Date: Fri, 3 May 1996 02:37:39 -1000 From: Kevin Matsumoto Author's notes: Here you go folks. The Sequel I promised in the final chapter of Companionship. I'm not sure how long this one is going to be yet. So its 1/? for right now. Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 1 Vachon felt the tension suddenly build in the Raven. Looking around he spotted Detective Tracy Vetter slowly walking into the club. Getting up he began slowly weaving his way thru the crowd. Before he could reach Tracy he saw LaCroix grab her by the arm. "Detective Vetter! It is a pleasure to see you in our club. Be assured you will always be welcomed here." The glare LaCroix gave the crowd quelled more than one hostile stare. Vachon watched as LaCroix escorted her over to him. As they sat down, LaCroix leaned over and whispered. "Never forget this, Javier you now...I believe the term is owe me one?" Vachon nodded and as LaCroix walked away turned to Tracy. "This has to be the worst case of _bad timing_ on record." Tracy looked around, most of the stares sent their way were, if not exactly hostile, were a least very cold. "Vachon? Is everyone here...?" "Yep, every _live_ body that walked thru the door got such a cold shoulder that they decided to party elsewhere tonight." "Why?" "You should know, It's your case." "My..." Tracy shook her head. "Are you talking about the murders?" "_NO_" Vachon tilted his head slightly to emphasize his words. "I'm _talking_ about the _Decapitations_. _You_ do know that one of the proscribed methods of killing a vampire is to cut his head off?" "Oh..." "_Oh_" Vachon said amazed. "I tell you that the murders you're investigating has every vampire in Toronto paranoid and all you can say is _oh_?" "Well what did you want me to say? I didn't know... Besides the murders have nothing to do with vampires. Nick and I think its a bunch of weirdo's fighting duels." "Duels..." Vachon shook his head. "That's what LaCroix said to. But it isn't calming the community, too many of them have faced hunters before." Tracy looked worried "This has happened before?" Vachon nodded. "More times than you think. Only this time it's humans dying and a couple of vampires have gone missing. Their friends think they just decided to leave. But it didn't help things." Tracy look around again. "So, why am I getting the hostile treatment?" "Think about it Tracy. You're a human, worse a human _Cop_ that's talking with a vampire. The only thing that saved you was LaCroix's intervention." "So who's LaCroix?" "One of the oldest in the city. For some reason he's extended his protection to you. At least for this visit. There aren't many who'd challenge that." "He's very intimidating." Tracy agreed. "That's the mildest description of LaCroix I've ever heard." Vachon laughed. "Vachon?" Tracy asked. When Vachon looked at her she continued. "Have you ever faced a hunter." Vachon nodded sadly. "That was how I met Screed." Tracy looked at the melancholy on his face. "Tell me about it." Vachon eyes got distant as he told the story. ***************************************************************** England 1566 Vachon whirled around, the crossbow bolt in his chest had missed his heart but still hurt enough to prevent him from flying away. It took some concentration to fly and all he could think of was how much the bolt hurt. "Now, child of darkness. Kneel before the power of Almighty God." The Witchhunter advanced on him, cross held high. All Vachon could do was snarl, his eyes gold as he backed away. Neither saw the figure slowly climbing out of sewer. As the hunter backed Vachon into a corner, he raised the heavy broadsword in his right hand. All the while holding the silver Cross in his left. Suddenly from behind a slight figure raised a large piece of wood and brought it down on the head of the witchhunter. Vachon watched dazed as the figure quickly used the sword to knock the cross from the hand of the hunter. Then the figure bent over the hunter and bit down. When it was over the figure walked over to him and said "Looks like you got yourself in a bit of a twist-up eh mate?" Vachon stared at the figure and said "My thanks" "Bollocks!, you a bleedin _Spaniard_ then?" "Formerly" "Well you're still welcome mate. Let's you and I get ourselves outta and then we'll see bout getting that stick outta your bod." Vachon followed the vampire into the sewer system. Once there the vampire led him to a small alcove that was dry and away from the runoff. "Hold still mate and we'll just give this a little tug. I'll try not to hurt you too much." As the vampire grabbed the bolt Vachon said. "It can't hurt any worse that it does now." The other vampire yanked the bolt free and Vachon gasped "I was wrong...I almost wish you had left it in..." The other vampire said "You just lie back and relax and I'll be back with soming tasty eh?" Vachon passed out for a moment. When he came to he saw the other vampire biting down a rat. "A _Carouche_? You're a Carouche?" "You got a problem with that?" "No, I owe you my life. My name is Javier Vachon" "The crying shames Screed, this is my home here, not fancy but I like it." "Well Screed, what now?" "I don't know about you mate, but I'm getting my buns out of this bleedin area before someone finds the body." "I agree, I have a way to get to the continent. You want to come along?" "Don't do me no favors friend." "I owe you, besides a man can't have too many friends can he?" "No I guess not, so how we getting out of the city?" "A boat being sailed by human friend of mine. He sometimes takes cargo across the channel secretly." "A smuggler eh, well I used to be a sailor before, be good to feel the ocean under my feet again. Why not I'll come along, might be good for a laugh." The two quickly got up and made their way thru the tunnels. ***************************************************************** Before Vachon could continue, Tracy's cell phone began ringing. "Vetter speaking. Oh Hi captain, No I haven't heard from Nick. His phone's off the hook? Another one? Great I'll stop by Nick's place and check then meet you at the scene. Bye" Vachon looked a Tracy, "Another decapitation?" "Yeah, in Jerrold park, the captain can't reach Nick but tonight's his night off. I've got to go." She stood up. "Tracy..." Vachon said softly. "Yes?" "Thanks for listening." "Anytime Vachon" She smiled as she went out the door. End Chapter 1 Ok folks that's chapter 1, to those that don't like Vetter and Vachon, what can I say? I like all the characters, some more than others of course. A couple of notes. Screed's meeting of Vachon. I don't recall there ever being a flashback showing how Screed met him, so I made one up. Screed's use of the term "Crying shame" when he tell Vachon who he is. This is part of what is called Rhyming slang, a type of riddle game that was popular in England (Might still be for all I know.) The object is to come up with a 2 or 3 word phrase that ends in a rhyme for the word you're replacing. Ie Crying Shame=Name and Sorrow and Strife = Wife. That last wasn't a crack it was just the only other phrase I can remember of the tope of my head. Screed occasionally uses this manner of speech in a few ep. (Wish I could quote chapter and verse.) Screed being a sailor. Screed makes a comment to Vachon in Fever about it. "Bury my buns down by the water mate. Never felt right on dry land." That's a lifelong sailor talking. Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 2 Tracy hesitantly knocked on the door to Nick's loft. All the way over she had been trying to reach Nick. Either he wasn't answering his phone or it wasn't working. As she finished knocking she heard the muffled sounds of voices. "NICK?" she called loudly. "Be right there Tracy." The voice gradually got louder and she could hear Nick's footsteps as he approached the door. As soon as Nick opened the door, Tracy stepped in his loft. "Sorry Nick, I know this is your day off but Captain Reese wants us down a Gerrold Pa...Ah hi Nat." Tracy's face pulled into a slight grimace as she realized that Nat was sitting at the Kitchen table. This wouldn't have been so bad except that Nat was sitting there in what looked like Nick's Silk robe and nothing else. "Sorry..." She said in a meek voice. "It's all right Tracy" Nick replied as he walked back over to where she was standing in stunned shock. "Uhmm...Ahh..what was I saying again?" Tracy stammered for a moment then finally she came out of her shock. "Oh yeah! There's been another killing. A headless body was found at Gerrold park. Captain Reese wants us there right away." Nick began walking to his bedroom. "OK Tracy, you get started I'll meet you there as soon as I've changed and dropped Natalie off." After Tracy had left Natalie stomped up the stairs and confronted Nick. "Dropped me off!? Nick I'm going with you!" "Nat..." Nick began. "Don't Nat me Nicholas Knight. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't go." Nick simply held up her blouse, one finger poked thru the bloodstained bullethole. "_Yah_, All right you drop me off, I'll change and meet you there." As they got dressed Nick mumbled "I can't believe I forgot to question Aaron about the first two murders." "Nick, at best he'd say it was self defense. Besides what were you going to say? _He's_ an immortal and he killed those two because of a game. And the reason you know this is the Coroner is one of them and I watched her come back to life? C'mon Nick, how could you even hold him?" "It's not that Natalie, its just I want to know if Aaron killed because they were trying to kill him or if he went after them." Natalie looked at Nick for a moment. "If he did go after them, you expect him to tell you the truth?" "Oddly enough Natalie I do. I don't think he went after them I just want to hear it from him." Natalie began trying to find a way to hide the bulletholes in her blouse. "I'm not going to get used to this part. How do you hide them?" Nick picked up one of his jackets and draped it over her shoulder. "Terrific" Natalie said flatly "Now I know why Aaron alway wears the trenchcoat." "That and to hide that sword underneath" Nick whispered as he gently kissed her neck. "Keep that up and we'll never get there." Natalie sighed. "Spoilsport." Nick grinned as he turned and headed out. Nick's face hardened as he looked down at the bloodstains that marked where Natalie had fallen. The thought of Natalie cold and lifeless on the ground, froze him in his tracks. "Earth to Knight... Come in Nick" Tracy's voice broke in and snapped him out of his paralysis. "Sorry Tracy, got a lot on my mind I guess." "S'allright Nick. This gets to me too. Or maybe you were daydreaming about a certain female coroner right?" "Right" Nick said softly, Tracy would never know just _how_ she was right. Nick walked over to where