Forever Knight

Flickerings

Renee Little whistled as she walked across the parking lot.  It was going to be a good night after all.  There wasn't as much paperwork as she thought there would be.  That meant she was able to get out of the office much earlier that she thought.  Since it was only 8 o'clock, there was still plenty of time to drive to Laguna Beach and join the rest of the crowd for the cookout.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up.  Someone was following her.  It wasn't as though she had heard or seen anything, it was more like something she felt.  Slowly she turned a full circle, carefully searching the area for anything.  There was nothing out of the ordinary.   Not that there was that much to search.  Except for about a dozen cars, the lot was deserted.  Ever since the

Oklahoma bombing, the security around all federal buildings had been beefed up.  The lot was brightly lit, since the floodlights came on automatically at dusk.  Entry to the lot and the building was by keycard only, and there were guards in the gatehouse as well as the lobby of the building to make certain that only authorized persons were in the area   Security cameras swept the area on a random basis.  She shook it off.  Jitters.  Shadows.  Whatever.  No, the feeling was still there.  Someone was there.  Somewhere.

She reached into left pocket.  Her fingers tightened around a Ball point pen.  It wasn't much, but if used properly, it might buy her some time.  She walked fast, almost at a run the rest of the way to her car.  Still clutching the pen in her hand, she fished her keys out and unlocked the car.  Quickly she climbed in and locked the doors and windows.  She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh of relief.  It was still there.  She turned to look out the back window.  That's when she saw ...

**********

Nick Knight looked up from the report he was struggling with.  Paperwork!  The curse of civilization.  Whatever happened to the Paperless Office Project?  Ever since they instituted that concept in the precinct, the paperwork had nearly tripled.   Mike Taylor sat at the desk across from him, grumbling even more than Nick.

"It's all your fault, Knight.  These twelve-hour shifts are ruining my social life. You have no idea how that affects an eligible bachelor like me. When we start at eight o'clock, it's too early for any quality entertainment.  By the time we get off at three a.m., everything's closed.  I might as well become a monk."

"Quit complaining, we did volunteer for it, and it's only temporary until they can get some promotions through."

"No, YOU volunteered for it.  I had to come along because I'm your partner."

Nick saw a slight movement out of the corner of his eye.  Toni Parker was standing in front of him, a huge grin on her face.

"What are you doing here?"  He asked.  "Am I late for a ...  I mean did we have a ... "

Toni grinned at his discomfort.  She thought about letting him stew in his own juices about a possible missed appointment, but relented.  "No, you aren't forgetting anything.  I work here now.  I'm the new police artist.  I start tonight.  They even swore me in as a special auxiliary police officer."

"But how?  Why?"

"Knight, what time warp have you been living in?"   Taylor said.  "We haven't had a regular artist since Kirby quit over six months ago.  They've been bringing contract artists in on a standby basis ever since."

"I mean, how did you get the job?"

"Like you get any job.  I applied for it.  I had the interview. And I was chosen."  Toni said.  "The money is good.  It beats the uncertainty of free lance.  And I am still free to do outside work when I can get it.  It's the perfect job." 

"But I didn't think we used artists anymore.  I thought it was all done with computers."

"He really is living in a time warp, isn't he?"  Toni said, looking at Taylor and rolling her eyes.  "How do you think I do my work these days?  I make a preliminary sketch, scan it in, and make the refinements on the screen.   Now, are you going to congratulate me or are you just going to sit there with your mouth hanging open."

"Congratulations.  I really mean it."

They were interrupted by Captain Davies.  "We've got a mugging and murder at the Federal Building.  Knight, Taylor, it's yours."  He smiled when he saw Toni.  "You must be Toni Parker.  I'm Jerry Davies, the commanding officer of this precinct.  Won't you come into my office, we can get to know each other."  He put his hand on her shoulder and led her to his office. 

**********

Except for the police cars and the ambulances, the parking lot of the Federal Building did not look like your typical crime scene.  Until they saw the car.  Renee Little's body was draped over the steering wheel.  She was naked and her throat and torso had been viciously slashed at least a dozen times.  Blood, most likely hers, was splattered all over the front of the compartment.  Although it would be a call for Quincy McCoy, the Coroner to make, it was likely she had been raped, too.  With all the signs of violence, there was no way to quickly determine if there had also been a robbery, but that could not be ruled out.

The back seat, in stark contrast with the front, was almost pristine.  Except for a few drops of blood that was probably from the front, there was nothing amiss.  The seat and floor were spotless, and there was a small stadium blanket neatly folded on the rear deck.  

The outside of the car was the same.  There was no blood and no signs of forced entry.  The area around the car was the same too.  No bloody footprints, no signs of a scuffle.  Nothing.  Whoever the killer was, he/she was neat.

**********

An officer laid the coroner and forensic reports on the top of the stack of other paperwork on Nick's desk.  "I'll never get through at this rate."  He said picking up the coroner's report and thumbing through it.

The victim was black.  Female.  Age 32.  Height 5"6'.  Weight 128 lb. Cause of death: Seventeen puncture and slash wounds from a large knife to throat, chest, and torso. Any one of them could have been the fatal blow.  The victim had, indeed, been raped.  Sperm samples had been sent to the testing lab for DNA analysis.  No other abnormalities noted.

Next was the forensic report.  The murder weapon was a 7 - 8 inch knife, possibly a butcher knife.  The blood in the front seat was Renee's and it was the only blood in the immediate vicinity.  There were no identifiable fingerprints other than Renee's on the inside or the outside of the car, and no footprints or other identifiable markings in the immediate vicinity of the car.  Luminol testing on the car showed a small amount of blood in the immediate area of the driver door, but that had been wiped so no visible trace was left.  Her clothes were neatly folded and they and her purse were placed under the blanket.  Everything was in the purse, including a sizable amount of cash, several credit cards, a telephone calling card, her checkbook and a savings passbook.  Robbery was not a motive.  Under the body was also a crudely printed note that read 'This is what happens to these kind of people.'

Taylor took his seat opposite Nick.  He opened his notebook and started reciting what he had found in talking with the other employees at the Federal building and her neighbors.

Renee Little was a Civilian Purchasing Agent.  She had been working for the Government for about ten years and had been transferred to Los Angeles from the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro when her job was eliminated there last year.  According to her fellow workers, she was intelligent, hard working, friendly and well liked, and had received a promotion only six weeks ago.  No one there knew of anyone who would have a motive to harm her

She lived in a middle class neighborhood in the Maywood area.  Her neighbors described her as quiet and friendly.  According to them, she did not have any particular boyfriend but there were several men she dated on a regular basis.  As far as they knew, there did not seem to be any jealousy among her dates.

She was a regular churchgoer, and according to her pastor, she was a devoted member.   She sang in the choir and was on several church committees.

Outside of a few traffic tickets, which were minor and were paid almost immediately, she did not have a police record, either in Los Angeles or in Santa Ana.  In short, she was a model citizen. 

Perhaps Toni had discovered something on the security tapes.

**********

Toni sat with her face nearly buried in the video screen.  She was running the tape from the Federal building security camera frame by frame, trying to see if there was anything she had missed the other ten times she had run this particular sequence.  There wasn't.  At least not so far.  All the tape showed was Renee walking across the lot.  She stops, looks around, and then continues walking at a fast clip to the car.  She opens the door and gets in.  At this point, according to the security guard, there was nothing out of the ordinary, so the camera continued its sweep of the lot.  The next sequence of frames showing Renee's car was just that.  Renee's car.  No activity that either the guard or Toni had been able to detect.

She jumped as Nick came up behind her.  "Why do you do that to me?  You nearly scared me out of a years growth."  She said, playfully slapping him on the arm. 

"Sorry.  Find anything?"  He asked, rubbing the spot in mock agony.

"Nothing."

"We still on for Thursday?"

"Of course."

**********

Nick knocked on Toni's door.  He was really beginning to look forward to Thursday evenings with her.  In a way, it gave him some continuity to his life.  After all, he and Natalie used to enjoy an occasional evening of movies and popcorn.  Toni answered the door.  He handed her the bag of Hershey Kisses and the popcorn.  "I finally got it."  He announced, holding up the video box.  "Do you realize how many video stores I had to go to find this one?  I finally had to resort to a bribe.  For what I gave the guy behind the counter, I could have bought the tape ten times over.  I hear it's worth it, though.  Everyone at the precinct has been talking about it for months."

"Oh, no!"  Toni cried, holding her head in her hands.  "Today's Thursday.  I forgot."

"If you have a date or something, I can go."  Nick said, with a trace of a sad puppy look in his eyes.  "It's not that important."

"It's not like that ... not exactly ...  You see, there's this writer, Jim Reardon.  I've done some art work for him.  He's in town for a book signing, and his agent called this afternoon and asked if it was all right if he dropped by to meet me.  I said yes.  I forgot that it was our movie night.  Why don't you stay and meet him, too.  I'm sure you'll like him.  After all, you were the inspiration for Arturo."

"Arturo?"

"The hero in Descent Into Darkness.  It's his latest book.  I used you on the cover."

"In that case, I guess I have to stay."

As if it had been planned, the buzzer to the outside door rang at that very moment.  The man on the monitor was tall, about 6', well built, with wavy black hair.  His face was strong and well proportioned.  He was smartly dressed in an expensive suit.  He wore sunglasses, even though it was after sunset, so they could not see the color of his eyes. He looked as though he could have posed for a cover of one of his own novels.

"That's Jim Reardon?"  Toni said in surprise.  She gave a low wolf whistle as she keyed in the door code.

"You've never met him?"

"No, all our dealings have been through his agent or on the Internet"

A minute later there was a knock on the door.

"Is there a Mr. Tony Parker here?" Jim Reardon asked as Toni opened the door.

"I'm Miss Toni Parker.  Toni with an I."

"You're a girl?"

Toni pulled the neck of her shirt away from her body and peered into the collar.  "Yup.  Girl.  Definitely girl"

"I'm Jim Reardon."  He said, holding his hand directly in front of him.  He continued looking straight ahead.  "They didn't tell me you were a she."

Toni realized that Jim could not see.  She placed her hand in his.  "It's really good to finally meet you, Jim.  This is my neighbor, Nick Knight.  I used him as the model for Arturo."

"Glad to meet you."  Nick said.

Jim reached his hand in the direction of Nick's voice, and Nick took his hand.

"I've never seen any of Toni's work.  Do you mind if I get a look at you?"  He said, placing his right hand on Nick's chin.

"Not at all.  I understand that blind people see with their hands."

Jim pulled his hands to his chest.  "Blind!"  He said in mock horror.  "I'm blind?  Why didn't someone tell me this?"

"WOOF!"  A Yellow lab had been sitting behind Jim, unnoticed by anyone until now.

"George!"  Jim said, reaching down and scratching the dog behind the ear.  "You're my best friend.  Why didn't you clue me in?"  George just licked his master's hand.

He traced his hand along Nick's chin and over his eyes, nose and mouth.  "Oh, Toni, you've really and truly found him.  He IS Arturo.  He has a very old soul.  He has seen the rise and fall of empires.  He has survived by taking the mantle of his master.  So, tell me, Nick Knight, where were you when knighthood was in flower?"

