Date:         Mon, 3 Jan 2000 19:12:28 -0500 
From: dansieja <dansieja@MWT.NET> 
Subject:      Waltz in the Sky, 01/14 
To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU 

This is the PG version of the story.  The original, uncut
copy, can be found at the jadfe onelist site and on my
webpage, at www.angelfire.com/wi/CourageKnight.  Permission
granted to archive at mel's fkfanfic.com and the ftp site.
All others please inquire.

This is #4 in the dance series, although it is not necessary
to read the first three stories.

Waltz in the Sky
By Lorelei Sieja
January 2000


Tracy stirred as hunger forced sleep away.  She yawned and
stretched, feeling the now familiar pressure as her fangs
erupted.  Cautiously she moved her tongue around them,
testing their sharp points.  They had had a good workout
last night, she thought, as she opened her eyes and admired
the sleeping vampires beside her.

LaCroix slept in the middle; his tall form stretched out on
the fur rug in front of the fireplace where dying embers
barely put out any heat at all. Tracy lay on his right side,
curled up on his shoulder, while Nicholas slept on his
left.  Nick's face was pressed against LaCroix's left
breast, his expression relaxed and sweet in sleep.  She
smiled at her men.  They both looked so boyish in slumber,
even her two thousand-year-old, overly strict Roman General
foster father.

She wondered if work would ever be the same.  Nick had
always been a little protective of her, whether because she
was younger, or female, or the commissioner's daughter, she
didn't know.  But now she was also his little sister.  Would
he be worse?  Was that even possible?  And besides, now she
was a vampire, and not as fragile as a professionally
trained homicide cop.  Now she was practically
indestructible!

For three days they had remained in this apartment
together.  Three whole days of music and dancing and vampire
sex.  LaCroix had done very little teaching.  He had only
encouraged her, praised her, and almost envied her, as she
grew closer to Nick through the blood kiss.  She had felt
cherished as they both made love to her in mortal and
vampire fashion.  But the love LaCroix had for Nick was far
stronger, more possessive, a love born of centuries....  She
knew he cared for her, but she was painfully aware of her
place in the family.  She was the youngest, the second
daughter, loved by both Nick and LaCroix; she had yet to
meet her new sister Janette.  But late this morning, when
she lay exhausted, sated, and they must have thought she was
asleep, she had heard them together.  Their relationship was
complex and confusing, but she knew they loved each other
deeply.

Tracy was losing her mortal perspectives one by one.  She
had learned that LaCroix, as master, had complete dominion
over her.  He could beat her or take her and still be within
the laws of her new community.  He was her teacher, her
protector, her lover, her father.  She felt honored to have
him for a master.  He was ancient and powerful.  And he had
granted her the privilege of calling him "dad", something
not even his precious Nicholas was permitted to do.

Still, thinking of her new "dad" and "brother" also as
lovers was strange.  She looked at Nick again.  He looked so
young and angelic in sleep.  It was impossible to think of
him as 800 years old.  He had such a penchant for trouble!
Like some overgrown Denis the Menace, he was always getting
shot at, attacked, kidnapped, imprisoned... he'd been hit by
cars, gangsters, insane vampires, and even a mortal
coroner.  Being his partner might actually put her in more
danger than working alone.  Her gaze shifted to her new
master and caught the slight upcurve of his lips in sleep.
With one arm wrapped possessively around his son, he slept
on.  They were her boys now.  They needed her and they
didn't even know it.  She was going to be there for them.

But she was starving!  Slipping from LaCroix's embrace, she
moved to the refrigerator and poured herself a mug of her
new food.  She warmed it in the small microwave as Urs had
shown her, and marveled at the immaculate kitchen.  It
mustn't get much use.  LaCroix being what he was certainly
didn't entertain mortals very often.

She punched the door of the mic to open at the first beep,
but already her boys were stirring from their slumber.  She
watched, curious how they would be today.  LaCroix's arm
tightened around Nick, and even in sleep he placed a kiss on
the top of Nick's wild golden hair.  A seductive smile
spread on Nick's full lips as he curled deeper into the
protective embrace of his master.  LaCroix's fangs erupted,
curving sensuously over his lower lip.  One hand moved to
stroked the golden hair.  Still, their eyes remained closed,
and they barely breathed.  She could sense their thoughts-
wild, erotic desires, and wondered if they were dreaming....

Tracy felt a warmth spread inside and her fangs itched in a
way that the blood would not sooth.  She drained her mug
quickly. She wanted them to wake up now!  She poured two
mugs, warmed them, and brought them to her boys.  Only then
did she see their eyes open and the teasing smiles broaden.

"We were wondering how long it would take you to serve us,"
Nick quipped, leaning up on an elbow to accept the mug.

"Indeed," LaCroix responded.  "I was beginning to wonder if
we would have to continue without you."

Tracy laughed as she realized that their morning seduction
had been a ruse.  "You two!"  Then, in answer to their
prank, she took them both, passionately.

In silent awe they drew apart.  Tracy smiled shyly up at
LaCroix.  Nick just smiled.

"My children.  I think it is time for a bath," LaCroix
suggested tenderly.


Shortly they gathered around the kitchen table.  Tracy
refilled their glasses, wondering with amusement if this was
going to be solely her task now.  When she joined them
again, LaCroix smiled at her.

"You will test your wings tonight, my daughter.  I will
permit you to return to work with Nicholas, under certain
conditions."

She sipped, letting the mortal blood nourish her.  It was
fantastic, like hot pizza or juicy stake and fine champagne
and smooth chocolates all in one.  It was the best food she
had ever tasted, yet even so, it was nothing compared to
drinking from her master.

"What conditions," Nick asked, when she remained silent.

"Just what common sense would dictate," LaCroix began.  "If
she shows any signs of weariness, bring her home.  Tracy,
you will spend five days a week here, and I will continue
your training before and after sleep.  You may have two days
off, which you will spend in the company of either Nicholas
or Vachon.  You are strictly forbidden to be alone until I
say otherwise."

He paused, allowing the firm tone of his voice and chilling
glare of golden eyes to tell her just how important this
rule was.  She looked surprised, but not indignant.  This
was good.

"You are too young, my dear," he continued, graciously
explaining his command.  "Infant vampires are never left
alone.  Nicholas was not out of my sight once for a full
year.  Even after that I was never far away.  You do not
know your own strength.  You are a danger to the mortals you
associate with, and you are in danger from all other
vampires.  Do you understand?  This rule is imperative that
you obey."

Tracy shrugged her shoulders and nodded at him, recalling
just how thoroughly he enforced his rules.  As a mortal
child, her biological father had never spanked her, no
matter how much she had deserved it.  He would sigh, and
tell her how disappointed he was with her, and threaten her,
but in the end, he never did a thing.  Being a parent
required more effort that he was willing to expend.  She had
grown up feeling like a burden, but never feeling loved.
LaCroix, however, had already punished her rather soundly
once, before soothing away her pain with his blood.

"Anything else?" she asked, hoping the rules wouldn't be so
numerous and confusing that she would have trouble
remembering them.

LaCroix grew distant as past memories stirred.  What else
must he tell this child before letting her venture forth?
He felt uneasy with letting her return to the mortal world
so soon.  Turning towards Nicholas with a piercing gaze, he
spoke again in firm, chilling tones.  "I am entrusting you
with her care.  Do not disappoint me."

Nick sat up straighter, his chin lifted just ever so
slightly- whether in defiance or indignation, Tracy wasn't
sure.  "I can handle it," he promised.  Then, it was time to
go.


Tracy felt very strange as she kissed LaCroix lightly before
going out.  Except for that one night when she had defied
him and slipped out the bathroom window for some fun, which
had nearly ended her new existence, Tracy had been inside
LaCroix's apartment for over two weeks.  Now the night
seemed so much more alive!

The noises were constant.  She could hear dozens of
different conversations, all the traffic sounds for a radius
of about six blocks, even the squeak and patter of rats,
which she would rather have not detected.

"Just relax," Nick whispered into her ear.  "Block out the
extra stimuli by concentrating only on the immediate."

Tracy closed her eyes, following the gentle suggestion.  The
rats were gone, as were many of the street noises.

"Better?"

She smiled and nodded.  "Thanks."  Her partner grinned
boyishly, and escorted her to his waiting caddy.  He even
opened the door for her.
Tracy slid in, but as he joined her on the front seat she
chided him lightly.  "You'd better quit treating me like
that."
He looked startled.  "Like what?"

"Like I'm going to break!  If you open any more car doors
for me, the whole precinct is going to know we've been
"doing it".  I'd just as soon keep that new twist in our
partnership private, if you don't mind."

He grinned.  "Got it."

Nick started telling her about his two shifts he made with
Detective Roberts, and the kids he'd met- Logan, Pony,
Digger, Rock.  He kept up the light conversation all the way
to the precinct.  Tracy tried to concentrate, but her
stomach was all fluttery.  She had made some major changes
in her life, and she couldn't tell anybody!  But surely they
would suspect.  Didn't she look different?  Although her
complexion was normally very fair, she was deathly white
now.  She'd tried putting on a little blush to cover that
fact, but she thought she still looked peeked.  Well, she
was supposedly out sick for a week with the flu.  If she
still looked under the weather, perhaps it would make her
story more believable.

The caddy stopped and Nick switched off the engine.  Tracy's
heart beat twice in quick succession.

"Relax, kid," Nick teased her.  "You'll do fine."

"Why are we here?" she asked, recognizing the city coroner's
building.

"Nat's orders," Nick sighed.  "She says I can't show up at
work completely healed."

Tracy laughed.  "So she's going to put make-up on you,
Nick!  Aren't you lucky it's not raining!"

Nick groaned.  "Just shut-up and come with me, Button."

Nat pulled her desk chair out and pushed Nick into it.
"Which cheek was sliced?" she asked.

Nick shrugged.  He had a near perfect memory, but trivia
like that didn't seem important.

"You are impossible, you know that?  I don't know how you
ever managed before without me to help you cover up."  She
continued to scold him lightly, her tone growing more
teasing, as she stained two Band-Aids with iodine and taped
them over one cheek, then shaded one eye to look black and
blue.  Tracy teased him about the make-up, too, and told him
what a great new look it was.

"That's it, that's enough," Nick said, jumping to his feet.
"Nat, I'll see you later."

The lights of the precinct seemed too bright.  Tracy
squinted, and suddenly the sunglasses she'd often seen Nick
wear made more sense.  And the scents overwhelmed her.
Officer Schultz passed them, the young dispatcher.

"She smells like chocolate," Tracy whispered sotto voce.

Nick grinned.  "I know.  And Reese smells like banana crème
pie."

Tracy giggled.  "No!  Really?" she whispered, so that only a
vampire could hear.  "Somehow I just can't picture him as a
crème pie.  How do you manage to look at him seriously, when
he smells like a crème pie?"

Both of them burst out laughing just as they entered the
bullpen.  Every eye there looked up to stare at them.
They'd both had a week of vacation, followed by taking the
same sick days.  Although Reese had sent Nick home, thinking
he'd been beaten pretty severely by Bunati, the rumors that
ran the police force were laying bets that they'd shared a
sick bed together.  Now, as Nick returned, obviously sharing
a private joke with his junior partner, the rumor mills had
enough grist to keep going indefinitely.

They leaned in to Reese's office first to say hello.  The
captain gestured them inside.  Tracy took a seat, giggling
again as the scent of the captain's blood assailed her.
"Banana crème, all right," she whispered to Nick.  Nick
laughed aloud, before he was able to stop himself.  He
scowled at Tracy, but they both grinned.  When Reese cleared
his throat, Nick put on a straight face and concentrated
more on his captain.

"Glad to see you're both back and feeling better," Reese
said, an odd inflection in his voice.

"Thanks, Captain," Nick said sincerely.  "You're looking
better yourself."

"Tracy," Reese began, "That was some flu you had. Are you
sure you're ready to return to work now?"

"Ah, yes, Captain.  I still tire easily, but I'm sure I'm
ready."

"Mind telling me where you've been?  I've called your
apartment repeatedly, and only got your machine.  Your dad's
been worried about you."

Tracy was momentarily confused, until she realized that
Reese meant her birth father.  Strange, she no longer
thought of him as "dad".  "Um, I wasn't home, captain.  I
was really sick, and I went to a friend's house, where I had
some help."

"And you couldn't call your father or check your answering
machine for a whole week?  Tracy, that doesn't sound like
you."

She shrugged.  What could she say?  Of course it didn't
sound like her, because she wasn't herself these days.

"Perhaps you should give us this friend's number.  The next
time you decide to run off we'll know how to get a hold of
you if we need to."
Nick gave him the number without even thinking.  Reese wrote
it down, then scowled.  Looking at an open file on his desk,
he pried his detectives a little more with a worried tone in
his voice.  "That's your father's number, Nick."

Nick blanched, as he realized his mistake.  He didn't know
how to answer now.

"Yes," Tracy said.  She could see the suspicion on Reese's
face, and knew he would have heard the rumors concerning her
and Nick.  "It's not what you're thinking.  I really was in
need of care.  LaCroix's been very caring and supportive.
He's been more like a father to me than my own."

Reese looked at his two favorite detectives.  He'd been a
cop long enough that he knew a snow job when he saw one.
They were snowballing a big one.  The question is, why?
What were they trying to cover?  He had met Nick's new
girlfriend, Urs.  He wouldn't need to play around with his
partner, when a dish like that was waiting for him at the
end of his shift!  He didn't think that was it.  But
something was definitely different between these two.  They
seemed much closer.

"Tracy, be careful," he warned.  "I've met LaCroix, and my
gut instinct tells me he's a dangerous man.  Nick, have you
been honest with her about your relationship with him?"  He
glared at Nick.  His foster father had admitted to abusing
him, to even drawing blood in his fury.  Reese wasn't sure
what he could do for Nick.  He wasn't really a child
anymore, so why did he still suffer at the hands of an
abusive parent?

Nick shifted uncomfortably in his chair and considered
whether he should wipe the last ten minutes of Reese's
memory away, but eventually, if he learned that Tracy was
staying at LaCroix's apartment, he might regain these
memories and also the knowledge that Nick had taken them in
the first place.  No, maybe it was better that Reese knew.

"Captain, I am fine.  Tracy is fine.  We are not a couple,
and we would really like to get back to work."

