Knight Terrors
by J L Kerr
November 1997
jlkerr7864@aol.com -or- eaglesmoon@aol.com


[Timeline: third season. Nothing explicit. Haunting dreams, of 
 15th c. Budapest, turn to reality as a nemesis of Nick and LaCroix 
 comes to Toronto.]

[Main characters: Nick, LaCroix, Natalie, Tracy, Reese]


===
Chapter One


	"Knight, Vetter," yelled Captain Reese as he walked from his 
office to where the two detectives were sitting at their desks. They both 
stopped what they were doing to look up at him as he approached.
	"Yeah, Cap, what's up?" questioned Tracy, noting the piece of 
paper he was gripping in his hand.
	"We got a body in an alley," he replied, handing the paper to 
Nick. "Here's the address. Forensics and the Coroner are already on the 
scene. I hear it's pretty bad."
	Nick accepted the paper from Reese as he stood up reaching for 
his coat. "Okay, we're on it. We'll let you know what we find out."
	"I want regular updates on this, you got it?" stated Reese 
emphatically. "And you two stay together on this, you're suppose to be 
partners, remember?"
	Nick and Tracy glanced at each other a bit chagrined. Nick 
turned to Reese smiling,  "yeah, we got it." Turning back to his partner he 
said, "come on Trace. Let's go see what there is to see."
	"Right behind you," she said, grabbing her coat and following him 
out of the office.
	Reese watched them leave, and shaking his head, returned to 
his office.
	The detectives had to park a couple of blocks from the scene. 
There were too many emergency vehicles crowding the narrow street. 
The illumination from the flashing lights lit up the entire area and they 
could see people moving back and forth between the street and the alley.
	The officers guarding the taped off area recognized them and 
lifted the tape for them to duck under. Nick and Tracy immediately 
headed into the alley. They walked the short distance to where they could 
see a small group of people just around the corner ahead of them. As 
soon as they rounded the corner they spotted Natalie on the ground, bent 
over what must be the victim.
	They weren't able to get close to the body, as forensics was 
carefully scouring the area just in front of them. As they waited for the 
path to be cleared, Nick called out, "Natalie." She turned her head to look 
at him and motioned for them to stay put. A moment later she stood and 
walked over to them.
	"How's it going?" asked Nick, indicating all the activity 
surrounding the victim.
	"It's going," she replied distractedly. "You guys, uh, before you 
take a look at the body, I should warn you, it's pretty bad."
	Tracy, thinking the warning was directed at her, quickly replied, 
"Nat, I can handle it. You don't need to warn me every time there's a 
dead body to look at."
	"Thanks for the warning Nat, but Tracy will be okay,"  said Nick 
as he started to follow his partner who was already moving towards the 
body.
	Natalie put out her hand and stopped him as he began to move 
past her, "it's not Tracy I'm worried about," she said quietly looking up at 
him. "It's bad Nick."
	Nick, not taking Natalie's warning lightly, took a deep breath and 
moved cautiously towards the body. Before he was halfway there, Tracy 
moaned, "oh gawd" and bolted back past him, heading back the way they 
had come, her hand covering her mouth. Nick looked at Tracy's 
retreating back and then turned to Natalie. She just shrugged and said, 
"remember, I warned you."
	As he got within a few feet of the body he could smell the blood. 
A slight breeze was wafting through the alley, taking the scent away from 
him, but he could still tell  there was a lot, and it was mostly still fresh. He 
stepped past one of Natalie's assistants and got his first clear view of the 
body. He immediately recoiled from the sight and took a couple of steps 
back, raising his hand to cover his mouth and nose, as if that would block 
the overwhelming smell.
	"Nick, are you okay?" a concerned Natalie inquired as she 
moved to stand next to him.
	"Yeah, I'll be okay," he quietly replied, staring at the sight before 
him. "Run it down for me, what happen?"
	"Male, Caucasian, mid-twenties. Time of death, about two hours 
ago. Cause of death, well, it's pretty obvious," replied Natalie, motioning 
her arm in the direction of the victim.
	"Spell it out for me Nat," requested Nick, staring in shocked 
fascination at the body.
	"He has been completely eviscerated, and by the look on his 
face, I'd say he was still alive when it happened. I don't think it was done 
here though. There's not enough blood on the ground. I think the body 
was dumped here. I'll know more after the autopsy," she said, letting a 
small shudder run through her body. "Nick, who could do something like 
this?"
	"Not <who>," he replied, "<what> would be more appropriate." 
Nick moved closer to the body and knelt next to it in order to get a better 
look. The torso appeared to have been ripped open, no neat surgical 
cuts. Tendrils of the victims organs were visible in the gaping cavity. Nick 
frowned as something tugged at his memory, but it wasn't clear. This 
seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember anything that would tell him 
why. 
	"Do you know something?" she quietly asked so only he could 
hear.
	"I'm not sure," he replied absently. He tried to grasp at a fleeting 
image in his mind, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
	"What is it?"
	"Nothing. I thought I remembered something, but there's 
nothing," he said as he stood and began to move away. "I better go 
check on Tracy. Let me know what you find out, okay?"
	"Yeah, sure. I'll call as soon as I finish the prelims," she spoke to 
his retreating back. As she watched him leave, she saw him raise his 
hand in acknowledgment of her reply, but he kept going without turning 
back.
	 "Tracy, are you all right?" inquired Nick as he approached her. 
She was leaning against one of the police cars, hands over her mouth, 
breathing heavily.
	"Yeah, I'll be okay," she replied. Looking up at her partner's 
concerned face, "I guess I'll take Natalie's warnings more seriously next 
time."
	"Don't beat yourself up about it. That was pretty bad back there. 
You don't run into that kind of a scene often, if ever," he said trying to 
make her feel better.
	"Well, you don't look any worse for wear," she replied, "but I will 
say you look a little paler than normal. Did you get a good look at the 
body?" she asked curiously.
	"Yeah, I got a good look," he said frowning and looking away.
	"And?" she prompted, trying to get some more information from 
him. When he didn't respond and kept staring off into space with that 
zoned out look he sometimes got, she said loudly, "Nick!"
	"What," he replied, jolted back into the conversation.
	"You were saying?"
	"We've got a lot of work to do. Why don't you go around and 
collect the information from the officers on the scene and any witnesses 
you can find. I'm going to check out the surrounding area and then we'll 
meet back at the precinct, okay?" he said as he started to head down the 
street.
	"Yeah, okay," she said as she headed off looking for the officer in 
charge.
	Nick had searched the area surrounding the alley and had come 
up empty. He was unable to spot any kind of disturbances that might tie 
in to the murder scene. He decided Natalie must be right, the body was 
dumped after the victim had been killed.
	As he headed for the Caddy, he couldn't shake the feeling that 
this was all somehow familiar. Something was nagging at the back of his 
mind, but whatever it was, it was just out of reach. As he climbed behind 
the wheel of his car, he decided it had been a long night and he was 
tired. He hadn't been able to get the images of the murder victim from his 
mind. Thankfully, there were only a couple of hours left on his shift and 
then he could go home and put this behind him, at least until the next 
night.
	As he started the car, the radio came to life. It was tuned to 
CERK and the voice of the Nightcrawler issued forth. Nick wasn't in the 
mood and immediately turned it off, not waiting to hear tonight's topic. He 
paused for a moment, clearing his thoughts, when an unbidden memory 
popped into this mind.

-- Start Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	Nicholas looked up with relief as LaCroix entered their chamber. 
He had been surprised to find LaCroix gone when he woke, and had 
been spending the past couple of hours anxiously waiting for him to 
return.
	"Where have you been?" asked Nicholas. "I was worried when 
you were not here. You did not tell me you were going out."
	"Where I have been is unimportant. I want you to pack. We are 
leaving tonight," stated LaCroix.
	"Leaving? Why are we leaving? We have but barely arrived. I 
thought we were going to stay longer," said Nicholas, obviously not happy 
with the idea of leaving.
	"I have business to the south and it cannot wait," answered 
LaCroix. "If you like, we will return when my business has been 
completed."
	"How long will that take?"
	"A week, perhaps two. Why does it matter?"
	"There is a party that will be held five days hence. I wish to go," 
he replied, with disappointment evident in his voice.
	"There will be other parties," explained LaCroix.
	"Yes, I know, but I wish to go to <this> party," insisted Nicholas.
	"And what is so special about <this> party?" asked a curious 
LaCroix, arching one eyebrow as he regarded his young son.
	"Varina will be there. She is expecting me," answered Nicholas 
wistfully.
	"Varina? That merchant's daughter?"
	"Yes. Do you not think she is beautiful?" asked Nicholas as he 
smiled at LaCroix.
	"Yes, she is very beautiful," replied LaCroix, "and you can see 
her upon our return."
	"That will be too late. Her family is leaving the city the day after. 
This party will be my only opportunity to see her. Please, can we not stay 
just a few more days?" implored Nicholas.
	LaCroix regarded Nicholas closely. It was obvious that Nicholas 
was smitten by this young girl. He hated to disappoint him, but it couldn't 
be helped. "I am sorry Nicholas, but my business cannot wait. We must 
leave tonight," he replied regretfully.
	Nicholas cast his eyes down at the floor, clearly disappointed. He 
let out a long sigh as he turned to go pack. He suddenly stopped and 
turned with a smile on his face. "Wait, I know," he said excitedly, "I will 
stay here while you go, and you can come for me when you are finished."
	LaCroix raised his eyebrows in surprise as he gazed at his son's 
expectant face. "You would want me to leave you here alone?"
	"You said you would not be gone all that long. And I wouldn't be 
alone. I would be here in your friend's home. It's perfectly safe," Nicholas 
replied, quite pleased with his solution.
	"And what would you do while I was gone?" asked an amused 
LaCroix.
	"I can entertain myself. This is a large home and there are 
always lots of people about," explained Nicholas. "Your friend Dagan 
seems to have some sort of gathering most every night. I will not be 
bored, if that is what you are concerned about," he continued hopefully.
	LaCroix did not want to disappoint his son, and so gave serious 
consideration to his request. He did have some concerns and just simply 
did not feel comfortable allowing Nicholas to stay. "I do not think this is a 
good idea. Budapest is a strange city and you have not been here very 
long. You are not familiar with the customs, and I do not want to leave 
you here where you are bound to get into trouble."
	"I will not get into any trouble while you are gone, honest," he 
argued.
	"Nicholas, I know how you are. You are bound to get into one 
scrape or another and I will not be here to help you," reasoned LaCroix.
	"But LaCroix, what about your friend Dagan. He has been very 
hospitable and if you would but ask, I am sure he will look out for me," 
pleaded Nicholas. "Please LaCroix. Will you ask him?"
	"First of all Nicholas, I do not know Dagan all that well. We are 
not truly friends, merely business acquaintances. Secondly, these 
strange killings that have been occurring in the city have me concerned. 
They are quite disturbing in their nature, and I do not want you associated 
in any way," replied LaCroix.
	"Those killings are happening miles from here, and they started 
long before we arrived. And besides, they must be being committed by 
mortals. No vampire is that depraved. I have no intention of getting 
anywhere near where I might get involved," argued Nicholas. "I am 
capable of taking care of myself."
	It was obvious to LaCroix that Nicholas had decided this was 
what he wanted to do. LaCroix knew from previous experience, that 
dissuading him from staying and getting him to willingly come could take 
all night, and he needed to leave right away. He could simply force him, 
but then Nicholas would do his best to make sure the entire trip was as 
unpleasant as possible. LaCroix did not feel the need to subject himself 
to one of Nicholas' fits of pique, and besides, it had been a while since 
Nicholas had been on his own. Maybe this would be good for him.
	"Very well Nicholas, I will speak to Dagan before I go," sighed 
LaCroix, as he gave in to his son's wishes.
	"Thank you LaCroix," smiled Nicholas happily. "You will not be 
sorry, I promise," he said as threw his arms around LaCroix and hugged 
him.
	LaCroix returned the unexpected hug. He then placed his hands 
on Nicholas' face and pushed him gently away. Holding him steady he 
looked into his eager son's eyes and quietly said, "there is a condition."
	Nicholas placed his hands on LaCroix' forearms and raised his 
eyes to meet LaCroix', "what condition?" he asked warily.
	"Very simply, I want you to promise me that you will not leave 
Dagan's home unescorted. I do not want you out in this city alone, mon 
cher. Is that clear?" he gently demanded.
	"Yes, that is clear. I promise I will not leave by myself," replied 
Nicholas.
	Still holding Nicholas face close to his, LaCroix leaned forward 
slightly and gently kissed his mouth. "Very good, mon petit, very good." 
With that said, there was nothing left to do but leave. He had a long way 
to go tonight and was now determined to return as quickly as possible.

-- End Flashback --

	Nick was confused by the memory, but shook it off as he put the 
car in gear and headed for the precinct. On the drive over he vaguely 
wondered what prompted that memory to arise. Must have been 
something he heard LaCroix say before he switched off the radio. 
Whatever it was, he dismissed it as unimportant.

