Disclaimers: I don't own them, I'm not making any money off this, and I'll put them back when I'm finished.
Rating: R -- for implicit f/f sex
Feedback: yes, please send some!
Notes: This is part of "The Best Laid Plans" universe, although it takes place before the events in that story.  This is also my contribution to the holiday stories.  You can read this without having read "Plans" as long as you keep in mind that, in this universe, Janette and Natalie have been lovers for years, and have been manipulating events to hide their affair.

Special thanks to Lori Dehn for her invaluable asisstance as a beta reader, and for her much-needed second opinions!

Permission granted to archive at Mel's site and JADFE.

Un Joyeux Soir (1/01)
aka, One Merry Night
by Nymue

New Year's Eve, 1994

The Raven was packed to overflowing.  Vampires and mortals alike crowded the club, dancing and laughing and drinking as midnight neared.  For most of the vampires, this night was one of only many such they had seen over the years, but the joie de vivre of the mortals was infectious; considering this might be the last of such happy parties, they had, by unspoken agreement, decided to live and let live, as it were.

From her perch Janette watched the festivities below, at once amused and saddened.  The young ones had yet to fully realize how Lacroix's return would affect them.  They were used to the way she handled the Community; how many would move on, she wondered, when they discovered Lacroix's heavy-handed ways?

She was growing bored when she spotted a familiar face.  {Mon Dieu, is she mad? Lacroix could arrive at anytime, and if he discovered her ... } Motioning for Alma to take over the watch (just to be certain no one was sipping from the customers - it was bad for business), she threaded her way
through the crowd towards the bar.

~~~~~~~~~~

Natalie thought she was used to the hectic, often heady, atmosphere of the Raven.  On this night, however, she found her senses overwhelmed; there were bodies everywhere, and she reeled at the heat, and the smell of assorted perfumes mixing with alcohol and smoke.  {Really, Lambert, they can't actually see under your coat!}  Said coat remained buttoned and belted, despite the the
rising temperature, and some of the club's patrons were beginning to notice.  The extra, unwanted attention made her even more anxious, so when a cool arm snaked around her waist, she did what anyone else in her situation would do
--
she shrieked.

"What the hell -"

"Doctor Lambert, really, is it necessary to yell?" Janette asked, as she slowly moved Natalie away from the bar.

"Well," she answered faux-defensively, "it was a natural reaction."

"Then perhaps, in the future, you should work on controling your 'natural reactions,'" Janette told her as they entered the back rooms of the club.

Natalie pursed her lips.  "In other words, you want me to suppress my instincts," she teased with a mock-horrific look on her face.  "Janette, how could you?!"

But Janette was in no mood to be teased.  "Although I adore you instincts, cherie, where is your sense of self-preservation?  Lacroix could turn up here anytime.  I told you that months ago.  What were you thinking?!?  Or were you thinking at all?" she raged.

Despite Janette's scoldings, Natalie just smiled.  "Are you saying you aren't happy to see me?" she asked coyly.

Janette's face softened, and looked a trifle sad.  She *had* missed her lover these past few months.  They had not seen each other since Lacroix's return, and the separation had taken its toll on them in various ways.  If she looked carefully, Janette realized she could see shadows in Natalie's eyes, shadows that had not existed a few months ago.  "Non, I am *extremely* pleased to see you, cherie.  I wished you had used more caution and discretion, though; it is now much more dangerous for us to see each other.  Lacroix is almost always watching --he did not move into his own house until last week-- and when he is not watching, he is listening.  And you can be certain he has ... spies," she said the word distastefully, "within the club.  Very little I do escapes his notice."

Natalie looked disgruntled.  "Why? Why has he monitored your every move since his return?"

Janette sighed.  "Because, two years ago I refused to take sides in his quarrel with Nicolas.  I had my own reasons for not involving myself," she told her lover with a sad smile.

"Reasons ... namely me, correct?"

"You were part of it, yes, but I had other reasons as well.  I am tired of  being used as a pawn in their power struggle; years ago I relished my part, but now I grow weary of it.  I had fifteen years away from them both, and I've come to love the freedom and autonomy -- I no longer wish to return to the
ways of the past."

"And *that* would be because of me, hmmm?"

"Oui, cherie.  I only hope the crowd in the club tonight kept his spies from knowing of your presence.  And speaking of your presence, cherie, why *did* you come to see me tonight?" Janette asked.

"Why, to wish you a belated Joyeux Noel, and give you a present, of course," Natalie replied, pretending suprise at the question.

"Ma cherie, I have told you before that I no longer - "

"And," Natalie continued, cutting her off, "to tell you that, although this year hasn't been a bed of roses," Janette smiled wistfully in remembrance of that particular event, "we are once again approaching a new time.  I figure, as far as resolutions go, if we resolve to see one another more frequently
...
" she let her voice trail off.

"Cherie," Janette began, only to stop as she heard a cheer go up from the patrons in the club.  Midnight, then.  Taking a deep breath, she asked, "So, where is my present?"

In answer Natalie unbelted/buttoned her coat and let fall to the floor, leaving her gloriously nude expect for a small bell on a ribbon that hung between her breasts.   Reaching up, Natalie took the top of the bell and gave it a little shake; the little peals shattered the silence.

"Happy New Year, Janette," Natalie whispered, before turning to walk toward the bedroom.  Upon reaching the door, she tossed her head over her shoulder and suggestively asked, "Coming?"

A hundred thoughts flew through Janette's mind, a hundred reasons to stop this now, before they were interrupted.  Then she decided.  {To hell with them all!!   Lacroix, Nicolas, the Community -- they can all go for a walk in the sun for all I care!  Tonight is the first night of a new year - and I intend to start it in the best way possible!}

Smiling wolfishly, Janette joined her lover.

---END---

send all comments to: Josette@aol.com