This story is a sequel to "The Assault" (which can be found at
http://members.home.net/nat1228/fkfanfic.htm). Fans of Nick and 
Nat are not going to like the beginning parts of this story, but 
should love the ending. Comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER:  The characters in this story do not belong to me.  
They were created by J. Parriott and B. Cohen and are owned 
by Sony/TriStar. No copyright infringement was intended by the
author. 

SEX RATING -- EXPLICIT: m/f, Nick/Natalie; m/m, Nick/Lacroix; 
m/m/f, Lacroix/Nick/Janette; Nick and . . . um . . . himself.
A little something for everyone. <eg>

PERMISSION TO ARCHIVE at www.fkfanfic.com and the Jadfe archives.
This will be posted on my own fiction page as well.

I wish to thank Heather-Anne Gillis for beta reading and Jeri 
Friedman, whose hours of editing made tremendous improvements
in my writing. THANK YOU!!!!


THE AFTERMATH 
by Nancy Taylor
nat1228@home.com
(c) September, 1999

     "No! Stop, please!" Nick cried, bloodsweat beading on his
forehead.
     "Nick? Nick!" Natalie shook him awake. "Are you all right?"
     He shook her hand from his shoulder and swung his legs off
the edge of the bed. "I'm fine. It's nothing."
     "You need to talk about it. It's not going to go away."
     "I don't need to talk. It's not the first time. It won't be
the last. I'll get over it."
     "You won't just 'get over it', and you know it. This time
was different, wasn't it?"
     "Not now, Nat." He rose, heading for the bathroom.
     She listened to the sound of the shower before reluctantly
rising and heading for the stairs. 

     Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she thought about the past
three weeks. Nick had been raped and mutilated by a vampire
hunter who had left him for dead. Only her quick decisions had
saved his life, but now Tracy and Captain Reese also knew his
secret.
     She looked up at the sound of footsteps on the staircase.
"Good morning, Sunshine!" she teased as he made his way carefully
down, still favoring a few aching muscles. "Breakfast is ready."
     He settled himself at the table. Natalie brought over a
bottle and a large mug. "Cow?" He looked at it suspiciously.
     "Nope. Still human." He grimaced. "Doctor's orders," she
said firmly. "You're still healing. This is what will make you
well and whole again."
     He poured the viscous red liquid into his mug and sipped
reluctantly. "How much longer?"
     "Does it really matter?"
     "It matters to me."
     "Why? The blood is donated. Lacroix assured me of that.
Besides, it's your body's natural food and will aid in your
recovery. Isn't that enough?" He glanced up before returning his
gaze to the mug in his hands. "Talk to me, Nick." She reached a
hand across the table, wrapping it around his. "Please."
     A deep sadness colored his eyes as he looked into hers. "It
wasn't the first time. I'll get over it."
     "Tell me about it."
     Silence filled the loft until Natalie was certain he wasn't
going to answer. "I was still mortal." His voice was so soft that
she had to strain to hear. "I told you the story of the Welsh
priestess that DeLabarre killed. He set me up to take the fall
then sent me on crusade to 'save' me from being killed by the
locals."
     "I remember." Her thoughts drifted back to the night he'd
stolen the swan harp and the tale he'd told of its significance.
"Go on."
     "You know, many people have idealized the Crusades--knights
in shining armor off to fight a holy war--but it wasn't like that
at all. It was carnage. It was filthy and ugly--something no one
should have had to see or endure.
     "I fought many campaigns before I was nearly fatally
wounded. A sword barely missed my heart, piercing my shoulder. . . ."
     "Is that the scar on your left shoulder? I thought all your
wounds healed when you became a vampire."
     "It's the same scar, yes. Any scars one has as a mortal
follow you into this life. Only wounds received as a vampire heal
completely."
     "Not even all of those," Natalie mumbled softly to herself.
     "What?" Vampire hearing failed him as he remained lost in
memories.
     "Nothing. Please go on." She was fascinated by his story.
Nick had never been open concerning his past, doling out bits and
pieces only when necessary. Hearing about his mortal life stirred
her curiosity.
     "My comrades left me for dead. It was a rout. They didn't
have time to retrieve bodies. I was taken prisoner and held in a
filthy cell with a dozen other unfortunates. They didn't bother
to treat my wound. They didn't care if I lived or died. We were
forced to live amidst our own urine and feces. They starved us. . . ."
     Natalie grimaced at the frank statements. She couldn't begin
to imagine how horrible that must have been. "Oh, Nick. I'm so
sorry." 
     Her warm hand against his arm strengthened him, giving him
the courage to continue. 
     "One of the guards took a liking to me. I guess it must have
been my fair skin. I stood out from the other prisoners. Anyway,
he dragged me out of the cell, stripped and raped me. I was too
weak from lack of food and blood to resist. I still remember the
pain. He didn't take the time to prepare me, to stretch the
sphincter. He simply penetrated--quickly, brutally. It seared
along my spine. He pounded into me, tearing muscle and flesh.
It's a miracle that I survived." Nick colored ever so slightly.
"I was humiliated almost beyond endurance. This went on night
after night, until one time when he neglected to check the lock
on the cell door. It was loose. During the changing of the guard,
I slipped out and hid amongst a pile of corpses until it was safe
to flee."
     "How awful! No wonder you don't want to talk about it."
     "Now you know why." He looked down. "It's not a pretty tale
to tell."
     "But surely there were good times, with your mother and
Fleur?"
     A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Yes, there
were good times. But you have to understand, by today's
standards, life was very hard."
     "But you survived, Nick. You're strong. You can get through
this. I know you can." Her warm, loving eyes gazed into his
haunted ones. "There's more, isn't there?" Her soft voice
encouraged the cathartic flow of his thoughts.
     He gazed back, grateful for her presence and quiet support.
"After Lacroix brought me across . . . there were lessons I
needed to learn. One of them included the concept that vampires
need not live by mortal mores. I think it's a lesson I never
quite mastered." He looked up, a slight twinkle in his eyes.
     "I was enjoying some time with Janette." Natalie's eyes
clouded slightly. Lost in his own memories, Nick failed to
notice. 

>>>> 1228, Paris <<<<

     She lay like a pearl amidst the bedclothes--skin glistening
in the candlelight, hair fanned out like a dark cloud around her
pale face. She held her arms out, beckoning. "Mon coeur," she
whispered.
     "Janette," came his sibilant reply as he stepped forward.
     "Let me see you." It was more command than request. Nick
hesitated. He'd been a fledgling for less than a week and hadn't
completely shed his mortal bonds. His upbringing had taught him
that men and women stayed modestly clothed--even while making
love.
     "Disrobe, Nicolas." Her voice commanded. He obeyed. Pushing
the sheer gauze nightrobe from his shoulders, he allowed it to
slide down his body to the floor. His desire for her was evident
in his golden eyes and aching erection.
     Crawling onto the bed, he knelt above her, leaning down to
capture her mouth in a kiss of passion. His tongue probed deeply,
tasting her, hungry for her. One hand tangled itself in her raven
tresses, while the other roughly captured a breast, pinching and
teasing the nipple to a taut point. 
     Janette writhed beneath him. "Oh, Nicolas, yesssss." Her
fingers entwined in his golden hair, guiding his searching lips
to the same breast. She arched her back into him as he suckled
lustfully, biting her nipple hard enough to draw a few droplets
of blood.
     As her essence hit his tongue, he growled long and low in
his throat. His penis twitched as it brushed against her belly,
droplets of seminal fluid already lubricating the tip. Rubbing
himself against her, he tried to relieve some of the pressure
steadily growing more unbearable in his groin.
     A hand wrapped itself around his erection and massaged its
length. Nick let out a sigh at the touch, shuddering with
near-orgasmic tension.
     "Mon fils," a masculine voice whispered in his ear as the
hand pumped steadily along the length of his aching penis. Nick
jumped at the sound, dislodging himself from Janette's breast. A
brief frown creased her face before she again took charge,
pulling her lover into a tantalizing kiss.
     Lacroix wet his fingers. Gently, he began to insert one,
then another into his son's tight sphincter.
     At this intrusion, Nick rose up, turning enough to dislodge
the invading digits. "Lacroix," he hissed.
     "Be quiet, Nicholas," his master snapped. "Let go your
mortal bonds, your human mores. To be a vampire is to leave
behind the shackles that mortality has placed upon you. Revel in
the sensual pleasure of what you are!"
     "No," he growled. "That is one thing I will not do!"
     "You shall do as I say, Nicholas. Whether or not you find
the experience pleasant is up to you. I would strongly suggest
not fighting me." The ancient vampire's eyes were red with desire
for his creation. Sharp fangs glistened over ruby lips. An
alabaster hand darted out, grabbing Nick's scrotum, squeezing his
testicles painfully. "Kneel, Nicholas."
     The fledgling knew with a certainty born of his new bond
that if he did not do as he was bid, Lacroix would castrate him
with his bare hands. Reluctantly, he turned and knelt over the
bewitching Janette once more.
     "It will be all right, mon coeur, you will see," she
comforted him. She drew his head down to her breast, trying to
distract him from what was to come.
     Nick felt pressure against his anus as Lacroix teased the
sensitive area with his engorged glans. He flinched, but didn't
pull away.
     Firmly squeezing the sac he held in his left hand, the elder
vampire thrust quickly into the tight opening. A wrenching cry
erupted from Nick, but that didn't stop his master. He would teach
his child this lesson one way or another, whether his son liked
it or not.
     From the moment he'd laid eyes on the golden Crusader,
Lacroix desired him. Janette had seduced him, and the master
vampire brought Nick across to join their little band. This was
the moment he'd lusted after all that time. Thrusting fast and
hard, he neared his climax.
     "No! Stop, please!" The agonized cry tore from the throat of
his child. Instead of complying, he wrapped steel fingers around
Nick's straining erection, pumping his hand in time with his
thrusts.
     An animalistic roar exploded from Lacroix as his orgasm
peaked. Needle-sharp fangs sank into the soft tissue of his son's
throat. Feverishly, he drank the ruby nectar, shaking his child
into submission.
     Scarlet tears ran down Nick's cheeks to pool upon the pale
flesh of Janette's breast. Not a sound escaped his lips as he
felt his master's penis pump bloody semen deep inside him. 
     The ancient vampire withdrew, smiling coldly. Without a
word, he left the room--satisfied that his son had learned the
first of his lessons.
     Once he was gone, Nick sobbed softly. "Nicolas. Nicolas! You
are fine, mon coeur." She kissed his tear-stained cheeks,
brushing sweat-dampened locks from his forehead. "You, too, need
your release." Ever practical, she toyed with his still painfully
hard erection. Their master had left, not caring if his son was
fulfilled.
     The gentle stroking brought him back to his senses. Whatever
else may have happened, his body still craved gratification, and
his beautiful seductress was more than willing to cooperate. He
captured her mouth, kissing her with urgency. Knowing his need,
she guided him into her, feeling the thickness of his shaft
filling her completely. Several sharp, quick thrusts and his
orgasm was upon him. Sinking glistening fangs into pearl-white
skin, he drank of her love, her acceptance. Cradled in her arms,
the agony of his most recent lesson slowly began to fade.

>>>> end flashback <<<<

     Natalie wrapped a comforting arm around Nick, laying her
head against his shoulder. Somehow she had managed to maneuver
him over to the couch while he was lost in his memories. Now she
held him as ruby droplets once more threatened to stain his
cheeks.
     "It's past, Nick. You made it through. You're strong."
     "Yes." His voice was tinged with sarcasm. "I've learned to
survive. You take your knocks and come up swinging, or you walk
into the sunrise. It's pretty simple, really."
     "Nothing's ever that simple, Nick.  You had to work through
that night; you'll have to work through this one as well." He
sighed heavily.
     Turning toward her, he cradled her upturned face in his
hands. "I'm healed, Nat. It's time to move on." Leaning in he
touched his lips to hers, tentatively at first, then a second
time with more ardor. Her breath was stolen by a tongue probing
deeply into her mouth. She ached with sudden longing as he pulled
her tightly into his embrace.
     The door buzzer sounded, bringing the couple to their feet.
They walked over to the security camera.
     "Hi, Tracy! Come on up." Natalie triggered the lock to let
Nick's partner in. Behind her, he wrapped his arm around her
waist, rubbing his groin against her thigh. She got the hint. He
needed her. Tracy was an intrusion best sent away as quickly as
possible.
     The detective stepped out of the elevator. "Hi, Nick! Hi,
Nat!" She caught a transient glimmer of gold in her partner's
eyes. "Um . . . did I interrupt something? I can come back
later." She turned to open the door. The look in Nick's eyes
disturbed her. She was used to seeing the vampire in Vachon, so
why was she uneasy?
     "No, Trace, it's okay," Natalie answered quickly. "What's
up?"
     The young detective looked briefly at her partner, then
turned to Natalie, as if embarrassed by his presence. "I just
came by to see how Nick's doing." She reluctantly turned her gaze
back to him. "Are you coming back to work anytime soon?"
     "Nat thinks I should book off another few days." The
tenseness in his voice was apparent to both women.
     "Ah . . . good. Okay. I'll tell Captain Reese." She turned
toward the lift once more, hesitated, then looked back. "You
don't have to worry about me knowing you're a vampire," she
blurted. "I already know about Vachon. I can keep your secret.
It's all right--really." With a flash of blonde hair, she was
back in the elevator and gone.
     "What do you make of that?"
     Nick shook his head. "I'm glad she's gone," he growled.
     "She's concerned about you. It was nice of her to drop by."
     Golden eyes stared into her blue ones. His grip upon her
tightened. Something in that otherworldly gaze made her shiver.
"Nick, you're scaring me." She backed out of his embrace,
observing him. It was as though something inside had snapped. His
feral demeanor frightened her more than she wanted to admit.
     In the blink of an eye, he swept her into his arms and flew
to the upper level of the loft. Three quick strides brought them
to the bedroom. 
     "Put me down, Nick!" Ineffectual fists pounded his chest. 
     Walking over to the bed, he laid her down. She twisted out
of his reach, watching him closely. He began shedding clothes
that were rapidly becoming too confining. He stood over her,
resplendent in his nakedness, his turgid penis standing straight
out, purple and moist with fluid.
     "I need you." The unnecessary statement came out as a low
rumble.
     "I can see that." Trying to remain calm, she attempted to
reason with him. "Now isn't a good time, Nick. Rape is about
power, not sex. Right now you're feeling powerless--I understand
that--but taking me isn't going to make you feel better."
     Her eyes widened as powerful hands ripped her blouse,
tearing at her bra, exposing her breasts. His mouth descended to
take a dark nipple between his teeth. 
     "Nick! No!" She pushed against his shoulders, but was unable
to dislodge him. His fangs drew blood from the delicate tissue.
Tears of pain and anger coursed down her cheeks as she did her
best to fight him off. This was not her idea of making love.
Suddenly, he was gone. Her arms flew to cover her naked breasts
as she became aware of another presence.
     Strong hands lifted Nick, throwing him bodily across the
room. "Your grievance is with me, not her! Do with me as you
will--this is your one and only opportunity." Lacroix spat, then
stood back to watch his incensed child. The reaction was not long
in coming.
     He found himself slammed against the wall, held by the
throat with one hand, his feet inches off the floor. Nick's free
hand ripped at his clothing as the beast snarled at the one who
had created him. Centuries of anger found release as the master
vampire allowed himself to be taken by his son.
     Letting go of his master so he could use both hands, Nick
tore into the fabric, shredding it in his frenzy to get at the
alabaster flesh beneath. Lacroix put up token resistance when his
creation turned him to face the bed. "Bend over!" 
     The rumble of the vampire's voice was incredibly commanding.
Natalie watched in horrified fascination as the man she
considered her lover and friend forcefully pushed his master into
position. The beast was in total control. She had never been this
afraid of him.
     Grabbing the ancient vampire by the hips, he thrust his
aching shaft deep within Lacroix's rectum. His master roared with
the pain of penetration, causing him to strongly reconsider his
motivations for allowing this as his son rammed himself home
again and again. 
     Nick grunted as he pushed deeply into his master. Straining
with the effort, he finally reached the point of his release. His
hand darted out, grabbing Lacroix's forehead and yanking it back.
Burying his fangs in the pulsing artery, he drank his fill,
pumping his seed into his creator as his orgasm burst forth.
     Spent, he sank to the floor. Memories and emotions in the
blood began to flood his mind. Supporting his head in his hands,
he wept uncontrollably. His shame had never seemed so great. He
was not even aware when strong arms picked him up, laying him on
the bed next to the stunned Natalie. 
     "Why?" she asked, looking up at her nemesis, her savior.
     "Nicholas was not in control. He could not hurt me in the
way he could have hurt you. Do not think I did this for your
sake, Doctor. I did this to prevent him from destroying himself
as he surely would, had he killed you."
     "Uh-huh." Natalie shook herself, trying to make sense out of
the last few minutes. Looking Lacroix directly in the eye, she
said, "You love him. You did this for yourself--to save him from
himself. You know that he loves *me*, but when I'm gone he will
be yours again."
     "Only if he survives that long. Unfortunately, at this
moment in our history, he needs you. You are his caretaker . . .
for me. Ultimately, he will come back."
     "Uh-huh," she nodded, still somewhat dumbstruck by what had
just occurred.
     Soft sounds of weeping caught her attention. She turned to
Nick who was in a fetal position at her side. A soft whoosh
signaled Lacroix's exit. 
     Nick was a physical and emotional mess. His body was coated
in bloodsweat, his crotch with drying bloody semen. Red droplets
trickled from his lips to stain his chin and throat. Golden curls
were plastered to his skull by sweat. Oblivious to it all, he
cried.
     "It's all right, Nick," she murmured as she stroked him
soothingly. "You couldn't help yourself. You needed the
release--you're not responsible." Her words seemed to agitate
him. He pulled away from her touch, turning his back to her. She
pulled the sheet up around his chin and tucked him in. "I love
you," she whispered.
     After a moment's reflection, she decided that it was
probably not prudent to sleep beside him. As much as she loved
him, she wasn't ready to die tonight. Gathering up her things,
she stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower. Donning her
pajama top and bathrobe, she padded downstairs to sleep on the
couch. She would try dealing with Nick's problems in the morning.

     A figure hovered at the skylight, waiting. When he was
certain Natalie was asleep, he slipped inside, barely disturbing
the air. Entering the bedroom where his child lay asleep, he sat
on the edge of the mattress and brushed sweat-dampened hair from
his son's forehead.
     "Nicholas? Nicholas, wake up," Lacroix urged, prodding him.
The figure on the bed stirred and moaned, unwilling to face the
reality of the night. He kept up the gentle shaking until his
reluctant protege opened his eyes.
     "What are you doing here?" the younger vampire groaned,
turning away.
     "I am here to protect my interests, of course. Come." He
peeled the sheet down the length of Nick's body. "You need to
bathe."
     Half walking, half dragging, he took his son to the
bathroom. Turning on the shower, Lacroix let it run, while
removing his clothing. Nick sat quietly on the commode lid,
watching his father. Checking the water once more, he dragged his
son under the warm spray.
     With their backs to the water, the pair stood silently,
letting the heat permeate their cold bodies. Lacroix stood
behind, soaping his hands before lightly caressing his son's
chest, washing away bloodsweat and tension with gentle strokes.
He delighted in the feel of silken skin beneath his hands, the
way his son's nipples hardened under his touch.
     Nick leaned back, letting the ancient vampire support his
weight as the warm spray and gentle hands brushed across his
skin. He allowed his head to rest upon his master's left
shoulder. Despite all that had passed between them this last
century, he felt closer to Lacroix now than he ever remembered
feeling. Of its own volition, his body responded to the touch,
causing shivers of desire to cascade down his spine.
     Letting his hands slide over his son's hard-muscled abdomen,
he felt his own arousal, stimulated by the vibrations coming
through their bloodbond. Soaping his hands once more, he cupped
his child's scrotum, gently massaging the testicles, washing the
skin clean. His other hand stroked the hardening shaft, washing
away the evidence of the younger vampire's earlier loss of
control. A moan issued from Nick's lips as he felt his erect
penis being stroked. Letting go suddenly, Lacroix began to wash
his son's legs, causing Nick to whimper in protest.
     "Did you like that?" the elder vampire crooned. In response,
Nick ground his buttocks against Lacroix's erect penis. He smiled
in return. "Tell me what you want, Nicholas. Tell me!"
     The younger vampire turned, golden eyes fiery with desire.
"You," came the husky reply. Pressing his body tightly against
his master's, he rubbed his hardened shaft against the elder's.
Lacroix felt the cool/hot breath against his neck a fraction of a
second before Nick struck.
     Drinking deeply of his father's essence, he felt
overwhelming lust, love and longing. He knew that Natalie had
been spared only to spare himself, so that he would once more
return to this one who loved him more than eternity itself. In
that instant of recognition, he felt the circle completed as his
master fed from him. Their orgasms peaked as one. He felt himself
crumple with the release, only to be borne up by strong arms and
removed from the shower.
     "You should leave," Nick whispered hoarsely as he toweled
himself dry. Lacroix watched him closely with smoldering eyes, a
mere tilt of his head acknowledging his son's request. 
     As he turned to walk back into the bedroom, he heard his
father penetrate the growing fog in his mind using their bond.
"It is nearly dawn. You should rest." He felt himself being
lifted and placed on the cool satin sheets. The elder vampire
pulled the blankets over his son after one last wistful glance.
     Dressing quickly, Lacroix flew from the room. Nick pulled
the blankets up to his chin, sighed, and closed his eyes.

     A few hours before sunset, he awoke with a start. His mind
felt muddied. He'd had an unpleasant dream--one in which he'd
tried to hurt Natalie. Lacroix was somehow involved, too.
Throwing back the covers, he was puzzled by his nudity. He
couldn't remember getting ready for bed. Why wasn't he wearing
his pajamas? Quickly, he donned the soft black silk and wrapped
himself in a red brocade robe before heading downstairs.
     Finding Natalie on the couch, still peacefully asleep, he
reached out to cup her chin. Beautiful Natalie . . . how could he
ever dream of hurting her? As his fingers brushed her cheek, a
longing began to build within. He needed her more than she would
ever know. . . .
     Before his thoughts could fire more carnal desires, he
turned abruptly, heading for the kitchen to put on the coffee. He
then went to the refrigerator and retrieved a bottle.
     He was finishing off his second one when a soft stirring
caught his attention. "Do I smell coffee?" Natalie walked up
behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
     Nick twisted out of her embrace, leaning in to give her a
kiss on the forehead before handing her a cup of the hot brew.
     She blew at the steam rising from the mug before pressing it
to her lips and sipping. "Mmmm . . . that's just what I needed.
Thanks. Did you sleep well?" She watched his eyes cloud.
     "Not really. I think I had a nightmare."
     "Oh? What about?"
     "I'm not sure. I can't remember it well. I think it had
something to do with my hurting you." He looked down.
     A tingle ran down her spine at the reminder of the previous
evening. Apparently, he thought it was all a dream. She decided
to indulge him. "You would never hurt me, Nick. I know that."
     "I don't. Not after last night. I just don't know what to
think anymore."
     "Nick . . . Lacroix released you from your promise. You told
me that it was never a question of control, so why are you
nervous now?"
     "I don't *know*, Nat! It just doesn't feel right. Something
isn't RIGHT!"
     She set her mug down and grabbed his face, forcing eye
contact. "You had a bad night, Nick, but nothing has changed
between us. I love you. I want to be with you."
     Once again he pulled himself away and stepped back. "It's
for your own safety," he murmured. "I couldn't live if I did
anything to harm you."
     "It's not your choice, Nick." Natalie advanced, clasping his
hands--not allowing him to pull away. "It's mine. It always was
mine. I *choose* to be with you."
     "No, Nat. You don't understand. You can't begin to imagine
the danger. I can't let you. . . ."
     "You can't let me *what*? Nicholas Brabant Knight, this
decision is out of your hands. I choose!" She pulled the
reluctant vampire closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I
know that you love me and won't hurt me. Give us a chance."
     "But what if I do?" He found himself lost in her scent and
buried his face in the hair that cascaded over her graceful neck.
"What if I hurt you . . . kill you?"
     "You remember that it was my choice, not yours . . . and you
go on. I will never hold you responsible, Nick. Never. No matter
what happens."
     "I couldn't live if I killed you."
     "Yes you could. You'd move on and learn to love again."
     "Never."
     "Yes you would, Nick. I know. I feel it . . . here." She
placed one hand over her heart as she stared into the depths of
his denim-blue eyes.
     "How did I ever get so lucky to find someone like you, Nat?"
     "Because you survived, Nick. You survived. You'll continue
to survive, because you're strong. Stronger than you know." Her
eyes held a shadow of sorrow at all he had been through to get to
this time and place.
     "I love you, Nat."
     "Of course you do."
     A slight smile played briefly across his lips. "I think I'm
feeling well enough to go into work tonight."
     "That's great! I think it would be good for you. Have you
given any thought as to what you want to do about Tracy and
Captain Reese?"
     He frowned. "I don't know. Tracy is a resister, but Reese. . . ."
     "Don't worry about that now. You'll figure it out." She
smiled encouragingly. "You know, I think I'll go in to work
tonight, too. Shake 'em up a little." Her sly grin evoked an
involuntary chuckle from her intended target.
     "Think they'll talk?"
     "About us? You bet your sweet fanny they'll be talking!
You've been off work the last three weeks. I've been off nursing
you. We're bound to be the major subject around the water
cooler." She laughed as Nick colored ever so slightly.
     "If we're going in to work tonight, I think we'd better try
to get a couple hours' more sleep. You look terrible!"
     Far too exhausted, he went without protest. 
     She pulled down the covers and he climbed into bed. Shedding
her pink terry bathrobe, she lay down beside him before pulling
the blankets over them.
     "Do you think this is a good idea?"
     "Yes. Now go to sleep!" She turned out the light on the
nightstand and snuggled into her pillows. Noticing Nick still
watching her warily, she pulled his head to her breast, running
her fingers soothingly through his golden waves. "Sleep," she
softly commanded.

     The setting sun was an alarm clock for the sleeping vampire.
Waking slowly, he found himself still nestled against Natalie's
breasts. Undoing two buttons of her pajama top, he revealed their
abundant fullness, the dark areolas contrasting against the pearl
of underexposed flesh. Without thinking, his lips encircled the
darkness and began to suckle lightly. He could feel the nipple
harden against his tongue and nipped lightly at the firm nub.
     He finished unbuttoning her top, fully exposing her to his
loving gaze. Pale blue silk panties covered her most private
places, teasing him silently with their presence. 
     Natalie stirred, moaning under his gentle caresses. As she
rose toward consciousness, she became aware of the increasingly
insistent suckling at her breast. As a cool hand slid over the
flatness of her stomach, she felt a rush of warmth wet the silken
underwear. 
     The scent of her arousal stirred her lover. Leaving the heat
of her bosom, he yanked the confining underwear off. Spreading
her legs, he buried his face in her mound. His tongue slid within
her, tasting her need. Full lips encircled her clitoris and
sucked on the swiftly hardening nub. Squirming, Natalie cried out
at the electrical charge that seemed to consume her body. 
     Reaching out blindly through the haze of her orgasm, she
groped for him. Finally, her hand found the shaft of his erect
penis. Deft fingers pushed back the foreskin, fully exposing the
sensitive glans. Bold strokes up and down the length of his
hardness brought a quick reaction.
     Fangs scraped the delicate skin of her labia as Nick
involuntarily bit down on her clitoris. The droplets of blood
revealed her desire, need for him, and unflinching love. Even the
beast could not frighten her away.
     Her yelp of pain and surprise filled him with both sorrow
and desire. He licked the tiny wounds until they sealed over,
tasting her rush of desire. Kissing his way up her stomach, the
feather-light touch of his lips inflamed her further. He stopped
to suckle an erect nipple as the tip of his penis teased the
swollen folds of her labia.
     Unable to take the titillation any longer, Natalie's hands
grasped his firm buttocks. She pulled him close, burying him
completely within her. 
     Nick looked up, questioning her with his golden eyes, daring
her with bared fangs. In answer, she pulled his head down,
covering his mouth hers, running her tongue across razor-sharp
canines, pricking it. A shudder ran through him. Unwittingly, she
had discovered one of the vampire's most erogenous zones. Her
blood spoke of her acceptance and readiness for him.
     Gentle thrusts were met by hips rising to grind into his
groin, burying him deeper with each movement. Showering her face
with soft kisses, he began pounding into her with impassioned
frenzy. The scent of her blood called to him like a siren from
ancient fables. "I'll always love you," he whispered, burying his
fangs in her pulsing artery.
     Hot blood burst into his mouth. He drank her essence, her
love--all that she could give him. He felt himself explode.
Emptying his semen within the warmth of her vagina, he cradled
her in his arms--this woman who meant everything to him.
     She cried out when needle-sharp fangs pierced her flesh,
feeling herself flowing into him and he into her. His thoughts
and memories nearly overwhelmed her senses. There was fear--stark
terror--but also an abiding love so deep, so ancient that it made
her tremble. She knew, in that instant where no truths can be
hidden, that Nick had survived nearly 800 years . . . waiting for
her. She was his completeness, his soul. He was bound to her like
no other in his long existence. The knowledge stunned her but
also caused her soul to sing.
     The rapture seemed to last an eternity, yet was over in
moments. The couple lay quietly in each other's arms, savoring
the feel of their joined bodies. Natalie snuggled against Nick's
chest, smiling as she heard two heartbeats in rapid succession
before the silence encompassed her again. Strong arms held her.
She felt safe, warm, protected and cherished.
     The alarm clock shrilled.
     With a sigh of regret, Natalie pulled free of Nick's
embrace, slapping the button on the offending timepiece with more
vigor than usual. Blue eyes looked up from the pillows,
questioningly.
     "Time to get up, Love." She caressed his cheek before
leaning over to plant a kiss on the tip of his nose. "We'd better
get up and shower if we plan to be at work on time."
     "Work?" A cool hand cupped her left breast, the thumb
teasing her nipple.
     "Work, yes!" She pulled away from his touch with reluctance.
"We agreed we were going in tonight."
     "Can't it wait until tomorrow night?"
     The thought briefly crossed her mind. No one would be the
wiser, but her practical side took over. "No, Nick. The sooner
you go back, the better. You'll still have plenty of adjusting to
do. You're not going to get over this by staying home."
     "I suppose you're right."
     "Of course I am. You shower first. I'll make the bed."
     "We could shower together. . . ."
     "And be late for work? Move it, Detective Knight!" She
patted his rear end.
     With a sigh, he headed for the bathroom.

     Having run the gauntlet of well-wishers on his way in, he
steeled himself for his partner's perky reception. "Hey, Nick,
good to see ya back!"
     "Hi, Trace. What have we got in the way of open cases?"
     "We just got the coroner's report on the Petruski case." She
shuffled through the folders on her desk then held one out.
"Wanna have a look?"
     As he riffled through the pages, Captain Reese's voice rang
across the bullpen. "Knight! Vetter! My office--now!"
     Dropping the file on his desk, he glanced at his partner who
gave him the "what did we do now" look. He grinned reassuringly.
     Tracy's chuckle broke through her tension.
     "What's up, Cap?" Nick asked casually as he and his fellow
detective entered their boss' office.
     Reese smiled at the pair. "Welcome back, Nick. It's good to
see you again. Sit down." He looked pointedly at Tracy while
addressing her partner. "Are you getting caught up on the case
backlog?"
     "Thanks. Yes, I'm going to review the Petruski case."
     "Good. Good. That one's been giving us headaches for the
past week. Maybe you'll see something we haven't."
     "I'll give it my best shot, Cap."
     An uneasy silence fell over the room. Reese shuffled through
some papers, trying to find the right words.
     "Nick . . . what we saw . . . I mean, well, you know. . . ."
     "Cap, it's all right. Don't worry about it."
     "If you're going to be uncomfortable, I mean, I understand."
     "Believe me, you're not the first to see me naked. I'll
cope." He gave his boss a lopsided smile, his boyish features
bringing a relieved grin to Reese's face.
     "About the other. . . ."
     "What other?"
     "You know, about. . . ." His voice faded out, his eyes went
blank as Nick concentrated on the Captain's heartbeat. "You
didn't see anything unusual about my injuries. Natalie did not
tell you I was a vampire."
     "Not a vampire. . . ." Reese mumbled.
     "I was taken to Mercy General where I had surgery and spent
my recovery time."
     "Mercy Gen. . . ."
     "My doctor has given me a medical release to return to work.
You're happy to have me back."
     "Good to have you. . . ."
     He broke the link.
     " . . . back, Nick. You've been missed." Reese shook his
head slightly. "Okay you two, get back to work!" Dismissing them
with a wave of his hand he went back to studying his reports.
     "Nick! What did you just do? You WHAM. . . ." 
     Her tirade was cut short as her partner grabbed her elbow,
guiding her to the station house door. "We'll talk in the Caddy."
     As they pulled out of the parking lot, Tracy turned on her
partner. "You whammied him! You WHAMMIED the Captain!"
     "He didn't need to know, Trace. It's safer for him this
way."
     "Why didn't you try to whammy me?"
     "Because you're a resister."
     "How'd you know?" Her eyes narrowed.
     "Vachon told me."
     "You know Vachon? And you didn't tell me?" Her indignation
bubbled to the surface for the first time since discovering her
partner's secret. "Why didn't you tell me you were a vampire if
you knew I was aware of your 'community'?"
     "You didn't need to know. The less you know about us, the
safer you are. Surely Vachon has told you about the dangers."
     "Yeah, but. . . . I'm good at keeping secrets!"
     "You certainly are. You never told us more about Vachon
other than he was your snitch."
     "So why didn't you trust me?"
     "I told you, Trace. It doesn't have anything to do with
trust. It has to do with keeping you out of harm's way."
     "I'm a big girl, Nick. I don't need Daddy and I don't need
*you* to protect me!" She folded her arms across her chest and
stared out the window.
     "You're dabbling in something you know very little about,"
he warned. "What you're dealing with could easily get you
killed."
     "I know what I'm dealing with! Jeez, Nick, give me a little
credit, will you? Natalie knows . . . what's so wrong with me
knowing?"
     "Natalie has a sort of special dispensation. She's provided
service to the community by covering up kills and doctoring our
injured." He glanced at her. "You have nothing but your ability
to keep your mouth shut keeping you alive."
     "Thanks a lot, Partner!" She continued to stare out the
window, refusing to meet his gaze.
     "Tracy, you know now. This can help us work together better
as a team," Nick reasoned with her. "I won't have to hide my
powers from you."
     "Knowing sure explains a darned lot! Like how you can send
me around back and end up catching a perp headed in the opposite
direction, or get to the third floor before I get the stairwell
door open. . . ." She pondered all the subtle clues he'd given
her, yet she hadn't figured it out. "For that matter, the fact
that you have to work nights and no one ever sees you eat. You
and that macrobiotic diet of yours! Pfhttt!" She ventured a
glance at the vampire sitting next to her. Blond curls wafted in
the breeze of the open convertible. Blue eyes and roguish smile
worked their intended magic on the unprepared mortal. No longer
angry, she smiled, more miffed at herself for never putting two
and two together.
     "Peace?"
     "Well, yeah," Tracy conceded.
     The police radio squawked, giving the address of a homicide
nearby. "That's us," Nick said, taking the first off-ramp and
turning onto a dark residential street. 
     "81 Kilo responding," Tracy told the dispatcher.
     "Roger, 81 Kilo."

     Bright lights lit the crime scene. Yellow tape cordoned off
the area. Nick recognized Natalie's car parked off to the left.
Walking up to the center of activity, he saw the chestnut-haired
coroner as she covered the body and stood up.
     She locked gazes with him as he approached. Her look of
concern stopped him short. "It's a bad one, Nick." As he slowly
approached the body and knelt down to lift the sheet, she placed
a hand on his shoulder. "Don't."
     He looked up. "What's the matter, Nat?"
     "It's . . . it's a male rape victim and, well. . . ." 
     The coppery scent of spilled blood had accosted his
sensitive nose as soon as he'd arrived on scene. He stood slowly,
turning, his face suddenly whiter than its usual pale shade. 
     Tracy appeared at his elbow. "You all right, Partner?" she
whispered.
     "No. No, I don't feel very well right now." He hung his
head, fighting off the vampire and the surge of bile that
threatened to rise. Taking a deep breath, he straightened and
walked over to the Caddy, followed by the two women.
     "Sign off this case, Nick," Natalie advised. "A 'baptism by
fire' is not the way to resume your career. There are other
homicides."
     "I don't need you coddling me, Nat." Turning on his heel, he
strode back over to the body, stripping away the sheet. 
     Naked from the waist down, the young man had obviously been
violated before being shot. Nick winced as he covered the body
and stood up. "He was shot."
     "Yeah," the coroner sighed. "Looks like one of a number of
gang-related killings they've had here recently. They've been
getting more and more vicious. This is the worst yet."
     Nick walked to the Caddy and stood, head down, pinching the
bridge of his nose. Natalie walked up behind him, gently laying a
hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"
     "Yeah," he breathed, sighing softly. "Yeah, I'm okay, Nat."
Turning, he looked back at the body. "I'm going to get the
bastard who did this," he hissed.

     Later at the morgue, Natalie gave her report to the two
detectives as they stood around the autopsy table. "The shot to
the right temple was point-blank. Death was instantaneous."
     "Was he raped before or after he was killed?" Tracy asked.
     "Before." She glanced briefly at the young detective and
Nick before proceeding, then pulled back the sheet. "There is
bruising around the wrists with distinct finger impressions,
indicating he was forcibly restrained by one or more persons.
Fibers in the mouth indicate a cloth gag of some sort. I haven't
had a chance to send the fibers out for testing yet, but I'll bet
they're cotton, probably from the socks found near the body."
     "Ewww. . . ." Tracy crinkled her nose.
     "Bruising on the groin area along with the gouges and cuts
on his genitals could be signs of torture. He had serious
internal damage from the rape, too.  This guy suffered before he
died. . . . " She looked at Nick who hadn't moved since he'd
walked in. Every ounce of color had drained from his face, but he
stood his ground, listening. After tossing the sheet back over
the body, she steered the detectives out of the room.
     Once in the hallway Natalie turned to Nick. "The bullet was
.22 caliber. I sent it to ballistics." She shook her head. "He
was just a kid. . . ." A tear threatened to spill down her cheek
as she sighed heavily. "You know, there are nights I really hate
this job."
     "You and me both," he agreed.
     "We'd better get back to the precinct and write our
reports," Tracy suggested. "It's going to be dawn in a couple
hours."
     Taking the hint, her partner turned to leave. "G'night,
Nat." He planted a moist kiss on her forehead before hurrying
off.
     "Good-night, Nick," she whispered into the now-empty
corridor.

     Flirting with death, the angst-ridden vampire breezed into
the loft just minutes before sunrise. 
     "I was worried about you," Natalie said as he brushed past.
"Nick? Are you all right?" He took the stairs two at a time and
disappeared into the bedroom. Stunned, she remained standing
there for a few moments.
     Not willing to let him fall into one of his moods, she
quietly tiptoed up to the bedroom and found the door ajar. What
she witnessed tore at her heart.
     Nick was sitting on the edge of the bed, his slacks and
boxers down around his ankles. One hand wrapped around his
painfully erect penis alternated long, slow strokes with sharp,
quick ones. The other teased his foreskin and caressed the
swollen, purple glans. Golden eyes were locked on his groin, too
absorbed to notice her standing there.
     "Nick?" she interrupted, as he was about to bite into his
wrist.
     "Nat! Get away!" The guttural growl and gleaming fangs gave
her pause, but she was unable to stand there, doing nothing.
     Walking in, she knelt before him, prying his iron-hard
fingers from his shaft. Encasing it with her own hand, she began
a gentle stroking. "It's this case, isn't it?" Eyes tightly
closed, Nick nodded. "It brings back the memories . . . the
hurt." Another nod. "You don't have to go through this alone, you
know." 
     A red tear slid down his cheek. "I thought I was over it,
Nat. I thought I could handle this. . . ." His hand moved to
hers, applying more pressure to his aching erection. "And this is
what happens."
     "It's all right. Don't beat yourself up. There is nothing
simple or easy about rape. You don't get over it by wishing it
away."
     "He was just a kid. What could he possibly have done to
deserve that kind of torture and humiliation?"
     "What could *you* have possibly done? Nick, victims of rape
never deserve that kind of treatment. They haven't done anything
to 'earn' it. But they suffer . . . and sometimes they die."
     "Maybe that would be better." The bitterness in his voice
frightened her.
     "No, Nick. Death is never better. Death is escape. To live
. . . to learn to love again--to allow yourself to *be* loved--
that is the best revenge against those who hurt you."
     He rocked back and forth in time with her strokes, his face
contorted with pain and pleasure. Having reached his physical
limits, he brought his wrist to his mouth.
     Reaching up to pull his arm away, she offered her own. "Take
this." She moved to sit next to him. The pain of his fangs
piercing her flesh was soon overwhelmed by the agony of his
thoughts.
     Her blood flowed into him, wrapping him in warmth and love
--calming jangled nerves, soothing an aching heart. As his
orgasm overtook him, he felt the release of an incredible amount
of pain. It was replaced by the sunshine of his life--Natalie.
     His fangs slid from her wrist. Her last fleeting glimpse of
his emotions showed his inner turmoil had calmed. She smiled when
he sagged against her, his weight a welcome burden. "Let's get
you to bed, Sleepy-head," she teased.

Three days later . . . at the precinct:

     "The lab tests are back." Natalie dropped the file on Nick's
desk and settled herself on the corner. "Your perp is a secretor
--type B. We ran the DNA profile, too."
     "Thanks, Nat."
     Nick refused to discuss the case at home. She had humored
him, but her curiosity was getting the better of her. "Make any
progress on finding this guy?" 
     "We're tracking down some leads," Tracy replied. "Our prime
suspect so far is Barry Whelms. We're waiting on a search
warrant."
     "Great!" Natalie smiled. "Sounds like you'll have this case 
wrapped up soon. Does the warrant include blood?" 
     "Oh, yeah, we've got it covered!" the perky policewoman
answered.
     "Captain Reese said we should have the warrant tonight,"
Nick added. "I want this guy put away."
     "So do I," Natalie agreed. "Well, I'd better get back. The
work doesn't do itself. We've had a run on bodies the last few
nights."
     "'Night, Nat!" Tracy chirped.
     Nick reached over to squeeze her hand, reassuring her that
he was all right. "See ya later?"
     "You bet! Bye."
     "You're pretty darn lucky, Partner," Tracy smiled.
     "You don't have to tell me," he grinned. "I know."

     Nick arrived home an hour before dawn. "You're looking
chipper this morning." His smile could light up Las Vegas,
Natalie thought.
     "With good reason. We got Whelms and enough evidence to put
him away. All we need are the DNA results for the clincher."
     "Terrific!" She flung her arms around his neck, hugging him
tightly. "I knew you could do it."
     "How about a movie? I need to unwind."
     "Okay. Any preference?"
     "Something romantic."
     "Ahhh . . . " She smiled as she looked through the tapes.
"Feeling better, are we?"
     "Much." 
     His roguish grin sparked butterflies in her stomach. She
dropped the video on top of the TV and went to the kitchen to put
some popcorn in the microwave.
     Meanwhile, Nick finished off a bottle of Lacroix's special
vintage while standing at the open refrigerator. Grabbing a
second bottle and a glass, he wandered over to the couch. Setting
them on the coffee table, he retrieved the video. "Beauty and the
Beast?"
     "It's one of my favorites." 
     Natalie sat next to him. Snuggling against his chest, she
watched the opening credits.
     Her warmth, the delicious sweet spice of her blood, her
closeness . . . his mind was not on the movie. Burying his face
in her hair, he drank in her scent. His hand crept under her
blouse to cup the fullness of a lace-enshrouded breast. Running
his thumb over the silken material, he could feel her nipple as
it hardened.
     "Mmmm . . ." She wriggled against him as his cool touch
ignited fire within her. She turned to him and found herself
drowning in a passionate kiss. Parting her lips to allow him in,
he tasted her, tracing her contours. Her tongue danced with his,
seeking entrance to his mouth. She felt the prick of his fangs,
already descended. Caressing each one, she knew she'd ignited an
equal fire within him. The movie was all but forgotten.
     Nick picked her up and carried her to their bedroom. Laying
her on the satin sheets, he continued his breath-defying kiss
while unbuttoning her blouse. He unclasped her bra and removed
it, revealing creamy mounds topped by dark brown points of flesh.
     She shivered as the rest of her clothes were removed by his
cool hands, yet she wasn't cold. Heat blossomed within her,
coating her skin with a light sheen of perspiration. His lips
moved to engulf a turgid nipple. Gentle suckling caused Natalie
to moan in pleasure, then groan in regret when he released her
and sat up.
     She watched as he smiled and unbuttoned his shirt to reveal
alabaster skin. Natalie began unbuckling his belt. As long as she
was busy undressing him, Nick saw no reason not to keep himself
occupied and gently massaged her breasts, enjoying the feel of
them.
     Belt and zipper undone, he assisted in removing his jeans,
leaving nothing but midnight blue silk between her and her prize.
Nick breathed a sigh of relief at the loss of the confining
denim. The silk of his boxers tented outward, still gently
restraining the flesh within.
     Slipping her fingers inside the waistband, she lowered the
silk down his hips, easing it over his substantial erection. The
last of his clothing gone, she admired him once more. While not
overly muscled, he was slender and firm. His sculptured body
could easily have been a model for the likes of Michelangelo. 
     Natalie's fingers wrapped around his shaft, sliding up and
down its considerable length. Her other hand cupped his scrotum.
Pushing gently against the pressure point just behind it,
elicited a shiver and moan of pleasure.
     Nick shifted position so that his engorged penis dangled
enticingly above her lips. She grasped his well-defined buttocks,
pulling him down. Her mouth engulfed the purple glans, soft
tongue tracing its contours.
     The titillation was almost more than he could handle. He
thrust shallowly, feeling the scrape of teeth against his swollen
shaft. She began sucking as he penetrated deeper. The pull on the
sensitive tissue caused him to cry out and shudder violently.
     Leaning his head down, he tasted the wetness between her
legs and found her erect clitoris. Encircling it with his lips,
he suckled. His tongue parted her moist folds, finding the inner
warmth of her core.
     His talented lips and tongue had the desired effect of
bringing her to orgasm. She cried out in delight. Nick drank her
sweetness as a rush of fluid escaped her contracting vagina.
     Rolling off her, he turned back around, taking a nipple in
his mouth and sucking lightly. She twined her fingers through his
unruly golden waves, holding him close. His lips left a trail of
fire as he kissed his way up her neck to her earlobe. A light
nibble sent a shiver down her spine. His lips sought hers once
again, the tip of his penis putting the slightest pressure
against her folds.
     Her fingers guiding him in, he slowly sheathed himself in
her warmth until he had fully penetrated her. For a few moments
they lay joined, delighting in the feeling of completeness.
     With long, deliberate strokes, Nick started to thrust. He
was teetering on the precipice of his own orgasm, but took the
time to please Natalie. The friction on her clitoris sent
fireworks of sensation up her spine. His lips capturing hers and
an insistent pounding at the core of her being pushed her closer
to the brink.
     Sensing the increase of her heartbeat, the shallowness of
her breath, he leaned down to gently pierce the flesh of her
neck. Her hot blood filled his mouth, their combined orgasms
exploding across their bloodlink. Natalie cried out as her body
convulsed yet again.
     Nick felt her contract tightly around his aching penis. It
pulsed repeatedly, emptying his seed deep within her. Withdrawing
his fangs, he threw back his head releasing an animalistic roar
of triumph before collapsing on her.
     His lips sought hers once more, this time in a loving
kiss--gentle, warm and caring. He wrapped her in his arms.
Rolling over, he pulled them both onto their sides. Nuzzling her
neck, he buried his face in her hair. She lay pressed against
him, his softening penis within her.
     "Nick, are you all right?" she whispered against his
shoulder.
     "Yeah, Nat, I'm fine . . . really, really fine." He pulled
back, blue eyes meeting hers, shining with love and contentment.

THE END

Comments are welcomed and encouraged. Thanks!

Nancy A. Taylor  --  nat1228@home.com
http://members.home.net/nat1228/fkfanfic.htm
"The chief knowledge that man gets from reading books is the 
knowledge that very few of them are worth reading."
--H.L. Mencken