===
Chapter Two


	Nick headed into the precinct after a restless night of tossing and 
turning. He hadn't gotten much sleep. Every time he drifted off, visions of 
mutilated corpses flooded his dreams, causing him to wake suddenly. 
And each time he woke, he felt like something was lingering in his mind, 
just out of reach, and every time he thought he was getting close, it was 
snatched suddenly away.
	When he walked into the office he saw that Tracy wasn't there 
yet. He sat at his desk and started to go through the reports that had 
been left for him. She arrived a short time later and headed straight for 
the coffee. She came back with a steaming cup and plopped down at her 
desk.
	Nick smiled at her and said, "doesn't look like you got much sleep 
last night."
	"Speak for yourself. You don't look like you did too well in that 
department either," she replied.
	"Yeah, well, I was just going over the reports from last night and 
today. Doesn't look like there's much more to go on," he said.
	"Did they ID the body yet?" asked Tracy.
	"Not yet. I'm waiting on a call from the Coroner's office. They 
should have something for us in the next couple of hours. Until then, let's 
keep going over these reports and see if we can turn something up," he 
said as he tossed a couple of files her way.
	"Yeah, great," she replied as she picked up the files Nick tossed 
her and put them on top of the pile she already had started on her desk. 
"How come your pile's shorter than mine?" she asked suspiciously as she 
eyed the files on his desk.
	"I got here earlier. Those," he said indicating her stack, "are the 
ones I already went through."
	"Then why do I have to go through them if you already have?" 
she asked, slightly perturbed.
	"Because...." was all he was able to say before being interrupted.
	"Will you two knock it off," stated Reese as he walked up to their 
desks. "Let's see if you can quit bickering long enough to give me an 
update." He looked from one detective to the other, then said, "well?"
	"We weren't bickering," explained Tracy, "we were just 
discussing the best way to handle the case, that's all."
	Reese turned to Nick, "Knight?"
	"Yes, well, we don't actually have anything yet. We're waiting for 
an ID on the body and the results from the autopsy. We're hoping that will 
give us some kind of lead," he replied.
	"Nothing, you mean you have absolutely nothing?" questioned 
the Captain. "That's great, that's just great," he muttered as he started to 
head towards his office. Halfway there he stopped and turned back to 
them, "you'll let me know the minute you have anything, right?"
	"Right away, Captain," said Nick.
	"Yes sir," replied Tracy.
	After Reese was back in his office with his door closed, Nick 
stood up and grabbed his coat. "Where are you going?" asked Tracy.
	"I'm going to go check out that alley again. I want to make sure 
we didn't miss anything. On my way back I'll stop and see what Natalie 
has for us," replied Nick.
	"That's right. Leave me here to face the music by myself," she 
said frowning at him.
	"Hey, you can handle it," he said. "By the way, I think you're right. 
No point in us both having to read these reports, so here," he said 
grinning as he dumped his pile on her desk. "I'll catch up to you later."
	"Hey, Nick," she yelled at him as he walked rapidly out of the 
squad room. "Terrific!" she sighed as she reached for the files.

	Nick parked the Caddy just outside the alley. The area was 
deserted. About a quarter of the way down the alley, the crime scene 
tape was still stretch across blocking the path. He stood on the sidewalk 
gathering his thoughts and getting a sense of his surroundings. A gust of 
wind blew past him carrying the lingering scent of the victim's blood. 
Instead of producing the familiar pangs of hunger he was used to, a mild 
revulsion rose in him at the smell. It passed as quickly as it came. He put 
it out of his mind and moved into the alley.
	He ducked under the tape and stood over the spot where the 
body had been found. Forensics had been all over the alley and had not 
found a trace of evidence anywhere but in the very immediate vicinity of 
the body. He himself had searched the surrounding area and also came 
up empty. As he was standing there, trying to decide if he had missed 
something, he felt a mild tingling sensation on the back of his neck, like 
he was being watched. He looked around quickly and saw nothing. He 
reached out with his senses, and again nothing.
	Nick noticed a fire escape ladder just a few feet away leading to 
the roof of the building. As he raised his eyes to scan the edge of the 
roof, the tingling sensation intensified briefly, and then vanished abruptly. 
He felt slightly confused, then decided he was just tired and it was 
probably his imagination. Although it was obvious the body hadn't fallen 
from above, he decided to check out the roof anyway. He jumped up to 
grab the ladder and pulled it down. He started climbing.
	He was almost to the roof when he got a strong whiff of blood, 
the victim's blood. It wasn't coming up from the alley. Nick stopped, and 
letting his sense of smell guide him, rapidly spotted the blood on the side 
of the building, just a few feet below the roof. He continued up and onto 
the roof. Once there, he looked around. There was no one there, nor 
could he find traces that anyone had been there. No disturbances, no 
blood, no evidence of anything. He went to the edge above where he 
found the blood on the wall. There was nothing to explain how it got 
there, unless the body was flown there to be dumped. But if the body was 
flown there, that means it had to be a vampire and that just couldn't be. A 
vampire wouldn't do something that depraved. With that thought, an old 
memory surfaced.

-- Begin Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	Nicholas had just entered the main hall heading for the front 
door. He stopped, turned to his right and looked into the drawing room 
when he saw Dagan looking at him and motioning to him to come in. As 
Nicholas entered the room, he saw that there were two others present 
also. They resembled Dagan physically. All three were tall, slender and 
had dark complexions. Dagan had traces of gray hair at his temples and 
the others did not, giving them the appearance of being younger, 
although with vampires, appearances were often deceiving in this regard. 
Nicholas could sense that they were all much older than him.
	"I want you to meet two of my friends. This is Janos," he said 
indicating the vampire seated to his left, "and this is Nagy," he pointed to 
the vampire standing at the fireplace behind Janos. "And this is Nicholas. 
He has been left in my care for a few days."
	"How do you do. It is a pleasure to meet you both," replied 
Nicholas. Neither Janos or Nagy spoke. They had both nodded at him 
when introduced, and now simply looked at him. Nicholas felt uneasy 
under their gaze. He looked to Dagan, who was also simply looking at 
him also. "There was something you wish of me?" ask Nicholas.
	"Yes, young Nicholas. Where are you off to this evening?" 
inquired Dagan in a fatherly tone.
	"I am to meet with Gyorgy. He is taking me to an inn down by the 
river, and then to the Rudas thermal baths," he explained to Dagan, at 
the same time nervously looking at his companions.
	"This Gyorgy, this is your mortal friend?" inquired Dagan further.
	"Yes. I met him the night after we arrived. He offered to show me 
around the city," answered Nicholas.
	"I see," stated Dagan. "And where are you meeting him?"
	"He is outside, waiting for me now."
	"Very well then," said Dagan, and congenially slapped Nicholas 
on the back. "Off you go now. Be sure to return well before sunrise."
	"Yes sir. I shall," replied Nicholas, who then quickly turned to 
leave. 
	As he stepped outside into the fresh air, he felt a sudden relief 
flood him. He had not realized how nervous he had been. The three of 
them had made him very uncomfortable. He looked up to see Gyorgy 
waving at him. He hurried down the stairs and into the waiting carriage.

-- End Flashback --

	As Nick stood on the roof he felt a slight drizzle begin to fall. He 
came out of his reverie and looked up to the overcast sky and saw dark 
storm clouds off on the horizon. There was suppose to be a bad storm on 
its way. Nick decided he better call forensics to check out the blood he 
found before the rains came and washed it away.
	Nick climbed back down the ladder and headed straight for the 
Caddy. Once inside, he placed the call to forensics. He then called Tracy 
to tell her what he found and to let her know he was heading to the 
Coroner's office.
	"Hi, Grace. Is Natalie in?" asked Nick as he shook the few 
clinging drops of drizzle off his coat.
	"Sure, Detective, go on in. I think she's been expecting you," 
replied Grace smiling.
	Nick walked past Grace's desk and into the morgue. He saw 
Natalie sitting at her desk, typing away on her keyboard. "Hey, Nat," he 
said walking over to her.
	"Hi, give me just a sec," she said as she concentrated on her 
computer screen and kept typing.
	Nick wandered over to a nearby counter where there were a 
number of vials with different colored liquids sitting in various beakers. 
Curious, he reached out to pick one up to see what it was when he heard, 
"don't touch that." He quickly pulled his hand back and then wandered 
back to Natalie and sat down in the chair next to her desk.
	"I can't concentrate when you sit and stare at me like that," said 
Natalie as she jabbed her backspace key.
	Smiling, Nick said, "I'm not staring. I'm gazing."
	"Well, stop gazing then," she said smiling back at him. She then 
hit her enter key and said, "okay, I'm done." Looking a little closer at him 
she said, "you look tired Nick. You getting enough sleep?"
	"Yes, doctor, I'm fine," he replied teasingly. Then turning serious 
he said, "I came to see what you found out about the victim from last 
night. Have you been able to ID him yet?"
	Matching his tone, Natalie picked up a file and handed it to him, 
"yeah. His name is Allen Peterson, he was 22 years old. His parents had 
reported him missing yesterday. The detective from missing persons 
brought them by just a little while ago and they identified him. He 
disappeared on his way home from work a couple of days ago. All the 
information on him is in that file they left for you."
	Nick sighed as he read through the reports. When he finished he 
asked, "what did the autopsy turn up?"
	"Well, I would say that he had been tortured for quite some time 
before he was eviscerated. And, I'm sure he was still alive when that 
happened. In fact, I would say whoever did this, did it in such a way that 
he would live as long as possible before actually dying." Natalie stopped 
and took a long breath. This was obviously hard for her. "You know Nick, 
whoever did this is a monster. No one deserves to die like that," she said 
emotionally.
	"Hey, Nat. We'll catch this person," said Nick, in an attempt to 
comfort her.
	"Well, you better. This is one sick psycho, that's all I can say," 
she said.
	"Something about these murders seems familiar, but I can't really 
explain why," said Nick distantly.
	"You think you've seen this before," asked Natalie.
	"No, I would remember if I had," he replied. "This isn't something 
you would easily forget."
	"It'll come to you," she said reassuringly.
	"Look, I have to get back to the precinct. Are you going to be 
okay?" he said, placing his hand atop hers.
	"Yeah," she said smiling at him. "I'll be fine."
	"Okay, I'll see you later," he said as he stood to leave.
	"Yeah, later," she said as she watched him go.

===
Chapter Three


	Nick was running. He was being chased, and he was desperately 
trying to get away. He could feel his pursuer gaining on him. He ran into a 
room and slammed the door shut behind him. There was a pounding on 
the door. With each pounding it seemed as if the door would give in. He 
turned, round and round, looking for an escape. The room was dark. The 
door caved in and he backed deeper into the darkened room. All of a 
sudden, he felt hands reaching out for him, grabbing at him from all 
directions. He turned to fight off his attackers. He was surrounded by 
mutilated bodies, all reaching out for him, trying to grab hold of him. He 
tried to fight them off, but there was no escape. There were too many. 
Their eyes began to glow and their mouths opened revealing long 
glistening fangs, with blood running over their lips and down their chins. 
They grabbed onto him and he couldn't get away. As their mutilated faces 
began to descend on him he started to scream, and still there was no 
escape. He screamed, and screamed, and ...
	... he woke, bolting straight up in bed. Blood sweat glistening his 
brow, he was breathing hard and his throat hurt. He was shaking. It still 
seemed so real, but he knew it was a dream. He couldn't get the images 
from his mind. Ever since the murder, three nights ago, every time he 
tried to sleep, he had the same dream. Only each time he dreamed, the 
dream grew more intense. He was so tired, and he was afraid to sleep. It 
seemed so real, but he could recall nothing in his long memory to 
account for this.
	He wasn't going to try to sleep any more today. He decided to get 
up and take a shower. As he stood in the shower, letting the water run 
down his body, he began to relax. The horrible dream began to fade into 
just a nightmare. He stayed in the shower a long time, relaxing under the 
pulsating spray. By the time he finished his shower, he felt much better. 
He was still exhausted, but he was not as shaky.
	Nick dressed and headed downstairs to the kitchen. He pulled a 
bottle out of the refrigerator and poured the contents into a waiting mug. 
Normally, he drank his breakfast cold, but this morning he decided to 
heat it up in the microwave. As he was waiting for the microwave to 
finish, he was startled by a loud clap of thunder. The shades were still 
closed as it was not quite sundown. He turned on the television to the 
local news where they were just giving the weather report. Heavy rains 
and thunderstorms, with lightening,  were in the forecast for the next 
couple of days. Thinking of the weather caused him to shudder. He didn't 
know why. Storms didn't normally bother him, not much anyway, but this 
one made him very uneasy. Must be this case.
	Ding. The microwave finished. He retrieved his breakfast and 
walked over to the fireplace. Using the remote, he had picked up on the 
way, he lit the fireplace. He sat on the carpet, in front of the fire, sipping 
his breakfast while he watched the news. As dark as it was outside, 
because of the storm, he decided he could probably head into work a 
little early. The sun was definitely well hidden behind those storm clouds.

	Reese was standing in the squad room when Nick arrived. "Hey 
Nick, you're in early," commented the Captain.
	"I wanted to see if we could make some progress on the 
Peterson case," he replied as he shrugged out of his coat, shaking the 
rain off of it.
	"Pretty miserable night tonight," replied Reese, watching his best 
detective drop into his chair.
	"Yeah," said Nick, as he rubbed a hand across his eyes. He 
began to sort through the small pile of files on his desk.
	"You don't look like you're getting enough sleep, detective," 
commented Reese, with a worried look on his face.
	Glancing up at the Captain, Nick smiled and said, "it's this storm. 
Kind of hard to sleep through the thunder, that's all."
	"Yeah, I hear you there," said Reese, casting a quick glance at 
Nick before heading into his office.
	Tracy wandered in a couple of hours later. Nick had finished 
going through the files left on his desk and had even finished the pile left 
on Tracy's desk. He was busy searching the computer files, trying to find 
anything that might help them on this case.
	"Are we any further along?" asked Tracy, as she sat down with 
her coffee.
	"No. I went through all the reports we had requested and there's 
nothing to help us," sighed Nick.
	"So, what got you up and at 'em so early," inquired Tracy.
	"Couldn't sleep, so I thought I might as well be productive, only 
there's nothing new to go on," Nick said exasperated.
	"Maybe we'll get a break tonight, if we're lucky," said Tracy 
optimistically.
	Nick threw her a skeptical look, and in reply, Tracy just shrugged 
as she sipped her coffee.
	"Hi, guys, how's it going?" asked Natalie as she walked up to 
Nick's desk.
	"Fine, Nat," replied Nick.
	"Hi, Nat," said Tracy.
	"What are you doing here?" asked Nick curiously.
	"I was out picking up some dinner and thought I would drop by on 
my way back to the office. How are you guys doing on the Peterson 
case?" she asked.
	"Dead end," replied Tracy, despondently.
	"Really?" asked Natalie, looking to Nick for confirmation.
	"Yeah, really," confirmed Nick. "There's no clues to go on."
	Beep. Beep. Beep. Natalie's pager started sounding off.
	"May I use your phone?" she asked Nick as she picked up his 
receiver.
	He motioned his assent as she was dialing. While Natalie was on 
the phone, Reese came out of his office yelling, "Knight, Vetter."
	Nick stood and walked over to Tracy's desk, waiting for Reese to 
reach them. "What is it Cap?" asked Nick.
	"There's a body in the park. It sounds like a repeat of the 
Peterson kid. You two better get over there," said Reese emphatically, 
handing Nick the paper with the address.
	"We're right on it," said Nick as he took the paper, scanned the 
address and handed it to Tracy.
	Natalie hung up the phone and turned to Nick. "Body in the 
park?" she asked.
	"Yeah, we'll meet you there," he said as he grabbed his coat.
	
