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Natalie looked up to see Nick's new partner enter the room. Natalie
liked Kelly. She reminded her a lot of Tracy, actually. She wondered if
Nick made the same connection.
"Natalie, do you have a minute?" Kelly asked.
"Sure, what's up?"
"Natalie, what's going on with Nick?"
"I don't really know, Kelly. Detective Knight is
no longer my number one priority."
"Oh." Kelly's eyes registered understanding.
"I thought it might be something like that."
"Like what?"
"Like he's a grouch because he's not getting
any."
Natalie fought the urge to tell her that he
hadn't got any, at least from her- no, too much info, she considered.
"Yes, we broke up. Having a hard time dealing with him?"
"Yeah, the mood swings are incredible. And
they say women are bad... He barely speaks to me, most days. His desk is
a mess. Last week he lost his pager. You know where he found it?
Under the paper work. He had me page him and followed the sound."
"Funny, I thought he might deal with this
by throwing himself into his work."
"No such luck. Actually, that sounds like
you. You seem to be handling it a lot better than he is. Was it mutual?"
"We both made decisions that simply made it
impossible to continue on together, " Natalie answered. "So, did
you suggest some time off?"
"I didn't have to, Reese threatened him with a second
suspension if he doesn't get his act together. Natalie, I know you guys
aren't together anymore, but If Nick gets written up one more time, I'm
gonna lose my partner. He can be such a good cop when he's on top of things."
"The best," Natalie agreed. "I'm sure he will be
fine, Kelly. Just give him some time. He's been through worse. Trust
me."
"I hope you're right. Thanks, Natalie. If
you ever want to complain. I'm here to listen."
"Bye, Kelly."
"Bye."
.................................
The next evening
Natalie looked at her watch. Just enough time
to go grocery shopping and fix a light dinner before heading to work. She
ran the errands and returned home. Lucien was there.
He was listening to it again. She could hear
the music from outside the door. She turned the key and entered. She liked
opera as much as the next person, but would he never tire of it?
She put the groceries away.Okay, so maybe it wasn't opera, but did it have
to be in Italian? Actually, that was part of the attraction for her to
this music. The concept of having absolutely no idea of what he was saying.
He could be singing about farm equipment for all she knew.
Natalie turned to look at LaCroix.
"Come," he said offering a hand. She took it and
he pulled her into his lap. "You look perplexed. Care for a translation?"
"I'm trying to decide. Okay, yes, please."
Voglio restare cosi
magari fino in fondo.
I want to stay like this
If possible to the end
Il mondo attorno ormai
non mi interessa piu
By now the world around
no longer interests me
Mi basta averti qui
e stringerti cosi
It is enough that you are here
and I hold you like this
Mi basta un gesto tuo,
un sorriso,
una parola,
A gesture from you is enough,
a smile,
a word,
e un attimo cosi
vale un'eternita
and a moment like this
is worth an eternity
Accendi un fuoco e poi
restiamo soli!
Noi.
Light a fire and then
let's be alone
Us.
"I see why you love this music so much and this song." LaCroix's only response was the one Natalie had hoped for. A long string of kisses. Each one deepening in its intensity. They would have to stop this soon, before things got out of control. La Croix was surprisingly good at retaining control, she knew, he wasn't the problem. She was another story. She withdrew and went to feed Sydney.
"You know, Natalie, it is not necessary for you to
work any longer. As my 'friend' you are welcome to enjoy life as I do.
Money is not really of concern to me."
"So I've noticed. But you work, Lucien."
"I enjoy myself. It's little more than a hobby.
In my time it was unheard of that a lady do anything more than entertain.
It was expected."
"LaCroix, as much as I enjoy being your lady, I
would very much miss the challenge of my job. I'm not exactly the soap
opera and bon bon type."
"Janette may be able to give you some tips
on how to occupy your time."
"How to max out your credit cards and drain
your bank account is more likely."
"She does have exquisite taste, you must admit,"
LaCroix said fingering the crushed velvet of Natalie's dress.
"Yes, well, if you behave while I'm gone, I'll bring
you home a doggie bag."
LaCroix winced at her choice of words.
"You needn't do the grocery shopping for me, my dear.
I am perfectly capable of selecting my own meals." He brushed her cheek
with his lips.
Knowing that if she changed into something more
practical for work in front of LaCroix, she'd be even later than she planned,
she excused herself to the bathroom.
Too late to lock the door, he stood in front of
her, helping her unbutton some of the many that ran from neckline to waist.
He carried her to the couch.The bed would have been so much better,but
neither was prepared for that as of yet. As their kisses intensified, he
moved to the back of her neck, lifting her hair with one gentle motion.
Her blood, coursing through her, sang to him.
"Natalie?" he whispered,"Would you allow me...?
I will not harm you." He felt her shiver and sensed her fear. "I
am not Nicholas." he reassured her. He ran his hand lightly down her arm,
shoulder to fingertips. Another shiver, but no fear. "Yes, Lucien." She
nodded.
His kisses trailed from the nape of her neck to
her lips and back. She moaned as his fangs descended, but true to his word,
he took but a taste and withdrew. She would never know it took all of his
willpower to do so, but he triumphed.
Natalie was releived but saddened when he stopped.
