Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 21:39:14 -0600 Reply-To: CLone Star Software Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: CLone Star Software Subject: Forgotten Promise (1/9) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU his is my first attempt at writing Schanke. I hope that I've done him justice. The story is not a part of any of my series. Part 9 will be posted in an Adult version as Part 9A and a PG version as Part 9b. ARCHIVE PERMISSION: Permission to archive to Mel's FKFanfic Archive Mortal Love Archive, and the FK FTP site IS GRANTED. All others must ask permission. DISCLAIMERS: The Forever Knight characters belong to Columbia Tri/Star. No copyright infringement is intended. This story and all other characters are copyrighted by me. All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Forgotten Promise(1/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 He watched in satisfaction as the garbage truck lifted the dumpster. With any luck, the truck's operator wouldn't even notice the bound and gagged man beneath all of the garbage, at least not until it was too late. As the contents of the dumpster fell into the gaping maw of the truck, he held his breath. Not until he heard the sound of the compacting motor start did he smile and turn away. In his mind he could imagine the absolute terror his victim must be feeling, knowing that he would soon be crushed along with the other debris of the city. Humming softly, he walked calmly to his waiting car. There he paused, until his ears pricked up the unmistakable sound yet another batch of garbage meeting its fate. Unlocking the car door, he slid behind the wheel and drove into the slowly darkening dusk. ********************************************* Don Schanke wrinkled his nose as he stepped out of the Caddy. "Geesh! What a rotten place to die!" He gingerly began to make his way across the city dump pulling his coat tighter around him. "And I thought my old man smelled bad from working in the sewers!" He mumbled to himself. Schanke stopped and called back to his partner. "C'mon Nick, I'd like to get away from here before this stink gets into my skin." Nick shook himself and began to move forward, heedless of what was underfoot, his attention drawn to the slender shape that stood in the midst of the bright crime scene lights. He watched as Natalie glanced at Schanke, then quickly away. He could almost see her body stiffen as he approached and once again his heart ached with pain. Forcing his feelings aside as he neared her, he managed to ask, "What have we got?" He hoped that none of his longing for her showed in his voice. "What we have is a very messy corpse." Natalie said, pointing towards a lump covered with a bright orange tarp. "I'd say it was some poor homeless person who drank too much and then had the misfortune of falling asleep in the wrong dumpster at first glance." She repressed a small shudder as she recalled the mangled condition of her patient. " Just one small problem with that theory. From what I can see here, I think he was tied up. Of course, all this is just a guess until I get him back to the lab." She shot a quick glance at Nick from the corner of her eye. Her heart ached as she noted the small, telltale signs of his unhappiness. Schanke, looking a bit green, inquired. "You mean you think someone may have put him in the dumpster on purpose?" Nat smiled grimly. "Both his arms and legs appear to have been bound. If they were, then this is definitely a homicide." "The truck driver?" Nick asked. "Well, anything is possible, but I wouldn't bet on him being the perp." Nat said. She nodded her head toward a patrol car a short distance away. "He's sitting in there. His name is William McDonagel; he's the one that called it in. When I got here the responding uniformed officers asked me to take a look at him. They thought he might be having a heart attack he was so upset." Nick raised an eyebrow. "Could it have been a ruse, to throw everyone off?" Nat shrugged. "Maybe, but his blood pressure was way up, his heart was racing and he was hyperventilating. To put it simply, the poor man was scared out of his wits." She glanced back over at the tarp. "Frankly, considering the condition of the victim, I can't say as I blame him." Nick started to move toward her. Every nerve in him was aching to hold her and comfort her. He forced himself to stop. His eyes met Nat's. "You okay?" he asked instead. Nat took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. She gathered her things. "I'm headed back to the lab. I'll send you word as soon as I know anything." Nat turned swiftly and headed back to her car, feeling Nick's eyes boring into her back. She got in and drove away. Two blocks down she pulled onto a side street and sat hugging herself as she tried not to cry. The past six weeks had been a nightmare. What had begun so beautifully at her apartment the night before Valentine's Day had become a sort of living hell for her. "Be fair, Lambert," she said aloud. "If the way he looks is any indication, Nick isn't coping any better than you are." She'd seen the look of exhaustion that had gradually appeared on Nick's face. Once or twice, she'd caught him looking at her with a sort of desperate longing. She knew that she'd never been more miserable in her life. 'I should have never let him think that the whammy worked,' she thought. But in her heart she'd been afraid that if she'd done that he might move on in order to protect her from LaCroix. The thought of never seeing Nick again was far more painful than the current situation. Instead she'd let him believe that she had no memory of the events at Azure, or at her apartment the night before that. She didn't know how much longer she could keep pretending that everything was the way it had been before Nick had told her that he loved her. She sighed heavily, 'At least I can still be near him, even if it's only as a friend.' Wiping her eyes, Nat pulled away from the curb and headed back to work. Schanke watched Nick stare after Nat. 'I wish those two would stop playing games and just admit that they have the hots for each other,' he thought. A nearby rustling sound caught his attention and he shone his flashlight in the direction of it. The beam showed a rat, almost as large as a cat, edging close to the pile of garbage on the ground. Schanke shuddered slightly with distaste. "Nick, unless you think we're likely to find some vital piece of evidence, I'd really like interview that driver and get outta here!" He shivered as a blast of cold wind hit him. Nick nodded and headed toward the patrol car. He didn't blame Schanke. 'Maybe I'll see if there are any carouches around,' he thought. 'This would be a good place for them to hunt and they'd be doing the rest of the city a service by reducing the rodent population at the same time.' As he neared it, he could easily hear the still pounding heart of the truck driver. A closer look made him understand why Nat didn't seem to think this man could be the perp they were looking for. The truck driver was a small, older man who didn't look strong enough to carry a case of sodas, much less lift an adult man into either the dumpster or the maw of a garbage truck. Nick sensed Schanke beside him. "Man, just once I'd like to have a case where the first guy we talk to is obviously the perp." Schanke groused. He shook his head. "Let's see if he has ANY useful information for us and get outta here before the local fauna decide we look tastier than the usual fare." Nick indicated the small, nervous man seated in the car. "Maybe he can give us an idea of what part of his route the dumpster with the body might have been picked up." He saw Schanke's look of skepticism. "I know it's a long shot, but right now that's about all we have." "Yeah, I know, but I want to get away from this place." Schanke said. He turned to the truck driver. " Mr. McDonagel? I'm Detective Schanke and this is Detective Knight," he said. "We need to ask you a few questions." The small man looked up. "Sure, whatever." He nervously rubbed his chin. "Am I going to be in trouble because of this?" he asked. "I don't think so," Schanke reassured him. "We just need some information from you, then you can go home." "Why don't you tell us exactly what happened here tonight?" Nick said quietly. "I was dumping the last load of the day," McDonagel began. "I'd started the dump cycle and was watching the stuff fall out. Sometimes you'll have something get jammed and you have to take care of it. I was just standing there when..." McDonagel paled. "I've never seen anything like that in my life! At first I thought I was seeing things, but then I realized it was a body and I hit the kill switch on the truck." McDonagel fell silent. "What did you do then?" Schanke prompted. McDonagel looked embarrassed. "I got sick." "That's understandable," Nick said. McDonagel give them a small, bitter smile. "Yeah, guess so. Soon as I could I ran over to the front gate and had them call the police." "Did you touch anything, or move the body in any way?" Schanke asked. He was pretty sure that the man hadn't but he had to ask. "No, no I didn't touch anything. I just wanted to get as far away from there as I could." McDonagel replied, shaking his head. "You said that this was the last load you'd dropped off on your shift." Nick said. "Would you know how many dumpsters you'd emptied this load?" "Yeah, I did thirty this last run, all of them over near the docks." McDonagel said. Schanke made a face. "Swell, thirty garbage dumpsters to have to check out and probably nothing of any help in any of them." Nick flashed Schank a look that let him know he wasn't thrilled with the idea either, then asked, "Is there anyway to be able to tell in which dumpster the victim may have been?" McDonagel shook his head. "No way to know exactly, but from where it was in the truck, I can maybe narrow it down to a half dozen or so." "That would be a great help." Nick said. Even those many would be hard enough to stand. "I'll have to go take a look and see how much is left in the truck." McDonagel told them. "Then I can give you a list of the dumpster locations." He hesitated, then asked. "Is, is it gone?" Schanke nodded. "Yeah, the body's been moved," he said understandingly. "Now all you gotta watch out for are the giant rats." McDonagel rose and, with Nick and Schanke headed back to where the truck sat. It was over an hour later before Nick and Schanke were finally able to leave the garbage dump. As Nick drove the Caddie toward the gate to the dump, Schanke remarked, "What ever happened to nice 'clean' murders?" Nick laughed. "In nice clean surroundings?" he asked. Schanke snorted. "That too, but this makes three extremely messy and weird killings in the past two weeks," he explained. Nick raised and eyebrow. "Three?" he asked. "What were the other two?" "Oh yeah, I forgot. Caught a call on one last Wednesday, while you were off." Schanke replied. "Some hotshot body builder over off Bloor. His wife came home from work and found him dead in the kitchen. Someone had tied him up and then used a meat grinder on certain vital portions of his anatomy." Schanke shuddered as he recalled the gruesome scene. "According to Natalie's report, he was alive when it was done, too. He bled to death." Nick took a deep breath, mutilation, as a weapon of terror, was not unfamiliar to him. End Part 1 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers. Forgotten Promise (2/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 FLASHBACK - THE HOLY LAND- 1224 He'd been in the dark dungeon cell for over two months. The first month he'd nearly died from the wound he'd received during the battle that had ended with his capture. He'd spent the past month wishing that he had died. The cell was a small, filthy room with only small slits high in the walls for light. It was barely large enough for one man, much less the eight that currently occupied it. There had been twelve men originally, but four of them were dead, either from disease, as was the case of two of the men, or from the results of their captor's tortures. He shrank back as his ears caught the sound of the guard's approach and felt shamed by his action. He was of noble blood and a knight. He should not be acting in so cowardly a manner. He was Nicholas deBrabant and his family would expect better of him. END FLASHBACK "...they went in and found this guy literally baked to death." Schanke was saying. "You're kidding? This happened when?" Nick asked. "Told you, just this past Sunday." Schanke said. The police radio cut off anything more that he might say. "Eighty-one kilo, eighty-one kilo, you are requested by Captain Cohen to return to the precinct at once." The voice of the dispatcher announced. Schanke and Nick exchanged glances, calling them back to the precinct was unusual for Captain Cohen. Schanke responded to the