Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses/ Prologue Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 18:28:43 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com A Bed of Roses March 2004 By: Patty Costantino Summary: Immediately following the Sons of Belial episode, Nick makes a decision, which will change his life and relationship with Natalie. Disclaimer and Characters: Nick, Natalie and crew, and Bon Jovi's Bed of Roses song don't belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for a little while. Rating: Adult for N&N sexual content in Chapter 14 Dedication: This piece of fiction is dedicated to Debbi Henson who suggested the song and the basic premise of the story. As always, I would like to thank Phylis Sullivan for beta-reading this story. I couldn't have done it without her wonderful suggestions. Thank you ladies for all of your compliments and encouragement to write more. Permission is granted to archive at FKfanfic2, FK FTP archive. This story will be archived under fiction at my site: http:/www.geocities.com/pas_20197/homepage08.html Any constructive criticism or thoughts are greatly appreciated and welcomed at psmoot43@hotmail.com or pas_20197@yahoo.com ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Prologue ************************************* Tag scene in Sons of Belial: The loft, foreboding and dark, save for the glow of a dwindling fire in the fireplace, mirrored the mood of its occupant. Nick, standing in the shadows, stared off into nothingness, and took another long pull from a bottle of bovine. A second later, the lift door slid open. Without bothering to turn around, Nick heard familiar footsteps, clicking softly on the hardwood floor. "Nick? I, ah, was just on my way in to the office." Natalie's gentle tone sounded hesitant, almost reticent in quality. Something that he rarely heard from her. "You booked off, right?" A brief awkward silence ensued while she watched him nod in response; his back still turned away from her. She moved closer to him, but refrained from touching him. "Listen, I can stay here with you if you want." "No." "It's no trouble, really. I-I could just…" She stammered, unsure what to say, wanting so desperately to draw him into her arms, to tell him that everything would be okay. "I'm fine," came the stoic reply, but they both knew he wasn't fine. "It's over, Nick." She paused. "Hey, you beat the devil. Not bad for a day's work." Her attempt at lightening the mood did nothing to dispel the sadness in Nick's soul. "You can't imagine what it's like." He went on, his fearful tone filling Natalie with mounting dread. "Maybe not, but we all have our demons." "Not like this." Nick whipped around, and Natalie drew in a sharp breath as she saw the greenish glow in his eyes. "Don't! Don't do that." She said vehemently, trying to suppress the fear in the pit of her stomach. "It's all right," Nick soothed as he reached for her. "Don't be afraid." He pressed his forehead against hers and for a moment, relished the feel of her warmth against him, but her enticing heartbeat and alluring scent soon forced him to release her and turn away. A long, heavy sigh escaped from his lips. "I think that what happened set me back a bit, set us back a bit." Nick looked over his shoulder at her, letting the words sink in. "I don't know how much. But I haven't felt such a powerful need for human blood in a long time." There was such a disheartened tone to his voice; Natalie knew this setback wasn't to be taken lightly. The situation was *very* serious. She watched him look disdainfully at his bottled blood and the fear in her stomach grew. In an attempt to quell it, she pressed her hand into his shoulder. So many times in the past, her touch would bring him back from the darkest depths of despair, giving him strength. But tonight was different. Tonight, he could only find the strength to pull his eyes away from the bottle and stare dully into the diminishing embers in the fireplace. ************************************ Across town, the Nightcrawler's velvety voice purred through the radio airwaves, "In courts and palaces he also reigns, and in luxurious cities, where the noise of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, and injury and outrage, and when night darkens the street, then wander forth the Sons of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. Paradise lost." He paused, his lips curling into a complacent smile. He turned back to the mike, his smile broadening. "Paradise is but a foolhardy dream, my gentle listeners. The reality is that we must accept ourselves for what we are; live with what we've become, to embrace our true nature. Agree or disagree? The Nightcrawler wants to know…." ************************************* To Be continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 01/15 Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 18:36:02 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimers in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 01/15 ************************************* Natalie sat at her desk, trying to concentrate on finishing the endless load of paperwork, but her mind wouldn't allow her to, as she kept reflecting back to last night's events. Despite Nick's emphatic claim that he would be fine, Natalie had insisted on staying for a little while longer. His depression only worsened, though, and as the night wore on, their conversation became punctuated with longer awkward silences until, at last, there was nothing more to say. Heavy of heart, Natalie finally left, with a promise to drop by the next evening to see how he was doing, hoping that his depression would lift by then. As she got into her car to drive off, though, a feeling of doubt washed over her and she wondered if this time, he would be able to bounce back, if his black wave of despair would pass that quickly. She'd seen the defeat in his eyes when she got on the lift and turned to say goodbye. Was it an indication that he going to give up? Move on? Realize that a cure was only a foolhardy dream? A foolish quest? Fear gnawed at her, as she drove to work, but was temporarily forgotten when she entered the office and was told by her boss Carter to get down to Yonge Street. A raging fire in an apartment building had apparently left many dead and she was needed immediately. She had spent the better part of the night and most of the day autopsying bodies and now, exhausted, she was trying to complete the paperwork. Gripping the pen more tightly, Natalie forced her eyes back to the report in front of her. Lambert, you've got to get this done then you can see how Nick is doing. At the thought of what she might be confronted with later on, fear, again, began to threaten her, but with a firm nod, she pushed it aside and buried herself in her work once more. Natalie was finishing her third report, when a knock came and glancing up, saw a familiar face peer around the door. Despite the grimness of the last twenty-four hours, she couldn't help but smile as she rushed to greet her unexpected guest, wrapping her arms around her in a warm hug. "Grace! I can't believe it's you." Grace saw the surprise in Natalie's eyes and laughed. "What? Did you think once I moved to Vancouver, that would be it? You'd never see me again?" "No, but I didn't think I'd see you so soon," she admitted truthfully. "Someone has to keep you in line." Her eyes flashed with amusement. "And I guess that someone will have to be me from now on." Natalie's eyes went wide. "Does this mean what I think it means?" Her voice was filling with excitement and hope. "You're coming back to work?" "Yep." Grace broke into a proud smile. "I just spoke with Carter and I start the nightshift tomorrow night." Natalie seized her friend's hand. "That's wonderful." "Better yet," she continued. "I've completed my medical requirements in forensic pathology and Carter has promoted me to coroner. I'll be working in the next room, with ~as you always fondly called them~ my own `customers.'" "Oh, Grace." Natalie hugged her once more. "It's the best news I've heard all day after everything that has happened." Grace looked at her friend sympathetically. Carter had filled her in earlier about the sudden influx of bodies and everyone's extended shift. "Yeah, I heard about the fire." She watched Natalie's eyes cloud over with sadness. "Yeah…well…" She shook herself out of her brief doldrums and smiled. "Let's not get into that." "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up in the first place." Grace gave her a rueful smile. "Anyway, it's so good to be back." "I can't believe you've been gone a whole year." Tears welled in Natalie's eyes and she squeezed her arm. "I've really missed you." Grace squeezed back and blinked back her own tears. "I've missed you too, Natalie." She paused. "Once I get settled, we need to have a long talk. You can fill me in on all of the scoop." "Sorry to disappoint you, Grace," she said wryly, "but you know, I was never into the rumor mill." "That's right," she said. "You were never one to spread gossip through the morgue, only to be part of it." Grace's sage eyes locked onto hers, a slight smile tugging at her lips. Natalie's eyes narrowed. "And what do you mean by that?" "Oh, only that everyone knew a certain blond-haired, blue-eyed detective and one very stubborn coroner had feelings for each other, but concealed them under a `just friends' guise." Her smile broadened. "Are you, by chance, referring to Nick and myself?" Natalie crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing to mere slits. "If so, that sort of gossip is not up for discussion. And," she added, "despite what everyone thinks, we *are* just friends." "Oh come on, Natalie." Grace placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Anyone with half a brain can see that you both were simply meant to be." She paused, her eyes darting around the room. "By the way, where is golden boy?" Hopefully, he's at work and not somewhere else drowning out his sorrows in numerous bottles of human blood. Natalie thought grimly. "I suppose at the precinct." She said with a casual shrug, starting back to her desk. She was halfway there, when she stopped, her eyes coming to rest on someone standing in the doorway. "Trace, what brings you over to my "Bed and Breakfast?" Natalie's wry remark didn't escape the tall blond-haired detective's notice and she broke into a slight grin. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation just now." "About?" Natalie prompted. "My partner." "What about golden boy?" Grace asked with a playful grin, and glanced over in time to see a scowl appear on Natalie's face. She had always despised the nickname Grace had given him years ago. "His resignation," Tracy replied, blowing out a frustrated breath. "Resignation?" Grace exchanged a bemused look with Natalie. Natalie faced the blond-haired detective. "You must be mistaken, Trace," she said. "I just saw him last night." For a moment, Tracy's brows creased into a puzzled frown then the full realization hit her. Natalie hadn't yet heard the news. Her hand flew to her mouth in horror. "I'm so sorry, Nat. I thought you knew. Reese called me in first thing when I arrived at work. He said that Nick called in his resignation last night and would forward a written one as soon as he got settled in his new location." Natalie's heart began to race and a cold lump of fear formed in her throat. "No, Tracy." She shook her head vehemently. "I'm afraid you're wrong. He wouldn't have resigned without telling me about it." A feeling of worry washed over Grace as she watched the exchange between them. Natalie was clearly in denial and she had to do something about it. Reaching for her friend's arm, she began in a gentle voice, "Natalie, listen to me…" Natalie shrugged out of her grasp. "No, I won't listen." She shot back, her eyes becoming wild, taking on an almost animalistic look. "Nick couldn't have left. He wouldn't have given up like that. We've been through too much together for him to go and do a thing like that." The words seemed to be gushing out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have left her lips, but as a medical doctor, she knew all too well what shock could do to people. "Granted last night was a major setback, but I've seen him crash before, only to pick himself up again and start anew. Why should this time be any different? No, he wouldn't have relinquished the fight. He just wouldn't! This must be some kind of joke, right?" Natalie looked beseechingly at Tracy, then Grace, tears filling her eyes. She was met with two concerned stares. A tear dropped on her cheek. "It's just some *sick* crazy joke." For a moment, her words hung in the cold sterile air around them before silence reined. In the bright florescent light, Grace and Tracy saw her jaw set in a determined fashion, her arms crossing as if, they thought sadly, she could quell the undeniable truth for one moment longer. Tears brimming her own eyes, Tracy reached over and gently squeezed Natalie's arm, being the first to speak up, "I'm so sorry, Nat." Her voice came out in a soft and gentle way. "I'm afraid it isn't a joke." Natalie couldn't say what suddenly changed everything. Maybe it was the remorseful look in Tracy's eyes? The sadness in her voice? Her gentle, comforting touch? Whatever it was, the full realization hit her like a sledgehammer and the world crashed around her, constricting her chest in pain, her heart in sorrow. It wasn't some crazy sick joke after all. The cold reality was he'd left. Moved on. And, she knew in her heart she would never see him again. The room suddenly felt oppressively hot as she tried to open her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come. She tried to move, but her legs wouldn't budge. Then she felt her knees give way and knew that she was falling. She tried in vain to grab at something, anything along the way. But it was too late as the room spun around her and then darkness engulfed her like a tidal wave. ************************************* To be continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 02/15 Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 18:41:38 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimer in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 02/15 ************************************* As Natalie swam up towards consciousness, she could feel a light intermittent pressure against her cheek. Bothered by the feeling, she moaned inwardly. Then, as awareness began to return, she opened her eyes to behold Grace standing beside her, her hand patting her face. Natalie let out a groan and saw relief spread across her friend's face. "Oh thank goodness, you're awake!" "Yeah, barely." Natalie pressed a hand to her forehead and moaned again. "I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck." "That feeling can happen when you faint," she explained, sounding concerned. "But fortunately I caught you before you hit the concrete floor. Otherwise, it would have felt like a train hit you." "I fainted?" Disbelief was evident in her tone. "How long was I out?" "Only fifteen seconds or so," came Tracy's contrite voice. Turning her head slightly, Natalie saw the blond head appear behind Grace. "I hope you don't mind," the detective went on. "Grace and I laid you out on this slab; it was the nearest bed we could find." Natalie raised her head slightly and looked around. Sure enough, they