Reese looked him in the eye, then gave Tracy the same deep
inspection.  They were telling the truth, what little they
told.  He nodded.
 "Welcome back," he said. 

Waltz in the Sky, 02a/14
By Lorelei Sieja


It continued to be Tracy's favorite game to identify each
person in the precinct by the scent of his blood.  Each
attempt made her giggle.  Nick was enjoying the private game
as well, although all that talk of blood was making him
hungry, even though he'd fed well before arriving.

"Tracy, give it up," he begged, flashing her a toothy grin
before once again concealing the vampire.

Tracy clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle another
giggle.  She could hear the muffled suspicious
conversations, and knew the bets were placed concerning her
and Nick.  "I think maybe Vachon and Urs should both come to
meet us after work," she whispered.

"I agree," Nick answered, "but not tonight.  You won't be
able to stay the whole shift, I'm sure."

A while later a call came in.  A body had washed up on the
beach.  Nick reminded Tracy to grab her coat and together
they left, almost eager to get away from their desks.  Nick
glanced at Tracy with concern.  She'd always had a difficult
time with the sights and smells of death before, and now her
senses were greatly enhanced.

"Perhaps you should drink something," he cautioned her, as
he turned the radio down low.  Now that Tracy's hearing was
as sharp as his, the volume would never be painfully loud
again, he thought, relieved.

"Nick, I'm fine.  Really."  She sounded irritated.

"Tracy," he said again, and waited for her sigh to subside.
"Then open it and pass it to me.  All that talk about how
delicious everyone smells has really whet my appetite."

She reached under the front seat for the private label
LaCroix had sent with her tonight.  She let her fangs drop
so she could pull out the cork.  At once the heady aroma
stirred her with an acute sensation, almost like pain, and
her stomach rumbled.  She put the bottle to her lips and
chugged half its contents instantly.  Then she passed it to
her partner with a sheepish grin.

"Umm.  Maybe I was just a little hungry," she stammered.

Nick smiled.  "It's okay, Tracy.  But don't ever go to a
scene hungry.  Understand?"

She nodded.  She'd been so sheltered ever since the big
change that she really didn't know how she would react.  It
was a little scary and exhilarating all at once.  She
stuffed her worries away by concentrating only on Nick.

He drank all that was left in the bottle.  Although it
wouldn't spoil, as each bottle of mortal blood was processed
with a few drops of vampire to preserve it, it would lose
all its mortal essence, the very thing that made it so
sensual.  It was about like warm beer or flat champagne--
not really worth consuming.

Nick's gaze was on the road tonight, not some distant
century.  He looked contented.  Until a few weeks ago, she'd
never really been attracted to him.  He'd been so stuffily
righteous all the time, like a boring do-gooder.  She had
compared what she thought she knew about her "mortal"
partner with her irresponsible vampire boyfriend, and Nick
had not fared well.  It had been nothing short of
earth-shattering to learn that Nick was also a vampire.
Then she saw beneath the tightly controlled exterior that he
built to insulate him in the mortal company he kept, to
discover the real Nick Knight, 800 year old Crusader.  Now
every time she looked at him she wanted him.

It embarrassed her.  Two weeks ago she had still been a
virgin.  Now enjoying any one of the three vampire men in
her life was all she seemed to think about.  They were each
fantastic and unique.

Vachon was tender.  He was youthful, irrepressible,
sensual.  He was sonnets and serenades, violins and
romance.  His gentle hands were expressive, and they played
over her body with the skill of an accomplished musician.

LaCroix was power.  He was hurricanes and tidal waves.  She
felt overwhelmed in his presence, and their lovemaking was
incredible.  With him she felt cherished and protected.

Then there was Nick.  He was such a contradiction, but of
the three, he was the most passionate.  He was moody; he
could go from anger to desire in moments, and leave her
swirling dizzily in his wake.  He was Romeo and D'Artagnon
and Zorro all rolled in one, with just a bit of Dracula for
spice.

"Tracy, stop that," Nick said hoarsely.

She snapped out of her reverie and nervously wondered if
he'd guessed what she was thinking.  She felt too warm and
moist all over.  She tried to cover her discomfort with an
innocent grin.  "Stop what?"
Nick turned to her, his eyes were red and his fangs fully
pointed.  "You," he said.  "Are drooling, and there is no
blood left in the bottle."

Suddenly her fangs descended as well.  She wanted him now,
immediately, and slid closer to him on the seat.

Nick cranked the steering wheel to park in an alley.  He
killed the lights and the engine, just as Tracy threw her
arms around his neck and pulled him close.  There was no
time for finesse now.  Fangs sank into naked throats and
they drank.  Desire built and further aroused each other
through the blood kiss.  Fast they climbed the road to
completion, and their pleasure was no less sweet for the
shortness of the trip. Tracy was quivering in his embrace
until the moment had passed.

"Thanks, Nick," she whispered in his ear, attempting to
dispel her embarrassment at losing control on the job.

"That's what brothers are for," he answered lightly.  "Now,
perhaps we should show up at the crime scene, Button?"

Tracy punched his arm as she straightened and returned to
her side of the seat.  "I really hate that nickname.  Can't
you think of something better to call me?"

"Nope."

"Follow the yellow-tape-road," Tracy quipped as they neared
the lake.  That, plus the flashing lights of the police cars
and the coroner's van, were sure indicators of where they
needed to be.

"Tracy," Nick began.  She could hear the warning in his
voice, and she wasn't sure if it pleased or annoyed her.  He
was so damned overprotective.

"It will be different now.  Drowning victims are among the
easiest for us to face.  They don't smell good, so they are
less likely to stir your hunger.  But, you see, smell, and
sense everything much clearer than before.  If anything
happens, I want you to get back in the caddy and lock the
doors.  I'll come and take you home as quickly as I can."

"Yes, mother," she sighed.

Nick glared at her, but then he shrugged and let it pass.

They both spotted Natalie at the same time and set off to
join her.  There weren't many people gathered around; it was
a bit cold for the usual passers-by to be down there.  A
wintry wind blew in off the lake, chilling the mortals and
driving many away.  Natalie glanced up at them as they came
near, but her look was guarded and unfriendly.

"Okay, people, carry him away," she said to her assistants.

"Shouldn't we look at him first," Tracy asked.

Natalie's eyes narrowed at Tracy, and she distinctly felt
the woman's disapproval.  Still, Natalie moved aside to let
Tracy see.

It had been a man.  Now cold in death, he looked faintly
disgusting, yet even in the dark Tracy could tell that his
hair was blonde.  He was a big man, over six feet, broad and
solidly built, like a linebacker.  There was only one small
injury, a slashed wound in the side of the neck at the
jugular.  Tracy shrugged and looked at her partner.

Nick glanced from the body to Natalie and gave her a
wide-eyed look of innocence.  Natalie brushed the dirt from
her coat and walked away from the body, while her assistants
bagged him to deliver him to the county morgue.  Nick walked
with her.

"What is it, Nat?" he asked.

She glared at him.  "Don't you know?  Doesn't Tracy?"

He shook his head.  "Know what?"

"It's a vampire kill," she said, dropping her voice too
softly for mortal hearing.  "I thought maybe it was Tracy's,
that LaCroix had been teaching her to hunt."

Tracy giggled.  Nick shot her a warning look, but she
couldn't seem to stop herself.  Teaching her to hunt would
be a good step in giving her independence, something she was
certain the ancient had no intention of teaching her for a
few centuries.

"No, Natalie," Nick said.  "Tracy hasn't learned to hunt,
and if she does, you will never find the body.  LaCroix is
much too discrete for that."

"So, what do you want me to do, Nick?"

He hated to ask her to lie, knowing how much it offended
her, but it was the only option and she knew it.  If she
revealed it as a vampire's kill, she and everyone she told
would disappear, courtesy of the Enforcers.  He put a
comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I will find the careless culprit, Nat, and see that it
doesn't happen again," he promised.

She patted his hand where it rested on her.  "Thanks, Nick.
I know you will.  I'm sorry for being crabby.  It's just
been a while since I've seen you, and I guess I'm feeling
ignored."

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

His voice had become all soft and soothing, tender and
inviting.  Did he know how much that drove her crazy?  She
stepped back from him before she could lose control and
fling herself into his arms.

"I'm almost done babysitting," Nick said, with a glance at
his partner.  "Do you want to come by tonight and watch a
video?  Or just talk?"

"What about Urs," Nat asked, hoping she didn't sound as
jealous as she felt.

"What about Urs," Nick replied.  "She's not there now.  I
don't think she's coming back until tomorrow."

Nat hesitated.  They had to move beyond this.  Nick was her
best friend.  It wasn't anyone's fault that they could never
be anything more.  She hadn't succeeded in curing him, in
making him mortal, and she wasn't ready to become a
vampire.  "I'd like that," she said finally.  "It's my turn
to chose the movie."

Nick laughed.  "Okay.  Just no more giant apes or giant
lizards."

"Deal."
end, 2a 

Waltz in the Sky, 02b/14
By Lorelei Sieja

Tracy was waiting for him inside the caddy.  Nick turned the
key to unlock his door and slid behind the wheel.  She
leaned against her door, her eyes closed, her blood slow and
soothing as she was nearly asleep.

"Hi, Button," he said.  "Time to go home."

"Hm.  'Kay."

He drove thoughtfully through the dimly lit streets of
Toronto, his master's voice spilling out of the radio in his
usual esoteric nonsense.  He didn't know what LaCroix was
talking about tonight; the content of his message was
couched in mystery.  Nick didn't even try to figure him out
but just enjoyed the familiar velvety voice.  Father,
sister, lover, family.  For now, he felt like he had it
all.  Nick was happy.  It was a wonderful feeling.

At the Raven he lifted Tracy, who was sound asleep by now,
and flew into the apartment through the skylight.  LaCroix
opened her bedroom door and pulled down the quilt while Nick
laid her on the bed.  Together, they tucked her in and left
the room in silence.
LaCroix poured himself a drink and offered one to Nick.

"No, thanks," he said.  "I can't stay.  But, we found a
vampire kill tonight.  The body washed up on the beach, and
it was pretty sloppy.  Nat thought it was Tracy's."

LaCroix snorted contemptuously.

"I assured her that it couldn't be," Nick said quickly.
"But, I just wondered if you knew of any new vampires in
town."

"I assure you, Nicholas, that I associate with neither the
stupid nor the ignorant."

"I know.  I'm sorry.  But if you hear anything, will you let
me know?"
LaCroix nodded almost imperceptibly.  Nick was strangely
reluctant to leave.  If he didn't go immediately, he knew he
would not go at all.  Besides, Natalie would be really
ticked if she waited for him at the loft while he stayed to
play with his master.  Abruptly he turned and left.



Tracy awoke, somewhat disoriented, and emerged from her
bedroom.  She was home again.  Home.  In such a short time
it felt more like home than the place she had spent her
childhood, or even more than her own apartment, which was
really just a bed and breakfast.  She sensed the presence of
the ancient vampire and went to him.

It was still dark outside.  She glanced at her watch and
felt a twinge of guilt.  Nick would still be at work doing
their shift alone.

"You require more sleep," LaCroix stated, sensing her
guilt.  "Nicholas knows that.  So tell me, how did your
first night among mortals go?"

Tracy described for him her game and how she would always
think of banana crème pie now whenever she saw her captain.
She told how Nick's uncharacteristic laughter was spicing up
the bullpen rumors.  LaCroix seemed to enjoy her story.  She
knew Nick wasn't much for sharing and sensed LaCroix
sometimes felt a little left out of the loop.  So she strung
the story along adding details and found LaCroix to be an
attentive listener.

"You've done well, my daughter," he said.  "Now, we will
have a lesson, and then you may return to bed."



Nick went down in to the Raven before returning to the
precinct.  If there were a new vampire in Toronto,
eventually he or she would find the way here.  He didn't
want to alert the general populace and perhaps spook away
the culprit before he had a chance to educate him.  Patrick
and Vachon were probably the only two he could trust.  He
made his way to the bar.

"Ev'ning, Boss Jr.," Patrick said with a friendly grin.
"Can I get you something?"

Nick was all set to refuse as customary, but suddenly he
wanted it. He wanted more, and it had to be human.  He
nodded at the young bartender, afraid to voice the words
aloud as his control had disappeared all together.

Patrick said nothing if he noticed.  He took a wineglass
from below the shelf and filled it with LaCroix's favorite
blend, then set it before him.  Nick took the glass greedily
and drank half the contents before he felt he could speak
again.  Maybe it was Tracy's fault?  Maybe, through sharing
her blood, he was re-experiencing vampirism threw her
newborn eyes?

"Anyone new in town?" Nick asked.

Patrick shrugged.  "Looking for someone?"

Nick took another sip, pleased that his control was
returning.  It was an excellent blend, pure and uncut with
wine, which would have been difficult to explain while on
duty.  "Someone was careless.  The police found a body; the
neck wounds were poorly concealed, and the body is too
fresh."

Patrick shuddered.  Such blatant carelessness was
unforgivable among his kind.  He was grateful that his
position here as bartender meant he never had to get that
hungry. "Can't say I've met anyone new, who's both young and
foolish.  There are two new vampires that just came by last
night, though.  Mind if I talk to them, before I tell you
their names?"

Nick thought for a moment.  If Patrick was hesitant to be
forthcoming with him, then the new vampires were probably
elders.  Older than Patrick, anyway, and possibly even older
than Nick.  They weren't likely to be responsible for the
kill.  Still, Nick didn't like being in the dark.  Then he
nodded.

"If they agree, you can meet them here tomorrow night,"
Patrick said.

"That will be fine.  I'll be here a little after 1 AM, when
I bring Tracy home."  Nick tossed down the remainder of his
beverage then and left.  He would talk to Vachon later, if
Patrick's lead didn't pan out.

Tracy's lesson was very short.  LaCroix smiled at her
indulgently.  "Rest well, little one.  I shall see you
later."

She waved a weary hand in his direction and crawled back
into bed without even stopping to undress.  She had thought
they were both just being overprotective in not letting her
go back to work before.  Now she wondered how she would ever
make it to the end of the week.  Before she could worry
another moment, she was quite literally dead to the world.

Hours later, though, she awoke.  The sun was still high.
She knew that instinctively, even though no light slipped
through the steel shutters.  Tracy listened, extending her
new abilities.  LaCroix was sleeping and no one else was
here.  She wondered idly what had happened to Vachon, but
perhaps LaCroix had told him how tired she had been.

