Return-Path: "jfthuot@total.net"@total.net
Date: Thu, 09 Oct 1997 10:26:04 -0400
From: "Marie J. Thuot" <"jfthuot@total.net"@total.net>
To: FK FanFic Archiver <fkarchiver@fkfanfic.com>
Subject: Natalie's bodyguard  01/03 
References: <3.0.32.19971005202224.0071983c@fkfanfic.com>

I give mel permission to archive this story on her wonderful FK archive 
site.  Thank you Mel for giving a home to my story.


NATALIE’S  BODYGUARD
Part one of three                      by : Marie J. Thuot  VAL

*Disclaimers :  Forever Knight and its characters do not belong to me.
This story is strictly for non-profit purposes  and no infringements of
the owners’ rights are intended.

*This is a Valentine story.  Beware N&N packers.  If you read this you
will be horrified !
   In this story , Lacroix  shows his kinder side.   Should I join
Nunkies anonymous ?  You tell me. :=>

· Spoilers : Be My  Valentine,  Ashes to Ashes, Last Knight and Human
Factor.

*********************************************************************** 
    It started with the flowers and an Elizabeth Browning sonnet.  It
was an anonymous offering an yet, Doctor Natalie Lambert did not gaze at
it dreamily as one would have expected it.  It was not from Nick.  She
doubted it would ever be from Nick again.  To admit the truth, she was
still surprised that he had not went away after the Fiasco of that
night, months ago.  He had once been her best friend but now he was so
remote that their relationship had the coldness reserved for strangers.
 The only emotion he seemed to feel towards her was guilt.  More than
800 years of guilt, plus one disastrous night of course.

     She was alive and mortal and Nick was undead and a vampire.  Status
quo of a kind.  It irked her that she had Lacroix to thank for it.  But
if not for him, there would have been a very dead Natalie.  Janette’s
cure had not worked.  Either Nick had not loved her enough or he had not
possessed enough control over his vampiric instincts.  The result was
still the same.  She was more alone now than she had ever been before.

   So, who could be sending her these lovely white roses ?  The writing
on the card was eerily familiar but where had she seen it ?   She felt
so drained that she could not really summon enough energy to speculate
furthermore on the identity of her secret admirer.   She was glad when
her shift ended.   She had no car tonight , her garagist had informed
her she should start looking for a replacement.  The poor thing was as
mortal as its owner.   Hard not to feel depressed when you were carless,
friendless and single on the supposedly most romantic night of the year!


   A black limo was in front of the coroner’s building.  The chauffeur
was standing in front of it.  When he saw her, he smiled.    " Are you
Doctor Natalie Lambert ? " he asked.   " Yes, I am.  What can I do for
you ? "    " There is a gentleman inside waiting for you. "

   Her heart did a little dance of its own.  NICK ?  The driver opened
the door and she saw someone she had hoped to avoid for a long time but
yet she had known that it would not be so.   Trying to escape would do
her no good, so she bravely went inside and waited silently for him to
speak.  His greeting was uttered in a voice that did not hid his smile
at having unsettled her.

   " Good evening doctor Lambert.  Aren’t you glad to see me ? ".


"Good evening, Lacroix. "  She answered simply, waiting.

   It was his turn to be surprised.  " What,  no  *What do you want
Lacroix ?* or *Stay away from me Lacroix !* ?  Manners in this century
must be improving. "  He was now sarcastic.  But that was  O.K.
Lacroix was at his most dangerous when he spoke softly, reflectively,
his tone pure velvet and satin.  You knew then that you may have angered
him more that you had ever wanted to.

   " No, Lacroix.  If you want something you will tell me, I am sure.
And as for telling you to stay away from me, I fear that would be
useless, don’t you think ?  After all, you are not one to do things you
do not want to. "
   
    "You know me so well, my dear.  In fact, it would be a great honor
for me if you would accept to continue this conversation at Azure.  What
do you say ? "
   
   He was taunting her, she could feel it.  Then, suddenly,  memories of
that evening, long ago, came back.  She did not know wethter to laugh or
cry.  She settled for a weak grin.   " What is it Lacroix, you have
decided to ruin Valentine’s day forever for me ? "

 "I am not surprised to see that you remember." In fact, he had hoped
she would when he had mentionned their last "date".  "No, my sweet
Natalie, I do not wish to spoil any days or ... nights for you.  On the
contrary, I want to add a little zest to your life.  Admit that your
existence seems a bit bland right now."
   
   Natalie's grin disappeared.  "Lacroix, you scare me.  Your idea of a
little zest may be to much for my poor heart.  I do not have your strong
constitution.  Don't take it the wrong way but I would like to keep
things as they are."

   "Oh, Natalie, I fear I must disagree.  I can not stand the idea of
you, almost my granddaughter wasting away like this."
   
   "Lacroix, I am NOT related to you!"

   "That could change." His voice was now dangerously soft.  "Things
rarely stay the way they are.  Oh and Natalie, it would be kind of you
to call me Lucien.  One grows weary of being always treated so
formally."

   She was stunned into silence.  When he touched her shoulder, she
jumped involuntarily.  She glared at him.  "You will not bring me
across, do you hear?  You are much to powerful a vampire for me to even
consider it.  Do you really think that I could wish to be totally at
your mercy?"

   "Natalie, you are already at my mercy and you have often been at my
mercy.  Are you injured in any way?  No you are alive and well."

   "Not injured?  My life is in shambles due to your incessant
medling..."

   "My dear, your life would be in shambles anyway.  Nicolas has always
been a messy boy."

   "You see, you can not stop interfering in your children's lives.  Do
you seriously think that I would want you to become my  "master" ?" That
last word had clearly left a bitter taste in her mouth.

   His long fingers tensed on her shoulder, and then his hand moved
slowly upwards.  He gently stroked her hair away from her face.  It was
like he wanted to reveal all of her to his searching eyes.  "I can
imagine fates worst than that.  Besides, it doesn't have to be that way.
 If you tried, you may discover that you could enjoy my company."

   She smiled nervously.  "I do enjoy your company Lacroix as much as I
would enjoy skydiving."

   "Lucien, my dear.  And you see, you do like me!  I am the spice in
your life."

