Date: Tue, 4 Jun 1996 23:13:02 -0400 From: Susan Bennett ROGUE ENFORCER (1/4) by Susan Nick&Natpacker based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. -------------------- Tharek stood in the dim light gazing down at the unconscious Urs as she lay slumped in a heap in the corner of the sofa. Extracting information from her simple mind couldn't have been simpler. Tharek never would have guessed there were so many here so worthy of his discipline. The look of Urs' soft chalky skin against the black leather of the sofa pleased Tharek, but it was the way her crimson silky dress dripped over the skin that truly excited him. In this light the image was so charmingly reminiscent of a brutal mortal kill, bloody and messy, the way he liked it. Urs began to moan and stir as the mild throbbing in her head dissipated. Still groggy, she looked up at Tharek's handsome face and smiled. He had such incredibly dark eyes, and his skin was almost the colour of mortal flesh. Smiling, Tharek sat down beside her. She reached out her hand to stroke his throat, and gently traced the outline of recent puncture marks, barely visible now. Urs had never tasted a vampire as powerful as Tharek, had never known such a rush of power and pleasure from another's blood. And yet there was more, something mysterious and compelling. Something seductive, yet so elusive that her search for it swept her into a virtual feeding frenzy. She passed out cold. Vachon was nothing, nothing at all, compared to this one. Still fondling Tharek's throat, Urs leaned forward to kiss him. But Tharek had no desire to experience her again. Her blood was dismal and tedious, laden with the dreariness of depression and self-pity. She was so very full of the weakness he despised that the only gratification he could ever get from her would be to kill her. Tharek grabbed her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes, "It's time for you to leave." Urs merely blinked and mumbled, "I have to go now." Tharek grinned, it was just all too easy. * * * * * * Urs arrived at the Raven just before 5 AM and took her usual spot at the bar. The bartender immediately served her and she started to sip, but the liquid seemed bland and tiresome. A minute later she felt cool hands caressing the back of her neck. Almost shivering with excitement, Urs imagined someone there, but she couldn't remember who. The sound of Vachon's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Urs, what's up?" "Oh, nothing. Just passing...time," replied Urs, as Vachon sat down on the stool next to her. He seemed to remind her of someone, someone who looked a little like him, but taller, bigger. Again she tried to remember who, but couldn't, and so shrugged it off as a dream. Vachon sensed nothing unusual. LaCroix, on the other hand, felt an uneasiness the moment Urs walked into the place. He strolled over to the bar and spoke to her, "I trust all is well?" Urs grinned and nodded, "Fine". Even without a blood connection LaCroix could usually read Urs clearly, but tonight her thoughts were muddled, incomplete. LaCroix returned to his booth a bit perplexed and lost in thought. Suddenly Nick was standing before him, and LaCroix came as close to being startled as he was capable of. "You seem surprised to see me." Nick chuckled, "unusual". "Don't be absurd," LaCroix declared, "I am never ... surprised." "What is it? I know something's wrong." LaCroix took a sip from his glass, then smiled, "Why don't you go and give your regards to Urs." Nick gave him a quizzical look. LaCroix motioned to the bar with his hand, "Go on," and then watched as Nick walked over to the bar to chat with Urs and Vachon. Nick returned a few minutes later, "So?" "You noticed nothing?" "Should I have?" Nick glanced over towards Urs. LaCroix toyed with the glass in his hands, "Well, my dear Nicholas. Someone's been in her head, and they've covered their tracks. Quite efficiently I might add." "Enforcers?" Nick whispered. LaCroix looked at Nick in disbelief, "Your lack of vision never fails to astound me Nicholas. Enforcers do not attempt to cover their tracks. They prefer their presence to be known." "And what are we to do?" asked Nick. LaCroix smiled, "All there is for us to do. Remain on our toes, as it were. Of course you might want to take some precautions for your mortal ...friend." "That won't be a problem," said Nick." LaCroix taunted, "I suspect it is a problem now." He nodded towards the bar, "Our young friend is leaving. I suggest you do the