Hunger drove her to the refrigerator and moments later she
curled into the corner of LaCroix's couch to sip the
soothing liquid.  She thought back on last night.  Making
out with Nick in the caddy had been an unexpected pleasure.
Maybe being his partner now would have a few added bonuses?

Captain Crème Pie came to mind then, and she covered her
mouth lest her giggling wake LaCroix.  Then she remembered
how Reese had scolded her, and told her that her other dad
had been worried about her.  Picking up LaCroix's phone, she
dialed her number and accessed the messages on the machine.

There were a lot of them.  So many, that it had run out of
tape.  Her dad had called six times, each message getting
angrier and angrier.  He demanded that she contact him or he
would put out an APB on her and have her hauled in to his
office in handcuffs.  She sighed.  Dreading the
confrontation, she placed the call.

She recognized his secretary's voice answer on the other
end.  "Um, hi, Deb.  This is Tracy."

She had to pull the receiver away from her ear then, as Deb
had always had a rather loud voice.  Now it was painful.
She rambled on excitedly, telling Tracy just how ticked the
Commissioner was, and she'd put him on right away.  Tracy
wished now she could just hang up.  She didn't really feel
like talking to him, which really meant listening to him.

Strange, but he didn't seem like her dad anymore.

Then his voice filled the earpiece, several decibels louder
than Deb had been.  He demanded to know where she'd been,
and why she didn't call, and who was she with.

Tracy smiled.  He used to intimidate her, but now she knew
that it was all just empty threats.  She made insolent faces
and silently mocked him while he continued his tirade.

"Tracy.  I want to see you today.  Either you come here, or
I'll embarrass you by stopping at the precinct tonight!"

"Dad, no!  You can't do that," she gasped.

"Just watch me.  Now when can I expect you?"

"Um-" Tracy thought hard.  When could she go?  LaCroix and
Nick would not let her out of their sight.  She didn't
really want to see him, but maybe if she did, she could kind
of reassure him and get him off her case.  Maybe, it would
be like saying good-bye?  If Nick left her alone at all, she
could slip out and be back, without him even knowing about
it.  Or maybe, if she asked him, he would take her?

"You know I work nights, dad.  I'll stop by the house around
10pm.  If I'm late, just wait there.  I'll be by."

He fumed a while longer.  Tracy interrupted him, yawning
into the mouthpiece, and telling him she really had to get
to bed.  Then she hung up the phone.

"And what do you think you are doing, Tracy!"

She jumped, startled by the chilling sound of LaCroix's
voice.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to wake you.  I woke up
and couldn't get back to sleep."

Her vampire father stepped into the room and stood before
her now, his arms folded across his chest and his expression
firm.  "What were you doing," he repeated.

She thought fast.  Had she done anything he'd forbidden
her?  No.  She was certain he'd not told her she couldn't
use the phone.  "I checked my answering machine," she said
quickly, looking up at the wall of fire before her.  "Then I
called my dad, because he was worried about me."

"He is not your "dad" any longer," LaCroix stated.

"Well, he thinks he is," she blurted, wishing again that she
could learn to button her lip.  That was how she had got
that stupid nickname in the first place.  Her high-school
friends were always telling her to "button it".  "I can't
just disappear.  He'll have half of Ontario out looking for
me."

LaCroix pulled her to her feet and glared at her, his firm
grip hurting her arms.  "I am your parent now.  You must
break all your mortal ties.  You will not contact this man
again."

Tracy trembled.  Her father could be rather impossible.  It
would be difficult to break her ties with him instantly, but
she didn't dare defy LaCroix while he was standing right in
front of her.  She nodded weakly, afraid to open her mouth.

LaCroix released her then and buried his fury beneath a cool
exterior.  "Let us both return to sleep, then," he said.

Tracy wandered into her room and crawled back under the
covers.  Maybe she was just a little tired.  How to handle
her dad and LaCroix and working and adjusting to the changes
in her life could all be settled later.
end, 2b. 


A Waltz in the Sky, 03/14
By Lorelei Sieja

Natalie's visit had been a lot of fun, Nick thought as he
dressed for work.  Keeping to the theme she'd started
several movies ago, she'd selected one about a giant baby
stomping through the streets of Reno.  Or was it Las Vegas?
Nick had laughed so hard, and Natalie had laughed with him.
Unlike King Kong, this movie was intended to be funny.  He
didn't remember her leaving though.  When he awoke, he
discovered that he'd slept on the couch, and she had tossed
a quilt over him.  He must have fallen asleep while the
movie rewound.  He hoped she wasn't mad at him.  Babysitting
Tracy was wearing him out.  Maybe he'd have to make sure he
fed a lot better until she was older.

Nick climbed the stairs to LaCroix's apartment wondering why
Tracy couldn't manage to be ready when she'd said she would
be.  Whatever.  He smiled at LaCroix.  The ancient seemed
distracted.  "Is there something wrong?" he asked.

"No.  Nothing, Nicholas," LaCroix answered in a way that
made Nick even more suspicious.  Well, maybe Tracy was still
giving him headaches.  He turned to hide the grin at his
master's expense.

Tracy emerged from her room muttering something under her
breath.  "I can't wear pierced earrings anymore!  You never
warned me about that.  I have tons of earrings.  What am I
going to do with them now?"

LaCroix leaned over her, his breath whispered lightly over
her neck raising the sensitive hair and bringing a shudder
up her spine.  "It would be a shame to conceal such perfect
ears behind cheap baubles, my dear."

Tracy wasn't amused.  She must have slept on the wrong side
of her bed.  Nick tried to hide his smirk, but not before
she'd seen it.

"And you!  You will stop babying me!  I am a detective,
Knight.  I know how to do my job!"

Nick looked startled.  Had they had an argument last night?
Not that he could remember.  "I have no idea what she's
talking about," he told their master.

"Nick is too damn bossy, LaCrox.  Tell him to knock it off!"

LaCroix filled three glasses and held out two to his
children.  Nick shook his head but LaCroix insisted.  "We
will have a chat before either of you may leave," he said
firmly.

Tracy took hers and plopped on the couch.  Nick decided it
was safer to take the chair than sit anywhere near her.
LaCroix remained standing as he regarded them both.

"Tracy.  Tell me, about what exactly are you upset with
Nicholas."  LaCroix's tone was firm but patient.

Tracy gulped her beverage and tried to calm the strong
emotions, unsure what they were really all about.  "I'm
sorry I'm crabby tonight," she apologized.  "Last night went
fine, mostly.  Only, Nick was always a little
over-protective before.  Now it is definitely worse.  It's
like he doesn't think I'm capable of doing my job."

LaCroix eyed his son.  Nicholas could be rather obstinate.
It was probably that overactive knight-crusader ethic of his
again.  Then again, Tracy was stubborn and strong-willed.
He could not undermine Nicholas's authority and still expect
him to protect her.

"Tracy, in police matters, you may argue with Nicholas to
your heart's content-"

"LaCroix!" Nick interrupted.

The master held up a hand to silence him.  "Would it not
further arouse suspicions if she suddenly became compliant
in all things, Nicholas?"

Nick nodded reluctantly.

"However," he said, turning to Tracy with a stern
expression.  "In all matters pertaining to your existence as
a vampire, you will obey Nicholas as you would me.  Is that
clear?"

She started to object, but saw that as far as he was
concerned, the conversation was over.  "Yes, sir," she
replied.

"I suspect that she is not getting enough rest," LaCroix
said as he held her coat for her.  "Return her earlier
tonight."

Nick shrugged.  If Tracy stayed this crabby, she'd be home
in an hour.


"So, partner," Tracy said, as they drove in to work
together.  She was wondering how they were going to squelch
the growing rumors regarding her and Nick if he continued to
chauffeur her around.  "How do we go about handling last
night's case?"

"We don't," he stated, accenting the first word.

"Nick, I will not be kept in the dark!  This is a police
matter!"

He held up his hand to cut her off.  "Tracy, I'm sure that
LaCroix meant "mortal police matters".  You will not go
anywhere near this one.  You know the killer's a vampire,
and I can guarantee that he is older and more dangerous than
you are.  LaCroix made me promise to take care of you, and
that is one command I happen to agree with."

"Well, I don't.  What if he's stronger than you are?  What
if you need me?  You know that is what partners are for."

"Tracy!"  Nick was getting angry, but she didn't fear him.
He was nothing like LaCroix.  "End of discussion!"

By then they had reached the precinct.  Tracy entered,
slamming any doors that she could and slumped behind her
desk, radiating her irritation.  Nick came in at a more
dignified pace but also exuding anger.  Many in the bullpen
concealed grins behind their hands, and wiggled their
eyebrows knowingly at this "lover's spat" being enacted
before them.

The two detectives worked almost silently, grunting one-word
comments until Nick took a call from the coroner.

Tracy could hear their conversation now.  It was something
to be thankful for, and one more way to tease her partner,
for now anything Nat said to him would be "public"
information.

This call was just business.  Nat had some information on
the identity of last night's John Doe.  His name was Alvin
Jacobs, an American from Louisiana.  The case just got a lot
more difficult, since it crossed political borders.

"I'll be there shortly," Nick said, before hanging up.

Tracy reached for her coat and brazenly followed Nick out
the door.  She sensed his growing anger at her defiance, but
she knew he wouldn't make a scene in front of the mortals.
Once out in the parking lot, though, he turned on her with
glowing eyes and sharp fangs.  He was so beautiful when he
did that, she thought.

"You are NOT coming," he ground out.  "You will stay here
and wait for me to return."

"Are you going to make me!" she snapped belligerently, her
hands on her hips.

Nick took a deep breath and some of the anger receded.  "I
would hope that won't be necessary," he said.  He loomed
over her, his fangs scraping along her sensitive neck.  "But
I could leave you too tired to resist."

Tracy almost hoped that he would, as the now familiar
feeling of warmth and moistness filled her core.  Still, if
he were going to be gone, it would be a perfect time to slip
out and see her birth father one last time.  She remained
silent, no longer fighting him, but not agreeing to stay,
either.

Nick took it for submission.  He nipped playfully at her
throat, his voice becoming thick and husky.  "Wait at your
desk.  I expect to be gone about an hour."

 She hugged him impulsively, one hand slipping unnoticed
into his pocket for the keys.

Then, leaving the caddy behind, Nick leaped into the night
sky and was gone.  She grinned.  She had hoped he would do
that.  She adjusted the seat in his car and drove away.

It was a little earlier than she'd expected to be able to
get away.  Maybe, if she were lucky, her dad wouldn't be
home yet... but as she pulled into his driveway, she saw his
car parked in the garage and some lights on in the house.

Nearing the front door, she was struck with playful
curiosity.  Her dad had always been such a private person.
Conversations would end the moment she came in to a room,
doors were always closed, and drawers were kept locked.
With her vampiric senses now she could unveil a little of
the mystery.

Filtering out many of the sounds she could detect, she
focused only on her father's voice.  It was deep, but a
little nasal- not thrillingly powerful, like LaCroix's.  He
had an odd habit of speech- not ignorant, exactly, but
uncultured.  She'd never really noticed before.  He was
talking with someone he called "Turk", and they were not
happy.  She couldn't hear both sides of the call from
outside.  Her mom had always kept a spare key under a fake
rock in the rose bushes, for nights she couldn't remember
where she had left her purse, or the car, or anything else
she'd misplaced while under the influence.  Tracy nudged the
rock aside now and found it was still there.

Feeling some of the old excitement, like when she'd still
been a rebellious teenager, she turned the key in the lock
and silently slipped inside.  Her dad was in his office,
down the hall and on the left.  Stealthily, she drew nearer
and listened.

The other voice was still hard to detect through the closed
door, but it carried fine through the floor vents.  Her dad
was irate, but this Turk sounded confident.

"His body washed up on shore last night, you a**hole!  I
paid you to get rid of him and I've never seen a sloppier
job!  I don't know how you stay in business!"

Tracy covered her mouth to muffle a gasp.  No, it couldn't
be!  Surely she hadn't heard right.  Her dad was a police
commissioner!  Surely he had nothing to do with this murder!

She'd missed some of Turk's reply.

"... it will all be swept under a rock, and filed with other
unsolveds," Turk promised.

"My force is not that irresponsible," her dad yelled.  "It
would have been far better to get rid of it right the first
time.  Now take care of it, or you will have no further
business with me.  You hear?"

She could have heard the phone slam down even without her
special hearing.  Suddenly, she wished she'd been a good
little girl and waited outside ringing the doorbell. It
certainly sounded like her dad was involved in something
clandestine.  And she didn't want to try to lie to him now,
while she was shaking.  Using vampiric speed, she fled the
hallway and returned to the front door.  She buried the key
and straightened her jacket before ringing the doorbell.
Now she would have to see how good she was at acting.

Her same old dad opened the door shortly.  He didn't look
like he'd just chewed out a hit man.

"Baby!  You're early," he said, stepping aside to let her
in.  "This is great.  Can I get you something?  A soda, some
chips perhaps?"

Tracy plastered a perky grin on her face even as the thought
of greasy chips and flavored, colored, sugary burpy water
made her stomach pitch and roll.  "No, thanks, dad.  I've
eaten."  That much was true.

She walked with him through the wide, familiar halls towards
the den at the back, feeling strangely like an intruder.
This wasn't home anymore.  This was another lifetime.  Her
dad helped himself to a beer and popped the top, guzzling
the foamy brew that squirted forth.

"Baby.  You look awful," he said tactlessly.

"I feel fine.  I just got over the flu, remember?"

Predictably, he'd found the subject of tonight's debate
rather quickly.  "It's that night shift.  I expected you to
pull graveyards as a rook, but you've really proven
yourself.  It's time that captain realized it and promoted
you to days."

"No, dad!"  She felt a moment of terror.  That would be
disastrous.  "I love working nights!  And my partner is the
greatest."

"Cocky, arrogant a**hole.  He's a good cop, but he sure
ruffles my feathers.  Look at you.  You're pale as death.
Not my little sunshine girl anymore.  You need a week off on
the beach.  Can I send you to Cancun for Christmas?"

