Disclaimer: Nick and Natalie are borrowed from TPTB of
Forever Knight.

This is a season 3 story.  It takes place sometime after "Night
in Question".  Nick has regained his memory, but is still working
on control (my Dark Knight tendencies coming forth).

For readers in New Orleans: I apologize in advance for any
inaccuracies.  I grew up there, but I've been away for a long
time.

Please send comments, suggestions, or whatever to me at
zeke@rt66.com. I love e-mail!


SOUTHERN BREEZE (1/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)

Natalie balanced the video and apple on top of the bag of popcorn
and six-pack of Diet Coke in one arm as she slid open the elevator
door with the other.  She expected Nick to be waiting at the door to
help her, and was a slightly perturbed to find him sitting at his table
as though he hadn't noticed her arrival.  In fact, he hadn't noticed.
He was staring in a piece of paper he held in his right hand, and his
left hand was loosely wrapped around the bottom of a bottle.

"<Nick>.."

He looked up, startled.

"I'm sorry, Nat." He jumped up and moved toward her... a bit too
quickly.  When he appeared at her side, Natalie jumped and the
video, apple, and bag of popcorn crashed to the floor.

"<Nick>..," she repeated with frustration.

"I'm <really> sorry," he said with a sigh as he knelt to pick up the
lost items.  "You surprised me.  I guess I wasn't paying attention."

"I guess you weren't." Her annoyance continued as she walked to
the refrigerator and placed the Cokes inside.  She pulled one from
the pack and popped the top.  "Don't we have a 'video date'
tonight?"

"Yes," he replied with some semblance of enthusiasm.

Nick placed the apple and popcorn on the table and put the video in
the VCR.  Natalie noted that he didn't look to see which video she
had picked.  He was even more distracted than he had been during
his recent amnesia recovery.  She shook her head to herself, took a
swig of the Coke, and sat down beside Nick on the sofa.  The video
was already running.

Nick didn't say a word as the video went through the previews and
introduction.  Natalie glanced at him once or twice and found him
staring at the TV screen.  She thought he looked like he was paying
attention.  The movie finally started -- "Pulp Fiction" -- with a very
intense scene at a diner.  This wasn't their usual fare, but Natalie
was willing to try something different, especially since Nick seemed
to be bored with the few classics they had tried recently.  She was
hoping the return to the 'video dates' would help Nick find some of
the identity that she missed so much.  Natalie found herself absorbed,
and a little disgusted, trying to figure out what was going on.  She
decided the movie was jumping around in time.  When the first bloody
scene started, Natalie wondered how Nick was going to react.  He had
been working so hard to fight his desire for human blood, and she was
worried about his progress.  She stole a peek at him, and found him
looking at the wall.  He was definitely not in the room with her.
Natalie grabbed the remote and stopped the movie.

"Nick?"  No response.  "Nick!"

"What?" he started.  Realizing he had let his mind wander and that
Natalie would be even more annoyed, he tried to recover.
"Interesting so far."

"Nick, are you watching this at all?"  Natalie watched his grin turn
rather sheepish.  "I didn't think so.  Look, we can watch this later.
Are you okay?"

Nick stood up and walked to the window, shoving his hands in his
pockets.  "Not really.  I'm worried about an old friend."

"Can you tell me about it?" Natalie asked hesitantly.

After a few silent moments, Nick sighed and walked back to the
table.  He picked up the piece of paper that had him so absorbed
earlier and handed it to Natalie.  It was a telegram.  'Nicholas.  I
miss you.  Promise to remember me fondly.  Randolf.'

"This sounds like a suicide note or something."

"That's what it sounds like to me, too.  Something must have
happened.  Randolf was so happy the last time I saw him."  Nick
frowned as he stared at the telegram in Natalie's hand.

"Why don't you call him and find out what's going on?" Natalie
asked.

"It's not that simple, Nat."  Nick sighed again and sat on the sofa.
He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.  "Randolf doesn't live in
this century," he explained.  "He doesn't believe in phones.  Or
electricity, for that matter."

"Where is he?"

"New Orleans."

New Orleans.  Natalie eyes lit up and she smiled slightly.  "New
Orleans. One of the places I've always wanted to visit.  Did you live
there?"

Nick rolled his head sideways to look at her.  "For a short time," he
replied.  He looked deeply into her eyes.

There was more to this story, and Natalie was intrigued.  "When?
And why for only a short time?  What happened?"

Nick couldn't help but smile at her peeked curiosity.  He decided it
would be cruel not to tell her some of it, and he really kind of felt
like talking.

"Do you remember me telling you about relocating from Paris to
Los Angeles?"  Natalie nodded.  "Well, there was more to it than
just moving on.  I was trying to escape.  I couldn't stay with
LaCroix anymore."  Nick frowned as he remembered the day he
left.  Natalie patiently waited for him to continue.  "Janette was the
only one who knew where I was going, and she betrayed me.  I
realize now that she thought she was helping me, but at the time it
hurt.  They followed me to Los Angeles with every intention of
continuing as we had in Paris."  Nick's face darkened as he
remembered the eternal nights in Los Angeles when LaCroix forced
him to witness the seductions of helpless victims; the way he
reveled in Nick's struggle to deny himself.  LaCroix laughing at his
torture haunted Nick's memories.

Natalie watched the pain creep over Nick's face and shivered
involuntarily.  Nick stared at the sofa between them and continued.
"I couldn't take it anymore.  I ran away.  I didn't relocate, I just left.
I knew that LaCroix would try to find me, so I couldn't take the
chance of anyone knowing where I was.  I was sure that he would
kill me that time if he found me again.  I didn't stop until I got to
New Orleans.  It seemed like the perfect place to hide -- the night
life was active enough that I didn't stand out.  I couldn't run the risk
of finding a place to live or of staying in one place too long, so I
lived on the streets."

Nick seemed to have stopped.  "How could you do that?  What did
you do during the day?"

He looked up at her.  "I slept in abandoned warehouses during the
day.  New Orleans has... or had... a lot of warehouses."

Nick stopped again.  "So where does Randolf fit in?"