She paled.  She could not discern his motives and it worried her.  If
she could have trusted his answer, she would have asked him right then,
what he really wanted from her.  Was she still only a pawn to regain
Nick's affection?  It almost seemed futile because it was evident that
Nick was now farther from becoming mortal than he had ever been in a
hundred years.  If not as a pawn in an elaborate game, then what?  The
ancient vampire rarely did things without a reason.  It seemed her own
mortality was depending upon Lacroix's whim.  Was her fate to be decided
tonight?

 Did she really want him in her life, in her very mind for eternity?
She could not imagine even considering it. Once Nick had explained to
her how strong the link was between a fledgling and his master.  The
older the vampire, the stronger the link.  If she believed Nick, Lucien
Lacroix was 2000 years old.  She would be bound to him with unbreakable
iron chains.  He would be able to abuse her, control her and she would
be unable to stop him in any way.  Her spirit rebelled at the very idea.

   Lacroix was totally fascinated by what he could read on her face.
The rapid succession of emotions was easy for him to decipher.  If he
had touched her mind, he would not had a more precise insight.  He
brutally pushed away the need to seize her in his arms and to hold her
closely to him.  He resisted that impulse and the one to bend his head
to kiss her soundly.  Now, that would have scared her silly.  The
genteel coroner had more defense walls than a heavily guarded fortress.
 But this roman general had never been able to turn away from a
challenge.  And one as delicious as this one...he would not even think
of it!
  
   She did not trust him but she decided to put an end to his game of
cat and mouse.  "I would not want you to believe that my bad manners
have taken over Lucien" her voice hesitated on his name "but I would
really appreciate it if you would tell me exactly what kind of choices
you are offering me.  Is it something along the lines of " I bring you
across or you die for my next dinner?" "

   He flinched at that and she thought *Uh, uh, not good.*  "It is nice
of you, Natalie, to mention bad manners.  As if I would consider you for
dinner.  I would suggest that you avoid offering yourself as my next
meal.  That habit could prove quite hasardous to your health.  I would
like to bring you across because I believe that Nicolas was right, you
would be an improvement to our kind.  Such a rare combination: a
creature of fire and passion but tempered with intelligence and
creativity."

   She laughed  "Me, a creature of fire and passion?  You must be
joking!"  She had not even time to understand what happened.   One
moment she was seated beside him still conscious of his hand in her hair
but feeling a small measure of safety and the next instant, she was
being hauled against him, his head descending toward her.  She would
have fainted if she had dared.  If he went to her neck...relief poured
through her as she felt his lips settle against her mouth.   Her eyelids
had closed, she had not wanted to look face death on the face.His lips
were gentle, his manner seductive.  He murmured "Won't you look at me,
my dear doctor?"

   Her heart was beating so strongly she felt it against her ribcage.
Was he trying to hypnotize her?  Her eyes opened slowly, her gaze
incertain on his face.  "Lacroix, are you using your powers on me?"

   "Why do you say that?  Is it so hard for you to admit that you feel
desire for me?  That your body cries out for my touch?  Stop pretending
that you do not want to be mine."  He had growled these last words but
Natalie was now impervious to his growing temper.

   One day, she was sure, she would regret the lack of that important
instinct called self-preservation.  But tonight she did not even
consider acting as if she had been blessed with a particule of it.
"Yours?  So I crave your touch, do I? Let me tell you that what I feel
is nothing else than curiosity mixed with caution."

   "How much you like to deceive yourself is beyond me. I do believe you
may fear me but I know that you also want me.  I have known it since the
first time I held you against me."

   "But I was in love with Nick."  she protested.

   "Yes, you were" he insisted on the past tense  "but you responded to
me.  You came willingly to me, I felt your surrender, do not forget."

   "You had drugged me, I did not know what I was doing."  She was
incensed by what he was insinuating.

   "I am sorry Natalie but I beg to differ.  You were attracted to what
I was offering then and you are still attracted to it."

   "Oh, why bother.  Yes, I did consider eternal life an option.  Who
would not?  But you have no right to try to force my decision.  Your
precious code forbids you to make me into a vampire without my consent."

   "That code also forbids to let mortals who know about us live.  Yet,
you are alive.  Sometimes, rules need to be bent a little."

   "What do you mean Lacroix?  It has been made known to me that my help
during the fever epidemy had granted me a special status, for what it is
worth.  Is it no longer valid?"

   "I am afraid not, my dear doctor.  Let's just say that your break-up
with Nicolas has made many members of the community extremely nervous."

   "So, is it why the great Lucien Lacroix is sacrificing is virtue for
little me?  Did you become seducer of coroners just to spare my life?"

   "Hardly, but I admit that your disappearance would somehow sadden
me."

   "Great, just great.  So you are the vampire of service who will make
sure that gullible Natalie stays on the straight and narrow?"

   "Now, that is interesting.  I guess you could view me as your
"bodyguard" ?  Or as the guardian angel who will keep a very close eye
on you?"

   "Why would you go to such lenghts to protect me?  What is a mere
mortal life to you?  You, Lucien Lacroix has never been one to suffer
aggravation gladly and I am sure that you consider me more trouble than
you can tolerate.   What have you to gain from all this?"

   "Well, it is clear enough, my dear.  I gain you."  His eyes had a
wicked gleam.  He was enjoying her discomfort to the fullest.  Seeing
Natalie Lambert so frazzled her nerves strayed to the limit made up for
all the times she had exasperated him.  But he could see that she was
frightened and curiously he did not enjoy the sight as much as he had
thought he would.  "Natalie, Natalie, Natalie.  Trust me, you have
nothing to fear if you are under my protection, I assure you."

   "Yes, but what is the price of your protection?  Probably something I
can not afford like my soul?"

   "My dear, you are becoming as dramatic as Nicolas.  I do not need
your soul, I am not the devil,  you know.  But you are right in one
aspect.  The price may seem high.  You see, my dearest, I find myself in
need of a companion.  Nicolas is not very amusing these days, in fact he
has not been extremely entertaining for the last century, at least.
Janette is hiding somewhere filled with anger and bitterness.  She needs
time to mourn what she believes she has lost.  So, I am a bit bored
right now."

   "You can not be serious!" she shuddered.  That would be as reckless
as what she had done that terrible night with Nick.

   "Be careful Natalie.  You will hurt my feelings if you refuse my
proposition."

   Desperation almost made her cry.  "Lacroix, be honest, what will you
do if I refuse?"