	Nick and Tracy got out of the Caddy and stepped into the pouring 
rain. Nick was glad he had worn his boots tonight. They headed over to 
where the victim had been found. They were lucky the body had even 
been found tonight. If it hadn't been for a couple of women on their way 
home, taking a shortcut through the park, the body probably wouldn't 
have been found until long after the storm passed. As it turned out, the 
body was laying right in the middle of the path in the park.
	Forensics looked like they were ready to leave. Nick walked over 
and said, "Harold, you guys leaving already. Did you find anything?"
	"You got to be kidding, Nick. In this rain, we're darn lucky we 
found the body. The rains washed away anything that might have been 
considered evidence."
	"Still, don't you think you should look a little harder," reasoned 
Nick.
	"You're the detective. You put it together. We're out of here. 
Sorry, Nick," said Harold as he gathered his crew to leave.
	Nick turned towards the body and saw that Natalie had arrived, 
or at least he was pretty sure it was Natalie. All he could see was a 
person in a raincoat, with a large hood over their head, bending over the 
body. About that time, there was a bright flash of light, followed by loud 
thunder. Startled, Nick looked up to the sky. It was pouring, and he was 
getting drenched. His hair was all wet and rain was running down the 
back of his neck. He pulled his collar tighter around his neck and walked 
over to the body.
	He went and stood by Tracy as he watched Natalie finish up. He 
squatted down, on the opposite side of the body, and asked, "well. Do 
you think this is the same killer?" although it was pretty obvious to him 
that it must be.
	"I can't say for sure, until the autopsy, but unofficially, I'd say this 
is the same killer. Victim is male, Caucasian, mid-twenties, just like the 
last victim. He's been eviscerated and the body's been dumped. Yeah, I'd 
say it was the same killer," she said as she looked up at Nick. 
	"Nick, those two women found the body and called it in. I'm going 
to go take their statements," said Tracy, pointing out the two ladies 
standing off to the side under the umbrellas.
	"Yeah, okay," said Nick distractedly. Nick felt something pulling 
strongly at his mind. As he looked back down at the body, another 
memory surfaced.

-- Begin Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	Gyorgy had taken Nicholas on a carriage ride through the city, 
pointing out various landmarks and relating much of the local history. 
Nicholas had been fascinated and asked many questions. He had 
especially been intrigued by the stone fortress that had been erected on 
the west bank of the Danube by King Bela IV following the Mongol 
invasion of 1241. The fortress became known as Buda Castle and the 
spur on which it was built as Varhegy, or Castle Hill.
	After leaving the area of the castle, they headed to an inn located 
on the bank of the Danube River, just a short distance away. The inn was 
crowded and Gyorgy introduced Nicholas to many of his friends. Most of 
the barmaids were young, pretty, and very friendly. As Gyorgy and his 
friends took turns being led into the backrooms, Nicholas allowed himself 
to be persuaded, by one of the more lovely barmaids, to do the same.
	Her name was Neda and she was very willing. Nicholas had fed 
earlier that evening, but became quite hungry just looking at the eager 
mortal girl. He knew it would be very unwise of him to drain her 
completely and leave her body here to be found. There were too may 
people and they would easily connect her death to him. He chose to drink 
only enough to quench his thirst. He left her very tired, but very happy.
	As he re-entered the main room of the inn, Gyorgy jumped up 
and waved him over to where he was sitting. Nicholas headed over to join 
him. When he reached the table, Gyorgy stood and said that it was time 
to leave the inn and head for the baths. He and all his friends would meet 
there.
	They arrived at the Rudas thermal baths shortly after leaving the 
inn. On the ride over, Gyorgy had explained to Nicholas about the natural 
thermal springs that fed the baths and that there were many baths up and 
down the Danube in Buda. They were very popular.
	When they arrived, they were greeted by attendants and taken to 
a chamber that contained a large carved pool filled with thermal waters 
from the underground springs. Wisps of steam were rising from the 
surface of the pool. They stripped off their clothes and submerged 
themselves in the waters.
	Nicholas closed his eyes as he immersed himself in the baths. 
He could feel the hot water caressing his body and soaking into his 
muscles. He sighed contentedly and settled into the carved bench. He lay 
his head back against the edge of the pool and took a deep breath as he 
felt the waters swirl over his shoulders and come to rest at the base of his 
neck. As he lay there, quietly enjoying the relaxing sensations, he listen 
to the conversation began by Gyorgy's friends.
	"Hey, Zivu. I heard that you were there when they found that poor 
dead girl. Is that true?"  asked the one called Mendel.
	"Yes, I was there, but I don't want to talk about it. It was horrible. I 
have never seen anything like it before, and I never want to see anything 
like it again."
	"You must tell us Zivu. I have heard that there have been over 
ten killings such as that one, just in the past month." said Lajos.
	"Yes, that is true," said Zivu. "But I tell you, nobody knows 
anything. These killings just keep happening. It is horrible."
	"I have heard that whatever is killing these people, that it is a 
monster. That is what people are saying," said Imre. "It rips open their 
body and eats their insides."
	"Hey, let us not talk about this. I thought we were trying to relax 
and have a good time. You are upsetting my friend Nicholas here," said 
Gyorgy.
	"I have heard about the murders already and they do sound 
particularly gruesome. It is hard to imagine anyone being that depraved," 
replied Nicholas somberly.
	"Yes, depraved, that most certainly describes whatever is doing 
the killing," said Lajos.
	"I just hope whatever it is, they catch it soon," added Gyorgy.
	"Enough of this, as I said, I do not wish to discuss it. Gyorgy is 
right, let us relax and enjoy the rest of the evening," stated Zivu.
	Everyone quieted and enjoyed the waters until the attendants 
returned with towels for everyone. They all exited the baths to dry off and 
get dressed. It was a couple of hours before dawn as Nicholas and 
Gyorgy headed for the carriage.
	They were halfway to Dagan's when they heard a woman's 
piercing scream. It was coming from their right, not too far away. Gyorgy 
ordered the carriage to stop. By the time he exited, Nicholas was already 
headed towards it. Gyorgy followed as fast as he could.
	Nicholas smelled the blood before he arrived at the scene. There 
was so much blood, it assaulted his senses before he was even within 
sight of the body. Gyorgy came along side him. They stepped around the 
corner and into the alley together.
	The body of a man lay on the side of the street, most definitely 
dead. He had been completely disemboweled. The look on his face, one 
of pure terror. His entire abdomen had been ripped open and parts of his 
intestines were outside his body. It looked as though someone had ripped 
him open, reached inside and pulled out his organs, leaving shards of 
them trailing behind.
	Standing to the side of the body were two women, barmaids from 
the inn they had visited earlier. They were on their way home and had 
stumbled across the corpse, eliciting a piercing scream from one of them. 
They stood standing in horror, looking at the dead man.
	Gyorgy ran back around the corner retching. Nicholas wanted to 
do the same, but forced himself to take a closer look at the body. He 
leaned down and looked at his neck. There were no marks. Nicholas was 
horrified, but at the same time felt some relief in believing that this was 
not the work of a vampire. It must be a depraved mortal. Vampires would 
not leave so much blood wasted.
	Nicholas headed towards Gyorgy. They decided to leave, there 
was nothing they could do, they hadn't seen anything. They offered the 
women a ride home in their carriage. The women, having recognized 
them, readily accepted. Gyorgy said that he would inform Zivu after 
taking Nicholas back to Dagan's. After having dropped off the women, as 
they were headed for Dagan's, for the first time since LaCroix left 
Nicholas wished he had accompanied him.

-- End Flashback --

	"Nick," said Natalie. He had that glazed over look on his face that 
she was all too familiar with. "Hey, Nick," she said more loudly. Startled, 
he glanced at her. "What is it?" she asked.
	"I just remembered where I've seen a murdered body like this 
before," he replied. He appeared slightly confused.
	"Nick, are you all right?" asked Natalie.
	"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you through here?"
	"Yes. I'm ready to have the body taken to the morgue. It's going 
to be morning soon. Why don't I stop by the loft when I'm through and I'll 
give you an update," she suggested.
	Nick looked at her, "okay, I'll see you later." He stood and walked 
off to join Tracy.

===
Chapter Four


	Nick was sipping on a glass of bloodwine. Natalie said she would 
be over after she finished the prelim on the second victim. He was 
standing in front of the windows, gazing out over the darkened city. 
Lightening flashed on the horizon, followed by loud thunder that rattle the 
glass in the panes. The rain was pouring, with no let up in sight.
	He was thinking back to the memory that had surfaced in the 
park earlier this evening. He remembered Budapest, but was confused 
why he hadn't been able to remember this earlier. Part of the vampiric 
curse, was their near photographic memories. So why had he forgotten 
this? He focused on the memory and tried to remember what had 
followed the finding of the dead body.
	Just then the phone rang. Nick walked over and picked up the 
receiver, "hello."
	"Nick, it's me," answered Natalie. "This is going to take longer 
than I thought."
	"How much longer?" he inquired.
	"A few hours longer," she replied. "How about instead of me 
coming by this morning, I drop by tonight. You're suppose to be off, 
right?" she asked.
	"Yeah, unless something comes up. If Tracy calls I may go in," 
he replied.
	"Tell you what. This storm isn't suppose to be letting up. How 
about if I pick up some video's? We can have our own little party, sit in 
front of the fire, take our minds off work for awhile. What do you think?"
	"I think that sounds great," he answered, trying to sound cheerier 
than he really felt.
	"Okay, then. I'll see you tonight. Get some sleep, okay?" 
	"Yeah, okay, see you tonight." As he hung up the phone, he 
heard the word party reverberate in his mind. 
	He sat in the chair where he could gaze into the fireplace. Then 
he remembered the party in Budapest.

-- Begin Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	He had not been sleeping well and had been feeling tense and 
on edge, ever since seeing the killing a couple of nights ago. The images 
he remembered were distressing and he had trouble blocking them from 
his mind. As he exited his room to join the party downstairs, he was 
determined to put the thoughts of the other night aside so as not to ruin 
this evenings pleasure.
	Nicholas could hear the strains of music floating up the staircase 
as he descended to the hall leading to the ballroom. He had fed well 
earlier this evening so he would not be overwhelmed by the large number 
of mortals at the party. He was excited and looking forward to seeing 
Varina again.
	As he entered the ballroom, he quickly scanned the room. Many 
people were dancing, and as many more were gathered along the sides 
of the ballroom talking in small groups. He recognized a few, but quickly 
spotted Varina on the other side of the dance floor sitting with her family. 
He walked around the edges of the dancing couples, slowly making his 
way to her. As he neared her, she looked up and seeing him approach, 
smiled very prettily at him. This did not go unnoticed by her father who 
was standing by her side.
	"Hello Varina," said Nick as he reached her, "you are looking very 
beautiful this evening."
	"Thank you Nicholas," she shyly responded as she extended her 
hand to him. He gallantly bowed as he brushed his lips against the back 
of her gloved hand. They both turned to look at her father as he loudly 
cleared his throat. "Father, you remember Nicholas. We met him at the 
party for King Matyas a couple of weeks ago."
	"Yes, of course. I believe you were accompanied by your father 
then, were you not," asked Varina's father as he looked briefly around the 
room, "did he not accompany you this evening?"
	"No sir. My father is away on business, but I expect him back at 
any time," replied Nicholas.
	"Your father and Dagan must be good friends for him to go off 
and leave you here," said Varina's father inquisitively.
	"They are but business associates and as I did not wish to leave 
for such a brief time, Dagan was kind enough to offer his hospitality while 
my father is away," answered Nicholas.
	"I trust you are finding Budapest an interesting enough city in 
which to pass the time," continued her father.
	"Yes, I think it is a wonderful city and there are many interesting 
places here, and much to do," he replied just as the musicians struck up 
a new dance. Turning to Varina he said to her father, "I was hoping to 
have an opportunity to dance with your daughter." He held his hand out 
for Varina, and turning back to her father said, "with your permission sir?"
	"Yes, yes, of course," he replied waving them away, thinking 
what a nice young man this Nicholas seemed to be.
	Varina lost no time in taking hold of Nicholas' hand and allowing 
him to lead her onto the dance floor. Nicholas swirled her away and 
headed for the opposite side of the room, away from her father's watchful 
eye.
	"Is he always so protective?" inquired Nicholas lightheartedly.
	"Oh yes, very much so," replied Varina. "It is a wonder that I ever 
have any fun," she said smiling up at him. "I had so hoped I would see 
you tonight," she whispered.
	"I also had hoped to see you," he confessed. "You are the reason 
I did not accompany my father on his trip. He did not know if we would be 
back in time for this party, and I did so wish to see you again before you 
left tomorrow. I fear you have captivated my heart," he sincerely spoke as 
he looked down into her upturned smiling face.
	"As have you mine," she replied as she cast her eyes to the floor.
	Nicholas had maneuvered them close to the doorway in the back 
of the ballroom which led into the garden. "Come," he said as he guided 
her towards the door, "would you like to see the garden? It is actually 
quite delightful and there are many interesting things to see," he said 
enticingly as he took her hand and walked her out of the room. She 
eagerly accompanied him in anticipation of what he would show her.
	Nicholas took her arm and led her down a path away from the 
crowd, looking for a quiet spot. The path they followed kept close to the 
side of the mansion-like home and eventually led around a corner where 
they quickly came upon a small darkened clearing. They stood gazing at 
each other in the fading moonlight. There was a rumbling in the distance 
that caused them both to look up to the east. It was a bit of thunder, and 
by the clouds rolling in, they could tell a storm was soon on its way.
	"I cannot stay long as my father will soon wonder where I am off 
to," whispered Varina as she stepped closer to Nicholas, smiling in 
expectation.
	"We do not want your father to come looking for us, now do we?" 
he answered, smiling teasingly at her as he took her hands and pull her 
closer to him.
	"No, we do not..." she started to say, but her reply was cut short 
as Nicholas leaned in and kissed her. As she eagerly returned his kiss, 
he pulled her arms around him and then held her closer. As their kiss 
deepened Nicholas could feel her pulse racing and hear the sound of her 
heart beating. Then, without warning, he pulled his head back abruptly, 
looking around with a puzzled expression on his face.
	"What is it? Is something wrong?" Varina asked anxiously. He did 
not answer right away and she became worried. "Nicholas?"
	Looking down at her with a still slightly puzzled look on his face, 
he hugged her and smiled, "I am sorry. I thought I heard a strange sound, 
but it is gone now." 
	"It was probably the wind. When a storm like this comes in, the 
wind makes many strange sounds," she reassured him.
	"Yes, you are most likely correct," he responded, not quite 
convinced, but not wanting anything to spoil his evening with her. "I hope 
I did not worry you," he whispered as he once again leaned in and kissed 
her. Any worries either of them had were quickly forgotten in their rising 
passion.

