It continued to be Tracy's favorite game to identify each person in the precinct by the scent of his blood. Each attempt made her giggle. Nick was enjoying the private game as well, although all that talk of blood was making him hungry, even though he'd fed well before arriving.
"Tracy, give it up," he begged, flashing her a toothy grin before once again concealing the vampire.
Tracy clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle another giggle. She could hear the muffled suspicious conversations, and knew the bets were placed concerning her and Nick. "I think maybe Vachon and Urs should both come to meet us after work," she whispered.
"I agree," Nick answered, "but not tonight. You won't be able to stay the whole shift, I'm sure."
A while later a call came in. A body had washed up on the beach. Nick reminded Tracy to grab her coat and together they left, almost eager to get away from their desks. Nick glanced at Tracy with concern. She'd always had a difficult time with the sights and smells of death before, and now her senses were greatly enhanced.
"Perhaps you should drink something," he cautioned her, as he turned the radio down low. Now that Tracy's hearing was as sharp as his, the volume would never be painfully loud again, he thought, relieved.
"Nick, I'm fine. Really." She sounded irritated.
"Tracy," he said again, and waited for her sigh to subside. "Then open it and pass it to me. All that talk about how delicious everyone smells has really whet my appetite."
She reached under the front seat for the private label LaCroix had sent with her tonight. She let her fangs drop so she could pull out the cork. At once the heady aroma stirred her with an acute sensation, almost like pain, and her stomach rumbled. She put the bottle to her lips and chugged half its contents instantly. Then she passed it to her partner with a sheepish grin.
"Umm. Maybe I was just a little hungry," she stammered.
Nick smiled. "It's okay, Tracy. But don't ever go to a scene hungry. Understand?"
She nodded. She'd been so sheltered ever since the big change that she really didn't know how she would react. It was a little scary and exhilarating all at once. She stuffed her worries away by concentrating only on Nick.
He drank all that was left in the bottle. Although it wouldn't spoil, as each bottle of mortal blood was processed with a few drops of vampire to preserve it, it would lose all its mortal essence, the very thing that made it so sensual. It was about like warm beer or flat champagne-- not really worth consuming.
Nick's gaze was on the road tonight, not some distant century. He looked contented. Until a few weeks ago, she'd never really been attracted to him. He'd been so stuffily righteous all the time, like a boring do-gooder. She had compared what she thought she knew about her "mortal" partner with her irresponsible vampire boyfriend, and Nick had not fared well. It had been nothing short of earth-shattering to learn that Nick was also a vampire. Then she saw beneath the tightly controlled exterior that he built to insulate him in the mortal company he kept, to discover the real Nick Knight, 800 year old Crusader. Now every time she looked at him she wanted him.
It embarrassed her. Two weeks ago she had still been a virgin. Now enjoying any one of the three vampire men in her life was all she seemed to think about. They were each fantastic and unique.
Vachon was tender. He was youthful, irrepressible, sensual. He was sonnets and serenades, violins and romance. His gentle hands were expressive, and they played over her body with the skill of an accomplished musician.
LaCroix was power. He was hurricanes and tidal waves. She felt overwhelmed in his presence, and their lovemaking was incredible. With him she felt cherished and protected.
Then there was Nick. He was such a contradiction, but of the three, he was the most passionate. He was moody; he could go from anger to desire in moments, and leave her swirling dizzily in his wake. He was Romeo and D'Artagnon and Zorro all rolled in one, with just a bit of Dracula for spice.
"Tracy, stop that," Nick said hoarsely.
She snapped out of her reverie and nervously wondered if he'd guessed what she was thinking. She felt too warm and moist all over. She tried to cover her discomfort with an innocent grin. "Stop what?" Nick turned to her, his eyes were red and his fangs fully pointed. "You," he said. "Are drooling, and there is no blood left in the bottle."
Suddenly her fangs descended as well. She wanted him now, immediately, and slid closer to him on the seat.
Nick cranked the steering wheel to park in an alley. He killed the lights and the engine, just as Tracy threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. There was no time for finesse now. Fangs sank into naked throats and they drank. Desire built and further aroused each other through the blood kiss. Fast they climbed the road to completion, and their pleasure was no less sweet for the shortness of the trip. Tracy was quivering in his embrace until the moment had passed.