Nick remembered the cold of the damp brick floors and the hunger
he fought.  Unable to run the risk of being located, he waited until
he could stand the pain no longer before breaking into a slaughter
house for food.  He couldn't go to the same one too often, and spent
many nights wandering the streets and fighting the hunger.
"Randolf found me one night after I had been there for a couple of
months.  I wasn't doing too well, and I guess he took pity on me.
He took me home, fed me, and cleaned me up."  At this point, Nick
smiled.  "He lived an incredibly happy life.  He and Marie had a
beautiful house in the Garden District and lots of friends.  They
gave great parties."

"I take it Randolf is a vampire.  Who was Marie?"

Nick nodded.  "Marie is his wife -- also a vampire, of course.  They
sort of adopted me.  Neither one of them drank human blood.  They
were surrounded by mortal friends and had no problems.  I felt at
peace with them."

"So what are you going to do?" Natalie asked.

"I think I need to see them.  Work is relatively quiet at the moment,
and I have earned plenty of leave."  Nick stood up again.  He had
made up his mind.  "That's what I'll do.  I'll go see them."  He was
obviously relieved at the decision and smiled at Natalie.

"I'd <love> to go to New Orleans!" she blurted excitedly.  Nick
looked at her with surprise and furrowed his eyebrows at the
thought.  Taken back a little, she continued hesitantly, "I mean, I've
always wanted to go there.  You know," she ventured,"we could
just sort of be there at the same time.  You visit with Randolf and
Marie, and if you have a little time you could show me around.
Work is quiet for me, too, and I need a vacation."

Nick thought about the possibility of sharing New Orleans with
Natalie, and found the thought quite pleasing.  It was, after all, a
very romantic city when he was there last.  Of course, that had been
a <few> years ago.  Considering recent events, he would have to be
careful to keep his distance from Natalie.  He was, however, feeling
slightly better about that situation. And what if Randolf and Marie
were in some kind of trouble?  But they had always been
surrounded by mortals, and he could find a hotel room for Natalie
and keep her out of the way.  She looked so excited.  It was his
chance to give her something she really wanted.  That didn't happen
very often. Maybe it would work...

"It could be fun.  Let me think about it, Nat."  He was smiling
again.  "There could be complications, you know."

"Maybe.  But I could be helpful, too.  As a doctor, I could carry
'lunch' for you."

Nick's smile broadened as he nodded and gave in.  "OK.  Let's give
it a try.  A vacation together..."  He raised one eyebrow and gave
her his most devilish grin.

"Pleeeease..." she rolled her eyes and smiled.  "I'm just looking for a
free tour guide."

End Part 1.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (2/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)

Natalie's excitement grew as she ran around her apartment throwing
things into her suitcase.  She couldn't believe she was going so far
on such short notice.  It was fun being so impulsive for a change.
'OK. Sidney is taken care of.  I need a book. Maybe one of Anne
Rice's books would be appropriate.' Natalie laughed out loud at the
thought. 'Wouldn't she be surprised? A fan visiting New Orleans
with a vampire!' She couldn't stop giggling to herself as she
continued racing around.  'Bathroom kit is almost done.  Where did
I put that new tube of toothpaste?'  It was fortunate that she could
get the time off from work so easily.  Captain Reese had certainly
sounded suspiciously entertained when she told him that she would
be out of the office for awhile.  Of course, Nick had probably just
asked for the same time off.  Oh well, give them something to talk
about at the station. She couldn't believe that Nick had said he
would arrange everything.  He seemed to be almost as excited about
this as she was.  It felt strange leaving all the details to someone
else, but she couldn't think of anyone she would trust with details as
much as Nick.  Now if she could only find that red blouse...

The doorbell rang.  Natalie checked to make sure she was
completely dressed, and peeked out to find a stranger in a black
suite and chauffeur's hat.  When she opened the door, he simply
asked, "Dr. Lambert?"

"Yes, I'm Dr. Lambert."  He handed her an envelope, tipped his hat,
and left.

Natalie closed the door and sat at the table to investigate.  Inside the
envelope she found a note written in Nick's flowing handwriting.
'Nat, you will be picked up at ten o'clock.  I'll see you at the airport.
Everything is arranged.  Nick.'  She was a little embarrassed at
having him pay for her flight, but, then, she was sure he could
afford it and he had insisted.  Nick seemed to want to 'take' her on
this trip.   She looked at her watch and realized it was almost 8:00.
Jumping up from the table, she stashed the note in her dresser and
continued the race.  The  red blouse... had she washed it?

*********************

Natalie followed the suited man who carried her bags through the
airport.  Smiling to herself, she remembered her surprise when she
walked outside at ten to find a limo waiting for her.  She had felt
giddy as the chauffeur ushered her into the back and showed her the
buttons for the bar and television.  The same man now lead her
through an inconspicuous gate marked "Private.  Keep Out" and
out onto the tarmac.  A sleek white jet obviously awaited her
arrival, and a man who appeared to be the pilot extended a hand
with a smile to assist her assent.  He released her hand only after
she was seated in a plush, cushioned, sofa-like seat.  He informed
her that the bar was stocked and that the 'other passenger' was
expected almost immediately.  He then disappeared into the
cockpit.  Natalie admired the elegant interior of the plane, and
compared this to her last flight on a cramped commercial flight.
The City certainly wouldn't pay for travel of this quality!

Natalie had just enough time to pour a glass of white wine before
Nick arrived.  He entered the plane quickly with a smile and an
apology.

"I'm sorry I'm late.  I had a few details to attend to."  He said
something into the cockpit and sat comfortably on the other end of
the extended seat.  With very little ceremony, the plane was closed
up for flight and streaming down the runway.

After a few minutes of watching the lights of Toronto disappear,
Natalie turned to face Nick.  He was staring out the window and
didn't seem to want to talk.

"You okay?"  He looked at her, his eyes returning from forbidden
places he often visited, especially lately.

"Yes.  I'm sorry.  Please get comfortable.  Take your shoes off."  He
patted the seat next to him.  Natalie kicked off her shoes and
stretched her feet out in front of her.  Nick slid her feet into his lap
and began to gently rub her soles.  He smiled as she closed her eyes
and sighed.

"Ahhh. I could get used to this...".