had placed her on the steel autopsy table. She groaned once more and closed her eyes, lowering her head to the cold surface. "Good thing Mr. O'Donnell was placed in the fridge an hour ago, or I guess we'd be sharing these accommodations, and the term `strange bedfellows' would carry a whole new meaning, wouldn't it?" Despite the serious turn of the events, and the slight dizziness, Natalie gave them a derisive smile. They returned it with a weak grin, but it soon faded when they saw Natalie start to rise off the table. Alarmed, Grace went to stop her, pressing her gently back against the surface. "Maybe you should wait a few more minutes before you get up." She turned to Tracy. "Trace, could you please get Natalie some water?" Tracy started to make her way towards the sink when Natalie called her, "Trace, don't bother. I'm feeling much better. All I need is to get back to work." She began to get up once more, but Grace's hand stopped her. "Nat, honey…one thing you aren't going to do is go back to work." Her severe expression met Natalie's exasperated one. "But I need to finish those reports." This time, there was no stopping Natalie as she pushed her way up and headed to her desk. Hands on hips, Grace eyed her with her own irritation as she watched Natalie drop heavily into her chair. "They can wait. You've already put in at least eighteen hours and anyone can see you're driving yourself to the point of exhaustion. And, though I know you'll never admit it, you've also had a shock with blondie suddenly flying the coop." Natalie pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm fine," she snapped. "Nat…honey…after what we just witnessed…" "Yeah…I know my hysterics must have alarmed you, but I'm fine now." "But what you said earlier." Grace began, her forehead creasing in worry. "I know, it probably didn't make sense to you." "No, as a matter of fact, it didn't," she admitted. "What did you mean by setbacks?" "Nothing, Grace," Natalie gave her friend a weak smile. "The things I said meant nothing. Nick's resignation just caught me off guard, that's all. And, I'm a little tired, so I flipped. But now that I'm calmer and can think more clearly, I feel that if Nick decided it was time to resign and move on, it was his business. As I've said before, we were *just* friends. That's all!" "Okay…okay." Grace threw her hands up in defeat. "We'll drop the subject for the moment. But promise me you'll only work for another half hour, then head home. If you exhaust yourself, you'll get sick and the work will only pile up more." "All right, I promise I'll leave in a half hour." She picked up her pen and regarded Grace with a stern expression. "Are you satisfied?" "I will be in a half hour." Grace replied, her meaning clear. "I get the message, now go or I'll never get anything done." She paused, softening her tone. "Grace?" "Yeah?" "I'm so glad you're back to keep me in line." Natalie gave her an appreciative smile. "Thanks for just being a friend." Grace's eyes glistened with tears. "You're welcome," she said thickly. Then regaining her control, she turned back to Tracy. "All right, you heard the lady. Are you coming?" "Give me a minute, Grace. I'd like to say something to Nat." Grace gave her a puzzled frown and shook her head. "Okay." Tracy watched her leave, then turned back to Natalie. The petite coroner looked up from her stack of reports and arched a brow. "What is it, Tracy?" Her voice was now almost devoid of energy as if the recent events had sapped her strength. Tracy knew that her partner, correction, her now former partner undoubtedly was the cause, but with a sense of resignation she also knew Natalie would never admit to it. Like Nick, the professional mask would stay in place even if it killed her. "I just wanted to say how sorry I am about this whole episode." Another look of regret appeared on her face. "I feel responsible and I certainly could have been a little bit more subtle in breaking the news about my exasperating, clueless partner leaving." Natalie leaned back in her chair, twirling the pen in her hand. "Tracy, don't feel you need to apologize. You did nothing wrong." "But you wouldn't have fainted dead away if I'd been more tactful," she insisted. "I don't think your news was the cause," Natalie said wearily and threw her pen down on the desk. "Fatigue caught up with me. That's all." As if to make a point, she reached up with her hands and rubbed her tired eyes. "I've been working too many double shifts recently and this last one was probably too much." "Yeah, I guess." Tracy agreed, but there was doubt in her voice. "Anyway, I just want to say if you ever feel you need someone to talk to, you can always count on me to be there for you, Nat." The auburn-haired coroner peered at the young detective for a long moment. Natalie knew the tough wall of professionalism she had erected around herself was intimidating to some people. So she was a bit surprised now and deeply touched that Tracy felt at ease with her enough to offer a shoulder to cry on. She swallowed hard and gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Trace." "No problem," she said. "My couch is always open and my fees are reasonable." Her voice was filling with amusement, her eyes sparkling with merriment. "But do you make house calls?" Natalie asked facetiously. "For you, yes!" They both chuckled for a moment, and then as the laughter faded, Tracy spoke up once more, "I guess I should get back to the precinct before Reese sends an APB out to search for me." "Yeah, the last time was warranted with the serial killer," Natalie said soberly. "But, this time…" "He'd blow a blood vessel," Tracy finished. "Exactly, so you better get going." Natalie picked up her pen, and was about to turn back to her work when she heard Tracy's voice. "Nat?" She looked up and saw Tracy studying the floor, a frown gracing her face. "What is it, Trace?" She asked gently. Tracy glanced up at her. "I know I might be stepping over the line here when I say this, but I'm going to anyway." She paused and took a deep breath. "I know my partner must have had his reasons for leaving. And whether they were right or wrong, please know this. He cared for you, more than I think he was willing to admit to himself. I could see it in his eyes, the way he looked at you when he was certain no one was looking. The way he treated you, like you were his lady and he was your knight. It was obvious to others and me that despite your `just friends' guise, you both had a very special relationship. "I'll never in a million years understand why he left you, but he must have thought it was the right thing to do and I can only surmise he did it out of love for you. So I guess what I'm trying to say, Natalie, is when you think of him, try to remember that his motives were good and honorable, and to cherish what you both had. For it was something rare and unique. Something that doesn't come along very often in one's lifetime." Her voice faded off, her words crackling in the air around them. A deafening silence followed, and both worry and embarrassment began to wash over Tracy. Had she been too forward… outspoken? Would she now hear the wrath of Natalie? She looked away and down at her feet as the silence grew. An eternity seemed to pass before she heard her speak, "Tracy look at me." Reluctantly she raised her head, and broke into a relieved smile when she caught the look of admiration in Natalie's eyes. "It took a lot of courage for you to say that and I appreciate your observations. I know Nick and I had a solid and strong relationship. But you have to understand, in spite of it being special, it was only a friendship." Her eyes drifted away to a spot on the wall, her face taking on a faraway look. "For that is what it could *only* ever be." As her words faded, Tracy saw a look of profound regret and sadness flash across her features, something she had never seen before. Then in the blink of an eye, it was gone, as she turned back to face the detective, her professional mask falling back into place. "Now this time I'm serious," she said firmly. "I must really get back to work and you must do the same." She turned back to her desk, making it clear the discussion was over. Tracy shook her head, resigned to the fact that in a million years, she would never understand the complicated relationship between her former partner and the auburn-haired coroner. "Okay, Nat," she said and then departed. As Natalie heard the outside door to the morgue close, and feeling certain Tracy was out of earshot, the anguish she'd been holding inside grew and like an octopus began to wrap its tentacles around her heart. Turning her gaze to a far wall, a tear fell onto her face. Then another…and another…until her cheeks were covered. Then, barely above a whisper, she spoke, her voice echoing around the silent room. "Oh Nick," she said. "The truth was that without a cure, and your damn honor, you would have never allowed it to be more than a friendship…never allowed it to become more…Even after…" Her voice cracked, as memories she'd tried so hard to bury flooded her mind and she could feel the tentacles clamp their long arms around her heart in a tight, almost unbearable grip. Pain like she'd never experienced erupted inside her like a volcano. Her chest heaved, and resting her head on her arms atop the desk, she cried and cried into the cold, solitary morgue with no one around to hear her heart wrenching sobs. ************************************* To Be continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 03/15 Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 22:45:12 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimers in Prologue ************************************* ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 03/15 ************************************* The piano music resonated through the suite, as Nick played, the haunting melody bouncing off the walls, causing the multi-lit candles to flicker in the darkened room. A short distance away, sunlight peeked through a small crack in the heavily drawn drapes, and had moved across the carpeted floor to pool around the piano leg. As the music went on, becoming more melancholy, the rays shifted slightly, moving farther up and across the piano, threatening to settle around the keys. Just then, Nick stopped playing, and rose. In a few short strides, he was at the window, closing the drapes completely. Immediately, the sunlight disappeared, causing a light from a nearby candle to intensify and throw its stronger incandescence over the blueness in his eyes. Then he turned, and began to regard something in the corner: a small refrigerator. A powerful hunger seemed to rip through him and his eyes changed, becoming amber. In few quick strides, he was across the room, yanking the door open and retrieving a dark red bottle from the interior. He removed the cork quickly, and tilting the bottle, gulped down the red liquid in a few deep swallows. For a moment, he stood there, smiling blissfully, delighting in the succulent taste and youthful vitality of the woman's donated blood. Still hungry, Nick took out another bottle, considering briefly before drinking, then went ahead. What was the point in denying himself any longer? After all, he wasn't hurting anyone. In fact, it was just the opposite. He'd been a Good Samaritan. A good knight, probably for the first time ever. He smirked at *that* thought, and raising the bottle to the darkened room, proclaimed to the quiet. "A toast! Here's to finally rescuing a damsel in distress by saving her from me. The first, true knightly act I've ever done!" The irony of his words, coming out slurred and biting, caused him to laugh bitterly as he started to bring the bottle towards his mouth. Without warning, a wave of dizziness swept over him. He staggered slightly almost dropping the bottle. Catching himself, he straightened and then slumped against the wall. It must have been that last bottle he thought with another smirk. But then again, it could have been an accumulation of drinking many. God knows he'd been on a full-blown bender for the good part of a week. He only had to look around the room to see the evidence. Bottles were everywhere: over the elegant European style tables and soft beige-colored chairs, over the baby grand piano and windowsills. There were even some upstairs in the master bedroom and Rosa aurora marble bathroom, and behind him in the small kitchen/dining area. Nick knew he'd eventually need to clean up the place. The maids had been showing up each day, trying to get in, and each time, Nick had met them at the door, hypnotizing them into leaving. His eyes suddenly shifted to the front door in worry that they might show up now. The concern was soon forgotten, though, as his gaze locked on the gold numerals above the peephole. He shook his head and smirked once again. Another irony. Just when he thought he was at the point where the blood-wine would deaden the memory of her, something always seemed to trigger it again. This time, it was the room number: 414. To the unaware observer, it would have meant nothing, but to him, it represented probably the single most significant date in his life. April 14th. The night his life had changed. The night he had met her. Natalie. The one woman in Nick's long jaded existence who had given meaning back into his life. Had meant everything to him. Been his guiding force, his reason to go on. The light in his perpetual darkness. But now, she was gone, out of his life and his world seemed even darker. All at once, another pang of hunger seized him and lifting the bottle, this time, he managed to bring the rim to his lips, and swallow. The feelings in the blood once again were vibrant and youthful, and seemed to curb the hunger. If only they could deaden the pain, Nick thought with a regrettable sigh. After a few more gulps, he drew the bottle away, and holding it in a tight grasp, headed towards the piano on somewhat more steady footing. Placing it on the smooth shiny surface next to him, he sat down and began to play the same melody he'd been playing before. A few notes later, though, he stopped while another song drifted into his mind. Bed of Roses. Nick had heard it the night before when, depressed and tired of drinking in his fortress of solitude, he'd ventured downstairs to the piano bar to brood in the mist of humanity. During his fifth wine mixed with a hidden flask of blood from his pocket, the pianist had begun to play the melody as his female counterpart sang it. At the time, Nick had noted with a sense of remorse how applicable the lyrics were to his and Natalie's situation. And presently, as he extended his hands towards the keys, he realized that he wanted…no needed to hear the song once again. Hesitating only briefly to recall the melody, he began to play, and as the words of the song filled his mind, so to, did it fill him with yearning for her. Sitting here wasted and wounded at this old piano Trying hard to capture the moment this morning I don't know Cause a bottle of vodka is still lodged in my head And some blond gave me nightmares I think she's still in my bed As I dream about movies they won't make of me when I'm dead With an ironclad fist I wake up and French kiss the morning While some marching band keeps its own beat in my head While we're talking About all of the things that I long to believe About love and the truth and what you mean to me And the