From: TyraMitch@aol.com 
 Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 17:56:51 EST 
To: fkarchiver@fkfanfic.com 
 Subject: 1998 Story missed - PG-13 version 

I didn't have time to write before the December holidays had come and gone, so I thought I 
would send ya'll a New Year's Eve tale. It's a Nick and Nat story but is unrelated to my 
other recent literary attempts. This does contain spoilers for BMV and NiQ.
As always, all mistakes are my own, but I must thank my two wonderful beta girls: LeAnn 
Condren - who keeps me in stitches with her wonderful sense of humor, a better cheerleader 
and continuity person can't be found! Thanks for letting me angst! and Heather-Anne 
Gillis- who may one day run out of commas because of me. I'm told you are only given a 
certain amount upon entrance to this life. She is in big trouble. Trust me!
I don't own them, and I don't mean to infringe upon anyone's copyrights, nor do I intend to 
profit from this. I do hope to receive some e-mail though.

Permission to archive at the following sites: ftp (when it returns), Mel's fan fic, Mortal Love, 
and JADFE. All others please ask. I'm easily bribed! <eg>

This is a three part story. There are two versions of part three: a PG-13 version and also an 
ADULT version. The version you are reading is the PG-13 version. Comments can be sent 
to: TyraMitch@aol.com

Indecision (01/03) 
Tyra Mitchell 
1998

Nat wandered the aisles of the grocery store, trying to decide what to fix for her New 
Year's Eve dinner for one. Nick had said that he couldn't get out of work, but she didn't 
believe him. Tracey had already mentioned to her that Nick had volunteered, even after they 
had more than enough people on duty. 

Her mind kept wandering back over the last few months. Her head was still spinning 
over what had ocurred. She treasured the few moments she and Nick stole during his 
amnesia, and she remembered with fear the memories of when he was possessed by the evil 
spirit. And then there was LaCroix. At first she couldn't place him, even though she knew 
who he was, then it started coming back to her. Bit by bit, Natalie put the pieces together, 
and she remembered Azure and Valentine's Day. She remembered Nick's kisses and 
touches and words of love. She remembered his promises, and then she remembered it all 
coming to a crashing halt. He had taken her memories from her, with help from his father. 
Nick had taken something from her which was more precious than sunlight could ever be to 
him - he took his love and hid it away. 

Natalie finally picked out a steak and a salad-in-a-bag for dinner. She passed by the 
champagne and wine display on her way out and decided to get a bottle of champagne. It 
was New Year's Eve, after all.

For the fifth time that night, Nick was explaining why he was working and not with 
Natalie. First it had been the captain, then Tracey, followed shortly by both Schanke and 
Myra. Now he had had to explain to Grace that he was needed at the precinct. Grace had 
replied, "What, to do paperwork? That's a first." 

Nick's patience was wearing thin. He didn't want to be at work, he wanted to be with 
Natalie, but he knew it wasn't a good idea. He was hardly able to control his desire for her 
as it was. He didn't need the temptation of a midnight kiss on New Year's Eve. 
Nick looked around and opened his desk drawer. He removed the envelope and picture 
that he kept hidden away there. He looked at the picture of him and Nat looking into each 
other's eyes and smiled. Then he smelled the letter. It was from her. She had written it to 
him right before Valentine's Day. THE Valentine's Day. She had misted it with her 
perfume because he had mentioned how her scent intoxicated him. She didn't realize he was 
referring to her scent as a woman, not her perfume, though that smell was almost as 
intoxicating. He opened the letter and read the words she had written. She told him of how 
he had captured her heart the night they met; form one touch she knew they were destined to 
be together. 

Nick folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. He tried to blink the tears out 
of his eyes. She had such faith in him. She always had. Nick hadn't been able to control 
himself as well since the bullet wound and the possession. He had been drinking human 
blood instead of cow more often than he cared to admit to Natalie. Everytime he saw her, 
smelled her, touched her, he ended up with a bottle of the Raven's finest in his hands before 
he knew what happened. 

