Date: Mon, 20 May 1996 23:55:39 -0400 From: Ronni Katz Subject: Challenge story - part 1 This story is in response to a fanfic challenge put out back in March by Dalton Spence. In his challenge he gave out a bunch of plotlines and "challenged" us FK writers to use the ideas in stories. Some ideas were truly whacked (FK/Power Ranges X/OVER) but the rest were actually, well, really COOL. After doing the "For a Good Cause" Challenge story where we had to be ourselves in the FK world (mine was a date with Natalie story !!) the piece I chose out of the many from Dalton's list was one that kept with this type of theme. I will be using some locales I visited while in Toronto for the Shrewthering and some people who were with me at these places may be mentioned (But I won't be using anyone in this tale that didn't give me permission to have them as characters in the story!) The title of the story is borrowed from H. Beam Piper's "He Walked Around the Horses" a parallel world story based on a true incident, the disappearance of British diplomat Benjamin Bathurst outside a Prussian inn on November 25, 1809. The usual disclaimer: Nick & Co. are property of James Parriot, Tri-Star, etc. I'm just borrowing them for a while :-) All comments, criticisms and virtual blood go to Ron the Enforcer at RonniK@ECCS.COM ==================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS.... by Ron the Enforcer The lighting was dim, the music loud and throbbing and the bar was packed with a crowd of Goths, punks and folks trying desperately to look like vampires. The paintings on the walls were of The Crow, Pinhead, and other images from popular horror films. Bouncers patrolled through the darkness using small flashlights to illuminate the floor before their feet. A woman with a shaved head was tending bar and mixing up drinks that looked, well, a lot like blood with a twist. Sanctuary looked like what the crowd of tourists in from all over the USA had hoped the place advertised as "The Vampire Sex Bar" would look. They found a huge booth near the lone pinball machine and set that up as home base. From there, the group broke up into smaller teams to dance, get drinks at the bar and scope out the locals. Ron went over to the bar for a drink and Candice followed a bit reluctantly. She was having fun dancing but dancing was thirsty work and Ron had offered to buy her a drink. No starving college student ever said no to free alcohol! Especially when offered by an Internet pen pal you had finally gotten to meet after over a year of cyber communication that was a combination of conversation and serious flirtation. "This place is just how I imagined it! Glad you didn't stand me up," Candice said as Ron handed her the glass of the "house special". It looked like blood but was actually some combination of grain and fruit punch that tasted only so-so. They toasted and turned to watch the crowd. "Yeah," Ron agreed sipping a beer. "I'm just a little overdressed for this." Ron was wearing the remnants of a charcoal gray business suit. The double breasted jacket was gone but the button down white shirt, "power" tie, vest, and slacks screamed "YUPPIE" so loud Ron felt like the word was tattooed to his forehead. The black Australian drover's coat - which was identical to the infamous duster Nick Knight wore during the first season of "Forever Knight" - was the only cool thing the engineer had on. "You look fine. In fact you look quite a bit like our favorite detective...!" "Which version? Ger or Rick's?" "You are dressed like Ger but YOU look like Rick! Well...Rick if he had long hair and a bad hair day!" she teased. "Gee, thanks," he mumbled finding comfort in the beer. "Come on, you, let's dance!" "But...my drink....!" "Bring it!" she shouted over the music blaring out of the speakers. It took a little effort to dance and *not* spill beer but Ron managed. He wasn't much of a dancer but could wiggle around in a convincing imitation of dance as well as the next guy. He overheard some folks on the sidelines talking about a cool and less crowded place known as "The Catacombs" that was located around the corner and down a flight of stairs. The people talking about this cool place looked like they were headed to it and Ron took off to follow. Candice saw Ron leaving the dance floor and followed after him. She caught up to him and asked, "Where are you going?" "To The Catacombs," he told her. I heard some folks talking about it. It sounded kinda neat. It's supposedly just around the corner. I figured I'd go and check it out and see if it's less crowded than Sanctuary." "I thought you liked Sanctuary." "I did until I got my toes smashed by too many people in combat boots trampling on my feet on the dance floor! I'm not the greatest dancer but at least I can do it without being hazardous to people's health." Candice laughed. "Okay, I'm game. If the place is cool, we can go back and get the rest of the Shrewtherers and take them there with us." "Sounds like a plan." The two tourists discreetly followed the locals far enough away not to be noticed but stayed close enough not to lose them in the darkness. Ron and Candice saw the locals go around the corner of the building but, when they rounded the same corner, the 3 Torontonians they were following were gone. The two looked around and Candice spotted the steps going to a small door. "Maybe that's the place?" she offered. "Let's go check it out," Ron agreed and the pair went down the narrow flight of stairs and entered the building. It looked like an entrance to a club but a back entrance. They walked down a dimly lit hallway that had a mixture of dry ice and smoke wafting through it. There were doors leading off the hallway that were marked "Office" and the men's and women's room and an "Employee's only" area. One door sign caught both their eyes at once - it had a card key security device on the lock and the name "J. Du Charme" on a gold nameplate above it. "Can't be...." Candice said looking at the name. "Probably another fan," Ron surmised. "Come on." They continued on and found the entrance to the club. The music was not as loud and pulsing as Sanctuary had been but is was danceable. The crowd was similar to Sanctuary but had a lot more Goths. Ron's eyes swept the room and he liked the dark decor and the chains that were suspended from the ceiling in a strategic place near the bar. At the edge of the bar he saw a woman that looked very familiar talking to the bartender as he poured her a glass of red wine. Ron poked Candice. "Look. At the bar. Doesn't that woman look just like-" "Oh my God!" Candice squealed. "It's Deb Duchene! She's HERE!" "Shh! Be cool, okay?" Ron whispered as they edged closer for a better look. Ron had met Deb twice at two conventions and couldn't believe his good luck. She looked incredible - she was wearing a black gown that looked like it had been painted on to her glorious figure and the top of the strapless confection was a spray of colored feathers. Her hair was swept up and she was impeccably made up looking ever so much like Janette... "Stop drooling!" Candice said elbowing Ron in the ribs. "I'm not! It's just....she's gorgeous!" Candice rolled her eyes. She did have to admit that, dressed the way she was, Deb *did* look lovely and *did* in person resemble the character she played on TV. But she also looked like she had either come from some formal affair or was on her way to one and also looked like she wasn't in the mood for company. So, Candice went to the bar to get a closer look at one of her favorite TV stars as well as to get a drink. Her eyes went wide as the bartender set her vodka tonic down on a Raven coaster. She grabbed the coaster out from under the glass and stared at it. She glanced over at the astray and noted it, too, had the same black bird logo on it as did the red-covered matchbook someone had left beside it. Ron noticed her staring off into space and came up to the bar. "Hey, Candice, what gives?" "I gotta check something out..." she said and headed to what looked like the main entrance to the Club. Ron followed her out. Out on the street the pair stared wide-eyed in shock at a very familiar awning that hung over the doorway. The logo and lettering were unmistakable to the two "Forever Knight" fans. They were at The Raven. The *real* Raven. They looked around the street. It was *not* the street they had been on. It looked like they were in another part of town altogether. Illegally parked near the entrance was a very familiar 1962 ragtop Cadillac. Ron and Candice approached the car for a closer look. Inside was the red gumball light on the dash, a police radio and a nasty looking sawed off shotgun mounted under the glove compartment on the passenger side. "I never saw Nick use a shotgun before," Ron commented. "Then again, that's assuming this is really his car and that we are *really* here!" "The license plate is the same as it is on the show," Candice pointed out. "Yeah, and if he's here that means that it wasn't Deb we saw at the bar but Janette, Nick's girlfriend - the thousand-year-old vampire who owns this club. And if Janette is real....." "Uncle is real too!" Candice said. "I don't think LaCroix would like being called Uncle, even though Nigel is hip to the "Uncle" stuff," Ron pointed out. Ron took a long breath and paused for a moment in thought. In all of his experience as both a Naval officer and an engineer he had never heard of anything like what just happened to them ever happening. That wasn't saying it wasn't possible. It's just that, if anyone had ever passed through a rip in the dimensional continuum, they never made it back home to planet Earth to tell anyone about it. "Ron." Candice began hesitantly. "What are we going to do?" "The only thing we can do," the engineer said. "We have to find Nick Knight." To be continued!! ================================================= HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS(2/?) by Ron the Enforcer Candice looked at the Caddy. The door was unlocked. She looked at her partner in fandom and said, "He left the door unlocked." "Don't open it. It could have an alarm." "Exactly my point," she said. "If Nick is *really* here, he'll come out to see who is messing with his car." "Yeah, true, and he'll be royally pissed off at us for messing with his car. You know how he is about the Caddy on the show. It's like it's his child. When Schanke trashed it accidentally in "Dark Knight" Nick looked like he was going to rip Schanke a new asshole." "He didn't do it though." "Only because Schanke is his friend. *We* aren't!" "Only because he's a wimp," she muttered under her breath. "What?" "Nothing. Look, if we are just sitting here, I don't think he'd hurt us. We can tell him we set it off on purpose because we knew this was a cop's car and we needed a cop. Perfect sense." Ron shrugged. "I guess he might buy that. It *is* pretty obvious when you look inside that the Caddy isn't owned by a civilian." Candice took a deep breath, screwed up her courage and opened the door. Nothing. No alarm, no lights, nothing. "Okkkkaaay," Ron said raising an eyebrow at his comrade who felt really weird standing there by the opened car door like she was waiting for a hundred clowns to pop out. "Guess there's no alarm on this thing. This is something you'd NEVER find in New York City. What a moron!" Candice did something every fan dreamed of - she climbed inside the car and sat in the seat Schanke usually occupied. "Ooooh, love this car....HATE the color!... love this car! This is a make out machine if ever there was one!" "Is that an invitation?" Ron teased. "Depends...is that an offer?" Candice teased right back at him. Candice giggled and Ron joined her by the passenger side and poked his head in for a closer inspection. The car had a Bose stereo system and he pulled out the tape that was halfway out of the tape deck to check it out. It was a copy of the latest from Primus. "Guy has good taste in music," Ron commented as he put the tape back into the player. "Freeze!" a sharp tenor voice with a faint French accent commanded from behind. Both Ron and Candice did as ordered. The voice sounded somewhat familiar but the accent was throwing both of them for a loop. "Step away from the car with your hands behind your head." Ron followed the instructions. He put his hands behind his head lacing his fingers and Candice did the same after she extricated herself from the Cadillac's front seat. A thirtysomething man with almost shoulder length shag cut blonde hair and icy blue eyes came out from the shadows towards them. He was armed with a .50 caliber Desert Eagle that was aimed at Ron's head and he did not look happy. He also barely resembled the Nick Knight these two fans knew and loved. This Nick Knight was a real cowboy - he had on shitkicker books, painted on Levi's that let the world know which way he dressed in the morning, a red chamois shirt and *the* duster that had all the lady fans drooling for the entire first season. He also was wearing a shoulder holster that was designed to hold two handguns - one hidden beneath each armpit - and his badge case was hooked into the waistband of his jeans. The detective *did* look a lot like Geraint Wyn Davis - the actor who plays Nick Knight - but the resemblance was only from the neck up. This man was slightly taller than Ron and had the body of someone who spent many years doing intensely physical work. From the way he moved Ron was sure *this* Nick Knight was also a black belt in at least one martial art. Mad, bad and dangerous to know. This was *not* what either of the two fans were expecting. "We're hip deep in the kimchee," Ron whispered to Candice who looked really scared. "Yeah," she agreed nervously. "He won't shoot us - will he?" Nick approached the duo scanning them carefully as he did so. They obviously had no weapons and didn't *look* like thieves. From what he had observed before making his presence known it looked like they were either curious about the Caddy or looking for something. "Who are you?" Knight demanded. "I'm Ron and this is my friend Candice," Ron said. "What were you doing in my car?" "Admiring it," Candice said. "We didn't scratch it, relax." "Actually, we knew it was a police vehicle and we were hoping it had an alarm," Ron confessed. "We need your help." "911 is a free call," Knight said closing in on them. He still had the gun pointed at Ron's head. He also still looked like he was thinking about using it. "I know, it's just that we need YOUR help, Detective Knight. Not just anybody can help us with our...um...unique problem." "How do you know who I am?" "It's in the