Love and Soul
A DarkNN Christmas Challenge Story
December 2003
By Nitemar
 

CONTENT WARNINGS: This story is an ADULT Nick & Nat story. It contains explicit sex (m/f), [Nick/Nat]. If such content would offend you, do NOT read.

SPECIAL THANKS to my beta reader Nightlady for such a fast editing job with little or no notice and to the DarkNN group for the challenge to get me writing again!

DISCLAIMERS: The Forever Knight characters belong to Columbia Tri/Star. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~

"Are you sure you're okay with all that, Nick? I can carry some, you know." Nat looked over at Nick as he shifted the colorful packages in his arms. Walking down the street together, a light snow falling around them, she wondered why he so readily agreed to accompany her on this shopping spree. It was an annual thing - she always teased him by asking him to join her on her late night shopping adventure after holiday shopping began. He had never agreed to go; she never expected him to after so many times declining.

"No, I'm fine. Just shifting around to free a hand," Nick explained as he grabbed her hand and squeezed with a smile.

Nat gasped as she looked at their clasped hands, needing to see the evidence he was holding her hand and just not feel it. A smile crept across her face that she found hard to hide. "We're almost there," she announced, needing something to say to mask the increased beating of her heart.

Nick tightened his grip on her hand. "I had a great time shopping with you tonight. I was stupid to never go with you before," he said as he looked over at her.

"I...I was sure you were bored."

He shook his head. "Nat, I could never be bored watching you," he teased.

Nat was sure her blush was visible in the night as they turned the corner. "Ah, there's the old apartment building from hell."

As they approached the building, Nick released her hand and brought his arm around her shoulder, escorting her to the front entry. She unlocked the door, letting them inside the building foyer. Turning inside the hallway, Nat reached to grab one of the bags. "Are you sure I can't help..." Suddenly Nat was overwhelmed with Nick's closeness in the hallway. She was riveted to his eyes as he gazed at her and found it hard to breathe.

The bags fell to the floor as Nick grew alarmed. "Nat. Are you okay?" He reached out, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her into an embrace.

Nat finally started breathing again, finding her equilibrium and finding herself in Nick's arms. "Nick?"

"Are you okay?"

Embarrassed now, Nat mumbled, "I'm okay. Just...coming inside... the warm hallways," she started. "The change was too much... overwhelming. I'm okay now." She looked around them, seeing all the bags and packages scattered on the floor.

"I'm sorry, Nat. When it looked like you were going to fall..."

Nat chuckled. "At least I didn't buy any breakables tonight." Together, they started to pick up the bags on the floor before continuing on to her apartment.

When they finally were inside, Nat settled the packages in the corner to sort out later. Nick nervously stood by the door, uncertain now.

Nat walked towards her kitchen as she asked, "Want something to drink, Nick?"

"Nat, you know I only drink one thing." Nick wondered if that episode in the hallway made Nat forget what he was.

Nat turned her head. "Of course. A little red wine for me; a little red blood for you." Ducking into the kitchen, she retrieved their respective drinks.

Nick wandered around the living room as he waited for Nat, nervously fiddling with doodads and trinkets on the tables and shelves. It was time to discuss this thing between them, he decided. Well past time. He turned with a smile as she came from the kitchen, two goblets in hand. Both contained red liquids, one thicker than the other.

She handed him his drink and started to sip at her wine, but he suddenly stopped her, placing his hand on hers.

"Wait. A toast." He clicked his goblet to hers. "To holidays spent with those most important to you. And many more to come." He sipped at his goblet, savoring the taste. When he looked up, Nat was staring at him, mouth open. "Aren't you going to have your wine?"

Nat shook her head to break away from her trance. "What did you say?"

"Aren't you going to have your wine?"

"No, before that."

Nick took her glass and set it with his on the table. Taking her hands, he stated, "Nat, I think it's time we talk about some things. Let's sit down." He gently guided her to the couch.

"Nick?"

Nick stared down at his hands, trying to find the words to start. Nat was the woman that meant more to him than any woman ever had - and that was saying a lot, having been around for nearly 800 years. But it had taken him years to acknowledge to himself how he felt. He realized that he had to do something about it.

Finally he looked up at Nat, grasping her hands. "My feelings for you run much deeper than I have ever let on. I tried to hide what I felt - not because I didn't want a relationship with you - but because of the dangers to you, because of what I am."

"But Nick..."

"Please, Nat, let me finish?" He paused and she nodded. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want to give you hope of any relationship. I couldn't promise anything. I've been around a long time - I know what happens when I get involved with a mortal woman. If it was not me that killed her, it would be LaCroix."

Nat was stunned at what he had just admitted, knowing he always held back the worst of what he had done.

"I don't know if it's wise to be telling you this now, but it was either telling you about everything and finding a solution together, or moving on - because I can't keep what I feel inside anymore."

"Nick, no... I know I said I'd let you finish, but please, you can't leave..."

He ran his thumbs over the tops of her hands as he smiled at her. "That wasn't my first choice..." But Nick quickly added seriously, "But I wouldn't hesitate to do that if it was all that would keep you safe."

Nat watched as the emotions played across his face. She didn't say anything this time, giving him the time he needed to collect his thoughts.

Nick was still afraid of all the same things that might interfere with their relationship, but he couldn't just ignore what he felt any longer. He couldn't let her slip through his fingers. "Nat, I have been around a long time. I have been attracted to many women over the centuries, lusted after many women, and even loved them - vampires and mortals." Nick watched the restrained jealousy on her face. "But Nat," he said softly as his hand reached to caress her cheek, "I have never loved any woman the way I love
you."

Nat's eyes filled with unshed tears at his beautiful words and before she could say something, Nick leaned closer and pressed his lips to hers in a tentative kiss.

Nick slowly pulled back and watched her face for acceptance of his words, acceptance of his love.

"Nick..." Nat mumbled and reached her arms around his neck and pulled him back to her. Their lips met again, this time in a kiss that held back nothing. Lips parted, tongues explored each other's mouths, fingers twisted through hair.

Nick felt his eyes change at the awakening of the vampire brought on by his desire. But he wasn't afraid of the vampire and he didn't stop kissing her.

Gasping for breath, Nat pulled back for some very necessary oxygen. That's when she saw his golden eyes. She didn't say a word, afraid to break the spell of his love. She waited.

