From: cstar@PDQ.net (CLone Star Software)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 11:31:21 -0500

Just when you thought it was safe...I'm back.  Thank you to everyone who 
sent such encouraging notes.  You were so much kinder than Sister Theresa 
was back in college (it was her own fault --  she SAID we could write about 
ANYTHING) when I turned a vampire based story.  If FK had been around then 
(early 70's) she probably would have tried to have me expelled instead of 
just killing my GPA for that grading period.

This story takes place immediately following "Forever is Ours".  If you 
haven't read that one I think this will stand on it's own.  If you want to 
read it but just started on the list, drop me an email and I'll be glad to 
forward a copy to you. If you want the adult version of "Forever is Ours" 
please include an age statement.  

WARNING:  THIS STORY CONTAINS ADULT SUBJECT MATTER.  IF YOU WISH A COPY OF 
THE PG VERSION OF NIGHT TERRORS PLEASE EMAIL ME AT cstar@pdq.net or 
forevrnite@hotmail.com.
  
Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  


Night Terrors

by Nightlady 
(c) 1997
  

Part 1/8

Natalie Lambert sighed as she reluctantly acknowledged that this time she 
HAD to get up if there was any hope of  making it to work on time.  As she 
started to sit up, she smiled as she felt strong, cool arms encircle her 
waist.  

"Don't leave, call in sick."  

"Don't tempt me!" Nat murmured.  "I can't.  We're shorthanded this week as 
it is with the holidays so close."  She turned her head and gazed  into 
Nick's  blue eyes.  "Besides, I've got to go back to my place and take care 
of  Sidney."

Nick gave her a gentle squeeze.  "Then, promise you'll be back after work or 
I won't let go."

"Gladly." She reached down and ran her fingers through his hair. 

Reluctantly, Nick released her and watched her walk across the bed room 
toward the bath, the soft curves of her body visible beneath the black silk 
pajama top she had on.  Nick smiled as he remembered the feel of her body 
beneath his hands.   As she disappeared into the bathroom he found himself 
listening to the steady beat of her heart.  An expression of concern crossed 
his face as he heard it suddenly change  to a faster rhythm.  Quickly rising 
he went to the still open door and looked in.

Nat was standing in front of the mirror.  Her eyes were closed and her right 
hand rested on the two small marks Nick's fangs had left on the soft skin of 
 her throat.  Nick stood motionless wondering what she was thinking.  

Sensing  Nick behind her, Nat opened her eyes and met his in the mirror.  
She could see the tension in the poise of his body.   He spoke softly.

"Regrets?"

Turning to face him,  Nat gave him a small smile.  "Yes."  Then, seeing the 
sadness creep into his eyes, she hurriedly added, "That it took us so long 
to try what we did last night."  She reached out and caressed his face.  "I 
saw the marks and I couldn't help but remember how wonderful last night was."

Nick gathered her into his arms.  Relief flooded through him. "Nat..."

She silenced him with a gentle kiss.  "I'll NEVER regret loving you."  She 
whispered.  Then with a spark of mischief in her eyes, she poked him lightly 
in the ribs.  "As nice as this is, right now I have got to get a shower."  

She walked over and turned on the taps.  Looking back at him, she added. "I 
could use some help washing my back..."  

With a chuckle, Nick was beside her.  "My pleasure."  he said.  Reaching 
down  he unbuttoned the pajama top and slipped it off of her.  Swiftly, he 
stripped off the matching bottoms he was wearing.  Nat smiled as he picked 
her up and stepped into the far end of the shower stall.    Still holding 
her he lightly kissed her forehead then claimed her lips for a long, tender 
kiss.  Nick nuzzled her neck and brushing her ear with his lips said, "You 
know, don't you,  that in order to take a shower, you have to get wet?"  As 
he finished speaking, he stepped under the flow from the shower head. 

Natalie had been lost in the sensations his lips brought her and the sudden, 
unexpected  rush of the water evoked a sharp "Yikes!" from her.  Laughing 
she demanded "Put me down or I'll never get to work."

Nick stood her on her feet and reached for the soap.  Standing behind her he 
began to caress her shoulders  as he lathered them. Slowly, he ran his hands 
along her back relishing the silky feel of her skin beneath his fingers.  He 
continued to caress her as he reached  around her. Pulling her back against 
him, he took her breasts into his hands. Carefully, he massaged them, both 
feeling and hearing the sudden catch in Nat's breathing.  Smiling he moved 
his hands down to her stomach.  There he traced slow circles from the bottom 
of her ribs across to the top of her hips and back to her buttocks.  Nat 
gave a deep sigh of pleasure and pressed against him.  Bending his head, he 
rained kisses along the back of her neck and the curve of her jaw.  The 
warmth of her skin against his cool lips and the feel of the rapidly 
increasing pulse in her neck  was answered by the growing heat in him.  
Gently he slid his hand along the curly mass of hair between her legs and 
softly began to stroke her.

Nat's head reeled as she felt Nick's hands and mouth on her.  The contrast 
of his cool skin with  the warmth of the water sent shivers of pleasure down 
her spine.  When he began to stroke her mound she could feel her knees 
growing weak with desire.  She could also feel the not very subtle pressure 
of his erection against her. Turning slightly in his arms, she took him in 
her hand and began to stroke his hardness.   Nick moaned softly as he turned 
her to face him.  His hands continued their caresses as his mouth sought 
hers. Her arms were around his neck and she joyfully pulled him to her.  
Feeling his thrusting tongue, Nat eagerly met it with her own. She could 
feel her legs trembling beneath her and her breath was coming in quick, 
short gasps.   

She felt as if she could no longer stand.  Nick cupped his hands beneath her 
buttocks and lifted her from the floor.  He leaned back against the wall for 
balance as Nat wrapped her legs around him. Slowly he lowered her, as he 
slid her welcoming softness onto his hardness. Nick kissed her breasts and 
she lifted one to better enable him to reach  the already hard nipple.  With 
increasing speed Nick lifted her up and down.  Both were drunk with the 
wonderful sensations their lovemaking produced.  Nat urged him on and 
leaning to one side  exposed her neck to him.  Nick kissed it and felt his 
fangs fall in place.  He bit into her offered throat and heard her cry out 
as he felt her body tremble with her climax.  The warm salty taste of her 
blood filled his mouth.  He felt the bond between them as he experienced her 
emotions and thoughts.  Her joy filled him and any worries that she 
regretted her actions were vanquished.  He knew that this time Nat shared 
the experience.  Unlike last night, this time Nat had not lost consciousness 
when he started drinking.  Nick shook with the force of his own orgasm.  
Although a part of him wanted to keep drinking until there was no more blood 
left, Nick lifted his mouth from Nat's throat.

Keeping her arms around Nick's neck for support, Nat unwrapped her legs from 
his hips. She felt his strength as he continued to hold her as she stood in 
his arms.  She was still trying to absorb all of the emotional sensations 
she had experienced while Nick had been drinking from her.  She had known 
that Nick would know her feelings through her blood, but had not realized 
that she would also feel his emotions.  Last night the onslaught of his 
emotions, on top of the marvelous physical sensations, had been too 
unexpected for her to handle.  She had fainted before she had fully 
experienced them.  She had been prepared this time.  The love he had for her 
and his joy in their lovemaking filled her with a feeling of such happiness 
that she knew she could never express it in words.  Looking up into Nick's 
face she found new joy as she realized that she didn't have to speak.  He 
already knew how she felt..  Leaning against his chest she slowly caught her 
breath.  

"Are you okay?"  Nick murmured into her ear.  

"Better than okay." She replied.  "You know, I could get very used to 
showers like this." 

Nick hugged her tighter. "Good."

(Later that same night)

Hurrying from her car Nat reflected that she had better start allowing 
herself much more time to get ready for work if she didn't want to get in 
trouble for chronic lateness.  She chuckled to herself as she thought 
'caused by chronic hots for Nick.'  As she approached her office she could 
hear Grace's voice "...hope this means everything went well."  Walking in 
Nat was not really surprised to see Tracy Vetter sitting in the chair 
opposite Grace's desk.  The two of them looked up at Nat and she almost 
laughed at the curious expressions on their faces.

"Hi, sorry I'm late.  I got involved in something and kind of lost track of 
the time."  Nat watched as Tracy and Grace exchanged glances.  "Is the paper 
work for tonight's cases on my desk Grace?" Nat continued toward her office.

"Whoa, slow down a minute and tell us how Saturday night went."   Tracy 
said.  "Did you have a good time at the award presentation?"

"Oh, you know what those type of affairs are like.  People you don't really 
know and will probably never see again, followed by rubber chicken for 
dinner. Saturday was pretty much the same thing."  Nat wished she had a 
picture of the stunned and somewhat dismayed looks on Tracy and Grace's 
faces.  'I better put them out of their misery before one of them have a 
stroke.'  She  thought.  Aloud she continued, "Then, right after the 
presentation, it turned into the most unforgettable night of my life."

Grace leaned back in her chair saying "Yes, yes, YES!"  

Tracy eyed Nat for a moment then asked, "Does this mean that my partner will 
be in a civilized mood  tomorrow night when he comes back on duty?"

Nat laughed.  "I think that would be a safe bet."  Sobering she looked at 
the two of them.  "I want to thank both of you for caring enough about me 
and Nick to make sure he was at the presentation.  Before he arrived I was 
miserable...I wanted him to be there with me so badly.   I couldn't believe 
my eyes when I saw him there..."  She stopped unable to continue.  

Tracy stood and gave Nat a gentle hug.  "Well, we had  to do something.  
Nick had been walking around for the past few weeks acting like he wanted to 
bite someone.  Nat, are you all right?"

Tracy's last remark had been too much for Nat.  Pretending to be coughing, 
in order to cover the fact that she was having a mild case of hysterical 
giggles, Nat muttered something about having swallowed wrong.  'If you only 
knew' she thought.  

Grace was about to offer to get Nat a glass of water when the phone on the 
desk rang.
  
"Coroners office," Grace said as she answered the phone.  "Yes, she's right 
here." Grace held the phone out to Nat.  

"Dr. Lambert here" Nat said into the receiver.  She listened, her face 
growing more sober by the second.  "I understand...ah yes she's still 
here.... Fine,  she can ride over with me."  Nat hung up the phone and 
turned to Tracy.  "That was Capt. Reese.  There's been a multiple homicide 
and he wants both of us there immediately."

"But,  if  I ride with  you I won't have way back to the station."  Tracy began.

"Nick is going to meet us there.  Apparently this case is bad enough that 
his suspension has been lifted a day early."  Nat explained.

"What's the address?" Tracy inquired.

"It's  2276 Queen Ann Street.  It's the vice-mayors house."  Nat responded.


Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  


Night Terrors

by Nightlady 
(c) 1997
 

Part2/8

(outside the vice-mayor's house)

Nat looked around at the multitude of flashing lights that lit up the 
usually quiet residential  street.  Glancing over at Tracy she said, "Looks 
like a real mess.  I don't see the Caddy anywhere do you?"