"Pardon me?"  Nick said, taken aback.

"Arturo.  He's the hero of my latest book, Descent Into Darkness.  He is a sorcerer, a wizard and a magician.  He was a disciple of Merlin's and he is virtually immortal.  He has lived through nearly two millennia of wars, empires, and the deaths of those he has let himself love.  He grows weary of his powers, which he sees as a curse, and his only wish is to live a normal life and die a normal death.  Unfortunately, that is the one thing Merlin did not teach him. So he travels the world seeking the elusive cure for his affliction.  I know Nicholas Knight hadn't been born yet, but you were definitely there.  In spirit, at least."  Jim explained.

Hoiman came over to George.  No one had seen him come in.   He hissed at the dog.  George gave a low growl.  Hoiman reached up, bared his claws, and swatted George across the nose as if to say,  "This is to teach this ... creature ... who's boss around here".   He then proceeded to lick the blood off his left paw.  George gave a low whimper.

"Poor Baby!"  Toni cried, as she took George's bloody muzzle in her hands. "Here, let me get some clean cloth and some antiseptic for that."  She turned to Hoiman.  "BAD CAT!  BAD! BAD CAT!"  She scolded.  Hoiman merely flipped his tail in the air and walked slowly out of the apartment through the pet door.  Toni carefully blotted the scratches on George's nose with a cloth and put some ointment on them.  George promptly proceeded to lick it off.

"You know, Toni."  Jim Reardon said.  "I came here directly from the airport, and I haven't had anything to eat except for that awful airplane food.  Would you care to join me for dinner?  My treat, of course.  You're invited, too, Mr. Knight."

"That's quite all right, but you two go ahead without me.  I'm sure you have a lot of things to talk over."

"Since I told the driver who brought me to leave, and I haven't had time to get a California driver's license, I can't drive.  We'll have to use your car."  Jim said with a huge grin as he offered his arm to Toni.  He picked up George's harness with his free hand.

**********

Road to Venice 1412

LaCroix, Nicholas and Janette tied their horses in a sheltered area next to the stream.  Almost immediately, LaCroix began to remove his muddy clothes.  Janette, although it took a little coaxing, did the same.  They both threw their smelly clothing into the stream, washed them thoroughly and then hung them to dry on several bushes that lined the bank.  Then they returned to the water to wash themselves.  Only Nicholas remained on the shore, still fully clothed.

They had been traveling from Padua to Venice, and had been caught in the open at sunrise.  Out of desperation, they spent the day in a shallow cave, and a sudden rainstorm had flooded it.  To add insult to injury, a small black creature with a pair of white stripes down its body, the rightful inhabitant of the cave, did not take kindly to the interlopers, and made his/her objections undeniably known.

"Nicholas!''  LaCroix ordered.  "Take your clothes off and get in here."

"I ... I cannot!  It is ... indecent!  It is immoral!  It is ... HEATHEN!"  Nicholas protested.

"Nicholas.  You are caked with mud.  And you  ... SMELL!  Get in here.  NOW!"

"I will bathe when you are finished."

Janette and LaCroix exchanged glances.  Janette grinned a wicked grin and held her hand to Nicholas.  "Nicolah, if you are not going to come in, at least help me out."

Nicholas covered his eyes and turned his face away as he offered his arm to Janette.

"Oh, Nicolah, don't be such a prude.  You have seen me naked on many an occasion."

"In the bedroom, yes, but not out in the open....and not in front of LaCroix!"

"Nicholas, I, too have seen her naked, and for the same reason."

Janette grabbed Nicholas's wrist, but instead of pulling herself up, she gave a hard tug.  Nicholas went plummeting head first into the stream.  For several moments he floundered, sputtering and thrashing.  "Help!"  He cried, between coughing fits.  "I cannot swim!"

LaCroix grabbed him solidly under the shoulders and stood him upright.  "It's only waist deep.  You won't drown, even if you could.  Which you can't.  If you had held your breath, you would not have a lung full of water, either."  He said, slapping Nicholas on the back several times as Nicholas continued coughing and spitting up water.  He proceeded to heap handfuls of water on Nicholas's dirty hair and rub it in.  He then grabbed him once again by the shoulders and dunked the vehemently protesting young vampire under the water several times.  With that, Janette got into the act.  She began pelting them both of them with handfuls of water, and they gleefully returned the favor.

Their revelry was interrupted by the sound of hoofbeats.  Nicholas sprang onto the bank in time to see a miscreant riding down the road on LaCroix's horse and leading his and Janette's after him.  He turned to the bushes.  Their clothes were gone, too, as well as Janette's jewelry and their money pouch.  Except for the clothes on Nicholas's back, they had nothing.

**********

Los Angeles

Nick slammed the door to his apartment and threw open the refrigerator door.  He grabbed a bottle and popped the cap with one motion.  He put it to his lips and guzzled nearly half the bottle in one swallow.  He was distracted by a distinct tapping on the skylight.  He looked up.  Clarissa La Pont was staring at him through the window.

"What are you doing here?"  He asked angrily.

"You need someone to talk to.  I felt it through our bond.  While it isn't as strong as the bond with LaCroix, it's strong enough that I can tell when you're troubled.  So, here I am."

"Your so-called feeling is wrong.  Nothing's wrong.  Go away and leave me be."  He said, almost in a growl.

"Bull cookies.  Either you let me in or I'm going to break the glass."

Nick opened the skylight and Clarissa descended to the floor.

"Now, do you want to tell me what's going on, or do I have to open a vein and find out the hard way.  From your blood."

"Okay.  I know we aren't ... I mean it's not like there's anything ...  And he's only going to be in town for a few ... But he's sophisticated and handsome ... and ... and ..."

Clarissa grabbed Nick's arm and pushed back his sleeve.  "Will you PLEASE talk in complete sentences?  You have until the count of five, or I WILL take your blood.  Three ... Four ..."  She threw back her head and bared her fangs.

"Okay!  Okay!  Toni and I were supposed to be watching a video tonight, but she got a call from this writer, Jim Reardon, and he asked her to dinner.  I know it's nothing but a business meeting, but  ... but ...  I mean, he's really good looking and to top it all off, he's blind."

"Is this the same Jim Reardon that wrote The Holy Grail Is In The Cydonia Valley?"

"I guess so.  Don't tell me you are a fan of his, too.  I never knew you liked pulp fiction."

"Calling him a writer is like calling Beethoven a piano player.  And calling his books pulp fiction is like calling the Fifth Symphony background music.  He's really good!"

"You know, Beethoven really was a master pianist.  In his later years, though, he was totally deaf.  The music was in his head, but when he tried to put it on paper, it didn't always come out the way he wanted it.  He hired me to critique his work and clean it up.  I fear that the Fifth Symphony was mostly mine."

"Another myth shattered all to hell"

"He never knew.  Neither did anyone else.   Until now."

"Your secret is safe with me."

"That still doesn't help me with the problem of Toni and Jim Reardon."

"Why don't you try flying?  It helps to relax me.  Or maybe a cold shower.  Or maybe you could try ..."   She reached into the freezer compartment and pulled out an ice cube from the icemaker.  She pulled the back of Nick's shirt out and dropped it down his back.  " ... THIS!"

Nick screamed in mock indignation.  "OH!  You want to play rough, do you?"  He opened the refrigerator door and took out a seltzer bottle of club soda and shook it.  He pointed it at Clarissa and pushed the handle.  A stream of carbonated water hit her squarely in the face.

"Where did you get that?"  Clarissa asked, grabbing a handful of ice cubes and stuffing them down the front of Nick's trousers.

"Makes a great Bovine Cooler!"  He yelled, taking aim and firing.  He caught her in the left boob.

Within minutes, they were both soaked and laughing like idiots.

"Well, well.  I knew you were my children, but I didn't expect you to be acting like juvenile delinquents."  No one had heard or seen LaCroix enter.  Of course, that was not unusual.

Nick and Clarissa turned their attention to the elder vampire.  Nick held the seltzer at ready.  Clarissa was hefting the ice cubes in her hands.  They looked at each other and then back to their master with the wickedest grins.

"Don't even think about it."  LaCroix said with a withering glance.  "Nicholas!  Put the bottle on the counter.  Clarisse!  The cubes.  In the sink.  NOW!"

"Party Pooper!"  Clarissa said dropping the ice in the sink

"You have no sense of adventure."  Nick said, placing the seltzer bottle on the counter.  "What brings you here, anyway?"

"I came because of your depressed state, but I see that it has been dealt with.  Therefore, I shall leave."  With a rush of air, LaCroix was gone.

"That was fun.  We must do it again some time.  I'd better go, too.  I'll have to change clothes before I can go back to the After Sunset.  See you later, Nick."  Clarissa exited through the skylight.

After he had changed clothes, Nick decided to take Clarissa's advice and take to the sky.  He stood on the roof of the complex for a few moments, drinking in the city spread out before him, and then rose slowly upward.  He watched the perspective change as he got higher.  He made a full circle and let the entire city pass beneath him. He then made a vertical ninety degree turn and let himself be carried on the winds for some time, literally floating on the air currents.  The experience, as it always was when he was flying for pleasure, was extremely intoxicating.  If some miracle happened and he were to become mortal again, this would be the one of the things he would miss.  He rolled over and backstroked for a while. 

Finally, he propelled himself forward and actually flew.  This was an even more heady feeling.  He did several loop-the-loops followed by a series of barrel rolls.  He buzzed several of the high rise office buildings.  Fortunately, none of them were occupied.  He spotted a man in a nearby apartment building looking through a telescope.  From the angle of the scope, it was obvious that he was not stargazing.  Across the street, a young lady was engrossed in changing her clothes.  Nick flew until he was even with the telescope and hovered in the air directly in front of it.  He put his thumbs in his ears, stuck out his tongue and blew raspberries. Then he allowed his fangs to descend and his eyes to go yellow.   He then flew off.  < I'd like to go back and see what that dirty old man is doing now. >  He thought.  < I'll bet it involves another pair of pants. >

His reverie was interrupted by the buzzing of his cell phone.  "Knight."  He answered, still hovering in mid air.

"This is Captain Davies.  I know this is your day off, but I thought you might want to be in on this.  We have another murder like the one at the Federal Building.  This one is at the main Post Office.  Taylor is on his way there now.  How soon can you be there?"

Nick checked his bearings.  He could see the main Post Office building on his left about five miles away.  "Would seven minutes be too long?"

"What're you doing?  Flying?"

"In a manner of speaking.  I just happen to be in the neighborhood."

**********

Nick set down in an alley out of sight of the Post Office lot and walked in.  Like the murder at the Federal building, there were no outward signs that anything was amiss.  Only when he approached the truck did he see the carnage.  He showed his badge to the officer in charge.

"His name is Trang Van Hongh.  He is one of the mail sorters here at the Post office.  Someone heard his horn blowing and when they investigated, they found this."  The officer stepped aside.

Like Renee Little, Trang had been viciously slashed over his chest and upper body.  Like Renee, too, the only sign of violence was the blood on the driver's seat.  Also like Renee, Trang was nude. His clothes, neatly folded, were in the back of the seat.  From the appearance of his genitals, he had a moderate erection when he died.  It appeared he, too, had been raped.