truth is baby you're all that I need I want to lay you on a bed of roses For tonight I sleep on a bed on nails I want to be just as close as the Holy Ghost is And lay you down on bed of roses If he only could lie Natalie down on a bed of roses, love her like a normal man, share the beauty of a mortal existence with her. But he knew it wasn't going to happen. As long as there was no cure, he'd continue sleeping on a bed of nails, with a bottle of cold human blood as his only comfort, sharing the repulsiveness of his immortal existence with no one, except perhaps his own kind. Well I'm so far away That each step that I take is on my way home A king's ransom in dimes I'd given each night Just to see through this payphone Still I run out of time Or it's hard to get through Till the bird on the wire flies me back to you I'll just close my eyes and whisper, baby blind love is true With Natalie, Nick had discovered love as they say was blind, but oh so true. At times, the love he felt for her seemed to shake him to the very core. In eight hundred years, he'd never experienced this kind of feeling: an all-consuming intensity, a hunger laced with unbelievable tenderness for another. Even with Janette it had never been like that. He couldn't say precisely when it happened, when he'd fallen. It was just something that suddenly became a vital part of his being. The hope for a cure and life with her seemed to spur it on as well, and for a while, he'd allowed himself to be blinded by it, not looking at the real picture. That is… until last week when circumstances caused him to take a good hard look at reality. I want to lay you down on a bed of roses For tonight I sleep on a bed on nails I want to be just as close as the Holy Ghost is And lay you down on bed of roses The hotel bar hangover whiskey's gone dry The barkeeper's wig's crooked And she's giving me the eye I might have said yeah But I laughed so hard I think I died When you close your eyes Know I'll be thinking about you While my mistress she calls me To stand in her spotlight again Tonight I won't be alone But you know that don't Mean I'm not lonely I've got nothing to prove For it's you that I'd die to defend Yes. Last week. Cold grim reality had descended around him as his mistress…his bloodlust had come calling …wanting…desiring Natalie's blood. As a result, Nick had found himself defending her, saving her against himself by making a unilateral decision for them both: To leave. To get out of her life. Nick knew she was probably seething because he hadn't included her in the decision-making, and yet it was for the best. She would've tried to dissuade him and he knew if he stayed, it would have only been a matter of time before their hearts overrode reason, and they would've thrown caution to the wind, succumbing to their feelings. Especially after… `No! I can't go there!' Abruptly, he stopped playing, and reaching for the bottle, took another deep gulp. Like before, the blood soothed his craving, but not the anguish, as the memories threatened to surface. He tried to suppress them once more, but they were too powerful, and as he drew the bottle away, they began to wash over him like a wave coming ashore. Nick couldn't remember her from the retrograde amnesia that he'd had from a gunshot wound, and yet he knew they had something special… something very good. She'd tried to stop things from progressing too far, saying they needed to take things slow. But he wouldn't listen; sensing what they were about to do was right. And it was! Flawless in every way. From the beginning, when they touched each other to the time when they came together and he stared down into her passion- filled eyes, feeling her smooth legs and soft arms wrapped around him. The perfection of the moment, however, dissolved the next day when the beast returned, and to Nick's horror, he discovered that just as the man had found his release in a joining of the flesh with her, the vampire desired his, in a blood union. At first, Nick thought the cravings for her blood would disappear, and yet they didn't. They only escalated. The beast was demanding the fulfillment it had been denied and it was all he could do to keep it at bay. For each time he was near her, his love and desire for her would surface and the vampire would threaten to emerge. His love and passion for her seemed to be fueling its hunger in such a way that the man and the vampire's desires were becoming one. For a time, Nick discovered he could push the hunger back by drinking blood…lots of blood, sometimes even mixing his customary diet of bottled bovine with human. It seemed to suppress the urges and at times, he found that he could be around her for short periods. In fact, surprisingly, during those times, his feelings…his urges for her felt more normal…more human. But they didn't last. Last week's demonic possession seemed to wipe them away, causing the beast to emerge barely in control. Afraid for her well-being and literally her life, Nick sadly realized it was time to move on, and face reality. He'd been deluding himself these past six years, thinking it would be different this time. The truth was, though, no matter how many times he attempted to pull himself out of this hellish existence, his beast… *his mistress*… would always be there to bring him down, to rule his life. There would never be a time when his cravings for blood would go away, his bloodlust would disappear. His dreams of a cure were also just that…a dream. A foolhardy dream. An illusion. He would never find redemption or walk in the sunlight or eat real food or love a woman. Love her. Suddenly, anger tore through him, and lifting the bottle, he threw it against the wall. For a long moment, he sat, watching the blood drip down the wood paneling, his lips curving with distain. Blood! And his incessant lust for it! He thought. This was his reality… his fate…his life…and as long as he lived, it would always be this way… sleeping on a bed of nails… never a bed of roses… I want to lay you down on a bed of roses For tonight I sleep on a bed on nails I want to be just as close as the Holy Ghost is And lay you down on bed of roses ************************************* To Be Continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 04/15 Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 22:51:37 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimers in Prologue ************************************* ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 04/15 ************************************* Natalie pulled up behind the coroner's van, across from the Raven. Looking over the steering wheel and through the window, her eyes took in the grim scene. A police car was parked next to the alleyway and the area had been cordoned off with yellow tape. Patrons of the nightclub were standing nearby, watching the police and forensics teams conduct their work and Natalie noted with a sense of relief that one person wasn't there. Opening the door, she emerged from the inside of her car and headed across the street. As she reached the alleyway, Natalie suddenly felt a hand seize her arm. She jumped, and turned. "Trace!" She exclaimed, shutting her eyes and clutching at her chest in relief. "Sorry to give you such a fright," the detective said apologetically. Natalie squeezed her arm. "It's okay," she assured. "It's just that for a moment I thought you were someone else." "A zombie?" Tracy asked, giving her a lop-sided grin. If you only knew the half of it, Trace! She thought. "Close," she answered with a half-hearted smile, and then her expression became serious as she turned her attention back to the crime scene. "What do we have here?" "Three bodies." Tracy replied, her face sobering. "From the initial reports, it appears to be a crime of passion. According to some of the patrons of the club, two of the victims, Angela Grimes and Robert Tate met here often, and after a few drinks, would leave together in his car. The third victim, Pete Grimes was Angela's husband. He must have found out about them and came here tonight to ensure they wouldn't leave this club together ever again." Natalie lifted an eyebrow. "He shot them?" "More like riddled them with a 38 semi-automatic, then turned around and blew his brains out." She grimaced and paled. "It's not a pretty sight." "Are you okay?" Natalie's voice softened, concern flashing across her face at Tracy's greenish pallor. "Yeah, my new partner, Cartwright, is over there getting the prelims from Grace." She gestured to a tall, lean man with brown wavy hair, penetrating brown eyes and square angler face. Somewhere in his 40's, Cartwright had been assigned from the 27th precinct, as Tracy's new partner a few days after Nick's departure. He was presently talking with Natalie's friend and co-worker, Grace. "How's Grace doing?" Natalie asked. "Great!" Tracy declared enthusiastically, her usual perkiness back in place. "She seems to be a natural at the field work." "Yeah, I think so too." Natalie agreed. "For the last couple weeks, Carter wanted me supervising her at crime scenes, but I think she's ready to go it alone. Take the plunge, so to speak." "I heard she's going to NY next week to a coroner's convention," Tracy commented with a casual air. "Carter said it would be all right if she went instead of me," Natalie replied softly. Tracy's eyes went wide with surprise. "You were supposed to go?" "That was the plan, but things came up." Her voice sounded casual, but there was an underlying weariness to her tone, which didn't escape Tracy's notice. She turned worried eyes on her. "Like?" "It's nothing to concern you with," she said, crossing her arms in a defensive manner. Tracy reached over to touch one arm briefly. "But I am worried Nat. And so is Grace." "Yeah…I know." Natalie let out a heavy sigh and then went on in a more gracious tone, "And I appreciate your care and concern, but I really am doing better. If you must know the reason I declined the trip was that I felt Grace could benefit more from going than I would. The convention will provide her with more insight into what goes on in this job." Tracy made a face. "If you ask me, mutilated corpses and bullet ridden bodies are what this job is all about." Natalie gave her a knowing look. "It isn't for everyone," she admitted ruefully. "No, it isn't." Natalie turned and looked over at Grace. "Speaking of bullet ridden bodies, Trace. I should get over there." Tracy nodded. "Okay, see ya later." "See ya." Natalie headed towards her friend, and as she drew closer, she noticed the bodies had already been removed to the coroner's van and Grace was finishing off the prelims sheet. Moving up beside to her, she regarded the sheet with a wry smile. "Crossing those T's and dotting those I's, Grace?" Grace's gaze followed Natalie's to the paper in her hand and she grinned. "You better believe it! Don't want to blow my chances, making a mistake on this homicide." Natalie nodded to the van, pulling away from the curb. "Tracy said it was a nasty one." "Tell me about it!" She voiced. "I'll be pulling slugs out of those bodies for hours." There was a trace of frustration in her tone. "What's the time of death?" Natalie asked. "Only a half hour at the most," Grace responded. "One of those creepy denizens of the night heard gunshots out here from inside the Raven, came out, discovered the bodies and called it in almost immediately." "Who?" Natalie's eyes wandered over the small crowd, still mulling around at the end of the alleyway. "Over there." Grace nodded towards a tall man standing in the doorway of the nightclub's side exit, farther down the alley. "Said he was the owner of the place." She paused and lowered her voice. "I gotta tell ya, Natalie. Not many people creep me out. But this guy!" Grace shuddered. "He had the most penetrating blue eyes. And his voice! Talked in a soft whisper, almost hypnotic in tone." As her words faded, she looked over at Natalie, and arched her brows in surprise. The petite coroner had vanished. Whirling around, Grace was just in time to see her making her way down the sidewalk in the direction of that guy. "Natalie," she called. "Where are you going?" Natalie jerked around. "I'll catch up with you later. I need to speak with someone." The lines in Grace's forehead furrowed in bewilderment. What was she up to now? Was she actually going to speak to him? Did she know him? Even if she did, Grace knew it was futile to belabor it. Natalie wouldn't tell her unless she wanted to. Frustrated, she shook her head and waved her off. "Okay, see you back at the morgue." For a moment, Natalie stood there, watching Grace resume her work. Then turning back, an uneasy feeling began to grip her as she regarded the darkened doorway. From the moment she'd known her services were needed at the Raven, she'd been reluctant to come, wanting to beg off, certain she'd run into him. After Nick had left two weeks ago, she'd made a decision to move on with her life, and try to put everything behind her. That included, of course, the vampire community and Nick's master: Lacroix. But unfortunately when Natalie had glanced up at the wrong moment a few minutes ago, his penetrating eyes had locked with hers, and she realized she'd been foolish to think it was going to be so simple to cut ties and never see Lacroix again. Thank goodness she hadn't seen him before this! The last couple weeks had been difficult enough, trying to feign indifference to everyone about Nick's departure explaining to them that they had only been friends and if he wanted to leave, it was his prerogative to do so. Trying to build up a wall around her own feelings, suppressing the constant anguish she felt every time the memories came flooding back: Of them watching a movie together, laughing at the funny scenes or crying on his shoulder over the sad ones, welcoming the comfort and safety of those strong arms wrapped around her. Of them sharing a friendly moment of banter, so easy and natural between them like taking in a breath of air. Of them breaking down those barriers and being together that one night, consummating their deep love and yearning for each other. Yes, it had been hard enough having to put up a façade and endure all of that without having to deal with his master. But now, she felt that she should at least say something to him. Natalie looked once more down the darkened sidewalk, and swallowing hard, forcing down the uneasy feeling, began to move in his direction. As she drew closer, she watched as he stepped out from the darkness into the alley. A nearby streetlight hit his face, casting a glow over his sardonic expression and piercing eyes as he regarded her. A chill crept up her spine, causing her to freeze in her tracks. It spread to her limbs, when, a moment later, she heard his disparaging tone. "Tsk tsk…the morgue. I can think of more enjoyable sights to see in this world." Damn that enhanced vampiric hearing! Natalie knew he was referring to Grace's comment just now. She swallowed and spoke up, "I'm surprised, Lacroix, I thought it would be one of your favorite places." Her voice was amazingly composed and the knowledge of it spurred her on, "After all, I understand you have an attraction for carnage and death." She crossed her arms and gave him an even look. His lips curled into a smirk. "Ah…Nicholas spoke to you about that, did he? I'm flattered." He paused. "Yes, I do have a certain passion for feasting on the fatally wounded