It had been a mistake to come here.  She glared at him,
experiencing all the old feelings of inadequacy.  He would
boss her around, and push her around, until she did
something really stupid.  Then he'd tell her how
disappointed he was, and maybe her mom would seek solace in
the bottle again, and Tracy would feel responsible.  Well,
it was over.

"Dad.  I came because you commanded it.  But I am fine.  And
I am staying on night shift, and I will remain Nick's
partner.  If you do anything to change all that, then
Toronto is no longer big enough for both of us!"

She grabbed her purse and marched to the door, eager to make
her exit.
Her dad followed after her, yelling obscenities.  How dare
she speak to him like that!  He told her to stop, demanded
she apologize.  Tracy blinked back blood tears and kept her
back to him.  Slamming the door behind her was one of the
hardest things she'd ever done, but she knew she would never
come here again.

She sat in the caddy for long moments to still the trembling
in her hands.  Then, with a sigh, she drove back to precinct
to wait for her partner. 


Waltz in the Sky, 03b/14
By Lorelei Sieja

Nick felt a twinge of guilt at leaving Tracy alone.  LaCroix
had made him promise to take care of her.  But, how much
trouble could she get in if she was sitting behind a desk?
He also had a duty to find the guilty vampire quickly, and
at the moment, the two obligations did not mix.  He tried to
shrug off his concerns, and promised himself that he would
just finish his tasks as soon as possible and return to her.
Natalie smiled at him as he entered the morgue.

"So how's babysitting detail?" she asked.

He shrugged, hoping he didn't look too worried.  "Fine.
What have you got?"

She pulled down the drape and let Nick examine the
deceased's neck.  There were two unmistakable neck wounds,
which were only partially concealed with a sloppy knife-cut
through them.  The neck wounds were 3 and half centimeters
apart- most likely a male vampire.  But the odd thing was
that the man had been drugged before being killed.

"Are you sure," Nick asked her.  "That doesn't make sense.
Why would a vampire drug his prey?"

"To keep him quiet?" she suggested.

"That's why we hypnotize them," Nick said.

"Well, maybe he was a resistor?"

Something still seemed wrong.  Nick couldn't think what it
was.  If the man had been a resistor, most vampires would
just ignore him and find easier prey.  If the man had
already discovered their identity, then he had to die, but
why the drugs?

Nick took the file she'd written for his private viewing
only.  Not only was the vampire sloppy, but he'd let a lot
of blood go to waste, too.  The victim was only partially
drained.  Nick would have to return to his computer to
research this man's background- see if he could learn why he
was here, and who his friends had been.

"So how's Tracy doing," Nat prodded, strangely curious.

Nick shrugged again, still trying for indifferent.  He
didn't want to describe to Nat how great Tracy was in bed,
or in the caddy, or even in the middle of the floor.  "It's
nice to have someone else for LaCroix to pick on," he said
lightly.  "Nat, I have to go."

"Could you bring her by sometime?"

He looked surprised.  He usually came to the morgue alone,
partly because when Tracy had been mortal, she'd always
gagged around bodies, and because he enjoyed the light,
unprofessional teasing with Nat.

 "Why?"

"I'd like to have a little "girl talk" is all.  And it might
be interesting to compare her new vampire blood cells with
yours, and the few others samples I've collected."

He nodded.  "Soon then.  But, you should clean up the place
first."  He winked at her, and then was gone.

He shouldn't have set up the meeting at the Raven, Nick
thought as he drove there.  But then, if LaCroix was going
to get mad at him for leaving Tracy unattended, then they'd
better get this argument over with in a hurry.  He went
inside, grateful that he could not sense his master's
presence.

Patrick poured him a drink.  "They're willing to meet you,"
he said.
Nick didn't have to ask who they were.  He'd sensed them
ever since entering the Raven.  They were old, cold, and
distant.  He wasn't sure if they were as old as LaCroix, but
he sensed they were much older than he was.  Fortifying
himself by chugging the drink, he squared his shoulders and
approached them.

The two vampires were dressed all in black, but the styles
were a little different for Toronto.  The tailored tunics
and blousy pants tucked into leather boots looked more
eastern European and from some past century.  As he drew
nearer, he noticed the woman's tunic even had black
embroidery with tiny mirrors embedded in the center of each
design.  It was exceedingly beautiful.

She was not.  Her too-narrow face and close-set eyes looked
pinched and disdainful.  Her dark hair was pulled back into
such a tight pug, that he wondered if it pulled the corners
of her eyes into their unpleasant squint.  She was overly
tall and thin, almost a manly figure.

The male vampire was tall as well, but big all over.  Broad
shoulders with just a bit too much padding to look
muscular.  His face was mostly concealed behind a bushy
beard, and thick eyebrows cast his dark eyes in shadow.
Nick could not read any emotion in their cold faces, nor
could he sense them as he drew near, which made his
apprehension grow.
Finally, he stood at their table, feeling strangely
boorish.  He stammered once, then drew a deep breath and
pushed on ahead.

"Good evening.  I am Nicholas Knight.  May I speak with
you?"

The man nodded slightly.  Nick sank into a chair, relieved
he could sit down before his knees went out.  He had to form
his sentences carefully, that he didn't offend these
newcomers.  If only LaCroix had volunteered to do this!  But
his master had never shown any interest in his "mortal" life
as a cop.

"My sister, Corda, and I am Caspian," the vampire said
gruffly.

An awkward silence floated around the table.  The elder
vampires were not going to engage in the mortal customs of
small talk.  Nick had always hated dealing with such stuffy
Old World elders.  He cleared his throat and began.

"I am a detective with the Metro police," he said.  Already
he could see the sneers on their faces, so like his
master's.  This was going to be even worse than he'd
imagined.

"We found a corpse washed up on the beach.  It is the work
of a vampire- a sloppy one, at that."

Corda sniffed.  Caspian slapped the table with the flat of
his hand.  "Why disturb our evening with your tale of such
wastefulness?"

Nick squared his shoulders, trying hard not to squirm
beneath their condescending glares.  "I must find out who is
responsible," he said.

"Are you insulting us?" Corda blurted with indignation.

"No!" Nick said quickly.  Maybe it wasn't such a good thing
that LaCroix wasn't here now.

"It sounded like it to me, fledgling.  How dare you even
suggest that we had anything to do with it."

"I didn't," Nick stammered, beginning to squirm anyway.

"And now you call us liars?" Caspian jumped to his feet.

Nick felt the temperature of the room drop, and sensed the
customers pulling away from the trouble that was brewing.
Nick stood, struggling to remember LaCroix's lessons on
submission and humility, which had been some of the hardest
to learn.  "No, master," he said, keeping his voice soft.
"I would never deign to impugn your noble character.  Please
accept my humble apology."

Caspian continued to glare at him for a tense moment.  Then
Nick felt his master's presence behind him, and felt both
relieved and fearful.
LaCroix nodded at the two guests.  "Good evening, Caspian,"
he said.

So he knew them, Nick thought.  Why hadn't he told Nick
that?  It would have saved him from having to come here,
unless his master could not vouch for them.  Perhaps they
truly were guilty?

"Is there a problem?" LaCroix prodded.

Caspian glowered at Nick a moment longer then turned his
gaze away, effectively dismissing him as unimportant.  Nick
grit his teeth, struggling to keep his irritation from
showing.  "Your cub needs more lessons in manners.  But I
will forgive him this once.  See that you tend to his
education."

LaCroix laid a hand on Nick's shoulder.  It was a gesture of
ownership and would tell the vampires that Nick had his
protection.  Nick wisely held still and silent.

"My son does the community a great service," LaCroix said
softly.  "While he plays in the mortal world, he is able to
protect us from discovery.  He has found vampire kills in
the past, and managed to conceal the truth from mortals.  If
he seems outspoken, bordering on rudeness, it is merely his
passion that he devotes to everything he undertakes.
However, I promise you, that we will continue to work on
those lessons he has not yet mastered."

The two guests nodded curtly at LaCroix.  Then they left the
Raven without another word.  Nick shuddered with relief at
their passing.  And he was stunned by LaCroix's speech.  If
he didn't know better, he would almost think his master was
proud of him!

"And what are you doing here," LaCroix said, his voice low
and menacing.

Nick scowled at him.  All the anger and rebellion he'd felt
at the other vampires was now unleashed on LaCroix.  "My
job.  I have to find the careless vampire, and I didn't want
to put Tracy in danger.  I left her at her desk in the
precinct, where I don't think even she can get into
trouble."

"She must not ever be left alone," LaCroix said firmly.  "I
seem to recall telling you that.  I am not in the habit of
tolerating such blatant disobedience!"

"She's not alone," Nick insisted.

"She is a lone vampire among mortals.  That is sheer
stupidity for a newborn.  Come!  We will go see her
together!"

LaCroix's grip on his arm was painful.  Nick could not shake
him off.  Together they left the Raven and flew towards the
precinct.
end, part 3. 


Waltz in the Sky, 04a/14
By Lorelei Sieja

Tracy had no sooner sat at her desk when two men from
Internal Affairs surrounded her.  "Come with us," they said
coldly.

She knew her dad must have sent them.  Not wanting to make a
scene, she followed them out as far as the hallway.  "What's
this all about," she snapped at them.

"Just come with us, Miss Vetter," the first man said.

She glared at him.  He was familiar, some lackey whose
loyalties were more to her dad than the law, she was sure.

"I'm going no where.  You have no right to take me."

They each took her by an arm and continued towards the
door.  "Commissioner Vetter wants us to deliver you to the
24-hour clinic for an immediate health examination.  He's
concerned that you are not fit for your job, Miss Vetter.
Now you can come along nicely, or we have permission to cuff
you and bring you in."

Tracy was livid.  She yanked herself from their grip with
surprisingly little effort.  If only she knew how to
hypnotize, she could get rid of them without further
bother.  And where was that partner of hers!

"I'll go," she agreed, "but only if we wait for my partner."

"No."

While she whirled on the one who'd denied her, the other
carried out his threat and handcuffed her wrists together
behind her back.  Tracy was mortified.  She was ready to
scream.  Then they took her arms again and forced her out
into their waiting car.

Now what, she wondered.  It was just a clinic.  Maybe, if
the doctor didn't do anything too invasive, he wouldn't be
alarmed.  After all, Nick had been in the emergency room a
few times.  She muttered under her breath and struggled at
the handcuffs.  She should be able to break them.  But then,
how would she explain that?  Tracy wished she'd never gone
anywhere near her dad.

"Will you go inside like a good little girl, or do we need
to leave the handcuffs on," one man asked snidely.

"Take these off me now, if you know what's good for you,"
she threatened, striving to keep the red-gold glow from her
eyes.

They sniggered, but removed them before escorting her
inside.

The lights were too bright.  It hurt.  She blinked rapidly,
praying she wouldn't weep the telltale red tears now.  A
nurse came then and put her in a small examining room.
Tracy strained to listen to her captors, wondering if they
would leave, or wait around to drive her back to work.

"Now, what seems to be the problem, Miss Vetter," the nurse
asked cheerily as she opened a file folder and clicked her
pen.

"My dad," she answered.  "He's demanding this.  I feel
fine.  So, let's not waste another moment of the good
doctor's time, and I'll just go."

"Now, now, that's okay, dear.  The doctor has plenty of time
to waste- this isn't our busy period.  I have orders here
for a complete physical- chest x-rays, blood panel,
urinalysis... but we'll start with your blood pressure."

Tracy argued.  She tried to leave.  The two IA men came back
in to hold her still for the nurse to strap the blood
pressure cuff around her arm.  Then, when she had no blood
pressure at all, the nurse went to get another cuff, and
then another.  Tracy struggled harder, but the growing team
of nurses, the doctor, and the two IA men held her captive,
demanding to know why she had no pulse, no blood pressure,
and her skin was so cold.  They probed her, withdrawing four
large vials of blood and placed a call to the lab to handle
them immediately.  Tracy was so frightened she started to
cry, which alarmed the medical staff even further.

Then the door was thrown wide open.  LaCroix and Nick
stormed inside the crowded little examining room.  Nick was
furious, but LaCroix looked deceptively calm.  Tracy could
sense his intense anger.  Still, he was very much in control
of the moment.

"Nicholas, take her home at once.  I will clean up this
mess," LaCroix said coldly.  When the IA men tried to
interfere, LaCroix sent them to search for a red '62
volkswagon with a burned-out tail light.  They left at once
to complete the assignment without question.  "And you," he
ordered Tracy, "will go straight to your room and wait for
me."

Tracy swallowed back her fear and nodded.  "Yes, sir," she
whispered.

She felt his eyes on her as she left the room.  Even turning
the corner and going down the hallway, she sensed his
nearness and his anger.  She had disobeyed, and she knew
what he would do to her.  She felt both frightened and
aroused, and was surprised at her own reaction.

Nick grabbed her by the arm and dragged her outside.  She
didn't see the caddy anywhere.  He took her roughly and
lifted into the night air.

She was so tired.  The tension had been especially
draining.  All she wanted was for this night to end.  She
was even too tired to be excited about flying with him.

Nick was silent.  She could tell by the set of his jaw that
he was still furious.  A small muscle twitched, and she
thought she saw blood sweat forming on his brow.  Was it
that tiring to fly with someone?  Or had he really been
worried about her?  He avoided even looking at her now.  At
the Raven, he entered the apartment through the skylight and
deposited her on the floor.

"Nick," she said softly.  "I'm sorry."

His eyes burned into her, flaming red passion.  "Tracy," he
said.  "For the first time, I'm sorry I even know you."
Then he soared out through the skylight.

Tracy stood there, alone and tired, and wept.

She'd really messed up big time.  He'd been telling her a
little bit about the code, and how important it was to keep
knowledge of their existence a secret.  She'd already heard
that from Vachon while still a mortal, but just how
dangerous the smallest thing could be surprised her.  From
now on, all contact with a doctor was to be taken
seriously.  And her biological father was strictly
off-limits.

She knew his punishment would be harsh; and she was already
hungry and tired.  She went to the refrigerator and drank
greedily an entire bottle.  Then she went in to her bedroom
to wait.

An hour later she felt his approach and roused from the
light sleep.  She heard the door close, heard the lock
catch.  Heard him call her.  She froze.  She wanted to run
and hide, but knew there was no escaping him.  And part of
her felt strangely drawn to him.  Soon, it would be over,
and maybe they would make love again.  She got up from the
bed and exited her room.