car," Candice said. "You leave your registration and insurance information in our glove box." Good cover, thought Ron. He'd never believe the truth! "Besides," she had to add. "You are the only detective in Toronto who drives a classic car." "Still doesn't explain why you need MY help." "This is going to make no sense but we took a wrong turn somewhere and wound up here," Ron said. "We were trying to find this club called The Catacombs and somehow found ourselves in The Raven instead." "You busted into my car to get me to help you with DIRECTIONS?" Nick declared more than asked and Ron could've sworn he saw just a hint of glowing gold in the detective's blue eyes. "No, we called you because something weird happened to us and you always get all the weird cases." His eyes widened slightly in surprise at that revelation. "Who told you that?" "Uh, it's a long story. And one best told where there is easy access to alcohol," Ron said. "Yeah, you may *need* a drink after you hear what happened to us!" Candice put in. Nick sighed. The two strangers were mortal and unarmed. Nothing he couldn't handle. They had a strange tale to tell? Okay, he thought, it didn't cost anything to listen. He was on his way into the bar for a drink anyway. He lowered the gun, snapped the safety back on and holstered the weapon. He pulled a pack of Marlboro 100s out of his shirt pocket and lit up. "All right," Nick said after taking a long drag of his cigarette. "I'll listen to your story. But, if you two are pulling a fast one-" "This isn't a joke," Ron stated. "We have to get back home. Candice has to get back to college and I have a six year old daughter waiting for me. We were at this club called Sanctuary with a few other friends when we took off to check out this other club. We were here with an unofficial tour group that came up for the DeMaurier Arts Festival." "Last day of the Festival is Sunday," Nick said. "Which is when I gather you both would be expected back home." "Exactly. And that doesn't leave us much time." "Where are you from?" "New Jersey." "And you?" he asked cocking an eye at Candice. "New York. Alfred University." Nick sighed and motioned to them to follow him to the Raven. As they entered and walked to a table in a relatively quiet corner, Ron noticed that people stepped aside to let them pass without being asked. They just seemed to know to keep out of Nick's way. A waitress with a blue mohawk was putting a bottle of whiskey and a couple of shot glasses down on the small table Nick had picked for their chat spot just as they were getting there. Knight put a $20 bill on the girl's serving tray saying, "Get these two whatever they want." The waitress took their drink orders and then left Ron and Candice alone with Nick Knight. Knight plopped the pack of smokes and his lighter down on the table and snagged the lone ashtray for himself. The bottle of whiskey had the bar's pour spout attached and Nick poured two shots and offered one of them to Ron. "Thanks," Ron said and both men downed their shots in one gulp and simultaneously slapped their empty glasses on the table. "Smooth," the engineer rasped and Nick chuckled shaking his head. "You aren't a drinking man, are you?" Nick stated more than asked and Ron shook his head. "I'm a beer person," Ron said. "It's been a long time since I did shots with anyone." Nick shrugged. He glanced over at Candice - who had the seat in between the two men - and cast a quick appraising eye over her. She was trying to avoid getting in the path of the smoke from his cigarette and Nick quickly moved the ashtray away from her. Candice was also eyeing the scotch, but Nick was oblivious. She seemed a bit young for the obviously thirtysomething man she was with but Nick made no comment about that. He knew he was the last person who could say anything about May-December romances, having indulged in more than his share of them over the years. The waitress came back with their drinks. Ron got his mug of beer and Candice was given some confection that had an umbrella sticking out of a lump of fruit on top of it. Nick got a snifter full of something that looked enough like a deep red wine to pass for a deep red wine. Nick hadn't ordered anything and he glanced over at the bar. Janette met his eyes and lifted her glass to him in a mild salute. Nick refilled the shotglass with the whiskey and toasted her with that. Janette turned away from him in obvious disgust. "Why did I get the weird one?" Candice inquired giving her glass a curious look. "Don't say it!" she snapped to Ron who was about to make a comment. He laughed and Nick just raised an eyebrow. "Okay," the detective stated. "What's your story?" "You ever see a TV show called "The Twilight Zone"?" Ron asked. "Yeah, and I've seen "The Outer Limits" too. What's your point?" "Well, the point is, we called you because, where we are from, we know you. Sort of." Nick eyed them both speculatively. "Know me? How?" "Well....back where we are from you aren't a cop. Well, not a real cop. You're a Welsh actor who plays a cop on a TV show. This same actor played Petruchio in the "Taming of the Shrew" which the two of us saw this evening. That was why we were here in town. To see him in the play and to hang out with him afterwards." "Where you are from my....my lookalike is an actor. A Shakespearean actor?" Nick queried trying to get it but not sure where it's going to go once he has it. "Yeah and that's why we're here in Toronto. To see you, uh, I mean, him, in the Shrew. But somehow we fell through some sort of rift in the time-space continuum and ended up here." "Time space continuum?" "Well, yeah. Or a dimensional gate. It's March 27, 1996 here, isn't it?" "Yes, it is." "Then I think we did a slide not a slip," Ron concluded. "A slide? As in a "Sliders' slide?" Nick asked his curiosity piqued. "You've seen that show?" Ron asked genuinely surprised. "Once or twice, I'm usually not off on Friday nights," Nick said. He looked at Ron and then Candice and then back to Ron again, still wondering just what the hell was *really* going on. Sliders? For real? Then again, there were folks who'd say the same thing about vampires and he was up and walking around.... "So," Nick began anew. "Near as you can firgure it, you two think you did a slide from your Earth to mine?" "That's the theory we are working on, yes." "Oh, boy....!" was all Nick could say to *that*! to be contiuned..... "With or without mechanical help?" "Without. If I had that gizmo the kid on the show has I'd know how long I'd be here with you doing shots and fantasizing about what that hot babe at the bar looks like without her feathered dress on." Nick chuckled at that. Janette would wince if she heard herself being referred to as a "hot babe." Nick cast a quick glance in her direction. She was making a point of ignoring them. Or, more accurately, ignoring him. Nick cast his gaze back on the two strangers and refilled his shot glass. "So...where do I fit in? Other than the fact I happen to resemble some TV star you like." Well, this actor, he.... he kinda plays you on a TV show." Ron said saying the last part so fast that only a vampire could have caught every word he said. "Plays *me* on TV?" Nick repeated dumbfounded. He let the thought sink in for a second and stated, "Where you are from, there is a TV show about a cop named Nick Knight?" "Yeah, and a damn good one." "But that still doesn't explain what made you think you were here in *my* Toronto?" "This place," Candice said indicating the bar. "The Raven is also in the show." "And so is Janette," Ron added indicating the bar's lovely owner who had finally deigned to notice them. She was giving Nick a look that was a combination of lust and longing that made Ron look away just to keep from embarrassing himself. "Look, just exactly *what* do you know of me? Okay, so The Raven is in this show you watch. So...what else? Who else?" "Natalie Lambert," Candice said. "Is she here?" "She's our ME," Nick said. "Schanke?" "My partner." "Amanda Cohen?" Nick nodded. "The Nightcrawler?" Nick nodded looking more and more worried. "Curiouser and curiouser...." he said in a strange and thoughtful tone. "Look, just because we know stuff doesn't mean we're going to blow your cover," Ron stated. "We aren't here to mess up your life and make it hard for you to do your job, Detective. We want your help because, on the TV show, you always got stranger things than us with your breakfast cereal and we were kinda hoping that such would be the case for real." Nick shot the two of them a hard look. He sensed they were holding back, not telling him everything. "Just how much do you really know about me? Other than that I am a detective?" he demanded. Both fans couldn't meet the detective's eyes. They had no idea what he would do if he knew everything about their favorite show. Ron and Candice exchanged a quick look before Ron explained, "Well, on the TV show, you are...you're Kindred. A vampire." "I see...." "Yes, but that's just a TV show," Candice interjected quickly. "Real life and TV are two different things." "I am aware of that," Nick replied. "This TV show is a police drama?" The two friends nodded and he continued, "About a vampire cop?" The pair nodded again. "And I take it he goes after supernatural bad guys, like werewolves and weird stuff like that because he's the only one who can." "Well, they haven't had any werewolves on the show, but they did deal with things like demonic possession and ghosts and funky stuff like that," Candice explained. "And he gets all the strange cases because he's the one best equipped to handle strange." "Yeah, well, art is imitating life a little here," Nick agreed. "I do get the odder case but I'd like to think I get them because I'm good at solving quirky puzzles, not because there's something weird about me. It only took me about five minutes to figure out Nat's Rubix Cube." "Ron broke his," Candice said and Nick raised an eyebrow. "It's an engineer thing. You take things apart to see how they work. The Navy never let him near his Tomcat with a toolbox..." Nick laughed. The image of someone taking apart an F-14 one bolt at a time was amusing. Scary thing was he could picture it being done. He glanced at the engineer and said, "Okay, I guess I believe you. But I don't know how I'm going to get you home. This isn't Miss Scarlet in the Library with the Rope. *That's* the kind of cases I solve." "Yeah, but maybe you know someone who *might* be hip to this. Someone at Toronto University, maybe?" Ron offered. "Well...we've had expert witnesses testify for the Crown in the past but none of them were physicists or experts in dimensional science. I could ask Natalie if she known anyone but most of her friends are MDs not PhDs." "Are you trying to tell me we might be stuck here for good?" Candice asked sounding a little worried. "I don't know," Nick replied gently. "If I knew *what* brought you here, I *might* be able to figure out who you should see about getting back home. Did you see or hear anything unusual as you were walking around?" "No. Everything seemed normal. It was dark and we were following some people who were walking to The Catacombs. They turned a corner and when we turned the same corner they were gone. We didn't see them anywhere. We saw what we thought was the way into the club and went through this door at the bottom of a flight of steps. We walked down a hall which looked like it could have been in the club we were supposed to be in and, when we came into the bar, it looked pretty normal. We didn't realize anything was wrong even after we saw Deb, uh, I mean, Janette sitting at the bar. I had no clue we were in the wrong bar until I ordered a drink and saw The Raven coaster," Candice explained. "Deb?" Nick inquired. "Uh, yeah," Candice stammered. "Janette looks a lot like Deb Duchene, a really wonderful lady and actress we know back home." "I see," Nick said smiling slightly. An actress? Interesting, Nick mused as he glanced at Janette trying to picture her in motley and greasepaint. He shook his head. Nah..... To be continued....! ===================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (3/?) by Ron the Enforcer "When you did this "slide" was it with or without mechanical help?" Nick asked. "Without. If I had that gizmo the kid on the show has I'd know how long I'd be here with you doing shots and fantasizing about what that hot babe at the bar looks like without her feathered dress on." Nick chuckled at that. Janette would wince if she heard herself being referred to as a "hot babe." Nick cast a quick glance in her direction. She was making a point of ignoring them. Or, more accurately, ignoring him. Nick cast his gaze back on the two strangers and refilled his shot glass. "So...where do I fit in? Other than the fact I happen to resemble some TV star you like." Well, this actor, he.... he kinda plays you on a TV show." Ron said saying the last part so fast that only a vampire could have caught every word he said. "Plays *me* on TV?" Nick repeated dumbfounded. He let the thought sink in for a second and stated, "Where you are from, there is a TV show about a cop named Nick Knight?" "Yeah, and a damn good one." "But that still doesn't explain what made you think you were here in *my* Toronto?" "This place," Candice said indicating the bar. "The Raven is also in the show." "And so is Janette," Ron added indicating the bar's lovely owner who had finally deigned to notice them. She was giving Nick a look that was a combination of lust and longing that made Ron look away just to keep from embarrassing himself. "Look, just exactly *what* do you know of me? Okay, so The Raven is in this show you watch. So...what else? Who else?" "Natalie Lambert," Candice said. "Is she here?" "She's our ME," Nick said. "Schanke?" "My partner." "Amanda Cohen?" Nick nodded. "The Nightcrawler?" Nick nodded looking more and more worried. "Curiouser and curiouser...." he said in a quiet thoughtful tone. "Look, just because we know stuff about you doesn't mean we're going to blow your cover," Ron stated. "We aren't here to mess up your life and make it hard for you to do your job, Detective. We want your help because, on the TV show, you always got stranger things than us with your breakfast cereal and we were kinda hoping that such would be the case for real." Nick shot the two of them a hard look. He sensed they were holding back, not telling him everything. "Just how much do you really know about me? Other than that I am a detective?" he demanded. Both fans couldn't meet the detective's eyes. They had no idea what he would do if he knew everything