-- End Flashback --


	Nick woke up screaming and disoriented. Minutes went by before 
he realized he was at home, in his own bed, and he was safe.  It was the 
same nightmare he had been having for the past few nights, ever since 
they found Allen Peterson's body, only worse. This was the second time 
he had woken today. He looked at his bedside clock and realized Natalie 
would be here soon. He had barely gotten four hours sleep since he had 
spoken to her early this morning, but there was no way he wanted to go 
back to sleep.
	He quickly showered, dressed and headed downstairs. He turned 
on the television to listen to the local news as he headed for the 
refrigerator. While he was sipping his breakfast, there was a quick report 
on the second murder, a few commercials and then the weather report.  
He was just hearing about another storm front following the one already 
over Toronto, when he heard the elevator descend to the garage. He 
quickly finished his breakfast, rinsed out his glass, and went to meet 
Natalie at the elevator.
	"Hi, Nat. Let me give you a hand with that," he said as he 
reached for one of the bags she was carrying. He headed for the kitchen 
table with her close at his heels where they each set down a bag. "What 
did you do? Buy out the store," he said teasingly, as he began to sort 
through the contents.
	"No, I didn't buy out the store," she said, teasing him right back. "I 
didn't know what I felt like eating, so I brought a variety of stuff," she 
continued as she pulled out the potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, soda pop 
and some other miscellaneous items. "The movies are in that bag," she 
said pointing to the one he had carried for her.
	"How many did you rent?" he said as he extracted a heavy sack 
full of movies.
	"Just five. I didn't know what we would feel like watching, so I got 
a selection to choose from."
	"What do you want to watch first?" he asked as he looked 
through the titles.
	Natalie shrugged out of her coat and threw it over one of the 
kitchen chairs. She began going through her goodies and stuffing some 
into a cupboard. Grabbing the bag of chips and a pop, she headed for the 
couch saying, "I'll let you choose. Whatever you want is fine with me."
	Nick grabbed the movies and headed for the VCR. "How about 
we start with a comedy?" he said as he shoved in a cassette.
	"Fine with me," she answered as Nick grabbed the remote and 
sat next to her on the couch.
	"Before we start, did you find out anything on the second victim?" 
asked Nick.
	"Not yet. The prelims came out the same as Allen Peterson. 
Zang is working tonight. We don't expect to have any answers this soon, 
but he said he would call me if we got anything," she answered.
	"Yeah," said Nick as he stared off into the burning fireplace.
	Natalie reached over and put her hand on his arm. "Hey, let's try 
not to think about it tonight. There's nothing we can do until we get more 
information and they'll call us as soon as something comes up, okay?" 
she said, looking at him a little worriedly. "You didn't get much sleep 
today, did you?" she inquired.
	"No, not much, but I'm okay," he answered, noticing she looked a 
bit worried and wanting reassure her he was fine. "Let's watch the movie, 
okay," he said as he hit the play button on the remote.
	They had both laughed through the comedy and were about half 
way through the second movie, an action-adventure this time when 
Natalie, who was engrossed in the movie, felt Nick lay his head on her 
shoulder. She glanced over and noticed he had fallen asleep. She lightly 
poked him with her elbow and quietly called his name. No response.
	Knowing he hadn't been sleeping, she decided not to wake him. 
She eased herself off the couch, and at the same time, lowered his head 
to the pillow. She then bent over, grabbed his ankles and swung his legs 
onto the couch. She took a quilt out of the closet and threw it over him. 
She wasn't tired so there was no reason for her not to watch the rest of 
the movies while he slept, she thought, so she went and curled up in the 
armchair by the fire.
	Natalie was almost at the end of the third movie when she 
noticed Nick's sleep was becoming restless. She decided not to disturb 
him, thinking the restlessness would pass. After a short time, it got worse 
and he began tossing and turning. He kicked at his coverings, but as his 
tossing intensified he had entangled himself in the quilt. He roughly 
pushed off the quilt, and at the same time, uttered a shrill cry of "NO" as 
he bolted upright. He grabbed onto the back of the couch for support. He 
was breathing heavily and his hand was shaking as he raised it to brush 
his hair off his face.
	Natalie went and sat next to him on the couch and put her hand 
on his shoulder to comfort him. He jumped back at her touch and turned 
dazed eyes upon her. She had seen, what looked to her like, stark terror 
in his eyes when he first woke. As he looked at her now, he seemed to be 
startled and disoriented.
	"Nick, are you all right?" she asked, once again reaching out to 
comfort him. He didn't pull away this time. His breathing was calming and 
he seemed more aware of his surroundings.
	"Yeah, I'm fine," he whispered a little shakily. "What happened?" 
he asked, still a little confused.
	"You fell asleep, had a nightmare and woke up," she softly 
explained. "You want to tell me what you were dreaming about?"
	Nick tensed briefly and shook his head. "No, I'm okay. It was just 
a dream, and dreams aren't real, and they can't hurt you, right?" 
	"Right, dreams can't hurt you," she responded, saying what he 
obviously wanted to hear. He relaxed and was beginning to calm down. 
"So, how long have you been having these nightmares? Is this why you 
haven't been sleeping?" she inquired.
	"Yeah, just a couple of days, since this all started. I keep thinking 
something about this case is familiar, but I just can't remember," he said 
exasperated. "I don't know why I can't remember. Bits and pieces are 
coming back to me, but it feels really strange."
	"Well you know, dreams are said to be the door into the 
unconscious mind. Maybe because you can't remember, that's why 
you're dreaming. Could your dreams really be suppressed memories 
trying to surface?" she asked.
	"No, I don't think so. These dreams are too terrible to have been 
real," he rationalized. "Besides, vampires don't have suppressed 
memories."
	Just then Natalie's beeper went off. She looked down to see who 
was paging her. "It's Dr. Zang. He must have come up with something. I 
need to call him. Are you sure you're all right?" she said as she gently 
squeezed his arm.
	Nick smiled at her and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. You go ahead."
	Natalie got up and went to the phone to call Dr. Zang. After 
completing her call she turned to Nick and said, "he's having some 
trouble with some of the test results. I need to go in and give him a hand. 
Now you're sure you'll be okay if I go?"
	"I'm sure. I'll be fine. And besides, the sooner we get some 
answers, the sooner this will be over," he said. "Call me if you come up 
with anything interesting."
	"Yeah, okay," she said as she put on her coat. "I know it's hard, 
but try to get some sleep. You'll feel better, doctor's orders."
	Nick just smiled and waved at her as she left. As soon as the 
elevator door was closed, he got up and headed for the refrigerator. The 
nightmare had left him feeling hungry and he didn't plan on going to sleep 
any time soon. The storm was still raging outside and there were still a 
few hours to go before sunrise.

===
Chapter Five


	Standing in the entrance, Nick was surprised to see the Raven 
so busy. It was a weeknight and he would have thought more people 
would have stayed home rather than venturing out in this weather. Nick 
ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to shake out the loose 
raindrops he had collected on the way in from the car.
	Nick crossed the dance floor, heading towards the bar looking for 
LaCroix. He hadn't spotted him, and he was too tired to try and sense him 
out in this crowd. When he reached the bar there was no one around so 
he just leaned his back against it and once again surveyed the room 
looking for LaCroix. He was irritated that LaCroix wasn't where he 
expected him to be.
	"What can I get you?" asked a voice directly behind him.
	Nick turned around and faced the mortal bartender. "Where's 
LaCroix?" he asked.
	The bartender shrugged and said, "not here. What'll it be?"
	"What do you mean he's not here? Where is he?" demanded 
Nick.
	"Sorry man, haven't a clue," replied the bartender.
	"Well, who would have a clue?" he asked sarcastically.
	"Maybe I can help you," said a man as he walked up to the bar 
and stood next to Nick. "What seems to be the problem?" he asked.
	As Nick turned to face this man, the bartender headed to the far 
end of the bar to wait on other customers, leaving Nick and this man 
alone at their end of the bar.
	"And who are you?" asked Nick irritably.
	"My name's Ricker and I'm the manager here."
	"Since when? I've never seen you before," challenged Nick.
	"This is my first week," replied Ricker. "Now what is it you want?"
	Nick took an instant dislike to this new manager. He was about 5' 
10", brown hair, brown eyes, with a beard and mustache. He had a 
arrogant attitude that just rubbed him the wrong way. Nick sensed that 
this Ricker was probably about 200-300 years old, relatively young for a 
vampire.
	"I'm looking for LaCroix," answered Nick.
	"And you are....?" asked Ricker.
	"My name is Nicholas Knight and I want to see LaCroix," 
answered Nick, becoming more irritated.
	"He's not available. Perhaps I can help," replied Ricker a little too 
self-importantly, and obviously not recognizing Nick's name.
	"Where is he?" demanded Nick.
	"I just told you, he's not available," stated Ricker.
	"Never mind. I'll find him myself," said Nick angrily. He started to 
walk towards the backroom figuring LaCroix must be in his office. As he 
walked past, Ricker reached out and grabbed him by the arm.
	"You can't go back there. That's a private area," ordered Ricker.
	Nick lost his temper. He jerked his arm free, and with a low growl, 
he grabbed Ricker by the throat and shoved him up against the nearest 
wall. Nick's eyes were flashing gold as he leaned in towards Ricker. 
Before Nick had decided what to do next, he was distracted by the sound 
of two security men rushing up behind him. One glance from him and 
they stopped dead in their tracks. They recognized Nick, and there was 
no way they were going to interfere with LaCroix' son, even if it meant 
their new boss got his throat ripped out.
	Ricker had been taken by surprise. He didn't know who this guy 
was, but he thought being the manager of the Raven afforded him some 
protection, thinking no one would want to mess with LaCroix. Obviously 
he was wrong. He thought he could regain control of the situation when 
he saw security arrive, until he saw they were afraid to get involved.
	Just as the tension reached a critical point, Marcus, the Raven's 
long time bartender to the vampire community, arrived behind the bar 
from the back storeroom where he had been gathering supplies. Taking 
in the situation at a glance, he pretty well figured out what must have 
happened. He decided he better try to diffuse this quickly, before anyone 
got hurt.
	"Hey Nick. I see you've met Ricker. I know he comes on a little 
strong, but do you think you could put him down now?" asked Marcus, 
trying to sound lighthearted.
	Nick, still keeping his grip on Ricker's throat, and squeezing just 
a little tighter, said to Marcus, "I'm looking for LaCroix."
	"He's not here, Nick," replied Marcus.
	"Where did he go?" asked Nick, turning towards Marcus.
	"He just went out to run some errands. He should be back soon," 
answered Marcus.
	Without warning, Nick released Ricker by pulling him quickly 
down and then tossing him towards the bar and his security men. Ricker 
landed hard on the floor. He immediately reached up to rub his throat 
where Nick had been gripping it. Staring intently at Ricker, Nick said to 
Marcus, "as soon as he gets back, tell him I am upstairs waiting for him."
	"Sure Nick, as soon as he gets back, I'll tell him," said Marcus.
	Nick turned on his heels and stormed towards the doorway 
leading up to LaCroix' private quarters. As soon as he was gone, Ricker 
stood up and turned to the security men, "clear the area. The show's 
over."
	The customers and employees who had gathered to watch the 
spectacle, returned to their previous pursuits. Very shortly, all was back 
to normal.
	Ricker, still rubbing his throat, was standing at the bar. "Marcus, 
just who was that?"
	"That was Nick, and I would suggest you try to get along with 
him, that is, if you value your life in any way," answered Marcus a bit 
testily.
	"Oh yeah, right, like he was really going to kill me," retorted 
Ricker.
	"You're right, Nick will most likely <choose> not to kill you, but 
LaCroix is another matter altogether," responded Marcus.
	"Why, what's it to LaCroix?" asked Ricker curiously.
	"He is LaCroix' <most beloved> son," answered Marcus. "And if 
you annoy Nick, well, let's just say I've seen LaCroix react rather strongly 
to less."
	It was a couple of hours later, shortly before sunrise, when 
LaCroix returned to the Raven. The customers were gone and the staff 
was just finishing cleaning up for the night. As soon as he reached the 
bar area, Marcus addressed him. "Excuse me, LaCroix, Nick's here."
	LaCroix raised an eyebrow in surprise, especially noticing how 
close to sunrise it already was. If Nick was here, he was staying the day, 
as it would be too late for him to return to his loft. "How long ago did he 
arrive?"
	"A couple of hours ago. He's upstairs."
	"Thank you Marcus," said LaCroix as he headed towards his 
private quarters. From across the room, Ricker watched in silence as 
LaCroix entered, spoke to Marcus, then headed directly for his 
apartments.
	As LaCroix ascended the stairs, he sensed Nick's presence. 
When he entered his apartments, he heard the television playing and 
walked over to the couch. He looked down and saw Nicholas sound 
asleep, lying on his side, remote still grasped in one hand.
	LaCroix removed his coat and hung it in the closet. He walked 
back over to the couch, and sat down next to Nick. He picked up his 
hand, removed the remote control and turned off the television. There 
was no reaction from Nick. Still holding Nick's hand, staring down at his 
son, LaCroix gently brushed the hair back from his temples. As he did so, 
he noticed the dark circles under his eyes and sensed his exhaustion. He 
took hold of Nicholas' arm and rolled him onto his back. He showed no 
signs of waking. 
	LaCroix took hold of his upper arm and pulled him into a sitting 
position. Still sound asleep. LaCroix smiled as he slipped one arm behind 
Nick's back, and the other under his knees, picked him up and carried 
him to his rarely used bedroom. Once there, LaCroix undressed him and 
tucked him into bed. Nick never stirred. After watching him sleep for 
awhile, LaCroix decided he better check and make sure the club was 
locked up securely.
	Having satisfied himself that all was well for the day, he again 
looked in on Nick, who was still sound asleep. LaCroix, as was his habit, 
returned to the living room to have a glass of bloodwine and read some 
before retiring.
	LaCroix was awakened shortly after falling asleep. He could 
sense Nicholas in some distress. He got out of bed and crossed the hall 
to his son's room. Nick was moving restlessly in his bed, quietly 
whispering "leave me alone". LaCroix sat on the edge of the bed and 
reached for Nick. Just as his hand touched his shoulder, Nick screamed 
and jumped out of bed pulling the tangled blankets with him, and huddled 
against the far wall, hands over his face, still whispering "leave me 
alone." 
	Slightly startled, LaCroix went around the bed to where Nick was 
sitting. He lowered himself to Nick's level and grasped him by the 
shoulders. Nick had his eyes tightly shut and kept repeating  "no, no, 
leave me alone". 
	LaCroix, roughly shook him and said loudly, "Nicholas."
	With a heightened yelp, Nick's eyes flew open as he woke. He 
was frightened, confused, and disoriented. Gasping for breath, he 
stopped struggling when he saw who was holding him, "LaCroix, you're 
here," he whispered in relief, reaching out with one hand to touch him, as 
if assuring himself his father was really there.
	LaCroix could see the terror rapidly fading from his son's eyes, 
but not leaving completely. He opened his arms and said, "come." 
Without hesitation, Nick leaned forward into his embrace, resting his head 
on LaCroix' shoulder. LaCroix put his arms around him and holding him 
tight said, "everything is all right."
	As Nicholas gradually calmed down, his exhaustion began to 
retake him. He started rubbing his eyes, which was a sure sign he 
needed to sleep. "Here, let's get you back to bed," said LaCroix.
	"No, I don't want to go to bed," said Nick sleepily, without raising 
his head.
	Taking Nicholas by the shoulders and pushing him back, LaCroix 
gently took his face in his hands and looking into his barely open eyes 
said, "how about you come sleep with me tonight. Will that be better?" 
Nick, scarcely awake, nodded.
	LaCroix disentangled Nick from his blankets, took him by the 
hand, pulled him to his feet, and led him across the hall into his room. He 
guided Nick to the side of the bed and pulled back the blankets for him. 
Nick crawled onto the bed and was asleep before LaCroix pulled the 
blankets over him.
	A few hours later LaCroix was awakened by Nick tossing and 
turning in his sleep. LaCroix rolled onto his side and put his arm around 
his son and pulled him close. He whispered into his ear, words to comfort 
and quiet him. Nick, in his sleep, turned to LaCroix and snuggled close, 
then dropped back into a deep slumber.
	Just before sunset, Nick slowly woke up. He was laying on his 
stomach, feeling all warm and comfortable. Hearing a noise he sleepily 
opened his eyes and saw LaCroix coming out of the bathroom, walking 
across the room to pick up his jacket and putting it on.
	"Good evening. Sleep well?" inquired LaCroix.
	"What time is it?" he asked groggily.
	"Almost sunset. You may sleep some more if you wish."
	"I have to go to work," said Nick as he pushed himself up and 
rubbed his eyes. "Where are my clothes?" he asked as he noticed his 
state of undress.
	LaCroix just looked at him. "They are in your room," he finally 
answered. "I have to attend to the club. See me before you leave."
	Nick looked at him bleary eyed and nodded. After LaCroix left, 
Nick looked around trying to figure out how he ended up in LaCroix' bed. 
He slowly put the pieces together and remembered the nightmare, only 
now it came back to him as a memory. Another piece of an old puzzle.

