Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 12:33:36 -0600 From: Carla Martinek To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com Subject: Story submission Here's a clean HTML copy of my story for the web. Originally posted to ADULT:FKFIC and NNADULT around Oct. 30. Categorization info: Title: New Beginnings Author: Carla Martinek Story Chars: Nick and Nat Type: Romantic/Adult Brief Descrip: Nick reveals his true feelings to Nat after witnessing a brutal crime scene. Comments: ADULT rating. Not suitable for readers under 18. Regards, Carla/Copper -- ***************************************************** ******************* Carla copper6500@yahoo.com proud mom to Alexandra (3Jan96) & the twins, Ted & Taylor (3May98) O- DNRC Supreme Writer of Officially Incomprehensible Documents New Beginnings by: Carla Martinek October, 1999 copper6500@yahoo.com This is a shameless Nick & Nat love story. Content is Adult, with a little bit of slash thrown in as part of a police case. Do not read this story if you are offended by Adult situations depicting Nick & Nat together in an intimate fashion. I don't own the Forever Knight characters - I just wish I did. Nick & Nat & Company belong to TPTB and I'm just borrowing them to have a little fun. This story is for entertainment only and no profit is being made from it. ARCHIVE PERMISSION: Permission to archive to Mel's FKFanfic Archive, Mortal Love Archive and the FTP site. All others must ask permission. Natalie checked her reflection in the full-length oval mirror in the corner of her bedroom as she clipped on her small diamond earrings. The deep, wine colored velvet cocktail dress looked wonderful, but something was missing. The long sleeves were off-the- shoulder, and the neckline of the dress dipped low, displaying the upper curves of her breasts. The princess seams the skirt flared out into soft folds that draped to mid calf in front, and to her ankles in back. A sample spin verified that though the skirt would float up, it was not to the point of being indecent. She checked herself again in the mirror. "That's it!" she said to herself. "I need a necklace." She had twisted her long hair into an elegant French knot, with a short curly tendrils hanging down to soften the effect. The result, combined with the low neckline of the dress, left her neck and shoulders bare. She rummaged through her jewelry box, looking for something that would go. "Damn," she muttered, "I've got gold and silver necklaces, but they just won't do." She pulled up a gold chain with a single diamond pendant, and held it up to check it in the mirror. "No, it's not right. Oh, what the heck does it matter? Who am I out to impress anyway?" She had looked forward to attending the annual Christmas Ball until earlier this evening. Nick was supposed to have been her escort, but at the last minute he had been called into work on a murder case he and Tracy had been working on for months. It seemed that while they were checking out a murder scene, the suspect had literally fallen into police custody -- a simple routine traffic stop, and a check on the license had notified the officer that the driver was wanted on a murder warrant. She was happy that they'd caught the guy, but why did it have to be tonight? Nick had sounded regretful when he called - he too had looked forward to escorting Natalie to the ball. "Oh, well," she said to Sidney, who lay curled on the bed, "looks like I'm going stag tonight. It won't be the first time, and probably won't be the last." With a sigh, she replaced the necklace she still held in the box. In the back of the jewelry case, a glitter caught her eye, and she reached in and pulled it out. "Oh, Richard," she said with a half sob, a tear forming in her eye as she thought of her brother. In her hand, she held an old-fashioned pendant. In the center was a cabochon sapphire almost an inch in length. The rounded, smooth stone sat in an elaborate carving of gold wire which looked as if it has been twisted and turned and finally tamed to hold it's treasure securely from ever coming loose. A few small diamonds trapped in the gold accented the sapphire. Simply said, it was magnificent. Richard and his wife had brought the pendant home to Natalie after their European honeymoon. They had found it in a small antique shop in northern France, and the price had been so reasonable that they *had to get it for her. They had assumed that the larger stone was a fake because of the low price, but the setting was still so beautiful it was hard to pass up. Natalie had loved it instantly, and had worn it often until she started in the Coroner's Office. Long necklaces had no place when you were leaning over the remains of the latest homicide victim. It had been put away, and the chance for wearing it again had just never come up in the last few years. She held the pendant up to her neck, and looked again at her reflection. "No," she said to herself, "it's not right, either." With a sigh, she wistfully set the pendant on the dresser and reached to put the last finishing touches to her makeup. Just then, her door bell rang. She glanced at the clock, noting that she was almost late for leaving for the ball. The necklace momentarily forgotten, she rushed to the door, intending to get rid of whoever it was so that she could leave on time. She opened the door, and there stood Nick, elegant in a double-breasted tuxedo. Natalie's jaw dropped open. "Nick, you said you wouldn't be able to make it tonight... the murder case?" Nick smiled at her. "Well, we pushed through the absolute minimum paperwork to keep the guy in jail for at least 24 hours. Captain Reese said to get going, and that he would see us at the ball a little later." Natalie stood there, still a little shocked at his appearance. "Um, Nat, can I come in?" Nick asked. "Oh! Of course!" she laughed, stepping aside to let him in. He followed her into her apartment, and closed the door behind himself. "Let me grab my purse and coat, and we can get going." "Nat?" "Yes?" "We'll have to take your car. It's snowing outside, and I was in a hurry, and, uh, the traffic, and I wanted to get here before you left..." Natalie looked closer at him, noticing that his blonde hair was windblown and had wet drops clinging to it. The coat slung over his shoulder also showed signs of moisture, and it wasn't hard to figure out just how he got to her place. "Well," she commented with a smile, "at least you don't have to worry about traffic jams at that altitude." Nick returned her smile, relieved that she wasn't angry, and hung his coat on the rack by the door. "We've got a few minutes before we have to leave, so can we sit for a moment?" Nat cocked her head at him, and said, "Sure." She paused for a second, as if making a decision, and then walked towards the kitchen. "Let me get something to drink, OK?" Nick walked over to the couch, and sat down, waiting for her to return. When she walked back in the room, she was carrying two glasses, one already filled, and a bottle. She set them down on the coffee table. Nick looked at the unmarked bottle, and then turned to Natalie, his eyebrow raised in question. Nat dropped her eyes as she responded, "I borrowed it from your refrigerator, to keep here just in case. I hope you don't mind... it was a spur of the moment thought a while ago...." Nick reached over, and raised Natalie's chin so that she looked him in the eyes. "Thank you, Natalie. I appreciate it." He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, and then sat back. He reached for the bottle, opened it, and poured his glass, and then raised it in a toast. Natalie raised her own glass in response. "A toast," Nick said, looking Natalie in the eyes, "a toast to the most beautiful woman at the ball," and then he drained the glass. Natalie blushed, and took a small sip of her own. "What has happened to him," she wondered to herself? First, he kisses me, and then he calls me beautiful. He hasn't shown this much emotion since.... Azure." Nick continued to speak, "Natalie, I know that I don't tell you how I feel very often... it's hard, knowing that we may never be able to be more than friends, but tonight, I just had to. And I have a present for you." He reached into the pocket on his tuxedo, and pulled out a long, slim black velvet case. "I hope you don't mind, but I had to get it for you." "Nick, I..." Natalie was speechless. She felt as if she'd been blind sided. She reached for the case, and held it in her hands, looking at it. "I...." "Please open it, Nat. Please." Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the lid. There, on a background of black satin, lay a beautiful diamond necklace. "This is beautiful! Nick, I can't accept this... it's so expensive..." Nick reached out and put his hand over hers. "Yes, you can. Natalie, you know that the money doesn't matter to me. But I knew this would be perfect for you. Besides," he continued with a smile, "it matches your earrings." Natalie self-consciously reached up and touched her earrings. "How did you know I'd have these on?" "Because those are your favorite earrings... and you never get a chance to wear them. I took a chance you'd have them on tonight. Please, wear it tonight, for me." Natalie paused, undecided for a moment, and then lifted the necklace out of the case. The diamonds dripped over her fingers like frozen droplets of water. She held the necklace out to Nick, and then turned her back to him, baring her neck, silently inviting him to put it on. Nick took the necklace, and reached around her to place it on her neck. He had moved closer to perform this intimate task, and her upswept hair left her neck bared to him. He could hear her pulse beating, and could smell the sweet tang of her blood just inches away, but there was no urge to take her. Maybe the bloodwine had calmed the vampire inside, or maybe it was just the feelings that he had for this woman, this night, that were far more powerful that the vampire could ever be. He fastened the necklace, and then couldn't resist leaning forward a little more to kiss the edge of her ear. Natalie almost jumped off the couch. "Shh.... relax. It's all right." He pulled her back against him, noting that her pulse had quickened, and then leaned into her ear again. His tongue traced the delicate swirls of her ear, and then darted quickly a little deeper, before returning to it's previous task. Natalie gasped, "Nick..." and closed her eyes, surprised, but trusting him to take care of her. Nick turned his attentions to the sensitive spot just below and behind her ear, and felt her relax even closer against him. His vampire senses told him that her body temperature had increased slightly, an indication of her arousal. He scraped his teeth across the tendon of her neck, and she moaned, throwing her head further back for his access. Nick felt an unaccustomed warmth flow through him at the trust she placed in him, and marveled that the vampire still lay dormant, despite the temptation in front of him. He quickly turned Natalie so that she was sitting on his lap, facing him. Her eyes snapped open at this sudden change. Natalie had expected Nick's eyes to have the golden glow that appeared whenever the vampire started to surface. Instead, Nick's eyes remained a clear blue, heavy lidded with desire. Her silence asked an unspoken question. "I don't know why, Nat. Let's not question it too closely right now," he answered. "Come here," he said and pulled her close, covering her lips with his own. Her arms reached up and twined themselves around his neck, her fingers running through the curls at the back of his hair. Nick's lips slanted across Natalie's, and he tugged at her lower lip with his teeth. She opened her mouth for him, and their tongues met, caressing each other in imitation of a far more intimate act. Nick's hands had moved down her shoulders onto her arms, and now one hand slipped over to cover her breast while the other reached behind her to pull her closer. He rubbed his hand over the fabric covering her breast, feeling the nipple peak and harden even through the thick velvet. All the while, their kiss continued, though Natalie now turned her head slightly to the side to catch her breath. Nick took advantage of the situation to nip at her other ear, while Natalie gasped for breath at these new onslaughts. "Oh, Nick..." Natalie's eyes remained closed, in the event that if she opened them she would find that this was all a dream. She didn't want this to ever end. Nick could smell her arousal now, the warm, musky scent of her, and knew that he would have to stop soon if they were ever to salvage any of the evening. But he couldn't resist one more assault. The hand on her back slowly unzipped her dress a few inches, allowing him enough room to pull the dress's low neckline in front down enough to expose her breasts. Underneath, he found a strapless black lace bra. Her nipples were hard, and Nick dipped his head to capture one in his mouth though the lace. Natalie arched her back, pushing her breast even closer to Nick's loving ministrations. The scrap of lace was pushed out of the way, and he took her exposed nipple into his mouth, and suckled her hard, almost savagely, peaking the tip even more while she moaned, and then turned his attention to the other, heretofore neglected breast, where it received it's share of attention. Nick's arm behind her was the only thing to keep her from falling backwards, but Natalie didn't care. The smell of Natalie's arousal had increased, and Nick's response to her made him so hard that it was uncomfortable. But a couch was *not* where he wanted to make love to Natalie for the first time. Slowly, the reality of their situation started to sink into his impassioned state. He kissed each breast, bidding it au revoir until later, he promised himself, and then pulled Natalie up against him until his arms were wrapped around her and hers around him. He rested his cheek against the top of her head. Her breathing was heavy, and if he had been mortal, Nick was sure he would be doing the same. His heart beat twice in succession instead. "Natalie, we have to leave soon," he said quietly. "We're expected at the ball, and it's an official function. Otherwise, I wouldn't leave here until you fell asleep from sheer exhaustion." "Nick, did we just... how did...?" "I don't know. Let's not question it, OK?" He kissed the top of her head, and tightened his arms around her. Her breathing was slowing along with her heart rate, and his body was also slowly relaxing. He wondered himself why he had been able to get this intimate without the vampire.... perhaps he might be able to follow Janette's path... but those thoughts were better saved for later. Natalie leaned back in his arms and looked up at him, seeing the clear blue eyes of the man she loved. Was tonight an indication that she might be able to tell him of this love? That they might share a life together? She allowed the hope to take life. It was then that she felt the breeze from the forced air heating in her apartment glide across her bare chest, puckering her exposed nipples that were still damp from Nick's kisses. She ducked her head in embarrassment. "Natalie," Nick said solemnly, using a hand to lift her head to face him, "there's nothing to be ashamed of. You're beautiful, and what we did together was beautiful." Natalie nodded once, acknowledging him. She reached to put her clothing back together. "Let me." Nick's hands moved hers out of the way as he pulled the lace bra back into place, his hands lingering on the fullness of her curves for a moment. He bent his head and kissed her above the black lace. "You smell so good," he said, as he nuzzled the exposed valley between. Then he pulled the velvet dress back into its place, and reached behind her to zip the dress back up. All during this, Natalie's eyes had never left his face. She saw that his look was almost... reverent... as he looked at her body. As much as she disparaged her figure on occasion, apparently Nick didn't think it was so bad. Nick's hands lingered on her body, reluctant to break contact. He wanted to touch her, to hold her, to love her, forever. But duty called, and they were going to be a trifle late getting there as it was. If