From owner-fkfic-l@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Sat Mar 30 18:26:56 1996 Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by violet.berkeley.edu (8.7.1/1.33-960227) id SAA07808; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 18:26:52 -0800 Message-Id: <199603310226.SAA07808@violet.berkeley.edu> Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 5486; Sat, 30 Mar 96 21:24:33 EST Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@PSUVM) by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9080; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:24:27 -0500 Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:23:34 -0500 Reply-To: Susan Bennett Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Susan Bennett Subject: BW - N&N Revenge To: Multiple recipients of list FKFIC-L Status: RO X-Status: Okay, I'm back to serious stuff now - REVENGE for that Blackwing eps. they foisted on us Nick&Natpackers. Hmmm...Season 2 BMV Nick tells Nat he loves her (Cdn.version anyway). Season 3 Nick slobbers all over Marion. Nah, I don't think so. Here's the *real* truth. BW - N&N Revenge (1/4) by Susan for Nick&Natpackers based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------ Michael's sleep was plagued by visions of himself stumbling about in a forest of birch and pine. He heard the wind rustling through the trees but could not feel it against his skin. He saw sunlight filtering down through the branches, but could not feel its warmth. This was the spirit plane. Trees, sun, wind, and flesh did not exist here. They were mere fabrications, false images created by the mind to provide a tangible link to the physical world. Michael blinked his eyes and saw a woman walking towards him. She had long dark hair and dark eyes, and was dressed in traditional native doeskin. As she drew nearer her features became clear. It was his sister, Marion. She spoke, "Michael, my brother, I need your help. I ask two things of you. Before I left your world I used my powers unwisely. I committed a transgression. There will soon be dire consequences if it is not corrected, and I will not rest. You must seek out this person, reveal my sin, and beg his forgiveness on my behalf." She touched his forehead and her transgression was revealed to him. "I understand," Michael replied, "And what is the second thing?" "Help him free his spirit." "And his name?" Michael asked. Marion answered, "His name is Knight, Nicholas Knight." * * * * * * * * * * Nick, Nat and Tracy were all in the station chatting about a case when a tall native man entered the room. All three noticed his entrance, particularly Tracy. He was strapping, ruggedly handsome and had long dark hair. He looked to be about thirty-five years old and was wearing blue jeans, a black silk shirt, and running shoes. He stopped just inside the door at the first desk to ask a question. The female officer at the desk pointed over towards Nick. The man thanked her and walked over to Nick, "Detective Knight?". "Yes," Nick replied, "What can I do for you?" "I'm Michael. Michael Blackwing. I believe you knew my sister, Marion." Nick nodded, "Yes." He motioned towards Tracy and Nat, "This is Detective Vetter and Dr. Lambert." Michael said hello to both Tracy and Nat. He was apparently quite taken by Nat, he flashed her quite a smile and held his dark eyes on her for an uncomfortably long moment. The gesture was not lost on Nick as he said, "Michael, let's go into an office where we can talk." "Pleasure meeting you," said Michael. He was talking to both Tracy and Nat, but his eyes were only on Nat. He let Nick lead him away into Reese's office, which was empty at the moment. Tracy turned to Nat and said, "I think he's got a crush on you." Nat giggled and gave Tracy's arm a friendly slap, "I have to get back to work, see ya later". She left for the morgue, and Tracy went over to her desk to start working on some reports. Nick sat down in Reese's chair and Michael sat down across from him. "Detective Knight," Michael began, "I understand that you know Marion had ...special gifts, and that you know about the spirit plane, that you have seen it". Nick shifted uneasily in his chair, "Yes, and please, call me Nick". "Nick," Michael continued, "Last night, while I was sleeping, I visited the spirit plane. I saw Marion there. She talked to me. She said you needed my help." Michael was prepared to help Nick with his spiritual problem, but he was not yet ready to reveal Marion's infraction. He preferred to get to know this Knight character first. He wasn't about to beg forgiveness from a complete stranger. Nick replied, "What exactly did she tell you?" "Just that you have a dark spirit within you, a supernatural power. All native