-- Begin Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	Nicholas woke up smiling. He had been having pleasant dreams 
of his evening with Varina. If he closed his eyes and concentrated, he 
could still taste the sweetness of her blood on his lips. She had been 
quite pleasing, and very willing. He was sorry that he would not have the 
opportunity to see her again, but she most likely was already gone. Her 
family was returning to their home in the country this morning and he 
expected he would not see her again. 
	As he dressed for the evening, his thoughts turned to LaCroix. 
Now that Varina was gone, Nicholas was anxious for his return. He 
hoped his business would not keep him much longer. He had promised 
LaCroix that he would not leave Dagan's home on his own, and the 
company that Dagan kept was not as interesting to him as he had 
originally thought it might be. In essence, he was bored.
	Nicholas decided that as long as he was stuck here, maybe he 
would explore Dagan's home. It was almost as big as a castle and who 
knew what interesting things he may run across. Hopefully he could find 
something to occupy his time until LaCroix returned. As he left his 
chamber and stepped into the hall, the noise made by the storm 
intensified. He could hear the wind howling and the sounds of torrential 
rains falling. Definitely not a night to be outside. He wandered down to the 
main hall and found the rooms deserted. This was actually a relief as he 
felt uncomfortable around many of Dagan's friends, especially those two 
he had introduced him to earlier. None of them probably wanted to 
venture out in this weather.
	He had been winding his way downward. There had not been 
much to see on the upper floors, nor on the main floor. He found a 
staircase leading to lower floors and continued down in his explorations. 
Again, he didn't find much of interest. As he neared the back he thought 
he heard strange sounds. They reminded him of the sounds he had 
heard when he had been with Varina, which he had then discarded as 
caused by the wind. As he followed the sounds through the corridors, 
they began to sound like a series of low moans. His curiosity piqued, he 
followed the sounds down a long corridor, then around a corner and to a 
large wooden door set back in an alcove. The sounds were definitely 
coming from behind the door. They were much louder and more 
distinctive. He did not think they could be caused by the wind.
	It was unlocked, so he opened the door and entered. He was in a 
large empty chamber that wound around a corner in the back. Lit torches 
were scarcely scattered creating many shadows that danced along the 
walls. The sounds, much louder now and definitely human, were coming 
from around that corner. Nicholas reached out with his senses and 
detected a number of mortal heartbeats. None of them were especially 
strong or distinctive, and he thought this rather a strange place for a 
gathering. Other than the moans, he heard no other sounds. He noticed 
he had become tense and was feeling very uneasy. His intuition was 
telling him he should leave, but his curiosity was dragging him forward.
	The sight that greeted his eyes, as he rounded the corner, 
stopped him dead in his tracks. All he could do was stare in horrified 
astonishment. The room was narrow, and lining both sides of it were 
twenty or thirty mortals, all restrained in manacles that were set into the 
stone walls. They looked weak and unkempt. Many of them showed 
recent signs of having been fed upon. Most of them were unconscious 
and hung limply against the walls. The few that were awake averted their 
eyes from him as he passed them. Nicholas was staring around him, 
wide-eyed and slack-jawed. He could not believe what he was seeing.
	At the end of the chamber, there was another door standing ajar. 
Nicholas could hear and sense that there was someone in the room, but 
he couldn't distinguish between mortal or vampire. He slowly walked 
towards the door, straining his senses for any information as to what may 
lay beyond. When he reached the door, he pushed it further open and 
stepped through.
	When he entered this next room, the smell of stale blood mixed 
with fresh almost overwhelmed him. He leaned back against the wall to 
keep his balance and put a hand up to his forehead. As he gathered his 
composure, he straightened up and moved deeper into the room. It was a 
huge stone chamber with a large slab table set into the far left corner. As 
he looked around he could also see pieces of what looked like human 
remains. He suddenly remembered that dead body he and Gyorgy had 
seen earlier this week, and he instinctually knew that this is where the 
murder occurred. The presence's he had sensed were at the table. He 
moved closer. 
	The sight that greeted him, horrified him. Laying on the table was 
a mortal man, or what was left of one. His abdomen had been torn open 
and parts of his organs were laying outside their cavity. Standing over the 
body of the man, were Janos and Nagy. They both looked up at him as 
they sensed him near. Their faces were covered in blood and their eyes 
were glowing bright red. They were obviously in the midst of a feeding 
frenzy and did not looked pleased that they had been interrupted. 
Nicholas just stood staring, unbelieving, at the two vampires. 
	Nagy raised one of his hands to his mouth and began licking 
blood off his fingers. Nicholas began to feel apprehension building within 
him. He did not like what he saw. This was sick, this was depraved. They 
both just looked at him with that unnerving stare he had experienced with 
them before. Nicholas was frightened, very frightened. He took a step 
back, taking him closer to the exit and away from them.
	"Looks like we have someone who wants to join us," Janos said 
to Nagy, as he sneeringly smiled at Nicholas. If the desired effect was to 
make Nicholas feel more relaxed, it did just the opposite.
	"Yes, and whatever shall we do with him," replied Nagy 
sarcastically. As he spoke he stepped past Janos and began to circle 
around to Nicholas' right. This caused Nicholas to move further to his 
left so he could keep them both in his line of sight.
	"Nicholas, is it not?" inquired Janos as he took a few steps in 
Nicholas' direction, smiling sinisterly. Nicholas continued his retreat as 
Janos came towards him. Looking to his right he saw that Nagy was also 
moving closer to him. His back pressed up against the wall, stopping any 
further retreat. Nicholas was trapped and becoming more frightened by 
the moment.
	"Can you not speak?" asked Janos harshly, jolting Nicholas out 
of his paralysis.
	They were both almost within arms reach of him when he replied, 
"yes, I can speak." He paused to take a few quick breaths and continued, 
"what do you want?"
	Janos and Nagy passed a meaningful glance between them, 
then Janos replied, "I think the question is what do you want, young 
Nicholas?"
	Nicholas was beginning to feel panicked. The only thought that 
flooded his mind was that he wanted LaCroix to be here now. He knew 
he was no match for these two, and not knowing what they had in mind 
was beginning to terrify him. He figured that they were responsible for 
everything he saw down here, which meant they were also responsible 
for all those gruesome and depraved murders that everyone had been 
talking about.
	"Well, we are waiting for an answer," prompted Janos, staring 
intently at Nicholas, as was Nagy.
	"I want to leave," was all he managed to whisper.
	There was a short pause before Janos began to laugh and Nagy 
soon joined him. "Leave? Do you hear that?" Janos ask Nagy. "Our 
young friend here wants to leave, and he has not even partaken of our 
entertainment yet."
	As Nicholas attention was drawn by Janos, he did not notice 
Nagy reach out to him until he felt his arm grasped in a iron-like grip. 
Nicholas screamed and tried to jerk out of Nagy's grip, only to be grabbed 
on his other arm by Janos. Nicholas screamed and struggled, startling 
them and breaking free. Nicholas quickly pushed Nagy aside and ran out 
of the room. He fled back the way he had come, running as fast as he 
could, as though pursued by demons.

-- End Flashback --

	After dressing, Nick headed downstairs to the club. LaCroix was 
seated at the bar leafing through some papers. As Nick reached him, he 
saw Ricker on the other side of the bar. The two just glare at each other. 
Marcus was at the other end of the bar observing.
	"Is there something I should know?" LaCroix asked Nick as he 
looked questioningly at his manager.
	"No," he finally answered, turning his attention to LaCroix.
	"I take it there is something specific you wished to see me 
about?" inquired LaCroix.
	Nick, glancing at his watch replied, "yeah, but I don't have time 
now. I can't be late."
	"Yes, of course. Duty calls," responded LaCroix, slightly 
annoyed.
	"Will you be here tonight?" asked Nick with a glare.
	"I will make a point to be here, if you wish."
	"I do. I need to talk to you about something," said Nick with a 
lowered voice.
	Nick looked up at a noise from behind the bar. His eyes met 
Ricker's and he once again glared at the manager, who was glaring back. 
LaCroix sensed there was something going on he didn't know about, but 
all in good time. LaCroix reached up and softly stroked Nick's cheek. 
Startled, Nick jerked his head back and slowly turned back to look at 
LaCroix.
	"Do not keep me waiting, mon cher," replied LaCroix with a smile.
	With a quick backward glance at Ricker, Nick turned and headed 
for the exit. 

===
Chapter Six


	Nick walked into the station, feeling more rested than he had in 
days. After leaving the Raven, he had gone by the loft to shower and 
change clothes. He had given Natalie a quick call, but she had been 
unavailable.
	As he neared his desk he saw that Tracy was already busy at 
work. "How's it going?" he asked her as he sat in his chair.
	"Not much better than yesterday. We got an ID on the second 
victim. His name was David Greenburg. Graduate student at the 
university. He disappeared a few nights ago, after a party. Missing 
persons sent the file up," she said as she tossed a manila folder on his 
desk.
	"Missing persons, huh?" he said as he quickly scanned the file. 
	"What are you thinking?" asked Tracy curiously.
	"I was just wondering how many mid-twenties, Caucasian males, 
missing persons is looking for right now," he said frowning, still looking 
through the file.
	"Yeah, I guess we are kind of two for two, aren't we?" she said, 
following his thoughts. "If you want, I'll check it out."
	"Do that," he said, still distracted by the file.
	"Right," she said, rising to get her coat. "What are you going to 
do?"
	"I'm going to head over to the coroner's office. I want to ask 
Natalie some questions about this autopsy report," he replied as he also 
stood to leave.
	"Okay, I'll check back with you later then," she said.
	"Hold up you two," shouted a voice advancing towards them.
	They both paused and waited for the Captain to reach their desk. 
"Where are you off to? I thought you were going to keep me updated," 
said Reese.
	"Looks like we might actually have something that looks like a 
lead. I'm on my way to check it out," said Tracy, the touch of excitement 
in her voice evident.
	"What kind of a lead?" he asked.
	"It's too soon to say, Cap. It may not pan out," replied Nick. "We'll 
let you know as soon as we have something solid."
	"Fine, fine. You do that, just don't take all night about it, okay?" 
said Reese as he turned back to his office in exasperation.
	"Later, partner," said Tracy as she made a hasty exit.

