And a child shall lead

January 2001
Karen Gunther

Authors notes: this story is inspired by the television program "Forever Knight" and is set in the third season, directly after 'Night in Question'.

Rating: PG-13; there are some innuendo of mature activity but nothing more explicit than a daytime drama.

Special thanks to my very special beta reader. Stephane, you're the best!!

Permission to archive granted for this story to be archived on fkfanfic.com; the fk ftp archive and the ravenawards site. It will be in my story archive: www.crosswinds.net/~kannegun

Prologue:

Reveling in her sigh of contentment, Nick pulled back slightly. "Natalie, I may not know who I am or where I come from, my past or my present, but I know you. I remember you. I know how I feel about you. How I long for your touch." He gazed into her eyes, kissing her forehead gently. "I know we do have a relationship. A very good relationship." Touching her lips gently, he kissed her. "Natalie, I love you. Let me show you my love." He ran his hand into the waistband of her slacks, his intent clear.

Natalie tightened her hold on him, her eyes sparkling. "You're right. We do have a relationship." She paused, searching his eyes for signs of the vampire. Whenever he had demonstrated even the slightest desire for her, the amber eyes and elongated fangs would appear. She knew in her heart that this might be her one chance to be with Nick as a mortal man. It was worth the risk.

"I love you, Nick." She hesitated as he took her hand and moved closer to the stairs. "You just got home from the hospital. Are you sure that you are up to this?" She did not mention her true fear, that the vampire would re-surface. The vampire who would take her life before the man was even aware. To tell him now would only push him away, as if she didn't want to be with him. That is, if he believed her.

"I'm sure," he smiled, kissing her hands as he guided her up the stairs.

Chapter One

The sun streamed through the glass door of the patio, unhindered by the usual heavy curtains, hiding the chill of the late October afternoon. Natalie sat silently on the couch, seeing nothing. Remembering everything.

In the eight years she'd worked as a Medical Examiner, she'd seen a lot, had lost much, if not all of her squeamishness. Six years of friendship with a vampire had pretty much taken care of the rest. She'd seen more than she thought possible. Her scientific mind had always thrived in the challenge of the unknown and all the possibilities. She had thought that nothing could surprise or shock her, much less frighten her. She had discounted the metaphysical whenever approaching Nick's vampirism.

Then she'd walked into an exorcism. Not a particularly religious person, she viewed the entire concept of exorcism with a degree of skepticism. But that was before she'd witnessed one. Perhaps it was different when it was the exorcism of a vampire. To see it happening to Nick shocked her beyond anything she'd ever imagined. She'd never seen him so out of control. So close to the edge. So close to taking her.

She'd nearly been killed. She knew it. Even now, her neck ached where Nick had grabbed her. She should have been terrified to ever see him again. But she wasn't. All that she could think about was when she would see him, touch him again.

This was not the first time that she'd been in Nick's vampiric hold, her neck tilted tightly against his shoulder in preparation for the razor-sharp fangs to find their goal. It was the first time that he'd let her remember it. It was the first time that she knew that the man did not control the vampire. At least the first time that he'd let her see it, remember it. He hadn't been able to think or do otherwise. He'd had LaCroix drive him home, saying that he needed some time. Time to think. Reflect.

She did as well.

Valentines Day, almost two years ago. The first night that she thought a vampire would kill her. It was first LaCroix that had brushed fangs against her neck, and then it was Nick. Would he have brought her across? She'd never asked. Never wanted to know. She was almost afraid to know. As long as she'd known Nick, she knew of his dislike of his lifestyle. Even under duress, she could not imagine him going through with it.

Indeed, she never told him that she remembered that night. The memories were, initially, shadows. Undefined images that haunted her sleeping hours. At first, she thought it was a dream. Then she made love with Nick. Somehow the dream crystallized in that moment and became clear. The memory of the first time that they'd made love came back to her. A magical 24 hour period in which Nick professed his love, and they thought they'd actually be able to have the relationship that they both desired. The confrontation with LaCroix had ended that hope and with it, changed their relationship in ways that Natalie had not understood until now.

She had not been able to savor their moment of passion when he'd come back to the loft, burned, fearful, demanding answers. The vampire was back in control.

So she let him continue to believe that the hypnotism had worked. She understood what he feared. Why he hesitated to be public with his feelings toward her. Everything made sense now.

****
Music filled the loft. Soft, sad songs that reflected the pain that filled his heart. Yes, he'd survived the exorcism. He'd beaten the Devil. When the demon had threatened Natalie, he'd fought back. He allowed his love to strengthen him.

In calling up those feelings, allowing his perfect memory to relive their lovemaking, allowing the passion to surface, his desire grew. His desire to take her, to taste her love as only a vampire could.

To take her blood. He craved her blood.

The conflict between his conscious thoughts and his unconscious desires was becoming increasingly difficult to fight, much less to hide from her. It was a betrayal of all that he'd worked and dreamed of that he now wanted her in that way.

****
The buzzing of the alarm roused Natalie from her reverie. She'd never quite made it to bed, but it was time to get ready for another night in the morgue.

She sighed and stood stiffly, moving to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Something. Anything. She'd been too nauseated to eat much the past few days. Staring at the cupboards, and into the refrigerator, a wave of nausea hit her with sudden ferocity. She barely made it to the bathroom in time.

Wiping the sweat off her brow, she stared at her pale reflection. <No fever, no chills. What is wrong with me?> She went back to the kitchen and put on the kettle. <Looks like tea and crackers again.>

It was with trepidation that she dressed for work. She was still tired, still somewhat nauseated but her desire to see Nick was overwhelming. She had to know if he was all right.

If he had forgiven himself.

****
The look in Nick's eyes when he sent her off to work was haunting. Those intense, green-gold eyes. The fear that he projected. Fear for her. Obviously he was more severely affected by the exorcism than either of them had admitted earlier. That frightened her more than anything.

How many more setbacks could he take? Moving on was a vampire's ultimate solution for a life that was spinning out of control. Natalie was not sure what she'd do when he did move on. He'd hinted about it often enough.

She was not ready to give up yet. Not by a long shot. Whatever it took, she wanted to be with him. She would even consider joining him in the darkness of eternal night.

****
Her scent lingered in the air for some time after she'd left. He saw the sadness in her eyes, but knew that one more minute together and he would give in to his urges.

His urge to take her was growing stronger. He wanted to consummate his love both as a man, and as a vampire. The man might have expressed his love, but the vampire had not. At least, not yet.

Better that he satisfy part of his desire before attempting to go back to work. With a sigh, he dialed the Raven and ordered a shipment. The human blood would satisfy his hunger but it would not ease his desire for her.

To know her. To share of her soul. To share his soul with hers.

Chapter Two

Another case, another setback. It seemed that every case lately pushed Nick farther away. He'd finally admitted her desires for her. That his craving was not simply any blood, but it was her blood.

Then he got sick, really sick.

Was this a step forward? Or was it a step back? Sometimes she wondered. At least it forced him to confront the issue of what he wanted in their relationship and admit it to her. Facing his own death in a very real sense made him more introspective. No longer did he have eternity. He had achieved mortality in a way although not in the way that either of them wanted.

The virus that plagued the vampire community crystallized the issue as nothing else could. He was finally talking to her. Telling her of his desires, his longings. He opened up to her as he never had before. While the fever brought them closer, it threatened to tear them apart. Forever.

Finding a cure for the virus would reveal her knowledge to the other vampires outside Nick's family. They had been successful in concealing her involvement for a long time. She would not allow a virus to tear them apart. She would rather the Enforcers find out about her. It was worth the risk. She wasn't sure if the favors she'd done would protect her. Nick had eluded to 'zero tolerance' whenever he'd mentioned them, which wasn't often. Her hope was that the price of her knowledge was to be crossed over... and not killed.

As it turned out, the cure was simpler than it seemed. LaCroix's words made it so simple. "So the killer is the cure. How ironic," he said smoothly, with a slight menacing tone.

"It seems so clear," Natalie murmured, mostly to herself. Shrugging off her coat, she began pulling bags out of the cooler. All were marked with large red and black stickers reading 'HIV positive'. She grabbed a handful of syringes, a few vials and the thick yellow gloves that she wore when working on known biohazards off the shelf. Drawing small quantities out of the large bag, she lined up the vials.

"Nick, come here. Let me draw a sample," she instructed. "I need to calculate a dose. It's not exactly practical to do it the way LaCroix did." She referred to the way LaCroix had drained Calvin. She was sure that a smaller quantity of the live HIV virus would counteract the fever. She was just not sure how much it would take.

With LaCroix watching intently, she drew Nick's blood with ease. For a few minutes, nothing was said as she mixed small amounts of Nick's blood with the donor blood and studied it under the microscope, making notations as she worked. LaCroix could see how comfortable she was with the entire situation. Well, Nick had said that she was working on a cure. He'd underestimated the skill of the young pathologist. She was a far cry from the alchemists and quacks that Nick had consulted over past centuries. The only sound was the centrifuge spinning the blood down.

"What are you doing doctor?" LaCroix finally asked. She seemed too casual. Too practiced.

"Figuring out how much will neutralize the infection. Finding a cure. A practical cure," she replied, not looking up. "One that you or Nick can give easily to the others." She glanced up, seeing the surprise cross his face. "I assume that you and Nick were not the only ones affected." She gazed at him calmly. Never before had she been so bold. Never before had she made it so clear to LaCroix that she knew of the others. That she knew of the community. Sure, she'd been pretty open with Janette. She could assume that the older vampire was fully aware of her knowledge, but for her to confess it directly took more guts than she thought possible.

"Why? Why not let us die?" he asked sarcastically. He was baiting her and he knew it. What better time to get her to admit what she really felt about vampires. If she was, as some feared, a danger to them, she would have an expressed dislike for vampires. She would be seeking to do harm, not cure them of a fatal illness. It was not the attitude that he thought probable, but it didn't hurt to ask.

She shrugged, turning away from the bench. "Who am I to decide that? I am a physician. I am sworn to help treat illness. I have the knowledge and means to treat you. So I will." She paused and looked at him straight in the eyes. For some reason she did not fear him. "Just remember this. I mean you, and the community no harm. I will use my knowledge of your physiology to assist whenever I can."

Nick looked at her, concern radiating. "Nat," he warned. It was not wise to reveal so much to LaCroix. Part of the reason that Natalie had been safe was that she'd not openly admitted her knowledge to anyone except Nick or Janette.

"What?" she replied sharply. "You don't think that he doesn't know about me?"

"Your friend is more perceptive than I'd given her credit," LaCroix remarked, thinking how well she would fit into the family. Yes, he needed to pay more attention to the young doctor. She would be an asset to the community. It was high time that she step deeper into the darkness that she flirted ever-so-closely with for the past six years. Perhaps if he removed the threat of prior agreements, Nicholas would formalize the relationship. Eventually that would serve as a catalyst for certain events to happen.

"So what will you do?" Nick asked softly. He was sure now that LaCroix would take his retribution.

"If what you fear is our agreement, do not concern yourself." Their eyes met silently. "I know what you are thinking. She is worthy of our attention. At the present time, I will merely observe. We will talk again."

Nick stared, questioning but unwilling to ask exactly the meaning of LaCroix's words. He wanted to hear it, but yet, didn't. Would this mean Enforcers?

Natalie stood between the two men, catching the non-verbal signals as well as the words. She would never understand the vibes that passed between the two vampires, their long past with a mix of love and hate, conflict and passion. Now was not the time to reveal her memories. That she knew what the agreement was. If either of them noticed her seeming lack of curiosity, nothing was said. That was a conversation she'd have with Nick alone.

"Nick, give me your arm," she said softly. Swabbing his elbow, she injected a small syringe of blood. The effects were immediate. He hung onto the steel table, feeling the coolness return, his energy soaring.

"Feel better?"

"Much," he smiled, his face lightening into the little boy exuberance the she loved.

Natalie stepped back, pulling a box off the shelf and began to fill the syringes from the centrifuged blood. Without looking up, she spoke clearly. "I concentrated the blood so that the viral load is heavier. It should take only one dose, but if they don't feel better quickly, give a second one. If you need to give more than that, I should probably have a direct sample of that person's blood so that I can titrate the dose properly. Unless you want to simply bring the person here." She handed the box to LaCroix, "Let me know if you need more."

"You will be well compensated for your services, doctor," he said solemnly.

"That is not necessary," she commented, her eyes meeting LaCroix's for a moment. LaCroix's steady gaze confirmed to her that her safety was assured. "I am only doing my job. But thank you." She watched as LaCroix left in a blur.

"Nat, I'm not sure that you should have let him know," Nick said softly. He'd gradually moved closer until he now stood directly behind her.

"He knew already," she murmured, turning to face him, her arms wrapped around his waist. "He was not fooled at Azure."

Nick pulled back, and looked at her in shock, "How? How do you know?"

"The memories came back slowly," she admitted. "Yes, I remember what he said. What you said. What you fear." She picked up his hand and held it tightly. "What your agreement is." She kissed his hand, twining her fingers with his. "I don't fear you. I never have. I don't fear him. He won't kill me. Not now."

"I hope you're right," Nick said softly. "I sincerely hope you're right."

"I know I'm right," she replied confidently. "Harming me would only serve to drive you farther away. It seems to me that you are his favorite obsession. Why would he want to alienate you?"

Nick pulled her tighter against him, marveling at how perceptive she was. "We need to talk. Can you book off?"

She nodded, staying within his embrace. There was nothing she'd *rather* do than to talk to him.

*****
Matching green glass bottles were set on the table behind the couch. His containing steer's blood, and hers was a vintage merlot. Nick had lit the fireplace and numerous candles.

Perhaps it reminded him of simpler times, but Natalie had noticed that Nick was much more talkative in the subdued light of candles. This was definitely a time that she wanted to keep him talking. From what LaCroix had said, her interpretation was that he was endorsing her relationship with Nick. At least he was no longer going to interfere.

"So," Nick began, sliding an arm around her shoulders.

"Yes?" she prompted, leaning against him.

"When I had amnesia, what I said was the truth, the absolute truth."

"I know," she commented. "I knew it then. I guess, what I want to know, is what you intend to do now?"

"What I intend to do?"

"Yes. If LaCroix is not going to interfere, what do you want?"

"He only said that he wouldn't interfere at this time," Nick pointed out. "I wouldn't count on that being a permanent arrangement."

"Then we need to make the most of the present, wouldn't you say?" she pulled his face closer to hers and kissed him gently. "I for one, am not going to look a gift horse in the face."

"I agree, absolutely." He rested his hand on her thigh, his voice husky. "For starters, no one will doubt that I love you," he sighed heavily. "I just wish I could show you."

"You did once," Natalie added.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" he asked bitterly. They'd made love only twice. The first time, he'd been so conscious of her safety that he'd deliberately held back. While making sure she'd enjoyed the experience, it had been less than fulfilling for him. Not that he'd *ever* tell her that. The second time, when he had amnesia, was far more satisfying for him as a man. The vampire was still not satisfied and he knew he couldn't risk it again.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said apologetically. "I'm not complaining, or pushing you. I just want you to know that I don't think that is the most important part of a relationship."

"What is important to you, then?"

"Companionship, romance," she said quickly. "We can show our love in other ways."

"It isn't the same. It isn't enough." He said vehemently.

"For you, or for me?" she questioned.

"For me," he admitted. "You are sacrificing so much for me. I don't want you to regret it later."

"That's my choice," she reminded him gently. "I don't tell you how to live your life. I don't want you to make decisions for me either."

"If you could?"

"Could what?"

"Tell me how to live my life," he prompted. "What would you tell me?"

"Hmmm. That's a hard one, Nick," she said thoughtfully. She was silent for a moment, sipping her wine."Are you saying of life in general? Do you want me to think global or practical?"

"Let's start with practical. I know that's easier for you. We'll talk philosophy later."

"OK," she agreed. "I've studied your philosophy extensively and I do have one suggestion."

"Which is?"

"Your diet," she began. She'd rehearsed this discussion in her mind many times, but had never known exactly how to bring it up.

"What about my diet?" he asked. "Do you have a new drink for me? The last one was actually drinkable, but it didn't do much for satisfying my hunger."

"I wouldn't figure that it would, Nick. I know you aren't going to believe that I'm saying this, but the protein drinks won't do much to nourish you. Neither will cow's blood. Basically, your diet isn't adequate," she explained. "You live in a constant state of starvation."

"So what are you saying? No more shakes?"

"For starters," she hesitated. "I was wrong when I said that the blood was what kept you from crossing over. So very wrong and I apologize. You need to drink human blood."

"Nat, I vowed never to kill," he replied firmly."

"You don't have to," she pointed out. "Blood banks are all voluntary donations. Some are contaminated, or expired. It would not be hard for me to get some for you. I'm sure that most of the Raven's stock is voluntary as well."

"I don't know, Nat. It would be such a drastic change for me. I've been drinking cow's blood for almost a century."

"Think about this, perhaps your control would be better if you weren't hungry. Maybe we could have that physical relationship that we both want."

"Strikes me as a pretty selfish reason," he commented.

"Think about it?"

"Yes, I'll think about it. So now that I've heard your practical suggestion, let's hear your philosophical one," he snuggled against her. "Ask me anything."

"I suppose the one thing I'd ask is why do you want to be mortal?"

"So I can live and love like a normal man," he said firmly.

"You can do that now," she commented.

"Not without killing you," he added, tightening his grip on her shoulders.

"Nick," she sighed. She was beginning to think he had a one-track mind. She only wanted him to publicly declare their relationship as a 'couple'. What did, or didn't happen in the bedroom was no one's business. "Other than sex, you *can* love like a normal man. Is that the only reason?"

"I want to atone for my sins."

"You do that every day, Nick," she pointed out patiently. "You do more good works than most mortal men. That's not even including your foundation."

"It isn't enough," he replied. "I was not always the man you know now."

"I *know* that Nick," she reassured him. "I know you once enjoyed all there is to being a vampire. That doesn't make me think any less of you as a man. The man I love is the sum of all those experiences. You've learned, grown and changed. Didn't you tell me once that forgiveness is earned here, among the living? Well, you're doing that." She reached over and kissed him lightly. "Is that all? Are those all the reasons that you want to be mortal?"

"One more. I want children." His voice was firm, determined.

"Children?" she asked hesitantly. This was the first time that he'd mentioned that desire.

"Yes, I want to be a father. I want to have a part in guiding future generations."

"Nick, we don't *know* if that's not already possible," she said calmly.

"Oh?" he asked quickly.

"Have you ever had a fertility workup?"

"Nat," he groaned. He'd avoided discussing the more explicit facets of vampire sexuality with her. It was so tied to the blood that to even discuss it was difficult around her.

"I'm serious. I know I've never analyzed your semen. Has anyone else?"

"No," he said emphatically. That was one body specimen he'd been careful not to give *anyone* in all the years he'd been seeking mortality.

"Then we don't know that you can't father a child. Right now," her voice was matter-of-fact, as if she was merely pondering the latest case, and not discussing something so close to his heart.

"So it is possible?"

"I can give you an educated maybe. Do you want me to investigate further?"

"What would that entail?" he asked. He was afraid to even raise his hopes.

"For starters, you'd have to give me a specimen. A fresh one. If your counts are good, then you decide if you want the umm, natural approach to fathering a child, or the technology assisted one." Her voice had taken on the professional, matter-of-fact tone that seemed so natural. It helped to hide the fact that her research regarding Nick's 'condition' was anything but the impartial science it had been when they started.

Draining his glass, Nick grasped her hand tightly. "Natalie, would you do it for me?"

She puzzled at his tone. "Of course. I just said that I'd look into it."

"Yes, yes, you did. That isn't what I'm asking," he sighed. Gathering both of her hands in his, he spoke again. "Would you be the mother of my child?" he asked quietly. "I know it's a lot to ask. We don't know the risks...."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'd be honored to bear your children. I can think of no greater gift that I could give you."

He drew her tighter into his embrace and met her kiss. Words alone would not express his feelings right now.

Chapter Three

The arrival of the Elders came as no surprise as word of the cure circulated through Toronto's vampire community. No one would say where the cure came from, merely that LaCroix had it at the Raven and that it worked. The fact that it came in a blood base made it more palatable than most thought any medicine could be. He claimed that it was his invention, his creation but those who doubted him said nothing.

Aaron and Joseph, the eldest of the elders arrived first. Both were well over four millennia and were seldom seen in public. Their attention was never good news and their arrival in Toronto caused many to seek other places to meet. No one wanted to know why they came, but were sure that the General's son had something to do with it.

Especially since they were quickly greeted by LaCroix and escorted to the private quarters. No one went into the General's private domain without an invitation.

"Lucien, so good to see you," Aaron said first, taking the offered goblet. "Ah, a very fine vintage. When did we last meet? London, perhaps? At the theater?"

LaCroix sat opposite him, his calm, smooth gaze between both men. "Greetings for you both. What brings you to my fair city? I thought you were in Paris."

"We've heard there was a strange illness taking lives of community members," Joseph explained casually. It was almost too casual. It was clear that they were here for a reason.

"Yes, indeed," LaCroix agreed. "A virus engineered by a mortal. It was intended to combat AIDS but had unforeseen effects when it got loose in the form of a lab rat."

"Hmmm, and where is this individual responsible for initiating this research?" Aaron asked carefully. He was certain that LaCroix would not tolerate this research continuing.

"I believe she is a resident of Mount Hope Cemetery, if I remember correctly." His cold, shark-like smile met their approving gaze. It was as they'd hoped.

"No longer among the living, I assume," Joseph stated in a questioning tone.

"Of course not," LaCroix replied indignantly. "Not our doing, I might add. Her assistant pushed her down the stairs. This same assistant met with an unfortunate accident at the hands of one of the research subjects, whom I then took care of. His demise was recorded as a consequence of advanced AIDS." He paused to swallow the contents of his crystal goblet. "It's good to have a friend in the coroner's office."

"Good, very good, Lucien," Joseph nodded. "A friend in the coroner's office, you say. How convenient."

"It is," LaCroix nodded. "The illness has been dealt with as well. I have in my possession an agent to counteract the virus."

"Indeed. We had heard as much. Where did this cure come from?"

"It was developed by an ally. You could, I suppose, call her the community's physician."

"A mortal?" Joseph asked swiftly.

"For now," he said with a shrug. "She has been working with my son for several years. A remarkable woman."

" Do you have you any doubts about her loyalty?" Aaron questioned.

"Absolutely no doubts. She has assisted us willingly on more than one occasion. She would be a fine member of the community," LaCroix declared.

"Then why is she not?" Joseph responded. He had never known the general to hesitate when selecting progeny. If this woman met with his approval, it stood to reason that she'd have already been converted.

"Nicholas," he said with a resigned tone. While some of Nick's more recent emotional outbursts led him to think it possible that his son was returning to the fold, this was not assured. Nor did it mean that he'd bring his friend across.

"Does not want to do it," Aaron commented. This came as no surprise to either of them. They knew only too well of deBrabant's foolish quest. Everyone in the community knew of it.

"That doesn't explain why you have not converted her," Joseph questioned.

"I have thought about it," LaCroix responded thoughtfully, sipping his blood-wine. "It has been a more serious thought of late and I wonder if Nicholas is reconsidering the possibility. I am merely giving him the opportunity to take care of it. If he moves on without her, I have every intention of taking her for my own. She is a very strong woman."

"We don't think it should wait," Joseph commented

Aaron nodded in agreement. "We would like to meet her. We had heard that a mortal woman was involved with the Toronto community. This is not a good precedence." His voice was firm. Draining his goblet and setting it on the desk, he took an aura of command. "We need to interview her. If we deem her worthy, she will be converted." Pulling out an embossed card, he handing it to LaCroix. "Bring her to this address tomorrow night by midnight. We don't care how you get her there but we want her alive and able to communicate. You may observe. We may require your assistance."

LaCroix nodded. He knew better than to question the high council. He could only hope that the good doctor would be as cooperative. "What about Nicholas?"

"We will summon him personally," Joseph replied, standing to reach across the desk to shake LaCroix's hand. "I look forward to meeting the good doctor."

Chapter Four

Having a rare evening off, Natalie programmed her CD player and prepared for a quiet evening of reading. Nick was at work. It was unlikely that she'd see him tonight. He was recovered from the fever but on top of the possession, he had not returned to normal. He was supposed to bring her the specimen to examine on her next night at work. Amidst much embarrassment on his part, he'd explained how closely tied human blood was to his ability to actually give her the semen. For that reason, they'd decided that their efforts to create a child would need medical science. He was absolutely convinced that she would not survive.

Her nausea had abated somewhat but the fatigue had not. Rest and relaxation was just what she needed. Setting a mug of tea and a plate of cheese and crackers by the phone, she curled up with a stack of journals. It might not be the most exciting reading, but this would be the perfect time to catch up of the latest in forensic pathology. Not to mention the fact that she needed to look back on her calendar and try to reconstruct her monthly cycle. She'd never really paid much attention, but if they were going to succeed in conceiving a child, she would need to know when it would be optimal.

It was then that she felt him. A cool breeze coming from the patio door. She was not alone. Looking toward the door, she saw the tall, darkly clad figure. "LaCroix? What do you want?"

"We have business, doctor," he said firmly.

"Oh? If you need more doses, I can work on it Thursday night. I'm off for the next couple nights." She leaned back, sipping her tea.

"That's not it. Your presence has been requested by the High Council," he stated, moving closer. "I will be escorting you."

"If I refuse?" she asked softly. This did not sound like something that she really wanted to do. If they could order *him* around, she did not want to see what they could do to her.

"Not a wise idea," he cautioned. "Not if you value your health. Not even I would have the audacity to refuse an audience with the council."

"Is that a threat?" she asked calmly. "Am I in danger?"

"My dear Dr. Lambert, I do not threaten. I act," he stated. "I have no reason to cause you harm. That would, after all, cause much distress to Nicholas. I will caution you that if you refuse to come with me, you are, indeed in grave danger."

She looked at him curiously. Yes, they had met on several occasions, much to her consternation. He was not her favorite person. While he usually seemed so menacing and was not terribly friendly to her on any occasion, tonight he was radiating concern for her. If he was concerned about her, then this was a threat to be taken seriously.

"All right, let me get my coat," she sighed. Meeting a group of vampires in the sweatshirt and scrub pants that she wore for lounging was not her idea of proper attire, but she doubted he'd wait for her to change clothes. Shrugging on her heaviest jacket, she met him at the patio door. Before she could blink, he'd lifted her and flown into the night.

They landed at a cinderblock building in an industrial area west of the city. She straightened her jacket, and ran her hands through the tangled mess that was her hair.

"Come. They are waiting," LaCroix urged.

They entered a large, sparsely furnished room. It was seemingly empty except for a semi-circle of straight-back chairs. A lone spotlight illuminated a single chair that had a small tray table beside it. LaCroix led her to the chair, and gently urged her to sit. Standing behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders, he gazed around the room.

"I have done as you requested. I have brought Dr. Lambert to be interviewed," he announced.

Slowly, shadowy figures began to emerge and join her in the semi-circle. Several carried crystal goblets and she could see green glass bottles on the tray tables behind their chairs. So, she was right. She was being 'interviewed' by vampires. This did not bode well. She could see five men, all looking to be in their late 40s. She could only guess how old they *really* were.

"Dr. Lambert, it is truly a pleasure to meet you." The man in the center chair, a tall imposing figure with graying hair spoke first.

"Well, I'd say it was a pleasure to meet you as well, but since you have not introduced yourself first...." She spoke with a hint of sarcasm and annoyance. They might have demanded her presence, but she could insist upon some common courtesy. In her mind she was re-living her first surgical rotation as an intern. She could picture the senior cardiac surgeon's merciless grilling on rounds. Show no fear. That was the ultimate lesson and it was one she'd learned well.

"Ah, such spirit," he smiled coldly. "You may call me Aaron. From left we have Martin, Joseph, Samuel and Thomas. You are Dr. Natalie Lambert, medical examiner for the city of Toronto."

"Yes," she nodded. "Now that we've been properly introduced, why have you brought me here?"

"It was time." A voice was heard from the shadows. Natalie could not see who had spoken, but it was a voice of command.

"Time?" she asked, looking between the impassive faces.

"Yes, time that we met you," Aaron confirmed. "Since you came here unrestrained, may we assume that you know General Lucius?"

"Sort of," she hesitated. "I mean, yes, we've met. I've listened to his show but I'd scarcely call that knowing him." She wasn't sure how much detail she should reveal. Nick had always emphasized the need for secrecy with her and he'd been unhappy that she'd been so honest with LaCroix.

"Touché, a very honest answer. Tells us much, but yet, does not tell us exactly what we asked."

"What you thought you asked," she said softly. "You forget. I'm used to being cross-examined. Any defense attorney will tell you that you have to ask very specific questions. If you want a straight answer, ask a straight question." She knew exactly what they ere trying to determine. She knew it. They knew it.

"Lucien, you did not warn us," Aaron commented. "This might be more amusing than we'd planned."

"I did say that she is a very strong woman," LaCroix agreed. He knew that the verbal games with Natalie would be a joy.

"Very well. Doctor, you know *of* the General?" Aaron inquired smoothly. Their interviews were unscripted but conducted with the intent of determining how much an individual knew, how they learned it, and what they intended to do with the knowledge.

"Yes, I have known of him for almost six years but we first met two years ago." She felt his fingers tighten on her shoulders. She'd have bruises there for sure. "Yes, LaCroix, I remember our dinner together at Azure. Even with the drugs, your hypnotism has worn off. I remember everything."

The elders passed a non-verbal warning glance at her words. So, she was a resister. Even to one as skilled as the general. It reassured them that proper precautions had been attempted. Evidently, she'd not told him that her memories had returned so she knew the value of discretion.

"So you know *what* he is?" Martin asked. So far, they'd skirted around the issue. Time to get serious.

"Yes. I do. I know his deep, dark, mysterious side," Natalie replied, making eye contact with each of the men. "I know it is not something that one discusses in public." Taking a deep breath, she continued, "therefore, I know was all of you are, as well. I know that any of you could kill me before I would have a chance to react. Please, let us keep this civilized. I will answer your questions as best I can. I promise total honesty." She looked at the impassive faces that stared back at here. "Is that acceptable?"

"Quite," Aaron agreed. He was enjoying the verbal sparring. It had been a long time since he'd met a mortal that was this much of a challenge. This interview was likely to be more interesting than usual. For a change, their intervention would not have its usual fatal conclusion. That much had pretty much been decided before they began. That didn't mean that they would not instill in her a healthy respect for the Code and the Community's hierarchy. "Very well, since you have confirmed our first question, let us move on. You know Nicholas Knight?"

"Yes, I have known Nick for six years,"

"How well do you know him?" he could sense, very faintly that there was something unusual about this woman. Her strength was much more than the average mortal.

"Very well," she said with a rising blush. From the intent stares, she felt exposed. It was as if they knew.

"Intimately?" Aaron asked solemnly.

"Yes," she breathed softly, acutely aware of LaCroix's tight grip on her shoulders.

"Thus, you also know what he is?" Joseph asked. It was rare that a vampire could have a sexual relationship without revealing himself, and from her expression, it seemed unlikely that he'd hidden anything.

"Yes," she admitted clearly.

"Has he ever taken your blood?" Aaron inquired. The aura was faint, but she carried a barely perceptible level of the vampire's scent. How she got it was yet to be determined. From what they knew of him, Nick was unlikely to have exchanged blood with her or taken her blood directly.

"No," she said quickly. "At least, not that I'm aware of." She noted the questioning looks they'd exchanged. Did they know something that she did not?

"Has he ever given you his blood?" he asked carefully. He could tell that their relationship had gone well beyond friendship. How far beyond was yet another item for their agenda.

"To examine?"

"We'll discuss that later. What I am asking is this: have you ever ingested his blood?"

"Yes, once," she explained. "When he thought me dying..." she'd never verbalized what she'd seen as she hovered near death from an anesthesia overdose when her heart had almost been harvested in a black market organ donation ring. Seemingly floating above her body, she'd seen him leaning over her, dripping blood from his wrist into her mouth. She'd then gone back into her body. It was another thing that they had not discussed even when she thought Nick to be dying from the fever. She didn't know how to bring it up. Since that time, they'd shared a strange connection, almost a mental awareness of each other at least when they were in close proximity. She wasn't aware of him now, but she knew they were on the opposite side of Toronto.

"But he did not bring you across?" Martin puzzled.

"No, he didn't," she confirmed. "That doesn't surprise me. He views himself as damned. If he loves me, he is not going to damn me as well." She tried to keep her voice even, not show the disappointment that she'd felt in his denying her for so many years. He didn't understand that she did not share his opinion of immortality, or her willingness, desire to be one with him. Only once, on that fateful Valentine's Day, had he dropped the barriers to her completely. It took another two years, and Nick getting shot to get him to the point where he'd admit his love. The conversations of the past week were too fresh in her mind. While he readily professed his love, he avoided any discussion of the eventual problem of her aging while he did not or any of the other issues they'd face.

"How did you meet?" Joseph asked, focusing her attention in a different direction. That was the common tactic. They would return to previous topics if one of them felt it important.

Natalie took a deep breath before continuing. She had not yet determined just how much trouble she was in. While Nick spoke of Enforcers with obvious fear, he had never mentioned Elders. Was this worse? "I suppose you could call it within a professional capacity."

"Go on," Joseph prompted.

"He was injured in an explosion. Killed. As part of the police investigation, he was brought to the morgue."

"And he was unconscious?"

"Yes, but he woke up shortly after I unzipped the body bag."

"What did he do then?"

"He sat up, jumped off the table and drank some blood from the cooler."

"Did he speak to you at all?"

"Just to say that he was something very different from me."

"Did he say what?"

"Yes, he said that he was a vampire," she sighed, remembering their first meeting. "Then he told me to forget that he'd ever been there."

"But you didn't forget him?"

"Uh no," she hesitated briefly. "Well, I did for a short time. It was long enough to get my assistants in trouble for losing a body. I bumped into him in the parking lot the next night and I remembered everything."

"You've been friends ever since?"

"Yes, and co-workers. He works as a homicide detective and I cover his division."

"You are also his doctor?"

"Well, yes. Someone has to sign the department's annual physical exam report. Not to mention the fact that he has a nasty habit of getting in the way of small projectiles that can perforate him." She heard laughs circulate the room at that comment. "I remove them, patch him up. I'm probably the only M.E. who keeps a pint of O negative in her emergency kit. I've pulled bullets out of Janette as well." She noticed the uncomfortable looks that circulated at the mention of the vampiress's name. Was that forbidden knowledge as well?

"You also do experiments on him?" Aaron spoke firmly, expecting her to deny it.

"Yes, I do. I've been studying his physiology," she replied, matter-of-fact. "He, uh, does not want to be what he is, and I am trying to find a way to cure him."

"Cure him?" Martin spat out, a look of anger rising.

"Martin," Aaron spoke low, warning. "Dr. Lambert, your efforts certainly have scientific merit. Removing projectiles is viewed in a much different light than trying to alter him. Indeed, I do not believe that anyone, and certainly no other mortal, has done such a thorough study of our physiology. To refer to it as a cure is unacceptable. We are not a disease to be cured."

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to offend. That is just how Nick referred to our efforts at the beginning. I've never given it another term."

"You were made aware of the dangers in the pursuit of this knowledge?"