peoples are acquainted with supernatural power. The Hurons call it onadaki. To the Sioux it is wakan. She asked me to help you. I can help you." "Marion tried to help me," Nick said. "It didn't work." "Marion was an adult, but in spiritual matters she was a child. She erred in trying to help you, she was not ready. Her procedures were ...questionable. I am suggesting a more traditional method. My people believe the patient must be actively involved in the healing process, particularly in spiritual matters. I can show you the way, but you will have to heal yourself." Nick was interested in what Michael had to say, "I'm listening." Michael took a small deerskin satchel from his shirt pocket, "In here are some herbs and charms and descriptions of their use. You will also find some traditional prayers and their English translation. You must learn these prayers, in our language. But you must also learn the English, for the prayers are useless if you do not understand their meaning." "I don't think praying to a God is going to be of much use to me," said Nick. "The praying is my job, but, out of respect to the spirits, you must know what I am saying", Michael replied. "I will be near you, praying to many spirits, spirits of the living world. They will open the door for you." Nick accepted the pouch from Michael, "And then?" "Then, you are going to cleanse yourself." Michael stood up and said, "I'll call on you in a couple of days and see how you're progressing. How is 8:00, Thursday evening?" Nick stood up, "Thursday it is". Michael turned to leave, but as he reached the door he turned back to Nick, "Oh, one other thing, I'd be interested in talking to that Dr. Lambert. Do you mind telling me where I might find her?" "She's a pathologist, Michael. She works in the morgue." Michael smiled and said, "Thanks". Susan Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net Cont'd. in Part 2 From owner-fkfic-l@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Sat Mar 30 18:29:42 1996 Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by violet.berkeley.edu (8.7.1/1.33-960227) id SAA07941; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 18:29:39 -0800 Message-Id: <199603310229.SAA07941@violet.berkeley.edu> Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 5517; Sat, 30 Mar 96 21:27:17 EST Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@PSUVM) by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9406; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:27:15 -0500 Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:26:26 -0500 Reply-To: Susan Bennett Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Susan Bennett Subject: BW - N&N Revenge (2/4) To: Multiple recipients of list FKFIC-L Status: RO X-Status: BW - N&N Revenge (2/4) by Susan for Nick&Natpackers based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------ Nat was sitting at her desk when Michael walked into the room, "Hello Dr. Lambert, I was wondering if we might chat for awhile". "Certainly," Nat replied, "Come on in. Have a seat, and please, call me Natalie". Michael smiled and sat down. Nat found Michael quite captivating. He had a wonderful smile, and his eyes seemed to reveal a uncommon sincerity. She supposed Tracy's description would be "puppy dog eyes". He really was very good looking. "So, you've talked with Nick?" "Yes," Michael replied, "Do you know him well?" "I guess you could say that. We have been seeing each other for some time. We're close." "So, you're not married then," said Michael. Nat smiled and laughed, "No, I'm not married." She blushed when Michael added, "That's good to hear". Nat wanted to get the conversation headed in a different direction, "So, your sister Marion was some kind of spiritualist or medicine man ...woman?" "She was sensitive to the spirit world, as I am, but she knew little of medicine. That is more my field. Traditional medicine that is." "Oh," said Nat. "I've always been interested in native medicine. The use of so many plants, wintergreen for pain, hemlock for scurvy, and even poisonous ones like bloodroot, milkweed, and pennyroyal. My interest was kindled when I learned that Indians used foxglove as a heart stimulant for hundreds of years before it was 'discovered' in England in the late 1700's." Michael was delighted with her interest in his field, "Perhaps we could talk further about it. Thursday afternoon?" "Certainly," Nat agreed. "I can meet you here at, uh, 4:00." She saw no reason why she shouldn't meet Michael, but she would make it clear to him, on Thursday, that it was only to discuss medicine. At that moment Nick walked into the room, "Oh, hello again, Michael." Michael nodded to Nick, "Yes, I was just talking with Natalie here, but I really