Date: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 13:56:48 -0400 From: Susan Bennett This story is for Nick&Natpackers. Cousins read at their own risk ;-). I've never actually given Tracy any real dialogue before, so I hope I did okay with her. PAYBACK TIME (1/2) by Susan B. for Nick&Natpackers based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. --------------------------------------------- Tracy pulled her car over to the curb about thirty feet past the Raven. She was hesitant about going in, this place gave her the creeps. But Vachon wasn't at the Church and she really wanted to talk to somebody. Tugging her unruly skirt back down where it belonged, she headed for the front door of the Raven. Inside, the music was deafening. Tracy scanned the place for Vachon and spotted him sitting alone at a table near the bar. She felt a little uncomfortable just walking over to him. Her tension dissipated when she got close to him and smiled, "Hi, Vachon!" "Hi, Trace, What brings you down here?" "Oh, I just wanted to talk. I hope you don't mind." Tracy laughed as she sat down, "You *are* the only friend I have who's available for chit-chat at four o'clock in the morning." Vachon grinned, "Huh? You mean you don't want to ask me anything? No information? No help? Nothing?" "Okay, okay. I get the message. And no, I don't need anything from you. I only want to talk." "So, what's on your mind?" "Work's on my mind. I thought I was really starting to fit into this job, you know. It's been tough getting used to the gory stuff, but after that last burn victim I thought I could handle anything. Until last night." "What happened?" "They pulled a car out of the lake. The windows were shot out and there were four bodies inside. It had been underwater for awhile, pretty gruesome." Vachon nodded sympathetically. "Until now I've always been able to pull myself through it, you know, think of the job. The victims were just details, evidence, not really people, and it always worked." Vachon reached over and set his hand on Tracy's shoulder, "And now?". "I don't know, Vachon. Two of them were just kids. It really got to me. I don't want *anything* to do with the case." Tracy shook her head sadly, I'm not even sure I want to be a cop anymore." "Do you want to go somewhere quieter and talk?" Vachon asked. "No, no. I'm okay. I just needed to get it out. And it's not something I can confide to my partner, or anyone else on the force for that matter." "Maybe you ought to get away for a few days. Think about it." Tracy sighed, "You're probably right." Vachon was silent for a few minutes before speaking, "Listen, Trace. I have a little place up north you can use if you want. It's quiet, there's a lake, woods. Could be just what you need." "I really could use some time away from the City," Tracy nodded. "It's settled then, you can go there this weekend." Vachon winked, "I may even come up to visit." Tracy blushed and rose from her chair, "I'll be back in a minute. I'm going to the ...uh ...ladies room." When Tracy left Vachon, LaCroix took the opportunity to stroll over to him, "That is Nicholas' partner, is it not?" "Yeah," Vachon answered casually. "Indeed. You know her well, do you?" Vachon shifted around in his seat, "She's just a friend who needs some time to clear her head. I'm letting her use Screed's old place up north." "I see. That's very generous of you." LaCroix eyed Tracy returning, "Your friend is on her way back." He walked off to his booth. >From his booth LaCroix had a direct view of Vachon's table. He watched with interest as Vachon wrote down directions and gave Tracy a key. LaCroix was thinking about Tracy. She seemed so full of indecisiveness and confusion, the same weakness that had so attracted him to Nicholas centuries ago. LaCroix chuckled and started to formulate a plan. * * * * * Nat was in the morgue tidying up her desk when Nick walked in, "Almost ready to go?" "Yeah, just let me get this last bit of stuff cleaned up." Nat opened her desk drawer and swept everything into it. She looked up at Nick and giggled, "See - all done!" Nat slipped off her lab coat and put on her jacket, "I'm looking forward to this weekend - three nights off!" Nick walked Nat to her car in the parking lot and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Nat murmured, "Do you want me to come over for awhile?" "No. I'm going down to the Raven for a few minutes before I head home." Nat gave him a dirty look, "Again?" Nick fidgeted about, "Don't look at me like that." "Well, Nick. You've been going down there a lot lately. Too much. It wasn't very long ago that you and LaCroix