Krewe of the Knight
by Pam (Jaxie)Williamson
This story is based on characters created by J. Parriott and B.
Cohen
for the television series Forever Knight...etc. All rights belong
to
the respective owners.
Writer's note: This story takes place after the first season,
perhaps
somewhere within the second. In any case, it is written as if the
third
season never took place.
Other Credits: Exclusive rights to "Hard to Say I'm
Sorry" as sung by Chicago
belongs to Peter Cetera/ David Foster/ Robert Lamm, courtesy of
Double Virgo
Music/Little Sacha Songs ASCAP/Foster Frees Music, Inc. BMI
January 29
Natalie had just pulled on her jacket to leave the office as
Grace
came in, "Natalie, I'm glad I caught you before you left.
This came for
you from the boss earlier. Sorry, it had slipped my mind after
tonight's
abrupt chaotic workload."
Grace handed the brown envelope addressed to Natalie. She shook
it and
then tore the flap open, "Hmm, could it be a late extra
Christmas bonus?
Or maybe a couple of tickets to Hawaii."
Natalie's expression suddenly went blank. A little sadden,
shocked
by Grace's account. "So? It can't be that bad."
"Well, I wasn't far off on the tickets. He would like for me
to
attend a coroner's conference in the States. New Orleans,
Louisiana to
be exact."
"Really? Wow! You have to be a little excited about leaving
this
drab place for a while!"Grace's eyes lit up.
Natalie threw her hands up. "I just don't see how he can ask
me right
now. We are back logged as it is. There is just no way."
True her work
was important. But she didn't want to stay just to ensure her
files stayed
in order while she was gone, it was leaving Nick behind. Nick
would be left
alone with LaCroix. She would alone without Nick.
Grace moved around to look over her should at the letter and
pointed,
"Look. See here? He says that he has already arranged for a
temporary
replacement for you for the month you are gone. So, there's no
problem."
She shook her head, "This isn't a good idea. I'll just tell
him
tomorrow that he will have to find someone else to go in my
place."
Natalie folded the envelope and its contents in half and stuffed
them
into her shoulder bag.
"If it was me, I wouldn't hesitate a second to start my
packing.
New Orleans is the best place to be this time of year,
"Grace said as
she shrugged.
Natalie smiled at Grace, pausing to grab an off-white tote bag
sitting on her desk. "Maybe I'll tell him to send you
instead, "she
yelled over her shoulder as she left to drop off a week's supply
of
veggie drink for Nick.
Nick had just come down the stairs as he heard the elevator's
motor signaling her arrival. He could already sense her heartbeat
and smell the special blend of her perfume, "Nat! How is my
favorite
coroner doing this evening?" Nick said smiling stood
standing as he
opened the door for Nat. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
Startled, Nat was almost left speechless. "Well, we are in a
good
mood! Aren't we?" she commented as she handed him the tote
bag
containing bottles of his added dietary supplement.
"I see you came baring gifts, "he grimaced as he looked
into the
tote. He looked back at Nat, "I know that I haven't been
easy to be
around these past few weeks. I just wanted to say, I'm
sorry."
She pursed her lips together trying to hide the smile. She loved
it when he looked at her that way, with his boyish charm and blue
eyes.
"It's ok, really. It's been difficult for both of us."
Nick took both the shoulder bag and tote to set them on the
table.
Taking her into his arms, he looked deep into her eyes, "I
know that you
want so much more than I can give." His touch caused pure
electricity to
flow through ever fiber, exciting her just as it had that night
they had first
met, the first night he took her hand . . . so cold. She didn't
feel the cold
now, only the body of the man that she knew she loved.
He lovingly placed a kiss on her forehead. How she longed for his
lips, for him. Just then,
the embrace that had caught her by surprised, ended all too
quickly. He didn't want to let her go,
but knew he couldn't be sure of her safety if he had continued.
If this had been his recurring
dream, he'd taken her upstairs to his empty bed and made sweet
love to her for the rest of his
nights.
Taking the hint, Nat backed off, taking a bottle of veggie drink
from the tote. "You and
Schanke have any leads on the city's latest murderer?"
"We have a few, but nothing specific. Any new developments
on your end?"Nick asked
as she handed him a glass of the greenish mixture.
He crinkled his nose in disgust at the drink. "Go ahead, it
hasn't killed you yet, "Nat
nudged him in the back. "The specialized tests you wanted
can only be run at the CDC's
office in Atlanta, Georgia. You were right on the money that this
person being the traveling
kind. But, the particular strain of bacteria the man had at one
time is so rare. They
said it could take up to two weeks before all the results are
in."
He took a sip squinting his eyes. It was like watching a child
having to take bad-tasting
medicine. Nat let a giggle escape, quickly covering her mouth.
"You really enjoy torturing
me?"he said, laughing also but returning to the subject at
hand. "What about the cologne
found on the victims?"
She sometimes wondered if Nick would ever not interrupt a
personal moment between
them with work. "Your sense of smell was also correct.
Cologne on all the victims was the
same. An exotic fragrance made with a flower that is indigenous
to Ireland and some regions
of Scotland, "Nat answered as she walked to the stove to put
on a kettle of herbal tea.
Without thinking, Nick walked behind her and wrapped his arms
around her waist,
breathing her in . . . bathing in her scent that was uniquely
hers, "Speaking of exotic, have
I told you how wonderful you smell tonight?" She was glad he
couldn't see her blushing, an
extreme red. "I should. The perfume was a gift from you,
"she softly spoke, grinning from
his touch, his words. Though he'd never said he loved her, she
knew deep inside he
felt as strongly for her as she did for him.
She turned to face him. Mesmerized, their eyes locked with each
other's. Lowering his lips
onto hers, he kissed her- lovingly, slowly, savoring this moment
in time. Nat moved her hands
up the length of his chest then behind his neck. As the kiss
deepened, Nick held her face in his
hands, then tenderly caressed the strands of her soft hair.
Without warning, Nick drew away
from the embrace. Nat stood there, reeling from the kiss as she
watched Nick walk slowly to the
fireplace. "We can't do this Nat. I'm sorry. I should not
have . . . "he had intended to say that he
was sorry for kissing her, but he wasn't. Why did he draw back
away from the one person that
was his life? Hadn't she reminded him time after time that faith
and love was the key?
Speechless, she could only watch him, trying to understand. Each
time, she had. Every time,
except now. Now, she wanted to yell, scream, run. How much was
she expected to endure, to
understand? She had wants and desires. Nat logically understood
that Nick was only thinking of
her safety but she couldn't help what her heart was not
understanding. Hadn't they both heard the
ex-priest that exercised the demon from Nick that the faith of
goodness was inside him? Even
LaCroix had to admit, though he denied it, that Nick had that
faith.
Near tears, Nat broke the silence, "Should not have what
Nick? Go ahead tell me. Not kiss
me? Or kiss me and not lead me to the brink of disappointment
once more just to have me
pushed over the edge?"She was yelling now. It wasn't her
purpose to make Nick feel guilty, but
by the look on his face that's exactly what she had done.
"Nat, please, "he moved toward her but her arms were
outreached to warn him that she
couldn't handle the closeness of him.
"Don't Nick. We've been through this scenario before. We
should have learned by now that
it's no good." She couldn't believe what she was saying!
Wasn't she the one always to remind
him that faith and love would conquer all?
A wave of confusion and unbelief swept through Nick.
"LaCroix was right Nick. We can't
beat this. Only you can. I do nothing but complicate things,
"Nat said, now so blurry eyed by
the tears blinding her that she nearly lost her grip on her
things before hurriedly dashing
to the sliding door.
"Nat, don't go!"Nick yelled running after her. But it
was too late, she was gone and the empty
darkness that dwelled within him seemed to all but drown him.
Nick pounded on the door,
knowing that another moment of pleasure had caused one of pain.
Nat wasn't sure how she
drove home. By the time she reached her apartment, mascara
streaked her face and her eyes
were swollen from the tears. She was glad she hadn't bumped into
anyone on the way. She
wasn't up to discussing it.
Sydney met her at the door. She dropped everything and picked up
the purring ball of fur,
crying, "What did I do? He'll never speak to me now."
After putting down the cat, Nat peeled
off the layers of clothes and pulled on a soft, thick nightgown.
Foregoing the lights, she
collapsed onto her bed when she noticed her diary. She picked up
the pen beside it and opened
to the last entry. She had wrote no more than two words before
the cascade of tears began
once more:
-Why did I go off on Nick like that? I knoww why he pulled away.
We both know what he is capable of doing. But, why can't he
understand that the only way to know is to try. I know I
should've remained objective as his physician. Doctors aren't
supposed to fall in love with their patients. Vampires are just
a myth. But I know those statements aren't true. Nick does
exist and I am helplessly . . . no hopelessly in love with the
patient. Having enough faith, love, and hope for two people is
consuming my soul . . .
Laying the book and pen aside, Natalie was startled by Sydney's
loud meowing. Wiping the
tears, she figured out what she had forgotten, "Oh Sydney,
I'm sorry my sweet cat!" Nat crawled
out of bed and walked to the kitchen to feed the starving cat.
After Sydney's craving was satisfied, Natalie was making her way
back to her bedroom when
the partial brown envelope in her purse caught her eye. She
picked it up then looked through her
contents once more, but this time with more serious
consideration, "Maybe this is what I need.
What we both need." She dug around for her address book in
her purse. She found the page and
picked the receiver up. Disregarding the late hour, she dialed
for the operator, "Hi, I need to
make an international call to New Orleans, Louisiana . . . "
He drove from the precinct in silence, almost stopping by Nat's
apartment but decided
against it. It had been a long night at work and he wasn't sure
if Nat would even want to see
him. "Hey partner, anything wrong? "Schanke had asked
at least a dozen times. Although the
sun was due to be up soon, Nick turned the caddy around stopping
once more in front of her
building. "Maybe I'll just catch her at work. We'll work it
out then, "he said to himself aloud as
he put the car back on the road toward the loft.
Nick arrived back at the loft with moments to spare. Going to the
refrigerator for his evening
meal, he noticed the light on his answering machine was blinking.
He rushed over hoping it had
been Natalie that had called. He was relieved to hear her voice,
but his smile was premature,
"Hi. We need to talk. Could you drop by the office tonight?
Thanks."
He noticed something about her voice that made him want to go to
her right now. He picked
up the cordless phone to call her, but placed it back onto the
table. "If she would have wanted to
let me know, she would have put it on the machine, "Nick
said aloud. He wanted to call
desperately, to talk to her, to hear her voice just to make sure
she was alright after last night.
Going back to the bottle, he poured a glass of the red liquid for
himself and went upstairs to
his room. Whatever it was, he knew that he was going to have to
wait until tonight. After
changing into a pair of his silk pajamas, Nick spent the next few
hours watching the ceiling and
listening for the phone.
While Nick was supposed to be sleep, Natalie stirred around her
place trying to convince
herself this was the right thing to do. She had arranged to stay
with a fellow coroner friend that
she knew from Louisiana and called Grace to double check to see
if it was alright if Sydney
bunked with her and gather her mail while she was away. The only
things left to do, was to pack
and tell Nick that she was leaving.
It was then she broke down once more. She fell to the couch, not
sure if she could do this.
But there had to be a line drawn . . . by her. At some point Nick
had to realize that it was not
only his choice but hers as well.
Rising, she looked at her clock. Only five hours left until work
and until Nick would be
there, waiting for her.