about their favorite show. Ron and Candice exchanged a quick look before Ron explained, "Well, on the TV show, you are...you're Kindred. A vampire." "I see...." "Yes, but that's just a TV show," Candice interjected quickly. "Real life and TV are two different things." Though at the moment she was definitely thinking differently..... "I am aware of that," Nick replied. "This TV show is a police drama?" The two friends nodded and he continued, "About a vampire cop?" The pair nodded again. "And I take it he goes after supernatural bad guys, like werewolves and weird stuff like that because he's the only one who can." "Well, they haven't had any werewolves on the show, but they did deal with things like demonic possession and ghosts and funky stuff like that," Candice explained. "And he gets all the strange cases because he's the one cop in Toronto most familiar with the strange." "Yeah, well, art is imitating life a little here," Nick agreed. "I do tend to get the quirkier case but it's because I've always been good at solving puzzles, not because I'm weird or anything. For example, it only took me about five minutes to figure out Nat's Rubix Cube." "Ron broke his," Candice laughed and Nick raised an eyebrow. "It's an engineer thing. You take things apart to see how they work. The Navy never let him near his Tomcat with a toolbox..." Nick laughed. The image of someone taking apart an F-14 one bolt at a time was amusing. Scary thing was he could picture it being done. He glanced at the engineer and said, "Okay, I guess I believe you. But I don't know how I'm going to get you home. This isn't Miss Scarlet in the Library with the Rope. *That's* the kind of cases I'm a pro at solving." "Yeah, but maybe you know someone who *might* be hip to this. Someone at Toronto University, maybe?" Ron offered. "Well...we've used expert witnesses to testify for the Crown in the past but none of them were physicists or experts in dimensional science. At least none that I can recall. I could ask Natalie if she knows anyone but most of her friends are MDs not PhDs." "Are you trying to tell me we might be stuck here for good?" Candice asked sounding a little worried. "I don't know," Nick replied gently taking her hand and trying to sound reassuring. "If I knew *what* brought you here, I *might* be able to figure out who you should see about getting back home." Candice's brain shut down for a nanosecond. Nick was holding her hand! Not necessarily a bad thing, considering she was a Cousin.... "Did you see or hear anything unusual as you were walking around?" Nick asked. "No. Everything seemed normal. It was dark and we were following some people who were walking to The Catacombs. They turned a corner and when we turned the same corner they were gone. We didn't see them anywhere. We saw what we thought was the way into the club and went through this door at the bottom of a flight of steps. We walked down a hall which looked like it could have been in the club we were supposed to be in and, when we came into the bar, it looked pretty normal. We didn't realize anything was wrong even after we saw Deb, uh, I mean, Janette sitting at the bar. I had no clue we were in the wrong bar until I ordered a drink and saw The Raven coaster," Candice explained. "Deb?" Nick inquired. "Uh, yeah," Candice stammered. "Janette looks a lot like Deb Duchene, a really wonderful lady and actress. She was the one who played Janette on that show." "I see," Nick said smiling slightly. An actress? Interesting, Nick mused as he glanced at Janette trying to picture her in motley and greasepaint. He shook his head. Nah..... "Where we are from, all your counterparts are actors," Ron explained. "And as far as what we know about you goes, I have a feeling name and job descriptions might be all you and your friends have in common with the TV characters." "Of those people you mentioned, yes, you have the right person in the right profession," Nick agreed. "But as far as the rest of it goes-" Nick was cut short by his beeper. He had to get up to take it out of the front pocket of his jeans (the downside of wearing form-fitting pants) and examined the number. "Shit. I gotta go," Nick said. "Where are you guys staying?" "We were at the Casa Loma Inn, that is, if such a place exists here," Ron said. "Yeah, it's off Bloor. A block or so from Trinity-St. Paul's Church," Nick said. The two travellers sighed with relief at that and Nick continued, "I can give you a ride there on my way to taking my Dad home. That is, if you think reservations go extra-dimensional." "Well...we'd like to check with the hotel before having you take us there," Ron said. "Is there a pay phone here?" "Yeah, in the back. Next to the men's room." Ron took off to find a phone leaving Candice alone with Nick. "Your Dad just beeped you?" queried Candice. "Yeah. I was supposed to pick him up after he finished his gig at the radio station. His car is in the shop." Nick noticed the puzzled look on her face and asked a bit annoyed, "What?" "Nothing. It's just... on the show-" "Enough," Nick stated cutting Candice off sharply. He was clearly not in the mood anymore to listen to her point out the differences between that TV show and his real life. "If your friend finds out you have a place to stay, I'll give you two a ride over to the Casa Loma after I take my Dad home. You sit in the back and you say *nada* to my father, do you understand? The man had a hard enough time figuring out how to set the clock on his VCR. I don't need you and your buddy wierding him out with your trans-dimensional travel tale." Candice nodded her agreement to the detective's wishes and and she perked a bit when she saw Ron return. "Well?" she asked. "They never heard of us there and the place is full because of the Arts Festival," Ron told her. "Now what?" Nick sighed. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. "We'll figure it out later," he told them. He ended the possibility of any further discussion by commanding, "Let's go." They silently followed Nick Knight to the Caddy.... to be continued....! This is part 4 of my FKFIC Challenge story. In this tale, Nick is *not* a wimp . All disclaimers are in part 1. Send all comments, queries and vials of virtual vitae to Ron the Enforcer at RonniK@ECCS.COM ======================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (4/?) by Ron the Enforcer As Nick drove down Bay Street, the two fans sat in the back of the Caddy with very mixed feelings. Yes, they were in *the* Caddy but it wasn't *their* Nick at the wheel. The Nick Knight they knew didn't walk around dressed like a modern-day Wyatt Earp nor did he belt down whiskey like it was water. He also didn't blast the Metallica Black Album at headache inducing volume. "How can he hear his C.B. over that?" mused Candice, complete with the look of someone who has just stepped in something other than dirt. "I can hear my radio just fine," Nick informed her and Candice was surprised he heard her since she had focused her query at Ron, not him, and hadn't asked her question all that loudly, either. "Guy has 20/20 hearing," Ron quipped and Nick just shot him a look in his rear view mirror. "I can turn the music down if it's bothering you," Nick stated. "Uh, thanks, we'd appreciate that. It's a bit loud back here," Ron said. Nick turned the volume down. "Do you care if I smoke?" "Not if you open the window we don't," Candice replied as nicely as she could. Nick cranked open the window on his side while they were stopped at a light and then he lit up. "I guess the Nick on your TV show doesn't smoke, right?" Nick stated more than asked. "No, but Janette does, or, rather, did," Candice said. "She quit after the first season." "Yeah, well, you two are probably going to be very disappointed if you sit there comparing what you see here to what's on that program you're so hooked on," he told them. "I'm a *real* cop, and the majority of the cases I've had lately aren't something you'd want to see, especially during the dinner hour." "We know you aren't the guy on the TV show," Candice said. "It's just...it just that you *look* like him. Your face, that is." "And the rest of me?" "You are more....built than the guy on TV," she tried not to snicker or stare. "You must work out a lot." Nick chuckled at that. "No, I just have good genes. My whole family is on the lean side." He paused, as he turned into a parking lot and both fans saw the door with the awning that had the CERK logo on it, and he changed the subject saying, "You two wait here. I'll be right back." He parked the car by the door and stepped out. The door had a card key security device on it and Nick got in by using his card. Ron and Candice exchanged hopeful looks. Candice stared out the window in shock. "CERK??? Oh, come on! Ron, this is all just a little too hokey for me to believe. The station actually exists here? I mean, if that's CERK, and we were just in the Raven, and that was Janette.....then they really are.... does that mean....?" "....LaCroix?" Ron finished for her. "Oh dear, sweet Goddess. I'll die!" she said. "No, you won't! You will flirt shamelessly and embarass yourself!" he teased. "I'll only be embarrassed if he's married!" she shot back. She sobered and added, "If he isn't Nigel's double, I'm not saying anything but "Hello" to him. I'm a Cousin, not a fool." The door to CERK opened and Nick followed by a gentleman in black stepped out. The moment they saw the white crew cut hair and piercing blue eyes they both almost lost it. It was *their* LaCroix but his style of dress was a blending of the first two seasons of the show. Yes, he had the buzz cut white hair but he was also wearing the infamous sword pin through the collar of his Nehru jacket. "He's gorgeous!" Candice breathed. "You are going to embarass me, aren't you?" "Well, you drooled plenty over Janette!" she pointed out. "Yeah, but I did that privately! I didn't go up to her and say, "I love you and I want to sire your children!" "If you knew you could get away with a line like that, you would have said it, Jet Boy!" she declared. Ron was about to reply but thought the better of it when he noticed both Nick and LaCroix looking in their direction. Had they overheard the two of them? It was hard to tell from their expressions but it was clear to him that they were, at the very least, noticed by the master vampire. "Taking your work home with you again, Nicolas?" LaCroix queried as he glanced in the direction of the couple in the back seat of the Caddy. Nick shot him a look of pure irritation and LaCroix queried in his usual mild tone, "Friends?" "No, just a couple of Americans who made a wrong turn and got themselves lost," Nick explained as he walked back to the car. LaCroix's only response was to raise an eyebrow speculatively at Nick. The boy was being enigmatic again and, although it was an annoying trait, LaCroix was not in the mood to call him on it this evening. The two lost Americans weren't important. At least they aren't eating anything greasy and smelly like that partner of his always does, mused LaCroix as he climbed into the front passenger side seat. The first thing LaCroix did once they got underway was change the radio station to one that played classical music. The soft soothing tones of Vivaldi wafted through the confines of the Caddy. Ron and Candice exchanged a knowing smile: so far the LaCroix here seemed to have the same refined tastes as the one they knew. Candice tried in a subtle way to sneak peeks at LaCroix while Ron kept an eye out the window and tried to see if there was any difference between the Toronto of their Earth and the one they were in now. The only obvious difference he saw was that the streets seemed darker, all of the city was not as well-lit as the city they left behind. Although lights lined the all the streets, they were not as bright. What lights did shine cast shadows that seemed to have a life of their own. It was a little spooky but, then again, a world where vampires existed couldn't exactly be all that warm and friendly. After a few minutes of companionable silence, Nick asked, "Where's the car?" "At Continental Auto," LaCroix replied. Nick rolled his eyes. That car shop was on the same block as his loft. It was *not* a coincidence LaCroix had chosen that company to repair the results of the fender bender he had a couple of nights ago in his Mercedes. He now had the perfect excuse to spend the rest of the evening at Nick's place while he waited for the shop to open at seven in the morning. Great, Nick thought to himself, first the Duo from the Nth Dimension and now Dad. Some day off this turned out to be! "Then....I guess we'll just head back to my place and wait there until Continental opens," Nick said, then added quickly to LaCroix, "If that's okay with you." "That's fine," he replied. He cast a sideways glance at the duo in the rear and inquired, "What of them?" "They'll wait with us," Nick stated. "The US Embassy doesn't open for business until 9AM. So, it was either be with me or wait at 99th Precinct. And, since I wasn't in the mood to drive over there on my day off-" "I get the picture," LaCroix interjected cutting him off. "Look, I know you want to visit with me and, well, we can. Those two can hang out and watch my tapes of "El Norte" while we catch up on things." "El Norte?" queried Candice. "Q'est-ce que c'est?" (translation "What's that?" in French ) "You never saw that show?" Nick said sounding genuinely surprised. "It's the one about the NYPD cop who comes up here to Toronto to work with his RCMP counterpart in this police exchange program. It's really fun to watch. The writing is great. They really captured what would happen if a Yank was to come up here and have to do things our way." "Sounds....interesting," Candice said casting a glance at Ron. It was obvious from his expression that he was thinking what she was thinking. "I wouldn't mind seeing that show, would you, Ron?" "Yeah, I'd like to see it," Ron agreed. "Cool," Nick said reaching for the pack of smokes he had tucked in the coin cup on the hump between the two front seats. Nick never got the chance to light up though: LaCroix relieved him of the pack of cigarettes before he was able to get one butt out of the box. Nick didn't say anything. There were issues he would argue with LaCroix over and there were things that he left alone. His Sire's disapproval of his habit was one he prudently chose to leave alone. During the entire drive to the loft, Ron and Candice kept their minds occupied with trying to spot how many familiar spots they could pick out. The only site that really stood out to the pair was