Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 16:18:01 -0400 From: Kathleen DeLander Subject: Erica: The Last Straw (1/1) *Challenge!* Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by J. Parriott and B. Cohen for the TV series Forever Knight None of these characters are mine, but I'm going to have a little fun with them, and then put them right back. This story starts off at the end of "Last Night". The Last Straw, by Spoofer Nick kneeled on the carpet, with Natalie's body laying in front of him. Holding her hand, he thought he could hear an echo of heartbeat, "Boom, Boom. Boom, Boom." Behind him, LaCroix lifted the pole that Nick had given him, high in the air, preparing to strike. "Stop!", Natalie shouted. She sat up, brushed off her jacket and glared at Nick. "You were really going to go through with it, weren't you?" She gave him another exasperated look and continued, "Don't get me wrong, Nick, it was a noble gesture, but completely unnecessary." Then she jumped to her feet with amazing alacrity for someone who had supposedly been nearly drained dry of blood. "I don't understand, Nat", Nick exclaimed. "You were near death. You had to be; I took too much." "And you don't think that I was prepared for that, Nick?", Nat responded. "I know your track record. I thought it was worth a chance, to see if you could do it, though". She reached behind her neck, and pulled a rubber flap forward. It peeled away from her neck, and she lifted the rest of the device out of her blouse. "Oh, Nicholas", LaCroix sighed, "I can't believe you fell for the "fake neck" trick. And at your age, too." "But I drank human blood", Nick protested, still confused. "Sure you did, Nick", Nat interjected, "But what do you remember about its human host?" Nick concentrated, "I remember a smoke-filled room, dim neon lights, and I heard voices. They were saying, 'Boom, Boom. Boom, Boom'."\ "That's her alright", Nat replied. "Boom Boom Lamoor. "She was a stripper at the Club Nevar. Had a really tragic accident involving her G-string. Her blood was just what I needed before I tried our little experiment. It never hurts to be prepared." She glanced down and spotted a few drops of blood on her white jacket collar. "Oops! I'm going to clean up, Nick. I'll be back in just a minute". She stepped into Nick's pristine bathroom. LaCroix rolled his eyes. "Really, Nicholas!". He sank into a black leather chair, then looked at the pole that Nicholas had given him. An inscription caught his eye, and he examined it more closely: 'Genuine Vampire Whacking Stick. This End Up. Made in Taiwan'. He turned the pole around and examined the sharpened end. Soft Rubber. Surprised, he looked at Nick. "O.K., so I hedged my bet, too", Nick admitted. "What a touching little melodrama", LaCroix grumbled. "I assure you that MY part in it is over!" He glared at Nick briefly, then looked resigned. "I think that I shall go and visit Scotland. I have a nice black plaid to wear. Farewell, Nicholas. We shall meet again, as soon as time has diminished MY role in this little farce. Say goodbye to the doctor for me, will you?" At that, he flew from the loft. Natalie came out of the bathroom and turned towards Nick. "Now for the rest of my plan." She walked back to her briefcases, which she had placed beneath Nick's piano. Opening them, she pulled out two wine bottles. "You're going to drink your fill from this bottle, and then I am going to teach you how to neck properly." Nick reached for a bottle. "Chateau de Rockchild", he read. "Someone named Rockchild is dead?", he asked. "Not unless his first name is Pinot Noir", Nat replied. "THIS is your bottle". She handed him the other one. "The Pinot Noir is for me." Now drink every drop; it's just what the doctor ordered", she smiled flirtatiously at Nick. Nick's eyebrows lifted, but he lifted the bottle and drained it. Nat finished a glass of the Pinot Noir, and leaned back against Nick's couch. She gave him a sexy wink, and said, "Now, Nick, show me what you picked up from 'Boom Boom Lamoor'." This is my first fan fiction, which I'm dedicating to Erica, and my friend Mike. Send comments at the address below. Spoofer Stuff keeps happening, Knight after Knight.