"Regularly," she confirmed. "Before I started, and frequently since. Most of what I've learned has been by observation. Nick is not very talkative about his condition."

"Good. He shouldn't be." Joseph said firmly.

"Where is this research kept?" Thomas broke in. He'd been silent through the previous discussion.

"In my evidence locker in my office. I have the only key." She looked between the five still faces. "Is this a cease and desist warning?"

"Somehow I doubt that she would listen to that, at least not from me. You might have more success," LaCroix commented from his post behind her.

"Ah, general, you were aware of her work?" Aaron questioned, focusing his attention at the tall vampire standing at the edge of the spotlight. Taking a deep breath to collect her thoughts, Natalie drank from the water glass that was set by her chair. She had determined early on that hiding the truth about her knowledge and activities would only hurt in the long run. That didn't mean that it was easy to talk about it.

"Of course," he replied confidently. "Since there is no way back, I let her indulge Nicholas's fantasy. Besides which, he is less apt to do something foolish like walking into the sun if he has some degree of hope in the future."

"You saw no danger in her growing body of knowledge?" Samuel questioned. It struck him as unusual that a man so experienced in their law and culture would condone questionable actions such as this.

"No, I don't. In have been fully aware of what she is doing and why. I have been watching her, and Nicholas as well."

"Have you any cause to doubt her loyalties?" Joseph asked. It was not the first time that they'd asked that particular question. If this was an act, they would know eventually.

"No. If I'd had any doubts, she would not be here today." He paused to make eye contact with each of the men. "She has assisted us in many ways."

"Yes, we have heard," Martin spoke from his seat in the corner of the group. "Dr. Lambert, you have altered autopsy reports?"

"Not exactly," she admitted. "Omitting information is not the same thing as altering data."

"Very well. I stand corrected," he nodded. "Have you filed incomplete autopsy reports?"

"Yes," she agreed.

"Risked your professional reputation?"

"Yes," she whispered. Taking a deep breath, she looked around the circle. "I'm not totally naïve. I know that I'm being watched. If one of my colleagues noted punctures or blood loss, it wouldn't matter. But if I did, knowing what I know, I'd fear for my life."

"Relax, doctor," Aaron spoke calmly. "We are well aware of the debt owed you by the Community. At the present time, we merely want to understand you better." He leaned back in his chair, studying her outwardly calm appearance. Her racing heart steadied as she focused on him. "You are an intriguing woman."

"Indeed," LaCroix agreed. "She is a challenge, wouldn't you say?"

Aaron smiled coldly. That was one thing that they would all agree upon. "Why? Why cover for us?"

"Because," she hesitated before continuing. "Why call attention to something that is not in your jurisdiction?" she questioned in a more confident tone. "I had my written, official reports that I would file for the police. Then there was what I would tell Nick."

"He would tell me, or Janette before me, and it would be taken care of," LaCroix interrupted.

"This does not compromise your sense of justice?" Samuel asked, glancing between the two of them.

"No, justice would be served," she replied. "I knew that it would be handled, that the killer would be punished appropriately. That's my job. My basic philosophy is not changed by the fact that I know of laws others do not. Okay, so it meant that a few cases would go into the unsolved files at the department. My job is to find the information so that a killer may be found and that still happened. It didn't matter which jurisdiction." She took a drink of water and focused on Aaron, as he seemed to be the one that seemed to be leading the interview. "Look, I may not know all of your rules, but it seems to me that discretion is important. Nick has always stressed secrecy with me. Leaving evidence in plain sight doesn't seem very intelligent. I know what is in those green bottles. I am not so naïve to think that it always came in a bottle. I know that you would prefer it warm and from the source."

"And yet, you tell Nicholas to abstain?" LaCroix asked, puzzled.

"Abstain from killing, yes," she confirmed.

"From drinking human blood?"

"That is his choice," she said swiftly, turning slightly to face him. "The cow blood is his idea. He was feeding on cow's blood long before we met. Long before I was born for that matter. Yes, I have provided him with some alternative nutrition, at his request. I've studied his metabolism in some detail, how his cells are nourished with blood of different species. I know that human blood is the best nutrition for him. I could prescribe it for him, but I'm not sure he'd comply any more than he did when I was giving him protein shakes. It is his choice to seek mortality. Not mine. I am his physician. It is not my place to tell him what decisions to make."

"If it was your choice?" Aaron probed.

"Since we started this project, my priorities have changed, as has my understanding of his physiology and psyche." She sighed and met his intense gaze directly. "He does not want to kill. I understand that. I want him to have peace of mind. To him, that means atoning for all the lives that he took, and to live as a mortal. I may not agree with his methodology, but I try to understand. I have stopped nagging him about the quantity of blood his consumes. Near starvation is not what I had in mind, and that is what he was doing."

"That still does not answer the question," Aaron persisted. "What would your choice be?"

"To be with him," she said simply.

"You would become a vampire if he asked you?" Martin asked. That it would soon be a moot question was not the point. At this stage of the interview, her basic feeling about vampirism was more the question.

"Yes," she nodded solemnly.

"If he didn't, if he chose to move on without you. What will you do?"

"I don't know," she replied. It was the truth. One that she feared every time he seemed more depressed than the norm. It was less of an issue now that LaCroix had endorsed their relationship but not completely out of the question.

Chapter Five

Two nights had passed since his intense, soul-searching conversation with Natalie. Nick was still in shock that she'd agreed to find a way to bear him a child. As much as they loved one another, this would push them into another level. One that he hoped would lead to marriage.

It was disconcerting though that he'd not heard from Natalie. That was unusual. Even if she was working, she'd call to 'check in'. He needed to find a reason to go to the coroner's building. There was always an unsolved that he could dredge up. He'd promised to bring his sample over tonight. She had said that it needed to be 'fresh', so he'd waited for a night that she was on duty and had intended to see her at lunch.

For a change, he'd had a quiet week. They'd not had any homicide calls, so there were no scenes where they'd meet, nor were there new cases to call about. Tracy had kept him busy with paperwork, much to his dismay. She paid closer attention to his whereabouts than Schanke ever did. Ever since their last reprimand for going separate ways mid-shift, she'd become obsessed with knowing where he was going and why. It made it harder to simply sneak over to the morgue.

What he found even stranger was the LaCroix was running tapes. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not and the possibility frightened him. Had his master reneged on his promise? That seemed unlikely. LaCroix never broke his word. He might find a loophole that would make any bargain skew toward his own advantage, but he did not blatantly break agreements. It was a comfort to think that he'd specifically promised that he would leave Natalie alone.

Tracy watched her partner from across their desks. He was lost in a fog again. He could be so distracted sometimes. Even when he was there, in the precinct, he seemed to have his mind elsewhere. Yet, when it counted, he was there. He'd given her respect, trust and backed her up even when she'd been careless. He'd saved her from some ugly situations and at the same time seemed to understand her struggles to break from her father's shadow.

"Nick? Hello?" she tossed a pencil across the desk at him.

"Oh, uh, what?" he asked, startled.

"I said, are you taking Natalie to the department Christmas party?"

"Umm, I don't know. We haven't talked about it. Why?"

"Just curious, Nick. You've been in such a fog lately. I thought there might be something that you weren't telling me." She watched him closely, trying to determine where his mind had been this time. If she were a betting woman, she'd put her money on it being in a basement lab over on Grenville.

"You are an incurable romantic," he teased. "You are just sure that Dr. Lambert is the reason for my every mood. That she and I...."

"Make a cute couple," she interjected. "You do. Go on, you've been itching to go over there for some reason, any reason. Ask her to the party. You'll have fun."

He flashed her a lopsided grin. It was true. He had been looking for an excuse to ask Natalie to the party... and he did want to see her. He was not sure if there was a reason for her silence. She had promised to give him time to recover from the fever's after-effects, but now he was concerned. "I don't know, Trace."

"You know you want to," Tracy said confidently. "It's quiet here. I'll call you if I need anything or if we get a call. Go talk to her."

****
Natalie stared at the plate. On another day, perhaps, the pate and caviar would seem marvelous. Right now, the champagne and rich food simply made her more nauseated. The fact that her period was way overdue did not help matters. Dealing with that around a group of male vampires was enough to give her indigestion.

Her nausea had steadily increased as the interrogation progressed. They'd been fairly polite to her, provided her with simple meals and water, even a bed and change of clothing to rest for the day.

As the interview progressed, stretched into a second day, the discussions became more in depth, more revealing of her own desires. It frightened her how they were ever-so-skillfully peeling away the layers of her defenses. Getting her to reveal things that she'd not said in years. Not thought about. Not wanted to remember.

"Not hungry, Dr. Lambert?" Aaron asked, drinking deeply from a stemmed goblet. "I thought something more festive was in order today. After all, very few mortals have ever made it to a second session with us."

Natalie took a cracker, making no comment to his last statement. Refusing to take the bait. Some things she did not want to know. "Umm, it looks wonderful, but too rich. Tea and crackers would suit me fine."

LaCroix looked at her sharply. He'd seen some of the meals the Nick had catered for his mortal friend. Even from his perch, sitting above the skylight, he could tell. Simple they were not.

"Then you are ready to continue our discussion?"

She turned to him wearily, "Aaron, what is the real reason that you've kept me here? I don't think there is much of my life that you don't know already. I do have to work tonight."

"Oh, don't worry about that. We have you on a sick leave," Samuel commented, taking his place in the circle.

"Nick will look for me," Natalie added.

"Let him. He won't find you until we are ready," Thomas smirked.

"OK, ready for what?" she asked with a touch of impatience.

"It is time," a solemn voice added from the shadows. The other vampires parted to allow a tall, white haired man with piercing black eyes to approach her.

Natalie looked at him, a chill running down her back. "Time?" she whispered. That was the same phrase, the same voice, that they'd used to begin this entire discussion.

"You are entirely too perceptive, Dr. Lambert. You know too much and surmised even more. You have proven yourself resistant to the mind control of even a master vampire. You have gained a level of knowledge and understanding of our world that is unacceptable."

She felt LaCroix's arms snake around her waist, restraining her in a standing position, before the man's piercing gaze.

"Your cooperation in this interview has been most appreciated. Based on your testimony and your most recent service to the community, we have reached a verdict." He paused, watching Natalie grasp LaCroix's hands tighter.

"Verdict? I didn't know I was on trial."

"Only members of the community are to know about us in the detail which you do," Aaron said firmly. The other Elders all stood to form a tight circle around her.

"There are three ways in which we handle those mortals who learn our secrets," Thomas spoke carefully, expressionlessly. "One, their memories are removed. That is something that you are remarkably resistant to. Therefore, this would be an inappropriate action on our part."

"Two, they are killed, along with that vampire who was responsible for their knowledge," Martin said solemnly.

"Three, they become one of us," Joseph added with the barest hint of a smile.

"It is the judgment of this council of Elders that you will join our community without delay," Aaron stated, his voice solemn and his expression calm as he watched Natalie for a reaction.

Natalie looked back at LaCroix and then to the others, all silent and unquestioning. "What if I say no?" she asked in a clear voice. "Or simply don't come back?" That she knew the process involved was something they'd already discovered. She knew that ultimately, it was her choice to return as a vampire.

They exchanged hard glares. "If you die, Dr. Lambert, Nicholas will die as well," Aaron commented. He was surprised at her question. If anything, he'd thought that she was ready and willing to come across. "Only his death will be a lot more prolonged and painful than yours."

"You have until sunset tonight to prepare yourself," the dark man proclaimed. His tone and mannerisms told her that there could be no argument. "Do not think that you can escape during daylight hours. We will find you if you leave here, and then you have forfeited your choice. In that case, however, you will be witness to Nicholas's death prior to your own."

Chapter Six

Nick walked into the lab with growing fear. Usually he could sense her heart beat as soon as he entered the building. Today, he heard nothing, sensed nothing of her presence. Her car was not in the parking lot.

The lights were off. The pile of mail untouched. Her appointment calendar still sat on Thursday. She had not been here in three nights. He knew she'd had at least one night off duty, but he swore that she was scheduled tonight.

Walking swiftly down the hallway to the break room, he saw one of Natalie's assistants. "Jill? Seen Natalie tonight?" he called out.

"Oh, hi, Detective," she turned to face him. "She called in sick."

"Sick?" he questioned.

"Yeah, and we were getting a little concerned." She looked at him curiously. Evidently the department gossip was not quite accurate if he did not know anything about Natalie's illness. "A man called to book her off. She's been out a couple days with the flu." She paused for a moment to study his reaction. "We thought it was you calling her in. Guess not, eh?"

"No, it wasn't me." He replied grimly. <But I will be finding out who it was> he thought to himself.

****
The others had left Natalie alone with LaCroix in the barren main room. He quietly led her back to the small room that held her bed, as he'd done the morning before. It was a simply furnished room, with a bed and small lamp, and little else. Like the rest of the building there were no windows.

She sat on the edge of the bed and sighed heavily. She knew what she must do, what would happen that evening. Sleep was the last thing on her mind. LaCroix started to leave when she looked up.

"Don't go. Please," she patted the bed next to her. "Talk to me."

"Very well," he agreed and sat at the other end of the bed. "Are you so reluctant?" he asked softly.

"No, I'm willing to cross over and for more reasons than simply to be with Nick, although that is part of my thinking. I just wanted to know what my options really were," she said in a low, firm voice. "Please don't tell Nick until I have a chance to talk to him. He'd think this as the ultimate betrayal."

"Of course," he agreed. He knew all about his son's guilt laden psyche and she was absolutely correct. The only difference being that she was able to communicate with him like no one else.

"I'm just a little nervous, that's all." She admitted. "Who will do it? I've seen a little of what the bond to one's master entails, and that makes me even more nervous. Will I have any say?"

"I believe you could have some choice, but it will be limited to those of us present." LaCroix was thoughtful. "I believe Nicholas is being summoned tonight to be interviewed as well, but I'm not sure that they'll bring him here. In view of his recent difficulties, I'm not sure that he's prepared to bring you across himself. With a proper meal and some coaching, he could be persuaded if that is what you wish. It won't be very private though. Be aware that I am not convinced that the council would allow it. I think it will depend what he says when they meet with him."

Natalie looked away and said quietly, "I think I can face some things about Nick that he'd never admit to me directly. He hasn't had much experience with new vampires. From what he's told me, he doesn't have a very good track record in conversions."

"You are correct, Natalie, he doesn't. It takes patience and self-control to successfully convert someone. It is more than simply the act of bringing one across. That is merely the tip of the iceberg, and I'm afraid he's not mastered those abilities. It is not to say that he could not, simply that he hasn't previously," he confirmed. Her insight surprised him. She truly knew more that was safe for any mortal ~ at least any mortal who intended to stay that way.

"If they won't let him do it, will you?" she asked abruptly, looking at him directly.

He was silent for a moment, the shock evident in his expression. This was precisely what he'd dreamed of that night at Azure but he could not believe that she actually was asking him. "You really want to bind yourself to me? The Elders will convert you and free you. Leave you to find your way on your own. No ties. No commitments. I will not. If I am your master, I will be with you, mind and body for eternity."

"That's okay," she leaned over to take his hand loosely. "I've seen how you care for Nick and Janette. They may not see it the same way, but I know that you love them in your own way. You would protect them no matter what. I've been thinking of coming to you for guidance. I figured you might be able to persuade Nick to bring me across before he had to move on, but I wasn't sure if you'd agree, or if Nick would forgive me if I did. I'm afraid he'd see it as we were ganging up on him."

He shut his eyes and breathed deeply, feeling her warmth acutely, allowing her rapid heart beat to wash over him. She was nervous, but had remained outwardly calm. A good trait. Yes, she would fit into his family quite well. "Yes, Natalie. Yes, I will bring you across." He met her steady gaze, gripping her hand tightly. "You could have come to me at any time. I would not have betrayed your trust. As to Nicholas's reactions, I do believe that he would get over it soon enough. He would be angry, at least at the beginning, but I've experienced his anger often enough."

****
Her apartment was dark, quiet. The persistent meow of her cat and several days of untouched mail that filled her box greeted him.

"Okay, okay, Sydney.." he murmured to the cat as he stepped carefully into the living room. "Where's the food? You show me where it is, and I'll feed you." He followed Sydney into the kitchen and opened cupboards until he found the stacked cans of cat food. "So where's mommy?" he asked as he scraped the contents into a dish and then filled the water dish.

It was obvious that she'd not been home for some time and had left suddenly. Natalie was very careful to have people lined up to take care of Sydney whenever she went out of town, a habit that made Nick certain that she'd not planned this departure. He was not even sure that she'd gone voluntarily.

As he looked around the apartment one thing was apparent. Her purse and briefcase sat on the kitchen table. Nothing was missing.

Nothing but her.

****
The Raven was quiet. Jazz music reverberated around the dark room from the stereo system. It was too early for the vampire clientele to be seeking the companionship of the club, and it was too cold for most humans. Nick strode across to the bar and nodded to the bartender, taking the glass offered silently.

"Marcus, where is he?" he asked, casting out his senses. He could tell that LaCroix was not in the club, but he could not tell where he was.

"Who?" Marcus asked, wiping the shining surface of the bar absently. It was a game they played. He knew that the boss's son came into the club only when he was in need of information. Why make it easy?

"Who do you think? LaCroix. Where is he?"

Marcus shrugged. "Don't know. He said he had urgent business. He didn't say where."

"Do you know with whom he was meeting?"

"He didn't say. I can tell you that there were a couple of scary looking guys in here middle of last week. They had him in conference all night. He left Thursday and I haven't seen him since."

"That doesn't worry you?"

"No. He called yesterday and said he was unavoidably delayed. Told me which tapes to run. He didn't say when he'd be back."

"You're sure you don't know where he is? Or who those guys were?"

"Nope. I didn't ask either. It's not my business." He looked at Nick curiously. "You could find him yourself."

"I've tried. He's blocking me," Nick sighed. He dropped a few bills on the bar. "Thanks. You'll let him know I'm looking for him?"

"You bet," Marcus agreed, pocketing the money as Nick strode across the room. He had another source to check.

Flying over to the abandoned church that was the primary residence of his source within the younger members of the community, Nick continued to scan his senses for his sire. It was a futile effort. If LaCroix did not want to be found, he wouldn't be.

Landing in the shadows, Nick scanned the area for Tracy's car, her scent. While Tracy knew of Vachon, she did not know that her partner was also a vampire. That was not something that Nick was eager to change at any time soon.

He could hear the strains of Spanish guitar coming from the upper level of the church. Vachon was a gifted musician and had he not had business, he would have stayed outside and listened longer. The music stopped as soon as Nick slid the door open. His presence must have been detected, as Vachon was standing at the top of the stairs.

"Knight? What's up?" he asked, seeing who his visitor was. They'd developed a loose friendship over the past year, mostly because of their relationship with Tracy. It had started more as a confrontation as Nick had unleashed the power of his 800 years to intimidate Vachon into staying in Toronto to protect Tracy. The tensions had eased as the men got to know each other better. He'd been the first one that Nick had taken the cure for the fever to.

"Just a few questions. I'm hoping you can help. You're better connected to the community right now. I need to hear the word on the street," he explained, following Vachon to the small, candlelit balcony.

"I'll try," Vachon agreed. "You have better connections than I do, you just don't use them."

"Natalie has disappeared and I think LaCroix took her somewhere," Nick said grimly.

Vachon brushed the hair back from his face and looked at the older vampire in surprise, "Why would he do that?"

"Long story," Nick sighed. "I don't think you want to hear 800 years of family fights."

"Wouldn't be my first choice," Vachon agreed. Like most of the community, he knew of Nick's quest for mortality. If he was anyone but LaCroix's son, he would be shunned, but the younger vampires had a strange respect for the way he fought his sire's domination. "So how can I help?"

"Marcus said he was in conference last week with some scary looking guys. Do you know who?"

"Not exactly," he shook his head. "But I heard that the high council came to town. No one has seen them though." He watched the look of horror that crossed Nick's face.

"They're interviewing Natalie," he said softly but with certainty. His voice reflected the pain in his heart. "I knew that the cure would get us in trouble."

"Wait a minute. *She* developed the cure?" Vachon looked at him with surprise. For a mortal to have that great an understanding of them was incredibly dangerous.

"Yes, and LaCroix knew. He was the main distributor, but Natalie supplied it," Nick said in a resigned tone.

"Not good Knight. Not good. How long has she been missing?" Vachon shook his head.

"Two days..." he replied. "You know what happens when the council intervenes with a mortal?"

"Yeah. It's worse than the Enforcers," Vachon commented with a shudder. There were few things that could strike fear into a vampire, but attracting the attention of the Enforcers or worse, yet, the Elders definitely did. "I hope your affairs are in order, Knight. I'll give my condolences to your partner."

"I've never heard of it taking more than a day," Nick observed.

"Maybe they'll let her go," Vachon said with a thoughtful look. He'd always thought that Knight's girlfriend would do quite well as a vampire and had never understood why he didn't bring her across. He'd even thought of offering to do it himself, since Knight obviously wouldn't. The fear of how Knight would react had kept those thoughts to himself. His violent temper was well known.

"Let her go?" Nick questioned with a startled glance. "Vachon, the only way that would happen is if she was brought across."

"Exactly. You better take some supplies to her apartment. Not that swill that you drink. Get some of the Raven's best blends." He pushed aside a wooden lid to reach into a large box and pulled out two glass bottles sporting gold labels. "My gift to her. She'll need it."

****
Cradling the bottles in the crook of his elbow, Nick pushed open the elevator door. Someone was approaching. He felt the tremors that only came from very powerful vampires. Setting the bottles on the kitchen table and lighting the candles on top of the piano, he waited.

"Nicholas de Brabant," a low sonorous voice sounded from the roof. So the visitors weren't going to simply 'drop in' like most members of the community did when coming to his loft.

Rising quickly, Nick flew through the skylight. "You called?" he said solemnly, facing the three cloaked men who stood before him.

"We have business," the tallest one announced. "I am Joseph, and this is Martin, and Thomas. We are members of the Council of Elders. Do you know why we are here?"

"I would guess that it has something to do with the fever," he admitted.

"In part," Joseph acknowledged. "Yes, that is one reason. We have been watching you and your activities. You have a habit of putting yourself in situations that could call attention to us."

Nick nodded. "I am aware of that. I've been lucky. I know how far I can push things, and I have always moved on before it became dangerous." He knew only too well that he was not going to escape scrutiny forever. His best defense at this point was to cooperate and hope that they'd not caught up with Natalie yet. Feeling the cold wind whip across the lake, he was reminded that it was late October. "Would you like to come inside?"

"That won't be necessary," Joseph replied. "This shouldn't take long. If you were properly nourished, the cold would not bother you."

"How might I assist you, then?" Nick asked, ignoring the last barb. They were trying to bait him. Losing his temper would not help anything right now.

"To be specific, we wish to explore your role in the fever's resolution."

"I'm not sure what you're asking," Nick turned to face him directly. All three of the men wore heavy black cloaks that hid their faces in a deep cowl. He found it very difficult to not see the facial expressions.

"All right, we shall take this one step at a time," Martin announced. "You know where the antidote came from?"

"Yes, LaCroix was the distributor."

"Don't insult our intelligence, Nicholas," Joseph cautioned. "I scarcely think your sire would develop an anti-serum and package it neatly for general use. Where did he get it? Do you know?"

"Yes, I know where he got it," Nick sighed. "It was developed by a friend."

"So you admit your indiscretions?" Thomas commented.

"Indiscretions?" Nick questioned.

"Yes, your mortal friend. The one who knows all about us." Thomas repeated. "Doctor to the Undead might be her secondary professional title."

"You mean Natalie?" he said reluctantly. It was obvious to him that if they had not already found Natalie, they knew about her. "Yes, I'll admit that our friendship has led her to assist the Community."

"What are your intentions toward this mortal?" Joseph asked.

"My *intentions*?" Nick questioned. He was silent for a moment, realizing that his honesty could not possibly put her in any more danger than she already was. "I plan to marry her."

"Hmm. Intriguing idea," Thomas said slowly. "I presume that you've told her of your *first* wife?"

Nick shot him a surprised look. He'd not told anyone, least of all Natalie, of his ill-fated marriage in the 15th century. It shouldn't have shocked him that the Council knew of it.

"I see you have not," Martin observed.

"Will you?" Joseph asked. "She has a right to know the risks she faces if she chooses to pursue a formal relationship with you."

"Why should I tell her? What purpose would that serve?" he asked finally. "Besides, I'm not sure why you care."

"If this woman does indeed have as much knowledge as it would seem, then we are, of course interested." Joseph instructed. "Will you bring her across?"

"I...I don't know," Nick admitted. "There are things that we both want to accomplish that wouldn't work if she was a vampire."

"Things?" Martin prompted. "Would you elaborate on that statement?"

"Children," Nick declared. The absolute, unadulterated truth was the best hope he had.

"Children?" Joseph questioned. A strange thought came to mind at Nick's statement. Was *that* the cause of the slight aura he'd felt from Dr. Lambert?

"You know that's impossible," Thomas interrupted. "She would not survive."

"Natalie is a doctor. She thinks it is possible using some alternative techniques. We want to try." Nick's voice was almost pleading.

"So you seek to push the very limits of the Code?" Martin commented.

"How is that against the Code?" Nick asked. He wasn't trying to argue and tried to stay calm at the thought that his hopes and dreams could be dashed so quickly.

"Seeking medical assistance risks disclosure," Joseph explained.

"She would be the only physician to see my contribution," Nick added, with an embarrassed shrug. It still mortified him to talk about it.

"Our patience is rather thin, Nicholas," Martin stated. "I don't think you realize the dangers in what you propose."

"You ask a question," Nick stated. "I'm answering it. You might not like the answer, but there it is."

"Fair enough," Joseph nodded, with a gesture to the other men.

"If she asked you to bring her across, would you comply with her wishes?" Martin asked.

"I don't know if I could," Nick said thoughtfully. "I love her more than I've loved any woman. I'm not sure I could control myself."

"Well, if you didn't weaken yourself with the blood of animals," Thomas sniffed. "At least, if you do have the courage to do it, do it right."

"What does that mean?" Nick questioned.

"We know all about your last attempt," Joseph replied. "At least you took care of it before we had to dispense a squad." Nick nodded sadly. He often thought about the entire episode. He'd feared that it would forever haunt him.

"I have to ask. What were you *thinking*?" Martin demanded. "What did you feed him?"

"My usual. Cow's blood."

Nick could see the obvious shudders. "Animal blood is a poor substitute and you know it, Nicholas," Thomas commented. "If you intended to make him a carouche, why did you not get a live animal? A mouse or rat would have done the trick. Giving him the dead, bottled blood made him weak and incomplete. He would never have mastered control of his impulses."

"It appears to me that your sire was less than complete with your own education." Joseph observed. "That is unacceptable for a man of your age. In any event, though, your transgressions within the mortal world are also unacceptable. This you know well. You know the punishment that awaits both you, and your mortal friend." He paused for a moment, to let his words sink in. "Do you have anything to say?"

"Natalie would never reveal our secret. She is not a threat." Nick protested.

"That is not the point. You know the Code and you chose to ignore it."

"Yes, I did. I have no regrets except that Natalie doesn't deserve this. Kill me if you want, but spare her life," Nick stood straight. He would face death with dignity if that could save Natalie's life.

"We will spare both of your lives, but only if you agree to our conditions." Martin announced.

"Which are?"

"Your sire will be making a new convert soon. You are to allow this to happen and to pay attention to the education that he provides. You will finish your education and be prepared to meet with us again in one year."

"Of course," he agreed. That seemed so simple. There had to be a catch. It never occurred to him who LaCroix would be bringing across. If it had, he might not have been so agreeable.

Chapter Seven

She could not sleep. Her mind racing, knowing that, at sunset, she would join the vampire community. That she would, in a sense, die. That the children she'd promised to bear for Nick would not be born. She knew the others were asleep but she could not relax. The warehouse had no windows but she found the back door. Yeah, the scenery was not much and the air was cold, but she had to see the sun once more.

Quietly, slowly, she went to the back door and opened it carefully, allowing the sun to stream into the hall.

"Going somewhere?" a deep voice resonated behind her.

"No. I couldn't sleep," she shrugged. "I just wanted to feel the midday sun, watch the sunset one last time." She turned and saw Aaron in the shadows. "I've made my decision."

"And that is?" he prompted.

"I will come across," she said simply. Summoning up her courage, she asked, "Will you allow me a choice?"

"Choice?" he questioned.

"Of who does it," she explained.

"Perhaps. Within reason," he replied, watching her expression. "Have you a preference?"

"Yes," she turned toward the warmth of the sun, averting her eyes from his penetrating glance. "Nick. I would like the man I love to bring me across."

"That will need to be discussed. I am not sure that he would be the best choice."

"Why not?" she protested.

"I believe we reviewed our reasons with you last evening. Your experience with your brother should be enough to convince you that he needs to learn more of the subtle art of mentoring a newly converted vampire."

"Can he be here with me, at least?"

"Perhaps. I will ask my colleagues but I make no promises," he nodded in agreement, moving further away from her since he'd confirmed what her intentions were in opening the secured doors. Just as he feared that she wanted Nicholas performing the conversion. He was the one vampire that none of them trusted to mentor her. Their fears were only minimally eased by his comments the previous evening. He'd hoped that she would not argue their decision to have LaCroix as her mentor. The general would be an excellent master, and a much better solution than to simply convert and then free her. LaCroix would educate her, watch over her, and make sure that the focus of her research changed. The General would not permit a way to reverse his conversion for his daughter or his son.

******
Natalie watched the crimson glory of the sunset in silence. She could hear the others shuffling into the large room at the end of the hall. Seeing the sky turn from blue-orange to purple, she sighed and turned away. LaCroix stood part way down the hall. He silently slid his arm around her shoulder and led her back into the main room. She saw that a couch had been moved into the middle of the room and the chairs that they'd occupied for the past two days had been moved against the walls.

"So, Dr. Lambert, are you prepared?" the tall elder who'd announced the decision looked at her intently.

"Yes, I am. I am ready to join the community," she said firmly.

"It is our custom in cases like this, that the individual is converted by one of us and then left to find their own way. I understand, however, that you have expressed a desire to be brought across by Nicholas de Brabant."

"Yes, that is my preference. He is the man I love, and he is responsible for my knowledge of the Community."

The other elders stepped backward at his gesture. Forming a tight huddle, they spoke in voices so low that even LaCroix could not decipher their words.

"Ms. Lambert, we have determined that the delay necessary to summon deBrabant would be unacceptable."

"Were you not going to summon Nicholas for an interview?" LaCroix asked. There had to be another reason for their refusal. It would have taken very little time to find Nick and get him to the warehouse.

"We did, and we have," Martin commented. He said nothing further, making it obvious that they were not going to discuss anything that had been said to or about Nick. "So, Ms. Lambert, have you an alternative? Make a decision now, or we shall make it for you."

She glanced back at LaCroix who nodded, his hands tightening on her shoulder.

"You would consent to the General?" Aaron asked, seeing the silent communication between the two.

"Yes, that is correct," she replied, leaning against LaCroix's arm.

"You are in a rather unusual situation and your choice reflects understanding and wisdom. Therefore we have determined that your request will be permitted," Aaron said, as the taller man stood back in the shadows. Motioning for LaCroix to take her to the couch, he continued, "General, you may proceed."

She said on the couch and leaned back into the cushions, arching her neck, watching him sit next to her. Her heart was pounding.

He leaned over, looking into her eyes, smoothing the hair away from her neck. "Shh, relax, Natalie. It will be over quickly. I won't hurt you," he murmured.

Concentrating on the sound of her heartbeat, her scent, letting the desire for her wash over him, LaCroix dropped his fangs, his eyes glowing amber. With one hand steadying her neck, he planted his fangs into the large artery by her ear and drew a large swallow. Pulling away in horror, eyes still glowing, he stared at her in shock.

"General, is there a problem?" Aaron asked quickly. He should not have stopped already.

"She... she's with child." He stared at her numbly. With the first taste of her blood, he saw her memory of making love with Nicholas and felt the beating of the child's heart. She was carrying Nicholas's child.

Natalie looked at him, surprise overriding the sensations she'd felt from the brief contact with the master vampire. "What? Are you sure?"

"Aren't you?" he looked at her carefully, running his hands over her abdomen, feeling gently through her clothing and sensing her, feeling the child within. Hearing the second heart beat. "Is it possible?"

"I guess," she confessed. "I didn't think so at the time, but I do have all the symptoms. I've ignored them because I've only been with Nick, and I didn't think it was possible for Nick..." she looked at LaCroix, unable to complete the sentence.

Aaron moved next to the couch, running his fingers through the trickle of blood on her neck. Bringing it to his mouth, he laid his hand over her lower abdomen smiling. "My, my, I think I have seen everything now. You are correct, General. She is with child, and it is Nicholas's child."

"So, what now?" Natalie asked with trepidation. She was afraid that they would harm her child. The child she did not think she'd ever have.

"We wait. We do not knowingly convert pregnant women. It goes against our code," Aaron replied. He turned to LaCroix, "I expect you to bring her and her child to the Paris home within one calendar year. If we have to come looking, you won't like what we'll do."

"Understood," LaCroix agreed. "Do you want her converted prior to coming to Paris? Or do you need to witness the event?" he asked, helping Natalie to stand.

"We would prefer to witness it, but if you encounter unusual circumstances, let me know." Aaron answered, and then turned to Natalie. "Ms. Lambert, our current agreement is for the General to convert you and that there be official witnesses to your conversion. Do not permit Nicholas to become carried away with passion and bring you across himself accidentally."

"I understand," Natalie said softly. She might not agree, but she figured she had eight months at least to start a campaign to prove Nick both capable and preferable to be her master.

****
LaCroix could feel his presence as they approached Natalie's apartment. "Prepare yourself. Nicholas is in your home."

"I expected that he would be," she murmured as LaCroix landed softly on the balcony. "Are you coming in?"

"No. I will talk to him later," he replied, steadying her before taking off again into the night sky.

She opened the patio door and before she was completely inside found herself swept into Nick's embrace. "Natalie," he whispered, holding her tightly, savoring her warmth. Warmth? "They didn't convert you?"

"You knew where I was?" she asked swiftly, pulling back slightly to see his look of undefined sorrow.

"Yes, I figured it out yesterday," he confessed, pointing to the bottles that he'd set on her coffee table. "A gift from Vachon. We thought you'd need that."

"Its okay, Nick. I almost was." She unwound the scarf and pulled her hair back, baring her neck to his view. The fang marks were crusted over, but still quite visible.

"Why did they stop?" he questioned, studying the ugly wounds, shocked that she was still mortal. That was unprecedented. The council NEVER let anyone leave unchanged.

"Sit down, Nick. We have a lot to talk about." She went into the kitchen and turned on the kettle. Bringing out a steaming mug of tea and a glass for Nick she sat next to him. "Have a drink, I think you'll need it."

"Okay, Nat, you're stalling. Were you, or were you not being interviewed by the High Council?"

"I was, and I was judged worthy," she grinned at his snort of disapproval. "Actually, they said that you would die a slow and painful death if I didn't agree." Nick nodded. He knew she was right. "So, I said yes. I mentally prepared myself."

"Who bit you?" Nick demanded. He'd sensed something very familiar.

