Forever Knight

The Return

Toni opened her door. Teressa Giovanetti and Miriam Feldman were standing there. Teressa and Miriam were the complex matchmakers. Although they were busybodies, they meant well and it was difficult to be angry with them.

"We need your advice." Miriam said as the two of them came into Toni's apartment. "What do you think about blue and pink?"

"That's for baby showers, you silly goose." Teressa chided her. "I think we should go with lavender and old rose. Why don't we let Atonia decide?"

"What am I deciding?"

"The colors for the shower." Miriam answered.

"What shower?"

"The bridal shower, of course." Teressa clarified.

"Who's getting married?"

"You and that nice boy, Nicholas." Miriam replied.

"He hasn't even proposed."

"He will." They both said at once.

"We've got a lot of problems to work out before we can even think about such a radical step. Right now, we're just taking things one day at a time."

"Atonia." Miriam said, putting her arm around Toni. "You have to start planning for the future. If you want to be young enough to enjoy your babies, you have to start now."

"I don't mean any offense, but you aren't getting any younger, you know." Teressa added.

< And Nick's not getting any older. > Toni thought. "Children are one of the problems we have to work out." She said out loud.

"He doesn't like children?" Teressa asked.

"Just the opposite. He loves kids. So do I. The problem is, he can't have any children."

"Not to worry. My nephew Seymour and his wife thought they couldn't have babies either. Something about a low sperm count. They tried everything. Counting days, thermometers, even raw oysters. Nothing worked. They finally gave up on the idea. Next thing you know, she was pregnant. Now they have four of their own." Miriam said.

"I'm afraid that Nick has had ... "

"You mean he had snip snip? That can be reversed." Teressa advised. "It's wonderful what medicine can do these days."

"It's not that. It's because of his medical condition. It left him sterile."

"I've heard of things like that happening. So you can always adopt. Now that that's settled, what about the colors?" Miriam asked. "Blue and pink or lavender and old rose.?"

Toni only rolled her eyes and kissed both Miriam and Teressa on their cheeks.

**********

Toni knocked at Nick's door. It was Thursday and this time it was her turn to bring the popcorn and movie.

"I got it!" She said as he opened the door. She held up the movie cassette. "This Island Earth. Original and uncut. Commercial free and all scenes intact. It even has some scenes that weren't in the theater release. There are some convention committees I know of that would pay a small fortune for this version."

"How'd you get it?"

"I have a friend in KAG who works at the film vault at Universal Studios."

"KAG?"

"Klingon Attack Group.  A Star Trek fan club dedicated to the Klingon faction. All I had to do was design his wedding costume and he lent me this. Of course, if anyone found out he did, both of us would wind up being spaghetti sauce."

"Wedding costume?"

"He got married on the DS9 set, and in case you have been living under a rock the past couple of years, that's Deep Space Nine, as in Star Trek. The entire wedding party was in full Klingon regalia."

"Toni, you certainly have some weird friends."

"Yeah, don't I?" She said, giving him a peck on the cheek. "Let's see, there are Klingons, a few Vulcans, several Jedi, A Drahzi or two, and a couple of Narn. Oh, yes, I can't forget. At least four genuine, fang baring, blood sucking vampires. What's so strange about that?"

"I surrender. But tell me, why did you bring your own VCR?" He said pointing to the machine Toni had under her arm. "I've got my own."

"He could only lend the tape to me for tonight. If you think I'm going to give it back without making at least one copy of it, you really do deserve the name they call you at the precinct."

"And what's that?"

"Never mind. Forget I said anything." She looked him straight in the eyes.

"Toni. You couldn't whammy a newborn puppy, let alone me."  He teased.  "Now. What do they call me at the precinct?"

"Nick the Brick." She said, breaking out in a severe case of the giggles.

"You're kidding " Nick said, catching the infectious laughter. "Nick the Brick? I know several heads that are going to roll for that one. Starting with Mike's" While Nick put the popcorn in the microwave, Toni put the video in Nick's VCR and hooked up her recorder. She turned both of them on as well as the TV.  Nick brought Toni a glass of Coke and a chocolate protein shake for himself, and the bowl of popcorn. They settled in the couch. As usually happened, Hoiman appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and settled beside them. Nick went back to the kitchen and brought him a bowl of milk and a small bowl for his popcorn.

After a few minutes, it was obvious that Nick was not watching the screen. He had a sad faraway look in his eyes." ...And then I proceeded to save the world, ended poverty and hunger and found a cure for the common cold, all at the same time. Don't you agree?" Toni said.

"Of course." Nick answered, staring blankly into his glass.

"Earth to Knight. Earth to Knight. Are you in there?" Toni said, waving her hand in front of his face and snapping her fingers.

"I'm sorry. It's just that today is the anniversary of Tracy Vetter's death and tomorrow is the anniversary of Nat's. I guess I'm just not in the mood for anything. Would you mind if we ... waited until next week?"

"I would definitely mind." She said shutting off the TV.  She left the VCRs running so that the tape would copy.  "I have no intention of letting you sit here and brood about it all night. Wanna talk? I listen real good and I have very broad shoulders to cry on."

**********

Toronto 1996

Nick stood in the locker room of the 96th precinct, his hands in the air. A prisoner, Delbert Dawkins, had escaped while he was being transferred to a van to be taken to the Provincial Correctional Facility. Nick had just about convinced him to surrender. Just as Dawkins showed himself, Nick became aware that there was someone was behind him.

At that same moment, Dawkins opened fire. He emptied his gun into Nick. There was a painful stinging sensation, much like wasp stings, as three bullets passed through him. Nick grabbed Dawkins, wrenched the gun from his hand, and hoisted him into the air. His eyes were yellow and his fangs were elongated. He heard a scream. A woman's scream. Tracy Vetter's scream. He threw Dawkins against the wall, and the prisoner slumped, unconscious, to the floor. Nick ran to Tracy.

His eyes were still yellow and his fangs were still down.

She was leaning against the wall. Her blouse was covered with blood and there was a rivlet of blood pouring from the side of her head. "You ... you ... could have ... trusted me." She whispered haltingly and slowly slid to the floor. There were several red streaks on the wall behind her. She had taken the bullets that had passed through him.

**********

Los Angeles

"She died the next day." Nick continued, his eyes filled with tears. "I should have trusted her. I should have told her. It's not that she didn't know about the Community. After all, she was involved with Javier Vachon. He was one of us. I just didn't think it was all that important. Maybe if she had known. Maybe she would have realized that it wasn't necessary to provide a backup for me. Maybe she wouldn't have been in the room."

"And you blame yourself for what happened. Right, Nick?" Toni said softly, easing Nick's head to her shoulder. "You're always doing that. Blaming yourself for other people's misfortunes. She was a cop. A good cop. She was doing what a good cop does. Protecting her partner. She knew what the risks were when she pinned on the shield. I'm sure if she were here right now, she would tell you exactly what I'm going to tell you. Quit beating yourself over the head. It's done, and all the self recrimination in the world isn't going to bring her back. You've accepted Nat's death. It's time you accepted Tracy's."

There was a knock at the door. Toni answered it. It was Clarissa La Pont.

"I'm sorry, Clarisse. I was just about to call you. I don't think Nick is in any shape to ... "

"I know all about Tracy Vetter. I felt it through our link. I know he doesn't need sex right now. He needs the comfort of his family. That's why I'm here." She went to the couch and the three of them sat with their arms around each other.