call as Nick turned the Caddie around. "Dispatch, this is eighty-one kilo. Any idea of why we're being recalled?" Schanke knew the chance of the dispatcher having this information was a long shot, but maybe they'd get lucky. "Negative, eighty-one kilo," the dispatcher replied, "but if it's any comfort, she didn't sound angry." "Thanks," Schanke said, "that is a comfort." He glanced over at Nick. "Please tell the Captain that we're on our way. Eighty-one kilo out." Replacing the microphone, Schanke began to mentally try and figure out what might have prompted Cohen to recall them. The growling of his stomach interrupted his thoughts. "I don't suppose we'd have time to stop and grab some souvlaki before we face the Captain?" He inquired. Nick chuckled; nothing seemed to disturb Schanke's appetite for long. "We'd better find out what's up. If the Captain wants us back badly enough to have dispatch radio us, we'd better not keep her waiting." He heard Schank's sigh of disappointment. Fifteen minutes later, Nick and Schanke paused to knock on Cohen's door before entering her office. As they entered, both men were somewhat surprised to find Natalie Lambert already there. "Sorry to have called you back," Cohen began, "but the information that Dr. Lambert has was not something I wanted to broadcast over the airwaves." She nodded to Nat, indicating that she should speak. Nat gave both Schanke and Nick apologetic glances. "I'm nowhere near finished with our victim from tonight, but I did find this during the preliminary investigation. She handed Nick a plastic bag containing what was obviously a driver's license. Nick read the name on it and raised his eyebrows, then handed the bag to Schanke. "Holy moly!" Schanke exclaimed. The name on the license was Allen Newcastle, one of the most prominent defense attorneys in the province. "You mean that poor slob from the dump is one of the wealthiest men in Toronto?" "Mind you, I can't be sure that the body is actually Mr. Newcastle. The condition it's in makes a visual identification impossible. I'm going to have to wait for dental records and maybe fingerprints." Nat said. "But if it is Newcastle, this whole thing is going to explode once the media gets a hold of it." Cohen added, "Just what we don't need, gentlemen. I want NO information leaking to the press." "Has anyone tried to contact Mr. Newcastle?" Nick asked, "He might have lost his license." "I would suggest that be your first order of business." Cohen said. "I don't need to tell any of you that the faster we either confirm or disprove this identification, the better off we'll all be." Nat rose. "I'll get back over to the morgue. I'll start putting together a dental chart for comparison with Newcastle's, in case he is missing." She headed toward the office door. "We'll get over to the Newcastle residence right now, Captain." Nick said as he and Schanke followed her out of the door. In the hall Nat was waiting for them. "Sorry about having you called in. I normally would have just called you on your cell phone and asked you to stop by my office, but Captain Cohen was in the building when I found the license." She explained. "Cohen was at the morgue? Any idea why?" Nick asked. "Yeah, she was checking on another weird death," Nat said. "It wasn't one of my cases, but apparently a long time snitch managed to get himself baked to death in a walk in kiln a couple of nights ago. He worked for a pottery manufacturer and they found him inside when they went to remove a batch of stoneware that they'd been firing." She shook her head. "At first they thought he'd had a stroke or heart attack and died from that. He wasn't bound like this case." Nick remembered the case Schanke was talking about in the car. "But he didn't die of natural causes?" "No, it was murder," Nat said soberly. "The toxicology reports showed that he'd been given enough of a powerful sedative to render him unconscious. It's definitely murder." "At least he wasn't aware of what was happening to him." Nick said. "I better get back to work." Nat gave a small shudder. "I suspect after tonight it's going to be a while before I can look at a hamburger again." She said. She caught Nick's slight smile at her words. "Understand that," Schanke said. "I think I'll stick to souvlaki for a while." He started down the hall. "Come on Nick, we'd better get over to Newcastle's place and hope that the man is at home and not over at Nat's." Nick reached out and gently squeezed Nat's shoulder. "If you want to stop by the loft afterwards to talk or unwind, I'd be more than happy to have you." He was rewarded by a gentle smile. "Thanks, I may take you up on that." Nat said. "Heaven knows I'm not going to be able to sleep right away." She knew that just being with him, pretending that the night before Valentine's Day had never happened would be painful, but she also knew that it would be worse if she went home and dwelled on this case. Just being with him always made her feel better. Giving him a final smile, Nat headed back to begin the autopsy. "Man, oh man what is this world coming to?" Schanke asked around a mouthful of souvlaki. "Seems like we're trying to outdo every other era in brutality." Schanke had prevailed upon Nick to stop at a small restaurant and was now eating his dinner, being extremely careful to not spill anything on the seats of Nick's beloved car. "Every age seems like that, Schanke." Nick said, his mind drifting back to memories of his life as a mortal. FLASHBACK The door to the cell opened and the prisoners all moved back against the farthest wall as several guards entered. Behind the guards, the local sultan strode into the cell; his fine white garments a vivid contrast to the ragged and filthy clothing of his prisoners. He carefully looked them over, and finally nodded in Nicholas' general direction. Nicholas felt his stomach lurch with fear as the guards approached. He nearly fainted with relief when then seized not him but the man standing just to his left. The man tried to resist his captors as they dragged him forward. The sultan looked at him, nodded, and then barked out an order. A moment later a large piece of wood was brought into the cell and placed in the center of the floor. The two guards forced the prisoner to his knees then bent him backwards so that his head was resting on the wooden block. Another order was barked out and Nicholas felt his eyes widen in horror as a hooded figure approached the terrified prisoner. As the torturer slowly lowered a white-hot poker toward the captive's eyes, Nicholas shut his own, unable to watch the man's blinding. As the man's scream's reached a fevered pitch and then abruptly stopped, Nicholas wished that he could have shut the sounds from his hearing as well. It was late that night when the blinded prisoner finally died. Nicholas had spent the day listening to the moans of the dying man and silently cursing the fate that had brought him to this place. He vowed that should he survive and once again know freedom, he would never again take his life for granted. He vowed that if he were to ever find a woman to truly love, he would cherish her and never let anyone, or thing, come between them. Nicholas fell into a fretful sleep, aware that his chances of ever knowing freedom or the joys of a loving wife were remote. END FLASHBACK End Part 2 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (3/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 Nick sat in the loft, watching the sunlight slowly lighten the room. Reaching for the remote, he lowered the blinds. The visit to Newcastle's home had been an exercise in sorrow. Mrs. Newcastle had answered the door and it had only taken a few moments to ascertain that Mr. Newcastle was indeed missing. When they'd told her the reason for their visit, only Nick's vampiric reflexes had enabled him to catch her as she fainted. When she'd come to, Mrs. Newcastle had provided them not only with the name of the dentist they used, but she'd phoned the man and made arrangements for Nick and Schanke to meet him at his office to get the dental records that Nat needed. Nick knew that Mrs. Newcastle was clinging to the frail hope that the body in the morgue was not that of her husband. They'd delivered the records to the morgue, and it had only taken Nat a few minutes to make a positive match with the dental work belonging to the corpse. Nick frowned as he remembered how pale and tired Nat had looked. He hoped that she would stop at the loft before she went home. 'I want to hold her and make her forget all the ugliness she's seen tonight. I want to fall asleep with her safe in my arms.' He thought. Nick knew that he didn't dare permit that to happen for fear that LaCroix would somehow know that he'd lied to him. 'I should leave, should have already left.' He mused glumly. But Nick knew that he couldn't leave. He needed to be near Nat, even if it was to only see her smile, and share a friendship with her. Somehow, without his intending it, she had become the center of his universe. He knew that without her, existence would be meaningless. The almost forgotten promise he'd made while a prisoner during the crusades, to never let anyone or thing come between him and his true love, had not counted on the revenge of a vampire. He had to keep her safe from LaCroix even if that meant denying the full expression of their love. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the lift's motor. He closed his eyes against the pain and joy that the sound of Nat's heart brought. Fixing a smile on his face, Nick rose and went to greet her. Opening the door, as the lift came to a halt, Nick could see the toll that this night's work had taken on Nat. Stepping from the lift, she turned her face to him meeting his gaze with eyes that still showed the horror of the autopsy she'd just performed. Nick found himself unable to resist pulling her into a gentle embrace. Nat sighed as she felt Nick's arms surround her. She laid her head against his chest, slowly relaxing in the comfort of his presence. She longed for him to hold her tightly, to soothe her with his touch and to enflame her with his kisses. She let her mind replay their one night together as she inhaled his scent and felt the coolness of his body beneath the thin, silk shirt her cheek rested upon. This friendly embrace was a poor substitute for the passionate embraces they'd shared, but Natalie accepted it with gratitude. At last she lifted her head and managed a smile. "Thanks, after that autopsy I needed this." She said softly. Nick held her tenderly, his cheek pillowed on the soft, silkiness of her hair. He inhaled the rich odor that was uniquely Natalie's, knowing that he would dream of it and of the way she'd met his passion with her own that one night before LaCroix had once again ripped the fabric of his happiness apart. When she raised her gaze to his, Nick looked down at her, his concern clearly visible. Carefully he kissed her forehead, fighting to control the almost overwhelming urge to taste the sweetness of her lips. "Isn't that what friends are for?" He asked, trying to maintain the illusion that they were nothing more to one another. Nat nodded, unable for the moment to speak. The urge to tell Nick that she remembered everything kept in check only by the fear that he would leave, to protect her, if she did so. Finally she managed, "Hope you have a good comedy to watch, I could sure use a laugh." Nick smiled, "I think I can find something suitable." He slipped his arm around her waist and they walked over to the couch. While Nat settled herself on the couch, Nick chose a cassette and put it in the VCR. He joined her on the couch just as the opening credits of one of Nat's favorite comedies began. Nick sat near her, just as he'd done before Valentine's Day and, as the movie progressed, Nat snuggled closer to him. He wrapped his arm about her shoulders, dropping a light kiss on the top of her head. Nat laid her head on his chest and it wasn't long before her slow, steady breathing told him she'd fallen asleep. Nat had watched the movie, without really seeing it. The horror of what a machine intended for crushing trash did to a human body was still too fresh in her mind. She was exhausted from the night's work and, when Nick slipped his arm around her, she was only too glad to relax into his embrace. The comfort and security she always felt in his arms gently lulled her senses, replacing the visions of horror with the memory of the pleasure she and Nick had shared. Her mind filled with the beauty of the night they'd spent together at her apartment, as she drifted into a healing slumber. Careful to not disturb her, Nick shifted slightly on the couch to a more comfortable position. With Nat soundly asleep, he allowed the pain in his heart to show on his face. Softly, he caressed her body as he rubbed his cheek against the silkiness of her hair. In his mind, he recalled the softness of her skin against his own and the wonderful feel of her body pressed tightly against his. Though they'd not completely consummated their love that night because of Nick's fear of losing control of the vampire, they had shared an intimacy that neither had dared hoped would happen. His perfect memory was both a blessing and a curse as it enabled him to recall each exquisite moment they'd spent together while at the same time mocking him with the knowledge that to repeat those actions meant risking Nat's death at LaCroix's hands. Nick tightened his hold on Nat and kissed her head. "I love you, Natalie Lambert, and I will never stop loving you," he whispered softly as he traced the soft curve of her jaw with his fingers. It was much later when the warmth of Nat's body in his arms and her scent filling his head finally soothed him enough to allow him to sleep. **************************************************** Amanda Cohen folded the newspaper and sighed. News of Allen Newcastle's death had produced exactly the media frenzy she'd feared. The editorial page was questioning how a man of his stature could have been so brutally murdered and asking exactly what the police were doing to apprehend his murderer. 