As the flight went on, Nick and Natalie each pulled out a book and
read.  Nick rolled his eyes when he saw what Natalie was reading.
"Hey, it's well-written," she defended her reading material with a
hint of embarrassment.  As she sipped her second glass of wine, she
dove into "Interview With the Vampire" and relaxed.

*********

The plane broke through the clouds, and Natalie strained to see the
city below them.  It was certainly a sprawling city, like Toronto,
but somehow the strangeness of it suggested romance.  The
moonlight reflecting off miles of marsh revealed the flatness of the
terrain.  Thoughts of Louie and LaStat drifted through her head as
the plane found the runway.  Natalie wondered how accurate Anne
Rice's description of becoming a vampire was.  She wondered if she
would ever have the courage to ask Nick.

Nick was surprised by the size of the city scorched with lights.  It
had certainly grown in seventy years, but he guessed most cities
had.  As they circled the city, he was able to locate Jackson Square
by following the snaking river.  He wondered if Randolf and Marie
had changed as much as the city had.  He sincerely hoped not.

End Part 2.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (3/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)


At the hotel, which seemed to be a renovated historic building, Nick
and Natalie were taken to an upper floor suite.  The main room
opened to a balcony ringed with ornate wrought iron that looked
out over the French Quarter.  Natalie dropped her case by the door
and went exploring.  One side of the suite was an expansive
bedroom with its own small balcony and a bathroom the size of her
apartment.  In the middle of the bathroom was a sunken Jacuzzi.
"Ohhh.." she exclaimed out loud.  "This is nice!"  Nick smiled at
her excitement as he tipped the bellman.  The second bedroom was
a bit smaller and had only a small window to the outside.  This
window had been carefully covered with heavy red velvet curtains.
"I guess this is your room," she said over her shoulder.  'Too bad I'll
just have to take the one with the Jacuzzi.  Well, I guess I can suffer
through it...'

The rooms were furnished with what appeared to be European
antiques.  Large crystal chandeliers hung in every room.  It might
have been gaudy anywhere else, but here it seemed to fit.  The deep
reds and blues in the wallpaper were perfect and soothing. As
Natalie returned to the main room, she realized with amusement
that Nick seemed to fit in with the furnishings.

Nick opened the door to a knock, and a cart with exquisite-looking
food was rolled in.  He pulled a chair up from across the room and
bowed to Natalie.  "For you," he nodded to the chair.  Her eyes
wide, Natalie sat in the chair willingly.  She sipped from the wine,
and set about to taste everything.  She started with the oyster
appetizer.  "Oh...my...god..."   Her eyes rolled in ecstasy as the
shrimp-mushroom-cheese sauce made her taste buds dance with
delight.  Nick laughed out loud and left Natalie to enjoy the meal.
She savored every bite of everything on the tray without stopping
for more that a sip or two of wine.  'This is my kind of vacation,' she
thought, keeping one eye on the chocolate elcaire that would top off
the perfect meal perfectly.

On the balcony, Nick looked at the streets below.  He caught the
sweet scent of Wisteria rising from a courtyard.  Even in New
Orleans, the streets were nearly deserted at 5:30 in the morning.
The French Quarter looked so much like the city he remembered.
It was reassuring after the drive from the airport.  The outskirts, so
like those of  any other city, had caused him to worry that the soul
of New Orleans may have been swept away in recent years.  It had
not.  It was here to be savored.  He hoped this trip would be better
than his last one.  He was sorry that there was not  time to check on
Randolf and Marie before sunup.  The reassurance would definitely
help him sleep better.  A feeling of dread was creeping over him
that he could not explain.

After the heavenly dinner, Natalie realized she hadn't slept for a day
and a half.  She joined Nick on the balcony to enjoy the night air.
As she stood beside him, leaning on the railing, he covered her hand
with his.  He found her presence pleasantly reassuring.  "I'm glad
you're here," he smiled at her.

She smiled back.  "Me too."  Releasing a big sigh, she continued,
"And thank you for the incredible dinner.  I'm sorry if I was
ignoring you ... I didn't realize how hungry I was."  She tore her
gaze from his smiling eyes and looked out at the setting moon.
"And now I suppose we should both get some sleep."

"Yes," he answered, as he gently stroked her arm.  "Sweet dreams."

Natalie shivered slightly at his touch.  "You too."  She forced
herself to leave him on the balcony and headed for her room.

She really needed some sleep, but opted, instead, for lounging with
her book in the Jacuzzi, and totally enjoyed pampering herself until
she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.  After putting on the
extra-large teeshirt she brought to sleep in, which Nick certainly
couldn't accusingly call 'sexy', she crawled under the covers of the
oversized bed and quickly fell to sleep.

Nick had very reluctantly let Natalie leave the balcony.  He had
listened to the running water and had waited until he heard no more
noise from her room before returning silently to the suite.  Nick
smiled at the empty food cart that had not yet been removed.  He
listened for Natalie's heartbeat and followed its music into the
larger bedroom.  He felt guilty for intruding, but needed to be near
her.  She was fast asleep in the middle of the queen-sized bed with
the ornamental netting tied back to the posters.  With her beautiful
hair wildly surrounding her face and her soft breathing noises
calling to him, Nick wanted nothing more than to wake her with a
kiss.  Resisting, he knelt beside her and gently touched her cheek.
She roused slightly and turned onto her back.  He pulled his hand
away and waited for her breathing to indicate that she was back in
her dream state. 'Of what are you dreaming, my love?' he asked her
silently.  He watched the tiny movements of her eyes beneath their
lids, hoping her dreams were filled with the sunshine they couldn't
share.  Suddenly he realized he was leaning within inches of her
face and enjoying the invitation of her scent way too much.  He left
the room quickly.

Nick found the bottles he had arranged to have delivered in the
hidden refrigerator.  It was amazing how few questions people
asked in New Orleans.  He pulled the cork and downed the first
bottle still standing in front of the open refrigerator.  Once the wave
of relief washed over him, he took out a second bottle and carried it
back to the balcony.  He sat and sipped the bovine blood and
watched the sky lighten as the sun prepared to rise.  The city began
to stir as streetlights flickered out.  The clopping of horse's hooves
on the pavement made him marvel at how like Paris this city felt.
And how like other centuries it seemed, if one could only block out
the car noises.

