Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 20:11:13 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: XOVER: The Vampire of Babylon5, Or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 01/?? To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU NOW I'm writing a crossover. All my main characters are here. Even Tasha. Everyone except Tasha belongs to someone else. The FK people to their TPTB at Sony/Tristar, and the B5 people to their TPTB at the WB. All MP stuff belongs to Python (Monty) Pictures, LTD. This takes place in the B5 universe just after John becomes President, but here, Ivonova takes control of B5, and Marcus was . . . rescued. The Vampire of Babylon 5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer Tasha snoozed on Vir's bed, a tear running down her cheek. She missed Lucien, but knew that he had left for a good reason. She just wished she knew what it was. She dreamed happy dreams, reliving the birth of Nat's daughters, Tasha's babysitting, and her time with her master. She was awoken by a soft voice and a gentle touch on her shoulder. "Tasha? Tasha? Wake up. Londo needs you." "Forget it." she murmured. I'm not Adira." "No, no, no. He needs your help with something." Tasha opened her eyes, looking up into Vir's. "What?" "He's all wrapped up in his history stuff and he needs you to explain something." "What is it with him and his obsessions of the moment?" "VIR!" Londo yelled from the next room. "Where is she!?!" Tasha got up and adjusted her belt. She smoothed her hair back into place and proceeded to walk into Londo's room. "How can I be of service, Ambassador?" she inquired politely. "Would you stop that! Great Gods, even Vir acts like a person around me! Come here and explain this to me." Tasha crossed the room and sat down on a chair beside her high-haired friend. "What is it this time?" she asked, slipping into her usual attitude. "What is that?" He pointed at the screen. "Um, a CD player." "What does it do?" "Plays CD's." "Yes, obviously, but what is it *for*!" "Music. Data. It stores digital data and a CD player allows access to the digital doohickeys." "So, it is a recreational device." "Yeah, that too." "Natasha . . ." "Here, let me show you." Londo unbuttoned his cuff and pushed up his sleeve. Tasha bent down to nip at the vein that ran right above his elbow. She extended her teeth and pierced his skin. He shuddered a bit, relishing the sensation. She concentrated on sending memories to him of Nick's stereo, his DVD player, and her old computer with CD ROM. She let go. "Ah, I see now. Music." Tasha looked into his eyes. "I'm not going to tell. Your secret is safe with Vir, Lennier, and me." "Good." Londo reached out and wiped a trickle of his blood off the corner of her mouth. "I know, if anyone were to discover you, you'd be staked and decapitated." "Any word on Lucien?" "No. Natasha, if ye really lives as you describe, his name could be anything." "Oh. Yeah, I forgot." She herself had only recently began using her married name again. Her eyes fell toward the floor. Londo lifted her chin and looked at her. "We will find him. I promise you." "No, stop looking. If he wants to see me again, he'll find me. I should have realised that." Tears began to stream down her face. She leaned onto his shoulder, sobbing. Londo turned and held her. "You really love him, don't you?" It was more a statement than a question. "Yeah." she sniffled. She composed herself, and wiped her eyes on her red silk handkerchief. "Sorry." "I understand. When they killed Adira . . ." "I know." The commlink beeped. "Yes?" called Londo. Ivonova's face appeared on the screen. "Ambassador, I was wondering if I could . . . borrow your new assistant for about half-an-hour?" "Of course, of course." "Very well. May we meet on the observation deck, then, Natasha? In, say, twenty minutes?" "Suits me." "Ivonova out." Her image winked off the screen. A pained look crossed Tasha's face. "This is gonna be about Marcus, i just know it." she said to Londo. Tasha entered the observation deck. Ivonova was already there, accompanied by Marcus and Sheridan. "Captain, Mr. President, Marcus. Is there a problem?" "What is he?" Sheridan asked, cutting to the point. "A vampire." "Vampires are only myths." protested Susan. "Sorry. I thought you didn't want him to die." Tasha retorted. "Susan." said Marcus, stopping her from talking. "Natasha, would you go over this for them like you did for me?" "You want me to give them the fledgling speech? Should I give them the whole version, or just the speech?" Tasha asked with a grin. Marcus looked at her, saying 'Shut up about that!' with his eyes. "Just the speech." "Darn. I was hoping to go through the whole thing. Oh, well." Tash went to look out the window. She took a couple deep breaths, then turned around to speak. "Vampires have been around since before the actual Babylonian times. My maker was brought across at the time of Vesuvius' eruption. He brought me across in the late 1990's. Vampires must feed on the blood of others. It can be done by biting open a vein or drinking bottled. Vampires must avoid the sun in an atmosphere; they are in no danger in space. Garlic, emblems of religion, and nasty pointed sticks must be avoided. We can be killed by a stake through the heart, decapitation, or too much exposure to the sun." "But we've been out in the sun on Earth more than once!" John pointed out. "I'm different. I'm what's known as an Avenger. My . . . calling is to make short work of people who have harmed me. I try not to do it so much anymore, but if I do not, I will waste away." "All those unexplained deaths down below." "Yes, John. They all had tried to expose me or sought to do me harm in some other lifetime." "And I will do this as well?" queried Marcus. "Nope. You just need to follow the basic rules. But you all must promise never to reveal what I am to anyone. Marcus, you