From sclark@best.com Tue Jul 28 11:41:26 1998 Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 19:20:35 -0700 From: clark To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net Subject: I'm A What? This is a 'what if' based on "Night in Question." Maybe I just think oddly (I know...some of you are saying "what'd ya mean 'maybe'"?), but there's one scene that always kind gets the ol' alternative scene-writing brain engaged. So, now that I've given it far more setup than I'm sure it needs, enjoy the read. Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website and the FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. As always, feedback is welcomed. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. I'm A What? by S. Clark He came through the door burnt, injured. He was angry. He wanted answers. "Tell me," he demanded. "Tell me!" Natalie took in a breath. She let it out, slowly. She had hoped it wouldn't come to this. "You're a," she paused, as if delaying would soften the blow. "You're a vampire, Nick." She looked at Nick but his expression was blank. "Excuse me?" "I said you're a vampire." "And that means what exactly?" His wounds were already showing signs of healing. Natalie pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. "Don't you recall what a vampire is?" Nick shrugged. "No, not really." "You're very old." "So my guess of around thirty-five was a little off?" Natalie nodded. "Only by about eight hundred years or so." Nick looked at her. "This is a joke, right? Trying to cheer me up? Or are you making fun of me?" "No, Nick. It's real." "But what does it mean? Being a vampire?" "Well, it means you can't go out in sunlight." She gestured towards his injuries, now more healed. "You've already figured that out." "And?" He was eager for her to proceed. "You can fly." "That sounds cool." "Nick, you don't like being a vampire." "Can you fly?" "No, but I'm mortal." Nick grinned. "I think you're just jealous." Natalie let out a deep breath. "I am not jealous." "Then why don't you want me to be a vampire?" "I didn't say I didn't want you to be a vampire," she explained, speaking slowly. "I said you don't like being a vampire." "But flying sounds like fun. And living a long time. Wow! I must know a lot of people." "Knew, Nick. Most of them are dead." He shrugged. She was probably right on this point. Still, there did seem to be benefits. "I think I like being a vampire," he declared. "You still don't know what one is, do you?" "I know you're jealous." "I am not jealous," she repeated, voice adamant. "This seems to be a touchy subject for you. Maybe you're in denial." Nat gritted her teeth. "I am not in denial." "So you don't think it'd be cool to fly?" he asked. "Just a little, maybe?" "Maybe it would." She ran her tongue over her top lip. "But just a little." "Ah, so you are jealous." "Nick, I am not." "Denial," he repeated. He walked over and took a seat at the table. "Maybe you're not really my friend. Maybe that other guy was telling the truth." "And maybe pigs fly," muttered Natalie under her breath. Nick pointed at her. "See, you are hung up on flying." "Am not," she said, defiant. "Are, too." "Am not." "Are, too. Are, too." Natalie went to the couch and gathered her things. "Fine, Nick. Have fun being a vampire." He stood up. "I will. Flying. And vamping. And everything else we vampires do." Natalie took quick and deliberate steps to the lift. "If you need me, Nick..." "I'll fly by to see you," he taunted. "Fine," she said, tossing open the door to the lift. She stepped in, closed the door and with that she was gone, out of his life. Nick smiled a smile of success for a moment. Then he took off towards the lift. "Wait," he shouted down the shaft. "You never did finish." But she was gone. She didn't answer. Nick shrugged. 'Oh well,' he thought. 'I'm sure someone, somewhere who'll tell me what a vampire is.'