped about her hair and another covering her body. Wanting to allow the 
bathroom to cool down before she even attempted to dry her hair, she decided to 
lay out the dress she planned to wear.  First, she crossed and locked the 
bedroom door. She didn't want Nick to come in and see her before she was ready.  
Going to the closet, Nat carefully removed the dress and hung it on the door. 
She ran her fingers over the soft material enjoying the feel of it against her 
skin.  Humming softly, she returned to the now steam free bathroom. 




Twenty minutes later, Nat stood in front of the full-length mirror and 
critically appraised her appearance. She looked at the long dress she'd chosen. 
When she'd first seen the dress, Nat thought it looked like something fit for a 
fairy-tale princess. The price had made her catch her breath, but didn't deter 
her from wanting it, nor from getting it. 




Her dress was made of a soft, almost translucent fabric. It seemed to mold to 
just the right portions of her figure and when the light struck it just right, 
the darker area of her nipples and the triangle of curls between her legs showed 
as shadowy hints of promise. It had a low scooped neckline that accentuated the 
swell of her breasts and the valley between them. In the back, the neckline 
dropped almost to her waist. The bodice was of a style that allowed the sensual 
curves and hollows of her figure to be displayed to their best advantage. Full, 
loose sleeves, of chiffon fell to her wrists.  The dress was the palest blue in 
color, its lightness making her eyes appear even deeper in color. 




She'd left her hair loose, the auburn mass of its curls cascading across her 
shoulder and down her bare back. Her only jewelry was her engagement ring and 
wedding band on her left hand and the heavy gold locket that Nick had given her 
around her neck. On her feet were ballet style shoes that she'd had dyed to 
match the dress. 




She smiled at last satisfied with how she looked. "Now let's see if Nick likes 
it," she said. She walked to the door, unlocked and opened it. Stepping out of 
the bedroom she paused, the landing seemed darker than normal. The soft strains 
of music reached her ears. Moving to the stairs, she stood with a look of 
delight on her face. Below, the large living area of the loft was filled with 
the gentle flicker of innumerable candles. "Oh, Nick!" She whispered, as she 
began to glide down the stairs. 




Nick heard the door to the bedroom open just as he finished lighting the last of 
the candles. He glanced about; pleased with the way they, and the flames in the 
fireplace, filled the room with a soft, warm light. He blew out the long taper 
he'd used to light them and moved to the foot of the staircase. As he caught 
sight of Nat, his eyes filled with both love and desire. The pale blue dress she 
wore seemed to caress every curve of her exquisitely shaped body. As she walked 
down the stairs toward him, Nick felt his mouth go dry with want. The way the 
flickering play of the candlelight revealed the delicious form of her body 
entranced him.  She seemed to be magical, some celestial princess, as she all 
but floated down the stairs. He could feel his groin begin to ache with his 
desire to hold her, to taste the sweetness of her skin, to drown in the heady 
richness of her body.  As she neared the bottom of the stairs, he held out his 
hand to her. 




Nat felt her heart give a leap as Nick stepped into view. He was dressed in 
soft, black leather trousers that outlined his strong, firmly muscled thighs and 
butt. The full sleeves and cut of the open front, black silk poet's shirt he 
wore accenting the trim narrowness of his waist and hips. His pale chest 
contrasted with the black silk in a way that caused Nat's knees to suddenly feel 
weak. She could feel her breathing increase as desire washed over her and she 
laid her hand in Nick's extended one. 




Nick raised Nat's hand to his lips, brushing the back of it with the lightest of 
kisses. "You are beautiful." He said, simply, as he pulled her into his embrace. 




Nat gave him a radiant smile. Her hand caressed his cheek. "And you are the most 
handsome, sexy man I know." She said softly. Their lips met softly and Nat 
sighed as Nick slowly ran his hands down her body. She melted into his arms, the 
feel of his growing desire evident against her thigh. 




Nick fought to keep from carrying Nat over to the place he'd prepared in front 
of the fire, a thick, soft pile of furs and large pillows, and taking her right 
then. Only his desire to prolong the pleasure he gave her prevented him from 
doing so. The feel of her against him and the intoxicating scent of her called 
to him. He broke the kiss and looked lovingly into her eyes. "I don't want this 
evening to be rushed. I want to love every inch of you." He said, his voice 
husky with desire. 




