Date: 96-10-31 16:47:31 EST Poster: Rebecca Tanner Subject: Halloween With Jenny (1/4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Nobody dies in this one. Promise. Comments are welcome at the address below. I'd like to thank Kathy Whelton for letting me use her story "Jenny's Surprise" as background, and I'd also like to thank Kevin Matsumoto for helping me with a couple of places where I was stuck. There is slight N&NPacker mushiness in this story. Not much, about as much as you would see in an actual episode. Disclaimer - I've never seen Pocohantas, I've never been to a Haunted House, and I have no idea how Halloween is celebrated in Toronto. This was just an idea that came to me after reading Kathy Whelton's wonderful story "Jenny's Surprise". Nick and Company were created by James Parriott and are currently owned by Sony. Title Disclaimer - I am *really* bad at coming up with titles for my stories. Halloween With Jenny (1/4) rebecca@rio.dixie.edu Police Station 5 days before Halloween Detective Schanke sat at his desk staring at a report. In his absorbtion, Schanke didn't hear Captain Cohen come up behind him. "Schanke, have you finished that report?" "Not quite yet Captain." Schanke said as he started and tried to look busy. "It's almost done though." Captain Cohen raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Good. I expect that and all your other reports to be on my desk by the end of the month." She said and walked back to her office. "I guess this would not be the best time to ask to have Halloween off." Schanke said to the blank door. He was startled by a chuckle behind him. "What have you done now Schank?" "Sheesh Knight, are you trying to give me a heart attack? What is with everybody sneaking up on me today? Is it 'Pick on Schanke Night' and nobody told me?" Nick laughed and repeated his question. "Why is Cohen on your case?" "Paperwork." Schanke said in a disgusted tone. "She wants every single piece of outstanding paperwork on her desk by the end of the month. I'm going to have to work overtime to get everything done." Nick rolled his eyes in sympathy. Paperwork wasn't exactly his favorite thing either. "So why do you need to have Halloween off?" Nick asked. "Jenny's school is having a party and I'm supposed to be helping. They needed some parents to keep an eye on the kids, run the games, that sort of thing. Yours truly was 'volunteered' for duty. It actually sounds kind of fun. How often do you have permission to play dress up and act like a kid?" "Oh, I don't know. I've always thought that Halloween was overrated. Don't you think there's enough horror in the world without manufacturing more?" "Man oh man, it's obvious that you've never had any kids. They love this stuff. Dressing up as their favorite character, the candy, the haunted houses and spook alleys. A chance to be scared but still be safe. It's great. Jenny was really excited about going to this party, but it looks like she may have to miss it. Oh man, I do not want to tell her she can't go." "Why doesn't Myra take her?" "She sprained her ankle. Can you believe it? She can walk on it a little, but there is no way she can last a whole evening." "I'm sorry to hear that. Is she okay?" "She's fine, the doctor just wants her to stay off it for a few days. She's gaining a whole new appreciation for drive thru businesses." Nick nodded and started looking over the case file on his desk. Schanke watched him with a speculative look on his face. "Knight, buddy, pal, how would you like the opportunity of a lifetime?" "I don't think I like the sound of this." "Come on Knight, it would be fun. You could use a little rest and re-lax-a-tion. I'm sure Jenny would love to have you take her. You two really hit it off after she stayed over that night that Myra and I got flooded out." "I agree Knight. You've worked every holiday for the last two years. You hardly ever take vacation time. You have the 31st off and I don't want to see you here. Clear?" Cohen said from behind Nick. "Yeah cap, clear." Cohen nodded and returned to her office. "Reports Schanke, on my desk." The two partners sat there for a moment, each envying the other's situation. Finally Schanke broke the silence. "Well Knight, how about it? Will you take Jenny to the Halloween party, or just let her poor little heart break?" "You really know how to lay on the guilt don't you Schank?" "I'm a father, it's part of the job description. Does that mean yes?" "Yes." Nick sighed. He didn't really mind, Jenny was a great kid, but he couldn't let Schanke know. He wanted to milk this favor for all it