There was a rush of air and LaCroix stood in front of them. "I was there with Nicholas when these events happened. I have been there every year since then, and I feel that it's only proper that I should be here now." He, too, sat with them and the four remained in each others embrace, silently comforting each other, for the remainder of the evening.

 Hoiman lay across as many laps as possible, adding his own bit of comfort to the group.

**********

Nick had just sat down at his desk when Mike Taylor hung up the phone. "Don't get too comfortable, partner. We just got a call from the Sunnycrest Sanitarium. There's been another suspicious death there. This time, the killer botched it. The victim is still alive, in a manner of speaking. I'll explain the details on the way."

**********

"It's true. We have more deaths here than at the average nursing home. After all, we are a long term care facility and we do provide hospice care." Doctor Stanley Wladziu, the administrator explained as they headed down the hall. "What sounded the alarms of suspicion in these deaths was the manner in which the four patients died. Even though they were all comatose or terminal, none of them were acutely ill or in any imminent danger of death. I think the most bizarre thing was that they all died on the 25th of each month. The latest one fits all the circumstances, except of course, she didn't die. I mean, this is the 25th after all."

He stopped at a door and opened it. "This is the room. I'm afraid that the patient in here won't be much help though, she has been in a comatose state since she was brought here eighteen months ago."

Nick stood frozen in his tracks. The plate on the door read 'Vetter T'.

"Her name is Tracy Vetter. She's from Toronto, Ontario. That's in Canada. According to her medical records, she was critically injured when she was ..." Doctor Wladziu said.

" ... shot during the capture of an escaped prisoner." Nick finished the sentence.

"You know her?"

"I was her partner at the time. Everyone was told she was dead. I even went to her memorial service. Her father told everyone that they had her body cremated."

"I don't have any knowledge of that. According to the doctors in Toronto, she was clinically dead for approximately four hours. They were preparing to do an autopsy in the hospital morgue when one of the technicians detected a faint heartbeat. She was placed on total life support and her father had her moved to a private facility in Detroit. When she was able to breathe on her own, he had her transferred here. We were told that there was substantial brain damage and that she would be in a permanent vegetative state. Several times, though, she has almost regained consciousness, but this only lasts for a few minutes, and even then, she is unresponsive. I'm sorry, detective, but for all intents and purposes, Tracy Vetter might as well be dead."

"Could I be with her a few minutes. Alone?"

"Of course. I'll tell the nurse." Dr. Wladziu left the room.

Nick stood by the bedside for a few moments. Tubes and sensors covered her body, She was pale and almost doll like. The only sounds were the beeping and pinging from the monitors. He listened for her heartbeat. It was weak but regular. He took her free hand in his and stroked it gently. A tear ran down his cheek. "Tracy." He said softly, his voice cracking. "If only you had known about me. If only I had done things different, maybe you wouldn't be here like this."

There was a slight moan. Almost imperceptible. To Nick's ears, though, it sounded like a shout. He put his head close to hers and stroked her forehead gently. "Tracy?" He whispered.

One eyelid fluttered.

"Tracy. It's me. It's Nick. Come on. Fight. I'm here for you." He continued.

"N ... N ... Ni ... " She whispered hesitantly.

"That's right." He said, the tears streaming down his face. "It's Nick. I'm right here. Come on. Come back. You can do it. I know you can." He stroked her head harder.

"Ni ... Nick?" She said groggily.

"That's right. Come on, Tracy. Open your eyes. Look at me. You can do it."

She slowly opened her eyes. It took a few moments for them to focus. "Nick? ... It's really you? ... I'm not dreaming?" She said softly

"It's me, all right. You're not dreaming it. Thank goodness. You're alive." He said, smothering her with small kisses.

"Are you okay?" She asked. "You were shot, too. No ... wait a minute ... You were shot, but the bullets just passed through you ... You turned around and your eyes were yellow and your teeth ... Nick! ... Oh God! ... Nick! ... You're a vampire! Why didn't you say something to me? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you trust me?" Her eyes were huge and there was a look of terror on her face. She attempted to raise her arm but it did not move more than a few centimeters. "What's wrong with me? How long have I been out?"

"You tell me, Tracy. What month is this?"

"July? August? Don't tell me it's September?"

"And the year?"

"Don't be silly." She said with a slight laugh. "It's 1996, of course."

"Where are we?"

"What do you mean where are we? We're at Toronto General. That's where they bring

all the shooting cases."

"Tracy. The year is not 1996. And this is not Toronto. You're in a nursing home in Los Angeles, California. You've been in a coma for the past several years."

"You and Nat must be ... "

Nick's face became sad. "Natalie ... Natalie is dead. She died the day after you ... the day after we thought you had died."

"You can't blame yourself this way. She knew the risks when she agreed to let you make love to her ... NICK! What's happening to Me? I know what happened the night Natalie died. Like I was seeing it through ... through your eyes! NICK!  What's going on? Am I going crazy?"

"I don't know what's happening to you, but just take it one step at a time." He sat on the edge of the bed and held her head to his chest as he rocked her gently. "Everything will work itself out. I promise. I'll be there to help you."

"I thought I heard noises in here. The monitors are going crazy. What's ... MISS VETTER!" The nurse shouted. "You're awake. It's a miracle! I'll get Doctor Weinans immediately."

Nick laid Tracy's head back on the pillow. "You get some rest. I've got some work to do, but I'll be back before I leave. I promise."

"You don't have to go. Mike has already interviewed the staff about the attempt." Tracy said. "Oh! NO! It's happening again. You're still a cop. Mike Taylor. He's your partner, isn't he?"

Doctor Weinans and a team of technicians came into the room. Bit by bit, Nick was pushed out the door as more equipment and more personnel came in and they prepared to run test after test on Tracy.

**********

Nick and Taylor walked toward their desks.

"So, Tracy Vetter was your partner in Toronto? And you had no idea she was still alive? Man, it must have been a shock to see her there. Small world isn't it. I mean that she was the intended victim."

"Speaking of victims, was any of the staff able to give you any more information?"

"Nothing more than Doctor Wladziu already told us." He flipped open his notebook to the proper page and read from it. "The nurse for that wing, Marie Pilifter ... you know that's a really weird name ..." He broke into a giggling fit. "Anyway, she happened to be walking by her room. She saw someone in the room. Since Miss Vetter has never had any visitors, and there was no treatments or medications scheduled at that time, she became suspicious and went in to investigate. Just as she entered the room, she was knocked down and dazed by whoever it was. By the time she managed to get back on her feet, the person was gone.

Our killer did leave something behind this time, though." Mike held up a plastic evidence bag with a hypodermic syringe in it. "Five will get you ten there aren't any prints on it, but according to Doctor Wladziu, and Doctor McCoy confirms it, if a big enough air bubble can be introduced into the blood stream, there's a good chance that it will travel either to the heart or the brain. Bingo! Dead patient and no way to trace it. Perfect crime."

Toni came in. "I just heard the news. Tracy Vetter is still alive. That's wonderful!"

"I tell you what, Nick." Mike said. "There's not much more we can do tonight. Why don't you and Toni knock off early and go over to the rest home. I'm sure they could bend the rules about visiting hours. I'll cover for you here."

"Oh, I'm certain Nick could convince them to let us see her." Toni said with a twinkle in her eye.