Early evening had set in and Nick was dressed even as the sun
feathered its fingers across the
blinds of his windows. He grabbed his sunglasses and leather
jacket and left for the Coroner's
Building. Whatever Nat was going to say to him, he probably
deserved. He knew that she
trusted him. He also knew that trusting himself was causing the
rift between him and Nat.
Later, Natalie pushed open the door to see Nick just as she
thought, sitting at her desk waiting
for her arrival, "Hi Nat."
She felt her voice go dry not sure if her voice would even work,
"Hi." Slowly, she
approached the desk, not trusting herself to look at him.
"Thanks for meeting me here. I'm sorry
if it took you away from something else."
By this time, Nick had rose to his feet trying to look for some
sign on her face as to what was
coming next, "It was no trouble at all. You know that
anytime you need me. I'm here for you."
He could hear her increasing heart rate. It couldn't take a genus
to figure out this talk was about
last night. "Nat, about last night . . . "Nick tried to
explain.
"Excuse me, "interrupting him, she reached around for
the black notebook that held all that
she scientifically knew about Nick. "You'll need this for
the next month or so. It has the recipes
for your diet drinks,"trying to sound calm though her heart
was breaking.
Puzzled, he looked at the book then at Nat, "I'll need this
for a month? Why? You're not
leaving . . . or are you?"
"As a matter of fact, I am. I'm being sent down to the warm
south. My boss asked me to
attend a conference in Louisiana and I told him yes." The
words harder to voice than when she
had just pictured herself saying them.
As he dug his hands into his pockets, he looked at her, almost in
shock. "Nat, if your going
because of what I did . . . "
"You think that everything revolves around you?" She
shook her head. "You're unbelievable.
You know that? Has it ever occurred to you that just maybe I need
a break? "Nat said as she
knew that this was far more than what she had wanted to transpire
tonight.
He moved toward her. She just moved to the other side of the
room. "Nat just tell me what
to do." She retaliated, "There's nothing to do Nick.
Nothing but for you to take this book and
decide what you want."
"What I want? What I want is for you to tell me the whole
story. You are leaving me in the
dark, "he fired back.
"You just don't get it do you? I love you Nick! But, I'm
tapped out! I can't do this anymore.
To place myself in your world, only to be kicked in the face with
what could never be. You
constantly remind me of that while I am the only one to struggle
with what could be." There,
she'd said it once and for all.
With vampire speed, he was at her side holding her. Nick buried
his face into her hair,
shushing her to calm down, "Shhh. I'm sorry, so sorry. I
love you too. I didn't stop to think how
everything was affecting you." He wanted to say more, but he
held onto her as her body shook
from all the emotions.
Before she knew it, her cheeks were wet as well as the front of
Nick's shirt. Drawing back,
she sniffled, trying feverishly to wipe the wetness from her eyes
to stay focused. "I need this time
Nick. What is it you tell me about vampires? That you know when
its time to leave? This is my
time. "
Nick clasped his hands together, then took a step towards her.
"It was never my intention to
cause you pain because of my love. I wish I knew what I need to
say or do to make the smile
return to your eyes. "
"I can't tell you. Only you can find that for
yourself." With that Natalie picked up the folders
she needed and left. Leaving Nick once more alone with himself.
February 11
Nick set at his dining table staring at a half-emptied bottle,
with fangs bared and eyes glowing
their golden colour. He had already finished one and was now
about to drain this one. It had not
even been two weeks since Nat had left and he was in the middle
of a full-tilt, no holds bar pity
party for one. Suddenly, he threw the bottle across the room as
uncontrollable tears streamed
down his unshaven face. He buried it into his hands as if trying
to push the tears and the pain
back to that dark place.
He looked at the spilled contents on the floor. He should have
been drinking a veggie drink.
But the drink he had tried to recreate ended up in disaster. He
had made it exactly as Natalie had
written down in her book, or so he thought he had. But, the only
thing calming the beast tonight
was what he had thrown across the room.
He slowly trudged back to the refrigerator for another bottle.
Just then the phone rang.
"Yeah, Nick Knight. I'm either asleep or incommunicado. So,
if you want to leave your name
and number, go ahead." Then the beep. "Yo Nick, it's
your fabulous partner Schanke. Look I
know you went on a week's vacation, but we've got a situation
down here at the morgue. The
temporary no-brain coroner refuses to give up the results of the
test you had Natalie ordered
without your say so. We never had this problem with Nat. Could
you please talk to that bozo
and let him know that we are all on the same team? Ok, well,
that's all. Hey, get some rest.
You were looking like death last night. Ciao."
Nick pulled the cork from the bottle and sneered, "You don't
know the half of it." He
managed to drain most of the bottle in one pass through his lips
as he walked toward the book
laying open on the couch. He'd taken the diary from her apartment
last night before reporting to
duty. Picking the book up, he took both it and the bottle
upstairs.
After a quick shower and change, Nick drove toward the Coroner's
Building. With the
vampire in check, Nick tried to remember where this latest mishap
in their relationship had
began. A few weeks ago, things seemed to be going well, or so he
thought. And then Nat-his
ever hopeful, never give up faith, his wall of strength, crumbled
that night before his eyes in
tears saying she couldn't go on.
The last entry in her diary had said it all. Trying to have
faith, hope, and enough love for both
of them had drained her. Nick should've realized that no one,
though that person be mortal or
vampire, could keep such strong emotional check for two people
let alone just for oneself. He
knew that all too well by the constant struggle to keep the
vampire within him at bay.
Absent-minded, Nick tuned the radio onto CERK and his master's
hypnotizing voice:
"The Nightcrawer here, sharing your lonely and empty nights
with you.
Tonight, we talking about a masquerade. A masked faced hiding
what
he is most afraid of- himself. Why he cannot accept, who he is .
. .
To simply be without a thought or care. Surely, the pain of
going against one's nature would be lessened greatly, if not
extinguished? And what of love in this masquerade? Was it not
once
said that love conquers all? If love conquered all, then why do
we
exist my brother, my son?"
Rapidly, Nick clicked off the radio. He loved Nat. There was no
doubting that. He would
never believe that what he and Nat shared could ever just
disappear. What could be was within
his grasp if he only believed. Only believe in himself. Believing
in that love. That's what Nat
was trying to tell him!
Later that evening after putting the temporary coroner on the
correct path of police
investigation, he returned home. He quickly called Schanke to
tell him that all was well at the
coroner's office and that he would have to finish the
investigation without him. "Why, "Schanke
had asked. He simply answered his partner, "I have a date in
New Orleans."
February 12
Stace looked over at Natalie, "Hey, you ok?" She smiled
back at her friend, "Yea, what
makes think otherwise?"
"Because that's the third time you wrote the same word,
"she pointed out on Natalie's postcard
to Grace.
Natalie looked at her friend, Stace Gilbeaux one of the few true
friends she had left from her
early pathology years. "I did, didn't I?"
The sun felt good on her face as she and Stace sat on a bench
outside Tulane University. "I
can't believe you're freezing Stace, "Nat commented as she
watched her friend bundle up even
further than before. "It's positively balmy!"
Stace drew in her eyebrows, "To you, Miss Canada yes. But to
us that aren't used to cold
weather it takes us a little more to warm up."
Both laughed until sore. "Any plans tonight?"Stace
asked, trying not to pry.
"Nah. Think I will sit back and enjoy my little vacation,
"she said while placing a postage
stamp onto the postcard.
Stace sat up, "You will not!" Nat looked at her
bewildered. "You heard me. You are in the
most famous city during Mardi Gras and I refuse for you to sit at
my place another night!"
Natalie had noticed all the purple, gold, and green decorations
everywhere since the first day
she arrived. From Stace's French Quarter's apartment, she had
heard the various parades and
parties. The spirit of the celebration could be seen everywhere
though Natalie barely understood
the full concept of the holiday.
"Oh really? And what will I be doing if I'm not at your
place? "Nat curiously inquired.
"With me at Grammy's house." Nat had already begun to
protest. "Nat, she'd kill me if I
didn't at least bring you over for one night for dinner. Come on
it'll be fun! There will be lots of
other people."
"I don't know Stace. I'd be intruding, "she replied,
though she had to admit that being around
people might bring her out of the blues even if it was just for a
little while.
Stace kept persisting,"She'd love to have you! You can even
help with the final preparations
with the float."
Looking wide eyed, Nat asked,"Float? What would your
grandmother be doing with a float?"
Stace snickered. "That's right. We never did talk much about
my family when we were
friends back in the early days. My grandmother is the queen of
the Krewe de Dehila. Before he
died, my grandfather was king. Now, my father takes that
position. Every year, we design a
float for the main Mardi Gras parade that takes place in two
days. There's nothing like it.
Sitting on top of that massive float, listening to the cheers of
parade goers begging for beads,"she
laughed after she was finished explaining.
"And this Krewe is just your family? "Nat asked,
curious to know more of the friend she
thought she knew.
"Yes, for us at least. Sometimes a Krewe is made up of
particular organizations, "her friend
happily explained. "Now, you've got to come with me. If not,
you'll have to explain to Grammy
why her cooking wasn't good enough!"
Once again, they both burst out in laughter until Nat relented,
"Ok. I'll go. But, no spicy
foods!"
That same day back in Canada, Nick was still up trying to not
lose his cool, "Are you're sure
you have no direct evening flights?" As the airline personal
assured him the information was
correct, he crossed out the fifth airline name he had listed.
Only one more to try, but he refused
to give up. "Thank you for your time anyway."
Hurriedly, Nick dialed the last number on his list. The young
lady answered,"Good morning.
Transworld Air. How may I help you?"
"Hi. I need a direct fight from Toronto to New Orleans,
Louisiana, United States. Oh, and it
has to be an evening flight,"he added as he sat at his
dining table twiddling a pencil between his
fingers.
The lady had grown silent leaving Nick to think the worst.
"Please hold while I check the
computer."
Strange as it was for Nick to pray, he did so as he held onto the
phone, hoping an open flight
was available. Suddenly, the young lady's voice broke in mist of
his plea,"Yes, there is one flight
available. Leaving seven this evening. Would you like me to
reserve that seat for you?"
Nick could hardly contain his excitement,"Yes, please."
"Very well, if you'll just give me your credit card number I
will see that this available seat is
reserved for you."
He grew silent. Credit card? He never understood the use in
having one before but would
make sure to have one in the near future,"Is there anyway I
could pay for the airline ticket at the
counter before boarding?"
"Yes, but the seat may not be available then. If you want
the seat you must either reserve it
with a credit card or pay for it as soon as possible."
Nick quickly thought. Schanke. He could send Schanke to the
airport and purchase the
ticket. "Not to worry. That seat will be mine. And thanks
for all your help."
He had no sooner disconnected with the young lady from Transworld
Air that the phone rung.
"Yo Nick. Thought you'd be asleep by now. Either that or on
your way to your date,"
Schanke teased.
With a sly grin, Nick said, "Schanke. Just the man I
need."
That evening, Natalie sat with Stace in her grandmother's house
outside of New Orleans.
"Mrs. Gilbeaux, the food was delicious. I can't thank you
enough for allowing me to visit your
home,"she said, smiling at the dark tan skinned woman.
Mrs. Gilbeaux waved her hand, "Oh, phish. You think you
barged in. Didn't my
granddaughter say that it would be better for her if she brought
you to see me at least once?"
Stace gave an oh why me' look over to her grandmother.