Jilly's, a strip club used as a locale during the first season. They were sure they passed others along the way but couldn't be sure. The one thing they were sure of was the huge warehouse they were pulling up to was definately the place wherein they would find the the Loft. Nick pulled the Caddy into the garage and led the way to the elevator that would take them upstairs to his home. Nick and LaCroix stood by the door while Candice and Ron hung back so their fannish glee over the situation would not be obvious to their host. When Nick slid the door open to his abode, both Ron and Candice felt their knees go weak momentarily as the reality of ti all hit them. They were *there*. In *the* Loft. As they walked in to the living room and saw the grand piano, the black leather sofa and the big screen TV, the two fans walked around slowly doing all they could to let it all sink in. Ron noticed the stairs going up to the second level were in the exact same place they were on the show. Candice saw the huge Wild West show poster on the wall and edged up closer to admire it. LaCroix noticed how the two visitors were studying the room and drew Nick aside and, in a quiet yet firm tone that would brook no quibbling, demanded, "Who are these people? Where are they *really* from?" Nick saw the glints of gold creeping into his Sire's eyes and whispered, "It's a long story...." to be continued....! This is part 5 of my FKFIC Challenge story. The usual disclaimer: Nick & Co. are property of James Parriot, Tri-Star, etc. I'm just borrowing them for a while :-) All comments, criticisms and virtual blood go to Ron the Enforcer at RonniK@ECCS.COM ================================================ HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (5/?) By Ron the Enforcer "A long story? When isn't that the case with you, Nicolas," LaCroix stated. He led Nick in to the kitchen, leaving Ron and Candice alone in the living room, before demanding, "All right, exactly what have you gotten yourself involved in this time?" "Those two people are, um, dimensional travellers," Nick told him. LaCroix raised an eyebrow speculatively but made no reply. Nick wasn't sure what his Master was thinking so he continued, "Well, that was the story they gave me when I caught them rummaging though my car. And, well, I'm not sure if they are telling the truth or not but they know things about me that aren't written in any files if you know what I mean." "They know about the Community?" Nick nodded, "Yes, and no. They told me the Nick Knight where they come from is a vampire. I think I managed to convince them that *I'm* not a vampire. And by default I'm pretty sure I got you off the hook on that one, too." "Default?" LaCroix queried. "Well, when I mentioned I was going to pick you up at the station, the two of them looked a little surprised. I guess their Nick-the- vampire's Sire isn't alive anymore. And the fact that I have you means I'm not the same as the guy they know and, well-" "I think I understand," LaCroix interjected sounding genuinly pleased with his often wayward child. "Now, Nicolas, since you have managed to "get us off the hook" as you say, what do you intend to do with the two of them?" "Well, extra-dimensional travel wasn't on the curriculum at the Vampire Academy, so I haven't a clue as to what I'm going to do with those two," Nick replied with a hint of mishief twinkling in his blue eyes. LaCroix gave Nicolas one of his imperious "we are not amused" looks and Nick's only response was an "Oh, well, I tried" boyish shrug before poking his head into the refrigerator. "You don't think those two are a problem?" LaCroix asked not too pleased with his son's take on the situation. "They aren't doing anything," Nick said from inside the refrigerator. LaCroix stepped around so he could see something besides the door of Nick's black side by side refrigerator. He noticed with disgust that Nick had the remains of old take out food from a variety of places lining the shelves as well as an interesting assortment of imported beers. The food was leftovers from dinners out with Natalie or left over take-out from dinners in with Natalie. It was bad enough his son was dating outside the race but he didn't have to keep reminders around within smelling distance. "Nicolas, what are you looking for?" LaCroix asked. "The bottle of good stuff I keep for you just in case you stop by to visit," he explained. "I know it's in here *somewhere* but I can't remember...oh, got it!" He emerged with a triumphant grin holding a bottle of what looked like very old and very expensive red wine. "You may want to nuke it first. It was in the back and I think it may be a bit frozen. It was a little close to the cooling element." LaCroix took the bottle from him saying, "Although Miss Lambert has far more breeding and intelligence than is normally found in her kind, she has not been a good influence on your housekeeping." Nick pulled out one of the Chinese food containers asking, "Ever try General Tso's chicken? It's pretty tasty." "Nicolas..." he said in a deep warning tone and Nick and the food backed off quickly. "Uh, I think I'll go see if my guests are hungry," Nick said and fled into the living room before LaCroix could respond. While LaCroix and Nick were in the kitchen talking, Ron and Candice surveyed the Loft. They stopped and admired a nude Nick was in the middle of painting. The subject of the artwork caught both fans a bit by surprise: it was Natalie and she was posed in a style that was reminiscent of the Old Masters - lots of lush draped fabric with the human form providing the centerpiece. The both liked his use of red tones and shading. "This Nick's a regular Caravaggio..." muttered Candice. The Nick of this world was a bit more talented than his TV counterpart, who seemed did these wild abstract mashes of color on canvas as opposed to more classic themes, and they even liked the pencils they viewed in his sketchbook. Most of the drawings were of the people they knew well - Schanke, Cohen, Natalie, and even a few nice ones of LaCroix - but he had a couple of a young man, who looked a lot like Vachon, and of a pouty blonde that resembled Urse. "Kinda makes you wonder why he's a detective and not a sketch artish,eh Ron?" Candice said and Ron nodded in agreement. Candice glanced around and, seeing Nick was still occupied with LaCroix in the kitchen, motioned to Ron to check upstairs. Ron quietly led the way up with Candice right behind. They tiptoed into Nick's bedroom and both of them got a view of an unmade queen size bed with black satin sheets and a black satin comforter. Candice looked around for the infamous black silk pyjamas but was disappointed to find that, at least the last time Nick went to bed, he did so in a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt. The bathroom was nothing special, just a bunch of guy stuff around the sink and a couple of old magazines on top of the toilet tank. The guest room was one place that had some female influence: the queen size bed had a floral bedspread on it and the room itself was done in shades of red and blue. Candice peeked in the drawers and closets and found women's clothing there in a size that *could* fit Natalie. "Think this belongs to Nat?" Candice asked holding up a peekaboo teddy for Ron to see. "Whoever wears *that* I'm sure does not sleep in here when they come to visit," Ron said with a wicked grin. He took the teddy from her saying, "The Nick who lives here obviously gets it regularly." "You can be a real pig sometimes, you know that?" Ron made snorting sounds and Candice departed the room in a huff. He chased after her saying, "Hey, I was only joking! You knew I was swine when you met me but you still hung out with me anyway! I thought you *liked* my piggishness!" She turned around to face him. Ron was giving her the big brown puppy dog eyed look she found impossible to resist. "Okay," she agreed. "I think your occasional lapses into Andrew Dice Clay land are funny but we had better get back downstairs before Nick catches us snooping!" The pair were back down in the living room in time to meet Nick and the quart container of General Tso's chicken he was carrying. "You guys hungry?" the detective asked. "That Chinese?" Ron asked. "Yeah, General Tso's Chicken. You want some?" "Yeah, sure," Ron said Candice ssaid, "Uh, I'm a vegetarian. Got anything else?" "Uh, yeah, I think there's some Buddah's Delight left. That's a veggie and rice thing Nat usually gets when we go to Ken Wong's . I'll see if I have some & nuke it and the General Tso's and you guys can have some chow while you watch "El Norte," Nick offered. "Sounds like a plan," Ron agreed. Nick got the tape cued up while Ron and Candice got comfortable on his leather sofa. He handed Ron the controller saying, "Use this to zap the commercials. I'll be back in a few minutes." Nick took off and Ron and Candice exchanged a look. Ron started the program using the controller and said, "Notice how Nick gave *me* the remote. Obviously in this dimension they also view this device as being something you have to have a Y chromosome to grok." "Cute, Ron," Candice replied not finding him all that amusing. "I don't know if I'm pissed that we didn't fall into the *right* dimension that had our Nick and LaCroix and all that or happy that we're here where Nick and LC are human like us. LaCroix-the-vampire wouldn't be interested in wearing a purple thong to turn on an avid admirer. *This* human LC might be more amenable to such things...." "You want to see Nick's old man in a purple thong?" Ron queried. "Nick's Old Man isn't that old!" she pointed out. "He's a serious fox!" "Yeah, and he could also be seriously married!" Ron stated. "This isn't *our* Nick and LaCroix, remember?" "Well, there is only one way to find out if *this* Lucien LaCroix is single or married," Candice said rising from the sofa. "And that is to ASK HIM!" "Oh, no...!" Ron groaning hanging his head. Meanwhile, in the kitchen Nick was getting the Chinese food warmed up while his Sire sipped bloodwine and observed his son's attempts at housewifery with mild amusement. The General Tso's with rice was piled neatly in a bowl, the silverware and crockery were ready to be taken out to his guest and Nick was grabbing out some beers when he heard footsteps approaching. "One of your guests," LaCroix told Nick as he turned to see who was coming into the kitchen. It was Candice and her eyes were not on Nick but on LaCroix. The elder vampire raised an eyebrow speculatively at her and took a drink from his glass. Candice noticed he was not wearing a ring. Good, she thought to herself. He's single! "Is something wrong?" Nick asked. "No, nothing," she replied. "Food smells good." "Yeah," Nick agreed. "I was just about to bring this out for you guys." "Want some help?" "Sure. Thanks." Candice grabbed the crockery, silver and napkins leaving the food and drink to Nick. The set it all up on the cocktail table and Nick used his fingers to help himself to a bite of the chicken. "You guys start without me," he said. "I have to go over some stuff with my Dad." The two fans nodded in understanding and Nick left them to the TV and the Chinese food. Candice and Ron were hungry and the food was good. Candice was looking pleased with herself and Ron guessed that she had discovered the LaCroix of this Universe was unattached. "Okay, so when do you and Uncle have a date?" Ron teased. "Will you cool it?" she chided. "He might hear you!" "Candice, they don't know about the Cousins and stuff like that here," Ron said. "It's safe to talk about it all we want. Besides, since this LC is in radio, I think he'd be flattered to know he has fans." "Yeah, but I don't know what he would think of the Thong Throng and all the other silliness we do on the List. Nigel has a great sense of humor and knows all the stuff we say is in fun. This man *isn't* Nigel. Even though he looks exactly like him and is having the same effect that Nigel does on my libido!" Ron grinned. He knew his friend had the hots for a certain dapper British actor and, well, who could blame her? He'd had his share of sheet changing dreams for a certain raven haired Canadien actress over the past three years.... "You want LC and I want Janette. Too bad Perri or one of the other Knighties who were at Sanctuary with us didn't slip through the same crack in the world we did. That way, Nick could be kept busy while we chased after our dreams," Ron said. "I think this Nick already has someone to keep him busy," Candice said indicating a photo on the end table. Ron glanced over and noticed the 8 x 10 of Nick and Natalie looking like a couple of 50s kids as they sat on the hood of Nick's Caddy mugging for the camera. Judging from their attire and the backdrop, the photo was taken during a summer afternoon someplace outside the city. Ron also saw that Candice was right about this Nick having someone to keep him busy: this Natalie was sporting a very attractive diamond on the third finger of her left hand. "Wonder when those two are getting married...." Ron mused. to be continued! This is part 6 of my FKFIC Challenge story. And to answer your question, YES! this *is* going someplace! It's just going to take a while to get there . This section is mostly Nick and LC and they get along (mostly) in this story (well, put it this way, they agree to disagree!) There is ONE sentance that containes a curse word in this section. I don't think 1 sentence qualifies for an ADULT heading but I am stating here that a 4-letter word is used in this section in one place (it is LC quoting something Schanke said in reference to The Brick that is a little off-color) so you won't be shocked when you see it. Also, there is some Vampire: The Masquerade references in this section. It is only in relation to how the Community is organized in the city. No Clans or any of that stuff. I make the assumption that, as the most Elder vampire in Toronto, LaCroix is the Prince of Toronto. For those who don't play the game, the Prince is the leader of the vampire community of a particular city or area in which he/she resides. Some of my friends think Janette is Toronto's Prince but I think it's LC because of his age and the fact that he has CERK as a means of reaching out and speaking to his people.... As always, disclaimers about who owns what are in Part 1. The characters of Candice and Ron are real people. Some of you might actually know us . Now, let's get on with it! ===================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (6/?) by Ron the Enforcer Nick pulled a bottle of Old Perculiar (a great dark English beer in