was worth. "Just remember that you owe me one." "Great! You won't regret this Nick. Trust me, you will have a ball." The next night Schanke came rushing in a few minutes late. "Sorry I'm late. Myra drove the car practically down to fumes and I had to stop for gas. Women. Why can't they keep the tank full? Why is it always the man's job?" "That's okay Schanke, Cohen hasn't started looking for you yet." Nick replied. He stared curiously at the large paper bag Schanke was holding. "Did you decide to bring dinner with you so you don't have to stop for souvlaki?" "This?" Schanke held up the bag. "Nah, this is your costume. And let me tell you, Jenny is *thrilled* that you will be taking her to this party. I practically had to peel her off the ceiling." "Costume? What costume? You didn't say anything about a costume." Nick said. "Well of course Knight, it's a *Halloween* party. You didn't plan to wear your work clothes to a costume party did you?" "What's wrong with this? I could go as a homicide detective." "Mon ami, I did mention that I was supposed to help with the games didn't I?" At Nick's nod he continued. "Well one of those games is a haunted house and you, my friend, get to be..." He paused dramatically and whipped the costume out with a flourish. "Count Dracula!" Nick looked at the cheesy cape and even cheesier plastic fangs. He couldn't decide whether to laugh or run screaming from the room. Finally, he grinned and grabbed the costume. This might actually be fun, as long as he didn't have to do it alone. "Dracula? I don't know Schanke, I don't really look like a vampire, do I?" "Well, not everyone can have dark hair, but you're pale enough to pull it off. Can you fake a good accent?" "You mean like this?" Nick said in the world's worst Transylvanian accent. "Yeah Knight, that'll do." Schanke said with a laugh. "Knight, Schanke. Have you done anything on the Johnson case?" Cohen asked. "Ah, no cap, we were waiting for the autopsy reports." Nick replied. "Natalie just called to tell us they were in." "Maybe you should go get them." "We were just leaving, cap." Schanke said. "Not you Schanke. You have paperwork to do. I'm sure that Detective Knight can manage to find his way to the morgue by himself." "Sure thing cap." Nick stood up to go. After a brief hesitation he grabbed the costume bag. "Some guys get all the luck." Schanke muttered to Nick's retreating back. ***** end part 1 Rebecca Tanner rebecca@rio.dixie.edu There is only so much time one can spend in the company of a dead pig without becoming depressed. Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings Halloween With Jenny (2/4) rebecca@rio.dixie.edu Nick stopped outside the morgue and listened carefully. Nat was in there and she was alone. This would be good. He carefully inserted the fangs and made sure the cape was straight. He waited until he heard her walking away from the door and made his move. Using that handy vampire speed, he moved right behind her, lifted the cape to obscure part of his face and said, "Good evening." in his very best B-grade horror movie vampire voice. Nat let out a shriek and jumped, spinning around to face him. Nick decided to go all out and moved closer. He put one hand behind her back, took her hand in his and dipped her. He opened his mouth to tell her how much he wanted to drink her blood and the plastic fangs fell out and hit Natalie on her nose. That was too much for them and they burst out laughing. Nick pulled Natalie back upright. "*What* are you up to Nick? I never thought I'd see *you* in a cape with," and here she bent down to retrieve the fangs, "fake plastic fangs." She offered them to him with a raised eyebrow. Nick grinned and accepted the fangs with a bow. "Actually my lady, I don't think I'll be needing these." He tossed the cheap fangs into the hazarous waste bin. "Schanke has been grounded until he finishes his paperwork so I'm taking Jenny to her school Halloween party. One of the things Schanke was supposed to do was participate in the haunted house as Dracula, so here I am." "You're going to be a vampire in a children's haunted house? I'd love to see that." "I was hoping you would say that." Nick said with a grin. Nat's face took on a slightly uncomfortable look. "What do you mean?" She asked. "What better way to celebrate Halloween than to dress up and go to a party?" "Uh..." "And don't give me any 'I have to work' excuse, I know you have Halloween off." "Well..." Nick dropped to his knees, clasped his hands together, put on his most eagerly entreating look, and said, "Please don't make me go by myself. I'm