When the light became too intense, Nick returned to the suite.  He
was too tired even to be worried about Randolf.  In fact, he was too
tired to do anything but sleep.  He went to his room and collapsed
on his back.  Sleep overtook him in a matter of seconds.

In his dreams he floated back to a New Orleans of the past.  He felt
the fear gripping his soul when he thought of LaCroix, his anger
flared beyond control.  Nick smelled the seafood stench rising from
the back doors of the Quarter's restraunts, mixing with the sweet
smell of human blood.  He watched the back of the woman strolling
alone through the back alleys.  He hugged the shadows and waited
when she stopped to talk to the other women, all of them discussing
the night's prospects.  He listened to her heart as he dared to follow
closer.  The hunger racked his body and his fangs descended.  One
step closer and she would be his.  Her blood would relieve the pain.
Just one step closer...

End Part 3.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (4/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)

Nick awoke slowly.  He smiled at the feeling of warmth
surrounding him.  It was like swimming in the Caribbean waters
that were heated by the summer sun.  As he took a breath to fill his
nostrils with the salt air, he could only smell, instead, the sweet
scent of Natalie.  It was amazing to him how vivid her smell was in
his dreams.  As sleep fell further from him, he became aware of the
weight of an arm across his chest, and the sound of breathing in his
ear.  It wasn't a dream -- she was asleep beside him.  She must have
removed his shoes, because he was sure he had fallen asleep with
them on and they were now across the room.  He rolled so slowly
toward her so as not to wake her, and moved to kiss the end of her
nose.  As Natalie slept on, Nick gently kissed her cheek and then
her lips.  That did it.  She woke just enough to kiss him back gently
and moan oh so quietly. He smiled as he watched her take a deep
breath and stretch, her eyes still shut.  Finally she opened her eyes
and smiled back at him.

"'M glad you're 'wake, " she slurred.

"Hmmm," he purred back as he pulled her closer to him.  "Me too.
And what are you doing in my bed?"  He grinned at her impishly.

Natalie felt her face flushing slightly, and she pushed his arm away
playfully.  "I came in to check on you, and I was tired from
exploring most of the afternoon, and your bed just happened to be
convenient, and.."

"And is that what you look for?  A convenient bed?"  He jokingly
accused.

"<Nick>..." she feigned hurt as she slapped his arm and sat up to
get out of bed.  He was instantly behind her with his arms wrapped
around her, pinning her arms to her sides.  He gently kissed the side
of her head and let his lips linger.

"I'm glad we're here together," he purred into her hair.  He moved
his lips slowly down the line of her neck and felt her shudder in his
arms.  Oh, this felt way too good.  He took a deep breath and laid
his head against hers.  He let himself enjoy the rhythm of her heart
for just a few more beats before releasing her with a sigh. It was so
much harder to resist her now than it had been just a few months
ago.

Natalie opened her eyes that had shut with the first kiss and
reminded herself that Nick was probably hungry.  With a smile to
herself, she left him alone to compose and went out to the main
room.

When he emerged to join her, he looked much more controlled.

"Did you have a good time exploring?" he asked.

"Oh yes.  The French Quarter is truly unique, and I made it to the
Cabildo before it closed.  And the beignets and pralines! This really
is the city of food -- my kind of place.  I should have come here a
very long time ago."  She was truly excited.  She added, with a
touch of sadness, "I'm just sorry you can't enjoy the food with me."

He smiled at her, as he took a bottle from the refrigerator, "Just
watching you enjoy it will be enough for me.  If..." he corrected
himself, "<when> we are successful, I will treat you to a restaurant
tour of this entire city."  He smiled and waved his arm for effect.

'God, he's so graceful,' Natalie thought.

"Right," she replied.  "And in a week you'd be fat and I wouldn't
want you anymore."  It was her turn to give him an evil grin and his
turn to blush? Well, with his eyes, at least.  'Think Plutonic,
Natalie,' she reminded herself even as her neck still tingled from his
kisses.  A New Orleans hotel room was going to be even tougher
than the loft.

Natalie cleared her throat.  "So what do you have planned?  Are
you going to see Randolf and Marie?  I can entertain myself, you
know.  I found all kinds of great shops while you were asleep.  And
I understand the nightlife on Bourbon Street is ... interesting, " she
lifted an eyebrow with the last line for effect.

Nick thought about Natalie alone in the Quarter at night with
apprehension.  He had read the recent statistics about crime in New
Orleans.  Then he thought about Randolf and Marie.  Their house
was always full of mortals.  Natalie would hardly be noticed -- by
them, at least.  Even if something was wrong, how bad could it be?

"Why don't you come with me to Randolf's?  We'll have plenty of
time to explore the nightlife later."

"Are you sure?  Won't I be a ... problem?" Natalie asked hesitantly.

"No.  All of their friends are mortals.  You'll be quite safe.  And I
think you'll like them both."

"Whatever you say, Nick.  Give me ten minutes."

He nodded and watched her disappear into her room.  It was
definitely going to be difficult to keep the necessary distance from
her in this hotel suite.  He remembered the embraces the night he
returned from the hospital... the desire he felt for her when he didn't
know he had to be on guard.  The memory made him weak and he
leaned against the wall.  With shock he realized his fangs were
descending.  How surprised would she really be if he broke down
her door and took her into his arms and filled his whole being with
her blood .. with her dreams and her memories and her lust...

'Stop it <now>' he chastised himself.  Nick shook his head to clear
the thoughts and quickly drank most of his bottle.  He must
remember his main purpose here.  He remembered Randolf's
soothing sounds and smile when he found Nick huddled and
shaking on a bench in Jackson Square.  Nick had nearly taken a
woman that he had followed for hours.  His clothes were torn and
dirty, and his hunger was overpowering him.  He had just decided
that he would stay on this bench and watch the sunrise, when he felt
the presence beside him and the hand on his shoulder.  The
loneliness and despair had been pulled from his body by that touch.
Randolf had saved him from himself.  What could possibly be
wrong?  He was getting anxious to be assured that all was well.

End Part 4.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (5/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)


The taxi stopped in front of a grove of magnolias and overgrown
bushes.  If there was a house hidden there, it was well hidden.

"Ya sure dat's da place?" the driver asked.  His New Orleans accent
made Natalie smile.