**********

Nick and Toni went into the room. A simple 'suggestion' from Nick was all it took to let them in. While she still looked fragile and sickly, Tracy was in much better condition than she had looked when he first saw her. Most of the tubes had been removed. Only a single IV remained, and except for the heart monitor, which was beeping strongly and regularly, all the other monitors had been disconnected, too. Her eyes were closed, but from Nick's scan of her breathing and heartbeat, he could tell she was only sleeping. Nick motioned to Toni that they should leave her be.

"Oh, no you don't." Tracy said as they started out the door. "I know you're here."

"You need your rest. We'll come back tomorrow." Nick said.

"I've been asleep for two years already. I don't need any more sleep right now. This must be Toni. Right?" Then noting the look on Toni's face. "He didn't tell you I can now read minds, did he? I can't control it. It's really pretty scary. What's even scarier is the fact that I've lost a couple of years out of my life. Do you have any idea what that's like?"

**********

Damnation Creek, Arizona Territory 1869

"Nicholas Chase!" The voice behind him called out.

Nick turned and was staring down the barrel of a sawed off rifle. The man held a wanted poster of Nick, Janette, and LaCroix in front of him. He had seen the poster many times before. It was plastered outside every sheriff's office from San Diego to St. Louis. According to it, they were wanted as part of the James Gang. That wasn't exactly true. They had traveled with the band for a time, but they had not participated in any of their ... activities. There was no way for them to explain the truth. Not with every bounty hunter and lawman in the territory looking for them.

Because of that, LaCroix and Janette had sailed from San Francisco to Paris. Nick was supposed to join them but they became separated and the ship had left without him. In a way, Nick was glad things had worked out that way. He was free of his tormentor. At least until LaCroix caught up with him again.

"I'm here to take you in." The bounty hunter continued. "The reward I'll get for you will more than pay me for all the time I wasted in the gold fields. Don't try anything funny. The poster says dead or alive. If they don't care, I don't care neither. I reckon a dead man won't give me no trouble. Be a lot easier to handle than a live one, too. If you're alive, I got to bring you back. If you're dead, all I need is a paper saying you're dead."

Nick went to raise his hands. The bounty hunter must have thought that he was going for his gun. The next thing Nick heard was a loud explosion as a bullet slammed into his chest and exited through his back. He crumpled to the ground. He tried to move, but he couldn't. The bullet had severed his spine, and he was, for all intents, paralyzed until his vampire healing powers could take over. The only thing he could do until then was close his eyes and play dead.

The next impression he had was of several pairs of hands lifting him and carrying him. He could smell fresh wood. They put him in a box. He heard a lid sliding into place. He must be in a coffin. That meant he could only be in the undertaker's parlor. He could feel sensation starting to return to his body. All he had to do was wait until everyone left and then he could make his escape.

"I don't care if he was an outlaw." One of the voices said. "He deserves a proper Christian burial, and I intend to see that he gets one." He heard the sounds of hammers, and with his vampire sight, he saw a cross shaped row of nails being pounded into the top. They had nailed a crucifix to the lid of the coffin. A burning sensation from the cross traveled through his hands as he attempted to move the lid. It would not budge. He was effectively sealed in.

He lay helpless as the coffin was hoisted onto a wagon and he felt every bump and pothole as it was driven to the cemetery. He listened as someone, probably the local preacher, offered prayers for his soul. If only they knew he had no soul. In total panic, he felt the box being lowered into the ground and heard dirt being shoveled on the top.

**********

Los Angeles

"Yes, I know the feeling." Nick said.

They talked far into the night as Nick and Toni brought Tracy up to the present.

They both promised to return the next night.

**********

Commissioner Richard Vetter embraced his daughter. "I came as soon as I heard the news." He said. "I couldn't believe it when they called and told me. I still can't believe it. It's a miracle. My baby is back with me. Don't worry about a thing, Princess. I have a private jet on standby. As soon as the doctors say you are up to it, I'll fly you back to Toronto. There's this lovely rehabilitation center near there. I'll see to it you get the best care possible. We can see each other every day if you want."

Nick and Toni stopped at the doorway to Tracy's room. Nick put his finger to his lips and he and Toni retreated behind the door frame.

"Cut the crap, Daddy dearest." Tracy said. "I know from the staff about the loving care you've been giving me. You dumped me. The only contact anyone has had with you since I came here has been your monthly payment, and even that is through auto-cheque. You let everyone in Toronto believe I was dead while you methodically and deliberately made life a living hell for everyone connected with me."

"They were responsible for what happened to you." Richard said. "If they had left you in computer crimes division like I wanted them to, you never would have been in any danger. If Reese hadn't assigned you to the Homicide squad, you wouldn't have been forced to deal with dangerous killers. If Knight hadn't put you in the position where you had to cover him, you wouldn't have been shot and you wouldn't be here now. It's all their fault. Can't you see that? They had to be made to pay for what they did to my little baby girl."

"Daddy, I REQUESTED reassignment to an active precinct. I gladly ACCEPTED homicide duty. I WAS DOING MY JOB when I backed up Nick in that hallway. NO ONE is responsible for my injuries. It's one of the hazards that goes with the job. I Repeat. NO ONE IS TO BLAME. I think you owe everyone connected with this incident a written public apology." Tracy said forcefully.

"You're right, sweetie." Vetter said, patting her hand. "As soon as we get back to Toronto, I'll write each of them a letter."

"No. I am not going back to Toronto. Not with you. Not now. Not ever. I am not going to be your little girl for the rest of my life."

Commissioner Vetter's face became hard. "You have no choice in the matter, Tracy. Look at yourself. You're paralyzed. You always will be. If I stop the payments ... which I will if you don't come back with me ... you will be out on the streets in a matter of days. Is that what you want? To spend the rest of your life in a charity ward somewhere?"

"I'm certain your latest trophy wife would just love to know about the redhead ... and your cabin on Georgian Bay." Tracy's manner became just as hard as her father's. "I also think Mother would be ecstatic to find out about the Swiss bank accounts, complete with the access codes, and the stock portfolio in that dummy investment corporation you've set up. I'm sure she could use that information to have her alimony payments adjusted upward. Come to think about it, Revenue Canada might like that information, too. I know Internal Affairs and the Director of Public Safety would really appreciate your relationship with certain persons of less than saintly character. Want me to name names and give dates?

I won't even mention the insurance money you collected after you convinced everyone I was dead ... Or the phony will you produced that left everything I had to you."

Vetter's face was sheer horror. He did not say anything, he just bolted out of the room, nearly knocking Nick down as he ran past him.

"Good show Tracy!" Nick said, applauding as he and Toni came into the room.

"Sometimes being able to read minds does have its advantages, I guess. As soon as he is able to figure a way to do it and still keep his ass covered, he will cut me off. I don't care. If I have to sleep in a homeless shelter, I won't go back with him."

"I don't think you'll have to do that. Why don't you stay with me while you recover?" Toni said.

"You'd do that for me?"

"Sure. Any partner of Nick's is partner of mine. Besides, it might be fun having a roommate for a while."

"Good. When can we leave? The sooner the better."

"How about tomorrow?" Nick said. "According to Doctor Weinans, he's never seen anyone heal the way you have. He estimates that with proper therapy, you could be back to normal in about six weeks, two months tops. There's a gym in our complex, and I'll see to it that a physical therapist is there every day to work with you."