Gently Nick rolled the body over.  Under him as well, was a note.  It read 'All of them will meet the same end.'

"This is Sam Walverston, Trang's supervisor."  The officer said, ushering the man to Nick.

"This is a real tragedy.  He survived the war, but he lost most of his family in Vietnam and now he gets it like this."  Walverston said, barely concealing his tears.  "Trang was one of the best workers we had here.  He was smart, personable and very popular.  He's been here for the past five years, and I've never heard one word against him.  In fact, last month, he was Employee of the

Month.  The saddest part is that he was going to become a U. S. Citizen next week." 

**********

Toni pulled her car up to the valet parking station at the Il Forniao Cucina Italiana.  She handed the keys to the attendant and she and Jim went to the door.  Toni was only mildly surprised when the Maitre D' let George in with them and treated him as though he were a customer instead of a dog, even to letting him sit on one of the chairs at the table.  Jim motioned him to get to the floor.  George very reluctantly got down.  The waiter even brought him a bowl of water and a bowl of what looked like stew when he brought Toni and Jim their dinner.  Jim had ordered the Fasticholi Edwardo for him and Toni and a bottle of a fine vintage Cosentino.

"If I knew that you were taking me to someplace like this, I would have changed into something fancy."  Toni said, taking in the sights and smells of one of the finest restaurants in Beverly Hills.

"Nonsense."  Jim said.  "You look perfect just as you are."

"So say you.  For all you know, I could be wearing a burlap sack and have curlers in my hair and a mud pack on my face."

"And you would still be perfect."  Jim reached across the table and placed his hand on her cheek.  It was a good thing he was blind, or he would have seen Toni blush deeply.  "Well, I don't feel a mud pack, so that's a good sign.  May I see the rest of you?"

Toni nodded while his hand was still on her face.  He ran his hand lightly across her face and neck.  Then he gently felt her hair.  He smoothed his hands across her neck and shoulders, stopping just short of her cleavage.  "No curlers.  No burlap either.  I'd say you're properly dressed.  I hope you drew yourself in the role of Eleanor.  You are perfect for the part."

"I drew Eleanor as glamorous and sexy.  Actually, I'm just a plain Jane whose idea of 'sexy' is a clean T-shirt."

"I was talking about the inner you.  To change the subject completely, what's the deal between you and Knight?"

"We're just friends."

"And I have property on Three Mile Island I'll sell you.  It doesn't take eyes to see that the chemistry between the two of you is so thick you can cut it with a knife.  When I asked you to dinner, I got the distinct impression that he wanted to reach in and pull my lungs out through my nose."

"Nick's a very complicated person.  He was just a little put out because we have a standing thing for Thursdays.  We get together to watch a movie and just sort of hang out.  I forgot all about it when your agent called.  I'll make him some Buckeye candy.  That will smooth things over."

You know how to make Buckeye Candy?  I went to Ohio State.  I must have some."

"I'll make it a point to send you some."

"You can give it to me.  When my agent met me at the airport, he told me that they were in the final stages of negotiations for the movie rights to Holy Grail and he wants me to sit in on the talks.  According to him, it might take several weeks.  If you are sure that I wouldn't be stepping on anyone's feelings, I would like to see you some more while I am here."

"I'd like that."

**********

Nick turned on his monitor and began entering the notes that he and Mike Taylor had taken at the Post Office.  They had interviewed Trang's co-workers.  Their stories were essentially the same as his supervisor's.  Trang took his duties very seriously.  He was proud to work for the U. S. Government.  He was a hard worker, quiet and popular.  He was not married, but he supported his aged mother and his three cousins, who had escaped from Vietnam with him after the Viet Cong government took over.  No one knew of anyone who did not like him, let alone anyone who would want to harm him.

"Got anything?"   Jerry Davies asked as Nick finished entering the notes.

"Not much."  Nick answered.  "Unless there's something new at this scene, we can only go on the evidence of the victims.  One, they were both minorities.  One was a black woman, the other an Asian.  Both were Government workers.  Each received recognition for their work recently.  Little was promoted and Hongh got an award.  We should be probably looking for a bigoted white supremacist disgruntled government worker."

"Aren't they all like that?  Especially at the Post Office?"  Mike Taylor asked.

Both Nick and Jerry threw paper wads at Mike.

"I know.  I know.  It's not funny, but it's one of the sad truths of today's society that if you're pissed off at something or someone, you don't try to work it out, you just blow everyone involved away."

"Well, until there is more to go on, I'm going home.  After all, this is still my day off."  Nick said, turning off his monitor.

**********

Nick paced in front of the window.  From the top floor, he had a bird's eye view of the driveway into the garages.  He checked his watch.  4:13 AM.  Just two minutes later than when he checked it the last time and four minutes later than the time before that.  Finally he saw Toni's red Metro pull up to the garage and Toni get out of her car.

"Good.  He's not with her."  He said aloud.  "But where were they until this time of night?"

A few minutes later, Toni came out of the building carrying what looked like a suitcase and got back in her car and drove off.

Involuntarily, Nick's eyes started to turn gold.  "I don't believe this!  She's only known him a few hours and he's seduced her into spending the night with him!"  He suppressed the urge to take to the air and follow her.  Barely.  "I should have followed my first instincts and torn him apart."

**********

Road to Venice

Nicholas set down outside of the villa that they had passed a few miles back on their journey.  He walked to the door and knocked.  The door opened.

"Beggars to the rear!"  The servant said and slammed the door in Nicholas's face.  He knocked again, and as soon as the door opened, he pushed himself inside.

"I beg your indulgence.  Is the master of the house in?  Inform him that Le Comte Nicholas de Brabant wishes to see him."  He told the servant.  He was suddenly was acutely aware of the picture he presented.  He was still wet, and the odor of skunk still clung to his clothes.

"It's all right, Alejandro."  The man behind the servant said.  "I am Pietro di Medici, the master of the house.  How may I help you?"

"My companions were refreshing ourselves in the stream that runs near here.  As you can tell, we had an unfortunate run in with one of the ... local creatures.  While we were there, a thief stole our horses and my companions' clothes as well.  I ask your favor to loan us some clothes and horses.  I should inform you, though, one of my companions is a woman."

**********

Nicholas, now in dry and clean smelling clothes, and Pietro with him, dismounted along the stream where Janette and LaCroix were.  They were still in the water, Janette up to her shoulders and LaCroix barely deep enough to be considered modest. 

From the bank, Nicholas handed each of them a blanket.  When they had come ashore, Pietro gave then each a bundle of clothes and they went behind two large bushes to change.  Pietro's eyes followed Janette, even when she was no longer in sight.

"NICOLAH!"  She shouted.  "You do not expect me to wear THESE!"  She said, holding up a pair of britches.

"That is my doing, dear lady."  Pietro said.  "You see, I am not married, so there is no woman's apparel at the villa.  Le Comte de Brabant gave me your description and I have sent my manservant Alejandro to the house of one of my female servants who is approximately your size.  He should be at the villa with proper clothing when we return."

"We had not intended to inconvenience you."  LaCroix said, stepping from behind his bush.  Even in borrowed clothes, he looked elegant and sophisticated.  "We will return the clothes and horses when we have replaced them."

"I would be an inconsiderate host if I did not offer you lodging at my humble villa.  At least for the night."  Pietro was staring intently at Janette, who had joined them.  Even in man's clothes, she was exquisitely beautiful.  He took her hand and brought it to his lips.  He lingered longer than what was necessary for politeness.

Nicholas turned away so that no one could see his eyes were yellow and his fangs were starting to elongate.  Only LaCroix's hand gripping his son's arm prevented him from ripping Pietro's neck apart.

< Not now. >  LaCroix's thoughts were in Nicholas's head. < This is only a flirtation on Janette's part. >

Nicholas's eyes returned to their natural state and his fangs retracted.  "How did you get into my head?"  He whispered.

"It is called telepathy.  It is something I will teach you when you are a thousand years old."  LaCroix whispered to his young protege.

**********

Alejandro was waiting at the door of the villa when they rode up.  The clothes he had procured, though plain, fit Janette well.

"I know you cannot see it in the night, but my estate is extensive and my gardens are in full bloom.  Perhaps, my Lady Du Charme, you will do me the honor of allowing me to give you a tour in the morning?"

"That will not be necessary, Signore.  My companions and I are very tired.  We have had a very trying journey, and I fear we will sleep well into the day.  However, I shall be delighted to join you for supper tomorrow evening."  She said coyly.  "May I be so bold as to ask if you are of the Medici banking family?"

"Only a distant cousin.  However, I have been very fortunate in my own right.  This villa and all of the surrounding area are under my protection."

Janette licked her lips.   < Young.  Handsome.  Single.  Rich.  This might not be such a bad journey after all. >  She thought.  She spotted Nicholas.  He wore a dark angry look on his face.  She held her hand to Pietro.  "If it is all right with you, I shall take my leave now.  As I said, I am quite exhausted." 

Pietro gave her hand another lingering kiss.  "Alejandro will show you to your quarters.  I shall look forward to seeing you for dinner tomorrow evening, my lady."

In their chambers, Nicholas angrily paced the floor.  "I shall have my revenge on him!"  He seethed.  "How dare he make such overt passes at her!  And in front of me!"

"In due time, my hotheaded crusader."  LaCroix replied.  "First there is the matter of the thief who stole our belongings.  I think I shall use this as a training exercise for you."

**********

Los Angeles

Nick went to the common room in building 1.  It was set up as a combination gym / meeting room / party room / work room.  In short, whatever the tenants wanted to use it for.  In one corner, he spotted a recycling bin and several boxes and bags of cans waiting to be crushed.  He could have crushed all of them in one motion, but he needed the exercise to work off some of the frustration that was building inside of him.  He pictured Jim's face on each can as he pulled the handle on the crusher and flattened the can.  Even though he did it the mortal way, one can at a time, it did not help much.  Several times he pulled so hard that he nearly pulled the handle off.    Then he tried the punching bag, but the first punch knocked it off the hook.  He just set it on the floor and left.

He took to the air.  That always calmed him, but he found himself inadvertently searching the parking lots of the hotels and motels in the area for a red Metro.  When he did not find one, that only served to fuel his frustration.  "Where is she?  How dare she and ... HIM ... be together?  I WILL kill him when I see him next."

LaCroix was waiting for him when he returned to the complex.  "Nicholas.  Why do you insist on letting yourself get into this state?  Look at you.  You are beside yourself with jealousy.  Over what?  A mere mortal.  Face it, Nicholas.  You are a vampire. And a vampire you will always be.  Why can't you accept it?  I thought any desires to be anything else but what you are died with Dr. Lambert.  Speaking of Dr. Lambert, are you sure that this infatuation with Ms. Parker is not some futile attempt to replace the late doctor?"