were bitter enemies. Have you ever even *considered* the possibility that you're being set-up for a fall?" "I told LaCroix I'd stop by this morning." "Yes," Nat snapped, "And when did you tell him that? Probably within the last twelve hours." "It's nothing for you to get upset about," Nick snapped back. Nat shook her head and got into her car, slamming the door. "Dammit, Nick, even if your new-found friendship is genuine, no one over the age of twelve spends *that* much time with his father!" Nat immediately felt sorry for saying that and was going to apologize, but Nick had already headed off to his own car. Nick got into the Caddie and started the engine, but he didn't move. He simply sat there and watched the taillights of Nat's car dwindle away as she drove off, wondering if perhaps she was on to something. It really wasn't all that long ago that LaCroix was at the worst of times his fiercest enemy, and at the best of times an unmitigated pain in the ass. Lately Nick had been thinking of LaCroix as his closest friend. He changed his mind about going to the Raven, and headed home instead. * * * * * Nat arrived home shortly before sunrise. She was upset about the fight with Nick, but he had it coming. He *was* spending too much time at the Raven. Feeling quite depressed, Nat changed into her nightgown and went to bed. About 3:00 that afternoon her phone started ringing. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes Nat picked up the receiver and groggily answered, "Hello." "Hi, Nat!" said Tracy, "I'm sorry, it sounds like I just woke you up." Nat slowly sat up in her bed and checked the clock. She stretched and yawned, "It's okay, Trace, I should be getting up now anyway. What's up?" "Well, this is kind of last-minute, but a friend of mine is letting me use his cottage for the weekend. I *really* want to go, but I don't *really* want to go alone. Interested?" Nat thought about it for only a few seconds. A weekend away from Nick would probably be good for her, good for both of them. She blurted out, "Sure. What's the plan? What should I bring?" "Well, it's pretty rustic. No electricity or running water, not even a phone. You really don't have to worry about anything though, I've had *plenty* of camping experience. I thought we'd leave tonight after dinner. We can take my car." "That'll give me time to find someone to come in and look after my cat. Are you sure I can't bring anything?" Tracy giggled, "Maybe a deck of cards and some paperbacks - in case it rains all weekend! I'll bring some tea and stuff, and the water. We can do some shopping up there in the morning. Just bring yourself and some warm clothes, it gets pretty chilly at night!" "Sounds good. So I'll see you around what time?" "I'll be there around seven. Be ready." Tracy was glad that Nat agreed to go with her, it would give them a chance to become closer friends. By the time Nat dragged herself out of bed, had a shower, and put on a sweatshirt and jeans, it was almost 4:00. She spent the next couple of hours visiting friends in the building, trying to talk someone into looking after Sydney for the weekend. When Nat got back to her apartment she had dinner, then started packing. The last thing she had to do was to call Nick and let him know. Nat picked up the phone and dialed but ended up talking to the answering machine, "Nick? ...It's me. I wanted to let you know I'm going up north with Tracy for the weekend. I'll call you tomorrow from town. Bye." Nat set the receiver down for a minute and then called right back, "It's me again. I just wanted to tell you, also, about this morning, that I'm sorry." * * * * * It was almost dark when Nat and Tracy pulled up the dirt driveway to the cabin. Tracy reached over and pulled a big flashlight out of the glovebox, "Well, this is it. Let's go check it out!" The girls climbed out of the car and went around to the trunk for their stuff. Nat inhaled a deep breath of the fresh woodsy air and gazed up into the night sky, it was bursting with stars. "My, I forgot how wonderful the air is up here ...and how beautiful it is." Tracy pulled her overnight bag out of the trunk, "You certainly can't see anything like it at home!" "Damn!" Nat shouted and smacked her arm, "I just got bit! The mosquitos already know we're here!" She yanked her bag out of the trunk and they ran for the front door. Tracy fumbled with the key for a minute before wrangling it open. They burst in and dropped their bags on the wooden floor, then ran back out for the water container and small box of supplies. After everything was inside, including a swarm of mosquitos that followed them, Tracy