I would like to submit my story for archiving on your web site.

Wrapped Up, Tied Up
By Tyra 

This is my second fanfic, so those of you out there that said you liked the first, you are responsible for this!!  Huggers to all of you!  I'm posting this to both the fanfic list and the nnpacker list, I apologize to those who receive it twice!  I wrote this for two reasons: 1) I loved the song challenge that has been going around and 2) I love Jim Byrnes' music and wish to share it with everyone I can.

The song that was the inspiration for this little story was written by Jim Byrnes and Bill Runge.  The song is on Jim's "That River" CD.  For those of you who do not recognize his name, he is the actor that plays Joe Dawson on Highlander.  To get more info about Jim and/or his CD you can e-mail me or visit either his label's site: www.bandtogether.com or his fan club's: http://diversions.simplenet.com/jbfc/

DISCLAIMER:  The characters of Forever Knight are unfortunately not mine.  They were created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen and are owned by Sony/TriStar.  No copyright infringement was intended.  Also, no infringement is intended for the song 'Wrapped Up, Tied Up,' written by Byrnes and Runge.

Part two contains ADULT material.  If you are under 18, shame on you.. now go away!  If you don't like sexually explicit material, please do not read any further.  To those of you that like smut, read on, but be warned - it's my first attempt!

Wrapped Up, Tied Up (01/02)
Tyra 

     Nick was confused.  Women, mortal and vampire, throughout the ages had made him feel this way, but for some reason Natalie was able to do it better than anyone else.  He sipped his glass of cow's blood and pondered why she wanted to meet him at the Raven.  She had insisted that he meet her here.  He, on the other hand, had wanted to pick her up at the airport so he could see her sooner.  She had been in Las Vegas at a Coroner's conference for the last five days and he missed her.  She had even stayed an extra day so she could visit with a childhood friend that was a dancer in one of the floorshows.  Nick couldn't imagine what they had in common to talk about.  He had been to a few floorshows in his day, and well  it just didn't sound like Nat.
     "Nicholas, to what do I owe this pleasure?"  LaCroix smiled at Nick as he took the seat next to him at the bar.
     "I'm meeting someone here."
     "Hmm, could that someone be the dear Doctor Lambert?"
     "Yes."
     "Of course, that must be why she called and asked me to inform you that she will be delayed.  Her plane didn't arrive on time."
     "She called, HERE?"
     "Yes, asked to speak to me directly.  You can imagine my surprise.  I've never felt that the dear Doctor cared very much for me."
     "She asked for you?"  Nick's face was turning a slight shade of pink.  First, Nat wanted to meet him at the Raven.  Now, she was asking to speak to LaCroix.  He was going to have to speak to her about alcohol consumption and plane rides.  One's judgement, he thought, does become impaired after just a few in-air beverages.
     "Yes, me.  Maybe it's me she has a thing for and not you?" Nick growled.
     "Nevertheless, she asked that I buy you a drink for her."  LaCroix motioned for the bartender who brought Nick a glass of the house specialty.
     "LaCroix, that's not what I'm drinking."
     "Yes, I know, but it was what the Doctor requested.  I must be getting back to my listeners.  I hope you and the dear Doctor have a wonderful evening.  If she finds you too depressing, please let her know that I am ALWAYS available to service her."  LaCroix laughed wickedly as he left his bewildered son behind.  He needed to make sure the song Natalie had requested played upon her arrival.
        Nick picked up the glass of bloodwine in front of him.  He couldn't believe that Nat would want him to drink it.  The smell was intoxicating.  It had been too long since he had tasted anything besides cow.  The cow's blood kept his hunger at bay, but it took great control for him not to sink his teeth into Natalie's neck every time he saw her.  Maybe, she knew that.  Maybe, that's why she sent him the bloodwine.  And maybe he was just making excuses because he wanted to drink the bloodwine that was in his hands.
        He was holding the glass up to his lips, when he looked at the door and saw her.  Well, someone that looked like her.  Someone that had her hair and face but who dressed completely differently from his Natalie.  He gulped the bloodwine down as he surveyed the body of the beauty that gazed at him from the doorway.  Natalie smiled as she heard the song she had requested starting to play.