Nat smiled back, "I want to savor each moment of tonight. I want to feel you 
touching me and I want to touch you." She told him, then lay her head on his 
shoulder. 




Nick rubbed his cheek against her hair, then eased his hold on her. "Come, dance 
with me." He led her to an open area and again gathered her into his arms. 




Nat glided slowly across the impromptu dance floor, feeling as if she were 
floating. Nick's strong arms held her securely and she molded her body against 
his. As they danced, they exchanged kisses and caressed one another. At first 
they were soft, and tender, but as they continued to dance, the kisses deepened 
and slowly grew more passionate.  Nat wrapped her arms around Nick's neck and 
moaned with pleasure as he explored her mouth with his tongue, while his hands 
cupped her breasts and the cheeks of her butt. She, in turn, thrust her tongue 
into his mouth, tasting the velvety softness of his lips and, at last, teased 
his sensitive fangs into descending. At the same time, she dropped her hand to 
the now very hard bulge in his trousers and gently squeezed it. 




Nick growled deep in his throat as Nat deliberately fanned the flames of his 
desire. He felt his beast emerge and he crushed her against him in a kiss of 
such unbridled passion that she was panting for air when he at last broke it. 
His golden-hued eyes sought hers and he saw in them a reflection of his own 
burning need for her. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over to the 
fireplace. There he sat her on her feet and once again brought his lips to hers. 




Nat panted with pleasure as Nick's lips traced a path down her neck, nibbling 
and licking as he went. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he planted kisses on 
the exposed swell of her breasts, even as he teased their nipples through the 
thin dress. Moaning as her need to feel his skin against her own started to 
overwhelm her, she nearly wept with happiness as she felt his fingers carefully 
undo the zipper on her dress. It took only a moment for him to slide it from her 
shoulders and allow it to fall to the floor at her feet. 




Nick looked at Nat's nude body as she stood before him. The flames from the fire 
seemed to make her skin glow golden, even as they caused her hair to shimmer 
with fiery highlights of its own. He shut his eyes and allowed himself to give 
full rein to pure, sensual pleasure as she reached out and eased his silk shirt 
off; her hands caressing his chest and back. Her lips kissed their way down his 
neck, pausing to suck on the spot just above where his jugular was closest to 
the surface. The knowledge that later, Nat would be able to fully stimulate that 
erotic area whet his beast's desire to taste her blood. Nick forced it to wait, 
wanting to ensure Nat's total satisfaction before seeking his own. When she 
undid the lacing of his trousers, he groaned with relief, as his engorged 
manhood was at last set free. He pulled her against him, relishing the softness 
of her skin against him. His hand traced the soft curves of her body. Together 
they sank upon the furs. Nick raised his body to cover Nat's as he once again 
assailed her mouth. 




Nat closed her eyes as Nick kissed her. Her senses were reeling from the effects 
of his actions. She felt herself being carried to heights of delight she'd not 
dreamed existed. His lips and hands seemed to be everywhere at once. Tasting, 
probing and caressing her until there did not seem to be a single nerve in her 
body that was unaffected. She could feel her juices flowing as each of Nick's 
actions brought a new lascivious pleasure to her. She could hear herself moaning 
in delight as he moved his attentions slowly down her body. She arched her back 
as his mouth found the sensitive nipples of her breasts. As he pulled and sucked 
each of them, she felt as if she would explode.  When he at last moved away from 
her breasts she found that she was almost gasping for air. 




Nick could feel Nat's body as it writhed beneath him. He slowly kissed his way 
down it, resisting the temptation to taste the ambrosia of her blood. He could 
smell and hear it as it flowed within his easy reach. That, combined with the 
musk smell of Nat's arousal, spurred his own desires. His cock throbbed with his 
need to bury it deep in her moistness and he could feel his own pre-orgasmic 
fluids leaking from its tip. He moved farther down her body, and gently parted 
the wiry curls of her pubic hair to reveal the sensitive nub of her clit. He 
began to lap at it, causing Nat to moan louder and thrust her hips toward him. 
Skillfully he caressed her with his tongue, softly sucking and nibbling as he 
did so. He slid two fingers inside her. She pushed against him, his touch 
causing her to cry out wordlessly in rapture. He carefully brought her to the 
brink of orgasm, but made sure that he didn't allow her to crest. As he ceased 
his ministrations she groaned in frustration.  He moved back to caress her face, 
"I promised you a night of bliss, my love, and you shall have it, never fear." 
He held her for a moment, nuzzling her neck with the silky softness of her hair 
caressing his cheek. As she moved away from the crest of her pleasure, he once 
again sought her mouth. 