same, it is nearly dawn, after all." "I have to talk to Vachon first. I'll see you tomorrow." Nick left LaCroix and went over to talk to Vachon before heading home. * * * * * * Nick spent most of the morning pondering LaCroix's words. A vampire adept enough to confuse LaCroix was a definite threat to their community, certain death for any mortal impediment. Eventually he fell into an uneasy sleep, then woke two hours before sunset. Nick thought about phoning Nat, but told himself there was nothing to fear during daylight. He anxiously waited for nightfall, and when it finally came, he was gone. When Nick arrived at Nat's she was sitting on her sofa totally engrossed in a television show. He snuck up behind her and playfully grabbed her shoulders. Nat jumped and shouted, "Geez, Nick, you scared the hell out of me!" "Uh ...sorry," Nick laughed. "What are you watching?" "What do you think?" Nat turned to him and smiled, "and I've just had an incredible realization". "What's that?" "Oh, just an uncanny resemblance between the kid on the show and your partner," Nat giggled. "Huh? What are you talking about, besides the fact they've both got the same number of syllables in their names?" Nat glanced back at the screen and teased, "Well, they're both young and obnoxious. Granted he has been getting more obnoxious while Tracy is getting less so. But the annoying way he keeps saving everyone, with all those older and more experienced people around him, sort of reminds me of someone who comes up with clues and info before a certain very much older and more experienced detective does." Nick laughed, "You're cruel. And you watch too much television. Besides, she does get occasional help from Vachon." Stepping around in front of Nat, Nick scooped up the remote control and turned off the set. His smile faded and his voice took on a sombre tone, "We have to talk." "Sounds serious." "It could be. LaCroix believes an outsider, an unusually covert vampire, is up to something." Nat looked puzzled, "What do you mean 'up to something'?" "I don't know anything yet, except that someone has been using Urs in a rather ...unconventional fashion." He took Nat's hand as she got up from the couch, "I want you to stay at my place for a few days." "Why? Trouble in your neighbourhood is usually reason to keep me at bay." "It's different this time. Our friend knows everything Urs knows, which means he knows about you." Nat's increasing heart rate revealed her fear to Nick. He smiled and hugged her reassuringly, "Don't worry. I'd just feel better if you were nearby, even during the day." "What about Tracy?" "Urs didn't know that Vachon told Tracy what he was. He'll see to it that she stays away from him for awhile. She'll be fine." ROGUE ENFORCER (2/4) by Susan Nick&Natpacker based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------------- Tharek rose shortly after sundown, eager to appease his hunger. He would take two tonight, one for food, and one for pleasure. Tharek flew from his plush waterfront hotel room into the night. It didn't take him long to find prey, the immediate area was totally deserted. He eyed a couple strolling arm in arm under the Rees Street bridge, and dived in for a lightning quick kill of the man. The woman stood there awestruck, too stunned to scream. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Tharek whammied her into a submissive state, heaved her over his shoulder, and flew back to his room. Once in his room Tharek released the woman from his physical grip. She stood there in a trance as he removed her jacket, revealing a strapless blue dress. Tharek swept back her long golden hair, exposing her neck. His fingers lightly traced the line of her jugular, the throbbing of the blood beneath them excited him. Tharek exposed his razor sharp fangs and grazed her flesh just deeply enough to draw blood. The sight of the scarlet fluid streaming down her ivory skin thrilled him, it always thrilled him. Tharek began licking the blood slowly from her skin. He revelled in the earthy scent and sweet taste, until he could no longer restrain himself from the ecstasy of the kill. Tharek viciously bit into her throat, and when the blood was nearly gone, he snapped her neck. Still toying with his prize, Tharek began plotting to clean up at least one part of this little community. The two wayward vampires, Nick and Vachon, wouldn't prove much of a challenge. Putting Urs out of her misery was eagerly anticipated. LaCroix, Tharek realized, would prove to be his