case you were curious) from the refrigerator and popped the top taking a long drink. LaCroix sighed, a look of obvious disgust on his face, and he commented, "Beer, Nicolas?" "I'm out Jack Daniels," Nick stated. "You need food, not drink, Nicolas." "What I need is a rocket scientist, or else we're going to have two people walking around who know about us even though they don't know about *us*." "Not necessarily," the elder vampire began. "If you cannot send them back where they belong, they can be made to forget what they know about the Community." "That's if they aren't resistors." "If you paid more attention to my teaching, you would know better how to handle resistors," LaCroix told him and Nick's only response was to take another long drink from his beer bottle. "And drinking that swill isn't helping matters. If you must deaden your senses with alcohol, then at least have it mixed with something nutritious." Nick drained the bottle. "You're beginning to sound like Natalie." "Yes, perhaps if I sound like your beloved Natalie you might actually pay attention for once." "I'll eat later, I promise" Nick told him. "Right now, I think I should try and track down someone who can help my two visitors get back where they are supposed to be." "Unfortunately, there is no one in the Community here that could be classified as a "rocket scientist" although we do have a computer expert or two," LaCroix said. "I doubt Larry Merlin or Aristotle have the grasp of physics needed to solve the problem at hand." "I know they don't," Nick agreed. "Natalie will be stopping by here after work. I'll see if she knows anyone." "You've spoken with her?" "No, we always get together after work. And on my day off she comes here and on her day off I go to her place. It's our routine." "How quaint." "Yeah, we aren't even married yet and we've gotten dull and predictable," Nick said with a wry grin. LaCroix raised an eyebrow at that declaration and then Nick added with a wicked grin, "The only thing about us that isn't dull is the sex." "Nicolas, please...." LaCroix said in his best long-suffering tone. Nick chuckled. He liked teasing the old man. He sobered a bit and said, "You know, Janette and I wouldn't get all bent if you were to go out and find someone to-" "Nicolas, I am not interested in dating," LaCroix interrupted. "How about in just fooling around?" "Nicolas...." LaCroix warned. "Okay! Okay! Forget I asked," Nick backed off quickly. "It's just that Natalie thinks you'd be happier if you weren't living all alone." "Oh, really?" "Yeah. Really." "And what do *you* think? Do you agree with your intended?" "Well...I think you were happier when you had us kids living at home," Nick replied. "I know you weren't thrilled with the nylons she'd leave drying on the shower curtain rod and all the makeup on the sink and me and my loud music cranked up to all hours but that house is kinda big for one person to rattle around in all by themselves...." There was a long thoughtful silence before LaCroix agreed, "There are times when I do miss having you and your sister at home. But the two of you are not children anymore. It is appropriate for both of you to be living on your own." Nick was about to say something but LaCroix didn't allow him the chance when he continued by saying, "But Janette seems to be a lot better at self-reliance than you. If it wasn't for Natalie, you'd be walking around half-starved and rumpled." "Yeah, she often wonders how I made it through 800 years without her," Nick replied grinning his usual boyish grin. "I have often wondered the same myself." "Was I really *that* bad?" "To quote one of your favorite expressions, you flunked out of the Vampire Academy," his Sire stated unamused. "Yeah, but I was Valedictorian at the Police Academy," Nick stated. "I may be a lousy Kindred but I'm a good cop." LaCroix sighed. "Yes, you are good at your work. But you are also the son of the Prince of Toronto and, as such, you have certain Community obligations. The most important one is that you try your best *not* to embarass me, do you understand?" "What did I do that was so awful?" "Well, there was time when Natalie thought she cured you with some concoction of hers that made you very hungry. And, according to your partner, and I am quoting here, you "spent the day eating your way across town like a fucking kid at the fucking circus," end quote." "The munchies were a side effect of the drug," Nick defended. "That may be, but word of such things gets around," LaCroix told him. "At least you have ceased your adament search for a cure. I was getting tired of defending you with the Elders." "Yeah, well, I never meant to make things hard for you. It just took me a long time to realize that my personal problems had very little to do with my being Kindred. Somewhere along the line I got it into my head that if I was human again, then all my troubles would be over. Now I realize how wrong I was to think that way. What makes it even more of a kick in the head is that it was a mortal who made me see the light, so to speak." "Like I have said before, your Natalie is far more prudent than most of her kind." "I know," Nick agreed. "That's one of the things that makes her so special." "Although I never have approved of the idea of marrying outside the Community, I am willing to make an exception in this case. As long as you agree to cease allowing the good doctor to use you as a guniea pig in her experiemnts," LaCroix told him. "I know she is trying to understand us through her research, but it is a violation of The Code and if the Enforcers were to find out about it, both of you would be condemned." "We'll stop," Nick said. "It's just that her work on me is what helped her to find a cure for that fever that got everyone really sick last year. You know, the one that killed alot of the young ones and that got you pretty sick too." "I am not implying Natalie's work has no value, it is of use. It is just that, as Prince, I cannot condone any actions that violate The Code," LaCroix explained. "I think you understand my position." Nick nodded. `Yeah, I know it was tough enough for you to convince the Elders it was okay for me and Nat to get married. Least we can do in return is to make as few waves as possible." "That would be appreciated," LaCroix agreed. "I'm going to go back to my guests before they think I got chewed up in the garbage disposal or something," Nick said. LaCroix rolled his eyes heavenward. "You have such a way with allusion," he remaked as Nick headed out into the living room. The program was almost over and and all the Chinese was long gone by the time Nick rejoined his guests. Candice and Ron seemed to like both the program and the food and Nick picked up the empty bowl saying, "You guys want anything else?" "No, we're fine," Ron said. "I have a question for you, but it's kind of personal," Candice said. "Well, if it's too personal, I won't answer it," Nick told her in a mildly amused tone of voice. "So, ask!" "Does your father...uh, date?" Nick laughed. He didn't mean to but her question had just touched upon a subject he had been discussing with LaCroix only moments ago. "What's so funny?" Ron asked. "Nothing. It's just that I was just talking to my Dad about his lack of a love life," Nick explained. "And here Candice goes and asks if Dad dates. It's just too weird a coincidence." "So, I take it that he has no girlfriend," Candice stated. "Yeah, Dad has been a lone wolf these days." "Is he interested?" Nick looked at the dark eyed brunette and tried to picture her with his father. Scary thing was he *could* see them together. "No offense, but you are a little young for Dad," Nick said. "Yeah, I think Nick would have a hard time dealing with a stepmother who was younger than he was," Ron said. "Who said anything about getting married?" Candice asked. "I only had getting naked in mind....!" Ron came close to doing a spit take at that declaration and Nick was glad he wasn't drinking anything because he would have spewed it for sure. I can't believe it! This girl has the hots for Dad, Nick thought. Figures someone extra-dimensional would fall for LaCroix! I wonder if there is anything in The Code that covers *this*! to be continued....! Welcome to part 7 of my FKFIC story! This is a continuation of the adventures of Ron and Candice in the land of the Knight. The FK characters belong to TPTB, I'm just borrowing them for a while . Ron & Candice are real people (who both agreed to be in this story!) and we belong to no one but ourselves. As much as I'd love to indulge in some adolescent fantasies, I'm trying to keep this tale as "real life" as possible. Which means I won't be getting naked with anyone in this story (but I can't say the same for my travelling companion who has stated for the record that she finds Uncle to be very sexy and has been Beta-reading this for accuracy of her portrayal in this tale!) Enjoy! ===================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (7/?) by Ron the Enforcer Even though his Sire had expressed no interest in having a romantic encounter, Nick liked the idea of getting the pretty dimension hopper together with LaCroix. The humor factor alone would be worth it. Dad in a purple thong? I'm there! Nick thought with childish glee. The elevator door opened admitting Natalie. She was carrying a bag of groceries and was surprised to see two strangers sitting on Nick's sofa. "I didn't know you had company," she said as Nick took the shopping bag from her. "Yeah, it was kind of a surprise. Dad's here, too," Nick told her as he led the way to the kitchen. "What's going on?" she asked. "I'll explain while we're putting the stuff away," Nick said. The second they were in the kitchen, Natalie asked, "Who are those two? They aren't Kindred, that much I can tell." "Their names are Ron and Candice. They know about the Kindred and you and me because, well, where they are from our lives are the subject of a TV show," Nick explained. "What do you mean, "where they are from?"Aren't they from here?" "No, they're extra-dimensional. They are a pair of real-life Sliders." Natalie shot a look at LaCroix, who nodded slightly in agreement. "You believe them?" she asked the elder vampire. "I personally have not heard their story. However, they know about the Community, about the two of you, and know things about your friends that they could not know unless they were either acquaintences of yours or had gotten through to a source close to you. Since I doubt either of you broadcast the intimate details of yours lives, I am inclined to think those two people are telling the truth." "But you haven't actually questioned them yourself." "No, I have not." "Would you?" she asked. "I'd ask Nick but we both know he is not good at doing the whammy thing." Nick shot her a wounded puppy look and she ruffled his hair like she was petting a favorite dog. "I love you, Nick, but there are some vampire things you just don't do well." LaCroix smiled slightly in response to Natalie's statement about his son's lack of skill in one area of his Kindred background. Yes, it was true Nicolas was not adept in the use of vampire mind tricks but the boy was the best warrior in the city. He was strong, agile and hardy and could fly rings around most anyone. Although Nicolas wasn't very well known in the Community, most newcomers quickly discovered it was unwise to piss off the Prince's son and old-timers left him alone because they liked having all their parts attached... LaCroix nodded in assent. "All right, Doctor, I will see if Nicolas is the victim of a ruse or not. And, if those two people are what they say they are, do you know of anyone who can send them back where they belong? Someone who is highly knowledgeable in mathematics and physics?" "I have a friend from college who teaches physics at Steven's Tech. Maybe he might be able to help," Natalie offered. "But we'll first have to see if he's needed." "Agreed," LaCroix replied. "I'll go and speak with your guests. Meanwhile, do try to contain your enthusiasm for one another until *after* I leave." Natalie chuckled slightly and Nick actually had the decency to blush. LaCroix left the two lovers alone in the kitchen and joined Ron and Candice in the living room. Candice gave LaCriox her best smile and Ron got up to meet him. The two men shook hands and Candice could see from Ron's reaction that their estimate had been correct: this wasn't *their* LaCroix and Nick wasn't their Nick. Oh, well.... When Ron and LaCroix's eyes met, the former Navy pilot was frozen in place. Candice saw her friend suddenly freeze up and, when her eyes met LaCroix's, she, too, was frozen in time and space. Nick stepped out of the kitchen and Natalie was beside him. They saw the two strangers immobilized and Nick asked, "What did you do to them?" "A small bit of magic I learned from reading an old book,," LaCroix said and Nick knew exactly which old book he was referring to. A certain tome Nick had found in Berlin in 1966. "They will remember nothing," LaCroix assured the pair. "However, this must be done quickly. They won't recall being enchanted but, if too much time passes, they will be suspect that *something* had happened to them during the time frame they cannot remember." "Go for it then," Nick encouraged. LaCroix first studied Ron. To Nick and Natalie, it looked like the elder vampire merely gave him a cursory inspection before focusing his attention on Candice. LaCroix spent much more time persuing her mind, especially after he found that many of her thoughts had to do with getting to know him on a very intimate level. He was not accustomed to being mentally undressed by anyone and reading the thoughts of someone who had been doing exactly that for the better part of the evening was just a bit unsettling. "Well?" Natalie inquired. "Were they telling the truth?" "Yes," LaCroix replied. "They are not from here. Which leaves us with the problem of how to get them back where they belong." "What took you so long with Candice? Was she resisting?" Nick asked. "No, neither of them were difficult to read. She just....," he paused trying to think of a way to phrase it then explained, "Her mind was full of some very interesting imagery." Nick flashed his Sire a wicked grin and quipped, "Yeah, like purple thongs." LaCroix's eyes flashed red for a second but he made no reply. Nick knew he could only go so far before he'd have to duck and run but he could not resist one last shot, "You two are welcome to use my guest room." The glare LaCroix fixed on Nick could have melted titanium steel. Natalie grabbed Nick by the arm and dragged him back into