Nick put the envelope and the picture back in the drawer and slammed it shut. He was in 
the Caddy headed to the loft before he could think about it. He was aching with need. A 
need that had to be taken care of if he was to make it through his shift without having 
Tracey for dinner. Out of habit, he flipped on the car radio. As usual, it was tuned to 
CERK.

Natalie arrived home and start to make her dinner. She opened the bottle of champagne 
and poured herself a glass. The apartment was too quiet, so she turned on the radio. She 
was confused when she realized CERK was the station the dial was set for. She didn't listen 
to CERK, to avoid the Nightcrawler's monologues, yet her radio was set for that station. 
Natalie went into the den and checked her stereo. It too was set to CERK, as was the 
clock radio beside her bed. Natalie shivered when she heard the Nightcrawler's voice fill her 
apartment. He had been inside her home. She listened as she returned to the kitchen in a 
state of shock.

"My children, it is New Year's Eve, and some of you are atill alone. Why? Why do you 
sit in your houses all alone, when what you want, what you desire, is out there, waiting for 
you? Is it pride?"

Natalie shivered again. Pride? Was it pride? Nick's damn self-hatred was what it was. 
Or was it? Was she just too scared of rejection to tell him how she felt? How she had 
always felt. Was she scared to tell him that she remembered?

Nick stared at the radio and wondered. Is he talking to me again?

"Yes, I do mean you. You, who deny what you truly want, what you truly desire. Night 
after night you console yourself with your toys and with your own hands. Have you yet to 
truly satisfy yourself?"

Natalie's mouth dropped open as she ran to the bedroom and opened the nightstand's 
drawer. A red velvet bag was lying on top of her nightgowns. A red velvet bag that hadn't 
been there before. When she opened it, she found what she had been looking for. LaCroix 
knew. 

The bag lay ontop of the black nightgown Nick had given her the night before Azure. 
Natalie knew Nick had removed the nightgown from her apartment. LaCroix had brought it 
back to its rightful owner. 

Natalie removed the gown from the drawer, and unfolded it. She rubbed the gown 
against her face remembering how happy Nick was that she liked it. It had been his way of 
telling her he wanted their relationship to progress into the bedroom. Natalie held the gown 
in front of her and looked in the mirror. The thin-strapped, lace bodice was attached to a 
flowing silk skirt. There was a slit on one side up to the top of her thigh. 
Natalie pulled her clothes off, and slipped the gown over her head. She let her hands run 
over her body while Nick's comments about how he longed to see her in it filled her mind. 
Nick slammed on the gas too hard and almost sent the Caddy through the garage. 
LaCroix knew what his nightly trips home had been for. He knew. His face tried to turn 
crimson. He felt like a naughty boy that had been caught playing doctor with the little girl 
next door, except he was caught playing alone.

"Satisfaction. Where does it come from? How do you obtain it? Again, these are the 
questions you ask yourself time and again. Is what you have ever going to be enough? 
Will you ever be satisfied? 

I think not. It may be time to move on. Things have grown stale. But, then again, 
maybe all they need is an injection of satisfaction."

Natalie downed her glass of champagne and poured herself another. She stood at the 
stove cooking her steak, unable to do much else. She was in shock. LaCroix, the 
Nightcrawler, was talking to her. Directly to her and she knew it. She took her steak off the 
stove and grabbed her salad. She sat at her breakfast room table and tried to eat. She 
couldn't. Finally, she put down her fork, finished her second glass of champagne and 
listened.

Nick raced to the refrigerator and grabbed the first bottle he saw. His refrigerator was 
stocked full of the Raven's label. His father had been inside the loft. He hit the remote 
control for the stereo. He wasn't surprised when he heard LaCroix's voice echo through the 
loft. The stereo had been turned to CERK. Nick drank straight from the bottle as he 
flopped down on the sofa. There laying beside him was Nat's fluffy pink robe. It hadn't 
been there when he had left for work.