Natalie couldn't help but smile and it felt good. She suddenly
thought of Nick, thinking he'd
like this kind woman and her ways. Looking around, she tried to
focus on something else. "I
wanted to ask you earlier, but wasn't sure how."
"Easy, you just ask, "replied Stace's Grammy, with a
gleam in her eye because she knew what
was to follow.
"Your taste in decorations is unique to say the least,
"Natalie began as she rose to take a
better look at some of the strange objects that were scattered on
the wall or on different tables.
She continued, "Where did you find such unusual pieces? They
are fascinating."
Stace and her grandmother looked at each other in silence.
Answering the question, Stace
replied, "Grammy was once a voodoo priestess."
Startled, Natalie looked back at Mrs. Gilbeaux,"Wow. I'm not
sure what to say. You used to
be a priestess? Does that mean you don't practice now?" Why
hadn't Stace ever told her?
Natalie shouldn't have been so shocked due to the fact that for
nearly three years she had been
associated with the impossible and never told anyone her secret.
"That is correct. I no longer actively practice the way.
But, I still believe in the voodoo and
its divination,"the old woman answered. Without consciously
thinking, she thought of Nick.
Maybe she could help him to become mortal. Voodoo was known to be
strong against evil. But
she also knew that Nick wasn't totally evil. "You are
wondering about the possibility, "her
thoughts brought back hearing Mrs. Gilbeaux's voice once more.
Natalie gave her best clueless look, "I don't have the
slightest idea what you are talking
about."
Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough. "Stace, see to the
needs of the others outside. I would
like to speak alone with Natalie."
Without questioning her, Stace did as she was asked. As soon as
she left the room, Mrs.
Gilbeaux repeated, "You are wondering about the possibility,
yes?"
Biting her bottom lip, Nat nodded. This woman knew. She may not
know the story in its
entirety, but she knew enough to bring Natalie to an answer.
"Come sit by the old woman child." She did as she was
asked, then Natalie turned her face
away. Mrs. Gilbeaux, touched Nat's shoulder,"Your feelings
are divided with a man who is torn
with himself. Your burden can go no further until the two are
made one."
She instantly turned to the old woman's face with a look of
astonishment, "But how?"
"I know your spirit Natalie Lambert, "finished Mrs.
Gilbeaux. "You have one of goodness
and purity. It will never fail you. But take care never to fail
your spirit. That is your key to your
happy life with Nicholas. Believe."
Nat opened her mouth in disbelief, "You know."
"Phish. I know only what your spirit allows me to see. And
on its wings is the name of the
man you love."
January 13
Nick slung his black carry on bag over his shoulder has he exited
the plane. "Goodbye. I
hope you enjoy your stay,"the stewardess kindly said as she
showed Nick the plane's exit.
Nick flashed a smile,"I am certain I will."
The plane ride had been uneventful, except for the stewardess'
constantly asking him
about if he wanted something to eat. He had assured them that he
was fine each time. During
the flight, Nick had the chance to read through Natalie's diary.
It astounded him to know
how much he'd been mistaken. How big a fool he really was.
Nick put his bag onto the moving belt in order for security check
of his only luggage.
As the black carry on bag went through the airport's security
scan, Nick noticed the
bewildered look on the security guard's face as the outline of
his bottles had no doubt
shown up on the screen. Nick wasted no time in convincing' him
that there was nothing
unusual in the bag. "Nothing unusual,"the guard
repeated as Nick heard his heart beat.
Nick then released the guard from the trace, "You have
yourself a good time at Mardi Gras."
Nick replied,"I plan to have much more . . . " leaving
the guard puzzled at the parting statement.
He couldn't believe the hordes of people at New Orleans
International Airport. Nick
shuffled through the people, some dressed in colourful outfits
and beads. Suddenly it clicked
in his brain. It was Mardi Gras. No wonder Grace was overly
excited when Nick had pumped
her for info about Natalie's visit before catching his flight
hours ago.
Smiling, he thought this was going to be better than he planned.
That is if Natalie would
see him at all. "No, she will see me, "Nick said,
resolved in his plan.
Finding Crescent City's Rentals, he encountered a long line ahead
of him. As he tried
to patiently wait for his turn, Nick was tempted to think about
the last time he'd visited
New Orleans. "No, that is the past. Now, I only want my
future,"he thought to himself.
Nick glanced down at his watch. He would have a few hours before
sunrise to try and find
Natalie. Although Grace didn't know the exact address, Nick was
quite assured he would have
no trouble locating the woman he loved.
It was just after one a.m. and Natalie found herself wondering
around the guestroom.
How could Stace sleep through the laughter and loud music? This
was Stace's city, she
was accustomed to it. Then too, had it really been the music to
keep her awake or
something else?
Natalie got up and quietly changed into a pair of dark sweatpants
and matching
shirt. Not bothering putting on socks, she slipped into her
tennis shoes and tiptoed out
the guest bedroom. Careful not to wake her friend, she cautiously
looked back while
Nat unlocked the door leading out to the balcony.
Although the festivities of parties and the many parades had
begun days ago, she
found herself still astounded by the crowds of people still out
celebrating this late
at night. As she sat in one of the two iron wrought chairs out on
the balcony, her
thoughts became lost within the crowd. Leaving Grammy's house
that night had left
her with a bittersweet hope. Grammy had said not to fail her
spirit. "How can I not fail
it when I feel as if it's gone?"she thought to herself,
gathering her knees to her chest.
Maybe the voodoo Stace's grandmother believed greatly was nothing
more than
another fanatical belief.
Natalie loved Nick. In that itself, there was no doubt. But, she
doubted Nick. Natalie
sometimes even doubted herself. The night she told Nick she was
leaving, she mentioned
LaCroix's possibly being correct about their impossible
relationship. At the time, she had
thrown it like an arrow to hurt Nick so that it would be easier
for her to leave him. As the
doubt became seeded more deeply within her, she was beginning to
believe the validity of
that statement.
Without warning, an object hit her. Feeling her heart in her
throat, she bolted to the door.
Someone was trying to harm her. Just then, a voice yelled from
below,"Natalie! Hey Natalie,
down here!"
Just as she reached for the knob, she turned to the voice she
thought she recognized. Natalie
found a familiar face waving his hands feverously among the
assembly on the street as she
cautiously peered below. An unexpected smile materialized on her
face. "What the hell do you
think you're doing! You scared me half to death!"Nat yelled.
"You mean only half? Now, I'm disappointed!"The male
voice yelled back. "Before you call
the police, you better see what I threw!"
Natalie looked around. Finally underneath the iron wrought table
she found a strand of
beautiful ornate beads. As she took a closer look, she noticed a
beautiful masked face medallion
embellished the string of purple, gold, and green beads.
"Oh Steve! Thank you! It's beautiful!"Natalie yelled
back while holding the strand out in
her hand so that Stace's brother could see that she found the
Mardi Gras treat.
Steve covered his mouth with his hands so that his voice would
carry, "I thought it way pass
time for you to start celebrating!"
"What is the commotion all about?"Stace said from
behind her standing in her robe.
Natalie gasped. "Oh Stace. Sorry for waking you . . . Ah,
it's all his fault!" She pointed to
the street down below.
Stace moved toward the edge of the balcony squinting to see whom
her friend was talking
about. After her eyes finally focused, she let out a grumble. She
yelled out teasing her
brother,"Should've known it was the finest riff-raff the
Quarters has to offer! You mean, you
wake me up just for this lousy set of beads? You throw better to
strangers!"
Bursting out in laughter, Natalie watched as Steve dug through
the strands of beads that hung
around his neck. As he finally got the one he wanted untangled,
he threw that set as well,
"Maybe this will make up for my male-patterned
stupidness!"
Catching the beads, Stace she handed the beads to her friend and
yelled once more,"Now
that's a little better! Now, get on out of here before I really
do call the police!"
"Natalie! I really am sorry for scaring you! Hope to see you
tomorrow!"Steve bellowed to
the balcony above him.
Grinning, Nat shouted out,"Next time, give me a little
warning! Good Night Steve!"
After an exchange of goodbye waves, Natalie returned to her seat.
Stace followed by sitting
in the chair across from her friend. "By the way, just why
are you out here this late at
night?"Stace inquired.
"I couldn't sleep,"Nat replied. Stace's prying eyes
squinted at her. "Really, that's all!"
"Sure. And this is Oz and I'm the good witch of the
north,"Stace said raising one of her
dark eyebrows.
Between the two friends, the silence grew. Just as Stace was
about to say something, Natalie
asked,"Do you hold the same beliefs as you
grandmother?"
"She told you something that hasn't set well with you.
Didn't she?"Stace said shaking her
head, her short dark hair rustling about. "I thought so. You
haven't been your depressed self
since we came from there."
Natalie fingered the strands of beads in her hands. "I guess
I'm not very good at hiding.
Am I? Probably why I was never particularly fond of Hide and Go
Seek' as a child."
"Nat, please just trust me not to judge or
criticize,"Stace sincerely said as she leaned forward.
Letting a tear escape, Natalie blurted out,"It's impossible
to be with him. Though I tried to
have enough love and faith for both of us, I failed. I couldn't
keep up."
Concluded that had been the problem since first talking with her
friend long distance, Stace
remained quiet suspecting that Nat needed this. To talk, to have
someone act as a sounding
board.
"There's so much that I've had to keep inside. To keep
hidden from my family and friends.
I feel as if I were the one living in the cage and not him. If
only he could believe as I do
in this love..." Natalie trailed off as she suddenly found
herself pounding the balcony's railing
as tears flowed freely.
Stace rose and put a comforting arm around her friend.
"Stace, I can't tell you. I know it
would be better for me to get everything out. But I can't betray
his trust."
"Believe it or not I understand,"Stace said, giving Nat
a little squeeze. "I know we haven't
seen each other in a while. But I have missed you and our talks
over a bottle of wine. If there's
anything, anyway at all I can help . . . even if its just
listening to dead air when you call . . .
don't hesitate to tell me."
Quickly wiping the tears away, Natalie nodded. "Thanks. I
really appreciate it,"she said,
giving her friend a hug.
"Well, now. We have the talk and no wine. It's a good thing
we have today and Fat
Tuesday off!"Stace hollered over her shoulder as she
reentered the apartment to retrieve a
cold unopened bottle of wine and two glasses.
After Natalie accepted the glass of wine offered to her she
asked,"What will we toast to?"
Raising her glass, Stace smiled at her friend then winked.
"To Natalie and her knight in
shining armor. And, to faith not yet seen."
When Nick finally received the keys to his rental car it was
almost one-thirty a.m.
He easily located the black Grand-Am in the airport's below
ground parking garage
without incident. Unlocking its door, he tossed in his one piece
of baggage. Shifting
the car into gear, he drove from the airport.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he found the folded paper on
which he had wrote
the directions to the Magnolia House, a bed and breakfast place
just south of New Orleans.
He was grateful to the travel agent he spoke with before leaving
Toronto or he'd might
not have been lucky on his own to have found such a find. Trying
to find the perfect place
was taxing enough when one did not know the city well. But, with
Mardi Gras revilers
in full force, it didn't surprise him that the quant one bedroom
complete with bathroom
and fireplace would be costing him as much as two-hundred a day.
The New Orleans travel agent almost choked when Nick said he
would actually pay
the extravagant cost and in cash no less. "You must be rich
or something,"the lady had
exclaimed. Nick's reply, "...or something."
