Just a tidbit of an idle mind wandering...
 
Margaret
margaret@cs.arizona.edu
 
 
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"Friendly Shadows"
Forever Knight - Beauty and the Beast Crossover fanfic
by Margaret Newman
 
 
 
        Nick stopped in the cross section of pipes, his body tensing.
Nat, holding tightly on to his arm -all semblance of macho woman gone-,
could hear nothing beyond the constant drip of water. She frowned,
glancing around, and then looking up at Nick's face.
        "What -?" She asked, but he held up a hand to silence her.
        "Nicholas." A deep, husky male voice spoke his name. Nick
turned in the direction of the speaker. Nat could see nothing but
varying depths of shadows.
        "Vincent. It has been a long time." Nick replied, his tone
cautious. "I hope everyone is well."
        "Well enough." You could hear the shrug in his voice even
if you couldn't see it. "Father suggested you not return."
        "He did. I wouldn't have except we seem to be in a bit of
trouble." Nick looked down at Natalie. "We need shelter for a few
days. You were the only one I knew I could count on."
        "You both will be safe here. I have had the entrance closed
off." The shadows moved, and Vincent stepped forward. Natalie's
eyebrows rose slightly, but that was her only outward reaction. "She
is mortal."
        "Her name is Dr. Natalie Lambert. A very close friend of mine."
Nick introduced her. "Natalie, this is Vincent. A trusted friend."
        "Hello, Vincent." She held her hand out to him. "Nick has
the most interesting friends."
        Vincent stared down at her, and her hand. Finally, he extended
a hand to touch hers. She saw the bandage, and took his hand in both
of hers.
        "Are you alright?" She studied the gauze wrapped finger,
silently taking in the fur, the talons instead of nails.
        "My son." Vincent took his hand back. "He refused to sit still,
and bit my finger in frustration."
        "You have a son?" Nick asked, incredulous.
        "Nick!" Natalie frowned.
        "There have been a few changes since the last time you visited."
Vincent answered, a rumbling noise in his chest suggested a chuckle.
 
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