"Thanks, Nick," she whispered in his ear, attempting to dispel her embarrassment at losing control on the job.
"That's what brothers are for," he answered lightly. "Now, perhaps we should show up at the crime scene, Button?"
Tracy punched his arm as she straightened and returned to her side of the seat. "I really hate that nickname. Can't you think of something better to call me?"
"Nope."
"Follow the yellow-tape-road," Tracy quipped as they neared the lake. That, plus the flashing lights of the police cars and the coroner's van, were sure indicators of where they needed to be.
"Tracy," Nick began. She could hear the warning in his voice, and she wasn't sure if it pleased or annoyed her. He was so damned overprotective.
"It will be different now. Drowning victims are among the easiest for us to face. They don't smell good, so they are less likely to stir your hunger. But, you see, smell, and sense everything much clearer than before. If anything happens, I want you to get back in the caddy and lock the doors. I'll come and take you home as quickly as I can."
"Yes, mother," she sighed.
Nick glared at her, but then he shrugged and let it pass.
They both spotted Natalie at the same time and set off to join her. There weren't many people gathered around; it was a bit cold for the usual passers-by to be down there. A wintry wind blew in off the lake, chilling the mortals and driving many away. Natalie glanced up at them as they came near, but her look was guarded and unfriendly.
"Okay, people, carry him away," she said to her assistants.
"Shouldn't we look at him first," Tracy asked.
Natalie's eyes narrowed at Tracy, and she distinctly felt the woman's disapproval. Still, Natalie moved aside to let Tracy see.
It had been a man. Now cold in death, he looked faintly disgusting, yet even in the dark Tracy could tell that his hair was blonde. He was a big man, over six feet, broad and solidly built, like a linebacker. There was only one small injury, a slashed wound in the side of the neck at the jugular. Tracy shrugged and looked at her partner.
Nick glanced from the body to Natalie and gave her a wide-eyed look of innocence. Natalie brushed the dirt from her coat and walked away from the body, while her assistants bagged him to deliver him to the county morgue. Nick walked with her.
"What is it, Nat?" he asked.
She glared at him. "Don't you know? Doesn't Tracy?"
He shook his head. "Know what?"
"It's a vampire kill," she said, dropping her voice too softly for mortal hearing. "I thought maybe it was Tracy's, that LaCroix had been teaching her to hunt."
Tracy giggled. Nick shot her a warning look, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. Teaching her to hunt would be a good step in giving her independence, something she was certain the ancient had no intention of teaching her for a few centuries.
"No, Natalie," Nick said. "Tracy hasn't learned to hunt, and if she does, you will never find the body. LaCroix is much too discrete for that."
"So, what do you want me to do, Nick?"
He hated to ask her to lie, knowing how much it offended her, but it was the only option and she knew it. If she revealed it as a vampire's kill, she and everyone she told would disappear, courtesy of the Enforcers. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I will find the careless culprit, Nat, and see that it doesn't happen again," he promised. She patted his hand where it rested on her. "Thanks, Nick. I know you will. I'm sorry for being crabby. It's just been a while since I've seen you, and I guess I'm feeling ignored."
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
His voice had become all soft and soothing, tender and inviting. Did he know how much that drove her crazy? She stepped back from him before she could lose control and fling herself into his arms. "I'm almost done babysitting," Nick said, with a glance at his partner. "Do you want to come by tonight and watch a video? Or just talk?"
"What about Urs," Nat asked, hoping she didn't sound as jealous as she felt.
"What about Urs," Nick replied. "She's not there now. I don't think she's coming back until tomorrow."
Nat hesitated. They had to move beyond this. Nick was her best friend. It wasn't anyone's fault that they could never be anything more. She hadn't succeeded in curing him, in making him mortal, and she wasn't ready to become a vampire. "I'd like that," she said finally. "It's my turn to chose the movie."
Nick laughed. "Okay. Just no more giant apes or giant lizards."
"Deal."
Tracy was waiting for him inside the caddy. Nick turned the key to unlock his door and slid behind the wheel. She leaned against her door, her eyes closed, her blood slow and soothing as she was nearly asleep.
"Hi, Button," he said. "Time to go home."
"Hm. 'Kay."