 "Sadly, it is more of what will be done.  Normally, I would protect
 you against other vampires and not even mention it since I consider
that you are my responsability. But against the Enforcers, I am sorry to
say that there is not much that I could do.  We must avoid at all costs
that the community asks them to intervene.  The only way to achieve
that,  is that you must still be perceived as someone who has very
strong ties to my kind.  Since Nicolas is out of the question, I suggest
that I should be the one to whom you will be attached to.  They will
absolutely have to believe that you are entirely devoted to me.  I would
have been ready to give you enough time to get used to the idea of a
"friendship" between us before we take things to a satisfactory
conclusion but the others may not  wait and see how our relationship
grows.  So for their benefits we will have to be extremely convincing.
It is that or you will have to renounce to your precious mortality."
Silence reigned in the car.

    Natalie seemed to ponder her options for a moment.  "So,  what do
you suggest Lacroix?"

   "Natalie, please call me Lucien as I have asked earlier.  To answer
your question, we should go to the Raven so that we are seen together.
Even better, I live above the club and if you were observed to go to my
apartment in my company, it would certainly calm things down for a
while ."  It was not getting close to dawn yet but he thought that it
would not do to alarm her by mentionning that he fully intended to keep
her with him for the remaining of the night and the days that would
follow.  Technically it was not St-Valentine's day anymore but every
vampire seeing them walking into the Raven would assume that they were
now a couple taking advantage of the romance in the air.  That may be
enough to keep quiet the ones who were worried about Dr. Lambert but he
did not count too much on it.  The truth was that he was going to enjoy
having her around.  She was a stimulating companion and she did not bore
him as easily as some others.  And it had been a while since he had a
mortal friend..  He did not even use the word "pet" in is mind because
somehow he did not think of her that way but also because he did not
want to remind her that human-vampire relationships were often defined
that way.  Not only would that make her cringe but it would also make
her bolt in the opposite direction.  He definitely wanted her exactly
where she was: close!  Pride could have been the coroner's middle name,
he thought fondly.

   When they arrived at the Raven, he was not surprised to see that the
place was packed to the rafters.  He took Natalie's hand in his and
gently kissed its palm.   "Are you ready for the performance of your
life?"

   She smiled, uncertain.  "I wonder why you always have to put things
so grimly?  I mean, do you really need to scare me like that?"

   "Yes my dear I do.  I can not emphasize enough the importance of
tonight.  You must appear madly in love with me while I must seem
extremely fond of you."  He smiled that "smile", the one that reached
his eyes, the one that was so rare that not many had ever seen it.

   She playfully slapped his forearm.  "I can see the way this
relationship is going to go.  We are on equal footage here.  Me madly in
love with you, and you "quite fond of me"."

   "Extremely fond of you" he corrected her while he gently caught the
hand that had made the playful gesture.  He brought it to his face and
pressed the palm against his cheek.  Her fingers flexed involuntarily
under his, like a tender caress on his skin.  When his mouth met hers,
the kiss though exploring was passionate in its intensity.  Her fingers
were trembling in his and when he raised his head he say that she was
totally flustered.  He really liked doing that to her and he could not
wait to do it again.  He kept her hand in his as he guided her inside
his club where creatures of the night were many.

 To say that they attracted some attention would have been an
euphemism.  Lacroix with a mortal?  Lacroix, holding a mortal's hand?
Lacroix smiling genuinely at Doctor Lambert?  Lacroix holding, almost
lovingly, the hand of the woman who had worked to help Nicolas de
Brabant find a cure to vampirism?  It was a sight not many had imagined
ever seeing.  The vampire community was observing this new developpement
with a good measure of relief.  Almost all of them owed their survival
to the young doctor who had found the cure for the fever.  She had been
considered intouchable until she and de Brabant had parted ways.  Rumors
had then begun to circulate about what a "woman scorned" could do and
everything had gotten out of hand.  What would happen if the doctor went
public with her knowledge of them?  She had DNA samples, skin samples,
blood samples. She had scientific proof that they existed.  In this age
where people believed that there was a strong possibility that life
existed on other planets with only the power of their dreams, what would
happen if suddenly they learned that vampires lived in their midst?
That could get to be very nasty for all of them.   But the community was
divided.  Doctor Lambert had saved them and they were in her debt.
There was no getting out of that.  Her quick acceptance to help in tight
situations had made her some very loyal allies.  In fact, she did not
really have enemies except their fear of what she would do now that de
Brabant was no longer interested in becoming mortal.  But if Lacroix
claimed her as his own,  there was nothing to worry about.  She would
stay silent, he would see to that.  The enforcers would not have to be
called upon to deal with her perceived threat to their safety.  They all
agreed that it would have been a shame to do so.  She was such a very
beautiful and vibrant mortal.  Lacroix had even been once overheard
describing her as "exquisite".  To think of it, it was on a
St-Valentine's night too.  It did not take long for that bit of
information to start going around.  By the time Lacroix and Natalie made
their way toward the apartment, there was no doubt remaining that they
were lovers or about to become ones.

   Natalie was impressed by the security system.  "My, my, Fort Knox
must be easier to enter into than this.  You don't think you went a bit
overboard ?"

   "No Natalie.  In case you do not know, hunters are extremely ruthless
when it comes to terminating vampires.  A vampire's lair is his
sanctuary and every precaution must be taken to render it impossible to
violate."

   Natalie was expecting a functional decor and was agreably surprised
when she say the finely furnished apartment.  "I am surprised Lacroix.
I did not expect such comfort and delicate taste."

   He moved then faster than her eyes could perceive and she found
herself pressed against the wall.  His whole body was touching hers and
it was disturbing to feel him like that.  Her startled gaze met his
eyes.  She was shocked to see how grave he was.

   Though he was not hurting her in anyway, he wanted her to feel that
he was serious.  "Natalie, say my name" he ordered, his vooice terribly
soft.
   
   "Lucien".

   "Say it again, my dear."
   
   "Lucien".

   "Now, that was not so terrible, was it?"

   She was angry at him.  How dared he try to intimidate her like that?

   "I see that you are wondering why I insist on you not calling me
Lacroix.  Every time you do so, you do it to establish an emotional
distance between you and me.  It is too dangerous.  You must let
yourself get close to me."


 "What about your intention of giving me some time to get used to the
idea?" she protested.