must also keep the secret. About me, and yourself." John and Susan gave their promises, but Tasha had learned not to trust anyone all the way. She looked deep into their eyes and whammied silence. They would now only speak of it to Marcus, Tasha, or each other, and only when noone could overhear. John and Susan looked relieved, Susan more than relieved. They walked out in ponderance, Tasha remaining behind. Tasha turned back to stare out the large window that took up the upper walls and ceiling of the deck. She sunk to her knees, crying once more. More than anything, she missed her family, mostly Lucien, but also Nick, Nat, and whatever kid they happened to adopt at the time. She also missed Screed, Vachon, and Trace. Even Schanke, who'd taken to palling around with Screed after his conversion. She leaned against the cold, impersonal metal of the deck, despondent. It had gotten so she couldn't even sense Lucien anymore, they'd been apart so long. She closed her eyes, imagining her maker's strong arms encircling her once more. "When are you going to stop living in your memories, Natasha?" Gods, but it even *sounded* like Lucien. She opened her eyes, knowing as soon as she did, the voice and arms would be gone. "Do you think I shall go so quickly, ma cher?" Tasha looked down. Pale, black-clad arms still encircled her. She felt his comfortingly familiar presence back inside her mind. He was back! She turned her head to see two icy eyes looking back at her. "Honey, I'm home." he whispered jokingly. Tasha leaned back, glad beyond words that he had returned. She turned her head, offering him her neck as she had done all those years ago. She felt his teeth sink in . . . Lucien looked down at her, so trusting, so loving. He dropped his teeth and drank from her. 'Oh, yes.' he thought. 'It's good to be back.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Like it, hate it, torch it, let me know. Christina socrates@ncn.net Keeper of the Brent Spiner Holy Ice-Cream Spoon Is caring for nonexistent folk foolish? Then leave me to my foolishness! -- Piers Anthony Ya gotta love livin', baby, 'cause dyin' is a pain! -- Frank Sinatra Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 22:45:15 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: XOVER: The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 02a/?? To: FKFIC-L@lists.psu.edu Disclaimers in first bit. Permission to archive on fanfic page, and that goes for any and every FK Fanfic I have ever posted and shall ever post. Star Trek stuff belongs to TPTB at Paramount. It doesn't make much of an appearance, but it helps to explain the twenty-year gap. The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer Part 2a Tasha reveled in the sensation of Lucien's fangs in her neck. It had been nearly twenty years since she'd felt it, or any other kind of touch from her family. She felt Lucien shift to allow her access to his neck and she reciprocated his bite, sharing blood as if it were the very first time. She was surprised to discover the reason she hadn't been able to sense him. He'd been in a different universe. One with starships that could travel immense distances in seconds without requiring hyperspace jump- gates. She learned of a man named Kirk, and of a rather beautiful lieutenant named Nyota. Lucien also basked in Tasha's essence. He had missed her so, but had been unable to get home for fifteen years. He learned of her moving to Centauri Prime, and eventually coming to B5 to work for Ambassador Mollari. He also saw everything she knew about anatomy. <> he sent through their link, surprised. <> <> <> They both disengaged and laughed. Tasha automatically took out her handkerchief to wipe her mouth. While she was at it, she wiped Lucien's, too. They stood up together. "It's nice to have been missed." he said. "Ditto. Now fill me in on what went by too fast to absorb. Were there any of us there?" "None. It was very disturbing. Who's this Marcus? I take it he is not our Marcus." "Nope. Our Marcus is calling himself Peter now. He's working back home at the new Raven. Same place as it used to be, same decor. He's been at it for five years. Really good place. No, this Marcus is a Ranger who is hopelessly in love with the captain of the station. He just about killed himself to save her, the moron." "And you brought him across?" "Had to. I couldn't just let him die." "And yet you are not tending to him?" "Don't have to. Susan's doing a fine job." "But surely when he was newly made you had to . . ." "Yeah, but for Marcus' sake we're just going to act like it didn't happen." "So how long has it been since you . . ." "Two days. I have to give Vir time to recover. It just takes everything out of him. Then again, it usually takes about five hours, so . . ." "Your appetite has grown as you have aged, my dear." "Oh, and yours hasn't?" "I cannot say that." "Thought so." The little patch Tash wore on her hand beeped. She smacked it. "Yeah?" "Natasha, Ambassador Delenn requires your presence." "Gotcha, Lennier. Be right there." She smacked the commlink off. "C'mon. I have to go see Delenn. I'll ask her to ask John to get you assigned some quarters." Tasha pushed the signal button outside of Delenn's quarters. She turned to Lucien. "She's married. Mitts off." He looked down at her, eyebrow arched. "I am appalled you would even think such a thing." he protested with mock innocence. "Mmm-hmm." she noised flatly. "Come in!" Delenn's normally melodious voice was sharp with anger, her accent even more pronounced. Tasha walked in to find Delenn in a state of agitation. Her robe was wrapped tight around her, her hair was frizzy, and she was obviously in pain. She strode over to help her friend. "Delenn, what's the matter?" "Who is he?!" she pointed at Lucien. "That's Lucien. The one I've told you about." "Lennier!" she snapped. A cowed-looking Lennier slunk into the room. "Yes, Delenn?" "Take him