Nat pressed against Nick, she'd been so close to reaching her fulfillment when 
he'd stopped. She heard his whisper as she gazed into his beloved face. Panting 
for air, she sighed as his lips played with the sensitive skin of her throat. As 
his lips met hers, she eagerly met his ardor. Once again she felt her passion 
build. As his lips again traced their way down her neck, she clung to him, the 
feel of his hard penis pressing just above her clit driving her mad with need. 
"Please, Nick." She gasped. "I need you in me. I need to come." To her joy, she 
felt him slip between her parted legs. His hands raised her hips slightly and 
she cried out with exaltation as he slowly slid his thickness into her. Wrapping 
her legs around him, she rejoiced as he filled her completely. 




Nick was almost trembling with his own need for release as he slowly plunged his 
manhood deep into Nat. He felt her muscles embrace him and, as he slowly began 
to move in her, he was soon soaring toward his own climax. The vampire was 
demanding its reward, to glut upon the sweet nectar of Nat's blood. Nick forced 
himself to only gradually increase the speed and intensity of his movements. He 
wanted to prolong this pleasure for as long as he possibly could, not only for 
himself, but for Nat as well. The pounding of her heart, and the rapid way she 
gulped for air, were clearly heard by his sensitive hearing. 




Nat felt as if every nerve in her body was aflame. She could scarcely breath, so 
great was her need for release. Her body arched and she made inarticulate sounds 
as she met Nick's thrusts with her own, striving to reach the pinnacle of the 
huge orgasm that she knew was soon to claim her. Her hands dug into Nick's back 
as she tried to draw him ever closer to her. 




Nick, at last, shifted just slightly and, with a final thrust, felt Nat's entire 
body spasm as her orgasm shook her. She screamed out his name and threw her head 
back and to the side. As she did so, Nick ran his hand into her hair, and 
holding her in that position, sank his fangs deep into her neck seeking and 
finding the largest of the veins there. As her blood gushed into his mouth, his 
own climax washed through him.  The mental link between them magnified and 
enhanced their mutual bliss as Nick drank ever more deeply of her life's 
essence. 




Nat barely felt the sharp sting of Nick's fangs. As wave after orgasmic wave of 
gratification washed over her, she felt as if she were drifting in a warm pool 
of water. She fought to draw in a breath as the power of Nick's climax blended 
with her own. The breathtaking sense of his love that she received through their 
blood bond were so overwhelmed her that she wept tears of rapture. She could 
feel him feeding deeply from her and she embraced it without fear. As she began 
to sink into unconsciousness, her last thoughts were of how blessed she felt to 
be so loved and how much she loved Nick, both the man and the vampire. 




Nat's love and her total acceptance of the vampire was like a cleansing balm to 
Nick's soul. His beast was satiated, allowing Nick to withdraw his deadly fangs 
from her slim throat as he heard her heart start laboring to circulate the 
little blood that remained in her body.  Nick gazed at her as she lay scarcely 
breathing, edging closer to death.  He cradled her in his arms, kissing her 
forehead, her eyes, her lips, and lastly the puncture marks on her neck. He 
could not feel her through their bond and he could not remember a time in his 
entire existence that he'd felt more alone. "Forgive me, my love." He said. He 
bit deeply into his wrist and pressed the bleeding wound to her lips while 
memories of his failed attempt to bring Alyssa across taunted him. 




Nat suddenly found herself standing beside a crystal blue lake. The air was 
fresh and sweet and the sun was warm upon her skin. 'Where am I? Where's Nick?' 
She thought.  She looked around and saw a door through which a light of 
incredible brightness shown. Feeling drawn in that direction, she walked calmly 
toward it. As she neared, a figure stepped out of the light and stood quietly 
awaiting her. 




"Welcome, Natalie." The figure said. "You may enter the doorway now, or return 
to he who calls to you. The choice is yours." 




