Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 00:34:05 -0500 Reply-To: EloiseBenn@AOL.COM Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Eloise Bennett Subject: UNSUITED CHALLENGE 1/4 To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU This is what happens when you think too much about FK and a favorite piece of fanfic connects with a recently seen episode. The Halloween party refered to in this story is related in Mei Wa Kwong's "If This is a Party, Where are the Beer Nuts" (found on Mel's fanfic site). I'll not relate the FK episode (it would spoil the story). These are not my characters-they belong to TPTB. "A Change of Partners" 1/4 by Eloise Bennett 1997 "MR LACROIX!!" exclaimed the little man bustling in and out of the closets. "You have GOT to do something about this morbid fixation with black.......what have we here?" He came out holding a beautiful wool, red plaid kilt. "Have you ever really worn this?" queried M. Boudreaux. He had been the personal tailor to Mr. Lacroix for as many years as Lacroix had lived in Toronto, and in that time, the man had never seen him outfitted in any color other than black. Lucien Lacroix tore his attention from the computer terminal where he was checking his daily digest from Forkni-L. At the sight of the kilt, his eyebrow shot up and he recalled the dreadful halloween party when two drunk women kept accosting his person because of the said article of clothing. Other than that, he rather thought that he cut a dashing figure fully outfitted as a clansman.... M. Boudreaux brought him back to the present by presenting an assortment of beautifully tailored silk shirts in an array of tasteful dark colors: plum, navy blue, hunter green, burgundy, and a very dark rust (not dissimilar to dried blood). "No, no," Lacroix shook his head. "Two dozen in black - the same as always". He waved his hand to dismiss the tailor and returned to his laptop. M. Boudreaux just shook his head as he gathered up his wares. "No adventure, no spirit, dull, dull, dull." he was heard to mutter as he walked out of The Raven. Lucien Lacroix looked at the kilt laying over the back of the chair and got an idea. End Part 1 comments, etc. to: EloiseBenn@aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 00:34:11 -0500 Reply-To: EloiseBenn@AOL.COM Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Eloise Bennett Subject: UNSUITED CHALLENGE 2/4 To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU A Change of Partners" 2/4 by Eloise Bennett Part 2 Nick and Schanke were sitting down at the kitchen table in the loft to compile the information they needed to close their most outstanding case. Normally they would have done this at the precinct, but the computers were out (agian) and Nick suggested that they go to the loft to finish up (that way,if they worked "overtime", he wouldn't have to worry about how to get home after sunrise.) This case was as good as done. Schanke took the opportunity to order some takeout from the Chinese place around the corner. They worked about an hour, when the phone rang. "Knight here," Nick said into the receiver. "Um hum, yeah. Sure. Right Away! Goodbye." were the only responses to the steady voice on the other end of the line. "Has anyone ever told you that you were a scintillating conversationalist?" Schanke grinned at a confused looking Nick. "Don't believe them." Schanke added as Nick grabbed his coat. "Wait a minute, pardner" Schanke interrupted. "Where are we going - there's still a couple of hours of paperwork left to do here." "WE aren't going anywhere," Nick responded. "I'm going to check something out. I just got a hot tip that won't wait. Finish up here, okay?" , Nick shot over his shoulder as he got into the lift. Schanke was getting really mad when the door buzzed. He had forgotten about the food! He buzzed the delivery person in and took possesion of his Shrimp Lo Mein with spring rolls and wonton-egg drop soup. He looked for a kettle to heat some water for the tea. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all," he quietly murmured to himself as he dunked the fried noodles into the duck sauce. End part 2 comments, etc. to: Eloise Bennett~GWDFC~DK~Lobster Yacht Lot~EloiseBenn@aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 00:34:17 -0500 Reply-To: EloiseBenn@AOL.COM Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Eloise Bennett Subject: UNSUITED CHALLENGE 3/4 To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU See disclaimers (such as they are) in part 1 "A Change of Partners" 3/4 by Eloise Bennett Part 3 Lacroix looked at himself in the mirror. "Not bad," he thought as he turned to see how the kilt hung in the back. He'd had a terrible time, as always, hooking the little fringed garters that held up the knee socks. But they added such a nice flair hanging down from under the cuffs..... He gathered a few bottles of his private stock, his copy of "Braveheart", put on his overcoat, and took to the skies. He settled on the roof and started to open the skylight when he noticed the unfamiliar heartbeat. And, more disappointingly, no Nicholas! Curiosity got the better of him ("Who was this mortal?") and, using vampiric speed, Lacroix descended into the loft and landed softly by the door to the lift. He observed a man studiously typing notes into a laptop alternating with stuffing his mouth with an assortment of foods from the variety of cartons scattered about the table. Schanke was about to finish the lo mein and the Sanders report simultaneously when his eye caught a movement near the lift. He would have pulled his gun, but it was still in the holster slung over the chair by the sofa. He decided to play it cool: "Nick, is that you, Buddy?" he asked as he slowly moved towards the chair. "Good evening." intoned a voice from the shadows. "Am I honored to be in the presence of Detective Shanke, partner to my, ah, good friend, Nicholas Knight?" "That'd be me," Schanke replied. "Who are you?" "Allow me to introduce myself," replied Lacroix as he stepped into the light of the lamp. "Lucien Lacroix, also known as the Nightcrawler." "I recognize that voice now!" Schanke was sputtering and waving his hand around. "You're that guy Knight listens to on the radio! Why are you here? and how did you get in??" "Calm down, detective." replied Lacroix soothingly. "As I said before, Nick and I are old friends and I just dropped by to see if he had a free evening to spend with a friend. However, I see he is not here.." Lacroix turned to leave. "Wait!" Schanke rushed over to Lacroix. "an old friend, huh?" (Maybe this Nightcrawler fellow could fill in a little background on his mysterious partner!) "Nick won't be gone much longer- here let me take your coat. Can I offer you something to eat or drink?" As the coat came off, Det. Don Schanke stood rooted to the spot and speechless as he stared at Lacroix's attire. End part 3 comments, etc. to: Eloise Bennett~GWDFC~DK~Lobster Yacht Lot~EloiseBenn@aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 00:34:21 -0500 Reply-To: EloiseBenn@AOL.COM Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Eloise Bennett Subject: UNSUITED CHALLENGE 4/4 To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Figured it out yet? Disclaimers in part 1 "A Change of Partners" by Eloise Bennett Part 4 Lacroix sensed the change immediately. The heartbeat became very rapid and the breathing very shallow. This was not surprise- this was desire. Lacroix arched an eyebrow: now HERE was a very interesting turn of events! He walked over to Schanke. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Lacroix looked into Schanke's eyes and nothing more needed to be said. Sliding his hand across Schanke's back so that it rested on his other shoulder, Lacroix guided the way to the stairs. "Do you know that you have very nice knees?" Schanke observed. "Why, thank you." replied Lacroix as they ascended the stairs. * * * * * * * * * Two hours later, Nick returned to the loft. Upon entering, he 'sensed' his master and looked wildly around for what he was afraid were the "remains" of his partner. Finding nothing amiss downstairs, he headed for the stairs. It was then that Nick noticed the "different" vibrations coming from his master. Lacroix was having a VERY good time, and from the heartbeat of his partner, Schanke was also. A look of utter astonishment came over Nick's face and he fled the loft. As he got into the caddy, he punched the quick code into his cell phone. "Hi! Nat?? Would it be all right with you if I spent the day at your place? Great! I'm on my way!" The unflappable Dr. Lambert was never going to believe this! The End Send all comments, criticisms, etc. to: Eloise Bennett~GWDFC~DK~Lobster Yacht Lot~EloiseBenn@aol.com