Nick, already frustrated beyond the breaking point, lunged at LaCroix. His eyes were red and his fangs were fully elongated.  He screamed something between a growl and a hiss.   He wanted to hurt somebody.  He wanted to hurt somebody bad.  LaCroix was the nearest body.  LaCroix merely sidestepped and Nick went crashing into the breakfast bar.  There was the sound of things breaking as the contents of the counter spilled onto the floor.  In an instant, he attacked again, this time both of them went tumbling over the couch.  The elder vampire picked up his son but Nick was not about to end it.  Nicholas the Vampire was in full command and Nick the Man was nowhere in sight.  He grabbed LaCroix by the arm and flung him against the bookcase.  Books and magazines went tumbling to the floor along with LaCroix.  Nick smiled menacingly as he heard bones snap. Then he realized that it was his own ribs.  Faster that he could think, LaCroix had put him in a crushing bear hug. 

"Nicholas!  Come to your senses!"  LaCroix shouted.  "End this NOW!" 

There was a trickle of blood oozing from a cut on LaCroix's head.  Nick caught scent of it.  The bloodlust had begun to boil.  With a burst of vampire strength, he broke the stranglehold LaCroix had on him and threw him into a chair.  The chair gave way and LaCroix landed on his side on the floor.  This time, the breaking bones were in LaCroix's left arm.  Nick rushed in for the kill.  Fangs bared, he grabbed the dazed vampire's head and pulled it to the side.  As he was about to sink his teeth into LaCroix's neck, he felt himself being lifted into the air.  He had no recollection of how LaCroix had managed to break his hold on him, but LaCroix was holding him by the throat at arm's length with his good arm while Nick thrashed wildly in the air.

"PUT ME DOWN!"  Nick growled hoarsely.

"Only if you promise to behave."

Nick kicked at LaCroix's injured arm.  He grimaced in pain and released his hold on Nick's throat.  Nick dropped to the floor and picked up a splinter of the chair leg and lunged at his perceived adversary.  LaCroix pushed him aside and brought his knee into Nick's abdomen, the force of the missed charge, combined with the kneeing, propelled Nick into the coffee table and sent it and him sliding across the floor. When he came to a stop, LaCroix was standing over him, the shard of the chair leg pressed against his chest.

"Stop this insanity now, or I WILL use this on you."  LaCroix's eyes were also yellow and his fangs, too, were bared.

Nick lay glaring at his master, his chest heaving wildly.  Suddenly he became acutely aware that the pressure of the stake was pushing the broken ribs into his lung, He winced, deeply in pain.  His blood frothed in his mouth.  Slowly, he forced his breathing to return to normal and the red in his eyes gradually turned to yellow and finally back to blue.  His fangs slowly retracted.

"Are you finished with your little temper tantrum?"  LaCroix asked.

Nick nodded.

"Good."  He said, throwing the chair leg away.  "Let's start cleaning up."

LaCroix helped Nick up and put his good hand under the ribcage and pulled gently.  The ribs returned to their proper positions.  Nick could feel them and his lung starting to heal almost immediately. 

LaCroix held out his mangled arm.  "Your turn."

Nick placed one hand on the elbow and the other on the wrist and gave a quick tug.  LaCroix gasped for breath and let out a small grunt as the bones snapped into place.  Within seconds, LaCroix flexed his arm.  "Excellent."

The apartment looked like a battle had been fought in it, which was exactly what had happened.  They began picking up the pieces and throwing out what could not be salvaged.  By the breakfast bar, Nick reached down and picked up a broken coffee cup.  On one of the fragments, he could make out the writing.  'Sons Are Special People'.   He looked at LaCroix, tears in his eyes.

LaCroix only placed his hand on his son's shoulder.  "Mugs can be replaced.  Sons cannot."   There was a tear in his eyes as well.   

**********

Road to Venice

Nicholas stopped at the stream and took a deep breath.  Carefully, he analyzed each of the many smells.  First and foremost was skunk.  Next, the fragrances of LaCroix, Janette and himself.  Then there was the aroma of their horses.  Finally, he found the one he was looking for.  A strange odor.  It was human.  It was mortal.  It had to be the essence of the thief.  He turned and grinned at

LaCroix.  His eyes were yellow and his fangs were elongated.  LaCroix nodded his approval.

He lifted his head in the air.  Yes.  The aroma was there.  He lifted himself a few feet off the ground and slowly flew in the direction that the owner of the scent had taken.  He stopped every so often and put his nose to the ground, much like a bloodhound, to catch it anew.  LaCroix followed a few feet behind him.

Nicholas stopped in front of the stables.  The horses were in there.  Questioning the stablemaster, they learned that a certain Giacomo Ramionne had brought the animals in question a few hours earlier.  He had claimed that he had found them wandering the road leading to Traviso.  The stablemaster had bought the horses, and had paid Giacomo a goodly sum for them, since they were of obvious good breeding.  As far as he knew, Giacomo was at the persona di credito or local pawnbroker, a rather seedy character known only as Guiseppi.

The address given to them by the stablemaster was a decrepit tavern in a less than desirable part of town.  The sign in front only said Guiseppi's Foro.  The bartender pointed to a curtained off area.  There stood the one person who had to be Giacomo Ramionne.  He was wearing LaCroix's tunic, leggings and boots, but since he was nearly a foot shorter and many pounds lighter than LaCroix, they were extremely ill fitting.  He placed an ornate ruby brooch on a table, nothing more than several wide boards laid across two kegs.  Guiseppi reached into a box and took out several small coins and laid them on the table.  Nicholas's hand pounced on the coins ahead of Giacomo's.

"He is cheating you, my friend."  Nicholas said to Giacomo.  "This piece is worth a hundred times that amount.  I should know.  I am the one who purchased it in the first place."  Nicholas's eyes began to fleck.

"Mercy, my lord."  The frightened little man cried.  "I found it on the roadway.  I meant no harm".  He thrust the pin into Nicholas's hand.  "I am only relieved that the rightful owner has come to claim it."

"I claim more than the brooch."  Nicholas's eyes turned yellow and his fangs descended.  He picked up Giacomo by the front of the shirt and tilted his head so that the jugular vein was exposed.

"He's mine!"  The voice behind Nicholas said.  It was LaCroix.

"I found him.  I claim him."  Nicholas growled.

"He's wearing my clothes, and I don't want you getting blood all over them.  You can have ... him."  He pointed to Guiseppi.

Guiseppi ducked under the table.  "Pater Noster, qui es in chaeli... "  He prayed, probably for the first time since he left his mother's knee.

"I will give you one last chance to redeem yourself."  LaCroix said to Giacomo.  "Where are the rest of the lady's things?"

"I ... I gave them to my fiancee.  She works at the Trattore di Familia. She is a server there."

"And the money?"

"A portion went to the church, in thanksgiving, of course.  The rest, I gave to the owner of the Trattore, to share with all those who came in.  It is only right to share one's good fortune, isn't it, Signore?"

"No."  LaCroix said flatly.  He then sank his teeth into Giacomo's neck and drained him.

 " ... Amen."  Guiseppi crossed himself.  Nicholas looked away momentarily and then pulled the quivering pawnbroker out of his hiding place.

"Signore!"  He squealed.  "I had nothing to do with the robbery.  I am an honest businessman.  I will never cheat anyone again. I swear by all that is holy."

"Quite true. You will never cheat anyone.  Ever."  The last thing Guiseppi felt in his life was Nicholas's fangs embedded in his neck.

LaCroix, meanwhile, had stripped the thief and exchanged clothes with him.  He closed his eyes and a look of deep concentration flooded his face.

Moments later, Janette was by their side.

"You must teach me that."

"As I have said, my youngling, when you reach a thousand."

"What about them?"   Nicholas asked, pointing to the lifeless bodies of Giacomo and Guiseppi.

"By the time I am finished, it will appear that they killed each other over the fact that they were attempting to cheat each other.  I have the feeling that no one will look too deeply into their demise."  LaCroix took the coin box from behind the table and poured the contents into his money pouch.  "Since neither of them will need any of this where they are now, I think we can put it to good use.  After all, we deserve some compensation for our losses, do we not?  Now, shall we retrieve Janette's things?"

**********

Los Angeles

Nick slid into his desk and picked up a sheet of paper.  He did not even notice what was written on it.  He had a hard time concentrating lately.  He looked haggard.  Waiting for Toni to come in every night and the fight with LaCroix had drained him physically and emotionally. He had not slept more than a few hours any day since.

"You look like hell, partner."  Mike Taylor observed.

"I think I'm coming down with something."   Nick lied.  He did not want to discuss his problems with anyone, especially Mike.

Toni came to his desk.  "I think I have something to show you on the murders."  She said excitedly.

"Oh."  Nick said.  You could have frozen water on his reply.  He followed her into the video room.

"I was going over this tape from the Post Office security cameras when I decided to view it under a UV filter.  She put it in the VCR and typed a command on her computer.  The picture from the tape appeared on her screen.  She fast forwarded the tape and stopped it at a shot of the side of Trang's truck. "You notice under regular light, there is nothing, but I got to thinking, what if there was something that the eye couldn't see.  It's not as good as ultra violet photography, but when I color it, watch what happens."  She typed in a command, and the screen took on a deep violet cast.  There in the middle of the screen in a bright lavender, were several footprints.   "I rechecked the Federal building tape, and the same prints are there, too."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"  Nick asked.

"Well, they are most likely from our killer, since they are heading away from the truck.  I think I can give you a pretty accurate description of him."

"If you can do that from just two or three footprints, what do we need with a whole police department?"  Nick said, more than a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

"All I can say is that I have had years of training as an artist.  Here, let me show you."  She moved the mouse and a wire frame began to develop around the prints.  "According to the length of the stride he is approximately  5'7" to 5'9" and yes, it is a he.  He is of average weight, probably 165 to 175, and in good health."  She continued maneuvering the mouse.  Slowly, the figure of a man took shape.

"And you can tell that just from the prints?"

"The size and width of the shoe tells me there is a 99.44 per cent probability our killer is a male.  A heavy set person walks on the outside of his feet and a thin man walks on the inside.  This print is of a full foot.  Ergo, he's probably average weight.  If he were sick the footprints would be shuffling, and if he were crippled one print would be heavier than the other."

"Can you also give me the color of his eyes and hair?"  He asked caustically.

"According to the laws of random chance, they are both brown."

"Artist training taught you all that?"

"Not exactly.  As a youngster, I was a devoted member of the Dick Tracy Crime Solvers Brigade.  I'm also an avid follower of Batman.  The dark knight has been very good to me.  Batman that is."  She said, looking squarely at Nick.

"I'll take this information under consideration."  Nick left the room without further comment.

**********

"Want to talk?"  Clarissa was waiting for him when he returned to his apartment.  She stood with her arms folded defiantly in front of her.

Nick only glared at her.

"Okay, we'll do this the hard way."  She grabbed his wrist, sank her fangs into it and sucked gently.  "Typical male."  She said as she released his hand.  "You let your testosterone do your thinking for you."

What should I have done?"

"Talk to her."

"Isn't it obvious she doesn't want to have anything to do with me?  After all, she spent last Thursday night with ... HIM ... after she had known him only a few hours, and she's been with HIM nearly every day since then.  I can't blame her.  After all, HE is mortal, just like her.  LaCroix is right.  I am a vampire and I will always be a vampire.  What do I have to offer her?  HE can give her everything I can't.  A real home.  Love.  Children. ..."