'Of course how we're suppose to be able to pull the killer's name out of thin air is something they never bother explaining!' She mused. Rising, she walked out, her eyes scanning the bullpen, easily locating Knight and Schanke. She narrowed her eyes as she watched them. Two complete opposites, yet together the best team of detectives she'd ever seen. Schanke came across as somewhat crude, overbearing, and devoted to polyester and loud colors. Yet beneath that lay an incredibly skilled professional who could sense a snow job almost instantly. Knight was certainly quieter, in both his manner and dress, yet he too seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to knowing when a case just didn't add up. Of the two men, Knight was the harder to get to know. Cohen wondered if anyone, with the exception of Dr. Lambert, really understood just what made Nick Knight tick. That relationship was another puzzle. They were both single, with no romantic entanglements, and, to the careful observer, obviously deeply in love, but they always maintained a 'just good friends' façade. Putting these thoughts from her mind she approached the two detectives. "Any progress on the Newcastle killing?" Schanke and Nick exchanged glances. "Sorry, Captain, but so far this one is at a total standstill." Schanke admitted. "We've managed to trace Newcastle as far as leaving his office for the day. Somewhere, between there and his house, he was abducted, but nobody seems to have seen anything." "We're checking out recent clients, but so far everyone seems to have solid alibis for their whereabouts." Nick added, indicating a pile of case notes on his desk. He ran a hand through his hair, tousling it further. "So far, it just looks like a random killing." He added. Schanke nodded. "Yeah, Captain, it looks like Mr. Newcastle just happened to run into one the many crazies out there." Cohen sighed. "That may be, but it's up to us to find out which crazy and put them away before someone else has the misfortune to run into them," she said, giving each man a hard stare. With a brief nod of her head, she turned and headed for her office. Schanke and Nick watched her leave and Schanke gave a low whistle. "Man, I hate it when that happens." He muttered under his breath. He turned to Nick. "Thing is, for some reason I just don't think this IS a random killing." Nick raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Something catch your eye that makes you think that?" Nick knew that for all of Schanke's outward appearances, when it came to instinctively knowing when a case seemed 'off' his partner was as sharp as they made them. "Nah, nothing like that, just a feeling that I'm missing something important." Schanke said, with a frown. "I dunno, maybe I'm just imagining it." He stood and reached for his coat. "Come on, let's go get some dinner." Schanke said, heading for the door. Nick smiled, shook his head, and followed his partner out of the precinct. Schanke had just bitten into a large souvlaki with extra onion, when the call came from dispatch. "Eighty-one Kilo, report of a body at 2441 Bay Street near College Street. Coroner's office is on the way. Can you respond?" Nick glanced at Schanke who nodded. "Dispatch, this is Eighty-one Kilo. We are responding to the scene." Nick hung up the mike and started the Caddy's engine. Ten minutes later, they saw the multitude of flashing lights ahead indicating that they had arrived. As Nick parked the Caddy, he saw Nat getting out of her car a few feet farther down the street. Getting out of the car, the two men went over to her. Nat looked up as Nick and Schanke approached. "Hi, either of you have any idea what we've got?" She said. Nick shook his head. "Sorry, all dispatch had was that there was a reported body," he gave her a smile, "and that you were on the way." They headed toward the uniformed officer who was standing outside the door of a house. Showing him their identification, they went into a nicely furnished home. Another uniformed officer directed them to a study near the rear of the house. Nick paused briefly; he could smell blood and needed a moment to insure his control. Nat entered first. Her eyes quickly surveyed the scene. "What is going on?" She asked, shaking her head. Looking over her shoulder Schanke muttered, "I'm starting to think that we've got a month long full moon." Nick peered over her shoulder and felt his stomach roil. The victim was a middle-aged male. He was lying on his back in a pool of blood; his hands were lying about two feet from his body on a thick slab of wood. The axe that had been used to sever the hands was still embedded in the top of the slab. Schanke looked at the dead man. "Aw geesh! Another weirdo killing." He turned to the uniform officer near the door. "Okay, how'd we find out about this guy? It's not like he's lying in the middle of the street." Nick barely heard him. End Part 3 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (4/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 (Flashback) Nicholas blinked in the unaccustomed daylight. They'd been brought from the cells to a walled courtyard. In the center was a heavy wooden block. Dark stains covered the surface and grooves etched the top surface. Next to it was a brazier filled with glowing embers. Nicholas turned his face upward, wanting to feel the warmth of the sun's rays. Eyes closed, he stood quietly, until the sounds of wailing drew his attention back to the scene about to be played out before him. Several prisoners, all male and, from their looks, natives, were being dragged into the courtyard. Three of the prisoners were bound so that one hand was loose, but Nicholas noted that the loose hands had trailing ropes tied just above the wrists. The fourth prisoner had his arms tightly bound against his sides. One by one, the first three were dragged to the wooden block, forced to their knees, and their free arm pulled forward, until their hand was centered on the block. One of the Saracens then used a large, sharp sword to cut off the hand. A waiting assistant pulled a flat, red-hot piece of metal from the brazier and pressed the bleeding end of the now senseless victim's arms against it, sealing the blood vessels. The screams of the men and the scent of blood and burnt flesh sickened Nicholas. The fourth man was made to kneel. The man with the sword stepped in front of him and slightly to one side. The assistant stepped behind the man and prodded him in the back with the point of a sword. When the bound man arched his back to escape the sword, his head was also raised. At that moment, the man in front swung his sword and with a single stroke, sliced through the prisoner's neck, toppling his head from his body. Nicholas shut his eyes and tried to wipe the scene from his memory. (End Flashback) "Nick, hand me an evidence bag, would you?" Nat said, as she used tweezers to remove a small object from the puddle of blood in front of her. When Nick didn't respond or move she glanced up a saw the far away look in his eyes. Standing, she took a bag, dropped the small piece of what appeared to be metal in it, and sealed it. Quickly printing her name and the date and time on the bag, she put it down and then gently took Nick's arm. "Nick? This isn't a good time for you to zone out." She said softly while giving his arm a shake. Nick blinked and turned to Nat. "Sorry, this scene brought back some bad memories." He gave a wan smile, but his eyes were still haunted. Nat saw the pain in his eyes and wanted to wrap her arms around him, hold him tight and promise that nothing bad was ever going to hurt him again. 'And wouldn't THAT make Schanke's day?' she thought, remembering how he was always trying to find out just how close of a relationship she and Nick had. Instead she just gave his arm a small squeeze of sympathy. Nick covered Nat's hand with his own, grateful to still have her friendship, even if they could never share their love for one another. "I'd better see what Schanke's up to," he said, before turning away. Nat watched him walk away, then returned to the task at hand. She didn't know how to comfort him, and that hurt almost as much as seeing his pain. Looking at the body, she couldn't help but think that Schanke was right. Maybe there was some sort of month-long full moon. She turned to the corpse and continued her examination. Nick joined Schanke, who was scrutinizing the apartment. "What did you find out about how this was called in?" Nick asked. Schanke snorted, "Guy's next door neighbor heard a what sounded like a fight, followed by screaming. He looked out his window, saw a figure running away from the house and decided to see if the poor slob in there needed any help. Neighbor peeked in the side window, saw the axe and hands, and wasted no time calling the cops." Nick swore softly. "Damn! We couldn't have missed the perp by more than a few minutes." "That would agree with what I can see." Nat said walking over to them. "I'd put the time of death as being within the past hour, body is still warm." She held out a wallet. "This was in his back pants pocket. From that and the fact that nothing appears to be disturbed, I'd say this wasn't a robbery." Schanke took the wallet an opened it. There was at least $400.00 in cash in it, in addition to several credit cards. Schanke read the name on one card and let out a low whistle. "Oh man, the Captain is NOT going to like this, our victim is a judge. Judge Richard Clayborn, of the criminal court to be precise." Nat looked startled. "I didn't recognize him. The first case I ever testified in when I signed on here was in his court." She shook her head. "But the way he was killed makes me think of some of the punishments for theft that they still practice in some places. You know, cut off a hand so the criminal can't use it to steal again?" She saw the fleeting look of pain that flashed across Nick's face and wished she hadn't mentioned it. "Yes, I thought of that when I first saw it, too." He said. Nick watched as Nat drove off behind the hearse that contained Judge Clayborn's body. Schanke was already in the Caddy waiting to go back to the station. Getting in the driver's seat, Nick started the car and pulled away from the curb. He'd driven several blocks before he realized that his normally talkative partner hadn't uttered a single word. "Schanke? You're awfully quiet tonight." "Huh? Yeah, guess I am." Schanke said, distractedly. "I keep going over these weird murders. I still have a feeling that there is something right in front of our noses that we're missing." Nick could sense his partner's discontent. "Except that the last two victims were both in the legal profession, the other victims don't appear to have anything in common." Schanke nodded, "Yeah, but I still think I'm missing something." He glanced at his watch. "We've got just about enough time to get the paper work started before our shift ends." "We'd better get moving then." Nick said, pulling the Caddy into a parking space behind the precinct. His mind was still back at the crime scene. Just as they'd started to leave, they'd heard a woman's voice wailing outside. A moment later, a tall, well dressed woman, a few years younger than the judge, entered the house with an uniformed officer in close pursuit. "Where is Rick?" She implored as she glanced frantically about. "I'm sorry, this is a crime scene," Nick said, blocking her path, "you can't come in here." She fastened a wild-eyed look on Nick. "Please, you don't understand. I have to see Rick, Judge Clayborn." She begged. Nat stepped forward and gently took the woman's arm. "That isn't possible right now," she explained in a soft voice. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Judge Clayborn is dead." The woman pulled away from Nat, shaking her head, as if by denying it she could change reality. "I have to see him, to tell him how much I love him." She looked at the three people in front of her. "We've been in love for so long, but we've always just taken it for granted that we'd always be together." She began to sob. "I never told him how much I care, how much I need to be with him. Now, it's too late!" Her words still echoed in Nick's mind the parallel, with his own situation all to clear too him. He shook his head; he needed to concentrate on his work. Sunrise was only a few hours away. Two hours later, Schanke had already left for the morning, when Nick finally got the preliminary paperwork finished. Nick was getting ready to leave when he glanced up to see Nat approaching his desk, a slim folder in her hand. Reaching him, she smiled and dropped the folder on his desk. "Here's my preliminary report on Judge Clayborn. Cause of death: exsanguination due to trauma. Not much of a surprise." Nat sighed and continued. "The toxicology reports won't be back for a couple of days, but I'll be surprised if there is anything unusual in them." Nick glanced through the folder and then added it to the other paperwork on the case. Putting on his coat he asked, "You headed home?" He hoped she was and that she might consent to stopping by the loft. "I wish!" Nat replied. "Unfortunately two of the next shift's M.E.'s called in sick, so I get to pull a double shift." She walked with Nick toward the exit. Nick frowned; he could see the fatigue in Nat's eyes. Stopping, he put a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him. "Promise me that you'll leave your car in the lot and take a cab home. You shouldn't be driving if you're overtired." Nat looked at him, pleasantly surprised at his concern. "I'll be okay," she assured him. "If things aren't too hectic I'll grab a nap during this shift. Besides, if I leave my car here, how am I supposed to get it?" Nick stepped closer. "Take the cab. I'll drop by and bring you over to pick up your car." He tenderly brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "I'll worry about you all day if you don't promise." He softly cajoled, putting on his best puppydog face. Laughing softly, Nat agreed. "Okay, okay, you win! If I don't get a nap, I promise to take a cab home." She smiled, adding in a teasing voice. "Far be it for me to spoil your beauty sleep." She glanced at the clock. "You'd better get going or I'll be the one doing the worrying." Nick knew she was right. Sunrise was less than an hour away. "I'm going. I'll call you when I get up and see if you need a ride." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek, then left. Nat stood still, a soft, bittersweet smile on her face, and watched him go. ********************************************* (Approx. 1pm) Don Schanke tossed and turned as he drifted in and out of a restless sleep. He was tired, but his mind wouldn't let go of the feeling that there was something about the series of bizarre murders that he was missing. Lying in his bed, he could hear the voices of Jenny and her friends as they skipped rope outside in the driveway. He imagined how they looked, bundled up in winter coats against the chill weather, and smiled at their youthful innocence. The sounds were comforting and he'd nearly fallen back asleep when the words of one of the rope skipping chants penetrated his brain and brought him wide awake. All but jumping out of the bed, Schanke hurried to the window and opened it. "Jenny! Please come in for a minute I need to talk with you." Schanke called to his daughter. A moment later Jenny stood before him. "We didn't mean to wake you up, daddy." She said. Schanke hugged her. "You didn't, baby. I want you to tell me that little rhyme you were saying just before I called you. It may help me with some cases I'm working on." Jenny looked puzzled. "It's just a jump rope chant. Can that really help?" Schanke ruffled her hair. "It might sweetie. Tell me the words to the last part of it." Jenny shrugged, "Okay. Butcher, baker, beggerman, thief, doctor, lawyer and Indian chief." She looked at her father. "Is that what you meant?" Schanke smiled as the connection between the murders was made. "Oh yeah, that's exactly what I meant." He hugged Jenny again. "Thanks, you can go back to your friends now." Jenny smiled, kissed her dad, and ran off to play. Schanke moved to the phone and dialed the precinct's number. "Hi, McMurray? Don Schanke here. Listen I need you to look something up on the computer for me." End Part 4 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (5/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 Natalie parked her car and wearily climb up the steps to her apartment. She was bone tired and looking forward to several hours of uninterrupted sleep. Stifling a yawn, she unlocked her door and opened it. She'd just started inside when something hit her from behind, pushing her through the doorway and causing her to fall. Her purse and keys fell from her hands and she grunted as she felt someone pinning her to the floor. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a gray blur launch itself into the air. The sudden yell of pain from her attacker told her that Sydney's claws had found a mark. Nat struggled to get up. She heard her attacker curse, followed by a yowl from Syd as her attacker tossed the big gray tabby away from him and across the room. The sound of a gunshot close to her head caused her to flinch and it was with horror that she saw Syd jerk and then lie still, a small pool of blood forming beneath him. Her cry of dismay was cut short as her attacker clubbed her with the gun and she lost consciousness. Nick paced across the large, main room of his loft. He'd tried to sleep, but his dreams had been filled with images of losing Nat. After the third time he'd awakened, drenched in bloodsweat, he'd given up trying to sleep. Now, as he paced, he thought about the time he'd been a captive, of Nat and how much she meant to him, and about LaCroix's threat to her. Finally, just before sunset, he found himself at peace. He knew what he had to do. Smiling, he headed for the shower. Nick had finished his shower and was just finishing dressing when the phone rang. Listening as the machine picked up the call, Nick grabbed the receiver when he heard Schanke's voice. "I'm here, Schanke. What's up?" "Man I'm glad I caught you." Schanke said. "I think I've figured out these cases." After quickly explaining how Jenny's rope skipping chant had focused the odd feeling he'd had, Schanke added, "I had McMurray do some research for me today and all of the victims in these weird murders were someway related to a murder case several years back. A Mitchell Kratzworth was convicted of killing his girlfriend because he thought she was seeing another man. The first case, the guy who got fed to the meat grinder, was a key witness against the perp. The guy that got baked was the one that convinced Kratzworth that the girlfriend was playing around on him. Victim number three, Newcastle, was the guy's defense attorney, one of the few cases he lost, and guess who was the presiding judge?" "Clayborn." Nick said into the phone. "Okay, we've got the why, now all we have to do if figure out the who. Any chance that it might be Kratzworth?" "Nope, we're not that lucky. He's safely locked away." Schanke said. "There are only three others that could be considered vital players in his trial. The Crown's Attorney that prosecuted the case, Capt. Stonetree, who actually made the arrest, and the M.E. on the case." Schanke took a deep breath before continuing; he knew Nick was not going to like what he said next. " Kratzworth got life without parole because of the brutality of the murder, Nick. According to the accounts from the trial, and what Stonetree told me when I called to warn him he might be on a hit list, the jury gave him the maximum sentence because of the testimony of the M.E." Something in Schanke's voice had alerted Nick and he felt his stomach tighten at Schanke's next words. "Natalie was the M.E. If whoever is doing this is going after the major trial participants..." Schanke started. "Then Nat is most likely on his list." Nick said, his worry evident in his voice. "Have you called and warned her? If not, I'll do it." "Nick, you might want to run over to her place and check on her. I tried calling and just got her machine. I even tried having her paged, but she hasn't answered it." Schanke was concerned for both his friends. "If the killer is following that chant, then Nat is next on his list." Nick said, already slipping on his coat. "I'll head over to her apartment. I'll call you as soon as I know if she's there." Nick barely heard Schanke's response as he put down the phone and headed for the lift. Nat awoke with a headache to find herself in a dim room, coatless, and lying on a cold, metal surface. She could feel some sort of hard object under her head that elevated it somewhat. The air in the room was musty and had a somehow familiar scent to it. An attempt to get up led to the discovery that she was tied down to what ever it was she was laying on. As her eyes adjusted, she shivered, not only because of the cold but because she recognized her surroundings. She was in the morgue of the old medical examiner's building tied to an autopsy table. A sound to her left caused her to turn her head. She gave a small gasp as she found herself looking at a man holding a scalpel standing less than two feet from her. "I see you're awake, good." He said, grinning at her. Nat looked at the man, obviously her attacker, warily. He was about thirty-five years old and there was something familiar about him. She could see the raw redness where Sydney's claws had raked the man's cheek. She swallowed remembering her last view of Syd. "What do you want?" She asked. "Payment," he replied. His eyes narrowed and he approached her. "You shouldn't have made Mitch sound like such a bad person. Now you'll have to pay." Nat felt her stomach knot as he spoke and she realized of whom the man reminded her. She remembered Judge Clayborn and unwillingly trembled. "I only told the truth." She managed to say. "You were the reason he got life, and now you're going to pay for that with your life." He said, looming over her. "My pal Mitch didn't deserve to rot in jail because of that slut he killed." Nat was scarcely breathing as she watched the scalpel her captor held. Her mind was racing and she suddenly realized that all the victims of the series of bizarre murders had been somehow involved in Mitchell Allan's trial. She cried out in pain as her captor suddenly drew the scalpel down the front of her blouse, causing a thin line of blood to weal up on her chest. "You cut up people, and I'm going to cut you up." He said in a harsh whisper. "But not just now, I'll let you lie here and think about what is going to happen to you. This," he indicated the cut on her chest, "is just so that you'll know what to expect." He turned away, "Of course, dressed like you are, you may die from hypothermia before I get back tonight. Either way, I will have your life." He picked up the small lantern that was the only source of light in the room and left. It wasn't until Nat gasped that she realized she'd been holding her breath. In the blackness of the windowless morgue, she could feel the cold leeching the warmth from her body. Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes. Tears for poor Sydney, tears for the situation she was in, and most of all tears that she might never have a chance to tell Nick that she hadn't forgotten and that despite what had happened at Azure, she loved him more deeply than ever. 