Slowly, Nick leaned his forehead against hers. "Are you afraid, Nat?" he asked.

Pulling back, she looked into his eyes. "Should I be, Nick?"

Nick closed his eyes and pulled her close in an embrace. "No. I would never hurt you." Nick sighed as he realized she accepted all of him. He knew she had been trying to help him with her blood tests all this time, but loving a vampire is different than helping one.

"I didn't think you would." She moaned as he nuzzled her neck and kissed her there. "Nick?"

Nick mumbled incoherently.

"I love you too, you know."

Nick raised his head and looked at her. "I knew you were attracted to me for a long time, but I wasn't absolutely sure how you felt about me. I thought you might care for me; I hoped that you might love me."

"I do love you." She pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. "Nick, how did you know I was attracted to you all this time?"

Nick smiled. "A vampire has good hearing and sense of smell." He kissed her cheek. "I could hear increases in your heartbeat." He kissed her other cheek. "I could smell your desire." He kissed her lips.

Wide-eyed, Nat pushed Nick back, grasping onto his shoulders. "You could smell my desire? You mean you could..." She buried her head onto his chest, embarrassed. "Oh, God..."

Nick, scared for a moment he had said too much, held his breathe. As she buried herself against him in embarrassment, he sought to ease her pain. "Shh, Nat, don't worry. I can sense a lot from everyone. I just never talked about it before."

Nat raised her head. "Nick, you mean you knew how I felt all this time? You never let on at all."

"I wasn't sure how you felt exactly. I only knew your body's reaction to me. And that's not always the same thing." With that, Nat lowered her gaze again. Nick raised her chin with his finger and continued, "I never let on about your attraction for a reason. If you knew that I knew, there would be less of a barrier between us and more of a chance that my feelings for you would come out. I couldn't let that happen."

"And now? Why now?"

"I don't want to lose you now that I know how strong my love for you truly is. It won't be too long before I do have to move on - I'm not aging like those around me and it will be noticed soon. I don't know the answer yet, but I couldn't just walk away..." Nick's lips were again pulled to hers like a magnet and they reveled in their newly expressed passion.

Nick's lips left a trail of feather light kisses along her neck, but his conscience nagged at him. "We still have a lot to talk about, Nat," he mumbled between kisses.

Equally captivated by these newly revealed feelings between them, Nat mumbled, "Do we have to talk now? Can we talk later?"

"Yes. Later." His lips kissed from her neck over the skin near the neckline of her shirt and the rise of her breasts.
 

Nat playfully fingered a golden lock of hair as she leaned into Nick. They had spent some glorious time in each other's arms, kissing and touching as only she had in her dreams. To find that Nick felt this way about her. She was in heaven.

Nick gently caressed her face and along her neck and shoulder. Pulling her close and kissing her cheek, he said, "I had planned to say that we should take things slow, that I had my doubts in exploring this relationship at all. But I think it's a bit too late for that," he said with a seductive grin before kissing her lips.

Nat chuckled. "Yeah, tonight has not been exactly slow."

Nick leaned back. "God, Nat. We really do have to talk..."

"I know." Nat watched him and settled back on the couch for a serious talk.

"First, there is LaCroix," Nick began. "This is more than his usual interference in my life. It goes back to shortly after I was brought across. I had wanted to visit my home one last time. LaCroix and Janette grudgingly went along, hoping this final visit would allow me to let go of my humanity. That was when LaCroix met my sister, Fleur..."

So Nick started to explain what happened on that visit between LaCroix and himself, why LaCroix would always interfere when he seemed to fall in love with a mortal. He explained why he had hidden his feelings for so long, no only because of his fear of losing control of himself, but of allowing LaCroix to know what he felt as well.
 

Nick paused his pacing across the floor in front of the unique fireplace. Swirling the thick liquid in the goblet, the blood coated the glass. He stared into the dark ruby liquid before raising the glass to his lips for a gulp. Then setting the empty glass on the table, he continued his nervous pacing across the floor. What had he done? Now Nat was involved in the knowledge that he loved her. He also knew she wouldn't ever let it go, even if it was found that that was the best thing to do - for her safety, her life. Not that he wanted to let it go. The past few days had been glorious! A silly smile crept over his face in memory of the moments they had shared lately - the gentle touches, the heated caresses, the sweet words. He almost had thought his temperature reached normal levels for a mortal a few times.

He paused by the fireplace, peering out the window as the sun continued to set, casting the warm colors across the horizon. He knew the confrontation with LaCroix would come. He was as certain of that as the sun setting before him. How would he handle it? How would he keep Nat protected? Even if he could watch over her every minute of the day and night, he couldn't physically stop LaCroix if his master decided he wanted to harm Nat. His strategy would have to be more clever than relying on brute strength and vampiric abilities to save her.

He would have to convince LaCroix that it was in his best interests to not take Nat from him. She had provided a valuable service to the vampire community... But that would not be enough. It was enough so that the community tolerated her now at best, or so he had been led to believe.

LaCroix might consider leaving her alone if she was brought across... No, there had to be another way. Although he had come to accept his life as a vampire now, he did not wish Nat to be pushed into that option. He had no right to even wish that.

Maybe he could convince LaCroix to drop his debt after so many years... That was ridiculous! This was LaCroix he was thinking about.

Nick turned away from the window and the now darkened sky, walking back to the kitchen. He grabbed the bottle and poured another glass of blood, taking a gulp from the glass. Even if he was able to convince LaCroix not to harm Nat, there were the Enforcers. They would not look lightly on him having a long-term relationship with a mortal. Of course, a short-term relationship was different. Those types of trysts with mortals were popular. The sole purpose of such a relationship was that of feeding from the mortal, feeding on the pleasures in the blood that come from such a relationship.

Nick closed his eyes, dwelling on his memories of tasting rich blood harvested in that unique way. Abruptly, he pulled himself away from those memories to the present. That kind of relationship always ended in the mortal's death. Always. He did not want a romantic relationship with Nat to improve the taste of her blood. He wanted a relationship with Nat because he loved her. He would walk into the sun before ever harming her. But that would not be a relationship the Enforcers would approve of. Her long-term knowledge and experience with vampires would be seen as a threat to the safety of the community.