	 "Hi, Grace," said Nick as he paused outside the lab.
	"Go on in, detective. She's just finishing up," said Grace.
	Nick walked into Natalie's office. She was on the other side of the 
room, arranging something in one of the large refrigerators. He quietly 
walked up behind her and said, "hi, Nat."
	She let out a little shriek as she jumped back. "Nick," she started 
to yell as she turned to face him. "Oh, I give up," she said, looking into 
one of his more disarming smiles. "What are you doing here?" she asked 
as she walked over to her desk and sat down behind her computer.
	He followed her over and sat in the chair next to her desk. "I 
wanted to ask you some questions about these autopsies," he said, all 
business now.
	"Yeah. What do you want to know?" she asked, matching his 
tone.
	"Well, is this everything?" he asked.
	"What do you mean, everything?" she replied curiously.
	"Well, I mean, did you leave anything out that you didn't want to 
put in an official report," he answered uncomfortably.
	"Be specific, Nick. What are you looking for?" she asked as she 
leaned back into her chair, crossing her arms and eyeing him 
suspiciously.
	He felt uneasy asking these questions, but he needed to know. 
He was strongly suspecting that these murders, his <new> memories, 
and his nightmares were related somehow. He just didn't know how. That 
is what he had been hoping to find out from LaCroix last night.
	"Where you said that the organs were ripped out of the body, did 
you find any, uh, ..." he said hesitating.
	"What Nick? Did I find any what?" she asked impatiently.
	"Teeth marks. Did you find any teeth marks?" he finished, feeling 
embarrassed to even be asking.
	Natalie looked at him in surprise. She hadn't been expecting that 
question. "Why? Do you know who's doing this?" she asked.
	"No," he answered quickly. "Maybe. It's just something that's 
nagging me, and I just need to know," he explained. "So, did you?"
	"To tell you the truth, Nick, it never dawned on me to look. There 
was nothing overtly obvious, but I can reexamine the bodies if you want 
me to," she said, with worry sounding in her voice.
	"Yeah, if you don't mind. Would you?" he asked, staring at the 
floor. Raising his eyes to meet hers, he continued, "how long will it take?"
	"A few hours," she answered. "So, Nick. What aren't you telling 
me?"
	"I don't know. I'm not real clear," he said. The look on her face 
was one where she obviously expected him to continue. "I keep having 
these memories flash through my mind, but I don't remember them. And 
then the nightmares, they seemed linked to these strange memories," he 
said, feeling awkward as he tried to explain.
	"So, let me get this straight. You're having memories, you never 
remembered before. You're having nightmares that may be caused by 
these memories, and you think it may have something to do with the 
murders. Is that about it?" she asked.
	"Yeah, that's about it," he said.
	"And these teeth marks you want me to check for, where did they 
come from?"
	"A memory I had when I woke up this evening," he answered, 
distracted as he reviewed the memory in his mind.
	"Speaking of waking this evening, it looks like you got some 
sleep. No more nightmares after I left?" she inquired. A look of surprise 
briefly crossed his face as she looked at him. "Nick?"
	"Nat, I just thought of something. I've gotta go. Call me as soon 
as you find out anything, okay?" he said turning to leave.
	"Wait, Nick. I haven't finished. I have some more questions," she 
said irritated that he was just going to run off and leave her wondering.
	"Later, Nat. I promise, but I've got to go," he said hurriedly as he 
turned to leave.
	"Go where?" she asked to his retreating back, but he was already 
gone. "Okay, Lambert. Let's see if we can find some teeth marks," she 
said as she turned to go retrieve one of the bodies for reexamination.

	The storm was getting worse, thought Nick, as he watched his 
windshield wipers working furiously to sweep the rain from his vision. The 
wind had picked up. He could see the trees blowing and signs swaying. 
The pounding the rain made on his convertible top was almost enough to 
block out the peals of thunder. Except for the occasional flash of 
lightening, the sky was black. He could feel his car being buffeted by 
gusts of wind. Everything going on right now was bad enough, the storm 
just seemed to make everything worse, more sinister.
	Maybe he was reading too much into this. It's not like he hadn't 
had nightmares before. It could be just this case. It was rather bizarre, 
and now he had Natalie looking for teeth marks, all because of some long 
forgotten memory, or could it be an old dream he was recalling as a 
memory. He didn't know. It was too confusing. But if it was an old 
memory, LaCroix would know. 
	Nick was able to find a parking spot directly across the street 
from the main entrance to the Raven After checking to make sure the 
traffic was clear, he opened the door and dashed through the rain into the 
club. The bouncer was working inside tonight and merely nodded as he 
walked past.
	He spotted LaCroix seated at the far end of the bar and headed 
straight for him. "I need to talk to you," he said as soon as he had 
reached his destination.
	"Good evening, Nicholas. You're off early tonight, or are you still 
working?" asked LaCroix as he turned to his impatient son.
	"I'm still working, but it couldn't wait," he said hurriedly. "I need to 
ask you about something."
	"Take off your coat and sit. I'll get you something to drink," he 
said as he turned to motion to Marcus.
	"I'm in a hurry. I don't have time," said Nick irritably.
	"Make time. You're dripping on the bar," said LaCroix calmly.
	"Tell me about Budapest," he demanded.
	"For someone in a hurry, you may want to obtain a book on the 
subject. I'm sure it will contain much more than I shall be able to recall," 
he replied laconically, as he turned back and started reviewing the papers 
in front of him, effectively dismissing Nick.
	Nick just stood and stared, not quite sure how to react. 
"LaCroix?" he asked tentatively. Getting no reaction, he continued to 
stand there. Instinctively, his eyes surveyed the room. He saw the new 
manager, Ricker, on the opposite side of the dance floor, chatting with 
some customers. He quickly looked away and returned his gaze to 
LaCroix, who was still ignoring him.
	Just then Marcus appeared. "Your usual," he said as he set a 
drink down in front of him and then returned to the other end of the bar.
	"Thanks," said Nick, glancing at the glass of cow's blood. 
Resigning himself, he shrugged out of his coat and tossed it over an 
empty chair at the table behind him. He pulled up the stool next to 
LaCroix and settle himself into it. He took a sip from the glass, then 
slowly spinning to face LaCroix he said, "okay. I'm sorry," then pausing 
before continuing, "will you tell me what I want to know?"
	LaCroix had taken this opportunity to reflect on what he would 
say. He knew what this was about. He had seen the murders discussed 
on the news and knew Nicholas was working this case. His nightmare 
last night had concerned him and he wondered if Nicholas would 
remember Dagan. His demand to know about Budapest answered this 
question, but how much did he recall?
	LaCroix set aside the papers he had been reading and turned to 
face Nick. "What exactly would you like to know?" he asked nonchalantly.
	"What happened in Budapest?" he asked.
	"Quite a bit has happened in Budapest. I assume you have 
something specific in mind?" he asked condescendingly.
	"Specifically, when we were there," said Nick perturbed. "There 
were a number of murders in the city that were just like the ones we are 
having here, now."
	"Now that you mention it, yes, there were," he replied. "So?"
	"So," said Nick impatiently, "do you know who was responsible 
then? And could they be responsible now?"
	LaCroix saw the troubled look on Nicholas face. "You were there. 
What do you remember?" he asked as he picked up his glass and took a 
sip.
	Nick dropped his gaze to the floor. He didn't want to think about 
what he remembered. It reminded him of his nightmares and he didn't 
want to believe that they could be true. He wanted LaCroix to tell him 
there was no connection, and his imagination was just running wild. That 
there was some logical, <mortal>, explanation for what was happening 
now.
	"I remember seeing a victim that was killed the same way as is 
happening now," he said, sounding somewhat subdued. "I think I 
remember catching the killers in the act. They tried to chase me, but I 
must have gotten away. That's all I remember," he finished, shaking his 
head as if that would help clear the memories. "So what am I not 
remembering, and why can't I remember?" he asked, a bit bewildered.
	"Perhaps you will also recall, I was not there," replied LaCroix. "I 
had left you for a short time, as you had assured me you were quite 
capable of taking care of yourself," said LaCroix reproachably.
	"That was a long time ago," replied Nick defensively. "Much has 
changed since then."
	"Has it?" replied LaCroix, looking questioningly at his son over 
the rim of his wine glass as he took another sip of his bloodwine.
	Nick, thinking of the past day, looked away slightly abashed. 
LaCroix' presence had seemed to banish his nightmares and he was 
finally able to get some sleep. He noticed even now, being in LaCroix' 
presence seemed to relieve his tension. He felt safer, even if he wasn't 
particularly happy about it. And safe from what? He didn't feel he was any 
closer to finding out now, then he was when he first arrived.
	Nick suddenly looked up and stated, "you're not telling me 
everything you know about this."
	Just as LaCroix started to reply, Nick's cell phone rang. Nick 
ignored it at first, as he wanted to hear what LaCroix had to say. As the 
phone continued to ring, all LaCroix said was, "aren't you going to answer 
that?"
	Nick sighed in frustration as he pulled his phone from his pocket. 
He flipped it open and spoke into it, "Knight." After listening intently for a 
few moments, he replied, "I'll be right there." He closed the phone and put 
it back in his pocket. He looked at LaCroix' questioningly gaze and said, 
"there's been another murder. I have to go."
	Nick stood to retrieve his coat off the chair. As he pulled it on, he 
said, "we're not finished. I'll be back later. I know you're not telling me 
everything you know," he said accusingly as he turned to leave.
	LaCroix didn't answer. He watched Nicholas cross the dance 
floor and exit the club. Nicholas' visit had disturbed him. He had heard 
about the murders on the news, but the details had been sketchy. They 
were obviously more similar to those that had occurred in Budapest, so 
long ago, then he had originally thought. Could it be possible, after all this 
time? He would finally be able to exact revenge on the one who had 
eluded him so long ago. LaCroix smiled as the possibilities revealed 
themselves to him.

===
Chapter Seven


	As Nick pulled up to the crime scene, he noticed that the rain had 
somewhat abated and the wind had temporarily stopped. This would 
make evidence gathering a little easier. He surveyed the nearly deserted 
industrial area. Warehouses lined the street, some with small storefronts 
attached. All were closed for the night, except for the small cafe at the 
corner of the block. It had been departing customers that had found the 
victim.
	He noticed a familiar tingling sensation at the base of his neck. 
He had felt this before, at an earlier crime scene, but had been unable to 
detect anything. He looked around, trying to focus in on this sensation. 
He couldn't detect anything. It was probably nothing. He shrugged it off 
and headed to where he saw Tracy interviewing a couple.
	"Hey, Trace," he said upon reaching her.
	"Hi, Nick. This is Victor and Louise Stolich. They found the victim 
when they left the cafe," she said to Nick. Turning to the couple she was 
interviewing, she continued, "this is my partner, Detective Knight."
	Nick nodded to the couple and then said to Tracy, "while you 
finish speaking with them, I'll go see what the Coroner has." Tracy 
nodded at him as she turned back to the Stolich's.
	Nick headed over to where he saw Natalie and her crew. They 
were bent over the victim, gathering samples and taking photographs. 
"Hey, Nat," he said as he bent down next to her.
	"Hi, Nick," she said distractedly, continuing to work and not even 
looking at him. She finished tagging and bagging something, handed it to 
one of her assistants, then stood and took a few steps away from the 
body. Nick immediately stood and followed her. "Okay, guys. You can 
take him," she said to her crew. Turning to Nick, "just get here?"
	"Yeah. Same as the other two?" he asked, indicating the body 
that was being loaded into the coroner's van.
	"Unless something comes up in the autopsy to say otherwise, I'd 
say it's the same," she replied wearily. "So, where were you? Tracy didn't 
know," she asked expectantly.
	"I went to see LaCroix," he answered. "I think he knows 
something he isn't telling me."
	"So what else is new?" asked Natalie sarcastically.
	Nick felt the tingling sensation intensify. He stepped back from 
Natalie and searched the surrounding area with his senses. He still could 
detect nothing. But he felt as though something, or someone were there, 
watching him. The sensation grew stronger. He was sure of it now. 
Someone was there. He felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to see Natalie 
trying to get his attention.
	"What is it?" she asked worried.
	"There's someone there," he replied as he lifted his eyes to once 
again search for the source of this sensation.
	"Are you sure?" she asked quietly, not wanting to distract him.
	"Yeah, I'm sure now," he said. "I've kind of sensed it before, but it 
wasn't strong. I thought it was my imagination. But now I'm sure. 
Someone's watching us."
	"You think it's whoever is doing this?" she asked.
	"I don't know, but I'd like to find out," he said as he started to 
move off.
	"Where are you going?" she asked as she grabbed his sleeve 
again.
	"To find whoever it is," he replied, definitely focused on 
something. He headed down the street towards a large warehouse in the 
center of the block. "Tell Tracy I'll be right back," he said over his 
shoulder.
	He reached the alley alongside the warehouse and ducked into it. 
Halfway down the alley he stopped. Following his senses, he looked up. 
He thought he saw a brief movement on the roof. Taking a quick glance 
around, he realized there were too many people around for him to fly. He 
continued to the end of the alley to where the fire escape was located. He 
quickly climbed the stairs to the roof. By the time he reached the top, no 
one was there. He walked to where he had spotted the movement from 
below and found evidence that someone had recently been there. He 
reached out with his senses, trying to find the presence, but it was now 
gone. Nick paced the full length of the roof looking for any kind of a clue, 
but there were none. He descended the fire escape and returned to the 
crime scene.
	Natalie was waiting for him. As soon as he got back she rushed 
to him and said, "well. Did you find anything?"
	"Yeah, someone was there, but they're gone now," he said with 
frustration.
	"Could you tell who it was?" she asked.
	"There's something familiar, but I can't place it," he said, once 
more looking around the area before returning his attention to her. "I feel 
like I should know what's happening, but I don't," he said, once again 
expressing his frustration.
	"Hey, it'll come to you. You'll catch this guy," said Natalie, trying 
to offer him some reassurance. Looking past him she said, "better figure 
out what you want to say. Here comes the Captain."
	Nick turned just as Reese reached him. "Well, Knight, your 
partner said you were off checking a lead. Did you find anything?" he 
asked.
	"No, Captain," said Nick, rubbing the back of his head. "I thought 
I had seen something, but it was nothing," he further explained, looking 
behind him with a distracted expression on his face.
	"Is there something troubling you?" asked Reese, frowning at the 
unfocused attention he was receiving from his best detective.
	Nick turned to Reese, a strange expression on his face. 
"Troubling me?" he asked.
	"Yeah, troubling you," said Reese. Nick just stared at him not 
answering. Natalie placed a hand on his arm, once again garnering his 
attention. "Is there something troubling you?" repeated Reese.
	'No, nothing, sir, I'm fine," said Nick with an unfocused look on 
his face.
	"Okay, fine, detective. I want a full report on my desk before the 
end of shift," said Reese. "You got that?"
	"Yes, sir," said Nick nodding. "A full report by end of shift."
	Somewhat satisfied, Reese turned away and headed back into 
the main circle of the crime scene. Nick turned away with his back to the 
scene. He pulled his hands from his pockets and ran them over his face.
	"Nick, are you okay?" asked Natalie. "What is it? You're scaring 
me," she whispered.
	"I think I'm scaring myself," he replied. "Look, I have to go. I need 
to see LaCroix," he said as he headed for his car.
	"Wait," she hollered after him. He turned and stopped as she 
caught up to him. "Before you leave, don't you want to know if I found any 
teeth marks on the other victims?" she asked.
	Nick looked at her apprehensively, not really sure he wanted to 
hear the answer. "Did you?" he finally asked.
	"Yeah, I did," she replied. "It was mostly tearing and ripping. I 
would never have noticed them if I hadn't been looking specifically for 
them," she explained. "Nick, what's going on? How did you know?"
	"I'm not sure," he said, once more turning away, "I have to go."
	Nick walked the half block to his Caddy and climbed in behind 
the wheel. He noticed the rain had started up again. As he sat there, 
watching the drops splatter on his windshield, he allowed the full memory, 
triggered by Reese's question, to surface.