'If by some miracle I survive this,' Nat thought, 'I will not let one more day go by without telling Nick that I'm willing to take any risk to be with him.' She could feel herself shivering from the cold and knew that hypothermia was a definite risk. Compared with being autopsied while still alive, Nat couldn't help but view it as the most favorable. She knew that it would be hours before Nick tried to call her and even if he did call earlier, there would be no way for him to know where she was. She accepted that it would indeed take a miracle for her to be rescued. Nick drove over to Nat's apartment with the stick on flashing police light going. He'd tried to convince himself that she was just sleeping so soundly she hadn't heard her page, but in his heart he feared that was untrue. His dreams haunted him. He swore that if he found her at the apartment, he wouldn't leave until he fulfilled the promise he'd made while a captive. He would tell her of how he'd erased her memories and, if she'd still have him, never again let LaCroix or anyone else keep him apart from her. Pulling to a halt in front of Nat's building, Nick all but flew from the car to the stairs. In less than a minute he was standing in front of her door, his heart sinking as he was unable to detect her beloved heartbeat within. Using the key she'd given him after he'd broken in during one of her dates with Roger Jameson, Nick unlocked the door and entered. The scent of blood hit him in the face, causing his fangs to drop. Through a red haze he saw the scattered contents of Nat's purse and her keys on the floor in front of him. As his gaze found the source of the blood, his eyes returned to normal and he quickly crossed to where Sydney lay. Nick could make out the faint fast beat of the cat's heart. As he reached for Sydney, Nick's cell phone rang. "Knight." "Nick, where are you?" Schanke asked. "At Nat's,' Nick replied. "Schanke, she's not here, and from the looks of things, she didn't leave voluntarily." Schanke could hear the tension in his partner's voice. "Damn! I was afraid of that. Listen I think I know where our perp might have taken her. During the Kratzworth trial, the M.E.'s offices were still in the old building. It's abandoned now, but still standing. I'm taking a couple of squad cars and heading over there now." Schanke said. Schanke gave Nick the address of the building. "I'll be there as soon as I can." Nick responded. "There's a stop I have to make first." He disconnected and went to Nat's linen closet. Taking two large towels, he carefully lifted and wrapped Sydney in them. Hurrying back to the Caddy, Nick drove to an emergency animal clinic on Bloor, a few blocks away. Cradling the injured cat in his arms, Nick carried Sydney inside. A few minutes later, having reassured the staff via the presentation of a platinum credit card, that no matter how much it cost, they were to do everything in their power to treat the wounded animal, Nick headed back to his car. Sydney was in surgery, with no guarantee of success but at least Nick knew that he'd given the animal a chance. Pulling away from the clinic, Nick prayed that he'd have a second chance with Nat. End Part 5 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (6/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 Nat found herself drifting, the cold of the room pushing her closer and closer to unconsciousness. At first, she'd tried to keep alert by reciting various medical facts such as the names of the bones, muscles, and nerves that were in the hands. She did this aloud, not only because it helped her to focus, but from a need to hear a voice, even if it was only her own. This unfortunately also caused her throat to dry up and she began to desperately desire something to drink. As the hours passed, she found that it was more and more difficult to concentrate. As her body temperature fell, combined with the long double shift, it was almost impossible to not give in to the urge to sleep. She wasn't sure just how long she'd lain in the darkness, when she became aware of the faint sound of a voice calling her name. It took several attempts before she was, at last, able to croak out a response. Schanke had just sent the four uniformed officers that accompanied him to start searching the old, abandoned building when Captain Cohen arrived. "Anything so far?" Cohen asked. She liked the vibrant medical examiner and hoped that Schanke's hunch was going to pay off. "No, but we just started the search." Schanke replied. "I'm heading down to the basement. Man, I hope we find her." He turned and headed down the nearest set of stairs, training his flashlight on the area before him. The air was musty, and there was an underlying scent of decay. Schanke could see the faint, white wisps of his breath in the coldness that surrounded him. As he walked, he called out Natalie's name, pausing to listen for any response. Most of the doors he passed were already ajar, his light showing him empty rooms. At the end of the hall two large swinging doors still bore the word Morgue on them. "That explains the odor." Schanke muttered. He moved down the hall toward them. As he neared he froze, his heart rate increasing. Was that Natalie's voice? Hurrying he pushed open the door and approached the still form on the table. He sighed with relief as Natalie turned her head toward him. He grabbed for his radio. "Captain, I'm in the morgue. I've found her! She's alive!" Nat managed to focus her eyes on the approaching figure and, when she recognized Schanke, a sense of deliverance washed over her. She could feel tears slipping from her eyes, as she whispered his name. Schanke's presence was comforting. She told him about being hit on the head by her attacker and coming to here in the morgue. All the time she was speaking, she searched for the sight of Nick. Straining, she sought to see past Schanke, into the darkness, wondering where Nick was. "Schanke," she asked, as he undid the straps holding her on the table, "where's Nick?" "He's on his way, Natalie. He said he had a stop to make before he could come here." Schanke said, helping Natalie off the table and steadying her. Nat was silent, her heart aching as she wondered if The Raven and Janette were the stop Nick was making. 'You don't have any claim on him.' She silently told herself. 'Maybe what he told LaCroix was true. Maybe all I am to him is a means to an end.' She barely noticed when Schanke draped his coat over her shoulders. She raised her head only when the sound of footsteps approaching the morgue reached her ears. The cluster of flashing police lights had identified the building as soon as the Caddy rounded the corner. Nick had pulled it over to the curb and rushed into the open front doors. Just inside, he'd spotted Amanda Cohen and headed in her direction arriving at her side just as Schanke's voice filled the air. Seeing the release of tension in Knight's face as he heard the good news, Cohen smiled as she watched Nick hurry toward the stairs. Moving a bit slower than the handsome detective, she followed. Nick took the stairs two at a time. His heart was singing with relief. All but running down the dark corridor, he burst into the old morgue. His eyes immediately found Nat, looking lost in Schanke's coat as she stood beside him. He was aware of Schanke telling him that Nat was okay and that her attacker had knocked her out when abducting her. Nick hurried to her, stopping just in front of her. His hand was shaking as he reached out and lovingly caressed her face before enveloping her in his arms. He crushed her soft body to his, as he buried his face in her hair. "Nat, oh God, Natalie." Nick murmured against her face. He could smell her blood and, as his hand pressed her head to him, his fingers felt the telltale texture of dried blood on her scalp. The knowledge that some stranger had dared to hurt her, had intended to kill her, sent a wave of rage through Nick. Nat saw the look of pure relief that washed over Nick's features as he entered the morgue. The soft touch of his hand on her face was a balm to her. When she found herself held in his firm embrace, hearing him murmur her name over and over, the knot of uncertainty about his love that had formed in her chest melted and she pressed her body against his. It was several minutes before Nick eased his hold on her enough for her to raise her head to look at him. To her surprise, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her with a tender passion that caused her to sway in reaction. "Nat, when I got to your apartment and found you missing and saw Sydney," Nick had to pause as emotion choked his voice. Mention of her apartment caused Nat to start crying. "Oh, Nick, why'd he have to kill Sydney? He was just a cat." Nick took her face in both his hands. "Sydney's alive Nat, that's why I was late getting here. I dropped him off at the animal emergency clinic." Nick saw the hope that came into her face. "He is badly hurt and the doctor said that he couldn't promise anything, but Sydney has a chance." Nat closed her eyes, overwhelmed by her emotions. Her relief over Sydney matched by joy that Nick's errand had nothing to do with Janette. She slipped her arms around Nick's waist and rested her head against his chest. All this combined with the ordeal she'd been through and Nick's sudden overt show of affection in front of Schanke, caused her mind to reel. Cohen entered the morgue in time to see Knight pull Natalie Lambert into an embrace. She motioned Schanke to her side and together watched the obviously happy reunion. Finally, albeit regretfully, Cohen approached the couple and cleared her throat to get their attention. When they both looked at her, Knight never releasing his hold on Dr. Lambert, she spoke. "I am sorry to interrupt, but I think it would be a good idea to get Dr. Lambert somewhere warmer than this place. Also, we still haven't got her abductor, so arrangements for her safety have to be considered." Nick tightened his arm about Nat. "She'll stay with me, at the loft. My security system is better than anything we could have at a safe house." Nick glanced at Cohen suddenly remembering who was in charge. "That is, if it's okay with you." He said to her. Cohen smiled. "It sounds like a good idea. I don't have the manpower to assign an uniformed officer full time to this, but I can arrange for extra sweeps by your location." She looked at Nat. "Dr. Lambert, I know that this has been an ordeal for you, but if there is anything you can tell us that might assist in capturing this man, it would be of help." Nat managed to straighten, "I don't know his name and Schanke obviously has figured out that this involves the Mitchell Kratzworth case. I do think that I saw him in the courtroom during my testimony." She paused, trying to remember what the man has said. "He called him 'my pal, Mitch.' Nat said. "He's about five-nine, medium build with short, dark brown hair. I think his eyes were brown, too. No beard or mustache and no distinguishing scars that I recall." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh, Sydney scratched his face! I remember seeing the lines from the scratches on his left cheek. Four parallel lines from just below his left eye to about mouth level." This time Cohen did grin, although it held little warmth. "Good, that will make him easier to identify if we can get a lead on exactly who he is." "Captain, I think I might know who we're looking for," Schanke said. "When I was going over the trial notes, I came across a mention of a Bill Malby. Malby was known to be a close associate of Kratzworth 's. Might be an idea to check and see if there are any photos of him that Natalie could take a look at." Cohen nodded, "Good idea. If there are, you can take them over to Knight's." She said to Schanke. Turning back to Nick she added, "As of now, Dr. Lambert's safety is in your hands. See to it that nothing harms her." Nick favored Cohen with a smile, "You can count on that, Captain." A few minutes later, having exchanged Schanke's coat for Nick's, Nat was seated beside Nick in the Caddy. Nat sat silently, wondering how Nick was going to react to the news that she remembered all that had happened during Valentine's Day. She hoped that he would understand her fears and forgive her for deceiving him by allowing him to think her memory of the events had been erased. After they had driven a few blocks, a puzzled expression crossed her face. "Nick, this isn't the way to the loft." "I know, I thought we'd make one stop before I take you there." He said as he pulled the car into a parking lot. "I figured we'd check on Sydney." Nat again felt tears threatening. "Thank you. I will rest better if I have some idea of how he's doing." Nick helped her from the car and kept a protective arm around her as they entered the animal clinic. He hoped that the news would be good. The smile on the face of the woman at the desk made his mood lighten. "Hello, Mr. Knight. I was just getting ready to phone you." She greeted him. "Your cat is really something. Dr. Anders finished up the surgery on him about fifteen minutes ago. Somehow, the bullet missed everything vital so, barring any unforeseen complications, Sydney should be good as new in a few weeks time. He will need to stay here, for observation, for at least two or three days." Nat felt as if a heavy weight had been removed from her shoulders. "I don't suppose I could see Sydney?" She asked. Nick explained, "Sydney isn't my cat. This is his owner. I just found him and brought him here." The clinic worker looked at Nat and smiled. "Just let me check with Dr. Anders. I do have to warn you that there are some nasty looking stitches on Sydney right now." Nat smiled. "I'm a doctor, it won't bother me." Nodding, the woman disappeared for a minute. When she returned, a gentle looking older man was accompanying her. Smiling he took Nat's hand. "I'm Dr. Anders. Your cat is going to be just fine, I think. Come along and I'll fill you in on his injuries while you say hello to