Tilting the glass to his lips again, Nick thought of the other problem - the excuse he had always given himself before. What if he lost control of the vampire in his passion? What if in loving Nat, he took too much and she died? Would he try to bring her across? At one time, he would have said no. Now, he wasn't sure. Then there was always the chance he would take too much to even bring her across. That did scare him. In the past few days, he has had the overwhelming desire to lose himself in her. Just her scent was enough to drive him wild, to draw out the vampire. He had lost time already while worshipping her with his mouth and hands, burying himself in her scent. And he hadn't even bitten her yet. What would happen when he first tasted her blood, her soul?

He gulped the last of the blood from the glass and turned to set the glass in the sink.

"My, my, Nicholas. What tumultuous emotions I sense coming from you. Such a fascinating mix. What have you been up to?" LaCroix stood facing his son with an accusing gaze.

Nick scowled and walked away, hoping to hide the anxiety he was feeling at his master's sudden appearance.

LaCroix watched him in amusement. "Yes. I see." Observing his son confirmed what he had suspected and had been feeling from him.

"What do you want, LaCroix? I did not ask you to be here."

"I do not need an invitation," he stated as fact. "What I want..." LaCroix thought of his next words. The Doctor had been quite valuable to them. It would be a shame to lose her at this point. She had proven to be quite an interesting mortal, quite interesting indeed. But Fleur... LaCroix's anger rose as he spoke with a growl. "Be careful of what you do, Nicholas. Watch your next steps with care."




