From sclark@best.com Tue Jul 28 11:39:33 1998 Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 19:04:40 -0700 From: clark To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net Subject: Another Night in the Lonely City This is a follow-up to another story I did, "All the Lonely People." If you need a copy of that one, please let me know. Love it/hate it/whatever, feedback is always welcomed. Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website as well as FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested, drop me a line. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. Another Night in the Lonely City by S. Clark Lucien LaCroix walked the streets of San Francisco's North Beach district. He was following Natalie Lambert. From a discrete distance, of course. He wasn't sure why she always chose this neighborhood to walk when depressed. Of all places why the Italian neighborhood? Why an area constantly bathed in the smell of garlic? He was sure it was something she had picked up from him, some form of self-imposed torture. It had been his style. LaCroix didn't want it to become hers. Maybe she thought he wouldn't follow her here. Of course, she was wrong. He followed. He even thought of letting her know he was nearby, of dropping his guard. He had learned the folly of allowing his children too much freedom, too much control. With this one he was determined to do it right. She was still a fledgling. An exception fledgling but a fledgling nonetheless. She needed guidance. The meeting with Joe Reese had been a surprise for both of them. Their establishment was low profile catering to a small but very specific clientele. Very few locals, mostly those comfortable with their crowd. Those imbued with a darker spirit. And, sometimes, the alone. She had an affinity for those who were truly alone. Rarely were they frequented by others, youngsters out searching for the next hot club. Most of those fell prey to an uttered suggestion. The place wasn't fun. It didn't have a happening crowd. For some the suggestion didn't take. But they were often with a group as that sort typically was. Usually only one in the group could resist. With the majority not wishing to return the young and trendy stayed away. They located in a less respectable neighborhood. They kept low key and off the tourist trail. Even so, Joe Reese had stumbled upon them. They hadn't been here long but it was the first place they had settled where he felt she was beginning to find peace and acceptance. Perhaps it was all a ruse. Maybe she had just let him think that. He was angered at times, giving so much thought to her needs. Almost to the point where her needs came before his own. Almost. He had even given thought to destroying her. Not just before, during her mortal existence. But since. And more than once. In fact, he was quite sure there were times when she would have welcomed it. This could even be one of those times. He wasn't sure. They hadn't spoken. But LaCroix knew she wouldn't destroy herself just as he knew he couldn't destroy her. Their lives were both lacking. Both dependent on the other. She needed his instructions, his guidance. He needed Natalie Lambert for without her he'd never see him again. So he allowed her to play this game. To lose herself amidst the heartbeats of the crowd. The young lovers, hot with desires. The older couples, together in a comfort learned through time. Each pairing enjoying not only the night but the promise of the day ahead. This had been her first brush with her past. She had stayed away for the first week after that night. Away from the club. Away from the chance that it might happen again. Since then she had walked the night. Often here, in North Beach. But it could be anywhere in the city. Anywhere that drew an evening crowd. It would get easier for her. He had tried to convince her of that. Over time those who were links to who she had been would be gone. She would learn, from him, the danger of becoming too attached to the transients of now. Perhaps, on reflection, it was time to leave. They already had one encounter. This place was too popular. The chance of another accident too great. He would tell her in the morning when she returned to him. Besides, he wasn't here. What reason had either of them to stay?