LaCroix stood, the immovable statue, barely contained rage
and volatile passion.  Tracy trembled at the sight of him.

"You know what you did wrong," he stated.  His voice sent
shivers up her back.

She nodded weakly.  "I disobeyed you.  I went to see my
other dad."

"And?"

She thought quickly.  And what?  "And, six strokes for
disobedience," she recalled.

"That is only the beginning," he said firmly.  "You showed
disrespect by obeying Commissioner Vetter's wishes over my
own.  You erred again when you allowed the doctors to make
records of your condition.  Breaking the code can be
punishable by death, but as my fledgling, it merits six more
lashes.  Then, what did you do when you returned home?"

"I went to my room, like you told me to," she said, her
voice trembling.  They were already up to eighteen.  He'd
only hit her twelve the last time and it had horrible.

"Yes, I told you to go straight to your room.  That did not
include a side trip to the kitchen.  Direct disobedience
again."

Tracy felt cold as ice.  Her hands trembled.  She undid the
snap on her jeans and stepped out of them as she bent over
the table.  LaCroix grabbed her panties and tore them off.
She waited long moments, dreading it, as he pulled off his
belt.  She heard him draw it back, heard the swoosh of air
as he brought it down.  Heard the smack as it struck her.
She gasped, tears filled her eyes, and she bit her lip.
One.

He drew the belt back and struck again, the leather bruising
her tender skin.  Two.  Three.  Four.  The tears were
flowing freely.  Why had she defied him?  She had known he
would follow through on his promise, that disobedience would
always be punished.  Had some perverse part of her longed
for it?  The last spanking had been painful, yet it had also
been incredibly erotic.  Now, all she felt was pain.

Five. Six. Seven.

Tracy was certain she would never sit or stand and move
again without permanent discomfort.  Eight.  Nine.

A part of her blocked out the pain.  She tried to recall the
last time.  The joy of mating with him.  Of discovering that
he did love her.

Eleven.  Twelve.  Still the punishment continued.  Tracy's
fangs erupted as her instincts cried out for blood.  The
sound of the belt echoed in her sensitive ears, pounding on
her brain.  She lost count, convinced that the torture would
never end.

Finally LaCroix laid the belt down on the table.  Stiffly
she stood, afraid to move.

"You may think I am severe," LaCroix said coolly.  "Our
culture has few laws and even fewer punishments.  The most
common is death.  If any other vampire had been in that
clinic tonight, you would no longer exist.  I demand
obedience, and I thought you knew that."

She nodded miserably.  "Yes, LaCroix.  I do."

"Then, please explain yourself."

How could she?  She was so hungry and weak and hurting that
she couldn't even think.  But she dare not disobey him
again.  "I'm sorry.  I know you said not to see my dad
again, but I just felt that I ought to, like say good bye or
something.  Only I'm so sorry I went.  Not just because I
disobeyed you, but because I learned what a creep that man
really is.  I'm ashamed of him.  And I never want to see him
again!"  She couldn't continue.  Her voice cracked into
sobs.

LaCroix pulled her into his embrace and kissed the top of
her head.  "My child.  Some lessons are painful.  Now go to
bed.  We will resume your education tomorrow."

Tracy's lip trembled as she pulled away from him.  Her
stomach hurt with hunger that was nearly as painful as her
rear.  Why wouldn't he put her to bed, like he did before?
Because, she realized, he intended that she should endure
the punishment a little longer.  Dolefully she went into her
room.

Sleep did not come.  She could not rest on her back, and the
mattress was too soft to sleep on her stomach.  Even lying
on her side was uncomfortable, and she was only able to doze
for a few hours at a time.  She heard LaCroix leave, and
some time later, she heard him return.  She sensed a sadness
so profound from him that it made her cry again.  Tracy
vowed that she would try to never again disobey him.  Not
just because she dreaded his punishment, but because she
loved him.

In the middle of the afternoon Tracy gave up trying to
sleep.  She showered, but wasn't yet ready to dress.  She
pulled on a terry robe and cinched the belt, listening for
LaCroix.  Was he up yet?  Would it be all right to feed?
The welts on her rear had mostly healed, although it was
still very tender and her stomach rumbled painfully.

Hesitantly, she opened her door.  LaCroix sat in his
favorite chair, sipping a beverage and reading.  He didn't
look up when she joined him.  Was he still angry with her?

"Um, good evening, master," she ventured softly.

He closed his book and eyed her, his face a cold mask.
"Good evening, my child," he said.  "Have something to ease
your hunger, then we will begin a new lesson."

Gratefully, she moved to the refrigerator, although part of
her grieved that he wouldn't make love to her right now.
The bottled blood was not filling, nor did it do much to
heal her discomfort.  He was all she could think about.

"Last night's lesson included controlling hunger," LaCroix
said.  "Going to bed hungry is not pleasant, and should be
avoided at all costs.  Let it be a reminder to you, never
let yourself get too hungry.  And when we must hunt for our
meal, it should be done well before dawn."

Tracy nodded.  She had thought that "going to bed without
supper" had just been part of the punishment.  Now, she
realized that it had been a lesson, and one she would have
had to face eventually.

"You did well with controlling your instincts.  The ability
to control yourself is one of the most important lessons if
you wish to live and work among mortals.  We will cover this
frequently until you have it mastered."

Tracy tried to concentrate.  His voice was a balm.  She
watched his lips move, watched the slight indent in his
cheek as it peaked in and out while he spoke.  On anyone
else, it would be called a dimple, but the word seemed
incongruous to describe the ancient Roman.  He had such a
cultured way of speech.  His word choice was eloquent, if
not readily comprehendable.  Her tongue slipped between her
fangs to moisten her lips as she stared at him.

LaCroix laughed softly.  Tracy jumped, startled to realize
that she had not been paying attention to him at all.   "I'm
sorry, sir," she said quickly, her words awkward around her
teeth.  "I'll try harder."

"No, my dear.  It is quite all right.  You require more
sleep."

Her heart fell.  Her bed was cold and lonely.  She was
almost too tired to go there.  Then she felt herself being
lifted up.  Her master held her effortlessly and carried her
into her room.  Laying her on her bed with surprising
tenderness, he slowly loved her, until his ancient blood
healed her completely.  Later, she was only vaguely aware as
he lay beside her and pulled her into his embrace.  She
sensed him brush a kiss on her forehead, and thought she
heard him whisper.

"My little daughter.  It pains me to see you suffer.  I fear
you are coming to mean very much to me; I wish only to keep
you safe forever."

She cuddled closer to his chest.  She shivered, until he
pulled the quilt up over both of them, and then she slept
soundly. 


NOTE: In the first post, I mistakenly reported that the
original, unedited version of this story was posted at the
jadfe onelist site... jadfe is not a onelist group.  It is
an egroup.  The address is:www.egroups.com/group/jadfe.  I
am very sorry for this error.  The uncut version is also at
my website, www.angelfire.com/wi/CourageKnight.  This is the
PG version, here.  Thank you.

Waltz in the Sky, 04b/14
Lorelei Sieja

Tracy waited nervously for Nick to arrive.  She burned with
remorse, wanting to apologize, yet not sure how to make it
up to him.  It was certain that he wouldn't trust her now.
And partnerships had to be built on trust.  She put on
makeup, but still felt pale and miserable.  Hearing a car's
horn, she looked out the window.  Nick was parked just
outside the back door of the Raven.  He wasn't coming
upstairs tonight like he had every other night.  Blinking
back tears, she grabbed her coat and purse and started to
leave.

LaCroix escorted her down the stairs and to the back door.
He placed his hands on her shoulders then and kissed her
forehead.  "Behave yourself, my daughter," he said lightly.

Rising up on her toes, she whispered into his ear.  "Sure,
dad!"  Then she kissed his neck and went outside, relieved
to know that LaCroix was not still angry with her.

Nick was another story.  His manners were more than brusque-
almost vengeful.  He didn't say a single word to her the
entire trip.  Tracy blinked back tears again, not knowing
what to say to make things right.

In the parking lot she bolted from the car to confront him
before he could escape inside.  "Nick, I'm sorry!  I screwed
up!  All right?"

"Fine," he spat angrily, and sidestepped her.

"Nick, stop!  Talk to me!"

"I've nothing to say."  How often had she seen him like this
before- a seething wall of rage- driving everyone away from
him?  It had earned him the nickname of the Knightmare.  Now
though, she was not afraid of him.  They had to get beyond
this, if she was going to work with him.

"Nick!" She cried and grabbed his arm to stop him.
He blanched visibly and gasped in pain.  Tracy let go at
once, but she knew she wasn't that strong.  He turned away
from her.

"Nick, what is it?  What's wrong?"

Still, he didn't speak.  His head hung low and he looked so
alone.  She wanted to comfort him, but didn't know what was
bothering him.  "Nick, if you won't trust me and talk to me
right now, then I'm going to the captain.  I'll tell him
that we've been sleeping together, and demand a new
partner."

"You can't do that," he whispered.

"I will."

He glanced off in either direction, then took her and flew
to the rooftop.  He put her down and glared at her, the
familiar obstinate expression firmly planted on his face.

Tracy didn't say anything.  She opened her new senses and
tried to touch Nick's mind.  He didn't really seem to be
angry.  The anger was just a smoke screen.  She wasn't
certain what she did sense from him, though.  Tenderly, she
reached out and touched his shoulder.  Again she saw him
wince.  He sucked in his breath and pulled away from her.

"Oh my gosh, Nick," she whispered, suddenly knowing what was
wrong.  She stepped closer, tears filling her eyes and
spilling over.  "But why?" she asked.  "It wasn't your
fault!  I went out on my own!"

"Because I promised to protect you and I failed."

"So what does he expect from you!"

Nick turned his back to her and stared off into the night.
She saw the defeated slump of his shoulders and nearly
wept.  Just yesterday he had been proud and strong... and
now he was confused and hurting.

"He wants me to be more like him," Nick said.  "And I
can't."

Tracy stepped closer behind him.  She didn't know where it
would be safe to touch, only that she needed to comfort
him.  The pieces were falling together, parts of the
picture.  Nick had failed LaCroix, and the ancient would
demand he be punished.  Only Nick, the proud Crusader, would
have refused to submit.  So it had been no simple
punishment, but a brutal beating.  Then LaCroix must have
denied his healing blood to his son, who continued to defy
him.

Tracy had learned that mortal blood fed and comforted her
and over time, would heal.  But when she'd been seriously
injured, the blood of the ancient vampire healed instantly.
If Nick had even fed from Urs, he should have recovered by
now.  But in his anger and shame, he must have avoided even
his lover.

How many times in the past had he come to work, beaten and
hurting, using his anger to keep anyone from touching him?

"Nick," she said, moving closer behind him.  She put her
arms around him on either side, but without touching.  She
felt for the buttons on his shirt and undid them, one at a
time.

"Nick, please, take me.  Feed from me!  I beg you!"  The
last button gave way.  The soft silk shirt slipped from his
shoulders and fell to the rooftop.  Nick was shrouded in
dark and shadows, but with her new sight, the angry wounds
and bruises were plainly visible.  Lightly, barely touching,
she kissed each one, caressing them with her tongue.  Broken
ribs, partially set, dark bruises over them... after more
than half a day to still be so vivid, she couldn't even
imagine what he had looked like earlier.

Nick didn't move.  He didn't stop her, either.  Slowly, she
saw the tension leave his shoulders.  When she'd kissed the
entire length of his back, she moved to one arm and then the
other, caressing, softly brushing against damaged skin,
being careful not to cause any further discomfort.

She was feeling too warm again, which annoyed her.  She'd
only meant to comfort him, to somehow make up for the fact
that he was hurting and it was all her fault.  She didn't
figure that she should find pleasure in this exchange.  She
wouldn't drink from him tonight.  Not when he was already
weakened.

Nick took her wrists and stopped her deliberate seduction.
She groaned, ready to beg him to let her continue, but he
lowered his fly and stepped out of his trousers.  In moments
he stood before her, indescribable beautiful, a naked statue
of marble in moonlight, and fully aroused.  Then his hands
went to her clothes and removed them.

She shivered involuntarily, not from cold but rather
anticipation.  Nick began a slow assault on her senses then,
as he touched her skin with feather-light kisses.  She
marveled at his control and concentration, as she saw sore
muscles wince at every movement.  She was eager for him now.

Nick stood, giving her a toothy smile.  She felt her own
fangs descend.  She loved his vampire face.  It was the most
erotic, arousing vision!  He was such a contradiction- a
boyish, innocent face with the eyes of a demon and the teeth
of a predator.  She would never tire of looking at it.

Then they made love on the roof of the precinct.  Nick, in
his passion and pain, drank heartily from her, but Tracy
took only a taste of him.

Sated and healed, they stood together and embraced.  The
winter wind blew around their naked bodies, but they did not
notice.  Finally, they replaced their clothing and
straightened their hair.  Nick's movements were more fluid
now.  She had experienced the vicious beating he'd suffered
through tasting his blood and was suddenly grateful that she
was not LaCroix's favorite child.

"You, little sis, are a woman of many talents," Nick said
huskily.

Tracy would have blushed if she'd been mortal.  As it was,
she just shrugged and accepted the lightly teasing words as
a sign that all was forgiven.  "Shall we show up at work
tonight?"

Nick lifted from the roof, laughing as she called out to him
for a ride.  Swooping back for her, he carried her swiftly
down to the ground, making her stomach flip at the sudden
descent.  They were both laughing as they went inside to
work.

The gossip makers decided that the lover's quarrel had been
resolved. 


Waltz in the Sky 05a/14
By Lorelei Sieja

Tracy took the top file and opened it, not really caring
about the case.  It was old, and there was so little to go
on that it would probably be filed with the unsolveds
shortly.  The dead guy had been despised by many, and yet
they all had alibis.  It didn't seem like a case worth
solving.  Her cold attitude shocked her only a bit.  Her
perspective was changing daily and she wasn't sure anymore
what was right and wrong.

Feeling Nick's eyes on her, she looked up surprised to see
the intent gaze with soft gold flecks and wondered what was
running through his mind now.

"Thanks, Tracy," he said.

She grinned broadly.  "I'm sure you'll have plenty of
opportunities to return the favor, bro."

He laughed.  "I hope for your sake, not too many."