"Yes."  Nick handed him several bills and got out.  He gallantly
helped Natalie from the taxi.

"Ohhh.. I like the effect this place has on you," she teased.

Nick did not smile or react to her.  He was looking around, his
features troubled.

"This isn't right," he said softly, almost in her ear as the taxi drove
off.  "Stay close to me."

'Gladly,' she thought as she allowed him to put his arm around her
waist.

Together they fought their way up what used to be a path.  The
undergrowth felt like a jungle.  Nick was murmuring something
about not understanding this when the jungle gave way to front
steps.  They stopped and stared at the front of a beautiful ante-
bellum house, fallen into a sad state of disrepair.  The front porch
was vast, and the canopy was held high above it by massive pillars.
Strewn about on the porch were various pieces of wooden furniture,
battered by more than just weather.  Natalie watched Nick, his
entire body perfectly still, listening to the house.  He was trying to
decide if anyone was inside.  Natalie jumped as a shadow of a
figure suddenly appeared at Nick's side.

"Nicholas."  The voice was barely a breath.  Natalie couldn't make
out the owner of the voice as anything more than an outline.  Nick
released his hold on her and clasped the figure in a hug.  "Randolf,"
he whispered back.

Natalie felt a little uncomfortable standing in the dark as the hug
lasted longer than she thought it should.  At last they stepped apart,
but seemed to be locked in a stare.  'I suppose they can see each
other, but I can't see a thing,' Natalie thought with a little
annoyance.  She waited as quietly as she could.

"Randolf, what's wrong?" Nick finally asked him.  "Where's Marie?
What's going on?"

"It's a long story, Nicholas.  I am <truly> glad to see you.  You
look good.  That makes me happy."  The series of statements
seemed to be made through choked emotion.  "Come inside,
please."

Suddenly Natalie was aware that the figure was looking at her over
Nick's shoulder.  She cleared her throat lightly.

Nick turned to her.  "I'm sorry, Nat."  Then, to the two of them,
"Randolf, this is Natalie.  Natalie, Randolf."

Randolf took Natalie's hand in his and kissed it with a bow.  Natalie
was surprised at how cold and light his touch was.  His hand made
Nick's, which reached back for hers, feel absolutely feverish.  Nick
led Natalie along, indicating steps and furnishings, as they followed
Randolf into the house.  They stopped in a large room lit by one
candle on a table in the middle.  Natalie could not quite make out
the edges of the room, but could see the outline of furnishings.  One
seemed to be a sofa, and several others were probably chairs.  She
strained to look around as they stood silently.  She heard a whisper
of apology from Randolf and felt him brush against her arm as he
seemed to fly around the room.  Suddenly the room exploded in
light from a hundred sources.  Natalie blinked to adjust and
realized the light was coming from gas lamps sticking out of the
walls and several oil lamps placed strategically around the room.
She couldn't imagine how he had lighted them all at once.  She felt
Nick squeeze her hand reassuringly and tug her towards the sofa.

The room was, at one time, probably beautiful.  It was tastefully
decorated with furnishings and paintings that must be over 200
years old.  Now everything was covered with dust and cobwebs.

"I am sorry about the state of the house," Randolf said in a voice
that was now normal volume, but almost liquid.  "I was not
expecting guests.  I guess I should have known you'd come,
Nicholas.  Maybe I did."

Randolf was seated in the chair closest to Nick and with the last
statement softly placed his hand on Nick's shoulder.  Natalie felt a
shudder go through Nick and squeezed his hand tighter.

"What has happened, Randolf?"  Nick started again.  "Where's
Marie?"

"She's gone, Nicholas.  And with her, all of my joy and happiness -
my very reason for existing."  With this, Randolf pulled his hand
back to his lap and lowered his head.  Natalie had a chance to really
see him now.  What an amazing looking man... or vampire.  He was
about Nick's height, but much slimmer, and had wavy dark brown
hair well below shoulder length.  His eyes were as dark as his hair,
and looked almost black because of his nearly translucent skin.
Natalie had never seen skin so white.  And his ruffled shirt came
from another century.  She sat entranced as Nick and Randolf
talked.  She never released her grip on Nick's hand.

"What's going on?" Nick asked again, his voice full of concern.

"You remember how full of life it used to be around here Nicholas?
How much Marie loved to entertain?"  Randolf was looking around
the room, the memories dancing in his eyes.  "She loved our mortal
friends.  They were her children, the children we would never have.
She loved them and protected them.  She would have given her
immortal life for them... and did."  With this he stopped and seemed
to be lost in thought.  Nick reached over and touched the back of
his hand.  Randolf looked up and continued.

"She had one special girl that she took in years ago as her favorite
child.  The girl looked just like Marie, Nicholas.  Her hair was the
same coal black with eyes to match.  They looked so much alike
that I sometimes had to listen for a heartbeat when I walked up
behind the two of them.  I don't know why, but Kari, this girl, did
not understand the depth of Marie's love.  I suppose that Kari
wanted a home of her own and saw too much opulence to restrain
herself.  She found Marie and me together one time, and captured
our exchange of blood with a hideous movie camera."

Nick was surprised.  "She caught you as vampires on tape?"  His
eyes widened as he guessed what happened next.

"Yes.  We didn't realize what had happened, and never suspected
her betrayal.  She sold the movie to a newsman.  As soon as she
received what I imagine was a very large sum of money, she
disappeared into the swamps.  She had family there somewhere."
Randolf got up and walked across the room.  He stopped and
continued his story.  "We would have been exposed and probably
killed, but the newsman was also greedy.  He came to us and
offered our freedom for a price.  I tried to <persuade> him to forget,
Nicholas, but it could not be done."

"Empirical evidence," Nick nodded to himself.

"Yes, well, for whatever reason, the man could not be persuaded.
We paid him what he asked and did not hear from him again.  I do
not know how, but the Enforcers found out about it.  They killed
the newsman.  In doing so, they found out that the blasted movie
was a copy.  They came to us to give us a chance to recover the
evidence.  Marie sought out and found the girl.  She tried to reason
with her, but could not find the child's hiding place.  When Marie
was unsuccessful, she came back to me and made me promise that I
would not interfere with her attempts to save Kari.  I could not
resist any request of hers --- no matter what it was.  You know how
persuasive she could be, Nicholas."  Randolf smiled sadly at Nick.
He walked back across the room and sank slowly into his chair.  He
waited a while to continue.