begging you. Pleeease." "Oooh, Detective Knight begging. I think I like this." "What do I have to do to convince you to go with me?" "Oh I don't know. Why don't you make me an offer?" "Flowers? Chocolate? Tickets to the concert? New clothes?" Nick stopped. None of these seemed to be working. Aha! He had it. Maybe if he could get her to laugh she would give in. "Do I have to kiss your feet?" Natalie's face took on a speculative look. She grinned. "Yes!" She wanted to laugh at the trapped look on Nick's face. He looked the same way that she had at the beginning of the conversation and it felt very good to see the shoe on the other foot, so to speak. "Can I at least wash them first?" She nodded while trying to smother the laughter that threatened to escape. Nick found a bowl, a clean rag, and some soap. Nat sat down next to the computer and watched his actions with undisguised interest. Nick knelt in front of her and reached for her foot. As he held it in his hand he looked up at her. "You're going to make me do this aren't you?" "Uh huh." "Isn't there something else I could do instead?" "Nope. You said you'd kiss my feet and if you want me to go to the party with you that is exactly what you will have to do." Nick sighed and started to remove the shoes. After he had taken off both shoes and socks he reached for the soap and washcloth. He looked up once more, hoping for a reprieve, but there was none. He soaked the cloth and wet her feet with it. When both feet were dripping he took the soap and rubbed it on. He worked up a good lather and carefully washed between each toe as he massaged her feet with the suds. He then used the cloth to rinse each foot. After he finished drying her feet he glanced up. She was looking entirely too relaxed and pleased with herself. He took his finger and drew the nail down the sole of her foot from the heel to the toe. When he got to the arch she jumped. "Nick!" She squeaked. "What are you doing?" "I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention." He said with a smile and ran his fingernail down the sole of her foot again. "Nick! Stop that!" Natalie tried to jerk her foot away, but he held her efortlessly. "Does that mean you don't want me to kiss your feet?" Nick asked. "No way buster. I said *kiss* my feet, not tickle them. You aren't getting out of this." Nick bent his head and brought her foot to his lips. He gently kissed her big toe and looked up. Natalie had a strange expression on her face. It seemed to be equal parts amusement and pleasure. "Okay?" He inquired. Natalie looked at him and shook her head slightly. "No. You said *feet*, plural, not *foot*. You've got to do the other one too." Nick took her other foot and started to lift it to his lips. Grace walked in with her eyes on the note she was carrying. "Natalie, do you have the autopsy reports for..." She stopped as she looked up and took in the scene. "Wha- nevermind, I don't think I want to know. No wait, yes I do. Detective Knight, what in the world are you doing to Dr. Lambert?" "It's not what it looks like." Natalie said in a slightly embarrassed voice. "It looks like he's washing your feet." Grace said as she looked at the bowl and soap. "Uh, well I guess it *is* what it looks like then." Natalie said. "Well, actually, I'm kissing her feet. The washing was for my benefit." Nick corrected. "I guess the question is, *why* are you doing that?" Grace asked. "I really need to get the report for the Johnson case and I wanted to be sure it received the highest priority." Nick said with an innocent look. Natalie blushed a little and broke in. "Ah, Nick wanted me to do him a favor and this was..." She gestured helplessly. "The, um, bribe." Grace continued to look at them doubtfully. "Uh huh, well I'll just leave you to it then." She left, shaking her head and muttering as she went. "Must be some favor." Nick and Nat watched her leave and then started to laugh. "I wonder what the rumor mill will make of this." Nat said. "Well, hopefully Grace will keep her mouth shut." Nick answered. He was a little uneasy with how much he was enjoying this and decided to end it quickly before things got out of hand. He quickly grabbed the other foot and deposited a kiss on the sole. "Okay, bribe paid. I'll pick you up at six, ok?" "Sure Nick, you were a good sport about the whole thing." Natalie said, somewhat disappointed by the abrupt ending. "Is there anything special that I should wear?" "Surprise me." Nick grinned and winked at her as he went out the door. Halloween Natalie's Apartment 6:01pm Nick stood outside Natalie's apartment waiting for