Chapter2
~~~~~~~~~

Nick stepped inside her apartment, pushing the door closed. He pulled Nat into his arms, pressing his lips to hers before she could say a word. Mumbling his appreciation against her lips, his tongue pressed against her lips, begging entrance to her warm wet mouth.

Nat responded, allowing the access he wanted, and sliding her arms around him. After several moments, she pulled back for a gasp of air. "Wow! Don't I wish I could get that reception every time I opened the door!"

Nick's eyes had drifted to the table and Nick saw the boxes sitting there. Letting go of Nat, he excitedly strode over to them. "Oh great, you got the candy canes!"

"Yeah, I got the kind you wanted," she said in a daze. "Old-fashioned peppermint.... But don't mind me. I was just left behind by the kissing whirlwind that went through here."

Realizing what he had done, Nick hurried back over to Nat, a box of candy canes in hand. "Ahhh, Nat. I'm sorry. I'm just so glad you picked these up for me since I forgot them the other night when we were decorating the tree." He kissed her lightly on the lips, begging for her forgiveness.

"I didn't know you liked candy canes," she said.

"Didn't you know they make great accents on Christmas trees, Nat," he said with a grin as he looked closer at the box he held, sniffing at the peppermint scent.

"Oh yeah..." Nat thought back on a few nights ago when they had decorated the tree at the loft. Ever since she had first coaxed him into putting up a tree three years ago, she had helped him decorate it as well. Somehow, this year had seemed different... ever since she knew that he loved her. She'd never known him to decorate with candy canes though. "Well I guess you can always give them to the kids at Christmas..."

"Hmmmm," he muttered, not quite acknowledging her comment.

Nat looked at the clock, noticing how early it was.

"Nat?" Reality hit him hard as he saw her look at the clock.

Nat looked up at him, his mood obviously changed.

"The reason I came over early - I need to talk to you about something that happened before we go."

"Sure, Nick. What about?"

"LaCroix." That one word seemed to stop time.

A thousand thoughts bombarded Nat's mind. LaCroix. The main reason Nick had given for holding back in loving her all this time. Did that mean Nick was going to back off now? Did it mean they were in danger from the older vampire? What could they do?

Nick guided her to the couch so they could talk. Only after they were sitting, did he start to explain what happened. "He has felt the change in our blood link, Nat. He knows."

"Did he say that he knows?"

"Not exactly," Nick said, lightly shaking his head. "I think if he said the words out loud, he would need to act on them. I think he is purposely not saying the words."

"Are you sure, Nick? Maybe he just suspects and is trying to get confirmation from you. What did you say to him?" She leaned towards Nick, worried.

"Nat, I'm sure. He said he felt the change in me. I saw through the link that you were in his thoughts regarding this change. What he did say was a warning - he said to be careful what I do next. I know it doesn't sound very threatening, but it was the way it was said and how he looked at me when he said it. I never confirmed anything with words. But he knew. And he knows that I know."

Nat trusted Nick's explanation. She had to. There was still a lot she didn't understand about this link between vampires. She reached for Nick's hands and looked into his eyes. "He wants to kill me?"

"He wants to hurt me, Nat. He wants to make sure I never have the same love I denied him by making him walk away from my sister." This was all his fault. Nat was in danger because of what he did - it was as simple as that.

"Why hasn't he come after me already if he knows this to be true? Not that I'm complaining, not at all," Nat said, trying to lighten the mood. "But is he hesitating for some reason, giving you a warning first - unless this way is just his style? You would know better than me, Nick."

Nick thought for a few seconds. "Maybe... I don't know. Maybe because of what you have done for the community. I'm not sure. We need to discuss our options."

"What options?"

"Nat, I know some of these options are not what you want to hear, but let me get through them first. Then we can talk, Okay?" With her nod, Nick continued, "I can fight LaCroix, hoping that this one time out of all these centuries of fighting with him, I might win," he said sarcastically. "We can run away together, trying to stay one step ahead of LaCroix. I can move on, leaving you behind." He paused to gather the courage to continue his next words.

Panic crossed Nat's face and she tried to contain her emotions, allowing Nick to finish as she promised. For Nat, the worst option would be for Nick to leave her - especially now that he has revealed so much love.

As much as Nat had tried to cover up the panic she was feeling, Nick had seen the fleeting moment of fear before she squelched it. This last option he had yet to verbalize was not something he wanted to have to resort to. "I can also bring you across and hope that LaCroix still won't destroy you." As much as he had come to accept being a vampire in the past year, he still couldn't bear the thought of Nat giving up her life to be with him. And even if he did bring her across, there was no guarantee that LaCroix would leave them alone.

Nat squeezed Nick's hands tightly in her own, scared at the options Nick had listed. "Even if any some of those options work for awhile, we still have the Enforcers to worry about, don't we?"

Nick nodded. "Yes, except with the option of bringing you across." He suddenly felt very selfish about what he had done. He hadn't been able to let her go, and because of that her very life was in danger. He lowered his head in shame. "I never should have started this."

Placing a finger under his chin, Nat lifted his gaze to hers. "Nicholas Knight," Nat started with her shaky voice. "Don't you dare say anything like that. No matter what happens, I'll treasure these weeks we have had. Don't ever regret telling me that you love me."

Nick pulled her into an embrace, burying his face in her hair and kissing her neck. "I love you, Nat. I love you so much. Never forget that."

"I won't, Nick."
 

"No." Nick's fingers tightened around the steering wheel. He knew he had said it was an option, but she couldn't seriously think it would be a first choice.

Nat turned on the car seat to face Nick as he drove through Toronto's streets. "Nick, it's the only thing that makes sense," she said, trying to reason with him. "It's the only thing that solves everything," she added, punctuating her words with her hands.

"No."

"It will solve the LaCroix problem..."

"Not necessarily."

"The Enforcer problem... If I'm a vampire, how can they object?"

Nick glanced over at her, his jaw set in determination. "Nat."

"And you don't have to worry about losing control of the vampire," she added excitedly. "It's the answer to everything."

Nick pulled the car into the lot and quickly jumped from the car, closing the door behind him. Quietly, he walked around and opened the door for Nat. As she got out of the car, she placed a hand on his arm. "Nick..." she said tenderly.

Nick stopped, closing his eyes. His hard expression softened and his eyes opened, lovingly gazing at her. "Nat... I know we said we'd talk more, but this is so hard for me. Talking about it now is just not a good idea." He reached to lightly brush the back of his hand across her cheek. "Please, Nat. Can we talk later about this?"

She nodded, knowing he was right. Now was not the right time to talk. She could see how hard this was on him... and yet he offered to talk about it later. "Okay, Nick."

Nick's fingers slid under her chin, tilting her face towards his. His lips captured hers in a short, sweet kiss before turning to enter the precinct.
 

"Hey there, Nick!" Schanke shouted, slapping him on the back as he made his way through the front to the bullpen area. "And Nat," he said with a grin. He had a feeling about these two. Tonight was the night. It better be - he had a bet riding on it, and he planned to collect. And of course, it was more than a bet. These two were supposed to be together and Schanke was happy that they appeared to have finally realized it for themselves.

He wormed his way between the two and spread his arms onto both their shoulders. "Come on, you two. Let me take you to the treats. Anderson is telling his stories again."

"Make way. Coming through with new arrivals," Schanke announced loudly as he led Nick and Nat to the refreshments table. "You have to push through this crowd, you know," he said to his friends. "And Nick, none of this special diet crap. It's the holidays. Have some fun."

They arrived at the table full of sandwich makings, candies, cookies, and a dozen other different holiday treats. Nick grabbed a couple mugs. "Hot chocolate, Nat?"

"You bet," she answered. Inching her way along the table, Nat collected a plate of various goodies as she listened to Anderson and his wild stories.

Nick filled her mug with hot chocolate, and then Nick took the second mug and filled it with hot chocolate for himself too. Grabbing a couple peppermint sticks from the table, Nick retreated and made his way over to Nat on the other side of the table where she was talking with Grace.

"Wheww... rough crowd," he said with a smile. He handed her one of the mugs. "Here, Nat," he said and placed one of the peppermint sticks into the hot drink. Looking up at Grace, he said hi to her.

"You look good tonight, Nick," she said, looking from Nick to Nat, signaling her approval in her own unique way. "But you know, I think that new guy over there looks mighty tasty too. I think I'll scoot over and say hi to him." She giggled to herself as she turned to cross the room.

Nat chuckled at her friend's odd behavior. Looking at her mug of hot chocolate, she noticed the peppermint stick that Nick had placed there. "What's this for?"

"It flavors the chocolate with mint. You do like mint, don't you?" Nick stirred his drink with his candy stick and licked the candy clean.

Not noticing the small group of people whispering quietly in the corner, Nat just stared at Nick. "Yeah, never thought of doing that before..." If she had noticed the whisperings, she probably would have just thought they too were surprised by Nick's rare behavior. "Nick?"

He looked up. Seeing her dazed expression, he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I thought I could pretend to sip and we could trade cups later." He pulled back a few inches to look at her face and saw the look of understanding there. "Maybe that'll keep Schanke off my back," he said, keeping his voice low.

"Speak of the Devil..." she said under her breath.

Just as Nick pulled back, Schanke appeared next to the two with his arm poised to slap him on the back, but the warning look Nick gave him stopped him in mid-air. "Oops," he said, looking at the full mug of hot chocolate Nick held out. "Yeah," he said laughing nervously. "Sorry about that Nick."

"You don't want me to spill this hot drink all over Nat, do you?" Nick said with a touch of irritation and sarcasm at the same time. Nick stirred the peppermint stick in his hot chocolate and lifted the candy to his lips, licking along the length of it. Taking the tip into his mouth, he broke a piece off.

"Nick, you know I didn't mean any..." Schanke stopped and stared at his partner in shock. "Did I just see you eat a peppermint stick? The guy who turns his nose up at donuts, who I never see eat anything, who won't even have a cup of coffee? What's up?"

Nick nonchalantly looked over at his partner with a straight face. "It's Christmas time, Schanke."

Nick and Nat watched in amusement as a dazed Schanke turned and started to walk away. Suddenly he turned back to them as if he forgot something.

"Damn it, Nick," he said snapping his fingers. "I almost forgot. The Captain was looking for you. She wanted to talk with you about the Carpenter case. She's over there," Schanke said, looking in the direction of the crowd. "On the other side of the treats, by the water cooler. Said something about how all the food was making her thirsty... Oh, and she wanted to see you too, Nat," he added, fidgeting somewhat.

"You okay, Schanke? Nervous about something?"

"Uhh, just want to tell you the message..."

"All right, thanks. Okay if we finish our drinks first?"

Nat looked oddly at Nick. It wasn't like him to postpone a request from the Captain like that.

Schanke looked nervously at the clock.

Nick followed his gaze and smiled. "What time is it, Schanke?"

Schanke snapped his head back. "Uhh?.. Oh, I told Myra I'd call her. Just don't want to lose track of time." Schanke put his arm around Nick. "Whadda ya say we go over together. Just take your drinks with you."

Nick allowed himself and Nat to be escorted across the room. After working their way around the crowd, Nick looked at the water cooler. "Schank, she's not here. Are you sure she wanted to see us?"

Nat curiously noticed people standing by the table take interest in their search. She wasn't necessarily suspicious by nature, but... Then she saw Grace snickering behind a few other people. She turned to Nick and whispered to him, "Something is fishy..."

Nick just smiled. "Shhh," he said, waving her concerns away. "Schanke," he called to his friend again. "Where is she?" he asked with a shrug.

"Oh, Nick..." Schanke said, pointing to the interrogation room to his left. "I saw her go in there."

Nick and Nat followed, turning into the doorway. The room was empty, except for Schanke standing there grinning at them.

"What the hell is going on, Schanke?" Nat demanded. Then she noticed the others crowded into the hallway around the door. She spotted Grace standing there motioning with her finger, pointing straight up. Nat followed to where she was pointing with her eyes. "Of all the..."

"You know the legend... You have to kiss." Schanke taunted.

Nat blushed as she looked around at everyone watching and leaned into Nick's shoulder to escape. His arms came around her automatically as some unknown hands reached out to take the mugs away from them, freeing their hands for more important things.

Another person shouted, "Kiss." And another, "Kiss." Soon several voices were chanting together for them to kiss. Of course, a few voices stood out among the rest - Schanke and Grace.

As they stood there, Nick's arms around her, they realized they were already confirming rumors and speculation. Nat lifted her head and gazed into Nick's eyes, the chanting fading in the background.

Nick cupped Nat's cheek in his palm, lightly caressing her face with his thumb. Gazing deep into her eyes, oblivious to the now-hushed crowd, Nick lowered his lips to hers in a long, sweet kiss.

Nat's arms tightened around his neck as clapping and whistles broke out. As their lips parted, Nat leaned to the side of his face and whispered in his ear, "Maybe this will bring us luck, Nick, a miracle."

He kissed her cheek, whispering back, "We could sure use the ancient magical powers mistletoe is supposed to have. Now more than ever."

Their whisperings and lingering pecks made the whisperings grow loud again among the crowd. Nick was suddenly stunned with a slap on the back. He looked up to see the widest grin on Schanke's face.

"Yeah, Pardner. It's about time. I knew you'd come through." Snorts and laughter permeated the crowd and well-meaning claps all around.

"All right, everyone," the Captain said, breaking through the crowd, "Let's break this up. We do have to get some work done tonight. What's going on here?" She stepped into the circle and saw the couple still embracing under the mistletoe. A knowing smile crept over her face. "Well, what do we have here, Knight? A little Christmas celebration of your own?" she teased.

Nat didn't know vampires could blush, but with all the attention, Nick's complexion was certainly rosier. But he couldn't match the redness of her own face. It was then that she realized he still held her in his arms, never having let go after their kiss. Slowly they parted, both stammering, not knowing what to say.

Schanke, finally feeling embarrassed for his friends, stepped in with an air of authority. "Hey, everyone. That's enough gawking for tonight," he said, gentling pushing everyone back, encouraging them to disperse as he would at a crime scene. "Come on, lets leave them be."

As the crowd dispersed, Nick turned to Nat again and cupped her cheeks in his hands. He looked up at the mistletoe hanging above Nat's head, then back into her eyes. "Another for good measure - just in case." With that he captured her lips again, sliding his hands around her and pulling her close. When his lips left hers, he whispered so only they could hear. "I love you."

Quietly in the background, near the front entrance, a tall, white-haired man watched the scene in front of him. His face betrayed no emotion; the party-goers continued to be unaware of his presence. After the crowd dispersed around the couple, the man turned and left, his question answered.



Chapter3
~~~~~~~~~