"No.  Had the Capt. talked to Nick before he called you?"

'Yes, but Nick's loft is a good bit farther away from here than my office 
is.  He should be along any minute.  Do  you want to wait for him before you 
go inside?"  Nat knew that Tracy was still having some difficulty with 
viewing  'messy' crime scenes.

Tracy took a deep breath, "No,  I'll go in with you.  I can't keep depending 
on Nick to 'hold my hand 'all the time."  She gave Nat a rather weak smile. 

Nat grabbed her bag from the back of the car and sought out the officer 
currently  in charge  of the scene.

"How many victims do we have?" She asked.

"Four. Vice-mayor Keens,  his wife and his two kids."  The officer shook his 
head.  "It's a bad one Doc.  I don't envy you having to go in there.  I've 
been on the force for ten years and I've NEVER seen one this bad."  He 
indicated a young patrol officer sitting in the back of a waiting ambulance. 
 "Peters over there was the first to respond.  He took one look and almost 
passed out. "

"Who called it in?" Asked Tracy.

"The housekeeper.  She had gone out this afternoon, her day off, and found 
them when she came back.  Managed to dial for help, but she's too shook up 
to be of much use right now". He replied.  "Matter of fact,  paramedics  
took her over to Mercy General. They said she might be having a heart 
attack.  Walking into that  would be enough to give you one."

Nat looked at Tracy, "Sure you don't want to wait?"

"No,  I'll go with you."

Nat braced herself.   She hated it when the victims were children.  'So much 
potential cut off before it has had a chance to develop.'  she thought sadly.  

Entering the house, Nat and Tracy were directed to where the bodies lay.  As 
they approached the master bedroom  the thick coppery scent of blood greeted 
them.   Nat knew that for the smell to be that strong meant that 'messy' 
wasn't going to be close to describing what lay ahead.  She paused just 
outside the door to the room, then walked into it..  For a moment, she 
thought that the room had been painted a brownish - red.  She looked closer 
and  quickly realized that the walls were originally cream in color.  They 
were literally covered in blood.

Tracy took one quick look, gasped "Oh my God!" and fled.  Nat didn't blame 
her.  She felt like doing the same thing.  She walked into the room, trying 
to step in as little of the gore as possible.  In front of her was a bed 
with two adults on it.  The woman lay with her head turned toward the open 
bathroom door.  Her face frozen in an expression of anguish as she stared  
with dull lifeless eyes at whatever lay in that room.  Numerous stab wounds 
were clearly visible on her body.  Her hands were beneath her back and her 
legs were bound at the ankles.  The man was face down, a large pool to blood 
beneath his head. His hands were bound behind him. Like the woman he too had 
his bound at the ankles. 

Nat looked around the room and noticed several blood stained towels or rags 
lying near the walls.  She forced herself to look more closely at the walls 
and realized that the blood had not been splattered there, it had been 
'painted' on. 

Crossing the room and looking into the bath, Nat felt her knees weaken.  In 
the tub lay the bodies of two young girls.  Their throats had been slit.  
>From the drip marks, on the floor,  it was obvious that  their blood had 
been used on the walls.

The room suddenly seemed airless.  Nat turned and moved quickly toward the 
doorway. Leaving the bedroom, she hurried toward the front door.   She 
needed to get some fresh air and give her mind time to accept what it had 
just seen.  As she exited the house the cold, crisp air of the Toronto night 
felt wonderful.  Nat leaned against the door frame breathing deeply and 
mentally deciding that she was going to need more supplies than she had in 
her car, as well as a technician to help process the scene.    She also 
wanted to see how Tracy was doing and give her some reassurance that her 
reaction to the scene inside was nothing to worry about.  Most of all she 
needed to intercept Nick before he walked into that  room unprepared.

Scanning  the mass of cars parked in front of the house Nat spotted Nick's.  
She let her gaze wander over the groups of police officers,  ambulance 
attendants and others until she found him.  He was talking to someone seated 
in a patrol car about twenty-five yards from where Nat stood.  Pushing away 
from the door,  she headed toward him.   As she walked, Nat used her cell 
phone to call Grace.  Nearer to the car, Nat saw that Nick was talking to 
Tracy.  

Nick listened as a very embarrassed Tracy lamented having, in her words 
"Made a complete idiot of myself!"  He had arrived at the scene just in time 
to see two uniformed officers half carry her to the car.  All she could do 
for a few minutes was repeat over and over  "Oh God, I've never dreamed 
ANYTHING could be THAT AWFUL."  She had finally started to fill him in on 
the little she had seen. Knowing that Tracy still had a problem with the 
undeniably  gruesome aspects of murder scenes, he was unsure just HOW bad 
this one was.  Hearing footsteps, and a very familiar heartbeat approaching 
from behind, Nick turned. Natalie  was roughly fifteen yards away, talking 
on her cell phone. When she saw Nick looking at her she stopped and motioned 
with her hand for him to  join her.  Telling Tracy to stay put and rest for 
a few minutes he moved to meet Nat.

As he got nearer, Nick felt a cold knot of dread form in his stomach. One 
glance at Nat's face told him that Tracy wasn't over reacting.  Nat was very 
pale, but it was the look in  her eyes that concerned Nick the most.  Nick 
had seen that look many times, far too many times, in his 800 years of 
existence.  People with that look had survived, or witnessed, atrocities 
that they would never truly forget.  Their eyes had a haunted look of great 
sadness that left an impression on all who saw them.  'The look I see in my 
own eyes whenever I look in the mirror.' Nick thought to himself.   Reaching 
her, Nick stopped and listened as she finished talking.

"...Thanks, Grace."  Nat gave him a weak grin.  "Nick's here, I've got to 
go."  She closed the phone and reached out to grasp Nick's arm.  "How's 
Tracy doing?"

"She'll be fine in a few minutes.  Are YOU okay?" Nick asked quietly.  He 
noticed that Nat was holding on to his arm so tightly, the knuckles in her 
hand were white.  He placed his hand over hers, rubbing it gently with his 
thumb.  He felt some of the tension leave her.

"I'm hanging on."  She looked around, making sure no one was close enough to 
hear, before continuing. "Nick, how much have you 'eaten' today?"

Nick looked at her puzzled. "About one-half a bottle. Why?"

Nat made a sound that was not quite a chuckle. "I know you're not going to 
believe what I'm about to tell you, 'cause I almost don't believe it myself. 
  I really think you should either take a quick 'air' trip back to the loft 
or the Raven and have at least one full bottle before you try to go inside."

Nick whistled softly, then looked into her eyes."That bad in there?"

"Worse."  Nat swallowed.  "I could smell the blood from the far end of the 
hall." 

Nick  listened as Nat filled him in on the details of the murder scene.  
When she started to describe finding the bodies of the two children, her 
voice broke and she began blinking rapidly to keep from crying.  Nick put 
his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head on his shoulder for a 
moment.  

"I'm really okay." She said softly.  "You better get moving.  I'll go stall 
Tracy and anyone else looking for you until you get back."

"Thanks.  From what you've told me  this is going to be difficult enough 
even if I'm not hungry."  Nick kissed her on the forehead and walked swiftly 
toward a cluster of trees at the rear of the house.

Nat heard the slight whoosh and knew he had left. She headed to where Tracy 
sat.  As Nat reached the car Tracy opened the door and got out.

"Where did Nick go?"  Tracy asked.

"Um.. he wanted to check out any possible points of entry around back.  
Listen, Trace, why don't you come with me to my car and I'll give you a nose 
mask and some menthol gel to put on it.  It will help to disguise the odor 
and should make it easier for you."  Seeing a look of stubbornness start in 
Tracy's eyes she hurriedly added, "I know I'm going to use one of them tonight."

"Yeah, okay thanks."  Tracy sighed.  "I thought I was getting better at 
handling this sort of thing,  but...." She shook her head and looked 
beseechingly at Nat.

They started walking to where Nat had parked her car.

"You ARE getting better.  This scene is awful.  What do think I'm doing out 
here?"  Nat smiled at Tracy.  "I've been dealing with dead bodies for close 
to thirteen years, starting with anatomy class in medical school, and 
walking into that room was almost too much for me to handle."  She nudged 
Tracy's arm.  "When you took off my first thought was that I hoped you were 
moving quickly or I was probably going to knock you down trying to get past 
you."

Tracy laughed weakly.  "I think I may have set a record for the fastest exit 
from a crime scene.  Thanks again, Nat.  I think I'll be all right now.  I 
know what to expect and the mask  will help out with the smell."  

At the car,  Nat opened the trunk and  removed  four body bags as well as a 
satchel containing a variety of specimen containers and protective items.  
She removed three white nose masks and a small tube.  Handing one of the 
masks to Tracy, she shut the trunk.  "We'll wait until we're back inside and 
then put the gel on these.  I'll bring this one for Nick.  He may  want to 
use one too."

Half way back to the front door they heard Capt. Reese's voice calling their 
names.  They stopped and waited until he reached them.

"Where's Knight?" Reese demanded.  "I see his car over there but, nobody 
seems to know EXACTLY where he is.  Since one of you is his PARTNER and the 
other one his GOOD FRIEND,  maybe one of  you can tell me?"

Natalie spoke up, "He said he wanted to check out any possible entry points 
around back."  'Come on Nick, I hope that vampire speed of yours is as fast 
as  you claim it is.' She thought.  "He should be back around here any 
minute now."  'I hope.'  "Why don't I fill you in on what we have here until 
he comes back?"

Reese eyed her suspiciously, then spotting the masks she was still holding 
asked, "If it's bad enough for you to need those maybe you had better."

'Okay Lambert, you need to  talk  real slow.' She thought with relief.  
Aloud, she once again began to describe the murder scene.  Reese listened in 
silence, slowly shaking his head.  As she finished, he looked over her 
shoulder and said, "Well, Knight.  Did you find any signs of forced entry 
back there?" Nat said a silent prayer of thanks.

"No,  Capt.  I think we have to assume that they willingly let whoever did 
this inside." Nick said from behind her.  "That should rule out a random 
killing."

Nat turned as Nick spoke and caught his eye.  He gave her a barely 
perceptible nod and took the mask she offered him.  

"Well," Reese said, "let's have a look." Turning to  Nat he asked, "Do you 
happen to have another of those masks?"

Nat nodded and retrieved one from the satchel.  She handed it to Reese.  
Together, the four of them entered the house.  

As they passed through the door, the scent of human blood hit Nick.  At 
once, he could feel the vampire in him surge up in response to it.  'Nat was 
right.  If  I had walked in here unprepared I would have lost it for sure.'  
He thought.  'Even this is going to be rough.'  He saw Natalie glance at him 
worriedly and managed a small smile to reassure her. He saw her exhale as 
she opened the tube of gel and passed it around.  'Not that this stuff is 
much easier to take.'  He grimaced at the smell of the menthol as he put on 
the mask.