solders of war, like an angel of death putting them out of their misery." A look of delight crossed his face and Natalie shivered inwardly as she heard him go on, "And speaking of passion, I understand that tonight's delicious homicide resulted from just that. A crime of passion." Natalie shrugged and spoke with a casual air, "It's what the detectives have surmised." Lacroix reached up and rubbed his chin in a pensive fashion. "Ah… interesting…" He seemed to drag out the words deliberately, letting them hang in the air. Natalie shot him a quizzical look. "In what way?" Lacroix stared deep into her eyes, speaking in a steely tone, "That passion can trigger a mortal to kill." "Sometimes," she admitted. "But *most* people don't go around putting a round of lead from a 38 in their loved one's chest. They can control it." "Awww…" he began in that belittling voice which always grated on her nerves and made her shake with fury. "And here I thought I'd finally found a common link between mortals and vampires." She flashed him a peevish glance. "What do you mean?" "I mean that unlike mortals, we can not control our passion," he said, his voice still contemptible. "Ah yes," she began coldly. "You did tell me once that mixing more than minds with a vampire could be hazardous to a mortal's health." Her blue eyes fixed on his, and as the meaning of her words sunk into his mind, he smiled. "I'm impressed, doctor. You remembered. I guess I'll need to use a stronger drug in the champagne next time." "Next time!" She snorted. "I don't think so. And as far as control in the heat of passion is concerned, I don't believe it, especially when love enters into the equation." "Aaah…yes. True love conquering all and that sort of nonsense." He waved his hand, dismissing the notion. "Don't delude yourself into believing it." Lacroix gave her another piercing look, and expecting her to recoil, was surprised when her lips curled into a half-smile. "I'm not deluding myself, but one thing I've learned since meeting your kind, you guys aren't too big on communication. How do you even know for sure?" "Doctor, after almost living 2000 years, I think I know a little bit more about it than you do." That mocking tone again! Well she'd show him. Two could play at this game. "Oh, you do, do you? Then tell me. Is this wealth of knowledge from over 2000 years coming from personal experience?" Natalie's acrimonious tone caused him to smile. "My dear, whether it is from my own personal matters of the heart or not, the simple fact remains mortals and vampires don't mix." "Well…we'll never know for sure will we." She said smugly, crossing her arms. For a long moment silence reined as she peered at him with a triumphant look. Then uncrossing her arms, she blew out a weary breath. "Look, we could debate this topic forever. But, it's pointless because the fact is this scientific theory won't be ever tested. We'll never know the results since Nick is gone and I have no intention of finding him." She paused and then went on pointedly, "Yes, Lacroix that may come as a bit of a surprise to you. For you see, unlike you, I plan to leave him alone, to allow him to make his own decisions, find his own way." "That's very admirable of you," he said with a slight smirk. "But, I don't quite agree. Nicholas needs guidance. He always has." "Well…you keep on believing that and you'll drive him farther away." "Are you so certain?" There was a trace of amusement in his tone. "Absolutely," she said. "The more you try to control him, the more he'll pull away from you." She paused and emitted a soft sigh. "All he wants is the freedom to make his own choices." "Nicholas's choices have been mostly foolhardy ones," he retorted. "He needs someone to set him on the right path." "Ah I see." Natalie paused with a slight nod of understanding. "Your path?" Her tone was derisive, her eyes locking on his, challenging him. "And what would that entail? To give up his hopes and dreams of a cure, to give into his nature and become what you envisioned for him when you created him." Lacroix took a warning step towards her, his eyes glowing amber. "Enough, Doctor…" Natalie backed away slightly, but livid now from his contemptible manner, she couldn't stop the flow of words, pouring from her mouth like water into a glass. "Or better yet, to have him show his gratitude to you for all that you've done for him over the centuries by being your lackey, bowing down to you, submitting to your will. Is that the path you had in mind for him? The big course you had set for him?" Suddenly she felt a powerful hand around her neck and before she knew what was happening found herself pinned against the nightclub's door. "That's enough!" He snarled through crimson, rage-filled eyes. "I won't stand for your insolence!" Natalie felt his hand tighten around neck, pressing against her vocal cords, preventing her from speaking. She turned and looked frantically down the street to see if anyone had noticed. To her dismay and mounting alarm, she saw that everyone had left. Great! No one to come to her rescue. Why couldn't she just keep her big mouth shut? Well, she wasn't going down without a fight. Turning back, her eyes flaring with anger, she lifted her leg, and brought her knee forcefully up into his groin. Lacroix moved away swiftly, her knee missing him by inches. A wicked smile flashed across his face. "One thing I've always admired about you, my dear, is your spirit and courage, even in the face of death." To her surprise, his grip suddenly slackened from around her neck, and able to find her voice, she spoke up. "If I'm facing my death now," she croaked, "bear in mind you will lose Nick, and will never reconcile your relationship with him." She paused, her eyes locking with his in a fierce gaze. "*That* is the grim reality." His lips curled into a sneer. "How can you be so sure?" "Oh I am," she assured. "When he finds out-and he will-you'll be facing your own death." "That may be," he said. "But *you* bear in mind, my dear. Regardless of whether you face death now at my hands or later by natural means, you'll be gone in the blink of an eye, forgotten by Nicholas while I'll remain eternally at his side." He paused, giving her a severe look. *That* is the grim reality." He released her, and took a step back. Natalie turned away in anger, and began to rub her neck. As she continued to massage the tender skin around her throat, she slowly became aware of a warm substance around the corner of her mouth. Reaching over with her tongue, she licked it and was met with a coppery, salty taste. Damn! It was blood. She must have bitten her lip unknowingly and now she was standing in a dark alley with a very angry, hungry vampire. Great going, Lambert! Now you're going to be dessert. Looking over, she saw Lacroix's eyes had returned to an amber hue and he was taking a step towards her once more. An anxious feeling began to wash over her. Reaching up with her hand, she started to wipe the blood away when Lacroix grabbed her wrist. "Let me do that, doctor." Natalie could hear the huskiness in his voice, as she watched him lift a finger and swipe the drop away from her skin. Then with a sense of horror and amazement, she saw him place it on his tongue. For a long moment he stood there with his eyes closed. Then slowly a blissful smile began to spread across his face. Oh what Nicholas had missed not taking her! In just one drop, he could feel the unconditional love she carried within her heart for his son. Her fire, her passions, her… His eyes suddenly popped open and he looked over at the doctor. Seething, Natalie wrenched her hand from his grasp and spoke with barely controlled fury, "What the hell was that about?" Lacroix's lips curled into a sardonic grin. "Nicholas has not told you about the way we feel life in a mortal's blood?" No he hadn't. She thought angrily. But was she really surprised? Nick had always been reluctant to tell her anything about the vampire's physiology unless she questioned it. And even then it had been difficult to drag the information out of him. He always seemed to feel the need to protect her from knowing too much about their kind. And, damn it! Now one of their kind seemed to know her intimately. And of course, it had to be Lacroix! "No, he didn't," she unwillingly admitted. "Well, I wouldn't hold that against him, Doctor," Lacroix went on. "Nicholas has never been one to open up, especially about our physiology. But, yes we can feel emotions, thoughts and feelings just from one drop of a mortal's blood and in you…" He paused and cleared his throat. "I sensed something." Her eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What?" Natalie was met with a long silence as Lacroix held her gaze. A few more seconds passed, as they continued to exchange looks, then gradually her eyes grew with understanding. ************************************* To be continued ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/5qMolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 05/15 Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:06:29 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimers in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 05/15 ************************************* The smoke-filled bar was crowded and loud as Grace and her attractive female companion squeezed between two tables into the corner. Grace sank into the soft overstuffed chair and glanced at her friend. "Is this okay with you, Denise?" The woman removed her overcoat, and draped it around the back of her chair. "Fine," she said with a smile. "Let me get us some drinks." She turned, and glanced towards the bar then back at Grace. "What's your poison?" "Oh…" Grace shrugged. "Not anything too strong. How about a white wine?" "Okay, I'll be right back." Grace watched Denise make her way gracefully through the boisterous crowd and over to the beefy looking bartender behind the bar. She shook her head, and heaved an anxious sigh. Tall lean, and muscular, with shoulder length straight hair, almost black in color, vibrant cobalt blue eyes, and fair-skinned oblong face, Denise Mayfield could catch a man's eye at the drop of a hat. She was a dear old friend, someone she'd met through Natalie a long time ago, and through the years, she'd learned many things about her: She was sweet, caring, humorous, extremely flirtatious with men, possessed a high self- esteem, but wasn't overly arrogant, and was basically just an all- around fun person to hang out with. However, she was also extravagant, insisting on nothing but the best. And that included bars in the Upper East Side of New York. Grace thought worriedly, as her eyes began to take in the latest one: the Bar Seine in the Hotel Plaza Athenee. It was no different than the others, plush and expensive, with Tiffany Lamps and fine cream- colored tablecloths on the tables, surrounded by rich, dark mahogany wood paneling on the walls. The bar was extravagant with its walnut carvings of nymphs along the sides. Behind it hung a very expensive looking gilded mirror. As she continued to gaze around the room, a sense of dread came over her. She knew the time was coming when she would have to break the news to her friend that her pocketbook wouldn't be able to handle these outings anymore and happy hour in her room at the Marriott with cheap beer or wine and chips would have to suffice. But relaying this information to her, she decided, could wait until tomorrow. One more night with her party-loving friend wouldn't hurt. Except of course, maybe her head! Grace thought with a mild groan, as she looked over and saw Denise making her way back to their corner, carrying a bourbon in one hand and Grace's white wine in the other. Once there, she set the drinks down on the table then sank into a seat across from her. "I hope the Chablis is all right." Grace took a sip from her drink and smacked her lips. "Just perfect, Denise. What more could I ask for as relaxant after that boring speaker we had this afternoon." Denise groaned and rolled her eyes. "Wasn't he the worst!?" She exclaimed. "I thought he was going to lull me to sleep *permanently*." Grace chuckled. "I could see the headlines now. Pathologist found dead, from talk of autopsy beds." Her friend giggled. "How about this one?" She spread her hands in the air. "Speaker found dead, when coroners saw red, over talk of autopsy beds." Grace laughed. "Isn't that the truth? I felt like one of those coroners! I would've enjoyed putting him out of his misery. I mean who can discuss the latest autopsy tables for a whole hour?" Denise leaned over and grabbed some salted peanuts from the bowl on the table, plopping a few in her mouth. "Yeah, when you've seen one slab, you've seen them all." "And whether they're the deluxe models or not," Grace went on, "it's not like your `patients' are really going to complain about it." "So true!" She said with a wry smile. "Anyway tomorrow's agenda should be much better. DNA testing from both RFLP analysis and PCR- based analysis." "There should be a discussion tied in with that one about how to not botch DNA fingerprinting." Grace's eyes gleamed with amusement. "A complete what-not-to-do guide from the O.J. Simpson forensics team." Denise chuckled then her face sobered as she went on, "Anyway, it's a shame Natalie is missing all of this fun." Grace lifted her glass and took a long pull on her drink. "Yeah, I miss her," she said softly. "Yeah me too," she agreed. "She always managed to liven up these events with her quirky dark sense of humor." "Unfortunately that humor has been practically nonexistent recently," Grace said with a grim face. Denise leaned forward in her chair and arched her eyebrows. "Really? Why?" "Although she'll never admit it," she said, "a certain detective is probably the reason." "Oh really!" Denise exclaimed sounding irritated. "And who is this schmuck who's made her unhappy?" "Detective Knight," she said with a disgruntled look. "They claim to be only friends, but when he left Toronto for good a couple weeks ago… " "He left?" She asked, her voice betraying amazement. "Yeah, and you should've seen the state Natalie was in!" Grace glared, anger flashing in her eyes over the memory of that night a few weeks ago when he'd left and poor Natalie had cracked. "When she heard the news from Tracy Vetter, Detective Knight's partner, she just lost it and started rambling about things that made no sense to me. And then to top it all off, she fainted." "Fainted?" Denise's eyes went wide. "Are we sure we're talking about the same Natalie Lambert?" "Yeah…amazing isn't it? In the ten years I've known her, I don't think she's ever done that!" She shook her head in disbelief. "Of course she tried to cover it up with the usual `we're just friends and it's immaterial to me that he decided to leave' scenario." "I can only imagine." Denise nodded in understanding. "Natalie never was one to talk about her personal life with anyone." "Tell me about it!" Grace said sounding annoyed. "She's never once said anything about her life outside of work. And if you try bringing up the subject, she becomes tightlipped like a clam." "Always the professional," Denise added thoughtfully. "Yeah, but mark my words, her professionalism will shatter one of these days," Grace said, her voice full of concern. "All that emotion she keeps bottled up inside will one day just erupt and I'm afraid she'll break down completely." "You're probably right," Denise