Once out on the open road, he thought about site seeing an hour
or two. He wouldn't
be able to speak with anyone from Tulane until after sunrise. He
almost turned the car
around back to the city when he felt the familiar pain in his
stomach. Realizing he had
forgotten to feed that evening, he kept the road to the Magnolia
House. As he left the lights
of New Orleans behind him, he looked into the rearview mirror.
"I will find you Natalie.
Don't give up on us."
"Good evening, or should it be good morning? May I help
you?"the small elderly man
asked smiling at Nick.
Nick returned the smile. "Good morning. My name is Nick
Knight I have a reservation
for one of your rooms." He looked around the small intimate
inn. In an instant even without
seeing the room, he knew this was exactly what he had in mind.
The elderly gentleman flipped through a book, running his finger
though the list of guests.
"Ah, here it is. You're the one from Canada." A
broadened smile now over took the greeting
smile as the gentleman handed the keys to Nick. "My name is
Arthur Vincent. If you need
anything, please don't hesitate to ask my wife, Edith or
myself."
Nick thanked him, then payed for the room a week in advance.
Mr.Vincent was no
less than thrilled as his new customer acclaimed compliments for
the room. He showed
Nick where the matches and extra firewood was located. "This
ain't like the big fancy
hotels in the Quarter. We like to keep things simple."
Smiling, he shook Mr.Vincent's hand, "It's perfect just the
way it is."
After his goodbye and reminder about breakfast, the owner left
Nick to finish the
paperwork he had began when Nick arrived.
Sitting his black bag on the couch in front of the fireplace,
Nick took out an inner bag
that held the bottles of blood keeping them cool. Thankfully, the
inn's caretakers had
fulfilled his special request of dark window shades and a small
refrigerator.
He deposited all of the bottles except one. That one, he removed
the cork and drank
deeply. Walking around the room, he went and flipped off the
lights leaving him in
totally darkness. Nick took one more swallow from the bottle,
replaced its cork,
then returned the bottle with the rest already being chilled.
Finding the matches, Nick struck one. Its glow lit up the room
like a single star in a
black sky. He bent down and lit the logs that had already been
prepared.
In the mood for music, Nick looked around for a radio. Finding it
on the telephone
table next to the table, he flipped it on turning the dial until
he found a soft rock station.
As the low music played, he took out Nat's diary from his black
bag. Sitting on the couch,
he leaned back and flipped open to the first entry where she had
mentioned his name.
Nick read where his cold touch had not frightened her half as
much as it excited her.
She loved when he touched her hair, when he placed "soft,
gentle whispers of kisses" on her
temple. He paused for a moment, looking into the fire. He then
resumed his second reading of
her diary:
"The closer I get to him, the further he pulls away. What am
I thinking?
Falling for him? I ve got to stop myself before someone gets
hurt..."
Nick paused once more,"But Nat, I had already fallen for
you." He began to read once more
when the radio's host began to speak.
"You're with Debra after dark here on WLUV, the most
romantic station this side of New
Orleans. We welcome your requests and dedications,"the
woman's low voice carried through
the room. "Speaking of dedications, one of our faithful
listeners just phoned in with a very
special dedication for her friend that is out of town. It seems
that her friend and her friend's
boyfriend are going through a difficult time. This dedication
goes out to Nat and her knight in
shining armor. Here's Chicago with Hard to Say I'm Sorry' and I
hope your knight will
rescue you soon Nat."
Nick almost dropped the diary. Surely it had to be her! He rushed
over to the telephone
book to look up the radio's telephone number.
Quickly dialing the number, he was greeted by an automated voice.
As he was put on hold,
he listened to the words of the song:
"Everybody needs a little time away, I heard her say,
from each other.
Even lovers need a holiday, far away,
from each other.
Hold me now. It's hard for me to say I'm sorry.
I just want you to stay.
After all that we've been through,
I will make it up to you, I promise to.
And after all that's been said and done,
You're just a part of me I can't let go..."
He could barely hang onto the receiver as began to shake at
hearing the words. Nick almost
dropped it as he recognized the announcer's voice,"Hi, Debra
here."
Nick took a breath and spoke,"You are playing a song that
was dedicated to a woman named
Nat. I know this is going to sound strange, but I need to know
where she is. You've got to
understand that I flew here looking for her." He must be
sounding like a complete idiot.
"Whoa, slow down. Let me get this straight. You are Nat's
knight?"Debra asked.
Nick said excitedly,"Yes, that is who her friend was talking
about. Please, if you know where
Nat or her friend is, you have to let me know."
"You've got to be kidding! I don't know who you are, but
these crank calls will not work
with me. Now, I have a job to get back to,"Debra said, then
hanging up the phone with a loud
click.
"Damn. This isn't happening to me,"he said. He tossed
the receiver back down onto its
cradle and looked back at the telephone book. Once he had the
page, he tore it out. Opening a
window to the night, he flew into the night in search for his
future.
"No! You didn't! Stace, tell me you did not call that radio
station!"Natalie said, shocked.
Most of the people had left from the street below allowing the
sounds from Stace's stereo to
float outside.
Stace divided the last of the wine between hers and Natalie's
glasses. "And what if I did. It's
not like your secret boyfriend is in town. Besides, no one knows
you here."
Her eyes were still moon wide in disbelief as the dedication came
over the radio,"Oh my god,
Stace!"
Stace looked at Natalie. "Even though you can't tell me
everything, I wanted to
let you know that what you're going through has happened
throughout the ages. If not, then
why would songs like this be written?"
As she listened to the words of the song, tears flowed without
warning. She thought about
Nick as the song played through and wondered what he was doing.
Natalie had no idea
he had done the same as her- had listened and thought that if
they ever held each other again
they would never let go.
Nick returned with an hour to spare. It had taken longer than he
thought to find the
WLUV's building and even longer trying to convince Debra of whom
he really was. He
was able to find out that Nat's friend who had called was named
Stace and that she called
in frequently. But, without a last name Nick was back at square
one trying to locate Nat.
After another quick trip for cow's blood, he stripped off his
clothes and fell into bed.
There was nothing more he could do now. He would just have to
wait until Tulane University's
offices opened to get the information he needed.
He drifted off to sleep in a wonderful dream about her.
As Natalie crawled out of bed, she looked over at the alarm clock
as the number's
brightly showed ten a.m. Stretching, she couldn't believe that
she had slept so
late or how relaxed she felt. Of course a half a bottle of wine
helped her to find the bed
at almost four this morning. But for some strange reason, a wave
of happiness washed
through her. She couldn't quite explain it.
Tying her terry cloth robe around her, Natalie made her way to
the front room,"Good
morning. That wonderful aroma, wouldn't be your grandmother's
special blend of coffee?"
"Good morning to you too! You certainly look one-hundred
percent better than last
night. I guess the wine & talk did the trick again after all
these years,"Stace remarked.
Nat looked at Stace already dressed and her own bathrobe,"I
think I should get dressed
before the day is wasted away."
"Nah. Like I said last night or ...early this morning, we
have today and tomorrow off. So why
not enjoy it?"Nat's friend said smiling as she poured a cup
of fresh coffee for her.
By this time, both friends were sitting at the counter on
barstools sipping and enjoying
Grammy's special coffee.
"Oh, you do have your dress for the ball tonight?"Stace
asked looking over her coffee mug at
Nat.
She remembered reading something in the packet about the
International Coroners
Conference giving a Mardi Gras ball. But, she hadn't planned on
going when she was packing.
Natalie was too upset to think about people dancing and beautiful
gowns.
Stace squinted nodding her head slowly,"Oh please tell me
you did bring a gown." Nat
returned the nodding with a firm left to right head shaking,
"I didn't think I'd want to go."
"And now? You do and you are up the creek without a
paddle,"she tried to hide her smile as
she took Nat's hand and led her to her bedroom's closet.
As she was being dragged behind, Natalie shouted to her
friend,"Hey! What is going on?"
Giving her friend an evil grin, Stace said,"You'll soon find
out Dr. Lambert."
Nat followed Stace into her bedroom. "With the way you
sounded when you called me to ask
if you could stay here while attending the conference, I became a
little worried about you. From
the tone of your voice, I knew that you were upset and down and
probably not up for fun. So,
after the sun came up and I was able to think, I called the dress
shop where my gown was found.
And...well, see for yourself."
Opening the closet door, Natalie recognized Stace's beautiful
gown beaded in the traditional
colours of purple, gold, and green. But, the gown next to it and
its accessories she had never
seen before. She reached out to touch the garment. It was the
most exquisite crimson red velvet
material she had ever touched.
"It's your gown for the I.C.C.'s ball tonight. I hope you
like it. Wasn't quite sure on the size
since I only had a year old photo of you to work from. Grammy
said she'd be happy to lend her
sewing talents to alter it, that's if it needs altering at
all,"Stace said as she took the gown from
the closet and lay it against Nat to check the size.
"Oh Stace. I don't know what to say!" Natalie couldn't
contain her excitement.
Smiling Stace answered, "Just say you'll go! Steve can
escort us both. He'll die of a heart
attack entering the building with *two* ladies!"
Hugging her friend, Natalie laughed,"Call your brother and
tell him he's got another lady to
escort! I'll be there with my gown, cape, and mask on!"
The phone must have been ringing over a minute when Nick finally
answered it, "Knight."
On the other end was a woman's voice. It had to be Edith,
"Mr. Knight. This is your wake up
call." Nick looked at his watch, eleven a.m. on the
dot,"Thank you Mrs. Vincent."
Nick pulled a clean pair of jeans and put on a dark blue pullover
shirt before going over to the
refrigerator for his meal. He took the bottle and glass over to
the couch. As he sat, he noticed a
brochure containing information about New Orleans and the Mardi
Gras history.
He had been to New Orleans many times in the past, but had to
admit that he knew very little
about its culture and traditions. He had been too busy searching
for victims to stop and learn.
Shaking the thought, he opened up the information sheet. He found
out that the official colours
had been selected as early as 1872 for the first Rex parade in
honor of The Grand Duke Alexis.
And that the three colours- purple, green, and gold stood for
justice, faith, and power.
Nick tossed the brochure back down onto the table. If only
justice, faith, and power would
work for him now to find Nat. Draining a glass of cows' blood, he
went over to the chair where
his jacket was thrown. After finding the number Grace had written
down for him, he dialed.
"Tulane University Science Department. This is Cameron
speaking. How can I help
you."The young man answered sounding bored to no end.
Trying to reach the bottle and glass once more, Nick said,
"Hi, I'm wondering when the I.C.C.
will conclude their meeting today. I'd like to leave a message
for a person who's attending the
conference."
The college student seemed more alert now, " I.C.C.? What
conference?"
Giving up on trying to reach that far, Nick let out a breath,
"International Coroners
Conference. I was told that this was the department I was to
contact if I need to get in touch
with any of those attending it."
The caller on the other end grew silent, but Nick could still
hear his breathing. "Ah...well,
the conference is postponed until Wednesday due to Mardi Gras.
But, you are more than
welcome to call back then. Maybe someone can help you on
Wednesday."
"Is there a list of names who's attending or someone who has
a list?"he was growing
impatient again. "It's really important that I get in touch
with one of the conference members."
"Well, I don't know. We aren't supposed to give out that
information,"Cameron said,
obviously sighing.
Nick tried a different angle. "Cameron, I flew all the way
from Toronto to speak with this
person. It's ok. I am a police officer in Canada. I'll give you
my full name, badge number, the
telephone number to my precinct if you'll just tell me where I
can get in touch with this
particular person."