I heard the black widow spider, so quiet, so cool
Just being herself, you might find it cruel
It's not about what you want, its about what she needs
She's got the whole thing covered from A to Z

     She was clad in a black two piece suit.  The skirt was only knee length and appeared to have a slit clear up to  Nick's eyes were glued to the slit as he growled for more of the house specialty.  When he finally let his eyes travel upward; he saw the plunging neckline that offered him a view of something he could only describe as heaven, a soft, fully-rounded heaven.  The collar swirled around her upper arms, leaving her shoulders and neck bare.  He slammed his glass back down, leaving no doubt that he wanted it filled again.  Natalie moved slowly toward him.  A man, whose eyes devoured her body, started flirting with her.  Nick's blood boiled as he saw Nat flirt shameless with the man.  She even touched the sleeve of the intruder's shirt.  The glass in Nick's hand shattered.  Before he could think, he was out of his seat headed toward the pair.

She's got me wrapped up, tied up
All tangled up in her web
Wrapped up, tied up, all tangled up in her web
She's got me wrapped up, tied up, all tangled in her web

     He wanted to rip the guy's throat apart, but thought that the middle of the Raven might not be the best of places.  He settled for snaking his arm possessively around Nat.  Natalie looked up at him and smiled.
     "I'm sorry, it seems my date is here.  Maybe, we can continue this conversation at a later time.  I would just love to hear more about your waterbed."  Nat batted her eyelashes and smiled as they moved away from her would-be suitor.
     "What was that all about?" Nick demanded, his eyes golden with jealousy.
     "I was just enjoying myself.  I'm going to dance."  Nat announced.  She left Nick standing by the bar his arm still outstretched where her body had been just seconds before.

Boy, when you make the scene, you'd better show up
You ain't there to play kiss and tell and when you arrive
Best be right on time prepared to go under her spell

     Nick watched as Natalie slid onto the dance floor.  He couldn't believe the way she was moving her body, particularly her hips.  Before he could blink, there was a guy on each side of her.  He could feel his eyes turn red as he fled to the dance floor.  He felt possessed.  And possessive of her.  He didn't want another man's hips rubbing up against hers or another man's hands on her body.  The Raven was becoming a better place to rip someone's throat out by the second.

She's got me wrapped up, tied up
All tangled up in her web
Wrapped up, tied up, all tangled up in her web
She's got me wrapped up, tied up, all tangled in her web

     Nick squeezed his body between Nat and the dancer in front of her.  He didn't like where the guy's hands were traveling up to.  That was his heaven and no one else's.  He growled at the guy dancing behind Natalie.  Finally, he looked at Nat.  She wasn't his sweet Natalie.  She was replaced by a sex kitten that knew exactly how to make the tom cat in him obey her every whim, especially now that her hips were grinding seductively into his.
     Natalie looked deeply into Nick's golden eyes and whispered, "I'm going to the loft.  I'll meet you in the bed.  Clothing is optional, but you might want to pick up some more of the house special."  She entwined her hand into Nick's hair and quickly pulled his lips down to hers.  She explored every part of his mouth, her tongue gently caressing his fangs, leaving no doubt as to what she wanted.  Her free hand slid down his body.  The kiss was over almost as quickly as it had begun.
     Nat turned and walked toward the door leaving Nick dancing with a gentleman that was looking at him just a bit too longingly for Nick's taste.

There's no such thing as an innocent man
That's a fact she is able to prove
You try not paying attention or acting the fool
When this woman tells you to move

     Nick headed uncomfortably towards the bar.  LaCroix met him there.
     "Why is Dr. Lambert is leaving so soon?  What did you do to run her off?"
     "I didn't do anything.  I don't know what has gotten into her."
     "Perhaps, this will explain it.  It arrived this morning from Las Vegas.  Natalie asked me to give it to you after she left.  I'll have a crate of the house special sent to your loft.  No charge, of course."
     LaCroix handed Nick the letter and drifted back into the crowd.  He already knew what it contained.  Natalie had talked to him about it earlier that evening.  It seems her friend, the dancer, was also allergic to the sun in the same way as Nick.  She had answered most of Nat's questions and LaCroix had graciously answered the rest.  LaCroix was desperate to rid his son of his permanent depression.  The Doctor, though annoying, did always brighten his son's moods.  For quite some time, LaCroix secretly had hoped that she would become his granddaughter.
     Nick gazed at the short letter in his hands.  It was simple and to the point.  Had it not had Nat's signature at the bottom he would not have believed it came from her hand.
     "I have realized, in the past few days, that redemption comes in many forms.  And this form loves you, wants you and needs you.  NOW.  No more waiting, no more excuses."  Nick read it twice before he flew out the door and dived into the caddie.