"Oh! Broth ... er!"  Clarissa rolled her eyes.  "Listen to yourself.  First you say you don't deserve her, and then you go ballistic when she turns away.  Make up your tiny little mind.  I have seen the real you in your blood.  The real Nicholas de Brabant Knight is nothing like you paint yourself to be.  Deep down, you are a kind caring person who truly wants and needs a stable loving relationship.  That's the Nicholas we all fell in love with.  Me, Alyssa, Natalie, and so on.  When will you get that through your thick skull?  Just talk to her.  Do it for me?   Please?"

"Okay.  I'll talk.  If she'll talk to me."

"If she doesn't, I'll have the both of you locked in one of the rooms in the basement of Maison De Mer and have Milos hang a crucifix on the doorknob until you two thrash this out."  With a gust of wind, she was out the skylight.

Nick looked down as Hoiman meowed loudly.

"Don't tell me you are going to chew me out, too."

Hoiman only licked his paw and rubbed it on his left ear.  The door buzzer sounded.  Toni held the plate of Buckeye candy to him as he opened it.

"No thanks."  He said and started to close the door. 

Toni stuck her foot in it.  "Something's wrong and we gotta talk.  Is it something I did?"

"No."  He said flatly, walking away.

"You've been acting really strange ever since Thursday night when ... "  A light shone in her eyes.  "You're jealous!"

"What would I have to be jealous of?  There's nothing between us.  You are free to see anyone you please, and after you spent Thursday night with that Reardon guy, it's clear you don't please to see me any more."

"Spent the night!  Is that what this is all about?  You think Jim and I ...?"  She was furious!  "We had dinner and went dancing.  That was it! 

"I know for a fact that most places close at 2 AM.  You didn't come home until after four.  Then you left almost immediately with a suitcase.  You didn't return.  What other explanation is there?"

"The truth.  I ran out of gas on the freeway.  I forgot my cell phone and  I had to walk over two miles to a pay phone.  It took the AAA over an hour and a half to get to me."  She shouted.  "As for the suitcase, it belongs to Jim.  He left it in the entryway.  Remember, he came straight from the airport.  I did return, but you and LaCroix were yelling at each other so loud, you wouldn't have been able to hear a bomb explode.  Which sounded like what happened several times in your place."

"Why didn't you call me?  I would have brought you gas and Reardon's suitcase?"

"I did, but all I got was that stupid machine.  Don't you ever check your messages?"  She pointed to the answering machine.  The red light was flashing continuously, indicating there were many calls.  He had not checked it in several days.

"You know, I ought to stake you where you stand."  She continued.  "In eight hundred years you may have accumulated a lot of knowledge, but you sure don't know anything about women and you sure as HELL don't know anything about me.  Is THAT what you think I am?  Some kind of amateur HOOKER?  Do you really believe I would go to bed with every guy who looks at me twice?  If that's the case, I'm not sure I want you even as a friend.  FOR THE RECORD, Mr. Nicholas Brabant Knight.  We have to work together.  I will be civilized and professional to you on the job.  Other than that, please be so kind and BUTT OUT OF MY LIFE!"  She grabbed her plate of Buckeyes and nearly ran out the door, slamming it behind her.

**********

Toni was awakened by the telephone.  Through one bleary eye, she looked at the clock.  It was almost 11.  She had cried herself to sleep, as she had every night, and had no idea when she finally fell asleep.  < Damn him. >  She thought.  < How dare he affect me this way? >

"This is Toni Parker's answering machine ... "  A man's voice with a heavy German accent said.  " ... Toni can't come to the phone now.  Leave a message.  She'll be back."

"Toni.  This is Jim.  I need you  ..."

"Jim."  Toni picked up the phone, cutting out the machine.  "What's the problem?"

"There was a book signing this morning at the B. Dalton's on La Brea Boulevard.  The driver who was supposed to pick me up was involved in a traffic accident.  From all indications, no one was hurt, but his car was badly damaged, and he can't come for me.  I'm trapped in the manager's office with ten thousand screaming fans all waiting to get a piece of me as a souvenir.  Help!"

"I can be there in a half an hour."  She said.

"Perfect.  Bring your bathing suit.  We can stop by the hotel and pick up mine and then spend the day at the ocean.  You know, there aren't many beaches in Topeka, Kansas, and it's always been one of my fantasies to swim in the Pacific if I got the chance.  I can't think of a nicer way to do that than with a beautiful woman at my side."

**********

Nick knocked on Toni's door.  He had not slept very much all week.  This thing between them had gotten way out of hand.  He had to apologize and try to make Toni understand that he had read all the wrong things into her actions.  There was no answer.  He listened with his sensitive ears.  There was no one in the apartment.  On impulse, he fished out his key ring and located Toni's key.  Nothing seemed out of place in the apartment.  The light on her answering machine was blinking.  Absently, he rewound it.

"Toni.  This is Jim.  I need you  ..."

Nick dug his nails into his hands.  She was with HIM.

**********

They had spent a gorgeous day at the beach and then had a quiet dinner at a family type restaurant in Inglewood.   

"This is the most fun I've had in a long time."  Toni said as they drove back to the hotel.  "You know, for someone who had never been to Los Angeles, you certainly know your way around town.  Especially considering you can't see where you are going."

"I have a whole network of people who give me suggestions for good places to go and directions on the best ways to get to them.  Especially when I tell them that my chauffeur is the most beautiful woman in the whole world.  Besides, who says I haven't been here before?  I wish I didn't have to go back, but it's one of the sad facts of life.  The negotiations are going much better than anyone expected.  Maybe I could throw a monkey wrench into the deal.  You know, ask for more money or something.  Then I could stay another week.  As it stands now, we should wrap everything up by the end of next week.  Then it's back to the farm for George and me."

"You have a farm?"

"In a manner of speaking.  It's 175 acres in the middle of the Kansas prairie.  You'd love it.  My brother and his wife actually run it.  I've got my own house, but they're nearby in case I need anything.  I've lived there since I went blind.  That was fifteen years ago.  They discovered a tumor on the optic nerve.  It was malignant.  They got all of the tumor, but between the operation and the radiation, I lost my sight.  A was a very angry man for a long time, but gradually I realized that it was a small price to pay to be alive and cancer free.  Besides, if I never went blind, I'd have never known George." 

George put his paws on the front seat and thoroughly licked Jim's face.  When he was finished giving him a tongue bath, he did the same to Toni.

They stopped in the hall in front of his hotel room.  This was the moment Toni had been waiting for.  Gently Jim put his arms around her.  Slowly he pulled her to him.  He put his hand under her chin and tipped it up.  Eagerly her mouth met his.  To say that fireworks exploded would be an understatement.  She closed her eyes, lost in the moment.  It was everything she had imagined.   Everything she had dreamed.  Everything she had hoped.  His arms around her.  His lips on hers.  His body against hers.  The kiss ended and she snuggled her head against his chest.  It was so right.  Nick was just as she had dreamed he would be. < NO! >  Her mind screamed.  < THIS IS NOT NICK!  THIS IS JIM! >

She pulled away.  "I'm sorry."  She said.  "I have to go.  This is all ... "  Her voice choked.

"I understand.  I won't push.  But I will see you again."  He slowly released her and then turned the knob and went into the room.

"WHY?"  Toni screamed between sobs in the elevator to the lobby.  "WHY JIM?  WHY COULDN'T IT BE NICK?  WHY?  WHY? WHY?"  Perhaps Clarissa would be able to help her straighten this mess out.  After all, she knew Nick better than anyone else.

**********

"Milos!"  Nick called, setting his glass on the bar.  "Another one.  Make it a double and this time use the real stuff."

"I think you have had enough."  Milos said.

"I'll decide when I have had enough.  Just keep it full."  Nick said angrily.

"It's my bar and I'll be the one to decide when you've had enough."  Clarissa said placing her hand on the top of Nick's glass.  "And, brother dear, you have had far too much.  You've been here since the sun went down chugging one bloodwine after another."

"Don't worry, Clarisse.  I can hold my liquor."  He said, holding on the bar rail to steady himself.

She took his hand.  "In the back room.  Now!"  She said pulling him toward her office.

"I did what you suggested.  I tried to talk to her."  He sobbed.  "She wouldn't listen.  I can deal with that.  But then she lied to me.  She said there was nothing between them, but she's been with him every day since then.  She's with him now.  I know she can't possibly care for me the way I care for her, but why did she have to lie?"  He buried his head in her shoulder and sobbed silently.

Clarissa gently stroked his head and repeatedly kissed his crown.  She knew what he was going through.  Hadn't she gone through the same thing over him two hundred years before?

**********

The office door was ajar.  Toni peeked through the crack.   Nick and Clarissa were sitting on the couch.  He had his face in her neck and she was kissing his head.  In one of their frequent conversations, Clarissa had told her that vampire sex involved the exchange of blood, preferably from the neck.  It was necessary in order to reach a climax.  Her eyes went wide and she put her hand to her mouth in horror.  They were making love! How could she have been so blind!  He was, after all, a vampire.  It was only natural that he would choose one of his own kind.  She almost ran out of the tavern.

**********

Road to Venice

As they entered the Trattore Di Familia, they were greeted by a barmaid who handed them each a glass of wine.  "This is compliments of the generosity of Signore Giacomo Ramionne.  Celebrate his good fortune with us."

The patrons of the tavern obviously had been celebrating for quite a while.

Janette spotted one of the servers wearing her dress.  "Excuse me, Signorina."  She said.  "But I believe that is my dress you are wearing."

"Oh, no, my lady."  Gina replied.  "This is from my fiancee.  He gave it to me so I would look beautiful for our wedding.  I am only wearing it now so that he will be pleased when he sees me."

"He may have given it to you, but he stole it from me."

"I am sure you are wrong.  He has sworn an oath that he has changed his ways."

"Is his name Giacomo Ramionne?"

She nodded.

"He stole not only my clothes, but my jewelry and my companions money and horses as well."

"I'll kill the little bastardo."  Gina fumed.  "He has lied to me for the last time." 

"My companions have taken care of him.  He will not lie to you again."

"I suppose this ring also belongs to you?"  She said, removing an ornate sapphire and diamond ring from her finger.  "He told me it was my engagement ring.  If you will wait a few moments, I will go home and change."

"That will not be necessary."  Janette said.   "Keep the ring and the dress.  You did not take them and you should not be punished."

"May God bless you a thousand times, Signorina.  "You are too kind."

"You let her keep the things?"  LaCroix asked as they left the Trattore.

"She deserves some compensation for having that assinoforo for a boyfriend.  Besides, this gives me a good excuse to buy a whole new wardrobe."  She said with a twinkle in her eye.

**********

Los Angeles

There had been another murder.  This one was at the Justice department.  Her name was Felicidad Valenciaga. She was a special investigator with the fraud and waste department.  Like the others, she was a dedicated and well liked employee.  She had received a Special Act commendation for her work in uncovering illegal billing procedures by government contractors.  Her nude body was discovered in her car by a fellow worker in the parking garage under the justice Department building.  According to the Coroner and Forensic reports, she was murdered in the same manner as the two others.  Her throat and upper body was viciously slashed and, like Renee Little and Trang, she had been raped.  The note under her body read 'They don't deserve to live.'