he delayed any longer.... Natalie took the initiative and stood up, but didn't relinquish her grip on his hand. Nick followed her up, and again took her into his arms, enveloping her in the warmth of his affection that banished the cool of his vampire body. They stood together, not moving, for what seemed an eternity, and then Natalie broke away. "I've got to... freshen up... a little bit before we leave." "Nat." Natalie turned back to him. "Yes?" "Please put some more perfume on. There are some aromas, no matter how tantalizing, I do *not* want you to share with any other man. I want that saved for me alone. But don't wash." Nick's possessive and highly intimate statement made Natalie blush to the roots of her hair, realizing just what *aroma* he referred to. She was mortified. "Natalie," he said, coming over to her again and wrapping her in his embrace again, "I'm sure that no one other than a vampire would be able to scent anything, but the chance than any other man there would recognize it would drive me crazy. To me you smell erotic, sensual, desirable.... Can you understand why I don't want anyone else to share in that? It belongs to you and me only." Natalie's blush continued. Where had this possessive streak in him come from? He was acting like a feudal lord... which when she thought about it, he had been at one time. "I think so... I just feel, so..." "Natalie, you feel like a woman waiting for her lover to finish the job he started. And tonight, after the ball, I'll try to remedy that to the best of my ability. Go," he said with a little smile, pushing her towards the bathroom, "touch up your lipstick and we'll get going." Natalie reflected on Nick's comments while she finished her touch up. She dabbed a bit more perfume on her wrists and behind her knees. It was a musk based perfume, with hints of jasmine, and had become her favorite as soon as she had discovered it. She wouldn't put any more behind her ears or between her breasts, knowing Nick's vampire smell might find it a little strong. She couldn't believe his comments about her... what was the term he used?... aroma. She still felt embarrassed about it. She recalled her previous relationships, where the smells of sex and arousal were something to be cleaned up and washed away as soon as possible. Was Nick's preference born of his old-world life, or something the vampire in him enjoyed? Perhaps she'd ask him. Later. Right now, she wanted to remember what had just happened between them, and Nick's sultry promise of what was to come later. She felt another flush of desire go through her at the thought. Nick drained the remainder of his bottle while he waited for Natalie to return. He disposed of the bottle in the recycling bin in the kitchen, and then put the glasses in the sink. He checked Sidney's food and water dishes, making sure both were full, since he fully intended to take Natalie to the loft after the ball, and not return her until sometime tomorrow night. Natalie still hadn't appeared, and Nick looked at his watch. They would be fashionably late, but not unforgivably so. He made one more quick decision. He walked into Natalie's bedroom, and noticed that the jeans and sweater she'd had on earlier in the day lay across the end of her bed. He opened her closet, and found a small overnight bag. He put the jeans and sweater in the case, then put her tennis shoes from the floor on top. That should be enough. Natalie would probably kill him when she found out he'd just waltzed into her room and into her closet. Natalie walked into the living room just seconds after Nick returned. Nick turned around, and greeted her with a smile. "Nat, I hope you don't mind... I made sure Sidney had food and water, and then I, uh, grabbed a couple of things for you. I hoped I could convince you to stay with me tonight." Natalie's surprise registered on her face as she took in the overnight bag sitting on the couch. "Nick...." He stopped her by placing a finger over her lips, followed quickly by his own lips and a searing kiss. Her affront immediately melted away. "Nat, I just didn't want to waste any more time. Please say you'll come back to the loft with me tonight." Forever, whispered a voice in Nick's head which he quickly quieted. How could she turn down this invitation, when in truth she had been waiting for it for years? That it came out of the blue, unexpected, made it all the sweeter. "Yes, I'll stay tonight," she responded to him, while to herself she silently added, "I'll stay forever if you'll let me, but one night is a good start. I still can't fathom what brought all this on so suddenly, but I will not turn it down." Nick kissed her again, quickly, then went to retrieve her coat. He helped her slide on the full-length wool coat, then pulled his own on. Natalie grabbed her keys off the counter, and handed them to him. "Well, it's not as romantic as the Caddy, but at least I don't have the Coroner's station wagon tonight," she quipped, a smile lighting her features. Nick took the keys, and opened the door for Natalie. "After you, my lady," he said with a smile and a gallant bow. Natalie checked the light switch, and called out to Sidney, "Be good, Sidney, and I'll get you a can of *real* tuna tomorrow!" She led the way out the door. Nick followed, and locked the door after him. As they started towards the elevator to take them down to the parking garage below the apartment, Nick wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked. Now that he had made his decision, it seemed as if he couldn't touch her enough. They waited in silence for the elevator, looking at each other. Nick reached out and brushed a stray tendril of hair off her cheek, his palm lingering there. Natalie pressed her face into his hand, rubbing her cheek against his palm and caressing the cool surface of it. She leaned forward to kiss him again, but the opening elevator doors startled them both, causing them to jump back guiltily. There was no one in the elevator, and they laughed at their nervous folly. They entered, and Nick pressed the button for the garage, his other arm still holding Natalie close. She raised her face to his, asking for the kiss they'd been denied seconds before. Nick obliged happily, placing a sensuous kiss on her lips, tracing their outline with his tongue. Natalie shivered. "Nat?" he murmured against her lips. "Hmm... yes?" "I can still smell you." It took a second for his comment to sink in, and then Natalie jumped back from him, hitting him with her evening bag. "Nick, how can you say such a thing?" she demanded, taking in his grinning face. "I didn't say it was bad," he offered, holding his hands up in mock surrender, devilment lighting his eyes. "I happen to like it very much, thank you. Besides, no one other than me would be able to tell, and your perfume will be all that anyone else who even gets close enough to you will smell. *If* I let them get close enough," he added. Natalie's shook her head in bemusement, and then stepped back closer to him. His teasing, as intended, had broke the sexual tension that had been between them since he entered her apartment. If the two of them arrived at the ball in their current state, there's no telling what people would say. "I'll behave until the ball is over. How's that, Cinderella?" he asked. "I suppose that will have to do," she said with a long-suffering dramatic sigh, and then snuggled into his arm. "Only until the ball is over," he reiterated. "After that," he leered, "I'm reverting to the beast!" Natalie burst out laughing, making the comment, "Oh, does that make me the *Belle* of the ball, then?" She giggled at her own comment, and then at Nick's obvious puzzlement. "Nick, remember, we watched *Beauty and the Beast*?" The light went on for Nick, and he smiled sheepishly. "What happened to that famous vampire memory?" Natalie asked. Nick's reply was, "I was blinded by your beauty?" which earned him another swat with her bag. By this time, the elevator had stopped and opened its doors. Nick escorted Nat out, and to her parking space, where he held open the door for her to get in. Then, he went around to the driver's