------------------------------------------------------------------------ This story is based on characters created by J. Parriott and B. Cohen for the TV series Forever Knight. The Spirit of the Season (1/4) by Carrie Krumtum c. 1996 It seemed so hard to go in to work. There wasn't any inner impetus to do so, no self guidance or great need to accomplish anything that made the idea seem reasonable to him. If anything, the opposite was true. It seemed hard to go in to work. The phone rang. He listened to the sharp tympany of the sounds the ringer made. The phone rang again and again. The sound of the melodious ringer was replaced by the mechanical clicking the motor of his recorder made as it whirred into life and the tones of his own voice could be heard as it resounded from the speaker and proclaimed the prerecorded predilections of the master of the house. He listened to the baritone quality of his own voice with little interest. "You have reached the home of Don and Myra Schanke. As it has already become evident, we are not home right now. All you've got to do is tell us what you wanted after the tone and we'll do something about it as soon as one of us gets home. Oh yeah, don't forget to wait for the beep." It wasn't until he heard the tenor of his partner's voice that he decided it would be best to do something. "Schank? Look, I know you're there. Cohen is going to go through the roof if you don't show soon. Come on, Schank...." Picking up the phone and placing the receiver to the side of his head, he made a sound that rivaled the grunt generated by an ill tempered representative of the great ape family of primates. "Schank?" "Yeah," he repeated into the receiver followed by a sigh. "Are you coming in or do I have to come over there and get you?" "Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way." The tone of his voice did not indicate that the idea of leaving his current surroundings was eminent. "Schank, you know what Cohen has planned for you now as it is. You have to beat feet, buddy. What's wrong with you, anyway?" "Wrong?" he grunted. "What could possibly be wrong? My wife and child are two hundred miles away. I have to spend the day dealing with the dregs of humanity looking at the unspeakable nature of man's deepest, darkest evil; take reports for a woman who would prefer that my head inhabit a mahogany plaque behind her desk and look for answers in and around a morgue filled with the cold, dead remnants of mankind. It's Christmas, for cryin' out loud. What could possibly be wrong?" He winced. Involuntarily but, he found himself wincing. This was quite possibly the worst mood he could ever remember finding his partner in. Schanke was as depressed as Nick had ever known him to be. Something needed to be done about it. Something ... but what? First thing's first, Nick thought. He had to get Schank in to the precinct while his partner still had a job. "Schank, I know it's hard to work on the holidays but we pulled the duty. I need you, Partner." He sighed again. His partner needed him. There wasn't anything else he could do. He had to go to work. When your partner needs you, you have to be there, he thought. "I said I'm on my way," he told his partner. "I'll be there shortly." "I'll try to hold the captain off until you get here, okay?" "Yeah. Fine." Nick hung up. He was worried about Schanke. As long as he'd know his partner, he had known that Schank could be moody. This was more than that. This was serious. Schank was suffering from seasonal depression, big time. Tapping the pencil he had picked up, after hanging up the phone, on the desk mat in front of him, Nick postulated an action plan. There had to be a way of making this holiday a special one for his partner, there just had to be. If anyone needed a taste of seasonal cheer it was Donald Schanke. How could he help his partner? He hadn't exactly spent the past several centuries partaking of seasonal cheer himself. As a matter of fact, until the past five years, he hadn't celebrated the season for nearly four hundred years. What was a vampire to do? "Hi, Nick. Merry Christmas!" A voice from behind him declared cheerily. Turning to greet the messenger of this happy tiding, Nick came face to face with Arthur, the forensic specialist for the precinct. "Hi, Arthur. I'm glad to hear someone's cheerful ... even if they have to work on Christmas Eve," Nick replied. Arthur smiled. "What's not to be cheerful about?" "Missing spending Christmas with your family, for one thing," Nick explained. "Seems my partner is having a tough time with that." Arthur gave a knowing nod. "I remember once, a few years ago, just before you joined the department, Nick, Detective Schanke was furious that Captain Stonetree made him work on Christmas Eve. He said that his family had always put their Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve and that he was missing watching his little girl put on the ornaments. Guess it's a big deal for him." He shrugged. Ah, Nick thought. That explained a lot. But Myra and Jenny weren't even in Toronto. They had gone to New York to visit Myra's sister and her family and had gotten stuck there because of the severe weather south of the Great Lakes. Schanke was missing another trimming-of-the-tree party. "I guess, if I were a family man, I'd be a little upset myself," Nick offered in his partner's defense. "Yeah," Arthur agreed, "it would be hard. I guess it's much harder for some guys." He looked at his watch. "Well, I've got to get back to the lab. I have a sample to take out of the dye." Moving away, Arthur offered, "I hope you have a really good holiday, Nick." "You too, Arthur. Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas." He watched the forensic walk away and picked up the phone again. If he planned it just right, he might be able to brighten his partner's mood. He just might.... Driving had always been something she enjoyed. Not that there was much to do but think. Outside of the bathtub, the car had always been a place of solitude where she could get her thoughts together. And what thoughts.... What did vampires do for the holidays, anyway? She didn't have a clue. The last few years she had done what she was doing right now, going to see her brother's family. It was all the family she had. Offering to work on New Years and Thanksgiving always got her Christmas off. Natalie looked into the back seat of the car and mentally catalogued the things she was taking with her. Clothes for the four days she'd be gone, carrier with cat inside, gifts for her sister-in-law and niece, card for the priest at the parish where she grew up.... The package that sat on the floorboard of the back seat and addressed to her completely escaped her attention.... All comments and virtual chocolate to This story is based on characters created by J. Parriott and B. Cohen for the TV series Forever Knight. The Spirit of the Season (2/4) by Carrie Krumtum The bullpen looked just like it had the day before. Silver garland framed just about anything flammable and blinking lights surrounded the file cabinets. The average constable's idea of decoration didn't consist of much, Schanke thought. Jenny could have done better.... The thought of Jenny didn't do anything to lighten his mood. He sighed as he approached the desks that housed the duty station for his partner and himself. Nick heard the unmistakable cadence of his partner's footsteps and heart rhythm. He didn't turn around but waited for his partner to drop into the chair across from him. "Well, I'm here. You can call off the dogs," Schank announced with thick sarcasm. "Good," Nick smiled at his partner. "We have a scene to investigate." "Already?" Schank looked mildly surprised. "I would have thought the scum of the city too busy toasting the Yule and drinking themselves into oblivion to do harm to each other tonight. Guess I overestimated them." "Come on, Schank," Nick said, still smiling as he rose and donned his coat. Schanke took a deep breath and stood. "Okay, okay. I'm with ya." She thought about the past four years and how Christmas was something she seemed to avoid were Nick was concerned. The fact of the matter was, she wasn't at all sure what Nick thought about the holiday. Christmas was so closely related to a religion that held pain, real physical pain, for Nick. Natalie didn't quite know what to do or say about it to him and as long as Nick didn't bring up the subject, ignoring the holiday in his presence seemed the most equitable solution. Sure, she had gotten cards from him. A small present, left at the computer in the morgue, anonymously. What else could she do about it? As time passed and the relationship she had with Nick deepened, Natalie couldn't help but wish that this was one human experience she could share with him. There were so many constraints on their relationship already. Was it necessary for the celebration of Christmas to be one of them? Should she say something to Nick about it? Maybe call him? Wish him a Merry Christmas? Just to see if it was okay? She sighed as she drove.... He wasn't really paying much attention to where they were headed until they rounded the corner onto Young. The Caddy pulled up in front of BCE place and came to rest along the curb just outside the front doors. "BCE? We have a murder here?" Schanke asked, slightly awe struck that such a thing was possible on Christmas Eve. "Not exactly," Nick said, face blank of any expression. "What does that mean? `Not exactly'." "Come on, partner." Nick opened his car door and stepped out of the Caddy without further explanation. Schank had to move it to catch up with him before Nick was inside the main lobby of the building. "Nick? What do you mean, `not exactly'? We're supposed to be partners." With his partner sufficiently behind him, Nick allowed himself a brief smile. This was going to be good. "Nick?!" "Come on, Schank. We're going to be late." "Late? Late for what?!" He was getting angry, now. I hate it when he does this to me, Schanke thought. Just for once, I'd like to know what the hell was going on. They rounded the first corner that bordered the entrance to the lobby and came in sight of the Christmas tree that occupied the center of the space that was the lobby of BCE place. Schanke stopped dead in his tracks. The tree had to be thirty feet tall! And what a tree.... Nick sensed the cessation of his partner's progress into the building and turned to face him. "Schank?" He shook his head from side to side slightly. "Man oh man oh man oh man.... Now that's a Christmas tree!" "Haven't you ever seen the tree inside BCE place before?" Nick asked, smiling to himself. "Yeah, I guess. But I never really paid attention, ya know?" Schank explained. He really hadn't. Most of the time he was too wrapped up in the job to pay much attention. Besides, the only tree he ever really cared about was the one he put up for his family every Christmas Eve. The tree that he didn't get to put up this year because there was no one at home to trim the tree. No Jenny, no Myra.... Christmas just wasn't going to be Christmas this year without them, without THEIR tree. The phone in Nick's pocket rang.... "Hi!" Natalie greeted