out to the Zocalo so we can talk. Show him the station. Be back in no less than two hours." "Yes, Delenn. If you would, mister LaCroix . . ." Tasha watched them walk out. After the door closed, she turned to Delenn. "Del, Del. What's wrong?" "I can't get my hair to behave even though I've been using shampoo, my clothes are all too tight, and my shoes are all too small!" "Delenn, calm down. Look at me. (thump, thump) You will calm down." " . . . Calm . . down . . ." she began to relax, her muscles losing their tension, her temper mending. "Delenn?" "Oh, Tasha, I'm sorry for snapping. This has just been a very frustrating day." "It's all right. I understand." She looked at the half-Minbari seated beside her. "We're about the same height. My clothes are looser than yours. maybe you can wear some of them. What's going on?" "John's parents are on the station and he wants to take me to dinner with them tonight. I'm on my cycle, and none of my clothes fit." "You're retaining water. It's perfectly normal." Tasha sat back, scrutinising Delenn. "You know, if you'd like, I can give you a complete makeover." "Could you?" "Yes, it's good to be pampered. I'll just make the arrangements. You go into the bathroom and wait for me. I'll be in soon." Delenn went in to wait. She smacked the commlink. "Get me Lennier." "Yes?" "Hey, Lennier. Look, I think I've got Delenn's problems worked out. Could I have a chat with Lucien?" "Natasha?" "Hey, do you think you could pal around with Lennier for about three hours?" "And I thought you wanted to see me." "I do, mon pere, but Delenn is in a spaz and I'm going to do a Janette Special on her." "Do you think three hours will be enough?" "Mmm. You're right. Make it four. Hey, Lennier?" "Yes?" "Take him to our restaurant. He's on the same restricted diet I am. Fill him in on the past twenty years. The War, the Shadows, all that guff. Can you fill four hours with it?" "It might take a bit longer than that if he asks questions." "Good lad, good lad. Off you go. I'll give a call when we're done. I assure you, Delenn will feel three- hundred percent better when we're done." "Understood." They both smacked their commlinks off. "If you will come with me, Mister LaCroix." "You know what she is?" "Yes." "What is she?" " I cannot speak it aloud. You should know that, being one yourself. The Enforcers have allowed her only to tell the command staff, the ambassadors, and their aides. Even that was pushing it. She hasn't even told them all yet." he whispered. Lucien's eyebrow arose in its customary arch. "Good lad. Shall we go?" They walked off to the Blackbird (a small restaurant at the rear of the Zocalo) for some refreshment and a history lesson. Back in Delenn's quarters, Tasha beeped Vir on the video commlink. "What is it, Tasha?" beamed Vir. "Go to G'Kar's quarters. Tell him I sent you and you need to pick up a blue wheeled suitcase. Well, it's more like a trunk. It's easy to push or pull, even over carpet. Bring it to Delenn's quarters." "Gotcha." He blipped off. Tasha smiled at his language. She hadn't realised he had picked so much up from her. Next she beeped G'Kar. "Yes, yes, what is it?" "Real nice greeting, G-K." "Oh, I'm sorry Tash. My eye isn't working right. I'll have to get Dr. Franklin to have a look at it. What do you need?" "Vir's gonna be there any minute. He needs my blue trunk." "Whatever for?" "Delenn. She's in a bit of a snit, and I need to work a bit of magic." "Ah, I see." G'Kar turned away momentarily as his door blipped. "That's probably him. See you later." "K-Y-S-O-T-I." "Yes, yes, alright, I'm coming." He blipped off. Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1998 00:11:16 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: XOVER: The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 02b/?? To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Cont from 2a !!!!!This gets a teeny-bit PG-ish, 'cause Delenn gets a massage, a scrub, etc. Nothing explicit, though.!!!!! Tasha entered Delenn's enormous bathroom. Delenn was sitting on the bowl lid, waiting. "Okay, Delenn. Up on the bench. First, a massage, I think." Tasha went to the cupboards and opened the correct door. She took out a bottle of Delenn's massage oil and turned to see Delenn, face-down on the table. Tasha poured a bit of the floral- scented oil into her cupped palm and set the bottle down. She cooled the oil with her hands before applying it to Delenn's back. Delenn jumped at the cool touch of the oil, and the even cooler touch of Tasha's hands. Delenn relaxed as Tasha gently pushed her frizzy hair out of the way and began to massage her shoulders. "What kind of oil is this again?" "Chella flower." Tasha rolled the word around her tongue. "Chay-ah." "Soften the first consonant sound so it sounds like a combination of -ch and -sh." Delenn advised. Tash tried again and got it right. She concentrated a bit as she gently worked a knot out of one of Delenn's shoulders. A low noise escaped Delenn's lips. "Am I hurting you?" "No, no. It's very nice." To Tasha's surprise, Delenn began to purr. "Minbari can purr?" "Only some. Those of us who can have a defect in our vocal cords can accomplish it. It only occurs in moments of intense pleasure or happiness." "Betcha it scared the crap out of John." "Yes, it did scare him. He thought I was snarling and about to go for his throat." They both laughed. Tasha worked her was over to the other shoulder, walking around the inclined bench to get a bit more comfortable for hitting the knot in the other shoulder. Delenn purred again as Tash deftly unknotted the muscle. "Sounds like I'm working on a big kitty." "I don't think I'll meow." Delenn joked. Delenn called out something in Minbari to the computer, and soft music began to play. It was coupled with the sounds of a light rain, which caused Delenn to relax even more. The door beeped. "Come!" called Tasha. "I've got the trunk!" Vir