"Nick. That costs money. A lot of money. More than a cop makes." Tracy said.

"I've got it. After all, you don't live eight hundred years without putting aside a small stash for emergencies."

"Actually, you will be eight hundred and two in a few weeks." Tracy said. "It's happening again. I read your mind. How do I control it?"

"I don't know, but I brought someone with me who might be able to help." Toni said, motioning toward the door. LaCroix came in.

"How nice to meet you once again, Miss Vetter." LaCroix took her hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes never left hers.

An icy chill went up Tracy's spine. "I know you." Tracy said. "From the Raven. Someone left a headless corpse in your beer fridge. Then I met you one other time. You were the one who convinced me that Vachon had moved on. He didn't move on, did he? ... HE'S DEAD! I killed him! He was infected with the evil that was in Divia's blood when she attacked him ... He had horrible memories from her and couldn't live with them ... He wanted me to stake him ... but I couldn't ... So

he impaled himself on the stake as I was holding it ... I buried him in a little cove by the lake. Why did you erase these things from my memory?"

"Nicholas was responsible for that, my dear. He thought it would be kinder if you thought Javier Vachon was merely gone and not dead. Since you are a resistor, he asked me to do it. He knew that my powers were far stronger than his. But enough. That is in the past. Let us get to your present problem."

"But how can you ... Oh, that's right. You're a vampire too. You're the one who brought Nick across. I guess that makes you his vampire father. I still don't see how that's going to help me."

"He can taste your blood and tell you things about yourself." Toni volunteered.  "He did it to me once. It's not painful, in fact, it's a little tingly and very pleasant."

"If you think it will help, I'm game." She said, tilting her head and baring her throat.

"Why do mortals always think we go for the throat?" LaCroix asked, rolling his eyes. "If Bram Stoker were alive today, I'd kill him for that little faux paus. Actually, I much prefer to use the wrist for this. " He took her left wrist and carefully kissed the pulse point. "As Atonia said, this won't hurt." He bared his fangs and sank them into her arm. After he had drawn a small amount of blood, he withdrew, closed his eyes and rolled the blood round his mouth before swallowing it, much as if he were savoring a rare wine.

"Well?" All three of them said almost in unison

LaCroix held the moment a bit longer, slowly licking the inside of his mouth with his tongue. With his eyes still closed, he smacked his lips, as if capturing the last drop, before he answered. "It's all there in your blood, Miss Vetter. It seems that when the bullets passed through Nicholas, they became coated with his blood. When they entered your body, you received the blood also. I am not a doctor, so I cannot give you any medical reasons for what happened next." He looked at Nick.

"But we both know someone who can …Dr. Lambert"

"You know about Natalie?" Nick asked.

"Of course. Haven't you learned by now that there is little you can keep from me? Not only do I know about her, she and I have been collaborating for some time now concerning your relationship with Atonia. How do you think she was able to tell that I had sampled her blood? Oh Nicholas, you really are thick as a brick."

"But Natalie's dead." Tracy said. "How can she ... She's not dead, is she? Is she a ... No wait ... She's not a vampire ... She's a ghost. She's your guardian angel, isn't she Nick? And she's your doctor, too. But how ... ?"

"Let's just say that she can be as solid as she needs to be." Nick explained.

"It's a lot easier to have her treat me than to have to go to a living doctor. Since she knows me and who I am, I don't have to lie or give embarrassing excuses."

"Do you think she'll help me?"

"Why don't you ask me?" Natalie Lambert said, materializing just inside the doorway.  "Unfortunately, unlike LaCroix, I have to use earthly equipment to make my examinations. She left the room and returned with the necessary equipment a few minutes later. "Don't ask." She said as she swabbed a section of Tracy's arm with alcohol. She then drew a small sample of blood. "I have to use their lab facilities. I'll be back in a few minutes." She disappeared and returned fifteen minutes later.

"There are definite traces of Nick's blood in yours." Natalie said. "That's why you did not die. True, you were clinically dead for a short time. That is, until the vampire factor in his blood was able to accelerate your metabolism. There probably was significant brain damage from lack of oxygen while you were ... ah ...dead, but your enhanced metabolism slowly repaired that also. Apparently, when you heard Nick's voice last night, it triggered his residual cells that were left in you and brought you out of the coma."

"But that still doesn't explain why I can read minds."

"I can only guess at that. All mortals have some psychic powers. I'm guessing you always were a latent psychic. That is probably why you are a resistor. Nick's blood merely brought that power to the surface. There are also some minute changes in your DNA structure as well. I'm afraid your condition is permanent."

"You mean I'm a vampire too?"

"Oh no, my dear." LaCroix smiled. "Although the thought is quite tempting. You are completely mortal, you just have enhanced abilities. I'm sure Doctor Lambert will agree."

They looked around. Natalie was no longer there.

"So how do I control these powers I suddenly have?"

"I can only tell you that you have these powers. As to what you do with them ... that is up to you." LaCroix kissed her hand again. "I must be going. I will see you again. Good night, Miss Vetter.  Nicholas. Atonia." The next instant, he was gone.

**********

"Knight Transportation service, at your service, lovely lady." Nick said with a sweeping bow has he pushed the wheelchair into Tracy's room. Toni was right behind him.

"I know I'm gaining strength every day, but I don't think I'm strong enough to handle a wheelchair just yet." Tracy said.

"Can you work a joystick?"

"I think so."

"Then you can work this." Nick sat in the chair and moved the control knob back and forth as the electric wheelchair rolled around the room.

"You didn't have to rent that."

"He didn't." Toni said. "He bought it."

"I figure when you don't need it anymore, I'll donate it to some charity. Don't worry. I told you I can afford it." Nick reminded her.

"And just how much ... Oh dear! That much! ... I read it in your mind." Tracy's eyes went wide. "You must be one of the wealthiest men in the world."

"Not even close. My financial status only begins with a B. Theirs begin with a T and in some cases a Q. Besides, most of my money is tied up in the De Brabant Foundation."

"De Brabant Foundation?"

"My birth name. Nicholas de Brabant. I'm surprised you couldn't read that in my thoughts, too."

"Apparently I can't read something until the person thinks it. Maybe that means I'm starting to control it, I hope."

"How about all that stuff you told your father?" Toni asked.

"It was a lucky guess at first. He always had this thing for redheads. After that, he started thinking about all his dirty little secrets. It was almost like he was shouting them at me."

"I brought some of my clothes. I figure we are about the same size." Toni said as she helped Tracy dress.

Nick lifted her into the chair and they headed for the elevator.

"Mind telling me how you intend to get this home?" Tracy said as she steered the wheelchair across the sanitarium lobby. "I know you still have the Caddy, but I don't think even that trunk is big enough to hold this."

"It won't. That's why I got this." Nick said, pointing to a handicap equipped van parked just outside the entryway."

"Don't tell me you bought that, too?"

"Of course not, silly. I leased it."

"I don't know how to thank the two of you." Tracy said as Nick strapped her into her seat. "I feel like I have been reborn."

**********

Damnation Creek 1870

Nick was dimly aware of the sound of a shovel being pushed into the earth above him. How long had he been here? The last thing he remembered was being buried after he had been shot by the bounty hunter. It was a stifling, terrifying experience as the air was slowly used up in the small space of that pine box. He never wanted to be put in that situation again. Although he did not need to breathe to stay alive, he needed air to remain conscious. After what seemed like an eternity, he had mercifully slipped into a state of suspended animation.