   "Ah, well.  I fear that I mislead you a bit in that.  Acting like
close friends will probably not be sufficient.  Your friendship with
Nicolas may had been enough to protect you but since I am not known for
my patience toward mortals it will most certainly lack credibility in a
relationship with me.   It is quite possible that only the "real thing"
will be satisfactorily convincing and believe me you do want to be
convincing.  No, we will have to become lovers as soon as possible."

   She gasped, too shocked to say a word.

   "Have you forgotten Natalie that your very life depends on this
charade?"

   "But surely there are other ways?"

   "Really my dear, you are trying my patience."

   "Would you stop being so high-handed.  It is my life, my body we are
talking about.  It is supposed to be "my decision"."

   "In a perfect world, maybe.  But you should consider the lenght of
time you want this body to belong to you.  The next few days, the next
centuries or a normal mortal span?"

   "You are trying to pressure me."

   "No. I am trying to make you face reality"  he countered.

   "Anyway we can not be lovers.  You would kill me during the... while
we..."

   He took pity on her.  "No, I would not kill you while in the throes
of passion.  You can stop worrying about that.  I am not living on a
diet of cow blood.  I can control myself.  And as you told me yourself,
I am very powerful."  Then he wriggled his eyebrows suggestively at her.

   It was so unexpected that she just stood there gaping at him.  Now,
it was a fine time for him to show that he had a sense of humor.  But
even if he was doing it to make her feel more at ease so that she would
go along with his plan,  she just knew she couldn't.  She was not ready,
she was never going to be ready to consider Lucien Lacroix as a lover.
He was just too intimidating... too tempting.  She did not think that
she had ever been more scared in her life.  "Listen, I believe that you
think you are protecting me but we should wait and see if our coming
together tonight has not been sufficient to calm the ones who were
worrying about my loyalty."

   Lacroix was disappointed, he had hoped that things would not come to
that.  "Very well.  If it is how you feel" he replied calmly.  He
continued as if her rejection did not bother him in the least.  "I hope
you do not mind but I need a glass of..."wine" before taking you home."

   "You do not need to take me home.  I can..."

   "No Natalie, you misunderstand me.  It is necessary that "I" take you
home.  And we have not been here long enough yet.  It would be very bad
for my reputation if we went out "now"."  He smiled self-depracatingly.

   "Oh" she said.

   He nodded.  "Yes. "Oh!", indeed.  May I offer you something to
drink?"

   "Well, if you have some tea, I would be grateful.  My nerves do need
soothing."

   "I am sure" he replied cryptically.  He did in fact have any
imaginable beverages and he even stored some food.  You never knew when
that would be convenient, like right now.


   He offered her a steaming cup.  The fragrant brew had a calming
effect on her stressed muscles.  He sat down beside her holding a fine
crystal glass filled with a very dark vintage.  They were silent.  But
it was a nice silence.  Natalie could not have explained it but she felt
relaxed, almost at peace.  Now, that was strange considering that a
master vampire had his arm around her shoulders.  Her head had found,
by itself, that tempting place where to rest its heavy weight.  How
could she resist laying her head on that inviting spot after a long
night of stenuous events?  It was so comforting she closed her eyes. The
only thing missing was the sound of a heartbeat but since she had not
been expecting one, she did not take note of it. But she should think
of him.  Dawn must be approaching.  God, she had to get up but her legs
seemed so heavy.  She was exhausted, no wonder since she had been
pushing it too hard as usual.  She tapped his hand with her own.
"Lucien, help me up, please.  The sun will be coming up soon."

   He looked at her, a small smile curving his lips.  "You look
fatigued, my dear.  Maybe you should rest some more before we go."

   "But it is getting late Lucien.  I can rest at home..." She had
trouble keeping her eyes opened.  Suddenly it dawned on her but it was
too late to do anything about it,  except try to focus her eyes on his
face.   "You did it again.  You drugged me.  How could have I been so
stupid?"  Her sad voice was so low only his preternatural hearing
could have picked up her words.

   "Not stupid, just a bit too trusting.  Do not worry, I will take care
of you."  He kissed her closed eyelids softly.  And then he murmured
tenderly in her ear "Sleep well my sweet and may your dreams be pleasant
for in me you have found your most loyal friend.  Even if you disagree
with me tomorrow!"  He then took her up in his arms and carrying her, he
entered his bedroom.

All comments are greatly appreciated at: jfthuot@total.net
                                         Marie J. Thuot  VAL

Return-Path: "jfthuot@total.net"@total.net
Date: Thu, 09 Oct 1997 10:38:56 -0400
From: "Marie J. Thuot" <"jfthuot@total.net"@total.net>
To: FK FanFic Archiver <fkarchiver@fkfanfic.com>
Subject: Natalie's bodyguard   part two of three
References: <3.0.32.19971005202224.0071983c@fkfanfic.com>

Permission is given to Mel Moser to archive this story on her FK site.  
With all my thanks for doing so.

NATALIE'S BODYGUARD                 By Marie J. Thuot  VAL
  Part two
  Disclaimers: see part one

*******************************************************************
 Natalie awoke when something wet rubbed her nose.  She opened her
eyes to catch the familiar sight of Sidney playing alarm clock for his
human's benefit.  What was unfamiliar was the bed she was lying on.  It
was huge and very, very old.  Princes had slept on that bed.  But what
was more important: Natalie Lambert had never been in that bed before.
  She screamed  "Lacroix!"

   A moment later he was in front of her, a satisfied look on his face.
 "You called, my dear?"

   "What is my cat doing here?  In fact, what am I doing here?"

   "You don't remember Natalie?  You moved in with me.  Your cat was in
the guest room last night.  I fear he was a bit uncomfortable around me
at the beginning but it seems a thing of the past now.  Probably
something to do with the famous "do not bite the hand that feeds
you...or it may bite back"!"

   He was smiling in such a predatory fashion that Natalie took Sidney
in her arms and held him protectively against her.  Lacroix was having
too much fun at her expenses.  "I can not believe it.  How did you get
in my apartment?"

   "Now my dear, you must know that doors are ridiculously
insubstancial for vampires but in truth I convinced your landlady to let
me in.  After all, as your fiance, I was just helping you move your
things to my place.  She was very sorry to see you go but she also found
the whole thing wildly romantic."