side. As he got in, he banged his knees on the steering wheel. "Damn!" he muttered. "Sorry. I forgot to remind you to move the seat back. Not everyone has legs as long as yours," said Natalie. Nick reached down to the side of the seat, and adjusted it so that he was comfortable. They pulled out, and were on their way to the ball. The drive to the ball was non-eventful. They kept the conversation steered towards work, avoiding anything to do with themselves. The anticipation for the events after the ball was building in both of them, but they refused to acknowledge it. Nick pulled the car up to the valet parking, and came around to help Natalie out, and then escorted her into the museum, this year's location for the ball. They checked their coats, and then started to mingle with all the other city officials and socialites. Nick leaned down and commented privately in Natalie's ear, "At least this isn't like a Victorian ball, where they announce everyone as they enter. I feel as if everyone would know what we're doing, and what we're *going* to do!" Natalie blushed again. `What was with her tonight?' she wondered to herself. She had blushed more in one evening than she could remember blushing in several years. She was acting like a nervous teenager! She glanced up at Nick and shook her head at him in mock disapproval, but couldn't hold it for long. Another smile appeared quickly. Nick smiled back and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm more securely as he escorted Natalie around, and they made small talk with the people they were acquainted with. It escaped Natalie at this time that Nick's actions, such as keeping her hand on his arm at all times, and not leaving her, were statements in themselves. The happiness she felt this evening made her face glow. Nick's actions clearly stated to anyone smart enough to read them, "This is MY woman. No trespassing." A small orchestra had already been playing as Nick and Nat entered, and now they struck up a waltz. They had been chatting with some of the other officers in the department, but when the waltz started, Nick offered the rest of the group a "Please excuse us," and then turned back to Natalie, where he made a short bow from the waist, and asked, "May I have the pleasure of this dance?" A few of the other women in the group smiled at Nick's gallantry, while Natalie had no choice but to say yes. Nick swept her into his arms and out onto the dance floor, where they entered the flow of other dancers. Nick's dancing wasn't the small, turning steps that Natalie was used to at crowded wedding receptions, nor was it the grand sweeping steps of someone in a ballroom dancing competition. It was somewhere in between, and Nick, obviously an accomplished dancer, led her around the floor, effortlessly avoiding what Natalie thought would surely be collisions with the other dancers. "Nick," Natalie managed to catch her breath as they danced, "I never knew you danced so well." "Years of practice, Nat. Centuries, you might say!" Nick rejoined with a smile, never missing a beat. "Besides, with the *Belle* of the ball in my arms, how could I *not* dance well?" They grinned at their own private joke, and continued to twirl around the floor. The waltz came to an end, and Nick reluctantly led a somewhat breathless Natalie to the edge of the dance floor, but before they reached it, the orchestra started in on Nat King Cole's `Unforgettable', and it was Natalie who pulled Nick back onto the floor. At the same time, a singer stepped up to a microphone to begin the haunting words of the song. "I don't know how to dance to this," Nick complained. "OK, old man, then let me lead this time... this is something *I'm* more familiar with!" They stopped in a crowd of other dancers already standing close and swaying to the romantic tune. "Hold just like you did in the waltz," commanded Natalie. Nick complied, and then Natalie moved herself even closer to Nick, so that their bodies touched from chest to upper thigh. She curled their joined hand in so that it rested on Nick, next to her face which she turned to the side and lay against his chest. The hand she had placed on his shoulder crept up to his neck, and rested there. Then she started swaying slowly and taking small steps. "This, Nicholas Knight, is what we call *slow dancing*. Very close, very intimate, and not much skill required. Anyone can learn to do it, even you." "Mmm..." Nick replied, leaning his cheek down to rest on the top of Natalie's head, as he saw several other dancers doing. "I suppose I could get used to this." He slid his hand which had rested on her waist around so that it rested in the small of her back, his fingers moving a fraction to caress the upper curve of her buttocks. Conversation ceased between the two of them as they swayed in time with the music, listening to the words. "Unforgettable, That's what you are... Nick pulled Natalie in even closer to his body, enjoying her warmth and the intimacy of the dance. The two were lost in a world of their own, both thinking of the time that had come before this night, the frustrations, the yearnings, the disappointments. But none of that mattered now, in the face of Nick's decisive actions since walking through Natalie's door tonight. With the tantalizing scent of her perfume and that own unique scent that was Natalie wafting up from her warmth to tease him, Nick vowed silently to himself that he would not turn back from his chosen path tonight, that he would keep the vampire under control so that he could love his Natalie, in every sense of the word, tonight. As Nick made his vow to himself, Natalie also vowed silently to make Nick fulfill his earlier promises. Tonight, if he backed away at the last minute, *she* would become the aggressor. It had worked for Janette; it would work for them. She didn't know *why* Nick had suddenly become the lover she'd always hoped for, but she would find out. The singer sang the last haunting notes of the song, and the audience and dancers applauded to show their appreciation. Nick and Nat, lost in their own world, kept dancing for a few seconds after her finish, but as the applause broke into their consciousness, they grinned sheepishly at each other, and stepped apart to join the clapping. Nick tucked Natalie's arm back into his, and led her off the floor in search of refreshments. At the edge of the crowd, they met Tracy, looking vibrant in a short flirty red silk dress. She smiled at them. "Well, it's about time, you two! Anyone with half a brain could see that there's something different with you guys tonight. Way to go, partner," she added to Nick. "Well, you know," Nick said, smiling down at Natalie, "it's Christmas, a time for love and new beginnings..." he trailed off. Tracy nodded, understanding what had happened to Nick earlier in the evening. "Seriously, Nick," Tracy continued, "everyone's been hoping that you two would work whatever it is between you out. No two people belong together more than you. It just took you longer to realize it than everyone else!" With that, Tracy gave Natalie a small hug, and then left the two of them alone again, moving off to claim a handsome young officer for a dance. "From the mouths of babes," quoted Nick. Natalie playfully swatted his arm, then added in a serious tone, "Sometime soon you're going to tell me what happened tonight. Why the sudden change of heart. But not now," she added, placing a finger over his lips to stop any comments he might have. His tongue darted out, wetting her finger, and then he sucked the tip of it into his mouth for a quick nip. "Nick!" she said in an loud whisper, yanking her finger out of his mouth, "behave yourself!" Her smile softened her chastisement, and Nick just laughed and escorted her to the refreshment table, where they both picked up glasses of red wine. Nick's glass was more of a prop, but he occasionally took small sips, while Natalie truly enjoyed the fine vintage. The rest of the ball passed similarly, with the two of them alternating between dancing and mingling with the friends, acquaintances, and co-workers also present. Several of them