Reaching the bedroom he understood why Nat had that look of haunted despair. 
 This might not be the WORST thing he'd ever seen in his existence, but it 
ranked high on the list.  "Whoever did this had a personal anger toward 
these people." Nick observed. 

"I agree,  it's definitely an overkill situation."  Nat said.  "And they had 
to have some knowledge of approximately how long they would have to do it.  
This took time."

Reese came back from looking in the bath.  "I will NEVER get use to seeing 
little kids dead if I live another hundred years.  NEVER."

'No,' Nick thought,  'you never get use to it even if you live 800 years.'

End Part 2

Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  


Night Terrors

by Nightlady 
(c) 1997

Part 3/8

(Flashback) 

 A short distance from I.imoges, France--1370

The hot August night was oppressively still as the two men and the dark 
haired woman rode across the wheat field. They had been traveling for 
several weeks and expected reach Limoges shortly before dawn.  The closer 
they drew to Limoges, the more apparent it became that the English had 
recently passed this way.  The wheat, which  should have been almost ready 
to harvest, lay broken  and ruined. It had been trampled by the weight of 
horses and foot soldiers.  The air reeked with the sickly sweet odor of 
death and the shapes of fallen animals and men dotted the area.  

The older of the two men reined in his horse and his companions followed 
suit.  Listening carefully, he smiled coldly and indicated with a nod that 
there was something worth their attention here.  "A small repast," he said. 
"Two still alive over there."

"Good. I am famished." the woman remarked. "These English are far too 
efficient in their killing to suit me."

"Ah Janette,  they are not half as capable as you.  Come, our breakfast 
awaits."   The older man and the woman urged their horses forward.  
"Nicholas, are you going to join us?"  the older man called back over his 
shoulder.

The golden haired young man  turned his horse and caught up with them.  "I'm 
sorry LaCroix, I was thinking how beautiful this countryside used to be."  
He paused. "There will be famine with the loss of these crops."

"Ah, Nicola, what does the loss of crops matter to us?   We will simply go 
where there is no famine." Janette laughed. "And if the people are a bit 
weakened because of hunger, so much easier for us to take them."

"Janette is right." LaCroix said.  "You MUST stop worrying so about the 
difficulties of  mortals." 

Nicholas looked away. "Yes, LaCroix. I'll try."

"See that you do MORE than try."  LaCroix stopped his horse and dismounted.  
"Here they are.  I'll take this one. You and Janette may have the other."  
He stooped to the unconscious man before him.

Nicholas  helped Janette dismount.  "Go ahead. I'll wait until we reach 
Limoges."  He told her. 

Janette kissed Nicholas. "You are very generous, but we will share.  You 
need to feed too." Taking his hand she led him to the second man.

(end flashback)


"Nick." Tracy touched his arm. "Are you with us?"

Nick started slightly.  "Yeah, what?"

"I said where do you want to start?"  Tracy  replied.  

"Let's check the other rooms and see if anything seems disturbed.  That way 
we won't get in Nat's way.  We can go over these rooms once she gets the 
bodies moved."  Nick said.  Taking Tracy by the arm he led her out of the 
bedroom.

(6 hours later)

"Come on Tracy.  It's time we headed  back to the station.  There's nothing 
else for us to do here."  Nick was eager to leave.  Having spent more than 
six hours surrounded by scent of human blood he was finding increasingly 
hard to control the blood lust.  

Tracy gratefully left the bed room. She didn't stop until she reached the 
front stoop of the house.  Pulling off her mask she gulp the air.  "I never 
thought I would think exhaust fumes smelled good." she remarked as Nick 
joined her.

"Yeah."  Nick looked at her.  "You did a good job in there."

Tracy smiled. "Thanks.  I hope I never have to see anything like that 
again."  They headed for Nick's car.  "Do you think Nat will have anything 
for us yet?"

"I don't know." Nick said starting the car and pulling away.  "We can stop 
there on our way back and check with her..."

"And you can check on her." Tracy laughed at the sheepish expression on 
Nick's face.  "Good idea.  I think this one really upset her."

"She takes the death of a child very hard.  Her god daughter was murdered a 
couple of years ago." Nick explained.

Tracy was very still for a moment.  "I didn't know. . . she's really amazing 
isn't she?"

"Yes, she is."  Nick's voice was soft and Tracy could see his love for Nat 
in his expression.   


Natalie sat behind her desk,  her eyes closed, wishing the aspirin she had 
taken a few minutes ago would hurry up and kick in.  Between the 
gruesomeness of the murder scene, her distress at the deaths of the two 
Keens children and her worry over Nick,  she had a tension headache that 
didn't want to quit. All she wanted to do was put her head down on her desk 
and rest.   She glanced at the clock and sighed. It was 2:30 am.  She 
officially had another one and a half hours left on her shift. She had 
finished the autopsies on the Keens family and now she had to put her 
findings into preliminary reports. The case was bad enough, but the fact 
that the victims were "public figures" meant that the pressure was really on 
to solve it.  That meant that she wouldn't be able to go home until she had 
the paperwork done.  If she was lucky, she might be through by nine or ten 
in the morning. She was reaching for the first of the files containing her 
autopsy notes when Tracy and Nick walked into the room.

"Nat? Got anything for us yet?" Tracy asked.

"I'm just starting to write it all up, but I'll be glad to tell you what 
I've found so far."

Nick walked behind Nat's chair and laid his hands on her shoulders.  He 
could feel the tension in her.  Nat continued speaking.

"Preliminary cause of death for both children is exsanguination due to 
trauma.  They bled to death when their throats were slit. There was some 
bruising that indicates  they tried to escape whoever was holding them.   
Based on body temperatures, I'd say they were killed first.   Mrs. Keens 
died from a stab wound to the heart. In addition there is evidence of trauma 
to her hands, several of her fingers were broken.  She had abrasions from 
the cords uses to tie her on her wrists and bruising on her face, 
specifically to the left temple.  Vice-Mayor Keens had numerous bruises on 
him.  He  died from a penetrating blow to the head. He had a puncture 
through the left rear of his  skull that penetrated the brain.  I can't say  
if he was killed before or after his wife.. 
 
Tracy shuddered and shook her head sadly.
 
"Any idea of what kind of weapons were used?" Nick asked.

"Some type of non-serrated knife was used on the children. Mrs. Keens 
fingers were broken, manually, and the blow to her face was most likely made 
by a fist.  I think it's likely that the same knife was used to stab her 
that was used on the children.  The Vice-Mayor's wound seems to be from 
something like a small pick.  I'd guess one like they use in mountain 
climbing. He apparently tried to fight off the killer or killers resulting 
in the widespread bruising. The rope used to tie the victims seems to be a 
common type. I don't think there were any drugs involved but I won't be 
positive until all the lab results are back."  

"Well, that's a start." Tracy said.  "Nick, I'm going to see if I can get a 
cup of coffee before we leave.  I'll meet you up front in a few minutes.  
Night Nat." Tracy waved and left.

Nat stood up and Nick took her in his arms.  She laid her head against his 
chest and felt some of the tension leaving.  "How did you manage?" She asked.

"It wasn't easy, but I didn't lose control."  He held her closer.  "You were 
right.  There would have been no way I could have gotten through  it if I 
hadn't had that extra blood."   He kissed her hair.  "How much longer do you 
think you'll be here?"

"I've got to finish writing up these prelims...I probably won't get out of 
her before 9:00 am at the earliest."

"Come to the loft when you do.  I don't want you to be alone today.  
Besides, you promised you'd spend the day me with me."

Nat fought back tears.  "I remember.  Don't worry I'll be there.  I don't 
want to be alone. I'll stop by my apartment first.  I need to feed Sidney 
and pick up a change of  clothes."   She gently pushed away from him.  
"You'd better go.  The sooner I get these started, the sooner I can get out 
of here."

"Okay.  Tracy's probably waiting for me."  He gave her a hug before he left.

Nat watched him go.  With a sigh, she sat down and began to work.


The sun had just begun to rise as Nick entered the loft.  Carefully avoiding 
the patches of light, he crossed to the kitchen and set the plastic bags he 
was carrying on the counter.  He found the remote and closed the shutters, 
then removed his coat and tossed it over the back of the couch.  Returning 
to the kitchen, he eyed the bags before going to the refrigerator and 
getting out a bottle of cow's blood. Removing the cork, he gratefully  let 
the liquid flow down his throat. Although it restored him, after having been 
surrounded by so much human blood at the crime scene,  the bitter, 
emotionless taste of cow was harder than usual to stomach.  It had been even 
more bitter tasting last night with the rich sweetness of Natalies blood 
still vivid in his mind.

He turned back  to the bags on the counter.  He'd cut it close getting home, 
but the stop at the grocery took longer than he had expected.  'I never knew 
there were so many different kinds of bread.'  He mused.  'Not to mention 
juices, jams, cereals, etc.'   Nick shook his head. The last time he had 
bought food, other than raw hamburger, had been several centuries ago.  He'd 
been in grocery stores, on occasion, but had never paid much attention to 
the variety of items on the shelves.  He had stopped this morning to insure 
that Nat would have something to eat when she arrived. He knew that he had 
gone a little overboard in his purchases.  Carefully, he put away the 
various items.  When got to the double chocolate fudge swirl ice cream, he 
smiled to himself. 'At least I'm positive that she'll like this.'  

After a glance at the time,  Nick decided that it would be at least three 
and a half hours before Nat would be here.  Picking up the bottle of cow, he 
headed for the stairs to catch a couple of hours of sleep.  Entering the 
bedroom he saw the black pajama top she had worn neatly folded on the 
dresser top.  Picking it up he held it to his face.  He could smell Nat's 
scent on it and with a smile he carried it over to the bed.  Finishing the 
blood in the bottle he lay down on his side,  the top pillowed beneath his 
cheek.  At least if he couldn't have Nat in his arms right now he could 
pretend.  As he recalled the wonderful peace her presence had brought him, 
Nick smiled and drifted off to sleep.

End part 3 

Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  

Night Terrors 
by Nightlady 

Part 4/8 

Shortly before 10:00 am. Nick awoke and went downstairs. A call to the 
Coroner's office informed him that Nat had left there about ten
minutes ago. Crossing to the piano, Nick sat down and began to play. As he 
played, his thoughts drifted. 

(flashback) 

Having refreshed themselves the trio continued their journey. The closer 
they got to Limoges, the more uneasy Nicholas felt. He noticed that
Janette and LaCroix seemed to be uneasy too. When they were near enough to 
see the buildings of the city, LaCroix reined his horse to a halt. 

"Tell me Nicholas what do you hear?" LaCroix asked. 

Nicholas listened. "I don't hear anything." He looked questioningly at 
LaCroix before continuing, "I should be able to hear the people, but there
is nothing." 

"Nicola is right. It's as if the people of Limoges have deserted the city." 
Janette added. 

"Or perhaps, they no longer exist." LaCroix observed dryly. "It will be dawn 
soon. We must find shelter. Let us see what has happened to
Limoges." With that he spurred his horse forward. After exchanging troubled 
glances, Nicholas and Janette followed. 