the kitchen before he could make another comment. She knew Nick well enough to know he wouldn't stop teasing LaCroix until the elder stopped him by putting his face through the wall. Getting Nick away from LaCroix before the the Prince lost his patience was the only way to insure Nick would remain whole. When Natalie and Nick were gone, LaCroix refocused his attention back on the two travellers. The young woman was beautiful and imaginative, characteristics he found appealing in a lover, and the fact that she was already attracted to him would mean he would not have to seduce her. From what he saw in her mind, a mere invitation to join him for drinks at his home would be all he would need to do to enjoy the pleasure of her company for the day. It was tempting to accept Candice's unspoken invitation but, if he was to do so, he would have to insure that Nicolas never found out about it. He had told his son he was not looking for a relationship, which was true enough, he wasn't. However, he did engage in the occassional night of passion, something he did *not* confess to Nicolas, who he knew would have turned something done for mutual pleasure into something crass. The boy was a bit of a gutter snipe, and it seemed no amount of decorum lessons would ever change that fact... LaCroix broke the two visitors out of his entrancement and they both started for a second and rubbed their eyes as though coming out of a dream. Ron looked at LaCroix, who had insured he was in exactly the same place he had been in when he first entranced the ex-pilot, and then shot Candice a curious glance and she shrugged in response. "My son apprised me of your situation. I am not certain he has the ability to help you," LaCroix said. "Well, we had a feeling this was a little out of Nick's league," Ron agreed. "But maybe he knows someone who can help." "Dr. Lambert may have a lead," LaCroix told him. "In the meanwhile, it would be best if the two of you were to stay here with Nicolas. It would be...safer." "We don't want to impose on Nick," Ron said. "We'll stay here for now but if I if my credit is good here, we're going to a hotel. Nick will know where to find us. We're a long way from home, Mr. LaCroix and we need Nick's help to get back where we belong." "And what will the two of you do if you cannot return home?" The possibility that they could be stranded there for good was a very real thing for Candice and Ron and the two friends really weren't ready to deal with it yet. Candice had her family, school and a boyfriend back home and Ron had a daughter who would miss not having her Daddy around. They were not ready to give up hope. Barely a day had passed. There was still time.... "Ask me that question after we have tried every means possible to slide back home," Ron told him. "I'm not going to think about what I'll do if I'm a permanent resident until I *am* a permanent resident." "Your determination is admirable," LaCroix said and, gazing down at Candice added, "I gather you share your friend's opinion?" "I'm not ready to give up hope," she said. "But, while I am here, I wouldn't mind seeing the sights. Touring was something I had in mind to do when I came to Toronto. And, as far as I can tell, the loony is in use here." "Yes, and we have this new two dollar coin as well." "I have a few of those," Ron said. "At least we know our cash is good. Now I have to check on my plastic." "Leave that to Nicolas. He will do that for you." "Cool. Look, I gotta pay the rent for the beer. I'll be back in a few," Ron said as a way of excusing himself to use the facilities. He took off up the stairs leaving LaCroix alone with Candice. Alone at last, Candice thought to herself and she beamed up at LaCroix. Even if he wasn't psychically gifted, LaCroix would have known what thoughts were going through her mind at that moment. She was giving him a look of pure unbridled lust. It was a bit unnerving. Being a popular radio personality was far different from being renown on television. None of his listeners knew what he looked like - they only knew the sound of his voice. Although he had gotten his share of sultry letters from women who claimed he could turn them on just by reciting the alphabet, he never met a fan who not only knew what he looked like but also had a good idea of what he looked like naked. "You are a puzzlement," LaCroix said to Candice. She just smiled even more brightly up at him and he sighed. "I am *not* the LaCroix you know from wherever it is you are from." "I know, but a girl can always dream, can't she?" Candice grinned impsihly at LaCroix. LaCroix cleared his throat and was looking decidedly uncomfortable. Perhaps Nick's estimation of his guests was incorrect.... "You are a lot cuter than the guy on TV," she said after a long pause. "Thank you." "Are you married?" "No." "Do you have a girlfriend?" "No, and I don't think-" "I know, you think I'm too young for you," Candice interrupted. "That's what Nick thought, too. But you are only as old as you feel. And I don't think you feel *that* old." "You'd be surprised." She laughed slightly. "Am I embarassing you?" "Not yet." "Good. I know if Ron was here he'd be hiding under the sofa by now. He was afraid to leave me alone with you." "Why?" "Because he was afraid I'd wind up being arrested for assault." "Assault? Not rape?" Candice gave him a wicked grin. "It isn't rape if they are willing...." LaCroix wasn't sure exactly what to say to *that* and was quite relieved when Ron came bounding down the stairs. Ron noticed that LaCroix was still clothed and Candice hadn't left her spot on the sofa. Good, thought Ron, she managed to contain herself after all. "So....did I miss anything?" Ron asked as he joined them. to be continued....! This is part 8 of my fanfic challenge tale. Sorry about delivering it to you in spurts but I can only post as fast as I get the parts back from Beta reading . I'd like to thank my partner in this crime, Cousin Candice for being my Beta reader (I wanted to do her justice in this tale and she is making sure she is being portrayed correctly!) and also for being a friend. :) I only took one liberty with myself in this story and, anyone who knows me personally will know *exactly* the one thing about myself I altered for the sake of good storytelling! Disclaimers and such are in part one. Thanks for reading! ==================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (8/10) by Ron the Enforcer Did he miss anything? What a question, Candice thought to herself. Had he been gone a little longer, well, then *maybe* something of interest would have happened....! "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bug Nick for a while. I have to find out if my credit is good here," Ron said as he headed off for the kitchen. Gee, I didn't even have to drop him a subtle hint, Candice mused. Ron isn't a Brick after all! Candice and LaCroix were alone again. Now, if I could just find a way to get Ron, the Brick and the Doctor out of the loft for a while....Candice pondered. LaCroix wasn't sure if he liked the way things were going right now. It was flattering to be the object of a woman's desire but he wasn't used to women who were so forward about what they wanted. He had been seduced in the past, but this was going to be the first time that he had ever been the mouse to some woman's cat! Meanwhile, Natalie and Nick were taking advantage of some alone together time when Ron walked in on them. It looked like they were doing a whole lot more than some serious tongue sushi and it was enjoyable to watch the duo getting all hot and heavy. A Natpacker fantasy come true, Ron mused as he waited to be noticed. It didn't take all that long. Even though the little head was running things for the moment, Nick's other senses were still functioning and they warned him of Ron's presence. Nick disentangled himself from Natalie and gave his extra-dimensional guest a sheepish grin. "What's up?" Nick asked. "Looked like you a second ago," Ron teased. Nick grinned wickedly but said nothing; However, his expression said volumnes. Natalie looked a little embarassed, as she smoothed out her hair and clothing, but did her best to remain calm. "Nick told me you know about us from a TV show, is that right?" she asked. "Yeah," Ron said. "How much in common do we have with our TV counterparts?" "Other than physical appearances and your jobs, not a whole lot," Ron told her. "But, if you knew the TV show, you'd probably think that's a good thing." "Why?" "Well, for starters, you and Nick aren't engaged in the show." "Do we know each other?" "Yes, but you're just friends. Although a lot of the show's fans wanted to see Nick and Natalie get together. Those folks would be happy to know in real life you two *are* together." Natalie smiled at that. "Well, maybe when you get back you can tell them all about us." "Yeah, but how do we get back? Trans-dimensional physics wasn't exactly tops on the courseload at Top Gun," Ron said. "Don't worry, flyboy," Nick put in. "If a way home can be found, then we'll find it. In the meantime, I'll run your plastic to see if you can use any of your cards while you're here in town." "And while you are doing that, I'm going to call Dr. Matagrano and see if he and his lab are available," Natalie said. "He's the only person I know whose even dabbled in trans-dimensional physics." "I didn't even know it *was* a subject of study for real," Ron said. "Lucky for you it is," Nick said. "Grab a beer. It may take a little while for me to check on your credit cards." Ron handed his cards over to Nick, who went off to an area in his loft that passed for a computer room, and then helped himself to a bottle of Newcastle Pale Ale from Nick's refrigerator. Natalie was on the kitchen phone talking to the physics professor friend of hers who she thought could help the two Sliders. It sounded to Ron like things were beginning to look up... On his way to his computer, Nick noticed LaCroix and Candice were sitting together on the sofa chatting quietly. She looked like a cat who had spotted a bird with a broken wing and LaCroix seemed to to be a little unnerved by her. It had been a long time since Nick had seen LaCroix put on his guard by a woman. He made sure he wasn't seen as he slipped off to use the Pentium. So far, Candice was enjoying the company of this world's LaCroix. He had the same sexy voice and good looks as his television counterpart but, unlike the vampire LaCroix, *this* one was, as far as she could tell, all flesh and blood male. He even *smelled* good....! It had been a while since Lucien had been with a lady who was this enamored with him. He had enjoyed the company of many women over the centures but he had never been with someone from another dimension. He allowed Candice to snuggle up against him on the sofa. Her chestnut hair smelled of spices and she did have the prettiest brown eyes.... Both Candice and LaCroix involuntarily jumped when the phone rang. Nick picked up the extension from where he was at his console. He looked back at LaCroix and Candice saying around the cigarette he was smoking, "Dad, your car is ready." LaCroix looked a little relieved. "Excuse me, my dear," he said to Candice as he rose and walked over to join Nick by his computer. "Found anything?" he inquired. "Yeah, I sure did," Nick said stubbing out a half smoked cigarette into an overflowing ashtray. He turned the screen towards his Sire. "Check this out." LaCroix gazed down at the monitor and raised an eyebrow thoughtfully as he read the information on the screen. The VISA card number Nick had keyed in belonged to someone whom the Prince of Toronto hadn't seen in a very long time..... "What are you going to tell your guest?" LaCroix asked his son. "Not the truth," Nick stated. "And I don't think letting him use his credit card would be a good idea. He may *look* like the guy on the card's photo ID but there is no way the Slider could be mistaken for an Enforcer. Especially *this* Enforcer." "The only alternative would be to keep the two Sliders here with you." "Not a good idea. I can pass for human better than most of us but those two know too much about the Community for me to be able to keep the Masquerade indefinately. They *can't* stay here." "So what do you suggest?" "Your credit is pretty good. And there are some hotels owned by people who owe you favors. Maybe it's time you called in a marker or two...." "Doesn't anyone owe *you* a boon?" "Me? The most I'm owed is a beer and a pack or two of smokes." LaCrois sighed the sigh of the long-suffering father. "Nicholas, I wish you would find companions who are a bit less. . . streetwise." "Yeah, well, maybe in my next incarnation I'll come back as Donald Trump. Meanwhile, I'm a cop. My friends are cops. The classiest person I hang out with, other than you and Janette, is Natalie." Natalie arrived by the duo just as Nick spoke her name. "Any luck with the credit cards?" she asked. "Yeah, but unless we get permission from Vienna, there is no way we can use plastic issued to an Enforcer." Natalie cringed. "His cards belong to an Enforcer?" Nick nodded. "Yeah. His double here in our world is one of Lord Detweiller's assistants." "Detweiller?" "He is *the* leader of the Enforcers. The Enforcer HQ is in Vienna and their boss man is older than dirt. He's supposedly a childe of Lillith. And all of his closest associates are his children." "So Ron in our world is a childe of Detweiller?" Nick nodded. "Yeah. Here the flyboy is an Enforcer. Scary, huh?" "Well....maybe we can use that. After all, he *looks* exactly like his vampire double. Even if he uses the card to get cash, the Enforcers would have a hard time proving it *wasn't* their man making the withdrawal. And if he doesn't abuse it, it should be okay." "Yeah, but if we get snagged, heads will roll. It won't matter that Lord D. is my Uncle. He'll still be majorly pissed off if he finds out we borrowed Enforcer funds without his permission." "Can't you ask him?" Natalie inquired. Nick looked up at LaCroix, who pondered the idea for a moment before replying, "I suppose we could ask. But he would want an explanation and I am not sure what he would make of this situation." "You think he'd think we were full of it?" Nick ventured. "Hard to say. However, as Prince, I do have the authority to request Enforcer assistance in matters I deem beyond my ability. And, well, dealing with extra-dimensional beings *is* beyond the scope of what is normally encountered by the Prince of a major city." "So...are you going to ask him?" Nick queried. "Perhaps. In the meantime, I have a car to fetch. And I think for now the two travellers