-- Begin Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	Nicholas did not stop running until he reached the main hall. The 
front door was just ahead of him. He turned to see how far behind his 
pursuers were, and saw no one chasing him. He stood still, listening, and 
heard nothing but the harshness of his breathing and the raging of the 
storm outside. There appeared to be no pursuit, but how could that be. 
Now he was frightened and confused. Maybe they did not care that he 
saw, after all, what could he do about it? He could not turn them in 
without revealing himself, and he would not know who to tell anyway. 
	"Nicholas?" asked a voice to his left. 
	Clearly startled, he turned to see who had called to him, ready to 
run again if necessary. He was surprised to see Dagan standing in the 
doorway of his drawing room.
	"Is there something troubling you?" asked Dagan solicitously, 
taking note of Nicholas' obvious distress. When his question was met 
with nothing but a silent stare, Dagan motioned Nicholas to enter, "come, 
young Nicholas. Come and have a seat. There is nothing to be 
concerned with. I am sure this storm will pass quickly."
	Nicholas responded to Dagan by allowing himself to be led into 
the drawing room. He took the proffered seat next to the fire. "Come, tell 
me what is troubling you," Dagan requested calmly.
	Nicholas was nervously seated on the edge of his chair. He was 
alternately rubbing his hands together in his lap, or rubbing his hands 
over his cheeks and mouth. Definitely a sign of nervous tension. His 
glance kept going to the door, as if he was expecting someone to arrive 
at any moment. Dagan, for his part, calmly sat in a chair opposite the 
young vampire, waiting patiently to hear what was troubling him.
	"Your father asked me to look out for you. I cannot do that if you 
will not tell me what is wrong," explained Dagan, patiently trying to calm 
Nicholas. "If you tell me what has you so upset, perhaps I can help."
	Being reminded that LaCroix had asked Dagan to look out for 
him did calm him somewhat. LaCroix would not take kindly to returning 
and finding out that something had happened to him. This gave Nicholas 
the encouragement to tell Dagan what he had seen. During the course of 
the telling, Nicholas had risen to stand by the fireplace, his back to 
Dagan. As he neared the end, he was more relaxed and feeling safer. 
	He turned around, as he finished speaking, to find Dagan 
standing within arms reach. Dagan's eyes were glowing red and his fangs 
had dropped. He was smiling menacingly at him. Startled, Nicholas 
stepped back quickly. It then dawned on him, of course Dagan knew 
what Janos and Nagy were doing, he was probably in on it himself. 
Whatever feelings of security Nicholas had quickly fled.
	Without warning, Nicholas bolted for the door, intending to flee 
the premises as quickly as he could. As he reached the doorway, Janos 
and Nagy stepped in from the hallway to block his path. He ran right into 
them. They quickly grabbed him, one by each arm, and dragged him 
kicking and screaming back to where Dagan was patiently waiting. 
Holding him firmly, so he could not get away, they forced him to his 
knees.
	Dagan lowered himself to Nicholas' level and reached his hand 
to caress the young vampire's cheek. "There is no need to be frightened," 
he spoke in a low growl. "You are so young, you have not yet 
experienced many of the pleasures our kind have to offer. You should 
relax. You may find this very enjoyable."
	Nicholas tried to pull away, but he could not break free. He was 
terrified as he sensed the wave of malevolence permeating the room. 
Dagan reached down and began to undo the clothing around Nicholas' 
collar, exposing his throat. In desperation Nicholas blurted, "my father will 
kill if you harm me."
	Dagan laughed as he grabbed the side of Nicholas' head, 
pushing it aside to allow himself easier access to his neck, "your father 
will thank me for furthering your <education>, as it were." 
	Nicholas felt a sharp, piercing pain as Dagan's fangs tore into his 
throat. The pain quickly eased and was replaced by a tingling lethargic 
feeling. Nicholas felt like he was floating, removed from what was 
happening to him. As Dagan continued to drink, he felt himself falling into 
a dark void, spiraling more and more downward. Then there was a 
burning sensation and he felt like his neck was on fire. This feeling 
quickly spread downward into his chest. Then he felt a sudden release as 
Dagan withdrew his fangs. Janos and Nagy let go his arms and he fell to 
the floor, barely conscious.
	"Take him to his chamber and leave him there," he distantly 
heard Dagan order. Nicholas felt himself being roughly grabbed and 
carried. In his semi-conscious state, he called out numerous times for 
LaCroix before finally succumbing to total darkness.

-- End Flashback --

	As the remnants of this memory washed over him, he shuddered. 
Dagan, he thought. That's who he sensed back there, or one of his 
henchmen. They must still be alive somehow. Obviously, whatever 
happened in Budapest, Nick had been able to escape from Dagan. But 
why couldn't he remember? This was driving him crazy. He needed to 
see LaCroix. He would know. He must know. Even though Nick didn't 
remember him being there, he must have returned. What else could it 
be?

===
Chapter Eight


	Just as Nick was reaching for the key to turn on his ignition, he 
felt the tingling sensation very strongly. He froze with one hand on the 
steering wheel and the other on the keys. He leaned down trying to look 
out through the windshield to see who it was. This was the strongest the 
sensation had been and he knew whoever was the cause of it was close.
	His car was facing away from the crime scene. As he peered out 
in the darkness, he thought he detected movement, but it was hard to 
know for sure because of the water on the window obscuring his vision. 
He decided to take a closer look.
	He got out of his car and started to slowly walk down the 
deserted street, moving farther away from the crime scene. His senses 
told him that another was just up ahead. He paused briefly to turn and 
look back to where everyone was gathered and made note that no one 
had noticed him. He continued on ahead, being farther drawn towards the 
presence that was summoning him.
	He reached the intersection and paused. The presence had 
moved, was moving still. He turned to his left and went around the corner. 
He could sense the presence ahead moving farther away. He ran two 
blocks in an attempt to close the distance and once again paused in the 
intersection. He felt something strongly and turned sharply to his right 
and took off running again. He pulled up short at a large warehouse half a 
block away. The presence was in this building, he just knew it.
	He went to the nearest door, it was locked. Using his vampiric 
strength, he twisted the door knob, breaking the lock. He took a quick 
look around then ducked inside. The tingling sensation was very strong 
now and he knew the presence was very near. He looked up as he 
sensed it above him, but saw nothing. He moved to the staircase on his 
left and slowly began to ascend, reaching out with his senses, trying to 
establish the whereabouts of the one he sought.
	He reached the top of the stairs and started across towards the 
center of the large room. There were a number of posts supporting the 
floor and ceiling, and stacked up in and around them were various sized 
boxes and crates. He walked down the center aisle carefully, feeling the 
presence all around him now. He stopped and slowly turned in a circle, 
expecting to see whoever it was standing there, but there was still no 
sight of another, only the tingling sensation that signified the presence he 
felt.
	The deeper in the warehouse he walked, the more fearful he 
became. He knew he had to confront whoever was responsible for these 
murders, but he was afraid. He sensed that this presence was older and 
stronger. He took a few more steps then stopped as he felt a chill run 
down his spine. He quickly turned and stared into the glowing red eyes of 
the one he sought.
	"Well, well, well. If it isn't young Nicholas. How kind of you to drop 
in for a visit," said a voice dripping with menace.
	"Dagan," said a shocked Nick, as he took a couple of involuntary 
steps back. This is one of the vampires from his nightmares. He hadn't 
truly been expecting him.
	"Oh come, come Nicholas. You're not afraid of me are you?" said 
Dagan, as he slowly advanced towards him.
	"You're responsible for these killings, aren't you?" asked Nick 
tentatively, trying hard not to let his fear show.
	"And what if I am? What will you do? Arrest me," said Dagan as 
he laughed mirthlessly.
	"You must stop," said Nick, with more authority than he felt.
	"And if I choose not to?" he asked, taking another step closer.
	"Then I will have to stop you," replied Nick matter-of-factly.
	Dagan continued staring at Nick and then burst out laughing. 
"Stop me? You can't stop me. I am much stronger than you, and this 
time, you don't have your father here to protect you."
	What does he mean this time, Nick thought. I don't remember 
LaCroix protecting me last time, he wasn't even there. He had left town. "I 
don't need LaCroix' protection," asserted Nick, taking a step back.
	"Really? If he hadn't come back through that storm to protect you 
last time, things perhaps would have been very different," said Dagan, 
carefully watching as Nick's expression turned to one of confusion. "Don't 
tell me you don't remember?"
	Nick was confused. He felt as if he should be familiar with what 
Dagan was referring, but his mind was cloudy. He took another step back 
and felt himself pressed against a wall of crates. Dagan smiled, a 
gruesome twisting of his lips as he continued his advance.  Nick had no 
where to go and Dagan was soon upon him.
	"Perhaps we can continue what was started so long ago?" said 
Dagan, as he reached out a hand to caress Nick's cheek.
	Nick brushed the hand away and said, "leave me alone."
	Dagan grabbed Nick by the neck of his shirt and pulled sharply, 
ripping his collar apart and exposing his neck. Nick grabbed Dagan's 
wrists and tried to push them away, to no avail. Dagan was much 
stronger and he couldn't break his grip. Dagan leaned in closely. Nick 
could feel his breath on his neck, followed by the touch of his lips on his 
throat. Just as Dagan's fangs barely touched his skin, Nick yelled and 
pushed with all the strength he could muster. It was enough, as Dagan 
was sent flying away from him and crashing into the boxes across the 
aisle.
	Nick took this opportunity to run. He was halfway to the stairs 
when the full weight of Dagan's body crashed into him sending him hard 
into the floor. He rolled onto his back and kicked at Dagan with his feet. 
He felt some satisfaction as he connected, and then hurriedly scrambled 
to his feet to run again. He barely had taken a step when he felt a viselike 
grip around his ankle, jerking him off his feet and sending him crashing to 
the floor again.
	He kicked out with his feet, trying to break Dagan's grip. The 
harder he kicked, the stronger the grip. Then, without warning, Dagan 
was atop him, grabbing his arms and pinning them to the floor. Nick was 
helpless against him and incapable of breaking free, yet continued to 
struggle anyway.
	"There is no use in struggling further, young Nicholas, you cannot 
free yourself from me," growled Dagan, his lips pressed against Nick's 
ear.
	"Let me go," yelled Nick, in a near panic, not knowing what 
Dagan was planning to do with him.
	"As I recall, young Nicholas, your blood was very sweet. A taste 
of nectar from the heavens. You would not deny me, would you?" asked 
Dagan.
	Nick was terrified and trying not to panic. His struggles were 
useless, he couldn't break free, but he continued regardless. "Leave me 
alone," he shouted, trying to squirm free.
	"Don't be frightened. I'm not going to hurt you," whispered Dagan 
in his ear, attempting to calm him. "I will let you go. But first...." the 
sentence was not completed as Dagan buried his fangs in Nick's neck 
and began to drink.
	Nick felt the piercing pain that was soon followed by a sense of 
lethargy. He was floating, and then falling into that dark void. Just as his 
body stopped struggling, and relaxed under Dagan's onslaught, he felt a 
burning sensation run down his neck and into his chest. He arched his 
back as he moaned in pain.
	At that sign from him, Dagan withdrew his fangs and carefully 
licked the puncture holes in Nick's neck. He raised his head and looked 
down at Nick, who was laying with his eyes closed and lips slightly 
parted. Dagan knew he was still conscious, but weakened. He ran his 
hand over Nick's face, first caressing his cheek, then running his fingers 
lightly over his temple and then brushing back his hair. Nick moaned and 
tried to move away from him. Dagan held him firmly in place. Cupping 
Nick's jaw in his hand, he raised his chin as he lowered his lips to Nick's 
mouth.
	Nick felt lips pressed to his and tasted his own blood in the kiss. 
He weakly struggled and was surprised as he was freed from the body 
and grip that was restraining him. He opened his eyes and saw Dagan 
kneeling above him.
	"I told you I would not harm you," said Dagan, smiling menacingly 
down at him. "Now, I would suggest that you refrain from seeking me 
further, unless you are truly interested in expanding your education, as it 
were." 
	Nick weakly pulled himself up and tried to move away. As his arm 
gave way beneath him, Dagan grabbed hold of him to keep him from 
falling. Nick pulled away from him saying, "leave me alone."
	Dagan again caressed Nick's cheek, and as Nick tried to move 
away from him, he stood and chuckled. "I'll look forward to our next 
meeting, young Nicholas," said Dagan as he walked away, leaving Nick 
sitting on the floor, weak and semi-conscious from blood loss.
	After Dagan left, Nick gave in to his weakened state and laid on 
the floor. He was so tired. He closed his eyes expecting sleep to overtake 
him, instead he was assaulted with another part of his forgotten 
memories of Budapest.