Soon they were near enough to Limoges to know what had happened. The air was 
thick with the scent of blood. The horses were nervous and
it took a great effort to keep them from bolting. As they entered the city, 
the sight before them was one that Nicholas was certain he would
never forget. 

(end flashback) 

The sound of the lift's motor announcing Nat's arrival roused Nick from his 
memories. Rising, he stood waiting for her as she stepped out.
Allowing her only time to sit down the overnight bag she carried, Nick took 
her in his arms. 

Nat was trembling as she released all of her pent up emotions from the night 
just past. Feeling the strength of Nick's arms around her, she buried
her face against his chest and permitted her tears to fall unchecked. All of 
the grief she felt for the Keens family, and the anger toward whoever
had visited such horror on them was eased by Nick's presence. In his arms 
she felt safe, secure and loved. The feel of his hand as he gently
massaged her neck was a balm to her soul. For several minutes they stood, 
unspeaking, each drawing comfort and strength from the other. 

Finally, Nat raised her head and looked into Nick's face. Reading his 
concern for her in his eyes, she sniffled and managed a small smile. Nick
softly kissed away the tears from her eyes and cheeks. He brushed her lips 
with the lightest of kisses. "Better?" he asked. She nodded, her eyes
never leaving his. 

"Are you hungry? I picked up some food for you on my way home this morning." 
He smiled at her. 

"YOU in a grocery store. I WISH I had seen that." Nat said brightening. 

Nick chuckled. "It was quite an experience. I hope I got something you like." 

Nat hugged him. "I'm too hungry to be fussy. Let's see what you bought." 
Keeping her arm around his waist she moved into the kitchen. Nick
proudly opened the refrigerator revealing orange and apple juices, eggs, 
sausages, bacon, milk, sandwich meats and at least three kinds of
cheeses. Two melons, tomatoes, pears, and ready made bagged salads were in 
the vegetable bins. The freezer held frozen entrees, waffles,
frozen vegetables, and two half gallon containers of double chocolate fudge 
swirl ice cream. Closing the fridge, Nick opened a cabinet
containing several varieties of cereal, snack foods, jars of mustard and 
mayonnaise, soups and at least two types of bread. 

"Well?" he said looking at Nat hopefully. She looked slightly stunned. 

Nat smiled at him "It's wonderful. A bowl of soup, some melon and a big bowl 
of ice cream is just what I need." She selected a can and Nick
got a melon out of the fridge. While Nat prepared the soup, Nick sliced the 
melon and poured himself another glass of blood. In a few moments
they were sitting at the table each enjoying their meals. When they 
finished, they washed up the dishes. Then Nat spooned a helping of ice cream
in a bowl. She carried this to the couch Sitting beside Nick she ate. 

When she was finished, Nat sat the bowl on a table and snuggled in to Nicks 
arms. The lack of sleep from the previous day combined with the
night she had just finished had left her exhausted. Within minutes she was 
asleep. Nick smiled and lifting her carried her upstairs. She awoke
enough to help Nick as he undressed her and slipped the black silk top on 
her. When he lay next to her, she murmured his name and snuggled
into his arms. He kissed her and fell asleep listening to her heartbeat. 

The sun was low in the sky when Nat opened her eyes. The bedside clock in 
front of her read 5:40. She was lying on her side with Nick's arm
draped over her. She could feel his breath against the back of her neck. She 
lay still enjoying the feeling, then smiled as Nick's arm tightened
around her. She turned to face him, and met his gentle blue eyes. Raising 
her mouth to his, they kissed. It was a soft gentle kiss and it made Nat
want nothing more in the world than to have it last forever. When they 
stopped, Nick smiled at her and she thought how good it was to see him
look happy. "You should do that more often." she said tracing the shape of 
his lips with her fingers. 

"What," Nick said kissing her fingers. "Kiss you or smile?" 

"Both." 

Still smiling, Nick pulled her closer and drew her into a deeper kiss. He 
ran his hand up under the top and caressed her until she moaned softly
with pleasure. Her own hands were busy. One played in his hair while the 
other massaged his back. "Nick, as much as I'm enjoying this, we had
better stop now." Nat said softly. "I've got to be back on duty at 8:00." 

With a sigh Nick stopped. A glance at the clock showed it was already after 
six. "Yeah, me too. Why don't you grab a shower and I'll go down
and start some coffee for you? " 

"Deal, but only if I can have a raincheck on this unfinished business." 

"Gladly." With a final kiss Nick arose and headed for the stairs. 

When Nat came out of the shower she found her overnight bag on the dresser. 
Smiling, she quickly dressed and headed downstairs. 

The smell of fresh coffee greeted her as she descended the stairs. Nick, 
knowing she was there turned and gave her a smile. 'I don't think I've
seen him smile as much in the past five years as he has these past two 
days.' Nat mused. 

"Mmm, that smells wonderful." Nat said as she poured coffee into a mug. She 
went to the fridge and retrieved the other half of the melon and
grabbed the box of waffles from the freezer. 

Nick watched her for a moment then kissed her on the back of the neck. 
"While you're fixing that I'm going to grab a shower." 

Nat busied herself with preparing her meal. She realized that she was 
humming softly as she worked. She was so happy. She and Nick were
TOGETHER, they had taken a risk and the reward was far more than she had 
expected. She knew that if she had been alone last night, she
would have been unable to sleep. There were some cases that tended to cause 
rather unpleasant dreams. The Keens murder certainly fit that
category. She could not recall having that type of dream last night and she 
was sure she knew the reason. Instead of being alone she had fallen
asleep safe in Nick's arms. She had felt in her very soul that she was loved 
and protected and that had kept the darkness at bay. 

As she finished eating, Nick came back downstairs, dressed for work. Looking 
at him, Nat could hardly believe that someone so handsome
could love her so much. She loved the feeling of waking up with him. She 
wanted to be here with him every day and night. As if he was reading
her mind, Nick took her in his arms and looked deeply into her eyes. 

"How many changes of clothes did you bring over?" 

Nat blushed slightly before answering. "Just the one I'm wearing." 

"Would you do me a favor? Would you think about moving in with me?" Nick 
studied her face trying to gauge her reaction. "I need to find you
in my bed and my arms every day. I don't feel complete without you." 

Nat felt as if she were going to explode with joy. "I don't have to think 
about it. There is nothing I would like more than to move in with you."
Nick closed his eyes and pulled her against his chest. Nat continued softly, 
"I KNOW that I am not complete without you." 

Pulling back a little she gave him a mischievous look. "This invitation does 
include Sidney doesn't it? I know the two of you are not exactly the
'best of friends'." 

Nick chuckled. "Of course it includes Sidney. I really do like him, Nat." 
Seeing her skeptical look he laughed. "Honest I do. Given time I'm sure
Sidney and I can reach some sort of agreement for sharing you." 

Nat laughed. "Good! I'll stop by my place after work and pack some things. I 
think I'll wait to bring Sidney over until after I've had a chance to
scout out any escape routes he might find here." 

Together, they headed toward the lift. 

Tracy was surprised to see Nick already at his desk when she entered the 
squad room. Often Nick being early meant Nick in a lousy mood.
Getting a cup of coffee she made her way to her desk. "You're here early." 
She remarked as she draped her coat over the back of her chair
before sitting down.. She was relieved when she greeted her observation with 
a smile and shrug of his shoulders. 

"I wanted to get started on the Keens case. I called over to Mercy General 
and we can see the housekeeper, a Mrs. Murry, whenever we
want." 

"Well, no time like the present." Tracy started to rise 

"Drink your coffee first." Nick said indicating the cup she held. "We also 
need to pay a visit to several other people. I got a list of the
Vice-Mayors appointments for the last month and there are several names that 
show up more than once." 

Nick passed a sheet of paper to Tracy. On it were four names; P. Roberts, G. 
Williams, M. Markston, and W. Partsman, "Do we know who
any of these people are?" She asked. 

"According to the Vice-Mayor's secretary, Roberts and Markston are old 
friends that Keens met for racquetball matches at least once a week.
Roberts is a businessman of some sort and Markston is a minister. Partsman 
owns a construction company. He is currently in charge of a very
large project for the city and has several other city contract awaiting 
approval. Williams is an accountant who was checking some financial
records on the same city project for which Mr. Partsman has the main 
construction contract. 

Tracy considered this information for a moment. "I guess we should check out 
Williams and Partsman first. Could be, Williams found something
wrong with the figures and Keens threatened Partsman with exposure. That 
would kill not only this current project for him, but the others as
well." 

Nick nodded in agreement. "That's true, but would it be enough to cause him 
to kill the whole family?" Nick thought a moment. "We'll start with
them, but I think we need to speak with the other two as well." 

"Sounds good." Tracy said as she finished her coffee. "Let's get started." 

As they drove toward Mercy General, Tracy said, "I talked to Natalie last 
night, before we got called to the Keens case, and she seemed pretty
happy over Saturday night." 

Nick smiled. "You were right. Thanks for talking me into going. We had a 
wonderful time at the dance." 'And we had an even better time
afterward.' 

Tracy looked closely at Nick. "Well, you sure are in a better mood. I don't 
think I've seen you this happy since we met. Not that I'm
complaining mind you." 

Laughing Nick considered. "I can't remember the last time I WAS this happy. 
It's a good feeling." Nick pulled into the parking area at the
hospital and the two of them went in to interview Mrs. Murry. 

After completing the interview, they returned to the car. 

"I think we can eliminate Mrs. Murry from our list of suspects." Tracy 
observed. "It would have been almost impossible for her to have subdued
both Vice-Mayor and Mrs. Keens." 

"I agree. Not only is she too frail physically, but I can't see someone, who 
had virtually raised those two little girls from the time they were born,
calmly slitting their throats and then smearing the blood around the room." 
Nick shook his head. "Too bad she couldn't tell us if the Keens were
expecting anyone yesterday afternoon." 

"Guess we better see what kind of luck we have with Williams." Tracy said as 
she got into the passenger seat of the Caddy. 

Williams proved to be much more help than Mrs. Murry. There was indeed a 
problem with the finances for the construction project. Over
$250,000.00 worth of material could not be verified by any receipts. Armed 
with this information Tracy and Nick headed toward Partsman's
residence.


End part 4


Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  

Night Terrors 
by Nightlady 

Part 5/8 

Natalie had just finished work on a car wreck victim when the phone in the 
autopsy room rang. Pulling off her heavy yellow gloves she crossed
the room and answered it. "Lambert...Who Grace?...Did he say why? Okay. Take 
him down to my office and I be there in a few minutes." As
she changed from the bloody scrubs she was wearing into her suit she 
wondered out loud, "Why would someone named Patrick Roberts be
wanting to see me about the Keens case. I hope he's not a reporter." 

The only reason she had asked Grace to take him to her office, was because 
he claimed to be a close friend of the family. As she entered her
office Nat looked over the man seated by her desk. He appeared to be about 
40 years old and muscular in build. He had dark hair, an engaging
smile and , except for LaCroix's, the coldest eyes that Nat had ever seen in 
her life. 