commented among themselves out of earshot (so they thought) that it was wonderful to finally see the two of them together. As Nick led Natalie in another slow dance, he spoke low for her ears only, "Nat, they're talking about us." "Who?" she asked, keeping her eyes closed and her cheek against his chest. "Just about everyone who knows us," he replied. She tilted her head back to look up at him. "How do you know? What about?" "Basically, the same things Tracy said. `It's about time... they're so perfect together... What took them so long?' They all approve," was his reply. "To answer your first question, remember that I have *very* good hearing?" "Oh." If Natalie could have slapped her forehead and said, "Duh," it would have been the same. Nick tucked her head back against his chest, and they finished the dance in silence. When the music was over, Nick placed his forefinger under Natalie's chin, tipping her head up to look at him again. "Think we can gracefully sneak out, now?" Natalie looked at the large clock hung high on the wall. It was just after midnight, and they had been there for over four hours. "I think so. We've done more than our duty requires for tonight." She smiled at him. "Besides, this Cinderella doesn't want her prince to turn into a frog at the stroke of midnight." "You're mixing stories there, Nat. The Grimms would be extremely upset." "Who cares?" was her laughing reply. "Tonight has been the best fairy tale of all. Don't tell me you knew them?" she added. "Well... I did run across them once. Very strange fellows. I'll tell you about it sometime." With that, they made their way towards the coat check, saying their farewells to the people they met along the way. Nick retrieved their coats, and helped Natalie with hers before sliding his own on. Suddenly, the warm affection that had been with them during the duration of the ball disappeared, replaced by the earlier expectant tension, heavy with unspoken desires and promises. Nick handed the billet to the parking valet, waiting for Natalie's car to be brought around. The two of them stood waiting in silence on the steps, watching the fluffy snow that had started falling while they had been inside. Nick wrapped his arms around Natalie from behind, holding her close. The valet returned with the car, and opened the door for Natalie. Nick helped her in, and then went around to his side, tipping the valet before he got in. Pointing the car towards the loft, and they were soon moving through the dark city streets, both silent, both thinking of what was yet to come. Nick pulled Natalie's car into the lower level of his warehouse building. They took the lift up to the loft, and Nick slid the door back for her, allowing her to enter first. As she started to step out of the lift, Nick suddenly swung her up into his arms. Nat instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "New beginnings, Nat," he said to her unspoken question, and carried her into the loft. He carried her over next to the couch, and lowered her feet so that she slid along the length of his body before she reached the floor. "Here, let me take your coat," he said, as he helped her out of it. He laid it over the nearby chair, then shrugged out of his own, setting it on top of hers. Meanwhile, Natalie had reached for the remote to open the shutters. As they slid up, she could see the snow that still fell in thick blankets coming down. Nick stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back into him. He took the remote out of her hand, and pressed one of the buttons. The stereo started up, the strains of some soft classical piece filling the air. Natalie turned around in Nick's arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled his head down to meet hers, and gave him a deep kiss, determined not to be merely a respondent to Nick's overtures, but also an active participant. Their tongues warred with each other, while their hands traced paths that their mouths would later follow. Natalie could feel Nick's arousal pressing into her, and she ground her hips slightly against his. Nick growled in response, tightening his grip on her and deepening their kiss. Then, without breaking contact, he lowered her onto the leather couch, and lay partially atop her. Natalie squirmed slightly, working her leg out from underneath so that she could wrap it around his. Nick moved his kiss from her mouth over to her ear, blowing softly in it. Shivers ran down Natalie's spine. His teeth nipped the soft lobe, then he started tracing a path down her neck. He reached up and cupped her breast in his hand, pushing it up so that it rounded above the top of the dress, and his lowered his mouth, gently sucking on the exposed skin. Natalie's breathless pants aroused him more than any other woman in his long past ever had, and he knew that this was right. He slowed his ministrations, and raised his lips to gently kiss hers. "I will NOT make love to you the first time on a couch, fully clothed," he stated, swinging his knees over to the floor, and kneeling besides her. Natalie smiled a half smile, and replied, "Well, it isn't the most comfortable spot in the world, but as long as I'm with you..." Her eyes glowed with unspoken emotions. Nick stood, and held a hand out to help Natalie up from the couch. She rose gracefully, and he led her over to the stairs. Before they headed up, he asked her if she needed anything, a drink perhaps? She shook her head no, and he stepped close and swept her up in his arms again. He lowered his head to kiss her, and the world disappeared again while they lost themselves in each other. Natalie opened her eyes again to find them outside of Nick's bedroom door. "Nick, did you..?" she trailed off questioningly. "Uh-huh," he said sheepishly. "It was quicker. Besides, you don't think I was actually going to CARRY you up the stairs, do you? I'd be worn out by the time I got up here!" His laughing blue eyes told her he was teasing, and she punished him by pulling his head down for a kiss, and nipping his bottom lip. He growled again, and strode into the bedroom with her. The sound system was wired into the entire loft, and the music on the stereo still floated unobtrusively around them as Nick lowered her feet to the floor again. He stepped away from her to shrug out of his tuxedo jacket, and then started to remove the studs from his shirt. Natalie brushed his hands away, intending to undress him herself. As she removed each stud from his shirt, she laid it on the dresser. As his shirt gaped farther open with each removal, she pressed kisses to the cool pale flesh that was exposed. She tugged the shirttails out of his pants, and unbuttoned the last few studs. She pulled the front of his shirt apart, exposing his light brown nipples. She placed her mouth over one, and sucked gently, her teeth grazing the sensitive nub. Nick jerked in response, but remained where he was, allowing Natalie to explore at her leisure. She slid her hands up his chest, and then slid the shirt down off his shoulders and arms. His torso was now bare, and she loved the maleness of it, the pale hairs curling on his chest, the wiry muscles below the skin, and ran her hands over all of him, her mouth following in a fiery trail afterwards. Nick's vampire senses could stand no more at this point, and he pulled her mouth up to meet his. He reached around behind her, and started unzipping her dress. This time, he pulled the zipper all the way down, and the dress gaped open at the top, exposing her lace bra and allowing him to see to the foundation garments below her waist. He repeated Natalie's actions, slowly pulling the dress down her body inch by inch, kissing the skin that became exposed. When it reached her hips, he gave a slight tug, and the velvet puddled to the floor around her feet, still encased in their stockings and high heels. He knelt in front of her, and wrapped his arms around her waist, laying his head against her stomach, listening to her heartbeat echo within her body. Natalie stood trembling with desire as Nick lifted his head and placed a warm, wet kiss on her stomach and his hands moved to cup her