Cameron blew out a breath, "Well, ok. I'm gonna check this
out and if you're lying I'll call
the F.B.I. Who's the person you are looking for?"
Nick smiled, "Dr. Natalie Lambert."
The sun had began to set. Nick checked his attire once more. He
was acting
like a nervous school boy going to talk to the cute high school
cheerleader. But,
he wasn't a school boy and Natalie certainly wasn't an
undeveloped teenaged girl.
"No, she's a captivating woman,"he thought aloud. Her
smile, her laugh, the way
her touch caused Nick such sweet torture.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror. This is what Natalie
had done
for him. Not just his physical reflection but his reflection of
his soul. Nat
saw the goodness when he could only see the darkness.
After leaving the inn, he found a flower shop on the way to the
French Quarter.
While there, he hand picked a dozen red roses. He smiled down at
the flowers not
wanting to wait another minute before giving them to her.
Nick found the apartment complex where Nat's friend lived. After
driving
around, he finally found a parking place a couple of blocks away.
With so
many people about for Mardi Gras, he thought it best not use his
vampire
flight. Walking briskly, he found himself in front of the door to
Stace's upstairs
apartment. Nick closed his eyes and concentrated on hearing her
heartbeat. Smiling,
he knew she was on the other side of the door.
Raising his hand to knock, he lowered it deciding to surprise
her. Nick checked
the door knob. The door was ajar an inch or two as if someone
didn't quite shut the
door. With a bouquet of roses in one hand, he quietly pushed open
the door and stepped
inside.
She was sitting on the balcony watching the crowds below. He
could see the back of her
head, Natalie's hair being caressed by the gentle wind that blew
across the small veranda.
Nick started to step closer then stopped. Reaching in his jacket
pocket, he pulled out a green
doubloon then flicked it across the room, landing into Natalie's
lap.
Nick smiled as he heard her laugh. His smile quickly dissipated
when she spoke,"Alright
Steve. I told you I wasn't going to fall for that routine
again."
"What routine, Nat?"
Natalie jumped up and spun around to face him, "Nick!
What...How did you?" She
wanted to run to him. To bury her face into his chest, tell him
she loved him.
She saw the bouquet of red roses in his hand and the bewildered
look on his face.
Nick's smile was gone now. All that remained was a look of
disappointment...or was it
jealousy? "Hi Nat. I hope I'm not interrupting
anything,"Nick coldly said while looking
around.
Nat's joy quickly turned to anger at hearing his tone of voice.
Crossing her arms, she fired
out, "You haven't answered my question. How did you find
me?"
"Let's just say I have my ways."Nick replied.
Suddenly their conversation was broken by Stace's voice coming
from her bedroom. "Nat,
you'd better hurry up and get dressed. Steve will be here in less
than an hour. And you know
how my brother hates to be late." Stace came out of her room
staring at two different kinds of
earrings, "Hey Nat, what do you think? The long dankly ones
or the...plain...gold...hoops." Her
statement trailed off as she looked up to find Nick, a stranger
to her, standing in her apartment
holding a bunch of roses.
First she looked over at Nick then at Natalie. Nick was first to
extend a hand,"You must be
Nat's friend Stace. I'm Nick Knight. I know her from
...work."
Stace rapidly transferred the earrings into one hand leaving the
other one free to return Nick's
handshake. Natalie spoke while turning the green coin in her
hands, "Nick, this is my good
friend, Stace Gilbeaux."
Sensing the tension in the room, Stace spoke up next,"It's a
pleasure meeting you. Can I get
you anything? A glass of wine or a cup of coffee...?"
"No. No thank you. I just really came by to see how Natalie
is doing," Nick replied, waving
the notion away with his free hand.
Stace watched as Nick and Nat stared at each other. "This
had to be Nat's knight," Stace
thought. Making a clearing the throat' noise, she tried to excuse
herself from the couple
walking backwards towards her room, "Well, if you'll just
excuse me, I have to get ready. I'll
just...leave...you two...alone. You can talk...or whatever...
"
Both Nick and Natalie spoke at the same time as soon as Stace
closed the door to her room.
"Who's Steve?"Nick whisperedly yelled. "I want to
know how you found me!"Natalie shouted
in a low voice. This was nothing like he had planned he suddenly
thought.
Natalie darted her eyes back and forth before
answering,"Steve is Stace's younger brother.
He is going to escort us to the I.C.C.'s Mardi Gras ball. Now,
your turn."
He looked down at the roses, grinning. "I asked a certain
radio personality about a certain
dedication last night. Then I asked Tulane's science department
for the address."
Unfolding her arms, Natalie looked at Nick in shock. He'd heard
Stace's dedication! And
she said no one would notice.
Taking a step forward, Nick handed the beautiful scarlet bouquet
to her, "These are for you."
Her smile lit up the room as he gave her the bouquet. Nick's
fingers brushed against hers.
Nat looked into Nick's blue eyes,"I don't know what to say.
They're beautiful."
"No, you are beautiful,"he said as he took the green
coin from her hand to kiss it.
She couldn't breathe, her heart skipped a beat. Here was the man
that she was ready to put in
her past standing next to her breathing soft kisses across her
hand. Natalie had to know she
wasn't dreaming. "Why Nick? Why did you want to find
me?"
Pausing the kiss he was brushing across her knuckles, he softly
said,"Because I can't live
without you. I know now that it takes two to believe, to have
faith." He turned her hand palm
up, placed the green coin back into her hand, then closed it. As
he did, he bent down to place
a kiss onto her eager lips. Just as he was to deepen the kiss,
she pulled away. "Please Nick.
Don't."
Nick pulled her close. He kissed her, crushing his lips onto
hers. He broke the kiss only to
whisper, "I love you Natalie."
Nat backed away with tears in her eyes, "I've waited so long
for this moment. I want so
much to believe it."
Walking toward her, he smiled, "Then believe it. I love you.
I believe in this love. I believe
in us."
"In us. You and me. Together,"she repeated. The tears
now flowed freely down her cheeks.
"I don't know Nick, maybe its too late. Maybe it was never
meant to be."
Nick was about to retaliate when Stace came back into the front
room to open the door. They
hadn't even heard the knock.
Turning away to dry her tears, Natalie tried to compose herself.
She turned back to find
Steve in the room shaking hands with Nick. He was dressed in a
jester's outfit complete with
cap and stockings. Steve looked down at his outfit, "I know
I must look weird, but tonight's the
night of the masquerade ball." He looked over at Natalie and
Stace. "You two are not dressed
yet? I'm not going to be late because you can't find the right
colour of shoes."
"Maybe you would like to join us Nick?"Stace abruptly
asked. "There's going to be lots of
music and dancing. You might like it. You can escort Natalie and
...catch up."
Steve began to open his mouth in protest...to say that he was
Natalie's escort when Stace
elbowed him in his ribs all the while smiling.
"I think I'll pass. It was a long flight,"Nick
answered. Natalie looked at him.
Disappointment clouded her eyes. Taking another look at Steve he
said, "Besides I don't
have anything...appropriate to wear."
"Steve go call Papa and tell him we have a last minute guest
that needs an outfit,"Stace told
her brother pushing him to the phone.
Natalie released her bottom lip she had been biting. " Nick
why don't you go. Like Stace
says, it is sure to be a wonderful ball." She held her
breathe as she waited for Nick's answer.
He smiled at her, his blue eyes gleaming. "For you my fair
lady, anything."
While Steve called his father and Stace took the roses from Nat
to put into a vase, Natalie led
Nick out onto the balcony closing the balcony's door behind her.
Nick was beaming. "It's nice of your friends to try and get
me a costume for this evening's
ball."
"For Stace and Steve, its no problem. Their father owns a
costume and mask shop in
the Quarter. I'm sure he'll consider it a challenge considering
Mardi Gras begins a midnight,"
Nat said walking over the balcony's edge looking out into the
night. She turned to face Nick,
"We have to talk Nick." He began to take a step towards
this beautiful lady before him when
Natalie stepped away. "Please."
"I know this is a shock for you to see me here. Night before
last while I sat in my loft having
a one man pity party, I had no intentions of coming here."
Nick looked at her, his hands
in his pants pockets.
Natalie crossed her arms, shivering, but not because of the soft
wind that blew on this eve.
"You, a pity party?" Nick thought he could almost see a
slight grin on her face. "Well, the
precinct must have loved your attitude."
"I took a week's vacation. Trying to live without you after
what you re..."he was about to say
read in your diary' when he quickly corrected
himself,"...said to me the night you were leaving.
You said I was the only one who knew how to put the smile back
into your eyes. I understand
what you were trying to tell me that night at my loft and the
night you left."
Natalie looked past Nick, trying to avoid his eyes because if she
had looked into his eyes, she
would have begin crying once more. Instead she put the wall back
between them. "It is good to
see you Nick, but I just..."
"Just what?" Nick's impatient nature flared. "That
you can't carry on believing for both of
us? I realize that now. How could I have expected you to carry
this burden of love by yourself?
I should know that better than anyone,"Nick said thinking
about the beast he lived with inside
himself.
"And what about the next time you pull away from me? I'm I
to keep understanding' also?
To always love you at a distance?" Natalie threw up a hand,
"And before you say it, I'm not just
talking just about a physical relationship Nick. You keep
yourself locked in this cage of guilt
and grief. I keep handing you the keys to help you open the door,
but you throw them back at
me. As if you were almost comfortable being there."
Nick was about to defend himself when he stopped short. She was
right and he knew it. "I
can't keep doing this anymore,"she heard her self repeat.
"You have your vampire family who
know you and will listen to you. I have no one Nick. My family
wonders why I rather work the
night shift than the days. Why I can't tell them what keeps my
thoughts occupied most of the
time.." Her wall was crumbling as the warm tears began to
trickle down her cheeks.
He rushed to her, held her tight. "I know. I know Nat. I
wished you had told me this instead
of confiding to your diary. Maybe this pain you're in could have
been spared,"Nick said without
thinking.
Natalie slowly pulled away, her eyes wide. "My diary? You
read..."
He shushed her by placing one of his fingers over her lips. God,
how soft your lips are...'
Nick thought to himself. "Yes, your diary. Before you scold
me- Yes, I went to your apartment.
Yes, I took your diary and read it. Twice to be honest."
"You had no...!"She began to say as he shushed her once
more, this time kissing her.
"Yes, I had no right reading it. When you left I felt I had
to do whatever was necessary to
find out what in the hell was going on in your head,"Nick
admitted. "I know you wanted this
time away from me, from us. But, I can't let you go. I need you
more than I've needed anyone
else throughout the centuries I've lived. I love you Natalie
Lambert. I will never doubt us again,
never doubt that our belief in what could...correction *will* be,
is worthy of the love that I've
been blessed with."
This time it was Natalie that kissed Nick. She pressed her lips
to his, caressed his hair. As
they kissed he held onto her and lifted her up off her feet. His
tongue teased hers. She broke
from the kiss to trail small soft kisses on Nick's neck. "I
love you Nick,"she breathed onto his
cold skin.
Just as he brought her lips to his for another kiss, the
balcony's door opened. "Oh...geez. I'm
sorry. I have such lousy timing. I'll just..."Stace said
startled, yet pleased with what she saw.
"No, it's ok. Really,"Nat giggled looking at Nick, her
face tinged with red.
Stace gave Nat the way to go girlfriend' look. "Ah... Nick,
Papa says that he thinks he has a
costume for you. If you'll take Steve with you, he can show you
where his shop is. I'll take Nat
to the university and you two can meet us there. Steve knows what
building on the Tulane
campus where the ball will be taking place."