Sarah. "Merry Christmas!" Warm hugs were shared all around as Natalie was welcomed by her family. They unloaded the packages and other things from her car and carried everything into the house. Sarah carried the package, wrapped in red and addressed to Nat, and placed it under the tree.... "Can I talk to my daddy?" Jenny asked. "Sure you can," Nick said. He looked at his partner's questioning face and extended the phone to him. "It's for you, Schank." Don Schanke took the phone from his partner's grasp and slowly put the phone up to his ear. "Schank." "Daddy!" "Jenny? Honey?" "Daddy, I miss you." He brushed at a tear before it could fall from the corner of his eye. "Jenny, what are you doing up this late?" "Uncle Nick called and said you were sad," his daughter told him. Schanke stared at the retreating back of his partner and felt a certain amount of awe at the caring Nick demonstrated. He underestimated his partner, again. "He said that you missed our tree." Schanke looked up at the beautiful tree before him and listened to the sweet voice of his daughter. The next tear that formed at the corner of his eye fell onto his face without impediment. "Are you looking at a Christmas tree, Daddy?" "Yes, honey. I'm looking at a Christmas tree." "Ooh, goodie," the tender voice of his little girl told him. "So am I. It's not as nice as our tree but it's a Christmas tree and that makes it special, doesn't it?" "Yes. Yes it does, sweetheart." "I'm thinking `bout you, Daddy. Every time I look at a Christmas tree, I think `bout you, Daddy. I love you, Daddy. I love you." The tears fell freely now. "I love you, too, honey." "It's a good Christmas, isn't it, Daddy? We have each other and we can see a Christmas tree. That makes it special now, doesn't it, Daddy? You don't have to be sad no more." The earnest sound of his daughter's voice completely melted his heart. "No, honey. I'm not sad anymore. It's a wonderful Christmas. As a matter of fact, it's a beautiful Christmas...." All comments and virtual chocolate to This story is based on characters created by J. Parriott and B. Cohen for the TV series Forever Knight. The Spirit of the Season (3/4) by Carrie Krumtum "Mommy? Where did this present come from? I don't remember this one." Sarah looked over at her daughter and at the present she held. Approaching, she took the package from Amy and read the tag. `To Natalie. Have the merriest of holidays.' There was no signature on the package, just the salutation. "Natalie?" Sarah called to her sister-in-law who was in the kitchen fixing herself some tea. "Hi, Hon," Myra said into the phone. "I miss you. I love you." "I love you, honey," Schank told the woman he loved more than life itself. "We'll be home tomorrow. The weatherman says that the snow will let up soon and it's supposed to warm up tomorrow. The roads will be clear and we should be able to make it home by tomorrow night." "That's good news! But you and Jenny have to be really careful. I don't want you out on slick and dangerous roads," he admonished his wife. "Don't worry, Don. We'll be careful. Besides, it just wouldn't be Christmas if we weren't with you." Schank watched his partner as he talked with his wife. Nick looked, for all the world, to have nothing more important to do than to note the fine detail on each and every ornament that hung from the huge tree before him. And to think that he started out this shift in the worst possible mood. "I know. I can't think of one thing I like about this holiday without you guys here ... except for, maybe, Nick." "Yeah, he called us and told us, Don. You really shouldn't be so angry with him. He loves you, you know." "Yeah," Schank admitted, "I know." He took his eyes off his partner and tried to concentrate on the sound of his wife's voice. "I can hardly wait to see you again." "Oh, Don, you sound like a love struck boy!" Myra laughed. The sound of her laughter warmed his heart. "I am. Didn't you know that?" Schanke was smiling, ear to ear. "Merry Christmas, honey." "Merry Christmas. I love you, honey." "I love you, too. I'll see you soon." "Give Jenny a kiss for me." "I will," she reassure her husband. Nick smiled and walked around the tree. Of course, he could hear every syllable uttered. Schank, he thought, you have no idea how lucky you are.... "Open it!" Amy urged. Natalie smiled. Nick. It had to be. How else did it get into her car? Sarah said she brought it in from the car, anyway. "Go on, Nat. Open it," Sarah chimed in. "Okay, okay," Nat laughed lightly. "Keep your pants on." Amy looked down at her dress. "I'm not wearing pants," she observed, laughing herself. They, all three, laughed. Putting down her cup of tea, Natalie picked up the gift and removed the bow.... The sound of his partner's footsteps coming up behind him made him turn around. "Is everything all right with Myra and Jenny?" Nick asked after turning to meet Schank. Schank tapped Nick's shoulder with the top edge of the cellular phone. "That was a dirty trick, Partner," he informed him. Nick smiled. Schank returned the smile. "They're fine. Myra says she thinks they'll be home by tomorrow evening." "That's good to hear, Schank. I know you'll have a good holiday once they get home." The genuine sense of concern and caring that filled his partner's face touched Schanke. For the most part, Nick was an enigma to him. Still, as people went, there weren't many men that he could say he cared more about than Nick Knight. Nick backed him up when he needed it; covered his back, helped him with the captain when necessary and was, quite possibly, the best detective he