"Nick," she asked, laying aside the folder.  "I understand
that you don't want me involved with the Jacobs case, but,
will you tell me about it?  Keep me informed?  And I promise
to stay out."

His smile softened and he considered her request.  Then he
nodded.  "Fine.  But, let's talk in the car."

"So where will we go?"

"To see Nat," he said.  Once inside the caddy, he started to
tell her what little he'd learned.  "The victim was Alvin
Jacobs.  He was 33, from Louisiana, and we haven't learned
much about him yet.  We don't know why he was in Toronto, or
who he knew, only that he arrived here four weeks ago and he
was asking a lot of questions about you."

Tracy jumped.  "Me?  Why me?"

Nick shrugged.  "I haven't a clue."

Tracy's heart beat twice in quick succession and her hands
trembled.

"What's wrong?" Nick prodded.

"I wish I had never gone to see dad," she said, as two red
tears spilled down her pale cheeks.

Nick had had similar feelings, but he thought they were over
that now.

"I overheard him talking to someone on the phone, and it
sounded like he was somehow involved in this murder."

"Tracy?  Are you sure?  What exactly did you hear?"

Tracy closed her eyes to concentrate better.  Then
carefully, she told Nick everything she remembered.  "I
don't love him, Nick.  I don't even like him.  But, I don't
want to see him dead.  I just wish he'd go away and leave me
alone," she confessed.

Nick nodded and put an arm around her shoulders.  "I can
understand that.  Tracy, tonight, when you go home, tell
LaCroix everything you just told me.  Alright?"

She nodded, wiping away the tears.  "But why?"

"Well, for one, you don't want him to think you were keeping
information from him, and for two, it will make a difference
how he handles the commissioner in the future."

Nick held open the door for her, absently showing that
outdated chivalry she'd accused him of before.  Tracy just
grinned and went in.  Maybe some habits could not be
changed.  She didn't really mind the gossip, either.  It was
kind of funny.

"So why are we here?" She asked.

Nick pulled her closer and whispered softly.  "Nat wants to
meet you, now that you're one of us.  Do you mind if she
takes a blood sample?"

It seemed like a strange request.  Tracy had heard about
Nick's desire to become mortal again.  She thought it was
ridiculous, and wondered why LaCroix permitted him to
search.  Still, he looked so hopeful just then, and she
still felt responsible for getting him in trouble.  She
simply shrugged. "I guess."

"Thanks, kid," he said, and grinned at her.

Natalie got up from her desk as they entered.  Tracy noted
that there were no bodies visible.  Nick must have asked her
to put them away before bringing her in.  Tracy didn't mind
the added consideration.  Bodies no longer grossed her out,
and she no longer felt embarrassed, like she had to prove
herself.  Now they just looked tasty.

"Hi, Tracy," Natalie said awkwardly.  "I've been looking
forward to this.  Can you stay and chat?"

Tracy looked at Nick.  He nodded.  "I'll wait outside," he
said.

Natalie looked surprised, like he didn't trust her with
Tracy.

"LaCroix's orders," Tracy explained.

That seemed to satisfy.  Nat turned up a radio.  "For
privacy," she explained.  She knew Nick could hear through
doors, but perhaps the music would further confuse him.
"So, Tracy.  What was it like?"

Tracy felt oddly embarrassed.  Somehow, making love totally
naked on the roof of the police precinct seemed perfectly
normal, but trying to tell this mortal woman about her new,
sensual experiences was just too weird.  "What was what
like?  Why do you want to know?"

It was Natalie's turn to blush.  "Let's just say that I've
given some consideration to coming across, and I'm curious."

Tracy sat in the other chair and accepted a plastic pouch of
blood, while Nat stirred her tea.  Just like two friends
chatting over lunch, she thought dryly.  Then she started to
tell Natalie, and was greatly encouraged at the woman's
questions.  Nat was more interested in the actual act of
becoming a vampire, from a scientist's perspective, than in
the sensual experience.

"I admire your courage, Tracy.  I've thought about this for
years, and I just can't seem to make the final commitment.
I guess, because, other than having no love life, I love my
life here."

"Well, I regretted it at first," she admitted then.  "I
think it would have been different if I'd had a vampire
sister.  Guys can be so obtuse and that doesn't change with
eternity.  I was feeling things, and no one- not LaCroix, or
Nick, or Vachon, was able to help me deal with my emotions.
My first week would have been unbearable if not for Urs."

Natalie stiffened at the mention of Nick's girlfriend, which
irritated her further.  She loved Nick, but she knew she was
no longer in love with him.  She shouldn't begrudge him the
brief happiness.  He'd had precious little in his long
life.

"Urs is really a sweetheart," Tracy said gently, sensing her
discomfort.

Nat forced a bright smile.  "I'm sure she is.  And I am
happy for Nick.  Really."

"So why didn't you ever come across to be with him?  I
always thought you loved him."

"I do," Nat said quickly.  "I've loved him ever since he
first sat up on my table.  But something always held me
back.  I'd be ready to do it, to make the commitment, and
then he'd do something really stupid, and I'd ask myself if
I was willing to give up everything to be with a man who
would not grow up."

Tracy grinned.  She'd already noticed Nick's Peter Pan
tendencies herself.  Even though by mortal appearance he was
a good 10 or 12 years older, and in actuality was almost 800
years older, she still saw his actions as often immature.

"So why are you still considering it, then?" Tracy asked.
Natalie's heart was pulsing wildly.  She had a secret and
she was fairly bursting to share it.  Tracy watched as
emotions played across Nat's face: concern, eagerness, hope,
denial.  "I can keep a secret from anyone, except LaCroix,"
Tracy said by way of encouragement.

Nat smiled then.  "Okay.  LaCroix has intimated that he is
interested in me."

Tracy gasped.  "You can't be serious!"

Nat blushed and her smile widened.  "I don't know what to
think.  For six hears I have hated him, blaming him for all
of Nick's troubles.  Now, things are changing.  We're not
fighting about Nick and I find I miss LaCroix's company."

"So, when would you do it?  Are you getting serious?"

Nat laughed.  Tracy was displaying some of the old perky
youthful enthusiasm, and suddenly she didn't seem so very
different.  "No, I won't come across for a few years yet, if
LaCroix gives me that long.  Eternity is too long to make a
mistake.  I want to get to know him better, maybe let him
court me.  And, I have to let my relationship with Nick
settle, so there won't be any jealousy between them."

"So," Tracy said slowly, mischief playing in her
expression.  "Would that make you like my little sister, or
my mom?"

"Yes," Nat answered, and they laughed together.

Tracy stood.  She was feeling very tired and explained that
to Nat.  "So, Nick said you wanted to draw some blood?"

"I do," Nat answered.  "But, I suspect I should ask LaCroix
first.  We'll do it some other time.  Okay?"

She followed Tracy to the door.  Nick had pulled up a chair
across the hall and kept his eyes on her office the entire
time.  Now he rose and approached them, trying to act
indifferent, yet his innate curiosity was coming out.  Nat
couldn't resist the opportunity to tease him.

"Okay, Nick.  We're all done talking about you for now!"

Tracy giggled.  "Let's go home, partner.  I'm beat."


Nick wouldn't walk her upstairs once they reached the
Raven.  "Oh come on, Nick," she prodded.  "Forgive and
forget.  It's over."

He refused.  "I have work to do."

She felt his protective gaze follow her until she knocked on
the door and LaCroix let her in.  The two men glared at each
other but said nothing.  Tracy sighed.  She knew she had a
vampire sister somewhere.  If only Janette would come to
visit, maybe she wouldn't feel so outnumbered.

LaCroix brought her a glass and escorted her into the living
room.  Soft music played over the speakers, the lights were
dimmed.  He seemed mellow tonight.  Tracy wondered if he was
missing Nicholas.

"Tell me about your evening, my dear," he asked gently.

"I had a nice visit with Natalie," Tracy began, watching his
face.  She thought she saw a spark of something in his cool,
blue eyes, but wasn't quite sure.  "Nick was there.  He
waited in the hallway, watching over me, but Nat wanted to
have a girls-only chat."

The spark of interest fanned.  He wasn't irritated with
Nick, in fact, she wasn't certain he was thinking about his
son at all.  LaCroix's face was carefully controlled, cool,
like alabaster stone, and yet she was nearly certain that
his heart beat at the mention of Natalie's name.  She'd have
to say it a few more times and see if she was right.

"And what did the irrepressible Miss Lambert want to talk
about?"

"She wanted to know what it was like to come across," Tracy

said, sipping her beverage and drawing out the conversation
even though she was so very, very tired.  "I know that kind
of talk is not allowed with mortals, sir, but Nat seems like
the exception.  I mean, since the Fever and all.  I hope you
don't mind."

LaCroix smiled indulgently.  "It would be better to ask
permission before you do something, but in this instance, I
do not mind."

Tracy decided not to tell LaCroix just how much Nat liked
him and was considering his advances.  She would drop a few
hints and watch.  With LaCroix, she felt it would be better
not to become too involved in this relationship.  The
parent/child/master/lover relationship was already too
complicated to add "matchmaker" in to the equation.

LaCroix finished his beverage and rose.  Drawing Tracy in
his arms, he put her to bed. 


Waltz in the Sky 05b/14
By Lorelei Sieja

Nick didn't return to the precinct.  He'd pulled a photo id
of Alvin Jacobs from a record of his visa and obtained
sketchy personal information.  Jacobs had no family; his
sister died three years before.  The incident must have
shaken him, for he quit his job and had traveled extensively
ever since.  Nick would hit some of the nightclubs and
convenience stores and see if anyone recognized him.

But after hours of footwork, he'd learned that Alvin Jacobs
never went to the nightclubs, never went shopping, and so
far, no one seemed to know him.  He hadn't even been able to
find an address for him!  It seemed incredible, that in this
age of technology, a man could just die, and no one would
miss him.

But something about the conversation Tracy had overheard at
the commissioner's house bothered him.  The caller, "Turk",
had answered as though he'd known how vampires would conceal
a sloppy kill.  And Jacobs had been killed by a vampire.
But if the hitman was the vampire, then why had he botched
the disposal so badly?  What was he trying to do?  The more
Nick thought about it, the angrier he became.  The only
possible answer was that this vampire wanted to cause Nick
trouble- perhaps another meddling elder with a grudge
against him working for mortals.  It was time to find this
"Turk".

The name wasn't familiar.  Maybe Larry Merlin could be
persuaded to help.  The vampire computer expert helped
others to relocate when it was time to move on, managing the
paper trail that would support their new identities.  It was
a long shot, but maybe he could help Nick uncover something
about Jacobs or this Turk.  After all, it was a case that
threatened vampire security.


Merlin smiled at his guest.  "Planning on leaving now,
Brabant?  Baby sister not working out?"

"No, that's not it," Nick hedged.  He offered Merlin a gift
of Raven private stock, which had been a gift to him.  It
might help his case.  Merlin's eyes widened.

"This must be serious," he murmured.

"I wouldn't trouble you if it were otherwise," Nick said.
He waited while Merlin chose to open the bottle and share it
with him.  Then the older vampire encouraged Nick to speak.

"Mortals have found someone's kill," Nick began, jumping
right to the heart of the matter.  Merlin was instantly
alert.  It was almost a vampire's worst fear; only facing a
gang vampire hunters was more threatening.  "I have nothing
to go on, really.  Tracy overheard a conversation that a
hitman, Turk, might be involved.  Do you know a vampire that
might be going by that name?"

"No," he said slowly.  "But, you know how easily names are
changed.  What else do you know about him?  Do you have a
description?"

Nick shook his head.  "I was hoping that you might use your
skills to help me learn something about the deceased, at
least."

Merlin shrugged.  Researching mortals wasn't much fun, but
neither was it challenging.  After getting a few details
from Nick, he began to hack away, a useful skill he had
developed to perfection.  Nick had scarcely drained his
glass before Merlin had the access he sought.

"Alvin Jacobs' sister was Bonnie!" Merlin exclaimed.

Nick stared blankly.  The name Bonnie Jacobs didn't ring any
bells for him.  "Why?"

Merlin whistled through his crooked teeth.  "Sweet Baby
Bonnie.  She was Herman's newest progeny.  Such a pretty
little thing, but she was staked while still in her
infancy."

Nick choked.  "She was a vampire?"

"Are you all right, Nick?  You seem a little dull-witted
tonight, of course she was a vampire.  So that's the link.
How does that affect our Alvin, and put him in a vampire's
path?"

"Do you think Herman would have done it, for revenge," Nick
asked, thinking aloud.

"Herman would not have been careless," Merlin snapped.

Nick started to pace.  It seemed that something about this
case must be obvious, but he wasn't getting it yet.  "Alvin
has a job, a home, and a sister.  Then she changes, becomes
a vampire... maybe Alvin finds out the truth.  Maybe they
were more than just close."

Merlin listened, enjoying the tale, whether there was any
truth in it or not.

"Some humans develop a closeness," Nick continued.  "Merlin,
how old was his sister- when was her birthdate?"

Merlin returned to his screen, searching for the public
records.  "Date of birth was February 10, 1966."

"The same as Alvin's!  He called her his younger sister, but
in fact, she was the younger twin!"  Nick lifted Merlin's
gift bottle and absently refilled both glasses.  "So, Alvin
suspects the change in her, through whatever bond the twins
shared.  Did he stake her?  His own sister?  That would make
him a target for any vampire.  But, it doesn't quite hold,
not if he loved her."

"Where did he work?" Merlin questioned.

"He was a teacher at Louisiana Tech, a junior college, and
was studying for his Ph.D."

Merlin then broke in to the college's computers and accessed
Alvin's email.  Luckily, the man had set his mail to retain
a copy of all sent documents, and the seldom-used account
still held the out-dated mail.  For the next two hours the
vampires poured through Alvin's private mail, learning more
about the man than Nick would have ever believed possible.

The oldest letters were unimportant, except to show how much
he loved his sister, a fact Nick already suspected.  Then,
after her conversion, Alvin started to seek new email
buddies.  Some of them used the word "vampire" in their
nicknames or email addresses, which made Nick smile.  A true
vampire would never do such a thing.  Apparently, Alvin was
searching for vampires online!  Many of those letters were
cryptically brief, until Alvin located one called "spvh".
Inside the message they learned that the name was an anagram
for "Saint Paul, Vampire Hunter".

Merlin shivered visibly.  "Your man had some dangerous
friends, Nick."

Nick read further.  "It looks like Alvin was only trying to
find help for his sister, not kill her."

"True.  But he unwittingly led the hunters right to her.  I
wonder if he ever discovered his error."

Nick sighed.  "So, we now have uncovered more or less, the
mystery of his sister's demise.  That still doesn't help us
with his killer."

Merlin agreed.  "And, charming as this is, I'd rather you
left before sun-up.  I'll search a little while longer.
Stop by tonight before you go to work, and I'll tell you if
I've learned anything new."

Nick got up to leave, rubbing at a stiffness in his back.
Maybe Urs would rub it for him?  The thought brought a wave
of anticipation, and he had to turn away to conceal his
arousal from the elder.

"And Nick," Merlin said.  "Bring another bottle with you.
That one seems to be empty." 


Waltz in the Sky, 06a/14
By Lorelei Sieja


Urs drifted through Nick's loft, feeling it's gloom and
loneliness like a curse.  He'd acted so angry last night,
shutting her out lest she discover his fear.  He had told
her to leave.  Urs quietly flew to the church and spent the
night with Vachon, where she learned at least part of the
story.  Tracy and Nick were both in trouble, and LaCroix was
on a warpath.

She'd been nearly asleep when she was awakened by strange
feelings.  Somehow she knew what Nick was going through.
She wept for him, wishing he had allowed her to stay with
him.  She could have offered him solace after his master
left.  But she also sensed Nick's need to be alone.

Tonight she had returned to his loft, not permitting herself
to indulge in a petty sulk to wait for him to apologize.
She tidied up a bit, straightening the furniture that had
been tossed about in their battle.  Tonight she couldn't
sense him.  Maybe because she hadn't shared his blood
recently, or maybe it was only strong emotions she could
sense, but Urs didn't mind.  She knew he would be returning
shortly, and she would just wait for him.

When she heard the unmistakable sounds of his caddy as it
rumbled into the garage, she quickly flew into the bedroom
and shed all of her clothes, then wrapped herself only in
his silk robe.  She returned to the lift and waited for him
to emerge.

Nick looked so tired.  He smiled at her sheepishly, and Urs
went to him, hugging him warmly.  His arms went around her,
he nuzzled her neck, but she could feel his exhaustion.  She
would still have to wait.

She helped him to undress and then helped him to bed.  There
were no angry recriminations that he had avoided her last
night, no accusations or righteous indignation.  Only
patience and love.  Nick knew he should apologize to her,
but he was just too tired.  He'd make it up later.

Urs gently massaged his back, rubbing at the tightness
between his shoulders, keeping her motions soothing.  She
heard his breathing slow and nearly stop, felt his thoughts
slow as well, until she knew he was asleep.

Urs let him nap.  He looked so worn out and she wanted him
fully recovered.  Still, as she cuddled up against him, she
longed to wake him.  She ached for him.  For an hour she
held him.  Then, her patience had reached its limit.  She
breathed softly into his ear.  Stroking the sensitive skin
at his throat with a long fingernail, she watched the
sleeping vampire slowly respond.

He slept like the dead.  His eyes remained closed and his
breathing almost non-existent, but his body responded.  One
arm crushed her to him in a dream-filled embrace.  She felt
his arousal press against her.  She nuzzled at his neck,
then licked the tender spot over the jugular as her fangs
descended.  Finally, she nipped him.

A growl issued from his throat as his eyes opened, glowing
red embers of desire.  In one swift movement he traded
places, pinning her beneath him.  He grasped her hands in
one of his and held them above her head, then used his free
hand to trace the smooth line of her throat.

Urs smiled shyly.  "Good morning, Nicky," she whispered.

"So is it time to play?" he said huskily, nipping her
lightly with his fangs.  She gasped, struggling to free
herself that she might embrace him in her desire.  Nick
laughed.  "Who now is the prisoner?  What do you plead?"

"I plead guilty, my love," Urs said.  Her arms were still
immobile, but she squirmed her hips against him.  "Take me!"

In a swift thrust, Nick buried his fangs in her throat and
drank hungrily of the love she offered him.  He released her
hands then, and turned to bare his own throat to her.  Urs
completed the circle, taking in his sweet essence, the taste
of honey and wine.  They drank until their passion exploded
and they lay weak and contented in each other's arms.

"Good morning, Urs," Nick said.

She saw the tears pool in his eyes, and reached into the
memories of the blood kiss they'd just shared.  He was
overwhelmed with guilt.  Guilt for turning her away last
night, guilt for the renewed tensions between him and his
master, guilt for the dead mortal, and even guilt for the
vampire responsible.  Misappropriate guilt, she realized.
Except for his relationship with his master, he had done
nothing wrong.  Quickly she tried to reassure him.

"I love you, Nicholas Knight de Brabant!  Don't ever doubt
that!"

"I'm sorry about last night," he began, but she shushed him
with a kiss.

"Don't be.  I love it when you share a bed with me, but
don't feel guilty for the days you chose to sleep alone, my
love.  I will be here when you want me."

He blinked, but the tears still slipped out.  Urs licked at
them lightly.  Was it the guilt that made him taste so
sweet?  But he had had enough self-recrimination to last an
eternal lifetime, and she vowed she would not add to it.  No
matter what transpired between them in the future, she would
love him enough to let him go.  She would only love him.  At
some point, he would chose to move on, as such was their
way.  She would not hold him back, nor even consider walking
into the sun to end her misery, as he would feel guilty
about that as well.  No, her gift to him would be to find
happiness, that she could love him as he was meant to be
loved.  As he needed to be loved.

Nick hugged her then.  "Thank you," he whispered.  He yawned
and his eyes grew heavy.

"Sleep, my love," she cooed.  "Rest well..."



Nick went inside the Raven and waited at the foot of the
stairs.  When Tracy appeared, he looked behind her at
LaCroix, striving to keep his expression neutral.  The
ancient returned a cold, blank stare.  Tracy glared at
Nick.  One of them would have to make the first move, but
the two stubborn vampires continued to face off, both
wanting reconciliation, and neither willing to work towards
it.

"Come on, Partner," she snapped angrily.  "Time to go."

Nick drove towards Merlin's in silence.  She got out of the
car and followed him to the hidden apartment, wondering when
he was going to get around to clueing her in.  She felt
strange.  Something was familiar about this place, although
she was certain she had never been here before.

"Come in," called a man's voice, even before Nick knocked.

She followed him inside, leaving behind a dark, vacant alley
with trash on the road.  Inside, there was a long, cement
stairway that lead to the living quarters below, which were
filled with computers and electronic equipment that might
have put a NASA lab to shame.  She stared, open-mouthed, at
the technology visible.

The man looked older than Nick, with thinning hair and
slightly crooked teeth.  He wore wire-framed glasses and was
casually dressed, just what she would expect from a geeky
computer hacker.  Then he took her hand in his and placed a
kiss lightly on the fingertips.

"Larry Merlin, at your service, Miss," he said gallantly.

"You're a-" she blurted, her mouth moving before her brain,
as the familiar tingle of a vampire alerted all her senses.
"Uh, you're sweet," she quickly replied.

Merlin smiled indulgently at her near lapse in etiquette,
but did not make any further comment.

"Larry Merlin serves the community," Nick said, wishing now
he'd prepared her for this visit, instead of wallowing in
his misery during the drive.  "When it is time for us to
move on, he will create new names, identities, careers,
whatever we need to slip in to a new life in another town."

"Handy," she said nervously.  "Are you planning a move?"

Merlin smiled.  "No, he is not.  I am doing him a RARE
service, helping to solve the Alvin Jacobs case, a service I
will not provide in the future."  He directed his last
statement at Nick with a firmness that spoke of his
authority among vampires.

Nick nodded, accepting the statement.  "Did you uncover
anything else?"

"Yes, but not directly related to this case.  I learned that
there is quite a network of vampire hunters online, and that
by linking together, they are growing in numbers and
becoming more of a threat.  I must leave tonight to bring
this information before the council.  Action must be taken
at once!"

Tracy trembled, as she experienced Nick's fear in a sudden
slap of emotion before her older brother could recover.  She
didn't know enough to be afraid.  Vampires were immortal.
What harm were some mortal hunters?

Nick gave him the bottle he had requested.  He had had to
purchase this one, as he wasn't about to ask LaCroix for
anything.  "Thanks, Merlin.  Safe journey."

Tracy followed Nick back towards the caddy and reached out
with her senses to try to understand him.  He seemed
conflicted- fear, anger, passion, and guilt warred within
him.

"Nick?" she asked.  "What danger are hunters?"

Nick was silent until they were inside the car, the windows
and doors closed, and he started the engine.  Then he turned
to her with a serious look.  "They are deadly," he said.
"They know our weaknesses, and often prey upon us while we
sleep, when we are most vulnerable.  They come in a pack,
with wooden stakes, holy water, garlic oil, and anything
else their twisted minds can think up, and take us out.

"Vampires cannot even report the murder of one of their
own.  There is never a body left behind for evidence, since
at death, we become nothing but ash.  We are not protected
by mortal laws.  We depend on one another more at such times
than ever before, and yet, fear of hunters often scatters
vampires into hiding, into small isolated groups that are
more vulnerable than ever to the danger of the hunters."

Tracy stared, wide-eyed, at his explanation, and felt a
growing sense of fear herself.  "Do you think there are
hunters in Toronto?"

Nick shrugged.  "I don't think so.  It's possible.  But
Alvin Jacob's sister was killed by hunters in Louisiana.
Now he's dead, from a vampire bite.  We still don't know why
he came here, though."

They arrived at the precinct, neither laughing nor arguing,
and the gossip was fuddled to know why.

Tracy couldn't stop thinking about her mortal father.  He
had spoken to an unknown "Turk", and talked about paying him
money to do a task.  It bothered her.  She worried at it,
and wondered how she could get access to her dad's bank
account.  It was certain no one in the police department
would give her permission; they were too intimidated by
him.

"Nick," she asked, pitching her voice too low for mortal
ears.  Being a vampire had some wonderful benefits.  She and
Nick could hold very private conversations even in a crowded
room.  "You're not getting anywhere with Jacobs.  Maybe we
need to try a new tack?"

Nick scowled.  That Tracy was right didn't make him feel any
better.  "Like what," he grunted.

"We should check out my dad, and that Turk he talked to."

Nick shook his head.  "Not a wise idea, to investigate the
commissioner.  And his conversation might not have anything
to do with this case."

"We won't let anyone know we're investigating him," she
insisted.  "But I have to know.  If he's not involved, I
will feel so much better.  Please?"

Nick thought about it, then nodded.  She was right about one
thing.  He was getting nowhere.  "Come along," he said as he
grabbed his coat.

Tracy grinned.  Nick had told her that she couldn't help
with this case, and yet he invited her along.  Well, he must
have felt that her dad's house was safe enough.  And it
was.  LaCroix had forbidden her to see her birth-dad again,
but it was Thursday.  He wouldn't be home for hours.

Nick parked several blocks away from the commissioner's
house and they walked the remaining distance, keeping to the
shadows.  The house didn't look empty.  There were lights on
in three rooms, a radio or TV playing.  But their sensitive
ears could not detect a mortal heartbeat.  Nick was ready to
force open the lock, when Tracy showed him the key.
Quickly, they both went inside.

A swift search through the house didn't reveal anything out
of the ordinary, except that Commissioner Vetter seemed to
live on more money than he earned.  Nick had suspected the
man was involved in some schemes, but had no proof.

Tracy went to the computer in the den and brought up her
dad's email.  Nothing there of interest.  He must have a
second, private account.  Nick searched through closets.  He
found dozens of firearms which seemed strangely similar to
ones that had "disappeared" from lock-up.  Was Vetter
reselling them on the black market?

They worked for over an hour, so deep in thought, that
neither had heard the car approach, until Vetter was at the
front door.  Tracy gasped, her face paled and her heart beat
twice.

"Nick, we've got to go NOW!" she whispered.

Nick shook his head.  "I think I should question him.  Maybe
with a little hypnotic push, he'll tell us what we need to
know?"

"I- I can't!  LaCroix forbid me to see him again!"
Nick grinned.  "So close your eyes." 


Waltz in the Sky, 06b
By Lorelei Sieja


Tracy gulped, staring at the older vampire in disbelief.
Then, she did as he suggested.

Vetter slammed the door and glared at the two detectives in
his house, an angry threat already on his lips.

"Tracy, what-the-hell is this about!  Is this a social
visit?  You know I'm not home on Thursdays!"

Nick interrupted him, speaking in a soft, soothing voice.
It took a while to capture the commissioner, and Nick was
afraid for a few moments that he would be a resistor and
Nick's life as a cop was going to be over shortly.  But then
Vetter grew silent and compliant, responding to all of
Nick's suggestions.  He sat down and told them what he knew
about Alvin Jacobs.

"He was sniffing after my baby," he said.  "Asking
questions.  Suggesting she was into something evil.  Said
she was possessed, and he was going to free her spirit.  I
warned him to stay away from her.  He continued to pursue
her, and I paid Turk to get rid of him."

"Get rid of him?  How?" Tracy gasped, still keeping her eyes
covered.  She turned her back to the man, to further ensure
she didn't just forget.

"Turk's worked for me twice before.  Usually gets rid of the
bodies real nice."

"Where can I find this Turk?" Nick asked.

Vetter was silent.  Nick asked him again, but Vetter didn't
have an answer.

"When I want to reach him, I put two lamps on in the east
window.  Then, the next night, I go to Brooks Park over on
seventh, and he arrives.  I've never called him.  He calls
me only from phone booths.  And he's always paid in cash."

Nick directed him to put the two lamps on, then to forget
everything that happened and go to sleep.  Taking Tracy's
arm, he led her back outside.

Tracy shuddered.  "I know he thought he was protecting me,
but I can't believe that man is really my father," she said
disgustedly.

Nick put an arm around her shoulders comfortingly.  "He
isn't anymore, Trace.  Let's get back to the precinct."

She remained quiet.  Nick heard her yawn twice and decided
to detour pass the Raven.  Maybe she should knock off
early.

LaCroix greeted them at the backdoor, a questioning look on
his face.

"She's kind of upset," Nick explained.  "We went to the
Commissioner's place, and found out some things she'd rather
not know."