"LaCroix," she said softly, looking at his angry stare. "Nick, my choice was to be abandoned by one of them, or to allow him do it. Personally, I'd rather know the one who would be my master. I'd rather you bring me across, but I know what to expect from him. Anyway, he took one swallow and stopped."

"Why?" he whispered. This was unlike his master. Once LaCroix set his sights on someone, he did not waver.

"Because he felt the baby," her voice was soft, barely audible.

"Baby?" he echoed. Had he heard her right? Their discussion about having children had only been a few days ago. He'd not even given her the specimen yet.

"They said it was against the code to convert a pregnant woman. And, ummm, I'm pregnant," she said calmly, watching Nick's surprised look. She pulled his hand over her lower abdomen and watched the delight in his eyes.

"You are..." he breathed. "Mine?"

"As far as I know, you are the only one that I have had relations with in quite some time and all those vampires who felt my belly agreed that it is yours. LaCroix said it was in my blood."

He looked up in surprise. "Well, your blood doesn't lie. So are you off the hook then?"

"No, this is just a temporary reprieve. Within the next calendar year, LaCroix is to take the baby and me to Paris. He is supposed to bring me across then, or we face the consequences. Which, I am told, would not be pleasant."

"Does it have to be him?" Nick pleaded. He could face her becoming a vampire if it had been decreed, but really did not want LaCroix to be her sire.

"Yes, they were very specific," Natalie explained. "I was told to not let you get too carried away. At the very least there are supposed to be witnesses."

"I know they have their reasons, and to some extent, it does make sense," Nick commented, his voice calmer than he really felt. He was trying his very best to be objective. He knew that Natalie had very little choice in the matter but it seemed that his master would have some form of retribution after all. "He is a much better teacher than I am. I just don't like the idea of sharing you."

"Nick... you will always have my heart. We have time. Maybe we can show that you would be the better choice. I may let him become my teacher and my friend, but he will never replace you," she murmured, and leaned up against him. "Stay?" she pleaded, looking out at the coming dawn. One that she had not thought she'd see.

"Let me pull the drapes," he whispered. Drawing the curtains shut he pulled her into his arms. Kissing her gently, he laid on the couch with her cuddled against him. He slid his hands down to find the slight bulge in her belly where his child lay. Entwined together, they slept savoring the closeness.

Chapter Eight

She'd fallen asleep in his arms, cuddled on the couch, the heavy curtains drawn. Nick awoke first but did not move. For the first time since his possession, he was at peace. Her blood did not call to him.

The sound of the baby... his baby, calmed him in a way he'd never imagined possible. The knowledge that she was fated to join his world did not bother him as much as he thought it would. Knowing that she was safe, his child was safe. That was all that mattered.

"Nick?" her soft voice was music to his ears.

"Yes, my love," he replied, kissing her temple.

"When do we make it public?"

"Make what public?"

She sighed, thinking <men can be so dense...> "I don't know if you've noticed, but since your hand has barely strayed from my belly all day, you might have discovered that I won't be able to hide the pregnancy for long. It's already starting to show. It won't take long for your partner to figure out who the father is."

"Umm hmm," he agreed. "She already thinks we are, and I quote, a cute couple."

"Oh? Just when did she say this?" Natalie teased.

"Night before last. When she sent me to the morgue to ask you to the department Christmas party." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "So... since you weren't there for me to ask. I'll ask now. Will you go to the party with me?"

"Hmm... a dinner and dancing with you. Formal attire. That would be an evening to remember." She sat up slowly, leaning heavily on Nick's arm, swaying slightly.

"Nat? Nat? Are you okay?"

"Just a little dizzy," she admitted. "I didn't eat much yesterday. My blood sugar is probably low. I'm not sure how much blood they took from me either."

"Didn't they feed you?" Nick asked, concern beginning to turn to anger.

"Quite well actually," Natalie replied quickly, seeing Nick's reaction to the possibility that she'd been ill-fed. "The champagne and caviar that they offered yesterday just didn't seem very appetizing." Just the thought brought another wave of nausea and she became pale.

"Nat... what would be appetizing? Let me get you something. Some broth? Bread?" he had not kept up with much in the way of food over the past centuries, but the simple foods of his youth were things he could find and prepare.

"Yes, and some tea, please." She smiled wanly, as he stood and walked to the kitchen. She dozed to the sound of him rattling around. Only a man could make so much noise warming soup.

Setting the tray in front of her, he kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Lunch is served, Mademoiselle," he said with a French accent. She loved the way he eased into different languages. Sitting up and taking the warm mug of tea, she was about to speak with her doorbell rang. At her nod, Nick stood and strode over, glancing through the viewer, he mouthed 'Grace'. Opening the door, he stood aside, "Come on in, Grace."

Grace walked into the apartment, giving him an appraising look before going to the living room. "Natalie, I just stopped by to see if you needed anything," She paused, noting Nick's wrinkled shirt <Hmmm, Detective G.Q. is not up to his usual stylish best> as well as the tray of food on the table. "But I see that you've already found a nurse."

Natalie smiled, knowing that the department gossips would be busy tonight. "I'm fine, thanks. I am feeling a bit better."

Taking in her friend's pallor and the simple meal, Grace looked at her sympathetically. "You got that virus? Oh, honey, take it easy. It's a nasty one. You have booked off for tonight?"

"Uh, no. I was going to go in. My work must really be piled up by now."

"Oh no, no you don't," Grace instructed firmly. "I'll tell dispatch that you are on pager. Don't come in unless you have to. It's been a tomb all week. Your work is not piled up." She glanced over to Nick, who sat reading a magazine. "Right, detective?"

"Absolutely. I will make sure she behaves," he looked at Natalie with an undefined gaze... desire, passion.

Grace caught his tone and his expression. <Just how close are these two?> she thought. "I'm sure you will, Nick and I think perhaps you would be the only one that she'd listen to." She grinned and decided to push the issue a little. "So, you spent the day? Eh, Nick?"

"Umm, on the couch, Grace. He was on the couch." Natalie blurted out quickly.

"And where were you?" Grace countered. "Uh, huh, just as I thought." Natalie looked at her with a mix of embarrassment and surprise. "It's okay, honey. All I can say is that it is about time..." she put the newspaper on the table with a grocery sack. "I brought you some goodies. Now, I will leave you two kids alone. Just don't give him your virus." With a wink, she let herself out.

"I think that might be kind of difficult," Nick said wryly, taking the cans of soup and bottles of ginger ale out of the sack.

"At least *she* said it was a virus, so she can't accuse me of misleading her." Natalie commented, taking another bite of bread, watching as Nick took the groceries into the kitchen. She was feeling much better but knew that he was unlikely to let her do anything.

"Now, as we were discussing before we got interrupted," Nick began, sitting next to her on the couch. "You never answered me about the Christmas party. I'll buy you a new dress."

"Yes, I'll go with you and I'll take you up on the dress. I'll need one." She leaned against him, sliding one arm around his back as he draped his arm over her shoulders. "Everything that I have is too slinky for a pregnant belly." She sighed, studying her abdomen. Now that she knew, she could clearly see the changes that had already begun in her body.

"Nat, you don't need to worry about that yet," Nick commented, appraising her critically. "You look great. You can't possibly be that big considering that we just figured it out."

"Well, I feel huge," she sighed. "It's almost like the baby grew overnight or something. Considering that your hand has barely moved all day, you should know how big my belly is."

"How far along do you think you are?"

"Well, we know when I conceived. Exactly. That makes me six weeks. I'll make an appointment with my doctor to be sure," she looked at Nick closely. "You never answered *my* question. Do we announce it now? Or wait until someone notices?"

"Wait," he replied thoughtfully. "Let's just see how observant my detective partner is," he grinned. "There are a few other decisions that we need to make before it becomes common knowledge."

"Decisions?" she looked at him curiously.

"Well, umm, this is kind of awkward for me..." he hesitated. "You know how I was raised?"

"Sort of," she nodded.

"Well, I know that things are different now. But I am not. I still hold many of the same values that I was raised with." His voice became deeper, more passionate, "The thought of my child being illegitimate..." he held her hands tighter. "I'm not saying this only because you carry my child. I love you, Natalie. I have always loved you, but I didn't feel I had the right to ask you to make this commitment to me, or I to you. I could not give you a child. I would have to move on eventually or endanger your life." He paused to capture her eyes. "Marry me, please," he pleaded, kissing her hands.

She sat in stunned silence, barely breathing. She'd expected this conversation at some point, knowing that he would, indeed, want the child to bear his name but it still took her breath away. "Are you sure?" she whispered. "Are you saying this is for eternity? Or for this incarnation? Something to make it look good for our colleagues."

"No, this is not for appearance sake. This is for as long as you'll have me. I love you and want you by my side for eternity," he pledged. "I know that I won't be the one bringing you across, but I can stay with you even if LaCroix is your sire." He knelt in front of her, hands clasped together with hers. "It will make him ecstatic to have me back as his son."

Her smile broadened, and she pulled his hands to her lips to kiss them before replying. "Yes, I will marry you. Together we can survive being the children of LaCroix. We can raise our child together."

****
Nick was humming softly when he signed into the precinct and was getting surprised glances from everyone he passed. Of all the moods that his coworkers had seen, this was a new one.

Tracy was already at her desk, but watched him stride across the room. "Well, whatever you took, can I have some?"

"What?" he questioned, hanging his jacket on the rack.

"I've never seen you this happy." She saw the sparkle in his eyes. "So, I guess Natalie is going to the party with you."

"Yes, she is," Nick smiled. "You think that my mood revolves around the coroner, do you?"

"Well, doesn't it?" she turned to the detective at the desk behind hers. "Lapinsky, doesn't his mood reflect how well Natalie is treating him?"

"Oh, you bet it does," he agreed emphatically. "If she gives him the brush off at a scene, I stay far, far away." He paused, taking him Nick's unusually sunny disposition. "I've never seen him come in humming. I'd say she was *very* nice to him today." He looked at Nick speculatively. If he had his guess, the detective had a little tension relieved. It was about time.

"So what has you singing a happy tune, Nick?" Tracy probed, leaning in closer.

"Nothing that I want to discuss just now." He pulled a file off the top of the stack, and averted her questioning look. "Don't we have work to do?"

"Knight! Vetter! Office, now..." the familiar booming voice of Captain Reese rang over the room and the two detectives followed him into the office. "Got a case for you." He handed a note to them on which was written an address. "Body found in an abandoned warehouse in the north side. The M.E. will meet you there."

****
The address was a nondescript building in a sparsely populated industrial area. It was a simple two-story cinderblock warehouse. Uniformed officers were milling about, stringing the crime scene tape and collecting evidence. Natalie's car was already parked outside when Nick pulled the Caddy next to it, and they went inside.

"You want the officers, or the coroner?" Nick asked quietly. It was a rhetorical question. She always took the officers. At first it was a defense to deal with the more gruesome aspects of their jobs. Lately, though, he wasn't sure.

"What do you think?" she grinned. "Go talk to Natalie. Have fun."

Approaching Natalie quietly, Nick could see that she was still pale, but her high necked sweater covered the fang marks well. As she stood to greet him, he could, indeed, see the very slight bulge where her slacks did not fit quite the same. "Nick?" she pulled him aside. "Don't stare. Yes, this is the best that I could do to hide both of my problems. My skirts won't zip up, and most of my blouses won't hide the neck." Motioning to the body, she spoke in a louder voice, "Male, mid 60s. Single gunshot to the chest. Found bound and gagged."

"Execution style?"

"Looks that way. I'll have more when I get him back to the lab," she agreed. "Don't look now, but your partner is coming this way."

"OK, no witnesses. Trash collector found him. He said that no one has used this building for some time," she glanced over to her partner. He was standing closer than usual to Natalie. They did make a cute couple, she thought, and then she noticed that Natalie was not wearing her usual very professional suit. It was not her usual stylish look, but she could swear that those slacks looked too tight. That was unlike Natalie.

"Well, I'll head back to the shop," Natalie commented. "Stop over later. I'll have something more for you." She waved and followed the attendants out to the waiting cars.

Chapter Nine

Natalie was elbow deep in the body when Nick and Tracy walked in. "Hey, have a seat," she called out. "I'll be out of here as soon as I retrieve your slug." She was wearing her hospital greens with a plain turtleneck underneath and a plastic apron covering the front, although digging into the man's chest had pretty much eliminated any protection that it would afford. "Ah hah!" she exclaimed, holding up a bullet. "got it. Hmmm, a .357"

Nick turned away, the blood and gore covering her was more than even he could take. "Nat, do you mind?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry," she grinned. Both of the detectives had a slightly green hue. Looking down at her apron she realized that she'd not been as neat as she could have been. Peeling off the apron and long gloves, she dropped them into the biohazard bin and pulled on a fresh, voluminous cover gown after washing her hands. "Better?"

"Much, thank you," Nick agreed moving closer as Natalie sat at her desk and pulled out her notes. From this angle, he could clearly see the fang marks. Although crusted and not as angry looking, they were pretty obvious despite the makeup she'd put over them, and the turtleneck's coverage. Hopefully, Tracy would not notice. He caught Natalie's eyes, and gently stroked his own neck, as if in thought. "So, what do you have?"

She interpreted the message and turned further away from Tracy, absently pulling up the turtleneck while replying, "Not much more than I said before. Single shot with a .357 through the heart. I am not sure that is what killed him though. He was dead when they pumped the bullet into him." She rubbed at the fang marks and met his gaze directly. This was something they could not discuss right now.

Tracy caught the interchange and guessed that hand signals were being passed. "OK, you two. This is not junior high. Stop with the gestures. You know something and don't want me to know it." She turned to Nick angrily. "I'm not a child. I thought we were past that."

She glanced over to Natalie. She had seen the marks on her neck, knowing exactly what they were. Now she knew for certain that Nick did as well. His behavior confirmed that much. If she had her guess, he had been the one to put them there. Maybe it was time to confront him with her suspicions. Deliberately, she walked over to the door, and clicked the lock shut. "I am guessing that there is something here that we can't put into a written report. Am I right?"

Nick looked at her calmly. "What makes you think that?"

"Let's see... you are both rubbing your necks. How about we start with the marks on Natalie's neck. The ones that you obviously don't want me to see," she said casually, watching the look of shock pass between them. "Yes, I saw them. I know what they are. The turtleneck and the makeup might fool most people, but I am more open to the unusual. I thought you both knew that. I guess I underestimated how much you trust me."

Natalie turned to her and asked quietly, "What do you think they are?"

"The bite of a vampire," she responded, noting with satisfaction the glance that went between the couple. "Did you do it, Nick? Is that why you were humming?"

"Humming?" Natalie questioned, giving Nick a gentle smack on the arm.

"Tracy, what precisely do you want to know?" Nick asked slowly, his voice taking on the low, threatening tone that heralded the vampire's emergence.

"Yeah, it took me a while, but I figured out your secret when you had that fever last month. Mr. Never-Gets-a-cold gets sick at the same time as my friend, Vachon. Then they both get better, at the same time. Dramatically better. Overnight, as if it never happened. Doesn't eat. Allergic to sunlight. Recovers from a gunshot to the head overnight. So, how old are you really, Nick? If that is really your name."

He sighed. "This could get you in big trouble, Tracy."

"I know all about the Enforcers, Nick. Remember, I already know about vampires."

"Tracy, he's serious," Natalie interrupted. "To answer your question, no. He did not bite me. I won't say who did, but trust me, you would not want to meet him alone. You wouldn't want to meet him in that building we were in tonight either."

Nick whirled and faced her, momentarily forgetting his anger at Tracy learning his secret. "That's where they held you?"

"Yes, it was. I thought I better tell you, since they'll find my fingerprints all over the place."

"Held you? Who? Natalie, what's going on?" Tracy exclaimed, moving her chair closer. Her anger with their secrecy was diffused by the concern for her friend.

"Never mind, Tracy," Natalie replied. "It's not in your jurisdiction and I don't want to talk about it. But if it will make you happy to know something, Nick is 803 years old and yes, his name really is Nicholas."

"Eight hundred?" she looked at her partner in amazement. "You're older than Vachon."

"Yep, he is," Natalie grinned. "Now, as members of the ever-so-exclusive club of warm-blooded individuals who know of the community, I will warn you. You do not want to repeat this to anyone. Ever. There are worse things than the Enforcers. I know first hand of it. That is ALL that I will say." She pushed her chair closer to the desk and rested her head on the cool surface.

"Nat? Are you okay?" Nick asked with growing concern, seeing her pallor, the dark circles under her eyes more pronounced.

"Yes," she said in a strangled voice. "I just need to rest."

"Are you sure? I can take you home now," he whispered, resting his hand on her shoulder.

"No. I'll rest for a little bit and then write this up. I'll be fine."

"OK, if you're sure. I'll pick you up at 5."

"I'm sure. Go on, finish your work. I'll be ready." She urged, watching Nick reluctantly leave the lab.

When they were alone in the car, Tracy turned to Nick and spoke quietly, "I'm sorry Nick. I figured out your secret but did not intend to confront you like this. I saw the fang marks and thought you'd had some fun with Natalie. I thought I'd be able to tease you. It was in jest."

"It's okay, Tracy. In a way, I'm glad that you know. Natalie has been through a rough time the past few days. She was basically a hostage, but she won't tell me exactly what happened. I know who had her and they can be pretty intimidating, even to us. She had to have been terrified."

"I didn't realize..." Tracy breathed. All the time that she'd been throwing paperwork at Nick to keep him from going to the morgue, Natalie needed him. Apologies seemed scarcely enough to make up to them both.

"Tracy, please, don't ask her about it. Talking to you won't help," he pleaded. "I'm still trying to get her to talk to me about it."

"Okay Nick," she agreed reluctantly. Now that it was confirmed, she had a million questions, most of which she didn't think Nick would answer. She could only hope that Natalie would be able to talk more freely. "Can I tell Vachon?"

"That you know about me, yeah. Nothing else. Don't ask him about Natalie. He doesn't know anything more than me."

"Nick, I'm truly sorry for making Natalie feel uncomfortable. Really I am."

They rode to the station in silence. Tracy was still adjusting to the idea that her partner was really a vampire. She had suspected it, but had been afraid to say anything. He seemed so different from Vachon. So much more self-assured. It was as if he'd been nobility. She knew that Vachon had been a Spanish conquistador, a soldier. What had Nick been?

"Tracy, are you going to be okay with this?" Nick asked softly as he parked the car.

"I was the one who demanded to know," she smiled hesitantly. "Yes, I'll be okay."

"We can talk more later. I want you to trust me. I am still your partner." He looked at her intently. "That has not changed."

"It's okay, Nick. I'll just remember not to get you angry." She laughed slightly, and opened the car door. "I know the rules, Nick. I can keep quiet. I promise." Meeting his solemn glance, she got out of the car and together they walked into the station.

Chapter Ten

The rest of the shift was spent in the usual paperwork and background investigation that made them such an efficient team. Tracy had just surmised how Nick's hunches were usually so accurate. When one had 800 years knowledge of human nature, and enhanced senses, it was no wonder he knew things that he couldn't explain.

"Got the fingerprint data back..." a forensic technician announced, dropping the folder on Nick's desk. Motioning for him to follow, he backed into an interview room and closed the door.

"What is it, Art?" Nick asked, although he had a suspicion.

"Any idea why Dr. Lambert's prints would be all over that building?" he questioned. "We've identified at least six distinct prints, but hers were the only ones on file."

"Did you dust it before she got there?"

"We were halfway through the building when she got there, and had already done some of the back rooms. That's where most of hers were found. Mainly they were in a small room toward the back, a few doorframes. "

"Hmm, I don't know, but I will talk to her."

"Umm, Nick, the captain has that report." His statement went unanswered. They needed to think of a story and soon.

"I hear you. Thanks." Nick whispered and went back into the bullpen.

"What was that about, Nick?" Tracy asked as he sat back down at the desk. He simply handed the folder to her. Skimming it quickly, she looked up. "So what will you do to explain this?"

"I don't know. I need to think what we can say legitimately. I realize that we are pawns in this game. I just need to stay one step ahead."

"Knight! Vetter! Office!" Captain Reese's voice boomed across the room and the two detectives quietly filed into the office. Nick could see the fingerprint report on his desk.

"Anything from the ME yet?" Reese asked

"Single shot with a .357, after he was killed. Natalie is finalizing the cause right now." Nick commented.

"Any reason why hers are the only identifiable prints at the scene?"

"But not the only ones," Nick responded quickly. "Are you suggesting?"

"I'm not suggesting anything, other that the fact that I need to talk to her on an official basis. Her supervisor will need to review her autopsy findings." He sighed. "Go get her."

****
"Does he think I killed him?" Natalie asked hesitantly when Nick walked her to the car. The summons came as no surprise. She knew they'd find her fingerprints.

"I don't think so, but we need to coordinate a reason why there is evidence that you were at a supposedly abandoned warehouse shortly before a homicide," he sighed. "Since you'd already scrubbed for the autopsy, we can't prove that you didn't fire a weapon."

"How about the fact that it is a very precise hit, and I don't even know how to fire a weapon, much less do it cleanly?"

"Won't help," he said flatly.

"What about the fact that you were seen with me, at my apartment, at the time of the murder?" she asked quietly, knowing that using Nick as an alibi would put the gossip train in full gear. Whatever privacy they'd once had would be gone.

"If your supervisor agrees with the time of death that you reported. Your findings will all be scrutinized. Were there fang marks?"

"No, but he was missing a lot of blood. He had an incision of the femoral artery, and then was dressed to hide the wound. Someone knew what they were doing." She said with a shudder.

"Like a coroner..." he said quietly.

"Yeah, like a coroner," she agreed. "I did not kill him," she declared.

"I know, I know. I'm sure he was intended as a first meal for you."

"You mean, I would have?" she shuddered in the realization that he was correct. Had LaCroix brought her across, he would insist she consume human blood... and her first meal would have been fresh. Maybe not from the source, but definitely fresh.

****
He led her into the interview room, ignoring the curious looks. Word of the fingerprint evidence had circulated the precinct rapidly. No one believed the coroner was capable of murder, but there was growing speculation how she'd explain it.

Reese walked into the room and motioned to the door. "Sorry, Nick. I have to ask you to leave. It might be your case, but you have an obvious conflict of interest interrogating Natalie. Out. Now."

Natalie watched him leave the room without argument. That surprised her. "Was that necessary?" she asked softly as Reese turned on the tape recorder.

"Absolutely. I never let officers interrogate friends, family members or especially the woman they love." He said firmly. Natalie sat in stunned silence for a moment before replying. While he was correct in his assumptions, she didn't think that Nick would have said anything yet, even to his captain.

"You are assuming an awful lot, Captain. You think that I would be any less truthful if it were Nick asking the questions?"

"I don't doubt you, Natalie. He might be less thorough. A good attorney would get your testimony thrown out." He replied thoughtfully and sighed.

"OK, I'm sure that Nick already told you why I asked you here." She nodded silently. "Uh, Natalie, the tape. This is official. Your responses need to be audible."

"Yes, Captain. He did." She said firmly. "He also told me that Dr. Ashburn would be reviewing my autopsy findings."

"First of all. Have you ever been to that building before?"

"Yes, I have. Last week."

"Oh? The watchman said that it was abandoned."

"No, to be precise, what he said was that it had not been used for some time. It hasn't been occupied for two or three years according to the realtor. It is on the market. A friend of mine was thinking of purchasing it and converting it into a low-income shelter. He wanted my professional opinion, as a physician, as to the possibility of starting a small clinic." She shrugged, trying to act casual. The story had come to her during the drive from the morgue but she hoped they would not push her too hard for details. She only had come up with a brief story that would fall apart if they questioned too much.

"The name of this friend?"

"Lucien LaCroix." She said clearly. She could almost sense Nick's shock.

"Would he come in and verify this and be fingerprinted?" Reese asked, clearly relieved that there was a legitimate reason that would explain the evidence.

"I'll ask him to come in tomorrow night. Is that all?"

"Umm... I have to ask you this for the record. Can you account for your whereabouts for the past 24 hours?"

"I was called in for this case at approximately 2 am. Prior to that, I was at my apartment. I was the on-call coroner from about 8 pm on."

"Can anyone verify that?"

"My assistant, Grace Bathazar stopped over at about 4 pm, to bring me groceries."

"Why did she do that?"

"I had booked off ill for a couple of days. She was concerned, I would guess."

"So, you were alone other than that?"

"Uh, no," she admitted, her face becoming flushed. "Nick was with me."

"Really?" he smiled, glad that his instincts had been correct. "When?"

"Uh, from the end of his shift last night until he went in tonight."

"The entire day?"

"Yes."

"And he could verify for you the entire time?"

"Absolutely," she commented. "He hovers," she whispered in a much lower tone.

"Natalie, the tape," he warned. "I'll stop now. I don't need details," he commented shutting off the tape. "Although I'm sure the guys probably wish I would keep going. The fact that he came in tonight humming tells me enough." Natalie turned away, her face flushed bright red.

"I will never be able to show my face in this precinct again," she moaned.

"Relax. I have suspected for some time that there was something going on between you two. If he wants to spend the day at your place, it's none of my business. The humming was just too good to not comment on. Whatever you two did, it was good for him." He stood and moved to the door. "You are free to go, but please, have your friend come in tomorrow. We want you off the suspect list."

No sooner had he left the room, than Nick rushed in, closing the door firmly. "Are you insane, Nat? Your alibi is LaCroix?"

"Later, Nick. We'll talk about this later," she responded and silently, almost imperceptibly nodded toward the observation window. "When we are alone," she murmured.

He nodded in agreement. In his haste to get to her, he had not notice the presence of other detectives now filling the observation room.

He guided her out of the precinct, again acutely aware of the attention that they had received. This time for the admission, on official police records, that he had spent the day at her apartment. The speculation of what they had been doing was going around like wild fire.

She was right. Any announcement of hers would include him as well.

Chapter Eleven

"OK, Natalie. How do you suggest we get LaCroix to come in for fingerprinting?" Nick asked as Natalie buckled herself into the car.

"Ask him," she said with a smile. "Or, better yet. I'll ask him."

"No," he declared. "It's bad enough that he has tasted your blood and I have not. I will talk to him." He had not meant to blurt out his jealousy, but it was the truth. He resented the fact that his master had savored even a tiny bit of her essence and he had not.

"Nick, do you want my blood?" she asked softly.

"Of course," he admitted. It surprised him that she would need to ask. "I have wanted you for a long time." He answered, his eyes focused on the road, trying to ignore the siren call of her blood, of the dual heart beats that emanated from her. "It's too dangerous though. I would not want to risk your life, or the baby's."

She paused, as if in thought, before answering. "There is another way, Nick. I can draw some for you," her voice was low, sensual as she responded. "I know it's important for you. I would like to share myself with you before LaCroix brings me across." She reached over for his hand, squeezing it firmly.

"I would like that," he replied, fighting to keep the emotion from overpowering him. "We don't know how much he took yesterday. Give yourself a chance to recover." Allowing himself a brief glance, he asked, his voice more confident. "Just tell me this. Why did you come up with that story?"

"It was better than the truth," she shrugged. "It would give Reese enough to take me off the suspect list. Besides, I'm not sure that this was not a test."

"A test?" he asked confused. "Nat, you've been covering for us without question for years."

"Yes, and the elders knew that." She sighed, not noticing that he'd turned the car toward the Raven. "Trust me, there is very little that they don't know about me. To answer your question though, maybe it was to see how I could get myself out of a jam.... Test my creativity. I don't know. Frankly, I don't want to know why. I just want them to leave me alone for the duration of my pregnancy. I know I'll have to see them again, but I'm hoping it isn't for a while."

"You will?" he turned with surprise.

She nodded in confirmation, "My joining of the community is going to be a public event," she announced, matter-of-fact. She noticed his discomfort, and could not help but share it. "Although I'm not sure that you'll be invited."

"Uh, that's okay," he shuddered. "I'm not sure that I could just stand there and watch LaCroix..." his voice trailed off as he pulled up in front of the Raven. "Coming in?" he looked at her as he got out of the car and walked around to open her door.

He put his arm around her waist as they walked in. The beat of the music was loud, intense. They drew a few interested glances as he led her up to the bar. "Marcus?" he called out.

"Ah, Nicholas... your usual?" he asked and nodded toward the broadcast booth to indicate LaCroix's location. "For the lady?"

"Club soda with lime," Natalie replied, watching Nick take the stemmed goblet. She did not ask what was his 'usual' or whether that referred as much to knowing where his sire was, as to the drink. Taking their drinks, he led Natalie down the short hallway to the back door of the broadcast booth. Waiting until the red 'on-air' light went off, he knocked lightly and waited for LaCroix's answer.

"Ah, my children," he smiled indulgently. He stood and motioned for Natalie to take his chair. "You did tell him, no?"

"Yes, she told me. A little of what happened," Nick answered, watching the interaction between Natalie and his master. He was clearly uncomfortable with his master showing affection to Natalie. This was a side that he'd not seen in 800 years. "She said that we will be siblings."

"So you know we will be a family. I had nothing to do with the decision but I do look forward to the good doctor truly being a part of the family. Nicholas, lest you have any ideas, remember that you cannot change a proclamation of the council." LaCroix replied dryly, leaning against the table. He watched Nick pace on the far side of the room. He was surprised to see them, together so quickly.

"I have no intention of fighting you about it, LaCroix," he announced simply, meeting LaCroix's gaze steadily. "I may not like it, but what choice do I have? I will come back to you. I won't kill, but I will be your son."

"Well then, if not to fight with me, why are you here?" he asked with a hint of annoyance. "Or is this a social call?"

"There was a homicide call this evening at the building we met in." Natalie answered. "A body was found. He died shortly before sunrise this morning."

"I don't see how that concerns me," LaCroix sniffed.

"They found my fingerprints all over the place," Natalie replied, shooting Nick a look that told him to be quiet. "I was brought in for questioning."

LaCroix looked at her coldly, "you think I had something to do with it?"

"I'm not here to point fingers," she responded swiftly. "I need a favor from you."

"Go on," he said, his voice calm, the anger diffused. This could be interesting.

"I had to come up with a reason why I would have been in that warehouse. A reason that would be plausible." She replied steadily, her expression business-like.

"How do I fit in?" he asked, intrigued. He knew that she was very creative in how she'd covered for them over the past few years, but had never had first hand knowledge of how it was done.

"I said that a friend of mine was thinking of purchasing the building and wanted me to give a professional opinion about starting a clinic there."

"Creative, very inventive. I did not know that you were so well versed in fiction, doctor," he smiled sarcastically. "That still does not explain what I am needed to do."

"I need someone to verify the story. Someone who really was in the building, whose prints were also found." She smiled shyly. "Would you come to the precinct tomorrow and talk to Captain Reese? Umm, and let yourself be fingerprinted? I'm sure that your fingerprints were there as well."

He sipped at his drink, and studied her closely. She had kept Nicholas quiet throughout the discussion. It might be useful to have her in his debt. She was already proving to be an asset; she had secured his agreement to return to the family. Eternity with her as a part of the family would be very pleasant. Still, he did not provide services without some compensation even for family. He might never call in the debt, but there was still the appearance in requesting a service for a service. "And in return?"

"I will owe you. I know you always collect your debts."

"Very well doctor. I will cover your story, and yes, my price will be named later." He stood straighter, and walked over to kiss her on the forehead. "Now, my daughter, I think you need your rest. " He helped her to stand and turned to Nick. "I will take care of this, Nicholas. Do not concern yourself."

****
The couple had barely left the club when he felt the powerful aura. He waited in the office until the door creaked open slowly. "Hello, Aaron. I would have thought you halfway to Paris by now."

"Ah, but I had to see how she would react to our little present," he smiled sardonically.

"She is very creative," LaCroix answered, opening a fresh bottle and pouring a glass that he handed to Aaron.

"I heard," he said flatly. "You will assist her?"

"But of course," LaCroix smiled. "What are fathers for?"

"You are not her father yet," Aaron said in a warning tone.

"Maybe not, but Nicholas *is* my son, and he will be marrying her," LaCroix answered smoothly, taking a sip from his own glass.

"Oh?" Aaron questioned. Marriage was not something often contemplated within the vampire community. Sure, couples had liaisons, some were monogamous for long periods. Seldom were relationships formalized. Eternity made such commitments difficult at best. The report from his interview had indicated that he'd discussed marrying the mortal woman. Evidently that desire was not simply a ruse to stave off action against the couple. Perhaps Nicholas was more unique as a vampire than he'd first thought.

"She carries his child. He still has many medieval notions. He will not permit the child to be a bastard. I anticipate the wedding to occur within the next month. Most assuredly before she begins to show." LaCroix answered with a shrug. "Some things are predictable."

"Show to mortals you mean. It is already evident to us."

"Now that you know to listen for the second heartbeat," LaCroix commented. "Since you question that I am to be her sire, I would ask you something. Do you plan to have someone else convert her? Have you relented and agreed to allow Nicholas to do it?"

"No, it is still our preference that it be you, but she needs to be watched. Closely." He moved closer and sat at the side of the desk. "We searched the archives, and found one other case where a male vampire impregnated a mortal female."

"What happened?" LaCroix asked, intrigued. The contents of the archives were seldom revealed, and never without a very good reason.

"She began to exhibit vampiric traits about halfway through the pregnancy. Either her lover didn't notice or didn't know what to do. She crossed over on her own shortly after giving birth but by then was mad. She drained the child and then walked into the sun."

LaCroix studied him, pondered his words. It was a frightening prospect. "What do you suggest?"

"Stay close to her. If she starts to have strange cravings, or I should say *when* she starts to have cravings, watch her. Feed her your blood."

"While she is still mortal?" he asked. He had never given his blood to a mortal, except to initiate their conversion and was not sure what effects the mortal would experience by ingesting vampire blood. If indeed, he could convince the doctor to take his blood.

"She will need a stronger, mature vampire to help her overcome the changes brought about by the child. She must be stronger than the child to maintain her control."

"The child is a vampire then?" he questioned.

"That is what we are unsure about. We learned about the previous woman too late to do anything. Our team had been dispatched to bring her to Paris as soon as we learned of the pregnancy but it was all over before they arrived."

"And it must be my blood? Could Nicholas also feed her?"

"He is the father. We are not sure if that is what went wrong in the previous case, but it might be. So no, for her sake, it needs to be you."

"What else do you know of the other woman?"

"Not much. We interviewed her lover, so only know of his version of the incident."

"Where is he now?"

"He did not survive the interview," Aaron replied harshly. "His actions were less than commendable on more than one occasion."

"I see," LaCroix nodded. Such was the nature of the community. Judgment might be swift and unyielding but was necessary for their security. "I understand completely. I will watch over her and keep you informed."

*****
True to his word, LaCroix appeared at the precinct the next night. Ever the proper businessman, he was polite and cooperative. More cooperative than Nick dreamt possible. He still could not believe that Natalie was so readily able to convince him to become enmeshed in the mortal world. He almost dreaded to find out what price she would later pay.

After speaking to Captain Reese, LaCroix allowed his fingerprints to be taken and verified. Sure enough, his were present in the report as well. Nodding to Nick on his way out, he murmured, "It is done. Do not fear."

Tracy glanced across the desk. "You know him?"

"Yes," Nick said simply, barely looking up from his paper. "That is all I'll say on the matter."