said, her voice matching Grace's in worry. "But if she's unwilling to talk about it with one of her closest friends. You. What solution is there?" "Maybe someone who can remain impartial," Grace said, shrugging. Denise looked surprised. "A shrink?" Grace shook her head vigorously. "Not a psychiatrist. He'd want to medicate her. And hell would freeze over before she would allow someone to do that." She smiled briefly then her expression became thoughtful. "A psychologist might be too much as well. I was thinking more in terms of a therapist." "I don't know if she'll go for that at all!" Denise said, sounding doubtful. "Maybe, but she needs to see someone. She's worrying me to death!" Grace said vehemently. "Just a few days ago, her behavior caused me to become even more upset." "In what way?" Denise asked with curiosity. Grace didn't answer right away, as she began to chew on her lower lip, contemplating what she wanted to say. After a moment longer, she spoke up, her tone careful. "More erratic," she began. "Up until then, she'd been tired, cranky and blue. But something changed a few nights ago when we were at a crime scene in an alley outside of a nightclub called the Raven." "What happened?" "We were discussing the case, and then all at once she went off down the alley alone to see this guy, who was the owner of the club, and I gotta say, Denise made my spine tingle with fear." "A real creep?" "You better believe it!" She shook her head. "He makes Hannibal Lector seem like a pussycat." "Ooo…" Denise shivered. "You're putting a quiver in my liver just envisioning what this guy is like!" Grace shook her head and laughed. "Quiver in my liver? Where do you come up with these expressions Denise?" "Naturally from the south, honey. You know, we southerners are known for our own charm and colorful version of the English language," she teased. "Yeah, so you've told me," she acknowledged with a wry grin, then her face sobered as she went on, "Anyway, I needed to return to the morgue, and since it didn't seem like this guy was threatening her in any way, I left with the rest of the forensic team. A few hours later, she showed up in the morgue, very much deep in thought. Puzzled, I asked her what was going on. Well…" Her eyes widened. "That's all it took-one question from me for her to snap out of it and tell me in no uncertain terms it was `nothing.' Then she adroitly shifted the conversation to the homicide at the nightclub." "Do you think she was deliberately covering up something?" She asked. "Perhaps it wasn't anything and she only wanted to resume her work." Grace gave her an exacting look for an answer. Denise broke into a sheepish grin. "I guess not," she said mildly. "So what do you think she was trying to hide?" "I don't know, but my bewilderment over her behavior only increased as the evening progressed." "Tell me about it." Denise said, taking a sip from her drink. "About an hour later," Grace began, "I was about to enter her office with a DNA workup when I heard her crying." "Are you sure?" Denise asked, looking doubtful. Grace gave her an emphatic nod. "Yeah, she was definitely sobbing. I don't know what happened to cause it, but she was upset about something." "Did you go in?" "No." Grace looked regretful. "Believe me, I wanted to in the worst way! Since she'd been close-mouthed about everything else, though, I knew she wasn't going to open up about this and I made the decision to leave her alone. But now, I'm not sure it was a good idea and I've decided once I return from this conference, I'm going to confront her, once and for all." "You're going to force her to talk?" Denise said, sounding skeptical. "Yes," she said, folding her arms across her chest and giving her a resolute nod. "Even if I have to tie her to a chair, and threaten her with no chocolates for a week, I'm going to do it. It's for her own good." Denise flashed a slight grin then sobered. "Do you think this guy in the alley has anything to do with her latest behavior?" "Yes, I do," she said without hesitation. "Because I have a suspicion he knows Detective Knight somehow and relayed something to her about him. But what?" Grace asked with exasperation. "I couldn't say." "Whatever the information was, it obviously affected Natalie profoundly." "Yeah," Grace said thoughtfully. "This detective must have been quite something to turn Natalie's head," Denise mused aloud. "I mean the times we used to get together at these conferences, she always seemed to be immune to male advances and overtures." "Natalie tried to *appear* to be immune to Detective Knight, Nick's charm, as well, putting up a good front around him. But sometimes, the emotions came through and you could see the care and longing in her eyes." Grace paused. "Bottom line. She had it bad for the guy. And whether he would admit it or not, he did, too. But what I can't understand is why they never seemed to act on their feelings." "Never?" Denise asked in disbelief. "I don't think so." Grace looked certain. "I know I've been out of the loop for a while, going away for a year. But if things had progressed with their relationship, I would've sensed something. Natalie is good at hiding her feelings, but not *that* good." "You have a point," Denise remarked, "and yet I find it uncanny their relationship remained in limbo for so long. If what you say is true, they were more than friends or wanted it to be more then why not change the relationship? Why not move on to the next stage? Why not…" "Oh my God!" Grace's jaw dropped. "I don't believe it! He's here!" Startled, Denise glanced up in time to catch Grace's stunned expression, and see her gaze flit across the room to stare at someone intently. Eyes narrowing, Denise began to twist around in her seat. "Who?" She asked, with mild curiosity. "No, don't turn around," Grace hissed, her eyes focusing on Denise once more in alarm. "I don't want him to see us." Denise's eyes went wide as understanding dawned. "Detective Knight?" "In the flesh." She managed somehow through the mixture of shock and disbelief rushing through her. "Oh this I've gotta see!" Denise declared, her eyes sparkling with mounting excitement. She was about to turn around once more when Grace reached out with her arm to stop her. "No, please Denise." Her eyes were imploring. "Don't worry, Grace." She waved her off. "I'll be discreet." Slowly Denise turned, her eyes peering over the crowd to the bar's entrance. "Which one is he?" "The blonde with the black shirt and pants," Grace said nervously and took another pull of her drink, trying to calm herself. Denise's eyes finally settled on the handsome detective. "Ooo… Grace." She cooed with admiration. "He is positively yummy! Natalie does have good taste." For a long moment, her eyes continued to feast on him, as she watched him make his way over to the bar to sit down. Then, Grace grabbed her arm to get her attention. "Well…yummy or not," she whispered in a frantic voice. "Will you please stop drooling long enough to turn around before he sees us?" Denise's gaze lingered for a moment longer on him before she turned back with a slight pout. "Okay…okay…I'll be good. That is… " A mischievous grin broke out on her face. "…When I've gotten a closer peak." Denise sprang up, and before Grace could stop her, she headed towards the bar. At first, numb from the shock of Denise's actions, Grace found only the strength to stare at her friend, as she boldly strolled up to the bar and began talking with the bartender. But soon shock turned to horror when she saw her cast not-so-discreet, hungry, sidelong glances at Nick. Oh my goodness! What was that girl up to now? Grace held her breath, waiting for Denise's next move or some kind of reaction from Nick, but surprisingly none came. Denise continued to talk with the bartender, slipping intermittent glances at Nick and Nick seemed content to stare forlornly over the brim of his drink at the wall over the bar. Finally with a sense of relief, she saw Denise swing around with drinks in hand and head back to the table. Once there, Grace let loose with her anger. "What the devil were you thinking about when you went over there?!!!! Nick could have seen me!!!! And then what?!!!!" "Relax." Denise said with a wicked smile. She set the drinks down on the table and sat down. "Nothing happened. Besides we've never met. He doesn't know me, so why would he think you were here with me to begin with?" Denise's logic seemed to calm Grace and after taking a deep breath, she spoke up, "You're right. I guess the shock of seeing him in this bar was too much and I wasn't thinking clearly." She paused and her eyes went wide with disbelief. " I mean, talk about a coincidence! There are millions of people in this city and Nick Knight happens to waltz into the same bar we're in." "Well…it didn't *just* happen," Denise began mysteriously. "Evidently he's been waltzing into this bar every night since he arrived here a couple weeks ago." Grace looked surprised. "And you know this from?" "From the bartender," she finished with a self-satisfied grin. "I asked him about blondie when ordering our drinks." "You weren't afraid Nick would overhear your conversation." Her brows rose slightly. Denise jerked around in her seat to glance at Nick, then back to Grace. She looked solemn. "No, the shape he's in, I don't think he could hear a thing. According to the bartender he's been on a bender since last week. Every night he comes down from room 414 to the bar and…" "How did you find out his room number?" Grace cut in with amazement. "Hotel staff members aren't allowed to give them out." Denise's lips curled into a complacent smile. "I happened to see it on his tab when the bartender was adding a drink order to it." Grace shook her head and smiled wickedly. "You are bad, Denise." "Just thorough!" She smiled back. "Anyway, as I was saying, he ventures down here every evening around this time and spends the evening drinking red wine and listening to the late night entertainment until closing. It's sad." She shook her head. "I suppose Natalie is the cause." "No doubt." Grace agreed, sounding grave. "What I don't understand is if you say they had feelings for each other and seemed to want to be together, why did he leave?" Denise gave her a perplexed look. "Why didn't he stay and try to iron out their problems? Why endure this agony of separation from her? Drowning his sorrows in drink?" Grace blew out a discouraged breath. "I don't understand it myself," she said. "All I know is Natalie used to say their relationship was complicated. Whatever that meant!" "How complicated could it be?" She shrugged. "According to what you've told me, they love each other. And love as they say, can conquer most obstacles. So where is the complication?" "I don't know," Grace looked pensive, as an idea started formulating in her mind. "But I think I've found a way to un-complicate their relationship." Her eyes began to glimmer with anticipation. Denise's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What do you mean? You have a plan to get these two together?" "I think so," Grace said slowly. It would work, she thought, but some kinks would need to be worked out and she would definitely need Denise's services. Grace glanced at her friend, her eyes becoming serious. "Would you be interested in helping?" "Would I?" Her voice was filling with excitement, her eyes gleaming with delight. "You bet! What did you have in mind?" "Well…" She began and took a swallow from her drink. "Something like this…." ************************************** To Be continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 06/15 Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:08:59 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimers in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 06/15 ************************************* Natalie was finishing up the Latimer autopsy report when Jill strolled into the morgue, a tray of test tubes in one hand, and a report in the other. Somewhere in her mid-twenties, Jill had been assigned as a lab technician to the 96th precinct along with Natalie two years ago. She had blue eyes, and long blond hair, which was currently tied back in a ponytail. Her skin was a fair peach color, which seemed to accentuate her classic high cheekbones in her heart- shaped face. There was something very delicate in her features. She almost resembled a Dresden doll. She placed the tray down on a nearby table before turning around, and flashing the report in the air. "I got the tox results back on the Saunter's case you wanted." Moving towards her desk, she placed it on Natalie's stack. The coroner glanced over at the report, then at Jill. "And what was the result?" "Negative," she said in a straightforward tone. "There was no evidence of any drugs in his blood stream." Natalie reached for the report and began to flip through the pages. "Not even cocaine?" She asked, cocking a brow. Jill shook her head and crossed her arms. "Nothing at all." Natalie closed the report, tossing it back on the pile, and gave Jill a thoughtful look. "Okay then. We've conducted every possible test, so I think it's safe to say that death was caused by malnutrition and exposure to extreme elements." She paused and smiled. "Good job, Jill. We've been able to wrap up yet another case quickly, thanks to you." She eyed the pile of reports on Natalie's desk. "Anything to move along your stack," she commented. Natalie's eyes followed Jill's and she shrugged. "Actually, things have really slowed down since that fire a couple weeks ago and I've been able to catch up some." "Even with Grace gone?" There was surprise in Jill's voice as she spoke. "Yeah, because people like you have been pitching in, going that extra mile to get the job done." Natalie's voice was full of gratitude. "Glad to do it," she said. "And besides, we'll do anything around here to get you to slow down and stop working those eighteen hour shifts." She gave her a telling look. "I guess that's a hint," she said wryly. "And you're right. I have been overdoing it a tad." "A tad?!!" Jill exclaimed and rolled her eyes. "That is an understatement." "I guess it is," Natalie admitted with a sheepish grin. "And yet in our line of work we never know whether it's going to be feast or famine. Unfortunately, it's been a lot of the former, recently. So taking time off or working shorter shifts has not been in the cards for me." "Until tonight," Jill said in a stern voice. "You are still planning to knock off early aren't you?" Natalie saw the rigid expression on her face and smiled weakly. "Yes, I'm going home in an hour and for once, have a nice long soak in the tub." "Good, it's about time." Jill nodded in approval. "You certainly deserve it." She started for the door when another thought struck her, and she turned back. "Oh…by the way. I almost forgot. Carter would like you to stop by his office on your way out." Natalie's eyes narrowed. I wonder what he wants. "Did he say what it was about?" She asked, aloud. Jill shot her a mystified glance. "Haven't a clue." There was a slight pause as her eyes lit with amusement. "Maybe he's going to force you to take that leave, which you always refuse to take. Perhaps send you on Caribbean Cruise." Natalie emitted a soft chuckle. "Yeah that'll be the day!" She tapped her chin with her pen, her expression becoming pensive. "Mmm… so the big boss wants to see me." "Yep." "Ooookay. I'll stop by on my way out." She