buttocks. He caressed them and squeezed slightly, and turned the kiss on her stomach into a sucking motion. The simultaneous actions sent waves of desire through her body, and she could feel the rush of moisture between her legs. She had never realized that such simple actions could be so erotically stimulating. Nick felt the minute shivers go through her body, and he could smell her reaction. He lowered his head, and placed his mouth over the lace bikini that hid her femininity. He could feel the wetness already there, and he blew softly through the barrier, exciting her even further. He then reversed, and sucked in, bringing both the lace and the hidden nub into his mouth momentarily. Natalie moaned loudly, and almost collapsed at the sensation. Only her hands braced on his shoulders and Nick's grip around her waist kept her from collapsing to the floor. Nick reached up and grabbed the edges of the panties, and slid them down her legs, removing the barrier. Natalie still stood there in her black lace bra and garter, and sheer black stockings and shoes, and Nick thought he had never seen anything more beautiful. "The bra will have to go," he said, "but the rest can remain for now." Nick stood up, never releasing his hold on Natalie, and helped her step out of the clothing tangled around her feet. Then he stepped out of his dress shoes. She had regained a little control at this point, and turnabout was fair play. She reached for the fastening on his pants, and released it. Then, she slid the zipper down, careful not to catch anything, fabric or otherwise, below it. His pants slid easily to the floor, and he stepped out of them. He now stood in nothing but his black patterned silk bikini underwear, and his socks. Natalie couldn't help but giggle at the sight, and Nick rolled his eyes, easily guessing what was on her mind. "Why is it sexy for a woman to stand in her stockings and underwear, but not for a man?" Nick asked, as Natalie knelt in front of him to help remove his socks. She pulled one off, exposing an aristocratic looking foot, long and narrow, before smiling and replying, "Guess it's just one of those things... only this time women get the better deal." She removed the other sock, and then ran her hands around his calves before heading back up to more interesting territory. She stopped at his thighs, kneading and feeling the muscles underneath. She could see his arousal straining at his underwear, but she ignored it for now, and instead dropped kisses along the front of his thighs while her hands reached for his buttocks. Nick stood unmoving, but she could tell that it affected him, for the tenseness in the muscles under her hands increased. She traced little circles and paths with her tongue on his thighs, and then blew air on them immediately afterwards, seeing the skin pucker and the hairs stand up. She worked her way towards his underwear, torturing him with her refusal to directly touch him. Finally, she paused in front of him, and then placed her mouth on the bulge in front of her, blowing hot moist air through the fabric in imitation of Nick's actions on her. She glanced up, and saw his head tip back and the cords in his neck stand out. Her own arousal was increasing, and she was tired of waiting, so she took pity on and freed him. She carefully pulled the fabric away from him, and down to the floor, exposing him to her view. He was uncircumcised, which surprised her until she remembered that of course he would be. The foreskin was pulled slightly back, exposing the purplish heart-shaped head. A drop of moisture glistened at the top, and as Natalie reached to touch him, she darted her tongue out to catch it. Nick's indrawn breath told her that she had surprised him as much as she surprised herself with the act. She caressed his length once with her hands, and then stood up next to Nick, reaching up and pulling his head down for another kiss. He reached behind her and released the catch on her bra, freeing her breasts and dropping the garment without a thought. Both hands reached up to cup her as he backed her towards the bed, sitting her down on the edge. Natalie came up for air, and reached for the hooks on her garters. "No, he said, "let me." He removed her shoes, then unhooked the garters and rolled the stockings down. Then he pushed her back on the bed until she was completely reclined, and just looked at her. Natalie started to feel self-conscious. "You're beautiful," he said simply as he sat down next to her, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his mouth. She could see that his eyes were gold rimmed, and that the vampire had made it's inevitable appearance, but she felt no fear. "Natalie, are you sure? Do you trust me..." he trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought. "Nick, I trust you with everything. My life, my soul, and my love. I know you, and we wouldn't be here right now if you were unsure." "Natalie, I love you." There, he had finally said it, and there was no going back. "You know more about me than any other human. You do realize that for me to... complete... the act, I have to have blood?" She nodded. He continued, "if you're at all unsure, we don't have to. There's much I can do for you, to you, and still avoid that." Natalie responded without hesitation, "I love you, Nick, and I trust you. Together, we can do anything, conquer anything." She tugged on his hand, pulling him down to lay on top of her. She didn't want to wait anymore. They kissed, and once more their hands explored all the places on each other that they'd only dreamed of. Natalie moved her mouth to Nick's neck, biting him gently. "Nat... you don't know what you're doing," he groaned. She smiled, and replaced her teeth with her lips, sucking. She raised her head to ask a question, "Can vampires get hickeys?" "Yeah, but they don't last very long. They'll be gone in a few minutes." "Good," Natalie answered, and returned to his neck. She nibbled up and down the cord in his neck, working from behind his ear down to his shoulder. She nipped, she nibbled, she kissed, and she sucked. The last action affected Nick the most, she noted, causing him to clench his hands and turn his head for better access when she sucked extremely hard and used her teeth to lightly bite. On a normal human, it would have left a mark that would have taken a week or more to fade, but she didn't have to worry about that with Nick. She finally took mercy on him, and ceased. He turned his head back to her, and she could see that his eyes were completely gold, and that his fangs had descended. "Oh!" she voiced softly, surprised that she'd caused such a potent reaction, but still unafraid. Nick's brow knitted, wondering if he had frightened her. Natalie placed a hand along his cheek, and said, "I didn't know that I was doing such a good job. You were right," she added, "I didn't know what I was doing. Was it OK?" she asked, worried that she might have went too far. "It's all right," he answered, a smile looking incongruous around the fangs, "but please remember that what you just did was as close to sharing blood as you can get, and that is the ultimate act for vampires. Next time, wait until later!" Natalie relaxed, relieved. "My turn!" Nick added Nick, and he grasped her hands and pinned her to the bed underneath him. He began his assault, starting with her mouth, then trailing down her neck. He didn't stay too long, not wanting to tempt himself overly much. He continued down to her breasts, and laved each one with attention. He nipped, and then suckled on them, careful not to draw blood with the razor sharp fangs. Natalie moaned and squirmed beneath him. He released her hands, and she immediately brought them to his head, running her fingers through his hair, holding him against her. Nick continued his ministrations, moved down her stomach towards the thatch of curly brown hair at the apex of her legs. He reached up and ran his fingers through the springy curls, and then used his hand to nudge her legs apart. They went willingly, and she was exposed to him. He could see the wetness of her, smell the musky scent that aroused