"Memories. A blessing and a curse. Which are they for you? Will they eternally 
remind you of what you could have had or are they a sweet taste of the future? It is your 
decision, my children. Yours and yours alone. Which do you grab, damnation or salvation? 
Or are they one in the same?"

Natalie poured herself another glass of champagne. She knew he was asking her, which 
would she choose. The only question was what would she have to sacrifice for her 
satisfaction.

Nick rose from the sofa to go upstairs and clean up before returning to work. He had 
held Natalie's robe in one of his hands and stroked it against his face. That was how his 
nightly ritual had started, and it ended just the same as it always did, with him changing into 
different pants before returning to work.

"In order to achieve satisfaction, children, there is usually a sacrifice involved. What are 
you willing to sacrifice? Is there a debt yet to be paid? How long do you take to repay your 
debts? Children, something must be sacrificed in order to achieve your goal. Why don't 
you call me, child, and tell me what you are willing to sacrifice to bring yourself out of the 
lonely cold." 

Natalie stared at the phone. She finished her third glass of champagne and picked up the 
receiver. She wasn't surprised to find the number for CERK written on the notepad beside 
her phone.

Nick climbed back inside the Caddy and headed back to the precinct. He needed to keep 
his mind focused on something other than Natalie. He knew LaCroix was trying to get to 
him. He had broken into the loft, stocked his refrigerator and moved Natalie's robe from the 
closet upstairs. He turned on the radio. What he heard sent shivers up his spine.

"It seems we have a caller. Yes, my child, what can I do for you tonight? What emotions 
have you to expose?"

Natalie paused, wondering if she had done the right thing, but then she felt the 
memeories come rushing back again and she proceeded.

"I think you already know what I feel." 

"Yes, child, but are you ready to admit it? And do you realize what it will mean when 
you do?" 

"I remember. I remember everything." Natalie's voice sounded like steel. She was 
making a stand, terrified she would lose her life to it. 

"I see. That does change things, doesn't it?" LaCroix paused, a smile crossing his lips. 
"Children, the Nightcrawler will be back after this brief musical interlude." LaCroix rose, 
exited the Raven and took to the air. 

Natalie returned the phone to its cradle. She knew he was coming. The only question 
was what would he do.

To Be Continued
Tyra Mitchell 
Comments and a certain blond vampire can be sent to: 
TyraMitch@aol.com 
NNPacker / NatPacker / Sister Voyeura of the Convent of the DSS / FKPagan / and closet 
Light Cousin

Disclaimers and other stuff in part one. All comments can be sent to TyraMitch@aol.com. 
Enjoy!

Indecision (02/03) 
Tyra Mitchell 
1998

Nick pulled the Caddy into a parking space at the station. He was frozen, scared that the 
voice on the radio talking with LaCroix had been his Natalie. It couldn't have been. He kept 
reassuring himself on his way inside that Natalie never listened to the Nightcrawler. She 
had told him so on numerous occasions. Still, it sounded like her voice. 

LaCroix landed on Natalie's balcony and let himself inside. Natalie was standing there 
facing him, waiting for his arrival. They regarded one another for a moment, then LaCroix 
spoke. 

"Do you remember everything, my child?" LaCroix stepped toward Natalie, his fingers 
reaching out and stroking the side of her cheek. 

Natalie was more frightened than she had ever been. She couldn't stop her body from 
shaking ever so slightly, but she stood her ground and answered. "Yes. I remember Azure, 
the first time we met. And I remember what was between Nick and me before that night." 

"I see. That does changes things, doesn't it? You realize what you are attempting to ask 
from me?" 

"Yes. What do you want in return?" Natalie looked LaCroix straight in the eyes. She 
was still shaking, but her resolve had deepened. Regardless of the consequences, she was 
going to see this through. She was tired of lying, of running, of denying herself what she 
wanted. No more, she thought, no more. 