"Mr. Roberts? I'm Dr. Lambert. Sorry to have kept you waiting." Nat took 
Roberts' proffered hand. She felt uneasy around him and wished she
had told Grace to send him away. 

"Thank you for sparing me a few minutes of your time, Doctor." Roberts 
replied. "Jim and Lila Keens are...were old friends of mine and I was
hoping you could give me some information about their deaths. I tried to 
talk to the police officers in charge of the case, Detectives Knight and
Vetter. Unfortunately, they were not in at the time I stopped by the station." 

"I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can tell you." Nat said. "Any information 
about this, or any of our cases is strictly confidential. I'm sure you
understand that I do not want to jeopardize any future proceedings." Nat 
hoped that this man would leave. Instead he continued. 

"Oh, I understand that, I just wanted to know that they didn't suffer. Lila 
was such a lovely person and Milly and Marielana such sweet children.
I keep picturing them in their little red dresses with those ruffled anklets 
..." Roberts sighed. 

Nat froze. The Keens children had been wearing matching red dresses when 
they were killed. Keeping her voice calm she managed to say, "I'm
truly sorry, but I really can't give you any information. Perhaps Detectives 
Knight and Vetter are back by now. I'd be glad to call and check for
you." 

"No, that's all right. They most likely won't be able to tell me anything 
either." Roberts headed toward the door. "I guess I might as well go
home. It's been nice meeting you, Doctor." 

Nat stood watching him leave. Her heart was pounding. How could he have 
known what the Keens children were wearing? She picked up her
phone and dialed Nick's number at the 96. When the sergeant answered, she 
identified herself and asked to speak to either Nick or Tracy. Told
they were out doing interviews she thanked the sergeant and hung up. She 
quickly dialed Nick's cell phone. 

The interview with Partsman had not gone at all the way Nick and Tracy had 
expected. Partsman claimed to have been working with Keens.
He claimed that he had brought the apparently fraundulant bills to Keens' 
attention; That together, they were trying to uncover who had been
padding not only Partsman's bills to the city, but those of other 
contractors as well. As proof, he showed them records he had kept as well as a
list of the names of the suppliers he used. Midway down the list was the 
name Roberts Building Supply. 

"Would you happen to know the name of the owner of this company?" Nick asked. 

"Yes, Patrick Roberts. I remember Keens was very upset about Roberts being a 
possible thief. It seems that he was an old friend of both the
Vice-Mayor and Mrs. Keens. In fact, I gathered that Mrs. Keens was almost 
engaged to Roberts when she met the Vice-Mayor." 

Nick and Tracy exchanged a look. Thanking Partsman for his time they left. 

"What do you think, Nick?" Tracy asked as they walked toward the Caddy 
parked at the curb. "Roberts has been stealing form the city, Keens
finds out and confronts him and Roberts kills him to keep him quiet?" 

"It feels right. If you add in anger toward Mrs. Keens for having jilted him 
years ago and by extension anger toward her children by another
man..." The ringing of Nick's cell phone interrupted him. "Knight." He 
answered. 

"Nick, I just had a visit from a Patrick Roberts." 

"Roberts? What did he want Nat?" 

"He claimed to be an old friend of the Keens' wanting to be assured they 
hadn't suffered." Nat paused. 

"He is an old friend. It's possible that Keens had proof or strong 
suspicions that he was submitting false bills for materials never delivered on a
number of city projects." Nick heard Nat inhale sharply. 

"He said he couldn't stop thinking about the Keens children in their red 
dresses and ruffled white anklets. It could be a coincidence that that's
what they were wearing when they were killed...." 

"Or he could know because he's the one who killed them." Nick finished. 
"Nat, did he give any indication where he was headed when he left?" 

"Yes, he said he was going home." In a softer voice she added, "I think he 
did it. He gave me the chills. Nick, the only person I've ever met with
colder eyes is LaCroix." 

"Nat, do you think he realized what he said about the girl's clothes? If he 
did you could be in danger." 

Nat closed her eyes picturing Roberts. "I...I don't think so. He didn't act 
like it." 

"Tracy and I are heading over the Roberts house now. Be careful until we 
find him." Nick turned away from Tracy and spoke quietly into the
phone. "I don't want anything to happen to you." 

"I'll be fine. We do have some security here you know." Nat said 
reassuringly. "I'll meet you at the loft. I've got to go now." 

Nick stood listening as the connection was broken. Frowning he got in and 
started the car. "I think we can forget about Rev. Markston. It
sounds more and more like Patrick Roberts is our man." 

Tracy nodded. "Do we just go over and talk to him or do we have enough to 
try for a search warrant?" 

Nick pondered the question for a minute. "Maybe. Let's head over to Roberts' 
place. Call Reese. Tell him what we've learned and see if he can
get a warrant and meet us there." 

Tracy shook her head. "I can't imagine anyone killing two little girls 
because their mother jilted him years ago. Can you, Nick?" 

Nick looked sadly toward Tracy. He could. He'd seen worse for as little cause. 

(flashback) 

The ground beneath the horses' feet was thick with blood. Everywhere 
Nicholas looked lay bodies. These were not soldiers fallen in battle.
These were the citizens of Limoges, men, women and children. They had not 
died easily, but had been cut apart by swords and axes. Beside
him, Janette made a soft sound of distaste at the scene around her. For all 
of the joy she took in hunting humans for her prey, Nicholas knew
that she had a tender spot in her heart for small children. She avoided 
harming them, preferring to lure strong, young men for her meals. Even
LaCroix wrinkled his nose at so much carnage. From the size of the city, and 
the number of bodies visible, Nicholas guessed that there could
well be some three thousand dead strewn about like so many pieces of wood. 

It quickly became apparent that they were going to have to dismount and lead 
their horses. The scent of so much blood and decay was making
the horses skittish. Bemoaning the ruin of her skirts, Janette slid out of 
her saddle. Trying to avoid the worst puddles of blood she followed
LaCroix toward a comfortable looking stone house. As the trio entered the 
building, Nicholas was glad to note that they would not have to
share their lodgings with any corpses. Undoubtedly, the owners of this house 
lay somewhere amid the dead. LaCroix signaled that this would do
as shelter for the day. Nicholas led the three horses around to the side of 
the house where a stable was located. Entering he stopped suddenly
as his sensitive hearing picked up the sound of a human heartbeat. He 
slipped easily into his full vampire mode and looked about him. Although
the stable was unlit, Nicholas had no difficulty is seeing. He saw the shape 
of a woman lying next to a pile of straw. This was the source of the
heartbeat. 

Using his blood connection to LaCroix, Nicholas relayed his find to his 
master. In a few moments Janette and LaCroix were at Nicholas' side.
Licking her lips in anticipation, Janette began to move toward the sleeping 
woman only to be stopped by LaCroix's hand on her arm. Hissing in
frustration she attempted to pull away, a futile effort against LaCroix's 
strength. 

"Why are you stopping me? It's almost dawn and I do not wish to sleep 
hungry." Janette's eyes flashed angrily. 

"Patience, ma cherie." LaCroix soothed. "You shall have your snack, but 
first we need to know who is responsible for these rather unpleasant
surroundungs." 

Pouting, Janette ceased her struggles. "Bien, you are right, as always." 

LaCroix smiled coldly and caressed her cheek. "Come, you and I will return 
to the house." He stared at Nicholas. "You shall bring our `guest' in
with you." 

"Yes, LaCroix." Nicholas answered. 

When other two had left, Nicholas fastened the horses' reins to a rail and 
approached the woman. She was young, not more than twenty. Her
disheveled hair and torn, bloodied dress gave testimony that she had surely 
witnessed the carnage that surrounded them. As he stood over her,
an unexpected stab of pity pierced his heart. `She's been through so much 
and survived this massacre and now she will die anyway.' Forcing
such thoughts from his mind, he bent and touched her shoulder. 

At his touch, her eyes flew open. Able to see only his outline, due to the 
darkness, she tried to scramble away from him. 

"Easy, I won't hurt you." Nick spoke softly while his mind screamed LIAR at 
him. "My friends and I have just arrive in Limoges and have sought
shelter in this house. When I came out here to see to our horses I found 
you." Nicholas could hear her heart slowing as the shock of his
presence eased. "Would you be so good as to come inside and tell us what 
transpired here?" Moving closer to her Nicholas gave her his most
charming smile. "My name is Nicholas. What is yours?" 

The young woman spoke hesitantly, "I am called Lysette." 

"Come then Lysette. Let us join my friends." Nicholas held out his hand to 
her and pulled her to her feet. The way she held tightly to his hand
told him that she trusted him and the knowledge that he was betraying her 
trust tore at him. His desire to warn her to try to escape while she
could warred with his fear of LaCroix's anger. He knew that any attempt by 
her to flee would be useless. LaCroix could easily find her. Perhaps
he could talk LaCroix into sparing her life. 

Entering the house Nicholas introduced Lysette to Janette and LaCroix. 
Acting the concerned gentleman, LaCroix seated Lysette and began to
gently question her. They quickly learned that the people of Limoges had met 
their fates at the hands of an army led by the Prince of Wales.
Lysette told them of the month long siege that had preceded the killing and 
how the prince gave orders that no one was to be spared. 

"But why would he kill everyone? The children could have been taken as 
slaves and the women for the soldiers pleasures." Nicholas remarked. 

"The prince once loved the wife of our ruler." Lysette replied. "When she 
rejected him, in favor of her husband, he grew furious. I heard the
soldiers say this was done to punish her. He made her watch as everyone she 
knew or loved was killed. Then, she too was slain." She paused
crying. After a moment, she went on. "I only escaped by hiding beneath some 
of the dead." 

"All these people dead because one man was denied a woman he wanted." 
Nicholas was finding it hard to understand. He had seen battle as a
mortal, but never had he slaughtered innocent women and children. Even now, 
as a vampire, he preferred to prey upon the criminal element
rather than innocents. LaCroix's voice cut into his thoughts. 

"And where is the English army now?" 

"They are headed to Lyons." Lysette answered. 

LaCroix stood and exchanged a look with Janette, then turned and walked to 
where Nicholas stood. 

"LaCroix, let her go." Nicholas began to speak when he heard a sharp cry 
from Lysette. Looking over LaCroix's shoulder he saw Janette. Her
fangs buried in Lysette's neck, feeding greedily. 

LaCroix laughed at the look of pain in Nicholas' eyes. "Since you apparently 
are not interested in joining us for a snack, you may go hungry." He
said. "Be certain that you save some for me, Janette." Still laughing 
LaCroix joined her. Nicholas could not bear to watch as they fed.

End Part 5

Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  

Night Terrors 
by Nightlady 

Part 6/8 

(Present) 

Natalie grabbed her bag and headed down the hall. Grace had just informed 
her that she was needed at a crime scene near the docks. Glancing
at the clock she stopped at Grace's desk on her way out. 

"Since my shift's almost over and I stayed late this morning, I'm going to 
go home when I finish at the scene." 