As with the other two, the security cameras showed nothing amiss, but UV scans showed footprints that matched the ones left by the probable killer.  This time, he got sloppy.  Forensics had found a recent thumbprint on the door frame that did not match any of the people who would have had access to Felicidad's car.  It just could be the killer's.

"Knight.  Taylor.  My Office.  NOW!"  Davies called as he stomped through the squadroom.  Nick and Mike followed obediently.  When Captain Gerald W. Davies was this pissed off, it was a very wise idea to do exactly what he said.  When he said it.

As soon as they were all seated, he threw a copy of the National Peeper on the desk.  The headline, in large letters, blared 'MANIAC MONSTER STALKS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.'  The accompanying drawing looked like a cross between King Kong, a werewolf, and Bigfoot, blood dripping from its fangs, the lifeless form of a very small human slung over its shoulder.  "Give me something."  He said.  "This hit the supermarkets a few hours ago, and by this time next week, every trash mag between here and Timbuctu will be carrying the story.  We need answers.  We need them yesterday.  Last week, even."

"How about if I give you the killer?"  Toni stood in the doorway.

"You can do that?"  Davies asked.

"I got to thinking.  If this guy is as paranoid as you seem to think he is, he probably hung around to see the results of his handiwork.  I reran all the tapes, only this time I concentrated on the bystanders.  And I think I hit paydirt."  She handed each of them a stack of computer generated photos.  "In each tape I found him."  She pointed to a face that was circled in each photo.  He fits the profile.  He is Caucasian.  5 feet 8 inches.  Average build.  And incidentally, Detective Knight, he has brown hair and eyes."   She heavily emphasized 'Detective'.

"Can you get me a blowup of these?"  Davies asked.  "Then I can stick them out on the net and see if we can put a name to this face."

"No problem.  I thought you might want one, so I ran off closeups of each face."  She handed another stack of photos to them.

"Excellent work, Parker.  Tell me, have you thought about becoming a regular police officer?"

Toni shook her head no.  She looked at Nick.  He only glared darkly.

"Well, you should.  I think you would make a wonderful addition to the force."  Davies added.

**********

She plopped the fourth scoop of Bryers Death By Chocolate into the blender.  Then she poured an ice tea glass full of chocolate milk on top.  As she was pouring the packet of chocolate instant breakfast in, Hoiman jumped onto the counter.  "MOWERR!"  He called, his tone demanding.

"Sorry."  She said, scratching his head and nudging him onto the floor.  "In your case, Death By Chocolate would be literal."  She took a bottle of milk from the refrigerator and poured a bowl for him.  "That's more your speed."  She then upended a bottle of Hershey's syrup and squeezed a huge amount into the pitcher and turned the blender on.

Many people, given Toni's state, would have gotten drunk.  Long ago, Toni made a vow never to let herself crawl into a bottle.  Not after she saw what it had done to Jack Parker.  Even after all this time, it was still hard for her to acknowledge that he was her father.  Especially after the things he did to her, her sister and her mother.  Toni preferred to drown her sorrows in chocolate.  Just as addictive, but no hangover, no broken homes.

She thought she was all right.  She and Jim had been together on several occasions.  She knew that it would only be a matter of a few days until he would be heading back to Kansas.  There was no hint of any long term relationship, but she really did like him and he was fun to be with.  Then she saw Nick today.  It was the first time she had seen him since that night at the After Sunset.  All the emotions and hurts that she thought she had cried out came flooding back.  It was all she could do to stay on the job until the end of shift.

"What am I going to do, Hoiman?"  She asked.  Hoiman stopped lapping the milk and began rubbing against her leg, trilling softly.  She shut off the blender and poured the milkshake into an oversized glass.  "I've got to get Nick out of my system and get on with my life.  Every time I think I've succeeded, some little thing happens and I'm right back on square one.  Any other time I could go to Clarissa for advice on how to handle him, but right now, she's one half of the problem."

"Bwrrt"  Hoiman trilled.

"I know.  You listen real good, but unless either I learn to speak cat, or you learn human, you can't give me any solid advice."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

Toni nearly dropped her glass.  She turned and LaCroix was standing behind her.  "What are you doing here?"  She asked.  "And how did you get in?"

"I am here for the same reason you were just discussing with Hoiman.  Nicholas."  He reached down and patted the cat's head.  Hoiman growled softly but allowed it.  "As to how I got in your apartment, that is immaterial.  I am very concerned about this situation between the two of you.  Is there anything I can do to help?"

She hung her head and rubbed her neck.  "I don't know.  I don't know if there is anything to do.  One minute I don't ever want to see him again.  The next I want to go to him and hold on to him forever.  I want to run a stake through his heart.  I want to kiss him and make it all better.  I'm so confused.  I don't know what I want.  I'm not even sure how I feel about him."

"Would you like to know?"

"How?"

"A person's thoughts, feelings and emotions, in fact their whole life is written in their blood.  I'm sure either Clarisse or Nicholas has told you that when a vampire drinks the blood, we can taste, for want of a better word, what's written in the blood.  I can drink your blood and tell you what you need to know.  If you are willing, of course."

"Won't I become a ... you know ... vampire?"

LaCroix smiled broadly and shook his head.  "No.  The process to bring someone across is much more complicated than what I intend to do.  I only need a mouthful or two.  You lose a lot more than that during your ... ah ... time of month.  It is not a painful process, although you will feel a stinging when I enter and there may be some dizziness."

She bared her neck to him. 

He ran his fingers down her vein.  He could feel her blood calling to him.  "No."  He finally said.  "Not there.  To a vampire, that is an ... erotic ... area.  I would rather take it from your wrist."  He took her left wrist, kissed the pulse point gently and bared his fangs.

A warm, stinging, tingling sensation traveled up her arm and through her entire body as he bit.  It was only mildly painful and even somewhat  ... pleasant.  After a few moments, he withdrew.  She was surprised that there was almost no bleeding.  She watched, fascinated, as the two wounds scabbed and then new pink skin formed.

LaCroix looked at her.  She had never seen such a concerned, tender look in his eyes.  "I knew you two cared for each other, but I never knew how deeply until now."

"LaCroix, can this tasting of feelings work both ways?"

"In some cases, a mortal can discern a vampire's feelings too.  The memories will only last a short while, though.  Why do you ask?"

"Because I think I tasted you.  Why didn't you ever say anything about how you felt about me?"

"As strange as it seems, I have a great deal of difficulty expressing my true feelings.  Especially when they are as strong as my feelings are for you.  I care very deeply for you, Atonia, but the truth is that you love Nicholas deeply as he loves you."

"Why didn't he ever say something?"

"In that respect he and you are alike, too.  Like you, Nicholas is a very private person.  He also has trouble putting his feelings into words."

"Now all someone has to do is find a way to tell Nick."

"He already knows."

"How?"

"There is a very strong bond between a vampire father and his children.  Perhaps I shall have to instruct Nicholas how to use it before he reaches a thousand."

"Huh?"

"A private joke between Nicholas and myself."

She suddenly felt the floor buckle.  She reached for LaCroix to steady herself.  Immediately he put his arms around her and guided her to a kitchen chair.  She held her throbbing head.  "Is this what a hangover feels like?"  She thought.

"I told you there might be some dizziness."  He said softly.  In an instant, he was gone and just as soon, he was back.  He put two yellow and red pills in her hand.  "Here, I found these in your medicine chest.  The label on the bottle says they are acetaminophen."  He handed the shake to her.  "Take them.  They will also help with the headache."

She closed her eyes and swallowed the pills.  When she opened them, LaCroix was gone as quickly and mysteriously as he had came.

**********

Nick looked at the clock.  It was nearly 6 PM.  He had slept only fitfully all day.  It had been the same all week.  At work, she was courteous, civil and thoroughly professional.  If it was not work related, they may as well have been total strangers.  He wanted to talk to her.  To thrash this thing out, but there was always at least one other person with them.  Off the job, she was never home.  He did not want to think where she was.

He closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep, but as usual, his dreams were of her.  Toni snuggled against his shoulder while they watched a movie.  The smell of her scent.  The taste of her blood mixed with the chocolate.  He fantasized her arms around him.  Her lips against his.  Her body ...  This is usually where he woke up in a cold sweat.  This was where he woke up now.

Natalie Lambert, or more precisely, the ghost of Natalie Lambert, was sitting on the edge of the bed.  "You two deserve each other."  She said.  "You are both the most stubborn people I have ever seen.  In any plane of existence."

"Forget it, Nat.  As much as I want it, as much as you would like it to be, there's no chance for Toni and me.  It's all one sided.  My sided.  She's made it clear she does not feel nearly what I feel for her."  He went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face.  Nat followed. 

Suddenly she stiffened and started to buckle.  She grabbed him and sat him forcefully on the toilet.  "Find LaCroix!"  She demanded.

"What?"

"No time to explain."  She put her hand on his forehead.  "Reach out with your mind. Concentrate.  Find LaCroix.  I will help you."

Nick closed his eyes and did as she said.  "I've got him."

"Look through his eyes.  Feel what he is feeling.  Tell me what you see and feel."

"He is at Toni's place.  He's ... "  He stood up.  "He's going to take her!" 

Natalie, without removing her hand from his head, put the other one on his chest and gently sat him back down.  "Wait.  Watch.  Feel what he feels."

"He's taking her wrist.  He's going to taste her."  He drew a sharp breath as LaCroix bit down. He moaned.  His eyes widened.  "She loves me!  She loves me with her whole heart and soul!"

"That's right, Nick.  She loves YOU.  Now, come back.  Slowly. Gently."

Nick closed his eyes and gently let go of the link.  "Why didn't she say something?"

"I told you before.  You two are the most obstinate, muleheaded couple I have ever run across.  Almost as bad as you and me."

"What now?"

"That, my darling, is up to you and Toni."  She caressed his cheek and touched her lips to his cheek in a lingering kiss. As she did, she slowly faded.  "I love you, Nick Knight."

Nick stood in the bathroom for a long time, his hand over the spot on his face.  "I love you, Natalie Lambert."    His reverie was interrupted by the phone ringing.  "Knight here."  He answered.

"Nick, this is Mike.  I think we've got a major breakthrough in the maniac murderer case.  Can you get in a little early?"

"I just left."

**********

"We've got a lot of replies to our queries about the killer."  Mike Taylor said, laying a stack of faxes in front of Nick and Davies.   "His name is Evan David Beattie.  Age 38.  He's got a rap sheet that goes way back with racial and ethnic problems.  First is this from his high school in Detroit, Michigan.  He was expelled for belonging to a whites only gang that was involved in the beating and gang rape of an elderly black woman.  He served sixteen months in reform school.  He was fourteen at the time.

Next is the Army. Get this!  He was a Green Beret.  Trained in quick and clean kill techniques.  He had a disciplinary record as long as your arm for fighting and racial problems.  He was finally court martialed, busted and given a dishonorable discharge for stabbing an Asian officer during a drunken brawl.  There's also a note here that he had lied about his criminal record when he enlisted.

Here's one from Volusia County, Florida sheriff's office.   He was arrested for beaning a bystander with a rock during a Klu Klux Klan demonstration at a synagogue.  Three guesses which side of the street he was on.

