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          Birthdays (1/2)
          By Nightlady
          A9 1998

          She had tried to ignore the date even though she knew that was impossible.  Tried telling
herself  that its other importance no longer mattered, if it had ever truly mattered.  No, she shook
her head. It HAD mattered and that is what hurt so much. Sighing she leaned back in her chair,
pushing the unfinished piles of reports to one side. Seven years, it had been seven years ago this
night.  She sat, remembering, and finally gave into the tears that had threatened all day.
 

          Her brief outburst over, Natalie Lambert went to the sink and washed her face, removing
the worst of the damage the tears had caused.  When she had come to, that morning not quite
two years ago, to find herself in the hospital she didn't think that she would ever know a deeper
despair. When her birthday had rolled around several months later she realized how wrong she'd
been. The reminder of the first time she'd seen Nick, the first time she'd started to fall in love with
him, spent without his presence had been so painful that she'd called in sick. She'd sat in her
apartment, cuddling Sidney and crying as she looked at the few pictures she had of them together.

          She remembered lying on the floor of Nick's loft, too weak from blood loss to move or
speak, and watching through slightly open eyes as LaCroix had plunged the long wooden
harpoon into Nick's back. She would never forget the cry of agony that had been torn from
Nick's throat or the feel of his body as he'd collapsed on top of her. The shock and horror of
what she'd witnessed had caused her to finally lose consciousness. For that she was grateful, she
couldn't have borne seeing Nick's body turn to ashes, not and kept her sanity.

          It had taken a long time before she had been able to vanquish her guilt.

          She had made him swear to stay with her, and when he'd thought she was dead he'd
fulfilled that promise in the only way he could. She often woke from nightmares in which Nick
waited for her, unable to find peace. How she had survived, she would never know. If Joe
Reese, concerned over how Nick would react to the news of Tracy's death hadn't come to the
loft, she would be with Nick. Instead he'd called an ambulance and modern medicine had saved
her.  She'd never revealed what had happened to her, but instead had made up a story of two
strangers who had attacked her. She claimed that Nick must have arrived after she had been
rendered unconscious. Nick was listed as a missing person, who was presumed to have been a
victim of foul play.

          She finished her shift and left, but not for home. Leaving the building a glance told her the
sun was just finished setting. Since that last night with Nick she only worked the day shift,
reaching her car she got in and drove toward the loft. She decided to go back this one last time
and, maybe, she could at last put Nick Knight behind her.
 

          LaCroix looked at his son and sighed. It had been over a year since he'd staked him, only
enough to incapacitate him, and taken him from Toronto.  LaCroix had been certain that a change
of scenery would be all that was needed to make Nicholas see how foolish his behavior had been.
Now here they were back again, once more in the loft where everything had gone so very wrong.
Nicholas had been more than difficult. Only LaCroix's vigilance had prevented Nicholas from
destroying himself on more than one occasion. Disgusted, LaCroix shook his head, all this over a
mortal.   This trip back to Toronto was a last effort to rouse Nicholas from his depression. Perhaps
if they could locate and visit Natalie Lambert's grave, Nicholas would be able to put her where she
belonged, the past.  Checking that Nicholas could not do any harm to himself in his absence,
LaCroix exited the loft just as the sun finished setting.

          Nat pulled up outside the loft and sat staring up at the darkened windows, except that they
weren't entirely dark. As her eyes adjusted, Nat could make out the faintest flicker of light, as if
the fireplace might be lit.  The thought that someone else might be living here had never entered
her mind. Curiosity replaced sorrow and she got out of her car. The alarm system was armed,
but to her surprise, Nick's old security code still worked. In the garage, the Caddy still sat, a
layer of dust showing how long it had been since anyone had touched it, or walked in here.
Heart thumping, Nat went to the stairs. Not knowing who was in the loft, she didn't want to
alert anyone to her presence by using the lift.

          Reaching the top landing, Nat peered carefully through the small window in the door.
Despite the dust and grime on the window, she could still recognize the familiar furniture inside
the loft. By craning her neck she could just make out the low fire in the fireplace. Hands
trembling, she found her key for the door and unlocked it.