   "You cancelled my lease?"  Her voice was disagreably high-pitched.  A
cruel punishment for sensitive vampire's ears.

   "Please Natalie, try not to sound so shrill.  Of course, I cancelled
your lease.  How do you want people to believe that you and I are
intimate "friends" if you keep your apartment?"

   Natalie looked at him glumly.  So, now, she was "carless",
"apartmentless" and with Lucien Lacroix as a friend which was much more
terrible than friendless.  She was so frustrated by her lack of control
over her life that she decided that strategic retreat was her best
option.  Without a word, she dove under the thick duvet and hid there,
hoping that he would just go away.

   Lucien and Sidney observed the round form made by their distressed
companion.  They had the same idea at the same time.  They pounced.  A
muffled sound of protestation emerged from the mound.  "Leave me alone,
leave me alone, leave me alone."  But they were not in the mood to obey
the demand.  They were having too much fun.  Finally Lacroix did succeed
in capturing the bundle of flailing arms and legs under the admiring
gaze of Sidney.  The cat was purring contentedly.  It had been so very
long since he had had such a jolly time.  Lacroix was sitting
comfortably against the headboard.  Natalie was breathless in his arms.
 The tussle had exhausted her and what had appeared a fun thing to do,
something that would make him look less threatening in her eyes had not
had the desired effect. Her weary look worried him and when she spoke,
he knew why.  "Why are you trying to ruin my life?  Why are you forcing
me to do things I do not want to do?  And what the hell happened last
night?"  She almost sobbed these last words.

   "Ah, Natalie" he sighed "you wound me.  I am only doing my best to
protect you.  My tactics may be forceful, shall we say, but they will be
efficient, at least believe that.  And you do not need to fear that I
took advantage of you in any way.  I assure you, nothing happened last
night.  You have my word."

   "Then tell me I got in this nightgown by myself" she insisted.

   "Well, not exactly" he edged.  "I thought that you would like it
better than the alternative."

   "Which alternative?"

   "Awakening naked in my arms" he murmured suggestively.  "That might
have been quite enjoyable, wouldn't you say?"

   She had regained her composure to lose it right away.  He was
constantly keeping her off-balance and she was now beginning to
understand how much the monster did enjoy it.  "You are doing it on
purpose, aren't you?"

   "What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

   "You say and do outrageous things just to make me loose it."

   "Loose what, I wonder?"

   "My sanity.  I think you will only be happy when I will have become a
raving, stark mad lunatic."

   "Where do you get such an idea?  Here I am acting with as much
moderation as possible so as not to alarm you and you say that I am
outrageous?"

   "I don't know why you act so surprised.  You kidnapped me, you stole
my cat, took away my home, my clothing, you drugged me for the second
time, mind you, and you just pounced on me."

   "Well Natalie, I admit I do not have much to say for my defense
against all those crimes that you are accusing me of.  After all, I am
only trying to save your life here.  But I have to tell you that I
enjoyed greatly the theft of your clothes.  Though we will have to do
something about your conservative tastes in lingerie..."  He stopped,
fascinated.  She had blushed with embarassement.  There was not a sqare
inch of her that had not heated up.  His voice was low.  "Now, that is
deliciously tempting. Do you do that often?"

   "Only when I wish I could disappear."  Her voice croaked on the last
word.  Life was so unfair.  Why couldn't she have ordinary friends like
everyone else?  No, she had to go and get involved with vampires.
Natalie Lambert was apparently not a very bright pupil in the school of
relationships.

   "Natalie, you would not want to do that, would you?  Because wherever
you would go, I would find you and bring you back.  You have accepted my
protection and I do not enjoy misplacing people under my care."
    
   Natalie just had enough of being bullied.  "Apparently you can not
carry a coversation without inserting threats here and there.  I refuse
to stand by and let you run my life.  I am going to work and then I will
try to get my apartment back.  And don't you try to stop me."

  "Or you'll do what?"  he challenged her.

   "You think vampires are damned but wait and see.  You'll find out
what Hell is!"

   He laughed.  How dared he?  She was so angry she was almost turned
inside out.  The next time a vampire came back to life on her table, she
would dispatch him straight to a "better place" and that without any
hesitation.  If it was all the thanks she received for being
compassionate, it was high time to revise her morals.

 She was still in Lacroix's arms which was not the most dignified
position not to mention the most imposing.  She tried to scramble out of
his embrace without much success.  She was furious that he was making
her loose control like that.   "Let me go, just let me go!"

   He had not thought that the doctor's temper could be raised to such
a degree.  She was positively enraged.  Lacroix was not squimish by
nature but to let this fury loose?  He was not so foolish.  "Calm down
first and then we'll talk."  Which of course was not the right way to
handle a woman who was feeling that he was her worst nightmare.   He
then realized there was something wrong with her breathing.   He was no
expert but mortals were not supposed to breathe so rapidly.  What was
going on here?  Her eyes were filled with fear which did not help to
reassure him.  Why did he always forget that mortals were such fragile
creatures?  This one appeared strong but he still should be careful.
 "Natalie, what is wrong?"

   "I...can't...breathe"  she answered painfully.

   Which was quite impossible since she was breathing faster and faster.
 He had to suppose that it was an emotional response and so, he would
have to deal with it on an emotional level.  She was a resistor, true.
But he was a master vampire after all.  Maybe he should try to reach her
through her panic by using his special brand of persuasion. He had
always believed in mind over matter.  His hands were firm on
each side of her face.  "Natalie, listen to me.  Take a deep long
breath.  Now, come on, breathe out slowly.  Don't worry, nothing will
hurt you, you are safe.  Do this for me and I swear we will work things
out.  Come on, breathe again.  Slow and easy."  His tone was commanding
and he was grateful when he realized that she was responding to him.
When the worst of the crisis was over, she was limp in his arms, as weak
as a kitten.  Lucien Lacroix was not amused.  "Natalie, you must never
do that again, it is most disturbing."

   She looked at him incredulously.  "I could not control it."

   "I could see that.  Still, I hope you won't make it a habit because,
 frankly my dear, this is much too eventful and before "breakfast" too!"

   She was perplexed by his reaction.  "You know, I did not imagine you
like that."

   "Like what, Natalie?"

   "Well, kind of funny, even teasing.  You always appeared so intense,
so singleminded in your pursuit of Nick that I would never had guessed
that you knew how to laugh."