Nat looked at Nick not wanting him to leave. Stace gave an evil
grin,"Don't worry Nat,
you'll be back with your knight in shining armor in forty-five
minutes tops."
If he could have blushed, Nick would have been red as the roses
he'd brought to Nat. He
asked Nat,"Is that ok with you?"
Nat playfully grinned, "Unless you'd rather go without
clothes."
Bursting out into laughter, Nick managed to give Nat a quick kiss
on the lips, "Wait for me."
As Nick left with Stace's brother, she put a arm around her
friend guiding her to the guest
bedroom, "Come on girlfriend, we've got to get you
dressed."
Nick and Steve pulled around to the back of the King's Court'
costume shop seeing the main
street of the French Quarter was filled with people as another
parade was about to begin. Steve
rapped on the back door. Henry Gilbeaux opened the door for his
son and friend. "Glad to see
you two weren't mobbed on the way in,"he said shutting the
door behind them. Henry held out
his hand,"Henry Gilbeaux. Pleased to make your
acquaintance." Nick reciprocated the gesture.
"And you as well. Thank you for helping out at such a late
hour."
As they walked to the front of the store, Nick noticed at the
various masks hanging on the
wall. Some where full faced, others not. Some with
feathers...some beaded with sequins that
caught the light causing tiny sparks of colour to splash on the
joining walls. Then there were the
mannequins dressed in outfits that Nick could remember wearing in
the 1700's. "You have a
wonderful shop Mr. Gilbeaux."
"Thanks Nick...and its Henry. My father was Mr.
Gilbeaux,"Steve's father said smiling. "Let
me go get the costume from the back. Make yourself at home."
Henry was about to leave when
he called out to his son, "Steve, while I'm getting Nick's
costume, go look in the inventory room
for Mrs. Robert's mask. It came in on the late delivery and she's
gonna have a cow if she
doesn't get it by the end of tonight."
By this time, Nick was left alone in the front room. He noticed
the shop's door was locked
with a close sign in the window. As he began to look more closely
at one of the costumes, a
woman's voice spoke behind him,"An interesting piece,
yes?"
Nick turned to see an elderly woman crossing to sit at the
counter. He walked over,
smiling,"Yes it is."
"You must be the guest Stevie was talking about,"She
said holding out her hand. Nick bent
and placed a greeting kiss on it.
Just as he touched her hand, a wave of images flashed through her
mind. Her body went stiff
as her eyes met his- Blood, so much blood. People dying in his
arms. The fire before him as a
group danced around him. His eyes, his teeth. LaCroix, the
darkness over his soul. And then
the face of her granddaughter's friend.
Concerned, Nick looked at the woman, "Are you alright?"
She continued to look as if she
was seeing into his very being. Nick felt a shiver crawl up his
spine.
In a small, mono-toned voice she finally spoke,"You are
truly a tortured soul. To have lived
so long with such a divided spirit. You are the one her tears are
shed for."
Mesmerized, Nick could not find the words he needed to say. She
placed an withered hand to
his cheek, "Do not let it win. You have it within you.
Believe."
"How...she told you."Nick said his eyes staring into
the woman's dark ones.
"She told me nothing. Look inside Nick, you will
understand,"she simply responded.
Nick's memory went back two hundred years. He was surrounded by a
group of people,
some of their faces painted. They danced around him and the fire
that was ablaze before him.
They were chanting. As their voices became louder, his eyes had
begun to change. But, he
couldn't move. They were preventing him. Suddenly his thoughts
were slammed back to the
present.
"You know because you are of the voodoo belief. I'm correct
aren't I?"Nick said he could
feel a drop of blood sweat began to form. He quickly wiped it
away.
"Yes. And I do not have the answer you seek. Just as my
people did not have the answer
back then. It is within you. Believe."
Nick took her hand, "Believe."
Steve and his father reentered at almost the same time. "I
see you've met my mother Nick."
Nick smiled, "Yes. But, not formally." Henry
smiled,"Nick this is my mother, Dehila Gilbeaux.
Mother, this is Nick Knight a friend of Natalie's."
Mrs. Gilbeaux smiled, "I knew Natalie had good taste."
"Grammy is the queen of the Krewe de Dehila. Of course, will
always be queen of the
Gilbeaux family,"Steve said as he placed a small kiss on his
grandmother's cheek.
"Oh, almost forgot, here is your costume and boots."
Henry said, handing Nick a hanger, it's
contents covered by a plastic bag. He pointed Nick to a isolated
dressing room on the other side
of the shop, "You can go right in there to change. If you
need any help don't hesitate to yell,"
Nick smiled and thanked him. After he made it to the dressing
room, he quickly uncovered
the outfit. He quickly dressed in the costume. But, to him it was
like placing a piece of old
clothing on his body. Without the chain mail, it was almost
exactly what he'd worn in the
middle 1400's. "A knight without the shining armor,"he
said softly to himself.
"Nick, you need something?"Henry asked thinking he'd
heard Nick's voice. Nick exited the
dressing room.
Steve gave his head a shake,"I can't believe you dressed so
fast! It's like you'd worn these
type of outfit before."
Nick and Mrs. Gilbeaux exchanged a glance. Then he answered,
"Nah, just luck on my part."
Henry looked at the masked clock on the wall,"A quarter to
eight. You two had better get
going if don't want to get stuck in traffic. I don't think that
excuse works anymore."
Once more, Nick shook Henry's hand and thanked him. Then he took
the frail hand of
Steve's grandmother and kissed it. "Thank you...for
everything."
Grammy nodded and simply said,"Believe, Nicholas."
With that, Dehila watched Steve usher Nick out the back stopping
just long enough to grab
Nick's other clothes and shoes.
As they left, her son turn turned to her, "What was that all
about?"
Dehila smiling, she answered her son. "Love."
Natalie took one more glance in the full-length mirror. She
smoothed her
hands over the crimson red velvet, then checked to see if here
cape was on correctly.
"Quit worrying! I'm sure the real Archduchess Maria is
rolling in her grave,"Stace said
sneaking up behind her. "Oh, one last item,"Stace said
as she placed the red veiled tiara
on top of Nat's head, then smoothing the yards of soft material
over Nat's cape. She gave
a little squeeze on her Nat's shoulders,"Now, it's perfect.
You are absolutely gorgeous!"
Nat covered Stace's hands with hers smiling at Stace in the
mirror. "I don't know
about gorgeous, but I have to admit that I haven't felt this good
in a long, long time."
Suddenly Nat turned to look at her friend. "And you. You
look marvelous! That
gown compliments you so well. God, what I wouldn't give to look
like you." Stace gave a
playful slap on Nat's arm then turned around as if she was a
model and not a coroner. The
purple, green, and gold sequins glittered with each turn.
"So, you think I might actually catch
a man like your Nick tonight?"
Natalie picked up a pillow that was on her bed and threw it at
her friend, "No, because Nick
is definitely one of a kind."
Stace smiled, then crossed the room to link her arm with Nat's.
"Let's go so you can be with
Sir Nick, your highness."
Nick looked at his watch. Eight fifteen. They should've been here
by now. Steve had left
Nick at the ballroom's entrance to call his sister's apartment.
Nick watched as other people
entered the room, highly decorated with the Mardi Gras colours. A
sea of small tables gave way
to a dance floor in the middle of the huge room. He looked at his
watch once more. Eight
sixteen. Where was she? Just as he looked up, he saw Steve cross
from the ballroom's large
doors. "I'm sorry Nick, there wasn't an answer."
Maybe he should leave and do a fly by to make sure Nat and
Steve's sister hadn't been in a car
accident. Just as he was about to excuse himself, the two ladies
entered the room. Nick made
his way through the many costumed guests that were between her
and him.
He stopped and lost his words as his gaze was captured by her.
Natalie was exquisite. A
vision bathed in exotic perfumes. He couldn't move, unable to
even breathe. Draped in crimson
red velvet, it left Nick imagining what lay beneath the yards of
fabric. Rather than her exposed
neck, a deep neckline that exposed parts of her shoulders and
breasts caught his attention and
held it as she slowly walked toward him.
His smile reached his eyes as he spoke,"Natalie, you are
enchanting." She returned a smile
along with a blush that covered her cheeks. He noticed the dress
was almost the same as an
archduchess he had known in the 1700's. This archduchess had
tried to dispel the fear of
vampires, actually helping Nick at one point. Just as Natalie had
helped him since she known
him. He decided that this night was for them, not for his past.
As Natalie eyed Nick's outfit she couldn't help to think about
Stace's words, your knight in
shining armor.' "And you are very handsome,"she said
complementing his outfit.
"I think I had a little help in the choice,"Nick said
looking over at Stace. Nat followed,
staring at Stace her mouth opened as if to say something.
Stace looked at Nat, then Nick, then back at Nat,
"What?" She shot her famous evil grin at
them,"I can't imagine what I could have done." She went
and looped her arm through her
brother's. "Steve lets get a drink. All of a sudden its
quite warm in here,"Stace said over her
shoulder, smiling at the couple.
They laughed, then Nick offered his arm to the lady in red,
"Shall we?" Holding onto her red
feathered mask with one hand, Nat put the other one in the crook
of Nick's outstretched arm.
Throughout the next hour, they mingled with Stace and other
visiting coroners from other
countries. Finally, Nick and Nat found their table where Stace
and Steve already sat. Between
the four of them, they laughed as the band- complete with a jazz
pianist and a brass section-
played numbers like, Mardi Gras Mambo' and Mardi Gras in New
Orleans.' Though other
couples danced, Nick and Nat did not, sensing they were both
uncomfortable not knowing how
to move to such music.
The band began to play another number as the lights went dim
except on the announcer
standing on the stage. "May I have everyone's attention
please. I am Jerry Summers, one of the
co-ordinators of this evening's event and I'd like to welcome
everyone to the I.C.C. Mardi Gras'
ball."
Nat listened as Nick continued to stare at her,"Nick, pay
attention will you?" Nick leaned
over to whisper in her ear,"Believe me, I am."
She elbowed Nick who had now positioned behind her cradling her
with his arms. The
announcer finished his speech,"I hope everyone has a
wonderful time. Laissez les bon temps
rouler!"
The lights became brighter and the band began to play once more.
Nat looked over at Stace
and asked,"What about the queen and king? I thought at Mardi
Gras balls they were presented?"
Stace leaned over and answered her friend, "Only if the ball
is for a Krewe. Besides I think
we already have a queen and king." Stace smiled looking at
her and Nick.
Nick leaned in, "Did I miss something?" Nat looked at
Stace, Stace looked at Nick. Nat said,
"No...nothing at all." Then the two ladies giggled as
if they had just passed a note in class.
Another half hour had gone by when Nick suddenly noticed that no
one had bothered to ask
him why he wasn't drinking or eating. He wasn't even feeling the
pain of hunger at all. This is
what Natalie did for him. Satisfying the deepest hunger of
all...the hunger of love.
The band began to disperse and a d.j. played contempory soft rock
while the band took their
break. A song by Elton John begin to fill the air as Stace rose
to excuse herself. Both Nick and
Steve rose as Stace said,"Please excuse me, I'll be back in
a few minutes."
As Nick returned to his seat, Steve also excused himself to get
another mixed drink. "Can I
get either one of you anything?"
Both Nick and Nat stumbled over the words, "No, no
thanks."
"Ok, be back in a few,"Steve said as he left to the
bar.