called. "Thanks, Vir." "I've got to get back; Londo's annoyed again." "Okay!" The door swished, and Vir left. "What trunk?" murmured Delenn. "We'll get to it when we get to it." "Mmm." Tasha worked her way down Delenn's back, unknotting more muscles as she went. Tash largely left Delenn's glutals alone, and worked her way down Delenn's legs. She paid special attention to the calves and feet. She was glad that this bench wasn't as steeply inclined as the sleeping ones were. "Okay, Delenn. Flip over." Delenn obediently flipped, and Tasha went back to work, concentrating once more on the shoulders, arms, abdominals and legs. Tasha could smell Delenn's blood rushing to the surface of her skin as she massaged, and bit her lip in order to stay focused. After a half-hour of massage, Delenn was relaxed and unkinked. Tasha rinsed off her hands, wiped them, and went to her trunk. She pulled out two vials of a thick, oily liquid, and went back to the bathroom. She knelt over the tub, turned on the taps, and got a nice flow going. She opened the vials and poured them into the running water. Bubbles began to froth, and the whole bathroom was permeated with the scents of peaches, mangoes, and an exotic spice never before smelled by Minbari noses. "Oh, that's nice. What is it?" "Your bathwater. Get in." Tasha said gently. Tash returned to her trunk as Delenn eased herself into the bathtub. It, too, was slightly inclined to overcome the Minbari aversion to resting horizontal. "Natasha, where did you learn this?" "It's my special relaxation ritual. I've had a long time to perfect it." She returned with a long-handled scrubber. She began to scrub Delenn's back, then the rest of her, gently exfoliating. Then Tash wetted Delenn's hair and poured a bit of a special shampoo into her hair. She worked it in, massaging the scalp, coating every strand of hair. Delenn began to purr again. After five minutes of scalp massage, Tasha messed with the plug mechanism to drain the water. She pulled the shower massage from the wall and used it to rinse Delenn off. Then she poured a special conditioner into Delenn's hair. Finally, the bathing was finished. Tasha wrapped Delenn in a huge terrycloth towel, then, when she was dry, a terrycloth robe. She sat Delenn down on the couch and smeared a cream on her face. "What does this do?" "It gets the muck out of your skin, opens your pores, and lets your skin breathe." "Skin can breathe?" "It is healthier to let air circulate to your skin." "Oh." Eventually, Tasha was finished with Delenn. She had put the Minbari into one of her outfits, the tartan with the wedge-skirt. Tasha had put Delenn's hair up in curls reminiscent of Natalie's. Tash led Delenn over to a mirror. Delenn's eyes widened as she saw herself in the glass. "Is that really me?" she asked. "Yes. It's you." The door beeped. "Come in." called Delenn. Lennier, Lucien, and John entered. "I'm sorry, Tasha, I couldn't fill . . . In Valen's name!" Lennier finished breathily. John's eyes looked about to pop out. "Delenn?" "Hello, John." she smiled. Her hair was tinged redder than before, her skin glowed, and her whole bearing was greatly improved. Lucien came to stand beside his daughter. "You do great work, ma cher." "I do what I can, mon pere." "He is your father?" asked Lennier, surprised. "In a fashion. He's not biologically my father. He's just taken care of me for a long time." She smiled up at Lucien, who put his arm around her. "Now, John, about some quarters . . . ?" she pressed "Ummm can't he just use yours?" "I sleep in Londo's quarters. In Vir's room." "Oh . . . ummmmm take Delenn's old ones." "Thanks, John." Tasha turned to leave. "Thank you, Natasha!" called Delenn. "Glad to help!" Tasha flopped down on the couch. Lucien quickly followed. ################################################## CENSORED ################################################## "Oh, gods, that was nice." "It isn't at other times?" "It's just been so long. It's so different from what I'm used to now. I've missed you, my master." "You submissive? This is a big day." "Oh, stop it." she huffed. "Just let me put it this way. Even six are no match for you." "Flattery will get you nowhere." "How for does the truth go?" "Natasha." he admonished. "How's the rest of the family?" "I don't know. I lost the link with them when I lost it with you." "Hmm. Well, I'll work on re-establishing it. and see if they'll come to Babylon 5." he noised thoughtfully. "Mmm. Vir is going to be disappointed." "Why? If I know you, and I do, you'll do whatever it takes to get what you want. Everything you want." "I can't have everything I want without whammying G'Kar. He thinks I'm actually eighteen." she pouted. "Then whammy him, as you say." "It's no fun then. Although, Londo can be very . . . docile at times." "Natasha!" "What?" "Oh, never mind." "Shut up and bite me again." she insisted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Like it, hate it, torch it, let me know Christina socrates@ncn.net Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 12:20:15 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 03/?? To: FKFIC-L@lists.psu.edu You know the drill. Standard disclaimers. See earlier parts for details. Archive on fanfic page. The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer Part 3 Tasha was pulled back to consciousness by the insistent beeping of the door. She half-sat in bed, checking the clock. "Yes, what is it?" The door opened, allowing two people, a male and a female, entrance to the room. They were dressed in Minbari clothing, and smelled faintly of Minbari oils. "Dammit, Lennier, do you have any idea what time it is?" "Nice way to greet your brother." The male's voice carried a decided smirk to its tone. "Nick?" "You seem to be a bit . . . busy at the moment." Tasha looked down at the sheet which was her only covering, then back at Nick. "Could you just give me