At once, Nat's memories of Nick's love making, and of his intention to bring her 
across returned. She looked at the door with a sad longing. She knew that if she 
went through it, she would find those she had loved and who had passed from 
life. Her mother and father; her goddaughter, Cynthia; Sara; and her beloved 
Richie were all there. Nat closed her eyes. The one person who was her greatest 
love, her happiness, her very soul was not there. Nick awaited her return to 
him, as a vampire. "I have to go back. Nick needs me." 




The figure inclined its head. "If you return, it may be that you will never 
again have the chance to rejoin your family. You will be risking your soul's 
damnation." The voice firm, but Nat could hear the kindness in it. 




"As much as I would like to be with them again, I can't go in. I thank you, but 
my heart tells me that I must return to Nick." Nat said, almost apologetically. 




The figure stepped toward her and lowered the hood that had concealed its face 
from Nat.  Nat found herself gazing into the clear blue eyes of a young woman, 
who somehow looked familiar. The woman smiled and took Nat's hand in hers. 




"You have made your choice, so now I may speak. Tell Nicolas that he has chosen 
wisely in whom he bestowed my ring." The woman said. 




Nat's eyes widened with recognition. "Marie-Claire," she breathed. Suddenly the 
ground seemed to shift beneath Nat's feet and she could hear Nick's voice 
calling to her. "I have so many things I'd like to ask you, but I have to go." 
She cried. 




Nick's mother smiled gently. "Tell my son that he has and will always have my 
love, and that he is still dearer to me than anything." She paused as if 
listening then spoke again. "Go now my dear, and know that one day your greatest 
dream will be achieved." She kissed Nat on the cheek and turned to leave. 




Nat stood breathing rapidly. Her greatest dream? "We'll find a cure? We'll have 
a family?" she asked the departing woman. The light from the door seemed to 
somehow be increasing yet more in brightness and Nat had to squint to see the 
now dim figure. Just as the light became unbearable, Nat clearly heard Marie-
Claire's last words to her. "I look forward to watching over my grandchildren." 




Nat squeezed her eyes shut to avoid being blinded by the glare of the light. 




Nick felt as if another eight hundred years had passed, until at last Nat 
stirred and began to swallow the blood that had flowed from his wound into her 
mouth. He could feel tears of relief course down his cheeks as she started to 
eagerly drink from him. He held her tightly in the crook of his other arm and 
buried his face in her hair, then kissed her gently as her eyelids began to 
flutter. At last, she opened her eyes and looked around. Finally, she looked up 
at him and her now golden-hued ones met his in a look of such love that Nick 
caught his breath. 




Nat opened her eyes and found herself safely snuggled in Nick's arms. She looked 
about in wonder as her new vampire senses gave the room a subtly different 
appearance. She looked up into Nick's worried face and all of her love for him 
suddenly burst to the surface. She gave him a smile and reached up to wrap her 
arms about his neck pulling his lips to hers. "Nick, we ARE going to find a 
cure! She told me that my greatest dream will be fulfilled!" She said when at 
last their lips parted. 




Joyfully, she told him of her experience and what his mother had said. Nat 
watched with a sense of profound peace as she sensed the hope and comfort that 
her words held for him. She was inundated by a surge of love and desire for him. 




Nick felt as if a huge rock had been lifted from his chest. Nat's words gave him 
consolation that he'd not even been aware of needed prior to this moment. The 
power and depth of her love that he saw in her eyes and felt through their bond 
brought him an easing of his soul. He could feel his groin ache as his need to 
show her his love intensified. Looking into her smiling face he began to kiss 
and caress her. His passion leapt as she sighed with satisfaction and responded 
to his actions. 




Nat luxuriated in the intensity of sensations her new vampiric senses gave her. 
Each touch of Nick's hand on her body seemed more intimate, the taste of his 
skin beneath her worshipping lips, sweeter, and the clarity of her mental link 
with him, sharper. She avidly responded to him, wanted to possess him and to be 
possessed by him. She gasped as Nick, with a smile, plunged his tongue into her 
mouth and softly caressed her as yet undescended fangs. The erotic stimulation 
this caused nearly sent her into orgasm. She moaned deep in her throat and met 
his tongue with her own. When his lips parted from hers and moved across the 
curve of her jaw and then down her neck, the feelings they produced nearly drove 
her into a frenzy of rapture. Nick's lovemaking had always been wonderful, but 
the new added dimension that her vampire sense brought made her wonder if an 
overdose of pure, carnal bliss could prove fatal to a vampire. 'And if it can, I 
cannot think of a more pleasant way to die!' She thought as she returned Nick's 
caresses with her own. 