"I think that it was a conspiracy - us being sent home early," Nick quipped as he walked through the sliding door, pulling off his coat.

"Well, they probably want us out of the way so they can all gossip and settle their bets," Nat speculated as Nick helped her off with her coat.

"Nat? You knew about the bet? I knew because with my hearing I could hear their whispers." He hung the coats up on the rack and looked over at Nat.

"You forget I work with Grace - who is gossip central. She also has a big mouth. I can find out anything I want... if I want," she answered coyly.

Nick rolled his eyes. "So what was tonight's bet about if you know so much?" he teased as he walked over to her.

"Ahh, tonight's bet," she said, resting her chin in her poised hand. "Now there are the major bets about us - major relationship milestones... But that wasn't what was going on tonight. Tonight was simply if we would kiss under the mistletoe, not counting 'just friends' kisses." Walking towards Nick, she met him halfway. "They even had judges picked out to decide whether a kiss was a friends' kiss or a lovers' kiss."

Nick was flabbergasted. She did know about the mistletoe bet. They had it every year. "Yeah, you're right. But do you know who won?" he asked with a smile.

"Nick, I'm good, but I can't read minds. No, I don't know who won? Do you?" She faced him, hands resting on her hips.

Nick grinned. "You forget my hearing," he said, touching his finger to one ear. "I could hear the whispers as people placed their bets. At least while I was around. Did you know that tonight was a unique bet? It wasn't if we would kiss tonight. It was about when we would. Apparently," Nick continued as he stepped closer, "it has been noticed how we have been towards each other lately and the chatter has increased regarding us." Nick rested his palms on her shoulders and caressed along her arms, pulling her into a kiss. "Anyway," he said as he parted from her lips, "I overheard someone say tonight that Schanke won."

Nat laughed, and then it dawned on her. "You cheated," she accused playfully. "You knew about the bet and you knew what time Schanke had bet on. You knew he would win when you kissed me."

Nick smiled, not denying her words. "Come here again," he demanded, pulling her back into his arms. Nick captured her lips in the same sweet kiss from earlier this evening.

Breaking the kiss but remaining close in his arms, Nat gazed into his eyes. "You know what they say about mistletoe... that it brings luck to the kissers."

"I hope so," Nick said, thinking again about the unique predicament they faced.

Nat bit her lower lip as she dared to bring up the difficult subject again. "If one believes in the legend, mistletoe is supposed to even provide a measure of protection over death." She paused while watching Nick's face.

"If one believes in such things," Nick acknowledged. The dangers that faced them were extreme.

"It's been said the story of the mistletoe is the story of Love conquering Death. Maybe one could even see that as protection from mistakes in crossing over." She knew one of Nick's fears would be his failure in bringing her across.