five minutes?" "Well . . ." "Nick," Natalie warned, "Later." The two stepped into the other room while Tasha tried to awaken the pale, sleeping form by her side. "Lucien, Lucien, wake up." She shook his shoulder, trying to provoke a response. He just moaned and flipped over. Tasha looked at him in slight disgust and pulled on her sweatsuit. A wicked idea began to form in her mind. She knew how to get her lazy master up. She ducked under the covers and did something unspeakable to an unnamable part of his anatomy. Lucien sat bolt upright, fangs down, eyes gold. "I'm awake, I'm awake!" Tasha freed herself from the blanket and sheets. "Nick and Anat are here." "Nonsense. I would have felt them." "Tweak your link." A momentary look of concentration came over his face as he did. His eyes widened. He turned to her. "You're right." She threw his sweatsuit at him. "Get dressed!" she hissed. Unbeknownst to Tasha and Lucien, Vachon, Trace, Screedo and Schanke also were in the other room. (Okay, this takes a bit of explaining. The big decision Vachon made was to bring Trace across. Myra and Jen were killed in a tragic car accident some two years after the luau. Tash brought Schank across, and he has since been palling around with the carouche. Schanke's passion in unlife is to make short work of drunk drivers/fliers/jerks in general.) Tasha and Lucien emerged from the other room, both clad in black sweatsuits. Tasha's, however, had a small square of tattered silk sewn onto the shoulder; a remnant of Nick's old dressing gown from when Nat had shredded it accidentally in a fit of passion. Tash saw her carouche-buddy and almost knocked him over with her hug. She quietly slipped her fangs in his neck for a sip, and Screed reciprocated. Friends, and, at times, more than friends, they knew each other inside and out. Lucien merely arched an eyebrow at his son. "Nicholas," he intoned with a slight inclination of his head. Natalie, not caring for aloofness, burst upon Lucien with a bear hug. "Don't be such an old fuddy-duddy. You're happy to see him, he's happy to see you. Hug your son." she ordered." Lucien let go of his daughter and moved over to his son. He held is arms slightly apart, offering an embrace. "Nicholas . . ." LaCroix's voice was thick with emotion for the son he hadn't seen, heard from, or felt in twenty years. "Lucien." Nick's word was muffled by the cotton of his maker's shirt as they embraced. "Awwww." The two men looked disapprovingly at aunt and niece, who were trying to hold each other up as a giggle fit came upon them. "You two never change, do you?" scowled Nick. Tasha and Nat looked at each other, then back at the males. "Nope." they said, and busted out laughing once more. Lucien looked at his son. "What is it you see in her, Nicholas?" "Dunno. Probably the same thing you do." "Not for twenty years, Nicholas." They smiled enigmatically as everyone else tried and failed to get the joke. Tasha let go of her aunt and went to join her other friends. "Want a mineral water, Donny?" "Nah, never touch the stuff." "Looks like you're getting a bit of a blood gut." she teased. The ex-homicide detective looked at her sternly, and drew up to his full height, which was about only a couple of inches taller than Tasha herself. "Natasha, I do not appreciate that remark. Any more like it, and you shall have to be . . . punished." Tasha was bent double, giggling. Even Lucien, Nick, and Nat were amazed. They had no idea that his impression of LaCroix was that good. "Sweet Goddess, Donny, that's good!! Where did you learn it?" "I got it from a book." "What book?" "*The* book." "Oh, that book" (Referring to the ep with the woman who wrote about vampires. Schank makes the perfect LaSalle. ) Vachon scooped his giggling amiga and held her until her convulsions stopped. "Como estas, mi corazon?" "Cansada, conquistador. Y tu?" Vachon looked at Trace. "Tengo mucha alegria con mi esposa. *Muy* contento." "Wipe that leer of your face, Spaniard!" Trace ordered. "But my hands are full!" he protested. Tasha sighed. It was good having everyone together again. She just wished Janette could be here. Before Tasha's conversion, Janette had come to her, a dark angel of the night, to teach her things, things that Tasha did not ever know when she would ever use. But, use them she did, when she came to live with LaCroix. She missed her Netta. Janette had had a special soft spot for Tasha when they'd first met, in Italy. Tash had gotten herself lost and finally ended up in a museum. She was drawn to the one on ancient Rome when she saw Janette standing there. Tash had asked her in halting Italian how to get back to her hotel. To her surprise, the woman's eyes widened, and she started speaking very quickly in French. Tasha just barely understood her, and then had found herself back in her room at the hotel, with a note and a stone for her to call the beautiful woman to her when it was safe. "Tasha! TASHA!!" "Hmmm?" She looked into her brother's blue eyes. "You spaced out." "Oh, sorry." Another wicked thought crossed her mind. She put on her best innocent face and said very sweetly, "Shall we go play hide-and-seek Down Below, my brother?" Nick clamped his hand over her mouth. "Not now." Lucien, ever practical, sat back in a wing-backed chair to ponder. "Now what shall we do now that we're all here?" Everyone looked at each other and decided that that was a very good question. Like it, hate it, torch it, let me know. Christina socrates@ncn.net For those who don't speak Spanish, a translation. V: How are you, my heart? T: Tires, conquistador. And you? V: I'm very happy with my counterpart. VERY happy. Date: Thu, 18 Jun 1998 00:33:58 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: XOVER: The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 4/?? To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU See earlier parts for