To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:06:21 -0700 From: Kevin & Beverly Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (1/14) When I was trying to come up with a sequel to Behind Blue Eyes, I turned again to my muse, Pete Townshend, and another song that fits FK... Give Blood. If you haven't read Behind Blue Eyes you will need to know a few things before reading this. Nick, and Nat are not dead... Nick is "human?" and he and Nat are married... I ended B.B.E. with Nat telling Nick she was pregnant... LaCroix has left Toronto with Angel (Fleur reincarnate)who now calls herself Fleur... This is the continuation of that story...... I want to thank Rebecca M'Kenna for Beta reading this. She has helped me to polish, as well as punctuate. She deserves the virtual chocolates, and such. #1 The characters in this story are fictional,Any similarity to persons living dead or undead is purely coincidental. #2 The song is the property of P.T. Send comments to:B.J. Turner / klturner@sisna.com _____________________________GIVE_BLOOD____1/14_________________________ GIVE BLOOD... but you may find that blood is not enough............. Nick waited impatiently for his new partner. He had been shuffled from one partner to the next since he went back on the streets. Now he was paired with Daniel Grant. Daniel was a tall English born man with a very sick sense of humour. His hair was dark brown, and his eyes were the bluest blue. He would probably have been a very handsome man if not for the elongated nose and face which gave him an awkward appearance. His clothes didn't help much; he dressed more like one of the criminals than one of the police. His English accent along with his boyishness gave him an edge with the people. He had been transferred from the 82nd, vice. No one wanted to be partnered with him, so Nick was given the honour. Since their partnership began, they had already been called in by Reese --problems with reports. Daniel had written "space alien" under the name of the suspect. When called on it, he began to tell Reese about conspiracy and coverups. He went by intuition and questions. If space aliens were a possibility, then Daniel wouldn't rule it out. Nick switched on the radio. He hadn't used it since his friend had left for France. He was shocked to hear the familiar voice coming through. "This is the Nightcrawler on CERK Radio, filling in for some invidious woman. Tonight I would like to discuss obligation. If someone owes you, do you require payment for the debt, do you demand to be paid in full? What if that someone owes you his life, the life of his lover, his child? How can one presume to exact payment for such a debt? You would say to the Nightcrawler that he can not pay back or perhaps that the favor will be returned one day. Mortal men live in but a moment of time. They are like the spark that ignites the flame. There is no time to wait for MORTAL men to pay their debts, the time is now..... The lines are open. Do call in........" Nick turned the radio off and sat in a trance. The questions kept running through his mind. Why was he back, now? What did he want? Was this a warning or just something he made up? Can he still sense me? Those questions went round and round in his head. He was so entranced that he didn't even notice his partner getting into the Caddie. "Hey! Turn that back on! I love that guy! He give my the creeps, but I love his voice." "Did you get everything you need?" "I got you a sandwich. YOU need to eat more. The guy says he didn't see a thing. I know he's lying but he won't talk." "Maybe we should both talk to him." "If you go in there he will die of fright. You look like death warmed over. Well maybe not warmed over. Do you ever see the sun?" "We're on permanent night shift. When am I supposed to see the sun." "Ever heard of days off. I'm going to talk to Nat about you if you don't start living life. The green men are going to come and take over soon, and then you can hide in the dark." "Ok, it's time to get back to work. I wouldn't bother Nat if I were you. She'll put you to work changing diapers. In fact she told me to tell you, you're invited over tomorrow, for lunch." "That's ok. I have a life. I will leave you two to your wedded bliss. Give Andre a hug for me though. That kid will be a heartbreaker someday. Now for that other hunch I had. Drive over to Richmond. I'm meeting someone at a club near there. Ever heard of ?" Nick didn't answer the question. Instead he just drove slowly. He tried not to look shocked when his partner turned the radio on again, and the familiar voice began talking to his one-person audience. "Is mortal life all that you hoped it would be? Do you know how helpless you are? Those around you are in danger and you cannot help them. You are as weak as a newborn kitten. You cannot help them, no one can help them! You will seek help but not find it. There is a price to be paid and you must pay that price. You must come back to us." "I have got to call in!"Daniel shrieked in response. He picked up his cellular and dialed. "You are on the air with the Nightcrawler, don't you feel lucky." "Yeah, This is Daniel Grant, I have an obligation to help my partner have fun. How do I help him if he won't let me." Nick gave his partner a scowl when he heard what he said. " Grant?" LaCroix answered. "Yeah, how did you know?" Dan asked. "Let's say we have a mutual aquaintence. Your partner is stubborn and defiant. He will not allow anyone to help him willingly. He will not remember the debts owed by him. His will is strong. Your's would have to be stronger. No man's will could be. Could it Nicholas?" Nick switched off the radio again and stopped the car. He sat staring at the Raven. Daniel was silent for the first time since they had met. Nick knew that he now understood. The whole radio program was not for all ears but for Nick's alone. "Does he always do that?" "You have a lot in common. He goes by feeling and intuition also. I didn't think he could read me anymore." "Are you saying he's psychic? It sounds like that's what your saying and I believe he is after that!" "Let's just say he know's me and he's dating my sister. I told her about you, she probably told him." "You have a Nightcrawler in the family?" Dan quipped. "Very funny... Let's get in there before you lose another witness." "I don't lose them. They just end up with a bad case of lock jaw. Hey, at least they'll talk to me!" "That's because you look like one of their kind." "Thanks, I try! Hey, if I remember you weren't always on the list for best dressed cop!" "I guess I've had my moments, but not as bad as yours." Daniel ran his hands down his jeans to straighten them a bit. Then he pulled up the collar on his leather jacket. He looked in the mirror and ran a comb through his hair. "Better? You know my hair wouldn't look like this if you'd put the top up!" "The fresh air has improved it. Now let's......." "I know let's get in there before I lose another witness." bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:06:48 -0700 From: Kevin & Beverly Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (2/14) See part 1 for credits. Give Blood 2/14 GIVE BLOOD... and there are some who'll say it's not enough.......... Nick and Daniel stepped out of the car and headed for the Raven. Nick was stopped in his tracks by Fleur. She ran over to him, threw her arms around him and kissed him. "Whoa, lady. This one's married!" Daniel shouted. "Dan, shut up! This is my sister!" "Sure, that's what they all say. No one's sister ever looks like that." "Thank you Mr. Grant." Fleur replied. "Daniel this is Fleur, my favorite sister." "Nicola, I am your only sister. He is waiting for you. Are you alright? He says that he can feel you." "I know. I feel him too. I guess I knew you were back even before I switched the radio on. I never listen to it anymore." "They found out he was in town, and the ratings are down. They have already set up a booth here. You know how he loves an audience!" "Yeah, and I also know that they didn't just find out that he was in town." Nick put his arm around his sister's waist and grabbed Daniel by the coat sleeve. They walked into the Raven and sat down at a table in the corner. Daniel looked around for his contact . When he spotted him, he motioned to Nick that he was going over to him. "Get something on paper, Dan. I don't care if you take his statement down on a napkin. Just have him sign it. I don't want to have to explain to the Captain about your contacts again." Daniel thumbed his nose at his partner and went on. Nick scowled at him and then smiled evilly. Fleur was fighting the urge to laugh outloud at the antics of the two of them. She hadn't seen Nick so relaxed with anyone before. "Nicola, I like your new partner. He seems to be perfect for you." "He can be a little trying at times, but he is a good partner. Reese was right when he said that he was the perfect partner for me. I just wish......." "I know you miss Tracy and Schanke. You can't go on blaming yourself for their deaths." "It's my fault. Especially Tracy, I should have told her the truth." "It wouldn't have made any difference. You told me yourself how she tried to protect Vachon. Did you read the last letter I sent you?" "Yes, your little diary was interesting but short. I would like to know more about your other lives. I would also like to know how you like the Paris life." "Nicola, that doesn't sound very mortal. Perhaps he's right." "What is it, Fleur? Why did you come back?" "I told you about Andrew, my brother, Angel's brother. He has moved here from Montreal. I came to see him, and you. Lucien wouldn't let me come alone. He thinks I am a helpless child, and I think he misses you. Though he would never admit it." "I admit it! I have missed both of you. Little Andre is almost a year old, and he has never met his aunt." "I want to see him too. How is Natalie? She never shows her emotions on the phone. I believe we could be good friends if she would let me in. She has been so distant since that night." "It was a shock to both of us. I thought he was really going to let you die. I almost gave in to him. I almost let him take my humanity. Natalie will never let me forget that. I should never have told her how I felt." "He was never going to let me die. You knew that. That is why you left. Have you told Natalie how you feel now?" "I can't. She can never know. It would kill her!" "If he is right she will find out soon enough. Nick he says he can feel you. When we left, he had lost all contact with your feelings. That is why he needed me to be like this. I am a substitute for you." "You are more than that Fleur. He loves you, he always has. He has always blamed me for your death." "You were right Nick. I have changed since that night. I am not the lovesick puppy, Angel. I am Fleur deBrabant. I have lived many sad lives trying to find love." "You have found it, haven't you?" "Yes, and much more. I have learned all of who I am... Here he comes! I will tell you more, later." LaCroix strolled slowly toward the table. He never took his eyes off Nick, as if he were studying a specimen in a laboratory. When he sat down on the empty chair across the table from Nick, he said nothing. Fleur broke the ominous silence. "I am going to get us something to drink. Nicola, will you join us?" "I'm on duty." "I'm sure I can find something for you." Fleur left the two friends alone. Nick and LaCroix looked like two children having a staring contest. LaCroix finally broke the tension by looking away. When he spoke sarcasm affected his tone. "It's so Nice to feel you again Nicholas" "Your show was interesting." Nick returned the sarcasm. "I knew you would listen. Did you enjoy my monologue?" "What do you want from me LaCroix? I can't repay you for what you've done." "You could, but I am not here to collect payment. I am here for Fleur, she is still young and vulnerable." "I will never come back! You must accept that. I am happy being mortal." "Are you, Nicholas? Are you happy? Are you mortal?" Fleur didn't allow Nick to answer. She dropped a glass of orange juice onto the table, spilling most of the contents. She then set a wine glass in front of LaCroix. She sat down, between them, and began to talk to Nick, ignoring LaCroix. "I found some orange juice in the fridge. It's fresh! I hope it's all right." "Drink up, Nicholas, if you can stomach it." Nick emptied the entire contents of the glass into his mouth. Then he gave his old master a devious smile and answered. "I can stomach it LaCroix. I have eaten food, felt the pleasures of love. I have a child!" "I know, I have seen him. He reminds me of you when Janette first brought you to me. You were a child, needing constant reassurance and help." "I am not a child!" "I am still your father Nicholas. Your blood calls out to me! Don't tell me you haven't felt it! Your humanity is slipping through your fingers as we speak." "I am in CONTROL! I will not let this happen!" "I told you in the beginning that this was an experiment. I really wanted to see if you could become human as Janette did. I wanted to hear you beg me to bring you back. I think this is much more fun. I will sit back and watch you change. I am already enjoying the show." "I remember what I hate about you now." "Good, hate is your first step. I will be waiting." Daniel stood, shook his informant's hand, and walked over to the table where Nick was sitting. He handed Nick a coaster with writing on the back. "I couldn't find a napkin. He and our store owner both witnessed the murder. I convinced him it was in his best interest to come in and give us a formal statement. I did get him to sign the coaster though, just for you!" "Thanks, Dan. When we get back to the office you can file your coaster and see what the Captain thinks of it." "I'll tell him it was your idea!" "Nicholas, aren't you going to introduce us, or do you think our radio talk was introduction enough?" "No introduction needed! You're the Night Crawler! I love your show!" "A fan, how nice, at least someone appreciates me."LaCroix said, while looking at Nick. "We have to go! Daniel has a report to write, and our conversation is over." "Not over Nicholas, it never ends for us. It will never end!" LaCroix replied. bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:07:19 -0700 From: Kevin & Beverly Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (3/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 3/14 GIVE BLOOD... but don't expect to ever see reward........ Nick pulled his partner out the door by his jacket sleeve. He had almost made it to the car when Daniel stopped moving and stood rigid. Nick turned to see what had stopped him. Janette was standing behind Daniel looking better than Nick had remembered her ever looking. She gave him a wicked smile, and then walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Nick, if you say this is your sister I think I will be joining your family!" "This is not my sister Daniel. She is family though, in a way." "Nicola, I had to see you. He asked me to come. I didn't want to, but I didn't want to cross him. He still has some power over me." "It's nice to see you again. I've wanted to say sorry ever since that night. I just couldn't let you....." "It is fine. I understand truly. I only wish....." "This time I'm going to insist on an introduction, Nick!" Daniel interrupted. "Janette, this is my new partner, Daniel Grant. Daniel this is Janette DuCharme" "I love French women!" "I am quite fond of English men also, Mr. Grant." "I haven't been English for quite a while but I'll rediscover my roots for you." "We have to go, Daniel!" Nick added. "Until later, oui?" Janette queried. "Yes, I wouldn't mind seeing you again, Janette, until later!" He said as he kissed her hand. Nick pushed his partner toward the car and then got in and started the engine. Daniel watched Janette as she walked slowly into the Raven. "Does Nat know about that one?" he asked when she was gone. "She knows of her, why?" "Yeah, I saw the way you looked at her and the way she looked at you. There's a story there some where and I bet it sizzles." "Janette is just a friend, Dan. Besides, she seemed to be looking at you the same way. You're not her type though."Nick teased. "You know what they say about guy's with big noses!" "I thought that was big feet." "I have those too!" Nick looked at his partner. Daniel was holding his foot in the air. Nick could see that he was right. Skiing would be no problem for him. The two of them looked at each other and laughed. "You win! Maybe you are her type." Nick added. *** Natalie waited impatiently for Nick to come home. She had been worried about his behavior for the last two months. Now she had other things to worry about. Andre was the problem this time. She could still hear the words of the doctor ringing in her ears, (abnormal RNA and extra nucleotides). She knew what it meant, even if the pediatrician didn't. Andre had inherited vampiric traits! What she had once called a virus, a mutation. She was about to go crazy trying to think of what to say to Nick. Their child hadn't been sick a day in his life. Now he cried from pain every time she took him out in direct sunlight. She almost laughed when the doctor offered Sun Allergy as an excuse, the same thing she diagnosed Nick with when people began to ask questions. She switched on the radio to try and calm herself. What she heard only made her more apprehensive. "The Night crawler is back with a three-hour show, five nights a week, Wednesday through Sunday, on CERK radio 490 AM. Listen and learn..." The advertisement blared. "Great, just what I need. , at least I could talk to Fleur about this! If she forgives me for the cold shoulder I have given her." Natalie picked up the phone book and searched for the number. She shook as she keyed the numbers on the phone. Two rings and an answer, "RAVEN" the voice spoke loudly. "Could I speak to Fleur please?"she asked. "Hold!" the voice answered. "Hello?" the distinctly feminine voice answered. "Fleur, it's Natalie. I need to talk to someone. I need to talk to . It's about Andre." "I'll be right over!" Natalie hung up the phone. She knew what "right over" meant. She waited a few seconds before going to the door. The buzzer sounded, and she answered. "Yes?" "It's me!" "Thanks for using the door! Come on up." Natalie walked over to the fridge, and looked inside. She had nothing to offer her guest, but the it was a reflex reaction for her to look. Even if she did have something left over, it would not be to Fleur's liking. LaCroix would have made certain of that. Fleur stepped into the loft just as Nat was shutting the fridge door. "I brought my own! I also brought Andre a gift, from Paris. " "Thanks for coming. I couldn't wait for Nick to come home." "I think I know what the news is Natalie! Andre has inherited more than just Nick's gorgeous smile. Am I correct?" "How did you know? I only found out today! He has been crying every time I take him in the sun. So I took him to the pediatrician. I should have realized a long time ago. He's never been sick, not even the sniffles." "Natalie, I think you should know about Nick also. He......" "I know, we haven't made love in over a month. He hasn't walked into the sunlight in almost a week. He hasn't eaten solid food in three days. I guess I just wanted to believe in happily ever after." "It's not too late Natalie. He's still feels more human than vampire. I think you should consider your options though. Do you want him if he comes back across?" "I love him but I don't know if I could live with a vampire. I can't go back to the way we were before. I don't know? I love him." "There is another option, Natalie. It's not so bad you know, living forever. You don't have to kill any one." "I don't know if I could live like that. I thought I could once, before. I don't think I want to live forever." "It's your choice. Lucien thinks that Nick will not bring you across. If you ever change your mind, come to us, Natalie. You could have centuries to work on a cure." "I still believe we have the key to the cure! We just didn't give it enough time. Janette had months, we had one night." "You've had a year, more. I am afraid for you, Natalie!" "We can start all over again, if need be. I will be prepared next time. I'll bring more than just a suitcase full of clothes." "If this does happen please call me. I don't think you should do this alone." "I can't! You and he are one now Fleur. When you live with someone, you start thinking like them, without realizing it. When you first became a.... You wouldn't have offered me eternity. You can't hide anything from him." "You would be surprised what I can do." Fleur said sadly. "What's wrong! Has he hurt you?" "It's not that, I'm happy. I'm in love! He is much different when we are alone. I just wish he could show his feelings. He gazes at the picture you sent me, the one of the three of you. I know he is a bit jealous of Nick's new life, but he would never show it." "He could have had that life. He chose to bring you across instead." "He doesn't want to be human. He brought me across to insure that he would never become human. I sometimes believe he fears the cure. Though he doesn't believe in it. He says that Janette was never really cured. She just thought she was." Natalie shifted in her seat. The next question she was to ask was a most uncomfortable one. "Fleur? Love is the key, right? If Nick is slipping back could it ....." "Natalie, he loves you. I think he just misses the power. He told me once that you believed in mind over matter. I think his wish to be human, to be with you, was stronger than the vampire within, and the idea that he had lost you, forever. He gave up his life for you! He gave up everything for you. He definitely loves you!? bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:07:53 -0700 From: Beverly & Kevin Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (4/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 4/14 GIVE BLOOD... you can give it all, and still you're asked for more............. Nick looked again at the message Natalie had left him as he drove toward the loft. It inferred that she had something important to say to him. It couldn't be said on the phone. When he arrived at the loft ,he found LaCroix standing outside waiting. He pretended not to notice him, and drove into the garage as if everything was normal. LaCroix followed closely behind. When Nick stepped out of the car LaCroix was standing behind him. "Why are you here?" "Fleur is up there with your pet. I am making sure nothing happens to her. She is very young." "I understand, LaCroix. I don't like to let Nat out of my sight either." "I am not some love sick puppy, Nicholas. I am concerned about the safety of my fledgling. You should be concerned about yours. The community doesn't like it you know. They fear your cure! They fear Andre!" "He's just a child!" "To them he is a symbol, an Icon of Humanity, you might say. Come, we will go in and see how our women are faring." Nick was surprised by this last comment. He was even more surprised by the friendly slap on the back that LaCroix had laid on him. He had never seen LaCroix so lighthearted. Perhaps his sister's influence was doing wonders for the vampire's heart. He watched him as they walked to the elevator. He seemed the same and yet different. When they stepped out of the lift, things weren't so lighthearted. They could hear Natalie, and Fleur discussing Nick's immanent return to vampirism, and Janette's return to Toronto. They were so entranced with their talk that they seemed not to notice Nick and LaCroix's entrance. The subject of Janette never came up between Nick and Natalie. Natalie had never asked if he had brought her back across. He had always assumed she knew. Now his sister was telling her that Janette was in town, and that Nick had already known it. He stepped behind the chair Natalie was sitting in and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Natalie, I'm sorry. I should have told you. There is a lot I should have told you." "I know, Nick. I have known for at least two months. I here you in your sleep. You talk to Tracy, Vachon, Schanke. I here you argue with them about whether or not you should be a vampire. I know you have a war going on inside you." "I thought I was protecting you!" Nick sat on the couch and put his head in his hands. He hadn't realized until now that he had been lying to himself. He wasn't protecting Natalie's feelings; he was protecting his own. He glanced at LaCroix who was enjoying every minute of his pain. He couldn't understand how his friend could enjoy his suffering so much. He was about to ask when Fleur asked in his stead. "Lucien? Why do you gloat? Can't you see that Nick is in pain?" "Yes, isn't it delightful?" "You try so hard to be cruel and heartless. What if I tell them what you say to me when we are alone!" "You wouldn't!" "I would and you know it! I am not afraid of you!" LaCroix gave his lover a stern look which softened immediately when she returned his glare. "LaCroix, it looks as if you are henpecked!" Natalie said mockingly to him. "DOCTOR! I am the master here! I could kill you now, and neither of them could stop me! I still control him. He is even easier to control, now that you have done this to him." "Nick is his own person, and he is a lot stronger than you think!" "He is as weak as a kitten. He is like a small lost child. He will give in!" "Would you two stop talking about me as if I were some THING! I am my own person! I don't belong to either of you. I love you both, but you can't control me! You don't own me!" Nick yelled. LaCroix and Natalie both stared at Nick. His remark was something they never expected to hear. Fleur began to giggle, and LaCroix smiled back at her. It was as if they shared some private joke. Nick wasn't seeing the humor in what he said. He looked at Nat who was still in shock from his words. He couldn't tell if she was shocked from him saying he loved her, or if it was because he had admitted loving LaCroix. Fleur tried to stop her giggling when she saw the hurt look in Nick's eyes. "I'm sorry, Nicola. I have always felt that you, and Lucien, have the same problem when it comes to showing your feelings. It is ironic that he had to get you angry to get you to admit that you cared." Fleur stated. "He and I have nothing in common."Nick replied. "Nicholas is correct. I know how to show my feelings! When I choose,"LaCroix announced loudly. The noise in the dining area woke Andre. He climbed out of his crib which was pushed against the far wall. He toddled over to LaCroix and raised his hands. The vampire's expression was one of care as he lifted the toddler. Everyone was silent and all eyes were on LaCroix and the child. "Nicholas, your child is more vampire than you. I can feel him. His blood calls to me. My blood runs through his veins. No wonder the community fears him. This is quite entertaining, and you didn't even realize! Did you?" "That's enough, LaCroix!" Natalie said sternly. "What are you talking about, LaCroix? Nat what does he mean?" Nick asked with a confused tone. "I took him to the pediatrician a week ago, Nick. They took some blood samples, for random testing. They were looking for genetic abnormalities, and well, they found one. I had to do some pretty fast talking to get the blood samples back. He has the same extra nucleotides as you. He has inherited it. I didn't think it was possible, but I guess I was wrong." "Are you saying?" "Yes, Nicholas! LaCroix interrupted. "The child that should never have been, is not even human. Not even as human as his father." "He eats, he has a normal pulse! We've walked in the sun together!"Nick yelled. "That's not going to happen anymore Nick. He's got to stay out of direct sunlight. Doctors orders! We can still beat this thing Nick!" "Yes Doctor, do keep your hopes up. It's all you have left isn't it?" LaCroix added. "The cure does work!" Nick shrieked. "It is not a cure, only a treatment. It is a mutation an evolutionary change not a disease." Fleur answered. "There has to be a cure! I am human!" "You're not anything! You are in limbo! Stuck between our world and the human world." LaCroix replied. "I can't go back!" "You must go forward then. The only way to gain mortality is to die! Are you willing to die to save what is human in your soul?" "If need be. I will do anything!" "Will you kill your pet again? I would like front row seats for that show." "I can't involve her again... I'm sorry Nat! I....." "We'll worry about that when the time comes, Nick." Natalie answered. "Yes, you do have time, Doctor, not much." "WE will find a cure that works LaCroix. He will be human again!"She shouted. "Whatever you say Doctor, but have you asked him if he truly wants to be mortal?"LaCroix replied. bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:08:27 -0700 From: Beverly & Kevin Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (5/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 