She's got me wrapped up, tied up
All tangled up in her web
Wrapped up, tied up, all tangled up in her web
She's got me wrapped up, tied up, all tangled in her web

     Nick burst through the door and heard the steady heartbeat of the woman he loved.  He flew to the bedroom. He stared with open mouth at the beauty that was lying in his bed, her clothes on the floor.
     Nat just looked at Nick.  Enjoying the surprise she could see on his face.  She just tilted her head, crooked her finger, and motioned for him to join her.
     Sometimes, she thought, you just have to tell a man what to do.

Adult:

Several of you asked for this, so here it is - a sequel to Wrapped Up, Tied Up.  If you need the first story, please e-mail me and I will happily send it your way!  I make NO promises   This story is full of mushiness, smut and dark leanings - you have been warned!  Hugs to my beta partner in crime, LeAnn, whose encouragement brought this little offering to your mail box!   Be gentle readers.

Wrapped Up, Tied Up - The Sequel (01/02)

This was the scene when we last left our intrepid lovers in Wrapped Up, Tied Up:

     Nick burst through the door and heard the steady heartbeat of the woman he loved.  He flew to the bedroom.  He stared open mouth at the beauty that was lying in his bed, her clothes on the floor.
     Nat just looked at Nick.  Enjoying the surprise, she could see on his face.  She just tilted her head, crooked her finger, and motioned for him to join her.
     Sometimes, she thought, you just have to tell a man what to do.