          Nick sat slumped against the leather couch. He glanced dully at the manacles that held
him where he was.  After he'd tried to destroy himself for the third or fourth time, LaCroix
had the manacles custom made, insuring that they were strong enough to hold a healthy, well-
fed vampire.  The chains ran to heavy steel hooks that LaCroix had set into the concrete floor
of the loft.  Nick could see the key to them, sitting mockingly on the mantle. The past year and
a half had been the worst in Nick's long existence. The mere fact that he continued to exist,
having killed the only person he'd ever truly loved, was bad enough. That his continued
existence meant that he'd broken his word to Nat was even worse.  He was still determined to
finally fulfill his promise, and join her. When he slept, her presence haunted his dreams. He
both feared and longed for the dreams. Nat never condemned him in them, but he would
awaken from them with the emptiness in his soul so great that blood tears would stain his
pillow.  He chuckled bitterly as he realized the date. How ironic that LaCroix would bring him
back to Toronto today.  Nick closed his eyes. He imagined he could hear Nat's familiar
heartbeat, could smell the honey and spice scent of her. Red tinged tears slid down his cheeks
and a moan of despair, want and loss escaped his lips.

          Nat stepped into the loft. Scarcely breathing, she listened but heard only the soft
crackling of the fire. As her eyes adjusted she walked silently into the room. Memories of the
many hours she'd spent here with Nick flooded her mind. She trembled, her entire body aching
with the pain of loss. She had loved Nick, she still did. Without thinking, she moved toward the
leather couch and the fireplace.  She'd only taken a few steps when the slightest of sounds
caused her to freeze. Her eyes searched out the source and she gasped as she found it. She
could feel her heart thumping as the firelight showed her a figure seated on the floor in front of
the couch.  Blonde hair glinted in the firelight and as the person moved slightly she caught a
glance at his face. Her mouth opened but no sound emerged as she mouthed his name.
Suddenly the need to know overcame her shock and she moved quickly to stand before the
man.  Her breath came in gasps as she stared down at the one person she never expected to
see again.  She saw the manacles on his pale wrists and dropped to her knees, her hand shakily
reaching out to caress his face.  "Nick?" She whispered. As she touched his cool skin her tears
started falling.

          Nick opened his eyes; his mind thinking that he must be asleep as he looked into the
beloved face of the one woman he loved. He could feel the soft warmth of her hand on his
cheek, and hoped that he would never awaken.  Never before had she touched him in his
dreams, never had she seemed so real. He couldn't help himself, his hand raised toward her
face, only to be stopped short of it by the chain.  "Nat, I'm sorry. I tried to join you and I'll keep
trying. I love you. Please, wait for me." The fear that her touch was a goodbye to him caused his
words to tumble out. He had to make her understand that he had not voluntarily broken his
promise to her. The soft warmth of her hand on his cheek seemed so real. He looked stunned
as a tear coursed down her face and fell on his hand.   He scarcely believed his senses as he
found her lips on his own.

          Nat listened to not only the words, but also the pain in Nick's voice. She saw him reach
for her and how the chain prevented him from touching her.  She leaned forward and found his
lips, letting her kiss tell him her feelings. She felt him stiffen in surprise then respond with the
passion they'd shared that last night.  At last, needing to breathe, she broke the kiss.

          "Nick, where have you been! I thought you were dead!" Nat said, finally finding her voice.

          "I thought I'd killed you. LaCroix only wounded me. He's kept me a virtual prisoner and
I've been trying to die ever since." Nick said, unable to take his eyes from her. He longed to
hold her, to feel her body against his own.  "Nat, on the mantle, the keys."

          Nat stood and quickly found the keys. She dropped back down beside Nick forcing her
trembling hands to insert the key into the first lock. When his hand was freed, she felt his feather
touch on her face. Through tear blurred eyes she managed to undo the other lock. As soon as the
last manacle fell away she found herself in his embrace. One of his hands cradled her head as he
kissed her brow, her eyes, and her face before he again sought her mouth. The other held her
body tightly against him. She wrapped her arms around him, wanting to be as close to him as
possible.

          Nick at last reluctantly broke the kiss. Every nerve in him was screaming to make love to
Nat. Not the vampiric love he'd attempted the last time they were in this room, but the sweet
love of a man to a woman. He could feel his loins burning with the need to be buried in her
warm moistness. He shook himself. Even if they dared to try again, right now he had to get out of
here with Nat before LaCroix returned. After the past year and a half, Nick knew that he would
never again let LaCroix or anything keep him from Nat.  Holding her hand, Nick helped Nat to
her feet. "We have to get out of here, Nat. LaCroix thinks you're dead, he's out looking for your
grave."  Nick buried his face in her wonderful, silky hair as she clung to him.  "Oh Nat, I can't
believe you're really here!"

          Nat smiled. "I'm here my love, I'm here." She said her face pressed against his chest.

          "My, my how touching," LaCroix's voice sounded from the balcony.  "Dr. Lambert, I must
admit I'm surprised to see you."

End of part 1

Birthdays (2/2)
 

          Nick felt Nat stiffen slightly at the sound of LaCroix's voice. Giving her a reassuring look,
Nick pulled Nat close to him before he turned and faced his master. "I won't let you harm her,
LaCroix. I don't care what our bargain was."