the body lay on the ground. Everthing was just as they left it. Looking around he picked up one of the shell casings. "Knight, tell me you have something!" Nick turned to see Captain Reese standing right behind him. Nick looked around and said "Well it looks like the same M.O. as the Farmer killing." "Knight I _meant_ something that I didn't already know." Joe Reese looked ready bust a blood vessel. Natalie walked over and interrupted them. "Well this time the murder weapon was left behind. I'll need to run some tests but I'd say that at least 2 people were shot. The forensic's team lifted two different sets of finger prints from the axe. I'm willing to bet that one of the prints match the victim." "Your duelist theory again." Captain Reese looked a little upset. "Actually Captain." Nick said quickly "I'm beginning think that this may be the work of a group of psychotics feeding off each others psychosis." "What!?" Both Natalie and Reese looked at Nick in astonishment. "Maybe this group is going around staging these duels. Forcing the victims to fight at gunpoint then leave the weapons as a sign of victory." "That makes a little more sense than your voluntary duels idea Knight but not much" Joe Reese turned and headed back to his car. Natalie continued to look at Nick. Finally Nick admitted. "If there looking for a group instead of one person then it'll be easier to coverup Aaron's involvement." She smiled "Thanks Nick." Before Nick could respond, Tracy Vetter came running over. "Nick, what's this about a group of people being involved?" "It fits the lastest two killings Tracy. Farmer obviously tried to run and they killed him. Then when the group came here they shot two people and forced the survivor to fight." Tracy looked around "So where are the other bodies?" Nick looked blank for a moment then said "Maybe the killers took them." "Why? In every other case the body was left decapitated, why take the ones that were shot?" "I don't know Tracy" Nick temporized. "Well I think I'll still work on the duelist angle if you don't mind." Nick shook his head "No, not at all." Tracy nodded curtly then walked back to where the foresics team had the body. "She's not going to let go of it." Natalie began before stopping and looking around. "Nat?" "Nick do you see Aaron anywhere?" Nick quickly scanned the small crowd behind the police blockade. "No, He's not here." Natalie looked scared "I was afraid of that." She began walking towards the crowd. Finally she saw a Middleaged man looking at her, he nodded to open area near a bunch of parked cars and began heading there. "Natalie, don't" Nick began to intercept her. "Nick, He's not going to try something here. Besides you can't protect me all the time." "I can try." Natalie shook her head. "Not in this Nick. This I have to do. You heard what Aaron said." "Natalie aren't you forgetting something?" "What?" Natalie was beginning to sound irritated. "No sword remember?" Natalie looked shocked. "Damn, I must be really rattled Nick, I never even considered that." Nick nodded. "This time let me handle it." "Nick you can't handle it all the time." Nick looked wistful "I know" He murmered "But that doesn't mean I have to like it." The two of them headed for the man. As they approached he he took off his coat and placed on the car. Nick noticed the odd way the coat seemed to hang over the car and realized that the man had taken off his sword as well. "My name is Kyle Freeman." Natalie smiled, she had noticed that he had disarmed as well. "Natalie Lambert" Nick decided to play along "Detective Nick Knight" "Detective Knight?" Kyle's eyes widened, "You're in charge of the Murder investigation?" "How did you know that." "Matter of public record." Kyle said. Looking over at Natalie he looked at Nick with a question in his eyes. Natalie smiled. "Nick knows about the Game." She found herself capitalizing the name in her head, the same way Aaron seemed to during their discussion. "Aaron called and said that Clay was dead. He told me about the newest member of the club. I decided to check for myself." Nick growled "Check, Check what? How untrained Natalie is?" Backing up a bit, Kyle held both hands up. "No, Nothing like that. Aaron was one of my teachers. It's because of him I've lasted even this long. He told me that Natalie was a new student. It wouldn't be right to attack her, totally unfair. Besides if I did that, Aaron would kill me himself." "Then what?" Nick was still a little angry, just barely able to keep his eyes their usual blue. "That Clay was dead. Aaron didn't want me going after Clay, he knew Clay would kill me. I just wanted to be sure that he wasn't just lying to keep me safe. He still feels a little responsible, I was his adopted son after all." Natalie blinked "Adopted?" Kyle smiled "Yes, Aaron and his wife Theresa adopted me several years ago. When I found out what I was, Well by then Theresa had been killed in an accident and Aaron was living somewhere else. He came back when he heard and started training me. Once I had learned what I could, he left again. Guess he couldn't stand the memories. That's something you're going to havet to get used to you know Miss Lambert. Having people you love grow older and die while you remain as you are." His voice took on a melancholy air. "That's if you can get used to it." Natalie nodded gravely, her thoughts on her brother Richard and how much it hurt when he died. Natalie remembered . Then she smiled, realizing that the real reason Aaron had moved on was to be with Theres again. Natalie looked at Nick and saw his slight smile. What she said was. "I hope I can handle it as well as Aaron does." Kyle nodded then went back to his car. "Well if you ever need anything call me. After all," he gave her a ironic smile "we're practically family." Nick and Natalie watched as he drove off. Finally Nick said. "We're just about finished here, I'll meet you at the office, then we can get some breakfast." Natalie suddenly groaned. "I can just see the look on everyone's faces when Tracy gets through talking." Nick smiled. "Tracy knows how to keep a secret Nat." Natalie looked a little more cheerful. "You're right. Maybe it's time to let her in on your secret? She can't be in anymore trouble that she is with Vachon and it might make things a lot less complicated." Nick pondered her question. "Maybe Natalie, Maybe". End chapter two Comments, Criticisms and remarks welcome send them to kevinm@pixi.com Flamers will be ignored Kevin Matsumoto Self confessed Nick and Natpacker with Cousinly tendencies. :) Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 3 Natalie looked up from the form she had finished filling out. She mused Pushing those thoughts aside for now, Natalie got up and stretched. Smiling she turned to Nick, who had been waiting very patiently since they had gotten back from Gerrold Park. "Done!" She smiled at him. "So how about breakfast?" "Nat..." Nick shook his head and indicated the clock "Sorry but..." Natalie looked at the clock and winced. There wasn't enough time for them to get breakfast before sunrise. "OK.. How about we stop at a convenience store, get some groceries and you fix me breakfast at the loft?" Nick blinked then said "Nat.. I don't know how to cook?" "Nick, everyone knows how to cook..." Her voice trailed off. "Right. OK well then how about I'll cook if you promise to at least try to eat." "Deal" Nick smiled as they left the office. "By the way, where is Tracy?" Natalie asked as they headed for Nick's car. "She said something about checking on a lead but she didn't want me to come with her." "Which means she went to talk to Vachon." Natalie concluded. Nick shrugged. "That's my guess." Tracy walked into the abandoned Church, suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her. Screaming she twisted around and saw the grinning face of Javier Vachon. "Dammit Vachon, Now I know why Natalie hates it when Nick does that to her." Vachon had a hurt look in his eyes for a moment then smiled again. "So what brings you here tonight?" "You mentioned that LaCroix seemed to think that individuals fighting each other were causing the deaths. Do you know where he go his information?" Vachon looked thoughtful for a moment. He couldn't tell Tracy that LaCroix had probably gone to Nick. Finally he resorted to the literal truth. "LaCroix didn't exactly mention where he got his information." "Maybe I should ask LaCroix myself." Tracy replied. "NO!!" Vachon suddenly leaned forward and seized Tracy's hand. Tracy shrunk away, her eyes suddenly afraid. She tried to pull free from Vachon's painful grip. "Vachon, stop..." She whispered the words trying to calm him. As suddenly as he grabbed her, Vachon released his grip. "Tracy I'm sorry." he apologized, "It's just that you don't know LaCroix. Just because he was civil to you last night, Doesn't mean he'll be civil the next time you show up. He might suddenly be in the mood for a snack." "I guess it isn't such a good idea then?" Tracy sounded a little frightened. "About as good as the one that brought you into the Raven last night." Vachon agreed. Tracy suddenly switched gears. "That reminds me. What did you mean that decapitation was the prescribed method for killing vampires?" "In the middle ages, during the inquisition. Some monk who had written a lexicon of all the _monsters_ in the world. Stated that the only way to kill a vampire was to drive a stake thru his heart and chop off his head. The monk said it was a guaranteed method." Tracy stared at Vachon for a moment. "Vachon, that method is guaranteed to kill _Anyone_." Vachon back at her then his face perfectly serious said "Well it does work." As Tracy giggled, Vachon asked her. "Why are you so gung ho about this duelling theory?" "I don't know myself." Tracy admitted. "Its just that Nick's new theory sounds even less likely. Besides I think that he's a little distracted right now." Vachon smirked for a moment. "Oh? what about." He took a pull from the bottle sitting on the floor next to him. "I think that he and Nat have finally decided to further their relationship." Vachon choked for moment. "Detective Knight? and the lady Coroner?" Tracy nodded "What's so amazing about that? I always thought they were more that just friends." Vachon quickly covered. "I just didn't picture Natalie as Nick's type." "OH?" Tracy said a little archly "What kind do you think is his type?" Vachon shrugged "The tall willowy brunette maybe?" Tracy smiled "Nope, from what I saw Natalie Lambert is definitely Nick's type." "Do tell" Vachon's face had an odd look on it. As Nick woke up early the next evening, he noticed the vacant spot on the bed next to him. Nick thought. Somehow the bed seemed empty without her in it. As he got out of bed, he saw the note that Natalie had left on the