"OK, OK, someday you and I really need to talk," she mumbled. She had recognized him as the owner of the Raven, the 'Nightcrawler' late night radio personality that Nick always listened to, and that Vachon feared. She had a feeling that he was a vampire as well, but dared not ask.

****
The pale light of the dawn was visible over the lake when Nick landed on the balcony of Natalie's apartment. He'd timed his visit specifically so that he'd be trapped there for the day. There were things they needed to discuss that they'd both been avoiding.

Sliding the patio door open, he entered the room silently. He could hear her in the kitchen, talking softly to Sydney. Despite the fact that he no longer hunted, he'd not lost those instinctual vampire skills. Walking into the kitchen, he touched her shoulder lightly.

"Ahhh," she screamed. "Nick, don't *do* that." She turned and lightly swatted him. It drove her crazy that he could simply walk into her apartment undetected. It was even more frightening to realize that she would eventually learn the same skills. Picking up her mug of coffee, she looked at him curiously. "What's up?"

"I wanted to talk," he said casually.

She glanced at the patio door, now in full sunlight. "So you decided to take advantage of my hospitality, eh?"

"I suppose," he admitted. "Do you mind?"

"It's a little late to ask, Nick," she chastised. "I'll close the curtains. Did you bring some breakfast, or have you eaten?"

"I ate already," he said, following her out into the living room. As soon as the heavy curtains were drawn he sat on the couch, with his arm along the back cushions. Cradling her mug in her hands, she said next to him, resting against his chest.

"Nick?" she prompted. It was unusual for him to initiate a discussion on real issues. He was more than willing to get into philosophical talks that lasted all day but when she brought up anything specific about him, or their relationship, he was notorious for changing the subject. "What's on your mind?"

"I thought it was time that we talked," he began. This was hard for him, but if they were going to survive eternity together, they'd need to start things off right. "Are you okay with all of this?"

"As okay as can be expected," she replied. "What about you? You've always been so dead set against me crossing over. Will you be able to accept me as a vampire?"

"The more I think about it, the more I realize that it was unfair of me to make that decision for you. Our world has changed since I was converted. You won't have to kill to survive."

"I *will* have to kill, Nick," Natalie said with matter-of-fact seriousness. "The Elders, LaCroix, they don't share your ideals. They will make sure I've learned what I need to know to feed from the living. The thought repulses me, but I don't see how I can avoid it. Can you accept that?"

"I know, I know. You are right, Nat," he sighed heavily. "I can and will accept it. I guess I now see it as the lesser of the evils. You'll do what you need to do, and we'll go from there. If that is what it takes to keep you alive, and safe. I keep telling myself that you aren't the same woman as the women I'd courted as a mortal, and it isn't fair to you to treat you as such."

"What does *that* mean?"

"They were sheltered from many of life's realities, especially the ones raised in convents. You've seen life in it's most brutal. You've been raised to make important decisions." He reached over to take her hand. "All I ask is that if I'm treating you like you can't think for yourself, you tell me."

"That is something I can do easily," she agreed. "So the fact that I agreed to LaCroix bringing me over, you can accept?"

"Like I told him, I don't like it, but whenever you asked me, I refused. In a way, it's my own fault. Maybe if I hadn't been so adamantly opposed you'd want me."

"I *do* want you. I specifically asked for you," she protested.

"You did?" he asked with surprise.

"Yes, I did. I asked Aaron when we spoke privately, and then I asked for you that evening in front of all of them."

"What did they say?" he questioned. He knew now that she was the 'fledgling' that LaCroix was to make while he stood back and watched.

"Simply that you weren't there, and they weren't going to wait. LaCroix said something about them summoning you, like he thought you'd be there."

"What did they say to that?"

"Just that they'd talked to you. Nothing more. Aaron had the audacity to bring up Richard, and question your abilities."

"But you don't?" he asked, realizing that the Elders had used the very same argument with him. It had shaken his confidence more than he was willing to admit. Part of his reluctance to bring Natalie over had centered on his past failures.

"No, I don't. I know we both made mistakes with Richard, and I'll leave it at that. I don't think you'd make the same mistakes with me."

"I love your optimism," he commented, leaning over to kiss her temple.

"Nick, have your goals changed?" she asked quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we're going to have a child. You've wanted mortality for a long time. You've told LaCroix that you'll return to him. It seems to me that you've been running from him for decades and seeking mortality for even longer. Now you're giving up on both things. Are you going to be happy?"

"I may not have achieved all of my goals, Nat, but I'll have the most important ones. You, my love... and out child." He punctuated every statement with a kiss. "I'm happier than I've been in a long time," he affirmed. "I don't promise that a century or two from now, I might not ask you to do some research again. Maybe figure out a way that you could conceive again. Go into the sunlight. But I won't leave you. At least not of my own volition."

"I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon," she commented, sliding an arm around his waist and leaning against him.

"And?" he prompted.

"Guess what? I'm pregnant," she announced.

"Nat, we *knew* that already," he remarked.

"Well, it's officially in my medical records now. I'm due June 14. I have my prenatal vitamins and an appointment for an ultrasound."

"When is that?" he asked eagerly.

"Monday," she replied. "You're welcome to come with me. I made an evening appointment."

"I'd like that," he agreed. After the turmoil of the past week, that would be something that approached normalcy. "There's something else that I'd like you to think about."

"What's that?"

"When will we get married?"

She stood and went over to the desk, grabbing her planner. Sitting next to him, she opened it and studied it for a moment. "How big an event are you thinking?"

"I'd be happy with something simple. Go to the courthouse and be done with it."

"Our friends, most notably your partner would never forgive us," she said dryly. "They've been waiting years for us to get married. No, we have to have something. I'd like to have a civil ceremony at a hotel followed by a reception. Something elegant but fun."

"Yes, that would work. How long does it take to put one together?"

"Well, you can forget getting a ballroom in December at this late date," she commented. "Best we could do is the first week of January."

"I'll make some calls," he agreed. "So you think we can plan a party that is sufficiently fancy for our friends in ten weeks?"

"Absolutely," she said confidently.

"One more thing," he slid his arm around her shoulder and drew her back against the cushions of the couch.

"Yes?" she asked, shutting her planner to look at him.

"I'd like you to move into the loft," he said softly.

"Well, when we get married, naturally," she agreed.

"Sooner than that," his voice was pleading. "I want you with me. You give me the strength to get through the day."

She was quiet. She'd known as soon as she knew of the pregnancy that the marriage was soon to follow. The events in her life were changing so quickly, it would take her breath away. "When?"

"When are you willing? I can arrange movers. You just need to figure out what you want to take with you, and what you want to store." He was accustomed to moving on short notice and had no problem making those decisions quickly.

"I have to give a month's notice here, so I could do that when I pay November's rent next week," she agreed. "That gives us until December 1st at least."

"Nat, you are talking to the king of last-minute moves. I don't need a month to help you move into the loft. I don't want to pressure you but we can do this quicker."

"I just wasn't expecting this discussion today, Nick," she explained. "Give me a few days to contemplate everything, okay?"

"Okay. You give me the word, and I'll be ready. I'll rearrange the closets for you tomorrow."

"Yeah, little hard to do that today since you decided to get stuck over here," she teased.

"If you lived with me, that wouldn't be an issue," he reminded her.

"I know, I know," she groaned. "You know this will hit the gossip trails as soon as I report my change of address. I think the entire department knows who else lives at 101 Gateway."

"We'll be the talk of the water cooler for a while anyway since Reese treated you like my girlfriend," he acknowledged. He detested being the focus of co-worker's attention but knew that there was no way to avoid it.

"There is another way to postpone some of it," she mused.

"How?" he asked quickly.

"It's really no one's business where I spend my days. I don't need to give up the apartment yet, and maybe I shouldn't."

"I'm not understanding your logic, Nat," he pointed out.

"There is the illusion. We aren't announcing anything yet. If I file a change of address with the department, that *is* an announcement."

"How will people find you?" he asked doubtfully. While he was happy that she was talking about being with him sooner, having the apartment still gave her the option of changing her mind.

"I do carry a pager," she sighed.

"Well, we did say we wanted to keep quiet."

"Precisely," she agreed. "We'll have a lot of work to do in the next couple weeks, so that things can be planned enough to get invitations printed. With the holiday mail, we have to allow extra time."

"I have a better idea for that," he smiled. "I have friends who can find their way into the most secure of places. We simply have the invitations delivered while everyone is at the holiday ball."

"Oh, I like that idea," she said enthusiastically. "Speaking of work," she began. "Where do things stand on the warehouse body?"

"LaCroix came in and gave his testimony. I'll take care of the rest," he said confidently.

****
It took only another week to clear the rest of the information enough for Nick to shove it to the back burner. It would eventually go into the unsolved case file. Another vampire killing. For the first time, he found no guilt at the entire situation. Knowing that Natalie would be joining him in the darkness, he was starting to question his conflict with the vampire within him as he had not done in many decades. He might not achieve all of his goals, but fathering a child had given him a renewed sense of optimism.

Chapter Twelve

"Are you sure about this, Nat?" Nick sat in the corner of the dressing room, watching Natalie model dresses for the party. This was Janette's favorite designer and she'd been more than happy to make a dress for Natalie as well. The dress was obviously a maternity dress... a very elegant one no doubt, but it still proclaimed loud and clear that she was carrying a child.

"It's black tie, Nick," she said with barely concealed annoyance. "I need to find the right dress. Those slinky numbers look awful." She'd put several on, just to show him, but he was too intrigued by her increased cleavage to notice the bulging belly. The pregnancy was beginning to show, and in two weeks she'd be only bigger. The scrubs hid everything well and she had a few loose fitting dresses to wear outside the lab, but it was getting harder.

"Is that a maternity dress?" he asked again, studying the way the teal silk pleated over her slightly enlarged abdomen.

"Yes, it is. Do you have a problem with that?" she moved closer, pulling the silk against the growing mound. "I know I am only twelve weeks, and my doctor says there is only one baby, but my work clothes are barely fitting. We have two weeks before the party. I'll be ready to start wearing maternity clothes then."

"So, I guess we announce it," Nick commented, taking a longer look at her. Yes, she did, indeed, look pregnant.

"Who said anything about announcing anything?"

"Nat, wearing that dress *will* be an announcement," he declared. "But then, we'll get it all over with at once. Tell everyone we know at the same time. It would be simpler," he stood and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead. "I love that color on you. It's perfect. You look stunning in it, and I am not ashamed to let everyone know that you carry my child."

****
The department holiday party was a formal affair at the Royal York hotel. It was black tie and marked the first time that Nick had taken Natalie to a formal occasion. They had attended department picnics and casual events together, generally arriving separately though.

Nick reveled in being the gentleman, holding doors and assisting Natalie off with her coat. He wanted to be a couple in every sense of the word, in everyone's eyes that night. He'd given her an engagement ring several weeks ago, a flawless diamond, circled by rubies in a wide gold band. This was the first time she'd worn it in public and marked their commitment to each other in a very visible way. It sparkled in the dim light of the ballroom as he took her arm and led her through the crowd.

With his custom tailored tuxedo, and her shimmering teal silk dress, they were a very elegant couple. She'd twisted her hair into loose ringlets, with jeweled combs holding it off her face. He rested one hand on the small of her back, holding her close.

"We're attracting attention," Nick mumbled as they crossed to the area reserved for officers of the 96th precinct. With his enhanced hearing, he could hear the whispered speculation. While many had suspected for quite some time that there was more to the 'friendship' between the coroner and detective, they had always been careful in public. The way he held her was certainly more than the contact between friends. Not to mention that the dress, from some angles, appeared to reveal an early pregnancy.

"Your point being?" she whispered. "I thought that was the idea."

As they approached the table, Tracy could not help staring. <It's my imagination... that cannot possibly be what I think it is.>

"Tracy?" Natalie greeted her as Nick held out the chair and helped her sit. The detective's eyes swept her up and down.

"Ummm, that's a nice dress, Natalie. Beautiful color on you. Is it new?" she questioned, all the while glancing between her partner and his 'friend'. "You have nothing to say, Nick?"

"I haven't heard a question yet, Tracy," he shrugged, motioning for a waiter to get them drinks.

"Yes, the dress is new, Tracy," Natalie commented, her smile growing larger.

"OK, Nat, is it my imagination?" she asked, not quite willing to ask directly. Vachon had told her that vampires could not father children. Surely Nick would not be quite so overjoyed about Natalie carrying someone else's child.

"No, it isn't," she shot a glare at Nick. "I'll take mercy on her."

"Then you are?" she asked, not quite willing to broach the subject.

"With child, I believe is the polite, non-medical term," she confirmed, accepting Tracy's shy hug.

"Oh my," she leaned back into the chair and reached over to grasp Natalie's hands and then saw the ring. "Nick? Is this what it looks like?"

"Yes, it is. Check your desk tomorrow," Natalie smiled mysteriously. "To answer your other question, I'm due in the middle of June. As to the other event, it is NOT up for discussion. At least not here." She knew that Tracy was questioning how a vampire could father a child.

"You made me think I had to persuade you just to ask Natalie to the dance," she said, annoyance flaring in her voice and expression.

"Is he still doing the 'just friends' routine?" Natalie laughed, squeezing Nick's hand gently. "I think that line is permanently blown, Nick."

"So you two are really going to get married?"

"Yes, we are. For all eternity," he whispered low enough for only Tracy to hear. She squeezed his hand silently. Some things did not need to be commented upon. Or questioned.

They had settled into a 'safe' conversation as Tracy's date arrived with her drink. The orchestra began playing romantic classical pieces and Nick turned to Natalie with a smile. "May I have this dance?" He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

Sweeping Natalie into his arms, he led her smoothly in a waltz. There was no question, he knew how to dance. They were lost in the moment, in each other's arms as if the outside world did not exist. They did not notice other couples leaving the dance floor, nor the fact that all eyes were on them. They only had eyes for each other. Drawing her closer, his lips met hers, at first tentative, cautious and then with the passion they both felt.

Applause swept the ballroom as the music ended, with Nick and Natalie in a tight embrace for the entire world to see. As if just noticing were they were, Natalie flushed and was about to pull Nick toward their table, when they saw Captain Reese at the microphone, motioning for them to stay.

"No, no... stay there, both of you," he called out. "Well, Detective, all I can say is that it's about time. I always knew that you two were more than 'just friends'." The laughter spread through the room at his comments. Holding up a gilt edged envelope, Reese continued. "I'm always running a it late before I arrive at these affairs and this time I'm glad I did. A package was delivered to me late this afternoon. I believe this was supposed to be a surprise for us tomorrow, but I will announce it for everyone present. Since I have been fielding questions from the command staff all evening, I think it is time that everyone's curiosity is satisfied."

He opened the envelope and held up the engraved card, "I'm holding here an invitation to a very special event that is scheduled for January 6th. The wedding of Detective Nick Knight and Doctor Natalie Lambert," he paused while the murmurs got louder. "I would have questioned the reason for such a short engagement, but I'm observant enough to figure that out for myself." His eyes swept Natalie's figure with an accurate, appraising gaze. "So, when do we expect the little Knight?"

Natalie flushed, and buried her face in Nick's suit. "June," he called out, caressing her back, soothing her as he murmured, "well, now everyone knows."

"It's been a long time since I've seen a couple so right for each other. I'll just say, congratulations to you both." Holding up a glass, he said in a loud voice, "a toast to wish you a long and happy marriage and a healthy child." A round of cheers went around the room as their friends and colleagues celebrated.

Guiding Natalie back to their table, Nick could see her assistants were waiting, "I'll get you a drink," he murmured, knowing that she'd want some time to share her happiness with them.

Grace enveloped her in a tight hug. "Virus?" she teased. "So, wonder-cop was helping care for your virus?"

"You're the one that called it a virus, Grace," Natalie grinned. "Personally, I think morning sickness is the more appropriate term."

"Well, let's see it. I want to check out Det. G.Q.'s taste in jewelry," Jill demanded jokingly, holding out her hand. Natalie put her left hand on the table and enjoyed the look of shock that crossed her friend's face. "Wow. He has great taste."

"Natalie, that has to be two carats," Grace breathed.

"He gave it to me last month but I didn't want to wear it until we were ready to tell everyone," Natalie confessed. "It still feels strange, but I'd agree. He does have good taste."

"So... Natalie, how was he?" Grace asked in a low, confidential tone. "You can't tell me that you don't know yet."

Natalie blushed deeply, "Grace, not here," she whispered. "Ask me some other time." She knew that she would not escape the probing conversation and it would give her a partial explanation for the bruise on her neck that just would not go away. She could hide it with theatrical makeup but it was still there.

"So, is it safe here?" Nick asked setting Natalie's soda at her place.

"Of course," Natalie smiled back. "We're just admiring your taste in jewelry."

"I aim to please," he replied, sitting next to her, with a hand resting on her shoulder.

"Now, then. About this wedding," Grace began, pulling her chair closer.

"What about it?"

"Well, I'm really happy that you're tying the knot but you aren't exactly leaving us enough time for a shower *and* a bachelorette party."

"I really don't need shower gifts, Grace," Natalie commented. "Besides, I know what kind of shower you'd really like to give me... and I won't be able to wear that kind of gift until next summer." She grinned as Grace blushed.

"It's okay, Grace. I'll appreciate those belated shower gifts," Nick commented with a grin. He knew that Natalie's assistants loved to tease. "If you want to arrange an evening with my bride, I don't mind."

"Don't I have any say in this?" Natalie protested.

"You're the guest of honor. I promise, you'll have fun," Grace said with a glint in her eye.

Chapter Thirteen

The wedding was a simple affair. The ceremony and reception were at the Four Seasons Hotel. A judge who knew both of them would officiate. He had been a friend of Natalie's brother and was very happy to marry Richie's sister to one of the department's best detectives.

Natalie's reaction to the ceremony surprised even her. Nick had insisted it was bad luck to see her the day of the wedding and had spent the day at the Raven with LaCroix, who was to be the best man. Grace arrived in the early afternoon to help with the last minute preparations and found the bride to be a nervous wreck.

"Come on, Nat, honey. You can't be having cold feet now," she soothed, bringing a mug of tea over to the couch where Natalie waved freshly manicured nails, complete with splotched hands.

"No, I'm fine. No second thoughts. No cold feet," she said firmly.

"OK, then you are more nervous than I've ever seen you."

"I'm not nervous, Grace," she declared.

"No?" she looked pointedly at the stray spots of nail polish. "Doctor Steady-hands can't paint her own nails?" she giggled. "Here, let me help." She took Natalie's hands and gently removed the stray polish, steadying her hands as she worked.

"OK, OK, so public ceremonies are not my thing."

"I would think that walking into the Police Department Holiday Ball in a maternity dress would be more of a shocker than repeating vows with the man you love."

"Yeah, you'd think that," she agreed. "But you know I have always been unconventional."

"Umm hmm, well, you showed us that," Grace smiled. She still found it hard to believe that her friend had hidden the relationship and the pregnancy so well. "So, what do you want to do with your hair?"

"I'm wearing it down. That's the way Nick likes it," she smiled as Grace pulled off the towel and began to comb out the unruly tangle of curls.

"Not to mention that it's better to hide those little marks on your neck," she commented. Natalie stiffened. The fang marks. Her makeup must have worn off. "Don't worry. Auntie Grace knows how to hide those love bites. Henry is known to leave his mark too. I promise not to tease Nick too much. You'd think that the baby would be enough of a mark though."

"I guess we got a little carried away," she said quickly. If Grace thought it was simply a hickey, she was not about to correct that assumption.

With her hair freshly styled, they loaded the garment bags with their dresses into Grace's car and headed to the hotel. Nick had already registered for their room but was not going to arrive until after the ceremony so that Natalie and Grace could dress at the hotel.

****
It had been a long time since Nick had sheltered with his master of his own choice. Most of the time spent with LaCroix over the past century had been filled with anger. Some was his doing, some wasn't. This time, he was determined, at least for Natalie's sake, to try to make peace. He had no illusions about his ability to make it last.

"I am pleased that you saw fit to enjoy my hospitality," LaCroix said, handing Nick a full goblet.

Sniffing the contents, Nick was surprised to find it filled with bovine. "There are enough potential strikes against my impending marriage, that I didn't want to tempt fate."

"Ah yes, superstitious are we?"

"Of course. You think I wanted to voluntarily give you the chance to display your wit?"

"The thought did cross my mind. Actually, I was more thinking of giving you some fatherly advice."

"Oh? I didn't think you'd been married," Nick commented, draining his glass. He was thankful that, at least, that had not been a battle today. It surprised him that Natalie was trying to persuade him to consume human blood, as well as his sire. Maybe it was illogical, but the more that it was suggested, the more he resisted.

"I haven't. That doesn't mean that I cannot give you fatherly advice," he remarked. "I might have married once upon a time but chose to leave her behind. At your behest."

"So this is about our agreement," Nick stated with a resigned sigh.

"I believe that this is an appropriate time to renegotiate the terms of that agreement."

"I'm listening," Nick declared.

"The original terms were that if you were to fall in love with a mortal, I would deprive you of her. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that is correct. You know that Natalie is that woman."

"I don't suppose that you have realized that by bringing her across, I *am* depriving you of her, in a manner of speaking."

"I suppose," he agreed. "So that is all you want? To do what the Elders have already asked you to do?"

"Yes, but I sense in you reluctance. That you would seek to petition the Elders for permission to bring Natalie across yourself."

"Natalie has also mentioned that she'd prefer that I do it," Nick commented.

"That is true, but if you agree to my becoming her sire, she will agree as well. Don't complicate matters by involving the Elders. That is all I ask."

Nick looked at him suspiciously. "What's the catch?"

"No catch. There are lessons that I neglected to give you. Perhaps it would mend the fences between us if I were to finish your education now."

Nick could not help but think that the Elders had prompted this conversation. Had they chastised LaCroix for providing poor training?

"Is that acceptable, Nicholas?"

"Yes," he replied simply. It was something that had already been decided, or so he thought. Regardless, he would still have Natalie at his side and that, ultimately was his goal.
*****

Natalie's cream-colored silk dress draped elegantly over the slightly enlarged belly, falling in smooth pleats to mid calf. In deference to her changing center of gravity, she wore low-heeled shoes. Even so obviously pregnant, she made a glowing bride. She could hear the strains of a string quartet when she and Grace arrived in the small anteroom next to the ballroom. Captain Reese was standing at the doorway, gesturing to his watch.

"Thought you might be chickening out, Natalie," he teased.

"Never..." she smiled.

"Are you ready then?" he opened the doorway and gestured to the musicians. The processional began to play and after giving her a gentle hug, Grace walked down the aisle. Reese took Natalie's arm, "Shall we?" he prompted, giving her a fatherly embrace before escorting her down the aisle.

The ceremony was a blur to her. All she saw was Nick in his black silk tuxedo, standing with LaCroix before the judge. His expression of deep, abiding love, his gentle touch on her arm, the firm tone to his voice when he repeated his vows, followed by her soft but steady voice, the coolness of the ring that he slid onto her finger. The tender kiss sealed their marriage in the eyes of all present.

After the ceremony, the hotel staff opened the rest of the ballroom for the reception. Nick had hired Marcus to tend bar, providing some of the Raven's best stock for his guest~ both human and vampire. A string quartet started the reception with elegant classical music. When Nick led Natalie on the dance floor for their first dance together as husband and wife, she felt like she was dancing on clouds.

They were soon joined on the dance floor by other couples. To Nick's surprise, Tracy had arrived accompanied by Vachon. He knew that they were becoming closer, but worried that appearing with him as a couple would lead to problems neither of them were prepared for. To appear as a couple at an event with so many others of the community, most notable LaCroix, was bound to lead to repercussions.

"Nick, you're doing it again," Natalie commented, seeing where his eyes were focused.

"What?" he said, startled.

"She's a big girl. She knows the risks. Don't make decisions for her," she cautioned.

He smiled at her, kissing her forehead. "Yes, Nat. I can't help worrying but I'll just watch from afar. Maybe *you* could talk to her."

"All right. I'll talk to her. Not tonight though. We have a party to enjoy," she agreed. Together, they began making the rounds of the room, greeting guests and sharing the good wishes of their friends.

It was much later in the evening before they made it to Tracy's table. Vachon had been entertaining the other detectives with his ribald sense of humor. "First time I've seen you in a suit," Nick commented dryly.

"It may not be my first choice, but I do know what to wear to a wedding," Vachon protested, standing to face the bridal couple. "You're looking well, Natalie."

"I'm feeling great now that I'm past the first trimester," she agreed. "I wanted to thank you for the gift you sent a few months ago."

"Guess you didn't need it," he remarked, seeing her obvious pregnancy and hearing the dual heartbeats that emanated loudly from her. He had determined from the talk at the Raven that something had happened around the time that the Elders had come to town. Had he been wrong when he thought she was being interviewed?

"Not yet, at least," she replied softly. "But it's the thought that counts."

He looked at her curiously. This was not the place to speak openly and Tracy had been rather cryptic when he'd asked how the doctor was 'doing'. He could tell she'd not been converted but from her comment, he could only guess that it was coming. "That's what friends are for. I'm hoping that Tracy and I will be able to come talk to you."

"Later," Nick said firmly.

"Of course," he agreed. "Hey, do you mind if some friends and I do some jamming later?"

"That would be great. The orchestra is here until midnight, but we have the ballroom until 2 am." Natalie replied enthusiastically. "I'd love to hear you play."

*****
The party continued into the wee hours of the night with Vachon's band providing the entertainment. It was a celebration of life... of hope. It was something that few of the participants would soon forget.

The love that flowed between the bride and groom was something palpable. Visible in so many ways. When they took that dance floor for the first time, it was as if they were as one, gliding smoothly together.

Chapter Fourteen

(three months later)
Sometimes Natalie thought it was all a dream, and she would awake in her apartment alone and longing for something she could not have.

So many changes.

Two things reminded her of the reality of her new life. One was the baby, who seemed to be growing by leaps and bounds. Now beginning the third trimester, she could feel the baby move, had heard the heart beating for herself and allowed Nick's enthusiasm to spread.

They had begun renovation to the loft to add a nursery and a second bedroom on the upper level. Nick was proving to be a tender, caring husband. More often than not, she would awake to the sounds of him singing a lullaby to her belly. Sometimes it was in English, sometimes not. She recognized some of the words as French but it was a dialect that she didn't recognize. She wondered if they were songs of his childhood.

More frightening for her were the fang marks that had never gone away. They had stopped oozing within a few days and the scabs had fallen off, but remained purple, a bruise that never went away. A reminder of what had happened, what would happen. She'd stopped trying to hide it. Most of the time, her hair covered the marks. When it didn't, her assistants would tease her that Nick had gotten carried away *again*. If they only knew.

With the coming of spring, she felt restless, tired of winter's gloom. She'd also noticed some strange sensations, cravings that she was afraid to fully admit. Even to herself. It wasn't pickles and ice cream that she craved. It was blood.

It had been a quiet week for the department. No new homicides. No suicides. For a change, the mound of papers on Natalie's desk was in the 'out' box. Finishing an autopsy for a home death, she'd just sat down for a light lunch. Soup and crackers. Anything fancy seemed to nauseate her.

"Soup again?" Grace looked up to see Natalie pull the mug out of the microwave.

"Yeah, what of it?" she answered wearily, opening the packet of crackers.

"You still have morning sickness?" she asked sympathetically. Indeed, soup and crackers was all she'd seen Natalie eat for months.

"I guess. I'm just not hungry," she shrugged, feeling her pager go off. Pulling it out of her pocket, she looked at the number and sighed. "Hand me the phone there. It's dispatch."

Dialing the phone quickly, she put on her professional persona to take the call. No matter how many times she saw it, it still amazed Grace how quickly Natalie could put on the façade. "Yes, Lambert here. OK, where?" she asked, rapidly swallowing the broth. "Yes, I'll be there in ten minutes." She took another spoonful of the soup and turned to Grace. "Warm up a bed. It's a homicide case. I'll see you later."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Grace called after Natalie's retreating figure.

"yeah, I'm fine. I've got work to do," she called out as she slipped into her office to grab her bag.

****
The public park was already roped off, spotlights marking the playground. Nick parked the caddy in the crowd of squad cars and followed Tracy. The body was covered by a plastic tarp, but his senses caught the pungent odor of blood... fresh blood. Taking a deep breath, he cautiously approached the circle of officers.

"What do we have?" he asked calmly, fighting back the fangs. Tracy glanced at him, noticing the change in his voice.

"John Doe, stabled in the park," the officer shrugged. "No witnesses. No weapon. Just a body and a lot of blood." Nick had not looked up, but Tracy seemed to see the stiffness of his posture.

"Nick?" she said softly, "why don't you do a sweep of the perimeter. Maybe the weapon was dropped. I'll wait here for Natalie." He nodded and moved into the shadows quickly. Tracy watched closely. In the brief time that she'd known that her partner was an 800-year old vampire, she'd never seen it. Never seen the fangs, but somehow she knew that *this* was not the time for him to lose that famous control.

Arriving shortly after the detectives, Natalie followed the coroner's van, and parked next to Nick's car. Scanning the area, she could see him off in the edge of the shadows. His stiff posture warned her as much as the vibrations that she felt in the back of her mind that linked them. She knew he hungered.

"Nick, what is it?" she asked, walking up to him before approaching the body. To anyone present, it would seem the normal conversation of the coroner and homicide detective.

"The hunger... the smell. It is strong," he murmured, letting her see the faint amber flecks in his eyes.

"I could feel your hunger," she responded, opening her bag and handing him a black plastic sports bottle. "Drink."

He looked at her quizzically and smelled the contents of the bottle before drinking it in one swallow. "Nat, that was..."

"Private stock," she whispered. "Donated." She slipped the empty bottle into her bag and looked at him sternly. "I thought we'd discussed that. You need it. No arguments tonight, Mr. Knight." She took his hand and led him closer to the lit area. As if challenging him to leave her, she pulled back the drape and saw why he'd reacted as he had. There was not a body part that had not been mangled or stabbed.

Stumbling slightly, she paled, closing her eyes tightly, swaying. Her professional façade was slipping away. "Nat?" Nick said with alarm, holding her tightly. "Do you need to sit down?" At her nod, he helped her to sit on the edge of the pavement several feet away from the body. "OK, deep breath. Relax," he instructed.

Secure in his arms, Natalie opened her eyes, seeing a glowing, red haze. Every detail was sharp. Every sound was clear. "Natalie, close your eyes," Nick whispered, trying to hold back the fear. Her eyes were the eyes of a vampire.

"She okay, Knight?" he could hear Captain Reese's voice and the murmured comments from Tracy and the morgue attendants.

"No, she isn't," he said loudly, challenging Natalie to disagree.

"Nick," she protested, opening her eyes, her vision now cleared. "I'll be fine." Holding out her hand, "help me up. I can do this."

"Natalie?" Reese moved closer, watching her stand stiffly. "If you can't handle this, it's okay. You've been a trooper though this whole pregnancy. No one is going to say anything about you begging off one case."

Natalie looked at him, anger flaring. "I do not beg off cases," she said firmly. "I can finish this scene." As if to prove her point, she pulled out her clipboard, and started her usual crime scene routine.

Nick shook his hear and moved closer to where the captain and Tracy stood. "She's *not* okay, but you'll never get her to admit it," he said low.

"As long as you get her to admit when she's in labor," Tracy smiled.

"Then again, you've delivered babies," Reese shrugged, watching Natalie work. He could see her pallor, and had heard the morgue staff comment on her lack of appetite.

"OK, this is ugly, and I would not want to see who or what was capable of such brutality, but here it is. TOD about three hours. Stabbing. Multiple times. Some were after death. I'll get you more details after the post," she shuddered.

"Which can wait until after lunch," Reese commanded. "I heard we interrupted your meal." He turned to Nick, "Knight, take your wife to get something to eat and then home as soon as she'll let you." Nick nodded and flipped his keys to Tracy.

"Come on, Nat," he took her unresisting arm to the car. They had driven partway to her office when he looked at her curiously. "OK, what happened back there?"

"You tell me," she said in a low voice. The prospects frightened her more than she'd admit.

"Your eyes," he said softly. "They changed."

"What? How could that happen?" she asked, the fear creeping into her voice.

"I don't know, but we need to talk to LaCroix," he replied. "Thank you for the snack. How did you know?"

"I told you. I felt it. I felt your hunger." Their eyes met. An unspoken question and answer. Something they'd both felt. It was as if they could sense the other. How was that possible?

He drove to an all night diner and insisted that she order a meal. Watching her pick at the broiled chicken and mashed potato, he took her hand. "Not hungry?"

"Not for food," she murmured. She knew he would hear her clearly. His expression showed his concern. "What is happening to me?"

"I don't know, but maybe we need to find out," he said, pulling out his phone and dialing quickly. "Yes, Natalie and I need to talk to you. Will you come to the loft at 5?" He motioned to the waiter to bring the check. "Are you up to doing the post?"

"Yes, but I want you with me," she agreed, pulling on her coat.

Chapter Fifteen

"So what is the problem, Nicholas?" LaCroix's voice greeted them as soon as they stepped off the lift.

"Good morning to you too," Natalie said, her voice filled with a mock cheerfulness.

"Yes, my dear, it is a good morning when I can be with both of my children," he smiled indulgently, savoring the dark look that Nick shot him. "Well, even if she was not going to be my child soon, she is still your wife."

"No fighting," Natalie said swiftly. She knew that Nick's jealousy would react to LaCroix's taunting in just the way that the elder vampire wanted. It was a game, one they'd played far too long and did far too well. "That won't help me."

"Ah, so the summons was for you," his tone softened as he glanced at Natalie intently. Was this the beginning of the changes that had been predicted? She opened her medical bag and pulled out a blood donor bag, holding it out to him. He took a glass from the shelf and nodded at her unspoken offer.

She watched him silently, and felt her hunger rising as she watched him pour the blood into the glass. "Umm, yes. I, umm, am having strange reactions..." she stepped away, holding onto the kitchen table, swaying slightly.

Nick was at her side immediately, "Natalie? What is going on? Tell me..." he said urgently, seeing the flecks of gold in her eyes.

"I'm hungry," she said in a soft voice, looking to LaCroix fearfully.

"Hungry?" LaCroix echoed. "Not for food I take it?"

"No. Most foods nauseate me," she replied.

"But, just now, you were hungry?" he probed, knowing now that she was indeed feeling the changes that Aaron had foretold.

"Yes," she took a deep breath and squeezed Nick's hand. "For blood." She looked between the two men and sat at the end chair.

"You craved blood?" LaCroix questioned, leaning over her. His own beverage sitting untouched in the center of the table.

"Yes," she confirmed, looking up. "Have I changed?" she paused, looking at him intently. "Am I changing?"

"Your heart beats the same," Nick said quickly.

"But, is your blood the same?" LaCroix asked thoughtfully. He held her hand loosely. "Have you looked?"

"Looked?" she repeated. "Looked for what?"

"Yes, you look at Nicholas's blood. You say that you can see what makes him a vampire. Have you looked at your own blood?" He waited as Natalie and Nick looked at each other in silence. "I know another way." He added.

"No," Nick said quickly, knowing what his sire was contemplating. Taking her blood. Drinking of her essence. Again. "You can't. Not now. Not until she's had the baby."

"No?" LaCroix questioned, taking a clean glass from the counter and pulling a knife from his pocket. "Who are you to say no? You asked for my guidance."