"I told you never to see him again," LaCroix hissed, glowing
red with anger.

"She didn't see him," Nick said firmly.  "I told her to shut
her eyes."

For a tense moment, no one spoke.  LaCroix stared at his
progeny.  Tracy was frightened of him, but also very upset.
Nicholas seemed defiant, almost daring him to fight.  Well,
Nicholas must have felt it important to investigate the
commissioner, and he had been told not to leave Tracy alone.
He had obeyed the command, even if his attitude was a little
cocky.  LaCroix touched Tracy's chin and brought her face up
to look at him.  "Perhaps Toronto is not big enough for two
Vetters?" he asked gently.

"Please don't kill him, sir," she asked softly.  "I know
he's a crook, but I just don't feel right about it."

LaCroix brought her into his embrace and kissed the top of
her head.  "Then perhaps he will take an early retirement
and move someplace further south.  Where it is sunny?"

LaCroix observed his son's actions as he comforted Tracy.  A
look of longing, and maybe jealousy, came to Nicholas.
LaCroix released Tracy and told her to go to bed.  Then
turning to his son, he hesitated.  "Nicholas, I...."

Should he apologize?  He knew it was what the boy waited
for.  He had been too harsh on him again, but damn it!  The
boy always made him lose his temper.  800 years, and
Nicholas was still so defiant and obstinate!  He would have
to learn, or they would continue to battle one another.  He
hardened his voice.  "Good night, Nicholas."

Nick swallowed the thickness in his throat.  LaCroix had
been so tender with Tracy.  Why couldn't he be with him?
Did he love her more?  Because she was a girl?  Or she was
younger?  Did she taste better?  But once again LaCroix was
turning him away, and he would go and comfort her.  Nick
blinked quickly, trying to summon up enough anger that he
wouldn't humiliate himself. Turning sharply, he left the
Raven, slamming the door behind him.



LaCroix found Tracy waiting for him in the living room, her
anxiety level running high.  "You are afraid," he observed
calmly.

She shifted on her feet awkwardly, reminding him at once of
his obstinate son.  She stammered, trying to explain that
she had meant to leave as soon as the commissioner returned,
but then she heaved a sigh and faced him bravely.  "It's my
fault.  I knew what you meant when you said not to see him
again.  I'm sorry."

He considered her thoughtfully.  He had told her that
disobedience would always be punished, and he always kept
his word.  Yet, she was owning up to her mistake, not
becoming obnoxious and belligerent, as Nicholas was wont to
do.  "I believe that you have learned, my dear, and so I
will overlook this infraction."

He felt her relief as a wash of elation that bubbled over
into foolishness.  She lunged into his arms and kissed him
gratefully, making him regret his moment of weakness
already.  She was fairly bursting with enthusiasm that was
most annoying.  "Perhaps you would like to spend an hour in
the Raven tonight, to unwind before we begin our next
lesson?"

"Cool!  Great!  Let's go!" she said.

"I will be in the soundbooth," he said, removing her arms
from his neck.  "Do you think you can behave yourself in a
bar crowded with vampires?"

"Sure," she said.

"I will be keeping an eye on you.  Do not disappoint me."


Tracy decided to change quickly, pulling on a top that was
much too revealing to ever wear to work.  It was a
snug-fitting shirt that laced up the front.  She left the
laces loose, baring her neck and much of her shoulders.
Then she bounded down the stairs and into the Raven.

As a mortal, she had always thought it was too dark.  Now
the lights were just comfortable.  Vachon's band was playing
softly.  Patrick grinned at her and poured her a glass-
still the pure uncut variety.  Tracy accepted it, wishing
LaCroix would let her sample the bloodwine soon.  It wasn't
like she was on duty or anything, and she'd turned the legal
drinking age years ago.

She took a table near the stage and smiled at Javier while
he played.  Many of the vampires in the bar smiled at her,
but no one came to talk.  She watched them, wondering if
they were just afraid of LaCroix, or if she was not pleasing
to them as a vampire.   The insecurities surprised her,
reminding her of junior high.  Maybe, becoming a vampire was
like being reborn in more ways than one.

One waitress stopped briefly and refilled Tracy's glass,
then left the bottle on the table with her.  Tracy looked at
her questioningly.

"It is a gift," Rita explained.  "From the elder in the back
corner."

"Uh, thanks.  I guess," she said awkwardly.  She tried to
look around the bodies, but couldn't really see any elders.
Besides, she didn't want to meet them without LaCroix
around.  Nick was afraid of anyone older than him, and she
was beginning to respect his years of experience.

She sipped the beverage, then her eyes widened with
surprise.  It was very different!  It was sweeter, fruity,
cut with wine.  She took a bigger sip, and her eyes smarted
as she swallowed.  Her stomach lurched once, but the wine
stayed down.

Vachon took a break and came to join her.  "Querida," he
whispered in her ear.  "What brings you here tonight?  You
off for good behavior?"

Tracy giggled.  "I think I'm driving the old man crazy," she
said conspiratorially.

Vachon cocked an eyebrow at her.  "You aren't afraid he'll
overhear you?"

"He's doing his show," she said, and swallowed more of the
bloodwine.  It seemed stronger now than she'd ever recalled
alcohol being before.  "And Nick's at work, so all my
babysitters are busy.  Want to cuddle?" She snuggled close
to him and nipped at his earlobes.

Vachon's fangs erupted at once, but he put firm hands on her
and held her back.  "Tracy.  Not here, love."

"But I've missed you," she whispered, moving closer again.

Vachon got to his feet and took her hand.  Tracy grabbed her
bottle as she followed him.  He slipped through the hallway
towards the back and pulled her inside a small room.  Its
purpose was lost on Tracy.  There was a window and a tacky
couch, but little else.  If it was for storage, then the bar
was drastically low on supplies.

Vachon kicked the door closed and pulled her into his
embrace.  Tracy forgot about everything then except her
Spanish lover.

By the time Vachon's band came banging on the door to demand
he return to the stage, they had drained the bottle.  Vachon
giggled, slightly inebriated, and staggered into the
hallway.  "Later, Querida," he said, slurring his words
slightly.

Tracy waved at him; her arms felt heavy and clumsy.  She
rolled to her knees and struggled to get up.  Maybe LaCroix
wouldn't mind if she went up to bed early?  Her head was
hurting.  How much alcohol was in one bottle of bloodwine?
She couldn't remember ever feeling this affected, even from
the wapatuli parties in college.

Once back in the bar, though, she slunk into her former
chair and enjoyed the band.  The music seemed louder
tonight, and freer.  Vachon smiled openly in her direction
as he played and she had the sensation that he was playing
just for her.

The crowds shifted, most of the mortals had left.  She could
see the elder vampires now, and the man was staring at her.
Tracy waved cheerfully, then decided she'd go thank him for
the bottle.  Her legs didn't quite want to obey, though.
She tipped over a chair on her way, and when she reached
them, she fell into his lap.

"Hi there, Mister," she said loudly, her fangs fell into
place as she grinned up at him.  "Aren't you good-looking.
I love a vampire with a beard.  Who's the mummy with with
you?"

Corda jumped to her feet.  "Insolent whelp!  You go to far!"

Tracy laughed, looping an arm around Caspian's neck.  "Is
she your master, mister?  Can't have a little fun?"

Caspian stood up then, dumping Tracy on the floor.  She sat
for a moment, confused, before she struggled back to her
feet.  Her head felt muzzy.  She couldn't sense these
vampires, nor could she sense her master.  She yawned
widely, wishing someone would put her to bed.  It was such a
long way away.

Corda grabbed her by her shirt front and slammed her into a
wall.  The music stopped.  All the patrons turned to watch
the altercation.  Tracy cried out, as the sudden movement
sliced her lip on her fangs.  Corda had her sharp teeth out
as well, and it looked like the angry woman was going to
bite her.  Tracy squirmed, trying to get free from her
grasp.  The party was over, as far as she was concerned.
"LaCroix!" she cried.

LaCroix was there, seething with rage.  Tracy felt blood
tears slip down her face.  She'd messed up again, somehow,
and made him angry.  If only she could turn the clock back a
few hours!  "Master, forgive me," she whispered. 

Waltz in the Sky, 07a/14
By Lorelei Sieja

"What is the meaning of this," he demanded, a white-knuckled
grasp of Corda's shoulder prohibiting her rape of his
child.

"Your offspring are incorrigible," Corda shouted.

His hand shot out.  Tracy blinked, and would have ducked if
she could have moved.  But he didn't strike her.  Instead,
he flicked one of her tears with a finger and tasted it.
"Bloodwine," he stated.  "Where did you get this, Tracy!"

"It was a... a gift, from him," she stuttered.  Her head
hurt.

"You give an infant wine, then dare to complain when she
acts like a fool!  Get out of my club!  Now!"

Corda glared at him.  Caspian was carefully expressionless
as he looked from his sister to his one-time friend.  He
tugged on Corda's sleeve, but she didn't move.  He put both
hands on her shoulders then and shook her firmly.  "It is
time to go," he said.

Corda tightened her hold on Tracy, leaving bruises on her
shoulders, then released her.  Tracy's knees gave out and
she would have fallen, but LaCroix caught her.  His arms
felt strong and protective.  She laid her head against his
shoulder, wondering if she closed her eyes if the spinning
would be better or worse.

LaCroix stared at at the door until Caspian and Corda were
gone.  Then he turned to the band.  "I don't pay you to
gawk.  The side show's over, everyone."

Vachon started another song, and slowly, Tracy heard the
muffled noises of a dozen conversations.  LaCroix carried
her up the dark stairs to his apartment.

"I'm sorry, dad," she cried, the tears flowing again.  "I
don't know what happened.  I'm so sorry!"

He carried her into her room.  He pulled the covers down and
laid her in her bed.

"You aren't mad at me?  Aren't you going to punish me?"

LaCroix chuckled.  "My dear, my anger was with Caspian, not
you.  And you will punish yourself enough in the morning.
Now get some sleep."

Tracy sat up, although the motion nearly made her upchuck.
"I'm really sorry," she whispered.

His chin lifted in acknowledgement.  "Good day, Tracy."

The following afternoon Tracy understood fully what LaCroix
had meant.  Her head was splitting, and she spent half an
hour in the bathroom vomitting up the wine.  She felt like
crying, but was too weak to spare the tears.  There was no
way she could go in to work feeling like this!
A knock sounded at the door, then LaCroix stepped inside the
tiny, immaculate, seldom-used washroom.  Tracy winced at the
noise he made, but dared not complain.

"Come, child.  Have something to drink," he said, offering
her a glass.

Tracy leaned into the stool, as her stomach threatened
again.  "You have got to be kidding," she groaned.

"No, Tracy.  The blood could not heal you until you had rid
yourself of the excess wine.  Now, it should make you well.
Come, drink up."

Gingerly, she accepted the glass and forced herself to sip
it.  Her stomach hurt like a bleeding ulcer, but the blood
soothed.  She drained the glass, then ventured a timid
glance at her master.

LaCroix looked neat as always and slightly amused.  No one
should look that good first thing in the morning... or
afternoon, or whatever hell the time of day it was.

He held out a hand and she accepted it, as he pulled her to
her feet.  She followed him to the kitchen, where he
refilled her glass.  He sat and joined her in their
breakfast.

"Why did it make me so drunk?" she asked.  "I've had alcohol
before."

"Blood is our only food," LaCroix explained patiently.
"Nothing else can be tolerated.  We have no digestive
enzymes, so when we consume anything other than blood, it is
like poison.  Mature vampires can tolerate wine mixed with
blood only in small amounts, and fledglings cannot tolerate
it at all."

Tracy was silent as she listened.  Again she realized that
when she had thought that he was being merely bossy and
overprotective, he had, in fact, been wise and absolutely
correct.  She would take his wishes more seriously in the
future.

"So, why would those older vampires want to get me drunk?"

LaCroix was silent for a time.  Tracy wondered if he was
going to answer.  Then he seemed to come to a decision.
"They are angry with me, and seek to hurt me through hurting
my progeny."

"Why are they mad at you?"

"It is a long story, my dear," he began, moving with her
towards the couch.  He sat in the corner, one leg folded
across the other, and she curled up beside him, leaning
against his chest.  He wrapped one arm around her
companionably.

She waited, hoping to hear the story.  She'd gathered from
the first meeting, before she knew anything about LaCroix,
that he wasn't much of a sharer.  She would encourage any
intimate moment and treasure it.

"I staked one of their siblings a long time ago, and they
have never forgiven me," he said.

She waited.  There had to be more to the story than that.
"Why did you stake him?"

He hesitated, seeming to war with himself on how much to
tell.  Then he told her all.  "He assaulted Nicholas, when
he was still a young fledgling.  I killed him in a rage.
Killing another vampire is a serious thing.  Caspian and
Corda brought me before the Council."

"But surely you had every right to defend Nick!" she
blurted, looking up at him.

His eyes were distant.  He was no longer quite in this
century, but reliving a past, painful one.  Tracy fell
silent and waited expectantly.

"The rights of fledglings were negligible then.  The rape of
a fledgling was not sufficient cause to kill an elder.  I
defended my case before the judges, and Caspian was only
accorded the right of retribution.  He could not take my
life.

"So, when you got out of line downstairs, I think he saw his
chance to get even.  I, however, believe that the death of
his brother has already been duly recompensed and could see
no reason to punish you."

"Am I safe now?" she whispered, afraid of the answer.

His arm tightened around her protectively.  "I hope so,
little one.  But I do not want you alone, away from either
Nicholas or myself.  Do you understand?"

"Yes, master," she replied.

LaCroix then made love to her.  Slowly, tenderly, he made
her feel treasured.  And when she sank her fangs into his
throat, he allowed the memories of his beating at Caspian
and Corda's hands to cross over in his blood.  It was not
his intention to gain her sympathy, but only to show her how
dangerous her new community could be.  If his suffering
would save her from her own foolishness, then the intimacy
was well shared.

Later, LaCroix took her hand and lead her on to the roof.
"My dear," he began.  There was a surprising tenderness to
his voice that made her legs weak and her undead heart
flutter.  "I believe you are ready to begin flying lessons."

Tracy shrieked with glee.  Bouncing on her toes, she threw
her arms around him impulsively and kissed both cheeks.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" she spurted.

LaCroix tugged her arms free and tried to force a stern
look, but his lips curled in