her to answer the knock. His acute hearing picked up the sounds of frantic steps rushing around the room. "Sydney! Come back here!" "No! Come out from the couch." "Come on, be a good kitty and come out." "Good boy." "Gotcha!" The footsteps finally approached the door. "Sorry for the delay Nick." Natalie said as she opened the door. "Sydney took my socks and carried them under the couch where I couldn't get them. Come in, I'm almost ready." Nick came in and sat on the couch. He looked at Nat with approval as she put the finishing touches on her costume. When she was done she stood in front of him and spun around so he could see the entire costume. "So... What do you think?" "It's great Nat, you make a lovely bat." Nick tilted his head to one side and smiled. "We're the perfect couple, a vampire and a bat. You've got a twisted sense of humor Nat." "And you love it." "I do indeed." "Well, we better get this show on the road before Jenny starts wondering where we are." "This way my lady." Nick bowed and extended his arm towards the door. ****** end part 2 Rebecca Tanner rebecca@rio.dixie.edu There is only so much time one can spend in the company of a dead pig without becoming depressed. Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings - Halloween With Jenny (3/4) rebecca@rio.dixie.edu Schanke Residence 6:30pm Nick and Nat stood on the Schanke's porch like twin black shadows, waiting for someone to answer the door. Schanke opened the door and smiled as he looked at the costumes. "You look great. Great costume choice Natalie. Come on in, Jenny's almost ready and Myra threatened me with death if I didn't bring you in so she could see your costumes." He said. They followed Schanke into the living room where Myra sat with her leg propped up, he then left to get Jenny. "Hello! Now don't you two make a cute couple? Come here and let me take a good look." Myra stretched out her arm and motioned Natalie to come closer. Natalie walked over and stood in front of Myra so she could get a good look at the costume. "Hold your arms out." Myra commanded. Natalie did so and Myra admired the wings that unfolded. "You look lovely, Natalie. And such an appropriate costume." Myra said as she glanced at Nick. "Come on over Nick, I want to take a good look at you too." Nick came to stand next to Natalie while Myra nodded approvingly at his black suit and cape. "It is so kind of you to take Jenny to this party. She has been *so* excited. I wish that I could take her, but I'm glad we have such good friends." Myra said. "Oh, it's no trouble Myra. Jenny is a great kid. I'm glad I could help." Nick replied. "Yes, this will be much more interesting than what I had planned for tonight. I'm glad for the excuse to dress up." Natalie added. "Uncle Nick!" A short whirlwind blew across the room and attached itself to Nick. "Hi, Jenny." Nick said as he hugged her back. "Are you ready to go?" "Uh huh." Jenny pulled away and looked up at Nick. She was almost glowing and had so much energy she appeared to be on the verge of taking flight. "Do you like my costume?" She asked and spun around so fast that she was only a blur. "Well, hold still a minute and we'll tell you." Natalie laughed. Jenny didn't quite manage to stand still, but she slowed down enough for them to see the fawn colored dress and moccasins. "It's very nice. I should have known you'd pick Pocohantas." Nick said with a grin. "Well kids, it was fun seeing you but I've got to get back to the old grindstone. Have fun at the party and remember partner, don't do anything I wouldn't do and don't forget the accent." Schanke said. "Now you be good tonight." He said to Jenny as he gave her a goodbye hug. "And have fun." Schanke quickly kissed Myra goodbye and left. "I guess we're ready to go then." Nick said. "Don't forget your coat Jenny." Myra said. Jenny rolled her eyes. "Mom, I'm not a baby." "I know sweetheart. Have fun." Nick's Caddie "Nick?" Jenny asked. "Yes Jenny?" Nick replied. "Don't you think that costume is awfully cliche?" "Well yes, but I didn't have much choice in the matter. Your dad volunteered to be Dracula in the haunted house and I got stuck with it." "At least you don't have to wear those stupid fangs." Nick laughed. After a pause, Natalie joined him. "Actually, I tried them, but they wouldn't stay in my mouth." Nick said. "And it's not like I really need them anyways." Natalie was starting to look at him strangely. What did he think he was doing? He was usually much more careful than this. She thought it would be a good idea to change the subject. "What kind of things do they have at