LaCroix's eyes roamed Natalie's body, his hands coming to rest on the small of her back 
and on her thinly-covered breast. "The possibilites are endless, aren't they? What are you 
willing to sacrifice for this 'love' of yours?" A wicked smile crossed LaCroix's face as he 
kneaded Natalie's breast. "Perhaps another time, when you are more willing. For now, I 
only require the presence of my son in my life." 

Natalie's hands pushed LaCroix's from her body. "Then he will be. We both will be." 

LaCroix pushed Natalie's hands away from his. He cupped her chin and kissed her on 
the forehead, "Good. Then do as you wish, for now." LaCroix released Natalie and turned 
to leave. "I will send someone to take you to Nicholas. You don't need to be driving in 
your condition." LaCroix left as quickly as he had come.

LaCroix entered the Raven and saw Vachon. He informed the young vampire of 
Natalie's situation and requested that he take her to the precinct in the fastest way possible. 
Vachon realized it wasn't a request.

Natalie stood staring at the open window to her balcony. What had she done? What 
had she promised? She felt the breeze again as a figure landed on her balcony. She wasn't 
surprised it was Vachon. She knew him from the fever that had swept the community, and 
he knew of her relationship with Nick. 

"I was told you needed a lift to the precinct." 

"Yes, just let me get my coat." 

Vachon's eyed Natalie's nightclothes. "Perhaps you should change into something a 
little less, well, revealing." 

"No, this is the perfect thing for me to wear. I'm tired of hiding." 

"Well, you won't be hiding much from anybody in that, Natalie. I really think you 
should put on something else." 

"No. I'm quite happy in this." 

Vachon step forward and put his arm on Natalie's shoulder. He could easily smell the 
alcohol on her breath. "Natalie, are you sure you want to do this? Maybe you should wait 
until you sober up some." 

"I've a had a glass or two, ok - three, but I know who I am and what I am doing. I guess 
I found courage in a glass, maybe that's not the best place to find it, but I'll take it where I 
can get it." Nat pulled her coat around herself. "I love him, Vachon, and I know he loves 
me. I've already faced LaCroix tonight and survived. There is nothing that Nick can do that 
will change my mind. And there is certainly nothing you can do that will change it. Now, 
are you going to take me to the precinct or do I have to call a taxi?" 

Vachon shook his head, realizing it was impossible to reason with Natalie. He took her 
into his arms, and they flew out the window and to the precinct.

Nick heard her heartbeat before she opened the door to the office. When their eyes 
locked, he knew she was mad. She had that determined look in her eyes, the one she always 
had when she had made up her mind about something and it was useless to try and change 
it. He was surprised at Vachon's presence, but on Natalie's approach he could smell the 
champagne and understood. He had been her lift.

Tracey moved toward Vachon, "What are you doing here?" 

"I, I -- don't ask, Trace, ok? Just don't ask." He smiled and put his arm protectively 
around her. He knew that they, too, would have to confront what Nick and Natalie were 
going to have to deal with. What do you do, when what you have had in the past is no 
longer enough to sustain you in the future? 

Tracey started to speak but stopped. She knew Vachon would tell her in time. For now, 
she just relaxed into his embrace and looked on as Natalie approached Nick.

"Nick, we need to talk." Natalie's coat was gaping open, and Nick's eyes grew wide. He 
recognized the nightgown. He had taken it from her closet and hid it in his after the night at 
Azure. How did she... LaCroix, who else? 

"Natalie, we can go back to the loft and talk." Nick tried to pull Natalie's coat togther to 
cover her up, but she batted his hands away. "Nat, I don't think the precinct needs to see 
this much of you." 

"I want everyone to see what you bought me. Enough is enough, Nick. We aren't just 
friends. You love me, now say it, Nick!" 

Schanke was standing slightly behind Nick, admiring the view. He leaned in and 
whispered to Nick, "I never believed you were just friends, partner." 

Nick stifled a growl and kept focused on Natalie. He couldn't believe what she was 
saying. It had to be the alcohol, but she was acting like she remembered. She couldn't. 