Finally, the tip of the shovel pierced the cover. Air! Precious air! Entering the coffin! Nick took his first deep breath in ... how long, as the coffin was lifted out of the ground. The tip of a crowbar poked between the lid and the side and Nick heard the groan of the nails as the lid was pried off. From the faint light that filtered in, Nick was able to tell that it was night. That was good. At least he was in no danger of burning up.

"Just one more nail and I'll have all that is coming to me." The robber said as he pulled out the remaining spike.

Immediately, Nick sprang from the coffin. God, he was hungry. It was almost as bad as a first hunger. He grabbed the hapless grave robber and drained him almost in one motion. His hunger satisfied, he wiped his bloody mouth on the sleeve of his jacket.

Nick picked up the corpse of the grave robber and put it in the coffin. Keeping his head turned as much as possible to avoid looking at the crucifix, he nailed the lid back on. He then lowered the box back into the ground and covered it with the dirt.

He had already decided one of his next meals would be the bounty hunter who had shot him. First, though, there were some things that had to be done. Like find out how long he had been in that accursed grave.

He was aware of a presence behind him. LaCroix.

"Good evening, Nicholas." He said with just that touch of evil that only LaCroix could put in his voice. "Pity you missed the boat to Paris. Janette and I had a lovely time there. I trust you have been well this past year. Tell me, have you been getting enough sleep?"

Nick turned on him, his fangs extended and his eyes yellow. "You did this to me!" He growled.

"Au contraire, Mon Fils. I had nothing to do with it. I do not know who put you there. I merely found you. By the time I realized you were not aboard the ship, there was not enough time to search for you before we set sail. I had hoped you would be on the next ship from San Francisco. But, of course, you weren't. That's when I returned to the States and started searching for you. Only last week I learned from an informant that the bounty had been claimed for you and that you were interred here. I persuaded the unfortunate fellow you just entombed in your stead that you had a fortune in precious gems buried with you. I told him that it was all his if he wanted to dig you up for it. You see, I knew you would be famished once you were revived. Aren't I a thoughtful father to provide such a tasty meal for my son?"

Nick only glared angrily at LaCroix and growled softly.

"Come, Nicholas. Janette is waiting for us at our camp. It's only a few miles from here

**********

Los Angeles

Nick was awakened from his sleep by the loud knocking on the door. He looked at the clock. It was only 3:30 PM. "I'm coming." He called groggily, pulling his bathrobe over his black silk pajama bottoms. "Don't have a cow."

Toni burst into the apartment as soon as he opened the door. Hoiman was right behind her. "Nick! You have to do something about her. She's driving me cuckoo!"

He could almost see the smoke coming out of her ears. "Whoa! Settle down." He said. " I assume you are talking about Tracy."

"I know she means well, and I didn't say anything when she re-washed all the dishes and pots and pans because she didn't think the dishwasher did a good enough job. Or when she rearranged my sock drawer. Or when she lined up the cans in the food pantry in alphabetical order. Or when she redid my telephone list in ascending numerical order by phone number. Or when she ties bows on the trash bags. But this time she's gone too far. I tell you she's a neat freak!"

"Okay. What did she do this time?"

"While I was at Paramount working on some of the promos for The Holy Grail, she cleaned the place."

"Well, it could always use a little tidying up."

"No! I mean she CLEANED the place. She hired a cleaning service. Floors. Walls. Carpets. Furniture. The whole nine yards. Everything is squeaky clean. Then she even cleaned my office. I know it was a toxic waste dump in there, but it was MY toxic waste dump. I knew where everything was. Now I can't find anything. She's even sorted the paper clips by size and color. Worst of all, she hung my signed Kirby! In a frame! It's been leaning against the wall ever since I moved in! I'll kill her if she doesn't drive me crazy first."

"Relax. After all it has been over two weeks since she was released from the rest home. Maybe all she has is a good case of four walls fever. Why don't you take her out for a little trip? Maybe you two could see the sights of LA."

"That's a great idea. No wonder I love you so much!" She said, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek. "I'll tell her now." She kissed him again. A long lingering kiss.

"Another one like that, and I'll have to call Clarisse. Or take a cold shower." He said, pulling her close and returning her kiss. "Or both"

"Promises. Promises." She said, pinching his tush. She left and a few minutes later, both she and Tracy were at the door.

Nick had used the time to dress.

"We've decided that Tracy needs some new clothes. While we wear the same size, our tastes are radically different. We'll need some money." Toni snapped her fingers and held out her hand.  "Since this was your idea, you should be the one to pay for it."

Nick grudgingly reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

She took it and lifted out his platinum Express Card. "See." She said, showing the card to Tracy. "I've started training him already." She dropped the card into her purse.

"Wait a minute." Nick said. " That one is only for dire emergencies."

"This is a dire emergency. Neiman Marcus is having a sale."

"I didn't know Neiman Marcus had sales." Nick said.

"They do when you have a platinum Express Card, my darling." Toni answered,

giving him a peck on the cheek.

Nick accompanied them to Toni's Mazda. He had bought it from the studio as a gift for her after the Metro had been demolished. He helped Tracy into the front seat. Then he folded the walker and put it in the trunk. He also put the manual wheelchair in, too. Just in case.

"Rodeo Drive, here we come." Toni said as she backed the car out of the garage. He watched from the safety of the doorway as they drove down the street. "It's going to be a very expensive afternoon." He said to Hoiman. Hoiman meowed his agreement.

***********

Toni pushed Tracy into the After Sunset. It was a good thing Nick thought to include the chair. They were loaded down with bags and boxes. The two of them had hit every store in Beverly Hills. In addition they had both treated themselves to a complete makeover at the Jose Eber Salon. They had called Nick from Gucci's and told him to meet them here for dinner. After all, as Tracy had said, the condemned man deserved a last meal.

"When he sees the bills, we may be the condemned ones." Toni added.

When the storefront next door became available, Clarissa decided to expand and turn the After Sunset into a full service restaurant. She had the wall knocked out and installed a kitchen and dining room. Toni, of course, had done the design work.

It was the only place where they all could share a meal without getting funny stares from the other customers.

"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Tracy said. "I've been in the Raven a few times, and this doesn't look anything like that."

"I've never been there, but Nick has talked about it. According to him, it was more like a nightclub. I do know this place, though. They cater to the family business. Let me introduce you to the owner." Toni found a table and motioned to Clarissa to join them. "She's a very good friend of mine."

"You're Nick's vampire sister." Tracy told Clarissa after Toni had introduced them. "And you are also acting as a surrogate sex partner for Nick and Toni. I think that's wonderful of you. OH! NO! There it goes again!" Tracy held her head. "I've got to get this mind reading thing under control before it drives me crazy! Now it seems like I can hear everybody's thoughts. That couple over there." She pointed to a nearby table. "He wants to vacation in Big Sur. She wants Hawaii." She pointed to another one. "They're having a baby." There was a look of pain and confusion in Tracy's eyes.

"Maybe I can help." Clarissa said. She walked around to Tracy's back and placed her hands on either side of Tracy's head. "Relax. Close your eyes and listen only to the sound of my voice" She said in a soft monotonous tone. "Focus only on my voice. Nothing else. Picture a high stone wall in your mind. Picture it going all around your brain. The wall is blocking out other people's thoughts.  Now picture yourself standing on the inside of that wall."