must be on my way." "Don't leave on my account," said Nick. He looked towards Nat, "I was just coming to remind Nat that we have a date tomorrow night." "We do?" asked Nat. Nick glared at her, "Yes, we do." "No, I really must be going," said Michael. "I'll see you on Thursday night, Nick." He walked past Nick and just before he left the room he turned to Nat, "I'll see you Thursday afternoon then, Natalie." Nick watched Michael leave and then looked to Nat, "You're seeing him on Thursday?" Nat smiled. She knew Nick was jealous, and that date thing he pulled in front of Michael was classic. "Purely professional, Nick. We're just going to talk about native medicines and healing methods. You're seeing him Thursday night?" "He said he can help me," answered Nick. Nat was a little surprised, "Does he know what you are?" "No, just that I need help ...spiritual help. What do you think?" Nat hesitated before responding to him. She had always preferred to overlook that side of Nick's affliction. But in her heart she knew that he needed both spiritual and physical care. She also knew that the seamless integration of the natural, physical, and spiritual elements of life was an axiom of native culture. Marion didn't help him, but perhaps Michael could. Nick was a little astonished when Nat replied, "I think it's worth a try." In a lighter tone she added, "By the way, Nick, what time is our date tomorrow night?" Nick looked at her with a straight face, "Well, I'm not working tomorrow night and neither are you, so let's say, 8:00. Meet me at my place." Nat had a huge grin on her face as Nick left. Seeing him jealous always made her feel good. * * * * * * The next night, Wednesday, Nat was at Nick's loft sitting on the couch waiting for him. She checked the time, it was almost 8:00. Suddenly a cold chill tickled the back of her neck, and LaCroix appeared standing before her. He grinned a wicked grin, "Hello Doctor. I've come to see Nicholas." Nat was truly terrified of LaCroix, but she was determined not to reveal her fear. That pointless exercise rather amused LaCroix, her increased heart rate gave her away instantly. Nat took a deep silent breath and stood to face LaCroix, "He should be here any minute." "Yes, I do believe he will be," said LaCroix. Just as LaCroix spoke the door slid open and Nick walked in. Nat could not help but sigh with relief, she dreaded the thought of being alone with that sinister vampire. Nick glanced at LaCroix, at Nat, and back to LaCroix as he walked towards them. When he was within reach of Nat he pulled her over and protectively moved in front of her. He snapped angrily at LaCroix, "What do you want?" "No hello, Nicholas?" LaCroix shrugged and picked up the charm satchel from the coffee table. "No matter." He paused for a few moments as he toyed with the pouch in his hands. "So you're wasting time with this Indian folklore again. Tell me, Nicholas, did you learn nothing from your last experience with, what was her name, Marion?" "And what is it to you, LaCroix?" said Nick. "Nothing to me, Nicholas. I found it quite...entertaining." He tilted his head to the side to peer at Nat who was still half hidden behind Nick, "But I am interested in Dr. Lambert's reaction." Nat moved forward to stand next to Nick, "My reaction to what?" LaCroix looked at Nick and said, "It must be very comforting to have such a forgiving...friend." Nick was becoming agitated, "That's enough LaCroix." LaCroix laughed, "I see. She doesn't know, does she...Nicholas?" Nat whispered to Nick, "What's he talking about?" Nick replied in an unsteady voice, "Nothing. It was a dream. It was nothing." "Perhaps nothing to you dear Nicholas. But I thought it would have meant a very great deal to her." LaCroix looked at Nat, "I just find it so utterly fascinating that she is so supportive of your search for a cure, even when it leads you to another woman's bed, and a mortal woman at that." Nick was enraged, "You don't know what you're talking about. Get out." LaCroix grinned, "Now Nicholas. You must not censure me in front of the good doctor. I always know of what I speak." He tossed the satchel back onto the table, "but yes, I do believe it is time for me to go." LaCroix chuckled and flew from the loft. Nat looked at Nick, "Nick, what is he talking about. What happened with Marion?" Nick looked at the floor, "You shouldn't listen to him, Nat. He's just trying to upset you." "Look at me," said Nat. Nick looked at her. She could see in his eyes that something did happen, she felt as though something reached inside and twisted her heart around. Tears started to form in her eyes. Nick put his arms around her, "Nothing happened Nat. Come on, let's get out of here or we're going to be late for