nighttable. "Nick. Captain Reese left a message on your machine. He said that you could take a couple of hours off before you come in to make up for last night. If I'm not back yet, I'm with Aaron. He said for you to meet us." As Nick got dressed he memorized the address that Natalie had left on the note. Finally he checked his messages and headed out. As Nick entered the building he heard the sounds of swords clashing. Shoving open the door. All Nick saw was a man, his back to Nick, driving Natalie up against the wall. Both of them had swords but it was obvious that the man was the better of the two. Without thinking Nick moved, his body a blur he grabbed the man and threw him across the room. A moment later he realized two things. One that the person that he had just thrown across the room was Aaron. Two that Natalie was mad. "NICK!" Natalie's yell had penetrated the red haze that overtaken him. "Nat.." Nick looked chagrined. "I'm sorry I just..." "I know," Natalie sounded exasperated "You thought I was in trouble and you were just coming to my rescue, like a knight in shining armor." "Nat..." "Nick I know you have this overpowering urge to protect me. I understand that. But you can't be there all the time." "I just..." Natalie sighed. "I understand Nick. Really I do. All I ask is you try. Or at least give some kind of warning OK?" "All Right Nat. I'll try, that's all I can promise." Nick's gaze met Natalie's. "Good enough" Natalie said after a while. "I concur." Both of them turned to see Aaron sitting up holding his right arm. Natalie ran over to Aaron and examined the arm. "From the looks of it you fractured it. We'd better get you x-rayed and maybe a soft cast." Aaron simply stared at Natalie until she suddenly blushed. "Sorry, force of habit." Aaron's laughter was infectious and soon all three of them were laughing. "You know Nick, when I told Natalie to invite you over. I didn't expect flying lessons." Aaron's joke brought a second bout of laughter. Once they had settled down, Nick looked at the room. This had once been a small factory. It was now completely bare of any furniture or equipment. Nick looked at the shuttered windows. "For privacy" Aaron explained noting Nick's gaze. "It wouldn't do to have some peeping tom call the police while I was training Natalie." "You rented this place just to train Natalie?" "No, Nick. Actually I bought this place to use as a practice hall." Now Natalie stared. "Bought? on a professor's salary?" Aaron and Nick both began to laugh. "Actually Natalie, officially I am also living of an Inheritance." "And unofficially?" "Have you ever thought how much even 5% interest is compounded over say 200 years? Or the value of a coin after a similar time. Here." Aaron threw Natalie a coin from his wallet. Natalie looked at the coin. "A Spanish doubloon?" "Worth a few grand. I've got cash stockpiles all over. Some antiques in storage too." He looked very amused "Of course they weren't antiques when I bought them." Natalie looked bemused "This is going to take quite a bit of getting used to." Aaron nodded at Nick. "He can help. He's probably done the same." Aaron looked a both of them for a moment then seemed to come to a decision. "Nick, Are you still trying to become mortal again?" "I never mentioned that. Where did you hear it?" "It seems to be the talk of the Vampire community." "I don't know yet." Natalie looked at Nick in shock "Nick, why now? Why are you suddenly willing to give up your dream?" When Nick wouldn't answer, Aaron did. "Maybe because he's found a better dream?" Natalie was looking right at Nick and she could from Nick's expression that Aaron had been right. "What dream?" Aaron looked a little sad. "Nat.. If Nick becomes mortal now, you're the one that gets left behind." Natalie was stunned. She had never thought about Nick dying before her. On her worst days she imagined Nick moving on or her dying of old age while he stayed young. On her best she imagined them growing old together. She had never imagined watching Nick grow old while she stayed young. Aaron waited until the stunned expression left Natalie's face, but before he could finish Nick interrupted. "Nat. I'm not saying I want to quit, but now we have time... We'll keep looking for a cure. But until this Gathering that Aaron mentioned really happens, there's no longer the rush. All my dreams of mortality center around you. As long as you are with me I have what I really desire." The two of them stared at each other for several minutes until finally Aaron had to break in. "Hello? Nat, Nick, remember me?" As they looked at him Aaron shrugged "Sorry but we really need to practice. You two can discuss this all you want at home." Natalie stopped Aaron "Your arm..." Aaron held up his arm and rotated his wrist. Then he picked up his sword and made a couple of practice swings. "Good as new. Now then at guard position." As the two began to practice, Nick wondered just how long Aaron and Theresa had been together. End chapter 3. As usual Praises, Criticisms and other remarks to kevinm@pixi.com All Flames will be grudgingly ignored. Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 4 Nick watched as Aaron sparred with Natalie. Throughout the match Aaron was shouting instructions. He smiled as he thought how much Aaron's tone matched that of the warrior that had instructed him in the use of the blade. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Belgium 1205 "Again, lad!" The burly swordsmaster admonished his young charge. Young Nicholas De Brabant tried to copy the swordsmasters fluid moves but each time the man came up with another criticism. "No, now you've got the point too high. It should be level with your eyes, like so.." The Swordsmaster pulled Nick's hands into the proper position. "All right try again!" This time when Nick had finished the pattern, the man smiled. "Better, much better. Give me enough time and I'll make a warrior out of you yet!" Now the two of them began to spar. The grey haired man against the young boy. The man's eyes smiled as he watched the young boy trying so earnestly. Someday he'd be a fine swordsman, and a better knight. Despite those thoughts for now the man kept correcting the boy. "No, lad, if you try to stop a strike with that move you'll wind up with a broken blade. Angle your blade against his. Deflect the attack, don't just stop it." The boy nodded but before they could begin again, Nicholas heard a familiar voice. "Nicholas, Your father wishes to speak with you." "You heard your mother lad." The man said. "Don't keep her waiting." The swordsmaster watched as Nicholas put the practice sword away and ran to the main hall. Nicholas could hear him say "There'll be plenty of time later to finish the lesson." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Penny for your thoughts, Nick." The voice beside him startled Nick out of his reverie. "Huh?, Oh, Hi Theresa, where have you been?" "Putting the finishing touches on my latest book. I see Aaron didn't waste anytime." Nick looked back to where Aaron and Natalie had been sparring. They had just stopped and were heading over to them. Leaning against wall Aaron smiled. "Not bad for a first session Natalie. With any luck you'll be at least competent in no time." Natalie stared at the sword in her hand. "I don't know Aaron, I'm just still not comfortable with the idea of actually _killing_ someone." Nick suddenly remembered that he had wanted to speak with Aaron about the killings. "Aaron..." Nick interrupted. When Aaron turned to look at him, he continued. "I still have to ask you about the killings..." Aaron closed his eyes, "Lemme guess you want to know whether I went after them or they came after me, Right?" Nick forced a smile. "How'd you guess?" "Not difficult," Aaron's sigh was audible. "You might be a vampire but you're also a good cop. You had to ask if only for your own peace of mind." Aaron ran his hand through his hair. "Sinclair came after me, He thought that Katharine had come to town seeking my help. He was good. Maybe better than me. During the fight we both lost our swords. I wound up with his, after it was over I couldn't find my sword before people started to wake up. So I ran." Natalie looked puzzled. "Why would Sinclair think that Felecia, I mean Katharine... OH you know who I mean! Was coming to you for help?" Aaron looked sad. "Because once upon a time, Katharine was a student of mine. We weren't close but I couldn't just leave her for the wolves. Apparently, she met Sinclair a few years ago. He turned out the be the possesive type and when she left him, he made her life a living hell." Nick shook his head "I know the type." "I'll bet." Aaron nodded. "Anyway, where ever Katharine went Sinclair followed her. He killed those two Immortals in Calgary and forced Katharine to run here." Now Nick was frowning. "So why did you kill Katharine?" Aaron's sigh was even sadder. "Because Katharine had gotten so paranoid that when she saw the sword I was carrying, it must have driven her over the edge. She wouldn't listen to reason. Finally I had to kill her." He leaned back until his head was resting against the wall and stared at the ceiling. "I wish it could have been different" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The factory 4 nights ago. Felecia Maddox Aka Katharine Noir looked around wildly as she felt the approach of another Immortal. Wild eyed she waited for Sinclair to show himself. "Katharine" a familiar figure spoke her name as he stepped into the light. "Aaron!" She smiled in relief, then she noticed the sword in his hand. Reflexes had made him draw it when she had pulled her sword. "YOU'RE HELPING HIM!" her scream caused Aaron to pull back. Suddenly Katharine was swinging her sword in vicious cut to his throat. Aaron barely blocked the swing and tried to reason with her. "Katharine, I'm not helping Sinclair, He's dead!" "LIAR!, I remember that sword, that's the one that killed Daniel!" Her face was a mask of madness and terror. Aaron thought as he realized that Katharine was hopelessly insane. The years of running had taken their toll and being faced with even the suggestion that her former teacher was involved had finally broken what was left of her sanity. Aaron blinked back tears as he set himself to do what had to be done. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aaron felt a light touch on his shoulder. Looking down he saw his wife's face staring at him, her eyes were understanding. "You couldn't have done anything else, love. You almost didn't survive, remember? She was already lost... I think maybe she wanted to die." Aaron gave a slight shudder as his mind tried to push away the painful memories. Then gratefully he gave his wife a quick hug. "Thank you.." he whispered holding her tightly. "OK Natalie, ready for round two?" Natalie looked down at her arms. "This is _really_ bizarre. I mean we've been swinging those swords for an hour now and I know every muscle in my body hurt 5 minutes ago. Now I feel great." "One of the advantages to being an Immortal. We recover a lot faster than everyone else." Nick looked at his watch. "Sorry Aaron but this time, we have to get going or we'll be late for work." Aaron shook his head "Figures... OK Natalie see you tomorrow." As Natalie and Nick turned to go, Aaron called out. "Natalie!, almost forgot... here this if for you." He handed her a sword. Natalie looked at the weapon then finally asked "What is this?" Aaron looked stunned for a moment then said "It's a _sword_, to be precise a Toledo..." "Salamanca." Nick finished "One of the finest swords ever made. Worth a small fortune." Natalie looked at both of them like they had lost their minds. "That's not what I meant. Why give this to _me_?" Aaron shrugged. "Nick can't be there all the time, and neither can I. You haven't had much experience with a sword but if you are attacked, I'd like for you to be able to defend yourself." Natalie was about to return the sword when Nick stopped her. "Nat... I'd like that too." Natalie threw her arms up in the air. "All right I know when I'm licked. I can't win against both of you." Aaron was still laughing at the look on Natalie's face well after they had gone. End chapter 4 Praises, Criticisms and other remarks to kevinm@pixi.com All Flames will be grudgingly ignored. Disclaimer: see chapter 1 Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 5 Natalie sat on Nick's couch. Tears of laughter streamed down her face as she watched the movie. It wasn't just the movie that had her holding her sides. It was Nick groaning into the pillow. The movie itself was awful. Full of poor special effects and lousy dialogue. But every time the villain did a cliched cape over the face bit, Nick would groan and beg Natalie to turn off the VCR. "Nat. Please enough is enough. Give me a break." Finally Natalie turned the VCR off. Still laughing, she wrapped her arms around Nick and hugged him. "Happy now?" Nick raised his head from the pillow and looked at her. He had bitten through the pillow trying not to laugh. Almost every vampire movie had that effect on him. But this one had them all beat. Every cliche was used, from the mad assistant to the black cape. Finally he managed to stammer out. "Thanks, I might not have to breathe but it's unnerving to laugh that long." Natalie smiled. "Well I have something better we could be doing." she said suggestively. Nick smiled then picked her up and headed for the bedroom. Tracy walked into the dark bar. Looking around the noisy room she walked to the counter. Slowly making her way through the crowd she listened, hoping to hear something that would help her to break the case. "What do you think you're doing?" A voice whispered in her ear. "Dammit, Vachon!" Tracy whirled around "If you must know I'm trying to get a lead on those murders. It's been a week now and zip." Vachon simply stared at her. Most of the time he was sure that Tracy was an intelligent capable woman. This was definitely wasn't one of them. "So you hit every vampire gathering place in the city? Is it my imagination or do you have a death wish?" Tracy looked annoyed at the crack. "I'm perfectly safe, all I'm doing is listening. Seeing if anyone has gone missing. You gave me the idea." Vachon stood still for a minute. Pondering her statement. Finally he shook his head. "All I said was that beheading a vampire is one of the ways to kill him permanently. Besides I told you that even LaCroix said that the killer's were fighting duels and didn't have anything to do with vampires." "All right, It was a dumb idea. But I thought maybe someone knew something more." Tracy threw her arms in the air and stomped off. Vachon rolled his eyes towards the ceiling and followed her. Neither one of them saw the figure staring at them from the end of the bar. the figure thought. Natalie wiped the sweat from her brow as Aaron signaled a halt to their practice. Turning to the couch that had just been delivered to the hall, she saw that Nick was sitting there grinning. "Good you remembered your promise." She grinned back. "It wasn't difficult. "Nick said as he hugged her hello. "This time I could see Aaron's face instead of his back." Aaron laughed good-naturedly "You don't know how glad I am of that." As the three sat down, Natalie asked a question that had been bothering her all week. "Aaron, How old are you?" Before Aaron could answer, Nick did. "At least 800 years old." Aaron looked at Nick, humor evident in his eyes. "OK, how do you know that?" Nick took great delight in mimicking Aaron's gesture at his loft. "That sword. It's a crusader's weapon, complete with a holy relic in the handle. It obviously was balanced specifically to you. So you have to be at least as old as the Crusades." Aaron laughed. "Not a bad guess Nick, but I was born before the Gallic wars. I'm at least 21 hundred years old." Natalie gaped in amazement at the matter of fact tone that Aaron used. Finally she managed to close her mouth and ask her second question. "How long have you an Terry been together?" "974 years." Aaron replied without hesitation. "_OK_" Natalie said. "How do you remember that so easily?" Aaron smiled as he answered. "Because for the first 200 years, Terry would get mad at me for forgetting our anniversary." Natalie looked at the overly innocent expression on his face and hit him with a cushion. "Not funny Gray!" Aaron laughed. "Actually its because that night literally changed the path my life was taking." Softly Aaron began recounting the story of that night. He was so caught up in the feelings the story evoked that he didn't notice his wife walk into the room. Holding her hand to her lips she stood quietly behind her husband and just listened. As he finished Natalie's looked curious. "I still don't understand one thing. From what you just said it wasn't love at first sight. So why did you stay together?" Aaron looked thoughtful for a moment then finally sighed. "The truth is, I had complete selfish reasons for staying with her." Theresa's eyes looked startled and hurt at Aaron's words, but she managed to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape from her lips. Aaron continued, oblivious to Theresa's presence in the room. "Natalie, Have you asked yourself the question yet?" "What question?" She asked. Aaron looked at her, trying to decide if she really didn't know. "The one every Immortal asks sooner or later. Especially if they like or respect their mentor." Aaron looked steadily at her. "What happens if at the end, its you and me?" Natalie looked stricken for a moment. Gathering her composure she answered honestly. "I don't know." Aaron nodded "That's the answer my mentor gave me. That's the one I give to all my students. I'd like to think that at the end, I'd have the strength to put down the sword. Let one of them win, but I don't know." Aaron leaned back into the chair. "Natalie, every Immortal in existence lives with that question. It's especially true between lover's and friend. Can I take her head? Can she take mine? Do I have the strength to put my sword down and refuse to fight? Does she? Finally it becomes a wedge. Just enough to keep you from being truly in love. You start to drift apart, go you separate ways. Maybe, fates willing, you come together again. But it never lasts. Between friends its not as bad but it's still there." "With mortals it's different, you don't have to worry about what might happen at the end. But eventually you have to watch them grow old and die. If you don't have to leave when someone notices that you never seem to get older." At that Nick nodded. "That's true Natalie. We both knew that sooner or later I'd be forced to leave for that very reason." Aaron smiled. "I thought you might understand Nick." He continued his explanation. "Before I met Theresa, I fell in love with a mortal woman. Her name was Elizabeth and she knew what I was." Aaron's eyes closed in remembered pain. "I met her when she was just a child. She knew all along what I was, that I could never age. But when she grew up she told me she loved me. She promised to stay with me as long as she lived. That she understood and accepted the facts. Less than a year after that she was killed in a riding accident." Natalie grabbed Aaron's hand for a moment. Theresa reached out to touch Aaron's head but pulled her hand back at the last second. "After that I turned cold. I wanted to die but every time I faced another Immortal something inside me wouldn't give in. I just couldn't let my self be killed without a fight. By the time I had met Theresa, I had become a hunter. Trying to find every Immortal I could and kill them or have them finally kill me. Every death was like another shard of ice in my heart. When I met Theresa, part of me just wanted someone to be with, a companion. Another part of me was fairly shouting that with her, I never needed to worry about what would happen if it came to down to the two of us. That I would never have to worry about her being taken from me. That I could care about...." Aaron shrugged "That's what I meant by selfish. I stayed with her because I needed her. I couldn't have cared less why she stayed with me." Theresa slowly slid her arms around Aaron from behind. "That's the same reason I stayed with you." Aaron started at the whispered words. Slowly he turned in the chair and stared at his wife. "Before I met you, I relished being a vampire. I enjoyed the power and the strength. What I hated was the killing. When I lived with the village, I used them to feed. Not enough to kill them but enough to satisfy me. Even then all I ever saw them as, was cattle. I wasn't mad at those Vikings for killing them. I was mad that they had poached on my domain. When I met you I remembered what it was like to be alive to feel again. When you and I spoke about all the years gone by I felt warm, in a way that I never thought to feel again. I stayed with you because I needed you." Natalie looked over at Nick fondly. Was it only a week ago that Nick had spoken similar words to her? Nick had been staring at Natalie all through the story. When she looked at him he smiled remembering the scene in the office. Finally he turned back to Aaron to see him in a rather heated kiss with Theresa. Deciding to interrupt them before things went to far, Nick cleared his throat. Aaron and Theresa pulled apart quickly and both looked a little guilty. "Sorry" Aaron blushed "Sometimes we forget ourselves." Natalie chuckled "I understand perfectly." She gave Nick a distinctly wicked look. Nick decided to change the subject before it was Aaron coughing to break Nat and him