Nick pressed a quick kiss against her lips, not wishing to argue anymore. Maybe reasoning would be more effective. Stepping aside, he took her hand in his and slowly started walking to the couch with her. "Bringing you across, Nat, would be your death. It would be the loss of the life you have now." He stopped by the couch and turned her to look at him. "I know you say that I am alive, but not in the way you are. I live without a soul; I forfeited mine centuries ago."

"Nick, I don't see it that way. You are alive in all ways that matter to me. You have a home, a job, friends, hobbies, things that you enjoy to do. You are involved with causes that you care about. You give back to the world around you. You have feelings and care about people."

Noticing that Nick was listening to her this time, Nat rested her hands on his shoulders and brought up what she saw as the most important reason for her to cross over. "Nick, what kind of life would I have where you will never age and I will? But I wouldn't even have you in my life for the rest of my mortal life, would I? When you don't age, you will have to move on. In what - 2 or 3 more years?"

Nat turned and walked along the front of the couch, pacing. She tried to organize her thoughts, to find the right words. Stopping again in front of Nick, her eyes heavy with unshed tears, she continued, "What did you plan to do anyway? After finally telling me that you love me, were you going to turn around and leave me behind in a few years?"

Taking a step towards her, Nick touched his fingers to her cheek, brushing his thumb along her eye, wiping a tear away. "Nat," he choked, hating the pain he was causing her. "I'm afraid." He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "I've not even had much success bringing people across," he offered weakly.

Nat lifted her head and looked at the pain in his eyes. "That's not true, Nick. How long ago was it when you were unsuccessful? Two, Three hundred years ago? You have learned a lot about control since then, haven't you? I remember you telling me about Serena. You brought her across with no problems."

Nick lowered his gaze, thinking about Serena, the woman he brought across because he misunderstood what she had really been wanting. "She hated me, Nat, for what I did to her." Looking into Nat's eyes, he admitted, "I couldn't stand it if you were to hate me like that. To bring you across so that you could hate me forever would destroy me."

"Nick," she said as she held the sides of his face, directing him to look at her, "I need you to listen to me. This is important... I will not hate you. I know what I am asking for. I am not confusing this with wanting a baby. I know what a vampire is, what a vampire can do, and I probably know more about the physiology of vampires than you and LaCroix put together. I may not know everything - I won't until I experience it. But I am not naïve about the choice. I want to be with you... forever."

Shaking his head, Nick argued, "Forever can be a long time, Nat. You may tire of me. Janette did." His excuses were getting more and more feeble. Why was he still fighting her logic?

"Will you stop, Nick," Nat pulled her hands back in frustration. "I am not Janette." She turned away from him, unwilling to continue this sparring too much longer. "Besides, I talked with Janette once. She didn't tire of you... exactly."

Nick placed his hand on her shoulder. "Nat?"

Turning to Nick again, she explained, "She just couldn't handle the intensity with which you loved her. I want that intensity. I crave it from you."

Gold streaks spread through Nick's eyes, changing while she spoke her heartfelt words and his desire came to the surface. Could it be possible that she was right? Could this forever life work for them? Nick continued to gaze at her, not turning from her.

She stepped closer and kissed him on the lips. She pulled back a few inches, staring into his golden eyes. "I love you, Nick," she said huskily.

Nick closed his eyes and held her tight, his uncertainties starting to fade. "Nat," he said with a sigh. "I don't know... I" He continued to hold her tight as blood tears seeped from his closed eyes over his cheeks. They held each other for several minutes, finding comfort in their embrace.
 

LaCroix turned as Nick strode across the club's floor, amid the dancers and minglers, sensing the turmoil stirring in his son's thoughts. "Interesting," he said to himself as he watched the often-reluctant vampire approach with a rare determination, snaking his way through the unique mix of the undead and unaware mortals.

"Nicholas," he said in welcome as his son approached. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence? I have seen so little of you of late?" he said, toying with Nick.

Nick knew very well that LaCroix was aware of what had been occupying his time recently. "I don't want to play games with you, LaCroix. We need to talk."

In a mock pout, LaCroix said, "But games are so entertaining with you, Nicholas. It is so easy to get under your skin, so to speak." He snickered.

Nick held his anger in check, his jaw tightening as he stared at his master without a word.

LaCroix sighed. "As you wish. Follow me." LaCroix walked past the back rooms and into his private room.

Closing his door, LaCroix turned and unleashed his rage. "You would do well to remember that I do not appreciate demands. You walk a fine line, Nicholas."

"I wish to talk about Nat," Nick begged, his earlier impatience gone.

LaCroix turned and walked to his chair, sitting down leisurely. "By all means, let us talk about the good Doctor."

"It's funny you should call her that," Nick began as he cautiously took a step forward. "With her position as coroner and skills as a doctor, she has done a lot for the community - covered up the indiscretions of the younger, wild ones and kept our secrets many times over."

"Secrets she should not even know of," LaCroix pointed out.

"Remember how she has even saved the community from that virus?" Nick offered.

"Yes, she did," LaCroix admitted with amusement. "She has proven to be interesting... for a mortal."

Nick stood in front of the vampire who held the life of his Natalie in his hands and his own life as well. He knew for a fact, that if LaCroix destroyed her, he would die himself that day. "You can't take her, LaCroix."

"Can't?" LaCroix shot a warning glance at his son.

"Shouldn't." Nick quickly amended his choice of words, lowering his gaze.

LaCroix stood and approached his son, who stood perfectly still. "Do you think that all this has anything to do with your debt with me?" he breathed on his neck.

Nick lifted his head and turned his gaze at his master, looking into his piercing steel blue eyes. "I never thought I would love like this, LaCroix. I had no idea what I promised that day."

LaCroix turned from his gaze, taking a few steps away. "I loved Fleur," he said harshly with a growl, "and I left her behind for you."

Boldly, Nick asked, "Are you sure it was for me, LaCroix? She didn't know what her life would have been. How could you have truly loved her and plan to bring her over like that, without her understanding?"

"But your Natalie understands, doesn't she?" he said, looking back at Nick. "But you would never bring her across." He knew Nick's rejection of this unlife would prevent that.

"I have been reconsidering my thoughts on the subject lately," Nick stated, revealing his possible changing opinions on the matter.