5/14 GIVE BLOOD... but it could cost more than your dignity............. Nick went over all that had been said the night before.As he drove to work the next evening. He and Natalie finally had a real discussion after LaCroix and Fleur had gone. They had come to an understanding in those few short hours. He promised to always tell her the truth, no matter how much he thought it would hurt her. He knew that Natalie would stand behind him no matter what happened. Nick was amazed when he drove into the station parking lot and found his partner's car already there. The one thing he knew about Daniel was that he was never early. After Nick walked inside he stopped at the front desk. His partner was not only early, but he was actually typing a report. "Nicky, our store owner called me. I have the reports filled out and signed. I just need some input from you and we will be caseless." "If we're caseless, then were useless. Something always comes up,"Nick replied. "It's too cold for crime!"Daniel complained. "People don't stop killing just because it's too cold." Reese interupted their conversation by dropping a file on Daniel's desk. The two detectives glanced at the file, and then at their captain. "Hey, I didn't transfer from Vice to deal with this! This is a job for someone working petty thefts." Daniel protested. "These thefts aren't petty, Grant! It was bad enough when they were stealing blood from the delivery trucks, but now, just for you, they have decided to add homicide to the case. you would enjoy that, Grant." "Captain, do you think this has to do with that Gothic Vampire club they shut down a while back? I heard those kids drink blood," Daniel Replied. "I don't know, that's your job, and Grant, don't use the word vampire in your report. I want this thing to stay within the realm of reality." "I'll make sure he stays on this planet Cap."Nick remarked. "I'll expect you to. I really don't want any of his imagination ending up in permanent records, ." Nick grabbed his partner's arm before he could protest and dragged him out the door. Reese gave them a stern look until they were out of sight, and then he cracked a smile. Vampires! He knew Grant would say that before he even opened his mouth. Reese knew that Daniel was a good detective but a little immature when it came to real life. That's why he chose to put him with Nick. If anyone could get the idea of vampires out of Daniel's mind, it would have to be Nick. Natalie was on scene when the partners arrived. Nick gave her a questioning look and she shook her head. He looked around. There was too much blood around for this to be what he believed it to be. "Nat, what do you have for us to start with?" Daniel asked. "He was shot at least three times with a small caliber rifle. The shots were fired from a distance of maybe, fifty to eighty yards. I'll know more when I get him back to the lab. I believe your gunman was stationed on the roof of one of the buildings on the right. This couldn't have been a random act, Nick. They were waiting for him." "Are you saying what I think you are? They wouldn't call attention to themselves like this, Nat! They have other means of getting what they need." "Who else would want to steal a truck full of blood, Nick?"she asked. "Would you two clue me in on what you're talking about!" "It's nothing Daniel, just a private matter." "It doesn't sound like that to me. If you have a lead let's follow it. I want to get the geezers that did this quick. I'm not to crazy about this blood stuff! I'm not squeamish but this is too much." Nick gave his partner a helpless look. He wished at that moment that he could tell him everything. He knew Daniel would understand, somehow, but his life would be in danger. He walked over to the uniformed police officer who was talking to their only witness. "Detective Knight, this man says he saw the vehicle that the gunman drove away in." "Did he get a look at our perp?" "Not a good one, maybe you guys can get more out of him. You and your partner seem to have a way with people." "I said all I'm going to say!" the man responded. Nick faced the man who looked a bit upset about the conversation the two policemen were having about him in his presence. Nick could see he wasn't about to repeat what he had said for anyone. He wished at that moment for the powers that he relinquished with the vampire. He hesitated for a moment. He thought about what he would be giving up. If LaCroix was right, he would return anyway. He looked into the mans eyes. He listened for the rythym of a heartbeat. He heard it, or was it his own heart beating? He could see the man's eyes glaze over. The man now looked like a deer trapped in the headlights of an oncoming car. Nick decided he had to try. "You will tell me all that you have seen," Nick said in a calm, hypnotic voice. The man answered as if in a trance. "I will tell you all I saw. I saw two men, one in a blue van, one on the roof. They were waiting for something. The blood van drove by, the man on the roof shot one shot. The van stopped and the driver tried to duck but he was hit by the next shot. The man in the van took the blood van. The man on the roof left in the blue van." "Can you identify them?" "No they wore masks. They were big guys. They wore black." Nick turned and walked away from the man. He was gasping. It worked, but it took a lot out of him. He was both relieved and scared that he had rediscovered his power of hypnosis. He looked over at Natalie, to see if she had seen him. She was talking to Daniel. She hadn't noticed. He knew he should tell her that the hypnotic powers were returning, but it would just hurt her more now. That was one of the most touchy subjects with her. She never thought it was right to erase someone's memory, or to force a confession from some unsuspecting person. He walked back over to tell his partner the news. So much for telling her the truth. He needed her to believe in the cure. He needed to believe in the cure, mind over matter, as she would say. bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:09:23 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (6/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 6/14 GIVE BLOOD... parade your pallor in iniquity...... "Daniel, our witness was very cooperative. We have a blue van to look for, possibly stolen, and two men." "Your probably right about the van. I hate to say this, but was he sure they were men? What would anyone want with blood? Maybe vampires, eh?" "He was sure it was two men, and please don't say that word!" Nick replied. "Touchy about the subject are we?"Daniel teased. "I promised Reese, remember!" "Speaking of touchy subjects. Are you okay, with Janette and I going out? I asked her to meet me at the Beverley Tavern, on Queen street, for a pint, nothing fancy." "She agreed to go there, for a pint?" "What else? She said she'd meet me, anyway. She's too classy for a pub, huh? I just can't see myself going to one of those fancy French restaurants. I like French women, but I hate French food." "I know she won't drink your , but she might like the change. Be careful, she's been through a lot lately... and, Dan, wear a turtle neck!" "Guiness is not tar! A Turtle neck? That turns her on does it?"Dan queried. "I hope not!"Nick replied. Nick watched as Natalie left. He wanted to say something to her, but Daniel had other plans. He pulled Nick toward the car by the back of his coat. Nick knew that Daniel was right. They needed to get back to work. Reese would expect this one, to be handled as quickly as possible. They needed to wrap it up, before the newspapers began to think the same thing Daniel had thought, 'vampires'. *** Back at the station Nick was checking out his hunches. He knew that the blood thefts could have something to do with the community. There were those who invested in the clubs, around the city. Whether his hunch or Daniel's was the correct one, it seemed to point back to the community. The few that chose to support the vampire wannabe clubs were frowned upon by the majority, but they were considered harmless. Nick and his family, on the other hand, were considered dangerous to the community. Nick was lost in his thoughts when Janette walked in. He could feel her before he could see her. He spoke without turning to look at her. "Janette, what are you doing here? Your case could still be fresh in some of the minds around here!" "Janette deBrabant is dead!" she whispered. "People who knew me before I left don't recognize me. Mortals have short memories, Nicola." "What do you want?" "I came to warn you! Andre may be in danger!" "What danger?" "Are they at home,Nicola?" "Yes, Natalie booked off early! What is it, please?" "I overheard LaCroix and another arguing. He fears Andre. I believe they will act tonight. I will not let them hurt him, Nicola!" Nick grabbed his coat, and slung it over his shoulder. He quickly followed Janette out the door. She was already in the air before Nick could even reach the Caddie. He wished again for the powers he had lost. His family was in danger, and he had to fight the traffic. Daniel was a bit jealous when he saw his partner leave the station with Janette. He was a bit confused when he saw her disappear before his eyes. He almost believed he was hallucinating until he saw Nick look in the sky. He looked up, and saw a flash. It looked like Janette he could see her face. He ran over to the Caddie, and got inside before Nick could take off. "Ok buddy! I want answers now!" Daniel asked. "Andre's in danger! I don't have time!" Nick screamed. "Then let's go! Pedal to the metal as they say!" Nick didn't reply. He jumped into the car, started it, and then spun the tires on the pavement. Daniel laid his head on the dash. He was trying to figure out what was going on. He was sure he had been hallucinating. Janette was there, and then she was gone. Had he really seen her in the air? He decided it must be another of his strange visions. Nick was thinking about what Janette had said. He never believed the community would bother with his family. LaCroix was the strongest, he controlled the majority of them. He wouldn't allow this. Nick was sure that LaCroix was empathetic toward Andre. He seemed to consider him family. He wouldn't let this happen. When Nick and Daniel arrived at the loft everything seemed quiet. The ride in the elevator seemed to take forever. He had actually tried to fly, it didn't work. He hated being caught between. He could feel the vampire inside, but the human in him was still in control. When the elevator stopped Nick threw the door open. He could see that he was too late. Janette was lying on the floor with a wooden stake protruding from her chest. She was gasping for air. The stake had missed it's mark only by a fraction of an inch. Natalie was sitting next to her sobbing quietly. She didn't seem too be hurt to badly. Nick tried to speak to her, but she didn't respond. He kissed her on the forehead, and then turned to Janette. Daniel was confused and horrified by the scene he had encountered. He was even more horrified when Nick began to remove the stake from Janette's chest. "Don't do that ! She'll loose too much blood. Wait for the ambulance, NICK!" "Daniel, I can't explain, but I know what I am doing. Help me, or leave!" Nick put his foot on Janette's chest and pulled with all of his might. She screamed and then fainted. Nick took one step toward the kitchen, and then he turned around. "Daniel, do you have a pocket knife on you?" he blared. "Yeah, Why?" "Don't ask questions just give it to me!" Daniel fumbled in his pockets and pulled the knife out. It fell onto the floor, and slid out of Nick's reach. He dropped to the floor, crawled over Janette and grabbed it. He shook her awake, and then cut a deep gash in his arm, not even thinking of the consequence to himself in his present state. His partner looked on dismayed. Nick was grateful that at least the protests had ceased. "Nicola, I haven't taken human blood since the day after you brought me across! I don't want to feel it!" Janette gasped. "If LaCroix is correct I am not human. You need the blood to heal," Nick whispered. Janette grabbed Nick's arm and drank deeply from the wound in his wrist. She only stopped when he began to wane. He tried to steady himself, but the loss of blood was more than he could stand. He fell against Daniel and lost consciousness. It was then that Daniel finally found his tongue, and began to ask questions. "Nat, are you alright? He asked, then he turned to Janette. "Janette, are what I think you are? A REAL..........? Is Nick going to be ok?" "I am what you think I am, I believe. I came to protect Andre, but they must have known I was coming. You must get Natalie to a hospital. She's in shock, they hurt her. Nicola will be alright, but he is weak, from not eating." Janette tore the sleeve of her shirt off and wrapped it tightly around Nick's wrist. Daniel bent down to help her,then he took his pocket knife and slid it into Nick's coat pocket. He could see Janette was in a lot of pain, and yet her injury was almost completely healed. He reached out to touch it, but then he stopped when he realized where it was. Janette picked his hand up and put it to her chest. He pulled it back quickly and moved over to Natalie. "The ambulance is coming. How am I going to explain this to Reese? He told me "no vampires" in the report!"Daniel groaned. "You will find a way. You are a very clever man. Now you must get Natalie warm. She is in shock. I must go for help!" "I'll take care of them. Nick's fine, we've stopped the bleeding. There's a blanket on the couch. Could you?" Janette picked up the blanket, and wrapped it around Nat's shoulders. Natalie didn't respond to her touch. She just sat on the floor, staring at the door. Daniel picked her up and laid her on the couch. The ambulance arrived soon after. Daniel decided to follow in Nick's car. When he arrived at the hospital, he paced up and down the hallway outside Nick's hospital room. He was more worried about Natalie and Andre than his partner. He was still angry that Nick hadn't told him everything about Janette. He would have believed it! He could have kept the secret. He was pacing around the waiting area, deep in thought, when the doctor walked in. She touched him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Detective, Grant? Your captain called to say he's on his way. Knight's going to be just fine. His wife isn't responding. She's awake, and only bruised. She....." "She just had someone