"Wait. Let me," Natalie said calmly, standing and walking over to the counter where her medical bag sat. She could tell from Nick's reaction that LaCroix wanted to taste her blood. He'd never quite gotten over the previous time that LaCroix had bitten her. Another bite was out of the question, but she could draw the sample herself.

"You can't be serious, Nat," Nick said urgently, following her closely.

She pulled out a second clean glass and lined them up on the table. "Yes, I am serious, Nick. I need to know." She sat down and set her equipment on the table. He watched as she scrubbed her arm with antiseptic. Tying on the tourniquet she plunged the needle into the crook of her elbow and filled several syringes before withdrawing the needle and holding a cotton ball tightly. Squirting the contents into each glass, she turned to Nick. "I know what you fear, Nick, but remember, he's already tasted my blood. He will know if I have changed. I need him to tell us what is happening. But I also think it's only fair that my husband gets a taste as well." She handed a glass to Nick. "Drink and know me," she whispered.

Nick held the precious fluid filled glass silently. How long had he desired the nectar he now held? His eyes began to glow slightly as he tipped the cup back and savored it. Her blood, still warm, still vital, filled with emotion, memories, desires, love... and faintly he could feel the child ~ his son. He gazed at her with a wordless smile. He knew her fully.

Squeezing Nick's hand tightly, she handed the second glass to LaCroix, "is that enough?"

Nodding, he took the glass and drank it quickly. Turning his back for a moment, he could not help smiling. "Ah, you are delectable, my child," he murmured. "But different, yes. Your blood now tingles. I feel the power of the child clearly."

"What do you mean?" Natalie questioned.

"Have you ever considered what the child is? And I do not mean boy or girl," he commented.

"What else?" she puzzled

"Is the child mortal? Vampire? Or does he simply carry the vampire? And if he carries the vampire, what effect will he have on the woman who carries him? Whose blood is continually being exchanged with his."

"You mean I am crossing over, because of the baby?" she asked, incredulous. This was a possibility that she'd not even considered.

"It is a theory, but I believe that I need to make a call to Paris," he commented, crossing the room to pick up the hone. He motioned for them to stay in the kitchen as he took the cordless phone to the adjacent guest room.

Sitting next to her, Nick rubbed her back gently as they waited for LaCroix to return. "I knew it's been hard for you to eat, but for the sake of the baby, you need to try."

"I know, I know," she sighed. "It just has no taste and is so hard to swallow anything solid."

"Have you tried the protein shakes you used to make for me?"

"I may need to," she agreed. "I just have no energy."

"Where is your notebook? Make a list of the ingredients, and I'll stop at the store for you," he instructed, continuing to massage her back. Even with his enhanced hearing, he could not hear the phone conversation. That frustrated him.

"The notebook is in the small drawer of my desk. The one I keep locked. I can give you a list of ingredients from memory. It might be the best option right now," she smiled wearily. "I'm more worried about my reaction at the scene."

"What reaction?" LaCroix asked, emerging from the bedroom

"When I smelled the blood, my eyes, umm, changed," Natalie said hesitantly.

"Changed?" he questioned. "Changed how?"

"They looked amber, hungry," Nick explained. "So, what is the word from Paris?"

"Considering that no on has ever seen a mortal woman become pregnant with a vampire's child, they are as surprised as we. There is only one unconfirmed report in the archives. Therefore we did not know precisely what to expect. This might be normal, but is has been suggested that you find a reason to examine your blood with that special equipment at your lab. If you cannot find a legitimate reason, I will assist you in securing time. We will watch you closely. If your episodes come more often, or you cannot stay nourished, we may need to act."

"Just what are you considering?" Nick asked, concern radiating.

"How far are you into the pregnancy, Natalie?"

"Thirty weeks. I am due in two and a half months."

"Would your child survive if born today?"

"Yes, with good hospital care?" she looked at him suspiciously. "Why?"

"My dear, if your existence is endangered, we may need to deliver your child early, so that the conversion might be completed."

"How would you do that?" Nick demanded. He had a very low tolerance where the safety of his wife and child were concerned.

"Nicholas, if I can hide a bullet in your brain, you do not think that I could not convince doctors that her life is endangered? Could not influence a mortal physician?"

Natalie glanced over to Nick, the fear was palpable, "how? When?"

"When we need to, my dear. You have had one episode. Let us not panic. All that I am suggesting is that you examine your blood. Consume a higher protein diet. You will keep me informed of any further episodes, will you not?" he walked over and took her hand. "I will require a weekly sample like you just gave me."

She looked at him, her face reflecting her growing concern. "OK, what was in the archives?"

He stood and turned away from her. "It is but an unconfirmed report."

"LaCroix, what could possibly be so bad?" Nick questioned. He remained leaning against the counter watching the interchange between Natalie and his sire. "Tell me, what are we facing here?

"She crossed over on her own and went mad. Shortly after giving birth, she drained the baby and then walked into the sun the next morning," he intoned flatly.

Natalie looked between the two men in horror, "help me," she whispered. Nick was at her side in an instant.

"Natalie, I will be at your side always. I will strengthen the vampire within me, so that my skills are not blunted. You will be safe. Our child will be safe."

LaCroix pulled over a chair and set a clean glass on the table, speaking calmly. "You will need both of our help, Natalie, but you will get through this." He pulled out his knife and made a small cut on his wrist, allowing the blood to drip into the glass. He watched as the flecks of amber appeared in Natalie's eyes and her grip tightened on Nick's arm. When the glass was half filled, he handed it to her with a single command. "Drink it all."

She snatched the glass and had it to her lips as Nick called out in horror. "No, stop." Reaching out to pull the glass away, he felt the firm grasp of his father's arms restraining him.

"Drink it all, Natalie," he repeated. He turned to Nick sternly, "She needs my strength to overcome the fledgling urges that will overwhelm her."

Natalie had swallowed the blood and relaxed, her eyes again a clear blue. "Thank you father," she said softly. The cravings were gone. The fatigue was gone. She felt strong, energized. She looked over to Nick and smiled, "I think I'll be able to eat a real dinner now, Nick."

He looked at her in surprise, "are you okay, Nat? You just drank his blood."

"I know. It strengthened me," she looked at him, "Just as your blood strengthened me when they tried to take my heart."

"You know about that?"

She nodded quietly, "I watched you. It was as if I was floating, heading toward the light and then you called me back. You never told me, but I knew."

"I thought it would make you angry," he said sheepishly. "You did not like me using my skills."

"Nick, you saved my life. Why would that make me angry? It's true that I don't like you using your skills in public. It's too dangerous. All those times you used to pull perps out of windows. I'm surprised that Stonetree didn't bounce you off the force," she teased. Holding the glass out to LaCroix, she met his gaze directly. "So, how often will I need this?"

He shrugged, taking her hand gently, "When you need me, I will come." Squeezing her hand gently, he stood, and motioned for Nick to follow him.

"What?" Nick asked when they were on the other side of the room.

"Keep me informed of any changes. She should probably avoid long periods in the sun. I do not know what effects all of this is having,"

"What else did they say when you called Paris?"

"Merely to keep them informed and to call when Natalie gives birth," he responded. That was as much as he would tell his son. He didn't need to know more. Yet. It would only frighten them both.

Chapter Sixteen

The infusion of LaCroix's blood had strengthened her somehow. Natalie did not question it, but enjoyed being able to eat regular meals again. Since the equipment at the Medical Research Institute was seldom used at night, she was able to schedule time with little difficulty. She did not even need to report which case she was working on that necessitated the specialized equipment. For the first time, her subject was not Nick, or an official case, but was herself.

Finishing the final autopsy report for the slashing case, Natalie signed out to the research facility next door; her precious vials of blood packed in her bag. She had always used her own blood as the control when working with Nick. This time, she also persuaded LaCroix to give her a small sample to examine.

There was little activity at 3 am, so Natalie spread her samples on the table next to the tunneling electron microscope. First looking at Nick's blood, she adjusted the magnification to focus in closely on the nucleotide that she jokingly called the 'vampire virus'. She next prepared a slide with LaCroix's blood and took her first look. Indeed this was the first time she'd studied the master vampire's blood. The nucleotide stood out prominently, at least four times as large... hmmm, did age somehow change it? She made a few notations and printed a copy before taking her pre-pregnancy sample out. Nothing out of the ordinary was evident, but she printed a copy for comparison.

"OK, now for the serious part," she mumbled to herself, taking the slide of freshly drawn blood. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she peered through the eyepiece and adjusted the focus. It took some work to find the strand of RNA that she needed to see, and then find the rudimentary piece of nucleotide. Not as big as Nick's, but it was there. Trying to quell the emotions that this knowledge brought, she took measurements, printed it, and then leaned against the table, arms shaking uncontrollable as she fought the tears. Yes, she knew and accepted that she would cross over, but seeing it was an entirely different matter. She feared, not for herself, but for her child. An irreplaceable piece of herself and Nicholas.

Above all, she feared harming the child, feared for her sanity.

****
Nick knew that Natalie had slotted time at the Institute that evening. She had filed her final report on their last case, now it was up to the police. There had not been any other murders since then. Nothing to distract their conversation away from the topic they needed to discuss but couldn't.

They had not spoken of the effects of her ingesting LaCroix's blood. It still bothered him. He wanted to see Natalie savoring HIS blood, not another man's. Somehow, he was not convinced that LaCroix's motives were entirely altruistic, but dared not say anything to Natalie. She was already fiercely loyal to him. They had never discussed her interview, but Nick had a sense that something had happened during it that had changed her attitude toward the master vampire.

Tracy was already working on paperwork when Nick arrived at the precinct. She waved a greeting and scowled at the computer screen.

"Didn't your mother ever warn you about your face freezing like that?" he teased.

"Yeah, yeah," she groaned in response. "Didn't *your* mother ever tell you that it's not polite to stare?"

He was silent for a moment. "No, but I didn't spend much time with her after age eight."

Tracy turned and their eyes met. "Sorry," she whispered. They had not really discussed his past, and her knowledge of medieval culture was rudimentary at best. Indeed, beyond knowing his age, she knew very little about Nick Knight. While she suspected, from his mannerisms, that he had been nobility, she truly had no idea. It was not a topic that Nick was likely to willingly bring up either. From his comment on learning of his engagement, she had a suspicion that Natalie would soon become a vampire as well, but neither of them talked about it.

"It's okay, Tracy. I would not expect you to know anything about my upbringing," Nick shrugged. "So, what had you in such knots?"

"This case, Nick. Such brutality..." she sighed.

"I've seen worse," he said dryly. "I've done worse," he commented in a low tone that she could barely hear.

With a raised eyebrow, she met his serious gaze. "Tell me."

"Not here, not now," he said firmly. "You have to separate yourself from the violence of it. Look at each piece of evidence singly. What does it tell you? Once we have some thoughts, we put the clues together."

"I guess I've not learned to shut myself off like that," she said.

"You're lucky," he murmured, sliding his chair over to her side of the desks. Poring over the reports together, they began to extract clues, find direction. They also got an approving glance from Captain Reese.

"Well, it's about time that you two acted like partners," he teased. "What do you have so far?"

"Weapon was a serrated knife, not very long. A kitchen knife perhaps. From the number of cuts, I would say that someone was pretty angry with our John Doe. We're still trying to ID him."

"Well, keep me informed," he instructed. "Oh, Knight, how's Natalie feeling today? She looked pretty wiped out yesterday."

"She's better. We tried a new medication for her nausea and it seems to be helping."

"Glad to hear it. Umm, Nick, when *you* think she needs to go on leave, tell me. I'll work something out with her boss. He and I have my doubts that she'll ever admit to needing to slow down. I have this fear of her giving birth at a homicide scene in the back seat of your car."

"Say no more. I don't want that any more than you," Nick laughed and turned his attention back to the Missing Persons list that Tracy had just printed.

"Medication?" Tracy questioned. "I hope you checked with her doctor."

"Don't worry, Tracy," he responded, and then stiffened as he felt the power of her emotion. Fear. Pain. "Uh, Tracy, I have to go. Natalie needs me." He stood and pushed his chair back to his side of the desk.

"What? How do you know?" Tracy followed him to the door, seeing the faint flecks of gold in his eyes.

"I can feel it. I'll call you if I can't get back," he said as he pushed open the door.

Shaking her head, she went back to her desk, puzzling over his <feeling> Natalie. There was more going on than she was being told. She wondered if they would ever trust her with more than the barest minimum of information. Perhaps she needed to have a little chat with Natalie.

"Where did Knight go?" Reese asked as Tracy sat down.

"Morgue," she responded simply. "Natalie paged him. You know how protective he is..."

"Uh huh. Well, if he's not back in an hour, find out what's going on."

****
Nick strode into the morgue, long coat trailing behind him. He had flown over, concerned about Natalie's strong outburst. Nodding in greeting to the secretary and to the assistants who gathered in the lounge area, he went directly to the lab.

"Nick?" Natalie looked up from her desk startled. "What's up?"

"You. I sensed such strong fear from you. I couldn't ignore it."

She leaned back in her chair, "you felt that?"

"Yes, what do you fear?" he asked, sitting on the corner of her desk, leaning over and cradling her chin to keep her focused on him.

"I went to the Institute tonight," she sighed. Pulling away from his intent gaze, she leaned over to pull a plain manila folder from her briefcase. Taking the folder, she stood and walked over to the lab bench that held her microscope. All the while, she felt him watching her every move.

"And?" he prompted, following her.

"This is you," she said, holding a print for him to see, pointing to a circled area. "I think I've shown you these types of scans before. This is your RNA and the nucleotide that I've talked about. It isn't supposed to be there.

"Yes, I'm following you so far."

"This is LaCroix," she continued, holding out a second print. "See how the nucleotide is larger, more abundant?"

"Natalie, how do you have a sample of his blood?" he asked, concerned. She was becoming entirely too comfortable with the ancient master vampire.

"I asked him for it. He knew what it was for," she responded with a shrug. She refused to get involved in their battles. Some fights were just not worth fighting. "Anyway this is me, before I got pregnant. Nothing extra there."

"And now?" he questioned, figuring that this was where she was leading.

"Now, look here." She handed him another print. "there it is. It's small and not as widely circulated as you or LaCroix, but there it is."

"Isn't that what we were expecting though?"

"I guess. Saying it is one thing, seeing it is another," she sighed and turned away. "yes, I have reconciled myself to the future. It is pretty much what I want. A child and then eternity with you," with a sigh, she turned and moved closer to him. "But seeing it, in *my* blood... well, call it a panic attack. I keep thinking about that other woman. How afraid she must have been. Did she even know what was happening to her?"

"Natalie, that will NOT happen to you. I promise. You have my support and my father's," he hesitated to say it, but it was something they both had to accept. He drew her against him in a tight embrace.

"I know, I know. Just let me be a little anxious over the whole thing. Weren't you at all nervous about crossing over?"

"I didn't have a chance to think much about it," he commented, rubbing his hands in a circular motion over her back. "Janette introduced my to LaCroix, he offered me eternity and then, before I could change my mind, or ask what I was getting into, it was over." Pulling back slightly to meet her steady gaze, he spoke low, "Very seldom do we allow an initiate time to think about it. It is very dangerous to permit someone full knowledge and then allow them to remain mortal."

"But they allowed me," she protested.

"Nat, I don't think you are truly mortal any more," Nick said firmly. "You have enough of the vampire in you that you are one of us. The change has started and you are at least half way across. It's too late to change you mind."

"I guess I knew that," she agreed slowly. Pushing him away, she went back to her desk. "I'll be fine. Don't you have work to do?"

"Yes, I do. I left Tracy in a hurry. I'll be home around 5," he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and strode out the door.

Leaning over the computer screen, Natalie concentrated on the reports she was proof reading. The buzzing sensation in the back of her mind and tingling on her neck got stronger and stronger. Looking toward the door, she felt the woosh of air that heralded LaCroix's arrival.

"Ah, my daughter, you knew it was I," he said with a smile, seeing her expectant gaze.

"Well, I knew someone was coming, I guess now I know what the feeling means," she observed. "I supposed you felt me also," she sighed. Having an emotional bond with both men was strange.

"Also? Nicholas?"

"Who else?" she replied. "Why is he not supposed to have a connection to me?"

"Your bond will be strongest with your sire. Weaker but still present with other members of your family, especially those with whom you have exchanged blood. At this point, his connection, because of the child you carry, is probably equal to mine. It will not be that way when you've fully crossed over," he explained, pulling a chair to sit next to her. "You have done your research?"

"Yes," she said simply, pulling out the file and explaining it to him.

"You have copies of this?" he asked sharply.

"I can make some," she answered. "Do you need them?"

"Yes. Aaron had requested your documentation."

"All right, I'll bring them to the club tonight," she looked at him curiously. "was there anything else?"

"No, not yet." He paused and looked at her again. "You are feeling all right tonight, my dear?"

"Fine, I'm fine. I even ate supper tonight... a solid meal," she moved closer and whispered. "Why? You are looking at me strange. Nick gave me funny looks too. What is wrong?"

"I'm just sensing you differently. Your heart still beats but it is slower with a different cadence. I don't know, I am sensing the vampire in you stronger." He stood, pausing to concentrate on her again. "It is probably nothing to worry about," he moved to the door. "Tell me if anything changes."

*****
Nick was engrossed in his work when he felt the summons. The feeling that his master wanted to see him. A nagging buzzing that filled his mind. He knew from experience that it would not go away until he'd found LaCroix. Leaning over to Tracy's desk, he tapped her on the shoulder. "I'm going to lunch. I'll be back in an hour."

"Lunch?" she questioned. She was not sure she wanted to know where he was really going. Or what he would have for 'lunch'.

La Croix was leaning on the caddy when Nick walked outside. "What do you want?" he asked quickly.

"Merely to chat," the senior vampire said casually.

"About?"

"Natalie," he said simply.

"Get in," Nick commanded, opening the driver's door and starting the engine. "I don't want witnesses to this conversation," he said as he pulled out into traffic.

"Intelligent. I didn't think you would even want to listen to me," LaCroix said smoothly.

"Do I have a choice?" Nick burst. "I know that you will be her sire whether or not I like it. I may not like seeing her savor *your* blood, when I'm not allowed to give her mine, but I can't do anything about it."

"You do have a choice. You can support her or not. Do you honestly think this is easy for her?" he questioned. "In any event, that is not why I came over tonight. May I assume that you saw her research?"

"Yes, I saw it. You did as well?"

"Yes, and she explained it. I am also sensing the vampire much stronger than ever. Has she had any more reactions?"

"No. Didn't she tell you that?" he asked with barely concealed annoyance. Why didn't he ask Natalie?

"She did," he confirmed. "I wanted to hear it from you as well. She is unlikely to admit any weakness to me unless it is severe. She just feels different." He paused for a moment. "I need you to do something."

"What?" Nick asked with trepidation. Favors for his sire tended to be unpleasant at best.

"Look for fangs."

"Fang? She doesn't have fangs," Nick said quickly. That was not what he was expecting at all.

"Not that we've seen, but you know as well as I that they are always there below the surface, waiting for the proper stimulation." He looked at Nick seriously. "I didn't think she would appreciate *me* looking. Aaron has asked me, so I am asking you. Have you looked recently?"

"No," he answered reluctantly. "I fear letting myself get that, umm aroused. You know that for me to stimulate her enough..."

"I understand. If you must, tell her what you're doing. Make it clinical," he leaned over to his son and spoke in a deep voice, "but it would be more fun to surprise her. I will leave you a special vintage. She'll be safe enough," he watched Nick's slow smile. "So you'll do it?"

"Yes," he agreed. He would enjoy it....

Chapter Seventeen

Nick had arrived home first. After his discussion with LaCroix, he was too distracted to work, and Tracy pushed him to sign out early. Setting candles around the room and lighting a fire, he programmed the CD player with soft classical piano pieces, some of his favorite romantic pieces.

True to his work, LaCrois had left a special bottle, wrapped with a red ribbon. Nick filled his goblet and set about preparing a light meal for Natalie. Sipping the thick, uncut blood, he sensed the lives within. All were voluntary donations, all young mothers and fathers, thinking about their children and the joy of family. It inspired him, filled him with a sense of happiness. He was humming softly when Natalie got off the elevator.

"Nick?" she called out, hanging her coat on the rack by the door. She'd never seen him like this. Playfully romantic.

"Ah, my love, welcome home," he glided over and led her into the kitchen. "I'll be done in a moment." He set a glass of orange juice and a mug of tea in front of her. The plate with toast and omelet was next.

"Are you okay?" she asked curiously. He had never cooked for her. Never. At least she'd never seen him do more than warming soup or ordering take-out.

"I'm fine. You don't like it?"

"I love omelets. I just never knew that YOU could cook them," she said, taking a bite. It was done perfectly.

"Natalie, I was a soldier," he explained patiently. "I had to cook for myself on occasion. Cooking eggs has not changed all that much in 800 years. I may not be a fancy cook, but I wanted to do something special for you." He smiled, watching her savor the simple meal, much as he'd savored the goblet of blood not so long before.

When she'd finished her meal, he led her to the couch, the candlelight dancing in the darkness of the room. Drawing her close to him, he ran his hands across her growing abdomen, sensing the child within.

"Are you okay, Nick?" she murmured, snuggling into his embrace.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking..."

"Thinking?" she teased running her hands over his silk shirt.

"Well... since we got married, I've not shown you much romance."

"Nick, I understand. It's not safe. You don't need to push yourself." She began to pull herself away and felt his arms tighten around her shoulders.

"Ah, but I want to show you that my feelings haven't changed. Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid of you. I could never be afraid of you," she whispered, turning her face to his. Her eyes were shining. "I love you, Nick. Nothing will change that. I love that you worked so hard to show me." Her lips met his in a tender, tentative kiss. That was the only lead he needed. His grip tightened around her, and he deepened the kiss. Running a cool tongue over her warm lips, he traced her mouth with increasing pressure until she opened her mouth and their tongues met.

Running her tongue across his teeth, she felt his shudder and growl as the fangs descended. To her surprise, he didn't pull away. He'd never allowed her to explore his fangs before. She slid her tongue along the sharp, serrated edges, and felt him caressing her teeth much as she'd done to him. The sensation was intense. A tingling warmth cascading in a spiral of pleasure. With a high pitched growl, she pulled away and looked at him in shock.

"Nick?" she questioned, panting, seeing him through a golden haze.

"It's okay," he murmured, pulling her closer and taking a large swallow from the bottle he'd left by the couch. His fangs retracted as he watched her eyes clear and her breathing return to normal.

"What did you just do to me?" she asked, running her hands along his chin.

"Did you enjoy it?" he smiled seductively.

"Well, umm, yes," she said with an embarrassed laugh. "I've never felt anything like that." She paused, assessing his calm expression. "And you have *never* let me kiss your fangs..."

"Well, umm, I wanted to, ummm, see..."

"See what?" she demanded, becoming more annoyed with his hesitation.

"If you had them yet," he answered sheepishly.

"Had what yet?" she asked indignantly. "Just what are you doing to me, Nicholas deBrabant Knight?"

"The fangs," he sighed. "I am feeling the vampire in you more than ever. I know that I said that you'd gone past the point of no return. Well, that means fangs."

"So, do I?" she asked, almost fearing to hear the answer.

"Yes. You do," he said matter-of-fact. "You can't see them, and they will only appear if you are really stimulated. Even then, they are barely visible, but I can feel them."

"Stimulated?"

"Aroused. I suppose anger would do it too, but I thought this would be more fun," he commented with a shy smile. "To arouse you to that point, I had to, well, let you stimulate me as well." He paused, watching her response. "Is that okay?"

"That is better than okay, Nick," she ran her hand over his lap, feeling the erection. "Bur I think you are still rather stimulated. Should we do something about that?"

"I don't know that it's a good idea. I think that I should take care of that," he whispered, seeing her frown. "But you can watch. Much as I'd rather you help me, I just don't think my control could take you doing it. Yet." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "If you want me to find your fangs again, I will."

"Thought you'd never ask," she whispered, pulling him tighter into her embrace.

*****
From his office at the Raven, LaCroix felt the twinges becoming stronger. The dual feeling of passion. He knew that his son was carrying out his request and he was enjoying it.

****
Nick awoke as soon as the automatic shutters rose. Natalie still slept soundly. The seduction had gone as far as he'd dared without having to take her blood directly. For the first time, they slept on the satin sheets without pajamas, but skin to skin in each other's arms. He was thankful for the bottle that LaCroix left.

He descended the stairs, belting his robe around him and pulled a green bottle out of the refrigerator. Pulling the cork out with his teeth, he took a deep swallow and shuddered. The bitter taste of steer was becoming intolerable.

"How do you stand that stuff?" the voice of his master came from behind the stairs.

He whirled and faced him directly, "I don't know. It is pretty lousy." He set down the bottle and took the one that LaCroix held out. "Thank you. And thank you for the one yesterday. It was excellent."

"It assisted you sufficiently?" he questioned as Nick poured two goblets and held one out for his sire.

"Yes," Nick acknowledged.

"So? I realize you went for the non-clinical approach," he leaned closer. "But did it really take four attempts to find what you needed?"

Nick smiled and swallowed the contents of his glass. "Not exactly, I found it the first time, but I needed to convince Natalie. You know scientific methods require verification."

LaCroix turned and shook his head. "Then you were merely having fun, I suppose."

"Yes, and if you don't like it, you can block me."

"So, mon fils," he prompted. He was not going to take Nicholas's bait. This was not the time to argue. "What did you find?"

"Yes, she has fangs," he answered quietly. "They are not visible yet, but I can feel them."

"Can she feel them?"

"No, I can't," Natalie answered, descending the stairs slowly. She'd heard the entire conversation and had decided to wait for an opportune time to join them. "At least I can't feel them now. I could feel them this morning after Nick showed me how, but they have gone away."

LaCroix smiled indulgently, "Natalie, my dear, they do not simply go away. Your fangs will only appear when you need them, or when your senses are adequately stimulated."

"So if I look hard enough, I could find them now?"

"Probably not, but Nicholas could," he flashed her an amused look, and laughed as she flushed crimson.

"You know how he found them?" she asked with rising embarrassment.

"But of course, my dear. I felt his enjoyment and yours. That is but one of the pleasures that await you," he sipped his bloodwine slowly and watched her expression.

"And every time we, umm, you'll know?" she asked, her face becoming flushed with embarrassment.

"Unless I am blocking it. Yes," he shrugged. "Natalie, my dear, we are linked, bonded. I will always feel strong emotion from you. You will feel mine as well. For those with whom you've shared blood, there is very little in the way of privacy." He moved closer, turning to face him. "But I will not, in the future, tease you. I am pleased that you and Nicholas are finding pleasure in each other. I will not interfere."

She nodded carefully. The idea of being an emotional voyeur was a strange concept. "I suppose I'll get used to it," she said quietly, moving into the kitchen and taking her briefcase from the counter. The knowledge that he would know every intimate detail of her life was a daunting thought. Had she chosen wisely in committing to LaCroix? "I have those copies for you. I apologize for not bringing them by this morning."

"Thank you," he acknowledged as he took the large envelope from her. "No apology is needed, my dear. I will send these to Paris and let you know if they have anything further to tell us. I would doubt it though. Please be careful. Stay out of the sun. You would not tolerate it well," he instructed, pausing as if in thought. "I will take my leave, but remember. If you need me, I will come." With a nod to them both, he rose and was out the skylight swiftly and silently as he'd arrived.

"I think we need a doorbell on that, too," Natalie commented, inclining her heard to the skylight.

Chapter Eighteen

The intimacy of the day was dashed with the simultaneous sounds of pagers. Natalie has finished eating a light breakfast and was reading the newspaper while Nick showered and dressed.

"I thought you were off tonight," Nick said as he descended the stairs, seeing Natalie looking at her pager.

"Well, I am," she sighed. "Your pager went off, too. This can't be good news."

"Usually isn't," he agreed. "I'll see what's up," he mumbled, taking the mug she'd poured. He had finally accepted that the bloodwine didn't bother her anymore. After so many years of fighting his instincts, the matter-of-fact acceptance was a new experience. "Knight here," he spoke into the phone, scribbling an address on the pad of paper. "Uh huh, where? OK, yes, I'll tell her. We'll meet Tracy there." Hanging up the phone, he turned to Natalie, drinking the mug in one swift swallow.

"So, what is it?" she asked nervously.

"Another slashing. Looks like our last case. I'll brew some tea for you. Go get dressed. Since you did the last one, they specifically asked for you."

"Great," she sighed. Just what she needed... another very bloody case.

****
The circle of police cars and lights marked the alley as bright as day. Tracy's sedan was parked along the side and they could see her in conversation with a uniformed officer. The coroner's van was backed into the alley with the attendants leaning on the side, facing away from where the body waited.

"Nick... great, you're here," Tracy caught his eyes and greeted him. "We had to start the party without you." She could tell that he was not as pale tonight. It made her wonder, how much had he eaten in preparation for this?"

"OK, what do you have?" he asked, all business, leading Natalie forward. His had never left her back as they approached the shielded body.

"Male, mid 40s, all cut to pieces," she announced, cringing as Natalie pushed past the tarp strung across the alley.

Knowing it was going to be bad had made the scene easier, or was it drinking LaCroix's blood? She could easily see details of the blood spatters on the pavement, could smell the blood. It did not bother her, did not call to her. Pulling on a pair of protective gloves, she inspected the body, the scene, the amount of blood pooled. Looking up, she saw Nick's tightly clenched jaw. For the first time, she had a sense of how the blood affected him. Holding her hand out to him, he came closer, helping her to stand. Nodding to the attendants to take the body away, she followed Nick to a dark corner.

"You okay?" she asked, seeing the stiff posture.

"Been better..." he said flatly.

"Well, I'm done here. How about you take me to the lab?" she asked calmly.

"Natalie, what do you think?" Tracy called out, seeing them heading toward the cars.

"Similar to the last ones, but seems a little more angry this time." She said thoughtfully. "A lot of the cuts were post-mortem. I'll see what I can find that matches, but I'd say you have a sick, sick guy out there." She leaned to Tracy and whispered, "nothing supernatural about this one. I wasn't sure with the last case, but he was far too messy this time."

"OK, umm, partner, you okay? You look a little green," she commented. "You two ride together?" Nick merely nodded, fighting to hide the fangs that were halfway descended. "OK, I'll meet you in the lab."

Starting the car, Nick turned to Natalie and gave her a half-smile. "That was close. I think I'll need a snack now. You do okay?"

"Yes, I did. I could smell it, but it didn't bother me. I am seeing much clearer now. I could see the patterns of blood on the pavement. He was likely stabbed in the carotid artery for it to spurt like that."

"Nat, please," he pleaded. Looking up, she paused her recitation long enough to see his eyes flashing amber.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. Opening her bag, she pulled out a black bottle and handed it to him. "Here. This might help."

He took the bottle and brought it to his mouth in one smooth motion. "Ah, thanks," he breathed, draining the contents quickly. His vision had cleared before they pulled into the parking lot behind the coroner's office. He followed her through the employee entrance, waiting as she unlocked the door to her office.

"Need more?" she asked softly, hanging up her coat.

"Mhmmm" he mumbled, moving to the desk area quickly as the sounds of approaching heart beats became louder.

"Did they call you in?" the dismay was clear in the voice that came down the hall. The evening assistant, Jill, peered in. "I saw your light on. I hoped it was the cleaning people."

"No such luck. They called me for a special request case. Another slashing," Natalie said wearily. "Should be here any minute. I'm just going to do this case, and then head home."

"You'll make sure of that, Nick?" she chuckled, seeing the detective leaning on the desk.

"Absolutely," he responded. "I'm just waiting for my partner to get here. I promise that she'll make a short evening of this." He nodded in agreement as Jill left the room. Once alone, Natalie tossed her a bag from the cooler and began to set out the instruments that she'd need for the autopsy.

The attendants had arrived and signed the body in with Natalie. Together they removed the body bad and she began her external examination. Nick loved watching her work. It was as if she was in her own world. Punctuated only by brief comments spoken into the tape recorder set on the edge of the table. The single bag of blood had barely appeased the hunger and the scent of the autopsy drove him back to the cooler. He'd just removed another bag when Tracy walked in.

"Hi, Nat," she greeted her, and saw Nick with his back turned, leaning on the steel door of the cooler, his hand on the door. "Well, partner, don't stop on my account." She saw the donor bag in his hand. While she knew he was a vampire, he'd never allowed her to see any sign of it. Even now, she could sense his unease.

"Tracy, I can wait," he said with a shrug, putting the bag back into the cooler and backing up against the wall. "So, what's the word?"

"You know as much as I. We haven't found any common links to the previous case. Then again, we haven't even ID'd the other one. All we know is that someone out there is carving people into little pieces."

"Not quite," Natalie broke in. "The bodies were intact, just carved up." She said with a hollow laugh. Feeling Nick's growing discomfort, she glanced over to him. "For goodness sake, Nick. Eat something. I know this discussion is driving you crazy. You don't mind, do you, Tracy?"

"Of course not. If it makes you that uncomfortable, I'll go get some coffee. Be back in ten minutes." She saw her partner's stiff posture, and the way he held the edge of the steel refrigerator. Turning, she left the room, and heard the lock click behind her.

Nick wasted no time bolting the door behind Tracy and taking several bags from the cooler, draining them quickly. "Nick, what is the matter?" Natalie asked him with concern. "You've been around much worse and handled it with no problem."

"I... I don't know," he said hollowly, staring at her as he tossed the empty bags into the biohazard bin. "Ever since I tasted of you, of our son, the cow's blood doesn't satisfy me." He turned and came closer to her. "I crave you... our son... I want to share all that I am."

"Then don't drink cow," she said simply. "What's the point, anyway?" she met his startled gaze at her bluntness. "Nick, are you still seeking mortality?"

"Well, umm, I don't know. I haven't thought about it in that way. I have been drinking cow's blood for most of the past century. It's habit for me." He shrugged. "If you are to be my eternal sibling, I won't leave you to face LaCroix alone, so I guess I'm not looking for the same thing any more."

"Nick, he was a tremendous comfort to me during my interview. I know you've had battles over the centuries, but I don't see him in that way."

"Nat, you don't know him as I do. Please, be careful. I don't know what game he's playing with us," he cautioned.

"He wants you back. That's all. That is not a game. He wants his family. Is that so hard to imagine?" she spoke low. "I know there are parts of your life that you don't cherish. Don't want me to know about or to share. This way, you won't have to. He'll teach me." Their eyes met silently. It was the first time that she'd acknowledged the vampire's need to kill and admitted that she would learn.

"He could still teach you. He doesn't have to be your master," Nick commented. "I know, you have your instructions. I just wish I could convince the Elders otherwise."

They were still gazing in each other's eyes when Tracy banged on the door, "Hey, in there. You ready yet?"

Natalie went over to unlock the door, standing aside as Tracy strode in "Feeling better?" she questioned, seeing Nick at the far side of the room.

He shrugged, trying to hide the hint of sorrow before he met Tracy's curious gaze. While he was happy that he'd never have to leave Natalie, he was not happy that they would not share the bond of master to child. "A bit. At least I'm in control enough to be a detective."

"OK," she said, puzzled over his expression. Obviously there was more going on here than either one would say. "Then, let's get to work. As you would say, Nick. Let's peel back the layers. See what is there at the core." Somehow, she wished she could peel back her partner's layers, and truly understand him... both the vampire and the man.