should spend the day here. We will decide tonight where they will reside until they can be returned to their own universe." Nick nodded in agreement and Natalie said, "I'll be taking part of the night off. I spoke with Tony, Doctor Matagrano, and told him about our problem. He asked me to stop by the lab at Toronto University tonight and to bring the Sliders with me. I *think* he may have a solution to our dilemma!" "If that's the case, then maybe we *won't* have to make that long distance call to Vienna," Nick said. "I will wait until *after* you meet with your associate before I make any inquiries," LaCroix said. "Keep me apprised, Nicholas." "Will do." LaCroix excused himself and left the loft. Candice saw him depart and looked decidedly unhappy to see him go. She had been secretly hoping he would ask her to join him for breakfast or, better yet, invite her back to his place for some tea and...! Ron looked up and could see the light of early morning streaming through the warehouse apartment's windows. He glanced at Nick and noticed the detective wasn't doing anything to avoid the sunlight; However, Nick did put a hood over his monitor to keep the sunlight from reflecting off the screen. Candice walked over to Nick. She caught a glimpse of the image on the monitor before Nick closed out the file. She saw enough to know that the card belonged to Ron's double here on this world but she didn't get the chance to see the name of the lookalike. Natalie smiled at Candice. "Tonight we'll be seeing a friend of mine who might be able to help you get back home." "That's great," Candice said. "Thanks!" She looked at Nick, "Are we staying here or can Ron use his plastic and get us a hotel room?" "Both of you will be my guests for now. I have a room upstairs you can use. I have some sweats I can loan the two of you so you can wash your clothes. My laundry room is also upstairs." While Nick was making his hospitality offer, Ron had joined the trio by the computer. "Can I grab a shower?" he asked. Nick nodded. "Yeah. Come on, I'll get you two settled. I going to have to crash for a while this morning. I'm working tonight." "We understand," Candice said. "You'll be with me tonight," Natalie told the pair. "And the guest room is very comfortable." "Thanks," Ron said. "We really appreciate all your help." Natalie motioned for the duo to follow her up the stairs and they did leaving Nick alone with his computer. Nick returned to the file on the credit card belonging to the Ron's double and scanned the information. The man was based in New York City (a good thing) but the last charges on his account showed that he was in Montreal (a bad thing). The odds that Enforcer Romulus could show up in Toronto were too high to risk using his plastic without permission. Nick logged out of the file hoping that the Enforcers didn't have a way of knowing who was checking up on their people.... to be continued! Hi all! Sorry this took kind of long to get to you. REAL LIFE (as in my job!) got in the way of my writing for about 2 weeks. Things have quieted down some here in R&D, so now I can finish what I started! Anyone missing earlier parts can get them by Emailing me at RonniK@eccs.com Enjoy! Ron the Enforcer ====================================================== HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (9/?) by Ron the Enforcer Ron glanced over at Candice, who was looking decidely unhappy. "What's wrong?" he asked her. "If Natalie's friend's research holds the key to our way home, I may *never* get the chance to get to know LaCroix!" she said. "Know as in the Biblical sense of knowing someone?" teased Ron. "Well...why not? That is a Cousinly fantasy!" she admitted. "Well, you might still get your chance. Even if Dr. Matagrano has a way home for us, we could stick around one more day and enjoy the sights. I, for one, would love to get back to The Raven!" "Yeah, so you can attempt to score points with Janette!" "Well, that *is* a Raven's fantasy!" he admitted and they both laughed. Nick was just approaching them when they were enjoying a laugh. "What's so funny?" he asked. "We were just musing about getting naked with certain people," Ron explained. Nick raised an eyebrow at that but made no reply. He changed the subject by saying, "If you want to shower, change and get some sleep, I'll show you where my guest quarters are." The duo nodded and followed Nick upstairs. He gave each of them a pair of his better quality sweats and a t-shirt, a bath towel and ponted out the way to the guest bedroom and bathroom. After making sure they could find what they needed, Nick and Natalie excused themselved and disappeared into the master bedroom together. "I'd love to be a fly on *that* wall!" Ron mused eyeing the closed door to Nick's bedroom. "Why? So you could report back to the Knighties how well-equipped their man is? Or better, tell the Nick and Nat Pack that their fondest dream has come true, at least in *this* reality?" she asked. "Both!" he stated. "Come on!" she said dragging him into their room by the arm. "Let's go to bed. I'm beat." The most noticeable thing about the room was the queen size bed smack in front of the window that looked out on the dimly lit highway. Candice looked sideways at Ron grinning a little, then said, "Okay, so do you want to take the floor, or would you rather have Nick asking you questions about my chastity intake morning...?" ***** Ron and Candice slept a good portion of the day. Ron was up before her and slipped noiselessly out of the room to see if his host was awake. From the balcony overlooking the first floor of the loft he saw Nick was indeed awake and perched on a chair in front of his computer. He had the mouse in one hand, a drink of what looked like red wine in the other and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He was in a pair of rather worn sweatpants and tank top and was having a very bad hair day. Nick was not at his best first thing in the morning. Or what passed for morning when one worked the night shift. He was telecommunting to work and in the middle of finishing up a report online when Ron joined him by the machine. "What's up?" Nick asked not looking up from his work. "Me, sort of," Ron kidded and Nick grinned. "Is there any coffee?" "Yeah. Natalie put up a pot before she headed out. Help yourself." "Thanks." Ron went into the kitchen, found a mug and poured himself a cup of the very strong coffee. He opened the refrigerator to get the milk and noticed someone had done a little shopping because there was some fresh fruits and veggies and normal groceries inside the fridge along with all the leftover take out food containers. There was also some interesting looking bottles of red wine on the door. Ron pulled one out and looked at the label. It was hand calliagraphed and was written in French. Stuff looked like it was super expensive but, then again, Nick's living arragements didn't exactly appear as though they were done on a cop's salary. "Hey, flyboy," Nick called. "Get me some coffee, willya?" "Yeah, sure," Ron replied as he closed the refrigerator door. He added the milk to suit his tastes, replaced it, and then got Nick a mug of black coffee before going back out into the living room. Nick took the mug of black coffee from Ron saying, "You can grab a bagel or something if you want." ***** Meanwhile, upstairs Candice was just arriving in the land of the living (depends on who you ask) after having one very interesting evening. While Ron was getting coffee downstairs (men have this habit of neglecting the sleeping in the morning, hence the reason she was wide awake at moonrise), Candice looked around for the clothing she had arrived in. "Some host," she muttered. `He probably left everything in the dryer and my dress is probably wrinkled along with my jacket. Uch...men!" Candice crept quietly down the stairs praying she would not run into either if the guys. In her present state she could tell that not even her own sister would look at her without wincing! She found the door to the laundry room easily enough without being heard or seen and went to hunt among the guy-stuff for her things. The dryer was past the various pieces of motorcysyle parts and tools, so after the treacherous climb (and much swearing in Greek), she reached the machine and pulled out her very wrinkled jacket and dress. Candice held both items up for inspection and even smelled them, half hoping they would still be a little smokey just to prove she had been dreaming. Then again, if she were dreaming, she wouldn't have felt the sting of a fresh cut on her shin. Candice folded the clothes under her arm and slipped back upstairs to the room in search of a band-aid. ****** "No donuts?" Ron queried. "Too much sugar," he said with a mischievous grin. "I get too much glucose and I bounce off walls." Ron noticed the empty wine bottle sitting on the table and asked, "Where do you get the gourmet vino?" "Family winery," he replied. "I get sent a case every year." He noticed the surprised look on Ron's face and queried, "What's wrong?" "The bottles say Chateu de Brabant. You're related to the ducal family?" Nick gave Ron a surprised look. "You know about the Duc de Brabant?" he queiried. "Well, sort of. I'm in the SCA and learning medieval history is one of my pastimes." "The SCA exists in your, um, dimension?" "Yeah. They're here too?" "Hell, yeah! Natalie is our Barony's Chiurgeon and I got knighted last Pennsic. Do you fight?" "I used to until a rather large person I was up against busted 3 of my ribs with a good shot from his two-handed sword," Ron explained. "My wife kinda blew a gasket after that happened and my fighting career ended. I mostly do brewing and go feasts to be with my friends." Nick grinned. "You're East Kingdom, right?" Ron nodded. "I am now. I've bounced around several Realms, thanks to the US Navy." Ron *could* see Nick in armor out there in the lists going at it with sword and shield. The Nick he knew *was* a knight, or, rather, had been one before he was brought across. It made an odd sort of sense that the Nick of this Universe was also a knight - even if it was only for medieval recreation. Nick looked up suddenly in the direction of the stairs, but just passed off the blood-scent as just nerves. Changing the subject, Nick said in answer to Ron's initial query, "I'm related - distantly - to the Ducal family. The winery is a part of their holdings. You like wine?" Ron shrugged. "I'm a beer man myself but with the right food I do enjoy a good wine now and again. Ain't it a little early to be drinking?" "It's a lot later than you think," Nick told him. "You've been asleep all day!" Ron glanced up and noticed the sun was setting. "I guess you're right. It just *feels* like it's morning." "I'm skipping out of work tonight," Nick told him. "I have to meet this trans-dimensional physicist friend of Natlaie's. Look, you grab yourself so chow and let me finish up my work. I think if I get in all my overdue paperwork, Cohen won't rip me a new asshole for playing hookey." "What about Schanke?" "What about him?" "Won't he want to know why you're not going to be around?" "Well, yes he would. But I'm not sure what he'd think of you and Candice. Of your story, I mean." "Would he believe us?" "Look, I'm not a hundred percent sure that *I* believe you," Nick stated. That caught Ron by surprise and Nick added, "But I'm willing to suspend my disbelif long enough to find out if what happened to you is possible." "You want to talk to Natalie's friend." "Yep. Look, if sliding *is* possible, it could open up some very weird possibilities." "That's saying it exists in other Earth dimensions," Ron put in. "True, but if your side has it and we have it, then chances are..." *********** After making a thorough search in the room for a standard box of something remotely medicinal-looking and finding nothing, she gave up and looked for an iron instead. No dice. "Man, he must be some kinda neat freak to live this way..." Candice went back to shake out her clothing of any shakeable wrinkles (not like they exist...not even in this universe *sigh*) and found something quite unexpected. Almost unnoticeable, a smooth shiny surface was stuck to the nylon inside her jacket. She tried to brush out the "wrinkle" but her hand came away from the blazer with...wouldn'tcha know it...apair of black silk boxers. "No *wonder* Ron didn't see any pyjamas! He kept ruining them in the washing machine! Geez...don't guys know silks are supposed to be HAND washed...?" she shook her head in amazement. "Sometimes static cling is SUCH a wonderful thing!" Feeling rather smugly satisfied with her latest find, Candice returned to the guest room and stuffed the purloined item into the pocket of her blazer. Well, time to get a move on the night. Candice went out to the balcony and called out, "Uh, guys, when are we going to go see the Professor?" not knowing she was interrupting anything. "You got time to shower and change," Nick told her. "Good. Thanks," she replied and headed down the stairs quickly to meet with them. The two men eyed each other as she approached and waited expectantly for the question both were sure she was going to ask. Candice noticed their expressions and in a tone of feigned hurt asked, "Is it *that* obvious?" "Well, the radio station isn't that far away from the U. of T. campus," Nick told her. "I could take you over there for a visit. And, for your information, the booths are soundproofed..." The innuendo wasn't lost on her and she gave Nick a dirty look. "You're as bad as he is!" she declared indicating Ron whose only reply was a good piglike snort. "Look, you were practicaly throwing yourself at him!" Nick stated. "And, well, this kind of thing happens to Dad from time to time. His voice turns women on. It's like an aphrodisiac, or so Natalie says." "Natalie thinks LaCroix has a sexy voice?" "Oh, yeah! She thinks the show is wacked, but she claims he gets her hot just by reading names out of the phone book." "That's scary," Ron stated. "That's why he gets the big bucks," Nick put in. "CERK was nothing until he took over the late night time slot. Now it's the number one talk radio station in the city. And, well, being the Nightcrawler's kid has it's advantages." "Leftovers?" offered Ron. Nick laughed at that. "You *are* bad," he said with a wry grin. "But I meant something other than that, although I do enjoy the leftovers." Candice groaned and rolled her eyes and Nick added, "However, my Dad, because of me, gets the station to sponsor a lot of charity events with the PBA. Mostly things for the local kids." "You do charity events?" "Yeah, but