the show." Nat honestly didn't know whether he was trying to reassure her, or trying to avoid the subject. She tried to shake off the doubt, but it was no use. She felt sick to her stomach. The words kept pounding, over and over again in her head...another woman's bed, a mortal woman, another mortal woman's bed. Nat feared her heart was about to be broken. She pulled away from Nick, her tears now flowing freely, "I have to go. I feel sick." She grabbed her coat and ran for the elevator. Nick followed and grabbed hold of her from behind, "Nat, you're wrong, please don't, don't go." Again she pulled away from him, and wailed, "Don't touch me. Don't follow me. Leave me alone. I have to think." Her words cut through Nick like a knife. He stood stunned as she got in the elevator. The door slid shut. He pounded his fists against it and slumped to the floor. He had to think too. He just couldn't remember what the hell happened at Marion Blackwing's. Nick sat there on the floor and tried to recall what, until now, he thought was only a dream. In his dream he flew to Marion's room, held her, kissed her. He had no idea why. He remembered her rolling up his shirt sleeve, and cutting him. He remembered waking up in her bed, no, on her bed, and buttoning his cuffs. He was not human, even if it was real he couldn't have done anything more than kiss her. But how could it be real? Nick was confused, furious, and terrified all at the same time. Confused about the whole incident, furious with LaCroix, and terrified of losing Nat. Susan Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net Cont'd. in Part 3 From owner-fkfic-l@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Sat Mar 30 18:31:31 1996 Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by violet.berkeley.edu (8.7.1/1.33-960227) id SAA08072; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 18:31:28 -0800 Message-Id: <199603310231.SAA08072@violet.berkeley.edu> Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 5550; Sat, 30 Mar 96 21:29:20 EST Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@PSUVM) by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9840; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:29:18 -0500 Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:28:20 -0500 Reply-To: Susan Bennett Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Susan Bennett Subject: BW - N&N Revenge (3/4) To: Multiple recipients of list FKFIC-L Status: RO X-Status: BW - N&N Revenge (3/4) by Susan for Nick&Natpackers based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------ Nat drove herself home in a blur. She alternated between tears and anger. Tears when she thought of Nick with another woman, anger when she thought it was one of LaCroix's evil schemes to rip them apart. She was glad she left, she did have to think, away from Nick. She got home, changed into her pyjamas, and lay down in her bed to think, and to cry. Sleep came to her eventually. She dreamed of life with Nick, such as it was; and of life without Nick. Nat slept well into the morning, it was almost 11:00 when she finally woke. She had a shower and got dressed. Her eyes were puffy, and red. She hid what she could with make-up. She decided to go into the office, a neutral environment. Nat had the rest of the day to think about what to tell Nick. * * * * * * * * * * Michael walked into Nat's office right on time, at 4:00. She looked up at him, "Oh. I'm sorry Michael. I forgot all about our appointment." He could tell she had been crying, apparently for quite some time. This was definitely not the same woman he saw yesterday. "Is now not a good time?" "No, no, I'm fine...allergies. Come on in." Michael went over to Nat. He slid a chair around to sit next to her, "You look like you need to talk to somebody." It certainly wasn't Nat's intention to discuss her personal problems with a total stranger, but his voice was so soothing, and his eyes so compassionate, that his very presence seemed to comfort her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and she couldn't help but blurt out, "I'm sorry. It's Nick. We're having some ...problems." Michael knew then that Marion's forecast of dire consequences had begun. He knew it, but he was no longer sure he wanted to do anything about it. He found Natalie thoroughly intoxicating. He had been thinking about her ever since he first met her two days ago. He decided that he would ride this one out for awhile. "Do you want to talk about it?" asked Michael. "No. Not right now. Why don't you talk to me about some ancient healing methods, facts and legends, and such," replied Nat. Michael had managed to cheer her up considerably, he did have many amusing fables to tell that made her laugh. She looked