break into her house, attack her, and kidnap her son. It has to be a shock. Can I talk to her? Maybe I can reassure her." The doctor motioned toward the door of Natalie's room. Daniel went inside. Natalie was sitting up, staring out the window. "Nat? It's me, Daniel. Janette's okay! She say's that she can feel Andre, whatever that means. I guess it means he's okay." "Where's Nick?" She responded. "He's in the next room. They have him on an IV. He is dehydrated and weak from not eating. I should have paid more attention I guess. He hasn't eaten lunch in days." "It's not your fault it's his. He made the choice not to eat," She replied angrily. "Janette went to get help! We'll find Andre!" Danile shouted. "No one will help her. They feel threatened by Andre! They want him dead. They said they were going to kill him!"Natalie whispered as she looked longingly toward the window. "They? Who are they?"Daniel begged. "The vampire community! You're in danger too! They want to kill us all!"She whispered. "Community? There are more? They must be the ones stealing the blood, and killing. Our suspects are vampires! Reese isn't going to like this!" Daniel stated in a confused tone. "They could be, Nick didn't seem to think so," Natalie answered passively. "What would Nick know about vampires, Nat?"Daniel asked. "He was one, for almost eight hundred years, Daniel! He still is, sort of. I never thought I would say that," she proclaimed. "You think you know a person!" Daniel replied. "I guess that's why he knew what to do for Janette." "The vampires took Andre somewhere. They may have been Enforcers, but I don't know. If they kill him, I'll die." "I'll work on it! We'll find him. I still think this ties in with our case, somehow." "It's too dangerous now. You haven't seen what they can do. Janette will help, she said so. We can only hope that LaCroix will help too." "How can he help?"Daniel asked. "You're in this now, so I guess you might as well know it all. They will kill you, or hypnotize you anyway... LaCroix and Fleur, as well as many of the patrons of the Raven are vampires also. LaCroix is two thousand years old. He's the strongest. He's the one that made Nick what he is, what he was,"she replied. "First aliens and now vampires. The truth is out there! I only wish I was having an alien encounter right now!"Daniel moaned. "I only wish they would leave us alone!"Natalie responded mournfully. bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:10:18 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (7/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 7/14 GIVE BLOOD.. they will cry and say they're in your debt......... Nick woke in a dark, unfamiliar place. He could feel the familiar vibrations of his master emanating from the corner of the room. He could see him in the darkness of the room. His powers returning slowly, too slowly. He closed his eyes. He wanted to pray for the powers to return. To wish, or to will them back. He needed to find his son, anyway he could. He finally decided to address his former master. "LaCroix, Why are you here?" he asked with iritation. "I am observing you. Janette asked me to see that you were alright," Lacroix replied restlessly. "Bring me back across, LaCroix!" Nick pleaded. "Shouldn't you discuss that with your wife?" He's my son, LaCroix! If I am vampire again I can find him! It's going to happen anyway, I know that now. Please, I am begging you, bring me across!" "You are begging aren't you. How I have wanted to hear you say that for so long. It pains me to say no." "You can't , I need to save my son. Help me!" "Not this time, Nicholas. You are coming back on your own. I would just be rushing the inevitable and you know I am never one to rush things. We have time!" "Is he alive? I can't feel him!" "Reach out to him. You can do it , if it is what you truly want. You must choose between your humanity and your son!" "Why now? I know you want me to return! I will do whatever you want! I'll leave with you if you want," Nick screamed. "You say that now, but you would change your mind, as soon as Andre was found. I don't want you to leave. I want you to accept your true self," LaCroix replied. Nick pulled himself out of the bed and ripped the IV from his arm. The pain doubled him over for a moment. He found his clothes lying on a chair. He dressed quickly, glaring at LaCroix the whole time. When fully dressed, he left LaCroix standing alone in the empty hospital room. Daniel was still talking to Natalie. He turned toward the door, just in time to see his partner run by. He hurried after him. He finally caught up to him at the front door. "Don't try to stop me, Dan!" Nick yelled. "Help you yes, stop you no! The Caddie's parked over there. Let's go!" "I'm not sure where to go! I still can't feel him!" "Nick, I had a hunch, again. I was following it, while you were on the computer looking for the van. There's a club on Queen street. One of those Gothic vampire clubs. I saw the van there. I was afraid to tell you, about it. It was one of my visions, Nick. I was coming to tell you when everything happened. If we get a search warrant...." "I'm not waiting for a warrant!" Nick declared. "It may not even be them, Nick!" Daniel shouted, as he ran after his partner. "I think it is, I think they might be trying to get to me!" Nick stated, when he reached the door to the Caddie. "Natalie told me that you used to be a......." Daniel began. "Go ahead and say it! I only wish I could be all that I used to be right now," Nick answered as he got into the car. "Let's go down to Queen street and check it out then. I'll phone H.Q. and tell them what's going on. We may need back up!"Daniel suggested. Daniel got into the Caddie, and they headed toward the club. When they arrived the van was there, parked in the same place that Daniel had seen it. The engine was cold. Daniel took the front door and Nick went around the side. Nick sensed the familiar vibrations of a vampire. The sensation was both exciting and terrifying to him. He walked slowly into the alley, hugging the wall of the building. He knew his gun was useless, but he pulled it out of the holster and pointed it into the alley. "I know you're in there!" he shouted. "You don't know anything, Knight. You can't even find your son. You are weak and helpless," A voice from the darkness replied. "I will find Andre! I'm no weaker than you are. You are young I can feel it," He said to the voice. "You don't feel anything! I can hear the beating of your frail, human heart. They will kill your son, and you will not be able to stop them." Nick stepped into the middle of the alley to get a better look. He knew that he would sense the movement of the other vampire. He would be safe enough from one so young. *** Daniel couldn't see anything inside, but a bunch of kids dancing and listening to music. Everything in the club looked relatively normal. He went over to ask the bartender a question. The bartender was reluctant,at first. He finally stated that he knew of the people who drove the van. He told Daniel that they delivered special wine, that was sold only to certain customers, by the bottle. Daniel had the feeling he knew who the "special" customers were. He began to walk around the dance floor looking for something suspicious. He stopped in the middle, when his head began aching. He knew even before the vision came to him that something was wrong. He ran to the door and threw it open. He heard the shots just as he stepped outside. He ran to the alleyway as quickly as he could. "Nick, are you ok? NICK?" he screamed. Nick was on the ground, with three holes in his chest. His breathing was irregular. The shooter was nowhere to be seen. Daniel called for an ambulance. He was angry at himself for not seeing this sooner. He was even more angry that he hadn't insisted that Nick go inside. He felt that he had let his partner down twice in one night. Nick gasped again. Daniel could see the wounds in his chest. One must have hit the lung. He cursed the ambulance for being so slow. "Nick, HOLD ON!" he yelled. I'm going to get the bloody bastard that did this to you! "It's not your fault, they were waiting for . It's fault he could have helped me!" Nick gasped. "You were still weak, Nick. I should have made you stay in the hospital. I should have stopped you!" Daniel emphasized. Nick didn't answer. He had lost consciousness. Daniel stayed with him until the ambulance arrived and then he followed the it to the hospital. The paramedics kept glaring at him in the rear view mirror, the whole time. He knew what they were thinking, Deja Vu, they had already done this earlier. He thought about driving back to the station, but there were too many unanswered questions. It seemed that Nick had a fair share of the answers to those questions. Daniel wished at that moment that his partner really was a vampire. If he could heal, the way Janette did, he wouldn't be dying. He knew one thing for sure. He was going to scour the city, until he found that blue van again. He had a plate number now. He would make them pay. He owed it to Nick. bjturner@geocities.com Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! CotK,Dark Knightie,Diviant,IB,(Vaquera?),Quadropheniac http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:10:56 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (8/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 8/14 GIVE BLOOD... but then they'll sigh, and they'll soon forget........ Natalie was trying to get some sleep when Doctor Turner came into the room. The look of concern on the doctor's face frightened her. Natalie could sense immediately that something was terribly wrong. She was almost afraid to ask. "What is it? Is it Andre? Is it Nick?"Natalie asked anxiously. "Natalie, they're bringing Nick in. He's been shot!" she replied. "What do you mean shot? I thought he was here, in the next room!"Nat shrieked. "It seems he checked himself out. He was looking for your son. He found someone else! That's all I know. They say he's in critical condition," She responded. "I have to call someone! I have to let his family know."Natalie added in a subdued tone. "The phone's there. I'll let you know more, as soon as I know. He's made of tough stuff, Natalie. He'll survive this," Doctor Turner comforted. ", and I'll make sure of that!" she whispered to herself. Natalie hand was shaking, as she dialed the number for the Raven. She wished that she didn't have to ask for LaCroix's help, but Nick might die. The phone rang twice. Miklos answered. "LaCroix?" she croaked. It was all that she needed to say. There was silence for a moment, and then the voice that she needed to hear answered. "Yes,Doctor.... Natalie, what can I do for you," he said sarcastically. "How did you know it was me?"She asked nervously. "I know more than you will ever comprehend, unless....." he began. "He needs you. I need you! Bring him back across!" she interrupted. "Are you begging?"LaCroix asked eagerly. "Yes please? He's been shot. He's weak, in critical condition," she replied, in a more helpless tone. She twisted the cord around her finger as she spoke. She whispered a silent prayer as she waited for the answer to her plea. "I know his condition. I suppose I can not refuse. This is more entertaining than I imagined," he replied. "Just help him, please!" She appealed one last time. Her plea went unanswered. LaCroix had already departed. He was in her room within minutes of the call's end. He glanced at her with the most evil grin on his face. He would need his time to gloat. She knew that. She couldn't lose Nick, not now. The wait seemed unbearably long, to Natalie. She and LaCroix sat staring at each other in silence while Nick was in surgery. It was dawn before the doctor came back to report. "Natalie, he's in intensive care. I want to give you hope but I'm not confident that he'll make it through the day. His heart is weak, and it has failed more than once. I'm sorry!"Doctor Turner finally reported. "Can we see him?" Natalie begged. "Family only!" she stated firmly. "This is his father," Natalie confessed, then she added . "Nick's adoptive father." LaCroix's grin widened at Natalie's acknowledgement. The doctor grabbed a wheel chair from the hallway, and helped Natalie into it. She then motioned to LaCroix to follow. Natalie gasped when she saw all of the tubes, and wires hanging from Nick's inert body. To see him on the edge of death was more than she could stand. She took a deep breath and then turned to face the doctor. "Doctor Turner, may we be alone with him?" She asked, then she remarked. "I a doctor." "I'll give you a few minutes. You call us, if there is a change in his condition," doctor Turner said as she departed. Natalie managed a slight smile as the doctor left. She nodded to LaCroix when the doctor was out of sight. LaCroix drew the curtain around the bed, sat down next to Nick, and observed him intently. He could feel the familiar vibrations growing. He looked over at Natalie. She was watching every move he made. He could sense that the scientist in her was curious, but the wife in her was worried. He started to tell her that bringing him across wasn't necessary. The only thing that Nicholas needed was a little blood, to help him with the healing process. He decided it might be interesting to see the good doctor's reaction. "Are you certain this is what you want, Doctor?"LaCroix asked. "I don't want to lose him now! Do what you need to," she responded. She moved the chair closer to the bed and held Nick's hand. The coolness of his skin made her shudder. "You may not want to watch!"LaCroix added, trying to hide his amusement. "I am not leaving you alone with him! I'm not squeamish, you know that," she expressed. "Your choice, Doctor!" he concluded. He bent down over Nick's inanimate body, then he turned and glanced at Natalie. He wanted her to see his eyes. She didn't startle at the sight of the golden color, but he could sense her alarm. He turned his attentions back to Nick. He lifted his head slightly and then thrust his fangs into the vein. Nick convulsed a moment and then stopped. LaCroix took very little blood from him. The thoughts, and feelings in Nick's head were not welcome. He then took a scalpel from his pocket and sliced his wrist. He forced Nick's mouth open, and dripped the blood inside. He knew that this was not the best way, but he played the part for his captive audience. Natalie began to get worried. She expected Nick to respond sooner. It seemed like all time had ceased. She