He drove thoughtfully through the dimly lit streets of Toronto, his master's voice spilling out of the radio in his usual esoteric nonsense. He didn't know what LaCroix was talking about tonight; the content of his message was couched in mystery. Nick didn't even try to figure him out but just enjoyed the familiar velvety voice. Father, sister, lover, family. For now, he felt like he had it all. Nick was happy. It was a wonderful feeling.
At the Raven he lifted Tracy, who was sound asleep by now, and flew into the apartment through the skylight. LaCroix opened her bedroom door and pulled down the quilt while Nick laid her on the bed. Together, they tucked her in and left the room in silence. LaCroix poured himself a drink and offered one to Nick.
"No, thanks," he said. "I can't stay. But, we found a vampire kill tonight. The body washed up on the beach, and it was pretty sloppy. Nat thought it was Tracy's."
LaCroix snorted contemptuously.
"I assured her that it couldn't be," Nick said quickly. "But, I just wondered if you knew of any new vampires in town."
"I assure you, Nicholas, that I associate with neither the stupid nor the ignorant."
"I know. I'm sorry. But if you hear anything, will you let me know?" LaCroix nodded almost imperceptibly. Nick was strangely reluctant to leave. If he didn't go immediately, he knew he would not go at all. Besides, Natalie would be really ticked if she waited for him at the loft while he stayed to play with his master. Abruptly he turned and left.
Tracy awoke, somewhat disoriented, and emerged from her bedroom. She was home again. Home. In such a short time it felt more like home than the place she had spent her childhood, or even more than her own apartment, which was really just a bed and breakfast. She sensed the presence of the ancient vampire and went to him.
It was still dark outside. She glanced at her watch and felt a twinge of guilt. Nick would still be at work doing their shift alone.
"You require more sleep," LaCroix stated, sensing her guilt. "Nicholas knows that. So tell me, how did your first night among mortals go?"
Tracy described for him her game and how she would always think of banana crème pie now whenever she saw her captain. She told how Nick's uncharacteristic laughter was spicing up the bullpen rumors. LaCroix seemed to enjoy her story. She knew Nick wasn't much for sharing and sensed LaCroix sometimes felt a little left out of the loop. So she strung the story along adding details and found LaCroix to be an attentive listener.
"You've done well, my daughter," he said. "Now, we will have a lesson, and then you may return to bed."
Nick went down in to the Raven before returning to the precinct. If there were a new vampire in Toronto, eventually he or she would find the way here. He didn't want to alert the general populace and perhaps spook away the culprit before he had a chance to educate him. Patrick and Vachon were probably the only two he could trust. He made his way to the bar.
"Ev'ning, Boss Jr.," Patrick said with a friendly grin. "Can I get you something?"
Nick was all set to refuse as customary, but suddenly he wanted it. He wanted more, and it had to be human. He nodded at the young bartender, afraid to voice the words aloud as his control had disappeared all together.
Patrick said nothing if he noticed. He took a wineglass from below the shelf and filled it with LaCroix's favorite blend, then set it before him. Nick took the glass greedily and drank half the contents before he felt he could speak again. Maybe it was Tracy's fault? Maybe, through sharing her blood, he was re-experiencing vampirism through her newborn eyes?
"Anyone new in town?" Nick asked.
Patrick shrugged. "Looking for someone?"
Nick took another sip, pleased that his control was returning. It was an excellent blend, pure and uncut with wine, which would have been difficult to explain while on duty. "Someone was careless. The police found a body; the neck wounds were poorly concealed, and the body is too fresh."
Patrick shuddered. Such blatant carelessness was unforgivable among his kind. He was grateful that his position here as bartender meant he never had to get that hungry. "Can't say I've met anyone new, who's both young and foolish. There are two new vampires that just came by last night, though. Mind if I talk to them, before I tell you their names?"
Nick thought for a moment. If Patrick was hesitant to be forthcoming with him, then the new vampires were probably elders. Older than Patrick, anyway, and possibly even older than Nick. They weren't likely to be responsible for the kill. Still, Nick didn't like being in the dark. Then he nodded.
"If they agree, you can meet them here tomorrow night," Patrick said.
"That will be fine. I'll be here a little after 1 AM, when I bring Tracy home." Nick tossed down the remainder of his beverage then and left. He would talk to Vachon later, if Patrick's lead didn't pan out.