so beautiful when she smiled, when she laughed. He sat there and talked to her for hours. It was almost 7:45 when he noticed the time. He was supposed to meet Nick at 8:00. The thought made him very uncomfortable. He was sent to help Nick, and here he was falling for Natalie. "Well, I have to leave you now. I have an appointment," Michael said as he stood up. He didn't want to mention Nick's name. Nat stood up too and started to walk him to the door. He turned to her and took her hand, "I'm really very sorry that you are having a hard time. I enjoyed our afternoon together. I would like to see you again, when you're up to it." Nick had just arrived at Nat's office to talk to her. He was just outside the door when he peered in to see Michael with his hands on Nat's shoulders. He heard Michael say, "You are so beautiful." He saw Michael bend down to kiss Nat. He saw Nat returning the kiss. Nick spun around from the doorway and leaned his back against the wall. He was crushed. His love, his life, his Natalie, with someone else. His imagination ran rampant. He imagined her being touched and caressed by another man, making love to another man, being loved by another man, in ways he could only dream of. The pain was unbearable. The agony of his ancient guilt paled in comparison to this agony of heartbreak. And he understood, finally and completely, how Natalie must have felt to hear LaCroix's words, "another woman". Nat was everything to him, everything, and he had broken her heart. How could he do that to her? How could she ever forgive him? How could he ever forgive himself? Nick fought every urge to rush in, sweep Natalie into his arms, and steal her away, anywhere, away from Michael, away from everyone. He looked into the office one last time and saw Nat releasing herself from Michael's grip and backing away from him. Nick clung to that ray of hope, he watched, and listened. Michael dropped his arms and frowned, "It's him, isn't it? You're still in love with him, even though he pains you so." Nat stared at the floor as her eyes began to well up, "Yes, he hurt me, and it wasn't the first time. I made a decision this morning to give him up, and until you kissed me that was my decision. But I know now I will never be able to kiss another without thinking of Nick. I always forgive him. I am compelled to forgive him." She wiped the tears from her face, regained her composure, and looked Michael straight in the eye. "I'm sorry, Michael, but I am totally and hopelessly in love with Nick. I always have been, and I always will be." Nick was ecstatic. He had not lost Natalie. She loved him still, would always love him. The worst twenty-four hours of hell in his last 800 years was over, finished, done. He almost collapsed to the floor in relief. He tried to compose himself as he slipped away, but he truly could not hide the smile on his face. Michael understood. He would never have Natalie's love, nor would anyone else. Nick had already stolen her heart, and with him it would stay. But he could ease some of her pain by telling her the truth, the truth about what Marion did to Nick. He had kept it from her in a selfish attempt to improve his chances at winning her heart. He never had a chance. And now he had to focus on the requests of his sister, Marion. "I am the one to apologize," said Michael. "I should have told you the moment I realized the cause of your anguish. What happened between Nick and Marion ...he had no chance." "How do you know about that?" said Nat. "I saw Marion in the spirit world. She sent me here. She wanted me to correct a wrong she had done to Nick, and apparently, to you. She is very sorry, and begs forgiveness." "What did she do?" asked Nat. "Marion had a destructive bout of ignorance and arrogance. She had one vision in the spirit plane and thought she was ready to embark upon matters that require years of preparation and discipline. She brought Nick into the spirit world with her, but she did not have the skill to distinguish her spirit from his. The two became muddled. Her spirit invaded and overwhelmed his, her desires became his desires." "He said it was a dream," said Nat. "To him it was a dream," replied Michael, "and you must never consider it anything more than that. It wasn't even his dream. It was Marion's. As I said, he had no chance." "I have to see Nick," said Nat, "I was so wrong". "No," said Michael. "I'm going to see him now. I must tell him what I told you, and that I told you." Susan Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net Cont'd. in Part 4 From owner-fkfic-l@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Sat Mar 30 18:35:46 1996 Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by violet.berkeley.edu (8.7.1/1.33-960227) id