From sclark@best.com Tue Jul 28 11:40:22 1998 Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 19:12:45 -0700 From: clark To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net Subject: Challenges in the Dark (01/01) 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. As always, feedback is welcomed and greatly appreciated. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. No copyright infringement is intended. Challenges in the Dark (01/01) by S. Clark LaCroix wasn't surprised to see them enter the studio. He'd seen the car pull up outside the station. Black sedan, tinted windows. He knew it belonged to her. He knew she'd be onto him, he just didn't expect it so soon. He went quietly with the two thugs. He knew they had some other title, not unlike the Enforcers of his own community. But he couldn't think of them as anything but was they truly were. Thugs. He could have struggled, could have made them fight. It may have amused him for a few moments. And, if he was lucky, he might have even done some real damage. But the damage would have been temporary and there were plenty more willing to serve her. The justice meted out would have been swift and sure. No, he wouldn't fight today. He'd wait. There would come the day she would show weakness. That was the day he waited for. He walked into her lair. He even lead the way, head held high, posture erect. He wasn't one to let her forget he was a worthy adversary. Worthy of both respect and fear. She was seated behind an antique oak desk. None of this waiting. She didn't do business that way. She was direct. "I'm glad you could come." He sat down and carefully crossed his legs. "I wasn't aware I had a choice," he said, brushing a speck of lint off his black silk jacket. "Let's cut through the posturing, LaCroix. We both know you're here due to your own actions." He looked at her, face neutral. "Am I?" She stood, then walked to the side of the desk and casually leaned against it. "You know how I feel about hunting within the city." "I believe I've heard you speak on the matter." She lifted up a manila folder and spread out a group of photographs before him. "You were sloppy and you were seen." He leaned to look at the pictures. 'Merde,' he thought. He had been so clever, or so he thought. He hadn't counted on her spies being so prevalent. "I've cleaned it up this time." She pulled a Dunhill menthol out of a box and lit it, exhaling into his face. "Although it could have been a real mess with the clumsy work of your cub and his mortal." LaCroix bristled at the mention of Nick's name, especially in conjunction with the woman's. "But don't worry, it's been taken care of." She mashed out the cigarette in a sterling ashtray. "And they think they've covered for the community." She laughed a harsh laugh. "Then why bother me if you have things so well under control?" he hissed the words then cursed himself for showing emotion. She smiled. It was a predatory smile, one he could appreciate. She reached out a finger and traced the edge of his jawline. 'She's bold,' he thought. 'But young.' He pulled back from her touch but it only made her laugh again. "Always the alpha male, aren't we?" This elicited a chuckle from the thugs. They had remained in the back of the room. She moved around him, tracing the other side of his jaw. Then she leaned in close to his ear and whispered. "Don't forget, Vampire," she spat the word, "this is my city." He sat, unmoving. He'd misjudged her once tonight. He wouldn't make that mistake again. "You left behind a widow and two children." She picked up a sheet of paper. "Transfer a half a million, American, into this account tomorrow." She handed him the paper. It had a number on it; a bank account. "The woman will be informed her husband had a life insurance policy for a quarter million. It will give her enough to start on her own." "And the rest is yours, I suppose." "And the rest is payment for doing your work. Payment for cleaning up your mess." Her voice was tinged with anger. His words had struck their mark. "Remember, you are safe here because I allow it." He inspected his nails. He had gotten what he wanted for the evening. He had cracked the shell. He now knew she could be defeated. It would only take time and time was something he would always have. A half million was nothing to him, a pittance. It was well worth the cost to see her show irritation. She nodded to her assistants. His audience ended, he was removed and driven back to the radio station. She locked the pictures away in her desk. Easy enough for him to break into if he'd wanted. But he wouldn't get the negatives. Those were held for the Enforcers, just in case. A quick glance at her watch told her she needed to be back into the cover of her normal life, and soon, or she'd be missed. She climbed into the car. 'I hate driving myself,' she thought. Hiding in plain sight kept her safe yet aware of all the local happenings. It kept her informed. But it meant she was also patronized, ignored and consistently belittled. In some ways the job was useful. But she wasn't always convinced the payoff was sufficient compared to what she had to endure. "Hi Tracy, back from lunch?" It was LaCroix's offspring. His favorite. She had allowed herself to be partnered with him in order to keep him close. She knew at some point he could be useful. LaCroix's affection for his son was easily his greatest vulnerability. "Yeah, I hope I'm not too late. I met a friend at a new restaurant and got a little lost." Tonight she hated the subterfuge. Sometimes it amused her. Now, looking at his patronizing smile, she found it to be an annoyance. "No problem," he responded. Again that smile. She knew she'd won the game this time. The next time she tangled with the ancient one would be a challenge anew. He was the only one she'd met worthy of her opposition. Though there was danger she welcomed the sport. After all, without risk one could not appreciate the reward. But for now she was beginning to slip back into this facet of the game. To enjoy it. Yes, tonight she had won. 'Until we meet again, LaCroix,' she thought. A smile slipped upon her lips. 'Until we meet again.' Note: This story was written at the request by Cousin Mary. She challenged me to write a 'Tracy with attitude' story. I hope this one counts. As for your challenge, Mary, I'd like to see a story with Natalie as the protagonist. Thanks much. -- Sue