biggest challenge, LaCroix was almost as old as himself. The mortal woman he would save for last - reward for his labours. Scooping the lifeless woman up into his arms Tharek flew back to where he snatched her two hours earlier. Her partner's corpse lay undisturbed. Tharek didn't care what the enforcers thought, he hated them. His people had become too obliging and complacent towards their mortal counterparts. The enforcers only encouraged this abberation - clean up after yourself, don't let mortals know of you. What had they to fear? That humanity would start carrying crosses and bathing in garlic oil? Not likely. Tharek callously dumped the body onto the ground. She fell with a thump next to her cold companion. "My calling card," Tharek muttered as he soared into the night sky. * * * * * * LaCroix felt the presence of the enforcers long before they actually entered the Raven. He sat at a table near the bar waiting for them, amusing himself by watching his clientele quickly slip away as realization came upon them. As two enforcers walked through the front door Lacroix rose from his chair. The enforcers were dressed alike, all in black with high boots and long roomy trenchcoats. The shorter one also wore a black cowboy hat, he looked like a gunfighter from the Old West. Both pairs of eyes were black, cold and barren. LaCroix recognized the taller, long haired one from a previous fairly amicable encounter some three centuries past. He knew he had nothing to fear from these two, it was quite clear to him they were after other quarry. The unknown enforcer stood by the door expressionless, while the other, Daniel, approached LaCroix. LaCroix had already placed a bottle of his very best on the table. As they stood across from each other, LaCroix slowly opened the bottle, calmly poured the sumptuous red liquid into a glass, and offered it. The enforcer accepted, took a sip, and said simply, "LaCroix". "A pleasure to see you again, Daniel. How may I be of assistance?" The enforcer replied in a deep lingering voice, "We are looking for an ...associate. We know he is here and in fact have just cleaned up his latest mess, not three hours old." "...And he is...?" "His name is Tharek. He is not pleased with our ...evolution. Tharek maintains his own agenda." Daniel hesitated for a moment, "And be aware, LaCroix, that while Tharek abhors all who stray from the old ways, he detests even more those who allow them to stray." "I understand", replied LaCroix. My people...might they be protected from anything ...incriminating?" "You overstep your bounds, LaCroix," Daniel snarled. "Our laws must be upheld, and information, regardless of its source, will be used to that end." LaCroix pointed over to a table in the far corner where he had told Urs to wait, "He was with her ...last night, I believe. She remembers nothing." "It's too late to get anything from her now. You have been informed. We expect you, and your people, to co-operate." "Of course we shall," smiled LaCroix. Just before Daniel turned to leave he let slip an amused smile and added, "One other thing. He likes to mark his kills." The enforcer walked back to his partner and they both left. A moment later LaCroix flew from the Raven as well. * * * * * * LaCroix arrived at Nick's loft to find Nick laying on the couch reading a book and Nat sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea and a magazine. Nick quickly stood up as LaCroix spoke, "Hello Nicholas, ...Dr. Lambert." Nat acknowledged his greeting with a cautious nod, and stayed where she was. LaCroix walked over to Nick. "You have more information?," Nick asked. "Indeed," replied LaCroix. "Evidently our friend is being sought by enforcers, two of whom were at the Raven not twenty minutes ago." LaCroix's passive gaze quickly turned into a glare, "It would appear he has a particular aversion to those of our kind who prefer not to remain true to their calling." The china cup Nat had been holding slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor. Nick and LaCroix gawked at her simultaneously. Nat merely shrugged her shoulders, averted her eyes, and started to clean up the mess. "No doubt that was for my benefit," snapped Nick. LaCroix clasped his hands together and crooned, "While it would no doubt please me to say yes, evidently in this instance we are both at fault. You for rejecting your nature, and I for allowing you to. ...We are merely targets of convenience, Nicholas. He perceives his real enemies to be the enforcers, but they