this party?" She asked. "Oh, all kinds of games. There's a fishing pond, dart game, baseball throw, bobbing for apples, ring toss, costume parade, haunted house, and lots of other stuff." Jenny replied. "It will be really cool." Jenny looked a little uncomfortable and fidgeted. "What's wrong Jenny?" Nick asked. "You aren't going to embarrass me or anything, are you?" "Embarrass you how?" "Oh, you know, like telling me how cute all my little friends are. Or bragging about how good I am whenever I play a game. Or standing around watching me the whole time. Stuff like that." "I promise not to embarrass you, but I also promised your parents I'd keep an eye on you. I think I can do that from a distance though. Okay?" Nick asked. "Okay." Jenny agreed. The rode in silence for a few minutes. Jenny was thinking about Nick pretending to be a vampire. She wondered what the people would do if they knew that the vampire in the haunted house was real. She started to smile. The more she thought about it the funnier it seemed. She started to laugh out loud. Nick and Nat looked at her questioningly. She couldn't stop laughing. "What's so funny?" Natalie asked. "I was just wondering," Jenny tried to compose herself but the occasional giggle kept escaping, "What the people who went through the haunted house would do if they knew the vampire was real." Natalie looked at Nick in shock. He didn't look surprised. In fact, he was smiling. He looked over and saw her confused expression. "Jenny's a smart kid. She figured it out all by herself." "How?" Natalie gasped. "She took all of the clues - allergic to sunlight, not eating, blood in the refrigerator, and some of the stories Schanke told - put them together and came up with vampire." "That must have been an interesting scene." "It was. We finally came to an understanding when I convinced her I didn't want to hurt her or her family." "So Nick doesn't scare you?" Natalie asked Jenny. "Not anymore." School Party 7:00 pm As Nick, Nat, and Jenny walked into the auditorium they were approached by a slightly harrassed looking fairy. "Hello, I'm Mrs. Robinson. You must be Mr. Knight. Mr. Schanke told me that you would be taking his place in the Haunted House. We've got another parent to be Dracula as well so you can take turns. While you aren't in the Haunted house we'd like you to keep an eye on the kids. A roving trouble shooter if you will. Just knowing that someone is watching will keep most of the kids in line. Here's an outline of what is expected for the Haunted House. If you have any questions about how to behave ask Mr. Collins, the other vampire. He did this last year so he has experience." Mrs. Robinson handed him a paper and hurried off to meet the next parent. Jenny was trying very hard not to laugh in Mrs. Robinson's face and managed to hold it in until she had departed. "Like you need instructions on how to be a vampire." Jenny muttered. "Can I go now? I'd like to play some of the games." "Go ahead and have fun. Nat and I will stay out of your way so we don't embarass you." "Oh you don't have to stay away the *whole* time. Just make sure you don't hover too much." Nick stood a little self-conciously in the haunted house. How had he gotten into this? He didn't want to scare any poor helpless kids. How was he going to do this? It was *so* corny. He heard footsteps approaching and lay down in the coffin. When the kids had almost reached him he sat up quickly. "Welcome to the haunted house kiddies. Don't be *afraid*." Nick said and then added the obligatory, but unenthusiastic, bwahahaha. The kids just looked at him and continued to the next section. As the walked away Nick overheard their conversation. "Going to my grandmother's house is more scary than this." "Whoever heard of a vampire without fangs?" "I hope the rest of this isn't that lame." Nick lay back down, slightly embarrassed. This wasn't a good way to start. Maybe he ought to put a little growl into his voice, but how could he possibly take this dialog seriously? He heard an adult approaching and sat up again. The approaching man was dressed in the most tasteless vampire costume it had ever been Nick's misfortune to see. The cape was lined with red and had a tall collar. The white shirt had red drops sprinkled down the front, obviously meant to protray blood even though it looked more like his hamburger had dripped on him. Nothing fit well, and the white face paint was so heavy that it was impossible to tell what his original coloring was. The hair had been dyed with a black that left a sort of greenish hue to it. The glow in the dark