"It's working." Tracy said with a smile. "I can't hear all the discord."

"Good. Now put a door in that wall. Just big enough for one person at a time to come through. When you want to read a person, all you have to do is open that door and let that person's thoughts in. You should then be able to read someone's thoughts only when you want to read them."

"Is that a vampire trait?"

"Heavens, no!" Clarissa laughed. "I learned that in a parapsychology class I took at UCLA."

Nick came in and sat at the table. He eyed the boxes on the floor. He turned his attention to Toni and Tracy. "I see you've been on a shopping spree ... and to a beauty salon. You look absolutely gorgeous. You two really went buy - buy. That's spelled b-u-y."

"Not really." Toni said. "We only spent a couple thousand dollars, but we got some great bargains. I know my tastes usually run to Sears, JCPenney, Kmart and occasionally Bullocks, but for special occasions like this, one just has to indulge. We even got you something." She rummaged through the bags and eventually pulled out a box containing a royal blue silk Armani shirt. She held it up to him.

"It really does match his eyes perfectly." Tracy said. "We made the right choice buying that one."

"Okay, you two." Nick said, kissing each of them lightly on the cheek. "Flattery will get you everywhere. Especially you, Toni."

"What about me?" Clarissa said, a pout on her face. Nick could not tell if it was real or phony.

"You know you can get anywhere you want with me." He said kissing her too. "It's a good thing Toni isn't the jealous type or I'd be in perpetual deep doo-doo."

"May I join you?" LaCroix said, pulling a chair to the table. "It's not often I can enjoy a meal with my family." He motioned for Milos. "Give Miss Vetter and Miss Parker whatever they want. Clarisse, Nicholas and I will have the usual."

After the waitress, who Nick suspected was one of them, had brought everyone their order, LaCroix continued. "In a sense, you are all family. I brought them across, so Nicholas and Clarisse are my son and my daughter. Atonia loves Nicholas, so she is family of the heart. Tracy, you carry Nicholas's blood in you. True, it is only a minute amount, but in a sense, that makes you my daughter as well. There was a time, not too long ago, when I would have destroyed you or brought you across for that, but I have changed. I can now accept you as you are. Welcome to my family, Tracy Vetter." He raised his glass.  "To Tracy."

The others echoed the toast, raising their glasses also.

***********

"What is a family?" LaCroix's voice came over the radio as Nick followed Toni's car back to the complex. "The dictionary defines family as a social unit living together under one head, or a group having common attributes, that constitutes a fundamental unit in the organization of society.

There are many types of family. There is the biological family. The extended family. The family of mankind. All of these are family. To which one do you belong ? Or do you belong to another kind of family altogether?

In some families, those in a position of dominance feel that the others must be made to conform to their will and their expectations. They feel that simply because there is a relationship, all others in that relationship must be made subservient to them. They will use any and all methods available to achieve that end.  Unfortunately. I subscribed to this theory for more years than I care to recount.

Other families take the position that all members are equal. In this family, the authority figure's primary function is to guide and teach the others. Everyone must be treated with the love and respect that he or she deserves. This way, each member in this family is allowed to grow and become an active and vital member of the unit.  I am slowly beginning to favor this approach.  I know my family is thankful for that.

Is your family bond based on love, respect, and trust, whether there is any blood relationship or not?

Or is your bond with your family based solely on the fact that you share a common genetic string in your DNA? If this is so, could this actually be called a family?

Think about it, my children. This is the Nightcrawler.  You are all my family "

***********

"Well, it's the 25th and our rest home killer struck again." Mike Taylor said as he and Nick headed for the Sunnycrest Sanitarium. "This time it was Jeremy Blighter. Age 87. Altzheimers disease. The duty nurse found him dead when she went to pick up his dinner tray. According to her, he was fine when she brought it to him."

As with the others, there were no clues, and no one had seen anyone or anything out of the ordinary. And, unlike Tracy's incident, there was no evidence. If it had happened on any other day, they would have probably listed 'Natural Causes' as the cause of death.

***********

"Damn!" Mike said slamming his notebook on his desk. "Another dead end. Even this syringe they found in Tracy Vetter's room doesn't give us any clues. Nothing. No prints. No foreign substances. No abnormalities. It is as though someone just took it out of the sterile wrapper five minutes ago." He picked up the bag with the hypodermic in it and held it to his ear. "If only this puppy could talk. Maybe it could tell us who is killing all these people and why."

"Maybe it can." Nick murmured, staring at the syringe.

"What are you talking about?" Mike asked.

"Tracy Vetter. My former partner. Since she came out of her coma, she has developed amazing psychic abilities. It's just possible she might be able to pick up something off this that could give us a clue."

"It's worth the chance. Nothing so far has given us anything. And, as my sainted grandmother always said, 'it can't hoit.'"

"I thought that was the Three Stooges."

" Details. Details. Actually, it was the Marx Brothers. Go ahead and call her."

"It was the Three Stooges."

"Marx Brothers."

***********

Tracy opened the door even before they knocked. Mike held the door as she swung her weight on the crutches and headed for the couch. Mike was at her side even before she sat down. He fluffed a pillow and slid it into the hollow of her back. Nick and Toni stood at the door, taking it all in.

"You are Mike Taylor." She said. "Nick's partner. To answer your unasked questions, I am thirty years old. My measurements are 34 - 25 - 36. My sign is Virgo. Yes, I am single. And yes, I actually can read minds."

"You really are good." Mike said, never taking his gaze off her. "I'm an Aries. Did you know that Aries and Virgo are very compatible?"

"Moonchild Jehovah! Put your eyeballs back in place and give her the syringe." Nick cajoled.

"Moonchild Jehovah?" Tracy and Toni said, both of them trying desperately to keep from laughing.

"My parents were hippies." Mike mumbled, fighting hard to suppress the redness spreading rapidly across his face. "That's one more I owe you for, Knight." He growled under his breath.

"I don't know if I can do what you want, but I'll give it a try." Tracy said, "I'd feel a lot better about it if we can wait for Clarissa. She's sort of my psychic teacher. I called her after you called me. I hope you don't mind. That will be her now."

There was a knock at the door. Toni opened it. Clarissa came in.

"They want me to see what kind of impressions I can get off this." Tracy said, pointing to the syringe lying on the coffee table. "I've got this telepathy thing down pretty good, thanks to you, but I've never tried any ... tried anything like this and I'd feel better if you would help me."

"Sure I'll help. By the way, it's called psychometry. It's the ability to gather information from inanimate objects. It works in pretty much the same way as telepathy." She placed the syringe in Tracy's hand. "Now. Open your mind and concentrate on the syringe."

Tracy closed her eyes and turned the plastic bag over and over in her hands. Suddenly she opened her eyes and shook her head rapidly. "There's so much on here, So many people have handled it. So many impressions. All I get is confusion."

"Remember your wall. Only let in the things from that night in your room at the sanitarium. Focus on that. You are back there. Concentrate on the syringe. See the person holding it."

Tracy closed her eyes again. Beads of sweat formed on her face as she followed Clarissa's words. "Yes ... I can see it ... The room ... There is someone coming in ... I can see her ... She's got the syringe in her hand ... She's going to inject something in my IV tube ... No... in my arm ... Someone else is in the room ... Nurse Marie ... She hits her ... Marie falls ... The person runs out."

"Great!" Clarissa said. "Now, can you describe the person?"