are never alone, never vulnerable." "What should I expect?" Nick asked quietly. "You can expect him to be much more powerful than you are. Alas, I was not made aware of his preferred method for killing ...our kind." LaCroix peered over at Nat, "But apparently he likes to dabble in a little finger painting when he's finished with a mortal woman." "Pardon?" "Blood and skin, paint and canvas. An artist." LaCroix turned back to face Nick and grinned, "Of course, having never seen his work, I cannot judge his talent." "You've seen this before?" "One particular individual comes to mind immediately. But he preferred to work three dimensionally - a sculptor of flesh and bone, so to speak." "He was most likely insane," Nick mumbled. LaCroix chuckled, "Actually ...he was quite good." ROGUE ENFORCER (3/4) by Susan Nick&Natpacker based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------------- Urs and Vachon were in Vachon's room at the abandoned church. Vachon was sitting in his preferred location - on the floor with his legs stretched out in front of him. Urs was curled up in a chair painting her fingernails hot pink. A tall man in a grey overcoat whooshed into the room. Vachon sprang to his feet, "Who the hell are you? I don't know you!" "Ah, but I know you, Vachon - you who befriend humanity and no longer drink their blood. I do not tolerate such empathy for mortals." Tharek looked at Urs who had stood up and was nervously looking back at him, "She knows me." Vachon gave Urs a questioning stare. Urs stammered, "He seems somehow familiar to me ...but ...no, I don't recognize him." Vachon turned his attention back to the stranger, "What do you want?" Tharek looked at Vachon menacingly, "Justice." "Justice for what?" "Justice for the shame you bring upon your race," Tharek growled. Vachon knew that justice meant death, his death. He asked anxiously, "And Urs?" "You created her. Weakness begets weakness. I do not tolerate weakness either." Tharek paused and smiled wickedly, "Be happy for her. I intend to put an end to her miserable existence." Tharek turned towards Urs, drawing out his words, "How long has it been since you have experienced intense pain? Does the sound of crushing bone appeal to you?" Tharek grinned, "Shall I take you a little slice at a time, or would you prefer a slow, agonizing burn?" Urs bared her fangs and backed up slowly, almost tripping over the chair behind her. Tharek pulled a sharp wooden stake from beneath his coat. Urs screamed. Tharek drove the stake through her heart. Urs groaned as she collapsed to the floor. Tharek turned to a stunned Vachon and laughed, "What surprises you? Surely you must know by now that I am, after all, a traditionalist." Vachon bared his fangs, growled, and stepped back. Urs lay dead on the floor. In the blink of an eye Tharek had pulled the stake from Urs and was about to plunge it into Vachon when he suddenly flew up and out of the room. LaCroix appeared in his place instantaneously. LaCroix knelt down and examined Urs. A moment later he rose and approached Vachon, "I am truly sorry, she is gone. The stake went right through. There is nothing left of her life, or her heart, to regenerate." Vachon was totally despondent. He sluggishly walked over to Urs, reached down to touch her face and whispered something. LaCroix let him be for a few minutes, then crept up behind him and spoke quietly, "It's nearly dawn. Come with me to the Raven. You can look after her later." * * * * * * Just as the morning sunlight started streaming into the loft Nick pushed his remote control to close the shutters. He looked over at Nat who was curled up half-asleep on the couch, "I think we should get some sleep." She opened her eyes a little and yawned, "Good idea, uh, just throw something over me please." Nick picked up an afghan from the chair and draped it over her. Just as he was about to walk away she said, "Get back here, you forgot my kiss goodnight." Nick smiled and knelt down to kiss her cheek. She pulled him forward in a hug and whimpered, "A real kiss." "Nat...." "Just one, ...come on. Keep your eyes closed - maybe they won't change colour." "Okay, one," Nick said. "But a long one, right?" "Okay, okay," Nick said, "seeing as how you've just managed to turn a serious romantic moment into a joke." He only meant for it to be a short, simple kiss, but she was so warm and compelling, so eager. Nick kissed her long and deep, and kissed her again. He ran his hands over her, caressing her soft skin. Nat started to