From: ALibbyp@aol.com Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 22:11:51 -0500 (EST) To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com Subject: Tammy's In Love AUTHOR'S NOTE/SPOILER: This story is based on situations in the Virtual Season. It falls sometime after the episode "A Taste of Rebellion." Of course the characters aren't mine, I'm just borrowing them. Same for the song "Tammy's In Love" even if I get it out of my head...ARGH! Comments, juicy ratsies and Screed can be sent to Alibbyp@aol.com Please don't waste your time with flames, I spend enough time on the hot seat as it is. I haven't had time to run this by a beta reader, so apologies in advance. Dedicated to all who have experienced pre-teen and teenage crushes on celebrities - I guess that means everyone! TAMMY'S IN LOVE by Libby Singleton "I don't like this at all, Denise," Joe Reese said. "I agree this LaCroix has been good to our girl, but there's something about him..." "Be reasonable," his wife argued. "The cop in you is making you paranoid. You've run background checks on Mr. LaCroix yourself and didn't find anything. Besides, they'll be at the rehab center. What could happen?" "Now, Denise, did I ever say I thought he'd hurt her?" Reese argued. "What I mean is he may not be the best influence." "You are confusing the man with his radio personality," Denise said. "I think it's cute how he remains in character for Tammy. You know, I think she's got a crush on him! Besides, his company will take her mind off her home visit last weekend." "Damn neighbor kid," Reese muttered. "Calling her a cripple. You should've let me handle it. Parents let him run wild." "Tammy did well enough on her own," Denise reminded him. "She's learning to stick up for herself. That's important. She's going to do well in life despite the obstacles." She reached across to the driver's side of the car, squeezing Reese's shoulder. "You know, it's been months since we've had time alone...it Valentine's Day. Leonard's at his friend's for the night, Mr. LaCroix will be keeping Tammy company..." Knowing he'd lost the argument, Reese fell silent. LaCroix was guilty of , of this much he was sure. Yet how could he forget the guy had saved his daughter's life the night the van plowed into her and her friends in front of the CERK station. LaCroix had been nothing but generous to Tammy since; yet the entire situation made him nervous. LaCroix didn't seem to be the sort who'd do something just to be kind. <<...I hear the cottonwoods whisper above Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love...>> ********* <<...The old hooty owl hooty hoots to the dove Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love...>> "...Then Brad said I was a good for nothing cripple now and my dad should lock me away in an institution!" Tammy said. Though most of the girl's ramblings held no interest for LaCroix, the fact some...thug had harassed Tammy Reese concerned him. Saving her life may have been purely accidental, yet this mortal child had a hold on the ancient vampire he couldn't explain. The taste he'd sampled of her blood refused to fade from his memory as was the norm. Her innocence and special nature still lingered in his mind even if the mortal pre-teen was driving him quite insane. "This... Brad upsets you." "No!" she replied earnestly. LaCroix raised his eyebrows. "Well, yeah," she admitted. "But I told him he was full of it!" "Good for you," LaCroix said, allowing himself a slight smile. This child knew how to use her tongue, perhaps a bit too well. The girl returned his smile warmly, then looked around her for the countless time since their arrival at Azures. "This is really cool!" Tammy Reese proclaimed. The restaurant was empty, yet the child seemed mesmerized by the elegant atmosphere. "You really paid this place to close just for ?" "I wished to do something for the Nightcrawler's favorite fan," LaCroix said. The girl's words were still badly slurred, but easily understood. Tonight her face seem to glow with delight at each new adventure. At first Tammy had protested that the rehabilitation center would not allow patients to leave without their parents. She was openly astonished when the nurses didn't stop LaCroix when he wheeled her out to the waiting limousine. A matter easily enough handled with hypnotism. Despite her constant chatter about inconsequential pre-adolescent matters, LaCroix continued wondering what Tammy would be like as a woman. Would the promise and intelligence of the youth endure? He'd know the answer in about ten years, a mere blink of the eye to someone with eternity to wait. Meanwhile, he was making a hobby of guiding her along the proper pathways to refinement, a long trek indeed. Standing, he refilled her wine glass with sparkling white grape juice. "So, my dear, I take it you are enjoying yourself." "Yes, sir! I can't wait to tell Mom and Dad!" "Perhaps this should be secret," LaCroix cautioned. "Your father does not approve of my continued interest in your well-being." "He doesn't, that's what makes this so fun!" Tammy giggled. "But if you want, I won't say anything." LaCroix nodded. "A wise decision." "You know, everyone says you're spooky but I think you're cool!" "So you have informed me," LaCroix said patiently. He was aware of Tammy's childish crush on him, something he was able to endure for the time being. She'd grow out of it soon enough. Tammy looked around the restaurant again. "This