   He was offended.  "I.Do.Not.Laugh.  It is undignified behavior for a
vampire."

   "Yes, you do."

   "No, I don't and don't contradict me."  But since he had really
laughed, he decided to surprise her again which was almost as fun as
unsettling her.  "I am sorry Natalie for what happened earlier..."

   She interrupted him.  "Oh, no. Don't you do this to me.  What are you
trying to accomplish here?  Confusing me until I don't even know my own
name?  You are supposed to be the bad mean guy.  Stay in character.
Don't you dare start acting sensitive-like.  I won't know who you are
anymore and then, it will complicate my life considerably."

   He smiled.  He had been doing it a lot these last few hours.  He must
have been right.  Doctor Natalie Lambert was an exceptionnal woman and
he must not dismiss it, potentially quite dangerous.  "So, you still
want to perceive me as the monster under your bed, do you?  Well, I have
two more bad news for you.  You should brace yourself because I am
afraid you won't be very happy with me."

   "What have you done?"

   "First, you are on an extended leave of absence from your job.  I was
thinking that a month or two would be sufficient but to be on the safe
side, I arranged for a three months leave.  Secondly, I do not know how
to tell you this but Nicolas has been informed of our entanglement and
he is not happy about us."

   Natalie was observing him with an expression akin to horror on her
face.  She could not decide what was worst.  "How did Nick learn about
the "us-thing"?"  She asked suspiciously.
********************************************************************

 Earlier...While Natalie was still sleeping in Lacroix's bed.


   The sun had just went down when detective Nicolas Knight entered the
Raven.  He was in a bad mood which was not unusual.  Janette still
refused to see him or even talk to him.  And he just knew that Lacroix
was up to something.  When someone unexpectedly touched his arm, he
turned violently.  He was face to face with a tall blond vampire.  Her
smile was mocking and her green eyes were filled with malice.  What was
her name?  Ilsa or Elsa or something like it.  "What do you want?" he
growled.

   "Well, I just wanted to know how you feel about your Master wanting
to become mortal?  I say it's strange how members of your family like to
become laboratory rats.  Maybe there is something wrong with your
blood." she taunted.

   Nicolas was angered and he did not try to hide it.  "Damn it, if you
want to say something, just say it.  Or I'll make you wish your master
had not created you."

   She was happy to oblige him.  She had never liked this de Brabant who
thought that he was better than other vampires.  "Lacroix has replaced
you in doctor Lambert's affections.  My, but she is going up in the
vampire hierarchy, this one.  Hooking up with her lover's master, the
doctor is a resourceful individual, to say the least..."

   When Nick caught a glimpse of Lacroix, he strode away without
acknowledging the vampiress any further.  Lacroix had sensed his son
entering the Raven and he had seen Ilsa accosting him.  Since she was
never up to any good, he knew that the rotten fledgling had meddled in
his affairs.  She would pay later for her interfering ways.  "Good
evening Nicolas."

   "We need to talk, Lacroix"

   "Well then, may I suggest my office?"  When they were both seated,
Lacroix waited until Nicolas first spoke.

   "Is that true?  Did you break your word and dare touch mortals around
me?"

   "I did not break my word.  Doctor Lambert is no longer your concern.
 She is now mine and under my protection.  Go back to your self-pity and
leave her be."

   Nick protested.  "You have no right to act this way.  She is
protected by the community.  You can not move against her."

   "You fool, I only took the right to safeguard her life.  But you
would know that if you had bothered to find out that without my
intervention your coroner friend would have been terminated.  Really
Nicolas, you should take a more cautious approach in your relationships
with mortals.  You go around divulging your identity and then you leave
the poor things defenceless to be dealt with by the Enforcers.  Not an
attitude worthy of a knight in shinning armor."

   "Natalie is my responsability Lacroix, not yours."

   "Not anymore, she isn't.  I don't think you deserve her, Nicolas.
Because if you had had any real feelings for her, you would not have
tried to kill her when she was so desperatly attempting to help you.
Talk about betrayal of trust.  I must be too good a teacher but really
you always had to choose the worst possible times to rejoice in your
true nature.  You are, as ever, much too centered on yourself to measure
the consequences of your actions.  In this matter, I advise you not to
go up against me.  I can be a formidable opponent as you know and it
would not be wise of you to cross me on this."

   "I need to see Natalie.  I want to know if she is all right."

   "Your wants and needs are of no importance right now and Natalie has
too much to deal with to be preoccupied by how remorseful or regretful
you feel.  It is just too late.  Go play cops and robbers and let me
deal with this."

   "Lacroix, at least promise me you won't bring her across."

   "I can not.  If she wishes to come across, I will certainly not be
the one to stand in her way.  But if it can reassure you, I will not
bring her across against her will.  Now, go and don't come back before I
send for you."

   Nicolas had rarely received such a cold shoulder from Lacroix.  He
was so used to being the favored child that he had grown quite spoiled.
 Now that his master's affections seemed to be wavering, he felt
resentment at being dismissed like that.  So, without a look back, he
got out of the office and out of the Raven.  He was well decided not to
speak to Lacroix ever again.  His thunderous expression had been ample
testimony to the many observers, that his interview with Lacroix had not
went as he had wished.  So the master vampire had delimited his
territory and explained to his son that the beautiful doctor Lambert was
off-limits.

   It was getting to be better than these shows on television called
"soap operas".  Before the night was over, every vampire in Toronto had
been informed of this new developpement.  Really, Lacroix did have a
particular taste in fledglings.  One who had been wanting to go back to
its humanity for hundred of years and another who had done it without
really wanting to, just to be brought back across by the one who had
longed to be mortal again.  What irony, what a tangle web they wove and
how entertaining they were.  No wonder Lacroix seemed such a dour
fellow.  He could not possibly manage to keep up with them.

 Now that Lacroix had come to terms with Nick, he was more free than
ever to pursue his acquaintance with a most interesting woman who just
happened to be lying on his bed.  Yes, it was high time to see how
Natalie was doing...