     Nick was frozen, like a deer caught in oncoming headlights.  His mind raced with a million questions but as Nat sat up in bed and let the sheet fall away, the questions no longer mattered.  What mattered were his desires, her desires, their desires.  Too many nights he had spent pleasuring himself to thoughts of Nat's body entwined with his.  Nick's mind shut off and his primal instincts took control of his body.  Nat reached for him, their lips touched and his body slid down on top of hers.  The look in her eyes was one of love, but also of lust.
     Their mouths met with a hunger neither of them expected.  Nick's hands slowly slid down her body, resting on her full chest.  Natalie shuddered at his touch and kissed him deeper.  Her tongue exploring his mouth with increasing need.  Natalie broke away, her need to breathe overcoming her desires.  Nick smiled and buried his head in Nat's hair.  He could smell the roses and cinnamon that was her essence, but he could also smell her arousal.  He closed his eyes trying desperately to get control over the monster within him.  Natalie was kissing her way down his neck.  Nick groaned in approval.  The vampire was starting to surface.  Then Nat bit Nick's neck, hard.
     Nick's eyes flew open.  Quickly, he was drawn back into reality.  He pushed himself away from Natalie and across the room.
     "Nick," Natalie screamed.  She wanted him back.  She wanted to feel him pressed against her again.  "Don't.  Come back to bed with me."
     Nick shook his head and looked at Natalie.  The evening flashed before his eyes.  He could not believe that the woman, who was naked in his bed, pleading with him to come back and join her, was his Natalie.  "Natalie, what has gotten into you.  You've changed.  We shouldn't be in here together and we shouldn't be doing what we were doing."
     "Why not?"
     "Natalie, you know why not!"
     "No, I use to know why not.  Now, things have changed.  I have changed.  What I want has changed.  No, that isn't right, what I want hasn't changed, I've just realized what it is that I truly want."
     Nick's eyes were golden with desire.  He didn't know how much longer he could control the vampire, especially with Nat's naked body in front of him.
     Natalie stepped out of bed, her naked body gliding over to Nick, "I'll be right back, you need blood.  And I guess we need to talk."  She gently kissed Nick on the lips.  "I would much rather continue where we left off "
     Nick willed himself to become one with the wall.  He willed himself not to fly after Natalie and devour her and her body on the stairs.
     Downstairs, Nat opened the crate from the Raven.  Her body was still on fire from Nick's touch.  She loved the way his cool skin felt on her body.  While she was in Vegas, she had started truly to understand about the vampire in Nick.  Questions she had always had, but Nick had never answered, were finally answered.  LaCroix, much to her surprise had been very helpful, opening to her in a way she had not expected.  Resolutely, she
headed back upstairs to Nick and the future she had to convince him that they needed to share together.
     Nick was finally able to contain the vampire again.   Whatever Nat did in Vegas, she had changed.  Well, he thought, maybe not changed.  He had always thought that below her professional 'doctor' surface, there was a passionate, wild woman.  A woman he dreamed and fantasized about constantly, especially in the few days she had been gone.  He needed her - body, mind and soul.
     Natalie returned with a couple of bottles of bloodwine and a glass for Nick.  "Drink, it will help.  You should have told me that you've been malnourished without human blood."
     Nick's eyes opened wide as he uncorked the bottle and drank it down quickly.  He opened the next bottle, and poured some in the glass Natalie offered.
     "Natalie "
     He stared at her in disbelief.  She had pulled the flat sheet off the bed and wrapped it around her.  "There, no more tempting naked flesh."  She smiled seductively at Nick.
     "Stop looking at me that way!"
     "What way?"  Natalie asked with an innocent look in her eyes.
     "Seductively, filled with desire."
     "But, I do desire you.  I love you Nick.  I always have, and I am not going to deny it any longer.  Not to you or to myself."
     An unbidden smile crept across Nick's face.  He looked into Nat's eyes.  He knew he was at the crossroads.  He had to make a choice.  If he was honest, he knew he really did not have a choice.  He loved Natalie beyond all reason.  He reached out and took Nat's hand in his, "I love you too, Natalie Lambert."
     They sat on the edge of the bed together.  Love filling both of their eyes.  Nick looked away.  The memory of Nat biting his neck crept back into his thoughts.
     "Natalie, talk to me."
     "What do you want me to say?"
     "Why did you bite me, you do remember I am a vampire?"  Nick hoped the teasing would lighten the mood a little, maybe help his Natalie to resurface - for right now.
     "Yes, I remember you're a vampire.  Actually, it's all I've thought and talked about for the last few days."
     "Talked about!  Natalie!"  Rage filled Nick's body.
     Nat shoved another bottle of bloodwine at Nick.  "Drink and listen.  Remember I told you about my friend, the dancer, in Vegas?"
     "Yes"
     "Her name is Rashell and she is a vampire.  Her sire is from Toronto, she knows about my connection with the community.  When she realized that I was a childhood friend of Rashell, she told her I knew about vampires.  Rashell answered a lot of questions that I've always had.  She was very open with me.  More open than you have been."  Natalie rose from the bed and started to pace around the room.  "She offered to have her mother bring me across.  Needless to say, I refused."  She stopped pacing in front of Nick and took his head in her hands.   She made him look up at her.  "It is you who I want to bring me across."