"Sounds like a good idea." Grace replied. "You look like you could use some 
rest." 

Nat smiled. "Yeah, I really haven't had a lot of sleep the past couple of 
days." 

Grace raised her eyebrows. "Well, I hope that at least part of the time you 
were enjoying yourself." She laughed as Nat blushed. "You don't
have to say a word, but I sure would LIKE to hear ALL about it." 

"Grace! Sorry, some things are not for sharing." Nat said with a smile. 
`Although the look on your face if you knew just what the fun entailed
might be worth it.' Chuckling at her thoughts Nat hurried to her car. Caught 
up in her memories she didn't realize that there was anyone around
until she felt the sharp pain from the blow to the back of her head. 
Silently she collapsed into Patrick Roberts' arms. 

Nick climbed the stairs and listened intently at the front door of Roberts' 
house. Even as Tracy was knocking at on the door, the lack of any
heartbeat from within told him the house was empty. 

"He's had more than enough time to get back here from Nat's office." Tracy 
observed. "Good thing we called in for a warrant. Looks like the
Capt. pulling up now." 

Nick watched as Reese came up the walk toward them. "No one at home Capt." 
He said. "Do we have a warrant so that we can go in?" 

"Right here." Reese held up a folded piece of paper. "Let's get that door 
open and have a look around." 

Nick didn't wait to be told twice. Using just a small portion of his 
strength he forced the door open. Catching sight of Tracy's astonished look he
quipped, "Cheap locks." They entered the house and began to look around. In 
every room there were pictures of Lila Keens. In many of them
she was with her husband and another dark haired man. A framed newspaper 
clipping identified the third man as Patrick Roberts. 

Continuing to search the house Nick headed toward what appeared to be 
Roberts' office and Tracy went down to the basement. There, in a
small storage room, Tracy found a jumble of tools. A closer look revealed a 
small pick that still bore traces of hair and blood. Nearby was a
partial hank of rope that matched the type used to bind the Keens' hands and 
legs. 

Nick was looking through papers he had found in Roberts desk when he 
suddenly felt a cold knot form in his chest. Something was wrong with
Natalie. Acting on an urge he crossed to the window and looked outside. A 
light blue car was pulling away from the curb in front of Roberts'
house. The thick hedge of cedar that ran along side the driveway prevented 
Nick from being able to see the license tag. Nick KNEW that
Roberts had been driving that car and that he had Nat. 

At that moment Tracy and Capt. Reese entered the room. After telling Nick of 
Tracy's discoveries Reese added, "I`ve order the crime scene
unit out here to go over the entire place. I would bet my pension that the 
knife is here somewhere too." Reese told them. "You did good work
tonight." 

Tracy smiled. "Thanks, Capt." 

Nick nodded his appreciation, but Reese noticed that he looked anything but 
happy. "What's the matter Knight? Good work not enough for
you?" 

"Sorry Capt. I'm just wondering where Roberts is. I think I should call Nat 
and tell her to stay put until I can pick her up. If Roberts realized that
she suspects him of being the murderer..." Nick paused and Reese nodded in 
understanding. 

"Yeah, do that. No sense taking any chances until we have him in custody." 
Reese said. 

Dialing Nat's office Nick listened to the phone ringing. Finally, Grace 
answered. 

"Grace, this is Nick. I need to talk to Nat or at least have you tell her 
not to leave the office until I get there." 

"Sorry, Nick. She left on a call about fifteen minutes ago. She said she'd 
leave for home from the scene." 

"Do you know the location of the scene?" Nick asked the worry he felt clear 
in his voice. 

"Ah...yes down near the docks." She gave him the address. "Nick what's 
wrong?" Grace sounded frightened. 

"Probably nothing." He tried to reassure her. "I'll head over there and find 
her. Thanks, Grace." 

While he was talking to Grace, Reese's cell phone had rung. "Yeah, you did 
the right thing to call me." Nick heard Reese say. Hanging up,
Reese took a deep breath and looked at Tracy and Nick. "It may not be 
anything but car trouble..." He began. Nick felt the cold knot in his
chest growing larger. "But Natalie never showed up at a crime scene at the 
docks..." 

Nick was already moving to the door as Reese called out behind him. "Knight, 
where do you think you're going?" "Let him go Capt. If anyone
can find Nat, it's Nick." Tracy's voice reached him as he rushed down the 
steps to his car. Fear for Nat's safety was growing with every second.
Driving off he headed for her office. He would trace the route from there to 
the docks and hope that she was on the side of the road with a flat
tire or other car problem. 

The blow from Roberts stunned Nat but did not cause her to lose 
consciousness. She felt herself being dragged a short distance, then pushed up
against the side of a car. She heard the sound of a door being opened and 
she was shoved face down into the seat. Someone pulled her arms
behind her back and secured her hands. She was drawing breath to scream when 
Roberts jerked her to a sitting position. The scream froze
inside her as he placed a large, sharp knife against her throat. 

"Be quiet!" He ordered. "You and I are going to take a little ride." Using 
the seat belt to hold her in place, Roberts quickly went around to the
driver's side and got in. Starting the car he left the parking area. 

"I know you caught my slip in your office." He said. "And I'll bet you 
wasted no time letting one of the detectives on the case know about it. The
only question is which one?" Nat glared at him. "You should have answered." 
He said softly as he struck her across the face. Ignoring her cry of
pain he asked again. "Which one doctor, Vetter or Knight?" 

"Knight." Nat said through her tears. The force of the blow had landed just 
below her left eye and she could feel it starting to swell. 

"Very, good." They drove in silence for several minutes. Turning onto a side 
street, Roberts cut off the car's headlights and pulled up to the curb.
Looking through the windshield, Nat saw Nick's Caddy parked in front of a 
house a little farther down the street and Reese's car across the
road from it. . 'NICK! HELP ME!' She cried mentally. She knew that vampires 
shared a bond when they drank one another's blood. She
prayed that, since Nick drank from her when they made love, they might have 
a similar bond. 

Roberts saw the look of hope on Natalie's face. Swearing viciously, he 
grabbed her by the hair and forced her head back. Nat gasped with
pain. She was sure that any more pressure would snap her neck.. 

"Whose cars are those?" Roberts asked. 

"I..I don't know!" Nat hoped that he would think that the cars belonged to 
someone visiting a neighbor. 

Roberts released her hair. In relief, Nat started to lean forward only to 
have pain shoot through her as he once again hit her in the face. 

"Wrong answer. I could tell that you recognized them when we pulled up. Tell 
me whose cars are those." 

Nat whispered. "The one in front of us is Nick's....Det. Knight's. The other 
belongs to Capt. Reese." 

"Well doctor, I hope, for your sake, you'll tell me where Det. Knight 
lives." Nat told him. Being hit in the face was NOT her favorite pastime.
"Excellent. Since he's seen fit to go into my home, we're going to go wait 
for him at his." Roberts turned Nat's head to face him. "And when he
gets there, we can have some fun." 

The coldness of his eyes and the threat in his words terrified Nat. `I was 
wrong.' She thought. `I've always thought that LaCroix was the most
evil creature in the world. When I compared him to this guy, LaCroix is a 
teddy bear.' 

On the drive to the loft, Roberts talked about the Keens murder. He told Nat 
how he had decided to kill the Keens' when he realized Jim
Keens was about to discover his illegal activities. He talked about his rage 
toward Lila Keens for having jilted him years before. How he had
gone over to the house and pretended he wanted to drop off early Christmas 
presents, for the children. How an unsuspecting Lila Keens had let
him inside. Beside him, Nat had had to fight to keep from becoming ill as he 
calmly and coldly described the murders. She listened with growing
horror as he described the way the two little girls had screamed and 
struggled to get away before he slit their throats. He went on to describe, in
detail, how Lila had begged and pleaded with him to spare her children. 
Finally he told her how he had killed the Vice-Mayor and Lila. His
smug self-satisfied tone of voice was almost more than Nat could stand. She 
realized this man no, she mentally corrected herself, this monster
seated next to her truly enjoyed other people's agony. What plans he might 
have for her, she really didn't want to know. 

Arriving at Nick's loft, Roberts parked out of view along the side of the 
building and pulled Nat from the car. With the point of the knife pressed
against her side he walked her over to the door. Indicating the keypad for 
the lock he said, "Tell me the code and don't bother to pretend you
don't know it. I heard you talking to the woman at the front desk. I know 
that you and Knight are more than coworkers." He put enough
pressure on the knife in her side to convince Nat that she had better give 
him the code if she didn't want Nick to find her dead in the doorway. 

Entering the garage area, they crossed to the lift. Again, Roberts poked her 
with the knife and Nat gave him the code. When the lift stopped,
Roberts opened the door and, still holding Nat, stepped inside the loft. 
Keeping a firm hold on her with one hand, he located the wall switch and
turned on the lights. Roberts looked around, then pulled Nat over to the 
dinning room table. Using his foot to pull out one of the chairs, he
shoved Nat down into it. 

"Don't even think about moving." He warned. From his coat pocket he pulled 
out a long piece of rope. Watching Nat, he tied a slip knot in one
end of it. "Put your feet together and lift your legs out in front of you." 
He ordered. When she didn't immediately obey, he added, "Do it or I'll slit
your throat right now." 

Nat knew that even if she could get past him, she couldn't open the door to 
the lift with her hands fastened behind her. She also knew that Nick
would have to come here soon, as sunrise was only a little over an hour 
away. Reluctantly, she did what Roberts told her. 

Roberts dropped the loop over Nat's feet and pulled it tightly around her 
ankles. Still holding the other end of the rope he moved behind her and
jerked her to her feet. Confused, Nat felt him thread the end of the rope 
between her hand and her body. Roberts then forced her back into a
seated position. Her heart skipped a beat when he brought the rope around 
her neck and fastened it. 

Roberts walked back in front of Nat and smiled. "If you behave and don't try 
to move you'll be fine." He leaned close enough for her to feel his
breath on her face. "Try and stand up though.." He pulled her up a little 
and Nat felt the rope tighten around her throat. Even after he let her go
the tightness didn't ease until he loosened it with his hand. "I think you 
get the picture." He moved away from her looking around the loft. 

Natalie could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was helpless. Her 
only comfort came from the knowledge that, when Nick arrived, he
would hear their hearts beating and know that they were in the loft. 'Oh 
Nick, please get here soon.' She prayed. She heard Roberts make a
small sound of triumph and turning her head saw that he had found Nick's 
spare gun in the desk drawer.

End Part 6

Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  

Night Terrors 
by Nightlady 

Part 7/8 

Natalie could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was helpless. Her 
only comfort came from the knowledge that, when Nick arrived, he
would hear their hearts beating and know that they were in the loft. 'Oh 
Nick, please get here soon.' She prayed. She heard Roberts make a
small sound of triumph and turning her head saw that he had found Nick's 
spare gun in the desk drawer. 