SAA08264; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 18:35:44 -0800 Message-Id: <199603310235.SAA08264@violet.berkeley.edu> Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 5600; Sat, 30 Mar 96 21:33:27 EST Received: from PSUVM.PSU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@PSUVM) by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 0178; Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:33:25 -0500 Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 21:32:35 -0500 Reply-To: Susan Bennett Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Susan Bennett Subject: BW - N&N Revenge (4/4) To: Multiple recipients of list FKFIC-L Status: RO X-Status: BW - N&N Revenge (4/4) by Susan for Nick&Natpackers based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------ Michael was rather surprised to find Nick in such a cheerful mood. He expected to find him as miserable as he found Natalie. Nick was sitting at his desk happily playing office basketball by rolling up small pieces of paper and tossing them into the wastebasket across the room. "Hello, Nick. I was just down talking to Natalie". "I know," said Nick. Michael then understood why Nick was so happy, he must have been there and overhead Natalie's declaration of undying love. He wondered what else he may have overheard. "Did you go through the stuff I gave you?" Michael asked. Nick replied, "I tried, but my mind kept wandering to other things. I believe I have it well in hand, though." Michael decided it would be an excellent time to try to help Nick, he was in such a positive frame of mind. He was also a little anxious to get out of these peoples lives. "Can you get the rest of the night off. I'd like to do it now. Do you have the pouch I gave you?" Nick stopped making his little paper balls, "Tonight. Already?" "Sure," replied Michael. Now's as good a time as any." "I have the pouch. Uh, when would we be finished? Would I be back say, before dawn?" "Well I was going to take you up to the reservation, but my Uncle has what we need at his place just outside Oakville. We'll go there instead, you can follow me in your car. It's 8:30 now, you'll probably be home in your bed by 2:00." "Sounds good," said Nick, "I just want to go see Nat for a second first". "Actually, before you do that, I have some things to tell you," said Michael. He then told Nick everything he had discussed with Natalie, everything about Marion anyway. Knowing he had been redeemed in Nat's eyes made Nick even happier. Of course he told Michael he forgave Marion, he was so jubilant at that moment he would have forgiven anyone for anything, except perhaps LaCroix. Nick had intended to see Nat, but decided to wait until he was finished with Michael. He didn't want to put her through more disappointment if things didn't work out, and he would know soon enough. Michael called his uncle and asked him to make preparations. Nick met Michael in the parking lot and followed him out to his uncle's large farm. After they arrived they went around the back of the barn where there was a little bonfire crackling. Beside the fire was a small tent structure, it was a sweat lodge. Michael took the satchel from Nick. He took out a necklace and put it around Nick's neck. The pendant felt hot on his skin. He took out some leaves from the pouch, "Chew on these, it will relax you. You know what you have to do?" "Yes," Nick replied, "and it could take some time." "Okay," Michael replied. You go on in, I'll be out here by the fire. I just have to go change. My uncle is going to help too. We will be here until you are done." Nick crawled into the sweat lodge and took off his shirt. The air was heavy and hot. There was a firepit in the middle, the rocks in the firepit glowed red. A bucket of water sat next to the pit. Nick was glad it was a large bucket, he had a lot of sins to confess. Inside he repeated the words over and over to himself, new life, new beginning, new life, new beginning. He wanted to believe, he had to believe. A short time later he heard Michael and his uncle out at the fire. He heard the drums and the chanting of prayers. He became caught up in the ritual unawares, the chanting, the drums. He began confessing his sins, and sprinkled water on the hot rocks for each one, he repeated the procedure over and over and over again. It was getting very hot and steamy, red sweat bubbled up on his skin. He kept sprinkling the water and confessing his sins, but the sweat, now dripping from him, stayed red. The drums and chants inspired him on. Soon he started to feel little specks of darkness being sprinkled away with the water, touching the hot rocks, turning into steam, and rising into oblivion. And those little specks of darkness