set the flashlight down on the kitchen table. Nat filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove. "Geez Trace, these mosquitos are going to suck us dry. Did you bring anything for bugs?" Nat smacked another one of the little blood-suckers that landed on her leg. "Of course," Tracy beamed, "I told you I've had plenty of camping experience!" She reached into the box and pulled out a pack of bug coils. Tracy scrounged through the box for some matches, "While I'm doing this, why don't you haul those two lanterns down." Nat lifted the lanterns from their ceiling hooks and set them down cautiously on the kitchen table. Tracy got the bug coil lit and was about to light the lanterns. Nat winced, "Gas, glass and fire. What an exhilarating combination! I think I'll go start a fire - *in* the fireplace." By the time Nat got a good fire going, Tracy had both lanterns lit and hung, and a pot of tea made. The soft glow from the lanterns and the cozy fire warmed up the small cabin considerably. Nat was feeling more and more comfortable with the whole idea. After unpacking, Nat and Tracy sat quietly at the kitchen table drinking tea. They were enjoying the hushed sounds, the soft hiss of the lanterns and the gentle crackling of the fire. A few minutes later the near silence was shattered by the haunting cries of a wolf. "Listen to that howling!" Tracy exclaimed. "I didn't know there were wolves around here!" "It is a full moon, maybe it's a werewolf," Nat quipped without thinking. Both Nat and Tracy shuddered, but neither would admit why. Susan B. Cont'd. in (2/2) Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net PAYBACK TIME (2/2) by Susan B. for Nick&Natpackers based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. --------------------------------------------- Nick awoke in his loft around the same time Nat and Tracy were having tea. His first thoughts were of the argument he and Nat had early that morning. He was going to phone her, but decided to go to her place instead. Nick got dressed and flew from the loft. He didn't even notice the blinking light on his answering machine. A few minutes later Nick arrived at Nat's place and discovered she wasn't home. He went down to the parking garage and noticed her car there. Nick returned to the apartment and hung around for awhile before writing a note apologizing for getting angry, and saying he'd be back later. Nick arrived at the Raven around 10:30. He didn't see LaCroix around so went over to Vachon who was sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand. Nick snuck up behind him, "Vachon". Vachon swivelled his chair around, "Hey, Nick". "Where's LaCroix?" "I saw him talking to someone a little while ago. Soon after that he told me he had to go out of town for awhile to take care of some business." Nick was curious, "Oh? Who was he talking to?" Shrugging his shoulders, Vachon replied, "One of us, but no one I've ever seen before. The guy was pretty shabby looking, not exactly LaCroix's type." "And he said he was going out of town?" "Yeah," Vachon grinned, "I guess he needed a break from the City too, like Tracy." "What's that about Tracy." "She's okay, Nick. She just needed some time away." Nick nodded his head impatiently, "Vachon, what exactly did LaCroix say?" Vachon took a quick sip from his glass before answering, "Something about having to collect on an old debt." Nat's words about being set up for a fall came crashing into Nick's mind, "I think Tracy may be in some trouble." "Why would she be in trouble?" "It's a long story, but LaCroix does believe I owe him, and for him to happen to leave town now, the same time as Tracy..." Vachon grabbed Nick's arm, "There's something LaCroix doesn't know, and it seems you don't either. If that's true, Tracy's not the one who will end up in trouble, Nick. Nat went with her." "What!" "Tracy called me just before they left. She told me Nat was going with her." "What time was that?" "Around seven." Nick spoke quickly, "I have to get there. Where is it?" Vachon started scribbling the directions on a napkin and then stopped suddenly, "Hold on, I'll go with you!" "This is something I have to do myself." Nick snatched the napkin from Vachon's hand. He raced out of the Raven and flew into the night sky. * * * * * Tracy and Nat both went to bed early. There wasn't much to do at night, no television, no radio. They drank tea and swapped stories about old boyfriends, until the fresh air took it's toll and made them sleepy. Nat was startled from her sleep by a nightmare that she was being suffocated. She woke in the darkness to find herself staring into a