Nick drove into the parking area at the morgue. He saw Grace, standing a 
short distance from Nat's car, talking with a uniformed officer.
Hurriedly, Nick approached them. Grace looked as though she had been crying, 
and with a sinking feeling Nick saw that the officer was holding
Nat's purse and medical bag. 

Hearing his footsteps, Grace looked over at him. "Thank goodness you're 
here, Nick. When I was leaving, to go home, I found Nat's car still
here and her purse and bag lying on the ground." Nick could hear the barely 
controled panic in Grace's voice. 

"Grace, I need you to tell me anything you can about Patrick Roberts." Nick 
spoke softly trying to calm her. "He came by here tonight to talk to
Nat about the Keens case." 

"Yes, I remember him." Grace shuddered. "He gave me the creeps. Do you think 
he's responsible for this?" 

"I think it's likely. He think he killed the Keens'. We found what appears 
to be one of the murder weapons at his house. When he was here he
slipped and described the clothes Milly and Marielana Keens were wearing 
when they died. Nat caught it and I'm afraid he realized this." 

Grace covered her mouth with her hand. "I only saw him for a minute. He was 
parked out front..." 

"Did you see what kind of car he was driving?" Nick interrupted. 

"I don't know what kind it was, but it was light blue in color." 

It had been Roberts' car at the house! Nick knew with a sick feeling that 
Roberts had Nat. Taking a deep breath, Nick laid a reassuring hand
on Grace's arm. "I'll find her, Grace. Don't worry." He said with far more 
confidence than he felt. Thinking for a moment Nick turned to the
officer. "Contact Det. Vetter and have her get a car to take her over to Dr. 
Lambert's apartment. If there's no sign of her there, have Det. Vetter
meet me at my place." 

Nick went back to his car and headed to his loft. He knew that he had little 
choice, he could feel the nearness of sunrise. 'I CAN'T lose you
now Nat. Where has he taken you?' As he drew nearer to his loft, Nick began 
to feel the same sensation he had felt while at Roberts house.
Nat was close by. He could sense her. Arriving at the loft, Nick knew that 
Nat was there. Turning off the motor he let the Caddy coast to a
stop. In a matter of seconds he was on the roof, looking down through the 
skylight. He saw Nat at once. She was seated in a chair, almost
directly in front of the lift door. Looking closer, Nick could see that she 
was bound hand and foot. Walking toward her, a gun in his hand, was
Roberts. 'I'm here, my love.' Nick thought. As if she heard him she raised 
her head causing her hair to shift and revealing the rope around her
neck. Nick could feel the hate and anger he had for Roberts course through 
him. Nick knew his eyes were glowing, not with the golden tones of
desire, but the red of rage. He felt his fangs drop. He wanted to feel 
Roberts' bones snapping under his hands. 

Tracy had gotten a ride from one of the units at Roberts house and they were 
pulling into to the precinct when Nick's request reached her. She
quickly got into her own car and headed for Natalie's building. It only took 
her a few minutes to convince the manager to let her inside Nat's
apartment and another minute or so to ascertain that no one was there. 
Returning to her car, she contacted Reese and asked him to send a
uniformed car to Nat's building. They would keep watch in case Roberts and 
Nat showed up after Tracy left. While waiting for the car to arrive,
Tracy debated calling Nick at the loft. 'No.' she decided. 'This is 
something that needs to be done in person, not by phone.' As soon as the car
arrived, she headed to Nicks'. 

As Tracy drove up she saw Nick's car parked off to the side. Going to the 
door she punched the buzzer. "It's me, Nick. Buzz me in it's cold out
here." Tracy said when the light indicating the intercom was on lit up. A 
moment later the door buzzed and Tracy entered the building. 

Natalie had never felt so helpless in her life. Even that night at Azure, 
when LaCroix tried to make Nick either kill her or bring her across, she
had not felt so totally lacking in control of her situation. When the buzzer 
sounded, she watched in horror as Roberts allowed Tracy to enter first
the garage then the lift.. "Is that Det. Vetter or just one of Knights' girl 
friends?" Roberts asked. "Don't bother answering, either way she's dead."
The cold, matter of fact way he said this sent a chill down Nat's spine. 
Leaning forward, so that he wouldn't see her tears, she cried softly.
Suddenly, she felt as if someone had wrapped her in a warm, soft blanket. 
Startled she lifted her head and looked around. Nick was here. She
was sure of it. As the sound of the lift's motor reached them, Roberts 
walked over to stand just in front of Nat. He held aimed the gun at the
door. When Tracy walked through the door, she would be an easy target. 
Calmed by her certainty of Nick's presence, Nat knew she had to try
and stop Roberts from killing Tracy. He wanted to feel Roberts' bones 
snapping under his hands. 

Natalie threw herself out of the chair, hitting Roberts in the back, just as 
the lift door began to open. It was enough to cause his shot to go wild
and miss Tracy. Although, Nat tried to keep the rope around her neck slack, 
she instinctively tried not to fall. In doing so, she automatically
straightened her legs causing the noose to tighten. Lying on the floor she 
struggled to breathe. She could feel herself losing consciousness. As the
darkness closed around her, she was vaguely aware of the sound of more 
gunshots. 

Nick did not realize that Tracy had arrived until the sound of the lift cut 
through his rage. Now he knew why Roberts was aiming the gun at the
door. Dropping through the skylight would be the quickest way to reach 
Roberts. Explaining how he managed to fall that distance, with no
injury, would risk revealing Nick's secret. At the very least, it would draw 
unwanted attention. Moving with vampire speed, Nick headed
toward the stairs leading to the loft's other entrance. He burst through it 
just as a shot rang out. In front of him, Nat lay on the floor, struggling to
breathe. The noose around her neck had tightened and was strangling her. 
Roberts stood above her. His right foot was drawn back, preparing
to kick her. Nick, growling with fury, launched himself at Roberts. Roberts 
face showed his terror as he saw Nick,eyes blazing red and fangs
extended, rushing toward him. Nick saw Roberts point the gun toward him and 
felt the bullet as it passed through him. As Nick hit Roberts, they
both fell to the floor and a third shot rang out. Roberts' face took on an 
expression of surprise and he went limp. The arm that had been holding
the gun had twisted as they fell and Roberts had shot himself. Ignoring him, 
Nick moved to Nat's side. As he finished loosening the rope around
her neck, he heard Tracy behind him. 

Seeing Roberts pointing a gun at her as she opened the lift door, Tracy 
threw herself down and toward the side of the lift away from the
opening. She heard the sound of a shot and seconds later two more in rapid 
succession. Drawing her gun, she cautiously peered through the lift
door's small window. Inside, in a growing pool of blood, lay Roberts. There 
was no doubt in Tracy's mind that he was dead. To the left of him,
Natalie lay, apparently unconscious, with Nick kneeling beside her. 
Hurriedly reopening the door, Tracy stepped off the lift. "Nick.." She started
to speak. Without looking at her, Nick interrupted. 

" Bring me a knife from the kitchen so I can cut these ropes." Nick's voice 
sounded rough. "Then. call for an ambulance." Nick took several
deep breaths and felt himself return to normal. Nat was still unconscious, 
but alive. Gently smoothing her hair from her face, Nick saw the
bruises on her face. "Come on, Nat. Wake up." He whispered. Tracy returned 
with a knife and taking it he cut the ropes and slipped the noose
from her neck. 

Tracy said as she knelt beside him a few moments later. "Reese is on his way 
over and the paramedics are en route." 

"Thanks, Tracy." 

Hearing the emotion in Nick's voice, Tracy tried to reassure him. "She is 
going to be okay." Nick only nodded, never taking his eyes from
Natalie. 

Nat made a soft moaning sound and her eyelids fluttered. Opening them she 
slowly focused on Nick's face. Her lips quivering she raised a hand
toward Nick. He lifted her to a semi-sitting position and hugged her to him. 
He pulled her head against his chest and closing his eyes, rested his
cheek against the top of her head. 

Nat buried her face against his shirt, clinging to him. She was trembling, 
her neck felt raw where the rope had been, and her face still hurt where
Roberts had hit her. None of that mattered though. She was in Nick's arms 
and she was safe. 

Looking at the two of them Tracy felt like a voyeur. "I.. uh...think I'll go 
back down stairs and wait for Reese and the paramedics." Grabbing a
large book from a shelf, she left. 

"Where's Roberts?...Is Tracy okay?...Oh Nick, I was so scared. He had a 
knife...said he would kill me if I didn't bring him here...saw your car
at his house." Nat managed between sobs.. 

"Shh...everything's okay. Roberts is dead and Tracy's gone down in the lift 
to let Capt. Reese and the medics inside." Nick soothed. "Don't
worry about anything. I'm here. You're safe now." Nick stroked her hair and 
kissed her on the forehead. He could feel his own tears of relief
run down his cheeks. Carefully, he lifted Nat off the floor and carried her 
to the couch. After gently placing her on it, he took the remote from
the end table and lowered the window shutters. 

Nat was feeling much calmer. She still clung to Nick's hand, but she had her 
tears under control. Looking at Nick she felt a warmth in her soul.
Noticing the streaks of red left by his tears she managed a small smile. 
"You'd better go wash your face before anyone else sees that you have
red tears." Nick nodded and, after kissing her gently on the lips, headed 
for the kitchen. Nat heard the sound of running water, then Nick was
back beside her and she willingly let him gather her back into his arms. 

Riding back down in the lift, Tracy thought about what had just happened. 
There was no doubt in her mind that the only reason she was still
alive was due to Nat risking her own life. Thank goodness Nick had gotten 
that rope off of her in time! `Boy, just let either one of them ever try
to tell me that they're only friends again.' Tracy smiled as she remembered 
the way Nick and Nat had looked at each other. With a wistful sigh,
she though of how nice it would be if Vachon cared for her like that. `Easy, 
Trace. You know that is NOT going to happen. Vachon is a
vampire. YOU are a mortal.' she chided herself. `You can't have the type of 
relationship Nick and Nat have.' The lift stopped and she opened
the door. Using the book she had brought with her as a block to keep the 
lift door from closing behind her, Tracy crossed to the outside door.
Opening it she could see the first faint streaks of light in the eastern 
sky. Hearing the sound of a siren she watched as an ambulance, followed by
Reese's car came to a halt outside. ot rang out. Roberts' face took on an 
expression of surprise and he went limp. The arm that had been
holding the gun had twisted as they fell and Roberts had shot himself. 
Ignoring him, Nick moved to Nat's side. As he finished loosening the rope
around her neck, he heard Tracy behind him.

End Part 7

Disclaimer:  As always, the concept of FK, as well as Nick, Nat and all the 
others, belongs to Sony, James Parriot, Paragon, and the rest of TPTB not to 
me.  I am only borrowing them for a while and I have  no intention of making 
any type of profit from them.  All new characters are mine.  

Night Terrors 
by Nightlady 

Part 8/8 

"What the hell happened here?" Reese demanded. 

"Like I told you on the phone Capt. when I got here Roberts was holding 
Natalie Lambert prisoner. He tried to shoot me as I was getting off
the lift and Nat managed to knock him off balance. By the time I got inside, 
Nick had come through the other door and Roberts had shot
himself." 

