Nick and Natasha were still snuggling as they stepped out of the dressing room.

"Hey Nick! Think you could break away long enough to do a show?" AJ yelled.

They were embraced in a lip lock as Nick brushed off his comment but waving his hand carelessly.

Brian slowly stepped up behind them and was about to grab a few strands of Nick's hair when Nick whirled around. "Quit thinking I'm childish," said Nick.

Brian's eyes widened. "How'd you..."

"I find happiness, for once, and all you guys can think of is how stupid I'm acting!" He watched as the four guys just stood there, having nothing to say. "Natasha honey, you can either watch the show from backstage or wait in the dressing room. Whichever is more comfortable for you." He kissed her lightly on the lips and walked off.

Natasha, usually powerful feeling, felt miniscule as the group stared at her. "I...I think I'll just go wait back there," she said, pointing towards the dressing room."

"You're on in five, guys!" yelled a stagehand.

Natasha sat in silence, blocking out the stadium noise. She'd wondered what was going to come of the whole situation. There would be no way Nick and she could stay together as long as Justin was around, but Justin had to stay alive. She felt herself being torn to pieces emotionally as she contemplated it all.

"My sweet Natasha, why do you worry so?"

She spun around. "You," she accused bitterly.

"I think you worry because you know that there's no way you can win. It's so sad how true love doesn't always prevail, isn't it?"

"You son of a bitch! I can't believe you! You're heartless!"

"Yes, in a way I am. You always were the observant one, weren't you?"

Natasha calmed herself down partially. "I have one request of you. I request that you let me go."

Justin's uproar only angered her more. "Let you go? What do you think I am? I'm far from stupid. Come, come my Natasha. You're looking awfully pale. I'm thinking you need to feed."

"I want nothing from you!"

"I know it's been a while since you've fed. You're powerful, but not that powerful. Just drink the blood I've brought."

She eyed the container he held in his hands, leaning against the styling table. Stepping closer, she reached out with one hand, attempting to take his gift. Instead she lunged forward, scraping a pair of open scissors against his neck. "You bastard!" she yelled, watching as Justin grasped his neck, the blood oozing from the wound. She picked up the canister, kneeling beside his twitching figure. "You forget that I've grown more powerful! This blood is old! It's tainted!" Justin's mouth was open, gasping for any breath. "Drink my fair Prince," she whispered, pouring the remaining contents that hadn't spilled.

"You'll die, you bitch," he managed out.

"Yes, but Nickolas will live," she said through tears as she felt herself age.

The boys were right in the middle of I'll Never Break Your Heart when Nick felt himself ache. He fell off his stool, grabbing his throbbing head. The audience gasped as the four guys rushed to him. Nick broke out in a cold sweat. "Natasha," he gasped. "Where's Natasha?"

"She's waiting in the dressing room," said a worried Brian.

Without another thought, Nick bolted backstage, leaving everyone in shock.

Natasha saw the door swing open, a disoriented Nick standing before her. "Nickolas," she whispered through tears.

Nick glanced at Justin's still figure and back at Natasha, seeing she looked to be about fifty-years-old. Without hesitation, he ran to embrace her. "Natasha, what have you done?"

"You're free, Nickolas," she stated calmly.

He pulled away, grasping her face with his hands. "No," he replied in disbelief. "No, I don't want to be free. I'm chained to you. I'm yours and you're mine!" He felt the hot tears streaming down his face, making no attempt to be strong.

"It had to be done," she whispered. "Live for me. That's my only request."

"I'm not living if I'm without you," he choked out, holding her now almost lifeless figure in his warm embrace. "There is no life without you."

"Nickolas, there was no life with me," she reminded.

Nick broke down even more, knowing the words she spoke were true. "I'll never love another," he vowed quietly.

"Nor would have I," she comforted. With her last breath, she made one request. "Kiss me."

He closed his eyes, picturing the young girl he met up with only a few days ago. Any ounce of passion pent up within him was released in that one action. He soon felt her face muscles relax, knowing she was almost gone. "I love you," he barely whimpered.

Her glassy eyes stared straight at him. She was too weak to speak, but tried the only other way she knew to communicate. 'You taught me how to love. In that, you gave me the greatest gift I could have ever received.'

His eyes widened as he was still able to hear her thoughts. "You truly were meant for me," he whispered. He felt her body become still, his face crumpling as he knew the awful truth. She was gone.

The End