     "Bring you across?  Natalie, I thought we both agreed that that wasn't the answer."  Nick was frightened.  He could not accept the thoughts that drifted through his mind.  He could not accept bringing Nat into the darkness.  Yet, the images of making love to her, one vampire to another, sharing themselves completely - started to block all other thoughts from his mind.  He looked Nat in the eye and slowly let his gaze travel down to her neck and then to the sheet that kept her breast from his view.  His desires were growing too strong to contain.  He reached out and pulled the sheet down as his mouth descended on her breast.  Natalie gasped with pleasure.
     "Nick ." Natalie moaned.  She pulled him closer.  He encircled Nat in his arms and buried his head into her chest.  He was confused.  He was torn in two directions, both because of his love for Natalie.
     "Nick, don't think.  I understand now. You asked for redemption, let me be that redemption.  Let my blood, my light fill you with love.  I have had enough Nicholas de Brabant Knight.  I cannot control how I feel about you or what I dream about doing with you.  I cannot live in those dreams any longer.  Tonight, things are going to change.  Not tomorrow or the next day, but tonight."
     Natalie pulled herself free of Nick's arms.  She stepped back and let the sheet fall to the floor.  "Do you want me?"
     "More than you know."  Nick said in a whisper.
     Nat pulled Nick up to stand in front of her, her hands gently running down his shirt.  Then she tore it from his body.  Nick gasped and looked at Natalie.  The enchantress had taken control back of Nat's body.  Her fingernails gently ran down his chest.  Her hands started to work quickly on his belt, pulling it free of his pants.  Nick's hands captured hers and pulled them away from his zipper.
     "Nat, wait"
     Nat wrenched her hands free of Nick's.  "No, we have waited long enough."  Her eyes sparkled as she reached for his hands and put one on her breast and one around her to cup her rear.  "Do I need to show you how to do everything?  I thought after 800 years you would know how to make-love to a woman."
     "I haven't made-love in a long time."
     "That makes both of us.  We'll refresh each other's memories."
     "Nat, I'll "
     "I know, you'll need blood.  You'll have mine and together we will find a way.  Forever."
     Nat's mouth descended upon Nick's.  Her tongue pushing into his mouth, exploring and caressing his tongue and fangs.  Nick couldn't believe the total acceptance and trust he felt from Nat.  She let her fingernails trail along his shoulders and Nick gasped.  He finally gave in to Nat and to his desires.  Nick picked Nat up and placed her gently on his, no, their bed.  Quickly he discarded the rest of his clothes.  Nat stared at his uncovered flesh, lust filling her eyes.  She hadn't expected him to be so well endowed.
     "Nat, is everything ok?"
     "Perfect." She whispered as she pulled him toward her and into her mouth.  Nick gasped with surprise.  Natalie was just filled with tricks he didn't know about.  He was beginning to enjoy the enchantress.  He reached for another bottle of bloodwine and downed it in one gulp.  He pushed Nat away from him.  He wanted to touch her, to gaze upon her face as she withered under his touch.
     "Natalie, let me please you."
     She guided his hand to her most sensitive of spots.  His fingers began to stroke her as his mouth captured one of her nipples.  He gently lay down beside her and continued to work his magic on her body.  Every time Nat would reach to touch him, to try to please him, he would capture her hand and place it back beside her body.  "No, I want you to enjoy.  Focus on your own pleasure.  Mine will come."
     Natalie was burning with desire.  "Nick, I need you "
     "I know " Nick moved slowly onto Natalie and surprised her when he quickly entered her.
     "Oh, Nick.  So, long.. waited "  Natalie's breath was labored and her eyes couldn't focus.  Nick continued his slow seduction of her body.  He moved slowly and deliberately, trying desperately to give Natalie as much pleasure as possible while trying to control the vampire within.  Natalie moaned as Nick kissed her.  "Nick, now " she whispered as her climax overcame her.
     Natalie turned her head, exposing her neck to Nick's mouth.  He couldn't control his desire any longer.  His fangs slipped gently into Nat as his own climax overcame him.
     The images assaulted Natalie.  Images of Nick's love for her, of his true desires for her to join him, of his dreams about her, all drifted through her mind.
     The warmth of Nat's blood seduced Nick's body.  His mind whirled from the love he felt from her.  He was lost in a sea that was Natalie.  Nick was lost in her love and in her desire for him.  He drank, drank deeply from her.  Her heartbeat started to fade and he forced himself, with all the will he had to pull away.  He would not lose Nat now that he knew how much he meant to her.  Now, that he had seen the future she dreamed for them.
His fang tore at his wrist and he let his blood drip into Nat's mouth.  Nick whispered into Nat's ear, "please, Nat, if you are my redemption, come back to me.  I need you.  I love you.  I . "
     He felt Natalie's new fangs sucking the blood from his wrist,  her eyes locked with his filled with love.  He pulled her closer, holding her as she fed of his very existence.  "I love you Natalie"

     LaCroix felt the disturbance in his link with Nick.  He closed his eyes and searched deeper.  A smile crept across his lips.  He was a grandfather.  He reached for the telephone.  He needed to thank  Serena in Vegas for helping with his little plan.  The young are manipulated so easily, LaCroix thought as he drank deeply from his glass.  The smile did not leave his face for a very, very long time.

Tyra 
Send comments and Nick, of course, to
Branwwolf@aol.com.