"How's Natalie?" Tracy heard the concern in Reese's voice. 

"I think she'll be okay. Nick's with her." Tracy said as they got in the 
lift. The look Reese shot her let Tracy know she and Grace weren't the
only ones to have taken notice of the relationship between Knight and the 
coroner. 

Reese stepped out of the lift with Tracy and the two paramedics. Taking in 
the scene, he turned to the medics. "See to Dr. Lambert. Roberts
sure as hell doesn't need you." He went to the couch where Nick sat holding 
a pale exhausted looking Natalie. Placing his hand on Nick's
shoulder Reese spoke more softly. "Come on Nick. Let the medics make sure 
Nat's all right." Nick nodded and reluctantly released Nat. He
watched as the medics began to treat her. 

Reese took Nick's arm and pulled him off to one side. "I talked to your 
partner on the phone and on the ride up. I.A. will be here in a few
minutes. Before they get here I want to hear your version of what happened." 

"When I got home I saw the lights on in here. I guessed it might be Roberts, 
so instead of taking the lift up I used the stairs. I was listening at the
door when I heard the lift. I knew it had to be Tracy. Just as he shot at 
her I came in through the other door. Nat was on the floor and Roberts
took a shot at me. I got lucky and he missed. We struggled for the gun, it 
went off and he died." 

"Matches what Vetter said. With what we found at Roberts house, I doubt 
there will be any trouble with I.A. You'll have to ride a desk for a
few days.." 

"I'm going to take the time off." Nick said. At Reese's questioning look he 
added, "Nat's going to need a few days to recover and I want to be
with her." 

"Understand that." Reese smiled. "Looks like the medics are through with 
her. Let's see how she is." 

Together, they walked to Nat. As they approached, she reached her hand out 
to Nick. Taking it he sat beside her and put his arm around her.
Reese spoke quietly to the paramedics. 

"Paramedics say you are going to be fine." Reese said gently to Nat. 

Nat nodded. "Roberts is the murderer. He told me all the details when we 
were in his car." 

Reese noted the tremor that shook Natalie as she spoke and the way Knight 
tightened his arm around her. Looking at the bruises that stood out
starkly on her face and the red welt on her neck Reese continued. "I know 
this is hard but can you tell me what happened?" 

Nick started to protest, but Nat's soft "It's all right, Nick." stopped him. 
Slowly, sometimes speaking in only a whisper she related the events of
the past night. She told how Roberts had attacked her as she headed to her 
car and went on to describe the rest of her ordeal. By the time she
reached the part about regaining consciousness to find Nick beside her, 
tears were once again flowing down her face. 

Reese took her hand in his. "Thank you. I know that was hard." Reese's voice 
softened. "I also want you to know that Knight here isn't the only
one glad you're all right." He was glad to see the gentle smile that his 
words produced. "I.A. is going to want to talk to you, but that can wait
until tonight. Right now you look like you need to rest." 

Nick spoke. "I agree. Come on Natalie, Let me take you upstairs so you can 
lie down." 

"I'd like that." Leaning against Nick for support, Nat slowly made her way 
upstairs. 

Reese watched as Nick and Nat disappeared up the stairs. Looking at Tracy, 
Reese smiled. "Give a whole new meaning to the phrase `just
good friends' don't they? " He said. 

Tracy smiled then headed to the intercom as the buzzer signaled the arrival 
of the I.A. team. 

Upstairs, Nick and Nat heard the buzzer too. "I can ask Tracy to come up and 
stay with you if you want." Nick said as he tucked the comforter
around Nat. She had undressed and once again was wearing the top to a pair 
of his pajamas. 

"No. They need to talk to her too. I'm all right." She looked up at him with 
tired blue eyes and gave him the barest hint of a smile. "I feel
wrapped in your love here and I know you are just downstairs." 

Bending to kiss her Nick replied. "If you are sure. I'll listen so if you 
need me call." He left the room. 

Nat curled on her side. She could still feel Nick's lips where they had 
touched her. Feeling totally secure for the first time since Roberts had
come to the morgue she closed her eyes and in seconds was drifting into sleep. 

It was close to noon before Nick made his way back up to the bedroom. 

I.A. had left about 10:00 am and Reese and Tracy had followed a few minutes 
later. When they left, Nick had stood by the lift door and
listened to the sound of Nat's heartbeat and breathing. He could tell from 
them that she was fast asleep. Rubbing the back of his neck, he went
to the refrigerator and took out a green bottle of cow blood. Having to sit 
with the odor of Roberts blood thick in the air had been torture. He
was hungry, and not bothering with a glass, he uncorked it and drank half of 
it while walking to the couch. He sat and, somewhat more slowly,
finished the bottle. If he went up stairs now, he might awaken Nat. She had 
only been asleep for about four and one half hours. He decided to
clean up the mess down here first. He didn't want Nat to come down and see 
the now darkening pool of blood where Roberts' body had lain. 

It took over an hour to get the downstairs back in order. After washing up 
at the sink, Nick drank another half bottle of blood. Having to clean
up all of the human blood on the floor had been a test of his control. He 
smiled as he considered that he had been able to keep from vamping
out while he dealt with it. At last he headed up stairs to Nat. 

Quietly undressing he watched her sleep. Even with the bruises on her face, 
she was beautiful. He had almost lost her last night Despite his own
tiredness, he ached to take her in his arms and make slow, tender love to 
her. Remembering how frail and exhausted she looked when he had
tucked her into his bed a few hours earlier, he resolved to control himself 
and let her rest. Trying not to disturb her, he slipped in bed beside her.
Her warmth drew him and he carefully took her into his arms. She stirred 
then opened her eyes. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." He whispered into her ear. 

"I'm glad you did. Everyone gone?" Nat cuddled up against him. 

"Yes, for quite a while. I cleaned up the mess downstairs." 

Nat wrinkled her nose. "How'd you manage with the blood?" 

"Didn't lose control once." The pride in his voice made Nat smile. Nick 
smiled back and continued. "By the way, Tracy called Grace and told
her you were okay. Grace said she would go over to your place and take care 
of Sidney for you." Nick was becoming aware that he was not as
tired as he had thought. The nearness of Nat's body and her scent was 
fueling his desire. Absently he began to stroke the curves of her body. 

Nat felt his hands as they caressed her. She hoped he wouldn't stop. She 
wanted his touch on her skin. Last night she had been afraid that she
might not live to lie in Nick's arms again. She tilted her head to see his 
face and smiled as she met his blue eyes staring into her own. "Good, then
I won't have to hurry over to my place in order to take care of him." 

Nat started to run her own hand along Nick's thigh, and across his stomach. 
She watched his eyes deepen in color as he responded to her
actions. Almost shyly, she said, "Nick, I want you. I guess after last night 
I need some reassurance that I'm really safe." She paused searching his
face, trying to see if he understood. She saw, in his eyes, his love for her 
and his own need for her. "I love you so much, please make love to me
now." 

"There is nothing I would like better." Nick's words carressed her. 
"Natalie, know that you are my life. Your acceptance of me, all of me the
man and the vampire, is what makes existance worth while. I love you now and 
I will love you for all eternity." Smiling, he began to kiss her. 

Her pulse quickened as she felt his lips on her skin. She could feel her 
bones seeming to melt as his mouth found hers. She gave herself to him,
unabashedly reveling in the sensations that flowed over her. 

Nick felt his desire increase as Nat responded to his hands. When she looked 
into his eyes, he felt as if his whole being was aflame with his need
for her. He slid off the pajama bottoms he was wearing. Holding her he lay 
the softest of kisses on the bruises on her face. As he found her
mouth, his questing tongue met hers, sending a jolt of pleasure coursing 
along his nerves. He leisurely explored her mouth, deepening their kiss,
as Nat pressed herself even closer to him. Moving to her neck he placed 
several soft kisses along the still angry looking welt left by the rope.
Undoing the buttons that fastened the pajama top he uncovered her breasts. 
Lifting one of her breasts to his mouth, he ran his tongue around the
nipple and gently pulled at it with his lips. At the same time he fondled 
her other breast with his hand. He could feel her excitement and relished
the way her nipple hardened against his tongue. Nat was breathing in small 
gasps of enjoyment and that sound only fueled the flames within him..
Nick could feel the blood pounding in his groin as his own excitement 
increased. 

Slowly, he traced a line of kisses and licks from her breasts, down the 
softness of her stomach until he reached the dark triangle of her pubic
hair. Gently separating the lips of her vagina, he began to tenderly run his 
tongue around her clitoris. He inhaled her warm, slightly salty scent
and, ever so gradually, increased both the speed and the pressure of his 
tongue. He heard Nat's voice thick with passion saying his name as he
felt her come. Giving her only a few moments to catch her breath, he once 
again found her mouth and pulled her into a long kiss. 

Nat was dizzy with both physical sensations and emotional fulfillment. She 
had never dreamed that anyone could experience such wonderful
feelings. When she reached her orgasm, she heard herself cry out Nick's 
name. As the sensations washed over her, she once again felt Nick's
lips on hers. Putting one hand on the back of his neck she thrust her tongue 
deep into his welcoming mouth. Her other hand sought and found his
erect penis. She closed her hand over it and began to stroke it. She felt 
Nick tremble as his body reacted to her touch. At the same time, Nat
could feel her own body once again spiraling upward toward climax. She 
watched, unafraid, as Nick's eyes changed from their normal clear
blue to gleaming golden pools. 

The warmth of Nat's hand on his penis and the taste of her in his mouth 
broke the last of Nick's control over the vampire side of him. As he
looked into Nat's eyes he felt his own change. He saw no sign of fear in her 
eyes as she observed this, only a fierce love. "Nick," she panted. " I
need to feel you in me...All of you..Please." Moving between her welcoming 
legs he entered her. She offered her neck to him and with one hand
urged him to drink. He kissed her neck then sank his fangs into the vein. 
All of the fear of the night before was there in her blood. Her horror of
Roberts and what he had told her. The terror she felt as the rope choked her 
into unconsciousness and the relief and joy when she came to and
found Nick holding her. Stronger than all of this, and that which Nick 
savored the most, was her unconditional love for him. He shuddered as
the force of his climax exploded throughout his body and was answered and 
magnified by Natalie's own orgasm. 

They lay in one another's arms as the heat within them slowly cooled. Spent, 
they still needed to lightly carress each other and to feel the gentle
pressure of the other's body against their own. The kisses they shared were 
tender and thus entwined, they surrendered to sleep. 

Several miles away, the power of their emotions was felt by another. LaCroix 
opened his eyes and a cold smile crossed his face. `It appears
Nicholas and the mortal woman have managed to find a way to consummate their 
relationship.' He thought. `I will have to pay them a visit in the
very near future.' 

Finis

Thank you for having read this far! All comments, suggestions, etc. may be 
sent to:

Nightlady--- email cstar@pdq.net or forevrnite@hotmail.com