"I knew what would happen.  I followed her and tried not to
interfere, but I couldn't just let her die.  They killed her, Nicholas,
and I killed one of them."

End Part 5.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (6/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)

Nick was staring at Randolf in disbelief, and didn't notice how hard
he was squeezing Natalie's hand.  After waiting as long as she
could, Natalie leaned close to his ear and whispered quietly, "Nick,
you're hurting my hand."  Both vampires jumped and looked at her.

"I'm sorry, Nat."  Nick released her hand and placed it on his arm.
He then turned back to Randolf.  "You killed an Enforcer?"

"Yes.  I don't suppose they'll let me live much longer.  In fact, I'm
not sure why they let me leave there that night."

"How long ago was this?" Nick asked.

Randolf looked puzzled for a few moments.  "About a year ago, I
think."

"Randolf, if they were going to kill you, they would have done it by
now.  Let me see if I can find out what's going on."  Nick turned to
Natalie and put his hand gently over hers.  "I'll be back in a few
minutes, okay?"

"Sure," Natalie responded.  She released Nick's arm and watched
him leave the room, pulling his phone from his jacket.  She then
turned back to Randolf.  There was a moment of uncomfortable
silence as Randolf stared at the floor, lost in thought.  He suddenly
started and looked up at Natalie.

"I'm sorry," he said.  "I'm not myself these days."  He looked into
Natalie's soul with his casual gaze.  Natalie suddenly realized how
much he reminded her of one of Anne Rice's vampires.  She started
to comment, wondering if they had ever met, and thought better of
it.

"It sounds like you have good reason," she said with genuine
concern.  "How long were you and Marie... together?"

Randolf smiled at her.  "We grew up in the same settlement..  I fell
in love with her when I was six.  Her black eyes were as bewitching
as her beautiful soul.  She loved everyone she met.  When we were
in our teens, we made plans to marry.  Life was perfect then."

Randolf leaned back in his chair and continued to tell Natalie his
story with a voice that seemed to fill the room and yet was so soft
that she almost had to strain to hear.  "Then the fever hit the town.
So many were sick and so many died.  We both lost our mothers
almost immediately.  I mourned for my loss, but Marie set to work
to help the others instead.  A mysterious doctor arrived to treat the
sick.  He looked very much like Nicholas, and, in fact, turned out to
be very much like him." Randolf gazed at the doorway into which
Nick had disappeared and then turned back to Natalie.  "He was a
kind man who worked around the clock to ease the pain of others.
Marie went to work for him right away, and talked me into helping.
After four days of work without sleep, she came down with the
fever.  She was too weak to fight it and I knew that she would die.  I
couldn't bear the thought of living without her.  I stayed by her side
every minute."  He sighed.  "I guess the doctor took pity on us... he
seemed to understand.  As Marie took her last breath, he brought
her across."

"He was a vampire.." Natalie realized.

"Yes.  He was very old, and was trying to atone for his past.  He
explained to me what he was, and let me choose for both of us.  I
chose to spend eternity with my Marie....well, there was no choice,
really.  As soon as I was sure she was alright, I surrendered myself
for the transformation."

"So you became vampires together?  When was this?"  Natalie was
totally absorbed.

"It was 1793.  We awoke together and never regretted a moment."
Now he was starting to look sad again, but Natalie couldn't help
herself.

"Nick says you don't drink human blood.  When did you stop?"

"We never started.  The only 'human' blood we ever tasted was the
doctor's and each others'.  This was the stipulation the doctor made,
and I gladly agreed to it.  I could not imagine Marie as a killer.
Because of that, neither one of us ever felt the urge to kill."
Randolf looked back at the doorway.  "Poor Nicholas.  I can not
imagine what torture he has gone through..."  He returned his gaze
to Natalie and smiled.

"But I have never seen him so happy.  I'm not sure what you've
done, but please don't stop."

At this, Natalie also smiled.  "I'll try not to."  More seriously, she
added, "We've been working on a cure together for years.  We've
gotten close a few times, but things have been rough lately.  I'm
hoping this trip will help us get back to where we were a few
months ago."  Natalie stopped when she realized she was sort of
babbling.

Nick returned to the room.  "Randolf, I can't find anyone who
knows exactly what's going on, but they all agree that if you are
still here, you are probably safe."  Nick looked quite relieved, even
though Randolf's expression didn't register a change.  Nick walked
behind him and put his hands on Randolf's shoulders.  "I <know>
how you feel, my friend, but there is nothing you can do to change
it.  You are still here, and you are very important to many of us.
You must try to continue on.  I need you, just as I've needed you in
the past."

After a moment, Randolf smiled again.  As Nick moved away,
Randolf suddenly stood up.  "Where are my manners?"  He reached
out a hand to Natalie.  "You must be starved, and I have not a thing
here to offer you except sherry.  Nicholas, we must take her out on
the town."  With a flourish, he bowed to Natalie and escorted her to
her feet.  "How about a tour of the nightlife?  Should we fly or take
my coach?" he asked Nick who scowled and shook his head.

"Your car, please," Nick replied.

"Well, it's one of those new-fangled things, and I'm without a driver.
Do you think you can handle it, Nicholas?"

"I'll try, if you navigate.  This place has changed in..." he glanced at
Natalie, "... since I was here last."

End Part 6.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (7/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)

After parking the 'new-fangled' 1956 convertible, Nick, Natalie,
and Randolf headed down Bourbon Street on foot.  Nick and
Randolf each offered Natalie an arm, and she smiled as they
strolled leisurely and took in the sites.  'I must be the only woman
on the street being escorted through New Orleans by two vampires!'
 Even in this place of notably strange people, the three of them were
drawing many stares.  Natalie was used to watching women watch
Nick, but Randolf seemed to be drawing most of the attention
tonight.  Natalie giggled to herself.