Tracy's lesson was very short. LaCroix smiled at her indulgently. "Rest well, little one. I shall see you later."
She waved a weary hand in his direction and crawled back into bed without even stopping to undress. She had thought they were both just being overprotective in not letting her go back to work before. Now she wondered how she would ever make it to the end of the week. Before she could worry another moment, she was quite literally dead to the world.
Hours later, though, she awoke. The sun was still high. She knew that instinctively, even though no light slipped through the steel shutters. Tracy listened, extending her new abilities. LaCroix was sleeping and no one else was here. She wondered idly what had happened to Vachon, but perhaps LaCroix had told him how tired she had been.
Hunger drove her to the refrigerator and moments later she curled into the corner of LaCroix's couch to sip the soothing liquid. She thought back on last night. Making out with Nick in the caddy had been an unexpected pleasure. Maybe being his partner now would have a few added bonuses?
Captain Crème Pie came to mind then, and she covered her mouth lest her giggling wake LaCroix. Then she remembered how Reese had scolded her, and told her that her other dad had been worried about her. Picking up LaCroix's phone, she dialed her number and accessed the messages on the machine.
There were a lot of them. So many, that it had run out of tape. Her dad had called six times, each message getting angrier and angrier. He demanded that she contact him or he would put out an APB on her and have her hauled in to his office in handcuffs. She sighed. Dreading the confrontation, she placed the call.
She recognized his secretary's voice answer on the other end. "Um, hi, Deb. This is Tracy."
She had to pull the receiver away from her ear then, as Deb had always had a rather loud voice. Now it was painful. She rambled on excitedly, telling Tracy just how ticked the Commissioner was, and she'd put him on right away. Tracy wished now she could just hang up. She didn't really feel like talking to him, which really meant listening to him.
Strange, but he didn't seem like her dad anymore.
Then his voice filled the earpiece, several decibels louder than Deb had been. He demanded to know where she'd been, and why she didn't call, and who was she with.
Tracy smiled. He used to intimidate her, but now she knew that it was all just empty threats. She made insolent faces and silently mocked him while he continued his tirade.
"Tracy. I want to see you today. Either you come here, or I'll embarrass you by stopping at the precinct tonight!"
"Dad, no! You can't do that," she gasped.
"Just watch me. Now when can I expect you?"
"Um-" Tracy thought hard. When could she go? LaCroix and Nick would not let her out of their sight. She didn't really want to see him, but maybe if she did, she could kind of reassure him and get him off her case. Maybe, it would be like saying good-bye? If Nick left her alone at all, she could slip out and be back, without him even knowing about it. Or maybe, if she asked him, he would take her?
"You know I work nights, dad. I'll stop by the house around 10pm. If I'm late, just wait there. I'll be by."
He fumed a while longer. Tracy interrupted him, yawning into the mouthpiece, and telling him she really had to get to bed. Then she hung up the phone.
"And what do you think you are doing, Tracy!"
She jumped, startled by the chilling sound of LaCroix's voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep."
Her vampire father stepped into the room and stood before her now, his arms folded across his chest and his expression firm. "What were you doing," he repeated.
She thought fast. Had she done anything he'd forbidden her? No. She was certain he'd not told her she couldn't use the phone. "I checked my answering machine," she said quickly, looking up at the wall of fire before her. "Then I called my dad, because he was worried about me."
"He is not your "dad" any longer," LaCroix stated.
"Well, he thinks he is," she blurted, wishing again that she could learn to button her lip. That was how she had got that stupid nickname in the first place. Her high-school friends were always telling her to "button it". "I can't just disappear. He'll have half of Ontario out looking for me."
LaCroix pulled her to her feet and glared at her, his firm grip hurting her arms. "I am your parent now. You must break all your mortal ties. You will not contact this man again."
Tracy trembled. Her father could be rather impossible. It would be difficult to break her ties with him instantly, but she didn't dare defy LaCroix while he was standing right in front of her. She nodded weakly, afraid to open her mouth.
LaCroix released her then and buried his fury beneath a cool exterior. "Let us both return to sleep, then," he said.
Tracy wandered into her room and crawled back under the covers. Maybe she was just a little tired. How to handle her dad and LaCroix and working and adjusting to the changes in her life could all be settled later.