grew larger and larger, into layers of darkness, being thrown into the pit, turning into steam, and rising into oblivion. When he felt the very last trace of darkness leave him, he noticed his sweat had turned clear. Nick sat unmoving for several minutes, savouring the feeling of freedom he had sought for so long. He was not mortal, he knew, but he was free of the darkness. Nick emerged from the sweat lodge. Michael and his uncle stopped their chanting and Michael stood up. Nick put his shirt back on and said, "It worked." Michael gave Nick and friendly pat on the back and smiled, "It always works. If you really want it to." "What time is it?" asked Nick. Michael replied, "4:00". Nick couldn't believe he had been in there for six hours. "I really have to go. I don't know how to thank you," said Nick. Michael laughed, "No thanks necessary. It pleases me that things worked out well for you." It really did please Michael. Having a positive affect on other lives was incredibly fulfilling for him. I was particularly so in this instance, when he would have stolen Natalie away from Nick, if only he could have. Nick was in his car just starting down the driveway when he heard Michael yelling after him. He stepped on the brake and Michael ran up to the window. Michael poked his head inside, "Oh, by the way Nick, that Detective Vetter, is she seeing anyone?" Nick laughed, "No. But I'll tell her you'll be around to see her if you like." Michael said, "Sure." He stood up and slapped the roof of the car. Nick continued down the driveway and drove home. It was almost daylight when Nick got home. The first thing he did was dial Nat at work, hoping she hadn't left for home yet. He wanted so badly to see her, share his exhilaration with her, touch her, hold her, laugh with her. Nat answered the phone, "Lambert". "Hi Nat. I think we have some things to talk about. Will you come over?" Nat's heart raced, she wanted so badly to see him, to apologize to him for her cruel words the other night. She wanted to hold him, tell him she loved him, tell him that she was sorry. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." Nick undressed and stepped into the shower, letting the warm soapy water wash away the sweat and smell of smoke. Wash away the past, a new beginning, a new life. He still had the strength and cool skin of a vampire, but he had no sensation at all of the evil, the blood-lust, that had plagued him for centuries. He had just finished drying off and putting his robe on when he heard Nat downstairs. "Nick," Nat shouted, "Where are you?" "Upstairs, I'll be right down," Nick called out. Nat couldn't wait. She took off her coat and shoes and raced up the stairs. She found him just finishing drying his hair, and ran up to him, "I'm so sorry Nick. The things I said. I was so wrong." Nick smiled, "Nothing to be sorry for. We should both be used to this by now. Bumpy runways, safe landings." Nat looked up at Nick, "There's something different about you." "Yes," Nick replied, "Something different, something wonderful. The darkness is gone, for good this time, I know it. Michael and his uncle helped me tonight, really helped me." She saw a look of serenity in his eyes and a joy in his smile that had not been there before. The real Nick. The Nick before LaCroix. She reached out to touch his cheek and was almost surprised to discover his skin was still cool. Nick was sensitive to her reaction. He took her hand in his and said quietly, "I know. I am still physically what I was." He touched her hand to his forehead and said, "But here, I am human". Then he placed Nat's hand over his heart and added, "And here." Nat had never felt so close to him before, she was so overwhelmed by his gestures, and by her love for him, that she started to cry. He cradled her in his arms and whispered, "I love you". Nick held her there, in silence, until all her tears were done. He touched her face, kissed her softly on the lips, and said, "No more tears, for either of us." She smiled and kissed him back. She put her hand over his heart and caressed his chest, his shoulders. She slid her hand along his skin, around his side, his back. Skin so cool, so wonderful to touch. He did not stop her. She wanted him so badly. He wanted her just as badly. He kissed her again, longer and deeper than before. She kissed his neck up to his ear, and softly whispered to him, "Make love to me Nick, any way that you can." He smiled and stroked her cheek, and took her to his bed. There would be no turning back this time. He kissed her passionately and whispered back to her, "I love you, Nat. I always have. And I always will. Even if it is ...forever." -- The End -- Susan Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net