Later, once night fell, Nick watched as Natasha stepped back into her clothes. Everything about her amazed him. The way she moved, the way she talked, the way she locked eyes with him almost every minute. She soon stood before him as he finished buttoning his shirt. "Do we really belong to one another?" he asked sweetly.

She smiled contently. "Yes, but unfortunately no one else must know...especially Justin. He will kill you. I can't risk that."

"Then when will we be together?" His tone was full of worry.

"I will come to you, Nickolas. Rest assured I will not leave you alone in your new world...ever. Justin will surely have to understand the training that you must go through and since I was your creator, it's my job to take care of you."

"Do you promise?" He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him. He rested his head in the crook of her neck. "Can I keep you?"

She was unsure of what to do or say. She felt so relaxed around this man that it was almost uncomfortable. "I'll always be a part of you, Nickolas. You'll never lose that."

"Yea, but aren't we forever? I mean, we'll always be around. I won't ever have to worry about losing you." His smile was too huge to hide.

"Nickolas, there's still so much to talk about. First and foremost, we need to get you out into the night so that you may survive. Are you ready for this?"

He backed up slowly, leaning against the table. "I don't think...no, I know that I can't kill someone. I don't have the heart." He stood there, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm gonna make a lousy vampire," he sighed.

"Your way of surviving will come natural to you. It'll all come naturally."

Her smile warmed his otherwise cold body. "When can we be together like this again?"

"Nickolas, you must think about your family and friends."

"What about them? I want them to meet you."

"No, not about me, about you. You're confined to the night. No afternoon shows, no mid-morning rehearsals, no daylight...unless you wear sunglasses, and that's indoors. Right now though, you going out during any time of the day is way too risky."

"Great, I can be the next AJ," he laughed.

"Nickolas, this is not something to joke about. You must take care of yourself. You have to be careful. I can't have you..."

He kissed her quickly, pressing his lips harder against hers. "You worry too much," he grinned. "As long as I have you, secretly or not, I know I'll be fine."

'NATASHA!'

"We have to go," she said suddenly. "He'll come looking."

Nick nodded, following her out into an unknown world, only to be greeted by unknown yet familiar faces.

"Carter, you will join us," said an evil voice. Nick looked and noticed it was Justin that spoke. "You're one of us now...while also being a Backstreet Boy. How ironic. Loving yourself and hating who you are at the same time. Guess this will really put a damper on your appearance schedule."

Nick approached him confidently. "I'm ready. Show me what my new life has to offer."

"You heard the boy!" exclaimed JC. "Let's show him the real nightlife of Orlando!"

Justin grabbed Natasha and pulled her off to the side. "He's your responsibility since you had to be his creator instead of his ender!" he snarled. "I know the only reason you did it though. You just wanna whore your ass around." He began to chuckle a little. "It's like you said though, he may get your body just like every other guy in this town, but I'll always hold your soul."

"I had never been with anyone else!" she cried. "It's always been just you!"

"Just remember, if Carter boy steps out of line...as in thinkin' you're his, it's over for both of you!"
,br> "Hey guys, c'mon!" Lance yelled from the van. "The night awaits us!"

"Keep everything I said in mind...sweetheart." His tone was threatening as he grabbed her throat, squeezing slightly and backing her up to a tree before heading to the van.

Nick stood outside the van, watching in horror. His urge to run to her was so strong.

'Stay where you are!'

Nick looked at her, puzzled by what he just heard...in his mind.

'You belong to me. Get in the van and just do as I say. I'm your creator.'

He stared straight ahead, looking into her eyes as she mentally spoke to him. He attempted it as well. 'I will have you one day all to myself, Natasha. If I promise you nothing else, I promise you that.'

She regained composure and stepped towards the van, never breaking eye contact with him. 'I'm already yours, Nickolas...I'm already yours.'