held her breath, until he began to move his head and swallow. "Is he?" Natalie asked. She had held her breath for so long that the words escaped fiercely. "He will live, Doctor. The art of bringing one across takes patience, skill, and time," he replied, still grinning wickedly. "LaCroix?" Nick said weakly. "What happened?" "You were shot, Nick!" Natalie answered. She squeezed his hand and released it. She turned away from him, so that he couldn't read the emotions on her face. "You brought me back across. Why?"He asked. "Your pet begged me! I couldn't refuse. I would say you owe me another debt, but I am going to enjoy this, as I'm sure you will not.... Your blood is full of confusion Nicholas. I never knew that you wanted to be a vampire so badly." Natalie glanced at Nick for a moment, and the turned away again. She wanted to ask if he could feel Andre. She wanted to know if the tie between them was strong enough. LaCroix beat her to it. "Can you feel him?" LaCroix asked. "LaCroix, Nat, he's alive!" Nick shouted. "I have never been more glad of the vampire powers than I am right now!" He looked at Natalie. He could sense her relief, as well as her pain. He moved to comfort her, but she pulled away. He could see she wasn't intending to reject him. She was trying to close a wound in her heart. She touched his arm gently, but she still couldn't look at him. He tried to say something to her, but LaCroix interrupted. "I am relieved Nicholas! I was no longer able to feel him. I was worried that they had killed him," LaCroix replied. Natalie was staring at the floor trying to avoid eye contact. She knew that if she looked at either one of them she would cry. She didn't want to let LaCroix see her cry. She didn't want him to feel any additional pleasure from her sorrow. She was angry, and hurt, that Nick seemed so pleased about his return to vampirism. She was angry at LaCroix for his obvious amusement. His happiness seemed to constantly be her pain. Andre was alright for now. She tried to keep a focus on that thought. He was the most important thing in her life. "You know who took him?"Nick begged, interrupting the silence. "The Enforcers, perhaps. It is not your little blood thieves. They are being dealt with as we speak... two Enforcers .... want to ensure that no one tries your cure." "I thought you could control the Enforcers,"Nick remarked. "No one is pleased about your little family, Nicholas. Most won't cross the line. They will not stop anyone who does," LaCroix replied. "I'm getting hungry!"Nick whispered. Natalie walked over to the chair in the corner of the room, and picked up the bag that held Nick's clothes. Inside it was a smaller bag which contained his torn, bloody shirt. She pulled the shirt out, and ran her hand over the blood stains. It was the last of his human, AB negative, blood. She tossed the bag onto the bed. Nick looked at the shirt and then at Natalie. Her expression told him what she was thinking. She gazed into his eyes for a moment, then she turned away again. "I'm getting hungry!"Nick whispered, to LaCroix. "Nicholas, you must feed to regain your strength. If your pet isn't your preferred dish then we must leave her,"LaCroix replied blatantly. "How will we leave?" Nick asked, then he added. "It's morning, I can sense it." "Leave that to me! I am always prepared, Nicholas."LaCroix replied. bjturner@geocities.com / or (KLTurner@sisna.com) Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,(Quadropheniac) http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:11:55 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (9/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 9/14 Give Love... and keep blood between brothers.......... LaCroix stepped into the hallway. Nick stood slowly and grabbed his clothes. He staggered for a moment. Natalie helped him get dressed. She left the shirt in the bag. He would have to find another one. When he was fully dressed he kissed her on the head and followed LaCroix. LaCroix moved through the hospital by instinct. He could smell blood everywhere, but he soon found the correct room. He glanced around the deserted hallways, then he opened the door and slid inside. He wrenched open the doors of the cooler, and grabbed two bags of blood. He stuffed the bags into his coat, then the two of them moved to the elevator. Nick pushed the button for the bottom floor. When the elevator doors opened they darted to the exit. LaCroix looked outside quickly. Nick's Caddie was waiting directly outside, with the engine running. Daniel hurried inside, when he saw the door open. He looked toward Nick as if he wanted to ask a question, but he addressed LaCroix instead. "Janette called, and said you would need my help. I brought the blankets. Are you sure the trunk is big enough?" Daniel asked. "Nicholas has explained, many times, that his car has the largest trunk of any made. I never thought would have to utilize it myself," LaCroix replied. "We're used to cramped spaces, Dan! Let's just get out of here!"Nick shouted. The two Vampires threw the blankets over their heads, and moved quickly toward the trunk. Nick allowed LaCroix to get in first, then he followed. Daniel blinked and stifled a cough as the smell of burning flesh hit him. He quickly slammed the trunk and ran to the driver's side of the car. He looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then he got inside and drove off. "At least there's no polka music," Nick whispered to LaCroix. "What do you mean, Nicholas?" "Nothing, it's just the last time I was in her with Schanke driving, he tuned the radio to polka music. It was torture!" "And Mr. Grant's preferred style of music?" "Classic Rock, the noisier the better. Don't worry, you are the only thing that he listens to on the radio. " "Yes, I think I like this partner of yours. It's a pity he's human." **** Janette went to the hospital as soon as the sun was down. She felt responsible for Natalie's injuries, and for Andre's kidnapping. If only she had been there sooner. Her time with Robert had taught her the true meaning of love. She was remembering, all to well, that love at that moment. Natalie was at the desk checking out of the hospital. She took one look at Janette and the tears began to form in her eyes. She stumbled back against the desk. Janette instinctually moved to comfort her. Natalie leaned on her and sobbed into her shoulder. The mood began to affect Janette as well. Blood tears began to well in her eyes. She laid her head on Natalie's shoulder and then quickly pulled away, when she realized what she was doing. "Natalie, I'm sorry! I don't know why I'm so emotional,"Janette moaned. "It will clean!" Natalie answered, trying to muster a smile. "I will ride home with you, and we will talk. You and I are of no use at the moment. Only Nicola can find Andre now,"she stressed, in the most comforting voice that she could provide. "Nick's still weak! What if..." Natalie began. "LaCroix is with him and that handsome partner of Nicola's. Fleur will help, if he will let her! They will find him, and he will be alright. You could still be in danger!" Janette added. "LaCroix said they were Enforcers. Were they?"Natalie asked cautiously. "I don't know, they were older. Nearly as old as Nicola. Six hundred years, maybe. The Community wants Andre dead, but they won't cross LaCroix. He is the eldest. There are only three left that are near to his age. He is going to kill these unfledged upstarts, and the others won't stop him,"she concluded. They looked at each other for a moment, then they walked out to meet the cab that had just pulled up. Natalie sat quietly for the last part of the trip home. She was worried more about her husband now, than before. When the cab pulled up in front of the loft Natalie looked uphoping to see a light. She knew it was too soon, but hope was all she had. Natalie paid the driver and got out of the car. The two women walked into the building silently, neither one looking at the other. The ride in the lift was also silent. Neither one knew what to say to the other. Both women nervously paced the loft floor. Natalie wanted to find out what was going on. She wanted to be there, to kill these creatures that stole her son. She wished she could just call someone. Nick would have turned his phone off. Daniel would have left his behind somewhere, as was his routine under such circumstances. It amazed Natalie that she knew so much about him in such a short time. He was not only her husband's partner, but her good friend also. "Daniel doesn't know what he's up against," Natalie indicated. When she mentioned Daniel's name Janette looked even more worried. She noticed that Janette was almost as upset about Daniel as she was about Andre. She watched her as she stared at his card. She thought she could see feelings there. She was worried that Janette's intentions were not beneficial ones toward him. "Janette, are you in love with Daniel?"Natalie asked apprehensively. "No, in Lust maybe, not love. Have you looked into his eyes? They are as blue as the sky on a sunny afternoon. I like his face. He makes me laugh! I haven't laughed in a long time. I will never be in love again, it hurts too much," she replied. Natalie was even more worried with that answer. She knew Daniel was extremely attracted to Janette. She was all he could talk about at work. The only other thing that he spoke to her about was Andre's health or how he was doing. Nat promised herself that she wouldn't think about that. She couldn't think about her son. It hurt too much. She decided to ask Janette a question that had been bothering her for a very long time. "Did you love Nick?" she asked nervously. "I have always cared for Nicola, I always will. Not like you do. We have a different relationship now. I am his sister, his daughter..." "I don't know what I am to him now," Natalie replied. "What kind of relationship can we have, unless..." "I believe, if he wanted to badly enough, you could have a relationship, without crossing. He is not one to control the beast within though. His passion is too great." Natalie's thoughts flashed back to that fateful night. The night that she told Nick to make love to her. The night she almost died. It was the best and worst moment of her life. If it weren't for that night Andre would never have been. She did it again. Her thoughts had strayed back to her son. She decided to ask another question. "Are you saying we could....?" "You have had a relationship! He loves you," Janette conveyed. "He said we couldn't...." Natalie began. "Your relationship is different with him now. He has made love to you, Natalie. He loves you! Your blood has changed him, even LaCroix knows that," Janette added. "He said that Nick was still a vampire,"Nat claimed. "The vampire lingers, Natalie. It is not the easiest thing to be purged of... You needn't fear him. He loves you, as I loved Robert. He won't want to hurt you,"Janette emphasized. "Janette, was Nick really human?" Natalie asked carefully. "I don't know! LaCroix says he wasn't. He now claims that I wasn't either, but I know when the time came for me to save Robert I couldn't. When I returned to Toronto I could feel Nicola, Natalie!" Janette answered. "You should know more than LaCroix!" Natalie exclaimed. "I believe I was human! LaCroix couldn't feel me. I had lost everything," she moaned. "Are you saying I should allow Nick to bite me again? The cure works?" Nat probed. "I have never known of a human surviving from intimacy with a male vampire, unless they had been brought across. I am not suggesting you do anything. I can not make the decision for you," Janette responded. "Vampires are sterile, correct? If Nick was always a vampire, how could we have conceived Andre?"Natalie begged. "I believe Nicola would have to have been human, for it to happen. I only wish I could have had what you have,"Janette replied sadly. She looked toward the window longingly. "Robert must have been something special. I wish I had met him," Natalie remarked. Following Janette's gaze. "He was like you, Natalie. He cared, and he loved me for what I was,"she whispered, as she glanced back at Natalie. "I don't know if I love the vampire... I love Nick. Robert very special, to be able to overlook the....." Natalie commented. "He trusted me with the most precious thing in his life," Janette added. She stood and walked to the window. It seemed as if the stars were mocking her pain. She didn't want to feel pain, she wanted her heart to be cold, like the night. "I could take something to Patrick, if you want. I could tell him that you gave it to Nick, for safe keeping,"Nat stated. "Thank you, but I have taken care of all his needs. He will want for nothing," Janette replied. "Janette, if things work out. I am going away for a while. I've been planning this for some time. Since I realized that Nick..." Natalie began, and then she stopped and stared toward the window. "I will go with you. I will protect my little brother with my life. Perhaps I can help you find a more scientific cure. You are going to try, are you not?" Janette asked warily. "I'm going to cure Andre. I'm not going to let him suffer. He is just a child," Natalie answered. She stood and walked over to the sink. She tried to avoid looking out the window. "I will help! I know that this search is right. I believe Andre will be the key to your cure. He has not been brought across to darkness," Janette said as she watched Natalie's nervous movements. "I'm not going to use him. Do you think Nick still wants a cure?" Natalie inquired nervously. She was wringing a dish towel in her hand by this time. "I think he wants everything Natalie. He has always been this way. You have given him something that he has longed for. He will want to stay with you now." "He'll have to move on, in a few years. I won't stop him," Natalie remarked sadly. "If you decide you want to be a vampire, Natalie, I will bring you across," Janette offered. "Nicola has hurt you enough." " Thank you ,Janette. If, I ever do..." Natalie answered and then stared out the window again. The dish towel in her hand was twisted into a large knot. The two of them sat in silence, waiting and watching. bjturner@geocities.com / or (KLTurner@sisna.com) Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,(Quadropheniac) http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:12:31 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (10/14) Nick and LaCroix landed outside a warehouse near the docks. They could feel vampires and humans