Chapter Nineteen

Finishing the autopsy without difficulty, Natalie spent the rest of the evening waiting for Nick to complete the paperwork with Tracy and come back to pick her up. It gave her a chance to finalize several pending cases, and work on her favorite research project. Nick and now, herself. Nick's answer puzzled her. She was not convinced that he would not ask her once more to try to 'cure' his vampirism, even as she was on the verge of changing herself. While studying his physiology still made sense, she was no longer trying to alter it. If her heartbeat had changed, maybe she needed to know before her next visit to the doctor.

"You still here?" Jill peered into the office, seeing Natalie's swift, almost embarrassed movement. What was her boss doing behind closed doors?

"Yes, I'm still here. Nick drove, and he's still at the precinct," Natalie responded, straightening her shirt. She laid the stethoscope on the upper shelf and smiled at Jill's obvious concern.

"I see you did a lot of paper shuffling, too" she began, seeing the stack in the 'out' box. "But why are you listening to yourself?" she nodded toward the stethoscope.

"Umm, I was listening to the baby," Natalie gave a shy smile, leaning back in her chair. "I'm far enough along that I don't need special equipment."

"Really?" Jill asked eagerly. "May I?" Natalie nodded, smiling as Jill sat down in the chair next to her and put the stethoscope around her neck. She tentatively slid it under Natalie's scrub top and concentrated. "Are you a runner?" she asked, listening intently.

"No... I played a little soccer in high school, but never was a runner. Why?" she asked, knowing the reason all too well.

"Your heart sounds a little slow, that's all. I'm sure it's nothing that your doctor doesn't already know about, I can hear the baby fine," she commented. She pulled the stethoscope off, giving Natalie a concerned gaze. "You are going to a doctor, right?" She knew how Natalie would postpone anything medical if at all possible but couldn't imagine her forgoing prenatal care.

"I'm fine, really I am. No problems, whatsoever. I *am* seeing a doctor and for your information, have an appointment tomorrow in fact," she spoke firmly, knowing now that Nick would need to accompany her to her appointments. If Jill could hear a difference, what really had changed.

*****
Six a.m., the clock was ticking and Natalie was getting tired. Her last phone call to the precinct revealed Nick still hard at work. With dawn fast approaching, she was beginning to pace.

Six-thirty. She was about to call for the time of the sunrise when her door opened. "It's about time. I was getting worried." She looked up to see Tracy dangling Nick's car keys.

"Relax, your taxi awaits," Tracy giggled.

"Where's Nick?" she asked, worried.

"He, uh, flew home. Asked me to pick you up. We got involved in some interviews and it was hard to explain Nick's need to leave. The allergy stuff just doesn't describe what really happens."

"No, it doesn't," Natalie agreed. "So, you have the caddy?"

"Yeah, and I thought you could drive me over to the precinct, so I could get my car."

"Maybe," she hesitated. "Why don't you just drip me off? Nick and I can drive in my car tonight. I haven't been out after sunrise in a long time. I'm not sure of my tolerance."

"Tolerance?" Tracy looked at her puzzled. "To what?"

"To sunlight. I would rather just ride. I have some protection, but not enough to be sure of my safety driving," Natalie replied, pulling a scarf out of her desk drawer.

"What's going on?" she asked softly. She'd never known Natalie to have any sensitivity to sunlight.

"The baby carries the vampire DNA," she whispered. "Because my blood is exchanged with his constantly, I'm starting to change as well."

"Nick knew this at the Christmas party? He hinted that your marriage would be for eternity," she spoke softly, trying to make sense of everything.

"No, we just recently learned of this," Natalie sat down next to Tracy and sighed. "What I am about to tell you could get us both in big trouble. Don't say anything. Even to Vachon."

"Sure, Natalie," she agreed. "You know I would never betray a confidence." She was happy that Natalie was finally ready to confide in her.

"You remember when I disappeared for a while last October and was, quote, being held?" Tracy nodded, and motioned for Natalie to continue. "I was being held by the vampire community elders. A bunch of four thousand year old master vampires. They make Nick's master seem meek in comparison."

"Wow," Tracy breathed. She could not imagine the terror.

"They interviewed me, in detail that you can't imagine. Then they said that if I didn't become a vampire, they would kill me. And after they'd killed me, they torture and kill Nick." She squeezed Tracy's hand tightly. "So I agreed to become a vampire." She watched Tracy's carefully neutral expression. "One of them bit me and with the first taste of blood, knew about the baby and stopped."

"Why?"

"It is against their law to convert a pregnant woman. But I will be brought across as some as I give birth," she replied simply.

"By Nick?"

"No, and I'm not sure that they'll even let him be there," she sighed. "By the one who made Nick. In the presence of the elders." She looked away before saying "It's a terrifying thought."

"And Nick can't be there?" Tracy asked gently.

"No, I feel fortunate that they allowed me any choice at all. Generally they don't and while they say they would simply convert and leave me, I have my doubts." She spoke softly, watching Tracy's reactions. She had long wanted to talk to someone, anyone about the changes in her life and hoped that she wasn't endangering Tracy with her honesty.

"You know who made Nick a vampire?" Tracy probed. This was the chance she'd longed for. To find out more about her mysterious partner.

"Yes," Natalie confirmed. She could tell that Tracy was fishing for information. "That I all I will say about that. You don't want to get on his bad side, and he has a very low tolerance for curious mortals."

"I suppose you'll say it is too dangerous," Tracy said with mock horror. "Nat, I'm in it too deep already. What's he going to do? Kill me?"

"He might," Natalie replied, taking a deliberate sip of water.

"Fine," Tracy responded abruptly. She could tell that Natalie was not going to answer any more questions. "Tell me this. I've wondered for a while. What was Nick as a mortal? I know Vachon was a soldier, and I can see it in his mannerisms. Was Nick nobility? He has this air about him..."

Natalie smiled. "You are very perceptive. Yes, he was the second son of a duke in what is now Belgium. He was trained as a knight, and fought in the crusades."

Tracy thought for a moment before responding. "I thought as much. It still shows in his actions, his philosophy of life. I would love to debate history with him, but he is so reluctant to say anything that reveals his true age."

"Well you don't get to be 800 years old by being careless," Natalie explained. "Nick is very cautious revealing himself. They may have been others through the years that have known about his secrets, but not very many. I think if you were asking him about events and people or customs, and not about himself, he might be more open. He has only recently begun to tell me things about his own past."

"How long has he really been in Toronto?" she asked, leaning back in her chair. "I know he's been with the department since 1991 and that his file says he came from Chicago, but I don't know what to believe any more."

"I think he came here in 1988 or 89. We met in June 1990. He was in Chicago before here. He'd been a cop there in the 60s and again in the mid 80s," Natalie mused. "At least that's as much as he's told me. There's still a lot that we don't talk about. I think it would take a long time to learn all of his past identities."

"How did you meet him?"

Natalie stood and pulled open a file drawer behind her, removing a familiar looking manila folder. "Here, read this," she instructed.

Tracy opened the file and skimmed it quickly. It was a crime scene report of a 1990 robbery. The witnesses reported that a tall blonde man tried to stop a robbery in progress and was then killed when the suspects tossed him a pipe bomb. The photographs taken at the crime scene showed extensive damage to the man's face, making identification impossible, but the hair looked familiar. She looked up and met Natalie's steady gaze. "This is Nick, isn't it?"

"Yep... He was one of my customers. First time I've ever had one sit up and growl at me," she confirmed.

"Did he try to make you forget?" Tracy asked softly, remembering how Vachon had tried to hypnotize her when they first met.

"After he drank a pint of blood and told me what he was, he told me to forget. And I did," she shrugged. "But when he bumped into me on the street the next day, I remembered everything and then I agreed to help him look for a cure."

"A cure? Why?"

"That is something that you can ask Nick," she said firmly. "He has some philosophies which I don't share. I don't have 8 centuries to reflect upon either. In any event, I am a physician, and as a physician, it is not my place to agree or disagree. Truthfully, how I feel about the vampire has changed," she paused, staring into space, remembering her many debates with Nick.

"Natalie, earth to Natalie..." Tracy laughed.

"Oh, yeah, ummm, I guess I was doing a 'Nick in space' imitation." She laughed as Tracy nodded in agreement. "Well, at one time the vampire was the enemy to be driven away."

"And now?"

"I guess I don't separate the man from the vampire any more. Nick has been a vampire for so long that it truly is a part of him, his psyche. To eradicate one, I'm not sure the other would survive. What he really wants to do is to atone for all the lives he's taken. I think he can do that as a vampire."

Tracy nodded, moving her chair closer, "Natalie, how *did* you get pregnant?"

"How do you think I got pregnant?" Natalie teased, knowing that what she really wanted to know was how a vampire could be a father.

Tracy lowered her voice to near whisper, "Vachon keeps saying that it would be fatal for me and to not use Nick as an example. How much technology did you use?"

Natalie sighed, "Tracy, my pregnancy occurred naturally. His being able to father a child is not the question. I doubt it would be for Vachon either," she leaned forward, speaking low, "But my ability to survive making love with him is more the issue. In this case, though, I made love to the man, and not the vampire. At the time, he did not remember he was a vampire."

"When he was shot?" Tracy asked, suddenly understanding.

"Yes, the night he came home from the hospital, I took a huge risk and let things progress farther than we'd ever dared. And it worked." She smiled with the memory of their night of passion. "Until the next morning when his memory came back," she sighed.

"Since then?"

"Well, as long as I'm pregnant, I'm not taking any chances," she said dryly. "We are intimate to a point but not fully. I suppose there is a point to this line of question, besides being nosy?"

"Well, yeah," Tracy answered, staring at a distant point, not making eye contact with her. "You know my relationship with Vachon? I just want to know how far I can push him, or let him push me," she turned to face Natalie directly. "You are my friend. As much as I still regret teasing you about the fang marks, I need someone to talk to."

"Tracy, it's okay. If Nick had been honest with you, then you would not have felt the need to confront us," she turned and pushed the hair back behind her ear. "The marks never did go away," she said quietly, letting Tracy look closer.

"They don't look as red," she observed

"Well, I would hope not. It's been almost six months," Natalie responded with annoyance. "They itched for at least two months." She paused, looking at Tracy directly. "I don't mind you asking me questions, but if I can't answer, please respect my decision. I know you don't want people protecting you, but there are some things that are just hard to put into words, or I may simply not know. There is a lot they haven't told me yet, either."

"Okay, Nat, I will," she promised. "So, do you think that it's possible for me and Vachon to, you know?"

Natalie looked at her skeptically, "So, it's gone that far?"

"Not yet, but I'm considering it," she replied.

"Before you get into that situation, consider all the consequences," she cautioned. "What happened to me is highly unusual. It's more likely that Vachon would have to bring you across. You do realize that sex with a vampire means he takes your blood."

"I.. I know," she whispered. "I'm contemplating letting him take it." Natalie looked at her with a shocked expression. "Before you do that, I'd suggest you give him a sample. Either I could draw it for you, or let him take it from your wrist. It's unlike he could drain you from there."

"Why do you say that?" Tracy asked.

"Depending on how badly he wants you, he could take more than he realizes with that first sip. Nick has hinted that he was afraid that he'd drain me beyond the point of being able to cross me."

"I didn't realize..." Tracy began. "I know that you will become one of them at some point, Nat, but would you warn me before I see you after?" she could not bring herself to finish the sentence, but they both knew what she referred to.

"I will. If nothing else, I can warn you after it happens," she promised.

Chapter Twenty

The sun was high in the sky by the time they left Natalie's lab. Tracy had decided to take the Caddy back to the station and picked Natalie up in her own car for the ride home. With the gentle spring breezes warming the city, Natalie could smell the blooming flowers with more intensity than ever before. She also felt the prickling of the sun's light.

As soon as Tracy pulled up in front of the office, Natalie could feel a burning sensation on the exposed skin on her legs. Slumping down in the seat, she pulled her coat over her face. "Tracy, I need to use your phone," she said as the younger woman watched her curiously.

"Are you okay?" she finally asked, handing her the phone.

"No, I am not," Natalie responded in an annoyed voice. She dialed quickly, "Nick, pick up. I know you're there. Finally. Yeah, Tracy and I are just leaving. Ummm, I need to you open the side garage and wait at the lift for me. I'll explain when we get there. Thanks."

"I guess your tolerance isn't good," Tracy commented.

"No," Natalie answered flatly. "My legs are pretty burnt. They'll probably blister too."

****
Tracy pulled into the opened garage and shut off the engine, seeing Nick in the shadows by the lift, a remote in hand. Once the door was lowered, Natalie eased out of the car, and slid the scarf off her face. The burns on her legs were now painful blisters, making walking difficult.

"Nat? What in the world?" Nick exclaimed, seeing her limp across the garage. He moved swiftly to her side, and swept her into his arms, carrying her into the lift. "Come on up, Tracy..." he called to his partner.

Setting Natalie on the couch, Nick examined the blisters carefully. "How did this happen?" he asked with growing fear.

"Sun burn," Tracy said matter-of-fact. "I've had enough to know what that looks like."

"How long were you outside?" he asked, gently easing her hose off the burned areas. That he cut them didn't matter to her. She was just happy to have them off.

"Just to walk from the front door of the office to the street. I waited inside until I saw Tracy pull up," she said in a tremulous voice, accepting the ice-soaked towel from Tracy and laying it across her legs.

"Nothing else is burnt?" he asked, studying her arms and face.

"No, I thought to cover myself, but forgot that I had a skirt on," she said with a shrug. "Guess we know what my reaction to sunlight is now."

"Yeah, I guess we do," he agreed, his voice reflective of the sorrow he felt. Her transition might be more gradual but no less of a loss. "Tracy, I guess you need some explanation for all of this."

"Umm, actually, no I don't, Nick. I understand. Natalie already explained what is happening to her," she lowered her voice, knowing full well that he'd be able to hear fine. "She warned me not to try things with Vachon."

"Tracy, I don't mean to interfere with any relationship you want to pursue. You are smart to know the facts before you let it get too far," Nick responded. "I have a nasty habit of being rather paternalistic."

"It's okay, I'll just think of it as the lord of the manor routine, and leave it at that, okay?" she teased.

"Lord of the manor?" he asked, giving Natalie a questioning look. "What else did you two talk about?"

"A lot of things, but only a few things about you," she smiled. It had been a long time since she'd felt comfortable teasing her partner. Not since she'd learned the truth about him.

"What about me?" he asked, dark undertones beginning to surface in his voice.

"Where you're from originally. How you two met, that's all."

"Uh huh," he looked at her and noticed the sly smile. "Just keep it under wraps, okay. No curtsies, please."

"You got it," she agreed. "I do know the rules, Nick. And now that I've seen Natalie safely home, I will leave her to your care." She grabbed her jacket, and waved at Natalie. "See you tonight," she called out as she left .

As soon as the lift closed, Nick was at the couch, pulling back the cool compress. "So what exactly did you two talk about for the past hour and a half, Nat?"

Leaning back on the couch, she looked into his eyes. "She has questions. She is not sure how far she wants to go with Vachon and she wanted to know how I got pregnant."

"And you told her?" he asked hesitantly. While delving into the region of 'girl talk' was not his habit, he felt a need to ensure his privacy.

"What? I told her enough to make her cautious, and not try it, unless she wanted to be brought across."

"And?" he prompted.

"And what? She is considering it."

"What did you tell her about me, Nat?" he asked firmly.

"That you are a very private person and not to ask too many questions," she sighed. "That you fought in the crusades. She says that she can see some of the crusading knight's mannerisms in you... seeking to right wrongs, protecting others. She was the one who called you nobility. I just confirmed what she already knew."

"Yeah, she called me lord of the manor just now," he groaned.

Natalie broke into hysterical giggles at the thought, "well if she starts to curtsy, then you know you're in trouble. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry."

"Nat, I'm worried about her. She is getting too close to us," Nick began to stroke her arm gently, easing her against his chest. "I worry that decisions might be forced on her also."

"Nick, she's a big girl. I think she can make her own choices, and she'll do better if it is an informed choice." She leaned against him and sighed. "And she'll do better if we let her make her own decision. Don't go threatening Vachon."

"So what does she know about it?"

"Nick, she came over to the morgue with the caddy and was going to have me drop her at the station to get her own car, and I'd drive myself home. Yes, I told her what was happening to me. Why do you think the instant sunburn didn't bother her?"

"But you didn't say anything else?"

"If you mean, did I warn her about Enforcers and Elders? Yes, I did. She has a right to know what she's up against. Don't worry, Nick. If anything, she is already leaning toward letting Vachon bring her across."

Nick stared at the fireplace silently. That was precisely what he'd hoped would not happen but he knew in his heart that was likely. "Does your burn still hurt?" he asked finally, lifting the compresses to look at the red angry looking skin.

"Some. If it still hurts when I get up this evening, I'll soak it in the whirlpool," she looked up at him, "but right now, I just want to sleep."

"Your wish is my command, milady," he bowed formally before sweeping her into his arms.

****
The whirling of the automatic shutters woke Natalie at dusk. Rolling on her back, she felt Nick still sleeping beside her. Moving slowly, she stood cautiously and walked into the bathroom. Her legs were painful, but not unbearably so. What was more bothersome was the intense nausea and headache.

Moving quietly into the bedroom, she felt Nick's intense gaze. "You okay, Nat?" he asked quietly. "You want the light on?"

"No. I have a horrible headache," she said sitting down heavily. Looking at him, she felt the hunger rise in her, overriding the nausea. "Nick, I think you need to call LaCroix."

"Are you sure? It's only been two weeks," he asked hesitantly.

"I'm sure," she said flatly, leaning back into the pillows.

He turned and looked at her sharply, "Nat, I can feed you too."

"I know, my love. It's not that I don't want your blood. I do. But I was given strict instructions and I have no desire to alienate the elders."

"Okay, Nat, I'll call him," he said reluctantly. " Can you come downstairs, or do you need me to carry you?" he hesitated for a moment and turned away. "I can accept him feeding you, but not in our bedroom."

"I'll be slow, but I'll meet you downstairs," she said softly, watching him leave the room. She had barely made it down to the landing when she felt the vibration that told her of LaCroix's approach. She watched him float into the living room and their eyes met.

"So, my daughter," he said simply, watching her slow descent. "You desire my assistance?" he extended his hand to her and walked with her to the leather couch. Nick stood back, watching, waiting.

"Yes. I hunger," she said simply.

"What is this on your legs, my dear?" he asked, looking with concern at her calves and knees where her robe had slipped away.

"That is but a few minutes of morning sun. I was careful to protect my face and arms but not my legs." She looked up at him, "I suppose I'm further along than we'd thought."

"Hmm, it has been but two weeks since I saw you. Perhaps it is time for another taste," he said softly, looking at Nick, as if to ask permission.

"Bring my bag," she said softly. "I'd rather draw it myself."

"Yes, of course," he replied, waiting for Nick to bring the medical bag to the couch. "Nicholas, I realize that this is something that you could do, and are willing to do."

"Yes, I know. You are under orders. Natalie already explained it," Nick said evenly, sitting next to her, handing her the syringes in preparation. "As long as I'm present, do what you need to do."

"I have been in contact with Aaron. There is a reason why they don't want you to feed Natalie while she is carrying your child. They did not disclose it to me at first, but I have been asking repeatedly."

"And that is?" he prompted. It would not have surprised him to have it simply be an arbitrary decision.

"They never got a chance to meet the woman who conceived a child with a vampire, but they did interview her lover. He did try to feed her, at first simply with bloodwine. When that did not ease her hunger, he fed her with his own blood. When he realized that she'd crossed over, he tried to get her to take the bottled blood but she would not. She went mad from hunger, rejecting his blood as well. Only the child's blood satisfied her hunger, but when she realized that she'd killed her child, what little rational thought she had left was gone and she took her life."

"That doesn't make sense," Natalie commented.

"There are a lot of things that you don't understand yet," he said simply. "The elders feel that her lover's blood was too much like the child's and she never completely made the transition. She went far enough that she was no longer mortal, but not far enough so that the blood was her food. The hope is that by taking my blood now, which is quite different from Nicholas's, that you will accept one of us when you cross over."

"Then who will be my master?" Natalie asked, confused. "I thought they didn't want Nick to be my master."

"Like I said, we've had discussions since then. The main priority is your safe delivery and conversion. They are willing to make compromises as needed."

Nick stared, speechless. He was sure that they were hearing an edited version both of the story and the decision. That the elders were considering reversing an edict told him how serious their concerns were.

"Does that answer your questions?" LaCroix prompted.

"More than you know," Nick replied.

"I do believe I was summoned for more than simply to talk," he commented, nodding to Natalie who was staring into space as if in deep thought.

"Oh, uh, yeah," she stammered, hurriedly tying the tourniquet around her arm and cleansing the area before plunging the needle into the vein. Filling two syringes quickly, she handed one to Nick before withdrawing the needle, holding a cotton ball over the spot. Kissing her lightly, he held the syringe for a moment, savoring the rich aroma of the warm blood. Leaning back he savored her gift, her essence, full of emotion. He could feel her love even clearer, sense his son as well. Their eyes met and he pulled her tighter against him.

"Enough. We have things to do," LaCroix said impatiently. He took the offered syringe and held it for a moment before swallowing the contents. "Ah, my dear, you are correct. You are further along. You fairly tingle..." watching her closely, he nipped at his wrist, opening a small wound. Letting the blood pool slightly, he held his wrist to her. "Take and drink, my child."

Her eyes glowing with anticipation, Natalie grabbed his wrist and brought it to her mouth, sucking briskly. She heard his low growl of pleasure as she licked the wound clean, and felt Nick tighten his grip on her. Looking up at LaCroix, she smiled, "Thank you, father."

"You are most welcome, my daughter," he replied, rolling his sleeve down. With a nod to them both, moved to the middle of the room. "Call, and I will come," he said as with a woosh of displaced air was gone.

"How do you feel now?" Nick asked cautiously, stroking her arms gently.

"Better," she smiled at him. "Thank you for understanding. I know this is awkward for you," she kissed him gently, and stood gingerly, realizing that her legs no longer hurt. Where there had been large blisters, there was now just a slight redness. "My burns are healed," she said with surprise.

Nick nodded. He'd expected that to happen. "Nat, we need to talk," he hesitated. "I could tell the difference as well. I don't know if we'll get your pregnancy to go to term."

"Nick, we'll do what we need to do, when we need to do it. I'm not worried. Besides, who knows what term really is for a half-vampire child?" she walked over to the kitchen and turned on the tea kettle. "I will need your help though."

"With what?"

"Well, I was listening to myself yesterday with a stethoscope, and Jill walked in."

"And thought you were weird," he teased.

"No, I said I was listening to the baby. THAT is very normal. Most physicians and nurses I know do listen to their babies," she said with annoyance. "No, she wanted to hear the heartbeat too, and I have no good reason to say no, so she did."

"And?" he prompted.

"She could tell my heart beat was slowed. I'm worried what the doctor will find tomorrow. I'll need you to come with me for my appointment tomorrow."

"I would love to," he grinned. "I know that's normal daddy stuff and I was wondering when I'd get to go with you. The guys at the station do talk, so I know that no one will question me being there."

Chapter Twenty-One

Much as she had after her first taste of vampire blood, Natalie was energized and for the next week felt her normal self. Tracy has been amazed at the rapid healing of her burns, but understood enough to say nothing. Their friendship was strengthening over the early morning heart-to-heart talks. Few women would understand the challenges they faced loving men who had eternity.

Nick was finally coming around as well. He was always reluctant to discuss himself and at first was not pleased that Natalie had chosen to be so open with Tracy. He didn't argue with Natalie's need for a woman to talk with. It was something that Janette had often bemoaned during their centuries of travel together.

Leads on the slasher case were going nowhere, at least they'd identified the bodies. Both were tourists from the States. There were enough similarities that they were being approached as a multiple homicide. It had been two weeks since the last case when the call came in. A body had been found at the docks.

The mass of flashing lights, a crowd of onlookers and now, TV cameras, told Nick that it was ugly before he'd even gotten out of the car. The uglier the scene, the bigger the crowds. Talking a deep swallow from the black bottle that Natalie handed him as they got out of the car, he nodded to her and clipped on his ID. Pushing their way through the crowd, Natalie could smell the blood before she even saw the shielded body. She glanced back at Nick before setting her bag on the ground and pulling on her protective gloves. Taking a deep breath, she stepped behind the tarp and studied the pattern of the cuts.

"Hey, Miller," she called out to the officer who was holding the tarp to shield the body from view. "Did they take the pictures yet?"

"Yeah, why?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Look at that. It looks like, oh, a character."

"Character?" he repeated.

"Yeah, writing like in Chinese or Japanese, hmm," she said thoughtfully, the wheels turning. The scientist was in full gear now, and she did not seem to notice the splatters of blood that permeated the dock area. Nick, on the other hand, was very much aware of the excessive blood and stayed in the periphery.

****
Natalie arrived in the morgue before her client. <Just enough time to pull the autopsy photos from the previous cases>, she thought. Holding them in many odd angles, she was able to detect a pattern to the abdominal slashes as well. Pulling out a piece of paper, she traced them. <Hmmm, time to call in a favor.> She pulled out a directory for university faculty and thumbed through the pages until she found the listing she needed. With a quick glance to the clock, she dialed quickly.

"Professor Harris? Yes, this is Natalie Lambert.. Yes, THAT Natalie Lambert," she laughed softly. As an undergraduate, she'd been so focused on science and medicine, that even her humanities professors remembered her attempts to apply scientific principles to everything. "Yes, I am the coroner. Well, I need some help deciphering some strange characters. They look Chinese or Korean. I'm not sure which. Could you take a look? Umm, no it isn't grafitti. It was carved. Yes, on a body. No, I traced them. You are welcome to look at the original photographs. I didn't think so. Thanks. I'll fax it to your office." She began to hum softly as she hung up the phone and took her tracings down the hall to the main office.

By the time she'd returned to the lab, her client had arrived. After signing the body into the morgue, she started her post-mortem examination. She was almost finished when a tentative knock and a twinge to her 'vampire radar' signaled the arrival of the homicide team.

"Anything for us, Natalie?" Tracy asked, walking up to the desk confidently. Nick hung back and moved over to Natalie's desk, sitting down heavily.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have something," she said, almost cheerfully. Solving a puzzle, or at least figuring out a difficult case always made her feel more useful. Frowning at Nick, she pulled out the previous case's pictures. "I figured this out after studying the pattern of the slashes. See here?" she pointed at the abdomen of all three victims.

"Looks like a bunch of cuts to me, Natalie," Tracy said with a frown.

"Ah, but when I trace it onto paper, do you see?" she held up the pages that she'd faxed to the professor earlier.

"OK, now I see it," she acknowledged. "But what language is it?"

Natalie shrugged and passed the papers to Nick. "I don't know. I sent them to one of my humanities professors at the university. I took Oriental Cultures from him, and he's fluent in several languages."

Nick stared at the papers and then stood and stared at the victim. "You're right. It looks like Korean to me." His knowledge of that language was rudimentary at best, and he knew only a few of the traditional characters. That wasn't one of them. "Well, that might give us something to start with. See if there's any connection to the Far East in either of our previous cases." He looked up at Tracy with a relieved smile, "We may have finally gotten a break on this."

"Yeah, maybe Reese won't put you both in Traffic," Natalie said teasingly, referring to the Captain's usual threat to struggling detectives.

"He is getting a bit impatient," Tracy admitted with a sigh. "So, anything to help us with an ID?"

Picking up the clipboard, Natalie pulled off the top sheet. "Physical characteristic," she said, handing it to Tracy. "I'm still running dental records, but if he's a tourist like the others, that will take time. I'll have the prelims to you in a few hours, but that'll get you started."

"Thanks, Nat," Nick said, kissing her forehead lightly and motioning to Tracy. "Meet you in a few?" he said softly, as Tracy waved and headed out. "So, still doing okay?"

"Yes, Nick. I'm fine. I think I'm handling scenes better than you right now," she frowned, holding his arms. "I've never seen you have as many problems at crime scenes as you've had the past month. I thought if you went back to drinking human blood, you'd do better. What's going on, Nick?"

He sighed heavily, and pulled her closer, caressing her back, his face buried in her hair. "My control is not as good," he admitted. "Ever since you started changing, I have been craving you."

"Craving me?" she questioned.

"You," he confirmed. "I hate to admit it, but the way I'm feeling lately, I'm thinking that it's good that LaCroix will be bringing you across. I don't think I'd be able to stop."

"So you are ready for this? You agree? I haven't been real sure about that," she pulled back to study his face.

"Yes, and the sooner the better," he admitted. "Even though I've been feeding on human blood, I still hunger. The tastes that you give me are enough to keep me in control, but barely. Since I made love to you, and didn't take your blood at that time, well, the vampire wants to make love to you as well. It's hard to explain."

"It's okay, Nick. I think I get the picture," she said hesitantly. "Would it help if I gave you a taste more often?"

"It might, but I don't trust myself to take it directly," he said with a sigh of regret. What he truly wanted was to bury his fangs in her smooth neck and suckle her nectar while she took his. "Although, I would like to."

"We'll figure something out," Natalie said softly. She held out her arm. "I don't think you could drain me from here," she offered.

"No, I'll wait," he said regretfully.

"If you're sure," she said doubtfully. "You'd better go before Tracy puts out an APB on you."

****
"Dr. Lambert, a call for you," the intercom buzzed loudly. Natalie put down the mug of coffee she'd just poured, and walked over to the employee lounge's wall intercom.

Pushing the button, she answered, "Yes, Carol. Put it into the lounge." Sitting on the couch next to the phone, she waiting for the call to transfer. "Lambert. Ah, Professor Harris, good to hear from you. So did you get my fax?" she paused, acutely aware of the co-workers coming and going. She hated conducting business from the lounge, but the walk to the lab would have taken too long for her. "Could you read it? Would you fax me the translations? Thank you. You've been of great assistance." Her face was reflecting her growing excitement as the discussion ended.

"Something on the slasher?" Grace asked, looking up from her salad.

"Yep. I need to call Nick," she said, almost gleefully as she pushed herself up from the couch.

*****
"So that was the mark of an elite military unit in the Korean War?" Nick asked, studying the fax transmissions. He could sense Natalie's growing excitement as she stood behind him. Solving a mystery gave her great pleasure- it was one of the reasons that she was so successful as a forensic pathologist.

"That's what he said. I bet if we sent the fingerprints to the US Defense Department, they might be able to give us a clue to our mystery guest," she grinned, running her hands across his back. He turned and pulled her into his arms, cradling her against him.

"And what are you trying to do, Mrs. Knight?" he asked, kissing her forehead.

"You know how I feel about solving a puzzle," she said in a sultry voice, wrapping her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. Trailing kisses lightly across his neck, his face, until their lips met, she whispered, "and I have the best puzzle of all right here with me. I don't know, I just wanted to..." her sentence was not finished, as he captured her lips in a kiss that spoke of passions unfulfilled.

Running his tongue over her lips with increasing pressure until she opened and let him in, exploring her teeth, caressing them with his tongue, his fangs dropped. "And I want you too," he whispered, pulling her as close as her pregnant belly would allow.

She looked into his eyes, now amber, and met his kisses fiercely. Running her tongue across his teeth, she gently caressed his fangs, slicing a small cut on her tongue and allowing the blood to drip down his throat. His reaction was immediate, thrusting his tongue into her mouth until she felt the tingle that preceded the appearance of her own fangs.

"What are you two doing?" Tracy's strident voice interrupted their interlude of passion. Much as she enjoyed the fact that her partner was happy in his marriage, the middle of the morgue was not the place for this sort of activity. As they separated quickly, she could swear she saw amber eyes and fangs, on both of them. Was this the equivalent of vampire foreplay?

"Blame me, Tracy," Natalie said with an embarrassed giggle. She was the first to recover. "You know how my hormones are going crazy."

"Uh huh, sure, whatever," she saw Nick leaning against the desk, his back to both women. "You okay, Nick?"

"Yes," he said, his voice strangely accented. "What's up?"

"Well, it was taking you an awful long time and I thought that whatever Natalie had found was something that we should both hear," she explained. "Or was this just an excuse for a quickie?"

Nick whirled and faced her, his fangs still down, although his eyes had cleared. "No, Natalie did have information for us.

Tracy noticed her friend's reaction, and surmised that, indeed, she had interrupted a moment of intimacy. "Umm, okay, well, Natalie, can you explain what you found?" she asked, her face flaming.

Natalie put her hand over Tracy's. "Come on Tracy, let's go get some coffee." Leading her out of the lab, they walked into the lounge and Natalie poured two mugs of coffee. Handing one to Tracy, she nodded, "OK, go ahead. Ask me."

"What were you doing?" she asked as they both sat at the round table.

"Kissing," she smiled. At Tracy's look of disapproval, she moved her chair closer and spoke in a low voice, "as in, deep kissing... passionate kissing." She paused for a moment, looking for Tracy to understand. "Passion will make the vampire come out. Plus, I sort of, well, I cut my tongue on his fangs and gave him a little of my blood."

"And?" Tracy prompted. The subject of vampire sexuality fascinated her, mainly because she was considering pursuing an intimate relationship with Vachon and really wanted to know what she was getting herself into.

"Well, exchanging blood, umm, well, that is the equivalent of intercourse," she explained. "My fangs are not well developed enough for him to do the same."

Tracy grinned, "So he really was getting a quickie."

"I guess you could say that. It's not that we planned it. It just, well, happened." Natalie commented. "Like I said, my hormones are going crazy and getting a break in the case, umm, well, it excited me." She cradled the warm mug in her hands and took a few sips. "I would not suggest you try that with Vachon."

"Why not?"

"Unless you are ready to let things go farther, that is," she warned.

"Could you draw some of my blood?" she asked, focusing her attention anywhere but Natalie's face.

"Things have gone that far?" she questioned gently.

"I don't know," she hesitated. "You and Nick seem so happy. I don't know that Vachon is the one. I don't know if it's love, but I enjoy being with him. He's a lot of fun. If he was a mortal man, things would have progressed to the bedroom by now."

"Tracy, unless you want things to get real permanent real quick, don't tempt him." Natalie set her mug on the table, and reached over to take Tracy's hand. "When he takes your blood, even a little, he will know everything there is about you. Everything. Your past, your hopes, your dreams. How you feel about him. If he loves you in return, he will want more. I wouldn't count on him taking no for an answer either. Giving a vampire your blood is a more intense commitment than someone taking your virginity."

"But Nick has taken your blood," she protested.

"From a syringe or a shot glass. Not directly, although he wants to. I'm pregnant, so he holds back. Its only because Nick has centuries of denying himself pleasure that he can abstain and it isn't easy for him. Vachon might not have the same control. He certainly doesn't have as good a reason to hold back." She saw Tracy's thoughtful expression and leaned forward. "Think about it. When you're ready, I'll help you. When you are sure."

*****
With the help of the Defense Department in the States, they were able to identify their latest victim, as well as the fact that the previous victims had also been members of the same unit. Warnings were to be sent to the remaining members of that unit. For Nick it held eerie similarities to a case several years before. Only this time he was relatively sure that a vampire was not involved.

Once again, Nick and Tracy found themselves the focus of media attention. Solving the case was no closer but at least they had a direction.