"Yes, I remember, Nick. Everything." Natalie's hand reached up and lovingly caressed 
Nick's cheek. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. Her love was so appearant, so crystal 
clear, that it scared Nick. 

"You've been drinking, Nat. Why don't we get you some coffee?" 

"I don't need coffee, Nick, I need you. Enough is enough. I'm tired of lying to myself, 
to you, to LaCroix, to everyone." 

Nick's eyes grew wide at her mention of his father. Then he felt him, he could see him 
as he entered the office, going to stand in the corner, where he could observe all but not be 
noticed. Nick and LaCroix locked eyes, but Nick's attention quickly returned to Natalie 
when she kissed him, on the lips. 

Nick broke the kiss, putting his hands on Natalie's shoulders. "Nat, this isn't the place." 

"Yes, it is." 

"We are not alone." 

"Well, who cares!" Natalie broke free of Nick's hold. "I don't care anymore. I'm tired, 
Nick. I'm tired of being sad, and I'm tired of being alone. You worked tonight when you 
didn't have to. I know you volunteered." The tears silently fell down Natalie's face. 

"Natalie--I--" 

"I know, Nick, you don't know what to say. You haven't known what to say since Azure, 
have you!" 

At the mention of the restaurant that changed their lives, Nick shuddered. He looked 
around and then firmly gripped Natalie's arm and guided her to the interrogation room.

Eveyone in the office stared after them. A second later, they were all crowded around 
the monitor for the closed-circuit camera that was installed in the interrogation room. 
LaCroix started to look for the connections that would need to be severed before too 
much time elasped.

Nick kept his back to the camera. He knew it was there and that everyone would be 
watching. He released Natalie and turned her to face him. He let the vampire slide into 
place and take over. His eyes turned golden, and his fangs descended. 

"Nick, I've seen you like this before. It doesn't scare me. You don't scare me." Natalie 
stood her ground for the second time that night. If she was honest, she was scared, just a 
little. She knew she was taking a big risk tonight, but she had faith in Nick. 

"This is what I am, Natalie, what I truly am. Is this what you love?" 

Natalie looked Nick in the eye and simply replied, "Yes." Her hand reached up to his 
cheek. "It is part of what I love. It is a part of you, for now." 

Nick grabbed Natalie and pulled her toward him. His lips found hers, and then he 
started to nip his way down her neck. He turned her around so that her back was pressed 
up against him. He moved her hair away from her neck and growled into her ear, "Is this 
what you want, Natalie?" 

Natalie was shocked when Nick had turned her around, but quickly she relaxed into his 
embrace. "You can't frighten me, Nick." 

LaCroix found the connection he was looking for and pulled it apart. The picture on the 
monitor went blank. As the voyeuristic workers looked for the problem, LaCroix moved 
toward the interrogation room. It appeared that Nicholas needed his help.

Nick was losing himself in her smell. It always intoxicated him. One of his hands 
stroked her hair, as the other roamed her body. The silk of the nightgown only increased 
his need and desire for her. He started to kiss her neck. His fangs slid along her skin, 
leaving a trail of blood. He licked at it, tasting his Natalie. His Natalie. There now was no 
doubt.

Natalie moaned as Nick hungrily touched her. She knew he was trying to frighten her 
away, but she would not be moved. She knew it was her life she was risking, but what was 
life without love, she asked herself. The answer was as empty as her heart had been before 
Nick awoke on her table. She would not go back.

To Be Continued
Tyra Mitchell 
Comments and a certain blond vampire can be sent to: 
TyraMitch@aol.com 
NNPacker / NatPacker / Sister Voyeura of the Convent of the DSS / FKPagan / and closet 
Light Cousin

Disclaimers and other really boring stuff to read are in part one. 
This is the PG-13 version of the ending. If you are over 18 and wish to read the ADULT 
ending but did not receive it, please send an age statement to TyraMitch@aol.com and I will 
send one your way. The ADULT ending has been posted to the Main fan fiction list with 
an adult header, the EndlessKnight list and the JADFE list. 

Thanks to McLisa for being such a great list Momma!