Nick turned Nat's face to him smiling, "You are so
beautiful."
"I can't believe you are here with me. Two weeks ago seems
like a lifetime. What I said
and..."
"Shhh...."Nick gave her a kiss. "Nothing matters
now except you and me. Right now at this
moment."
Stace returned be-bopping. "I really didn't want to make it
a habit of interrupting you two."
Smiling, Nat pursed her lips together looking at purple linen
tablecloth. Nick smiled and
caught Nat's eyes as she looked back up.
As the Elton John song finished, the d.j. spoke,"This next
one is for a special couple tonight."
The room vibrated as the first measure of the Celine Dion song
began. Nat looked over at Stace.
She smiled, "Go ahead, this night is for both of you."
Nick rose and held out his hand, "May I have this
dance?" Nat slowly put her hand into
his,"Yes...forever."
Other couples were already dancing as Nick pulled Natalie into
his arms. As they looked into
each other's eyes, the words of the song filled their souls:
"I'm falling into you,
This dream could come true.
And it feels so good falling into you.
I was afraid to let you in here,
Now I have learned love can't be made in fear.
The walls begin to tumble down.
And I can't even see the ground.
I'm falling into you..."
Nick placed one hand in the small of her back, gentle swaying her
back and forth. The other
held her hand close as their bodies pressed together. Nat closed
her eyes not wanting this night
to never end.
As soon as the song had begun, it was over and another was
playing leaving Nick and Nat
staring at each other, motionless. "Let's make our goodbyes.
I want you all to myself."
Nat nodded, transfixed on his voice, his words.
They made their way back to the table in silence. Natalie was the
first to speak,"I think we're
going to leave. It's been wonderful though."
"Yes, it was fun. Thank you for inviting me,"Nick said
smiling nodding to Stace, and
shaking hands with Steve who had returned with yet another mixed
drink.
Just as Natalie was about to turn to leave, Stace caught her by
the arm. "Hey, you might need
this,"Stace said handing a key to her apartment that she'd
dug from her handbag.
Nat shook her head, "I don't think I'll..." She tried
to return the key to her friend.
"I've got a spare. Just in case. Now go and have a wonderful
night,"she said hugging
Natalie.
Nick drove the car in silence. As they passed the city limits
sign, Natalie asked,"Just where
are you taking me?"
He took her hand and kissed it. Smiling he said,"Just wait
and see."
They reached the Magnolia house a little before eleven. "Oh,
this place is magnificent!"Nat
said. Nick went around to open the passenger door for her,
"You haven't seen anything yet."
He escorted up the steps as she held her dress with left hand. As
they entered, both Mr. and
Mrs. Vincent greeting them. "Good evening." Mrs.
Vincent smiled as she looked at Natalie and
nodded.
Nick opened the door to the darkened room. He gentle led her in,
then stopping to light the
candles sitting on the mantle of the fireplace. After removing
the tiara with its long flowing
material and cape, Nat sat the items along with her mask and
beaded bag with the extra key in it
on the small dining table near a window opposite of the
fireplace. As she looked around, Nat
couldn't help but gasp,"This place is so beautiful. How on
earth did you find a place as
wonderful as this from Toronto?"
Nick gave her one of his famous boyish smiles. "A kind New
Orleans travel agent should
take the credit."
She shook her head still in disbelief of this night. Her world
had changed so much since the
sun had sat that she needed a moment to catch her breath. "I
am still in shock that you flew here
to find me."
Beginning his walk to her, he stopped at the black bag still on
the small couch. Hesitating, he
reached in and took out the book Natalie immediately recognized.
"This belongs to you."
Natalie walked slowly as his hand was outreached with the book in
it. She took the book
within hands,"My diary. I wished you hadn't read it."
He tapped on the book, "Without it, the truth would have
been covered by the masks of these
book covers." Nick remembered a few words of LaCroix's that
night before he left. He knew
that his master had been speaking about him when he'd said A
masked faced hiding what
he is most afraid of- himself.' Nick had been afraid, but not in
the manner LaCroix had meant.
He had been afraid to love. To truly have faith and believe in
the love he felt for Natalie.
Taking the diary from her, he pulled her close. Kissing her, he
felt as if the rest of the world
had ceased to exist. Nick turned her around to hold her from
behind. Pulling her hair away from
her neck he whispered,"Say that you will stay..."
(Writer's Warning about
"Krewe of the Knight" part 10/11: ADULT material. Pam
(Jaxie)
Williamson will not be held responsible for those reading the
next section. IF you are underage,
stop now!)
As Nick whispered into her hair, she leaned feeling his strong
chest against her back.
Natalie closed her eyes wanting so desperately to say yes. But
afraid if she did, the night
might end up badly. She should have had Nick drive her back to
Stace's apartment. She
should have stopped him before the zipper on the back of her
dress got much lower.
Nick heard the soft moan escape from her lips as he skimmed his
fingertips across her
bare back. He bent down and began to place small kisses up her
spine.
Nat gasped,"Maybe this isn't a good idea." Though she
wanted him to touch every inch
of her and to have her body respond to each of his kisses. She
leaned her head back
as Nick began to have his tongue follow the trail from her
earlobe to her shoulder.
He could smell her blood pumping beneath her smooth skin.
Fighting the vampire within
him, he moved his lips from her skin. As Nick slowly edged the
dress away from her silky
shoulders, the dress fell into a pool of red fabric at Natalie's
black heels. Natalie stood there
only in her black lace panties and matching garter that held the
sheer black hose she wore. He
cupped her breasts in his hands fondling them, then he began to
flick her nipples between his
fingers until they were stiff under his touch. On the edge of
paradise, she thought how glad she
was not having wore a bra.
Just as Natalie's head began to soar, Nick turned her swiftly-
her face to his. In one quick
smooth motion, he kissed her soundly. Teasing with his tongue, he
forced her mouth to open
wider allowing their tongues to intermingle with each other.
As the kiss lingered, Natalie fumbled with the few buttons on
Nick's shirt. Once the shirt
was unbutton, she broke the kiss just long enough to raise his
shirt over his head. Nick threw it
across the room, then lifted Natalie into his arms as he carried
her to the antique bed.
He pressed down on top of her. Natalie could feel his hardness
pressing against her inner
thigh. Her body begin to tingle with anticipation and excitement.
Nick bent down once more to
kiss her hard. Shifting his weight so that he was laying beside
her, he grabbed her where she
ached the most. Even through the lace panties, she was softer
than in his dreams.
Natalie moaned through the kiss as she arched her back for Nick
to do more. He broke the
kiss and looked at her. She was relieved to see that his eyes
were still blue. "Natalie, we have
to both believe that our love will lead us to the other
side." Stroking her cheek with his free
hand he softly said, "I believe in us. I love you
Natalie."
As she lay there beside his body, she listened to his soul. He
was in this with her. His faith
had somehow broke through the dark chains of doubt and fear.
Natalie traced Nick's lips with
her thumb. As she did, he nibbled it. "I love you too
Nick."
He moved a little lower on the bed. Natalie sat up on her elbows
thinking she had said
something wrong and he was leaving. Smiling, he unclasped the
hooks that held one of her
stockings. Gingerly, he slid the hose down to her foot. As he
did, he stroked the smooth skin of
her leg. After he'd tossed the hose on the floor, he tenderly
kissed each toe and preceded to
reciprocate his actions with her other leg. After the other
stocking and garter were tossed to the
floor as well, Nick sat on the edge of the bed removing the boots
and such he'd been wearing.
Natalie sat up, holding him from behind. He closed his eyes as he
savored the touch of her soft
breasts against his back. This time it was Nick who moaned.
He turned around and picked her up once more.
"Nick?"Nat said not sure what was going on.
Turning the handmade quilt and sheets back with a free hand, he
placed her back onto the bed,
his body once more on top of hers. As her fingers shook, she
began to unbutton, then unzip his
pants. After a few more feverous moments, all of their garments
laid strewn throughout the
room.
Natalie was about to say something when Nick said, "Just let
me look at you. You are so
beautiful." With the light touch of his finger he began with
her cheek followed by her breasts,
encircling them. He stroked her flat stomach then her inner thigh
causing her to flinch, then
softly laughing. "Ah, a tickle spot. I will have to remember
that,"Nick said smiling.
As he finished his survey of her body, Natalie placed her palm on
his chest. She allowed it to
slowly drift down to where the hardness of his manhood throbbed.
Nick closed his eyes and
threw his head back as she ran a finger the length of his shaft,
teasing him. When he opened his
eyes they had turned the golden colour that they both had been
dreading. She froze in fear when
she saw his fangs. Nick held her face in one of his hands and
calmly said, "Don't be afraid. I
believe in us."
Natalie looked straight into his eyes, "I believe in us too
Nick. I love you."
In one swift motion, he glided himself into her, surrounding that
part of him with her warmth.
Nick began to move in gentle motions, sending Natalie nearly over
the edge. Her whole body
quivered as his movements became harder. She matched his rhythm,
arching her back as he
sank deeper into her each time. Just when Natalie thought she
could stand no more, she heard
Nick growl. As he buried himself within her for the final thrust,
Nick buried his fangs into the
featherbed just less than an inch from Natalie's neck.
They gradually released the grip they had on to each other.
Nick's eyes had returned to
normal and his fangs retracted. For what seemed like hours they
held onto each other. While
Nick tenderly stroked the strands of her hair, Natalie caressed
his arm running her hand back and
forth. He placed a kiss on her forehead smiling,"We did it.
We came through to the other side."
"Yes, we did. Together,"Natalie paused. "Of course
there may be a slight problem
explaining the bed,"Nat said smiling at Nick.
Nick gave her a serious look. "I keep thinking if I had been
just an inch closer..."
Placing her fingers over his lips she said,"You didn't. I
knew you wouldn't."
He removed her hand from his lips and delicately kissed each
finger. "You must be hungry.
I'm sure I can persuade Mrs. Vincent to whip up something for
you."
Not wanting Nick to leave, Natalie almost said no. "Are you
sure it won't be too much
trouble?"
Smiling Nick said, "You'll have to owe me a kiss when I
return."
Pointing at his chest, she replied, "You have a deal!"
Nick left the woman he loved to slip into a pair of jeans and
t-shirt. "Mentioning food, don't
you think you need to feed?" Natalie asked. Before she could
complete the sentence, Nick had
already uncorked a bottle and was draining it.
After he finished, Nick went to the door. Looking back he said,
"Natalie..."
"Yes Nick?"Nat answered.
He looked at her, curled up in the bed where they had just made
love, "I love you."
She smiled. "I love you too, Nick."
When Nick returned with a plate of fruit and sandwiches, he found
Natalie in one of his white
shirts he'd brought along on his trip. Natalie looked better in
it than he ever had. She stood
staring out through the window and into the night. How he loved
her!
"I'm back,"Nick announced bringing Nat from the distant
world of thought she was in. "Hope
you like fruit and sandwiches."
Natalie took the cloth covering the plate off, looking over the
assortment of fruit. "Sounds
delicious." She selected a few strawberries then went back
to the window.
Nick set the plate of food down on the table. Wrapping his arms
around her, he leaned his
chin on her shoulder. Natalie polished off another strawberry as
she enjoyed the quietness of
being with him.
"There's something I want to talk to you about. I had my
speech all planned out, now I have
no idea how to say it,"Nick said staring out the window with
her.
Natalie shrugged her shoulders, "That's easy, just say
it."