is just too weird." "How so?" "Taking me out like this, seeing how you hate Valentine's Day." "How, pray tell, are you able to perceive my dislike of holiday?" LaCroix asked evenly. "Your broadcast! This is the third year they've used it," Tammy complained. "Indeed?" "Yeah, and you kept looking at the decorations in the rehab center like you want to rip them off the wall." She picked up her glass using her left hand. LaCroix moved it to her right. Though uncoordinated with both, her right side was partially paralyzed. "You cannot begin learning the violin until you can hold the bow," he chastised. "You must exercise that arm." "You're changing the subject again," Tammy said mischievously. LaCroix never ceased to be amazed at the child's perceptiveness. "The topic of......is not among my favorites," he admitted. "Are you divorced or something?" Tammy asked. "Or...something." Fortunately, Tammy's attention was diverted when her dinner arrived. When the waiter tried to arrange her napkin in her lap, Tammy yanked it from his hands. "Thank you, sir, but I do this." "Of course, madam, please forgive me." The waiter removed the cover from Tammy's plate and quickly disappeared. Tammy's expression was one of bafflement when she stared down at the plate, then she quickly hid the expression with a smile. She clumsily maneuvered her fork with her left had, lifting a bite of the cream covered chicken to her mouth. Her face twisted in disgust and she quickly washed it down with the remains of her grape juice. "Does the meal not please you?" "It's good," Tammy said unconvincingly. She looked downed at the plate, obviously trying to hide her blush when LaCroix continued staring. "I'm sorry...actually, it's kinda nasty. Don't you want it?" "As I explained, my dear, I've already eaten. Perhaps you would like something else." "No, sir. You've already spent too much. I'll eat this," Tammy muttered. "Cost is no concern..." Money wasn't a problem, but the pre-teen's insistence on a hamburger was. The maitre d'hotel seemed appalled anyone would make such a request at Azures. When LaCroix the man to provide one immediately, Tammy stopped him, explaining she'd much rather go to her favorite eating establishment. The vampire was disappointed she'd even consider dining at a fast food restaurant. "There's a steak house near by I hear is extraordinary," LaCroix suggested. "I'm getting tired," Tammy said. "Couldn't we just want to go through the drive-through? Please?" "In a limousine?" Tammy giggled, a most grating sound. LaCroix considered putting an end to his little game. It was becoming most tiring. Then the taste of the girl's blood drifted once again through his thoughts. It didn't trigger an urge to feed, instead it caused a most bizarrely nauseating need to nurture her, as if there'd be some future reward. Ah well, entertaining Tammy was certainly better than moping about, longing for another girl, a young woman really, who'd died nearly 800 years before. The 'hamburger joint' was crowded with acne marked teenagers, all stopping their loitering to stare as the driver managed to pull the car up to the menu. This was LaCroix's first, and hopefully last, experience with the piercing static of a malfunctioning speaker as an anonymous adolescent with a cracking voice asked to take the order. He quickly studied the disgustingly plebeian choices and was about to resort to ordering the most expensive when Tammy quickly informed him she wanted, "A large fries, large cola, and a mega burger with extra mustard, cheese and no lettuce or onions." "Fast food" proved to be a misnomer as the irritating youth at the window instructed them that because Tammy had a "special order', they'd have to pull around to a waiting area. LaCroix remained quiet as the girl rolled down her window and began shouting and waving at various friends. Some wandered over to talk for a minute, remarking on Tammy's recovery while others seemed shocked at her state of disability. All, however, were introduced to the Nightcrawler. He merely glared in response, causing all visitors to depart quickly. Finally, reaching the end of what little patience he had with humanity, he recaptured Tammy's attention from a scantily clad cheerleader. "Excuse me my dear, will you be all right while I inquire into the status of your meal? "Sure," Tammy shrugged, immediately continuing her conversation about a scandal involving an athletics coach and school counsel. LaCroix sighed as he walked toward the restaurant. As soon as her recovery allowed, LaCroix promised himself to introduce her not only to the violin, but opera, classic theater, and astronomy as well. Anything to keep her from dwelling on which girl had slapped what boy in science class and the sexual escapes of her instructors. The crowd inside the business parted for LaCroix as he entered. The building reeked of dirty diapers and the racing hormones of adolescence. A clown clad in yellow bright enough to cause discomfort to vampiric eyes approached, offering a neon-red balloon. Though the thought crossed his mind Tammy might appreciate such a gift, LaCroix couldn't bring himself to accept it. A glare warned the costumed monstrosity to back away. "...Whadda mean I can't get a kids meal if I'm over twelve?" an greasy, long haired boy said to the order taker. "She means," LaCroix interjected, "that she'll wait on now." The boy turned around, obviously ready to argue until he looked up into LaCroix's