"Toni, get your sketch pad. See if you can draw what Tracy sees." Nick said.

Toni held up the pad and a pencil. "I'm way ahead of you."

"She's black ... Moderately heavy set ... A little taller than Clarissa ... Young ... Wears her hair in a afro ... Not that full."  Toni erased the hair and redrew it. "Much better Her face isn't quite that round

... "

They continued. Tracy describing and Toni drawing and redrawing the sketch. "That's her." Tracy said at last. "That's the person in my room."

Toni handed the sketch to Nick and Mike.

"Let's go to the sanitarium and see if anybody recognizes this." Nick and Mike started to the door. Tracy was right behind them.

"And just where do you think you are going?" Mike asked.

"With you." Tracy replied. "After all, I'm the one she tried to kill, and it's my description that's going to catch her. Technically, I never resigned my commission, so technically, I am still a cop. I really want to be in on this collar."

"Nick?" Mike said, looking to his partner for help.

Nick merely threw up his hands and held the door open as Tracy hobbled through.

***********

"Yes, I recognize her. Her name is LaToya Payne." Marie Pilifter said as she handed the sketch back to Mike. "She was here every day for over two years. She came in to be with her father. He had terminal cancer. When he finally died, she took it particularly hard. 

In a sense, she was almost one of the staff. She seemed to really want to help people, and since we were short of help, we were glad for her assistance. Is something wrong? You don't think she has anything to do with the killings, do you?"

"We have every reason to believe so, Miss Pilifter." Mike said, trying not to snicker.

Nick knew that Mike had difficulty with her name, so he let Mike do all the talking. He knew that Mike was going to get him for that, too.

"Do you have an address for her, Miss Pilifter?" Mike asked. He was having a very hard time.

Marie Pilifter went into the office and returned with a 3 by 5 card. "Here you are. This is the last address we have on file. If she is the one killing these people, get her, detectives. Nail her good.

By the way, Miss Vetter. It's terrific see you doing so well. It really is a miracle, you know."

***********

"I'm not sure what you want to talk with me about, Officers." LaToya Payne said, showing Nick and Mike into the living room. She fitted Tracy's description of the killer perfectly. They had to literally make Tracy wait in the car. No use spooking LaToya. "I was horrified to hear about all those poor patients at the nursing home. You know, my father was there. He died six months ago. At least one thing about those people, they didn't suffer the way Daddy did."

"You want to tell us about it?" Nick said.

"About the way Daddy died?" LaToya asked.

"No. About how the others died."

"I don't know what you are talking about." LaToya's eyes took on a faraway look.

Nick had thought about hypnotizing her, but he saw that it would not be necessary.

"I'm sure they didn't suffer. No one should have to suffer."  She continued in almost a childlike voice.   "Not the way Daddy did. Did you know that I asked them to put Daddy to sleep? They wouldn't do it. They said it was illegal. He was in terrible pain. But they said that was legal.

I just wanted to make sure no one else suffered the way he did."

"So you killed them?"

"Oh. No. They were dying anyway. I just made sure they didn't suffer."

"By injecting them with a syringe full of air?"

"Yes. It's quick, painless and inexpensive. The air bubble travels to the brain or the heart and they are dead in a matter of seconds. No pain. No suffering. Their heart just stops beating and that's it. I learned that in nursing school. Did I tell you I'm a nurse? At least I was until Daddy got sick. Then I quit so I could take care of him."

"How did you get into the sanitarium?"

"You mean when I helped those people?"

"Yes."

"I wore my nurse's uniform. That way I could come and go without being noticed. They are always short of help. If someone asked, I just told them I was a new nurse. They must have known I was there to help those poor souls out of their pain and suffering. No one bothered to question me any further."

"LaToya Payne." Nick said. "I must inform you that you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law ... "

"I only regret I wasn't able to help that poor Vetter girl." LaToya said as they led her out of the house and into a waiting cruiser. "Maybe I'll get another chance to ease her suffering on the 25th of next month."

***********

Tracy splashed Toni. Toni repaid the deed by dunking her. Clarissa splashed them both and they returned the favor. All of them were giggling like schoolgirls. Toni had met Tracy at the indoor pool next to the gym after her therapy session was over. The two decided it was too nice a night to go back to the apartment, so Toni had gone back for their suits. Eventually they called Clarissa to come and join them. This is where Nick finally tracked them down.

"Don't just stand there looking dry." Tracy called to him.

"Come on in. The water's fine." Toni said, splashing at him. Nick jumped back and only the hem of his trousers got wet.

"I can't do that for two reasons. One ... I don't have a bathing suit." He said. "Two ... I can't swim." He mumbled.

"What did you say?" Clarissa asked, cupping her hand to her ear.

"I can't swim." He mumbled again.

"WHAT? SPEAK UP! I CAN'T HEAR YOU. YOU'RE MUMBLING!"

"I CAN'T SWIM!"

"You mean you're eight hundred years old and you've never learned how to swim?" Toni said.

"Eight hundred two. In my time, bathing was something you did only when absolutely necessary and public swimming was only something for the ignorant rabble to do, not for the nobility. After I was brought across, there was no need for me to learn to swim. I could survive in water using my vampire abilities. By the time public swimming became fashionable, there weren't any all night pools open where I could learn."

"We must correct that little oversight in your education right now." Toni said. "After all, I wasn't the best swimmer on the St. Francis team for nothing. Until we can get you a proper suit, though, why don't you put on a pair of shorts. And you do have shorts. I know you do. I bought them for you."

Ten minutes later, Nick came back wearing nothing but a pair of navy blue Nike shorts. Tracy let out a wolf whistle. "If you ever let him go Toni, I get first dibbies."

"In your dreams, Tracy Vetter. In your dreams. Not a chance."

Nick was a quick study. After only a few lessons, he was traversing the pool as though he had been doing it all his life.

LaCroix entered the pool area. "Well, well, my family decided to have a party, and they didn't invite Daddy. Naughty. Naughty. Children." He said with a smile.

"It was an impromptu thing." Toni explained.

"I forgive you. This time I even brought proper attire." He said, holding up a gym bag. He went to the locker room and a few minutes later, emerged wearing the tiniest black Speedo bikini trunks anyone had ever seen. With a practiced dive, he sliced through the water.

"Watch me, LaCroix." Nick said in an almost childlike tone. "I can swim too." He swam the length of the pool. "It's almost like flying. Only you do it in the water. Why didn't you ever teach me to swim?"

"You never asked me."

They sat one of the tables, relaxing after the swim.

"I nearly forgot the reason I came here in the first place." Nick said. "The District Attorney, LaToya Payne's lawyer, and the judge have reached an agreement. According to the psychiatrist's evaluation, something inside of LaToya's mind must have snapped when her father died. She has no concept that what she did was wrong. She probably never will. The judge has agreed to accept a plea of insanity to first degree Manslaughter. LaToya Payne will spend the rest of her life in a maximum security mental facility."

"Now that the case is settled, maybe I should give you my news." Tracy said. "I'm moving out."

"What?" Toni said. "You can't do that. You aren't well enough and besides, I've become sort of used to having a roommate. I even like having a clean office."

"According to Dr. Weinans, I am well enough. He did say two months and it's been almost three. Natalie checks me out after every session and she agrees with Dr. Weinans. I won't be going far, though. Larry Groce, the manager this month, said that Major Bilkerson, in 31D is being transferred to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. His condo will be available in a few weeks. I've already put a deposit on it"

"And how will you pay for it?" Nick asked.