him like no manufactured perfume ever could. He slid a finger down through the moist folds, and felt Natalie squirm in response. He brought his other hand up to join the first, and spread the delicate petals apart until she glistened pink in front of him. He lowered his mouth to her, and she nearly jumped off the bed. "Oh, Nick!" He quickly found the nub of her desire, and swirled his tongue around it. Then, he took one finger and inserted it inside of her, and she immediately flooded his hand with more wetness, indicating her extreme arousal. He sucked the nub into his mouth, and at the same time inserted another finger. As he thrust into her, he sucked at the same time, and Natalie was going out of her mind with pleasure, the anticipation that had been building throughout the evening only hastening her to the end. Nick's only goal was to bring Natalie to orgasm first, and she willingly complied. The orgasm hit her suddenly, causing her body to tighten around his finger and arch her back off the bed while she screamed his name. Her hands clenched in his hair, and Nick could feel the contractions around his finger, and eased his attentions as they subsided. He was rock hard with his own arousal, and knew that he couldn't wait much longer. But, he would be sure Natalie was ready for him after such an explosive reaction. He slid up the bed beside her, taking her in his arms and carefully kissing her. Natalie could taste herself on his lips, but felt no revulsion. Somehow, it was right. Nick was kissing her softly, insistently, and as she returned to earth, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. She was somewhat surprised to find that she was still incredibly aroused, even after what had just happened. She reached down to touch him, finding him hard and ready. She ran her hand up and down the length of him, and gently circled his testicles, now drawn up and firm within his scrotum. Nick growled in her ear, saying, "Love, I can't go on like this for much longer." "Then don't," she replied, pulling him on top of her. She spread her legs and raised her knees so that he could settle between them. She felt his erection pushing through her wet folds, and then the tip of him was inside her. She could feel her muscles tighten around him, and he growled again as he slowly pushed even further inside. He didn't want to hurt her, knowing she was still sensitive after her orgasm, but Natalie had different ideas. She wrapped her legs around him, and pulled him in until he was completely buried inside her. "Oh, God, Nat," he said with his head thrown back, moving in and out of her, feeling her tighten rhythmically around him. Natalie, too, marveled in the sensations of having him inside of her, loving her. She pulled his head down to kiss him again. They continued for what could have been a mere moment, or an eternity, so locked in the rapture of each other were they. Nick's thrusts increased, and he moved his mouth from Natalie's over to her neck, where she turned her head to allow him access. "It's almost time," he half moaned, half growled, allowing Natalie one last chance to back out. She pulled his head down to her neck in response, and then tightened her grip on him. Thrusting fast and furiously, Nick felt the tightening in Natalie that signaled the start of her release, and he strove for his own. Natalie keened in his ear as she fell over the precipice of pleasure, hurtling into exquisite oblivion. Nick was but one step behind her, and he pulled his head back, ready to plunge into her neck. His fangs broke the skin, and as she cried out in pleasure and pain, he heard her whisper in his ear, "I love you, Nick. Come with me." Her blood touched his tongue, and he thought he had never tasted anything so wonderful, so pure, so full of love and trust. His release was violently strong, unlike any that he had ever had, and he knew that for a moment, damned creature of the night that he was, he must have touched Heaven. He drank, but was surprised at how quickly he was sated. A few swallows was all he needed, or wanted. He withdrew and licked the small punctures he had made. Still within her, he could feel Natalie tighten and release around him in the aftermath of her own release. Nick rolled so that Natalie was now laying on top of him, still joined. The vampire had retreated quickly, satisfied, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Natalie Lambert." "And I love you, Nicholas de Brabant Knight. I always have." Nick reached for a cover, sensitive to the fact that she would probably chill after the warmth of their exertions wore off. Nick held Natalie close, listening to her breathing slow as she slipped into Morpheus's arms. Never had he felt so content. He relaxed, and let her sleep. He turned his thoughts to the events earlier in the evening, which had instigated his actions tonight. ******************* earlier in the same evening Nick listened to the answering machine pick up as he pulled the bottle out of the refrigerator. He had just crawled out of bed, and now Captain Reese's voice boomed in the silence. "Knight, I hate to do this to you, but I need you in here tonight. Seems the perp from the Hanson murder struck again. Same M.O. I need you to report to 759 Michigan St., Apt. 8D. Tracy will meet you there. Regular patrol's already on the scene. "Damn!" Nick cursed. Natalie was expecting him in a few hours. Tonight was the Christmas Ball, and he had promised to escort her, to fulfill their obligations to the department. Well, there was no helping it now. He picked up the phone, and called Natalie's number. "Hello," answered Natalie. "Hi, Nat, it's me." "Nick! Still on for tonight, right?" Her voice was bright. "Well, that's what I'm calling about. Remember the Hanson murder? Seems he struck again, and Tracy and I have to report to the scene. I'm sorry Nat, I was looking forward to tonight. Maybe Tracy and I can get it taken care of and I can meet you at the ball later?" "Sure, Nick. I understand. I'll see you there later, then." Nick could hear the disappointment in her voice; both of them knew that the chances that he and Tracy would finish up anytime soon was almost non- existent. Chances were they wouldn't be finished questioning and searching the scene until well into the early morning. "Nat, I..." Nick paused, "I was really looking forward to this evening. I'm sorry." They said their good-byes, and Nick hung up. He angrily drained the bottle he still held in his hand, and then headed upstairs to get dressed. He glanced at the tuxedo hanging ready, and reached past it for his black jeans and a dark shirt. Downstairs, he grabbed his coat, and headed down to the Caddy. As soon as he pulled the car out onto the road, he reached for his cell phone and called the Captain. "It's Knight. I'm on my way to the scene." He arrived at the apartment building, and took the elevator up to the eighth floor. The scene wasn't hard to find... there was a crowd outside the door. Nick flashed his badge, and went into the apartment. A patrol officer pointed him towards the bedroom. Nick walked into the bedroom, and stopped, staring at the sight on the bed. The victim was a woman, and she had obviously been tied, tortured, and raped before being killed. Her hands and feet had been tied to the posts of the bed, and a piece of clothing had been shoved into her mouth to silence her. Dozens of shallow knife cuts crisscrossed her torso, deep enough to bleed, but not deep enough to kill. It had to have been horrifically painful. Nick was thankful he had just drank a bottle before coming on the scene, otherwise the amount of blood might have affected him adversely. The perp on this case was definitely a psycho, getting his thrills out of bloodletting and torture. The woman had not died from the cuts on her body, but from the knife that was still embedded in her chest. THAT had been the killing blow. She had obviously been raped... blood smeared her thighs and the forensic technician was taking samples of what appeared to be semen before they moved the body. What had stopped Nick in his tracks was not the gruesomeness of the murder, but