Happy New Year!!!!! I hope all of you have a year filled with Peace, Joy and Love. May 
the wishes from your heart come true. For the first time in a long time, I believe mine will.
This is dedicated to what might be in my life.

Indecisions (03/03) PG-13 
Tyra Mitchell 
1998

LaCroix opened the door and immediately covered the camera, knowing it wouldn't take 
the on-lookers long to find the broken connection and fix it. He walked toward Nicholas 
and Natalie. He smiled at what he found. No matter how hard his son tried to deny what he 
was, he always returned to it. 

"Nicholas, do be careful, or you will undoubtfully drink too much of the dear Doctor." 
Nick looked up at LaCroix, his desire for Natalie filling him. "You started this." 

"Actually, you started this, Nicholas, by getting involved with a mortal female. Do not 
blame me if things did not turn out as planned. You should pick weaker women, Nicholas. 
They are so much easier to control, but, I must admit, they are not nearly as much fun." 
LaCroix touched Natalie's cheek, and she pushed his hand away. 

"She is a willful one, isn't she?" LaCroix looked at Natalie's neck and saw the broken 
skin. "Ah," LaCroix said as he touched the wound, capturing a drop of her blood on his 
finger, "I see you already know that, don't you?" LaCroix licked Natalie's blood from his 
finger and closed his eyes. He felt it rushing through him, her love for his son, her strength 
and her determination. She would be an asset to their kind. He opened his eyes and looked 
at Natalie. "Oh, my, how you do love him. Don't you, Doctor?" 

"Yes," whispered Natalie. It was the only reply she was able to give. 

"Children, in times like these you have to choose. I know how you truly feel about her, 
Nicholas, I have always known. Did you think I believed your little ruse at Azure that 
night? I would hope you would not think me such a fool." 
Nick held Natalie to his body, protectively. "What do you want, LaCroix?" 

"It's your choice, Nicholas. I have made mine, and Natalie has made hers. The question 
is will you have the courage to make your choice - or will someone have to make it for 
you?" LaCroix turned and exited the room. 

Natalie turned around in Nick's arms and brought his lips to hers. "Take me home, 
Nick." 

Nick couldn't find his voice. He only kissed Natalie in return and guided her out of the 
interrogation room and to the Caddy. 

Tracey and Vachon looked at one another. Vachon indicated the door with his head. 

Tracey smiled and whispered, "Let's go to my place. We can close the curtains and you 
could spend the day with me." 

"I'd love to," Vachon replied as he kissed Tracey's temple and inhaled her scent. 
Beautiful calla lillies, he thought, my calla lillies.

Schanke's eyes followed Nick and Nat as they walked through the precinct and out the 
door. He just shook his head and laughed. 

"They do not hide it well, do they?" 

Schanke turned to face the man that had spoken to him. It was LaCroix. Schanke 
remembered the bartender at the Raven pointing him out one night when he had gone there 
to chat with Janette, only to find her gone. 

"Hey, you're the new owner of the Raven, aren't you? No offense, I mean you are doing 
a good job and all, but I miss Janette. She would have the bartender make me these tropical 
drinks with little umbrellas, but I do love what you have done with the decor. Woohoo! It 
certainly perks me up, if you know what I mean!" Schanke stuck his elbow into LaCroix's 
side and winked. "And you are right about Nick and Nat. They have never been able to 
hide it." 

LaCroix glared at Schanke and started to wonder if his decor changes to the Raven had 
really been for the best. He would call Aristotle in the morning, he thought, to see if he 
could locate the female vampire that Janette had used as a decorator. 

Schanke walked out the door with LaCroix beside him. He put his hand on LaCroix's 
shoulder as they walked and asked, "Hey, I've always wondered, how do you know Nick?" 
"Did he not tell you? I'm his father." LaCroix continued to walk, leaving Schanke 
behind, his mouth wide open. He shook his head and jogged to catchup with LaCroix. 

"His father! I thought his parents were dead." 