him." As Nat stroked a very groggy Sydney's head, Nick explained just how Sydney had come to be injured and Dr. Anders quietly told them all that he'd had to do to ensure the cat's survival. When he'd finished his narrative, he added, "That is a very extraordinary cat." Nick, standing behind Nat, slipped his arms around her waist. "He takes after his mistress." He said, as Nat leaned against him. The soft smile she gave him made him realize, again, just how much he'd nearly lost today. When the handsome couple left a few minutes later, Dr. Anders sighed. It wasn't often that you saw two people so deeply in love as they obviously were. As they walked back to the car, Nat snuggled against Nick, his words to Dr. Anders warming her. At the car, she turned and rose on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Nick smiled, "What was that for?" "Just because." Nat said, looking lovingly at him. She was surprised, although pleased, when he pulled her into an embrace and kissed her deeply. As she gave herself to the kiss, she could feel her desire for him ignite. When they separated, Nat found that she had to lean on him for support, her legs felt as if they were made of jelly. Nick held Nat gently, listening as her heart rate gradually slowed. He wanted to carry her back to the loft and spend the rest of the night, the next day, and forever making love to her. He knew, however, that she was near the end of her physical reserves. "Nat, let's get you to the loft. You need to rest." He said, as she stood in his embrace, her head on his chest. "Yeah, now that you mention it, I am a bit tired." Nat said, pulling slightly away from him. She allowed him to seat her in the car and, as they headed for the loft, closed her eyes. End Part 6 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (7/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 Nick pulled into the garage and turned off the motor. He looked at Nat, sound asleep in the seat next to him and smiled. Moving as quietly as possible he got out of the Caddy and went to the passenger side. Opening the door, he undid the seat belt and eased Nat into his arms. When she stirred slightly, he rubbed her arm and murmured soothingly to her. She pillowed her head on his shoulder and quieted. Carrying her, Nick stepped outside and, having made sure no one else was around, took to the air, dropping through the open skylight to land lightly on loft's balcony. Going to the bedroom, he placed Nat on the bed. Holding her easily with one arm, he slipped his coat off of her and laid her down. He had just removed her shoes and was preparing to cover her sleeping form with a blanket when his eyes were drawn to the dark stain on the top of Nat's blouse. Looking closer he realized that the blouse had been cut and his nose told him that the stain was her blood. Sitting carefully on the bed beside her, he stroked her hair while his mind again raged in anger at whoever had done this to her. Leaning forward Nick kissed her softly on the lips and murmured, "Never again, Nat. I'll never let anyone hurt you again." For almost two hours he sat there, gazing at her while she slept, leaving only when his keen hearing detected the sound of the lift motor. As Nick reached the bottom of the stairs, Schanke was getting off of the lift. "Where's Nat?" Schanke asked. "She's asleep upstairs," Nick explained. "She fell asleep in the car on the way over." He indicated the large manila envelope in Schanke's hand. "That the photo of Kratzworth 's friend?" "Yeah, and get this, friend Malby got out of prison about three weeks ago." Schanke said. "I know this has been rough on her, but the sooner we can positively identify her attacker the sooner she'll be safe." Nick nodded. "I know. I'll go up and tell her that you're here." "S'okay, I'm awake." Nat said as she started down the stairs. Reaching the bottom she gave Nick a gentle smile before turning to Schanke. "Let's see if this is the same man." She said, extending her hand for the envelope. Taking it, she went to the couch and sat. Nick moved to sit beside Nat, wanting to be there, should the photos upset her. As she removed them from the envelope and looked at them, Nick could hear her heartbeat increase and he saw her stiffen slightly. "That's him. This is definitely the person that shot Sydney and kidnapped me." Nat said in a voice that only quivered slightly. Nick took the photos from her and looked at them, committing to memory the features of the person shown in them. After a moment, he replaced them in the envelope and handed the package back to Schanke. That done he again put his arm around Nat. He could feel her relax as she leaned against him. "Great, I'll have copies sent to every patrol unit." Schanke said. He'd noticed the stain on her blouse and it only deepened his determination to catch Malby. "Don't worry, Natalie, we'll find him." Schanke eyed the protective way Nick held Natalie in his arms. "I know that Nick won't let anything happen to you." Nat blushed, but didn't budge from where she was. "Schanke, with all the commotion earlier, I didn't have a chance to thank you. Malby told me when he left that he'd be back sometime tonight. If you hadn't found me when you did..." The horror of what had awaited her at Malby's hands overcame Nat, causing her to tremble. Schanke leaned down and took her hand in his. "Just finding you alive and unharmed was thanks enough for me." He said, smiling. "I'd better get these out on the street." With a nod to Nick, he left the loft. Nat watched as the lift door closed behind Schanke. She was still shaking, partly from reaction to seeing Malby's picture, partly from hunger and fatigue. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of Nick's arms about her. Gradually, the trembling eased. "Sorry, I guess seeing his face again was a bit much." She said, turning to look at Nick. Nick kissed her on the forehead. "I promise you, Nat, I'll keep you safe." He saw the way her face relaxed at his words. His own need to feed reminded him that she must be hungry, too. "Why don't you go back upstairs and take a nice, hot shower while I order you in some Chinese food?" His eyes crinkled as he added. "I'll even lend you a pair of pajamas and a robe." Nat couldn't help but smile. The thought of a hot shower followed by a hot meal sounded heavenly. "That is the best offer I've had all day." She stood and Nick walked her back upstairs. There he handed her a pair of his black silk pajamas. Making sure that she had everything she needed for her shower, Nick returned downstairs and ordered in some food. While waiting for it to arrive, Nick poured himself a glass of his own preferred comestible. As he drank, his mind wandered to imagining sliding his hands along Nat's soap slicked body. Her full breasts soft beneath his touch, the warmth of her skin like a gentle sun against his own. When the doorbell sounded, he started roused from his pleasant dreams. Checking via the video camera that it was, indeed, the usual delivery person from Nat's favorite Chinese restaurant, Nick buzzed the man inside. He'd just finished setting the various cartons of food out on the coffee table in front of the couch, when Nat came down the stairs. Nick stood for a moment just drinking in the sight of her. She'd washed her hair and it floated about her like a chestnut colored cloud. She looked almost waif like in his robe, her bare legs showing that the pajama bottoms had obviously been too large for her. The sleek blackness of the silken top framed the creamy white column of her throat and plunged downward toward her full breasts. The thin red line of the cut Malby'd inflected stark against the paleness of her skin. Going to her, Nick gently laid his fingers on it. "A part of me wants to say the hell with the law and deal with the animal that did this to you in my own way," he said. "But I know that you wouldn't want that, so I will let the law handle this." Nat smiled at him, her heart full. "I'm okay, really, but thank you for being my knight in shining armor." Nick laughed. "Well, the armor is a bit rusty these days, and it was always damn uncomfortable." He indicated the food. "Come on, you need to eat that while it's still hot." Slipping his arm about her waist he walked with her to the couch. Nat sat and began to open the various cartons. Nick had remembered her favorites and it looked like he'd ordered them all. "Nick, I can't possibly eat all this." She protested. "I wanted to be sure that I got something you'd like." He looked at the number of cartons. "I guess I did go a bit overboard." He confessed. Nat nodded, and began eating. When she finished, she helped Nick clear away the cartons, then they returned to the couch. Snuggled against Nick's side, Nat quietly told him all that had happened that day. As she spoke of Malby's plans, plans interrupted only by Schanke's deduction of where she might be being held, she felt Nick tighten his arms around her. "I owe Don Schanke my life." She finished, softly. Nick laid his head against her silky curls. "We both owe him." He turned Nat to face him. "I have something I need to talk to you about." He said seriously. Nat looked into his worried eyes. "Okay. I, well I have something I need to tell you, too." Nick took a deep breath. "I did something a few weeks ago that, at the time, I thought was the right thing to do. Now, I realize that I was mistaken." Nat gave him a gentle smile. "Are you talking about 'erasing' my memory of what happened on Valentine's Day?" The look on Nick's face told her she was correct. "It didn't work. That's what I wanted to tell you." "You acted like it had. Why?" Nick asked. "I was afraid," she said. "Not so much of LaCroix or even of being brought across, but afraid that if you knew it hadn't worked you would leave thinking to protect me." Her voice trembled. "Nick, I don't think I could stand it if you were gone." Nick pulled her tightly against him. "At the time, I might have done just that," he said, "but since then I've realized that I can no more live without you in my life than I can walk out in the noon sun." He tilted her face toward his. "I told you that night before Valentine's Day that I loved you. I love you even more today." His lips found hers and he felt her respond to his questing tongue. With growing passion he probed the soft recesses of her mouth, as he felt her body melt against his. He could smell her arousal and it fanned the flames of his own. At last he broke the kiss. Looking at Nat's flushed face; he could see the love and desire she felt for him. He could also see the toll the past hours had taken on her. "I want you, Nat. Today, tomorrow and forever, but right now I think you need rest more." Nat could feel her heart gradually slowing back down. She knew that Nick was right. As much as she wanted to make love to him, her body was screaming for rest. "I want you too, Nick. But you're right. At this moment I don't think I'd be a very energetic lover." Nick stood and pulled her to her feet. "Well, since you need rest and since I didn't rest well myself today, I think that we should both go upstairs and go to bed." He waited to be sure that his sharing the bed with her was acceptable to her. Nat grinned. "That sounds like a wonderful idea." She giggled. "I even left you the bottoms." She said indicating the silk top she wore. Sobering, she asked. "Why didn't you rest? Was it whatever was bothering you last night at Judge Clayborn's?" Nick looked somber. "That was a part of it. It reminded me of a time before I became what I am now and of a promise I made myself that I almost let fear cause me to break. Come on, I'll tell you a bedtime story and I think that it's even going to have a happy ending." Arm in arm they went up stairs. Once in bed, Nat's head pillowed on Nick's shoulder, he told her of his experience as a captive during the crusade. As he spoke of the horrors that he'd seen Nat wrapped her arms about him in comfort. When he finished, Nick was surprised at how much better he felt. "I've never told anyone about that before. I'm glad that I finally have." He said. Nat hugged him to her. "Thank you for telling me." Her heart ached for the pain Nick had suffered, even if it had occurred nearly 800 years ago. "I wish that you'd never had to go through any of that." She said. Nick kissed her. "That all happened long ago. My mistake was to abandon my promise to never let anything or one keep me apart from the woman I love. I almost let LaCroix do that. I realized that yesterday." Nick glanced at Nat and saw the loving smile she gave him. He could also see her eyelids drooping with sleepiness. Softly kissing and caressing her, he watched as she slipped peacefully into slumber. Closing his eyes, feeling the warmth of her in his arms, Nick, too, slept. **************************************************** End Part 7 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (8/9) By