-- Begin Flashback --
15th c. Budapest

	Nicholas lay on his bed, dreaming vividly of horrific deaths, 
gruesome bodies and fearful events. In his dreams he was panicked and 
trying to run away, only everywhere he turned, the sights that greeted 
him were worse than those left behind. He could feel an external force 
intruding itself in his thoughts, roughly trying to shake him from his 
dreams.
	"Nicholas, wake up," were words seeping into his mind. They 
seemed so far away, the sound so familiar, he tried to reach out. His arm 
was grasped and he felt himself rolled over onto his back. Hands grabbed 
onto his shoulders, firmly shaking him, "Nicholas, you must wake up, 
<now>!" demanded the voice. Nicholas forced himself to obey the voice. 
He slowly opened his eyes, still not knowing if he was truly awake or still 
dreaming.
	He closed his eyes and turned his head away as he felt drops of 
water fall onto his face. The hands holding him moved to pull back his 
shirt, exposing his throat. This caused him to start to panic and pull away, 
whispering "no, no, leave me alone," as he weakly struggled.
	"Nicholas, I demand that you open your eyes and look at me, 
<now>," the voice ordered. "Tell me who did this to you?" Nicholas 
continued his feeble attempts to move away. The hands grabbed his 
shoulders and roughly shook him, "Nicholas!" the voice shouted in his 
ear, jolting him awake, if only for a short while.
	"LaCroix," he whispered quietly, not knowing if he was really 
awake or if this was part of his cruel dreams. "LaCroix, help me."
	"Tell me who is responsible for this," demanded LaCroix, as he 
pulled back Nicholas shirt indicating the bite marks. "Tell me, Nicholas."
	"Dagan," he barely whispered. But it was enough, LaCroix had 
heard him.
	Nicholas looked up as LaCroix started to go, and grabbed onto 
his sleeve. "Do not go," he pleaded. As LaCroix turned to look down at 
him, Nicholas could see his glowing eyes and feel the rage emanating 
from him. He quickly let go and attempted to move away.
	"Stay here. I will be back for you," stated a very angry LaCroix.
	Nicholas closed his eyes and felt a slight disturbance in the air as 
LaCroix exited the room. He quickly fell back into semi-conscious sleep 
where the horrific visions continued. He tossed and turned restlessly, in 
and out of consciousness, he knew not how long, but It seemed to last 
forever. In moments of wakefulness, he could hear the roaring of the 
storm and the cracking of the thunder. He cried out in his mind, panicked 
pleas for help, desperate calls for LaCroix, and screams of terror. Then 
all of a sudden, it was as if one of his calls had finally been answered. He 
felt strong arms lift him and hold him tightly.
	"Hush, hush, mon petit, I am here," he heard gently whispered 
into his ear.
	"LaCroix," he whispered weakly, "make them stop, they will not 
go away."
	"Yes, mon fils, this will help," LaCroix replied as Nicholas felt a 
wrist pressed to his mouth and he tasted the familiar blood. "Drink," 
encouraged LaCroix. Nicholas' hunger roared to life and he sank his 
teeth in LaCroix' wrist and drank. As the hot liquid coursed down his 
throat and into his body, he could feel the healing effects of his father's 
blood. The more he drank, the stronger he felt. The images deposited in 
his mind began to clear and Nicholas began to feel more in control.
	"Enough," said LaCroix. Nicholas licked his lips and watched 
LaCroix as he forcefully pulled his wrist away. "Look at me, mon cher," 
requested LaCroix as he placed his hand on Nicholas' chin and lifted his 
head until their eyes met.
	Nicholas stared into LaCroix' eyes and he suddenly felt very 
calm. "You will push these thoughts from Dagan to the back of your mind. 
You will not think of them. Do you understand?" spoke LaCroix.
	"I understand," replied Nicholas.
	"Good. Now close your eyes and go to sleep."
	Nicholas shut his eyes and fell into a sound sleep.

-- End Flashback --

	Nick slowly woke to the sounds of the pounding rain. The roof of 
the warehouse seemed to be vibrating from the force of the torrential 
downpour. Loud peals of thunder crashed every so often, softening the 
sounds of the rain. He was tired and weak. He attributed this mostly to his 
encounter with Dagan, although he had already been suffering from a 
lack of sleep.
	He sat up, rubbing his eyes, trying to determine how long he had 
been laying here. A quick glance at his watch told him it was about an 
hour before dawn. He couldn't have been here for more than a couple of 
hours. All he wanted to do was lay down and go back to sleep, but he 
knew he had to get himself out of there. He forced himself to stand and 
carefully began making his way towards the stairs.
	It was slow going, as he stopped many times along the way to 
rest, but he finally made it the nearly four blocks back to his car. The 
force of the winds, combined with the heavy rains, left him completely 
drenched. He gratefully slid in behind the wheel, started the car and 
headed for home and safety. He contemplated going to LaCroix, but he 
was so tired and it was too close to dawn.
	Once he reached his loft, he didn't even wait to exit the elevator 
before he started pulling off his soggy clothing. As he left the elevator, he 
dropped his coat and his ruined shirt on the floor. Without pausing, he 
headed straight for the refrigerator. He grabbed the first bottle he reached 
and brought it to his mouth. He took hold of the cork with his teeth and 
pulled the bottle free. After spitting the cork into the sink, he leaned his 
back against the cabinets and slid to the floor. He sat there until he drank 
the entire bottle. His hunger is what had given him the motivation to make 
it this far, and now that it was somewhat assuaged, he could feel the 
tiredness and wet cold begin to overtake him.
	He looked up as lightening flash brightly through his windows 
overlooking the city. It should be almost dawn, but the clouds from the 
storm were resting heavy over the city, keeping everything dark. He 
thought about what happened tonight, and his memories of Budapest. He 
had been right, they had been linked. He was too tired to think, he 
needed sleep. Another brilliant flash of lightening, followed by rumbling 
thunder, got him to his feet. He grabbed another bottle from the 
refrigerator and headed for the stairs to his bedroom. He stopped just 
long enough to grab the remote and close the blinds. 
	Once upstairs, he turned on the shower and removed the rest of 
his wet clothes. He took his bottle into the shower with him. He stood 
under the hot, pulsating spray and let the water run down his back, taking 
the cold and dirt with it. He was leaning against the wall with one hand, 
while the other hand held the bottle he was drinking from. By the time he 
had finished this second bottle, he was feeling better. He turned off the 
water and stepped out of the shower. Grabbing the towel hanging there, 
he hurriedly dried himself and towel-dried his hair as best he could on the 
walk from the bathroom to the bed. He didn't even bother with his 
pajamas, he just dropped the towel on the floor, grabbed the blankets, 
pulling them over him as he fell into bed. He was asleep as soon as his 
head hit the pillow.

===
Chapter Nine


	He slowly woke to a steady pounding sound and a voice calling 
his name. He had slept restlessly through the day and was still so tired 
that he pulled a pillow over his head to block out the noise and started to 
drift back off to sleep. The pounding stopped, only to be replaced by a 
louder voice calling to him. He tried to ignore it until he felt his pillow 
forcibly pulled away from him. He rolled over onto his back, slowly sat up 
and looked at the source of his disturbance.
	"Well, it's about time. I didn't think you were ever going to wake 
up," said Natalie, as she sat on the edge of his bed. She quickly took in 
his appearance. His hair was disheveled and he had dark circles under 
his eyes. He was holding a blanket up to his chest, but she could see he 
wasn't wearing his pajamas, at least not the tops. His bed was torn up 
with the blankets and sheets strewn every which way and to top if off, he 
looked like he could barely keep his eyes open.  "You look awful, and this 
place is a mess. What happen last night?"
	"Last night?" he asked, not yet fully awake. "What time is it?"
	"It's almost sunset. You're usually up by now. What happen after 
you left the crime scene? You had already gone, but when I left your car 
was still there," she asked. "I was worried when you didn't return any of 
my calls, so I came by to check on you."
	"I'm all right," he said, leaning forward with his head in his hands. 
"I'm just a little tired, that's all."
	"That's all, huh?" she said reaching out to him.  "So, how did you 
sleep today or do I really need to ask?"
	"Last thing I remember is going to bed. I think I slept fine," he 
answered, trying to smile.
	Natalie looked around his bedroom. A towel was laying on the 
floor by the bed and he had pieces of his clothing cast randomly about. 
She had found his shoes in the elevator and had seen his coat and shirt 
thrown on the floor downstairs. It looked as if he had started undressing 
in the elevator and didn't stop until he got into bed.
	As Natalie was checking out his bedroom, Nick was struggling 
with his beast. He was tired, and he was also hungry. Having Natalie so 
close didn't help the hunger, it just made it that much worse.
	"Nat, do me a favor?" he asked, drawing her attention.
	"Yeah, sure, what?" she replied.
	"I'm really hungry. Would you, uh, mind getting me a bottle from 
the refrigerator?" he asked sheepishly, somewhat embarrassed.
	"Nick," she stated sternly.
	"Yeah, yeah, I know. Please, would you?"
	Natalie frowned at him, but then she got up and left the room. He 
hoped that she was doing as he asked, and not leaving. As he waited he 
laid back down and closed his eyes. When he heard the refrigerator door 
open, he let out a small sigh of relief and smiled.
	He must have dozed off for a second, because the next thing he 
knew Natalie was back and poking him in the stomach with a bottle.
	"Here, I thought you wanted this," she said, and handed him the 
bottle as he slowly sat back up.
	"Thanks," he said, taking the bottle and pulling the cork with his 
teeth. He turned and spit it on the floor. When he turned back to Natalie, 
she was staring at him in astonishment.
	"What?" he asked innocently.
	"No wonder this place is a mess," she replied.
	"I haven't had time to clean up lately," he explained.
	"Yeah, no kidding," she said. She saw the hurt look enter his 
eyes, "look, I'm kidding Nick. Don't be so sensitive."
	"I'm not," he said unconvincingly.
	"Yeah, right," she said smiling. "Look, you drink that, get dressed 
and come downstairs. I'll wait for you, and then you can tell me what 
happen last night, okay?"
	Nick nodded and then watched Natalie get up and leave the 
room, shutting the door behind her. After drinking the whole bottle he felt 
some of his energy had been restored. He quickly showered, dressed 
and headed downstairs.
	"Well, you look better," she said as he came downstairs.
	"Thanks, I feel better," he replied.
	"Okay, now spill. What happen?" she asked.
	They both sat down on the couch and Nick told her about 
tracking the killer to another warehouse by the crime scene. He told her 
he had caught up to the killer, who was a vampire, that they had a run-in 
and the other got away. He didn't tell her it was Dagan or that he had lost 
their little battle. It was unclear to him why Dagan had let him go.
	"So, what's next?" she asked. "How are you going to stop him?"
	"I don't know yet, but I've got to get going. I want to stop by the 
Raven on my way in. I need to talk to LaCroix," he said. "Come on, I'll 
walk you out."
	"Okay, but you be careful. This guy sounds dangerous," she said 
worried.
	Nick smiled at her concern for him. "Don't worry, I'll be careful," 
he replied.
	On the drive to the Raven the only thing on Nick's mind were the 
memories of what happened in Budapest. Natalie had asked him once if 
his nightmares could be caused by suppressed memories, and he had 
told her vampires don't have suppressed memories, which as far as he 
knew was true. So why hadn't he recalled any of these events until now, 
when these murders started. It wasn't like any of the memories came 
back to him easily. They were all prompted by current events, little things 
that triggered them. 
	The answer came to him like a blinding flash of lightening. 
LaCroix. He must have made him forget. What other explanation could 
there be? That would also explain why he wasn't very forthcoming earlier. 
There's something he doesn't want me to know, thought Nick. Well, we'll 
just see about that, he thought angrily.
	Nick arrived at the Raven and strode angrily up to the bar. He 
didn't see LaCroix. When Marcus approached him he quickly demanded, 
"where is he?"
	Marcus, with no desire to experience Nick's anger first hand, 
pointed to the office. Nick turned on his heels and stormed into the 
backrooms. Without knocking, he barged into LaCroix' office, and 
immediately upon spotting him said, "I want to talk to you."
	"Yes, I was just finishing up some business," responded LaCroix, 
and with a wave of his hand indicated his bar manager, Ricker, who was 
seated in a chair across from him. "If you would like to wait, we should be 
done shortly," replied LaCroix, somewhat amused at Nicholas' anger.
	"I don't want to wait," retorted Nick. Turning his back to LaCroix, 
he spun around to Ricker and said, "you can leave <now>."
	Ricker looked past Nick to LaCroix. With a slight nod of his head, 
LaCroix indicated he should go. Ricker stood to leave, glaring at Nick 
challengingly. Nick stared back and took an advancing step. With a final 
glance at LaCroix, Ricker stepped around Nick and left, closing the door 
soundly behind him.
	"Now, Nicholas, what is so important it could not wait?" 
questioned LaCroix imperiously as he leaned back in his chair, hands 
steepled in front of him.
	"I remember what happened in Budapest. Why didn't you tell 
me?" he demanded as he put his hands on LaCroix' desk and leaned in 
towards him.
	"Do you?" he asked, ignoring Nick's last question.
	"Yes, and you made me forget. Why?" he further demanded.
	"Did I now?" 
	"Don't play games with me, LaCroix. I know you made me forget. 
Why else wouldn't I be able to remember?" he asked in frustration.
	"Seems to me, you're remembering just fine," replied LaCroix, a 
touch of aggravation in his voice.
	"Why won't you tell me?" demanded an exasperated Nick, as he 
pushed himself away and stared down at LaCroix.
	"What is it you wish to know?" asked LaCroix, trying to sound a 
little more cooperative, sensing there was more here than Nicholas' 
anger.
	"You knew all along who was responsible for these murders, 
didn't you?" demanded Nick.
	"No, I only started suspecting who it may be after your last visit," 
answered LaCroix. He watched Nick carefully as he began to paced back 
and forth in front of his desk.
	"I know <for sure> that it is Dagan," proclaimed Nick.
	"And how do you know this <for sure>?" asked LaCroix, feeling a 
horrible certainty about to descend. He had sensed Nick's fear last night. 
He had thought that it was another of those nasty nightmares he seemed 
to be having. Now he wasn't so sure.
	"I saw him last night," answered Nick quietly.
	"Where?" demanded LaCroix quietly.
	"I tracked him to a warehouse a few blocks from the murder 
scene," he replied, much subdued. He had stopped his pacing and was 
standing at the edge of LaCroix' desk, eyes cast down to the floor.
	"Continue," ordered LaCroix, when it became apparent Nick was 
not going to speak further.
	Nick had conflicting emoti