inside. Nick scanned for any possible movement outside. The place seemed deserted. The two vampires were just about to make their move when they saw a figure move in the shadows and disappear into the building. LaCroix recognized the figure immediately. "NO!" He screamed. "Nicholas she has never killed! She won't be able to protect herself!" Nick and LaCroix moved as fast as vampirically possible into the warehouse. LaCroix threw the door open releasing it from its hinges. They had arrived a moment too late. Fleur lay on the floor with a stake through her chest. Her life was pouring out the gaping wound. She tried to rise when she saw LaCroix. He dropped to his knees and grasped the stake firmly. He then nodded to Nick. Nick dropped next to him and placed his hands on Fleur's shoulders to hold her firmly to the ground. LaCroix gently slid the stake from the wound in Fleur's chest. She screamed from the pain, but she soon regained a strong composure. Nick looked around the empty warehouse, then patted his pockets looking for something sharp. He found Daniel's pocket knife in his coat pocket. He held the knife to his wrist, but LaCroix grabbed his hand. He seized the knife from Nick and sliced deeply into his own wrist. He waited a moment for the blood to ooze out of the wound. He then placed it gently over Fleur's mouth. She drank eagerly. When she felt that she had enough to heal, she licked the wound gently and kissed it. Nick was fascinated by the tenderness shared between them. It reminded him of the night he had found them in the garden. It soon made him feel a guilty twinge. They could have been together for over seven hundred years were it not for him. "They seem to have an endless supply of wooden stakes," Nick whispered, breaking the silence. "They will be ingesting them soon!" LaCroix answered. He stood and helped his beloved to a standing position. "Nicola, the went up those stairs,four of them," Fleur whispered. Nick was already at the door to the small office before she finished speaking. He pushed it open, and moved aside quickly to avoid any possible stakes. The rogue Enforcers were in one corner holding his child by the arms. It appeared as if they intended to rip him to pieces. They had sent their human friends to deal with him and LaCroix. Nick grabbed the first man and threw him down the stairs. LaCroix grabbed the second and threw him on top of his friend. They hissed at the two vampires holding Andre. The two Enforcers responded with their own predatory sounds. They picked up the wooden stakes that had been dropped on the floor by their human associates. They dropped Andre onto the floor and advanced toward the two elder vampires. Andre crawled under a chair in the corner of the room and cried. He was afraid not only of these strangers, but of his own father. He had never seen him as a vampire. Nick grabbed the arm of his attacker and twisted it around behind him. He threw him against the wall. LaCroix had grabbed his attacker and pulled him around. He then forced the upstart to stake himself in the chest. Nick and LaCroix both rushed to Andre, whose crying had escalated to screaming." Nick picked him up and held him tightly. He resisted for a moment, until he looked into Nick's eyes, and saw that the vampire was gone. The attacker, whom Nick had thrown to the ground, had gained a second wind. He darted toward Nick with stake raised. LaCroix quickly moved in front of his son and took the stake in the chest. Fleur screamed from below. She had felt her master's pain. The scream distracted everyone for a moment. LaCroix fell against Nick. The Enforcer smiled wickedly and moved slowly toward them, intending to finish them all off. He only took two steps before Fleur struck. She had planted a stake deep in his heart. Nick slowly lowered LaCroix to the floor. He could see that Fleur had already anticipated his next movement. She was preparing to hold her lover down. Nick grabbed the stake with both hands and pulled. He could feel the pain in himself as his master moaned. He pulled the pocket knife out again and slashed his wrist in the same spot he had the day before. LaCroix hesitated, then accepted the offering. When he felt he had enough to sustain him he pushed it away. He could see that his son would soon weaken from his heroics. "One step closer to evening the score, old friend," Nick commented as he drew his hand away. "The score will never be even between us, Nicholas. One of us will always have the advantage. You needn't worry about compensation," LaCroix replied. "You saved me and my son today! I can never repay you," Nick stated. He offered his hand to his master. LaCroix took it, and Nick pulled him into a standing position. Andre toddled over to LaCroix and lifted his hands in the air. LaCroix picked him up and looked into his eyes. Nick could see this caused him pain, but he wouldn't have allowed anyone to stop him. He seemed to study the child in his arms for a moment. "This child of yours has put a spell on me, Nicholas," LaCroix commented. "He's put a spell on all of us, LaCroix," Nick responded. "I believe I was mistaken about your blood thieves. Those two humans and two young ones are responsible, so I have been told. They own many of the clubs opening around the city. They are trying to give vampires a good name," he said sarcastically. "They aren't succeeding. They're just making people think they are ridiculous, and dangerous,"Nick replied. "I'm afraid these are the Enforcers sent to dispatch them. Lying here on the floor turning to dust," LaCroix said," grinning wickedly. "I'm sure we can take care of the young ones. These two men will get the blame, and a prison sentence. Someone has to go to prison, to make the Captain happy," Nick commented. "It would be easier to dispatch them now, Nicholas. The prisons are overcrowded, after all." " I want them to pay, but I can't kill them. I don't want my partner handing in a report that says 'vampires' all over it," Nick remarked. "He is going to be trouble! A pity, I was beginning to admire him. He really would make a good vampire, Nicholas," LaCroix replied. "I'll handle him. He's no threat to you, or the Community!" Nick emphasized. "He will be seen as a threat. You can not protect everyone around you, Nicholas. Bring him across! He wants to be one of us. Can you not perceive that?" "Are you telling me you can sense his feelings? I will take care of Daniel, but first I have to take care of those two," Nick said, pointing to the unconscious men at the bottom of the stairs. Fleur walked in at that moment. She was wiping blood off of her lips with her fore finger. She glanced at Nick and then at LaCroix. Both had a look of surprise on their face. "You both talk too much! They are gone. I won't let them hurt my family again!" she shouted. "Its done then, we better make this look good," Nick stressed. "Nicholas, I am surprised to see you are taking this so well," LaCroix remarked. "I will still search for a cure, LaCroix, but I have learned that being a vampire can have it's advantages,"Nick responded. "Good, Nicholas, remember that! So how do suggest we camouflage this?" LaCroix asked, pointing to the dead men. "May I make a suggestion?" Fleur interrupted. "Might we try a small fire?" "They learn so quickly, don't they, Nicholas,"LaCroix commented. Nick insisted that Fleur take Andre away from the warehouse. Her callousness toward the killing angered him. He knew at that moment that LaCroix was correct when he said she wasn't his sister. Her innocence had been lost, not in crossing, but in the centuries of lives she had lived. The one thing that did comfort him was that some part of her was still his mortal sister, but LaCroix had made her his sister forever. He watched as she gently cradled Andre in her arms and flew away. His anxiety turned to elation at the moment of takeoff. Nick could hear him squealing with pleasure. Nat would not like it, but she trusted Fleur too. He knew he was doing the right thing. He always seemed to do the right thing. Nick stayed and watched the blaze from a distance. The fire trucks were on time to save the building from too much damage. Unfortunately the found the remnants of two victims. They would never know about the other two. He knew they would suspect arson, but the witness saw only the two men enter the building. Nick still wondered where LaCroix dug up witnesses at that time of night. No one had seen a thing. The fire had started from inside. They would probably assume the arsonists were caught in their own fire. Nick felt pleasure mixed with guilt at the death of these men. They would have hurt his son, they deserved to die, but the policeman in him shouted that they deserved a trial. When the fire was completely out, Nick flew home to Natalie. It was going to be a very long day, and she was not going to be happy. He knew she would want to kill him when she found out that Andre was with LaCroix. He decided to find someplace that sold flowers at three in the morning. Andre was safe with LaCroix. Nick would need some time alone with Nat. They were both hurt over the recent happenings. They both had ask for him to be brought across, but neither of them really wanted it. The thing that hurt Nick the most was that he would have to push his wife away, to save her. He couldn't allow himself to hurt her again. bjturner@geocities.com / or (KLTurner@sisna.com) Give in to the Dark side of the Knight! Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,(Quadropheniac) http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:13:32 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (11/14) See Part 1 for disclaimers, I'd like to thank Bianca Handley for Beta Reading these last few parts. I would also like to thank Rebecca M'Kenna again for her tireless efforts on 1-10! Thanks both of you! Give Blood 11/14 Give Love... and keep blood between brothers............... Natalie waited for what seemed like an eternity. She knew that the kidnappers were prepared for vampires, and they had already out-maneuvered Janette. Mostly she was worried for her son. She remembered the day that she'd given up on ever having a family. The day she decided that she truly loved Nick, and wanted to be with him forever, in life or in death. Now she had Andre, and he needed her. She had to make her decisions for his sake as well as her own. Nothing in her life would ever be the same routine again. She wondered about what type of relationship she would have with Nick now. He would try to push her away, to protect her. She didn't want to be pushed away, but she didn't want to stay either. She was afraid to tell Nick what was really on her mind. Nick used the skylight, knowing it would not please Natalie. The door was the proper entrance for a mortal, or anyone aspiring to be one. But the thrill of flight , the wind in his face, and the feeling of power was too appealing. That was part of what he had missed when he lost the vampire. He slipped in easily behind Natalie. She sat in the chair with her feet tucked under her. He appeared behind her, studying her as she sat deep in thought. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her and to taste the warm blood, that compelled him to drink. He could feel the change. His fangs gleamed in the moonlight. Natalie did not even realize he was there. He had to fight hard to control the beast within. He turned away, and tried to force the vampire to regress. It was then that Natalie turned and saw him. She saw him turn away from her, and she knew why. "I see you didn't use the door. Were you planning to do it again? Drain me dry and leave me for dead? I'm sorry I didn't mean that!"she said. "I can't have you here, so close. I can't control the desire to..."he turned toward toward her again. His eyes had recovered their gray blue color. "I can't just go back to the way we were, Nick. I need you! Andre needs you!... Where is Andre?" Natalie shrieked. "We needed to talk. He's safe with Fleur... Maybe we should separate for a while, Nat. I don't want to hurt you!" he stressed. "I decide, Nick, if I want to die! I should decide if I want to be brought across. I should decide; it's my life! Janette has offered to bring me across. I don't need you to make decisions for me. If I want to live with a vampire and take the risks, then I should be able to make that decision. should make that decision together." "You don't want to be a vampire! I don't believe in the cure anymore! I can't destroy your life. I will have to move on," he replied. "You aren't leaving me, Nicholas Knight! I will hunt you down! I believe in the cure! We rushed it, that's all. It can happen, and I think Andre is the key," Natalie stated. Then in a more anxious tone she added, "I am the one who is leaving anyway. I've been planning to do this for a while." "What?" Nick yelled. "I have something I need to do, and I need some time to think! I'm going to Edinburgh. I know of someone there at the university, a friend of Whittaker's, who does genetic research. I am taking Andre. Maybe we can help him. We'll do it right this time. We will search for the cure together. There has to be a cure! You said till death do us part, for better, or for worse. It can't get much worse," she declared. "You can't go! Who will protect you?" he demanded. "Janette!" she replied curtly. "She can't protect you! She won't protect you," Nick stressed. "She will protect Andre, and I can take care of myself. Anyway, I think I'm beginning to like Janette. She and I have something in common after all," Natalie replied, emphasizing her meaning with a scowl. "Do you really believe that this person can help? Won't he ask questions?"Nick asked. "Andre carries your altered chromosomes. If we can isolate them, then maybe we can do something to fix them. Perhaps, at least can live a normal life. If he asks questions then I will give him all the answers that I can. I can't do it alone anymore, Nick." "When will you come back?" Nick asked as he stared toward the front door. Natalie walked into his view so that she could see what he was feeling. "I took a month's leave," she said. "I'm not going to let you leave Toronto, Nick. You need to stay, for Daniel, and for yourself... Nick, stay away from LaCroix! He doesn't have your best interests at heart. I know he's your friend now but..." "He and I are even, or as close to even as we can be. He won't like you trying to find a cure though," he said nervously. "He doesn't have to know! I won't be gone for long," she stated. "He will