"Yes, they are. I guess you would call me his adopted father." 

"I'm going to have to have a talk with Nick about him keeping these secrets from me. I 
am his partner." 

LaCroix turned toward Schanke and smiled. "Yes, you should do that. Good evening, 
detective. It was certainly most entertaining." LaCroix disappeared into the shadows of the 
night. Schanke looked for him, but could not find him. He looked at his watch and realized 
he barely had enough time to make it home to be with Myra at the stroke of midnight.

Nick drove the Caddy to the loft in silence. Natalie sat next to him and reached her hand 
over to rest on his thigh. Nick had grasped it with his own, refusing to let go, no matter how 
awkward it became to make turns. 

Nick shut the car off after they pulled into the garage. They both just sat there, staring at 
their clasped hands. It was Nick who finally broke the silence. 

"I guess we should go inside. It will be midnight soon." 

Natalie raised her eyes to look into Nick's. He looked like a little boy that didn't know 
what to do. She could see how frightened he was. It was written all over his face. "I'm glad 
we are together, Nick." She pulled herself over to his side of the Caddy and cuddled up 
against him, her head resting on his shoulder. 

"Nat, I'm scared. I'm 800 years old, and I'm scared of loving you. I'm scared I might 
hurt you." 

"Nick, it hurts me to not be with you, and I can't take that anymore." She cupped Nick's 
chin in her hand and turned his face toward hers. "When I couldn't remember what 
happened before Azure, it was tolerable to love you from a distance. I didn't know what it 
would feel like to love you. Now that I can remember what it was like to be loved by you, to 
touch you, to kiss you, to talk about OUR future with you, the pain of being separated from 
you just is too much. I tried Nick, I tried to ignore it, but I can't. It hurts too much to keep 
it inside." Her lips found Nick's and their kiss was long and passionate. When finally they 
broke for air, Nick whispered, "Let's go inside." 

He opened the Caddy's door, stood and gathered Natalie in his arms. He carried her to 
the lift, their mouths finding each other's again. 

Nick sat Natalie down in the den. "I think I have a bottle of wine in the refrigerator. We 
could toast the --" Nick's voice trailed off as his eyes caught a glimpse of what was sitting 
on his dining room table. It was a basket filled with fruit, Godiva chocolates and two 
bottles, one of champagne and the other of bloodwine. Two notes were perched in front of 
the basket, one to each of them. 

Nick and Natalie looked at each other and then walked toward the gift basket. They both 
knew who was the source of the basket. Natalie reached for her card first and opened it. 

They read the note from LaCroix together. 

"Natalie, I believe it is chocolate in which you love to indulge. I have taken the liberty of 
providing you with a sampling to enjoy before you and Nicholas consummate your 
relationship." 

Nick grabbed his card and ripped it open. 

"Nicholas, You know what must be done. It is either you or I, the choice is yours to 
make. Your debt will be paid, one way or another. It is you who will decide how. You 
alone will decide if she dies or rises to see another day. Choose wisely, my son." 

Natalie took the note from Nick's hand and laid it on the table. Nick looked at her, 
bloodtears filling his eyes. 

"I know, Nick. I know about your debt to LaCroix, and I know he will require payment. 
I have tried to live without you, and I have tried to make you human again. I may still yet, 
but my heart can't take being without you until then. I know what I'm asking, and I have 
faith in you and our love." The tears were flowing silently down both of their faces. 
Nick's hands were shaking as he pushed Natalie's coat down her arms and onto the 
floor. They held each other's hands, as they looked lovingly into each other's eyes. 
Nothing else existed except their love, nothing else mattered. It was as if the world had 
opened up, and they were standing alone in the center. 

As the clock struck midnight, Nick's hands guided Nat's gown to the floor and their lips 
yet again found their way home.

The End
Tyra Mitchell 
Comments and a certain blond vampire can be sent to: 
TyraMitch@aol.com 
NNPacker / NatPacker / Sister Voyeura of the Convent of the DSS / FKPagan / and closet 
Light Cousin