flashed Jill an appreciative smile. "Thanks." "No problem. See ya later and enjoy your soak in the tub," she said and turned to leave. "I will. See ya." As Natalie listened to the technician's retreating footsteps down the hall, her face creased into a worried frown. What could Carter possibly want? Was there a case that needed to be reopened? Evidence that needed to be found? For a moment, her thoughts turned to any questionable cases she'd been working on the last couple weeks, and with a sense of relief, she realized there weren't any. With every one, the evidence had been quite definitive. Well…she thought with a bemused shrug. Whatever Carter needed to discuss, she hoped it wouldn't intrude on her plans for a quiet evening at home with Sydney, her cat, and that long much-anticipated bubble bath. ************************************* To Be continued ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/5qMolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 07/15 Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:16:37 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimer in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 07/15 ************************************* There came a knock at the door, and without glancing up from his desk, Carter called out gruffly. "Look Higgins, I need that report as in yesterday!" "Ah…sir." There was a short pause, as a throat cleared and then a voice went on hesitantly, "I'm not Higgins." Carter's head jerked up as he recognized the visitor's voice. He cleared his throat, and went on in a less severe tone, trying to belie the embarrassment he was feeling at the obvious mistake. "No, of course you aren't Natalie. I thought you were…" "Higgins?" Natalie finished, stifling a laugh. She sank into a chair across from him and studied him for a moment. Somewhere in his mid-50's, Carter had dark brown hair, slightly graying now around the temples, and dark brown piercing eyes. His face was attractive in a masculine sort of way with a square jaw and deep furrowed lines in his forehead. He was a large man, with broad shoulders and chest, and a slightly protruding stomach, but basically his physique was muscular and athletic in tone. Tough, but fair, Carter was the sort of boss that had high expectations for his team. But if you worked hard, promotions came fast from him as Natalie had come to find out over the two years she'd been working for him. "Yeah, sorry about that," he said ruefully. "Higgins left here a moment ago with strict instructions to have the Brunner case completed and on my desk in an hour. He's very thorough and fast with the autopsies, but when it comes to the paperwork, he can't seem to get the work done." "Well, I can't say I'm much better." "You?!!!" Carter looked stunned. "Since I started here ten years ago, I can't ever recall a time where you weren't efficient with the entire process." He reached over and grabbed his coffee mug, taking a sip. "In fact, the only defect I can see is your inability to ever take it easy, to know when it's time to take a vacation." Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Natalie looked down at her hands. "I know it's been a while, but…" "It's been four years." He cut in and the tone of his voice, severe and concerned, caused her to look up with an expression of surprise. Had it been that long since she'd gone on any vacation? Enjoyed any time in the sun, being carefree and lighthearted? Away from one certain angst-ridden vampire? It was hard to believe! But truthfully, it had been more than four years since she'd really had a relaxing, enjoyable, true, honest-to-goodness vacation. For the last one, four years ago, wasn't much; her heart hadn't exactly been in it. It had taken place after the awful Roger Jameson fiasco when she was feeling a bit confused over Nick's mixed signals. Natalie couldn't tell whether Nick's jealousy over Roger and protectiveness stemmed from brotherly affection or deeper feelings. She had a feeling it was the latter, when he tried kissing her in a more than brotherly fashion in the precinct's interrogation room. But last Valentine's Day and the night of his amnesia made it a forgone conclusion. He loved her. But what did it matter now? Natalie thought with a sharp pang. He evidently didn't love her enough to stick it out, to continue trying to search for a cure, to have a life together, to be with her. Enough Lambert! You must stop grieving about him and put him behind you once and for all and start over…start a new life. And a vacation may be a good place to start…a good place to think things over… Coming out of her musings, she gave Carter a forced smile. "So should I put in for another dream-filled desert extravaganza?" "No, it won't be necessary, but might I suggest a four day fully-paid- for trip to the Big Apple?" "You want me to go to New York?" She was amazed. "As a matter of fact, I do." "Why?" She studied him, clearly baffled. "Grace called and…" Natalie straightened in her seat, suddenly alarmed. "Is everything all right?" "Yeah, don't worry." Carter waved her off. "Grace is fine, but her great aunt isn't." His eyes were grave. "Her great aunt?" Natalie looked wary and baffled. "I didn't think she had a great aunt." "Evidently, she does," he told her. "Unfortunately she's very sick and Grace feels she should leave the conference as soon as possible to see her before it's too late. I suggested she take the first flight out and you would be willing to fill in for her for the rest of the conference." "But sir…I've been the last few years. Don't you think someone else should go?" Natalie asked, her tone hopeful she could somehow get out of this. The idea of a vacation was appealing, but not in this manner. "Normally I would agree, Natalie. However, I relented after Grace's recommendation to send you. She pointed out that you hadn't taken a vacation for a long time and might have a breakdown if you didn't get away soon." "Grace said that!" Natalie stiffened, crossing her arms indignantly. "I can assure you I don't plan to have a breakdown anytime soon." "Yes, well…you're probably right, but it has come to my attention that you've been working too many long hours and need a break from work before something slips." "But my work has been…" "Exceptional as always," he finished and then went on, "However some have noticed, including Grace that you seem to be preoccupied with something and preoccupation can lead to careless work, which we can't afford to have happen around here. So although I think a vacation would be better, but I know you won't take one, this is the next best thing." "But sir…" she began, her tone a little exasperated. "I was just thinking about taking a real vacation." "Good…and after this little trip, you can," he said, "so go home and pack your bags. Since I've made reservations for a flight first thing in the morning for you, you'll be able to attend some of the conference tomorrow afternoon. And if you decide you want to start your vacation there or somewhere else, just let me know." "I don't know what to say?" She said, the note of surprise back in her voice again. "Just say you'll be on that flight." He gave her an exacting look. "Okay…" Natalie agreed, and rising from her seat, left, still amazed. But as she walked down the hall towards the exit, surprise turned to puzzlement, and she shook her head. A great-aunt? If Grace had one, she'd never spoken of her, which was strange because Grace always loved talking about her family. Where did she live? What side of the family was she on? Or was she just a figment of Grace's imagination? Was this, in truth, some kind of ploy to get her down to NY to relax? Oh don't be ridiculous Lambert! Even Grace wouldn't stoop to such an elaborate plan. Shaking off the ludicrous idea, Natalie made her way out to her car, her thoughts turning now to fitting in that bubble bath and finding a sitter for Sydney. ************************************ To be continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 08/15 Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:33:31 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Hi there! A few people have asked me if I might send the rest of the story to them and I'm more than happy to do it. Just email me at the address below or pas_20197@yahoo.com and I'll send it on as an attachment. Thanks! ************************************* Disclaimers in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 08/15 ************************************* Natalie was in the midst of tossing her underwear into a drawer when the phone rang. Throwing the last item in, she nudged the drawer shut with her hip, and hurrying to the bedside table, picked the phone up on the third ring. "Hello," she murmured into the phone, a little out of breath. There was a slight pause, before Natalie heard a woman's cheerful voice. "Have I reached Natalie's Bed and Breakfast?" A wry grin came to Natalie's face. "At this hour of the evening, Denise Mayfield, it might be more apropos to call it Natalie's Tavern of Malt Liqueurs." Denise laughed. "You always did love those wicked whiskeys." "They weren't wicked until the hangover," Natalie teased. "That's why I always said you should switch to bourbon," Denise retorted in an amused tone. Natalie's smile broadened. "Oh… and bourbon is considered the drink of choice?" "Especially to a true southerner," Denise said. "It glides down your throat like silk and your head is clear as a bell the next morning." "More like your head feels like hell the next morning," she responded with an exaggerated groan. "Well, until you try it, you won't know," Denise said with feigned indignation. "It's a drink that we southerner's live by." "Born and raised on it, were you?" Natalie asked dryly. "Like mother's milk." She said, emitting a contented sigh. Natalie shook her head. "No wonder, the Confederacy fell during the Civil War." "We Georgians like to refer to `the war' as the War Between the States." "Oh pardon me!" Natalie chuckled then her expression became more thoughtful. "Anyway, what's up? "I called to make sure you got in okay." "Yeah," Natalie said, her voice suddenly sounding tired. "I'm here, safe and sound, even though it took me a while. Flights were either canceled or delayed for hours due to bad weather conditions in Toronto-- a heavy snowfall during the night. My plane was one of those cancelled, but there was availability on another flight in the afternoon, so I took that one." She paused, forcing a smile to her face. "I hope I didn't miss out on all of the fun and excitement at the conference today." "The most excitement today was the discussion about new precision autopsy forceps." Denise said. "These babies can pick up the finest hair, the most miniscule piece of evidence on your cadaver. " "Ah, but the important question is. Can you eat Chinese food with them?" "Grace told me about your rather nasty habit," she commented sounding disgusted. Natalie smiled briefly then went on, "Speaking of Grace, did she mention anything about her great-aunt to you?" "You mean, her great-aunt Betsy?" She asked nonchalantly, summoning up as much innocence as she could in her voice. "I think that's the one." Natalie was saying. "Did she mention where her aunt lived?" "In Buffalo, I believe." Buffalo? How strange? Natalie thought as she began to twist the telephone cord around her finger, her eyes narrowing. "Interesting… She always told me her family was from St. Johns in New Brunswick." "I guess maybe she could be a distant aunt?" Denise came back quickly with the lie, but there was a slight uneasiness in her tone. "I suppose…" Natalie said slowly, an edge of doubt in her voice. "It's kind of odd, though, she never mentioned her to me. She loved talking about her family, especially any deep dark secrets." Denise emitted a soft chuckle. "Well there you go! Perhaps there weren't any skeleton's in Aunt Betsy's closet to tell, so she never brought her up." "Yeah, I guess…" She paused, still uncertain, and then went on, "I hope Grace wasn't too stunned with the news about her." "She seemed to handle it well," Denise said. "Almost like she was expecting it to happen. I'm only sorry she had to leave suddenly. We were having such a delightful time." "I can only imagine," commented Natalie, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. "How many bars did you drag her to?" "Oh… a dozen or so?" "Poor thing," Natalie said with genuine sympathy. "I bet she looked like some of my `customers' after a night out with you." "Come to think of it. She did look a bit peaked on Tuesday after we'd been out to six bars the night before, but another night out seemed to bring her around." Natalie shook her head, her eyes filling with astonishment. "You are too much." "I've been told that," Denise confessed. "By the way, what are you doing at the moment?" "I'm in the middle of putting a few items away and getting organized for tomorrow," she explained. "Just settling in. Why?" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What did you have in mind?" "I thought instead of settling in there, you could settle in somewhere else for a nice, refreshing drink." "I don't know, Denise." Natalie sounded doubtful and the fatigue was back in her voice. "I'm kind of beat after the trip down here. I've been up since 5:00 am, and on top of that, the last few weeks, have been tough, working extra shifts. I thought I would call it an early evening and get some much needed rest." "But it's only 6:00 pm!" Denise exclaimed, a trace of shock evident in her tone that anyone would consider retiring so early. "Why not at least meet somewhere for an hour or two?" "With you?!!!" Natalie snorted. "Yeah, what would be the harm in that?" "What a loaded question, Denise," she said. "It seems to me that the last time we got together, there was a lot of harm done." "Only to your head." "Only!!!!" She exclaimed. "I could barely drag myself out of bed for the 9:00 am seminar. Every inch of my body hurt." "Oh, don't worry I won't do that to you, tonight, Natalie. I had something else in mind," she said casually. "A quiet evening at the Hotel Plaza Athenee. A brief get together for a few drinks and I promise you'll be in bed by 10:00 pm." An evil smile spread across Denise's face. Whose bed she would be in by 10:00 remained to be seen, but if things went according to plan… "The Plaza! That's on the Upper East Side." Natalie was saying, her voice tinged with both surprise and disappointment. "Couldn't we go somewhere closer to here? Somewhere in Midtown?" Denise took a deep breath. Here goes nothing, she thought with a touch of guilt and plunged ahead with the other lie. "No, `fraid not," she began. "Because Greg will be leaving for Detroit tomorrow and this is the only opportunity for you to meet him." "Greg?" Natalie paused, her brows knitting in puzzlement then her face relaxed as comprehension dawned. "Oh no, Denise!" She groaned. "Another, this-is-the-one boyfriend?" "Yeah, as a matter of fact he is." She replied, trying to sound as indignant as she could. "We've been seeing each other for a year now and it's becoming serious." "Really!" She said, her voice filling with skepticism. "Yes, really!" Denise replied, still sounding indignant. "He's a wonderful guy and I'd love for you to meet him. It would really mean a lot!" "Well…" she hedged. "I suppose I can't pass up the chance to finally meet your Mr. Right." "Good, so you'll come?" Denise's tone