know! Where will you stay until you leave? Where will I stay?" "This is our home. We will stay here, in bed and you will keep your fangs to yourself! Unless I tell you otherwise." "You ... we ... I can't take that chance!" Nick stammered. Natalie answered his protests with a passionate kiss. He yielded for a moment, then pushed her back and turned away from her. The urge to bite was too much for him to control. His eyes were already a golden hue. Natalie touched him gently on the arm, to let him know it was okay. She understood what he was going through. Perhaps Janette was wrong. They would have to return to the way they had been before. bjturner@geocities.com / or/ (KLTurner@sisna.com) (Quadropheniac)"Hold me down and I will bite!" -- Pete Townshend Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,with Valentine tendancies http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:14:11 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (12/14) See pts 1&11 for credits and disclaimers. Give Blood 12/14 Give Blood... but you may find that blood is not enough............. Daniel waited anxiously for Janette to arrive. He had almost called the date off. He'd learned much more about her since he'd made the date, more than he ever wanted to know. It was his Gran's greatest fear, that he would move to Toronto and get involved with a blood sucking monster. She had warned him about city women when he'd left for training. Janette made her entrance at just the right moment. Daniel could tell she>was well practiced at making an entrance. He had expected her to come overdressed. Instead she had arrived in a button up shirt and jeans. She blended in, and yet her elegance still showed. He stared at her for a moment. He could feel his heart pounding faster and harder. It would have been easier if she didn't look so good. He wanted to say something to her, but he couldn't. What do you say to a vampire that looks like that? All of the questions that had been running around in his mind were gone. "Daniel, I'm pleased that you are here. I thought you might not want to meet with me," Janette remarked. "I was thinking the same thing," he returned. "Actually, I almost didn't make it. Reese made us finish the report on that case tonight, on our night off! It was full of holes, but he said 'no vampires' so..." "I trust you had no problems?" Janette queried. She sat down on the nearest chair and motioned for Daniel to sit. He decided he had better use some of those manners that his Gran had taught him. He pushed her chair in, then sat down across from her. "I guess this isn't what you're used to," Daniel said as he looked around the pub. "I enjoy these taverns. They are so charming. They remind me of another time," she said in a far away tone. "Yeah, Nick told me that you're an older woman. Do you drink anything?" "You can order some wine. I will endure it for you," she replied. "Maybe you'd rather go to the Raven," he commented in a dejected tone. "I am not as fond of my little place as I used to be. Some of the patrons may not be happy to see you, in good health." "You mean you own it?" he asked. "I did once. It was my hobby you might say. We can go somewhere else, if you would be more comfortable." "Maybe we could take a drive. The moon is full and I love driving at night," he commented. "You are not afraid to be alone with me?" she asked. "No, I love a little danger. That's why I love your boss's show so much, I guess," he replied. "He is not my "boss". Nicola is my master now," she whispered. "Please don't say 'master'," Daniel croaked. "I'm trying to forget what you are, what he is. Let's just get out of here!" Daniel stood and walked outside. Janette followed. They looked at the moon and then at each other. Daniel stared into the distance. Janette tried to follow his gaze. Somehow she knew his mind was across the ocean. He seemed to be right at home in Canada, but still he was an Englishman. "I bet the lake is beautiful tonight," Daniel remarked. "How heavy are you, Daniel?" Janette asked. "That's the first time anyone's asked me that question... on a date," he replied. "I think I can manage it, and I don't like your car. It's tiny and slow." "It gets good mileage that way!" he objected. Janette ignored his protests. She looked to see if anyone was watching. She took his arms and wrapped them around her waist. Then she tested his weight. He was taller than she was, but he was thin. He wasn't as heavy as his stature would suggest. She held him around the chest and leapt into the air. Daniel held his breath and enjoyed the ride for a moment. He wondered at that moment what it would be like. He didn't like the idea of drinking blood, but the supernatural powers ... *that* he could get used to. He almost lost it when Janette flew over the lake. It made him nervous in more ways than one. He began feeling more like a mouse caught by an owl than a man on a date. "You know, they frown on this over here. They like to know when someone decides to visit," he said when they landed, referring to their unorthodox border crossing. "No one needs to know we are here. You said you weren't afraid to be alone with me!" she replied. "Yeah but that was when we were still in Canada!" he protested. "I can take you back if you want. I just wanted to see the lake from here. I have seen the other side many times in the past twenty years." Janette sat down on the bank and stared at the water. Daniel sat next to her. The ground was cold, but he could see that she hadn't noticed. He stared into her eyes. He saw a sadness there that wasn't there before. He felt a bit jealous. He could sense that she was thinking of someone else. His first thought was that his partner still owned her heart. "Ok, who is he? Nick?" he asked. "His name was Robert, he was mortal. He cured me, or maybe not. I was like Nicola. I couldn't save him when he was dying. You need not be jealous of Nicola. He and I have a different relationship," she replied. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you sad. It's just... I guess I'll always be jealous of Nick. He has everything." "I am not sad. I don't feel anything anymore. My heart is empty, and you are right! Nicola does have everything...for now," she replied mournfully. "You too, huh? There's still something else on your mind. Isn't there?" Daniel asked. "Robert's son, Patrick. He believes I am dead. He doesn't know what I am. He only knows I was once his mother. Robert trusted me with him, though he knew what I was." "I don't believe you would ever hurt anyone!" "I can ... I have hurt many," she responded. He leaned over to her and kissed her. She pulled away abruptly, as if had been burned. She put her hand on his chest to stop him. "You must stop! You don't know what you are doing!" she whispered. "I never have known what I was doing. I go by feeling, instinct, and my instinct tells me that you want this as much as I do," he replied. "I don't do this with mortals!" she protested. He moved in and kissed her again. She wanted to resist again, but something compelled her to yield. She moved closer to him, to feel the warmth of his body. He began kissing her neck and shoulders. She wanted to stop him, but she couldn't say it. She felt the blood coursing through his veins, calling her. He kissed her neck and then moved back to her mouth. It was then that he saw the golden color of her eyes. He gasped and backed away from her. She turned her head and tried to regain control. "Daniel, this must stop or I will kill you!" she declared. "I'm not your type. Nick was right!" he replied in a bitter tone. "Nicola said that?" she replied with a look of confusion on her face. "Hewas trying to protect you. I want you, but not the way you want me to. must go back!" "You won't kill me. I trust you," he whispered. He looked into her golden eyes. She stared back at him. She could feel the warmth of the sun in the blue of his eyes. Even when he looked away, she could feel the sun, and see the clear blue sky that seemed to be reflected in his eyes. "I trust you! I need you," he whispered seductively as he gazed into her eyes. He moved in again and kissed her on the mouth, then down her neck. She pulled back, slowly this time. He moved closer and continued to kiss her. She felt the beast take control. Before she realized what she was doing, her fangs were embedded in his neck. His life was draining away and he was enjoying every minute of it, which made things much worse. She stopped suddenly when she felt him slip into unconsciousness. The feelings of arousal had turned to rage inside her. She loathed Daniel for making her care again. She wanted to leave him to die. The anger in her soon turned to pain as she remembered Robert and the day he died. If only she had brought him across earlier, he would still be alive and she would never have been drawn to this mortal. She wanted to scream at Nicola. It was his fault this happened. He should have let her die. She could hear the struggling beats of Daniel's heart as it pushed the remaining blood through his system. Her heart softened a bit when she looked at him. It wasn't his fault. She regretted agreeing to meet him, it was too soon. She knew there was only one thing left to do.... *** LaCroix sat in the empty bar of the Raven. It was almost sunrise. Janette hadn't come back. He had actually begun to worry, until he felt the familiar vibration of his former charge. There was more. He could feel the unfamiliar vibrations of another of their kind. He almost fell off his stool when he saw who it was. He began to chuckle. Fleur came to observe what had made her lover so amused. She stopped in her tracks and gasped when she saw. "Janette, how could you! Nicola will kill you!" Fleur shouted. "I didn't want to. His eyes were so hypnotic... He kissed me. I haven't tasted the blood from a living soul in such a long time. He just kept kissing me and the vampire took over. I don't remember actually biting him." LaCroix laughed at her confession. She almost sounded like a human after they had been hypnotized. He fought hard to regain his composure and then addressed her. "Are you going to tell Nicholas that this former human 'hypnotized' you?" LaCroix asked. "It's not hypnotism!" Daniel interrupted. "I don't do parlour tricks. I just know how to get inside someone's head. It comes in handy when you're trying to force a confession." LaCroix was intrigued by this comment. He almost felt sorry for Daniel. He knew that Daniel envied the vampire powers, but he had no idea what he had gotten himself into. He remembered his own crossing. He'd also had no idea what he was getting into until it was too late. "Nicola is going to be very upset, Lucien," Fleur commented, interrupting LaCroix's thoughts. "What are we going to do?" " my dear are going to do nothing. It is between Janette and Nicholas. He should be proud; she has not had much success bringing men across. I believe I am going to enjoy the show!" he replied. "He must feed soon and he is still disoriented," Janette stated irascibly. LaCroix's amusement only irritated her more. "Give him some of my private stock. He is family after all," he replied, while smiling evilly at her. Daniel sat down and put his head in his hands. He could feel the nagging hunger, but he didn't want to give in. He hadn't actually planned this. Part of him wanted it, but part of him wanted to be abducted by aliens too. Neither plan was necessarily good for him. "I'm not going to drink blood, LaCroix," he moaned. "You will, Mr. Grant, and I think you'll enjoy it. You will become weak ... if you do not feed," LaCroix replied. "Is this normal? I have an awful headache ... I feel like I'm hungover!" "You should be disoriented for some time. I've never heard of anyone complaining of a headache; interesting." "I'm glad you think so... What am I going to tell Nick?" "Nicholas is not your concern. Janette will have to deal with him. If I were still her father it would easy. I think you will make a very good vampire." "Thanks, though I'm sure that's not a compliment." "Do you lament, so soon?" "I'm not too crazy about the blood drinking thing. I think the rest might be advantageous!" "Good, perhaps you can convince Nicholas... that being a vampire is not so disagreeable." bjturner@geocities.com / or/ (KLTurner@sisna.com) (Quadropheniac)"Hold me down and I will bite!" -- Pete Townshend Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,with Valentine tendancies http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:14:55 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (13/14) See Part 1 and 11 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood 13/14 GIVE BLOOD... and there are some who'll say it's not enough.......... Nick arrived at the Raven just as the sun began to rise over the buildings. He'd had to argue with Natalie for a long time, to be allowed to keep his appointment with LaCroix. He finally had to tell her he was checking on Andre. Her mother's instinct kicked in at that moment. She shoved him toward the door, with an excuse about having to pack anyway. He was relieved that she had given in so quickly. He had been feeling the urge to bite her even before he regained his powers. Now that he was a full fledged vampire, his urges were stronger and harder to control. A part of him wanted to feel her again, but he knew it was wrong. He left by the door even though they both knew he would have to fly to beat the sun. The thrill of flight was something he had missed, yet he felt a nagging guilt whenever he flew. Guilt that Natalie had instilled in him. He shook his head in frustration, as her admonishments ran through his brain like a freight train through a long tunnel. She had asked for this ... for him to be brought back over, but she would never accept him as a vampire. He ducked inside the Raven just before the sun topped the neighboring buildings. He was surprised when no one came to greet him. He looked around the bar. No one was in sight. He could feel the presence of his kind coming from the back room. LaCroix, Janette, and Fleur were there along with another, familiar, yet unfamiliar vampire. He moved slowly to the room. He kept trying to feel this new vampire. He could tell it was a fledgling by the uncertainty of the vibrations. When he reached the door and opened it, he saw who it was. He stumbled back and sank against the wall on the opposite side of the room. He put his head in his hands and rubbed his temples, as if he were having a headache. LaCroix smiled, he was