unsmiling face. "S...s...sure. I'll go see if I can borrow some money and get a mega meal..." He tripped, nearly falling on his face, as he scrambled to leave. The girl behind the counter crossed her arms, smacking her gum a few times before asking, "And what do you want, sir?" Her tone was sarcastic. "The meal I ordered from your drive through. I was told it would be brought to my car." "It will be...when it's ready," she said. "I have been waiting fifteen minutes." "Hey, you had a special order, those take time," she snapped, apparently unintimidated by LaCroix's scowl. "Just because you drive up in a limo, doesn't make you any more special than any other customer. We're kinda busy tonight, it's Valentine's Day, you know." "You have a talent for stating the obvious." LaCroix leaned over the counter, making sure the teenage "scholar" was looking him straight in the eyes. "I do like crowds or waiting but not nearly as much as I Valentine's Day," he growled. "I would suggest you retrieve my order ." A puddle formed beneath the girl's skirt as she began shaking. "Ah...ah...ah...sure. Just a minute, please." She disappeared into the kitchen area. Within moments, the order taker was shoving napkins and a handful of ketchup packets into a bag containing a large fries, large soda, and a mega burger with extra mustard, cheese and no lettuce or onions. "Please come again," she said quickly, a forced smile on her face. "That happen," LaCroix growled. Half way to the limousine, he noticed a small, thin teenage boy leaning against the car with an arrogant stance. LaCroix paused to listen. If this was a boyfriend of Tammy's, he certainly did not approve. "Hey, there crippled," the kid said sarcastically. "What kinda souped up ambulance is this wreck?" "My name is Tammy, butthead." "Ma naaam ith Taaammeee Butthad," Brad said, imitating Tammy's slurred speech "Just leave me alone Brad, okay?" LaCroix realized this was the boy who'd harassed the girl during her first weekend visit home since the accident. "What's a matter?" the boy taunted. "Gonna be late to the Valentine's Dance?" LaCroix had not planned to interfere unless the girl was in physical danger. Tammy seemed capable of handling herself verbally. The boy was no doubt too cowardly to do anything other than vocalize his stupidity. Yet LaCroix could sense the quickening of Tammy's pulse, the rising of her blood pressure in frustration as she turned to look at him with tear filled brown eyes. Seeming to gain strength when she caught sight of LaCroix, she looked Brad straight in the eyes. "I'll be dancing next year, just wait!" she snapped, her voice shaking but determined. "I can't help it if I got hurt..." "You mean got made a retard," Brad said. "Tammy Reese the righteous retard." LaCroix silently moved behind the boy. "Takes one to know one," Tammy quipped, smiling widely at LaCroix. Brad turned around, staring straight into the buttons of LaCroix's tailored shirt. His eyes followed the tall figure to its full height. "Uh, uh, I just remembered I'm suppose to be home by nine," Brad squeaked, suddenly running toward the restaurant. "Did you see that?!" Tammy asked. "He's such a wuss!" "An appropriate description," LaCroix agreed. "Here is your meal. Now if you'll excuse me one last time, there is a matter I must attend to." Taking the sack, Tammy shrugged. "Sure, the bathrooms are in the back of the restaurant by the playground." ****** "Daaaaad!" Tammy whined when Reese took the paper from her. "You don't need to be worrying about Brad,"he said. "I'd rather you read something besides that article. You've been staring at it for fifteen minutes. It's only a paragraph long." "I said some awful things to him last ni... I mean weekend." Reese pulled his chair closer to his daughter, rubbing her back reassuringly. "And he said some bad things to you. He's not a good kid, Tammy. Probably got himself into some sort of trouble and ran away. If his dad wasn't a big wig at city hall, there wouldn't be any mention of it at all." "I just don't want anything bad to happen, you know," she said. "Are you expecting some terrible fate?" LaCroix said as he entered Tammy's room. He carried a bundle of six yellow roses which he handed the girl. "Ah, Captain Reese, I didn't see you sitting there." "Well, yeah, nice to see you too," Reese replied. "Brad...that guy who was talking to me last ni... I mean weekend, saying I was a crippled....well, he's gone! Missing!" "Indeed?" LaCroix said, no surprise or concern evident in his tone. "Kid didn't come home last night. Was suppose to be with friends at some hamburger joint," Reese commented. "Boy's nothing but trouble. Parents even let him dress like, well, he's got no taste..." "Oh, I wouldn't exactly say that." A cross between a burp and a hiccough escaped LaCroix. He immediately covered his mouth. "Pardon me!" LaCroix smirked as he nodded his head slightly in Tammy's direction. "The radio booth awaits me, my dear." Reese shook his head after LaCroix left. "There's just unnerving about him..." "Daddy, don't be silly!" Tammy said, adding in a softer tone, "He's cool." Reese sighed and shook his head. Wasn't there some basketball player with purple hair she could fall for instead of LaCroix? <<...Does my lover feel what I feel when he comes near, My heart beats so joyfully you'd think that he could hear. Wish I knew if he knew what I'm dreaming of Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love...>> -end-