Taking a breath, Nick said it straight and to the point. " I
want you to marry me."
(Writer's Note: This was the originaly conclusion of "Krewe
of the Knight" -part 11/11 as was
posted on the N&N mailing list.)
February 14, ...a Valentine Mardi Gras
Natalie was thankful that the night had turned out so beautiful.
The skies
were clear and the moon full. Stace, her eyes brimming with tears
hugged
her friend. "I'm so happy for you!" She then turned to
give Nick a hug, "And
I expect you to take good care of her. Because if you don't, I'll
personally come
to Toronto myself and hunt you down!" Nick laughed as
Natalie grinned. She
playfully punched Nick's arm, "Did you hear her? You better
take extra special
care of me!" Nick smiled back at her, "I will make it
my life's work, Mrs. Knight."
The main Mardi Gras parade had ended just before eleven and
Natalie was happy
to have friends and new friends there to celebrate with her and
Nick. She had thought
about waiting until they returned to Toronto. But Stace, being
the hopeful romantic
and her family insisted that it had to be a Valentine's wedding
despite the late hour.
And, Natalie thought to herself, this way there would be no
LaCroix to interfere.
Mrs. Gilbeaux came to Natalie and Nick next. First, she looked at
Natalie dressed in
a simple but eloquent ivory lace dress. Then at Nick in his
uncomplicated black suit. She
smiled as she took their hands into her own. "Never stop
believing. For it is when we stop
believing, we cease to live. May all your nights be filled with
love." As she finished,
Natalie gave the wonderful elderly woman a hug, "I hope you
and the rest of
your family knows how grateful we both are for tonight."
Stace's grandmother chuckled,
"I was never one for normal. The more unusual, the
better."
After well-wishes were made by others, Natalie whispered to Nick,
"Are you sure you
didn't want to wait until we were back in Toronto? I know that
you would have liked
Schanke there."
"No. Having you as my wife is all that is important to
me,"Nick answered. "It didn't
matter where, or by whom, just as long as we are bound in love.
And who could have asked
for a more perfect night than Valentine's?" His voice grew a
little more serious, "What about
you? Any regrets? I know that most ladies like a big wedding with
a proper honeymoon."
Natalie took him by the hand and stated, "No regrets-
whatsoever."
Later that evening, they spent their first night as man and wife
in the small
bed and breakfast inn where they had first made love. After
another exhausting
but pleasurable time of togetherness, Nick looked over at Natalie
who was still
trying to recover from this latest round of love making.
"That good?"
Natalie grinned, "No...just that wonderful!"
The vampire part of Nick still managed to show itself during
their times of
sexual contact, but both he and Natalie knew now that it may
never be cured, but
it could certainly be controlled because they both believed the
strength of
their love.
Just as Nick was about to go to the refrigerator for his after'
meal, the phone rang
causing Natalie to jump. "I'll get it. It better not be
Stace,"Natalie said grabbing a sheet
to cover herself as she ran to the telephone table.
She smiled back at Nick who had already pulled a pair of jeans on
and was drinking
his after' meal. Natalie picked up the receiver,
"Hello?"
"Natalie?"A familiar voice answered back.
"Schanke?"Natalie asked as she turned to look at Nick a
little shocked.
"What are you doing there? No, on second thought I do not
wanna know,"Schanke
managed to say without asking something he would regret later on.
"You know what Schanke, I think you called here to speak to
Nick. Hold on for one
second,"Natalie said hurriedly.
As Nat handed the phone to Nick, she mouthed, "How did he
know this number?"
Answering in a whisper, "I told him where I was going and
gave it to him just for
emergencies." Natalie wrapped her arms around her husband as
she began to tickle him.
"Schanke!"Nick said as he tried to keep from laughing.
"What's up?"
Schanke gave a snort. "I should be asking you that. Guess
you had that date in New
Orleans considering the doc answered the phone. Come on, you
can't leave the Schankster
hangin! Give up all the details and be very, very graphic."
Nick was laughing hard now as Nat worked her tickle fingers to
behind his neck. Knowing
his partner, Schanke said, "Alright, alright...I'll take it
you'll wait when you get back
tomorrow to tell all."
Natalie stopped her antics as she notice Nick's facial
expressions grew serious. "Tomorrow
Schanke?"
Hearing Schanke smacking his gum, Nick hear him answer,
"Yea, or sooner. Capt's having a
fit over here at this end. We just got hit with another double
murder and you're favourite, a
possible serial homicide. But you'd be glad to know that a local
travel agent confessed to the
murders you left me to solve when you took off to New
Orleans."
Nick couldn't believe the irony of a travel agent booked for
those murders with the common
fragrance. After all, hadn't it been a New Orleans travel agent
that found this unbelievable place
for him?
Schanke continued, "So, here's your official notification
that your official vacation has been
officially canceled."
Nick ran a hand threw his hair and looked up to the ceiling. Nat
whispered, "No. He's not..."
Nodding, Nick paused then answered his partner,"I can't
possibly be back in Toronto until late
Wednesday night, early Thursday morning. Tell the captain I'll be
there as soon as I can."
"You know how he gets when things don't go his way. But, not
to worry. You're partner
will save your butt from the fire once more. I'll stall him and
tell him the airline got your flights
mixed up or something."Schanke said dreading telling
Stonetree this bit of news.
Nick replied, "Thanks Schanke. I owe you one."
"You owe me several. I still want the details when you get
back. See you A.S.A.P." Schanke
said before Nick hung up the phone.
Natalie hugged Nick tight, "When do you have to leave?"
"Captain Stonetree wants me back as soon as possible. I'll
leave tomorrow night." Nick
looked at Nat, then sighed.
Looking at Nick, she shook her head, "I'm not staying here
another two weeks without you.
My boss is going to have a coronary, but I'm leaving the
conference early. We'll fly out
together."
"Are you sure? Two weeks isn't that far away,"Nick said
as his brow drew tight.
Nat smiled then said,"Detective, two weeks are an eternity
when you've waited as long as I
have for her knight to rescue her."
While Nick slept Wednesday morning, Natalie made arrangements for
her return flight and
Nick's direct flight back to Toronto. After the trying three
different airlines, she found one with
an evening flight on the same plane. After that was taken care
of, she took the rental and
dropped by Stace's to pick up her things even though her friend
had already left for Tulane as
I.C.C. had resumed the conference. After gathering her
belongings, she left Stace's spare key
and a brief note of goodbye on the counter.
Locking the door behind her, Nat drove to Tulane to notify the
I.C.C. that she was leaving
the conference early. As she was leaving the science department's
building, Stace called out to
her. "Nat!" She turned around just as Stace gave her a
big hug. Nat smiled, then explained that
she and Nick were leaving and why. "Eeww, and just after you
were married. I wish you and
Nick could've stayed longer."
"Me too. I'll miss you and your family so much,"Nat
said with a tear in her eye.
Stace sniffled, "Now, don't go starting that! You'll have my
eyes so swollen, the other
coroners will think I'm a walking stiff."
After more hugs and many tears, the two friends said their
goodbyes and promised they
would keep in touch.
The sun had already set when Nick and Natalie returned the rental
car and began to board
the plane. As they were welcomed aboard, a stewardess commented
to Nick, "Excuse me, but
you were on my flight a couple of nights ago." Nick stopped.
Smiling he replied, "Yes, I think
so." The young lady looked at Natalie and grinned at Nick,
"I can see you enjoyed your visit to
the Crescent City!" Natalie blushed as Nick held tight onto
her hand and said smiling at her,
"You'll never know how much."
March 1
Nick woke up that evening to find Natalie's side of the bed
empty. He listened for her
heartbeat, but could not hear it. Frightened that something ...or
someone might have harmed
her, he rushed downstairs with his vampire quickness. He did not
find her, just a note she had
tacked on the refrigerator:
2 p.m.
Sweetheart,
Had to run a few errands. Will be back later.
I love you, now and forever-
Nat.
p.s. Don't forget your veggie drink!
Laughing, Nick took the note and opened the refrigerator to get
his veggie drink. He took it
and the note to the couch. Sitting there in his black silk
pajamas with his feet propped up, he
took a sip and thought back when he and Natalie returned from New
Orleans.
The first person he and Nat saw was LaCroix standing in his loft.
"Nicholas, why am I always
the last to know?"LaCroix had spewed out. Nick angered,
asked, "LaCroix, what are you doing
here?" Giving an evil grin, LaCroix had answered,"To
kiss the bride." After a brief
confrontation with his master, LaCroix left but not before he had
the last word. Sneering with
his fangs bared and eyes glowing, he had told Natalie, "You
may have him in your bed now. But
Nicholas is mine...forever."
Nick closed his eyes remembering a happier welcome from Schanke
and the others at the
27th precinct. "Married! Alright! Now that's what I call a
date, Knight!"Schanke had yelled
as soon as he noticed the way Nick and Natalie were looking at
their gold wedding bands.
Captain Stonetree kissed the new Mrs. Knight and shook Nick's
hand, "If I'd known this is
why you were down there to begin with, I'd let you have the full
week of vacation. Next time,
let someone know, alright detective?" Nick had looked at his
wife and smiled, "There will not
be another next time. This is forever."
While Nick sat at the loft remembering and enduring his veggie
drink, Nat sat in a cold office
with all white walls. She looked at her watch. "I hope I'm
next. They said it would be ready by
six and I don't want to wait until tomorrow night to give it to
Nick,"she said to herself. Just as
she was about to check her watch again, Nat heard the nurse call
her name. "Natalie Knight?
Come with me please."
It was a little after eight when Natalie returned to the loft
finding Nick up and dressed. He
rushed to her, giving her a kiss and a smile,"You left
without saying goodbye."
Nat smiled and hugged her husband, "I did so. I left a
note."
"Ah, but that's not the same as this goodbye,"Nick said
as he kissed Natalie once more. "I
thought we would be doing something better since we both had the
next twenty-four hours off
instead of running errands."
Nat puckered out her bottom lip, "Aaww, was my favourite
vampire feeling a little lonely?"
Nick burst out into laughter,"Yes, for you. Now, about those
errands. Bring me anything?"
"You are such a typical male, it's hard to know if you're
mortal or not."Nat said. "But, to
answer your question, yes I did."
Confused, he said,"You must have forgot it in the caddy
because I don't see it."
"Oh, you want something you can see,"Natalie said
cracking a smile trying to stifle her
excitement.
Reaching into her pocket, Natalie pulled out what looked like a
silver doubloon and flipped
it over to Nick. She had picked it up from the jewelery store
after her doctor's vistit. He caught
it with one hand. Walking toward the fireplace, he turned his
back to Natalie studying the coin.
Nick turned to face her once more, "Another souvenir from
New Orleans?"
Nat crossed her arms almost bursting out in happy tears,
"Read what's on the coin. Outloud."
Nick smiled at Nat, stille confused but did as she asked.
"Krewe of the Knight."
She walked over to Nick. Taking his hand, she placed it over her
abdomen. "Let's say that
when we visit Stace the next time, we can have our own
Krewe."
Wide eyed, almost afraid to say the words, Nick hugged his wife
as overwhelmed joy
consumed his soul.
Then, taking her tear streaked face into his shaking hands he
told her tenderly, "That will be
the first word our child will know... "
"What word is that my sweet Nick?"Natalie asked through
her tears.
Nick smiled and looked into her soul. "Believe."
Pam
aka Jaxie
Newest N&NPacker
Nick&Nat Pack, where the Knight and his Love lives on...