Subject: Late by Fate (01/01) Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 11:21:16 -0700 From: clark To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU This story follows "Together by Fate" and "Driven by Fate," and "Fate on a Date." If you haven't read them, they're available at my website http://www.best.com/~sclark/fk. Permission given to archive at fkfanfi website and 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. "Late by Fate" by S. Clark Nick grabbed his watch and keys from the box where he stored them each night. Haunted by memories, he'd overslept the alarm and found himself running late. As he downed his daily ration, trying to savor what little enjoyment it gave, he contemplated on his latest inner demons. Or, possibly, outer demons. More specifically, a manifestation of his former partner, Don Schanke, that seemed to be popping up at the most inopportune times. On cue, he heard Schanke's voice. "Is now one of those times?" "Get out of my head," Nick yelled. "Temper, temper." Nick looked up and saw Schanke sitting on the landing over the main room of the loft. "Perhaps sheep's blood is the way to go," mumbled Nick. "It's not the blood, partner." Nick jumped as he realized Schanke was standing just behind him. "Maybe I should have this talk with Nat, give her some clues." Schanke tilted his head back, "or should I say klews?" He stretched out the last word, giving it a more refined air. "What are you talking about?" With a shrug Schanke turned and walked off. "Nothing." "Fine." Nick's word was clipped with his impatience. "Except maybe..." Nick reached out to grab Schanke, but his hand just moved through the specter. Schanke giggled. "Cut it out, man. That tickles!" Nick growled in frustration at his thwarted efforts. "I just think there's more to being a vampire than the blood," Schanke explained. "Of course, since you've never been willing to share that kind of information with Natalie, how's she supposed to know." "Natalie doesn't need to know about this cursed existence." "More Nick logic." Schanke let out another giggle. "Or lack thereof." "And since when are you one to speak of logic?" "Ewww, getting personal, are we? Remember, best behavior, young Jedi." Nick turned and walked away, grabbing his coat. "I don't have time for this." "This one, always to the future he looks, never concentrating on where he is. What he is doing." "Will you cut the 'Star Wars,' Schank?" Schanke took a seat on top of the table. "Just trying to let you know what's up. If you're working with someone, but only giving them half the facts, are you sure you're not working against them?" "There are things in my past no one needs to know." "Sure, you big strong vampire. You need no help." "She offered." Schanke smiled. "And you agreed. Inwardly, overjoyed to have a mortal to relate to." "I need to get to work, Schank." "That's good, you can take Nat to lunch. Start to open up a little." "And what would that help?" Nick scoffed at the suggestion. "She doesn't need false hopes." "Is it her hopes you're trying to protect, bud, or your own?" Nick scowled and turned away. He wouldn't have Schanke dictating how he'd spend his time, or who he'd spend it with. "By the way, Partner. I don't think you'll be at work on time unless you fly. Then again, that'd mean a night of cruising without the land yacht." "Go away, Schanke." "Flying. Vampire trait. Hard to give some of those up, isn't it." Nick turned towards Schanke, concentrating on his eyes. "I said leave." "Hypnotism doesn't work on a ghost, Nick. Another trick we'd miss, isn't it?" Too frustrated to listen any further, Nick turned and walked to the lift. He grabbed his phone and called Tracy. "Where are you?" Her voice was filled with more frustration than concern. "We've got three reports overdue." "I'm running late, I'll be there shortly." "Reese is on the lookout. I'd suggest soon, if you know what I mean." "See you then." Nick hung up on his partner. He was still bothered by Schanke's words. Had he really been so dependent on being a vampire that he hadn't given Natalie what she needed to help? He decided as he drove to the station that maybe it was just the blood. Or the mattress. He hadn't considered the mattress. He'd order a new mattress his next night off. As he headed to work he didn't realize he had a passenger. His trunk contained the departed spirit of Don Schanke. "Not a bad way to travel," murmured the ghost. "I don't know why he gets so cranky about it. I kinda like it back here." While Nick mused on about what he could do to rid his imagination of its latest figment, the figment mused about what he could do to get into the imagination of a vampire. Schanke hoped when he understood Nick better, maybe he could get him to listen. He considered it was worth a shot, for both their sakes.