fangs he was wearing added the final tacky touch. "You must be Mr. Collins. I'm Nick Knight." He said. "Pleased to meet you." Mr. Collins said. "I couldn't help but overhear what happened. I did this last year so let me give you a few pointers." Mr. Collins looked Nick up and down. "Well, there isn't much we can do about your costume this late, but maybe we can help you put a little menace into your performance." He said. "What's wrong with my costume?" Nick asked. "The clothes are okay I suppose, but you should have put on some makeup. You know, put a little white on the face to make you look pale." "You don't think I look pale enough?" Nick asked in disbelief. "Don't get hot under the collar, you don't look that bad. It's just that... People expect vampires to be pale and have dark hair. They're supposed to be as pale as a corpse, the Bela Lugosi look. You just look like you don't get much sun." "You have a lot of experience with corpses, do you?" "Not actual corpses, no, but I watch a lot of television." "Huh. So what do you think I should do about my performance?" Nick asked. "Why don't you get back in the coffin and show me what you did." Mr. Collins suggested. Nick did that and treated Mr. Collins to a repeat performance of his pathetically unscary greeting. "Nick, Nick, Nick. You're doing this all wrong. You need to put a little dramatic flair into your performance. Nobody is going to be frightened by that. Get out and let me show you how to do it." Mr. Collins took Nick's place in the coffin and lay down with his arms crossed over his chest. He sat up and turned slightly so he was facing the entrance. "Good evening children. I am Count Dracula, welcome to my home. I hope you stay for a *long* time. Bwahahaha" "And that is how it is done." Mr. Collins got out with a pleased look on his face. "That isn't what they told me to say." Nick said. "It isn't written in stone. Ad lib a little." Mr. Collins replied. Nick watched Mr. Collins leave. He thought. Mr. Collins went over to the refreshment table and started to flirt with Natalie. Nick, who's mood was already bad, got progressively more upset as he watched. He wanted to go and interrupt, but he had to stay in the coffin. He heard some more kids coming and got ready. He seethed as he lay there. It really bugged him to be stuck here while someone else put the moves on Natalie. Nick was so preoccupied with his seething that he didn't realize that it was having a physical effect on him, so what happened next came as a surprise to all concerned. "I heard this first part was really lame." One of the kids said. "What do you want?" Nick snarled, fangs extended and eyes golden. Then he remembered what he was supposed to do. "Welcome to my home. I hope you stay for a long time." The children stared at him wide-eyed and slowly moved to the entrance. "Wow. That wasn't lame at all." "Did you see his eyes? How did he do that?" "It was so cool!" "He was a lot better than that other guy." "Yeah." Nick lay back down and laughed softly. Maybe he could do this after all. ****** end part 3 Rebecca Tanner rebecca@rio.dixie.edu There is only so much time one can spend in the company of a dead pig without becoming depressed. Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings Halloween With Jenny (4/4) rebecca@rio.dixie.edu Nick finished his stint in the haunted house and felt like he could really use a break. He scanned the crowd and saw Jenny standing in line for a game. Natalie was busy at the refreshment table so he decided to visit Jenny instead. "Hi Jenny, are you having fun?" Nick asked as he stopped behind her. Jenny turned around and smiled up at Nick. "Yes! I won a prize in the dart game and I got a cool prize at the fishing pond." "What did you win?" Jenny opened her orange plastic bag and pawed around for a few seconds. Her eyes were shining as she pulled out a Pocohantas sticker book and a credit card sized calculator. "See?" She said as she proudly displayed her prizes. "I got the best prize they had at the dart game. Isn't it amazing how small they can make these things? It's so cool. And I don't already have this sticker book either." "Yeah it's amazing how far technology has come in the last century." Nick agreed as he admired Jenny's loot. By this time they were nearing the head of the line and Nick saw that this game was to bob for apples. Each apple had a sticker on it indicating what prize you had won. Jenny tried to see which apple she wanted to go for. The sticker for a hot fudge sundae caught her eye. When it was finally her turn, she looked over the apples carefully