enjoying Nick's reaction. "Nicholas, won't you join us? We were having a family breakfast." Nick turned and stared at Daniel for a moment. He then turned to LaCroix. His eyes were golden and fangs were extended. He had a threatening tone in his voice when he spoke. "How could you! He wasn't a danger to the Community," he hissed. "I believe you should direct your accusations to your charge. She is your responsibility. You took that away from me, when you brought her back across." "Janette?" he said weakly, as he returned to normal. "You did this to him? Why?" "Nicola, I couldn't leave him for dead. You would never forgive me, oui? He kissed me! I lost control. I believe you know what I am saying!" she replied. "She owed you one, Nicholas!" LaCroix interrupted. "I hoped she would take her revenge, but this is much better than what I had in mind." "I have forgiven you if you had killed him," Nick said ignoring LaCroix. "LaCroix is right. It's my fault. I didn't warn him." "Yes you did, Nick!" Daniel countered. "This is my fault. I am the one who started it. I whammied her!" "Dan, you don't know what is happening here! This isn't a joke. You are a vampire, forever!" Nick emphasized. "So are you! I'm not sorry! It was the best date I have ever had. She is some woman!" Daniel said as he smiled at Janette. "I know!" Nick whispered. He glanced at Janette. He couldn't stay angry with her, though he wanted to. A part of him still loved her deeply. "Nicholas, Janette tells me she is going to Britain. Who will be left to teach this fledgling? Should I send someone for a tree branch for you to sharpen?" LaCroix questioned. Nick ignored the question and sat down next to Daniel. He could see that Daniel seriously believed himself to be at fault. He believed he had the power to hypnotize people. Janette wasn't going to get off that easy. Human's don't hypnotize vampires, it was impossible. "Nicola, are you going to join us? I know it is not your preferred drink," Fleur asked. "What is it you drink?" Daniel asked. "Nicholas prefers bovine blood, Mr. Grant," Fleur replied. "I don't usually drink Human blood, Dan. I would suggest you follow my lead if you don't want to become a regular here," Nick instructed. "It's not as sweet or as exiting as Human, but it curbs the hunger." Daniel picked up the glass that Janette had set before him. He turned it and watched the liquid as it moved around the glass. He put it to his lips and sipped. He then took the entire contents into his mouth, and swallowed with one gulp. He paused for a second, then he grabbed the bottle, and drank deeply. "Well Nicholas, keep him away from sunlight, wooden stakes, fire, and you should have a partner for life. We should never see you moping over the loss of a partner again. Janette has done you a favor really," LaCroix commented. "Some favor!" Nick replied. "Who will be taking him in, Nicholas? You or me?" "I suppose he'll be coming home with me." "Hey, I don't want a roommate, especially a married one!" Daniel protested. "Natalie's going away, Dan. There is room in my building for a little apartment. It's being used for storage right now. You will stay with me, until your place is ready. You have special needs now and someone has to keep an eye on you, if you want to live." "I don't want to live in a warehouse. What's wrong with my place? I like the Beaches! I have a great view," Daniel protested. "A great view of the sunrise, too many windows, and nosy neighbors. Also, my life, and your's, will depend on me keeping you in line." "Nicholas, I believe this is the most amusing situation you've been in yet," LaCroix said. He shot a quick glance at Daniel then smiled wickedly at Nick. "I'm not amused!" Nick replied. "What is he going to tell the Captain." "You seemed to have managed well, with the help of your pet. She could easily take care of the problem..." "I don't even want to tell her," Nick replied. "Secrets already, Nicholas? I thought you were going to be open, and honest with her... from now on!" "I'll tell her on the phone, when she's in Edinburgh. That way she can have time to sharpen her stake ... before she plunges into my heart," he replied. "The sharper the stake, the less pain it inflicts," LaCroix mused. "LaCroix?" Nick began to question. "Your pet is going away, and you want me to leave her alone! Yes?" LaCroix interrupted. "You know why!" he insisted. "Nicholas, your mind is like an open book right now. Your thoughts and feelings are easily read. I won't bother your pet. There is no cure. You have proven that it doesn't matter anyway. You will come back to me! You always come back, eventually." Nick was about to deny that fact, but he stopped himself. He and LaCroix had come to an understanding, a friendship. LaCroix's words stung because they were true. He always returned, not to LaCroix, but to the vampire within himself. "You are right LaCroix, about everything, but remember I can still feel your feelings about me, Fleur and Andre." "I can hide my feeling, or I can show them, Nicholas. Can you say as much?" "I don't want to hide my feelings anymore," Nick commented. "Then don't! It is your choice, Nicholas. It has always been your choice. I sincerely do not care." "I know that you care. I've known it since the moment you took the stake from my hand that night and did what I asked." "Well I owed you one! Didn't I?" LaCroix replied. He glared at Nick, then lifted the glass of blood to his mouth and sipped it. Nick picked up the glass that Fleur had set in front of him, and stared at it. He brought it to his lips, and poured the liquid into his mouth. He held the liquid there for a moment, savoring every thought and feeling in it, then he swallowed. LaCroix watched Nick's every move with a wicked smile on his face. bjturner@geocities.com / or/ (KLTurner@sisna.com) (Quadropheniac)"Hold me down and I will bite!" -- Pete Townshend Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,with Valentine tendancies http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/ To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com X-Sender: klturner@mail.sisna.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 17:15:29 -0700 From: Beverly & KL Turner Subject: GIVE BLOOD (14/14) See part 1 for disclaimers and credits. Give Blood (14/14) So give love, and keep blood between brothers............. Natalie sat on the floor amidst the baggage for the trip. She was going over her checklist in her mind. It was not going to be easy to travel with a toddler, especially for that long. Janette would be no help. She would have to find "other" accommodations for the trip. Natalie's only hope was that the person in the seat next to her would like children. She had to request the center isle for Andre's sake. He couldn't be exposed to the morning sun, in his condition. Condition, the word rang in her head. It was more than just a condition, and it seemed to be worsening as he aged. Aging; she'd never thought about that. Would he stop aging altogether; if so when? Nick's arrival interrupted her thought. He used the skylight again. Janette and Daniel had come with him. She began asking herself how this was possible. Nick hadn't taken the car. "Nat!" Nick said. "We need to talk." "Andre's alright, isn't he?" she asked. "Nat!" he repeated. "Something happened last night." "I suppose you're not going to answer my question! Okay, so what happened last night?" "Nat you have another patient to cure," Nick explained. "Hey!" Daniel interrupted. "I don't want to be cured!" "WHAT!" Natalie shrieked. "Janette, after what we talked about, I thought..." "It was an accident! I lost control, Natalie. I had to bring him across or Nicola would have staked me," Janette declared. "I may yet!" Nick replied. "Hey, is anyone going to allow me to take some blame in this?" Daniel asked. Nick ignored his partner and turned to Natalie. She was staring at Daniel. The truth had hit her harder than Nick imagined it would. She was now the only human in their little circle. Nick put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Nat, I just wanted you to know. He will have to stay here, for a while. Then he's going to be our neighbor." "Why not let LaCroix take him in? You can't be responsible for him!" she remarked. "He's Janette's responsibility. If she goes with you, then he's mine!" Nick replied. "Nat, we need your help. Medical records......" Daniel added. "I'll take care of it. What's one more forgery. For that matter what's one more vampire, I seem to be up to my... neck, now," she replied. "Thanks Nat, you're a sweetie," Daniel said, while staring at her neck. "You'll never know Daniel Grant," she answered, pulling her shirt collar up. "Nat, I'm hurt! You can trust me, more than you can that husband of yours. I've seen the scars on your neck, remember." Natalie put her hand on her neck. She could feel the two small bumps, but those weren't the scars that she was thinking of. The real scars were in her heart. She was in love with a vampire, but she couldn't love him, not the way she wanted to. "I'm sorry, Daniel. When you have been around vampires for as long as I have, you tend to get a bit defensive," she replied. "It's alright! Listen, we have to go. Nat? Are you going to be alright here, with him?" Natalie nodded her head. Nick shoved his partner toward the door. Daniel grabbed Janette's hand and pulled her toward the lift. Natalie looked at Nick. She wondered if he could sense what she was feeling, what she was thinking. She wondered if he knew what she was asking herself. Would Nick want the cure, if she were like him? Would it take forever to find it? Would she want to cure him if she were a vampire? "I can't Nat!" he said, answering her thoughts. "Can't what Nick?" she inquired. "I can't bring you across. I can't force this curse on you!" Nick exclaimed. "You mean the curse I forced on you?" she asked. "The curse you and I begged LaCroix to give you?" "Natalie I......" he began. "I understand, Nick; you feel if you bring me across you're damning me to your hell. Don't you know I've known it since the night you bit me? I saw it, felt it. I knew as soon as your fangs touched my blood that it was the end for me, for you. I guess I owe LaCroix lot." "I owe him Nat, not you. He knew I would die without you. I can still feel the pain of the stake in my back. I can still feel the blood ooze......" He said. His gazed at the floor where Nat had fallen on that momentous night. " owe him!" she replied, following his gaze. "I guess even he isn't all bad!" She kissed him softly on the lips. He returned the kiss carefully. When he tried to break contact she pressed in closer. He could feel the fangs extending. He wanted to taste her blood one minute, and throw her across the room in the next. He grabbed her face and held it in front of his. He hissed at her, but she wasn't afraid. He could see that she believed in him. She had faith, that he wouldn't kill her. She had that same faith before, and she almost died because of it. "Natalie, STOP!" he growled. "No, Nick. I don't want to stop. You won't hurt me, not this time. I am a part of you, you won't kill me!" she replied. "I did! I've done it before!" he reminded harshly. "You won't now! I want to feel you!" she declared. She moved in again this time she moved the hair away from her neck exposing it to him. She grabbed him firmly around the waist and kissed his neck. Nick couldn't fight the urge anymore. He kissed her mouth, then moved to her cheek, then to the exposed neck. She felt the fangs graze her skin. She prepared herself for the bite. Fear began welling up in her as she remembered what happened before. She held him tightly and braced herself for the shock. He hesitated. "I can't, Nat!" he whispered. "I have a bag of AB negative blood in the fridge, my own, just in case. You won't take too much. I trust you, Nick! I want to feel you!" she emphasized. He pushed her away and looked into her eyes. The golden hue was still present in his own eyes. He turned away from her. He didn't want her to see him like that. "It's not safe! Do you know what it takes to make the cure permanent? Janette lost Robert! I can't lose you!" he replied. "Maybe there is a more scientific cure. I wanted to try... I wanted to be with you. Things are different now! We're different! You won't kill me," she commented. "Maybe when you get back... It's too soon now. I can't control it!" he expressed. Natalie put her hand on his chest. She felt his heart beat once. She smiled at him, but he couldn't return the smile. She put her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his chest. The cure was out there somewhere. She was going to find it. She was determined to have a normal life. Even if it took forever. Nick smiled slightly then pushed her back and turned on the radio. He was truly interested in what LaCroix had to say tonight. "Children of the night, this broadcast is for you. My topic tonight is family, my family in particular. Though I consider you all my children, there are the few who truly are mine! One of them is here, in my booth, tonight. My blood flows through his veins and he bears my mark. He is traveling to the land of the savage Gaels on this very night, but he will return to me. My children always return to me... Let this be a warning to you all... Don't mess with the Nightcrawler's own!.. And now you... my dear, Doctor... I know everything, I feel everything, he cannot hide a thing from me. You are wasting your time, there is no cure. There is no sickness. He is a new breed, born into his condition. He is mine just as his father is. You can never change that fact. I am however extending an open invitation to you, Doctor. You can join my little family, whenever you choose. I will be waiting... The Nightcrawler is waiting for your call...." Natalie looked into Nick's eyes. He was in a daze. She quickly turned away from him so he wouldn't read her thoughts in her expression. She fought the urge to laugh out loud. She now had two offers to bring her across. Perhaps one day she would consider one of them, but today she would go and try to cure her son. She needed time to think. LaCroix's offer was too tempting right now. The end. Although it never really does end, for some of us, Anyway. Send comments to:(Beverly Turner ) klturner@sisna.com bjturner@geocities.com / or/ (KLTurner@sisna.com) (Quadropheniac)"Hold me down and I will bite!" -- Pete Townshend Cousin,Dark Knightie,Diviant,Vaquera,CotK,IB,with Valentine tendancies http://www.geocities.com/Area51/6820/