          LaCroix looked coolly at Nick. The conviction that rang in his son's voice left no doubt in
his mind that Nick would die before allowing him near the aggravating mortal.  "I have no
intention of harming your precious Natalie, Nicholas. Why should I? The last time you seemed
well on the way to destroying her yourself." LaCroix saw the look of anguish that crossed Nick's
face at the reminder of his last meeting with Natalie Lambert.

          Nat could sense the pain that LaCroix's remark caused Nick. She leaned against him,
trying to let him know that she didn't blame him for what had happened. She squeezed his hand
and met his glance with a look of pure love and faith.

          "That won't happen, LaCroix. I won't harm her." Nick said, tightening his hold on Nat to
insure that she knew that he truly did share her faith, faith that they were meant to be together.

          "Perhaps," LaCroix said. "Tell me doctor, are you willing to trust Nicholas again? You
might not be so lucky again."

          Nat raised her head and all but glared at LaCroix. "Completely. What you have never
understood, LaCroix, is that Nick and I love each other. That means that we have faith in each
other, and trust."  She looked at Nick as she finished, her eyes shining with happiness. "I am
not afraid of Nick. I never have been."

          LaCroix snorted to mask his discomfort at her words. "We shall see. I'll leave the two of
you alone. Good luck, doctor, you may need it." Giving them a cold smile, he flew out through
the skylight.

          Nick relaxed as LaCroix exited via the skylight.  He turned to Nat, sadness in his eyes.
"He's right, I nearly killed you the last time. What if we try again and I do kill you?"

          "But you didn't and I have faith that you won't now. We were both upset. We were both
acting out of desperation." Nat stroked his cheek. "I still think we can be together. I still have
faith in you, in us. I still trust you, Nick and I've never stopped loving you."

          Nick looked at her. "You are .... the most remarkable...person I've ever known." He
said, punctuating his words with kisses.

          Nat smiled, "You're pretty remarkable yourself." She leaned against him as they
embraced. "Nick, I want to make love to you. Really make love."

          Nick hesitated. He wanted her more than ever, but he was still afraid of what his beast
might do. "Nat, I've just found you again. I don't want to lose you. What if you're wrong?
What if I can't stop?"

          "I don't care. If you lose control, bring me across." Nat looked at him.  "I've spent the
last one and a half years without you, thinking you were dead. I never want to be away from
you again."

          Nick nodded. "I don't want to be away from you either." He said, loosing himself in the
blue depths of her eyes.  "But this time I'm going to be better prepared." He went to the fridge
and taking out two bottles of bloodwine, opened them and began to drink.

          Nat picked up one and looked at it. Unlike Nick's usual sustenance, these bottles bore
labels.  "It's human?" She asked, softly.

          Nick nodded. "LaCroix refused to allow me anything else."  He looked at her waiting to
see her revulsion. Instead she regarded him calmly.

          "Good," she said, "then you won't be hungry." As he sat the second empty bottle on the
counter, she went into his arms.

          Nick held her for a moment and then bent his head to capture her mouth. His hands roamed
along her back, caressing and stroking her. He felt her mold her body against him, her hands
against his back, as a small moan of pleasure escaped her. He probed with his tongue, feeling her
lips part and her tongue meet his. He could feel his manhood hardening, but so far the beast was
quiet.  As he deepened the kiss, his hands found the buttons on Nat's blouse and he rapidly undid
them, slipping the fabric from her shoulders.

          Nat released Nick long enough to let her blouse drop to the kitchen floor quickly followed
by her bra. She pulled Nick's shirt out of his pants and soon had his chest bared. She again
pressed into him, feeling his cool firm flesh cause her nipples to harden. As Nick moved his lips
from her lips to her neck, she reached down, undoing his belt before unzipping his jeans.  Her
hand found his manhood, already swollen and took it in her hand.  Smiling as she felt Nick shiver
at her touch, she began to gently stroke him. She could feel her heart racing as Nick's skillful
mouth moved down to her breasts. She groaned with pleasure as he began to softly suckle first
one, then the other. She felt Nick's hands as they cupped her butt, massaging and squeezing the
soft cheeks.  Warmth started to grow in her womb as she gave in to the feelings his actions were
producing. Her legs were trembling and she clung to Nick. When he slid her skirt over her hips,
she stepped out of it, kicking off her shoes at the same time. She was now clad only in a garter
belt, hose and a small satin thong. She sighed as she felt Nick pick her up in his arms.