They stopped at several clubs for hors d'oeuvres and drinks which
Nick and Randolf pretended to taste and Natalie wolfed down.
Within several hours they had heard most of the music and sampled
nearly a dozen places.  Natalie was getting full and slightly drunk,
and Nick was enjoying watching her.  Randolf was also enjoying
the tour, recalling the pleasure of companionship that he had all but
forgotten.

"There's one more place we have to go tonight," Nick informed the
two of them as they reached the end of the loud bars.

They left the noise of the street behind and headed for Jackson
Square.  As they turned down the dark, lifeless side streets, Natalie
sobered up enough to start feeling a bit spooked.  "If I was with
anyone else," she commented, "I'd be a bit worried.  But I suppose
you two can handle any problems that arise."  She smiled at the two
of them and laughed to herself.

About the time that Natalie was sure she was completely lost, they
stopped in front of an iron fence that enclosed the park and statue of
Jackson.  Behind the statue towered the spires of St. Louis
Cathedral. "Well, this place hasn't changed much at all," Nick
commented.  He looked at Randolf.  "I don't know that I ever
properly thanked you..."

"There is no need, Nicholas.  My first impression of you was
correct."  Randolf smiled at Nick, and then at Natalie.  "Come, let's
walk along the river.  I love to watch the moon rise over the black
water."

"You go ahead, Randolf.  We'll catch up with you."

Randolf released Natalie's arm, and suddenly disappeared.  Natalie
blinked.  "Jeez.. I'm glad you don't do that often.  I just don't think I
could get used to it!"

With quite a bit of Nick's help, Natalie managed to get across the
street and the railroad tracks and to the top of the levee without
falling.  Although there were lights, it certainly wasn't lit enough to
stroll around nonchalantly.  She was thankful for Nick's vision.

They stopped at the top of the levee and looked.  The lights from
the bridge and the passing ships were mirrored in the deceptively
still-looking river surface.  As Randolf promised, the moon was
rising and filling the middle of the river with an eerie white light.

"Nick, it's beautiful," Natalie exclaimed quietly.  Nick put his arm
around her waist and pulled her to his side.  "Yes," he answered.
They listened to the tug boat whistles and stood for awhile in the
warm Southern breeze.  Natalie caught a whiff of the salt from the
Gulf blowing in up the river.

"I could stay here for awhile, Nick."  She put her head back on his
shoulder and closed her eyes. "You know," she continued, "it
sounds like Randolf and Marie were very happy together."  She
wanted to say more, but wasn't sure how.  Nick moved behind her
and wrapped her in his arms.  He knew what she was saying, and
thought about the possibility.  Nick kissed the side of her head and
took a deep breath.  The smell of Natalie forced him to close his
eyes as he thought.  There was a reason they could not live as
Randolf and Marie had, but at the moment he couldn't exactly
remember what it was.  He listened to the beating of her heart as it
drowned out all the river noises.

Natalie broke free of Nick's hold and turned to face him.  She held
the lapels of his jacket and stared into his eyes, which she could
barely see reflecting the moonlight. "Nick, we could do what they
did.  I want to be with you."  Even as the words came out of her
mouth, she couldn't believe she had found the courage to say them.
The alcohol must be helping in that regard.  Natalie expected Nick
to push her away, but felt his hands sliding under her cotton jacket
instead.  With his hands on her waist, he pulled her close to him as
she slipped her arms around his neck.  The passion they both
worked so hard to hold back felt like electricity drawing them
together as their lips met.  Their embrace tightened as the kiss
deepened.  Nick felt the vampire rising and knew he was getting
close to crossing the line he drew for himself.  He tried to tell
himself to break off the embrace as he felt his fangs appearing, but
he couldn't find the will to fight both it and Natalie.  As the passion
of the kiss increased, the tip of Natalie's tongue reached the razor-
sharp tip of an incisor.  The tiny slice stung for a second, but not
enough to stop her rising desire.  Nick instantly tasted the blood...
Natalie's blood ... and knew that he was lost.  His passion became
wrapped in hers and he couldn't tell where one stopped and the
other started.  A low growl arose from deep inside him.  Natalie felt
it more than she heard it, and she tightened her grip on him.  As
Nick pulled her face away from his, Natalie was sure that he was
stopping this whole scene.  Once again, he had found the control.

She opened her eyes to look into the glowing blue and gold eyes of
Nick in a state that she had never seen before. She felt his longing
so clearly inside her own mind; she felt her own desire growing as it
seemed to be joining  with Nick's.  The vampire was invading her
mind and was so seductive.  Nick gently pushed her head to the side
and moved his lips down the side of her neck, stopping over the
pulsing jugular.  Natalie felt the tips of his fangs resting against her
skin, threatening to break the surface at any second.  The
excitement and ecstasy grew in her like it never had before and she
realized that she was finally about to have him, and he would have
her.  She felt her knees giving out and his arm around her holding
her up.  Poised above the vein, Nick tasted her skin with his tongue
and used it to feel the pulse of the warm blood just below the
surface.  He pulled the length of her body against his.  Natalie's
trembling body against his fanned the flame of vampiric desires.
He couldn't wait much longer.  Natalie felt a moan escape her
throat.

"Nicholas! Nicholas, stop!"

The growling voice was accompanied by hands on both of Nick's
shoulders.  He was jerked back to reality and realized what he was
about to do ... to Natalie.  A louder, painful growl came out as he
threw his head back and tightened his grip on Natalie.  When his
head fell to hers, his mouth was closed.  The three of them fell to
their knees in the wet grass.  Randolf slowly pulled Nick from
Natalie's grasp and to his own chest.  "No..." Nick growled, but he
did not resist Randolf.

"If you want to bring her across, Nicholas, I will not interfere,"
Randolf whispered to him.  "But you must be sure this is what you
both want, and you can not do it here.  Do you understand?"
Randolf waited until he felt Nick relaxing and nodding his head
before releasing him.  Nick leaned forward and grabbed Natalie's
shoulders.  She was shaking her head to clear the cobwebs and to
try to understand what had just happened.  "Are you alright?" he
asked from just inches in front of her face.  "Natalie, I'm sorry.  I
don't know what..."

"I'm alright, Nick.  I think I'm just a little tipsy.  Help me up?"