He was also a federal employee in St. Louis.  He was given the choice of resigning or facing charges for forgery and false statements on his application.  This came to light after he filed a harassment grievance against his female Hispanic supervisor for giving him a poor performance evaluation.

Next, he went to work for a company that installs and maintains security systems.  That's probably how he was able to bypass the security checks.  He was fired after he failed a polygraph during a routine security check.

He was fired three days ago from a chemical supply company for threatening the foreman, who, incidentally, is black.  One of the things the company stocks is phosphorus, which shows up very bright under ultraviolet light.

I've got a search warrant right here.  Shall we pay a visit to our good ol' boy?"

**********

"Never liked the little bastard."   The manager said as he showed Knight and Taylor to Beattie's apartment.  It was a third floor walkup in a decrepit tenement.  "Always putting everyone down.  Specially the blacks and the Vietnamese.  What you want with him, anyway?'

"We just want to talk with him.  Alone.  Why don't you go back downstairs?"  Taylor said.  "We'll let you know if we need you."    Reluctantly, the manager left them.

"POLICE."  Taylor called as they knocked on the door.  There was no response.  He tried the handle.  It was locked.  Nick stood blocking the knob from Taylor's sight.  A few seconds later, the door opened.

Beattie's rooms, there were only two, a kitchen and a combination bedroom and living room, were littered with papers, clothes and other junk.  On the walls were swastikas, Klu Klux Klan emblems, American flags and numerous crosses.  Nick was surprised that he was only mildly uncomfortable around the crucifixes.  The table was covered with pamphlets and clippings from the Klan, the American Nazi party, the Communist party, the Aryan Nation and numerous other hate groups.  There were pictures and articles on all of the victims, and photographs taken after the killings.

On the top of the pile of papers was a copy of the Federal Employees Newsletter.  An article was circled.  It read 'Morris Feldman was named this month's Outstanding Associate for the Contractor Evaluation division ... '.  Under it was written in red marker 'Dirty Little Kike!'  Unlike the other articles, there was no picture of Morris.

Morris Feldman!  Nick's face went paler than usual.  That was Miriam Feldman's husband!  He reached for the phone and dialed their number. "Miriam.  This is Nick Knight.  Where's Morris? ... Where? ... Thanks ... No.  I don't have time to explain."   He hung up the phone.  "He lives in my complex.  We're friends." 

He said, handing the article to Mike.  "According to his wife, he's working overtime at the Long Beach shipyard.  Get out an APB.  Now!"

  "Why can't you ... "  Taylor started to ask.  Nick was gone.

**********

Morris Feldman put the last of the folders in the file cabinet.  This was one of the easier contracts he had audited.  All the paperwork was in order.  The overruns were minimal and all expenses were well documented.  If all contractors were this thorough, he would be out of a job.  Suddenly he became aware that someone was behind him.  Slowly he turned.  "Nick Knight!"  He said, breathing a sigh of relief.  "What brings you all the way here?  Don't tell me Miriam finally flipped her wig and called you.  She's always threatening to call the police if I don't remember to leave the checkbook at home."

"Nothing that trivial.  Don't ask questions.  Just do as I say."  He led Morris to the men's room as he explained the situation to him.  "Lock yourself in there and don't come out until I tell you to.  And don't open the door for anyone but me.  It's a matter of life and death.  Yours."

Nick returned to Morris's desk and sat down.  After a few minutes, he sensed that he was not alone.  It was not a presence that he knew.  His cell phone rang.  He answered immediately.  "Feldman here."  He said loudly.

"Nick?  That you?  Where are you and why are you answering the phone like that?"  Taylor said.  "Are you at the shipyard?"

"Yes, dear.  I'll be home in a little while.  I'm getting ready to leave now."

"Is Beattie there?"

"I think so.  I'm almost positive I left the checkbook on the table."

"I get it.  You can't talk.  The area has been sealed and the military and Long Beach police are working with us.  Where's Feldman?"

"I'm sure I put it in a safe place.  I'm going to leave now.  I love you sweetums.  Wait up for me."  He blew kisses into the mouthpiece.

"Sweetums?  I'll get you for that, Knight.  We'll wait for your signal."

**********

Nick slid behind the wheel of Morris Feldman's car.  The presence was still very strong.  He was right behind him.  Before Nick could shut the door, Evan Beattie was on top of him.  He grabbed

Beattie's hand just as he pulled a knife and started to plunge it in his chest. "You stinking Jew!"  Beattie yelled.   Nick put his foot in Beattie's abdomen.  The two of them tumbled out of the car. 

"Now!"  Nick yelled at the top of his voice.  Within seconds, the entire area was swarming with military and SWAT units.

**********

Road to Venice 1412

Janette giggled demurely at one of Pietro's lame attempts at humor.  It was a story about a goat who had no nose.  They had heard the story and the punchline, 'But how doth he smell?  Awful!' thousands of times before. Yet Janette was acting as if this was the first time she had ever heard it.

Nicholas excused himself and left the drawing room and went into the garden.  He needed some fresh air.  Inside, he was churning.  They had stayed far longer than was necessary at the De Medici villa, mostly at Janette's insistence.  It disgusted him the way she was practically throwing herself at him. 

He saw them leave the house arm in arm, and walk to the stables.  Every night they had taken long walks around the estate or had moonlight rides into the countryside.  He had no doubts that they shared each other's bedchambers on a regular basis.  He could deal with that, but Janette had made it a point to flaunt their relationship in front of Nicholas.  Only LaCroix's strong hand had prevented him from doing something about it.  When they rode out, he took to the air and  followed at a discrete distance.  They stopped at the stream where they had first met.

From the vantage point of several bushes, Nicholas watched as Janette and Pietro passionately embraced.  Without ending the kiss, Pietro loosened the ties on her dress and it fell to the ground.  Nicholas was not surprised to see that she was wearing nothing underneath.  He caressed her nude body as she undid his shirt and dropped it to the ground.  A few moments later, his britches and leggings were also on the pile of clothing. 

Through the bond between them, Nicholas could feel the emotion building within Janette.  He also knew that through the same bond, Janette knew he was watching them.  It infuriated him.  Finally, Pietro lowered Janette to the ground.  From the crescendo of passion flowing through Janette, it was obvious that foreplay had ended.

Nicholas could stand it no longer.  With a hideous growl, he sprang from the bushes.  His eyes were blood red and his fangs were fully elongated.  Saliva dripped from his mouth.  In one fluid motion he pulled Pietro off Janette and bared his neck.  He raked his throat and drank from the blood that gushed from the wound.  Then he embedded his fangs in his jugular vein and drained the body.  As he felt the life force leave his victim's body, he jerked the head back until he heard vertebrae snapping.  When Nicholas was through, he tossed Pietro's lifeless corpse aside as though it was a rag doll.    Janette lay on the ground, transfixed in horror at the carnage.

He turned to her and pulled her roughly to her feet.  "Why do you bother with him?"  He growled, pointing to Pietro. "I am what you want.  This is what you need."  He pulled her neck aside and cruelly sank his fangs into her.  In her blood, he felt the passion, the lust and even the fear.  Fear of him.  It excited him even more.  When he had been satisfied, he released her as unceremoniously as he had taken her.  "That is to remind you of who you are and what you are.  You are mine and mine you will always be."  He shouted angrily, wiping the blood from his mouth.

"What about LaCroix.  What do you think he will do to you when he finds out what you just did?"  Janette asked, a tremor of fear in her voice.

"What makes you think he does not already know?  He is waiting for us at the villa."

"And what about him?"  She said pointing to Pietro's body.

"Why do you care?  He is only a mortal.  When they find him in the morning, they will think he was attacked by some kind of animal."  He smiled sarcastically.  "That is not that far from the truth.  It is no matter to us.  By the time they find him, we will be far from here."  He threw her clothes to her.  "Get dressed."  He ordered.  "We have much to do."

**********

Los Angeles

"I ain't talking to you pigs!"  Beattie spat.  "You run around with your noses so far up those nigger, jew and gook asses you can't see what is happening to REAL Americans.  THEY ... "   He spat the word out.  "Are being given jobs that should go to us guys who deserve them, but we ain't getting them because some bleeding heart judge says you have to have so many of THEM working for you.  That's the problem with America today. Nobody looks out for the white guys anymore.  Every one of THEM I get rid of opens a job for one of US who deserves it.  Can't you see that I'm doing the Aryan race a favor?  I should get a medal, not arrested."

Nicholas went to the door of the interrogation room.  He was barely able to keep his eyes blue and his teeth all the same length.  "Get him out of my sight."  He called to the guard outside the door.  "Before I do something.  I won't regret it, but I'm certain I'll be disciplined for it."

*********

LaCroix adjusted his microphone.   "Emotions, my dear children.  You know, those nasty little things that get in the way of our neat ordered thinking processes. 

How many times have we let our head rule our heart when perhaps it should have been the other way around?  How many times have we refrained from saying how we really felt or lied about those feelings to another?  Why do we do that?  Are we afraid that the other person will disappoint us, or even reject us?

Who knows, my little ones.  Perhaps the outcome will not be as we expected.  Perhaps the result of pouring out our soul will not be negative.  Perhaps it will be exceedingly positive.  Think of all the wonderful things we will have missed if that is the case.

Either way, is it not better, my children, to know for certain than to go through the remainder of our lives, no matter how long that may be, always wondering 'What If? ...'

Think on this, my children.  Think well.  I am the Nightcrawler.  We shall meet again next time."

**********

Nick looked up from the report that he was entering into his computer.  A huge grin spread across his face.   Miriam Feldman was coming toward him and behind her, Toni Parker.  Toni spotted him and an equally huge grin appeared on her face.  This was not lost on Miriam.

"Where is my Morris?"  She asked Nick.  "Is he all right?" 

"Morris is okay.  He's in the captain's office."  He pointed to Davies' door.

He watched as Miriam went into the office and she and her husband held each other tightly.  A small sigh escaped as he watched the scene of tenderness.

"They really love each other."  Toni said.  "I brought Miriam.  She was too upset to drive and she didn't want to wait for a cab."

"We have to talk."  Nick and Toni said almost in unison.

"I know."  Nick said.  "I'm almost done here.  Let's go home and have a real talk.  There's so much I want to tell you."

"Let me tell the Feldmans we're leaving.  I'm sure they can get back home somehow."

**********

Nick followed the red Metro down the freeway.  Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the blue Mustang in the rear view mirror.  It was traveling at a very high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic.  "That fool."  He mumbled.  "He's an accident waiting to happen."  Just as the car passed him, he heard a loud bang as a front tire blew.  As if in a slow motion nightmare, Nick watched in horror as the car careened wildly across the freeway while the driver vainly attempted to bring it under control.  Then there was the sickening sound of metal against metal as the Mustang slammed into the side of Toni's car, forcing it into the guardrail.  The Mustang came to a stop about 30 feet farther.