How long would it be until he asked her? What would she say? Did she still
believe vampires were evil? Had she ever? Things had changed. She
had changed. She kissed him again.Work could wait.
"I spoke to Nick yesterday," Natalie said.
"Yes?"
"Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought.
Evidently he's saving his dark side for his partner, Kelly. She and I had
a little talk."
"And what does his partner make of Nicholas'
brooding?"
"She knew it was because we broke up."
...........................
Soon after Natalie left, LaCroix entered the Raven. He observed his children in silence. He decided to ask Janette about the night in question.
"Janette, you were with him. What made you two leave Paris, so
early? I asked you to keep him away."
"All of the enforcers in the world, could not have kept
him away that night, LaCroix. We were having a perfectly wonderful
time and then suddenly he gets this look- and says we must leave. No explanation,
no reason- we just left, as suddenly as we'd arrived."
"I see..." He observed his son in silence.
He had the glimmer of what he'd long put away, centuries ago. Was he actually
killing again? LaCroix didn't know, but he seemed intent on seducing
everything wearing a skirt. His latest victim was a newcomer to the Raven.
Drowning his sorrows in an ocean of meaningless conquests. Natalie would
not be pleased. She need never know. He could tell her honestly that Nicholas
seemed to be having difficulties. She tried to feign indifference, but
he knew pain remained. It would have been so much simpler had he stayed
in Paris.
Janette looked at LaCroix. His expression was difficult
to read.Should she ask him about Natalie? Tell him about Nicholas? No,
she would remain the dutiful...granddaughter. She would however, talk to
Natlie. It was imperative. "LaCroix, I plan on
traveling for awhile. I want to speak with Natalie before I leave.
There is something we need to discuss."
"Oh? How to live with an ancient Roman
without tearing your hair out?"
"Something to that effect."
"Very well, she should be home now."
.........................
"Natalie, I had to come and see you before
I leave."
"What is it, Janette? LaCroix
called to tell me to expect you, but not why."
"How, exactly do you feel about LaCroix?"
Natalie was a little taken aback by the directness
of the question.
"I... I'm surprised he hasn't told you about
us. I thought he shared those kinds of things with you. He calls
you his children."
"Yes, Natalie,but when it comes to matters
of the heart.... well, I guess there hasn't been any since Fleur. And he
preferred to not speak of her either. No, I will get no such details from
LaCroix.
If you are reluctant to share such feelings with
me, I understand. We don't know each other all that well, I realize. Nicholas
is another matter. That is why I have come. Nicholas is certain that you
still love him, that LaCroix has hypnotized or seduced you in some way.
He says that you could never care for Lucien. Furthermore, he thinks
LaCroix has only taken you from him in revenge for Fleur. He thinks he
is incapable of love.
Natalie, I have seen Nicholas upset before. I know
what he's capable of. Please talk to him, let him know how you feel. If
he doesn't believe you, both you and LaCroix speak to him. The sooner he
moves past this, the better."
"You are running away from him?" Natalie asked.
"No, I simply don't enjoy his company when he's
this agitated."
"Won't you wait for him, until after I talk with
him? He may need consoling."
"Nicholas knows where to find me, he is my maker
now. I am a vampire reborn."
"Is the trip the second time around any easier?"
Natalie asked gently.
"In some ways, yes. I did get another chance
at mortality and those memories comfort me, yet they haunt me, too. I had
nearly forgotten the warmth of the sun without pain, the comfort and love
of a mortal man, the love and innocence of a child. Would it have been
better to forget entirely? I do not know. I cannot say....
I am off then, Natalie. Tell him."
"I will, Janette. And Janette, I do love LaCroix."
"I know," she said simply.
Natlie turned back to her work, so engrossed
was she that when LaCroix arrived an hour later, she hardly paid attention.
She checked the results again, and looked for a third time at the cells
through the microscope.
"Yes!!" she yelled. "I did it!" She felt like
dancing and singing. Sure it was only temporary, but still it was a start.
This one may last up to two weeks. With testing, she thought she could
even prolong it. Maybe as long as a month. Maybe one that could be repeated.
She yelled again.
LaCroix turned with interest from his reading to
the bedroom where the noise emanated. He had not been thrilled when she
had brought her work home, but it was her home.
He joined her. She leapt into his arms, beaming.
"I did it! I have it! The cure!"
His less than enthusiastic reaction was to
kiss the top of her head and feign interest in the specimen under the microscope.
"Nicholas will be pleased," he said finally.
"That's all you can say? Nicholas will be
pleased? How about way to go, Natalie or good job, Natalie. Your efforts
and hard work have finally paid off."
"I'm sure Nicholas will have all that to say to
you and more," LaCroix said. "So when will you go to him?" he asked.
Natalie sighed. She knew Nick wouldn't have
such a lukewarm response,but she'd been hoping for more from Lucien. Yes,
it was time to speak to Nick. She would take Janette's advice.
"Let's go right now," she suggested.
"No, Natalie. I'll not be accompanying you in this
endeavor. This is between Nicholas and yourself. Something you started
a while back."
Something about LaCroix's tone made her turn to face him. Yes,
there it was a fleeting look of .... sadness? What was he
thinking? She could only guess.
She would wait until tomorrow.
End of part (04/07)
Back to Part Three! / Onto Part
Five!