pair of glowing eyes, a cold hand clamped over her mouth. Nat's heart started to race. She tried to move but an arm was pinning her down. The assailant lifted her up into his arms without speaking a word. Still gagging her, he carried her through the cabin and out the front door. The vampire sailed into the air with Nat. The unanticipated whirling blur of stars made her nauseous, and she had to close her eyes. Almost as quickly they were back on the ground. Her abductor spoke, "I'm going to remove my hand. Don't scream - no one will hear you." Nat didn't recognize the voice. She was dragged through the brush and into a dark, musty cave. Nat knew she was in a cave when she could no longer see the sky. She was shivering from fear and cold, and her bare feet were sopping wet. When her captor dropped her to the ground, Nat hit the back of her head against the rock wall. All she could see was the eerie glow from his eyes. All she could hear was him shuffling around in the blackness. Suddenly there was a flash, like lightning, and her eyes closed spontaneously. When she opened them again Nat saw a fire had been lit, and for the first time she saw her captor's face. He had long straggly hair and a beard, his clothes were dirty and torn. Without a word he approached her and propped her into a sitting position, her legs stretched out in front. The unknown vampire pulled some pieces of cord from his pocket and tied her wrists together, and then her ankles. The stench of him was overwhelming, he reeked of death. Nat was terrified. After securely binding her, the vampire turned around and left the cave. Nat sat alone, confused and frightened, and longing for Nick. A short time later LaCroix entered the cave. He seemed somewhat astonished to see her there. She didn't realize it was Tracy he was expecting to see. Nat shouted in relief, "Thank God it's you! Did you get him?" She limply held her bound wrists in the air, "Look what he did to me!" LaCroix walked slowly towards Nat, stopping about five feet in front of her. Nat stared up at him, "Well, aren't you going to untie me?" "I think, for the moment, I much prefer you the way you are," LaCroix grinned wickedly. Nat felt an uneasiness sweeping over her. Her short-lived relief turned back into panic, "You didn't expect to find me here did you?" "Not exactly," LaCroix smiled, "But rare occasions such as this do occur, when things turn out even *better* than you expected." Nat struggled to look beyond LaCroix, hoping to find Nick there. The motion wasn't lost on LaCroix, "I'm afraid Nicholas is not going to be able to help you this time, Dr. Lambert." "You're toying with me, aren't you?" Nat asked hopefully. But she knew that he was deadly serious. LaCroix took another step forward. Nat gasped, "If you touch me you'll lose him forever!" "He is already lost to me, Dr. Lambert. And I have wasted enough time on him. After 800 years I finally find myself weary of his incessant whining. Quite simply, Dr. Lambert, as of this moment, he no longer amuses me." LaCroix reached forward and stroked Nat's hair, "You, however, are truly beginning to fascinate me, Dr.... may I call you Natalie? After all, we are about to become very close. Very close indeed." * * * * * Nick materialized silently inside the cabin, wincing at the odours of burnt wood and insect repellant. He crept into one of the bedrooms and saw Tracy asleep in the bed. Then he turned and quietly crept into the other bedroom. Nick approached the empty bed and lifted the pillow to his face. It was drenched in Nat's sweet scent. Nick felt as though his heart was about to be torn out. He left the cabin as silently as he entered. The night sky was clear, and the stars and moon gave ample light for a search. Nick flew frantically around the area scanning the clearings, but it was all to no avail. The forest was too dense, and not even a vampire could see through trees. Despondent, Nick returned to the area of the cabin and started a desperate search on foot. A few minutes into the woods Nick sensed something. It was another vampire, but it wasn't LaCroix. He took to the air and closed in on the scent. Eyes ablaze and fangs extended Nick swooped in directly behind his target. The scruffy vampire spun around and growled, "What the hell do you want?" Nick flung out his arm, grabbed him by the throat and snarled, "Where is she?" "I don't know what you're talking about!" Nick tightened his grip on the stranger, "Tell me, or your next breath will be your last!" Knowing he had no chance with this opponent, the younger vampire retracted his fangs in surrender. He pointed over Nick's left