sounded hopeful. "Yeah, I'll meet him," Natalie agreed reluctantly. "Okay then!" She voiced, jubilant. "I assume, he's meeting us at the Plaza?" "No…actually, he's staying there and would like us to come up to his suite on the fourth floor." Natalie let out a heavy sigh. She really wasn't in the mood to do this at all, but to meet in someone's suite was too much. "As I recall, from the last time you took me there, there's a bar off the lobby. Why can't we meet him there?" "Because I know you detest cramped smoke-filled bars, so I suggested we meet in his room. Besides," she added. "It's more quiet and spacious there." "Ooookay…" Natalie agreed once more in the same reluctant tone. "Just give me about an hour and I'll meet you downstairs in the lobby, then we can share a cab." "Umm…Natalie." She sounded hesitant. "I'd love to do that, but I told Greg I'd be there in about 30 min., so if you don't mind, I'll meet you there. Just come on up to the room. It's 414." "414." Natalie repeated into the phone. "Okay, got it." "And Natalie?" "Yeah?" "Be sure to wear something sexy." Damn! She stopped talking, and her face filled with horror. Sexy? Had she actually said that? How could she be so thoughtless? Now she was going to blow the whole thing. Her heart began to race. "Sexy?" Natalie asked sounding totally baffled. Denise could hear the confusion in her tone and her heart began to race even more. Think fast Mayfield. What to say? "Oh did I say sexy?" She asked, her voice amazingly calm. "Gee, I guess Greg has me under such a spell; half the time I don't know where my mind is these days. What I meant to say was something elegant." "But I thought this was suppose to be casual?" Natalie went on, sounding more bemused by the minute. "Yeah, casual elegance," she corrected. "After all, Nat, this is the Plaza we're talking about." "Okay, makes sense to me, so what if I wear black dress pants and a festive blouse?" Natalie asked. "Will that do?" "Perfect," she said approvingly. "So I'll see ya in a little while. Okay?" "Okay," Natalie paused. "One other thing, though, before you go." "What is it?" She asked uneasily. "You didn't tell me Greg's last name?" "Greg?" A slight panic-stricken tone crept into her voice. Oh my gosh! She had forgotten to give her his last name and didn't have one prepared. "Yeah, remember, Mr. This-is-the one?" Natalie was chuckling. "Or have you already forgotten him." "Oh yeah, as I said before I don't know where my mind is sometimes." She laughed nervously. Think, Mayfield. A name. You need a name. Her eyes began a frantic search of the bathroom shelf, as if the answer were there. "It happens to us all." Natalie was saying as Denise's eyes continued to scan the items on the shelf. Hurry, Mayfield. Think of something!!! Suddenly, her eyes rested on a jar, and relief overcame her. This would do! She grabbed it. "His last name is Nivea." She blurted out. "Nivea?" Natalie's eyes narrowed. "Like in the cold cream? What kind of name is that?" Her tone was skeptical. "Ummm…not sure…" Denise hesitated, floundering, feeling panic rise once more within her. She turned the container around in her hand, and her eyes caught the fine print at the bottom. Made by the Beiersdorf Corporation. She smiled and said glibly. "I think he said his father's side was German or something like that." "Interesting…well, I can't wait to meet him." "Okay, so I'll see you in an hour?" Denise asked, her voice hopeful. "All right, see you then." Natalie hung up the phone and shook her head in perplexity. Nivea? What a name? Oh well…she'd heard stranger ones. Shaking off her bafflement, she headed for the bathroom and a quick shower. ************************************* To Be continued ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/5qMolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 09/15 Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2004 19:45:14 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimer in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 09/15 ************************************* The elevator came to a stop on the fourth floor, and as the doors opened, Natalie emerged with a wary look on her face. On the way over in the cab, she'd puzzled once again over her earlier conversation with Denise. As conversations went, Natalie had to admit; it was one of the oddest she'd had with her friend. Normally, calm, cool and collected, Denise had been totally the opposite on the phone, sounding uneasy, uncomfortable, and at times, downright alarmed. What was going on? What or who could be the cause of her unusual behavior? Greg? She wondered. Was it possible? In the past, men had never had any kind of effect on Denise. She had always been able to maintain her poise around the most charming creatures of the male race, always remaining self-composed around them. In fact, most of the time, a man would lose his composure around her, finding himself being her beck and call guy. Well…Natalie supposed it only took one man to turn a composed, self- reliant woman into an irrational, dependent, needy basket case. Take her for example. Before she'd met Nick, she'd been a lot like Denise: independent, strong-willed, and definitely immune to the spell of the opposite sex. And yet, it had all changed six years ago when Nick had risen from her table, looked at her through his beautiful angst-ridden peepers, and told her in a deeply sad and forlorn voice that he was dead. That's all it took. After that, she was no longer the same Natalie Lambert, and over the next six years, Nick's charm and allure slowly changed her into a needy, emotional wreck of a woman. Well, no more! She thought with a determined nod. From this moment on, it was back to being self-reliant, non co-dependent Natalie Lambert, a strong woman taking back her life. The elevator bell dinged, and suddenly recalling to why she was there in the first place her eyes drifted over to the far wall, to gaze at the room numbers. As she glanced over them, she heard the elevator doors open followed by a burst of laughter. Drawing her eyes away, Natalie saw a young couple emerge, their faces flushed with happiness. She watched as they turned to face each other and exchange loving gazes. A sharp pang went through her and her face began clouding over with thoughts of what could have been. No, Lambert! Don't go there! Shaking off the growing regret, she dragged her eyes away from the retreating couple to study the numbers. It took her only a moment to discover the room was to the right. She turned, and began to make her way down the lengthy hallway. As she strolled by the rooms, she couldn't help but notice that each entranceway had two stylish brass sconces around a white six-paneled door. A door, which undoubtedly led into a room of ultimate luxury, one that she'd always felt uncomfortable lapping on herself. She'd grown up in a middle class home, with an austere upbringing, being taught that frugality was the most important thing in life, and money should only be used on practical items and services. Well…there was no room for frugality, and austerity in this place, she surmised pragmatically, as she finally came to her destination, stopping abruptly in front of the door. Instead of reaching over to knock right away, Natalie paused to glance down and give herself a fleeting examination, checking for any unflattering wrinkles in her black silk pants and deep crimson red blouse. Seeing no visible creases, she looked up, and tapped on the door. Natalie stepped back and waited. A moment passed and no one appeared. She knocked again, more firmly this time. Another minute seemed to go by and again nothing. Puzzled, she glanced up at the numerals on the door. Yep! 414! She had the right place. So where was everybody? Inclining her head, Natalie pressed her ear against the door, trying to pick up any voices. At first, she heard nothing, but after a second or two, she could distinctly make out approaching footsteps. Yes! Someone was definitely there! Natalie straightened, and taking a step back, waited expectantly for it to open. But once again, nothing happened. Now, her bafflement was turning to irritation as she knocked, this time with more force than ever. "Hey, guys, this isn't very amusing," she called out. "Denise. Greg. I know you're in there. I can hear you. Please, enough already. Let me in." Natalie stopped knocking, and leaning against the door once more, listened. This time, there was a faint rustling sound, and as she pressed her ear closer, she could tell it was nearby. Someone was standing next to the door, but for some odd reason whoever it was, wasn't going to let her in. Why? Did she have the wrong room? Had she heard Denise incorrectly? As her mind began to recall the conversation with her friend over an hour ago, Natalie was positive Denise had told her room 414. Then what was going on? And why wouldn't they answer her? Fuming now, with her hand clenched in a fist, Natalie began to pound on the door. "Hey, open up," she demanded. "I can take a joke like the next guy, but this isn't funny. I know you're next to the door. I…" "Go away!" Came a deep, baritone, definitely, male voice through the door. Natalie jerked back, feeling slightly offended. After a moment, though, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Look, are you by any chance Greg Nivea?" "No!" She jumped, his stern reply startling her. Whoever this guy was, he certainly was rude. Her temper flaring, she struggled to go on in a calm manner, "Are you acquainted with him, because you see…this is rather embarrassing, but I was suppose to meet some friends in this room for drinks and I'm pretty sure this is the number they gave me. I would return to the hotel desk and ask the clerk, but I know it would be futile because they aren't allowed to reveal patron's room numbers, so I'm at a loss as to what I should…." Suddenly her words faded, as his voice came back at her. "Natalie?" He sounded confused and surprised. Her brows knitted into puzzlement. How did this guy know her name? She'd been careful not to give it out. "Yes…" she began warily. "That's my name, but how did you…" Natalie's words were cut off, as the door swung open. Her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. "Nick?!" she exclaimed. Nick didn't answer as he looked at her in astonishment. How could he be here? Natalie thought. He was gone, right? She leaned forward, and studied him more closely, her eyes squinting in the dim light. Then suddenly, she jerked back. It was Nick! He was actually here in the flesh. With growing concern, however, she noted that he was a disheveled mess. He was wearing nothing more than his black silk pajamas. His pajama top was opened halfway down the front, and with one sleeve slightly off his shoulder, the fine blond hairs and taut muscles on his chest were quite visible to her. His hair was longer since the last time she'd seen him and a tousled mess. Unable to resist the urge, she took a step closer to him, and immediately smelled the mixture of wine and blood on his breath. And was that an amber glow she'd caught just now in his eyes? Oh Nick! What happened to you? Disheartened, she started to reach up and touch his cheek. In one swift movement, he caught her wrist, stopping her, his stunned expression vanishing quickly from his face. In its place, the stoic mask she'd come to know so well appeared. "Natalie. What are you doing here?" Natalie caught the guarded aloofness in his voice and her heart sank further. Oh no! He wasn't wasting any time erecting that barrier between them. Well, if that's the way he wanted it, two could play at this game. "What do you mean, what am I doing here?" She shot back in an indignant voice. "What are you doing here?" "I've been living here for the last few weeks," Nick explained. There was a slight slur in his voice as he spoke and it didn't escape Natalie's notice. Her eye's narrowing, she began to look over his shoulder and into the room. She could see there were bottles strewn everywhere, over tables and chairs. There didn't seem to be a spot left untouched, and upon closer scrutiny, she could see that some of them were marked with a special label. Human, no doubt! Natalie turned back, swallowing down her anger and disappointment. "Is that what you call living, Nick?" She asked. "I'd say if you've been living at all, it's been very much on the edge." Nick's body tensed at her words and instinctively he moved to bar her way into the room with his arms. "If I'm living on the edge, it's my concern isn't it, Nat?" He asked with a glare, specks of amber flashing in his blue eyes. "Besides, don't worry, a few drinks won't destroy me. It's not like I'm going to die of cirrhosis of the liver." He paused and emitted a bitter laugh. "It takes a lot to bring our kind down." Natalie heard the self-loathing in his voice and it stabbed at her heart. It was all she could do not to reach over and try to touch him again…to reach out to him somehow and tell him that everything would be all right. Instead, she swallowed hard and spoke up in a calm tone. "Nick, do you think we could have this conversation inside?" Nick's face darkened. "We aren't going to have any conversation," he said, suddenly sounding sober, his speech no longer slurred. "You're going to leave." "Nick!" Her eyes went wide with surprise, as she tried to shield the hurt at his continual gruff manner. Again, logically, she understood what he was trying to accomplish: It was his way of distancing himself from her for her own safety and welfare, so he could retreat with a clearer conscience back into his dark world. But, emotionally, it hurt. "I'm sorry, Nat," he said. "But right now isn't a good time. It's too dangerous for you to be around me. I've…" he floundered, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. "I've had too much to drink." "I know you have," she said. "But I'm worried about you Nick. You need to talk to somebody. You can talk to me. Look, I'll just stay for a little while and even though I know you would never hurt me, I promise to stay away from you." Her voice, so gentle and caring, so full of love, was shattering his heart. He hated doing this to her! When Nick had opened the door and seen her, he'd wanted nothing more than to sweep her up in his arms and never let go. To say the hell with it…let the chips fall where they might, throw caution to the wind, and go for it. But reason had quickly returned, and with it, his staunch resolve to sever his ties with her once and for all. And sever them he would! Before anything happened to her. "I'm fine," he said, sharply. "Just leave." "No you aren't!" She crossed her arms and looked at him with sudden defiance, her eyes blazing. "And I'm not going to leave until we talk and I get some answers." Nick felt his heart beat with one loud thump in his chest. Oh, she was so beautiful…when she was this way…so determined, so courageous… so full of life. A smile began to tug at his lips and he could feel his resolve cracking. "Okay, Nat," he said. "You win. But…" He held up a warning finger, his face creasing into sobriety once more. "Just for a few minutes." Natalie uncrossed her arms and nodded. "Okay." His expression still severe, he dropped his arms from around the doorjamb, and stepped aside to let her pass. Natalie started through when the heel of her shoe caught in the tread and she stumbled forward. Catching herself, she jerked back but not before brushing