LaCroix raised an eyebrow in interest. "Sit, Nicholas," he commanded as he returned to his chair. "Do continue."
 

"Grace, this was a great idea!" Nat said, taking in the old-fashioned atmosphere as they walked down Queen St. in this quaint area. All sorts of shops and restaurants lined the historic streets, draped in miles of white lights and pine roping accented with red bows. The town square was about a block away where the towering Christmas tree stood, covered with lights, red bows and homemade decorations from the participating schools and community organizations.

"I thought you'd like it," Grace said, shifting the two large bags to her other arm. "Look," she said, pointing to the refreshment stand on the corner.

"Hot chocolate!" they said in unison.

Giggling, the two women walked briskly to the stand to get cups of their favorite beverage. While waiting for the drinks, Grace looked over at Nat. "I noticed that I'm the only one carrying bags here. Can't you find anything?"

Grabbing the foam cups from the counter, Nat handed one to Grace. "Actually, I only have one person left to shop for."

"Nick, right?"

After sipping carefully from the cup, Nat nodded.

"Men are so hard to buy for - especially when they are lovers," Grace observed as they continued down the street.

"Grace!"

"Come on, it was obvious at the party... you can't say that you are just friends anymore," Grace challenged. She stared at Nat, just daring her to deny it.

"No. We're not just friends," Nat admitted happily. "But we haven't... you know, we haven't slept together," Nat said as her face flushed.

Grace wrinkled her face at the revelation, unable to comprehend what Nat was saying. "You haven't? But Nick is such a hunk..."

"He's an old-fashioned guy," Nat commented with a smile. Eight hundred years old, she thought to herself.

Christmas band music broke through their reflective silence and both looked up and spotted the front end of the popular Mississauga Santa Claus Parade. Their discussion forgotten, they crossed to the curb of the brick-paved sidewalk to watch the bands and floats with childlike eagerness.

As the bands passed, Grace took a sip of her hot chocolate. "It must be hard shopping for Nick. You want something special this year, something that's just right, now that things have changed. Am I right?" Grace asked, glancing over at Nat.

Nat turned away from the parade to look back at Grace. "Yeah. Nothing seems right. I want something that screams 'we're not just friends anymore'," she admitted. "I want something really special."

"Ho, Ho, Ho! Merr-rry Christmas!" The two women looked to the street again as the Santa sled neared, being pulled by actual reindeer. Santa sat at the reins, dressed in the traditional red and white suit with cap, accompanied by Mrs. Santa on his right. She also was dressed in the traditional colors. Two elves sat in the back dressed in green with a large sack between them. They were throwing wrapped peppermint candies out to the crowds.

"Oh, my God! It's real reindeer, Grace! Oh, they are so cute. Oh, look at those antlers! Don't you just want to pet them?"

Grace looked over at her friend with a weird expression. "You get excited about the weirdest things." Looking back to the sled as it passed, she added, "But take a look at that elf over there. Now that's a cute butt, no wait... see when he turns to grab more candy. Ohhh, he's a cutie."

Nat rolled her eyes at her friend's one track mind, tossing her empty cup into the trash can.

"What was that look for?"

Nat just shook her head in amusement. Suddenly, Nat felt her arm being jerked by a madwoman.

"I've got it, Nat! The perfect gift. Come on. We'll get that old-fashioned guy of yours the perfect gift." Grace pulled Nat away from the curb and down the street. "I know the perfect shop for you."

Turning the corner, Nat saw the hanging pink shop placard, "Cameo Exotics" in scrolling script style, and stopped in her tracks. "No, Grace," she said, shaking her head. "There's no way. I'm not getting something to wear and saying it's a gift for him."

Grace turned around and stepped closer to Nat. "Silly girl, sexy lingerie is for men. Your Nick would just never think to ask for it."

"I don't know, Grace," Nat said hesitantly. She didn't want Nick mad at her for pushing too hard into making a decision he didn't want to make. But it wasn't like the lingerie would mean she was demanding he brought her across. She would just be enticing him to further their intimacy - which he seemed to be enjoying so far, she thought with a smile. She followed Grace into the shop, certain it would definitely be a surprise.

The women looked over the racks of sexy holiday lingerie and Nat started having doubts again. "What if he doesn't like it, Grace?"

Grace looked back at her, unbelieving the words out of her mouth. "You have to be kidding. He will love it."

"But maybe I'm pushing the sex too soon."

"Would you listen to yourself? For years you danced around each other. Tell me, how long have you really been in love with Nick?" Grace stood, resting her hands on her hips as she waited for Nat's answer.

Nat blushed and looked away.

"Just what I thought. And I'm willing to bet that Nick was the same way. 'Too soon' is not what I would call it," she said with a smirk. Turning back to the racks, she pulled one selection out to look at closer.

"Oh, my God," Nat exclaimed in shock at the lingerie Grace held up. "Put that back, Grace." The item her friend held up was more hanger than material - sheer red triangles with puffs of fluffy white marabou trim for the Santa look with a matching sheer G-string.

Grace darted the hanger out of her friend's reach. "Wait a minute, Nat. I thought you wanted a chance to seduce this handsome detective of yours."

Nat lurched forward to try to grab the offending piece of sheer and fluff, unsuccessfully of course. Nat stopped, with her hands on her hips. "Grace. I did not say seduce. I said... well, maybe that I wanted something that screams 'we're not just friends anymore'. Anyway, Nick is an old fashioned sort of guy. I think something like that," she said, pointing at the material Grace held high, "would send Nick in the other direction."

Grace relented and lowered her arm. "Okay, well maybe it is a bit risqué for you two. But this would definitely be 'screaming we're not just friends anymore' and you do need something like this to jumpstart him out of 'friend' mode. Quit fooling yourself - a seduction is in order. But let's find something more your style."

Nat grabbed the miniature sheer embarrassment from her hand and looked at the designer tag. "Wonderful," she said, "It's titled 'Lightly Wrapped'," and she quickly placed it back on the rack. "Hopefully my style is something with a little more to it," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, Grace." Nat pulled one selection from the rack and held it out. It was a very short, but pretty red satin gown with a deep-cut V neckline and lace trim.

"Put it back," Grace instructed. "Not enough skin."