shoulder, "Two miles that way, in a cave." "Is she alive?" Nick hissed. The vampire shrugged, "She was alive when I left her." Nick hurled him to the ground and soared into the air. The dishevelled vampire, having no desire to be caught in the middle of the imminent confrontation, hastily flew off in the opposite direction. * * * * * Back in the cave, LaCroix reached down and pulled Nat, still bound, to her feet. He wiped the tears from her face with his fingers, "Don't fret. This has been a long time coming, but surely you knew that the time *would* come." Nat shivered as LaCroix slowly brushed her hair from her neck. His eyes turned to gold and he bared his fangs. LaCroix dived for Nat's throat, but before his teeth could meet her flesh a powerful hand seized the back of his neck and pulled him back. Nat, unable to balance herself, fell to the ground. The Enforcer let loose his grip and LaCroix crumpled to his knees writhing in pain. LaCroix twisted his head to look up at his assailant. The Enforcer picked LaCroix up by the throat, "You should have known it was only a matter of time before we got around to you, LaCroix. You will pay for your transgressions - with your life." LaCroix dusted off his clothing and tried to regain his composure, "Would you please enlighten me, sir, as to what you are referring to." "Did you think we would let you continue indefinitely?" the Enforcer snarled. "No one is to be brought across involuntarily. Not even by *you*." LaCroix smiled, "Perhaps I am rather vague with explanations to those I choose to bring across, but I assure you I always have consent. In one form or another." LaCroix stiffened as his adversary glanced down at Nat's bound wrists and ankles, "This is your idea of voluntary?" The Enforcer knocked LaCroix flying across the room, and started walking menacingly towards him. Suddenly Nick whooshed into the cave. He materialized standing next to Nat, who lay on the ground curled up, trembling and sobbing. "Nicholas!" LaCroix cried out, "Kindly come over here and help me convince this ...gentleman ...that I have done nothing wrong!" Nat opened her eyes at hearing Nick's name, and glanced up to see him standing over her. Through her tears she smiled and cried out for him. Nick glared at LaCroix as he knelt down beside Nat. He untied her and pulled her into his arms. Nat buried her face in his chest and tightly held on to him. Nick flew from the cave with Nat in his arms, leaving LaCroix to his fate. * * * * * Back safely in Nat's room in the cabin Nick set her down on the bed. He sat next to her and whispered, "I hope you're never going to go away like that again without telling me, Nat." She answered quietly, "You forgot to check your machine again, didn't you?" Nick nodded his head sheepishly. Nat smiled, "I left two messages, the first letting you know I was coming up here and that I'd call you." "And the second?" Nat stroked his hair and planted a quick kiss on his lips, "That I was sorry about the things I said to you." "As things turned out, I guess I'll have to say you *won* that argument," Nick grinned. Nat hugged him and smiled, "I wish I could go home with you right now. But I could never explain this to Tracy." Nick fondled her hair, "I'll stay here with you for awhile, sunrise is still a few hours away. But you'll have to get dressed." Nat looked down at herself, the thin fabric of her nightgown was clinging to her every curve. Nick's hand slid from her hair to her throat, and then gently to her breast. Nat quivered, and Nick's eyes started to glow. He removed his hand and turned his face away, then stood up and walked to the window. Nick felt the tears of frustration coming to his eyes, but he held them back. Holding back her own tears, Nat slipped out of her nightgown and pulled on her jeans and sweatshirt, "It's okay. I'm dressed." Nick came back to her and gently pulled her down with him onto the bed. Nat snuggled into him and lay her head on his chest. She never dreamed she could feel so warm and content simply by having so much of him, so close to her. Nick lay there for hours just holding Nat, and caressing her soothingly. She whimpered when it was time for him to leave. He kissed her softly and whispered, "I'll come by tonight, after Tracy's asleep." Nat smiled and touched his cheek, and gave him a gentle kiss goodbye. Nick quietly made his way through the cabin and out the front door. As he flew off the thought struck him to check the cave. But there was really no need for that, Enforcers always cleaned up after themselves. -- The End -- Susan B. Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net