Nightlady (c) 1999 Nick opened his eyes, all of his senses thrumming. He could sense that it was sometime close to midday. In his arms, Nat slumbered peacefully, the tangled mass of her hair spread out against the pillow. The sound of her heart filled Nick's ears even as her scent filled his head and caused him to harden with desire. Nick lay still, listening and searching with his vampiric abilities for what had brought him out of his own slumber. The fact that the sun was high in the sky indicated that the disturbance was most likely mortal, not vampiric, and Nick did not sense the presence of another of vampire. Carefully, he eased from the bed and silently went downstairs. At the foot of the stairs Nick paused, the main room in darkness before him. Nick sensed the mortal's presence at the same time he heard the soft click of the protective blinds' motor. As bright sunlight began to flood the loft, Nick darted to cover under the stairs; squinting against the unaccustomed brilliance as he tried to locate the intruder. It was only when the intruder moved that Nick's hearing allowed him to locate exactly where the intruder was. Nick cursed as he realized the intruder was on the other side of the stairs that were his only protection from the sun. "Ya know I'd heard rumors that you had some sort of weird sun allergy," the male voice said, "guess either they were true or you're some sort a big coward." A harsh laugh followed the words. "Well, that's okay either way. You just stay put while I finish my business upstairs." Nick took a deep breath struggling for control. The thought of this 'creature' anywhere near Nat not only sickened him, but also filled him with a cold rage. That, combined with his instinctive fear of the sunlight, caused the vampire to emerge. Hearing Malby's footsteps as he ascended the stairs, Nick roared with rage. He started out from his safe sliver of darkness and roared again, this time in agony as the hot rays of sunlight burned into the skin of his bare upper body. Despite the pain he shouted, "Nat! Lock the door! It's Malby!" Nat sat up, unsure of what had awakened her. When she heard Nick's bellow of pain she called out anxiously. "Nick? What's wrong?" Hearing footsteps approaching the doorway, she turned expecting to see Nick enter. Malby's form filled the doorway just as she heard Nick's warning shout. Scrambling from the bed she frantically looked about for some sort of weapon. Her fingers grazed a heavy candlestick when Malby grabbed her and threw her screaming to the floor. The sound of Nat's scream made Nick again attempt to reach her. His already injured skin felt like slivers of glass were being driven into it. So great was his pain; he almost didn't hear the heartbeat approaching him from behind. "Schanke! Malby's upstairs with Nat!" He managed to growl, carefully keeping his head turned so that his mortal partner would not see the charred skin of his chest or his red, glowing eyes and descended fangs. Schanke launched himself up the stairs, gun drawn. He reached the door in time to see Malby, having pinned Natalie on the floor beneath him, raise a large knife over his head. "Police! Don't move or I promise you I'll blow your head off!" Schanke yelled. When the man didn't stop, Schanke fired. Malby stiffened then slumped to one side. Hurrying over, Schanke pulled him completely off Natalie then knelt and checked for a pulse. "Did he hurt you?" He asked Natalie as he did this. " No, I'm fine. What about him, Schanke?" Nat questioned. "The s.o.b.'s still breathing," Schanke replied. "I'll call for an ambulance. You better get downstairs and let Nick know you're okay before he hurts himself." Nat pause only long enough to hug Schanke, then hurried out of the door. Seeing the open blinds she scanned the room for the remote as she descended the stairs locating it on the mantle. Grabbing it, she hit the button to lower the blinds, then turned to find Nick. As soon as the blinds began to block out the sun's rays, Nick moved out from his sanctuary. Seeing Nat, he moved to her side, enfolding her in his arms and holding her tightly against him. Shame for being unable to go to her assistance filled him. To his amazement, he heard her soft voice worrying over his injuries. "I should have been able to stop him." Nick said miserably. " I promise you I wouldn't let him harm you. I let you down." Nat reached up to lightly stroke the still reddened skin of Nick' face. "You tried. I woke up when I heard you. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew that you were in pain." She looked into his eyes. "If you'd tried to reach me, the sunlight would have killed you. There wasn't anything you could do." After a minute, Nick nodded accepting the truth of Nat's words. "Malby?" he asked. Even the man's name cause flecks of gold to appear in Nick's eyes. "Schanke shot him. He's still alive. Schank's calling for an ambulance and backup." Nat said, as she clung to Nick. She suddenly realized how she was dressed. "I think we'd better go upstairs and get some clothes on before they arrive." She said with a slight blush. "I'll go and bring some down for you." Nick quickly interjected. He didn't want her to have to go near Malby again. He kissed her and disappeared up the stairs. In his bedroom, he found Schanke hanging up the phone. "Schanke, I don't know how to thank you. You saved Natalie's life, not only last night, but here, too." Nick began awkwardly. The smell of Malby's blood filled the air but, as much as his injured body craved blood, the thought of feeding from the vile man sickened Nick. Schanke took in the angry redness of Nick's face and chest. 'Man, he really is allergic to the sun!' he thought. He smiled at Nick. "You really want to know how to thank me?" he asked. At Nick's nod he continued. "Put yourself, Natalie, and everyone else around you two out of their misery and stop playing this 'we're just good friends' game." He chuckled at Nick's startled expression. "My friend, the whole precinct and morgue crew have known for a long while that the two of you are crazy about each other. Take a lesson from all this; life is too short to waste. If you love someone tell them and if the feelings are mutual, do something about them." Nick smiled, "That I can do." He silently vowed that he'd find some way to add to his thanks. 'I'm sure the deBrabant Foundation can ensure a scholarship for Jenny,' Nick thought. He moved toward the closet. "Nat suggested that meeting the ambulance crew in more appropriate attire was in order." Nick said as he grabbed jeans and a shirt for himself and a set of sweats for Nat from the closet. Stepping into the bathroom, he quickly dressed, grabbed socks for both of them from the drawer and their shoes from the floor, and then hurried down the stairs. Nat had sunk down onto the leather couch when Nick left. Reaction to the events upstairs causing her legs to suddenly seem unwilling to support her. A part of her fretted that, as a doctor, she ought to see if there was anything she could do for Malby. She shoved those feelings aside. Perhaps it was unethical, but she could not find it in her to help the man. Instead, she went to the kitchen and took a bottle of blood from the fridge. Getting a large opaque glass she poured it full. She knew that Nick was going to need to feed because of his injuries. She turned her head as Nick came back down the stairs. Gratefully accepting the sweats and other clothes, she handed him the glass before she stepped into the downstairs bathroom. In a few moments she emerged, feeling a bit steadier. She noted that Nick had already finished the bottle she'd opened and was almost finished with a second bottle. The sound of sirens outside the loft indicated the arrival of the medics and the other police that would be investigating the shooting. Nat took the now empty glass from Nick and rinsed it out in the sink while he disposed of the bottles. Less than ten minutes later the ambulance pulled away carrying Malby, with an uniformed officer to guard him, to the hospital. Schanke, Nick, and Natalie spent the next hour and a half relating their individual versions of the events that led to the shooting. It was with relief on all three of their parts that the investigators from I.A. indicated that, in their opinions, not only had Schanke not broken any departmental regulations but also would most likely be in line for a commendation. When at last everyone had gone, Nick started a fire in the fireplace and then sat on the couch. Nat joined him there, kicking off her shoes and tucking her legs beneath her. Nick encircled her shoulders with an arm as Schanke, in the adjacent chair, explained what had happened. "I just happened to be going past your place," Schanke said, "and noticed that the outside door was ajar." He chuckled as he saw Nick raise an eyebrow and Nat's look of skepticism. "Okay, so I was over here on purpose," he conceded. "Nat said that Malby had told her he was coming back to the morgue later and, when he didn't show up there, I started wondering if maybe he'd been around somewhere when we were there. I started worrying that he'd managed to trail the two of you back here, so I decided to drive on over an make sure everything was okay." "It's a good thing that you did." Nick said. "If you hadn't shown up when you did, well, I don't want to think about what might have happened." "Hey, it didn't happen so don't be dwelling on the 'what ifs'," Schanke said. "Anyway, when I got to the door I heard you yelling up here. The rest you know." He glanced at his watch. "Man, I better get on home. I need to at least change clothes before I go in tonight." He stood and picked up his coat. "I'm taking the night off," Nick said. "I'm going to follow your earlier advice." Schanke grinned. "That's great! Best of luck to you, not that you're gonna need it." Nat had also stood. Going to Schanke she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, again. Myra is a lucky woman to have you, Schanke." Schanke reddened, slightly embarrassed. "Hey, do you know how hard it is to find, much less break in a good M.E.?" he joked as he put on his coat. Nick walked him to the lift and could hear Schanke humming as it descended. End Part 8 All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady THIS IS THE ADULT VERSION Please see Part 1 for disclaimers Forgotten Promise (9a/9 By Nightlady (c) 1999 Turning around, Nick saw Nat just hanging up the phone. "Just checking on Sydney," she said, smiling. "He's doing fine and the vet thinks I can take him home in a couple of days." Nat's happiness drew an answering smile from Nick. "We can run over to the clinic after the sun goes down and pay Syd a visit." He said. "That would be nice." Nat said. She hesitated, then looked into Nick's eyes. "Just what advice did Schanke give you that you are planning on taking?" she asked. Nick looked at her in a way that made her insides feel like they were melting. She felt her breath quickening as he reached out and caressed her cheek. As he lowered his mouth to hers, her pulse began to race. Nick tasted the sweetness of Nat's lips. "Schanke said," he kissed her forehead, "that if you love someone you should tell them," he kissed her eyes, "and if the feelings are mutual, do something about them." Nick looked deep into Nat's soft, blue eyes. " I know that I've told you this before, but it's worth saying again. I love you Natalie Lambert, with ever fiber of my being." Nat smiled, "And I love you, Nicholas deBrabant Knight. More than I ever thought it was possible to love anyone." She gave him a mischievous grin. "So what do you plan to do to follow Schanke's advice?" Nick grinned back at her. "This," he said as he drew her close and covered her mouth with his. His tongue probed gently and he felt her lips part, granting him entrance. Slowly, he caressed her tongue, drawing it into his mouth and sucking gently on it. His hand slid down her back to the soft curve of her butt. He squeezed it and pulled her hips against his. His other hand was tangled in her hair, the silky curls wrapped around his fingers. He felt Nat's hands on his back as she pressed against him. His cock was already hardening and he ached to bury it deep within her moist folds. Nat moaned as Nick caressed her. Her senses were reeling from the intensity of his kiss. Eagerly she met his tongue and then explored the sweetness of his mouth with hers. Running hers along his teeth she heard his intake of breath and felt his hardness pressing against her as she stroked her tongue along his fangs. Needing to breathe, she broke the kiss and looked up into his eyes. She saw the flecks of gold that were swimming in their crystal blueness and the look of concern that Nick gave her. Smiling she snuggled closer to him. "I'm not afraid of you, Nick. I know that you will never hurt me." She told him. Her words gave Nick the confidence