to make sure that she was aiming for the right one. She quickly darted her head into the tub and took a big bite of apple. She straightened up, took the apple from her mouth and looked at the sticker. A look of disappointment crossed her face as she read it. A Donald Duck shaped eraser. Whoopee. She looked back at the tub and saw the hot fudge sundae apple bobbing in the middle. She heard the man in charge of the game ask Nick if he wanted to try. "Sure." Nick said. He had seen how disappointed Jenny was with the prize she had won and he had also seen the apple that she had eyed so longingly. Jenny's head had snapped up when she heard him. This, she had to see. Nick looked over the apples carefully and made sure that no one was watching him too closely. As he dove for the apple he let his fangs drop and easily caught his intended victim. He was careful to keep his eyes closed when he straightened up until he was certain they were no longer golden. He retracted his fangs and removed the apple from his mouth. He really wanted to spit out the apple juice that had gotten in his mouth, but he didn't think that would make a good impression. He swallowed several time to get rid of the taste. Jenny started laughing as she watched the faces he made trying to get the apple taste out of his mouth. Nick looked down and gave her a rather sour smile as he handed her the apple. Her eyes widened as she looked at the two neat punture marks on the skin. "Wow." She said. "I guess those things come in handy sometimes, don't they?" She took the sticker off and exchanged it for a coupon. "I'm hungry now." Jenny announced. "Let's get something to eat." Jenny and Nick walked over to the refreshment table where Natalie was working. "Oh, come on Nick, try a little." Natalie said. Nick stood there with a stubborn look on his face and his lips clamped shut. "One sip isn't going to kill you." Natalie tried to persuade him. "It's red and it's your natural food." She gestured towards the sign that said, 'Blood Punch'. "Just one sip and I promise not to bug you about eating for the rest of the night." "Promise?" Nick asked. "Promise." Natalie said as she handed him the glass. Nick took it and looked at it suspiciously. He took a cautious sniff and wrinkled his nose. "It smells disgusting." He complained. Before Nick had a chance to say anything more, Mr. Collins came up behind him and grabbed a glass. He guzzled it down with relish. "Ah, that really hits the spot. Nothing like 'blood' for us vampires, eh Knight?" He said as he nudged Nick in the ribs. "Bwahahaha." And with that he swept his cape over the lower part of his face and stalked off towards the haunted house. Nick stared after him with dislike. "That man is driving me crazy. All he's done all night is tell me what I'm doing wrong. He did this last year so *he's* the big expert on vampire behavior. I am severely tempted to show him *exactly* how a *proper* vampire behaves." "Nick, take it easy. We're almost through. Besides, going through life with fashion sense like that is probably punishment enough." Schanke Residence 10:20pm "Jenny, we're home. Wake up honey." Natalie shook Jenny who murmured sleepily but didn't wake up. She looked at Nick and said, "Looks like you're going to have to carry her in." Nick picked up Jenny and easily carried her to the door. "Nat? Could you get the door?" Nick asked. Natalie nodded and opened the door. "Myra? It's Natalie. Where are you?" "In here." Myra's voice was heard from the living room. Nick and Natalie walked to the living room. Natalie sat down next to Myra, but Nick remained standing. "I'll put Jenny to bed for you." He said. "Thank you Nick." Nick took Jenny upstairs to the bedroom while Nat remained to talk with Myra. "How was the party?" Myra asked. "It was great. Nick had a little trouble getting into his role, but once he did he had fun too." They chatted a while longer until Nick came back. "Nick, Natalie, thank you so much for doing this. Jenny was so excited to go. I really appreciate it." "It was no trouble. We had fun." Nick said. "Well Nat, we'd better get going. Good bye Myra." "Bye Nick, Nat." Nick's Caddie "So Nat, do you have any plans for the rest of the evening?" Nick asked. "No, I'm completely free." "Would you like to come over for videos?" "That would be great." The End And I even made it on Halloween! :) All comments welcome at rebecca@rio.dixie.edu Rebecca Tanner rebecca@rio.dixie.edu There is only so much time one can spend in the company of a dead pig without becoming depressed. Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings