Blood of One's Desire
January 2002
Jarvinia

This story is actually the third (well, fourth) in a series.  The
first is 'Another Knight' (then 'The Past, Present, and...') and then
'Pawns of Kings'.  This story takes place approximately a year and
eight months after Last Knight.

If one is reading this story out of sequence there is some *very*
important information needed:  The world now knows about vampires, and
that does indeed include both Nick and LaCroix.  Grace is also back in
Toronto.  Hopefully, the remaining references are explained enough
within the story.

Just a note:  This is an ADULT Nick/Nat/LaCroix story and as one might
guess, there is some slash in it.  If you are not of legal age or feel
that you might be offended by reading explicit descriptions of adult
situations, please don't.

May not be archived without permission.  If you'd like to, however,
please ask! :)

Disclaimer:  I don't own the characters of Forever Knight and no
copyright infringement is intended.  I'm just having a bit of fun.

I would like to thank Rainy Nights and David for comments and
suggestions.

Feedback gratefully accepted at: gryffon@gmx.net

Enjoy!

~#~#~#~#~#~


Blood of One's Desire  (01/15)

Nick stared down at the victim.  The man had been shot three times and
a pool of blood seeped from beneath him.  Nearby heartbeats pounded in
his ears, his attention focusing on the dark and quickly cooling
liquid.  He wanted it.  He wanted to kneel down and consume every drop
of the spilled nectar.

"Nick?"

He closed his eyes upon hearing his partner's voice.  He knew he'd
changed, his vision having taken on an amber color.  Only once he was
sure that the vampire was tightly back under control did he look her
way.  "Yeah?"

"Nat wants to know if they can bag him?"  Tracy waited, but Nick just
continued to gaze absently at the ground.  "I don't think we need to
see any more...or do we?"

Trying to shrug his thoughts away, Nick shook his head.  "No, tell her
it's fine."  Not for a second did his eyes stray from the victim.

After Tracy left, he again focused on the blood, the beast scratching
to get free and have a taste of it.  When the body was finally taken
away, he stared hungrily at the stain on the ground.

He pushed the need away.  The blood was not what he wanted...and yet,
it was.  Nick set his jaw firmly.  For the last week, he'd barely been
in control.  Hell, for the last month he'd barely been in control. Ever
since he had taken Natalie's blood a month ago, he'd wanted more.

Everything had been fine until a week ago.  With the Vampire Community
out in the open, it had put so much stress on him that there had been
no time for the beast to rear it's head.  Finally, all of the mess was
cleared up, but it had left a void in its wake.

And now....  Now he wanted blood.  Not just Natalie's blood, but human
blood, vampire's blood, any blood...he'd even considered going to
LaCroix.  He didn't like the direction his thoughts were leading him,
and he once again tried shaking them off.

"We should probably get back to the precinct, see what we can find out
on the-   Nick?  Are you listening?"

"Yeah, I'm listening," he quickly answered while wondering what his
partner had said about the precinct.  He turned and the two headed for
his car as he purposely kept his eyes averted from Natalie, not wanting
to allow those thoughts to surface again.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Glancing up at the clock, Nick noted it was still four and a half hours
till sunrise.  Normally, he enjoyed winter and the freedom it gave his
kind.  Right now, however, he wished nights weren't so long, and that
it was nearly sunrise so he would have an excuse to leave.

Keeping a semblance of listening to Natalie's findings, he did
everything he could to avoid both the victim lying on the autopsy
table, a faint scent of blood emanating from it, and Natalie, whose
scent of roses and wine nearly overwhelmed him in the small room.

She continued on with her report, her concern, thankfully, on the
victim and her notes.  His attention was now, after losing his battle,
fixed solely on Natalie.

From his position, he could see a few inches of her neck, the soft
cream color drawing him in further.  His mind, specifically the
vampire, imagined exposing the presently covered area around that small
section of skin.

He could almost see himself pushing her hair out of the way, his hand
then falling to her shoulder where he then proceeded to work her shirt
off to the side, allowing more of her to be exposed to his greedy
vision.  Her hair glittered with gold, her skin glowing-

Nick shut his eyes momentarily and took in a single, silent breath.  He
could feel his fangs against his upper lip.  Shoving the vampire back
into its place, Nick waited as his fangs slowly retracted, leaving a
faint empty feeling.  Reopening his eyes, he viewed the room carefully.
But, nothing seemed to have changed.  Natalie was still talking about
the victim, and Tracy stood, listening attentively to her words.

He, however, hadn't heard a single one of them.  As Natalie finished,
he pretended to understand, and she seemed to believe him, shooting a
warm smile in his direction as they left.

Outside the lab, he struggled with the beast, trying to chain it down.
If he were to ever act on his wants, he feared where that would leave
his and Natalie's relationship.  At present, they were as close as they
could be without the vampire rearing its head and taking her.

A week ago, she had spent the day wrapped in his arms.  For a single
moment, he had thought they had finally beaten everything.  Then, came
the hunger.  His need was slowly overshadowing everything else.  The
last several days he had been pushing away from Natalie.  The last two
nights he had only seen her at work.  Since she was the beast's target,
he rationalized his actions as being for her own safety.

Glancing at his watch, he breathed silently in relief.  His shift would
be over in a little more than an hour, and then he would be free until
work the next night.  He would have about fifteen hours to get hold of
his control again, and every second of that would be needed.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Sitting at the bar in the Raven, Nick stared into the depths of his
glass.  The blood wasn't helping as much as he'd hoped it would.  The
previous night had pushed his control to the edge, and he still barely
had a handle on the vampire.

He raised the glass to his lips, tipped a small amount of its contents
into his mouth, and let the blood linger there for a moment before
finally swallowing it.

With the blood came its owner's memories which, in turn, triggered his
own.  All so quickly he could feel the exhilaration of the hunt.  The
short time he had reveled in his nature came back to him with perfect
clarity.  As his victims' faces floated before him, he began to feel
sick.

After that night when he'd believed to have killed Natalie, now over a
year and a half before, LaCroix had taken his memories.  Eventually, it
had reduced him to a mere animal.  He had killed for the sole joy of
killing.  LaCroix had urged him on, and he had obeyed without thought.

Once he'd gotten his memories back, the enormity of what he'd done had
hit him like a brick.  He hated himself for what he had done, but there
was nothing he could do to change his actions.

Waiting a few seconds, he repeated the task, again savoring its flavor.
As the glass emptied, Nick gestured to the bartender to refill it. Just
when he'd prepared to take another drink, he felt LaCroix' approach.

"I see you are taking some time to enjoy yourself.  It's not every
night that I receive the pleasure of watching my son savor what is
rightfully his."

Focusing on the blood a moment longer, Nick suddenly downed the entire
contents of the glass.  "I'm trying to keep my control."

"Keep your 'control', as you call it....  Why would you want to do
that?"  LaCroix came to stand next to him, and spoke in his son's ear,
"We have needs, Nicholas.  We cannot deny them.  To do so is to give in
to the beast, to allow it to run rampant under the surface.  If,
however, we act on them, culturing them....  Then, we remain in
control.  We remain the masters."  He paused, watching his son tense at
their closeness.  "Take the mortal at the far table...she comes here
more often than you, watches you, waits for some interest from you...."
As Nicholas' attention turned to her, LaCroix observed as their gazes
met, and his son turned away.  "She is quiet beautiful, isn't she, mon
fils?"

Nick didn't comment, instead having his glass filled again.  "I'm not
interested, LaCroix."

"Who says you have to be 'interested' in her?  It is a game, Nicholas.
That is all.  You are the hunter and she is the prey."

"We cannot hunt, LaCroix.  Even if I were inclined, I could no-"

"There is nothing that says we may not hunt."  Catching the beginnings
of further protest, LaCroix continued, "We may not drain a mortal to
their death, but there is no law that says we may not take their blood
as long as they are otherwise unharmed."

"I still refuse to do as you are asking."

"It is only a suggestion.  If you wish to keep your precious 'control,'
you should take it.  Fresh blood will help hold your hunger back and
calm you."  LaCroix took a step back.  "I know your thoughts, Nicholas.
You cannot hide them.  I can feel your want to take her...do it."

As LaCroix left, Nick clenched his eyes shut, his fingers tightening
around the glass.  Opening them, his view blazed gold.  Why did LaCroix
always have to hit it right on?  He glanced toward the mortal.  She was
probably about Janette's height and of similar build.  Her brown hair
occasionally flashed auburn even in the club's dim lighting, her skin
milky white.  As their gazes again met, he could see her wanton smile
even as he looked back, his amber orbs staring greedily at her.

He turned back to his glass.  When he was asked if he'd like another,
he shook his head.  After a moment, he left the bar and headed to his
car and another night of near torture.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Three nights later, he'd gone though the same motions each night before
going into work.  He would sit at the bar and across the club would be
the woman, smiling back at him, enticing him to approach her.  This
night his control was slipping fast, and he found he couldn't even get
a glass of blood down in his preoccupation of gazing at her.

Hastily emptying the glass, he left the counter and started toward the
woman.  Perhaps LaCroix was right.  If he indulged his needs just a
little, maybe they would leave him alone for a while.

Reaching the table, she stood, closing the distance between them.
Before he could act, she gave him a kiss.  Their lips just barely met,
but it was more than enough to bring his nature to the surface.  She
pulled back from him and he followed, snatching her mouth in a deep,
passionate kiss, their tongues entwining in a short, frantic dance.

Breaking the contact, he held her at arms length, her form glowing in a
beautiful gold sea.  With a smile on his lips, he led her silently
toward the back of the club and into one of the back rooms.  He had
been careful to pick one that could be locked, and using the keys
LaCroix had given him so long ago, he did exactly that.

Again focusing on the woman, he paused a moment, knowing that Natalie
would lecture him within an inch of his life if she found out what he
was doing.  But then, he was only taking a little blood....

He let his mouth again capture hers.  Drawing away, he then trailed a
line of kisses back toward her ear and down her neck.  But he didn't
stop there.  His lips continued down her shoulder and he pushed her top
out of the way to get better access to her fair skin.

Lifting her up, he carried her the short distance to the cushions. With
one swift motion, he laid her back on them, again catching her
seductive smile that drew him ever closer to the edge.  His hands
roamed over her legs, pushing her short, tight-fitting skirt up as her
hands pulled his shirt free and undid the button of his pants.

His mind skipped a moment, not focusing on the mundane tasks needed to
reach his objective.  The next thing he knew, he was pulling her
panties aside and thrusting his hard, throbbing length inside her.
Seeing her mixed delight and pain through his tinted vision, he
repeated his action again and again, and her pleasure increased
visibly.

He kissed her, his fangs slicing her tongue and releasing a trickle of
blood that he quickly took in.  As his climax approached, he pulled
back for a split second before plunging himself deep into her, his
fangs taking what they so desperately wanted.  Her blood, so fresh and
lively, nearly burned his throat.

Suddenly realizing what he was doing, Nick pulled out, shocked at his
actions even as his body continued to spasm with gratification.  He had
only meant to take her blood, not this...this action that his beast had
so easily taken advantage of.  At least it wasn't Nat...if it was, she
would probably be dead.

Five minutes later, they were in the alley behind the Raven.  Nick
watched as the woman left without a single memory of their dalliance
and no wish to ever return to the Raven.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

He had been at work for barely thirty seconds when he and Tracy had
been sent to a crime scene.  Reese's expression had an odd look in it,
but he hadn't said anything more about the case than that Natalie would
be there.

As they pulled up to the crime scene, Nick had to admit he felt much
better after his short affair at the Raven--at least physically.
Mentally, however, he cursed himself for what he had done.  LaCroix,
while he'd been right that he needed to indulge himself, hadn't
mentioned the other results, but then, he wouldn't.

Spying Natalie just around a corner, he was about to greet her when he
saw the victim.  Long brown, almost auburn hair flowed from the woman's
head, her skin glowing almost lifelike under the bright lights of the
crime scene.  Glaring back at him against the otherwise flawless white
skin were two, bright red punctures, one edge slightly torn.  The
victim was the woman he'd been with earlier that night.


Blood of One's Desire  (02/15)

Natalie stood over the woman's body, her attention focused solely on
the victim.  "Looks like she was killed by a vampire.  Right now,
that's what the evidence I see is pointing to.  The murderer either
raped her, or seduced her to have intercourse.  He then took her blood,
effectively killing her.  My question is, who would be stupid enough to
leave their victim right out in the open?"  When no one commented, she
looked up to find Nick's attention solely on the victim.  "Nick?"

He opened his mouth to say something, but he didn't have a reply.  He
didn't kill her, he knew that with certainty.  She had left the Raven
conscious...perhaps a bit low of blood, but nowhere near enough to kill
her.

"Nick?  I asked-"

"I heard," he stated, not wanting to answer the question.  How could
he?  He hadn't wanted Natalie to ever find out what he'd done at the
Raven, and now he might not have a choice.

She watched him for a moment.  Figuring Nick was just thinking to
himself, probably about something he'd seen happen long ago, Natalie
continued, "I'll be able to find more once I get her back to the lab.
Her name's Melinda Lawrence, age twenty-nine.  It might be a good idea
to talk to whoever saw her last.  They might have seen her killer."

He absently nodded.  If someone had seen him with her in the Raven and
had seen them go into the back rooms, he'd be in for it.  He didn't
think there was anyone watching him, but he'd been so preoccupied that
he hadn't even considered the possibility.  All that had been on his
mind was the woman.  He hadn't even known her name until he'd taken her
blood.

The rest of the scene was one big blur.  Following Tracy to his car, he
tried to recall what questions he had, or hadn't answered.  All he
could remember were a few flashing visions from the Raven and the sight
of the victim.  Natalie's reaction was completely unknown to him.  As
far as he knew, she might have seen nothing amiss.

He peeled the Caddy out into the street and headed silently to the
precinct.  Nick waited for Tracy to comment, but she too remained
silent.  Perhaps it was because it was the first real murder by a
vampire they'd seen since the news had broken.  The other murders had
all occurred when Toronto's blood supply had been limited and many of
the Community had been nearly starving.  Then, there had been a reason
for them.  But now....  As far as anyone knew, the woman had been
drained on purpose.

As they sat at a light, Nick closed his eyes, clearing his thoughts. He
couldn't let this consume him.  He would continue with this case as if
he hadn't been involved.  If evidence linked him to the murder, he
would deal with that when it came to it.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Just after two o'clock, Nick steered himself as unobtrusively as
possible into the break room.  Assuring it was empty, he drank the
flask of blood he'd brought.

That's something he'd started doing the last few days.  To get through
the night he needed to have some additional blood about halfway through
shift.  Even then, the control it added barely lasted until he could
leave for home.

Stuffing the now empty flask back into his jacket, he headed back to
his desk.  Entering the bullpen, Nick's hearing picked up on the
conversation at the front desk.  One of Melinda's friends was here for
questioning.  Apparently, she was going to give a statement, and they
were going to make a composite of a man she'd seen Melinda leave the
Raven with.

Nick froze.  That composite would undoubtedly bear a remarkable
resemblance to himself.  Listening further, he slowed as he reached his
desk.  Another second, and the front desk indicated she should speak
with him and Tracy.

He just barely caught the woman's gaze turn his way, the pure shock on
it unmistakable.  Nick stopped just short of his desk, closing his
eyes, and waited for the inevitable.

"That's him!" she exclaimed, taking a step forward.

"Who?" the officer asked, turning, seeing a room full of the precinct's
officers.

"That detective," she said as she pointed right at Nick.  "Knight.  He
was the one I saw at the Raven.  I'm sure of it."

Nick listened as the precinct silenced.  He could feel the many eyes of
his coworkers on him.

Reese, wondering what was going on, exited his office.  The only words
were a woman's; her accusations of Nick.  As she mentioned the Raven
and her friend, Melinda, he drew the connection.  That was Nick and
Tracy's most recent case.  It had appeared to be done by a vampire, and
Reese felt his stomach turn.  Nick was, indeed, a vampire.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Ten minutes later, Reese had managed to get the woman into an interview
room, Nick into another room, and had called Natalie to get the autopsy
results sped up.  He wanted all of this cleared up.  Now.

Entering the room Nick was in, he stared down at his detective.  He'd
already heard the woman's claims and had received a briefing of the
crime scene.  At present, all of the information was pointing to Nick
as the suspect.

His mind couldn't comprehend it.  Of all of the time he'd known Nick,
he'd never really thought of Nick as a killer.  Even when Nick had
revealed what he was to the precinct, he saw only one thing--a damn
good detective.  Knight was complicated, very possibly his biggest
headache, but he'd also managed to almost always do the right thing. At
least, that's what he'd thought up until now.

"What do you have to say, Knight?" he asked, not succeeding in his
attempt to keep the anger out of his voice.

"I didn't kill her, Captain."

The statement was controlled.  Reese wasn't sure what his own reaction
should be.  "You were with her at the Raven, though?"

"Yes."

"And you left together?  Where did you go?"

"We didn't exactly leave together."

"Rachelle Higgins, the woman who'd seen you two at the Raven, swears
she saw you leave together."

"We...left the main part of the club together.  We went to one of the
back rooms in the Raven.  Later, we both exited into the alley, and
left separately.  She was alive when I left her."

Reese tossed several photos from the crime scene onto the table.  "Then
tell me what those are, Knight?  What happened in that room?"

Nick kept his gaze averted from Reese.  How could he explain?  It
wasn't that difficult, really, but...Natalie.  Yet, she'd know from the
autopsy anyway.  "We had intercourse.  A vampire needs blood
to...complete the action."  Nick could see the accusation just below
his superior's exterior.  "I did not kill her," he stated, his eyes
momentarily flashing gold.

Closing his eyes, Reese controlled his emotions.  He hadn't really
expected such an action as this from Nick.  He had often compared
Nick's actions against those of a mortal.  He kept trying to remember
that Nick wasn't mortal, that he was a vampire, but that piece of
information was still trying to sink in.

"Nick, we're going to have to hold you in lockup.  I'm going to
transfer the case to Garrison and Chambers.  Natalie's working on the
autopsy.  Hopefully, she'll have the preliminary results ready as soon
as possible.  I don't want to hear anything contradicting your
statement, Knight.  If I do...."  Reese gathered up the photos, and
took a few steps toward the door.  He shook his head slightly.  "I'm
not sure what to think anymore."

Nick shut his eyes, not wanting to see more of Reese's disappointment.
He didn't move a muscle until he felt the officer approach him.
Standing, he met the man's slightly nervous gaze, and nodded.  He would
do things by procedure, if he could.  This wasn't going to get any
worse than it already was.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Dawn approached, and Nick sat, alone, in lockup.  At least that was one
good thing--no nervous mortal heartbeats teasing the vampire.

No one had come down to tell him of the progress on the case.  He
wasn't sure what to conclude from that.  Either he was in more trouble,
or he wasn't.  Even LaCroix hadn't dropped by yet.

He leaned against the wall, trying to push his growing hunger away.
Soon, he would need blood if he was going to maintain his leash on the
vampire.  Hopefully Natalie would...but then what reason did she have
to help him?  He leaned forward, letting his head rest on his arms as
they spanned the distance between his knees.

Why had he listened to LaCroix?  Why had he done exactly what his
father had suggested?  But, he knew that answer.  LaCroix had said it
himself.

'We have needs, Nicholas.  We cannot deny them.  To do so is to give in
to the beast, to allow it to run rampant under the surface.  If,
however, we act on them, culturing them....  Then, we remain in
control.'

Nick closed his eyes against the voice that repeated those words again
and again in his mind.  He didn't want to listen to it.  But moreover,
he didn't want to admit the truth of LaCroix' statement.

He had, indeed, been in control after he'd indulged himself.  If it
hadn't been for her murder, he suspected that control would have lasted
the night, perhaps even several.

He heard light footsteps approach, the accompanying heartbeat making
his beat out of turn.  It was Natalie.  He remained as he was, head on
his arms, every sound as she approached thundering in his ears.

"Nick?"

He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to remain silent.  He felt her
hand rest gently on his shoulder, and he told himself to remain calm.

"I-I've been trying to find some evidence to clear you, but it's hard,
Nick."  She paused, trying to find words.  "The saliva around the wound
is a vampire's, and so is the semen.  I need a blood sample to compare
the results against, but I think we already know what they'll be." She
waited for a comment, but none came.  Nick didn't make a single noise
or movement in response.  "Nick?" she asked, her hand moving from his
shoulder to his forehead, and she tried to get him to look at her.

At Natalie's actions, Nick sat up, meeting her eyes for a mere second
before leaning back, once again shutting them tightly.

"I'm not sending off any of the tests until I get a blood sample."

He nodded, and rolled up his sleeve for the test.  She took the sample
professionally, and when she had finished, he silently pulled back from
her touch.  But, she didn't stand to leave after her task.

"I'm not sure what to think, Nick.  I thought we had something, but I
guess I was wrong."

When she stood, he mirrored her, gripping her wrist in fear.  "Nat, I-"
He cut himself off.  What could he say?  That he had done what he'd
done to subdue his nature?  That as they stood there, she was the only
thing that mattered to him?  But, how could she understand these
things?  They were part of a problem that mortals didn't have to deal
with.

As she glared at his hand, he loosened his fingers and watched her
leave.  His hunger was entirely forgotten.


Blood of One's Desire  (03/15)

Reese sat at his desk, a massive headache being dulled with
painkillers.  After the mess of the past couple of months, he didn't
need anything else, but there it was.  Nick.  That detective of his had
been the source of the majority of his recent stress.  He knew Nick
didn't exactly have control of events, but everything seemed to center
around him.

When the sun rose in a couple of hours, it would be the beginning of
Nick's fourth day in lockup.  The blood tests hadn't come back yet, but
when they did, they could condemn Nick more than he already was.

Occasionally, Reese had taken several minutes to watch Nick on the
security monitors.  If anything, the detective was worse off than
himself.  He'd offer some aspirin, although he suspected they wouldn't
do much good.

Nick didn't even know what was going on in the rest of the precinct.
Several of the detectives had discussed what they think should be done
if Knight got out of lockup without logical reasons.  Internal Affairs
had started an investigation on Nick, not only looking into his time in
Toronto, but also trying to find out everything they could about the
vampire, as well as the man.  That had been the Commissioner's idea.

If he was in Nick's place and discovered all of that...well, he didn't
know if he would stick around.  If Nick disappeared again, he didn't
think he would condone the action.

Stopping by security, Reese took a couple of minutes and watched the
monitor.  LaCroix was down in lockup, delivering Nick's 'food' for the
day, and by appearances, chatting about something.  Nick, however,
didn't seem to be paying much attention to the elder.  After a moment,
LaCroix held out two flasks, which Nick snatched from him without a
word.  A moment later, LaCroix left.

Reese wasn't sure what to think of the relationship between those two.
Sometimes they seemed to be pure enemies of the other.  Other times
they took the appearance of being friends, brothers, or even the roles
of father and son that he knew they actually were.  He wasn't sure he
could handle being in a relationship that seemed to change by the
minute.

Then, through all of this, was Natalie.  He'd caught her in the
security room several times.  He had caught the pain and confusion on
her features, which she quickly hid once she realized she wasn't alone.

This had to be hitting her hard.  She was close to Nick, closer than
anyone besides LaCroix.  He had suspected they were more than friends
right from the beginning, and Natalie now seemed to be questioning it.
She couldn't be blamed, but he couldn't help but wonder what would
happen if they ever did pursue their relationship.  Would she become
one of them?  And then what?

Reese shook his head, and headed for the parking lot.  Only time would
answer any of his questions, and he silently wished Nick luck on the
results.  They were supposed to arrive in a couple of hours, and he
wouldn't be there.

For a moment, he considered calling Natalie to see what she knew about
the results, but nipped the thought in the bud.  Natalie didn't need
him interrupting her thoughts right now.  No, she definitely didn't
need that.

Getting in his car, he quickly turned the ignition on, gave it a few
minutes to warm up, and then left the precinct for the somewhat safe-
haven of home.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick, sitting on the cool bench, waited anxiously for the results.
True, as evidence went, he was still the only suspect, but he could
hope.

LaCroix had, over the past nights brought blood to him with Reese's
permission.  With that same allowance, he could keep two flasks full of
blood during the day.  It was barely enough, but his appetite had
dulled since the murder.

It was difficult to tell what time it was, but by his watch it was two
in the afternoon.  He'd thought the results were supposed to be in that
morning, but perhaps he had been wrong.

Taking the second flask, he opened it, breathing in the aroma.  It was
from LaCroix' private supplies, and as such it was fresher than what
was served in the Raven.  He sipped the blood slowly in an attempt to
make his stomach think it was getting more than the few milliliters
found in the container.

As he took the last drops of the blood, he heard the approaching
heartbeats of several mortals.  Soon after, he watched as Reese, Tracy,
and Natalie approached the entrance to his cell.  Nick stood, waiting
for the expected reply.

"Nick-"

Nick cut Nat off seeing the upset look on her face.  "I know what it
is...just get it over with."

Reese cut in, "You're not being brought up on charges."

"What?  But-"  He shook his head in disbelief.

"After she left the Raven, Melinda was raped by a mortal," the coroner
explained.  "That's why it took us so long to get the results.  She
didn't die of blood loss, although it possibly contributed to her heart
attack."

"But she was only-"

Natalie shook her head.  "Nick, you've seen what can happen in dire
situations.  Fear can cause a heart attack, and she was literally
scared to death."

Nick didn't know what to think of that.  The woman's only reaction to
seeing him fully vamped out was a smile.  But then, there were other
things to fear.

"The murder has been linked to two others over at the 27th from the
test results."  Reese paused, gesturing to the officer to open the
cell.  "You're free to do whatever, which I guess means, if you're up
to it, starting your shift early.  I know it's day, but the precinct
doesn't get much sunlight, even when it is sunny outside."

Nick stood, a bit stunned as Reese left.  Tracy pushed open the door,
waiting for Nick to come out.  He wasn't sure what to do.  Natalie
stood next to his partner, and he made to say something, but nothing
sounded.

She walked out of lockup and he let his head drop.  He needed to talk
to her, but he wasn't sure what, if anything he could say to make up
for what he'd done.  Tracy, at least, seemed to accept him, and he
exited the cell, slowly following his partner into the main part of the
precinct.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

It was midnight and he had to get out of the precinct.  Even with going
to the Raven on his break and having his 'lunch,' he was still hungry.

The dread of the last several days had worn off, and so had the slim
amount of control he'd gained.

Heading out the main entrance, Nick ran smack into Natalie, steadying
her as they moved out of the mainstream of the stairs.  He quickly
retracted the hand on her arm, already feeling his hunger rise.

"Nick...I was wondering if we could talk...."

"I-I can't.  Not right now.  Come by in the morning, it might be
better."

"No.  I have to know something right now."

He swallowed, fearing her question.

"Do you love me, Nick?"

He felt his jaw quiver.  Yes, he loved her more than anything else.
That's what he wanted to tell her.  But, as her question bumped around
in his head his beast clawed at its chains, trying to break away.  He
had to get out of there, and he had to do it now.

He moved to walk around her, and felt the light grip of her hand on his
arm.  The touch, although separated through his shirt and jacket, made
his eyes flash amber, causing her to take an involuntary step back. The
vampire wanted to have her, but he couldn't let it.  Locking his golden
eyes with her blue, he took to the air, not carrying what the others
thought.

Natalie stood stunned at his quick departure.  She was angry, worried,
and everything in between.  After finding out from Tracy that Nick had
been heading home, she decidedly started off for the Raven.  If anyone
knew why Nick was acting the way he was, LaCroix would.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

LaCroix sat at the bar, watching his customers.  It was a favorite
pastime, although he enjoyed it much more when Nicholas was among them.
Casting his eyes over the gathered mortals and vampires, LaCroix'
interest was turned to the door.  His gaze met those of his latest
patron and he turned slightly toward the approaching mortal, placing
his glass on the bar.

"How may I help you tonight, Natalie?" he asked, the question spoken
smoothly with her name ending in a whisper.  She was slightly taken
back, as he had intended.

"Nick.  I want to know what's going on."

"You mean about his...recent choices."

She set her jaw.  "Yes.  I want to know what's caused this change, and
I think we should discuss it in your office."  Natalie glared at him,
and receiving one back, they headed into LaCroix' office.

"And what is it that you wish to know?"

Natalie looked down, not daring to look at him for a moment.  Then,
mustering her strength, she caught his gaze.  "I want to know what you
know about Nick.  I want to know why this is happening, and if I am
considered a part of his life.  I don't want any lies or half-truths."

"There will be none."  LaCroix approached her, stopping directly behind
her.  "Nicholas has been worrying about containing his nature of late.
Particularly his hold on it around you, although he hasn't said it
aloud.  You are the cornerstone of him, and if you are removed from his
life...let's just say everything will fall apart.  Nicholas has become
quite...attached to you."

This wasn't making any sense to her.  His actions were painting a
completely different picture.  "But if I'm so important to him, why
would he...why would he do what he did?"

"We are sexual creatures, Natalie.  Our urges for the blood lead to our
actions which, one way or another, lead to fulfillment."  As he spoke,
he allowed his fingers to trail along the side of her exposed neck. He
listened to her breathing increase faintly, ceased his action, and then
moved to stand before her.  "Nicholas has held his needs back, and now
he is paying for it.  I simply made a suggestion and he took it.
However, I don't think he intended the encounter to be as intimate as
it ended up being...."

A smile donned his face, and she could clearly see his satisfaction at
the result of his suggestion.  Natalie abruptly looked away, focusing
on the grain of the table.  There was more to that smirk of his, and
she knew it.

Natalie listened to the silence, the only sounds being her own
breathing and heart rate, which had thankfully slowed down over the
past minute.  What LaCroix was telling her were things she'd either
guessed, or deduced from observation.  But never had she dared accept
them.

LaCroix' own actions had taught her much about what was 'normal' for
vampires, far more than Nick had during the first several years she'd
known him.

What she really wanted to do was help Nick...if she could.  If he cared
as much for her as LaCroix was saying, there had to be some way to get
through to him.  "Is there anything I can do?"

LaCroix considered her question.  He had been planning a vacation, and
perhaps this mortal could do more for his son than could his
suggestions.  "Be here, two weeks from tonight at half past two with a
single packed bag."

"What?"  This reply wasn't quite what she'd expected.  "What for?"

"That will not be answered.  It is a...surprise for Nicholas, and I'd
rather you not mention this to him."

She took that in.  A surprise.  That meant Nick wouldn't know anything
about it.  Heck, she didn't know anything, not even where they would be
going.  "What do I need to bring?"

"You will be traveling with us for several days.  You will need enough
clothes for a week.  The closer they resemble those of this club's
clientele, the better."  LaCroix paused, then added, "You may wish to
bring a heavy coat--preferably black.  It will be cold at our
destination."

Cold.  What could be considered cold to here?  She pushed the thought
away, filing it away for later.  "How long do I need to take off work?"

"One week."


Blood of One's Desire  (04/15)

Two weeks later:

About midnight, Nick found himself running out of things to do.
Glancing across the desk at Tracy, he could see she was having the same
problem.  About to say something, he felt a presence on the edge of his
senses.  A minute later, Nick felt it increase, and turning, he found
LaCroix standing next to his desk.

At first, Nick just stared at his father, not sure what else he could
do.  Finally, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Taking you home."

The choice of words and stern tone switched Nick's anger on.  "I am
*not* a child."

"Quite, but I am not planning on dragging you there.  You will take the
next week off, starting with tonight."

Now, this was getting interesting.  If LaCroix was asking him to take a
week off, just a week, there had to be a reason.  Not only that, but it
was more than LaCroix' dislike of his job.  "Why?"

"Because I am requesting it."

After replaying the response in his mind, Nick realized he hadn't heard
wrong.  LaCroix was actually *asking* that he take the week off.  Not
ordering, but requesting.  "How am I supposed to get a week of vacation
without notice?  You could have-"

"You would have refused, and the week would have been ruined."

About to protest, he stopped.  LaCroix was right about that.  If he'd
known before, there would have been no way his father could have gotten
him to go short of physically dragging him.  But....  "Fine.  If I can
get the time off, I'll go, but I can't guarantee-"

"If you do not persuade your Captain to give you a week off, *I* will
do so for you.  I assure you that he will not deny my request."

Nick swallowed, listening to the barely audible words.  LaCroix would
make sure he had the time off.  He'd already dug himself into a hole,
mentioning he'd go if he could get out of work.  There was no use
trying to get out of it.  "Fine.  I'll talk to Reese and organize it."

LaCroix' eyes sparkled faintly.  "Good.  You will pack one bag and
arrive at the Raven no sooner than two forty-five, but no later than
three."

Nick locked gazes with his father momentarily, and then watched LaCroix
head for the exit.  Great, now he had to go talk to Reese.  Just what
he wanted to do right now.

"Um...Nick?  Hate to have listened in, but you're going to be gone for
a week?"

"I guess," he answered, still trying to get used to the idea himself.

"What are you going to tell Nat?"

Now that got his attention.  Natalie.  How was he going to explain
this?  Over the past couple of weeks they hadn't even spoken.  Not even
about work.  "I'll...think of something.  First, I need to talk to
Reese."

With that he stood, hesitated a moment, then walked up to the Captain's
office and knocked.  Being instructed to enter, he did just that.
"Captain?  I need a favor...."

"And that would be?"

Avoiding Reese's eyes, he stated, "I need a week off.  Starting
tonight."

For a moment, Reese considered the question.  Nick had been through
enough lately and perhaps this was just what Nick needed.  "Take it."

Nick's head snapped up.  "What?"

"I said, take it.  You and your partner don't have many active cases
right now, and I think you need some stress-free vacation time.  I was
considering ordering you off for a week or so as it was.  You're too
tense, and you need a break from all of this.  Go do whatever you want.
Go to Europe.  Go to Calif-  Scratch that one.  Just do something you
want to do, and be back here at work a week from tomorrow."

As his mind tried to take in the ease of getting the time off, Nick
asked, "That's it?"

"Go on...get out of here.  I don't want to see you for a week."

Reese shoed him out of the office and a moment later Nick found himself
standing next to his desk.

Tracy glanced up at her partner, who was staring aimlessly over the
precinct.  "You okay?"

"Yeah.  Reese gave me the time off.  Practically threw it at me.  Maybe
I do need it.  I haven't had much unhindered time off, and this might
let me put things in perspective."  At least, that's what he hoped he
would be able to do.  He knew, however, that LaCroix could very well
have the next week planned completely differently.

"Does that mean 'see you in a week'?"

"Yeah, although it might be sooner if things don't work out.  I have to
admit I'm kind of curious of what LaCroix has planned...."

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Natalie sat patiently in LaCroix' apartment.  She thanked whatever
reason LaCroix hadn't focused on her as soon as she had arrived.
Instead, he was preparing his own bag for travel, along with some blood
for both himself and Nick on the trip.

Nick was supposed to arrive there within the next fifteen minutes.
Shortly after LaCroix set his bag next to hers, she watched him stiffen
and turn his attention to the door.  Then, in walked Nick, his
expression priceless upon seeing her.  Stunned, shocked, whatever one
would call it, Nick stood, staring at her, his mouth hanging slightly
open.

Looking between the two, Nick couldn't believe his eyes.  Natalie, who
he hadn't even told he would be gone, was sitting calmly before him.
"LaCroix?"

LaCroix smiled, approaching his mortal guest, then spun to face his
son.  "Natalie will be accompanying us on our trip.  I had planned this
vacation primarily for myself and believed you might enjoy yourself
more if Natalie came along."

"But...."

LaCroix placed one hand possessively on Natalie's shoulder, causing her
pulse to quicken ever so slightly.  He then emphasized, "She is coming
with us."

The golden hue to LaCroix' eyes told him not to protest.  "When do we
leave?"

"We must be at the airport in a half hour.  We will then be in the air
for several hours and will arrive at our destination late this
morning."

Nick's forehead creased in confusion.  "Late this morning?  Won't the
sun-"

"Considering our destination, that will be no matter."  LaCroix took
the two bags he had prepared, and gestured toward the door.  "I suggest
we be on our way.  I believe that with our luggage flying would not be
the best mode of transportation, and I do not wish to be late for our
flight."

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

As LaCroix had mentioned, the sun hadn't been a problem.  Natalie
looked out the window at the black surroundings.  They were in the
middle of nowhere.  Literally.

By commercial airliner they had flown from Toronto to Edmonton.  That
had been interesting, as several travelers had recognized Nick and
LaCroix.  With all of the publicity Toronto's Community had received,
it was to be expected.  Although no one came up to them, Natalie could
see the recognition and the combination of fear and curiosity that
stemmed from it.

In Edmonton they had switched planes.  They got on the smallest
aircraft she'd ever been in.  There had been just enough room for the
three of them, their things, and the pilot.  They had flown north, and
arrived at a small airstrip, if it could even be called that.

From there, they walked a short distance in the cold morning air into a
lone building.  Then, they took an elevator to the top floor--the third
floor.  LaCroix quickly led them to a room, which was surprisingly
unlocked.  Entering, she walked over to the window as LaCroix spoke,
mostly ignoring his few sentences.

For several minutes, she remained where she was.  Trying to see
something other than the darkness that lay outside the window, Natalie
strained her eyes, but there was nothing.  She suppressed a yawn, but
the other two caught it, glancing her way.

LaCroix had already explained that there were two bedrooms and had
claimed one for himself.  Other than those rooms, the one they were in
was the extent of their accommodations.  Nick, however, hadn't said
anything since they'd arrived, and she could see his frustration.
LaCroix still hadn't told them just what they were going to do on this
trip.

Natalie, grabbing her bag, headed toward the other room.  "I'm going to
sleep.  Don't know if I can stay up much longer."  She waited for some
response, but other than LaCroix turning his attention toward Nick,
there wasn't one.  "Nick?  Are you going to-"

"I'll sleep out here."

The coldness of the statement startled her faintly, but she remained
calm.  Waiting another few seconds, she headed to the other room,
hoping Nick wouldn't remain so uptight.  She hadn't really noticed it
until LaCroix had explained Nick's actions.  Then, she'd remembered the
subtle tenseness, and his recent zoning out that she had passed off as
nothing.

Now, she knew the reason behind it, but it didn't make her feel much
better.  Nick had put so much distance between them over the past two
weeks she wasn't sure how the next few days were going to go over.

Preparing for bed, Natalie took one last glance out the window into the
inky blackness, and then slid under the covers, thankful it was a lot
warmer inside than outside.


Blood of One's Desire  (05/15)

Dressing in jeans and a black t-shirt, Natalie entered the main room to
find Nick still sleeping on the couch.  She approached him, and without
thinking, put her hand up to his cheek.  For a second, she could see
his lips quirk up into a smile, and in another his eyes opened, their
golden hue staring back at her.

Nick quickly looked away and pulled back from her touch.  As he moved
to sit on one end of the couch, he turned his attention toward the
bedrooms as LaCroix moved into view.

"I am going downstairs.  You may either join me now, or later."  His
words were directed at Nick, but he received no response.  "Natalie,
you will remain with either myself or Nicholas during the extent of our
stay.  You will not leave this room unattended.  Understood?"

She nodded, hearing the underlying threat to his words.  She did,
however, wonder why LaCroix was concerned about her being without an
escort.

As LaCroix silently left, she turned her attention to Nick.  When he
stood, mumbling something about a shower, he left for LaCroix' room,
leaving her in the living area.  There wasn't a TV, and as her stomach
growled, she turned her attention to trying to find some food.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

An hour and no food later, Natalie had finally persuaded Nick to take
her downstairs.  Taking the elevator, she'd noticed there was no second
floor.  She passed it off, aware that she'd probably just been too
tired to notice it before.

Getting out, they came to a lobby area.  A short distance away were a
set of doors, a man standing just outside them.  She walked toward the
doors, Nick just a few steps behind her.  The man gave her a hesitant
look, but allowed them both entry into the room beyond without any
comment.

The room was dark, loud, and filled with people.  It appeared to be a
club of some kind.  Natalie stood just inside the door, letting her
eyes get used to the darkness.  Spotting LaCroix on one side of the
room at the bar, she quickly approached him.

He turned at their arrival, a smile greeting them.  "What do you
think?" he asked, gesturing to the crowd.

Nick took in the room.  It was much like the Raven, although the
vampire to mortal ratio was different--almost the entire room consisted
of mortals.  There were perhaps a dozen vampires present.  The music
was a little louder than the Raven, and it drowned out his other
senses.

Trying to shut it out, the faint scent he'd caught upon entering caused
his hunger to flare.  Blood.  Several different scents mingled and they
were all fresh.  As he glanced around the room, he watched one of the
others of his kind in one of the room's corners.  The vampire was
kissing one of the mortals, his eyes burning gold.  A moment later,
that same vampire openly took the mortal woman's blood.  No one seemed
to notice, or if they did, they didn't care.

Nick turned away, the sight somewhere between repulsing and arousing.
He knew what this place was.  It was a hunting ground for their kind.
"I will not take part in this, LaCroix."

"That is your choice.  I figured as much.  That is why Natalie is here.
You may spend your time with her."  LaCroix took a sip of his glass,
and then continued, "In case you change your mind, the rules are
simple.  One can feed from as many of them as one wishes, as long as
you fully drain no more than one per night."

Natalie was a bit stunned as she listened to LaCroix' pronouncement of
the 'rules'.  She hadn't expected LaCroix' surprise vacation to take
them to a place like this.  Before everything could really sink in, she
felt Nick pulling her toward the exit.

As they approached the doors, she felt LaCroix forcibly release Nick's
grip and they stopped several meters from the doors.

"I request that you remain here, Nicholas."

"No.  And Natalie will not be staying, either."  Nick went to take her
arm again, but when he started for the door, he met resistance. Natalie
wasn't coming with him.  "Nat?"

"I'm staying here."

"But...it's a fee-"

"I know what it is, Nick!"  At least LaCroix' earlier request was
making sense.  "I'm hungry, and there's food down here.  I'm staying."

Nick hesitated for a moment, then started silently back to the bar.

Natalie caught a faint smirk from LaCroix, and as he too headed toward
the bar, she followed.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Biting into her sandwich, Natalie quickly found herself halfway through
it.  "You know, this is pretty good."  'Especially when it's maker was
most certainly a vampire,' she added to herself, remembering the man
who had prepared it for her.

Nick, who'd returned to his silence once they'd reached the bar, gave
her a glance, and then stared at his glass.

LaCroix also looked her way and watched as she took another bite.  "If
it's food, it's free.  Even though you are technically one of the
clients, since you are mortal, there is no charge."

Swallowing, and taking a sip of her drink, she turned vaguely in his
direction.  "How did this get started up, anyway?"

As Nick's attention snapped his way, LaCroix answered, "As I had
explained to you before, our kind need to fulfill our urges.  This
place is almost unknown in the Community.  Only the oldest and most
trusted are allowed to know of its existence."

"And the...mortals?"

"They know their fate before coming.  They are chosen discretely.  All
are here by their own free will.  None of the mortals are resistors and
all are thoroughly screened.  No direct contact with the outside world
is permitted."

Natalie grimly nodded.  She might not fully agree with this, but she
could see the reasons behind it, and the results if the existence of
this place was made public knowledge.  "What is the offer, or do you
know?"

"They are told first of their fate, and then that they will never need
money for the rest of their lives.  Many of those chosen either have
only a short time to live, or live on the streets.  If they have
children, it is promised that they will be seen to."

Now, Natalie was astonished.  "Seen to...?"

"Taken care of.  They will have shelter, food, and an education."

"And are these promises fulfilled?"

"Yes."  LaCroix saw the disbelief on her features.  "Our kind are not
as disheartened as you've previously believed.  Many of the Community
give back to your mortal world, even if their business is primarily
within this world."

She nodded.  It now made sense why many of those present would chose
such a path for themselves.  If a future could be ensured for her
family, she would do anything.  And if she were dying...well, then that
offer would be even more tempting.

Slowly, she returned to finishing her meal, thinking only occasionally
about the new information she'd received.  Out of the corner of her eye
she could see Nick, his anger tightly controlled.  Golden flakes danced
in his eyes, and she wished she could do something for him.

Once her food was gone, she turned her attention toward the room.
Despite the fate of those present, there were no sad faces.  Everyone
seemed to be enjoying himself or herself for whatever time they had
left.  LaCroix, she knew, would take his own actions eventually, taking
advantage of the allowances of the 'rules' here.  Nick, on the other
hand, sat silently at the counter, clearly wanting nothing to do with
this place.

Natalie decided that she was not going to waste this week sulking.  She
had taken her vacation time and was going to enjoy herself.  And Nick
was, if she could accomplish it, going to join her.  That had been her
reason of coming, and aside from the real purpose of this place, it
*was* nice.

As LaCroix headed off to pursue his own interests, Natalie focused on
Nick.  "How about we dance?  It'll get some of the tension out of your
system, help you relax."  Observing the beginning of an objection, she
took the glass from his hands.  Then, she pulled him toward her and the
others that were dancing.

After a slight attempt at refusing, Nick followed.  His vision
alternated between blue and a green-gold, and he hoped he could get
though this....

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

The next morning, Natalie woke to the feeling of being surrounded in
Nick's embrace.  They had spent the previous night dancing...or at
least trying to.  Nick seemed more passive than normal, but his
eyes....  They had stayed gold the entire night.

At first, it bothered her as they stared ravenously down on her, but
she had quickly gotten used to it.  As tiredness slipped up on them,
they headed back up to the room, and had gone to her room.  Nick had
fallen asleep within minutes of lying down, and he didn't appear to
have moved since then.

Leaning back into him, she felt him adjust his grip, pulling her
closer.  Natalie smiled to herself, yet, she knew that staying where
she was would be risky.  When Nick woke, he would be hungry.  He'd had
almost nothing to drink the night before, and after she pulled him away
from his glass, his full attention had been hungrily on her.

Spotting movement from the door, she found LaCroix, watching
approvingly through the darkness.  She blinked, and he was gone.

For a moment longer she bathed in the comfort of being this close to
Nick.  Then, remembering her thought about it being better for her to
get moving, she slipped out of his arms.

She went to her bag, trying to find one of the dresses she had brought.
Spotting it, she glanced back toward Nick, making sure he was still
asleep.  Pulling it out of her bag, she also grabbed a black, knee-
length, long-sleeved jacket.  She had planned on something for Nick
before they left, and was happy to find their location would be perfect
for her intentions.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Natalie sat eating at the bar.  LaCroix had already started on his own
interests, and Nick, like the night before, stared blankly at his
glass.  It had taken less coaxing for her to get him down to the club
than the other night, but then she'd threatened to come down on her own
to get something to eat.  True, LaCroix was already there, but Nick
seemed to only partially trust his father with her safety.

Finishing her meal, she promptly ordered a glass of wine.  Nick looked
over at her, slightly surprised.  When she poured a small amount into
his glass, he tried to speak.  Natalie put her finger to his lips,
stopping any comment.

She took a sip of the white wine.  Then, without warning she moved
closer and let her lips meet his.  Initially, he resisted, but as she
let her tongue first barely connect with his lips, then try to gain
entry into his mouth, she felt him respond.

Drawing away, she looked deep into his golden eyes.  She could see the
hunger and the need just waiting under the surface.  Taking his glass,
she dipped her pointer finger into the liquid, and stirred it as he
looked on.  Removing it, she brought her finger to his lips, dabbing a
few drops of the liquid on his lips.  He promptly licked it away, and
then sucked the remaining blood off of her finger.

The state Nick was in amazed her.  He was barely in control of his own
actions.  Somehow, she didn't know how, he had managed to keep his
distance from her, but tonight he wasn't.  She knew her attempts had
backfired in the past, but it didn't matter to her.  Drinking the rest
of her wine, she removed her jacket, putting it on the stool.

Nick stood spellbound as she stood before him.  Natalie was now wearing
a short, loose-cut black dress, the hem of which floated about mid-
thigh.  The front dipped down revealing the tantalizing flesh, and her
shoulders where bare except for two thin rolls of fabric.  Staring at
her, he was sure his eyes flashed crimson, but he didn't care.

She pulled him toward her, and he snatched her lips up in a kiss,
letting himself taste her wonderful flavor mixed with the wine.  He
felt her tongue tease him, caressing the edges of his fangs.  When she
broke the kiss, he could feel his fangs protest as they ached in need.
"Nat...please don't do this...."

"Don't do what?" she asked innocently.  She knew exactly what she was
doing, and she wasn't going to stop.

"Please, not right-"  He was cut off as Natalie kissed him. Disengaging
from her, he held her at arms-length, a weak smile appearing.  "I think
I need a drink.  A few, probably.  I'm a bit...hungry."

As his expression pleaded with her, she gave in and nodded.  Later, she
would try again.


Blood of One's Desire  (06/15)

Midnight came and passed and Natalie finished off another glass of
wine.  Nick had started off with straight blood.  Since then, he had
worked his way to blood-wine, and now straight wine.  His eyes had
faded somewhat, although the gold was by no means gone.  It was deeper,
and it lured her in like nothing else.

This time, it was Nick that led her toward the throng of dancers.  She
breathed deep and slow as his hands rested at her waist.  He leaned
down to kiss her, and as before she stroked his canines, trying to
arouse him.  It worked, and she tasted her own blood as his fangs
sliced her tongue.  Nick pulled her toward him, and he swallowed what
he could get of the small trickle of blood.

As close as they were, she could feel his arousal against her, and
Natalie let out a moan as he ended the kiss.  She wanted him.  Now. His
lips brushed momentarily against her ear.  A second later, he was
dropping feather light kisses along her neck and across her shoulder.
He started the process over on the other side, then again captured her
mouth with his.

The kiss deepened, and his arms moved up her back until she could just
feel his fingertips against her bare skin.  She purposefully ran her
tongue across the tip of one fang, and this time he sucked the
miniscule wound until the blood ceased to flow.

Again separating, she took her thumb and ran it across the bottom edge
of his lips.  His lips parted slightly, and she let her thumb press
into the point of his fang, piercing the skin.  She withdrew it,
letting his sense of smell pick up the aroma.

In a split second his hand snatched her wrist, holding it between them.
Time stood still.  Slowly, he brought her hand closer, then licked the
drops of blood off.

He locked gazes with her, and closed the short distance between them.
Just as she expected another kiss, he changed his direction, heading
for her neck, and she closed her eyes, waiting.  There was a kiss, a
brushing of his fangs...and then nothing.

She opened her eyes to find Nick standing several feet away, the
sparkle of happiness that had been found in the gold replaced by
nothing.  "Nick?"

"I'm sorry, Nat.  I-I can't do this."  He backed up a step.  "Nat,
I...."  Turning, he headed for the bar where he immediately demanded a
glass of blood-wine.

Natalie stood, her feet frozen in place.  Closing her eyes, she felt
tears trying to push their way out.  She'd been so close, but....  She
let her head hang, and she considered going back up to the room.

Feeling strong arms wrap around her from behind, she felt her pulse
quicken and muscles tighten.

"It's only me, Natalie."

Immediately she calmed, LaCroix' silken voice soothing her fear.  Her
hands clutched his arms, and after a short time, she leaned back.

She didn't know how long they stood there.  It could have been seconds,
minutes, or more, but she felt good.  His embrace was solid, and that's
just what she needed right then--something steady to hold onto lest she
sink to the ground.

Pursing her lips, she wasn't sure if she should speak or not.  In need
of an answer, she voiced, "Why won't Nick...I mean....  Is there
something wrong with me?"

"No, there is nothing wrong with you," he answered, his lips brushing
against her ear.

His grasp tightened, and she held on for dear life.  She could feel the
tears coming...but she had to hold them back.  She couldn't cry, not
now.  "Then, what...?"  She couldn't say anything more, and she
clenched both her eyes and her jaw as tight as she could.

Feeling her legs give way, she sensed herself being lifted into the
air.  After a second, she relaxed to the faint rocking motion as
LaCroix carried her.

Keeping her eyes closed, she listened as the door closed, and silence
engulfed her.  Hearing the elevator doors open, she let the sounds wash
over her.  Then, the rocking continued until they arrived back in the
room, and LaCroix laid her down on the bed.

As stillness surrounded her, she opened her eyes.  She was alone in the
other room; LaCroix' room.  She slowly sat up, wiping the salt-water
that had welled up in the corner of her eyes.  Hearing movement in the
other room, she headed toward it.  From the doorway, she watched as
LaCroix methodically prepared something...she wasn't sure what, and
walked closer.

"LaCroix?"

He stopped his actions after a minute, and carried a small glass toward
her.  "Drink this.  It will get your mind off of things."

Taking the glass, she swore there was barely a mouthful of a nearly
colorless liquid in the bottom of the glass.  Bringing it to her lips,
she took a small, tentative sip.

Whatever it was, it was unidentifiable to her.  From what she could
tell, it didn't have brandy, scotch or anything of the sort in it.  It
didn't have a smell, and tasted almost no different than water.  Her
thoughts did, however, stray momentarily from her frustration with
Nick.  LaCroix watched her expectantly, and she emptied the glass with
another sip.

Glancing down in order to avoid his gaze, she focused on the carpet.
Still, she wanted Nick.  "Did I do something wrong?" she suddenly
asked, meeting his gaze.

He took her hands in his, stating, "You did nothing wrong."

Swallowing, she watched as his thumbs traced circles on the back of her
hand.  She'd seen Nick do the exact same thing on several occasions.
Natalie breathed deeply, trying to get the thought out of her mind, but
she couldn't.

"Nicholas is stubborn.  We both know that."

Natalie slowly nodded.  She knew just how truthful that statement was.
Swaying slightly, she felt LaCroix steady her, holding her securely
against him.

Bending down, LaCroix let his lips faintly touch her ear before kissing
her lightly on the cheek.  When she didn't protest, he went further,
trailing kisses down her neck, pausing at the narrow strap that held
her thin, lightweight dress on.  His hand moved up to her shoulder,
pushing it to the side.  Every small section of flesh that the strap
passed he kissed, and soon it was dangling freely against her arm.

Hearing the door open, a low growl filled her ears.  LaCroix turned her
in his arms so that they were both facing Nick.  Her lip quivered
slightly upon seeing him.  Nick's eyes burned red.  Not orange-red, but
scarlet-red.  He was enraged.  She could see it.

LaCroix held Natalie firmly, his head hovering not far from her exposed
neck.

"Release her!"

The Roman smiled, placing a single kiss on Natalie's neck.  Pulling
back, he slowly released his grip on her, and although she wavered
slightly, Natalie remained standing.

"I have not harmed her, Nicholas.  Nor do I intend to."  Feeling the
anger from his son, LaCroix approached carefully.  He stopped on one
side of Nick, and whispered in his ear, "She wants you, take her."

Nick felt a tremor run through his spine.  So much did he wish to do
exactly that, but he couldn't allow it.  LaCroix' hand held him firmly,
just under the ear, forcing him to turn toward his father.  Across
their bond he could nearly hear the silent urgings to obey his nature.
He turned into the palm, his lips just touching the cool hand.
"LaCroix, I-I-"

"Shh...just listen to your needs, that's all you need do."  With that,
LaCroix resumed his previous place behind Natalie, pulling her hair to
the side.  One hand rested lightly on her shoulder, the other wrapped
possessively around her waist.

Natalie kept her attention on Nick as he watched.  Even as LaCroix
planted a series of kisses on her neck and shoulder, she focused on
Nick.

"This is what you want, Nicholas.  It is within your reach.  All you
need do is come and take it!"

When LaCroix returned his attention to her neck, Natalie exhaled
slightly as his fangs met her skin before again becoming simple kisses.
She watched as Nick advanced, his eyes mellowing to the same gold she'd
seen downstairs.

He paused upon reaching her.  Then, even as LaCroix continued his
actions, Nick kissed her, plunging his tongue into her waiting mouth.
These initial dual sensations were almost too much, and she craved
more.

Her hands went to Nick's shirt, frantically unbuttoning the small,
suddenly slippery buttons.  By the time she'd reached his waist, she
found LaCroix' hands already undoing the rest.  Pushing his shirt back,
he smoothly slipped out of the garment, the rest of his clothes not far
behind.

Nick continued to come at her, his tongue reaching every part of her
mouth, his hands holding her buttocks, grinding her into him.

LaCroix gently forced Nick back, putting a little more than a foot of
space between them.  For the first time she was able to get a really
good look at Nick.  She could see his need in every part of him.  His
eyes glowed, and a faint red sheen covered his body.  There was a light
dusting of blonde curls on his chest, and continuing downward, she
discovered his body ready for more.

The large hands on her shoulders brought her back to the present.
Slowly, LaCroix pulled the second strap down, letting it hang limply as
the other already was.  As he kissed her neck, she could feel one hand
tugging the zipper of her dress down, and a moment later she felt the
fabric slide down to the floor.

Now, as LaCroix pulled her back at the waist, she felt his cool hands
travel upwards, and one at a time her bare breasts were captured and
kneaded.  All the while, LaCroix continued with his lips, and every now
and then she felt his fangs just barely touch her skin.

Before her, she watched as Nick's eyes flashed crimson for a mere
second, her mind faintly wondering if it was anger or arousal that
caused it.  When he moved forward, however, that no longer mattered.

Nick kissed her full on the mouth, and then pushing one of LaCroix'
hands away, he sucked hard on her breast, his tongue and fangs teasing
her nipple.  She cried his name, and he continued in earnest, repeating
the action on her other breast.  Then, he placed a line of kisses down
her stomach, pausing momentarily at her belly button before continuing
down further.

Feeling LaCroix step back, she placed her hands on Nick's shoulders as
he reached her underwear, pulling them off with one quick motion.  He
pulled her to him, and she felt his tongue slip into her core, licking
and sucking her sensitive flesh.

Just as she was about to demand for more, demand that he finish what he
began, Nick pulled away, standing up.  In one fluid motion she found
herself being picked up, and then, as she instinctively wrapped her
legs around his body, he lowered her.

The action was quick as he slid inside her, and she gasped at the
sensation.  She met the feral and enticing gaze and kissed him without
hesitation.  She could taste herself in his mouth, and as earlier that
night, she proceeded to tease his fangs with her tongue.

Nick's reaction was immediate as he tried to thrust further into her.
His balance wavered and he dropped to his knees, still holding her
tight.  As he released her mouth, she gasped for air.  A smooth
coolness covered her back as LaCroix knelt behind her, and she inhaled
again.

She felt LaCroix' hands, one holding her to him, the other finding the
warm wetness Nick had already claimed.  He massaged her gently, and as
he ceased his actions, a stillness overcame her.  She met Nick's eyes
as he nodded silently back at LaCroix.

At her ear, she felt a cool flow of air from behind her.  "Relax,
Natalie, and enjoy this."

Nick pulled her to him, and she held on, waiting.  There was a pause,
then LaCroix momentarily resumed massaging her.  She moaned as he
stopped, but her silence ceased as his finger teased her ass and
suddenly slipped in.  For a second he made no movement.  Then, he
thrust gently, and she felt a second, then finally a third enter her.
He withdrew, and in a second replaced his fingers with his cock, the
sensation as he impaled her somewhere between pain and pleasure.

She could feel how large he was, and after a few seconds he began to
slowly thrust.  Relaxing, Nick began his own movement, and she felt
both of their rhythms plunging into her, different, but complimentary.

As their hands roamed freely over her, she lost track of which belonged
to whom.  All she really knew as they took her, was that she was
surrounded fully by their ministrations and her own building need.

Natalie wasn't sure how much time had passed as each of their thrusts
came harder and deeper.  It was almost painful as they would quickly
fill her, retreat, then thrust again even farther than before.

Suddenly, she felt Nick explode inside her as his fangs embedded
themselves in her neck, LaCroix' following seconds later.  The
sensation was more than she had ever expected, and she moaned in
ecstasy as her blood thinned and her own orgasm controlled her.  Then,
everything began to fade out; first her vision, then her hearing, and
then her sense of touch.


Blood of One's Desire  (07/15)

As her eyes fluttered open, Natalie found herself being nearly crushed.
Nick lay heavily on top of her, and even as he slept he clutched her to
him with his super-human strength.  Shifting to relieve some of the
weight, she could feel him still inside her.  His lips rested against
her shoulder, the corners of his mouth quirked up into a smile.

Off to her side was LaCroix, his body clinging closely to both her and
Nick.  He too had chosen to use her shoulder as a pillow.  One of his
arms lay beneath her while the other wrapped possessively around Nick.
She was completely surrounded, and even if she wanted to get up, there
was no immediate possibility of it.

Lying still against their cool bodies, she let her memories surface.
Her body felt faintly sore from the rough, quick paced events, and was
sure she would find several bruises later.  What really hit her,
though, was how tired she felt.  But then, she recalled the sensations
as they'd both found their release in her blood.  In reality, she was
lucky to be alive, or at the very least, still mortal.

Thinking of those last few moments, she felt her pulse quicken.  She
was, indeed, still mortal, but that was merely a side note in her
thoughts.  Closing her eyes, she allowed the sensations to replay
themselves.  Things had certainly not gone as she had expected. Rather,
she'd had the most amazing experience ever, one that she wouldn't mind
repeating in the near future.

She smiled, hoping there would be a next time, and basked in her recent
memories as she dozed off.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Natalie stirred, feeling as if she were being moved.  Opening her eyes,
she found herself lying on her side, and she grasped the strong hands
that she had felt slink around her waist.  One of her fingers contacted
a somewhat smooth piece of metal, and she recognized that it was most
certainly LaCroix' ring.  She saddened, realizing that Nick probably
wasn't close by.

Leaning back into the embrace, Natalie closed her eyes as he kissed her
neck.  It was strange, waking in LaCroix' arms, but she found she
didn't really mind it.  After a moment, she softly asked, "Where's
Nick?"

"Getting something for you to eat."

"Why?  It's just downstairs.  I can go down la-"

"You are weak and will rest," he commanded, cutting her off.

Moving away, she stated, "I'm fine," and sat up.  Then, feeling her
head spin, LaCroix pulled her gently back to him.  She didn't resist.

"You *will* rest."

She nodded faintly.  Yes, she would be resting for the night.  However,
just the thought of food made her sick.  But, true to LaCroix' words,
Nick returned a couple of minutes later with far more than she could
possibly eat at a time, even if she had wanted something to begin with.

LaCroix helped her sit up, and she leaned back into his cool body as he
smoothed the comforter across her chest.  Nick came in shortly with a
bowl of soup and a glass of water, and the battle ensued.  Between
Nick's concern and LaCroix' agreement, she had lost the argument and
sluggishly ate the soup.

For several hours the two continued to fuss over her.  When LaCroix
decided to head downstairs, Nick had planned on staying with her, but
she argued that he should feed.  This time, she won with no more than
her promise that she would eat something while they were away.

Her first task was to take a shower and actually put some clothes on.
She had turned the water up as hot as she could handle, and basked in
the warm liquid.  Her shower was no different than usual.  It was
methodical and quick, but the familiar act relaxed her.

Drying off, she turned toward the mirror.  Wiping the condensation off,
she caught full sight of her reflection.  As she had expected, several
bruises could be seen, mostly on her sides and upper thighs.  Wrapping
the towel around her, she brushed off the slight aches she still felt.

What really caught her eye, though, were the two sets of bite marks,
one on each side of her neck.  The wounds wouldn't heal for a couple of
days, she knew that.  But, they reminded her of just what she had done.
She had been with two men at the same time.  Both were vampires, and
both had drunk deeply of her blood.

When she was younger, she would have never even contemplated of doing
such a thing.  Her grandmother would have had her hide.  And she'd
always kept the conservative view of sex her grandmother had beat into
her.  But now...?  Her want for Nick had overshadowed her morals, and
she had to say, nearly dispelled them.

Standing there, all she wanted was to repeat the previous night.  She
wanted Nick, needed him.  And, she admitted to a slightly lesser
degree, that she wanted LaCroix as well.

Looking at the mirror, she could see the wounds glaring back at her in
an angry red, her skin nearly as white as LaCroix'.  Would this be her
appearance if she became one of them?

Natalie shook the thought off.  She was still alive, true, but now she
had a few more problems than before.  What Nick's reaction to all of
this was, she didn't know.  They hadn't spoken much since she'd woke,
almost all of their conversations being arguments.  LaCroix, she knew,
had no qualms with what had happened.  But Nick...?

For a moment, she closed her eyes, willing the fear to leave her.  What
would he think if he knew her thoughts, if he was aware she had
actually enjoyed LaCroix' actions and would repeat last night without
hesitation?  Would Nick push her away, or would he accept it?

She forced the questions away, walking calmly from the bathroom.
Putting on the jeans and t-shirt she'd worn the first night there, she
headed out to the other room.

Finding the other food Nick had brought up, she took one of the
sandwiches and went over to the couch.  At first, she merely stared at
the bread and its fillings.  Then, she took a small bite, forcing
herself to chew and swallow it.  She really wasn't hungry, but she had
promised she'd eat.

Thirty minutes, one sandwich, and a glass of water later, Natalie
leaned back into the cushions, wondering when Nick would get back.  She
really wanted to talk to him.  She had to know what his thoughts were.

After another half hour, she heard the door open and found Nick
hesitantly walking toward her.  Standing, she said, "I was wondering if
we could talk about...what happened."

"I'm sorry for that, Nat.  I...the vampire was in control, I couldn't
stop LaCroix from-"

She halted his words with her finger.  "Nick, I knew exactly what was
going to happen.  If I had wanted, I could have refused LaCroix'
advances.  I didn't, and I don't regret what happened.  What I want to
know, is what you think about last night."

Nick took a step back, his eyes darting away.  "I-I don't know.  I
didn't want that to happen."

"Nick, please answer the question."

He swallowed, keeping his eyes averted.  "I don't want him to hurt you,
and I can't let myself have the chance to hurt you."

She watched the panic set in, and she caught his gaze as it snapped up
at her, not one hint of the vampire in it.

"We can't ever do that again," he stated as he spun, then started
toward the door.

Calling his name, Natalie moved after him, but he was already gone. She
stopped, and as she felt her tears rise, she closed her eyes against
the emptiness that Nick had left as he'd shut the door on her.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Just over forty hours later, Natalie sat still on the couch.  The
previous night she'd done nothing but sit and sleep.  She was still
weak, and the others had sensed it in her, commanding her to stay in
the room.  They had done the same thing tonight.

Nick had barely been in the room since he'd answered her question, and
it hurt that he was avoiding her.  LaCroix had tried to comfort her,
but she didn't feel entirely comfortable with his advances.  Not with
the uncertainties that were swirling around in her mind.

Heading to her room, she tried to find something better to wear.  As
her eyes caught on the dress she'd worn that one night, Natalie
clenched her jaw and kept looking.  Finally, she stopped on the other
dress she'd brought.

It was red--blood red.  She'd never worn it since she'd bought it two
years ago.  At one time, she was going to wear it to dinner with Nick,
but he hadn't asked after she'd gotten it.

It was the same length as the black one, but the cut was different. The
front was average, about the same as most of the shirts she wore to
work except for it being sleeveless.  The back dipped down to her
waist, two thin straps creating an X about mid-back.  It was closely
cut, showing every curve of her body.

Pausing a moment, she snatched the dress up, quickly changing into it.
If this wouldn't aid in getting Nick's undivided attention, then she
didn't know what would.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Reaching the door to the club, Natalie was stopped by the guard.  She
glared at him, waiting patiently for him to move.  After nearly a
minute, he stepped aside, and she pulled the door open, quickly
slipping inside.

The room was fuller than the other two nights, and almost instantly she
spotted Nick at the bar, nursing a glass of blood-wine.  She strode up
behind him, her hands quickly encircling his waist.  When he tensed,
she knew he'd been caught off guard.

"Natalie," he started, trying to turn, but found her arms tightening
their grip.  "You shouldn't be down here."

"I'm here, and I'm staying here."  She waited a moment, fully expecting
him to protest, but he didn't.  Then, without warning she moved one of
her hands, letting it rest on his inner thigh.  He tensed slightly at
the action, but didn't pull away.

After a few seconds, she began to tease him, her hand moving closer and
closer to her target.  Her fingers just barely brushed against his
straining member when she felt a vice-like grip tear her hand away.
Suddenly she was facing him.  His fingers were like steel, and standing
there, she could feel them tightening.

"Do not do that again," Nick hissed, his eyes blazing red.

She stood calmly, not letting his words change her stance in the
slightest.  Suddenly, he dropped her hand and headed toward the back of
the room.  Making to follow, she abruptly found LaCroix standing in her
path.

Planning on going around him, she was pulled roughly toward him, and
she could see his own eyes glowing in anger.  She swallowed, and felt
herself being led from the area.

Once the door to their rooms had been slammed shut, he resumed his
glare.  "You were not to leave this room," he hissed.  "It is
dangerous.  The other clients might take an interest in you, and they
would not necessarily be tolerant to any resistance.  Not only that,
but Nicholas is, as I'm sure your wrist is aware, in one of his moods."

She watched LaCroix calm, and after a moment Natalie asked, "Why did he
react the way he did, anyway?"

He met her eyes.  "He is using his anger to control his need.  You are
lucky you are uninjured."

Natalie nodded.  She'd figured as much when she'd seen Nick's reaction.
But, she couldn't help going after him.  "I want him, LaCroix.  He
doesn't want to hurt me, and I know he won't, but...."

"Yes, he can't get that in his head, can he?"  LaCroix shook his head.
"Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas...you always try to save them, but in the
end it will only destroy them."

She understood the precise meaning of his words.  The 'them' was in
reference to the many mortals he'd taken interest in, and the
destruction was their death.  She was included in the description.
Eventually, if things continued in their current path, he would destroy
her.

She hated to admit it, but LaCroix' lessons for Nick were probably
better than anything she had ever told him.  Nick needed to let his
nature have full reign if they were to ever be together, and he needed
it to keep control.

Natalie pursed her lips, thinking.  Finally, she asked, "Can you
convince Nick of that?"

He stared into the depths of this mortal's eyes.  This question had
been unexpected, but perhaps he could manage it.  Nicholas had become
closer to him over the past weeks, his son's actions being plenty proof
of that.  "I will try," he stated.  Then, he commanded, "Remain here
until I or Nicholas return."

Nodding, she watched as he left.  Holding her position, she decided
that she wouldn't move until one of them came back.  She hoped it would
be Nick, but if it wasn’t, she would have to accept it.


Blood of One's Desire  (08/15)

LaCroix moved purposely through the club, following his link with
Nicholas.  Reaching the back wall, he found a door that lead to a
hallway, and he proceeded to the third door on the left.  He didn't
bother knocking.  Entering, he shut the door behind him.

Nicholas sat in the far corner, a bottle held firmly in his grasp.
Taking a few steps forward, LaCroix silently waited for his son to note
his presence.  A half a minute later, he was greeted with a gold,
unemotional gaze.  Closing the distance between them, LaCroix snatched
the bottle away.

"Give it back!"

LaCroix kept the bottle out of reach, silently examining his son's
thoughts.  The bottle was wine, not blood, and he knew what Nicholas
was doing.  "I will not allow you to drown your thoughts with this
filth!  If you wish for me to exchange this with a bottle of blood, I
will do so."

"Give it to me, LaCroix!" Nick demanded through his fangs.

"No."  LaCroix turned, and heading toward the door, placed the bottle
on a small table.  Facing his son, he stated, "You must accept your
feelings, Nicholas.  You cannot suppress them."

"Yes I can," he hissed.

"And at what cost?  Your humanity?  Or perhaps even your precious
Natalie?"

Nick flew at his father, fully intending upon shoving the elder into
the opposite wall, through it if he could manage it.  Instead, he was
caught with ease, and found himself pinned by LaCroix' powerful grip.

"If you continue like this, Nicholas, she will die!  Is that what you
want?"  LaCroix met his son's burning eyes, waiting for a reply.  But,
the younger vampire merely stared silently and coldly back at him.
"Answer me, Nicholas!  Do you want to kill her?  That is what this will
lead to. Is that what you want?!"

Swallowing, Nick found himself at a loss for words.  LaCroix' scarlet
eyes bored into him and he tried to keep his composure.  "No."

"Then cease this fear, this pitiful attempt at protecting her!  It will
kill her as it has done many other mortals.  You know that.  How many
times has that happened?  Remember Liselle and the others like her?"
His son closed his eyes against the memories his words invoked.  "Let
her choose her own path."

After taking a minute to consider, Nick nodded.  Then, his features
darkened.  "What if she leaves?"

LaCroix muffled a chuckle.  "There's no need for you to worry about
that happening.  At present, she wishes nothing more than for you to
take her....  I suggest you do so before she has the chance to change
her mind."  With that, LaCroix disappeared through the door, leaving
his son to his own thoughts.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Watching the door, she saw it slowly open, and from it Nick entered the
room.

He stopped as he saw her, his eyes flashing gold with lust.  LaCroix'
words had done more than convince him--they had once again awakened the
beast.  "Natalie...."

Taking several steps forward, she halted before reaching him.  "Will
you take me, Nick?  Or are you just here to-"

Her question matched LaCroix' comment, and he didn't know if he could
hold back any longer.  After a second, he did exactly as he was asked,
capturing her mouth with his.  His tongue pushed her lips apart,
gaining easy entry to her warm, moist mouth.  Their tongues dueled for
a moment, then he pulled hers into his mouth, sucking at it fervently.
His fangs dropped abruptly, their tips embedding themselves in the soft
flesh, quickly pulling a gentle flow of blood from her.

As he pulled back, she wanted more, but something about him warned her
back.  Nick was barely in control, if at all.  After a short time,
Natalie sensed movement from the door, and she watched as LaCroix
entered, carrying a single bottle.

"Nicholas...I believe you may want this," he said, handing the bottle
to his son.

Nick took it, pulling the cork out roughly with his teeth, spitting it
across the room.  He took in the aroma: fresh, young, and vibrant.

"Drink it, then come to my room."  LaCroix turned, focusing on Natalie
with a wicked smile.  Silently, he led her toward his room, letting her
in on his plan....


Nick barely noted LaCroix leave, instead focusing on the bottle.  The
blood was so fresh he could almost feel the flesh of its mortal owner
in his hands.  Inhaling deeply, he brought the bottle to his lips and
drank in the sensations.

The bottle was quickly gone.  Sitting it on the table, he felt his eyes
flash red for a second, before returning to gold, and then finally
fading to their normal blue color.

He followed his sense of LaCroix, and entering the bedroom, found his
father standing at the foot of the bed, completely undressed.  Natalie,
however, was nowhere to be seen.  He turned his attention to the
bathroom, then felt his bond with LaCroix pull him toward his father.

"She will come out in a second.  First, you will remove your clothes."

The words were a command, and after a second of hesitation he quickly
did as told, his clothing ending in a pile near the wall.

"Lie down."

Nick again faltered, and a second later he could feel LaCroix pulling
him closer, backing him up toward the foot of the bed.  In a few more
seconds, he was laying back, his knees bent on the bed's end, his feet
just barely touching the ground.

LaCroix then got onto the bed, a piece of dark fabric held in one hand.
He sensed slight panic from his son, but eased it away with his
thoughts.  Then, he tied the cloth securely around Nicholas' head,
making sure it fully covered his son's eyes.

"I believe Natalie has a gift for you, but you must lie still.
Understood?"  As his son nodded, LaCroix watched as Natalie approached,
her exquisite body fully capturing his gaze.  His son was not the only
one ensnared by her beauty.  When she reached the edge of the bed,
however, his attention was broke by Nicholas' movement.  Taking his
son's arms, he pulled them back, pinning them down.  "You must not
move, Nicholas...remember that."

Nick tensed at the words, waiting for something to happen.  He felt the
mattress move slightly and could tell roughly where Natalie was as her
heart pounded in his ears.  She kissed him on the lips and although he
was caught a little off guard, he quickly responded in kind.  The
sensation abruptly stopped and her lips found his neck.  He leaned his
head back in pleasure...she knew exactly where the most sensitive
places were, and she kissed them, sucked on his skin, a nibble every
now and then...and he felt himself beginning to be pushed toward his
limits.

After what seemed like eternity, her mouth moved further down his body,
and she stopped at his nipples.  Each was taken separately into her
mouth, and she teased them past hardness.  As her teeth scraped along
one, she drew away abruptly, leaving a tingle of need where she had
been.

For nearly a minute Nick just lay there, waiting expectantly for her
next move.  Again, her lips found his, but they didn't stay long as
they left a trail of kisses on his chin, down the front of his throat,
and right down the middle of his chest.  When Natalie had reached his
abdomen she paused for a second before continuing at a slower pace.

She stopped at his belly button, her tongue darting in and around the
sensitive area.  Then, she again began her journey, her lips ceasing
their actions just as they reached the tuft of hair above what he'd
believed to be her target.

All sensation ceased, and Nick started to squirm in LaCroix' tight
hold.  Realizing there was no use, he stopped and moaned,
"Natalie...please...."

He didn't know how long passed, but the next thing he felt was a brush
of her lips on the top of his foot.  Now, he knew what her game was.
Once again her mouth began its travels, and she quickly arrived to his
inner thigh.  Then she started on the other leg, repeating her task
with slow, precise movements.

Another pause in feeling, and her fingers began tracing random shapes
in his inner thighs.  He closed his eyes, forcing himself to remain
calm, but at the same time reveling in the uncommon sensations.  He'd
wanted this for so long...he wasn't going to let it end yet.

Natalie's interest moved higher and higher, and suddenly she took his
hard erection in her hand, continuing the faint tracing on its shaft
with her fingertips.

"Natalie..." he hissed between his fangs, urging her to continue.

She smiled, then abruptly took Nick's engorged member in her mouth. She
pulled as much of him into her as she could, feeling him at the back of
her throat.  Moving so that he glided smoothly in and out of her mouth,
her lips formed a tight ring as she pleasured him.  She continued until
he tried thrusting into her.  Then, releasing him, Natalie again let
him lie silently without any sensation.  She watched as his need built
further, his body writhing in LaCroix' grasp.

With one hand, she took his shaft tightly and then let her lips brush
the sensitive head.  Her tongue darted out every few seconds, and as it
slid under his foreskin, Nick struggled.  At that he called her name,
demanding that she continue, at which Natalie paused.

Without finishing her task, Natalie backed away, standing out of Nick's
range.  His breathing, usually barely noticeable, was deep and raged.
The red sheen on his skin glistened in the low light.  She wanted him
inside her.  She wanted him now.

He was going mad with this teasing.  He needed her to continue.
"Natalie!" Nick called while attempting to sit up.  LaCroix' fingers
dug almost painfully into his shoulders.  He couldn't stand this any
longer.  He needed release, he needed blood.  "Let go of me, LaCroix!"

The elder laughed.  "Just rest, Nicholas...relax.  There will be more
later."

Natalie watched for several minutes, and after what seemed to her to be
hours, Nick finally lie still on the bed.  His breathing had slowed and
his imminent need for release had faded.  Behind him was LaCroix, a
suppressed smile on his lips, his hands still holding Nick down with a
vice-like grip.

She met his eyes, and caught a sparkle waiting.  LaCroix' plan was only
half done.  Nick had been aroused, pushed so far that he would cave at
any further provocation.  There was no way he could refuse to continue.
She knew that, and so did LaCroix.


Now was time for the remainder of the plan.  This would be her hardest
part, and she hoped she could play her role.  As LaCroix' golden gaze
smiled at her, she had a feeling there wouldn't be any trouble.

LaCroix released his son's arms, moving away from the bed.  The
blindfold remained where it was, and he saw the other vampire's
breathing increase.

"What now, LaCroix?  I-I need...want more."

"And more you shall receive.  But first, we have a little something for
you...." LaCroix trailed off, increasing his son's tension.
"Nicholas....you will not leave the bed.  If you wish, you may sit up
and remove the blindfold, but no more.  Understand?"

"Yes."

Smiling, LaCroix flew to Natalie's position and in one motion he pulled
her bare body against him, captured her mouth with his, and let his
hands roam her back.  Ending the kiss, he watched out of the corner of
his eyes as Nicholas sat up, the blindfold dangling from one hand.

LaCroix let his hands move lower and he picked Natalie gently up.  She
wrapped her legs around him with ease, her hands taking hold on the
back of his neck.  Supporting her lower back, he let her lean back. Her
breasts were now bulging before him, and his smile turned into a grin. 
With his lips parted, he hovered above one mound, his breath eliciting
a faint moan from her.

His tongue slowly moistened his lips, then licked the underside of her
breast, tracing a circle around her nipple before pulling it inside his
mouth.  Sucking, he increased the sensation, his fangs pressing against
her skin.

"LaCroix?"

He turned to Nicholas.  Both of their eyes were glowing primarily with
need.  "Stay there, Nicholas.  You will not interfere," LaCroix hissed,
pulling Natalie closer to him and his arousal.

Focusing on the mortal, LaCroix pulled her back up to him.  Her arms
wrapped further around his neck and his hands traveled lower, spreading
her legs apart more than they already were.  When his fingers reached
her core, he massaged the moist skin, letting a couple dart into her.

Instead of backing off at his actions, she pushed into his hand.  His
smile returned, and he held her entrance open as he guided his penis
toward the wet opening.  At first, he merely teased her.  Then, as her
arms gripped him tighter, he wasted no more time and plunged himself up
and into her.

Natalie gasped at the action, his large member filling her up to the
brim.  Then, as he began to thrust, she suppressed the initial
discomfort of the action.  In her mind, she wished this was Nick, and
knew that it would be soon.

At the edge of the bed, Nick knelt, watching as his father took Natalie
with more passion than he had seen in LaCroix in many years.  It was
fascinating, watching them together as his view was filled with both of
their bare bodies, each obviously enjoying the experience.

His initial anger at LaCroix barely remained in him.  His beast was
there, waiting for permission to do something.  He wanted to be allowed
to be closer, to be able to touch Natalie, take her in his arms.  He
wanted to throw his restraint out the window.  "LaCroix...please...."

With that, Natalie felt LaCroix pull fully out of her.  Feeling
suddenly empty, she pleaded with him to continue, but he didn't.

"I believe you want my son, is that not right?"

"Yes...."

"Now, Nicholas, move to the side."  His son didn't, and he repeated,
"Move to the side, or return to your room."  LaCroix watched as his son
first swallowed and then obeyed.  Moving to the bed, he placed Natalie
on it.  Nicholas wasted no time before reaching for her, and LaCroix
was ready for the action and held his son away.

"Not yet, Nicholas," he whispered in the younger vampire's ear.  Then,
LaCroix pulled his son off of the bed and back against him, letting
their skin meet, his still moist cock rubbing against Nicholas' ass.
"May I, Nicholas?"

Nick tensed at the words.  He knew exactly what LaCroix was asking.  It
had been centuries since his father had dared asked, although in his
mind it seemed like yesterday.  Leaning back, Nick took in the feeling
of their proximity.  It affected him on more than simple physical
sensations.  Their bond leapt alive at the continued and widespread
contact.  LaCroix was more than behind him, more than just on the
outskirts of his thoughts.  This close contact was equal to taking a
mortal's blood.

"Nicholas?  You may, if you wish, decline.  I will respect your choice,
whatever it is."  LaCroix snaked his arms around his son, his hands
gently tracing lines across Nicholas' smooth stomach, moving upward. As
one reached a nipple, he drew a spiral around it, ending on its now
hard tip.  "Nicholas...permission granted?"

"Yes, LaCroix."

"Then take her so that I may take you," he whispered with a touch of
seductiveness.

Nick hesitated, if only for an instant, before approaching Natalie.  He
climbed up on the bed and knelt between her legs, his hands resting on
her thighs.

"Nick...please.  I want you.  Now...."

With as close to the surface his beast was, that was all the pleading
he needed.  He came down on her, sliding into her warm juices before
he'd barely even touched the rest of her body.  As he thrust, she
gripped his back, her fingernails tearing into his skin, blood welling
in the cuts.

His lips found Natalie's, and at the same time a pair of hands reached
around him and then under Natalie.  LaCroix pulled them, without
effort, toward the end of the bed.  Then, Nick felt lips on his back
and the blood being licked from the already healing wounds.

LaCroix pulled away, at which Nick wavered in his rhythm.  His father's
hands rested on his lower back a moment before moving to his buttocks.
They went a little lower, then he faltered again as LaCroix forcibly
spread his legs.

Nick slowed his thrusts, waiting for LaCroix to continue.  Barely a
second later, and he felt a slightly moist finger tease his opening.
Another, and it worked its way into him.  Relaxing into his father's
touch, he took in a deep breath.  LaCroix easily pulled out, the head
of his cock pausing at the tight muscles.

Telling himself to relax, he found Natalie's mouth, kissing her deeply.
He pulled her tongue into his mouth and sucked lightly.  What he had
left of his control was waning, but he had to last a little longer.

Continuing to hold Nicholas on the edge, LaCroix made him wait for
more.  He rocked side to side and his son moaned in pleasure through
his kiss with Natalie.

"LaCroix...plea-ah...."  Nick closed his eyes as LaCroix pushed into
him.

LaCroix smiled at the reaction.  His member fit nicely into Nicholas.
He slid out, nearly past the opening, then stabbed back in as far as he
could go.  A few more thrusts, and he was establishing a rhythm, one
that Nicholas quickly matched, allowing him to plunge his cock up to
the hilt with every stroke.

As Nicholas slid back from Natalie, LaCroix pushed into his son.  They
switched, and as Nicholas' need grew, he knew he had to keep his son in
check.  In this state, Nicholas could drain Natalie without a thought.
If that happened....  No, he couldn't consider that.

He kept their consistent motion, his lips kissing randomly on his son's
back, small drops of blood being released as his fangs nipped the
delicate skin.

After a couple of minutes, he started to feel his son tire.  Through
their bond, he could feel Nicholas' immediate need for blood.  When
Nicholas prepared to strike, LaCroix was ready and he pulled the
younger back.

Placing his wrist within his son's reach, LaCroix knew he wouldn't have
to wait long.  Fangs dug into his flesh, and he drew Nicholas back
farther, his own ripping into the younger vampire's neck.

His son's blood flowed into him and his own blood into Nicholas.  At
the same time they both emptied their seed, more blood being exchanged.
Taking Nicholas' blood was like stepping back in time.  It was as sweet
as ever, and the pure emotions he found in it could last him centuries
if need be.

Feeling Nicholas pull out of his wrist, LaCroix winced as his son
latched on to his arm, and he too ceased taking the other's blood.  As
his son’s muscles relaxed, LaCroix pulled him back and away from
Natalie.

His son leaned into him, and his previous joy quickly became concern.
"Nicholas?"

"Hmmm?"

Sliding out of his son LaCroix carried Nicholas to the upper part of
the bed, lying him gently down.  "Are you okay, mon fils?"

Natalie turned on her side as her senses returning to her.  She could
hear LaCroix' question, and she turned toward the voice.  Moving up to
the top of the bed, she stopped inches from Nick's skin not sure if she
should approach further or not.

A smile graced Nick's face as he let his head fall back, his neck being
fully exposed to the cool air.  He rolled his head toward LaCroix, his
eyes still a bright gold.  "Fine.  Tired, but fine...."

LaCroix' expression mirrored his son's, and he leaned over, his lips
brushing the thin, taunt skin of Nicholas' throat.  Lying next to his
son, he pulled Natalie closer, and they wrapped the younger vampire in
their embrace.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Natalie woke to find herself being carried effortlessly back to her
room.  Catching Nick's features she started to speak, but he made a
gesture for her to do otherwise.

He sat her on the bed, and then went over to the bathroom, turning the
light on.  "We are leaving here.  Now."

"But...."

"There will be plenty of time to discuss this on the way back.  If we
don't leave soon we won't make it back by sunrise."

"Can I ask why?"

"I need to think.  And I think you should, too."  He paused, his eyes
fixing on her beautiful, bare form.  Averting his gaze, he told her,
"Take a shower and get packed.  I'll deal with LaCroix when he wakes."

Natalie remained sitting for almost a minute.  When it was clear that
Nick wasn't leaving until she began his instructions, she walked as
gracefully as she could to the bathroom, silently shutting the door.

As the water was turned on, Nick turned his attention to his own needs.
He found his bag, quickly dressed, and downed a bottle of blood.
Needing to retrieve a couple of things, he slipped into LaCroix' room
but stopped upon seeing the empty bed.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he turned to find
LaCroix standing behind him, not a speck of clothing adorning his form.
But, that wasn't what was on the forefront of his mind.  Instead, it
was the barely controlled anger behind LaCroix' golden eyes.

"Where are you going, Nicholas?" he hissed.

Nick looked away and grabbed the clothes he'd come for.  Coming back
toward the door, he stated, "Back to Toronto.  Natalie's going with
me."

"And you are doing this because...?"

"I wasn't expecting this, LaCroix.  The club, perhaps, but not what's
transpired here.  If I am to easily return to work, I need some time to
think."  His father's gaze didn't waver.  "I won't push you away,
LaCroix.  I promise that."

LaCroix forced his anger away.  Nicholas was speaking truthfully, and
in reality this trip had gone far better than he had expected.  He
nodded.  "Go.  I hope, however, that you remember your words."  Meeting
Nicholas' gaze, he stepped aside, allowing the younger to leave the
room.

Leaning back against the cool surface of the door, LaCroix listened to
Nicholas and Natalie's movements.  The experience they'd shared only a
few hours previous was still fresh in his mind.  Closing his eyes, he
let the events replay themselves.  Nicholas had allowed him closer, but
now he couldn't help but question if it had been a mistake.

In a half hour all was silent, and only he still remained within the
rooms.  As usual, he was left alone in the wake of his son's emotions.
But, would it be different this time?  All he could do was hope.


Blood of One's Desire  (09/15)

Four nights later:

Reese sat silently at his desk, his eyes staring blankly at the files
before him.  Arriving to work that night he'd found a thick envelope
from Commissioner Vetter sitting alone on his desk.  Opening it, he had
been shocked at the contents.

They were unsolved murders, all dating from about a year previous,
their locations spread across the continent.  There were nearly two-
dozen of them, and they had all been linked to Nick.

At first, he'd adamantly refused to believe it.  But taking a closer
look at the cases, specifically at the evidence...his anger rose.  Nick
was indeed connected to these murders.

When Nick was cleared of the murder of Melinda Lawrence, a sample of
his DNA had been taken.  Then, the Commissioner had managed to get hold
of the results, and had it compared to several cases that IA had come
up with.

Now, nearly a month later, matches had been found.  These weren't
partial, but exact matches.  The killer that had ended their short
lives was a vampire, and that vampire had been Nick.  It was
undeniable.

If the Commissioner could have his way, Nick would be fired and in the
court system in an instant, but the law wouldn't allow that.

With the discovery that vampires were real, it hadn't taken long before
a set of laws had been set up to deal specifically with the Vampire
Community.  One of these was that any actions that occurred prior to
the enactment of the laws could not be held against any member of the
Vampire Community.

This was mainly made so that a vampire couldn't be brought up on
charges for murder from a past situation where that murder wasn't
considered against the law in that culture, and of course to protect
the older vampires, who'd had to kill thousands to survive.  All of
these murders occurred several months before the news broke out, and as
such, no prosecution could be made.

Yet, Vetter's first wish could possibly be accomplished.  If there was
a possibility that Nick was a danger to his coworkers, he could then be
fired.  But, that could be countered with a hearing within the
department.  Nick could still be forced out of the precinct for his
actions, but this way it would give Nick a chance and hopefully remain
within the department.

The choice Nick had was slim.  But, first things first:  Nick had to be
made aware of the situation, and would need to be questioned.  He paged
the front desk, asking that Nick be directed to one of the conference
rooms in ten minutes.  Then, he gathered the files, a tape recorder,
and proceeded to the designated room.

When he heard a knock on the door, he ordered them to enter and a few
seconds later came face to face with Nick.  "Sit down, Nick.  I'm
afraid I have some bad news for you."

Doing so, Nick hesitantly sat across the table from his superior.  He
could feel his own nervousness rise, but forced himself to keep calm.

Reese took the folder, and placed it in front of his detective,
stating, "Look that over.  I...think you'll recognize the cases."

Hesitantly, Nick took the folder, opening it to the first page.  A
vaguely familiar face and name stared back at him.  He flipped to the
next, and found the same thing...a vaguely familiar picture and name.
He knew who these people were.  He knew more about them than even they
had.  He had drained their lives from them without mercy.

Closing his eyes, he flipped it shut, not bothering to look through all
of the files.  Reese wouldn't have shown him this without due need. His
superior said something to him, but he couldn't concentrate on the
words.  All he could see were his memories, the faces of the pictures
coming to life before him, their owner's fear palpable even now.

He felt a touch on his shoulder and heard the Captain call his name.
Focusing on the present, Nick found Reese standing slightly behind him,
the touch on his shoulder being Reese's resting hand.

Moving away, Reese moved to stand on the side of the table opposite of
Nick.  "I don't know what to say, Nick.  I thought you were different
than those like LaCroix, but now, I'm not sure."  He paused, locking
his attention on his detective.  "I have to know this, Nick.  You did
kill all of those people, didn't you?"

"Yes," he struggled.  Looking up, he firmly met Reese's gaze.  "If I
could undo it, I would."

Reese nodded.  Now was for the bigger question.  "Why, Nick?  Why did
you end their lives?"

He fidgeted, not entirely sure how he should answer.  "I-I was out of
control.  Other than that, I don't remember much...LaCroix had taken my
memories away in an attempt to relieve my grief after I had nearly
killed Natalie.  It did more than make me forget my grief; it took away
my sense of morality.  All I could think was to kill...I...."

"Would you be up to explaining everything in more detail?"  Catching a
combination of a haunted expression and a confused one, Reese told him,
"Commissioner Vetter and IA are the only ones who know other than
myself.  The Commissioner is planning on putting together a case
against you, trying to show that you are dangerous.  You have three
choices:  You can resign, you can let them fire you, or you can try and
get a vote of confidence from your co-workers.  The third option is
risky...it might expose all of this, but you will possibly be able to
stay at work."

Clenching his jaw, Nick shook his head.  "I won't resign."

"Do you want to try for the vote of confidence?"

Nick considered this for a moment.  He certainly didn't want to be
fired, and he needed work.  Most nights, it calmed him.  It took his
mind off of what he was.  He nodded, and then asked, "What must be done?"

Reese looked to the recorder, nodding at it.  "IA's letting me question
you, to get a full explanation.  We can do that now, or in the next few
days."

Setting his jaw, Nick stared at the recorder.  "I'll do it now.  How
detailed?"

"As much as you can give.  I know this is going to be hard, Nick.  If
you need to stop, just tell me."  The Captain sat in the chair,
reaching forward and starting the recording.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

The morgue had been quiet since Natalie had come back from her little
vacation.  Her patients had been few, and if possible, she would say
they'd been more silent than usual.

Once again, Nick had backed away from her.  He was now avoiding her
more than before.  True, he had explained that he needed to think and
put everything in perspective.  Nick had told her that he probably
wouldn't stop by for at least a week, and had asked that she not come
by his place, or even the precinct unless she needed to be there.  But
she couldn't help but think that Nick was doing all of this on purpose,
that the distance he was putting between them was more than just so he
could 'think.'

Natalie had patiently listened to him as they had returned to Toronto.
She closed her eyes, replaying their conversation, trying to pin down
what was happening.

Nick had avoided making any mention of LaCroix or what had transpired.
She'd tried asking him what he thought of what had happened,
particularly her actions with LaCroix, but he hadn't said a word.
However, it was clear to her that he was uncomfortable with it, and
that was probably his reason for needing to think.  Even she had needed
a little time to get everything straight after returning.

Suffice it to say, she was worried.  When he'd explained all of this,
she had seen how close the vampire was to emerging.  That had to be why
he had told her to stay away.  Perhaps that's why he was putting the
distance between them.

If Nick was worried he might lose control, then his actions made
perfect sense.  It would be just like Nick to do something like that.
The distance made her feel empty and unwanted.  She hated that feeling.

Shaking her thoughts away, Natalie picked up her pen, then sat it down
again.  She had felt something.  Looking up, she could see the door
swinging shut, LaCroix standing on the other side of her desk.  This
was the first time she'd seen him since that night, and she could see
some of her concern mirrored in him.  "LaCroix?"

"Come with me.  Now."  With that, he turned, and headed for the door.

He disappeared, and she started after him, catching up to him near the
back doors.  "Where are we going?"

LaCroix paused, stated, "The precinct," and then held the door open,
gesturing her to pass through.  Once outside, he took her around the
waist, the ground disappearing beneath them.

She closed her eyes against the wind, the shear speed at which they
were traveling.  Touching down at the precinct, LaCroix indicated that
she should go first.  Inside, LaCroix nodded to one of the conference
rooms in the back.  Reese had just come out of it, and seemed to
hesitate at sight of them, but continued on to his office.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick sat uncomfortably in the chair.  Reese had just left, something
about needing to do something in his office, and had said something
about explaining things to Tracy.  Almost immediately, he could feel
his father's approach.  One thing was just leading to another that
night.

The door opened, and in walked both Natalie and LaCroix.  "What are you
doing here?" he demanding, aware that LaCroix had probably sensed his
thoughts.

"What you are proposing to do, it is ludicrous!  To admit to your
actions, then-"

"I am staying at work, LaCroix.  Don't even suggest for me to do
otherwise!" Nick hissed through his fangs.

The hostility that had suddenly sprang up between them confused her,
and she wondered just why LaCroix had brought her with him.  "What is
going on?!"

Both turned to her, LaCroix without any emotion, and Nick with his
golden gaze.

"The murders Nicholas had committed while absent from Toronto were
pinned on him.  The Commissioner, I believe, wants him out of the
precinct and plans on trying to force him out.  Nicholas is going to
try and get out of it by letting others in on this knowledge, so that a
vote of some kind may be taken.  Is that about right?"

Swallowing, Nick nodded.  LaCroix had picked up all of the details from
his thoughts.  Silently, Nick wondered if that was all LaCroix had
gotten, or if there had been more.  One thing was for sure though--he
was becoming closer to his father.  When they'd shared blood, their
bond had leapt back to a connection they hadn't had for well over a
century.

"I need to work, LaCroix.  You know that.  I am admitting to this for
one reason only--because you had taken away my memory, and that had
included my morality, my humanity."  Pausing, Nick hoped his next
request wouldn't backfire.  "Will you make a statement?  Will you
explain what my condition was at the time, and how I got that way?" His
father didn't answer, and he pleaded, "Please, LaCroix.  If you do, I
will most likely be able to remain at work.  I need someone to
corroborate my condition, and you are the only one who can do so.
Please."

About to speak, LaCroix stopped when the door opened, admitting Reese
and his son's partner.  "I will do as you have asked, but only when it
becomes necessary."

The Captain moved past the others, telling him, "The tape will go to IA
and the Commissioner.  This might take a while to clear up, Nick, if it
does.  You know the Commissioner has been determined to keep you out of
the department."  Seeing the detective nod, he continued, "You will
stay with Tracy at all times during shift until further notice.  The
Commissioner, as you can guess, isn't thrilled with it, but she's your
partner.  I trust this won't be a problem?"

"No.  I do, however, ask that I have a moment alone."

Reese considered it for a moment, and then nodded.  "Tracy will be in
my office."

Once they had left, LaCroix walked around the table, stopping by
Nicholas.  His fingers grazed his son's cheek, causing the younger to
turn away, stand, and take a few steps away from him.  Closing the
distance between them, LaCroix took Nicholas' shoulders and pulled them
back.  Then, he whispered in his son's ear, "Understand this--I will
not see you harmed by this in any manner, no matter what the reason."
Pulling Nicholas' head back, he crushed his lips against his son's
cheekbone, then released him.  "If you need anything, anything at
all...ask, and I will do what I can."

Natalie watched LaCroix approach her.  As a hand touched her arm,
pulling her toward the door, she told him she'd be just a minute.  Once
LaCroix had left, she told Nick, "The same goes for me, Nick."

He met her gaze, his jaw set firm.  When she approached, he remained
where he was, keeping his body rigid.

"Nick?"  She raised her hand to his cheek, resting it there for a
moment.

"Please go, Nat.  I'm sorry, I need space.  Please don't come by my
place unless I ask."

She saddened as he put up a barrier between them.  Past it, she wasn't
sure what was there.  He was tense, but she had no idea what was on his
mind, nor did she know what her reaction should be.

"If you want to talk, just come by.  I won't mind."  He turned away
from her, effectively shutting her out.  Taking a step back, she left
the room, finding LaCroix just outside the door.

She met the vampire's gaze, and he led her gently toward the entrance
with his hand.  Once in the cool morning air, Natalie closed her eyes.
LaCroix lifted her effortlessly into the air, and her stomach churned
at what she had learned at the precinct.


Blood of One's Desire  (10/15)

After a week of being confined almost entirely to the precinct, Nick
was feeling like a caged animal.  He needed to get out of the building,
get away from all of the people.

He stood, grabbed his coat, and called to his partner, "Trace, come on.
I need a break."

"But, the Harding report."

"Bring it with you, then.  I'm going, and you can either join me, or
not."  Nick started toward the door, and could hear Tracy's muttered
protests as she gathered up a bunch of papers and started after him.

Five minutes later, Nick drove the Caddy down the dark streets, his
partner squinting at the papers on her lap.  Making a sharp turn, he
caught Tracy turning toward him.

"Nick?  You okay?"

"Fine," he stated, the tips of his fangs brushing against his bottom
lip.  He took a breath, pushing his beast back.  "Tracy, how about I go
down by the river.  I'll stop, and you can work on the report.  I'll
stay within your eyesight.  Okay?"

"Nick...."  But Nick had already turned the car toward the river.  She
wasn't going to change his mind, and besides, Nick looked like he
needed a distraction.

Leaving the papers in her lap, Tracy watched the road pass, and
soon they were pulling to a stop within view of the water's edge.  Her
eyes followed Nick as he got out of the car, heading quickly for the
river.

After a moment, she attempted to turn her attention back to the papers,
but it wasn't working.  Focusing on her partner, she slowly got out.
She shut the door and waited for Nick to look her way, but he didn't.
Approaching, Tracy quickly found herself only a few feet from him.
"Nick?"

"Please, Tracy....  Go back to the car."  He refused to turn around,
knowing that his features weren't human.

Ignoring his instructions, Tracy stepped closer.  Extending her hand,
she placed it on his upper back, and she watched as his head drooped.
"Nick, I'm staying right here.  I know you haven't had much time to
rest lately, but...."  Her hand was now on his shoulder, and her
fingers just barely made contact with his skin, causing a sharp intake
of air.  "Nick?"

"Leave me be!" he snarled turning toward his partner, grabbing her
upper arms.  Hearing her gasp, and catching a look of suppressed terror
flashing in her eyes, he let go.  "Sorry."

Tracy shook off her sudden fright.  Even though she had known what Nick
was for several months now, it still caught her off-guard. She reached
out to his face and within a second, Nick held it in a death grip.
"Nick...what's wrong?  Why are you so tense?  I haven't seen you like
this for a while, not even when-"  She stopped, sensing that she was
just making things worse, and realizing she had been caught in Nick's
ravenous gaze.

Her words meant nothing to him, her pulse calling loudly to him.
Smoothly, Nick pulled her against him, pushing her head to the side
with one simple, harsh movement.  Her pale skin shone with the white
moonlight, and he found himself descending on the flow of blood he knew
was just under the thin skin.  Just before piercing it, he pulled back.
"No, I can't do this."  He roughly pushed her away, and attempted to
push his hunger away.  No matter how hard he tried, it only left him
partially.  His need for blood was so great he could barely think.

"Nick?" Tracy said as she took a step forward, her voice still shaking
with her fading fear.

"Please, stay back.  I'm barely in control."

Holding her position, she asked, "Is there anything I can do?"

He considered it for a moment.  "Yes.  Take me to the Raven, and then
drive my car back to the precinct.  Tell Reese I'm taking the rest of
the night off."

Nodding, she headed back to his car.  Getting in the driver's side, she
waited for Nick to get in, which he did after a couple of minutes.
Turning the key, she pulled back onto the main roads, heading for the
Raven.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

"I thought you needed time to think, Nicholas."

Nick glared at his father.  Taking the glass on the counter, Nick
drained it, handed it to LaCroix, and then headed toward the office.
Once the door was shut behind them both, he stated, "I...I need
something."

A faint smile came to LaCroix' face.  Even though he already knew
Nicholas' answer, he enjoyed pulling the answer from his son.  "And
that is?"

"Your...blood.  That's what I need."

The elder smirked, fully aware Nicholas' words weren't quite the truth.
"And what is it that you really need, that you want?  Natalie's blood,
perhaps?"

Wincing and turning away, Nick nodded.  "Yes.  But...I'd kill her if I
tried taking any of her blood right now.  I think you know that."

LaCroix held Nicholas' stare, and after a moment, he nodded.  His son
would very possibly do just that in his present state.

Nick pursed his lips, and said, "You told me that if I needed anything
to just ask.  I'm asking."

"And you shall receive.  Come here, Nicholas."  His son approached and
he pulled Nicholas to his neck.  Fangs immediately tore into his flesh,
and his blood was taken in substantial swallows.

After a moment, he bent toward his son's throat.  LaCroix' canines
teased the skin, but Nicholas didn't pull away as he had suspected.
Instead, his son pulled his head downward, and Nicholas' blood spilled
into his mouth.

LaCroix sucked hard on the wounds, pulling the blood out as fast as
Nicholas was taking his own blood.  His son was aggressive, and he soon
found himself pinned against the wall.  The position was one he usually
avoided, but if this is how Nicholas was going to take his blood, he
didn't care.

Taking his fill of Nicholas' life-blood, he let his son drink of his as
long as the younger wished.  Then, as Nicholas pulled back, he held his
son carefully against him.

The secrets of his son's blood were more fractured than usual. Nicholas
wasn't sure what to do about his feelings for Natalie, and that
conflict was the main cause of this break of control.  That, and then
there was the strengthening relationship between Nicholas and himself,
and the matter at his son's work.

"If you push her away, it will only be harder later.  Natalie is in no
danger with you as long as you are well fed.  In fact, she can help you
in some ways that I cannot."  There was no reaction from his child.  "I
will provide you with a constant supply of my blood.  You will not come
to me for it.  Natalie will have it.  If you want more or less, you
will tell Natalie."

Nick looked up.  "Why can't I-"

"Call it an incentive to visit her.  It will help you, Nicholas.  I
will still be here if you need me."

Nick pulled away, stood, and leaned heavily on LaCroix' desk, tracing
the grain of the wood.  "I want her, LaCroix.  But...."

Approaching his son, he turned Nicholas' face to look at him.  Firmly,
he stated.  "Be assured that I will be nearby.  Act however you wish in
her presence.  I will allow no harm to come to her."

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Watching LaCroix leave the morgue for the sixth night in a row, Natalie
wondered when Nick would actually pick up the blood while she was
there.  He seemed to know when she would be away from the lab.  Every
night the blood LaCroix supplied would be gone, the empty container
from the previous night replacing it.

'But not all of it,' she kept to herself as she brought the most recent
delivery of LaCroix' blood to the break room, and took another
container out of the refrigerator marked with her name and a warning of
death, or more precisely, unlife, to whoever touched it.  She was sure
her coworkers thought it was just a joke as they knew she and Nick were
friends and knew what Nick was, but it wasn't.

Taking the cup, she removed the top.  From the container LaCroix had
given her, she poured off about an ounce of the thick liquid. Replacing
the one in the refrigerator, she took the other and went back to her
lab, putting that container in the cooler for Nick.

At first, she had taken the blood without any clear purpose.  Now that
Nick seemed to again be drifting away from her, she had a plan, and it
would be carried out.  If Nick wouldn't give her the option of being in
a relationship with him, a relationship where neither had to fear
anything, then she would make that choice on her own.

The rest of the night passed uneventfully, Nick coming in sometime and
silently taking the blood.  Then, she slipped back into the break room,
and retrieved her cup from the refrigerator.  When she was sure no one
was nearby, she poured about one or two ounces of the blood into her
coffee mug.  She quickly returned it to the shelf, and slipped out into
the hall and back to her lab with the cup.

Carefully locking the door, she walked toward the empty exam table,
stopping just before reaching its edge.  Staring into the cup, she knew
she had to do this before she changed her mind, and before someone
realized something was up.

Natalie raised the mug to her lips, closed her eyes, and swallowed all
of the blood in one go.  Setting the mug down, she could taste the
salty flavor of the blood, and the unique way it coated her throat.

Staring into the metal surface, soon five minutes had passed, and then
ten, and twenty.  Just as she was planning to return to her desk, she
felt something.  She could hear the open and close of a door and
footsteps in the hall.  The steps faded into the background as other
sounds became just barely audible to her--voices talking, a car driving
by outside.  Then, the abrupt sounds practically disappeared to her
senses.

It was working.  Swallowing, she turned her thoughts to the metal
table, running her hands across its edge.  Initially, she could feel
the tiny indentations in its surface, dents and scratches that she'd
never felt before.  After a moment, the metal again felt lik