"Well, I had some money that Daddy didn't know about. I still have it. Sort of like a hidden fund. Now that all the legal mumbo jumbo has been taken care of, the Toronto bank is going to transfer it to a bank here. It's not much, but it will keep me afloat for a few months. By that time, this should be a reality." Tracy fumbled through her purse and pulled out a business card. It read 'Vetter

& Associates. Private Investigations'. "I realized during this case, how much I actually enjoy police work.  After all, it's all I really know how to do. I don't want to join the force again, so this is the next best thing. And with my newfound abilities, I know I can do a good job of it. I applied for my Private Investigators license, and I take the test next Monday. There aren't any 'Associates' ... not yet ... but Mike says he knows a few former and retired police officers that might be willing to be the first ones. Mike is also checking out a couple of offices that are for rent."

***********

Toni flicked the TV off.

"So. That's how it ends." Nick said. "I thought you turned that back in three months ago."

"I did. This is my copy. You've never seen the end of This Island Earth?" Toni asked.

"I've never even seen the beginning until now." Clarissa added. "Speaking of beginnings, how is Tracy doing?"

"Great." Toni said. "Doctor Weinans and Nat were right. She's just about ready to throw away the cane any day now. Right now, she and Mike are over at the new apartment supervising the painters."

"You know, they've been together nearly every day since he first laid eyes on her." Nick said. "He follows her around like a lovesick puppy."

"And you didn't let me out of your sight when I was injured?" Toni reminded him.

"That was different. You wouldn't stay put. Someone had to be sure you followed doctor's orders."

"Right. Clarissa, do you know where I can get phony deeds to Disneyland? If you buy that, you'll buy anything."

"I think it's cute the way Mike and Tracy get along." Clarissa said. "Do you think it could be ... you know ... Dumm Dumm De Dumm?"

"Who knows, stranger things have happened." Nick said nuzzling Toni's ear. Then he nuzzled Clarissa's. "Why don't we all go into the bedroom and see what strange things will come up in there."

Clarissa got up from the couch "Not tonight."

"What's the matter?" Nick said, a tone of concern in his voice. "Aren't you felling well?"

"That's not it. I feel fine. It's just that ... I don't think I'll be coming here any more. At least not like this ... I have really enjoyed our ... little arrangement. As much as I would like to keep the status quo, we all did agree that it would be only temporary until you two felt that you could handle it yourselves. Nick, each time we get together, it takes less and less from me to satisfy you. I've noticed that the past few times, you've only taken a mouthful or two. I don't believe Toni would be harmed by losing that small an amount of blood."

"Not even if I did it three times a night?" Nick said, a roguish gleam in his eye.

"Nicholas. Be serious. It's time you two were on your own without your little sister tagging along." Clarissa kissed them both lovingly and then in a rush of air, she was gone.

***********

Toni reached over and brushed a stray curl from Nick's forehead. Awake, he was handsome enough. But when he was asleep, he looked like a cross between a little boy and a Greek god. When the three of them, Nick, Clarissa and her, had made love, it was incredible. But now, with just Nick and her, it was the most exquisitely erotic experience she had ever had. Her mind exploded when Nick tasted her. She was immersed in his thoughts, his experiences, his love for her.

Nick groaned contentedly and rolled on his side. He wrapped his arms around her. She nuzzled his neck. He opened his eyes and stared at her for a long moment."  It wasn't a dream, was it. We really did make love. Complete and total love." He said, kissing her nose.

"No dream. It was definitely real. I want every night for the rest of my ... our lives to be as perfect as this. Can we do it again?" She said, putting her fingers against two rapidly healing wounds at the base of her neck.

"They say that practice makes perfect. I can't guarantee perfection, but I'll certainly try. " He took her in his arms and began to passionately kiss her.

***********

The Maitre d' of the Intermezzo showed them to their table. Toni knew this place by reputation only. It was the poshest, most expensive, most sophisticated restaurant in Southern California. Nick had told her to dress elegantly. She wore the baby blue cocktail dress she wore to the Amateur Detective's banquet. It was the most glamorous thing she owned. This time, though, she did not use the French braider. Nick had on his gray suit and a matching tie. The blue Armani shirt complimented the outfit perfectly.

"It's a special occasion." Was all he said when Toni asked him about it.  It wasn't her birthday. It wasn't his birthday. Or the 'birthday' on his records. It wasn't Christmas, Valentine's Day or even Sweetest Day.

"I've taken the liberty of pre-ordering." He said as the waiter brought their dinner. It was Chateaubriand, medium rare, with artichoke hearts, cheese filled baked potatoes and baby snow peas. The drink was a bottle of Chateau De Mer Select ... 1957. "A very good vintage. Or so I'm told." Nick said as the wine steward poured a sample into his glass. Nick sniffed it and took a sip. He nodded approval and the steward filled their glasses. After the steward left, Nick unobtrusively took a small silver flask out of his pocket and poured some of the contents into the wine. She knew what was in the flask.

Toni was amazed that Nick actually ate a small amount of each item. She did notice, though, that he kept putting forkfuls into a small plastic bag he had hidden on his lap beneath his napkin.  Several times, he excused himself and headed toward the men's room. Toni knew that he did not need it for the usual reasons and she assumed that he was disposing of the food to make it seem, to the other patrons, that he had eaten more than he had. It tickled her that he would go to that much trouble to please her.

"Dessert, Monsieur?" The waiter asked.

Nick looked at Toni, That Look in his eyes.

"I think he means the food." She whispered, blowing him a discrete kiss.

"Bring the dessert I have ordered." He told the waiter "You'll love this." He told Toni.

The waiter rolled out a cart. On it was a small seven layer chocolate and strawberry torte covered in whipped cream.

"O-O-O-H!" Toni gasped. "Nick. What IS this special occasion?"

"You'll see." He said smugly.

The torte tasted every bit as decadently exquisite as it looked.

"There's more." Nick said.

"I don't think I could eat another bite. Not if I'm ever going to fit in this dress again."

She noticed Nick was kneeling on the floor beside her. She looked around, thinking he might have dropped something.

"Atonia Marie Parker. I love you. Will you marry me?" He said in a loud voice.

The music stopped playing. People stopped eating. There was complete silence in the restaurant. You could have heard a pin drop. Toni could feel every eye in the place was on them.

"What did you say?"

"Atonia Marie Parker. I love you. Will you marry me?" This time he reached in his pocket and pulled out a diamond, ruby, and sapphire ring. "Well? Will you?"

"Yes. Yes, Nicholas de Brabant Knight. I will marry you."

The entire dining room exploded with applause and cheers. It seemed as though every patron was sending congratulatory notes and drinks to their table.

***********

Toni stared at the ring, now on her left hand. Then she stared at the person who gave it to her, lying next to her in the bed. "It's the most gorgeous thing I ever saw." She said, kissing him for the thousandth time.

"Next to you, of course." He replied.

"One thing, though. Why did you ask me there? Why in the middle of the most elegant restaurant in Beverly Hills?"

"I was afraid.  I hoped that if I asked you in the middle of a crowded room, you would have to say yes." He said, kissing her for the one thousand and first time. "Now. No more talking. We've got to practice for our honeymoon." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled the sheet over their heads.

**********

The End

No way!