Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 05:46:29 -0600 From: The Other Immortal Subject: Song Challenge: "Who Wants to Live Forever?", Queen, 1/2 This is the second piece of fanfic I've finished, although it may be out first due to length and typing time. Some various disclaimers here. 1. No, I don't want FK to end early in 1999. This was only something I came up with. Despite the somg it was based on, I actually got the idea from Richard Marx, "Hold On To The Night" while in my favorite art supply store a couple of days ago. I don't know where it came from. Like many things, it just happened. 2. I've used the word "nemesis" in here a couple of times, which may be confusing without explanation. Technically, a nemesis is someone who points out your faults in one way or another on a regular basis. It's a two-way process. Also, a nemesis not need be an enemy. My personal nemesis, for example, is one of my three best friends. 3. The quote LaCroix refers to is from _Watership Down_, one of my two absolute favorite stories, the other being _The Phantom of the Opera_. 4. Usual disclaimers, I'm not trying to infringe on any copyrights, etc., etc., James Parriott, Barney Cohen, and so on and so forth. You get the idea. "Who Wants to Live Forever?" Susan Schaefer copyright 1996 S. Schaefer part one of two Nat lingered at the grave, even after the lighting had been shut off. It was, of course, a nighttime funeral. **There's no time for us, There's no place for us. What is this thing that build our dreams, yet slips away from us?** Nick had been buried with full honors: 21-gun salute, more words of affection than he would have wanted, Canadian flag draped over his coffin, taps. Even LaCroix had almost shed a tear. In only three days, Nat had learned the fullest meaning of pain. Those three days earier Nick had been called in to check out a suspected homocide. Just your normal, run-of-the-mill call, right? He was the only one left inside when the bomb went off. Natalie was outside with the coroner's van, filling out the last of a stack of forms, ready to get out of there. It was just a feeling she had. The image of shattering glass, fire pouring from the brownstone burned into her brain. Panic ensued around her. Nat fell to her knees, dropping the papers in a puddle. All she could recall was that, in the light of the flames, the liquid shone like blood. Official cause of death: 3rd degree burns over 60% of the body; table leg imbedded in chest. The bomb had apparently been set by the "murder victim", which soon proved to be a suicide. Natalie traced the words NICHOLAS B. KNIGHT over and over, tears dripping from her cheeks onto the freshly turned earth. The grey marble glittered in what moonlight passed through rapidly forming clouds. A double headstone. On the other side was etched: NATALIE LAMBERT-KNIGHT. In the center, MARRIED FEB. 14, 1998, BEYOND DEATH MAY WE NEVER PART. Ironically, death had come for immortality first. They had been married exactly one year and one day the night Nick was killed. **Who wants to live forever, Who wants to live forever?** "Natalie?" She stirred against the stone. "Natalie, wake up." "Mmmmmm... Nick?" "No. It's Lucien." She blinked, looked up. LaCroix stood there, holding her raincoat. "I'll take you home." "No, no. I want to stay here." Nat weakly clung to the headstone. LaCroix gently pulled her up, wrapped the coat around her shoulders. She just stood there, staring at the place where Nick lay. She failed to notice the light rain; didn't flinch as it became a torrent. Lucien, however, did. He took Natalie's hand, squeezed it gently. "Come on." She was oblivious to being led away. **There's no chance for us, It's all decided for us, The world has only one sweet moment set aside for us.** It was a good idea for her to be alone that night LaCroix decided. At Nick and-- at Natalie's apartment he sat her on the sofa, went in search of towels and dry clothes for her. Soon, and with much help, she was dry, dressed in an old blue sweatsuit, holding a cup of vanilla tea. She didn't drink, though, just sat and stared into the cup. LaCroix sat beside her, watching. Another tear rolled down Natalie's pallid cheek. It landed in the steaming mug. "Nick used to make me vanilla tea when I was depressed," she whispered. Lucien thought it best not to answer. "Sometimes, when I wouldn't cheer up, he'd joke about making me drink one of those protein mixes I made for him. It always made me laugh, especially when he made faces to go with it." A sigh. "He shouldn't have been the one--" she choked off. Sobs began to wrack her body. Tea sloshed onto her shirt; LaCroix took the mug, set it on the table next to him. Nat automatically fell forward. She convulsed as she cried, holding her face. In an unusually fatherly way Lucian took her in his arms, held her. _You may have lost a husband,_ he thought, _but I have lost a son._ **Who wants to live forever...** Natalie had been the one to propose, early in the fall of 1997. Frankly, she'd been surprised when Nick said yes. Most of the details of the ceremony faded in the mists of grief. But she could still see Nick in his dress uniform, that horribly silly grin glued to his face. She kept trying not to laugh throughout, but sometime after they exchanges rings, just before the sealing kiss, she couldn't help it any more: she broke down laughing at her own wedding. For a moment Nick had looked at her puzzledly, but his mouth was twitching. In seconds they were both laughing like maniacs, holding each other for dear life. They'd never gotten tired of that video. The only real flaw in the whole evening had been LaCroix's absence. In a strange way, they'd wanted him there more than anyone. **... Who dares to love forever?