          Nick carried Nat over to the leather couch, and laid her on it. Sitting beside her, he undid
the garters, kissing her as he slid the nylons off each of her legs. His mouth followed his hands,
as he kissed and licked his way down each leg. The taste of her skin, and the warm musky scent
of her arousal, caused him to harden even more. The nylons off, he grasped the garter belt and
thong and eased them over her hips and off. He stood for a moment drinking in the sight of her
nude body. She was even lovelier than he'd imagined. Her full breasts with their dark nipples, her
smooth, flat stomach, and the curly chestnut colored thatch of her pubic hair caused him to ache
to posses her. He longed to feel her surrounding his cock. He removed his shoes and socks and
then stepped out of his jeans and underwear. As his eyes found hers, she smiled and held her
arms out to him.  He lowered his body to cover hers.

          Nat could feel her juices flowing as Nick finished undressing her. The soft leather of the
couch was smooth against her back and Nick's hands and lips traced velvety paths of
excitement wherever they touched her.  Her hands were touching any part of him they could.
At the look of love and desire on his face, she felt her own passion erupt into driving need. She
wanted him in her, wanted his body against her own. She felt a physical pang as he stood, her
soul aching for his nearness. She watched as he removed the last of his clothing, smiling with
anticipation as she saw his large, thick staff. When he came into her beckoning arms, she
realized that she was happier than she'd ever been in her life.

          Nick again kissed her, his manhood pressing against her warm skin. He nuzzled her neck,
behind her ear and the sweet space between her breasts.  He felt as if he was on fire as her
hands traced his muscles and lovingly kneaded his butt. As much as he wanted to taste every
inch of her body, his need to be in her would not wait.  He slid his knee between her legs, and
felt her part them for him. Kneeling between them, he lifted her hips slightly as she took him in
her hand and guided him to her opening. As the tip of his shaft entered her, a sensation like an
electrical tingle coursed through his body. He eased himself in her, not wanting to hurt her and
smiled as she pushed her hips upward seeking to take all of him inside her.  As he once again
turned his attention to her breasts he began to move inside her. She pressed up against him,
heightening the sensations. With ever increasing speed they rose in a passionate wave of
pleasure. Nat cried out as she came, her muscles contracting around him and her body shaking
with spasm after spasm of ecstasy.  As Nat's orgasm swept over her, Nick felt his beast rear
up, demanding satisfaction.

          Nat felt the warmth in her womb burst into a fire that filled every nerve in her body. She
cried out as the gratification she had sought so long was finally achieved. A cold, hard knot in
her chest seemed to unravel as they became one. As she looked up, she saw Nick's eyes
change to gold and his fangs drop. She realized that he needed her blood to reach his own
fulfillment. Unafraid, she pulled his head to her throat.  "Remember, Nick. I have faith in us,"
she said as she felt his fangs plunge into her flesh.  She once again experienced Nick's
memories, but this time she also felt his determination to not harm her. She concentrated on her
love for him and her faith and trust in him.

          Nick tasted the sweetness of Nat's blood, and found that her love was indeed stronger
than even the last time he'd drunk from her. As he savored the mouthful he felt his climax shake
his body. He also felt a warmth and peace that he'd been seeking for almost 800 years. He felt
human.  The strength of her love and her overwhelming faith that they were MEANT to be
calmed the beast. His eyes tightly shut with emotion, Nick could hear the strong steady beating
of Nat's heart and, with a sense of joy, removed his fangs from her neck and looked down into
her smiling face. His heart beat twice, as he saw the love in her eyes. He knew that she had
been right when she spoke to LaCroix. They did love each other and they did have faith.  Nick
understood now that with their faith and love, they could be together, forever. Still in her, Nick
shifted them until she lay snuggled in his arm.  As the sweet release of their lovemaking fade,
they lay quiet, softly kissing and caressing one another.

          Nat felt whole for the first time since the night she'd nearly died. As she gazed into
Nick's face, she smiled thinking that this was the best of all possible birthday presents. "Nick,"
she murmured, "do you happen to remember what day this is?"

          Nick stroked her hair and gave her a dazzling smile, "Yes, it's our birthdays." He saw her
puzzled look. "Your birthday because it was the day you were born, and mine because your
love and faith has given me a new birth and a new chance at life." He kissed her. "I love you
Natalie Lambert and I will love you forever."

          Nat looked at the joy and peace that infused Nick's face. "I love you, too, Nick and I
believe," she gave him a smile. "I have faith that we will find a cure and have all our dreams
come true as wonderfully as this first one has." Her face widened into a grin. "Happy birthday,
but don't think you're getting two sets of presents!" She teased.

          Nick looked at her soberly. "You are the only 'present' I'll ever want." He told her.

          Nat snuggled closer to him, her face calm and serene. The long nightmare was over and
she was where she belonged, and where she would stay, forever.

          The End