A REAL ESTATE DEAL by Julia Brooks (c) September 2000 Introduction: This is my very *first* attempt at fan fiction. It was inspired by my Toronto tour last year - and the feeling that I got standing outside the "loft". Disclaimer: I have not read a lot of fan fiction, so I hope that I haven't inadvertently duplicated someone else's ideas - this is my own, original, thought. But, you know what they say about two minds thinking alike!! Permission: Is hear by granted to archive this vignette at Mel's fan fiction site and the ftp site only.. Timeframe: Before Season 1. ****** A winter wind blew debris across the open gravel yard. It tugged at the flaps of his long coat. Nicholas de Brabant stood, hands shoved in his pockets, with his back against a chain link fence looking up at the building. "This warehouse has seen better days." he said out loud. His companion shrugged. "The overall structure is solid. And it meets your criteria... in the city, but not in a highly populated area." Nick continued to study the structure. It was a tall brick building. An old abandoned warehouse. There were five floors, a large water cistern on the roof, and tall multi-paned windows. A metal fire escape snaked up one side. Bringing his eyes back down to ground level, Nick looked at his car and then over to the garage doors. His companion followed his gaze. "And the Caddy should fit nicely in the garage bays." Nick just nodded. "Shall we look inside?" Without waiting for an answer, Aristotle turned and began walking across the lot towards the door. *** Once inside, the two vampires toured the cavernous floors, Aristotle pointing out a structural feature here, and an architectural element there. Nick mutely followed him, a gloomy expression set on his face. Once they had reached the top floor, Aristotle continued. "And here is the best feature of all." With that, he flew up to a large skylight in the ceiling, opened it and continued out to the roof. "Nick," he called, "come on up and take in the view." With one more glance around the dusty interior, Nick rose to follow Aristotle's path through the skylight. As his feet touched down on the flat gravel roof, he looked around. He had to admit, Aristotle was right. The view was impressive. The skyline of Toronto sparkled in the chilly winter night. And there were not many structures in the nearby area taller than the warehouse - good for locating it during late night comings and goings. Nick turned to Aristotle, "What about those tall windows? Great view at night, but a problem during the day." "No, no problem. I've found a contractor in the area that can supply motorized metal shutters that would be 100% opaque." He paused waiting to see if Nick had a comment. When none came forth, Aristotle continued excitedly, "So, what do you think? Don't look so gloomy, Nick. I think you should buy it. It's perfect - security, privacy and storage all rolled into one!" Nick sighed. He hated this part about his life - well he hated everything about his life - but each time he moved on, he found it more and more onerous. His collection of things, belongings that he had accumulated through history, was beginning to weigh him down. Not that he was able to part with these things, but each one, so carefully saved for its significance, marked his past. His vampire past. And every time he looked at these items, he was reminded of a point in that past that highlighted just what he had become, and reminded him of his guilt. If only he could find a place to call home, and stay there for the rest of his life. He chuckled inwardly - for the "rest" of his life, indeed. "Yeah. I guess this is the best place we've seen, Aristotle. So, OK. I'll make an offer on it. Can you take care of all the paperwork?" Aristotle nodded, "That's what I do best!" Nick looked into the night of his soon-to-be-new home. He sighed again. He wondered how long it would take LaCroix to find him this time. FIN Well? Well? Creative comments will be entertained at a11ebrook@worldnet.att.net.