tremble and pulled him ever closer. His lips were cold but hers melted under them. Her skin turned to fire under his touch. She ached for his body, he ached for her blood. Nick moaned fiercely and pulled away. It ended the way it always did, glowing eyes, separation, frustration, and tears. Nick stroked Nat's hair until she stopped crying and fell asleep, and then he dragged himself up to his room. Nat woke up around 2:00 that afternoon, had a shower and changed. Not knowing how long she would be at Nick's, she decided to go out to the grocery store and pick up a few things. She also wanted to stop in at her lab. Nat rifled through her purse for some paper and a pen and scribbled a note for Nick. She went up to his room and left it on his night table. Seeing him laying there in his bed, and remembering his kisses from the night before, it was a struggle for her to turn and leave without touching him. Here's the last part of this short story. I hope some of you enjoy it, I had fun writing it ;-) ROGUE ENFORCER (4/4) by Susan Nick&Natpacker based on characters from Forever Knight, etc. ------------------- The sun was just beginning to set when Nick awoke. After reading Nat's note he scrambled from his bed and peeked out the window. It was getting dark. Nick got dressed quickly and ran downstairs. Just as he hit the bottom step Nat walked in. "What the hell were you thinking, Nat?" Nat set down a bag of groceries and took off her jacket, "I left you a note." "This isn't some kind of game. It's dark out. It's dangerous." "I'm sorry, Nick. I didn't intend to be out so long, I got stuck in traffic downtown." "What were you doing downtown? There's a grocery store two blocks away." "I just stopped by my office to pick up some medical journals to read." Nat immediately realized she didn't have anything in her hands now except her purse. "Well, where are they?" Nat's face paled and her voice was a little shaky, "Uh, I guess I forgot them. I started going over some reports and forgot to bring them back with me." Nick started walking over towards the couch and stopped suddenly. His expression turned dour as he scanned the room, "Nat. Come here. Now." She started walking nervously towards him and was about fifteen feet away when Tharek materialized right between them. Nick's eyes glowed and he bared his fangs immediately, but remained where he stood, facing Tharek. Tharek maintained his human countenance. He stood calmly and studied Nick, "So, you must be Nick, or is it Nicholas? No matter. And this charming creature behind me must be your beloved mortal, Natalie." "What do you want?" Nick snapped. "I've already had this tiring conversation once tonight, Nicholas, with your friend Vachon. You know what I want - your life." "You won't find my life as easy to take as Vachon's." "I haven't yet had that pleasure. I was, unfortunately, most rudely interrupted in the middle of my work by your maker, LaCroix." Tharek peered over at Nat before returning his gaze to Nick, "I had planned to save her for last, but as my plans have already been somewhat thwarted, perhaps not." Visions of Natalie at the hands of Tharek flashed through Nick's mind. He vamped out and flew at the intruder. Tharek pushed his arm forward into Nick's chest, Nick collapsed to the floor. Tharek laughed, "She is quite lovely. I shall try to do her justice." Nick growled and kicked out at Tharek as he pulled himself up from the floor. The kick had no affect. Tharek spun Nick around and grabbed his arms, pinning them behind his back. Still gripping Nick he turned so they were both facing Nat. Tharek hissed into Nick's ear, "Perhaps you would like to watch?" Again Nick lashed out with his legs, this time briefly knocking Tharek off balance. Nick freed his arms from Tharek's grasp and lunged for his throat. Tharek grabbed Nick by the throat instead, lifted him up, and tossed him again to the floor. He pulled a bloody wooden stake from his coat and shouted, "Now you die!". Tharek was about to thrust the stake into Nick when a dazed look came upon his face. The stake slipped out of his hand as he slowly turned around. Nat was directly behind him. He swung his arm out wildly and clawed at her neck as he slumped to the floor, now screaming in pain. Nat stood there motionless, her open purse in one hand, an empty syringe in the other. She dropped both to the ground. Tharek lay twisting in agony, convulsing and gasping for air. The floor vibrated underneath the frenzied thrashing of his limbs. After a long