Immediately, Nick was at the Metro.  He pulled the door off in one motion.  Toni lay against the back of the seat, held in place by the seatbelt.  Blood gushed from a gash in her forehead and her left arm lay at an awkward angle across the steering wheel.  He homed in on her heartbeat.  It was feeble and irregular.  Her breathing was shallow and there was a faint gurgling sound from the base of her lungs.  One or both lungs had been punctured.  The pungent smell of raw gasoline nearly overwhelmed him. He ripped the seatbelt from its moorings and gently lifted Toni from the car.  An instant later, he laid her on the grass some twenty feet from the site of the accident.  Moments later, there was an explosion and the Metro erupted into an inferno.

A passerby came over.  "I've called 911.  They should be here in a few minutes."  He said.  "I also checked the other driver.  He's pretty banged up, but he's conscious and alert."

Nick put his face to Toni's ear.  "Please."  He begged.  "Please don't die.  You've got to hang in there.  For me.  For us."  In the distance, he could hear the sirens.

**********

Nick paced the floor of the waiting room.  He checked his watch.  It was almost four hours since they took her into surgery.  Then again, she was very badly hurt.  The Feldmans and the Giovanettis took turns pacing with him, while Mike Taylor and Jerry Davies pretended to read magazines.  LaCroix and Clarissa sat on either side of the door.  Jim Reardon sat in a corner fidgeting with a coffee cup while George paced behind Nick.  This morning, Nick would have gladly hurt Jim severely, but after what he had learned through the link with LaCroix, it didn't matter.  Especially since he had discovered that Toni had been attending UCLA three mornings a week in order to pass her Forensic Technicians exam.

The doctor came to the door.  "Is there anyone here for Atonia Parker?"  Everyone crowded around him, talking all at once.  Even George was barking excitedly.

"The surgery went as well as we could expect.  She's in very critical condition, but every hour improves her chances.  She's in the Recovery Room now, and she will be moved to Intensive Care as soon as she is stable."  Everyone started for the door.  "I'm sorry, but the rules say only immediate family is permitted to visit."

LaCroix placed his hands on the doctor's shoulders and locked eyes with him.  "We are all immediate family."  He said in a soft voice.  "Even him."  He pointed to George.

"Since you are all family, there should be no problem.  I'll inform the nurse in charge.  You can go in two at a time, but only for five minutes each."

Nick was the first in her room.  In the subdued light, she looked so pale and fragile.  Tubes ran in and out of nearly every opening.  A respirator did her breathing for her.  What the bandages did not cover was covered by sensors and monitors.  A myriad of machines beeped, hissed and chimed in a syncopated cacophony.  He ran the back of his hand down her chin line.  Her skin was almost as cold as his.  He found her free hand and brought it to his face.

"God."  He prayed.  "I haven't prayed in almost 800 years.  I don't deserve to have my prayers answered, but I'm not praying for me.  I'm praying for Toni.  Don't let her die.   She's a beautiful person.  I love her with every fiber of my being.  I don't know what I did to have her love me, but she does."  He put his head on the bed.  Unbidden, tears flowed freely down his face.

LaCroix was beside him.  "A beautiful prayer, Nicholas."

"LaCroix, don't start ... "

"I mean it. If I believed in your God, I would make the same prayer for Atonia's recovery.  Perhaps I shall offer a prayer to my gods as well.  Let me ask you, have you thought about ... "   He opened his mouth slightly.  The tips of his fangs brushed against his lower lip.

"Bringing her across?  Yes I have.  That is not an option.  Not yet."

They took turns.  The nurse even looked the other way when George went in.   Someone was with her all through the night and the following day.  Other 'family' came.  Larry and Wanda Gross were there, and Milos stopped in before heading to the After Sunset.  The waiting room was crowded with 'Flowers By Mike'.  LaCroix and Clarissa had left before sunrise, but had promised to return at the earliest possible moment.  Nick did not leave the waiting room.  Fortunately, there was no direct access to an outside hall. 

He was awakened from his catnap by Clarissa's hand on his arm.  "What time is it?"  He asked.

"Eight thirty in the evening.  You look like something Hoiman would bury in the back yard.  When was the last time you fed?"

Nick only shook his head.

"I thought so."  She took him by the arm to one of the unused rooms.  She took two bottles out of a bag and handed them to him.  "It's the good stuff.  Private stock.  I figure you're going to need all the strength you can get for a while." 

He gulped the first bottle hungrily.  "It's my turn to sit with her next.  I'll finish when I come back."

"No dice.  You are going to go home and take a bath and get some sleep.  You need both desperately."

"I'm not going anywhere until I'm sure Toni's going to be all right."

"What good is it going to do if she pulls out of this coma only to have you collapse from exhaustion?"

They compromised.  Nick washed in an unused room's bathroom and promised to lie on the bed and get at least four hours uninterrupted sleep after he sat with Toni. There was little problem getting the floor nurse to 'agree' to let him use the room.

Toni was much improved.  Her condition had been upgraded from Critical to Serious.  Many of the tubes had been removed, and the respirator had been turned off.  She was breathing on her own, aided only by an oxygen tube through her nose.  The color was starting to come back to her face.  However, she had not regained consciousness. 

Nick bent and gave her cheek a lingering kiss.  "Toni, you've got to get well."  He said aloud.  "I can't go on without you.  I love you with my whole heart and soul.  In a sense, I'm glad you are not awake.  I don't think I'd have the courage to say these things if you were.  I knew you were special from the time I rescued your purse from that thief.  I don't know when I started to fall in love with you.  I think it was at the Tenant's Party when we first moved in.  I knew you were the one at Christmas time, but I kept fighting it.   I didn't think I deserved you.  I still don't think I deserve you.  I realized last night just how much a part of me you are.  I want to be a part of you. That is, if you can forgive me for being such a stubborn, pigheaded jackass."

"Only if you can forgive me for being just as stubborn of a pigheaded jackass."  A weak voice said.

Nick's eyes were wide as saucers.  A grin spread across his face past his ears.  "TONI!"  He shouted.  "You're alive! ... You're awake! ... You're okay! ... Oh God! ... Thank God! ... "  He babbled between sobs and kisses.

"Easy."  Toni said. "I'm still a little bit fragile."

"I'm sorry.  How long have you ... I mean, how much did you ..."

"I woke up just about ' I can't go on without you.' "

"I meant every word.  I love you, Toni.  I didn't realize exactly how much until last night.  Until I nearly lost you.  I never want to lose you."

"I love you too, Nick. I love you with all that is in me.   I know we've got a lot of obstacles, but I know in my heart that we can make it work.  Some how, some way we'll make it work."

He kissed her fully, a lingering kiss.  "I don't want to go.  I don't ever want to go, but I think you'd better not overdo it.   Get some rest.  I'll be back in a little while."  He kissed her again, and held her chin in his hands for a long time, just looking into her eyes.

"Go."  She said. "The sooner you leave, the sooner I can get some sleep, and the sooner you can come back."

Nick floated into the waiting room.

 "Okay."  Clarissa said.  "You promised you'd get some sleep, and I'm holding you to that promise.  Let's go.  Nick? ... Nick?"

"I can't sleep."  Nick said with a silly grin on his face.  "She's awake ...  And she loves me."

**********

He carried her into the bedroom.  She had been released from the hospital the week before with strict instructions to get plenty of bed rest.  The doctors obviously did not know Toni Parker.  It was all Nick could do to keep her in the apartment, let alone in bed.  He toyed with the idea of getting in bed with her.  Maybe that would work.  Even the doctors were amazed at the speed at which she recovered.  They were calling it a miracle.

LaCroix theorized that there were still traces of his saliva left in her blood from when he tasted her.  While that would not be nearly powerful enough to cause any problems, it could have speeded up her metabolism.  Only time would tell if the effects would be permanent or if there would be any unwanted side effects.

He tucked her in and kissed her.

"Make love to me."  She whispered, holding him close.

Nick closed his eyes.  This was the moment he had longed for.  The moment he dreaded.  Her blood called to him.  Her body called him.  He ached to  ...  "Toni.  You don't know what you are asking. I can't make love to you.  Not yet.  Every mortal I have ever made love to, I have lost."

"I know.  Alyssa, Natalie, and in a sense, Clarisse.  Clarissa has told me all about that.  She and Natalie have given me some pointers to try to keep the vampire at bay."

"Natalie?"

"Natalie Lambert.  The woman in the picture on your end table.  5 feet 6.  125 pounds.  Auburn curly hair.  Coffee brown eyes.  Perfect skin.  I hate her.  That Natalie.  Yes, I know she's dead, but she's been here just the same.  Now, are you willing to let me try or are you going to frustrate yourself as much as I am frustrated by being this close to you without making love to you?"

He kissed her passionately.   At the same time, he began taking off his shirt.

**********

They lay snuggled in each others arms.    He toyed with a strand of her hair.  Her slow rhythmic breathing told him she was asleep.  The techniques that Nat and Clarisse had given her did keep the vampire from coming out while he made mortal love to her, but the vampire still needed to be satisfied. 

**********

Candy was waiting for him at the Henley mansion.

**********

Nick escorted Toni through the door of the After Sunset. It had been almost a month since the accident, and she was nearly healed.  She still tired easily, though.  The only reason he agreed to let her come with him tonight was because she reluctantly agreed not to overdo it.  He had no delusions that she would keep her end of the bargain.

At the bar, a large crowd was gathered around LaCroix and Clarissa.  LaCroix had a large wad of bills and was peeling off hundred dollar bills and laying them in Clarissa's hand.  " ... Eight ... nine ... one thousand."  LaCroix said.  The look on his face was one of disgust and embarrassment.

"Thank you, Mon pere."  Clarissa said, rolling the bills and stuffing them in the front of her blouse.  "As always, it is a pleasure doing business with you, Mon Pere."  She blew a kiss at him and patted her chest.

The crowd started to cheer.  LaCroix growled angrily.  He showed his fangs.  You could have heard a pin drop.  He obviously did not like losing.

"What was that all about?"  Nick asked Clarissa.

"Just a little bet between LaCroix and myself.  Since you are the reason I won, I guess I can let you in on it.  When I told him that I had never tasted your blood, he bet me you would taste like a cow.  I am very happy to report that he was wrong.  You do not taste like cow."

"What do I taste like?"  Nick teased.

"That's my little secret.  I could tell you, but better yet, why don't you step into my office and I'll show you."  Clarissa bared her neck and ran her fingers along her vein.

Nick put his hand on hers. "I would like to, but Toni ... "

" ... Wouldn't object a bit.  Clarissa and I had many long talks these past few weeks.  You and I both know that there are some needs that I can't fulfill without putting my life in serious jeopardy.  At least not yet.  There is no reason for you to go to Candy.  Clarissa and I have agreed to share you in that respect.  At least until both of us feel comfortable enough that you and I can share my blood without endangering me."

"You know about Candy?"

"From the start."

"Oh."  Nick said, somewhat put out.  "You and Clarisse agreed?"

"Yes."   Clarissa and Toni answered.

"To share me?"

"Yes."

"Without asking me?"

"Yes."

"Like a menage a trois?"

"Well ...  sort of ... "  Toni hesitated.

"Yes."  Clarissa finished.

"Sounds good to me."  Nick said with a twinkle in his eye.  " Shall we see how this works?"  He took Clarissa's arm on one side and Toni's on the other.  They headed toward the office door.

**********

The End

I don't think so!