From sclark@best.com Tue Jul 28 11:41:13 1998 Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 19:18:08 -0700 From: clark To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net Subject: Predator (01/01) This one's darker than my usual story. It's also intended as a challenge but I explain that after the end of the story. Like it/hate it/whatever, I appreciate feedback. 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. Predator by S. Clark "Nicolas." Janette's tone carried a hint of her surprise. It had been weeks since he'd come to the Raven. The last time was on one of those dreaded police matters. She walked to his table and ran her hand through the bangs that covered his furrowed brow. He captured her hand and held it secure in his grasp. Wrenching her close, he clung to her with an ardor she'd not felt in decades. His other hand slipped behind her head. Their lips met in a kiss that conveyed both his passion and desperation. She pushed away. "Nicolas." This time the voice was stern, a command. His eyes, when they met hers, were flaked with gold. "Do not forget yourself here in my establishment." She hissed the words, not wanting to be overheard by the crowd. At least, not by the mortal crowd. "Come out with me," he offered, and leaned in for another kiss. She smiled, running her tongue over her teeth. "I do not think so. You are acting dangerous." His eyes widened. "I am dangerous." He returned her smile with his own, a smile that was far more predatory. Janette shook her head, capturing his face between her hands. "No, Nicolas. I know this mood of yours. You will do something foolish. Soon you will regret it. If I am there, you will blame me." She planted a light kiss on his forehead. "Go home, Nicolas. Go back to your mortals." He stood. In one swift movement he drew his hand back and let it fly forward. Janette flinched but the blow was not intended for her. He connected with one of the barstools, sending it flying onto the dance floor. All noise in the Raven ceased. Nick's heavy footsteps echoed through the still club. He slammed the door behind him, almost pulling it off its hinges. The noise rose to a murmur, the crowd debating what had just transpired. Janette clapped her hands. "Your attention, please. We're quite sorry for any disturbance." She looked over to Miklos, standing ready at the bar. "A free round for all with our apologies." The girl exited shortly after he had left the club. She was hoping he'd be nearby and was not disappointed to find him standing at the end of the block, leaning against a lightpost. She had seen him with the woman who owned the club tonight, and on other nights. She had seen him several times, in fact. Always in the past she'd wanted to talk to him. Always before she'd held back. Tonight, though. Tonight, he seemed troubled. He seemed to need a friend. She understood that. "Are you ok?" He didn't respond to the sound of her voice. At least not with words. His eyes, though, they appeared haunted. They spoke of loss and desperation, and of need. She motioned back towards the club. "I can get you something..." Her voice dropped off as the eyes pierced through her. She could feel his voice, even though she wasn't sure she was hearing the words. He wanted her. Janette surveyed the damage. Fortunately, no one was injured by Nicholas' tantrum. She'd deal with him later, when he was willing to be reasonable. She knew better than to approach him when he was like this. The staff was still circulating through the crowd. They occasionally had to affect such measures. It was usually a young one that created trouble. She contemplated calling Doctor Lambert. His mood was so often tied to his relationship with the mortal woman. But she didn't want to get between them. Nicolas had made it clear he was no longer hers. She'd abide by that, for now. Eventually, though, he would return. He always did. Janette looked up to see Alma standing nearby. As if the evening wasn't already a disaster. "What?" "Someone just saw Knight," she said. Janette rolled her eyes. "Everyone here just saw him. Did you not notice his little scene?" Alma pointed towards the door. "I mean someone just saw him outside, with a mortal." "He's always with mortals, Alma." Janette was finding both the evening and Alma tiring. "I mean outside a mortal. Someone who was here in the club." Janette let out a quiet growl. "Thank you," she forced through clenched teeth. Alma eagerly backed away. Janette could feel him through their link. If she hadn't been so angry she would have felt his passion herself, rather than having to hear about it from Alma. He was still nearby, in an alley near the club. The young woman was pinned against the brick wall of a warehouse, apparently enjoying his attentions. "Nicolas," Janette commanded. "What are you doing?" He turned from the woman, eyes fully golden. "What should be apparent." His voice was cold, cruel. His fangs were fully extended. "Or has it been so long?" "Do not be stupid," she countered. "I will not have this outside my club. Let her be." Nick turned back to the young woman, again capturing her lips in a kiss that spoke of hunger and lust. "No." "Nicolas, I do not want to leave here because of you." He pulled away from the woman. She slumped forward. Janette picked her up from the ground. She locked her eyes onto the woman's listless gaze. "You do not remember being out here with him. You felt sick and wandered into the alley." The woman nodded. "I felt sick." Janette glared back at Nick. He turned away and took to the sky. She placed an arm around the woman's waist and walked her back to the club. "You have friends inside?" The woman nodded. "Friends. Yes. Need to get home, though. Sick. Time to get home." He waited for her in the park. He knew she'd come. And she did, just as he'd told her. She'd snuck out of her apartment after her friends saw her home safely. He wrapped her into his embrace. His gold eyes glinted in the light of the full moon. "I want you," he said, voice rasping. "Yes," she breathed. "Take me." She felt a small sting as the fangs pierced her neck. And then, darkness fell slowly. But with the darkness came feelings of passion and lust. And also self-hatred and loathing. By then it was too late. Janette sat in her office glancing through the paper. A small item in the local section caught her eye. The picture of a missing co-ed. The woman from the club, two nights earlier. The woman with Nicolas. According to the story she'd come home from a night out and that was the last anyone had seen of her. Her roommates hadn't heard her leave. Janette smiled. One day he would be hers again. Theirs again. He always came back, eventually. Now, for the challenge. Write a story where again Nick hunts as a vampire. Timeframe is anytime during the run of the show or after. Serious? Funny? Tragic? One time backslide or return to his true nature? Lots of potential where's, why's, when's and even who's for this one.