Chapter Twenty-two

Over the next week, no new cases were discovered and all of the bodies had been identifies and released to their families. For Natalie, the work was done, unless she was called to testify in a court case. With the exception of a few routine hospital cases, she had time to get her files in order. Now starting the 34th week of her pregnancy, her nausea was back. It was worse than the first trimester morning sickness, and worse than it had been before she fed from LaCroix for the first time over a month ago.

Pulling out the slim file she kept locked in her desk, she studied the pictures of her blood that she'd taken with the tunneling electron microscope. <Maybe a second look would help>, she mused, thinking of her current symptoms. It was not just the nausea that concerned her.

After a quick phone call to her friend at the Institute, she slipped out into the night. It almost scared her to think how much at ease she was walking along the dark street. Signing into the lab, she cautiously locked the door behind her. Wouldn't do for anyone else to see that the 'case' that she was working on was herself. After preparing a slide, and adjusting the focus, she studied the image intently. <So, it is not my imagination>, she thought. It surprised her how calm she was this time. Printing a copy of the image, she then programmed the computer to make some calculations.

Returning to her lab, she dialed LaCroix's private number and spoke in a soft voice, one that only a vampire would hear. "I need to talk. Soon. Privately."

It came as no surprise to feel the woosh of displaced air within minutes. She had seldom requested his attention, so whenever she did, he was very quick. Standing at the doorway, he looked at her expectant gaze. "I will let you know if anyone approaches," he said, locking the door behind him and pulling a chair closer to her desk. "Now then, what concerns you?"

"How will I know when the time is right?" she asked with obvious trepidation.

"Hmm, what brings this question to your mind?" he leaned back in the chair and studied her closely. "I would assume that this is not merely an academic question."

"No, it is not," she confirmed. "I can barely tolerate food at all. My senses are much more acute. And this is what the microscope shows." She thrust the copy of her smear toward him.

"Would you care to translate? I speak many languages, but medical isn't one of them."

"That strand is what I call the vampire attachment. It's full size, or at least the same size as the one on Nick's DNA. Yours is much larger. Where Nick has it on 90% of his cells, and my first sample had one half this size on 10% of my cells, it is now full size on approximately 60% of my cells." She waited for what she was saying to be comprehended. She knew that she was approaching the point where decisions would have to be made. She could only hope that the plan could be put in motion quickly. "So, what I need to know is, what do we do? How do we know when it is time? I'm not sure that you feeding me will be enough to buy me six weeks so I can carry the pregnancy to term."

"I agree. It won't," he said bluntly. Leaning forward, he spoke in a gentler tone. "I will feed you now, and we will see whether that brings any relief from the nausea. If it does not, I will intervene."

"How?" she whispered, finally letting the fear creep into her voice.

"Do not worry, Natalie. Your doctor will now notice your low blood pressure, and will refer you to a high risk specialist." He took her hand loosely. "A special specialist if you know what I mean."

"Someone in the community," she replied.

"Yes, her name is Elaine Martine, and she actually is a practicing obstetrician. She has been anticipating our call for that past month and wanted me to assure you that she will deliver your son safely but that it will likely be an operative delivery. She isn't sure that conventional methods of inducing labor would work."

"And then?"

"Then we see what happens," he said with a slow smile. He could easily sense the growing dominance of the vampire within her, and was anxious to see her fully committed to his family. Whether he was the one who ultimately brought her across or whether it was Nicholas no longer mattered. She had already been the catalyst to bring his son back into the life he belonged. "I will keep the council informed. Their private jet has been at the Island airport for the past month, waiting for us."

Natalie looked at him with obvious surprise. Things were falling into place too easily. What was to her an unexpected, yet unavoidable situation seemed to be far too predictable.

"You do remember our standing appointment, my dear?" he asked gently.

"How could I forget?" she responded with an exaggerated sigh. Pushing aside her hair, she pointed to the reddened scars on her neck. "You left a little tattoo to remind me."

Leaning in closer, he studied the scars from his previous bite, "As I have I not forgotten. I eagerly await another taste of your bounty."

Pulling away, Natalie stood, keeping her back to him. She did not want to reveal her growing desire for him. It was not love, but was something else, something that she was not sure that Nick would understand. "You've had other tastes," she said flatly.

"Yes, I have. Sterile sips," he had moved closer, his breath tingling coolness on her neck. "I long for the real thing. So do you."

She froze, feeling his lips on her neck. Without a word, he pushed himself away, "But to answer your original query..." He bit down on his wrist and held it over the mug she'd set on the edge of her desk. Holding it out to her, he said softly, "Drink, my child." She grabbed the mug eagerly and brought it to her mouth, swallowing the contents with a sigh of delight. "Better?" he asked.

"Much, thank you," she responded. Suddenly remembering Nick's words when she'd last needed LaCroix's healing blood, she turned to face the senior vampire with dismay, "What do I tell Nick?"

"That is up to you, my dear. But do tell him something. He will be able to tell that we met," with a nod to the door, he said low, "Someone is coming. I will take my leave. For now," with a rush of air, and a blur that she could barely see, he was gone. Sitting heavily at her desk, she pretended to study the papers that were set on top.

Hearing the door open, she looked up. It was not Nick, not that she'd expected him. She had long been able to feel his presence. It was her supervisor. "Do you have a minute, doctor?"

"Certainly," she nodded, motioning to the chair next to her desk.

"That was very good work figuring out how to identify those slashing victims," he observed.

"They still haven't caught anyone. The case is still open," she remarked. She was not sure why Dr. Williams was in the office on night shift. In truth, she seldom saw the senior medical examiner unless she was preparing for a major trial.

"But your part is done unless it goes to trial," he paused, letting his gaze slowly track up and down Natalie's very pregnant belly.

"I suppose," she nodded. She could now see what his focus was. "Let me guess, you want me to go on maternity leave?"

"Natalie, it's not that I *want* you to go on leave. I want to *discuss* your options." He sighed, handing her a thick file folder. "Department regulations that you might be interested in. Scheduling and assigning of parents of minor children, maternity leaves and so forth. Take it home. Talk to Nick."

"Bottom line, Tom?"

"I'm not as worried about you here in the lab as I am having you out on the streets," he began, tapping his hands nervously on his knees.

"Tom, the only time that I'm out on the streets, I'm surrounded by cops. You honestly think there is a danger?" she let her surprise show. She had never, in all her years of working nights been afraid at a crime scene.

"How far along are you?" he asked instead.

"Thirty-four weeks," she stated, gently caressing her belly and the child within.

"I'll be honest. I've had numerous reports that you are not always feeling very well. But yet, you continue to push yourself. I don't think you've taken a single sick day since that week in October," he sighed, obviously reluctant to have this discussion. "As your friend, Natalie, I'd like you to consider starting your leave soon. It won't get better, or at least that's what my wife tells me."

"Here I thought that Nick had gone to you," she smiled. It would have been like her overly protective husband to try to convince her to 'rest'.

"No, this conversation was prompted by Marilyn," he explained. "For the last two weeks, every time we saw a crime scene broadcast, she would see you in the background and she'd start again. Asking me how long I was going to force a pregnant woman to traipse through crime scenes." He met her gaze, trying to stay serious. "Even in that very sensible navy blue suit, you stick out."

"Well, I *am* pregnant," she said with a laugh at his statement. "Tell Marilyn that I'm fine. To make both of you happy, I will discuss it with Nick. How soon could you cover my shifts? I think I'd originally listed May 15 as my LOA date and that's still a few weeks away."

"Immediately. I have people on standby starting this week. As soon as I found out you were pregnant, I started planning. We'll bring in a temp for the bulk of your LOA but I wasn't counting on you for the last three months at all, so you've already worked longer than I'd planned." He stood, breathing a sigh of relief. He had been expecting her to fight him. It made him wonder if there was some truth to Grace's worries.

"So this has been in the works for a while?" she looked at him with silent resignation. "Just so you know, the rumors are true. It has not been easy the past month. I don't think I'll have any argument from Nick, but I want to talk to him first. I'll call you this afternoon, okay?"

"That's all I ask," he agreed. "Maybe Marilyn will give me some peace."

Chapter Twenty-three

With no new cases, Natalie signed out early, with Grace's cheerful encouragement as well as a reminder to go to the Eaton Centre to register for her baby shower. Natalie knew that there was no way to escape that particular festivity since she'd not had a bridal shower and her bachelorette party was a far cry from the wild events that she'd helped arrange for so many other friends. Not that she really wanted any of those events. She detested being the center of attention. In that way, she and Nick were very much alike.

The nausea was much improved, and she had prepared toast and scrambled eggs. She was still washing dishes when Nick arrived home. Hanging up his coat and shrugging off his holster, he came over and gently nuzzled her neck. It was his favorite way of greeting her. The chance to savor her fragrant essence. Soon, very soon, he would share in those delights.

"You're home early," he commented, wrapping his arms around her, resting his hands on the bulk of her abdomen. He could feel the movements of his son and her soft sigh of contentment.

"It was a quiet night," she murmured, turning in the loose circle of his arms and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Anything new on your case?"

"No, we're trying to get the Pentagon to tell us more about that unit's activities to try to determine motive, or get a profile. So far they are being pretty tight lipped. Some of the records may have been de-classified but they are archived deep in some warehouse. So far we haven't been able to convince anyone to go through it. They seem to think that it's unlikely that anyone else from that unit would be coming to Toronto so it isn't a priority. Our best hope now would be to put the remaining members of the squad under surveillance, but since none of them are in Canada, that's not feasible. If any of them were to cross the border we could, but otherwise it's a dead end." He sighed, kissing her forehead lightly. Frowning, he studied her closer. "Did you meet with LaCroix today?"

"Yes," she confirmed. "You can tell?"

"Of course I can," he replied sharply, dropping his arms and walking over to the refrigerator. "Why? I thought we'd agreed that I would be there whenever he took your blood."

"He didn't take my blood, Nick," she said quickly. "You know how I haven't been able to eat for the last three days."

"No, I didn't," he replied with obvious alarm. Had he really be that unobservant? "Nothing? I knew you were nauseated, but I didn't know it was that bad."

"I didn't want you to know," she said sheepishly. "When I couldn't eat last evening, I got worried. I called to ask him what we should do. I wasn't sure how I'd carry the pregnancy for another six weeks."

"And?" he prompted, chagrined that he'd immediately thought the worst.

"He fed me," she replied, walking over to the couch with a mug of tea.

"Yes, I know. I feel his presence, his aura more strongly in you." He said with a continued puzzled look.

"What? Nick you obviously have another question. Ask..."

"You feel different." He came over and sat next to her, pulling her into the crook of his arm. "So, what did he say after he'd fed you?"

"We'll see how much relief I get this time. But I have to warn you Nick, my blood is changing pretty rapidly. I'm not going to go to full term. I'd say we are day to day at this point."

"What about our son?" he asked, alarmed at the possibility of a premature delivery.

"I'm far enough along. He'll be small but he'll be okay," she said softly. "But it might be a c-section."

"Why?" he asked softly, running his hand along her arm.

"If the nausea doesn't improve, then when I go to the doctor this week, we let her notice your blood pressure."

"Nat, your pressure is hardly normal," Nick pointed out.

"That's the plan. She'll be worried and she'll refer me to a specialist. The specialist will see that I am safely delivered."

"And do you know who this specialist is?"

"No, but LaCroix does."

"OK, I see. Someone in the community, I take it."

"Precisely," she nodded. "And she really is an obstetrician."

"What if there's a problem with the baby?"

"I'll be in a hospital, Nick. They'll be able to take care of him."

"OK, OK. I'm just the nervous father," he protested. "What about work?"

"That's the other thing that you and I need to discuss," she sighed. "Tom stopped by my office tonight."

"Tom actually came in on the night shift? I didn't think that was possible." He spoke with obvious sarcasm. Supervisory personnel were notorious for avoidance of the overnight shift. Natalie was one of the few 'non-rookies' to remain on midnights, and that was by choice.

"Well, his wife has been giving him no peace lately."

"Oh?"

"Every broadcast that they did of the slasher scenes had me in the background, flaunting my pregnant belly. She's accusing him of pushing me too hard. Something that I'm sure Grace has been quite happy to corroborate." She met Nick's amused glance. They both knew who was really doing the pushing here, and it was not the supervisor. "Anyway, he has my shifts covered so that I could start my leave at any point now."

"How do you feel about that?"

"You know, if I had a lot of cases that were pending, I might feel differently, but I'm tired. The gradual changes are coming more rapidly, and it's hard to control." She squeezed his hand, and silenced his concerned look. "I know, I know. I have not been terribly open about how I feel. But unless you object strenuously, I think I'll take him up on the offer."

"Nat, you know that I would never say no if you want to stop working. Ever. You know that I am more than comfortably well off financially. Your working is your preference and will always be. I'm not going to second guess you, especially with your health."

"Thanks," she said softly, relaxing against his shoulder.

"So what happens after you give birth?" he asked, gently massaging her arm.

"Depends on how I feel," she murmured, lifting her face to him. "The original instructions allowed for a year. At which time, LaCroix was to take our son and me to Paris. If I'm still having problems, the jet is at the Island Airport to take us whenever necessary."

"So your conversion will still be public?"

"Yes," she replied. "That has never been an option as far as I know. I don't know if there will be any more than the original group that interviewed me or not."

"If you are going to Paris, there will be," he said grimly. "You can expect a rather festive atmosphere. The Paris community is large, and quite friendly to converts. I'll warn you now to be careful. There will be many who want to share your blood. Especially when it becomes known that you bore my child. In a way that will make you a celebrity."

"Nick, it will be hard for anyone to tempt me when I have you. I know I'll have to share with LaCroix first, but I've been waiting so long to be with you. I'm not sure if they'll get us out of the bedroom."

"Nat!" he exclaimed. While he felt the same way, he had not thought that she would verbalize it.

"Well," she grinned, happy that she'd lightened his mood.

"Nat, umm, there's more that I think you should know." His voice was serious as he cradled her against his chest. "Your first meal as a vampire won't come from a bottle."

"You mean...?" she stammered. From the angles of the cuts on their warehouse victim, she had assumed that they had siphoned off a large quantity of his blood for consumption. She'd not seen fang marks anywhere, and she'd looked intently.

"I'm sure that man in the warehouse was in someone's thrall, in preparation for your first hunger. Since you weren't crossed, they didn't kill him in the usual manner but did leave the body for us to find. It was not just a test, it was a message. Unless attitudes have changed very recently, which I doubt, the elders don't believe in bottled blood for fledglings. They say it makes them weak."

"Nick, you've not really been around the Community much in the past, oh, hundred years or so. The technology for preserving blood is so much better. How do you know what they think?"

"Natalie, they told me," he confessed. "I was interviewed by three of them shortly before you were released. I didn't know for sure where you were or what they'd planned. In fact, I was surprised when they left me alive."

"You never told me this," she commented, disappointed that something so significant was kept hidden.

"I didn't see the point. Didn't you wonder why I've not protested more vehemently to LaCroix bringing you across?"

"You've shown that you weren't happy about it."

"Yes, but we've not fought. You weren't the only one given firm instructions," he explained.

"So you were told to let LaCroix convert me?"

"Not exactly. I was told that my transgressions within the mortal world would be punished by my death, and the deaths those mortals around me with knowledge of our existence, unless I stayed neutral to LaCroix making a new fledgling. It didn't matter to me that he was going to bring someone over. He's done it often enough that I don't pay attention. So seldom does he maintain familial relationships with his converts that I agreed. I thought if he had a new distraction, he'd leave us alone. I wasn't told that they meant you. I should have figured it out when they threatened to kill you."

"That's water under the bridge now," she commented. "We were basically set up. Their questioning of me kept leading back to things that would make you less than ideal as a master, and I was afraid of having a bond with any of them, so I asked LaCroix to do it."

"I wondered about that. After all that I'd said about him, you seemed almost too casual about accepting him."

"Again, it's too late to change my mind. Besides, we don't know what will happen when I give birth. I know I'll be watched closer than the other woman, and they have some theories but no one really knows why she went mad, or if we're doing the right thing."

"We *are* doing the right thing. You will be safe. She had only her lover to help her. You have me, LaCroix, the entire Council."

"I know," she said softly. "It's just nerves, I guess. Not to mention the thought the fear that I'll lose control."

"You won't. That's why the Elders will insist that you not be given bottled blood in first hunger. They said that's what I did wrong with Richard. Even giving him an live animal would have been better than the bottled cow's blood."

"Nick, we've gone over that before. Richard wasn't ready for the change. He didn't choose freely, I chose for him and pushed you. It's not your fault."

"It *is* my fault, Nat," he said firmly. "I should have known better and I've learned. You need to think about it, because Richard might be the one who meets you at the Gate."

"What do you mean?"

"When you are at the threshold, between life and death, you will have to make a choice. Go through the gate, and die as a mortal; or return and live as a vampire. Richard could very well be the one at the Gate to meet you, and he might try to persuade you to stay with him."

"And leave my newborn child? I think not," she said vehemently.

"Not normally, no," he said thoughtfully, holding her firmly. "But it is something that you need to be prepared for," he cautioned.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Natalie's relief was short-lived. Three days was all she had before she felt the symptoms return. Her long-standing bravado was fading as she faced the very real finality of her conversion. It wasn't regret she felt, but fear. The memory of her brother, threatening to kill her in that very smug voice haunted her. Would she lose control? Would Nick be forced to kill her?

The sun had long been down when Natalie stirred. She could hear Nick downstairs, tapping on the computer keyboard. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up from the kitchen. Now that she was officially on maternity leave, she slept late into the evening. Being nocturnal seemed so natural now.

"Ah, good day, my love," Nick greeted her as she descended the stairs.

"Hmmm, that smells wonderful," she breathed, making a direct path over to the coffee pot. The first sip came back almost as quickly as she swallowed it. The sound of her retching into the sink brought Nick quickly to her side.

"Nat? You okay?" he asked, rubbing her back gently.

"Yeah," she nodded, wiping her mouth with a paper towel. "Guess that smells better than it tastes," she said with a casualness that did not reflect her fears.

"Do you want some tea, maybe?"

She sat down at the kitchen table, resting her head on her hands. "No," she said flatly. "Nothing will stay down. Nothing except..."

"Is it time?" he asked gently, pulling a chair next to hers.

"I don't know," she replied in a soft voice. "His blood usually lasts longer than this."

"Do you want me to call him?"

She nodded, afraid to verbalize her thoughts. She was barely aware of Nick going to the phone and speaking to LaCroix. After another phone call that she couldn't hear, he came back and helped her to stand. He gently guided her to the couch.

"Don't you have to work?" she asked, glancing at the clock.

"I booked off," he replied, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to cradle her in his embrace. "Tracy said she'd call if there was anything dire, but I said you were cramping."

"Cramping?" she asked puzzled. "I'm not cramping."

"I know that. I'm laying the groundwork for you delivering early."

"Oh," she said, chagrined that she would not have thought of that. Tracy would make sure that all of their other friends knew that problems had developed so maybe it would not be such a shock when she *did* deliver early. She leaned against him, secure in his embrace.

A rattle of the skylight latch broke her reverie. She turned and watched as LaCroix floated down to the main floor, followed closely by a petite dark haired woman who was carrying a black leather medical bag.

"Natalie, Nicholas, this is Doctor Elaine Martine," he announced, stepping back so they could see his companion. "I thought it was time you met."

Natalie struggled to stand, but was halted by Elaine's quick gesture. Sitting on the edge of the couch next to her, she extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor. I've heard many good things about you."

"Thanks," Natalie responded, shaking her hand.

"LaCroix has filled me in on your recent symptoms," she began. "Who are you seeing for prenatal care?"

"Margaret Rogers," she replied, caressing her belly. To her surprise, it was firmer than she'd ever felt. Was she really having contractions? "Do you want her number?"

"Not yet. I've met Margaret, assisted her with a few cases. I know the original thought was that you go to her, get an official referral to me, and we would proceed from there."

"That was my understanding," Nick commented.

"I'm not sure that's wise," she said thoughtfully, giving Natalie a careful appraising gaze. "From what I'm sensing of you, that would require more witnesses and documentation than I want to try to repair."

"So what do you suggest?" Natalie asked, growing more fearful.

"We should head to Paris," she declared. "I have a full operating facility in my regular office. It would be safer to deliver you there. I have only been working in Toronto for a few months waiting for you to deliver. My regular practice is in Paris."

"What about the baby?"

"You're close to 34 weeks, right?" she waited for Natalie's confirmation before continuing. "I'll have a neonatal specialist on-site, but we should be okay."

"What do we tell our friends here?" Nick asked, glancing between the doctor and his sire. "This is highly irregular. I'm not sure they'll believe that we went out of town with Natalie this far along."

"Don't tell them anything. She is on leave, correct?" LaCroix commented. "Tell your partner that you need to stay with her. If your captain acts suspicious, your partner can get her friend to take care of it." His reference to Vachon did not go unnoticed. Nick knew only too well that he was biding his time until after Natalie was safely converted.

"And when we reappear with a baby?" Natalie questioned. The thought of delivering her baby so far from their friends was disconcerting to say the least.

"What's to say? It's simple, really," Elaine replied. "You went into labor, and were too far to make it to a hospital so Nicholas delivered you."

Nick smiled, remembering what Reese had said to him earlier in the pregnancy. "That they would believe."

"Really?" Natalie questioned. "I think it sounds fishy."

"Not at all. In fact, Reese predicted it," Nick confirmed. Ultimately, he wanted to ensure Natalie's safety as well as his son's. If this was what it took, he would do it. He turned to Elaine and asked, "When do we leave?"

"I think that Natalie and I need some time alone and then I will call the pilot. He is on standby, but will need some time to arrange flight plans." She stood and helped Natalie to stand and together they went upstairs.

Once alone, Natalie let the emotions loose, "I don't know if I'm ready for all of this," she confessed. "What if something goes wrong?"

"Relax, Natalie. I've been briefed on what we know of the previous case as well as the plan for you. Certainly if you do nothing, you run the same risks. You won't be alone, though. We may not know exactly what to expect, but with so many ancients around, you will be safely crossed."

"And my child?" she asked sitting on the edge of the bed.

"That is the uncertainty. We don't know if your child is vampire, mortal or a hybrid. That's where you and I come in. We are both physicians, as is Micheal, the pediatrician that will be at your delivery. He and I are fairly recent converts, and both completed medical training in the 70s. We have been practicing ever since."

"How can you continue to practice medicine?" Natalie asked eagerly. This was the first she'd heard of other physicians in the vampire community. She was momentarily distracted from her own discomfort in her enthusiasm to 'talk shop'. "What do you do about your schedules? The fact that you don't age? Isn't that risky?"

"That is why we both picked sub-specialties that include in-hospital night work," she shrugged. "Since I've always taken positions where I wasn't trying to get tenured as faculty, moving around is fairly common. I know how to write my credentials and I've had help altering dates on transcripts. You will find that nothing is impossible. We have resources that you can't imagine."

"How can you operate? Doesn't the blood bother you?" she asked, fascinated by the idea that she *could* continue to practice medicine.

"I won't say it's easy, but it's doable if you're determined and well-prepared. I make sure I am well fed before I walk into that OR. I know you've seen some pretty bloody cases, so you know what I'm talking about." She smiled, sensing Natalie's heartbeat steadying. No longer was she a bundle of nerves. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to examine you. As I understand it, your biggest problem has been craving blood."

"Actually it's more the inability to tolerate anything *but* blood. Always before, LaCroix would come over and give me about 30 cc of his blood and then I would be fine. I think I've had to feed from him three times total. It was generally a week or two before I'd have problems with food, or with the sensations again. This time it only lasted three days."

"Hmm," she nodded. "What do you mean problems with the sensations?"

"Oh, my eyes changes once at a crime scene because of the scent of the blood around me. I think there were a few times when I could hear everyone's heart beating around me. It was startling, but that's all I can think of."

"Well those don't seem as dangerous as the nutrition," she commented, pulling a stethoscope and portable ultrasonic device from her bag. "Lets take a listen."

"OK," Natalie agreed, laying back on the bed and pulling up her shirt.

"Mommy first," Elaine smiled, taking the stethoscope to listen to Natalie's heart and lungs. She kept her face carefully neutral, moving the instrument around several times before putting it down and picking up the small triangular device. "This will be cold," she warned, squirting a little clear jelly on the end and then moving it around Natalie's belly. Her face lit up when she found the baby. Taking the earpieces out, she flipped a switch and the room was filled with the thumping sound of an unborn heart. "There he is," she said softly. "Sounds fine. You on the other hand..." she paused for a moment, taking away the device and laying it on the bed next to Natalie. "I'm amazed that he isn't in trouble. He can't be getting good blood flow with your heart beating around 10 times per minute. It should be closer to 80."

"I know," Natalie agreed. "So you're ready to help us?"

"Yes of course, but before I put you on a jet for 8 hours, I'd like to do a full exam. I'll wait in the hall until you're ready."

Natalie nodded in agreement, sliding off her sweatpants as soon as Elaine had stepped out of the room. She detested having these exams, but knew that it was part of having a baby. Draping the sheet over her lower body, she called out, "OK, Elaine."

Sitting on the edge of the bed next to Natalie, Elaine reached into her bag for a small gel pouch that she squeezed and then held tight for a few moments.

"What are you doing?" Natalie asked finally.

"Warming my hands," she explained. "Trust me, you don't want me examining you with cold hands. Normally I douse them in scalding hot water, but I always carry a few of these portable hand-warmers." She snapped on some gloves and gently but thoroughly examined Natalie.

"You have that look again," Natalie commented, seeing Elaine stare at the wall behind her, and not make eye contact.

"What look?"

"Like when you were listening to my heart. Like you don't like what you're finding."

She did not comment on Natalie's very accurate assessment other than to continue questioning her as if this was a normal, regular OB exam. "Are you sure you haven't had any other discomfort? Other than nausea?"

"Yes, I'm sure," she declared. "What is going on?"

"I think we need to make some adjustments to the plane, if indeed we leave Toronto tonight," she commented, peeling off the gloves and standing, facing away from Natalie's probing glance.

"Why?" Natalie asked, sitting up, the sheet wrapped tightly around her middle.

"You must have had some contractions that you aren't aware of," she explained. Turning to face Natalie, she spoke in a firm tone, one that Natalie recognized well. "You are dilated 5 centimeters. If you came into the hospital in preterm labor, we'd say that was past the point of stopping and would simply let nature take its course."

"So why not do that?" Natalie asked, reaching around to find her clothes.

"I'd rather not have you deliver in a hospital," she replied softly.

"Are those *your* instructions?" Natalie asked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Yes," Elaine confessed. She was almost grateful that she could escape with that simple statement. This assignment of Aaron's was more complex than she'd thought. Escorting a pregnant woman to Paris and then delivering her seemed simple compared to monitoring and potentially delivering her mid-flight. Seeing that Natalie was dressed again, she opened the bedroom door. "I need to make some phone calls. You need to pack some essentials."

"For how long of a trip?"

"You'll be in Paris at least a week, maybe longer. Remember you can buy clothing. I'm thinking of baby necessities." She left the room, with Natalie sitting on the edge of the bed.

No sooner had Elaine left, than Nick walked in and strode to the closet. Pulling out a large suitcase, he turned to Natalie, "What's the verdict?"

"How do you feel about delivering me on a plane?" she asked quietly.

"What?" he exclaimed.

"I guess I have been cramping or something, so you didn't lie to Tracy. I've started to dilate. I would rule out an emergency delivery over the Atlantic."

"But we're still going to Paris?" he questioned.

"Yes," Natalie acknowledged. "She has her instructions as well, it would seem."

Nick shuddered slightly. "Seems a bit risky to me."

"Me too," Natalie agreed. "But what's an adventure without risk?"

"You are way too calm about this," Nick commented, coming over to sit next to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be okay when it's over." She leaned against him, clasping his hand tightly. "I'm scared, Nick."

He kissed her temple, laying his other hand over the clasped ones. "I know. I am too. I don't know what will happen, but I promise to do what I can to protect you. Now and always."

They were still sitting in silence when Elaine walked into the room, followed closely by LaCroix. "Hey, you two are supposed to be packing," she teased.

"What's the plan?" Nick asked, not moving.

"We're scheduled for a 5 am takeoff. The pilot wants us at the airport by 4. He's rearranging the configuration of the plane so that you'll be laying down, Natalie."

"Like a med-evac?" she questioned.

"Precisely. I'd like you to be as comfortable as possible. I am also going to have you on a fetal monitor for most of the flight."

"Is that really necessary?" she groaned.

"I think it is. You weren't aware of your labor so far. If the baby is in trouble, I want to know about it." Elaine was firm, decisive.

"Sounds good to me," Nick agreed, giving Natalie a stern look, as if to challenge her to disagree.

"Oh, all right. I can see I'm outvoted here," she agreed with obvious reluctance. "I guess we have a couple of hours to pack."

*****
LaCroix's limo arrived at the loft at 3 am and whisked them away. No one said much as they arrived at the airport and parked at the terminal for private planes. Natalie had never flown anything but commercial planes, in coach... or as she thought of it - the cattle car. She was amazed at the facilities in their private jet. She had been expected a gurney and was dreading the thought of trying to relax on the narrow mattress. To her surprise, there was an oversized recliner that had been made up into a bed. She tried to block out the medical equipment that lined the wall on the other side of the recliner. Three other leather seats were on the other side of the aisle.

"As you can see, that's your seat. I want you to rest as much as possible," Elaine instructed, showing her how to strap herself in. As soon as Natalie was seated, Elaine wrapped an elastic band around her belly and attached a flat black plastic sensor to it. Sliding it under Natalie's shirt, she moved it around until the sound of the baby's heart filled the cabin. Tightening the straps, she cautioned, "Let me know if you need to use the facilities. Otherwise, that stays on for the flight."

"Yes, ma'am," Natalie nodded, giving her a mock salute. In reality, she was comforted to hear the steady rhythm of her son's heart beating within her. She had been envious of Nick's ability to listen to him for the long months of the pregnancy.

"You okay?" Nick questioned, taking the seat closest to Natalie's side.

"I'm fine. You don't have to entertain me, Nick. I'll probably sleep," she reassured him.

"If you're hungry, the refrigerator is stocked," Elaine commented, pointing to the rear of the cabin. "We have a limo coming to meet us at the airport that will take us directly to my office. I have guest apartments above the office."

"When do you plan to, umm, do the surgery?" Natalie asked with a calmness that almost seemed numb.

"I'm not sure I'll need to do surgery. You're far enough along that I should only need to stimulate your labor a bit. I may not even have to do that much. I think we'll be able to deliver you normally."

They were interrupted by the pilot walking into the main cabin. "Good evening," he nodded to Elaine. "I'm Jim, your co-pilot. The captain is Mike. We're ready for takeoff, so if you would strap in, we'll be underway."

"Thank you," Elaine responded.

"Since I see you brought a patient, you'll let us know if we need any supplies before we refuel in Newfoundland? It's a little hard to make an emergency landing in the middle of the Atlantic."

"Of course," she agreed.

****
Lulled by the steady rhythm of the fetal monitor and the music that filled the cabin, Nick and LaCroix had fallen asleep shortly after the refueling stop. Elaine kept her vigil but Natalie had fallen asleep as well. It had been a very smooth flight, and they were starting the long trip over the ocean. Despite the windows being tightly shut, she felt the rising of the sun, and the fatigue that came with it. As a young vampire, it was difficult to fight sleep in such a peaceful environment. Even the long shifts she'd worked as an intern did not prepare her to fight the desire to sleep when the sun rose. Soon, she too was asleep.

The change came gradually, without warning. Something woke Nick, he wasn't sure what it was, but as he glanced around the cabin, an awareness came over him. He no longer heard Natalie's heart beating... and the baby's was slowing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Leaping from his chair, Nick called to Elaine loudly as he felt for the pulse in Natalie's neck. She was still warm, but he did not feel anything pulsate.

"Her heart has stopped," he exclaimed.

"I can hear," Elaine agreed. She turned to LaCroix, "you take care of her. I'll try to deliver the baby with forceps. Otherwise, as soon as you've crossed her, we'll operate."

Nick looked at her with alarm, "You aren't going to try to re-start her heart?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Nicholas," LaCroix commented, pushing his sleeve up and biting hard on his wrist, sucking to get the blood flowing. "She's at the brink. She can't come back that way. The only way she can come back is as a vampire." Standing by her head, he dripped the blood into her mouth, speaking to her in a calm, steady voice, encouraging, imploring her to drink, to come back.

At the same time, Elaine had pulled several trays of equipment from the cabinet next to Natalie's chair. Throwing a sheet over her, she positioned herself between Natalie's legs. Her exam this time was not nearly as gentle, but was swift. Breathing a sigh of relief, she grabbed a pair of forceps. "We're in luck," she commented.

"Yes?" Nick prompted, unable to take his eyes off his sire. The blood was pooling in Natalie's mouth and dripping down the side of her face. She was making no effort to swallow. A sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach was growing. Why was Natalie rejecting them?

"She was ready to deliver," Elaine commented. With a smooth motion, she pulled on the forceps and the baby emerged with a loud wail. Clamping and cutting the cord, she dried him, and wrapped him tightly in several blankets.

*****
The bright sunlight and warm breeze woke Natalie with a start. Looking around, all she saw was blowing sand, and blue sky. She wasn't in the plane. Nor was the plane anywhere to be seen. The sunlight did not hurt either.

It suddenly made sense. She'd scoffed at Nick's description of the place between life and death and yet, here she was. It was exactly as he'd told her.

She wasn't sure how she'd gotten here, but knew that her mortal life had ended. Quietly and without witnesses. She could only hope that the others would wake before it was too late. Compelled by some unseen force, she stood and began to walk. It was then that she saw that she was no longer pregnant. Maybe that meant that Elaine had managed to deliver her son while she slept.

It seemed that she'd walked for hours in silence when she saw a figure at the top of a ridge. Someone was waiting for her. She walked faster in her eagerness to finish her time in this desolate place.

Just as Nick had predicted, it was Richard. Despite the robe and deep cowl, she saw his eyes, his smile. "Welcome, Natalie. You may follow me."

She stood firmly in place, several feet away. "No, Richard. I'm not going to go with you. I'm not going to leave Nick."

"Do you hear him calling, Sis?" he asked, coming closer to her. "No, you belong with us. With Mom and Dad. With Cynthia. All of your family is waiting for you. Come and join me. You won't have this choice again."

"You did," Natalie commented. "You turned back once and you're here now."

"I didn't know what I was doing. I heard Nick's voice telling me that I didn't have to die. He didn't tell me *how* I wasn't going to die."

"I know. He only brought you across because I pushed him. He didn't want to do it."

"But he did. He'll do the same thing to you. He *has* done the same thing to you. I don't want you to suffer like I have."

"You're here now," she pointed out. "You're trying to escort me to the other side. Richie, it's only been four years."

"Time has different meaning on this side. It might be four years for you. It's been many more than that for me. I've paid for my sins. For what I did the first time I came to this place. I don't want you to make the same mistake."

"It won't *be* a mistake," she insisted.

"Are you sure? You may never be with us again. You have the choice now. If you come to this place again, you might have to be judged, as I did." His voice had taken on the knowing plea that he'd used so successfully as an attorney.