                     ***********************
                            
   "So, this is it.  You know, now, how Nick found out about the
"us-thing"."  Though Lacroix's tone was sarcastic, Natalie could see
that he was vastly amused by the whole situation.  She could not help
but think that it must have been quite a shock for poor Nick to learn of
her predicament that way.  Still, she was a bit hurt to see that he had
not insisted overmuch to come to her rescue.  She had really done some
wishful thinking when she had believed he had loved her.  How could she
had deluded herself that way, she could not help but wonder.  Had she
been so starved for affection?  Ah, well, she would get over it.  She
had gotten over worst stuff in her life.  Not often, but she had.

   Lacroix was waiting.  He just knew that she would soon begin to
object about the liberties he had taken in arranging a leave of absence
from her job but there was no way he would allow her out of his sight in
the near future.  And this until he was absolutely sure that there was
no more danger of a possible intervention from the Enforcers.  So he was
surprised when she did not even mention the matter.  Now, that was
troubling.  He would have to make sure she did not go behind his back to
do as she wished.  Oh, but she could be devious when she wanted to.  He
really did like her.

   "Tell me something Lucien, what do you expect me to do the next three
months?  I am not used to inactivity."

   He leered at her.  "I could devise a few things."

   She was not amused.  "It may seem a laughing matter to you but..."

   "There is no need, my dear, to get angry.  If there is someone who
understand boredom, let me tell you that I could write volumes on the
subject.  You'll just have to arm yourself with patience.  See this as
an occasion to read all the books you ever wanted to but could not
because you couldn't find the time."

   Her voice was infused with a sarcastic undertone.  "Lacroix, you are
not reasonable.  I can move in with you, fine.  Become your lover, why
not?  But give up my job?  No way.  If you think you can make me do
that, you are out of your ancient mind."

   He prudently decided not to remind her of his opposition on being
called Lacroix and zeroed in on what he considered important.  "Just
tell me Natalie Lambert how you could seriously oppose me?  I have
ways..."

   "No, you don't.  I am a resistor, remember?"

   "Yes, to my son's brand of persuasion, maybe.  But let me assure you
that I know a bit more about dealing with stong-willed individuals than
Nicolas ever bothered to learn.  Why do you think I am called a master
vampire?  Could it be because I can do what other vampires can not?"

   The silence following his annoncement was filled with tension.
Natalie had been angry before but now she was just plain scared.  "So,
if I don't do what you want, you'll just screw around in my mind and
make me do it anyway, is that it?"

   "In a crude way, yes."  His voice was carefully bland.

   If it could have been possible, her face was even paler than his.
She sat down on a delicate chair, as far away as possible from where he
was.  That threat he had just made was the most frightening thing he
could ever do to her.  Natalie may have had insecurities about how she
looked, who didn't?  But her mind was her pride: razor sharp, innovative
and dependable.  It was what made her brilliant in her field and what
would have made her so in any other field she may have had chosen.  To
know that he could seriously tamper with it was humiliating.  It was one
thing to forget a whole evening but to be made to do things she was
absolutely opposed to was revolting.   It took away something that she
had always managed to hold unto no matter what: her dignity.  Her heart
was heavy.  She had known that Lucien Lacroix was dangerous, she had not
just imagined how much.  After everything that had happened this last
year, this was the last blow.

 She just could not see how she could get herself out of this mess.
What could she say, do, maybe even barter with to change his mind?
Panic gained her as she could see no alternatives but surrender.
Natalie was not so naive as to believe that her loss of freedom would be
confined only to the next three months.  Anything could come up to
prolong her captivity.  To vampires, time was irrelevant, to her, it was
vital and not to be wasted.  To be coerced into doing what he demanded
was totally against her independant nature.  But what choice did she
have when confronted with mind rape?  Her voice was subdued, wooden
even, when she answered his ultimatum.  "Very well, Lucien.  I will do
as you wish."

   "Dear Natalie, try not to be so glum, it will not be as bad as you
think."

   She looked at him as if to say something but instead chose to remain
silent.  He moved behind her chair and when he placed his hands on her
shoulders, he could feel her painfully strained muscles tightening even
more.  Though his touch was gentle, she began to tremble involuntarily.
 How she wished she could get a grip on herself,  but oh God,  she felt
so hopeless.  Since he was standing behind her, he could not see the
look of despair on her face and so he was startled when he felt a drop
of moisture fall on his fingers.  The next second, she was enclosed in
his arms.  Though she valliantly tried to stop them, her body was racked
with violent sobs. How could she let him see her like this, so undone by
fear?  She was giving him the perfect weapon against her.  How could she
doubt that he would use it mercilessly?

   She cried without a noise for an eternity or so Lacroix thought.  He
always seemed to miscalculate in his dealings with her. His intention
had been to intimidate her into doing what he thought best.  He was not
aiming to destroy her spirit.  He had decided that Natalie Lambert was
his and protecting what was his was a duty he would never turn away
from, no matter what.  He took her in his arms.  She felt
pathetically vulnerable and he just hated to see her so desolate.  This
was not going well.  He wanted a companion not someone who would now be
afraid to say one cross word to him in fear he would retaliate by
invading her mind.  What was he to do?  Lucien Lacroix did not
apologize.  It was bad for his vampire image.  Excuses were for wimps.
But an exception could always be made...for the second time!
"Natalie, listen to me.  I have decided that I will not influence your
actions by any form of mind control.  I have come to realize how it
would taint the relationship that I desire with you.  You have my word
on this."  Would it be convincing enough?  He hoped so.

   Her voice was hesitant.  "You will not?"

   "No, I will not but that doesn't mean that I will not employ other
means though.  It just occured to me that I could use my sexual
prowesses to make you do my bidding.  There is some attraction between
us that begs to be explored.  I believe that would make you forget about
your job for a little while.  In fact, it would be very diverting for
both of us.  Wouldn't that be a pleasurable experience?"

   He was kidding, right?  But he looked so serious.  Men. Always going
on about how good they were in bed.  No improvement with time in that
area.  But if he was not bragging, that could be fun!   She had never
been asked to become someone's love slave.  She rather relished it.  And
if they could take turns...  What was she thinking?  How could she
consider answering a proposal like that?  Dared she even believe that he
would keep his promise?  Agreeing to become Lucien Lacroix's lover felt
so strange.  She had always believed, hoped, dreamed that Nick would be
the man of her life.   Lacroix definitely fell into the "bad boy"
category.  One she had stayed away from after a painful fling a few
years back.  He made her nervous even though she had to admit to herself
that she was very attracted to him.  He probably knew it since vampires
had much more developped senses than mortals.  She felt self conscious
about how heavy her feminine core had become at his lewd suggestion.
Would it be a wild impulse to just say "let's do it" or was it simply
inevitable?