discl/arch. The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer Tasha sat at her desk in Londo's quarters, organising the files. How could he have gotten them so messed up in just twenty-four hours? She was so busy working that she didn't notice the tension building in her that was spilling over from Lucien. She got up to put the crystals back in their proper order, passing Vir along the way. Suddenly she was overcome with an unquenchable hunger. She dropped the datacrystals and grabbed Vir roughly by the shoulders. She swung the surprised Centauri around, pushed his head over and bit deep into this throat. His struggles stopped as she held him, feeding from him like she hadn't fed in decades. Luckily for Vir, Londo chose that time to come out of his room to get another drink and saw his aides locked together, one literally at the other's throat. He dropped his glass to the floor where it shattered and ran to save his attach E9. Londo gently took Tasha's arms from around Vir's shoulders and pulled them behind her back. He then slipped a finger under her upper lip and pushed up, causing her to release the still-confused Centauri. Tasha fought against him, but he held on just as she had showed him how and waited for the episode to subside. Tasha's struggles grew less impassioned, until, finally, her eyes returned to blue and her fangs retracted. Realising what had happened, she rushed over to Vir. Vir, still frightened, backed against the wall. "No, Vir, I'm okay now. Let me just seal it . . ." she leaned over him once more, this time gently and sealed the twin punctures with her mouth. She felt Vir shudder once more, then pulled back. She used her handkerchief to gently wipe the area where she had fed, and then set to cleaning her mouth. She looked deeply into Vir's eyes, not with intent to whammy, but wanting him to understand. "Vir, I am *so* sorry. I didn't realise what I was doing." "What happened?" he whispered, residual fear stealing his voice. "Lucien. Anat." She trusted he could draw his own conclusions. "You were never that vicious before." "I didn't realise it was there." The door beeped and Nick came rushing in. Peeking through barely-opened eyes, he grabbed Tasha's arm and propelled her into the next room. Once they were safely hidden, he opened his mouth and hissed. Tasha stood in front of him, wrapped her hand around the base of his neck and drew him to her. She felt him bite, and stood quietly as the bloodneed worked its way out of his system. Fortunately for those on the Zocalo, Nick had more control than Tasha did and was barely able to make it to her before losing it. Tasha was beginning to feel lightheaded, and bit back, searching for some of what was lost. Eventually, Nick's beast was sated and he was able to pull away. After mopping up the last traces of their feeding, she looked at him. "I need the prongs." He looked at her quizzically, but pulled the two- pronged apparatus out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I snacked on Vir before you came. We need to get him to MedLab. I need an explanation." He smiled at her as she slipped it into the tunic's pocket and headed out the door. Nick exited the suite as quietly as he came. "Vir, I'm going to take you to MedLab. Let me do the talking, and just lie there quietly, okay?" Vir nodded. "What the hell did you do to him?" demanded Dr. Franklin. "It was an accident." Tasha took out the pronged doohickey out of the pocket and handed it over to the doctor. "What is this?" "Replica of ancient Roman fighting prongs," she lied. "Never heard of it." "Not a common weapon. Only used by the highest- ranking generals in the army. I was demonstrating it to Londo and Vir tripped on a stray datacrystal. He kind of got nicked." "Where did all his blood go?" "Mopped it up, Londo's probably rinsed the cloths out by now." Dr. Franklin handed the convenient cover-up device back to Tasha and went to look at Vir, who was hooked up to an IV. "Just *be careful* next time you do that, will ya?" "Yes, Doctor." Tasha stormed into the quarters she now shared with her maker, as well as the rest of their little . . . family. "Right," she pointed at Lucien, "You, in the back, now!" She pointed toward the bedroom. His eyebrow arched. "Put it down, you're going to get yelled at." The eyebrow came down. Once alone in the bedroom, she turned to face him. "Next time, let us *know* before you go pulling a stunt like that! I nearly killed a Centauri, and Nick nearly killed me!" "You're not angry that I was with your aunt, but that I didn't tell you?" he was incredulous. "You know the rules. Just tell us next time. Tweak the link, say chill a moment, maybe give us a warning so we can grab a bottle." "I apologise, ma cher. How close are you to getting more quarters for us? Some of us are beginning to go stir- crazy." "I'll know by the end of tomorrow." They both walked out, calm. Nat and nick were sitting on the couch, reading, wrists poised at each other's mouths in case of a repeat of the earlier incident. "Screedo, Schanke, rats and drunks live down below." Their eyes lit up, and they went scurrying off to Down Below. "Where's Trace and V?" "They're off with Susan and Marcus." said Nat. All four looked around, obviously bored waiting for Merlin, the computer expert showed up to give them their new identities. Tasha got an idea. She whacked Lucien soundly on the shoulder. "TAG! You're it!" and ran. Nick and Nat were off the couch in a split second, doing everything in their power to avoid being tagged. Tasha leaned over to whisper quickly in Nick's ear. "I assume the penalties are the same as always, my dear brother." Nick's hesitation for a pained expression was long enough for a whack on the shoulder. "You are it, Nicholas." Nick got an evil look on his face, promising to make sure that every captive paid the fill penalty to the captor . . . ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ Like it, hate it, torch it, let me know! Christina socrates@ncn.net Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 18:27:55 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: XOVER: The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 5a/?? To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU See earlier parts for disc/arch The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer Part 5 John Sheridan sat in Ivonova's office, mulling over their current problem. "Well, John?" "I don't know, Susan. You say it has been going on for over a thousand years?" Ivonova checked her notes. "Yep. And I can see no way to prevent them from continuing it." "Have you asked them to stop?" "Asked, screamed at, pleaded with , begged, reasoned with, but nothing seems to work. It's like I can't get into their minds to make them see the consequences of their actions." "Is it like that time before with the colored-sash factions killing each other?" "No, they just go for each other's throats." "Indiscriminately?" "Yes. If they don't stop, they are going to put themselves to extinction. What are we going to do?" "I don't know. I simply don't have the experience to deal with this." His face lit up as an idea came upon him. "But I think I know someone who does." John turned to the video commlink. He buzzed Tasha's quarters. "Yes? What is it?" A rather breathless Tasha asked as she opened the commlink on her end. John was taken aback at this image of Londo's aide. Where normally she was in what she called 'blue jeans' and a sweatshirt, she was now in a tight-fitting leather catsuit. The face that hardly ever bore makeup was highlighted with it, and her long hair was done up into a large mass of curls that hung over her shoulders and down out of view. She was also holding a rather thick rope, out of which she was fastening a self-tightening loop as they communicated. "Umm, Tasha, are you busy?" "Nothing that can't be re-started later." she said, concentrating on the loop. "Whaddya need?" "I was wondering if you and Mr. LaCroix would be amenable to a bit of advising in the sand garden in, say, twenty minutes?" John watched Tasha look behind her and heard a very soft, muffled grunt of assent. She turned back. "That's cool. We'll be there in twenty." She flipped off her vidlink. "I wonder if she could get me one of those outfits," mused Ivonova. She looked up at John, seeing the look on his face. "What?" Tasha turned around, frowning down at the loop. "Well, I'll just have to fit it later. C'mon, babe, on your feet." She undid the blindfold and gag, freeing Lucien to see and speak. "You just cannot say no, can you, Natasha?" More of a statement than question. "He wouldn't have called unless he really needed help. Get up and get dressed; I've got to wipe this gunk off my face." "I still say we need to get you back home and back on the Harley." "I can't believe it has held up so well." Tears began to form in her eyes. "Yes, it has . Now, Natasha, don't cry again. Jen wanted you to have it." "I know, foolish attachments." "I have come to see that what I thought foolish was what I missed the most." Tasha smiled up at her maker. "Let me slip into some jeans and wipe my face. Grab a bottle for me on the way out, would ya? I haven't eaten in while." Tasha and Lucien arrived in the sand garden, Tasha in jeans and the catsuit, Lucien in his customary attire. Londo, G'Kar, Delenn, John, Ivonova, Vir, Lennier, basically all the important command staff/ambassadors were there. "Good, you're here." breathed John. "What's all the fuss, Prez?" inquired Tasha. "We have a problem that we think you might be able to help with. John out lined the problem. Tasha and Lucien began to converse in French, therefore guarding the decision process. Finally, they reached a conclusion. "President Sheridan," began Lucien, "you say that these people believe their leaders and follow them blindly?" "Yes." "Then Natasha and I have found your solution." "Which is?" "Whammy them." Tasha stated. Ivonova gave her head several tiny shakes. "Whammy them?" "It is quite simple, Captain." Lucien's silk-smooth voice soothed even Ivonova's confusion. "I have perfected over the years a form of hypnotism. It will convince them to decree a stop to all the hostilities. It . . . comes with the territory." a slight smile came to his lips as he said this, glancing at Tasha. Several of the people looked at each other, nodding their knowledge to those that understood. The others just looked around blankly. "What would that be?" queried Delenn. "Well--" began Tasha, reaching for the bottle Lucien was proffering to slake her increasing hunger. Suddenly, the station shook. Safety doors came down, and the bottle Lucien held dropped to the bench, shattering. "NO!" cried Tasha. "Garibaldi to security, what the hell is going on!?" "Zack here. Damaged White Star. It's jumping erratically. As soon as we can get it stopped, we can open the doors." "Keep me updated. Garibaldi out." Tasha was on her hands and knees, scrabbling at the precious red liquid that had fallen to the sand, clumping it. "Tasha, what is it?" asked Vir, concerned. Tasha looked up at him, eyes tinged with green. "Vir, it's time to feed. Now." she whispered. "Uh-oh." he murmured. "Londo, Londo!" "What is it, Vir?" "She's hungry." "Uh-oh." "What's wrong with that? Surely it can wait for an hour or two." Tasha doubled up in pain as the beast inside demanded to be fed. Dr. Franklin pushed Vir out of the way to get to Londo's pained aide. He pried her eyes open, which, by now, were glowing green. "What the--" He pried open her mouth to see her distended canines. "NO!" cried Tasha as she moved away. "What are you?" asked Delenn. Lucien moved to take her to a quiet corner of the garden. She slipped her teeth into his neck, questing to stop her hunger. "Ambassador Mollari? Could you come and be of some assistance?" None of them had ever seen Londo