he needed and he hungrily sought her mouth again. Kissing her deeply, he slid his hands up under the sweat top she wore, moving them slowly across her back, then along her sides. Breaking the kiss, he turned Nat in his arms, nuzzling into her hair with his lips while his hands came to rest on each of her soft, warm breasts. Cupping them, Nick gently massaged each while lightly running his thumbs across the hardening nipples. He felt Nat arch back against him, pushing her bosom ever more firmly into his grasp. Nat moaned with pleasure as Nick's hands stroked and caressed her breasts. Turning her head, she planted soft kisses on the side of his face before moving down along his jaw and then to his neck. She felt his penis throb as her mouth found the sensitive area where the veins were closest to the surface. A low growling sound, deep in his chest warned her that the vampire was struggling for release. She didn't care. She was determined to be united with Nick and she was confident that their love for one another would protect her. She reached behind Nick with her hands, and fondled the firm cheeks of his butt, pulling his hips, and his hardness tightly against her. Wontedly she rubbed up and down against him, feeling his hands tightening on her breasts and hearing his breath grow ragged as she did so. Nick felt as if he was going to explode with the sensations that Nat was causing to course through his body. He wanted to see and feel all of her body, not just the small area that his hands could cover. Releasing her breasts, he grasped the bottom of the sweat top and tugged upward. Nat groaned in disappointment when Nick released her breasts, but then smiled as she realized why he'd done so. Releasing his butt, she lifted her arms allowing him to pull the top off of her. Turning she faced Nick, her full breasts freed from all covering. Nick leaned forward and tenderly kissed her lips, moving slowly downward to her throat. There he paused, licking and sucking gently while Nat writhed and moaned in bliss. He could feel the pulse of her blood as it ran just below the skin, and that combined with the scent of it, caused him to harden to an almost painful degree. His velvety soft lips continued to move downward reaching the top of the thin, red line of the wound that Malby had inflected. Ever so carefully, not wanting to hurt Nat, Nick softly kissed the healing wound. At last, he reached her breasts and took one hard nipple into his mouth. Sucking on it, at first gently but then with increasing ardor, he rolled his tongue across its sensitive surface, smiling as he felt the effect it had on his beloved. Nat gasped as Nick's cool mouth surrounded her nipple. She could feel tremors from his action that seemed to go directly to her womb. Between her legs she could feel her juices flow, dampening the sweat pants that covered her most private areas. Her own hands were busy undoing the buttons of Nick's shirt and then sliding it off his shoulders to drop unheeded on the floor. She ran her fingers across his smooth, firm chest, the feel of his cool skin adding to her excitement. The overwhelming urge to have him naked before her caused her to swiftly undo his belt and unfasten the waistband of his jeans. Carefully, she eased the zipper past the bulge of his manhood, which was now straining against the material that confined it. While she was doing this, Nick kicked off his shoes, never stopping the ministrations of his mouth and hands on her body. As Nick's jeans fell to his ankles, Nat hooked her thumbs into the waist of the silk briefs he wore beneath them. Tugging, she slid them over his hips and then released them. Freed from the cage of Nick's clothing, his swollen cock stood upright, away from his body. Nat's eyes widened as she looked at him and a smile graced her lips. Nat could see the pinkish lubricating fluid that was already leaking from its tip. She also noted that Nick was thicker and longer than she'd thought from what she could feel through his clothing. She grinned at Nick as she felt her own juices gush at the thought of his hardness deep inside her. Nick at last released Nat's breasts and pulled her tightly against him. The warmth of her skin against his manhood sent shivers of delight through him. Cradling her against him with one arm, he ran his other hand down her bare stomach and inside her pants. Reaching the wiry curls of her pubic hair and the sensitive core they covered, he rubbed his hand in slow circles on her as she thrust her hips toward him. Easing a finger through the mass of curls, he found the innermost nub of her sensitivity. As he stroked it, he could hear the increase in Nat's pulse and breathing. She cried out in frustration, followed closely by pleasure as he left her turgid clit to plunge his finger into the damp folds of her vagina. Withdrawing his hand he held her eyes as he licked her juices from his finger. Then, with a swift motion, he pulled the sweat pants over her hips, baring to his sight that which he'd just begun to explore. He supported her as she stepped out of the garment and then lifted her into his arms. Nick felt her arms around his neck as her eager mouth sought his. Carrying her over to the couch, Nick laid her on the soft, buttery leather. A part of him still feared that he would be unable to control the vampire. "Nat," he said softly, "if you have any doubts we can still stop." Nat looked at him with desire filled eyes. "Nick Knight, if you stop now I swear I will personally stake you out in the sun!" She said, voice husky with passion. She took his hand and laid it on her breast. "I want you. I want to feel you in me." Nick's response was to cover her body with his. His senses were reeling as her soft, warm flesh contacted his. Burying his face in the softness of her breasts he nuzzled each. His hand found her sensitive nub and slowly caressed it. Nat laced her fingers in Nick's soft hair, gasping as her body reacted to his actions. She felt fevered and the coolness of Nick's skin only served to heighten her desire for him. Her lips were parted and she breathed rapidly as molten warmth slowly grew in her very core. So focused was she on the myriad of sensations that coursed through her, she didn't realize until she felt the damp coolness of Nick's tongue on her clit that he'd moved to position himself between her thighs. The contrast in the heat of her core with the coolness of Nick's tongue sent an avalanche of shivers down her spine. Groaning in exaltation, Nat opened her legs wider, allowing Nick easier access to her. Nick carefully parted Nat's labia, inhaling the scent of her arousal and looking with joy at the blood darkened folds that comprised her core. He alternately sucked and licked her clit while, at the same time, he moved two of his fingers in and out of the slick tunnel of her vagina. He felt her thrust her hips toward him as her orgasm slowly built. Gradually, he increased both the speed and the pressure of his actions until Nat was clutching at him and crying out wordlessly caught up in the mounting wave of pleasure that was overtaking her senses. Darting his tongue lower he tasted the honey of her juices and when at last she stiffened, screaming with the power of the orgasm that washed through her, he noted that the taste of her became even sweeter. The richness of her taste proved too much for Nick and he felt his fangs drop. His beast demanded its satisfaction and Nick growled in anticipation of the warm blood and physical release that awaited it. Nat felt the world spin as an orgasm stronger than anything she'd ever imagined swept through her body, like lava flowing to the sea. Every nerve seemed to be aflame with warmth and pleasure. She tried to call out Nick's name but could only manage wordless cries of pure bliss. The powerful orgasm had only just begun to fade when she heard a deep growling sound from Nick. She knew before she looked at him that she would find herself gazing into the vampire's golden eyes. Even the sight of Nick's fangs, glinting in the light from the fireplace didn't bring fear to her heart. Love shining from her face like an aura, Nat opened her arms to her lover and drew him down on top of her. Nick greedily fastened his mouth on Nat's probing deeply with his tongue, feeling her willing acceptance of him. Moving from her mouth to her neck, he lightly scraped his fangs along her skin, not yet bringing forth the blood he desired, but intensifying beyond anything he'd known his need to plunge both his manhood and his fangs deep within her pliant body. When her warm hand encircled his engorged member his entire body shook with the contact. The slow, firm strokes she gave it driving him to a near frenzy of need. When he thought he could not stand another moment outside of her slick, enveloping warmth, she guided him to the entrance that he so desired. With a sudden hard thrust he entered her and buried his length within her. There he paused with the warm and tight caress of her vagina and the heavy scent of her blood and arousal filling his head. Slowly he began to move, withdrawing almost all the way before once again thrusting back inside her. His hands kneaded her breasts while his mouth feasted on the soft skin of her throat. He felt her body tensing as she climbed swiftly toward another orgasm. Her body was pressed tightly against his, as if they were one instead of two people. He could feel the surge of her blood as it raced through her veins and as his thrusts grew ever faster and stronger the need to taste it built to an unbearably degree. At last both man and vampire demanded fulfillment. With a roar, Nick reared back his head and plunged his fangs deep into Nat's flesh. In the first drops of her blood he felt her orgasm and it triggered his own. He was vaguely aware of her joyfully screaming his name as his last powerful thrusts pushed her deep into the soft surface of the leather couch. His entire being was filled with a wave of pleasure as he pumped his seed into her. Drinking the rich goodness of her life's force, Nick felt his very soul warmed and comforted by the intensity of her love. As the first frail mental link between them formed he saw her shining like a nova, that calmed, warmed and soothed him. Her heart was still beating steadily and strongly when he withdrew his fangs from her neck. When Nick entered her, Nat felt a sense of peace that she'd never known. His cool hardness filled her and she thrust her hips upward wanting to take every inch of him deep inside. Her entire world focused on the wonderful feeling of oneness that suffused her. As Nick began to move she felt as if the world were spinning as once again she scaled the heights of sensual ecstasy. She's almost reached the peak when she felt the sharp, sweet pain of Nick's fangs as they entered her flesh. Nat shuddered as Nick bit her. The orgasm it caused was even more powerful, than her previous one. As the mental bond formed, she calmly accepted images she received from Nick. She sent her love as an anchor for the pain and anguish that he'd suffered through his long existence. Her heart sang with joy when she saw that he viewed her as a shining ray of hope because of her love for him. Despite all the horrors and sadness of his life, his own love for her dominated all, giving her the strength to not fear the vampire while embracing the man. It was almost with a sense of loss that she felt him withdraw his fangs. To her delight the mental connection, though not as acute, lingered. Opening eyes she hadn't realized she'd closed, Nat smiled up into the once again clear, blue eyes of the man she loved. Nat knew that she'd never felt more secure or loved in her life, than at this moment. Moving over on her side, she made room for him to lie beside her. Nick readily complied, and she snuggled into his embrace. Nick pulled an afghan from the back of the couch to cover them and they drifted into contented slumber. It was some hours later before they finally stirred. Nat opened her eyes to see Nick's smiling visage. "So," she asked, "do you think Schanke will ask how following his advice went?" Nick chuckled. "I already own him an unpayable debt for rescuing you. Now I owe him another one for giving me the push I needed to express my love for you." Nat looked at him with love. "I owe him too." She said. "And I'll be sure to thank him for pushing you." She added with a giggle. Nick only smiled and kissed her. "You are mine now, Natalie Lambert and I will never leave you or let you go." Nat returned his kiss. "That," she said, "is something I can live with." THE END End Part 9A Thanks for sticking with me this far! Hope that it's been an enjoyable experience for you. Many thanks to my beta readers, Lisa and Wendy, as well as the N&NNuts for all their help and suggestions. All Comments may be sent to: forevrnite@usa.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com Nightlady