All comments are appreciated at: jfthuot@total.net
                                 Marie J. Thuot  VAL

Return-Path: "jfthuot@total.net"@total.net
Date: Thu, 09 Oct 1997 10:44:59 -0400
From: "Marie J. Thuot" <"jfthuot@total.net"@total.net>
To: FK FanFic Archiver <fkarchiver@fkfanfic.com>
Subject: Natalie's bodyguard    03/03
References: <3.0.32.19971005202224.0071983c@fkfanfic.com>

Thank you Mel for archiving this story on your site.  With all my 
gratitude, Marie J. Thuot  VAL.

 Disclaimers: part one

Note: Things heat up a bit in this chapter.  Nothing too graphic since a
      lot is left to the imagination of the readers.  But I have to warn
      you there is a love scene ahead.  If you can not stand the
      idea...jump ship now or request an emergency beam up, at your
      choice!

               
                    Natalie's bodyguard  (03/03)
                    Marie J. Thuot

   She raised her head and when her eyes met his, he could read her
acceptance of what would come.  When he kissed her, it was so different
from his earlier kisses and yet it was like an expanding sum of all that
he was and all that she was.  The passion of it, the full sensuality of
his touch were almost unbearable.  She felt as scared and as shy as if
it was her first time.  Even more so since her experiences with vampires
had not given her much confidence that this could be as pleasurable as
the descriptions you could find in novels with romantic vampires as
heroes.

   Suddenly, part of her was so afraid that she felt kind of out of her
body, almost detached.  Lacroix sensed her ambivalence and when he saw
her worried expression, it raised a faint smile to his lips.  "Not so
sure about how to go about it, are you?"

   Her mind was urging her to flee but her body was begging her to stay.
 Lacroix's hands were wandering on her skin as if he was touching the
softest of silks.  Her breath caught in her throat.  Oh, my, where
exactly had her nightgown vanished?  She was uncertain that was true but
the delights that were within her reach... She could sacrifice a lot to
find out what it was like to know such hunger and to have it satisfied
so fully.

   "This is just the beginning" he murmured into her ear.  Then his
mouth was like a feather along her neck.  Temptation so sweet, he
thought, the beat of her heart like a siren's song.   Temptation so
sweet, she thought, her heart calling him for a closeness must mortals
never even imagined.

   Yet could she afford to trust him not to hurt her, not to kill her?
The fear in itself was having a troubling effect on her senses.  She was
 totally aware of him and the effect of each of his caresses was
decuplated because she did not know what he would do next.  The same
question kept haunting her.  What was one more mortal life to him?
Something here one moment and gone the next.  So fleetingly fragile and
brief.  Why would he attach more importance to hers than to others?
Yet he valued her.  How could she doubt it when time after time he chose
to protect her even to the extent of not exacting revenge upon her for
wrongs done long before her birth and for her involvement in Nick's
quest.  He had chosen to abdicate his right to retribution in a way that
was uncharacteristic for him.  He came from a time when law was swift
and harsh.  As a vampire, he was known as being unforgiving and hard.
One could not forget that he had been a Roman leader used to conquer, a
legend in his own time.  Through centuries, he had continued to act as
he had lived, never questionning his right to authority.

   And here she was, letting him kiss her throat and she was enjoying
it!   The world tumbled off its axis when he moved behind her as he had
been that night at Azure.  Oh, that night when he had first touched her.
 His closeness was envelopping her, making her a part of him.  Then she
felt his teeth piercing her skin and she moaned as she sensed how her
blood was flowing to him.  Ah, the pleasure so incredibly not real.  She
was made of air, floating around.  And then, he was no more behind her
but in front of her, caressing her wildly, bringing her to the brink of
pleasure again and again.  When they finally joined, she discovered what
dreams were made of.

   She had never known how colors could be so vivid, how they could
almost reach to grab you.  His hand brushed her hair away from her face.
 She felt so good, she almost purred.

   He was looking at her in a way that made her heart beat faster.  "So,
are you doing anything special for the next three months?  If not,
maybe you could consider training your new bodyguard so that he can
execute his duties to your entire satisfaction?"

   She moved closer to him, her voice a mere whisper "I may
be...persuaded.  After all, it seems a better idea than going through
the top-ten bestsellers list!"

   He kissed her again, long and hard.  "You seem to forget that not
only bodyguards need training, sassy women need some special formation
too.  Am I glad you decided to join the very distinguished "Lacroix's
academy for young ladies"."  He was teasing her mercilessly.

  "Only if you accept to be my private teacher."

   "Oh, I accept dear one.  But do no think that it will be easy.  You
will have to apply yourself.  Nothing else will do."

   She said something under her breath.  He could not believe that he
had heard her correctly.  His tone had a hint of surprise "What did you
say?"

   She looked at him expectantly.  "I said that like most teachers, you,
Lacroix, talk too much."

   His smile was slow in coming and his voice became low and intimate as
he replied with a disquieting softness.  "I would never want you to
complain that you do not get enough practical experience.  Practice
makes perfect.  Let's see if we can not improve your repertoire.  Did I
mention there are very interesting variations that I discovered during
one trip to Asia..."

   "Lucien, oh my God, what are you doing?"

   "A bit of geography, maybe?" he murmured.

   "Ah, then, there is never too much education, is it?"

   "Natalie."

   "Yes?"

   "Stop babbling and concentrate."

   "Oh!"

   "That's better"


   Sidney was curled up under the bed, extremely glad that his human and
her new friend seemed to have a good time.  True, he had had his doubts
about him at first.  He was not sure he would be kind to his human but
since they were playing, it looked they were getting along just fine.

   He surveyed his small kingdom around him, it really had kind of a
royal look.  These were much nicer digs than his lasts.

   Now, he had to make sure he was well-groomed so as not to shame his
human.  He licked his paw and began to gently rub his right ear.

   He purred...he was a happy cat.

   Up there, they were giggling...should he go see what was going on?
   Naaah!  It was probably something unworthy of a cat's attention.


**********************************************************************
 All comments are appreciated at:  jfthuot@total.net
                                   Marie J. Thuot  VAL