minute the convulsions slowed, and finally stopped. A stream of blood ran from his nose and mouth, blood trickled from his ears. Tharek was, irrevocably, dead. Nick, totally flustered, hauled himself up and stared at Nat, "What the hell did you do to him?" Nat, looking almost as stunned as Nick, just muttered, "It worked." "Nat?" Stepping gingerly around Tharek, Nat went to Nick. She reached her arms out for him. He took her and held her, and whispered, "What did you do?" She spoke quietly, "I made it months ago. It's a concentrated formula, based on the retro-virus that killed Screed." Nat started to sob, and her voice began to break up, "I don't know why I made it, Nick ...I should have told you ...it's poison to you. I was ...going to get rid of it ...but I didn't. I don't know why ...I just didn't. And today, with what was going on ...I went to the lab to get it." "Don't cry, Nat. I'm glad for it, all of it. Both of us would have been dead by now." Nick loosened his grasp, "Come on, he got you pretty good with his nails, let's go clean you up." Nick had just started leading Nat over to the sink when he suddenly grabbed hold of her. At that moment the two enforcers whooshed into the room. They materialized immediately next to Tharek's spent corpse, the wooden stake and empty syringe laying on the floor beside him. Daniel looked into Nat's eyes and immediately discovered what had happened. He began walking towards Nick and Nat. Neither knew exactly what to expect from the enforcers, but both believed it would entail Nat's death. Daniel just stood there and stared at them for a moment. Nick's eyes took on their glow, but he held his place. Daniel turned to the other enforcer and nodded his head slightly. His partner lifted Tharek from the floor and flew from the loft. Nat was visibly shaking. Daniel reached out and touched her cheek with his icy fingers. Nick growled and pulled her back from his reach. Daniel smiled and spoke to Nat in an overtly seductive voice, "You have nothing to fear from me. Provided, of course, that you do not have another needle in your hand." Daniel eyed Nick, "It is a rare thing for a mortal to save a vampire. Yet this one previously saves an entire community, and today saves you, at enormous risk to her own short life." Nat choked out the words, "I thought your kind wanted me dead." The enforcer looked at her and grinned, "If we wanted you dead, Dr. Lambert, you would have been dead long before this." Without another word, Daniel flew from the loft. Nick held Nat for awhile until her heart rate slowed and she had composed herself. Then he sat her down on a kitchen chair and went over to the sink to dampen a washcloth. Nick returned to the table knelt next to Nat. He gently wiped the blood from her neck where Tharek had scratched her. Paying particular attention to the cheek Daniel had touched, Nick slowly ran the cloth over her face. He kissed her cheek and whispered, "Are you okay, Nat?" "Almost. I just need to sit for a bit, then forget about all of this." Nick reached out and massaged her shoulder reassuringly, "It is over, Nat, everything's okay." "I know. Come on, let's go watch television or something," Nat got up and went and sat on the couch, Nick followed. She cuddled up to him and he kissed her in earnest. Nat kissed him back longingly. She let her familiar desire for him surge, let everything else float away. Feeling quite normal again Nat smiled, "I just remembered something." She went over and picked up her purse from the floor. "Do you have any other surprises in there that you've been working on?" Nick asked. "Well, as a matter of fact, Nick, I do. It will require some human attributes you really *must* explore - innovation and ...uh ...imagination; but I think we can make a go of it, and now's as good a time as any." //Now that I've saved your life and you can't say no// Nat grinned and yanked out a squishy fleshtone pouch. "I honestly don't know why I didn't think of this before. An ingenious device, protective but pliable metal plate on one side, soft and yielding on the other." "What *is* that?" "It's a pint of my blood, Nick. Mmmm...still fresh too," Nat teased as she dangled the pouch in the air. "Yeah...and...uh...what are we supposed to do with it?" Nat looked him in the eye. "You love me, right?" "Right" "You trust me, right?" "Right" "You wanna make me happy, right?" "Right" "Well, then," Nat grinned, "Come on upstairs and I'll show you." -- The End -- Susan Nick&Natpacker cd397@torfree.net