move that fast before. After a couple of minutes, Tasha, Londo, and Lucien emerged. Tasha was still pained, but could obviously tolerate it. "What are you?" demanded Delenn. "We are vampires." stated Lucien, who was cradling Tasha against him. "This is why you have never seen Tasha eat much and keep it down. This would also explain the puncture marks on Mr. Cotto's neck. She has gone too long without feeding. That is what that bottle was for." "Vampire?" breathed Delenn. TBC Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 01:08:04 -0500 From: Christina Wadsworth Subject: XOVER: The Vampire of Babylon5, or, Absence Makes the Fangs Grow Longer 5b/5b To: FKFIC-L@lists.psu.edu See earlier for disc/arch The Vampire of B5 5b "I thought you weren't allowed to tell anyone." observed John. "I am allowed to inform everyone who is here. I received a special dispensation from the Enforcers. They're a kind of chomper-police. Something you should also know is that Marcus is one of us as well." Dr. Franklin's eyes narrowed. "His miraculous recovery." "Yes." Tasha said. Delenn's eyes brightened as she lit upon an idea. "You live forever?" she asked guardedly. "Yeah." Tasha looked up at Lucien. "Make me one of you." "Delenn!" exclaimed John. "And then bring John with." "No, Delenn, no." breathed John. "No, Delenn, I can't." Tasha replied sadly. "You made Marcus." She pointed to Lucien. "He made you. One of you could. I don't care who. Just do this." John took Delenn by the shoulders. "Delenn, why?" "You have only two decades to live. With this gift, we could be together for eternity. The curse of Za'hadum will be gone from you." Delenn's face was wet from copious tears. "Delenn, could you accept a life of darkness? You love the sun. You'd never see it rise or set, you would have to give up flarn, chocolate, and sunflower seeds. Delenn, you wouldn't be happy there, and neither would I." "But John . . ." He hugged her to him, attempting to still her tears. "Ambassador, neither of us could bring you across. We cannot simply, as Natasha would say, 'chomp' someone and let it happen. It requires a very special selection process. We are lucky that Marcus was able to handle it so easily. It took me about two millennia to find Natasha in a state where she could accept her nature." "I'm sorry, Tasha." whispered Delenn. "I don't know what came over me." "Love." Lucien and Tasha stated together. Lyta strode over to Tasha. "What is it like?" Tasha cocked her head. "See for yourself." She dropped all her mental shields, allowing Lyta into her mind. Lyta concentrated. "I can't get anything." "Why don't we try it my way?" intoned Tasha. "Hold out your arm." Lyta straightened her arm and held it in front of her. Tasha bent to nip at the vein and Lyta concentrated. Lyta stiffened as the blood-bond with Tasha allowed her enhanced Psi powers to perform beyond even their norm. Cautious of overdoing it, Tasha let go very soon after the first few pulls and sealed the wound. "Sweet Goddess." Lyta breathed. Tasha giggled at the sound of her epithet leaving Lyta's mouth. "It's an exquisite sensation, isn't it?" queried Londo. "She's done that to you before?" exclaimed G'Kar. "Yes. Many times. If there's something I don't quite understand, or if she needs to tell me something quickly, I just let her at the vein above my elbow. I must say it gets better every time." "Natasha, I just have one question for you." Ivonova informed her. "Which is?" "Where can I get one of those?" She pointed to Natasha's catsuit, which she was wearing under her jeans and was passing off as a shirt. Everyone looked at her in shock. "What?" "Let me get your size later, and I'll get one for you." smiled Tasha. <> <> <> <> "What was all that?" asked Lyta. "Oh, we were just talking." "But you didn't say anything." "Neither does Bestor, but we can hear him just fine." retorted Tasha. "You know Bestor?" "Yep. I tried to reform him once upon a time, but he just slipped farther and farther away. Seems the Corps was feeding him a lot of--" "Natasha, watch your language." Lucien warned. "--bullsmeg about my past. Seems they told him I was the leader of a faction of resistance within the corps. Bloody--" "Natasha." "--jerks." "But, that's all in the past." "Not so past." murmured Garibaldi. "Michael, I know what He did to you. Believe me, I was furious when I heard. I just about killed him. But, I couldn't undo the programming, so had to let him go." "Zack to Garibaldi." "Garibaldi. Go." "We have the White Star under control. Doors should be up in a few minutes. Also, there's a man named, get this, Merlin of all things, to see Natasha and her family. He's from the gov. Seems their transfer papers got lost. We now have another doctor, two more security officers, a tailor, two presidential aides for Sheridan, and Earth's 'advisor' for the presidential council." "That just about takes care of the family, Luc." whispered Tasha. "Time to begin a new life, eh?" "Looks like." "What shall you do?" "I'll stay with Londo and Vir. Without my organisational skills, the filing system is going to fall apart." "Just make sure you make some time to organise *my* files." "You'll have all the help you'll need, Mr. Advisor." "Just one question." "Hmm?" "Who's the tailor?" he breathed. "Screedo. After all, every station needs a 'plain and simple tailor' with a mysterious past on board." she smirked. "Perhaps, cherie. Perhaps. But what happens if Janette shows up again?" "She'll work in the beauty salon." "Which one?" "The one she'll set up in the Zocalo, silly." "Ah, I see. I see." ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ ^^v^^ So ends another saga. Hope you like it. Like it, hate it, torch it, let me know Christina socrates@ncn.net Keeper of the Brent Spiner Holy Ice-Cream Spoon Cousin, Addict, Confessed-but-not-listed-Valentine Closet/Unlisted: Dark Knightie, FoD, RP'er and a Hopeless Monty Python Fan!