I draw the line at wearing a purple dinosaur costume. There is only so far I'll go for a good cause. I *do* have my reputation to consider!" Ron grinned. Nick was anti-Barney. This is a good thing. "Okay, I don't mean to interrupt again, but Nick, don't you have at least ONE Band-Aid lying around? I swear I must have looked all over the upstairs bathroom and not one did I find. Oh, and I kinda need an iron too, if you don't mind." "I keep the Band-Aids in the kitchen. You'd understand why if you ever saw me attempt to cook. I'll go grab one for you," Nick said as he headed into the kitchen. "And the iron is in the hall closet with the board. Feel free." "Thanks," she said. "So...why don't you two get dressed," Nick suggested as he returned with a Band-Aid for Candice. "Your clean stuff is upstairs in the laundry room. By the time you two do that and eat, Natalie and I should be ready to go over to the University." Ron nodded in agreement and followed Candice upstairs. Once back in the room she asked, "Was that stuff in the bottle wine or something else?" "He claims it's wine from a relative's winery," Ron told her. "I know you think he's a vampire but he's down there drinking coffee, something our Nick couldn't do, and he also isn't afraid of the sun." "Maybe vampires here are like they are on that other show. You know, they can go out in the sun after they've fed. Besides, I think I've found some more incriminating evidence." Ron pondered that. The vampires on The Other Show could also eat food and take rolls in the hay with mortals if they wished. The Nick they knew here, by those standards, *could* very well be an immortal. However, they still needed proof. "Well, maybe," he allowed after a pause, wondering what she could have found. "But I think we'd better get moving if we want to find our way back home!" ***************** By the time the duo were ready, Natalie was back at the loft and ready to take them to theUniversity. Nick was dressed in another one of his Western-style combos and looked very cool in his duster. They took the Caddy because it was much more roomy for the four of them. Of course Nick had CERK on for their listening pleasure. "When is LaCroix on?" Candice asked. "Midnight to four AM," Nick told her. "If I can't get you in to see him before he goes on, we can always call in from the car phone." "Does he hang up on people for breathing heavy?" asked Ron. "No, that stuff gets ratings. All the call in stuff is on five second delay in case the caller curses or something so they can bleep it out. Even LaCroix is on delay, although he has yet to have anything he said censored." "Do a lot of really wild people call in?" Candice asked. "Sometimes. It depends on the topic. I've called in a few times when he's set up a conference line so callers can talk to each other. It's fun to see how they freak out when I tell them I'm a cop!" "You are so bad!" Natalie chided. "Yeah, but the last time I did that you thought it was funny!" "The last time you did that LaCroix had some loser on he couldn't get off the lines!" she reminded him. Ron raised an eyebrow and Nick explained, "The show gets it's share of crank callers. But mostly it's people wanting some free counselling or women hot for my Dad's body." Candice could see Nick giving her the eye in the rear view mirror when he made the comment about women hot for his Dad's body and she blushed a bit. But she wasn't ashamed at all to admit she wanted to get horizontal with the Nightcrawler. He did turn her on, and it wasn't just his sexy voice! They reached the University easily enough and Nick found parking for the Caddy. However, it was Natalie who led the way across the campus for she knew where Dr. Matagrano worked. Nick and the Sliders followed behind her in step. He was working in one of the physics labs which had been converted to accomodate his research in transdimensional physics. Lots of computer equipment, sensing devices, and monitors were crammed in the room. A decent size corner was left free and clear of any encumberance. The four of them soon saw why that area was left bare when it was suddenly filled by a vortex that looked like the gate they saw Quinn Mallory open every week on that dimension hopping TV show. "Holy shit!" Ron said under his breath. Natalie, Nick and Candice were all equally surprised by what they saw. However, the second the Professor saw them, he closed the Gate. "Natalie!" he called motioning themover. "I think I may have the answer to your problem!" to be continued....! I think this may be it If you are m issing any parts, Email me at the below address and I'll send them along. Since I can't write anything that is even remotly romatice - my smut all sounds like exerpts out of Penthouse letters - a good friend who writes EXCELLENT erotica volunteered to write my naughty stuff for me (thank you Wanda!) However, because said bits ARE erotica, they will only be sent to those who request it. The story can stand alone without the naughty scene. So, if folks *really* want to read a naughty LaCroix scene, (it's M/F ) they can Email me privately and I'll send Wanda's little vignette on to them.... Any commets, virtual blood, etc. go to me. Ron the Enforcer RonniK@eccs.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- HE WALKED AROUND THE CORNER AND DOWN THE STAIRS (10/10 by Ron the Enforcer Natalie approached her friend. Dr. Matagrano was an attractive man of middle years with chestnut hair that was medium length and thick and kind of wild and dark eyes and a permanent tan. He looked like he'd been working a long while because his clothing was rumpled and he was still bouncing from the after effects of way too much caffine. "What was that?" Natalie asked indicating the place where the vortex had been. "What you saw was the Gate. The passage through which one slides from our Earth to another Earth," he told her. "How do you know it leads to their Earth?" "I don't," he said. "However, if they can show me where it was their Gate opened, perhaps I can key into the tear in the fabric of the dimensions they made by coming here. I use my machine to reopen the hole they made and send them back through their original Gate. That, theoretically at least, should get your friends back home." "I know where we came through," Ron told him. "But how are you going to get all this hardware into that little alley?" "I don't need all of my equipment,"the Professor replied. "I only need 2 things - the Keypad to open the Gate and this scanner to find the exact place you came in." "Are you *sure* this stuff really works?" Candice asked looking very skeptical. "Well, I did test it. I sent things through but, well, you see, I only have one Keypad. You need one of these to open the Gate. So...I can only send test subjects on a one-way trip." "Oh, great," Candice grumbled. "Look, if you were to get to where we Gated in and home in on our old signal, what is the probability that you could get us back where we belong?" Ron asked. "Ninety percent, or one in ten," the Professor replied. "Considering the fact that this technology is very new, I'd say those odds are very good." Ron nodded in agreement. "I'm willing to take a chance. I *have* to get back home to my daughter." "I understand. I will do what I can to help," the Professor assured him. "How long will it take for you to set up a Gate in thei field?" Natalie asked. "Hours," the Professor replied shaking his head. "I've never done this outside of the lab. But their chances will be the best if I can get to where they came in to find the opening and send them back through it." He looked at Ron and asked, "You remember *exactly* where you were when you came here?" "Yes." Intrigued, the Professor asked him, "What do you do for a living?" "I work in Engineering R&D but I used to fly jets for the Navy." "That would explain your navigational abilities," The Professor remarked. He looked at Candice and asked, "And you?" "I'm an artist," she shrugged. The professor looked confused. "I'm a student at Alfred University," she explained further. "Why?" "I need help with this, that is why," he told her. He turned to Ron saying, "I will need *you* to help me. I think you have enough of a physics background to be of some use. Natalie, can you stay and assist as well?" "Yes," she said. "What about Nick?" "I don't need a policeman," he said turning back to his machine. "He can look after the college girl while we transport the equipment and get it set up and tested. Get her a decent meal. She would like that, if the food where she goes to school is anything like the slop I had to eat." Candice giggled. She was beginning to like this Professor, even if he was a little closed-minded when it came to actual intelligence in artists. Too badhe didn't teach at Alfred. She glanced over at Nick and suggested, "While we're waiting, we could stop by the radio station and hang out with your Dad for a while..." The hint wasn't lost on Nick. He glanced over at Natalie, who was busy talking to the Professor, and then at Ron, who had caught what had been said and was grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Nick quipped. "Look, if I didn't just get drafted by the good Professor here, I'd be off at the Raven scoring a few points myself," Ron said. "But I've already been bitten once by Janette-" "When?" Nick interrupted. "It was the Janette on MY world, not the one here!" "Oh, sorry." Ron sighed and continued, "As much as I'd LOVE a repeat of that experience, I'm willing to pass up the chance to flirt shamelessly to insure I get back home to my kid." Nick understood. The two Sliders had different motivations for wanting to return home. However, only one of them had any desires that could only be fulfilled on *this* Earth. If Candice wanted to try to seduce LaCroix, that was her business. It would be up to LaCroix to say yes or no to a night of passion. And, considering how melancholy the Nightcralwer program had been of late, perhaps a good fling was just what his father needed to get him out of his funk. Candice and Nick headed off to CERK... ****************** What happened at CERK between Candice and LaCroix was written as a separate *naughty* Vignette by Cousin Wanda (a good friend and infamous writer of vampire erotica!) The vignette is available by Emailing me or Emailing Wanda at WARRKitty@aol.com ****************** The equipment had fit quite well into the Professor's station wagon. However, getting the big woody wagon down the narrow alleyway was another story. Natalie was certain the sides of the car would be a scraped up mess by the time they reached the right spot but both vehicle and passengers arrived to their destination unscathed. "I told you letting the pilot drive us down here would be a good idea," Professor Matagrano said as he dropped the wagon's back hatch. "Anyone who can fly an F-14 through those treacherous canyons in China Lake can drive down a narrow alley." "Yeah, but I did that hop through the canyons ten years ago!" Ron interjected as he helped the Professor unload the heavy scanner. "I haven't been behind the stick since 1989!" "It's like riding a bike, once you've done it, you never forget," the Professor stated dismissing any more objections with a wave of his hand. "These guys needs to get out more..." Ron mumbled. Ron shot Natalie a helpless look and she just smiled. "You get used to him after a while," she explained. "Besides, you did a good job of getting us down here safely. Don't complain!" "I'm not complaining," Ron said. "It's just that I don't fly jets anymore. I feel lucky if I get up in my pal Earl's Mooney now and again." Ron and Natalie helped the Professor unload his equipment and get it set up. It took a few hours to get everything ready for the Professor to begin scanning for the small tear in the fabric of the Universe that had allowed Ron and Candice to Slide from their Earth to this Earth. Ron craned his brain to remember the *precise* spot where he and Candice emerged. It wasn't easy but after a few trys, the Professor found the signal. "It will take a while to open the Gate," the Professor said. "Go get your friend and bring her here. By the time you are back, the vortex should be up and stable enough for you to Slide through." Ron nodded and dashed off. He remembered seeing a pay phone nearby and headed off for it. He dialed the police station and had them patch him through to Nick's car radio. Lucky for him Nick was in the Caddy. "Where are you?" Nick asked. "Where we first popped in. In the ally next to the Raven." Ron explained. "Get Candice. The Professor says he's ready to send us home." "She's...busy. Can it wait?" "Nick, I don't know how long the Gate can be held open," Ron stated. "This may be our only chance to get back. And, well, I really *can't* go without her." "I see," Nick replied. "I'll swing by the station and fetch her for you then. And, for your information, she is probably NOT going to be real happy with your timing..." ************************ Candice sat in the passenger of Nick's car looking decidedly annoyed. Nick hadn't exactly walked in on them while they were in the midst but she had been secrely hoping to spend more than just a few hours with the sexy master vampire. She half wished LaCroix had brought her across. Although she would have missed all her friends and family very much, part of her wanted very much to become LaCroix's latest creation. She glanced at Nick, who had cracked open the window so his smoking wouldn't bother her, and smiled slightly. Having him as her Kindred big brother might have been fun and she would love to get fashion tips from the elegant Janette. However, this place wasn't home. As much as she enjoyed the time she spent with Lucien (sigh!), she knew her place was back on her Earth, with the FORKNI-Lers, her friends from school and her family out on Long Island. Nick parked the Caddy near the alley next to the Raven and Candice followed him down to where the Professor, Ron and Natalie were waiting. The Professor had set up his equipment so that the Gate would open up against the wall at the back of the alley. "Is this thing ready?" Nick asked the Professor. "Yes," he told Nick and he looed at Candice, who seemed a little nervous, and Ron, who also was a little anxious, and asked, "Are you ready to go home?" They both nodded. The Professor keyed in the information and the winds kicked up as the watery-looking funnel opened up against the brick wall facing them. "The Gate will only be open for a minute!" the Professor shouted over the wind. "That is all I can hold it for!" Natalie and Nick approached the pair. "Thanks for helping u