Natalie recognized the tone of voice and was not swayed. "I'm sure," she declared. I have a new son. I won't leave him. Not for you. Not for anyone. I love you as a brother, but that is nothing compared to a mother's love for her child." Her voice was firm. She was ready. She wanted to go back and could not understand what she had to do to make that happen.

She longed to hear Nick's voice calling for her.

*****
Nick's anxiety reached fever pitch as he heard the cries of his son. He was determined that his son would *not* lose his mother. Not now. Not ever. Biting down on his wrist, he stood next to LaCroix. "Let me try," he begged, letting the blood pool slightly.

"I don't know why she's not responding. Go ahead. Try," he agreed, pulling his arm back and watching as Nick stroked Natalie's cheek while his blood dripped into her mouth.

"Mon Coeur, je t'aime," he murmured. "Drink of me, my love. Turn away from the light. Come back to us. To your son. Natalie, please, drink." He was beginning to despair when he felt the movement of her mouth. A weight was lifted as he felt the suction on his wrist as Natalie drank from him. He leaned over and kissed her forehead, being careful not to move his wrist from her mouth. He was determined to give her all that she desired, all that she needed. He remembered all too well how past attempts had failed when he did not give enough of his blood.

"That's enough," LaCroix said gruffly, catching Nick before he fell. Nick had given her far more than was necessary, far more than was even healthy for him. "You need to feed now. You need to replenish yourself." He handed him a full bottle of blood and helped him into the chair. "She's come across. Rest now. You'll need your strength when she awakens." He turned to Elaine who was tending to the baby. "How is he?"

"Breathing comfortably. Looks okay for being almost two months early. I've put a warming pad under the blanket, so he should stay warm. I need to get Natalie cleaned up. She lost quite a bit of blood, and I don't think we want to smell it for the next four hours. Could you hold him? I think Nick will be sleeping for a while."

"Of course," LaCroix agreed, accepting the warm blanketed bundle from her. The tiny face that peered up at him seemed to be a miniature version of Nicholas. A tuft of auburn hair was visible despite a knit hat that covered his head snugly. "What do you think happened? Why would she not take my blood?"

"I'm not sure," Elaine confessed. "I'm saving the placenta to examine. Maybe it will tell us more, and I'll take a sample from her now. We can compare it to the prenatal tests that Natalie had already done. Considering how much she took from Nick, I'd say there's no doubt that she's come all the way across."

"What do you have for her?" LaCroix asked, holding tightly to the child. He was not about to let anything happen to his grandson.

She reached into a cooler hidden with the other medical equipment. "I wasn't sure if I'd have to operate so I brought some fresh supplies," she said, holding up several plastic bags. "It isn't warm and from the source, but it's fresher than your bottles."

"Good," he nodded.

****
Natalie was still asleep when they landed in Paris. A carefully placed suggestion to the customs agents convinced them not to try to wake her. The pilots were surprised to see their additional passenger and willingly vouched that she'd *just* given birth.

As promised, a limousine was waiting for them. Nick carried Natalie to the car and propped her against him as LaCroix sat on her other side. Elaine held the baby snugly while the driver put the luggage into the trunk. Soon, they were speeding through the streets of Paris to a quiet residential area. The large stone house was surrounded by tall trees. It did not look like a physician's office.

"I didn't see the point in taking you to the office," she said softly, knowing what the men were questioning.

"I thought I recognized the area," LaCroix commented. "It's been at least a century, maybe two." He nodded to the driver as he got out of the car, and strode to the door savoring the night air. After the re-circulated airplane air, it was a relief to be able to clear his senses.

As if on command, the door opened, and a man stood to the side, "Welcome, sir," he said, turning to LaCroix, and then to Nick. "Follow me," he instructed, guiding them down a short corridor.

The room was elegantly furnished, but Nick was hardly aware of the surroundings as he laid Natalie on the couch, taking a stool to sit next to her. "Wait here. Your bags will be taken upstairs, and you will be told when your rooms are ready," the man said simply, leaving the room. Elaine sat into an overstuffed chair in the corner.

They had only been there a few moments when the door opened and Joseph and Aaron entered.

"Unexpected complications?" Aaron asked, seeing their guests.

"You could say that," Elaine said dryly.

"She's been crossed?" Joseph commented, standing next to the couch.

"Yes," LaCroix confirmed.

"By you?" he asked. He could feel her aura, her presence as a vampire, but it didn't feel much like LaCroix, or a child of LaCroix.

"No," he said flatly. "I tried, but she didn't respond to my call. Nicholas converted her."

"You drained her?" Aaron asked, turning to Nick.

"No. Neither of us did. We'd all fallen asleep. I woke up, and didn't hear her heart beat." Nick reported.

"Hmm. She hasn't awoken yet?"

"No," Nick replied.

"So she has not fed yet?"

"Only from me," Nick confirmed.

"Good. Very good. You both have done well," Joseph declared. "Your rooms are ready on the second floor. Nicholas, you may take your son upstairs with you. We will summon you after she is awake."

"I want to stay," Nick declared.

"We would rather you did not," Aaron said firmly. "No harm will come to your wife, I assure you. We would, however, prefer that your son not be in the same room until Natalie has fed properly as a new convert. We fear that she would, by instinct, be drawn to him. This will also be a good time for out pediatric specialist to examine your son. Our aide will guide you."

Cradling his son in his arms, Nick kissed Natalie's cool forehead and reluctantly left the room, following LaCroix down a corridor.

****
The furnishings became less elegant and more functional as they walked down a long hallway. From the aromas that emanated from the rooms, Nick was certain they were in a medical or laboratory facility. Somehow it did not surprise him that the residential appearing structure would be a façade for an elaborate facility.

Standing to the side, the aide indicated a simply furnished waiting area. "I will summon the doctor," he said simply.

It was mere moments later when a tall athletic black man came out of an office and approached them, "Nicholas deBrabant? I am Michael Dewitt. I'm a pediatrician."

"Not much call for a children's doctor around here," LaCroix observed. In the centuries since he'd last been in the Council's Parisian home, there had been many additions. This science wing was one, and it made him curious. Just *what* was being investigated here?

"No, there isn't. Not among members of the community. I practice mainly in the hospital emergency ward. I was summoned to meet you here. The council wanted to have your son evaluated before you took him to someone who was not part of the community."

Nick nodded, "I understand." He followed Michael into the examining room and unwrapped the layers of blankets that covered his son. "His clothes are all packed," he said with an embarrassed shrug.

"No problem. I need him undressed anyway. How about a few statistics here?" he smiled, lifting the small child gently, and laying him on a scale. As soon as he was placed on the cold firm surface, the baby woke, and immediately squalled in protest.

La Croix edged closer to the door. This was more than he wanted to hear. Nick simply glared at his sire, as if to dare him to leave.

"Nothing wrong with his lung power," Michael grinned. "They always do that. Let's see. Looks like, yes, 2.3 kilos." He stretched a tape measure next to him and announced, "And he is 46 centimeters long." He picked up the wiggling baby. "Hey little man, can I finish now?" Holding him in the crook of his arm, he finished his exam before turning to Nick. "He looks fine. I can tell that he is a bit early, but he seems pretty vigorous. Watch how well he eats and let me know if he isn't taking around 300 cc for the day. I need to take a blood sample from him. I'll give you results and will prepare some documents for you. Stop in before you leave."

****
As soon as Nick and LaCroix had left the room, a panel in the wall opened, and the other Elders emerged. Two young women dressed in simple white robes followed. They had identical blank expressions and stood silently behind Martin.

"Are you staying?" Aaron turned to Elaine. She'd remained in the background, hoping she'd be allowed to watch.

"I'd like to," she acknowledged.

"Fine. Just remember, what we do with converts is not common knowledge and we'd like it to stay that way. Some things take power and skill that only an ancient possesses. We fear that others, less competent than ourselves would not be as successful."

Elaine nodded in agreement, leaning on the far wall. It was small repayment to have the opportunity to watch the Council work.

Aaron sat on a stool next to the couch, and using a small pocketknife, cut a broad swath on his wrist. He then took Natalie's arm and cut her arm. As soon as the blood had appeared, he held her arm against his. Feeling the sensations, the knowledge of her entire existence pass into him, he separated their arms, laying hers on her chest. Standing back and watching her intently, he reached out with his mind. Gently nudging her consciousness, he willed her to awaken.

She took a deep breath, and opened her eyes wide. She could see that she was in an elegant drawing room. She was also surrounded by the group of vampires who'd interviewed her months ago. She didn't know whether or not to be frightened, nor did she have time to think about it. A sharp pain crossed her abdomen. It was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. All she could feel was pain. She would do anything to ease it.

With a gasp, she sat up, "hungry," she managed to whisper.

"I know, I will help," Aaron said mildly. He nodded to one of the white robed women. "Marie, come here. Sit next to Natalie."

The woman did as commanded, lifting her wrist toward Natalie, as if in offering. Natalie could smell the nectar that this woman had so close to her, but didn't know how to get it. The pain had erased all conscious thought. She heard the command deep in her mind. Someone told her to drink. She felt a tingling sensation in her mouth and a change in her teeth. Holding the woman's arm securely, she buried her teeth into the largest source of the scent. The warm blood spurted out and filled her mouth. She drank greedily, feeling the pain ease.

"Stop," the voice in her mind commanded.

"But I'm still hungry," she protested silently, communicating with the stranger who seemed to have power over her.

"There is more, but not from this woman. Stop now."

Natalie did as instructed, and within a few moments, another woman was seated at her side. She sat patiently, awaiting Natalie's bite. Drinking a lesser amount from the second woman, Natalie suddenly became aware of her actions. She pulled out and looked around the room in alarm. What had she done?

"Welcome to our world, Natalie," Thomas said gently, seeing her confusion.

"Where am I?" she asked, seeing the group of men standing around her. She heard the tandem beating of two mortal hearts and could see the women that she'd fed from being led out of the room. Neither seemed aware of their surroundings or the fact they'd each lost a significant quantity of blood.

"Paris. Do you not remember?" Joseph replied.

"I remember getting on the plane," she agreed. Looking down at her abdomen, she stood with sudden alarm. "My baby? Where is he?"

"Relax, he is with his father. You may go to him after we've talked," Aaron replied. "You realize what has occurred."

"I've crossed over," Natalie commented. "Was that the hunger that Nick warned me about?"

"Yes, it was. You have nothing to fear," Martin reported. "We know all about your brother. Your conversion is now complete. You will not share his fate."

"I didn't kill them, did I?" she asked with obvious trepidation. She had been trying to rationalize the need to kill ever since Nick had warned her. While she had been totally unaware of her actions, she cringed at the thought that she might have taken a life.

"No, you didn't. If you have control, you don't have to kill when you feed from the living."

"How could I possibly have control?" she puzzled.

"You didn't. I controlled you," Aaron replied. "Ordinarily, your sire would exert nominal control during your early days as a vampire. In your case, however, I detected that you hadn't yet formed a bond with your sire, so I exchanged just enough blood so that I could assist you."

Natalie leaned back into the cushions of the couch, showing her exhaustion. It was a lot to process. "I don't understand. I'd already had sort of a link with Nick, and LaCroix to a lesser degree. You're saying I didn't bond with either of them?"

"Precisely. It is a rare occurrence, and generally happens when the convert is not drained by their sire, but is at the point of death from other causes."

"Like a gunshot wound?" she asked curiously, thinking of the failure with her brother.

"Possibly. In your case, we are not exactly sure what happened. There is blood-work yet to be done which might provide answers. Regardless, without the link of your sire, the initial stress of first hunger can be fatal. Lacking a clear bond with a sire, we completed your conversion."

"You keep referring to my sire. Who did it?" Natalie looked around the impassive faces. "LaCroix?"

"No," Thomas said flatly. "You would not respond to his call, so Nicholas gave you his blood. That is, ultimately what started your final conversion."

"I never heard LaCroix call for me," she protested. She did not want either man to get into trouble, but if LaCroix had tried to bring her over, she was not aware of it. "I was in between worlds, and I waited to hear his call. I was beginning to worry when I finally heard Nick."

The men exchanged glances. Both men, and Elaine had reported the same scenario which was that Natalie was at the brink without their assistance, and she'd not responded to LaCroix's attempts to cross her, so Nick had stepped in. What was even more puzzling was that she did not seem to reflect either man's aura as a next generation convert usually did. It made them question. Who really was her sire?

Chapter Twenty-Six

By the time they were in their rooms, the baby was awake and fretting. Rooting around desperately he tried to latch onto the blanket, to Nick's shoulder. Anything that came within reach was fair game but it was not what he wanted and he was showing his displeasure by increasing the decibel level of his protests.

"I do hope that you packed some nourishment for him," LaCroix commented, pushing open the door and then stepping aside so the valet could take the suitcases inside.

"Of course. It's in the small bag," he pointed to their carry-on.

LaCroix unzipped it, and rummaged around, finally extracting a plastic cylinder filled with a whitish liquid. There were numerous containers like it. "This?" he asked, looking at it doubtfully.

"Yes. I'll need a nipple too. They should be in the same area of the bag."

"Of course," he said, trying to act knowledgeable. In truth, even when he had fathered a child, so many years ago, he'd not been a part of the routine upbringing. In the intervening years, he'd had little reason to pay attention to the needs of the smallest of humanity.

Nick took the bottle, a medical sample type that she'd packed because of its ease of use and screwed on the rubber nipple. The room descended into blessed silence as soon as Nick had the tip in his son's mouth. The only sound was the greedy slurps of a very hungry baby.

They both watched in silence, thinking of the same thing. First Hunger. No vampire ever forgot the sensation, the overpowering desire and lack of reason that came on first awakening as a vampire. Nick had been far calmer than most, but he still remember savagely tearing into the neck of a helpless woman, draining her life without conscious thought.

While they were comfortably feeding an infant, Natalie was experiencing first hunger. How she came through that one event would determine whether or not she would live. For the sake of his son, Nick tried to keep it out of his mind, but he was impatient.

The bottle was empty and the baby had burped. Loudly. Nick laid him in the fine carved cradle that sat in front of the fireplace. Unpacking the suitcase was a mindless enough task to keep him occupied. He found clean clothes and diapers and proceeded to dress his son. He laughed when Natalie packed the 'preemie' sized diapers, calling them doll clothes. He now appreciated her practicality.

LaCroix had excused himself to go to his own room, which was further down the corridor.

****
"So Nick is my master?" Natalie asked, glancing between the row of men who stared at her silently.

"They don't know," Elaine finally answered. She could sense Natalie's growing tension. "Since your conversion was unusual to say the least, I don't think anyone wants to commit just yet."

"So what do I do now?" she asked, focusing mainly on Elaine, since she was giving her more information than the men.

Elaine glanced at Aaron. She was not about to answer this one. He sighed and replied, "We shall have LaCroix bond with you. For your survival, having a sire is not optional. Unattached fledglings generally become victims of someone's carelessness, not always their own, but lacking a clear lineage, they have no one to argue in their defense. We generally don't interfere in these cases."

"I don't understand," she commented. "If it is safer, why is it not known that simply giving someone vampire blood is not enough to form the master to fledgling bond? Or even that such a bond is necessary?"

"We are not in the habit of encouraging conversions, period," Martin said slowly, as if reluctant to continue. "You do understand that you are now eternal."

"Yes," she nodded. She saw the non-verbal signals that passed among the Elders. The cue seemed to be that he should continue.

"Our resources, while seemingly plentiful, are in reality, finite. Only those with the mental fortitude to survive the changing worlds should be converted. Unfortunately, far too many of these emergency conversions are done for sentimental reasons. Some knowledge is deemed best held only by those who have survived the test of time. This is one of them. I trust you will not betray our confidence in you."

Natalie nodded. "So will you know who *really* is my sire? Or do you simply plan to have LaCroix do this re-bonding regardless?"

"LaCroix will re-bond with you in any event. He knows the procedure," Aaron explained. "Elaine will run some tests on the placenta and on blood extracted from you during the process. I am sure you'd like to see your child. We shall talk again, but for now, you are free to join Nicholas upstairs."

"Thank you," Natalie agreed. Since she did not remember giving birth, she certainly did not remember seeing her son.

Following a darkly clad man out of the room, she could feel the vibrations becoming stronger. Familiar vibrations, a comforting feeling. She knew it was Nick's room before the guide even gestured to it.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, she was drawn immediately to the cradle. Nick was sitting next to it, singing a lullaby in French. Seeing her, he leapt to his feet and enveloped her in a tight embrace. "Nat," he exclaimed.

"Our son?" she pushed her way to the cradle, and picked up the small bundle, cradling him in her arms. She heard the rapid beating of his heart, smelled the sweet scent of his blood so close. Kissing him lightly on the forehead, she turned to Nick, eyes shining. "I'm fine, Nick. It's over."

"You sure?" he asked doubtfully. He'd frozen in fear when she'd pushed past him to pick up the child. It was as if their child was calling to her. He'd tried to reach into her mind, but he did not feel a link to her.

"Yes," she said confidently. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she studied the tiny features of her newborn son. "He's beautiful, Nick."

"He needs a name," Nick commented, climbing upon the tall bed and sliding next to her.

"He does," Natalie agreed, finally looking at her husband. "Why don't I feel you? I thought I'd have more of a bond with you now. I was told that it was you that brought me across."

"I don't know. You should," he said with obvious frustration.

"When I was coming down the hall, I felt like someone was calling to me," she puzzled. "I thought it was you, but I was drawn to the baby."

"Maybe you still have more of a bond with LaCroix since he fed you for the last few months. Neither of us drained you, so I don't understand what happened."

"Neither do the elders," Natalie informed him, turning her attention back to their son. "Does it really matter?"

"I'm not sure," he confessed. "Did you eat?"

"Yes," she nodded, unwrapping the blankets to study the baby closer.

"You're pretty calm. What did you eat?"

"What do you think?" she asked with annoyance. "Blood. Fresh, warm, from the source."

Nick looked at her with obvious sorrow. So Natalie had taken a life. Already.

"No, I didn't kill anyone," she commented. Maybe she did have a bond with Nick. She knew exactly what he had been thinking.

"How is that possible?"

"Aaron helped me. It was like he was in my head and he told me to stop."

"Hmm. That's different," Nick mused. "Worked okay?"

"I guess. He had me drink from two different women. They're both alive and, I presume, well." She continued in her mission to count little fingers and toes. "Has anyone weighed him yet?"

"That was sort of low on the priority list," Nick replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"OK, Nick, I get it. You weren't expecting it to happen this way. Neither was I. How do you think it feels to have been unconscious when you gave birth?"

"Like you said. It's over," Nick agreed. "And to answer your question, he was examined by their pediatrician. He weighs 2.3 kilos.

"I've forgotten most of my pediatrics. Did the doctor think he was big enough for his age?"

"Yes, and he told me how much he should be eating. He drew some blood work, too," he commented. "Did Aaron say what more they need with you?"

"I guess I didn't bond with you adequately. They said I don't have a link to my master so I'm going to need to re-bond with LaCroix."

"Re-bond? When?" Nick questioned. He'd only seen a re-bonding once and had not understood why it was being done. Was this something more that he'd never been taught?

"So they think he is your sire?"

"No, they aren't sure. Elaine is running some tests. I suppose I should help her."

"Nat, for once, think of yourself as a mother and not a pathologist," Nick encouraged. "Let's start with some basics. Like a name."

"Got a preference?" she questioned. "Do you want him to have your name?"

"He'll have my family name. That's enough. What was your father's name?"

"Richard. Like my brother." After seeing her brother so recently and having him try to dissuade her from staying with her son, she wasn't sure that she could use that name without feeling a twinge of sorrow. "And no, I don't want to name our son with that name. It would forever remind me."

"Nat, was he there?" Nick asked gently.

"Yes. At first I thought it was just in my imagination because we'd talked about it."

"But it wasn't?"

"No. He tried to get me to follow him. He played the part of the over-protective big brother but when he tried to convince me that he was more important than my son, I just couldn't wait to hear your voice."

"Do you think that's why you didn't respond to LaCroix? You were waiting for me?"

"I don't know," she said, exasperated. "Let's get back to names. What was your father's name?"

"Henri," he replied, shaking his head slightly.

"Henri Nicholas deBrabant Knight?" Natalie prompted.

Nick shook his head. "Doesn't sound right."

"I have another thought," she smiled. "Donald. In honor of Schanke."

Nick smiled. A slow, relaxed smile. He had fond memories of his late partner. "Yes. I think that is perfect. What about a middle name?"

"Well, you've worked for two captains named Joe. How about Donald Joseph?" she suggested.

"Donald Joseph deBrabant Knight it is," he agreed. "I think the name is almost as big as he is."

****
Two bottle feedings later, one for little Donny, and one for his mother, Nick stretched out on the bed cuddled against Natalie. She'd fallen asleep as soon as the first rays of sun were peeking through the eastern sky. They'd spent the entire night talking. Making plans, as new parents are prone to doing.

It had been a total surprise that they'd been left alone. Even LaCroix had allowed them time to be a family.

****
"You called?" LaCroix said politely, walking into the room. Aaron, Joseph and Martin were seated around the mahogany table.

"Yes, please, join us for some refreshments," Martin invited, handing him a crystal goblet filled with a thick red liquid.

LaCroix smiled, savoring the pungent aroma. He knew the Council would have excellent stock. "How might I assist you?"

"You have seen Natalie since we awakened her?" Aaron began.

"No, I have not. Should I have felt something?"

"I don't believe so," he replied. "We are in a rather awkward situation."

"Oh?" LaCroix prompted.

"Our young convert seems to have converted on her own. Even Elaine's tests show that she is not of anyone's lineage."

"How is that possible?"

"It seems that a variant of the vampire nucleotide carried within Nicholas's DNA was transferred to her from the child. It is unlike his, or yours."

"How will she survive as a fledgling with no master?" LaCroix asked with obvious concern. No matter what he thought of the doctor's past activities, he had, in his own way, included her within his family. He knew only too well that no matter how careful an unattached fledgling was, they were doomed to a short existence. It was for that reason that most conversions that the Elders did under duress were thought to be orphaned. Those that were intelligent found an older vampire, and bonded with them.

"That is where you come in. We need you to bond with her."

LaCroix was silent for a moment. "I am certainly willing to do so, and I know that was our original agreement," he began.

"But?" Joseph questioned.

"Over the past few months, I have realized that we might have been hasty in excluding Nicholas from this task."

"What makes you think that?" Aaron asked. He certainly remembered how Natalie had pleaded for her lover to be allowed to bring her across.

"He has returned to the fold more securely than I thought possible. He has pledged to Natalie that he will not be seeking mortality. He is drinking human blood again, and I sense his powers are full strength. I'd intended to finish his education now. He is ready."

"You think so?" Martin said with skepticism.

"I do. I will watch over him, if that is what you'd prefer, but I think it would be better for both of them."

"Give us a few moments," Aaron instructed, handing LaCroix another goblet as he and the others went out a side door.

It was at least an hour before the Elders returned. Taking their seats around the table, they were silent.

"Well?" LaCroix asked.

"We shall hold you responsible, but yes, we will permit Nicholas to serve as her sire," Aaron announced.

****
A loud knocking on the door startled Nick to awareness. Donny had taken a bottle around 3 in the afternoon and slept soundly. Natalie had not stirred since dawn. Nor did he expect her to.

Belting a robe around his waist, Nick stumbled to the door. "Yes?" he asked, hoping that he sounded as annoyed as he felt.

Elaine stood at the threshold. "We need to talk," she said abruptly. The fatigue was obvious in her expression and appearance. She'd spent most of the day in the lab, and it was only with the regular appearance of Elders in her lab that she'd stayed awake.

"Nat's asleep. I think it'll be a couple hours before you can wake her easily."

"That's okay. I'd rather talk to you alone." She gestured to the room. "May I?"

"Oh, uh, sure," he stammered, standing aside. She sat in a chair by the fireplace and waited for Nick to join her. The room was lit only by the glow of the fire but it was enough for them both. "So, what is so important that you had to wake me?"

"It's about Natalie."

"I figured as much."

"You aren't her sire."

"I figured that part out last night. We had more of a bond before she was brought across," he observed. "Besides she told me that Aaron thought she hadn't bonded with anyone."

"Has LaCroix seen her yet?"

"No, he left us alone." Nick commented. "So he's her master?"

"No, I don't think so."

"That doesn't make sense. So who *is* her master?"

"You're going to think I'm crazy, but before I go on, I'll tell you that I've been taught several laboratory methods of isolating vampire DNA and identifying specific family lines."

"I'm following you so far," he nodded. "So what did it show? Who is her sire?"

"Your son," she said calmly.

"No. He isn't a vampire." Nick disagreed. "That simply isn't possible."

"Isn't it? He carries your DNA, or at least a mutated version of it. He gave her enough to induce her conversion. Her vampire nucleotides more closely matched his. I found them in large quantities in the placenta. It's as if he transferred them to her, and they didn't cross back over to him. There were only trace amounts in his blood now."

"But she drank *my* blood."

"I know. I wasn't expecting this. I knew she felt different as soon as she woke up. It's hard to explain but that's what the tests show."

"How can a baby be her master?"

"He can't, of course. That is simply what the tests showed."

"Does Aaron know?"

"Yes. I gave him my report first. He wants to see you both as soon as Natalie wakes up. Bring the baby."

****
Nick found it impossible to sleep after that. Too many scenarios ran through his head. Most of which involved drastic actions against either Natalie or Donny. As the sky began to darken and the automatic shutters were raised, he saw Natalie begin to stir.

"Nick," she called out. "What are you doing?"

"I had a lot to think about."

"Well, think about it over here with me," she pleaded, sitting up in bed.

"You need to get up and get dressed. They want to see us." He didn't have to elaborate further. She knew exactly who 'they' were.

Showering and dressing quickly, Natalie came back into their room, watching Nick changing Donny's diaper. "Careful there. If you aren't quick, you'll get sprayed. As if on cue, a warm stream hit Nick in the forehead causing Natalie to break into hysterical giggles.

"Very funny, Nat. Did you plan that?"

"Now, how could I have *planned* that?" she teased. "Go wash your face. I'll finish dressing him."

When they were all clean, and dressed, Nick wrapped an arm around her waist, and guided her to the first floor drawing room. Aaron was seated by the fireplace, reading. He glanced up at them with a smile.

"Ah, thank you for coming so early in the evening. Have you eaten?"

"No," Nick said quickly. "What do you need?"

"You mistrust my motives Nicholas. You have nothing to fear." He sighed, and handed full goblets to each of them. Natalie sat in an overstuffed chair on the opposite side of the fireplace. "I suppose Elaine has spoken to you."

Natalie glanced at Nick in confusion. He nodded, standing next to her chair. "She spoke to me, but not to Natalie."

"Then I will explain our concern to you both. We have ways to delineate vampire DNA to the extent where we can identify lineage. Yes, we will, in time, teach you these techniques. In the meantime however, you should know that the tests showed that your sire, the vampire who brought you across, is, in fact, your son."

"He isn't a vampire," Natalie scoffed.

"He carries a version of the vampire DNA, or did. He transferred the vast majority to you," Aaron reminded her. "In sufficient quantity to have stimulated your conversion."

"But how can a baby be my master. That doesn't make sense."

"Nor is it practical," he agreed. "We fear that you might inadvertently cause harm to your son because your bond with him far outweighs anyone else."

"So what do you suggest?"

"I was able to control you as a master would last night. It is almost as if you are a new line and your master had not imprinted you yet. Your son has led you to us, and we would not seek to do you harm. We simply feel it would be safer if you had a strong link with another, older vampire before you left our presence."

"What would I need to do?" Natalie questioned.

"Nicholas, are you willing to bond with this woman in my presence? To guide and watch over her education?"

"Absolutely," Nick responded, a gleam in his eye and sly smile as he allowed his fangs to lengthen. He reached over and took their son from her arms, he handed him to Aaron.

Guiding her to the couch, he whispered for her to lie down. Leaning over, he tenderly began to kiss her, concentrating on the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

She gasped at the sensations. "Nick, what are you doing?"

"Bonding with you," he smiled, loosening his shirt collar. "You'll know what to do. It's instinct." Crushing her lips to his, he kissed her with an intensity she'd never known. She felt the tingling and then the low growl with the descent of her fangs. He moved his kisses to her neck, and then plunged his fangs into the large vessel. Drawing the precious fluid he absorbed the sensations, the knowledge of her life. He continued to drink slowly, gently until he felt Aaron's hand on his shoulder and the command to stop.

Natalie lay pale and limp, with her eyes closed. He bit down on his wrist and dripped the blood into her slack mouth. It was with a gasp of pleasure that he felt her fangs within his wrist. With each swallow, he could feel their bond develop, grow and strengthen.

She sat up and with a growl, pulled him tight against her, sinking her fangs into his neck. As she began to drink, he pierced the previous puncture marks again and drank. He tasted the mixture, the blending of two becoming one. The joining of their minds, their blood circulating until one didn't know where each began and ended.

He withdrew his fangs, kissing the punctures until they were healed. Holding her tightly against his chest, he continued to caress her, whispering in her ear.

"That was incredible," she breathed. She'd momentarily forgotten that they were not alone.

"Yes, it is an amazing experience," Aaron agreed. "There is much that awaits you. I invite you to return to Paris in the future. Perhaps your medical background would add to our knowledge base, or you could assist with future research endeavors."

"So we are free to go?"

"The jet is available to take you back to Toronto at any time. You will need to give a 24 hour notice."

Epilogue

"Well, there's only 22 messages," Nick said dryly, staring at the machine.

Natalie sat in the rocking chair that LaCroix had given them. They'd placed it next to the fireplace, and she'd very quickly determined it to be a perfect place to rock little Donny to sleep. They had returned from Paris the evening before, but had been too tired to deal with the phone calls, mail or newspapers.

"Okay, how many are from Tracy?" Natalie commented, rubbing Donny's back gently.

"We'll see," he replied. Sure enough, all twenty-two were from Tracy, with varying degrees of being frantic. "Think we should put her out of her misery?"

"She won't leave us alone otherwise," Natalie replied. "We were only gone, what four days?"

"That's long enough for her to put out an APB," he laughed. He punched a memory button and waited only one ring, "Yes, Tracy, you can come over," he said, and hung up.

"Shortest conversation on record," Natalie mused.

"Well, that *is* what she wanted," he shrugged. He dialed another number, and asked for Captain Reese. "Knight here. Well, she delivered early yesterday morning. No, we're at home. No, we never made it to the hospital. I did. Yes, I would. We'll come over some time next week. Oh, of course. Boy, 2.3 kilos. 5:15 am on the 4th. I will, thanks."

"Let me guess. There was a pool." Natalie sighed.

"Of course. I am now on paternity leave."

"We're faking his birthdate?"

"Only by a few days. It would be hard to explain why we waited to report it."

"I suppose. Is that the same date that is on the papers Michael gave you?"

"Yes, and I sent copies to Aristotle. He'll get an official birth certificate to us. Doesn't even need to forge it, since Elaine signed it."

The buzzing at the door and Tracy's excited voice over the intercom broke their discussion. Nick walked over and buzzed her in. Not waiting for the lift, they both heard her rapid footsteps up the kitchen stairs.

"Where have you *been*?" she demanded. "How's Natalie?"

"I'm fine," Natalie replied, continuing to rock slowly.

Tracy looked up, and saw her friend sitting with a small baby cradled against her shoulder. She gasped, frozen in place. "Nat? Is that?"

"Yes, it is. Come closer. I won't bite. I promise."

Tracy narrowed her eyes. She knew only too well what that comment meant. "It's happened?"

"Yes, it has," she replied calmly, watching as Tracy came closer.

"Can I see?" she asked.

"You can hold," Natalie declared, standing and placing Donny in Tracy's arms. "Tracy Vetter, meet Donald Joseph de Brabant Knight."

"He is adorable," she breathed. "I didn't think you were due yet."

"I wasn't," Natalie agreed. "He didn't want to wait."

"So, what happened?"

"You want the official story? Or what really happened?" Natalie asked, sitting on the couch opposite her.

"I'd like both, but I understand if you can't talk yet."

"Yet?" Nick prompted.

"I'll get to that," she replied. "Just so I'm not surprised when I go in tomorrow, what is the story that you'll tell the department?"

"That I didn't tell Nick I was in labor until it was too late, and we didn't make it to the hospital."

"So you delivered her?" she asked, turning to Nick.

"In the Caddy's back seat," Nick commented with a grin. He knew that would get a lot of mileage in the precinct.

"Got it," Tracy laughed. "That will definitely be good gossip material."

"So what did you mean by 'yet'?" Natalie asked gently. "You giving up on the idea of children?"

"I think that goes with the territory," she said shyly. "I was thinking a lot about our last discussion, and I want to do it."

"Are you sure? Absolutely sure?" Natalie asked, ignoring the pressure she felt from Nick.

"Yes, I am," she declared. "I've thought about it a lot. I want to do this. I am aware of the consequences."

"All right," she agreed with obvious reluctance. "I'll do it. Have you told him?"

"Yes. He knows what I'm doing here. Actually, he was at my apartment when you called. He's waiting for me," she confessed.

"What are you two talking about?" Nick broke in. "Is this about Vachon?"

"Yes," Tracy acknowledged, looking up to meet his concerned gaze.

"What are you planning to do?" he asked sternly.

"Have Natalie draw a sample of my blood to give to Vachon."

"With what purpose? To tease him?" Nick asked, coming closer. "You do know what that will do to him?"

"Natalie and I have talked," she protested. "I want to take our relationship to a more intimate level, but I don't want him to kill me."

"He'll want to bring you across," Nick warned.

"That's okay. I'd let him," Tracy said firmly.

"Back off, Nick," Natalie commented, sensing Nick's growing concern becoming fear. "It's her choice. I made mine. Let her make hers. Besides, if I understand that comment LaCroix made, I don't think she'll *have* a choice if she waits."

Nick sat on the couch, chastened. "I suppose you're right," he said slowly.

"Wait a minute," Tracy exclaimed, looking between the couple. "Are you saying that you didn't have a choice?"

"Depends on how you define choice," Natalie responded, earning herself an exasperated sigh from Tracy. "But to be precise, my choice was to be converted or to die. I have a feeling that you may be headed in the same direction."

"But if I do it on my own, they'll leave me alone?"

"As much as any of us are *really* alone," Nick acknowledged. "Is that what you really want?"

"Yes, it is," Tracy said firmly. "Would you believe it if I gave *you* a sip? I know what you feel from the blood."

"That's okay, Trace, I believe you," he replied. "If that is what you really want, I won't stop you, and I won't threaten Vachon." He stood and paced across the room. "I'm on paternity leave for two months. The department won't say anything if you take a month off right now. If you're going to do it, do it now."

"I... I'll talk to Vachon," she stammered, watching as Natalie stood and went into another room. She emerged with a medical bag. Taking the arm that was not wrapped around Donny, she gently cleansed the skin and slipped a needle within. Tracy barely felt the prick of the needle as she thought about what awaited her.

Setting the equipment on the floor next to them, Natalie took Donny from her arms, and handed Tracy the full vials. As Tracy stood, Natalie gave her a gentle hug. "Good luck, we'll be waiting for you."

They watched as Tracy left, clutching the vials of blood in her hand.

"I hope she'll be okay," Nick said softly, wrapping his arm around Natalie's waist.

"She will be," Natalie replied. "She'll have her family. We have ours."

"We do," he leaned over, kissing her gently. "We do indeed. For that, I am eternally grateful."

***fin***