Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 00:05:28 -0500 From: Vickiann Adams Subject: Song Challenge -- "Human Factor" SPOILERS I guess this is a song challenge / Forever Not story. It contains spoilers for Human Factor. The song is "A Time For Letting Go" by Michael Bolton. (As found on the CD _The One Thing_) Forgive me if the mood is somber. Comments, complaints, criticism, virtual coffee to adams015@wcsub.ctstateu.edu or emeraldct@aol.com Saying Good-bye. -an original story by Vickiann Adams (Contains the lyrics to "A Time For Letting Go" by Michael Bolton) The first rays of sunlight began to filter through the window. Although his tolerance was very high, Nick quickly shut the blinds. He didn't want to pretend any more, he'd lost so much and couldn't handle the game any longer. Sensing his visitor, Nick turned to face the mantel. He didn't want to talk to anyone -- especially her. Janette sat at the bar unsure of what to say. Lacroix sat watching his once daughter's uncertainty. He was glad to see her but equally worried by her depression. Her recent attitude was uncharacteristically Nick-like in many ways. On the other hand, Nick was being uncharacteristically un-Nick-like. The role reversal was hard to accept. Walking towards the mantle, she tried to hid the tracks of her tears. Nick turned, realizing there was no other solution. He pointed to the couch and offered his guest a seat. "Nat, please don't make this any harder." "I'm making this harder? You're the one leaving for no reason." "How could I stay? Tell me honestly?" "There has to be a way." " Just walk away. I'm going, and not changing my mind." Nat couldn't hide the tears anymore. As she walked to the elevator, the tears hit her like waves. Nick watched her leave without any real emotion. Everything was different, he wasn't Nicholas Knight any more. For the first time in more than a century, he felt like Nicholas de Brabant; he felt like a vampire. Janette just sat at the bar and dreamed of the past. Montreal, Richard, Patrick -- they all seemed like a different life. A different person. Numb, she felt numb. * * * * * Sometimes you find out what you wanted Isn't really what you need And the dream in all its promise Was never meant to be All your hope and desperation Won't make it like it was And you believe the pain will never pass Believe me in time it does * * * * * ^ ^ ^ You've gotta know when love is over You've got to learn to carry on And with the world upon your shoulders You walk away when hope is gone When your golden road has reached the end You find a way to start again you know There's a time for love and a time for letting go ^ ^ ^ Natalie sat in her car watching the couples walking in the park. She couldn't believe Nick was just going to leave after all they'd been through. How could he change so drastically that he could just give up his quest? There was something she didn't know; something he wasn't telling her. She wasn't ready to say good bye. Nat drove slowly back towards Nick's. * * * * * When you're standin' tall tomorrow Looking back at yesterday Through the memory of your sorrow How the dawn was so far away You'll be far beyond the shadows Where hearts can learn to shine And you'll realize the endless night Was only a moment in time * * * * * ^ ^ ^ You've gotta know when love is over You've got to learn to carry on And with the world upon your shoulders You walk away when hope is gone When your golden road has reached the end You find a way to start again you know There's a time for love and a time for letting go ^ ^ ^ Janette watched the last streaks of sunlight dry from the sky. She had to see him, had to talk to him. This had to be as hard for him as it was for her. Lacroix smiled as she left the building, he wanted everything to be right again. Nat spent most of the afternoon just sitting outside Nick's apartment. She couldn't find the courage to go inside. Realizing she had to work in less than an hour, Nat pretended to find her courage. She walked in through the stairs and entered unannounced. She was shocked by what she found. They looked up from the couch at the doorway. Janette realized the nature of the mortal's shock. Nick looked for a place to escape to with no avail. He was stuck in the middle of his past, present, and future and didn't know which way to turn. Janette stood, trying to relax Natalie. Nick didn't move, couldn't move. "Aren't you dead?" Janette smiled at her direct question. Natalie didn't like to beat about the bush. "No, Natalie, I am very much alive. Or should I say un-dead?" "But the fire? Weren't you . . ." Nick couldn't leave this on Janette. He stood up and walked between the two women. "Nat? Why I have to leave. Why I can't stay any longer. Damn it, Nat, I brought Janette back across. I couldn't let her die and she was too far gone to save her as a mortal. I had only one choice and only seconds to choose." Nat looked at the two vampires. Nick's expression was blank, he wasn't the same person anymore. Janette had a life in her eyes, she had the fire that was once so visible in him. Everyone realized things were different. Nick knew which of the two women he loved and was ready to live with all of his choices. Janette left the apartment, leaving Nick and Natalie alone, she would have forever to understand. "Nat, I didn't mean for you to find out." "Well, at least I understand the truth now." "Please forget me, Nat." Nat let the tears roll down her cheek unencumbered. A tiny piece of Nick's heart wanted him to go after her. The rest wanted his one true love. Nick watched from the window as Nat drove off. After a momentary lag, Nick left for the Raven. There were answers to deliver. "Janette, will you ever forgive me?" "Nicholas, You must know I will always love you. I just understand your quest now." "Janette, when I thought I was going to lose you I found my soul. I realized I love you more than I love myself. I couldn't go on without you. I'd rather be dead." Lacroix listened to his son's perverse logic. He didn't want to interfere in the reunion but couldn't keep him thoughts to himself. "Nicholas, isn't it ironic you found your humanity by reaffirming your role as a vampire?" "Nicholas, what you sought was something you could believe in. I needed something to believe in. In our own way we each found what we lacked and came back to each other. I guess it was always meant to be." * * * * * The night is long the night is cold With nothing to believe in Just hold on, cause life goes on Your new day is waiting, let go and let it begin * * * * * Natalie drove to the Raven still unable to let go, but was too late. She arrived to see Nick, Janette and Lacroix saying good-bye to the community. A happy family with nothing keeping them apart. As they took off for the future, Natalie realized it was time to let go and go on. She picked up her cell phone and made plans. Maybe it was time for a breakfast date, the dawn of a new day. ^ ^ ^ You've gotta know when love is over You've got to learn to carry on And with the world upon your shoulders You walk away when hope is gone When your golden road has reached the end You find a way to start again you know There's a time for love and a time for letting go ^ ^ ^ - - - A New Beginning . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There are people who make no mistakes because they never try to do anything. -- Goethe Cousin Vickie ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~