up. "So you fought in the Crusades?" "More like I lived through the Crusades. I went along with the armies of the Crusades because I was trying to find a master swordsmith. Someone to create a weapon that I wanted." "So why did you say that the Crusades were a strictly political war?" "OH c'mon Nick. You don't honestly believe that the Crusades was anything more than the Catholic Church trying to flex its muscles against a heretic did you?" Nick grew a little agitated "That's not political. That was religious." Aaron laughed. "Religious? Nick until the Muslims stopped the pilgrimages to Jerusalem the Church was perfectly willing to leave the Holy Land in heretical hands." As the two began arguing again, Natalie leaned over to Theresa and whispered "These two are going to be arguing for at least an hour. Is there anything to drink in here?" Theresa laughed and got two bottles out of the fridge. Handing Natalie the wine cooler the two just sat smiling as the argument continued. End chapter 5 Author's notes: You know I've been rereading this story and realized that I should just have called the whole thing Companionship and kept going. It's a little too late now though :) As before any comments, praise, criticisms to kevinm@pixi.com Disclaimer: see chapter 1 Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 6 Before Tracy entered the abandoned church she looked around nervously. It was silly, she knew, if someone was following her she'd have spotted them. Of course, if it was a vampire she'd never know they were there anyway. Slowly pushing open the door she called out. "Vachon?" Her voice echoed faintly in the dark room. Slowly she walked to where Vachon usually sat. "He's not here just yet Tracy." A quite voice said behind her. Barely suppressing a gasp Tracy whirled around to see the slightly anxious face of her partner. "Nick!, God you scared me. What... How did you know about this place." "I found it when you went missing during the Voodoo bomber case." Tracy looked confused. "Wait. I thought Vachon made you forget all that?" Nick looked sadly at her. "No, Vachon couldn't make me forget." "So you lied?" Nick nodded. Tracy's confused look turned into a frown. "Then why haven't you talked to me about this before? I mean if you're a resistor..." "I'm not a resistor, Tracy" Slowly the truth dawned on Tracy. Tracy's thoughts raced through her head. Confusion was replaced by anger. Her face tightened by anger Tracy lashed out. "You son of a ...." Drawing her fist back she threw the punch from the shoulder, exactly the way her police commissioner father had shown her. "AHHHH!" It was like hitting a brick wall. Her hand went numb. Then she began swinging wildly. "You bastard! You're supposed by my partner. I thought partners trusted each other!" Then something else occurred to her. "Natalie knows what you are doesn't she?" At Nick's nod she got even angrier "I bet the two had a good laugh. Poor little Tracy, she knows about vampires but can't even put two and two together." Finally Nick was forced to grab both her hands to restrain her. "Tracy will you let me explain." Tracy looked at Nick faced. Through her anger she could see Nick was having a hard time with this. "All right Nick, explain away." She sat down on Vachon's couch and waited. Nick looked at her and began talking. "Tracy, no one at the station but Natalie knows I'm a vampire. Not Reese, not Schanke, not anyone. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to bring you any further into my world. The fact that you knew about Vachon was enough to have the enforcers come after you." Tracy looked at him challengingly "So why tell me now?" "Because, now you're agitating the community. They're nervous enough with the murders. The last thing we need if for someone to go to the enforcers and tell them you're a hunter." Now Nick smiled. "Besides, as Nat said you can't get in anymore trouble knowing about me than you already are knowing about Vachon." Tracy had calmed down, now she looked slightly disgusted. "I still feel stupid." "If it's any consolation Tracy, I think that the only person who suspected was Schanke and the only reason he suspected was because I pulled a perp out a window in front of him. I took great pains to never let you see anything that might make you suspect." Tracy smiled faintly "And Natalie?" Nick's face softened. "Nat found out when I came back to life on her table at the coroner's office. She was surprised to say the least." Tracy laughed at that. "I'll bet." Nick shook his head. "I tried to make her forget but she's a resistor like you." Tracy nodded. "So, now you two have a relationship." Nick shrugged "C'mon Nick! I know what I saw. Deny it." "You saw what you saw, I can't deny that." "I knew it!" Tracy crowed. "Tracy," Nick tried to get the discussion back on track. "I think we really need to talk about the murders." "All Right Nick," Tracy shrugged. "I'm sorry I made you and Vachon worry, but I just wanted to break this case." "Tracy, trust me on this. I don't think that there are going to be anymore beheading in the city. At least not anytime soon." "You know something about the murders?" Nick looked troubled, he didn't want to start lying to his partner again. "Tracy, just trust me. I can't tell you how I know, but the killings were in self defense and there won't be anymore." "Nick, I'd..." "Nick, Tracy I think we have a problem" Vachon's voice interrupted their conversation. Both Nick and Tracy turned to see another vampire holding Vachon by the throat. Nick snarled and place himself between the vampire and Tracy. "SHE'S NOT A HUNTER!" The enforcer glared at Nick and began advancing. Vachon clawed at the enforcers arm but couldn't free himself. Nick closed with the enforcer and began to give reasons to leave Tracy alone. "She's known about us for months. She's covered for the community on several occasions. She even tried to help when that virus almost killed us. She's not a risk." The enforcer stood there for a moment considering Nick's words. Finally she released her grip on Vachon. Turning to stare at Vachon she hissed. "She's your responsibility. If she talks you and Knight die as well." At those words the Enforcer left in blur. Tracy made sure Vachon was all right then turned back to Nick. "So that was an Enforcer?" "Yeah, now you know why even vampires stay clear of them." Tracy nodded. "I think I owe you and Vachon an apology, big time." Vachon answered, "Don't mention it. Don't do it again either. I don't think I can take another visit from _her_" "But why didn't she kill me?" Vachon shrugged, "We don't kill every human that learns of us. Only those that pose a risk. I can think of several humans that have learned of us that haven't been killed. Nick's met at least two of them." Nick agreed. "Thomas and David Constantine" Tracy broke in "The mob boss, that Thomas Constantine?" Nick nodded briefly then continued. "If the person serves a purpose or can be trusted not to reveal what they know then they're allowed to live. Thomas used to smuggle our kind around." "So I'm being allowed to live..." "Because Vachon and I are willing to take responsibility for you. Basically we're putting our necks on the line. If you start talking about us, the Enforcers will kill all of us." "And Natalie as well." Tracy murmured. "That's another reason I didn't want to tell you." Nick admitted. "Nick I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put her in danger." "You didn't. _I_ did." Nick corrected. "Well you still have my word that I won't breath a word to anyone." "Good enough for me Tracy. Now can we go. We have to be on duty in 30 minutes." "Just a minute." Tracy went over to Vachon. Softly she kissed him. "Thank you." "For what?" Vachon looked a little bemused. "For worrying about me." She smiled and turned to follow Nick out. She never heard Vachon's quiet reply "You're worth it Tracy." End chapter 6 Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 7 Natalie sighed. Ever since Nick had told Tracy about himself Tracy had been acting very nervous around her. She'd start to say something then close up and would walk away as though embarrassed. Finally she decided that she had to do something before Tracy drove her crazy. "Tracy, I think we need to talk." "Natalie, I don't know..." Tracy began only to be cut off by Natalie. "I know that Nick told you. He said you might have some questions for me. So I think we should go someplace quiet and have a long talk." Tracy looked at Natalie then finally she simply said "Thanks" The two women found a small out of the way restaurant. After being waited on Natalie asked. "All right, Tracy what is it." Tracy tried to look innocent. "What is what?" "No good Tracy. Nick's used that same look on me too many times. What is it you keep trying to ask me?" Tracy blushed a deep red. Natalie suddenly realized what Tracy wanted to know. "Never mind Tracy, I think I know." Natalie looked a little concerned. "Are you sure this is what you want?" "I don't know." Tracy admitted. "I honestly don't know how I feel about Vachon. All I know is when I thought he was going to die, a part of me was devastated." Natalie shook her head. Tracy shrugged. "I wish I could just say that I love him. I care for him, probably more than anyone I've ever cared about before. I just..." Her voice trailed off. Her voice perked up again as she said. "Nick said that you've known about him since before he became a police officer?" Natalie laughed quietly "Yeah, he got up off the slab and scared me out of about a years life." Tracy smiled at the image that Natalie's words produced. "I'll bet, I still remember the first time I met Vachon." "That was during the Voodoo case right?" "How did you know... Oh yeah Nick." Natalie nodded. "I've known about Vachon since that incident and I found out about Screed when he got sick." Tracy suddenly gasped. "Was Nick infected?" "Yes, but we found a cure in time to save the community." Tracy looked relieved. "It's silly, especially since I know that a cure was found, but the thought just hit me. You know." "I understand perfectly Tracy. Believe me I understand." Natalie's voice was comforting. "Nat... I still was wondering. I know that you and Nick are more than friends." "And?" Natalie said with trepidation. "Well, how long did it take before.... Hell." Tracy's face again was a deep red. Natalie didn't want to lie to Tracy , but she also didn't want to reveal that she was an Immortal. "Since the night you first saw us." Natalie admitted. "It took that long?" Tracy voice betrayed her amazement. Natalie shook her head. "No, Nick and I just didn't want to take the chance that he'd drain me." "That's what's got me worried." Tracy acknowledged. "I know. Tracy, an older vampire told me that we needed to take it slowly. Work up