had ever known. Beyond all of that, Nick was his friend. He proved it in a hundred little different ways. Like now. "Yeah," Schanke said. "Can we get back to work now?" Nick asked with mock impatience. Schanke's smile broadened. "Merry Christmas, Nick." Nick paused to look his friend in the eye. Beside Natalie, there wasn't a living soul he felt closer to than Donald Schanke. Right now, he felt as if he were an actual part of the human race, almost. And, he knew, this warmth, this friendship, was a gift. As pure a gift as any ever given in the name of the holiday. "Merry Christmas, Schank." The bow had been followed by the red wrapping paper. Natalie opened a white box and found ... another red wrapped gift. Removing the gift from the white box, she proceeded to remove the red wrapping paper. This new paper had covered a white box. Natalie opened the box. Inside was another red wrapping paper package. She giggled along with Sarah and Amy as she took out the third gift. She removed the wrapping paper that surrounded another white box. Opening the box she found ... another red wrapped gift. She repeated the sequence of gift wrap removal and white box discovery and opening of the white box. Only, this time, the next gift was wrapped in bright, shiny green paper. "Ooh," Amy said aloud. Natalie couldn't help but feel a little nervous by this time. What was in the package? She hadn't been this anxious to open a present since she was a little girl. Pausing, she gently caressed the paper that covered the small box that held her gift. "Would you open it already?" Sarah exclaimed, unable to contain her curiosity any longer. Natalie laughed and tore at the green wrapping. Just as she had expected, the wrapping had surrounded a small white box. She opened the box and found a small, felt covered jewelry case. Lifting the case out of the box, Natalie could feel herself begin to tremble slightly with anticipation. She turned the box around in her hands so that the lid would open up facing her. Slowly, almost afraid of what she would find, she opened the lid of the case.... All comments and virtual chocolate to This story is based on characters created by J. Parriott and B. Cohen for the TV series Forever Knight. The Spirit of the Season (4/4) by Carrie Krumtum They arrived back at the precinct in plenty of time to complete the duty report and begin the shift reports. There were no new homicides in the jurisdiction of the 96th precinct this night. All the work that confronted the two detectives on duty for homicide was to complete the evidence reports for their last case and join in on the Christmas party the shift was enjoying in the bullpen. Nick sat on the edge of his desk and spectated while everyone was especially entertained by the good mood and cheery voice of Detective Schanke as he engaged in the antics associated with his particular rendition of his favorite Christmas carol ... "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Amy hugged her goodnight as she went up to bed. She was too old to believe in Santa any more but she knew that the sooner she went to bed and to sleep the sooner she could open all the neat presents Natalie had brought. Natalie always gave the best presents! "It's beautiful," Amy commented as she headed up to her bed. "Goodnight." Natalie gently caressed the pendant that hung around her neck from the delicate chain and smiled at her niece. "Goodnight. Sleep tight." After Amy had gone into her room, Sarah looked over at Natalie from her place by the Christmas tree. "It is lovely. It's from Nick, isn't it?" Sarah's face held a knowing smile. "I think so," Natalie admitted. She knew so. "You should go look at it in the mirror while it's on you," Sarah offered. Natalie smiled. "I think I will." Rising, Natalie realized that she really wanted to know how it would look to Nick when he saw it on her for the first time. She entered the bathroom and turned on the light. The light glinted off the metal and sparkled with what Nat could only characterize as beautiful from the gift that hung around her neck. The pendant was an angel, wings delicately extended in perfect flight. It wasn't a cross but it was close. Nick. He was going to make it. She knew he was. What did vampires think about at Christmas time? Well, she thought, at least one of them was thinking about the other people in his life.... "Merry Christmas, Nick," she whispered. "Merry Christmas...." The crowd at the Raven couldn't really be called a crowd at all, he mused. LaCroix entered the club and advanced toward the bar to join the mistress of the establishment. "You haven't heard from him, I presume," he said without preamble. After the briefest hesitation, Janette answered her master. "No." "I told you, he will not come." "He will be here," she insisted. "We are his family. The only family he has." "Not quite," LaCroix intoned. He felt the tremor as he simultaneously noted a look of mild surprise followed by triumph pass across Janette's features. Turning, he spotted Nicholas moving down the steps that led to the main floor of the Raven. Nick approached the two vampires at the bar. He smiled at them. "You have come to spend the holiday, I see," LaCroix said. Leaning on his elbow on the edge of the bar, Nick's smiled broadened, slightly. "Merry Christmas to you, too, LaCroix...." End All comments and virtual chocolate to Like Nick, Nat, Schank, LaCroix and Janette, may you find surprises and warmth in unexpected and wondrous places. Happy Holidays.... - Carrie http://members.aol.com/carrie400/index.html carriek@isat.com *or* Carrie400@aol.com