** LaCroix didn't know exactly why he hadn't gone to the wedding. Oh, at the time he had his reasons. He remembered what happened last time, he knew what would happen in 60 years when Natalie was old and Nick still full of life. He'd also had a feeling. Nothing overwhelming, just a feeling. _"Like trees in November."_ He'd always liked that quote. Anyway, weddings weren't his style. Silly, childish things full of unnecessary pomp and parading, with very little point. Still, now... It's always difficult when you lose your nemesis. **When love must die.** Cousin "Susan" Phoenix phoenix@ionet.net ***Mad Scientist Somewhat-Extraordinaire*** Human interaction was monitored by the Inter Planetary Psychiatric Association. The body count was high, the casualties are heavy. "Who Wants to Live Forever?" copyright 1996 S. Schaefer part two of two Natalie returned to work two weeks after the funeral. Paperwork only for a while, finally to the morgue. The place Nick had been taken. Soon she transferred to a nearby hospital. But, still, it was painful. She went downhill, in work, life, herself. It always hurts to lose your nemesis. The only good thing that seemed to happen was Lucien. The two had become unusually close in the past months. Nothing like she'd had with Nick, nothing could rival that. But she'd begun to see his strange sense of mercy and kindness, inseparable from the darker side which made him LaCroix. The kindness which had made him save Janette from her wretched excuse of a mortal life came into focus, as did his unwavering dedication to his children, the deep-seated sadness from which had sprung his epitaph "to a child" the night after Nick had been killed. LaCroix had become her second father. Sometimes, that was the only thing that kept her alive. **But touch my tears with your lips, Touch my world with your fingertips.** "You look tired, Natalie." She jumped. She hadn't noticed when Lucien looked up from his reading. Calming, she replied, "It hasn't been a good day." "Explain." "Today in the morgue," she stopped, swallowed, tears froming in her eyes. "Today a man was brought in. He been killed while moving a grand piano, just like Nick's. It fell when someone slipped. The leg went through his chest." She began sniffling and choking. LaCroix handed her some of the tissues he'd started keeping for her. Nat nodded thanks, blew her nose. "The piano had gotten stuck in the mud, and they had to cut the leg off. When he came it it was still there." "Ah." LaCroix put a hand on her shoulder. 'That would explain why you got here before sunset. I didn't think you should have gone to work anyway." He didn't need to mention the date: February 15, 2000. Too ironic. "Would you like something? Some tea maybe?" She shook her head, although she did grab the rest of the box of Kleenex. Lacroix squeezed her shoulder. "If you think of anything, tell me." He went back to his reading. Though suddenly, _Death of a Salesman_ had lost its appeal. Even a glass of his finest vintage seemed bitter, rancid. To be quite honest, what he wanted was to see Nicholas. As if reading his mind, Natalie said, "I want to go to the cemetery. Would you drive?" **And we can have forever, And we can love forever.** She knelt by Nick's grave, thirteen long-stemmed roses in her arms. Twelve were red, one white; Lucien had insisted on the white one. He stood behind her now, staring solemnly at the headstone. They were quiet for a long time. A chill, damp wind gusted through, hailing an approaching storm. LaCroix moved closer to Natalie, trying to block som of the wind. "I wish I could be with him," she whispered. Lucien knew it had to happen sometime. **Forever is our today** "Oh, god, Nick, I want to be with you, forever and ever." Nat sat on "her" side of the stone. LaCroix had turned away from her in what appeared to be respect for privacy. "Natalie, what you ask is not unreasonable." She looked up. Had she heard correctly? Lucien looked back over his shoulder. "I can give you what you ask." **Who wants to live forever..."** Death. To be with Nick forever. Forever and ever. **Who wants to live forever?** Forever and ever and ever and-- Or never and fornever? "No, Lacroix, you aren't going to bring me across." He genuinely looked shocked at that. "I'm insulted, my dear Natalie. I never offered to bring you across. Only to give you what you wish." "Which is?" "Death." **Forever is our today." He meant it. She could tell. "I have never made this offer out of... kindness before, and I shall probably never do so again. Consider yourself honored." Death. Forever with Nick, deep inside the cool earth, deep inside that place where dead lovers go. No more pain, no more tears, no more anything. No more vanilla tea. No more Lucien. She knew he would watch over their graves, hers and Nick's, but what about Sidney's? His little mound in the Pet Cemetery. Would Lucien bring fresh catnip every month? No more pain. No more pleasure. No more anything? She didn't know. Nat had never really thought about it before. Death... Now, or in 50, 60 years? "I really don't know, Lucien. I need time to think." He solemnly nodded. "I rather thought you might say that." **Who waits forever anyway?** Any comments, flames, or virtual sushi may be sent to the address in the sig. Cousin "Susan" Phoenix phoenix@ionet.net ***Mad Scientist Somewhat-Extraordinaire*** Human interaction was monitored by the Inter Planetary Psychiatric Association. The body count was high, the casualties are heavy.