Nick could feel the rising tide of Nat's need; indeed, it matched his own 
growing need. Unable to hold back, he slid his firmness into her with a quick 
thrust that brought cries of gratification to both their lips. He started to 
move in her and she met each thrust with one of her own as the soared to the 
acme of delight. 




Nat was moaning with joy as she rode the whirlwind of lascivious pleasure. She 
reached for her fulfillment, but it seemed to be just beyond her grasp. She 
groaned as she hovered on the brink of climax and then trembled as a new 
sensation washed over her. A deep aching need for something tore through her. 
Wild with passion she twisted beneath Nick, unsure of what it was she desired. 




Nick felt Nat's confusion. Carefully, he held her to him and then rolled on his 
back so that she was straddling his prone form. Turning his head to the side, he 
guided her mouth to his neck. "Drink, Nat. You need my blood." He told her. 




Nat hesitated only a moment. She gave a shiver of excitement as her fangs 
descended. Carefully she kissed the side of Nick's throat, her tongue licking at 
his skin. She smiled as she realized that to her, Nick's essence smelled of 
chocolate and honeysuckle. She heard him gently encouraging her to taste him, 
and reassuring her that this would give him pleasure, too. Taking a deep breath, 
she slid her fangs into him. With the first few drops of his blood, her orgasm 
exploded through out her body. She was aware that Nick had taken her wrist and 
was sipping lightly of her own essence. Their minds and their bodies were as one 
in a swirl of blissful sensations and love. Nat knew at that moment that she 
would never regret her decision to return to Nick. 




As their climaxes began to ebb, Nat collapsed on Nick's chest. She felt his 
strong arms as he held her and heard the soft murmur of his voice as he told her 
how much he loved her. She lay in his embrace, feeling comfortable and drowsy. 
Her serenity was shattered when she was seized by a wave of hunger so intense it 
caused her to moan in anguish. 




Nick tenderly slipped Nat off him and, sitting up pulled her into his arms. 
"It's okay, Nat," he reassured her, "it's just First Hunger."  Reaching for one 
of the bottles of blood he'd placed on a nearby table when preparing for this 
evening; he opened it and, pouring some of the contents into a glass, handed it 
to her. "You need this, drink." He told her. He held her tenderly as she took 
the glass and drank hungrily from it. When she finished that he poured another 
glass for her. 




Nat sighed with relief as the blood slaked the aching hunger. When Nick poured a 
second glass for her, she hesitated. "Shouldn't I be practicing my control?" she 
asked. 




Nick shook his head. "Not tonight. Right now you have to try and drink as much 
as possible." He saw the concerned look in her eyes. "You cannot control First 
Hunger. Once this has past, we'll work on your control." He indicated the glass, 
"Drink." 




Nat nodded and complied. "Shouldn't you have some too? I know a took a lot from 
you when we made love." She smiled, "Besides, I hate to drink alone." 




Nick kissed her and poured a glass from a bottle of cow for himself. "You didn't 
hurt me, but I will keep you company." 




Two bottles later, Nat had drunk all that she could. "It'll be dawn soon. Do you 
want to go up to bed?" Nick inquired. 




"No, let's stay right here." She murmured sleepily. Nick kissed her in response 
and rose only long enough to get a large afghan from the back of the couch. He 
spread it over her, then slipped in beside her. Nat moved into his arms, 
snuggled close to him. They lay in comfortable silence, watching the flickering 
of the fire. As the dawn slowly lightened horizon, they held one another for the 
first day of eternity. As sleep claimed them, they both knew that this was a new 
beginning to their love, one of hope and promise for the future, but above all 
else, of love. 
  




Across the city, LaCroix sat trembling from the feelings he'd experience during 
the past night. "So Nicholas," he mused, "it seems that you have been successful 
in claiming your Natalie for yourself." A cold grin broke across his face. "Now 
it remains to be seen if you can keep her." 
  
  
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