the victim's resemblance to someone he knew. To Natalie. She had the same honey brown hair. Her eyes, which stared wide open at the ceiling, were a hazel green, close to Natalie's. Her size, weight, and age all appeared to be similar to Natalie's as well. Nick felt a frisson go through him at the similarities. "God, I hate this job sometimes," Tracy said, walking up behind him. "It really makes you wonder if there's any hope for humanity when you see something this sick." Nick nodded distractedly, his attention still held by the unfortunate victim. "She reminds me of someone," Tracy started to say, but Nick cut her off. "Natalie. She looks like Natalie." His voice was flat, dead. Tracy wondered at the complete lack of emotion in it. "Nick," she said, suddenly understanding his reaction, "let me handle the stuff in here. You go see if there's any witnesses in the crowd outside." She laid a comforting hand on his arm, forcing his attention to her. "I'll deal with this in here," she repeated. She felt the small tremors in the muscles of his arm. He turned his head towards her, shocked eyes meeting understanding ones. "Are you sure?" he asked, hoping she would agree. "Go," Tracy said, shoving him towards the door. "I'll let the Captain know that you're handling the witnesses." A brief smile of gratitude appeared on Nick's face, and then he headed out to see if there was any information to be found from the other residents of the building. However, he couldn't shake his first impression of the victim, and that it had been Natalie. And his reaction at thinking she was dead, the regrets that had overwhelmed him, the longings that screamed through his body. He never wanted to feel that again. He had wanted to walk up to the roof of the building, was ready to face the morning sun, before he had realized that it *wasn't* Natalie. Nick found the people outside the door, and started his questioning. Nat woke to the unfamiliar feeling of another body next to hers, it's arms wrapped around her. For a split second, she wondered who it was, and then the previous evening's events came rushing back to her. Nick slept soundly beside her, his cheek tucked against the top of her head. Nat glanced the clock next to the bed, noting it was almost sunrise. Soft pre dawn light filtered through the window, but Nick still hadn't moved, so she slowly extricated herself from his embrace and got up. She moved to the window and looked out at the dawning day, noting that it had stopped snowing. Then she looked at their clothing strewn around the room, and a small smile appeared. She touched her lips with her fingertips, then moved them to the small punctures on her neck. "Yes, it really happened," she said to herself, glancing back over her shoulder at the sleeping form on the bed. She looked for something to put on and picked up Nick's shirt from the night before. As she reached to button it, she remembered that it had no buttons - the studs that held it closed were on the dresser. She abandoned the thought of looking for something else, and simply pulled the loose ends closed with her hand. The shirt hung just below the curve of her buttocks, which suited her purpose, and she headed down the stairs for the remote. After using the remote to shutter the loft and protect her sleeping lover, Natalie headed to the kitchen to see if there was *anything* to eat. She opened the refrigerator, and there, much to her surprise, were a couple of bagels and some cream cheese leftover from one of their movie nights last week. Delighted, she took one out and smeared a thick layer of the cream cheese over it and then quickly devoured it. She washed it down with a glass of water. Nat climbed the stairs back to the loft, deciding what she was going to do for the day while Nick slept. Things had changed so radically in the last 12 hours that her head was still spinning. "Just enjoy it, Lambert," she said to herself. "Crawl back into that bed, go back to sleep and enjoy it!" Nick's shirt gaped open, forgotten, as she entered the darkened bedroom, and she failed to notice that the bed was empty as she walked towards it. Suddenly, arms wrapped around her from behind, and she shrieked, surprised. "Relax, Nat, it's me!" "I *hate* it when you do that, Nick!" She turned in his arms to face him, a smile softening her rebuke. He grinned at her, and tightened his arms. "I thought you were sleeping," Nat continued, "it's almost dawn." "I was only dozing. I woke up as soon as you tried to crawl out of bed. You're beautiful in the morning light," he added, letting her know that he had been watching her. Natalie blushed, remembering standing in front of the window in all her naked glory, never realizing that she was being watched. "I wish I could have stood there with you, but this is just as nice," he added, looking down at her body between them. The shirt gaped open, exposing Natalie's breasts, and everything else, to his view. "Nick," she said as she reached to close the shirt. "Don't," he countered, stopping her hand before it could grasp the material. He leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers as he whispered, "will you take it off for me, love?" and then pressed a feather soft kiss against her lips, which increased in pressure when her arms came up to wrap around his neck. The passion of the night before blazed into existence again as they touched and tasted one another. Nat allowed the shirt to slide off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor before she pushed her body tighter against his, noting that he hadn't even bothered with a robe when getting out of bed. Nick walked Natalie backwards towards the bed, never releasing his hold on her. They tumbled together down on top of it, and Natalie released her hold on Nick long enough to put her hands against his chest and shove. "What the.?" Nick asked, surprised that she'd push him away. Natalie laughed. "I couldn't breathe!" She positioned herself a little more comfortably. "Now, come here," she demanded imperiously, an impish smile ruining the declaration as she held out her arms. Nick shook his head, and looked down at the bed for a second, then lifted his head as he jumped towards her fully vamped out and then grabbed her. Natalie shrieked again, startled. "So, you want to play, do you?" Nick growled, looking as ferocious as he could manage under the circumstances. He angled his head towards her neck while at the same time moving his fingers over her ribs. His fangs had retracted as quickly as they appeared, and when his lips met her neck, it was to blow a big wet raspberry on it while his fingers mercilessly tickled her. Natalie shrieked again, this time in laughter. "Stop it, Nick! Stop it! Oh, please!!!!" she gasped, laughing uncontrollably. Nick let her up, victoriously grinning. "Much as I would love to repeat last night, my love," he said, "I don't think we should. I don't want to weaken you." Natalie, still gasping for breath, nodded her understanding. "But," he continued with a leer on his face, "I'm only saving you for tonight!" A flush of pleasure ran through Natalie's body at the thought that he still wanted her. "Natalie," Nick said, suddenly serious, holding her hands in his, "last night was different than anything I have ever known. It was more intimate, more passionate, more." he trailed off, unable to come up with the words to describe his feelings. "I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I do know that I want you with me as long as you will stay. Will you stay with me?" Natalie gazed into Nick's eyes. "Nick, are you asking me to marry you?" "Yes, if you'll have me. Otherwise, will you stay with me for as long as you can? "No," she answered. Puzzled and hurt, Nick repeated, "No?," the last thing he had expected to hear. "No, I will not stay with you for as long as I can. But yes, I will marry you, and stay with you for the rest of my life." Understanding dawned in Nick's eyes, and he crushed her to him, holding her tight. "Oh, God, Nat, I almost think that there might be a chance for me after all." "So do I, Nick, so do I." FINIS. Copyright 1999 Carla Martinek