Faster than was really comfortable for her, Natalie was standing
with Nick and Randolf in front of her.  Even though the light was
poor, Natalie could see the look of embarrassment on Nick's face
and felt her own blushing.  "Maybe we've had enough of the
nightlife tonight, don't you think?" she asked, trying a little too hard
to lighten the mood.

End Part 7.

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

SOUTHERN BREEZE (8/8)
by Sarah Baker (zeke@rt66.com)

The three of them walked wordlessly back toward the car with
Natalie on one side of Nick and Randolf on the other.  As they
started down the last side street, Nick and Randolf both suddenly
stopped and turned.  It took Natalie a second to realize they were
hearing something that she couldn't.  "What is it?"

"Someone is screaming, Nat.  Randolf, bring Natalie with you -- I'll
go on ahead."

Nick was gone with the last word.  Randolf took Natalie's hand and
hurried her run down the street.

Nick landed silently behind three men who were busy holding a
woman against a wall in the doorway to a dark courtyard.  There
was no one else around to respond to the woman's muffled screams.
One man held a knife at her throat.  The vampire that Nick had so
recently repressed rose again instantly as he grabbed two of the men
by their collars and threw them from the doorway; they landed in
the street on their backs.  Before they landed, Nick had the third
man by the back of the neck with one hand squeezing the arm
holding the knife.  As Nick pulled the man away, the woman slid
down the wall sobbing.

Natalie and Randolf arrived in time to see the third man tossed on
top of the first two.  Natalie ran to the victim's side to check her out.
She worked on stopping the bleeding from a fairly deep knife
wound to the side.  As Nick, with the vampire still in control,
started toward Natalie and the victim, he missed the movement
from one of the men behind him.  A knife whizzed past his arm
headed for the middle of Natalie's back.  It moved in slow motion,
but was past him before he saw it.  Nick felt the horror in him
growing as the knife closed in on its mark.  As he flew through the
air in a desperate attempt to catch it, the knife stopped an inch from
Natalie's spine, gripped by a pale hand framed in white ruffles.
Nick's eyes met Randolf's as Randolf's face grew into a smile.  Nick
let out a breath in relief and turned to catch a glimpse of the last
hoodlum disappearing into an alley.

"We're alright here," Randolf indicated the attackers' direction.
Nick nodded and disappeared.  When he returned with the three
men in tow, he found the police talking to Randolf and a medic
assisting Natalie.

******

When they returned to Randolf's house, Natalie wandered off to
locate a place to wash up.  Randolf and Nick sat across from each
other at the kitchen table.  Randolf poured two glasses from an
unmarked bottle, and filled a third glass with sherry.  He raised the
first glass for a toast.  "What an honor to have a bona fide hero of
the City of New Orleans under my roof!"

Nick glared at him.  "Things would have been very different tonight
if you had not been there... twice."  With self-reproach, Nick drank
a large swallow of the cow's blood/ wine mixture.

"Nicholas," Randolf said with great sympathy, "you must care for
her very deeply.  Is this not so?"

"Yes."

"Then why haven't you brought her across?  You could live
together as Marie and I did, couldn't you?"

Nick took another long sip from the glass and looked up at Randolf
from a lowered head.  "You don't understand.  I don't know exactly
how you and Marie managed to be brought across as you were.  I
suspect the doctor had not had human blood in a very long time.
With one taste of my blood, Natalie would feel the incessant
longing for death... the hunger that can never be satisfied.  She
would be a killer, and not my Natalie anymore.  I love her too
much to condemn her to that."  Randolf reached a hand across the
table and placed it on Nick's shoulder.  The years seemed to fall
away as Nick, once again, felt the sorrow and loneliness drawn
from his body.  A wave of relief washed gently over him.

At that moment, Natalie entered the room.  "So here you two are."
Nick wondered how much of the conversation she had heard.  She
smiled at him with such understanding in her eyes that he was sure
she had heard some of it.  Nick straightened in his chair.

Randolf stood and handed Natalie the glass of sherry.  "Please sit
with us."  He pulled a chair out from the table for her.  Except for
Nick, men did not tend to do this in Toronto.  It was kind of fun.

"Thank you," she nodded and sat down.  She looked closely at
Nick's face.  "Are you okay?"

"You seem to be asking me that a lot lately."  His grin was
sheepish.  "Natalie, I don't know what to say."  She placed her hand
on his and squeezed.  He held her hand to his lips for a moment and
smiled into her eyes.  "Thank you for being so patient."

Randolf raised his glass in another attempt at a toast.  "To the three
of us!  We make quite a team... fighting crime and all."

The glasses clinked and the three drank together.  As they lowered
their glasses, Randolf's face became serious.  "I must tell you both
something."  He lowered his voice and looked them both in the
eyes.  "Before tonight, I had no desire left to live.  I was
contemplating stepping into the sun."  He sighed deeply.  "You
have renewed my desire to live, both of you.  The feelings you have
for each other and the terrible struggle you endure together has
made me ashamed that I have felt nothing but self-pity lately."
With this, Natalie's eyes darted to the table and to Nick.  She felt
her face flushing.  She was not used to having her feelings for Nick
discussed in front of anyone.  Randolf noticed her embarrassment
and tried to change the subject.

"What do you have planned for the rest of your stay here?"

They looked at each other.  "We have three more days, and you
were my reason for being here," Nick responded.

"Good.  Then you must be my guests.  I will have the house cleaned
tomorrow, and we will throw a grand party ... New Orleans style.
I'm sure there are a few people wondering what has happened to
me.  Does that sound acceptable?"

Nick and Natalie looked at each other and smiled.  "Sure," Nick
answered.  "It sounds like fun."

"Then let's retire to the parlor to make plans."  The three rose and
carried their glasses with them from the kitchen.  As they walked,
Randolf asked, "Is there anything in particular you want to see or
do before you leave?"

Natalie thought of all the possibilities.  "I'd like to taste crawfish.
And I'd like to go to one of the voodoo shops.  And I'd like to see
where Anne Rice lives.  Do you know where she lives?"

"You can ask her yourself."  Randolf leaned close to Natalie's ear
as they walked. "She attends all my parties."

Natalie stopped suddenly.  Her shocked stare made Randolf laugh.
Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head as he took Natalie's hand to
lead her on.  This vacation was turning out to be much more
revealing than he had planned.


THE END