up against Nick, ever so slightly. She froze, her breath catching. Great Lambert. Not more than a minute ago, you said you'd keep your distance and now look what you've done. You've probably blown it. Fearful of Nick's response, Natalie was hesitant to look at him, only finding the strength to stare at the golden hairs and taut muscles on his chest. An eternity seemed to pass before she heard him speak, "Natalie, look at me." His voice sounded calm. She thought. Maybe he wasn't angry after all. Tentatively, she raised her head to peer at him. A surprised gasp escaped her lips. His blue eyes were locked on hers, staring fiercely at her with intense longing. In seconds, desire flared like a lit match within her and she felt an immediate wet release. Nick's nostrils flared then his lips curled into seductive grin and Natalie knew he could sense her arousal. A shudder raced through her. Oh, how she wanted him and loved him. Well…she thought…so much for taking back her life. Yeah, right. In her dreams!!! Natalie watched Nick take a step closer, his gaze fixing on her lips, and sighed as she felt his hands on her cheeks. Her eyes closed, and her lips parted in anticipation. In her mind, she could already imagine how it would feel kissing that sensuous mouth again, exploring, tasting, feeling his touch once more, caressing her, his fingers dancing across her flesh, making her shake with desire, and hunger for more. His cool breath was now whispering across her skin and another shot of desire raced through her. He was so near now… Oh how she wanted him craved him…to be lost inside of him…give herself over to him …to be taken… Abruptly, she felt his hands leave her face followed by a whirl of cool air and, with a heavy sigh, knew he was gone. Opening her eyes, she saw with regret that Nick had moved behind a sofa, his eyes averted downwards and away from her. No doubt, he was trying to hide his beast from her. The vampire. If only she could make him understand that he didn't need to; she loved all of him. After some time had passed, Natalie watched him lift his head, and to her surprise and joy, saw the longing still on his face. Encouraged, she took a step toward him, but stopped, when flashes of amber began to glow in his eyes. "It's best you keep away from me, Nat," he warned. His expression was severe but she could hear the gentleness in his tone, and it filled her with hope that not everything was lost between them; there might still be a chance. Natalie flashed him an encouraging smile. "Okay, Nick." With conscious care, she began to make her way towards a nearby sofa. "Would it be too much to ask for a glass of water?" She asked a moment later when she'd settled down into the soft confines of the couch. "I'm awfully thirsty." Nick's lips curled into a slight grin. "Sure," he said. "I'll be right back." For a second or two, Natalie watched him head towards the kitchen. Then turning away, she allowed her eyes to drift over the room. She could see now that the place looked worse than she'd first thought. Along with the assortment of bottles, clothes were strewn everywhere, over the backs of chairs and on tables. And, as her eyes continued to scope the room, her nose began to pick up staleness in the air as if the place hadn't been cleaned for weeks. Nick has probably been keeping the maids away with hypnotism. She thought, her brows creasing into a disappointed frown. "Here you go," came a sudden voice beside her. Natalie looked up to see that Nick was holding out a glass to her. Quickly, Natalie wiped the reproachful look from her features, and forced a smile to her face. "Thanks," she said, taking the offered drink of water and setting it on the coffee table. "No problem." Nick turned, his eyes darting over the room. "I would have cleaned up the place if I'd known I was going to have company." Natalie watched him swing back to face her. His expression was a mixture of embarrassment and sobriety, and again the desire was there to comfort him. "Hey, it's okay," she soothed, and reaching over, tried to grab his hand, but in one swift movement, he jerked back, eluding her grasp. Hurt and disappointment swept over her as she watched him retreat into a chair across from her. Natalie took a sip of water and struggled to go on in a lighter tone, "Anyway you should see my place sometimes. Pretty frightening. There have been times when I've even found Sydney under my bed wolfing down partially eaten food, left there for who knows how long." "Nat, I've seen your apartment," he said. "You're one of the most meticulous people I know, but just the same thanks for trying to make me feel better." He gave her a sweet, tender smile and her heart leapt into her throat. With one look…one gesture…he could flip her emotions in seconds. "Hey, what are friends for, if not to give each other a boost now and then." "Yeah," he went on. "But I think in our case, you were the one giving me the boost and not the other way around. You were always my rock of support." Again, that beautiful warm, tender smile that always left her weak in the knees. Natalie, struggling to maintain her composure, went on. "We were for each other." Her eyes fixed on him evenly, her meaning clear. "I suppose…" The words hung in the air for a second as she watched his smile fade into that professional facade she knew so well and heard him speak up once more, "Nat what was it that you wanted to talk about?" At his question, Natalie turned away to look out the window at the dark skyline, gathering her thoughts. After a moment, she looked back at him. Nick was staring at her expectantly. She took a deep breath, and spoke up, "For one thing Nick," she began. " The last few weeks I've been trying to understand your motives for leaving Toronto, the police force, everything that we were working towards to find a cure…everything that we had…" "Oh Nat…" he began in that long-suffering tone she'd come to hear frequently over the years. That `You can't begin to understand, you're only a mere mortal, it's never going to work, oh why oh why, do I even bother to go on, maybe I should just meet my first sunrise in eight centuries' voice. Well enough already, she thought. I'm not going to let him continue. Natalie held up her hand. "No, let me finish," she said, and paused to set down her glass on a nearby table. "I keep telling myself that whatever your reasons were you did it because you thought you were doing the right thing, that it was for the best." "And it was, Nat," he said vehemently, giving her a severe look. "But, Nick can you honestly say, it was?" She asked. "You had a setback…a major one, but it wasn't something you couldn't have pulled yourself out of." He dropped his gaze, and began to rub one of his thumbs in the palm of his other hand. "Maybe I didn't want to," he murmured, his voice filling with apathy. "Oh don't give me that crap," she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger. "I've seen you drag yourself back from far worse setbacks. You just didn't try." His head shot up to stare at her through defeated eyes. "What was the point of trying anymore, Nat? I am what I am and nothing is going to change that. There is no cure for me," he smirked. "No magical potion!" "We don't know that for certain," she countered. "I know my recent attempts haven't produced any possibilities for a cure, but it doesn't mean that there isn't one on the horizon." "On the horizon?" He looked at her incredulously and shook his head. "Oh Nat!" His acrimonious tone cut sharply into her nerves and fear began to surface. She forced it back and went on with stubborn determination. "You shouldn't have given up Nick. I'm sure that I could have found something. You just needed to have a little faith." "Faith," he scoffed. "Faith is something that I lost centuries ago." "I don't believe that Nick," she said. "And neither do you." Her tone was stern, her eyes blazing, as she watched uncertainty flicker across his face. For a moment, renewed hope bubbled up within her, but it soon dissolved when he finally spoke, "If I do have faith, Nat, it is in the knowledge that this beast is always going to be there, waiting to bring death and destruction to some innocent soul if I'm not careful. For the last century, I've been deluding myself into thinking it could be conquered, that there could be a cure…a bright light at the end of my tunnel of darkness. Well, no more!" His fist came down hard against a coffee table, and Natalie jumped. "I finally have come to my senses and realize my dream of becoming mortal was just that… a dream. It was nothing more than an illusion." His voice, full of incredible despair and hopelessness, ripped at her heart, and tears formed in her eyes. With perseverance, though, she blinked them back and went on, "I don't believe it. Your quest is real, Nick and although I haven't been able to make you human physically, you are already there emotionally and mentally. For though you may not see it, you show incredible human compassion and empathy and your moral conscience outshines any evil that you profess having within your soul. Bottom line, you're more mortal than most mortals I know. And…sometimes…" she choked as a wave of emotions assaulted her and her vision blurred through unshed tears. "The pain and hurt cuts like a knife…ripping through me to know that you don't see all of this…see the good…honorable man I fell in love with. Whom I'm still in love with and probably always will be." Her voice cracked, and the raw emotions she'd strived so hard to contain for the last month roiled to the surface. Tears began to roll down her face and looking away from Nick's unreadable expression, Natalie clamped a hand over her mouth, in a last ditch effort to quell her pain. But it was to no avail. A sob welled up inside her, and a moment later, erupted from her lips, echoing around the dimly lit room. The wall around Nick's heart was splintering quickly with Natalie's words, but when he heard her anguished wail it crumbled completely. In one swift movement, he was beside her, gathering her up in his strong arms, pressing her to him. She collapsed into the comforting haven of his arms, letting the tears fall onto his pajama top. His heart aching, Nick began to rock her back and forth. "Ssssh Nat, don't cry, mon ange…don't cry…" For a long while, he went on talking, whispering into her ear, his endearing words filling her with immense comfort, calming her, warming her heart. After a time, as her cries began to ebb away, she lifted her head from his saturated top and looked into his eyes. He cupped his hands around her face and began to run his thumbs over her cheeks, wiping more tears away. "You're right, Nat I don't see the same truths you see in me. But there is one truth that I do hold, here in my heart." He pressed her hand to his chest. "I love you very much…in fact…" He swallowed hard. "So much so that at times it hurts with the intensity of it…" Natalie watched blood tears spring from his eyes, and reaching up, wiped them away. At the same time, she felt more of her own fall onto her cheek. Nick leaned forward, and began to brush his lips over them, kissing each away. After a time, he pulled back, his thumbs caressing her cheeks once more, his eyes sweeping over her face, so full of love for her. She sighed against him, and with mounting anticipation, watched as he sought out her lips, finally covering them with his own. At first, his kiss was sweet and gentle as he relished the taste of her, savoring the closeness of being with her again. But as the passion rose quickly between them, it became more intense, and with soft nibbles, he captured one lip then the other between his teeth, sucking and tugging gently until, with a breathless whimper, Natalie parted her lips, opening up to him. Without hesitation, he plunged into her warmth, tasting and savoring every bit of her with a desire and need that bordered on desperation. Every nerve in Natalie's body was on fire as she found herself reciprocating with the same hunger. Wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers toying with his hair, she began to slide backwards, bringing him down on top of her. Nick pressed against her and she could feel his arousal, rubbing against her thigh. Oh he felt so good. If only this moment could last forever. Instinctively, Natalie began to move her body in a slow, languid movement around him. Nick groaned and, unable to hold back another second, his fangs descended. Her tongue moved seductively over them, feeling their sharpness. A low growl erupted from Nick's chest. He knew he should put a stop to this dangerous game, but he couldn't. She felt so wonderful…so warm…and he'd wanted her for so long. Nick molded his body closer to hers and suddenly felt her impale herself on a canine. He started to pull away, but Natalie held him firmly to her, as the droplets of blood cascaded down onto his tongue, then his throat. In an instant, her love swept over him and strangely for the first time, he felt buoyancy as if some light had begun to burn once more within him, caressing him from the inside out, cradling him, and warming him. Then, slowly images began to form in his mind. Pictures of…. Nick's eyes popped open. It couldn't be! It was impossible! All at once, he drew away and looked down at her, incredulous. "Nat?" Natalie reached up with her hand, running it down his cheek. "What?" Her eyes fixed on his in a knowing smile. Nick stared back, and swallowed hard. "You're pregnant?" ************************************ To be continued Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkNN/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DarkNN-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: [DarkNN] A Bed of Roses 10/15 Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2004 19:51:21 -0000 From: "Patricia" Reply-To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com To: DarkNN@yahoogroups.com Disclaimer in Prologue ************************************* A Bed of Roses By Patty Costantino/psmoot43@hotmail.com Chapter 10/15 ************************************* Natalie's smile broadened. "As a matter of fact, I am." Nick's eyes dropped to her stomach. "We're going to have a baby?" His hand moved across her belly, and Natalie could hear the wonder in his voice. She sighed contentedly. "Yes, we are Nick." Removing his hand, Nick drew his gaze back to her. Natalie could see fresh blood tears in his eyes as he gave her the most brilliant smile she'd ever seen. Joy and happiness, such as she'd never known, washed over her. A tear broke free to cascade down her cheek. Nick leaned over and wiped it away then gathering her face in his hands, kissed her. Unlike earlier, the kiss was not filled with spine-tingling passion, but was soft and caressing, the kind she'd found she'd liked the best, knowing that it signified just how much he cherished her. After a time, Nick cupped his hands around her face, and drew away, looking at her in amazement. "This is unbelievable. How could this happen?" "Well…" She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling a little warm and knowing that her face must be flushed. "I think you know the answer to that question." "Yes I know, Nat." A boyish grin appeared on his face. "But it isn't possible for vampires to…umm…you know…" he faltered. "To have children." Natalie watched a pinkest hue creep up his cheeks and grinned. "Well… I guess you could say we beat the odd