to it gradually. Don't rush things OK?" Tracy's nod was almost imperceptible. Their order arrived and both women began chatting about work and anything else except the men in their lives. Nick looked over the request from the Seattle P.D. He smiled as he read the full report on the murder that had occurred in that city. He thought. "Hi, Nick what's up." Tracy looked chipper. "Nothing much, just going over this request for any information on unsolved murders involving beheadings." Nick replied as he handed Tracy the request form. "Seattle?" Tracy read the form. "Nick I thought you said that the killings were over." Nick shook his head. "What I said Tracy was that the killings here, were self defense, and that there wouldn't be anymore killings _here_" Nick emphasized the last word. "But..." Tracy looked confused. "Tracy, we were right. It was a group of people who were fight duels. The one here was forced to kill the first two and the last one. Farmer was killed by the last victim. I can't bring him in because there's no real evidence that we can use to link him to the deaths." "So what you're saying is that you know who committed the killings but you can't prove it?" "Not without admitting what I am." Nick looked around before finishing the sentence. "All right Nick, I'll drop it. But I'm still not convinced that the killings were in self-defense." "Thanks Tracy, I know how much it bothers you, but I just can't tell you anymore without betraying someone else's confidence." "More Secrets?" Tracy sighed. "Not mine this time" Nick said apologetically. "Knight! Vetter! In my office now!" Captain Reese's voice boomed through the station. "Once more into the Breach?" Nick kidded. "Easy for you to say, Nick." Tracy grinned as they headed for the Captain's office. Joe Reese was not happy, someone or group of someones had committed a murder in his city and had apparently gotten away with it. "Haven't you got anything new?" He glared at the Detectives squirming in their seats. "Just this Captain." Nick handed over the information request. Reese looked over the request. "Hell, you're telling me that the killer's left the city? Moved on?" Tracy nodded. "I think it's someone else's..." "Vetter if you say it's someone else's problem now. So help me..." Reese's tone promised dire consequences. "I was going to say. It's someone else's jurisdiction now." "Better." Captain Reese calmed down a little. "Well, send them what we have. And request any information they might have on their end. This wacko might be back." "Right on it." Nick stood and walked out the door. As Tracy stood to follow him, Reese's voice brought her to a halt. "Vetter..." Tracy stopped and looked at him. "Sorry about the outburst but this just...." Tracy smiled sympathetically. "I know Captain. It gets to me sometimes too." She followed her partner out, leaving a slightly tired Captain in her wake. Nick walked into the coroner's office. He smiled as he saw Natalie bending over looking for something under her desk. "Nat." He said gently. "Oww" Natalie's voice followed the thump as she hit her head against the bottom of the desk. "Sorry." Nick apologized quickly before Natalie had a chance to really get mad at him. "Forget it Nick" Natalie's voice was muffled. Finally she looked up in triumph. "Aha" she held up a piece of plastic. "What is that?" Nick asked leaning in to get a closer look. "The battery cover for my recorder." Natalie answered. Nick started to laugh. "Don't laugh you ever tried to find a shiny piece of plastic on a gleaming white floor?" "No, not in this lifetime." Nick admitted. Natalie chuckled. It was fun understanding someone's double entrendes. "Well, it isn't...." Her voice trailed off. Standing she walked over to where she kept her sword hidden. "Nat." Nick voice was concerned. Natalie shook her head. She could feel another Immortal. "Good reflexes Natalie." Aaron's voice came from the doorway. Natalie relaxed as she turned to see Aaron leaning against the wall. "If you don't have you sword on you, at least have it where you can reach it. Isn't that what you taught me." She asked. "Yep." Aaron agreed. "So, what brings you by tonight?" Nick asked. "Not much. Just thought I'd see if you two wanted to join Theresa and me for a late dinner. I know this great place run by one of yours, Nick. She's an old friend of Terry's and has a private room reserved for us." Nick smiled, Natalie would enjoy it and he'd be able to relax. Natalie was a bit hesitant "Aaron, are you sure we won't be intruding." Aaron laughed. "It was Terry's idea Natalie. But I'd also like it if you'd join us. Terry's latest book is finally at the publisher and we're celebrating. The more the merrier." "All right." Natalie laughed. "Only if you promise me one thing." "What's that?" "No more arguments about the middle ages." "Fine, we can always discuss the civil war." Aaron teased. "Nothing before the 60's." Natalie insisted. Aaron looked at Nick and grinned. "Nixon" Nick grinned back. "Watergate." "Vietnam" "Woodstock" Natalie sighed and quickly walked out the door. Laughing the two men soon followed her. End chapter 7 Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 8 Natalie Lambert wished she could wipe the sweat out of her eyes. If it was Aaron facing her, she could have asked for a break. But her current opponent was trying his best to defeat her. She shifted her grip on her sword and made a quick low feint trying to draw him off his guard. When he drop his sword to block the cut, she quickly brought the blade high instead. The hiss of pain that came from her opponent brought a grim smile to her face. That smile became a look of dismay as the man made a fast binding move and knocked the sword from her numb hands. Closing her eyes she heard the whisper of the blade cutting the air as it headed for her neck. She felt the edge of the blade just touch her neck then heard him speak. "Remember If your head comes away from your body its over." "Dammit, Kyle!" She opened her eyes and looked into Kyle Freeman's grinning face. The sound of clapping made them both turn to face the other Immortal in the room. "Not bad Nat." Aaron said from the sidelines. "You managed to last a full 5 minutes against an Immortal 3 times your age. You've come a long way in just 3 months." "She's better than I was at that point Dad." Kyle was still grinning as he picked up one of the water bottles sitting on the floor. "Well she has the advantage of having another swordsman to help train her." Aaron replied. "Uh huh," Natalie nodded. "Nick might be a little rusty but he still knows a few tricks with a blade." She picked up the other bottle and took a long drink. Aaron winced and wondered if Natalie even realized how what she said could be taken. "I'm glad you invited me over." Kyle sat down on the couch. "Ever since Brian died I haven't really had a good sparring partner." "How's Jan doing?" Aaron asked. "Still kinda broken up." Kyle responded. "I don't think it ever occurred to her that she might be the one left behind. Brian wasn't the best swordsman in the world but he was damn good." "Yeah, I don't think that Clay could have taken him if he hadn't cheated. Brian was tricky. He had some good moves." Aaron turned to Natalie "Natalie, that's another reason I wanted you to spar with Kyle. He's learned a few moves that I don't know and I've taught you a few that I've learned since teaching him." Natalie stood up. "Well then, lets get started. We're not getting any younger." Kyle sighed and got up. "Dad I think you created a monster." Aaron laughed "You should meet her boyfriend." After about an hour of sparring, the three were again sitting at the couch. Natalie was exhausted but she felt a tremendous satisfaction at what she had managed to learn. She glanced at her watch, Nick was due by in a few minutes. She watched as the two got caught up with almost 20 years of back history. "You got involved with _Lydia_!?" Aaron couldn't conceal his amazement. Kyle shrugged. "You didn't seem interested in her." "She wasn't my type." "So what is your type?" Kyle asked. "Petite, redheads." "Dad, you're in a rut." "A _rut_? How can you say that?" "Mom was a petite, redhead." The voice was teasing but Natalie could see the pain in Kyle's eyes. "I can still remember the first time I saw the two of you." Kyle's voice changed tone then, became slightly melancholy. Natalie sat back and listened to his reminiscing. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Boston 1814 The orphanage was a noisy place, full of children of various ages. Aaron and Theresa walked through the hallways listening to the Director's explanation. "Mostly we have children here who have lost their parents to the war. Some of them are foundlings, others are abandoned. We do our best to take care of them. Some are adopted but most are trained or apprenticed. Its sad really." The Director's face was lined with age and worry. "The money you have so generously provided will go far in the care of these children." Aaron shrugged off the gratitude "Being an orphan myself, I can sympathize with the plight of these children. If it hadn't been for Alex Bradley I probably wouldn't be where I am today." Aaron looked at his wife. She was trying to hide the smile caused by Aaron's statement. The Director of course had no idea that Alex Bradley was the name that he had gone under before moving to Boston. As they left the building and entered the large yard, Aaron began looking around as though he had lost something. Theresa, who had seen this behavior before, quickly diverted the doctors attention. Aaron looked around the darkened yard. Finally he saw a small figure huddled in the corner. Walking over he knew... "Not afraid of the dark. Are you?" "More afraid of the bullies." The boy nodded his head to the main hall of the orphanage. "What's your name?" "Kyle." "No last name?" "No, I was left here by an old lady. She wouldn't tell anyone who my parents were." Aaron smiled gently. "How old are you?" "Bout 9." the boy's response was hesitant. Aaron nodded, then got up. "Well, I have to go now Kyle. I'll see later." "Sure." the boys voice was slightly bitter. As Aaron walked back to the Director he made a decision. "How would you like to be a mother?" He asked his wife. "Me?" Theresa looked shocked at the suggestion. Then she realized what he had found out. "The boy, he's one of your kind?" "He just doesn't know it yet." Theresa looked at the young boy. The darkness posed no problems for her vision. The forlorn way he was hugging his knees touched a chord in her heart. She understood why Aaron wanted to adopt the boy. They both remembered loneliness all to well. She looked back at the smiling face of her husband. "All right, but you have to figure out a reason for my not being out in the daytime." Aaron hugged her and went to find the Director. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "So that's how Aaron and Theresa adopted you?" Natalie asked. "Uh Huh, He was calling himself Adam Fitzgerald then. I was 19 when mom died at sea. Dad stayed for a year more then he decided to leave. I was thirty-seven the next time I saw him. My wife and child were killed in a carriage wreck. The same one that made me Immortal." Kyle's voice was flat. "Dad showed up after the funeral. I thought I had finally lost my mind." "And he told you what you were." Natalie finished when Kyle couldn't seem to talk anymore. He nodded. "I didn't believe him at first but he convinced me it was the truth. He trained me for about 2 years then he told me he had to go. I guess being in the area reminded him of mom." Kyle's voice broke a little. Natalie looked up from Kyle's face to see Nick and Theresa standing there. From the look on Theresa's face she had heard almost everything. Aaron saw Natalie staring and followed her gaze. He looked steadily at his wife, his eyes and body language said Finally Theresa walked over and placed her hand on the man that used to be her son. "Actually Kyle, the reason he left was to return to me." Kyle spun around. He stared at Theresa as though he had seen a ghost. Then he began backing away. Tripping on the table he fell over and passed out. Natalie bent over him. "He's still breathing. So I guess he'll be all right. Maybe we should take him to a doc...Never Mind." Theresa looked amused. "From the way he acted you'd think I was a spirit come back to haunt him or something." Nick grinned. "Well as far as ghosts go, vampires are a reasonable substitute." Aaron sat down. "Well I hope he takes this better than he took becoming an Immortal. It took me three day of talking to convince him I was telling the truth." Theresa wrapped her arms around Aaron and hugged him close. "Don't worry I'll explain everything." "This I have to hear.'' Nick muttered. End chapter 8. "Remember, You're the Brain, I'm the Brawn" "Technically, I'm the Brain and the Brawn" "So what does that make me?" "The one that can be killed." Detective Bobbie Mann and Eve Edison: MANN & MACHINE Kevinm@pixi.com A Nick&NatPacker with Cousinly tendencies :=) Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 9 Kyle finally came around. He stared at Theresa for a moment, the finally said "Mom?:" At Theresa's nod he looked at the other three faces peering down and him and asked "Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Kyle listened in amazement as Theresa told him a story of two very different Immortals who decided to live their lives together. Finally he leaned back. "OK mom's a vampire." Nick stared at Kyle in shock. "You believe her? Just like that?" Kyle laughed. "She's not my kind of Immortal and she hasn't changed in over 100 years. Why shouldn't I believe her?" Natalie's laughter joined Kyle's. "The reason he's in shock is he didn't believe Aaron when Aaron told Nick, I was an Immortal." Kyle laughed. "I can understand that." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Boston 1843 Kyle Fitzgerald looked down at the gravestones that marked all that remained of his family. A month ago he had had a wife and son. Then a broken wheel and a runaway horse had stolen everything from him. He wondered how anyone could hurt so badly and still be alive. Gently he knelt down and placed the flowers on the graves. "Francis, James... I'll always miss you." Suddenly Kyle felt an odd buzzing sensation in his head. It felt like a swarm of bees had taken up residence in his skull. "Kyle..." A soft familiar voice called him. "Father..." Kyle's voice was grateful. "I'm glad you came." As Kyle approached, the figure stepped out of the shadows. Kyle's legs almost gave out on him. He staggered for a moment before the figure grabbed. Kyle's mind denied what he was seeing. This man couldn't be his father, His father had to be at least 50 years old now. Yet he looked exactly like him. Aaron voice was compassionate as he said "I came as soon as I found out what had happened. We need to talk about it." Kyle looked more that a little shocked "You _actually_ expect me to believe that?" Aaron looked up at the sky. "Why do they always ask that question. Yes I expect you to believe it. How else do you explain your surviving the crash?" Kyle shook his head. "I can't. Everyone says it was a miracle but I can't believe god would save me and let Francis and James die. What did I do to deserve that?" Aaron grabbed his son's shoulder. "You did nothing Kyle. No one knows why we're Immortal." "NO!, I can't believe this." Kyle stormed out of the room. Aaron sighed. For 3 days he had been trying to get Kyle to understand. Finally he decided to resort to extreme measures. As Kyle walked into the room, Aaron drew his knife. "Kyle I want you to watch this." As Kyle turned to look at him, Aaron drew his knife across the palm of his hand. "DAD!" Kyle tried to stop him. As he watched the blood flow from Aaron's hand he tried to examine the cut. Aaron's face was a mask of pain as he waited for the cut to heal. Slowly he opened his palm and showed Kyle the undamaged skin. Kyle stared at the outstretched hand then shook his head. "It's some kind of trick." Before he could say anything else, Aaron struck out. The blade cut Kyle's arm just above the wrist. As Kyle pulled back, Aaron grabbed his hand. "Watch." Kyle's eyes widened as he watched the wound heal. "I must be going insane." Aaron looked into Kyle's eyes. "No, You're not. _This_ is what we are. You have to learn." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Natalie looked at Aaron. "Don't you think you were being a little blunt" "Well I did try reasoning with him for 3 days." Aaron shrugged "Besides I was running out of patience. It was either that or challenge him to a duel and let him run me through." Kyle shook his head. "That would have worked too." "Yes, but it also would have hurt more." "What I really want to know is why didn't you tell me this before." Theresa and Aaron stared at each other then Aaron sighed "The truth is, we agreed a long time ago that we'd keep our respective groups in the dark about each other." Theresa picked up the explanation. "Aside from you and Natalie, only one other Immortal knew about the vampire community because of me. And only three vampires know about Immortals because of Aaron." "But I still don't understand why..." "Because I couldn't spot your Watcher!" Kyle suddenly understood. "Oh." Natalie shook her head. "You know Aaron, of all the things you told me while we were training, that's the one I have real trouble accepting. A group of mortals who watch the Immortals and record everything they do." Aaron shrugged. "Well until Theresa and I leave Toronto they've assigned Daniel to watch over both of us." "You know who your Watcher is? How?" "I spotted him." Theresa smiled. "Once you know what you're looking for it's easy. At least for a vampire." "I still can't believe you knew about them for so long and didn't tell any of the others." Aaron shrugged. "Many of them wouldn't have believed me. Some of them would have started killing people outright if they suspected them of being Watchers. When we first learned of them, they seemed harmless enough. I didn't start warning the others until they became hunters as well." Natalie shook her head. "That's even scarier. They know about us and want us dead. At least with another Immortal I can tell they're coming." Aaron nodded. "They've killed some good friends." Nick frowned. "How can we tell the difference?" Aaron smiled. "For you its easy. I've been told by very reliable source that you can sense hostiles." As he spoke he looked at Theresa fondly. Natalie looked over at Theresa. Something told her that Terry wanted time to really talk to Kyle. Standing she said. "Well, its been a long evening and we really should be getting home Nick." Nick started. He still wasn't used to the idea of home. The loft was just the place he was staying. It was Natalie's presence that made it home. As they left, Natalie turned to shut the door. Her final view as the door closed was of the three people close together, already deep in some private conversation. "Got another one for you, Doc." The orderly wheeled the gurney into the office. Natalie sighed. It had been a busy week. This was just the latest one. Several unrelated killings had had her working overtime. She decided to take a break before begin her preliminary exam on this one. "What happened to her?" The orderly turned to her. "From what I heard she slipped and fell off a 15 story building." "Slipped?" The orderly nodded. "The cop in charge said that she was buying a CD in a fifth floor store. She paid then walked out before the clerk could remove the security tag. The alarm went off and the guard tried to stop her. She ran up to top of the building and got on the ledge. The guard swears he wasn't anywhere near her when she just fell." Natalie shook her head. "Seems a shame, to die just because of a misunderstanding like that." Natalie followed the orderly out. Stretching she tried to relax aching muscles. she thought. Suddenly a pair of cool arms wrapped themselves around her waist. "NICK!" she said sharply as she turned to look into Nick's grinning face. "Sorry, I couldn't resist" Nick whispered as he bent down to kiss her. Natalie's annoyance faded under Nick's kiss. She couldn't stay mad at him. Especially when he was kissing her like that. Finally Natalie broke the kiss. "You might be off duty but I still have an autopsy to perform." Nick smiled "I'll wait for you here." Natalie went back into the office. She removed the sheet covering the body. She frowned as she began her examination. For a body that had fallen 15 stories it was in remarkably good condition. Picking up the recorder she began the examination. "Subject is a Caucasian female about 30 year of age. The initial reports lists cause of death as trauma induced by a fall. The body show none of the usual..AAAHHHH!" The last part was screamed as the body on the table grabbed her hand. Nick rushed in at her scream. He saw Natalie standing there staring at the woman who had apparently sat up on her examination table. "Who are you ?" The woman asked. "What am I doing here?" Natalie had calmed down, now she sensed that the other woman was an Immortal. Obviously one who had just become one. "It's all right. My name is Dr. Natalie Lambert..." "This is a hospital then? I remember falling then..." The woman gasped and looked at her body. "I should be dead. How?" "It's a long story" Natalie began. "This isn't the best place for this. We'll get you out of here and then figure something out later. For now I just need you to trust me. Miss..?" "Martin." the woman replied "Felice Martin" End Chapter 9 OK OK I know I'm leaving this hanging but I'm not sure how the last chapter should play yet. I'm still deciding. Just give me some time OK? :-) "Remember, You're the Brain, I'm the Brawn" "Technically, I'm the Brain and the Brawn" "So what does that make me?" "The one that can be killed." Detective Bobbie Mann and Eve Edison: MANN & MACHINE Kevinm@pixi.com A Nick&NatPacker with Cousinly tendencies :=) Comments can be made to kevinm@pixi.com, All comments welcome, constructive criticisms will be accepted with gratitude, Complements with stunned silence and Flames Grudgingly ignored.:> Disclaimer: Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert and Company belong James Parriot and I guess now The SciFi Channel. Highlander and everything that goes with it belong to Rysher and USA Network. Spoiler Notice. This story contains a spoiler for the Episode Francesca. Not a story point, just a concept. Sorry when I started writing this one I hadn't yet seen Francesca and the concept fit well in this story. This story, Aaron Grey and Theresa Ryan belong to me. Remberances Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com A Highlander/Forever Knight Crossover story Chapter 10 Natalie frowned as the woman spoke her name. The urgency of the situation drove the thought from her mind. She shook her head and began rummaging through on of her drawers. "I have some spare clothes that should fit you." She handed Felice the sweatshirt and pants and looked archly at Nick who had been standing there staring the whole time. Nick flushed. "I'll be waiting outside." he turned and left the office. Felice watched Nick leave and asked Natalie. "Are you two involved?" Natalie shrugged "Why do you ask." "He didn't seem all that surprised about someone getting up off a coroner's table." Natalie started to laugh. "Did I say something funny?" Felice asked as she began dressing. "Private Joke." Natalie replied as she managed to get ahold of herself. Pulling on her coat she made sure her sword was out of sight then walked out. Felice shook her head as she followed Natalie out the door. She could wait. As Nick drove his caddy to the training hall, Natalie tried to reach Aaron. Finally she hung up the car phone. "I don't think Aaron's home and his Cell is off." Nick nodded. "They're probably at the movies or something Nat. Aaron will be at the Hall in an hour. Plenty of time to tell Felice what she needs to know." "Aaron did say to bring any new Immortals I come across to the Hall." Nick pulled Natalie close to him. Something was bothering her. "Something wrong Nat?" "Its just that I know how she feels Nick. She fell 15 stories knowing she was going to die. Then suddenly she's alive and she doesn't know why. She must be very confused." Nick looked into the back seat. He frowned, Miss Martin didn't look confused, she looked bored. Like she was impatient for something. As she looked forward she spotted Nick staring at her. Flushing she quickly looked out the window. Natalie snuggled closer to Nick and felt him tense up. "Nick?" Nick turned the radio up a little. "Natalie, something's wrong. I just don't feel right about her." Before Natalie could answer she heard a familiar voice come over the radio. "Greetings, gentle listeners. Our topic for tonight is memories. Do we remember things as they happened or as how we would wish it to be?" "Geez, Nick are still listening to him?" Nick changed the station. "Habit, I just got used to it. Besides his remarks just don't seem to have the sting they used to." Natalie smiled. "Good." Nick put his free arm around her and held her close for the rest of journey. "Lemme get this straight. The reason I'm still alive is I'm an Immortal. So are you and know other Immortals are going to come around and try to cut off my _head_? And you actually expect me to believe that?" Felice Martin looked at Natalie like she had lost her mind. Natalie looked at Nick. "Aaron was right, they do all say the same thing." Natalie turned back to Felice. "It's up to you whether you want to believe it. But you can't ignore what you are." Felice picked up one of the swords that were kept in the hall. "So we use swords like these huh?" Natalie started to nod when Felice stepped over behind Nick and placed the blade against his throat. "All right _Natalie_ remove your sword and drop it or Baby face here gets a new mouth." Natalie looked stunned for a moment then she suddenly remembered where she had heard that name before. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Training Hall 2 months ago Natalie parried the strike from Aaron's blade. "So who are these Immortals I should be careful of?" Aaron called a halt to their practice. "There are several of them who are ruthless and deadly but even most of them still have some honor. Two of the ones I've heard about that have no honor are Kenny, he looks like a child but he's a lot older. He worms his way into an Immortal's life by pretending to be helpless then killing them when their guard is down." "And the other?" Natalie asked. "Felice Martine" Aaron answered. Natalie frowned. The name sounded French to her. "She _dies_ and then she pretends to be a new Immortal with no idea of what's going on. Then when she's learned all she can, she destroys everything in their lives before she kills them." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Natalie felt stupid. Felice frowned as Natalie started to laugh. "I don't think you understand. I'm quite serious." She pulled the blade a little tighter against Nick's throat. Natalie stopped laughing "No, Felice. You're the one who doesn't understand." She nodded to Nick who was waiting to see what Natalie wanted him to do. "EEEEEEAAAAAGHHHH!" Felice's scream pierced the air as Nick threw her across the room. She hit with a thud and pulled herself slowly up. She looked right into the glowing yellow eyes of Nick Knight in full vampire mode. Felice made a guttural whimper of fear as she tried to claw her way through the wall. Natalie watched as a dark stain began running down Felice's pants leg. Natalie freed her sword and walked over. Placing her hand on Nick's shoulder she stopped him. "This is my fight Nick." Nick wanted to ignore her but the look she gave him reminded him of his promise. Slowly, reluctantly he stepped away. Natalie nodded "Thank you." Felice managed to pull her gaze away from Nick. Picking up her sword she advanced on Natalie. "You really should have let him finish me. I would have." Natalie went to the guard position. "That's because you're a bitch." Felice gave off a cry of rage as she cut at Natalie. The two women cut and parried. Nick watched this macabre mockery of a dance with trepidation. Natalie was holding her own but every cut made him want to stop the fight. Only the knowledge that Nat would never forgive him, kept him in place. Natalie pulled back as Felice's cut almost laid her open at the waist. Finally she caught Felice's blade in the bind that Kyle had shown her. Felice's sword went to the floor as Felice backed away. Natalie pulled her blade back then slowly lowered the point to the floor. "Get out of here Felice." Natalie voice was tired. "I don't want this." She turned to walk to Nick. "Too bad," Felice whispered. "Because I do." She grabbed her sword and lunged at Natalie's back. Nick became a blur as he moved between them. The blade sunk between his ribs and he twisted away. Natalie reacted without thinking. Her blade struck Felice exactly in the throat. She watched as Felice's body fell to the floor. Natalie watched as the glowing force slowly crept from Felice's body and wrapped around hers. She jerked as the lightning like power struck at her. Memories, not her own flooded her mind. Gradually the memories began to fade as the lightning stopped. Natalie just sat there tears running down her face. Nick stood up. He had watched as the quickening had blown every light in the room. The motors for the steel shutters that protected the room from daylight had slammed them shut then burned out. Nick saw Natalie just standing there. As he approached her, he could see the tears and hear her sobs. Gathering her in his arms he held her as she cried. Nick felt Natalie stiffen. He turned as he heard the door opening. He saw Aaron Grey slowly walk into the darkened room. "Nick?" the quiet voice asked. "Over here." Nick called. Aaron walked to the small desk at his end of the room and pulled out a flashlight. Turning it on, he pointed at the pair kneeling in the middle of the room. Slowly he panned the flashlight across the room and spotted the severed head. "Felice Martin" He said flatly. Nick released Natalie but she still hadn't stopped crying. "Nat?" His concern filled voice was loud in the silent room. Natalie didn't answer him. Instead she turned to Aaron. "Why didn't you warn me?" "About the quickening?" Aaron closed his eyes. "There's no easy way to explain it. Just words don't work." Nick gently drew Natalie back into his embrace. Natalie rested her head against his chest and tried to explain. "When the quickening flowed into me, I saw her memories felt her thoughts. She enjoyed destroying those people. It was fun for her. I don't ever want to become like her." The last was accompanied by another soft round of weeping. "I don't think that can happen Nat." Aaron's voice was comforting. "She enjoyed killing, you don't. She was just evil. So long as you have something to remind that life is precious, you won't go that route." "But how it felt. To know what someone else knew, to feel their pain and joy." Nat's voice was troubled. "I know how you feel Nat." Nick's voice rumbled over her head. "It's the same when a vampire drinks someone's blood. We feel their lives, their joys, their souls." "I don't want it, Nick." Nick pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. "But you can live with it?" Natalie nodded. Nick hugged her close again. "Then I'll always be there to help you remember what's really important." "Oh and what would that be?" Natalie's voice was teasing. "That you have someone who loves you and will be there if you need him." Natalie looked up at Nick. Slowly she began to smile. To him that smile was worth all the Sunrises he had ever missed in his long life. End of Remembrances OK folks that's it the end. At least for now. I might be a week or so with the next set. Lemme know what you think OK? If you liked it. If you didn't like it. I still want to hear from you. What worked, what didn't. I really want to know what you think. "Remember, You're the Brain, I'm the Brawn" :Detective Bobbie Mann "Technically, I'm the Brain and the Brawn" :And Eve Edison "So what does that make me?" :MANN & MACHINE "The one that can be killed." : Kevinm@pixi.com A Nick&NatPacker with Cousinly tendencies :=)