Nat rolled her eyes and put the gown back. She worked her way down the rack, sliding each garment aside as she viewed each new possibility. She'd never find anything that Grace would find acceptable. Then she pulled another off the rack. This one was a red velvet teddy trimmed in fluffy white marabou along the breast-line.

Grace looked over again when she sensed Nat had found another she was considering. "Velvet? Nat, you need flimsy material, see-through designs."

Nat was getting mildly irritated and faced her. "I'm the one who has to have the nerve to wear this thing. You want to wear see-through, you wear it. How can I be sure he'll even like it? What is sexy enough without crossing the line? I just don't know, Grace."

Grace paused. She had always teased Nat with lingerie for her birthday and such, but she realized that this time Nat was really considering doing this. It wasn't a game this time. "Nat, you're right. You are the one wearing it. And believe me, Nick will love seeing you in sexy lingerie. Just think how he'll enjoy unwrapping you," she sniggered. "Come on, let me take a better look at this one you found."

The teddy had thin white spaghetti straps and peek hole looped openings between the breasts, tied with a velvet white tie at the top, along with a matching peek hole loop in the back. The teddy rode high on the hips and had large openings on the sides, meant to expose the waist and sides.

Nat noticed all the open places on the teddy, imagining all the bare skin it would expose. "I don't know, Grace. Now that I look at it closer..."

"It's perfect," Grace countered as she examined the teddy. "Look, it shows enough skin to be sexy, but it doesn't have the flimsy material that makes you so uncomfortable. But you realize if he really likes this gift, he's going to see plenty more skin than what this thing exposes, don't you?"

Nat blushed at the picture that Grace's words conjured in her mind. "I could even wear my new dress over it without it being noticed - to surprise him later."

"Honey, you could wear the dress over most of what is on this rack," Grace quipped. "But why would you want to? Just wear the teddy and go over wearing your coat," she suggested.

Nat's mouth hung open in shock. "Walk into the loft wearing nothing but...but... Oh yeah, that would be great. 'Here, Nat, let me take your coat.' 'No, not yet.' 'Come on, Nat, let me have your coat.' I can picture it now. Tabloid headlines: 'Coroner fights Metro detective to the death, still clutching savagely to her coat.'"

Grace chuckled at her friend. "Okay, you do it your way."


Chapter4
~~~~~~~~~

Nick stood by the Christmas tree as he stared out the window while he waited for Nat to arrive this snowy Christmas Eve. Looking over at the lit tree, now accented with candy canes, he smiled as he thought back fondly on the night Nat and he had decorated it. It had been shortly after they had openly shared their love. It wasn't the first time they had decorated a tree at the loft, but for some reason, it had felt different this year. Maybe it was because there was always a big part of himself he kept hidden from her, always careful to just be friends. Now, he didn't hide anything from her - even the ugly parts of his life and his past. And she still loved him. That, more than anything else, had led to his reexamination of their options.

As the lift engaged, Nick turned, anticipating Nat's arrival and the evening ahead. He quickly strode over to her as she stepped into the loft. He gulped as he watched the lovely vision walk up to him. She carried her coat on her arm, revealing her burgundy dress with a lace bodice and a neckline that dipped to a modest V over her breasts. The rich velvet skirt flared from the bodice. Small velvet buttons trailed down the center and length of her dress. Nat's hair had never looked as beautiful, cascading in waves around her face.

Nick took her coat and ever so gently slid a hand along her cheek and kissed her lips in welcome. Releasing her lips, he breathed, "You are so beautiful, Nat."

Nat smiled nervously as she glanced down over her dress, checking to make sure no stray white marabou trim on the Santa teddy showed from underneath. She looked back up at him, his blue eyes sparkling at her. She took a moment to look him over as well. He looked sharp in the deep red silk shirt and black pants. He always looked so scrumptious in black. He must've gotten a haircut too. It was trimmed just right, not too close as to hide the soft waves, but not too long either. When it started to get too long, his hair always looked so wild and out of control. "You look pretty terrific yourself, Nick," she said.

Not knowing how long they had actually stood there admiring each other, Nick snapped out of the haze he seemed to be in and quickly stepped to the rack, placing her coat there. Then he walked towards the kitchen. "Let me get you some wine," he said nervously.

"Sure," Nat said as she noticed the tree. She walked over to the tree where the only electric lights in the main area of the loft shone. "I see you have the candy canes on the branches. It looks nice this way - so colorful," she said with a smile and looked back towards the kitchen.

Nick grabbed their respective drinks and started across the floor towards her. "Yeah, I like it," he said. "Thanks for picking those up for me," he said, handing her the wine glass.

"No problem, Nick. I was glad to," she said, curious about the candy cane interest. After taking a sip from her glass, she asked, "When did you first discover you could use candy canes without upsetting your stomach? I never saw you use them before."

"Well, remember this summer when the Captain sent me to continuing ed?" Nick asked, fingering a candy cane on the tree and taking a drink from his glass. "They had these peppermint candy drops on the tables. I started sucking on them when I noticed the whispers behind my back about my not eating anything. I found it helped the speculation and I discovered that they didn't bother me at all."

"Well, that was a neat trick at the party. You really surprised Schanke by eating that candy cane," she chuckled.

Nick smiled and tilted the glass to his lips again. He had enjoyed Schanke's reaction too. It had been fun. Nick set his glass on the mantel and stooped by the tree, grabbing the small silver-wrapped box under the tree. When he stood, he turned to face Nat and placed the gift in her palm. "Merry Christmas, Nat."

Nat handed her glass to Nick to set on the mantle along with his, and turned her attention back to the gift in her palm. She looked up at Nick trying to read his smiling expression. She pulled open the silver bow and slowly tore the paper from the gift, revealing a burgundy velvet jeweler's box. Holding her breath and glancing at Nick again, she opened the box, revealing a beautiful silver necklace lying on the dark velvet fabric. A silver chain draped across the box with a small silver pendant - one of ancient Greek lovers entwined.

Nick gently picked up the necklace with his fingers. "Here, let me." He lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck, carefully laying the small pendant between her breasts. "It's the Greek god, Eros, and the mortal woman, Psyche. Their story is about how they found each other, of how Love found Soul," Nick said as he gazed into her eyes.

Nat looked down at the necklace. "It's beautiful, Nick," she said and looked back at Nick.

"You see, the Goddess Aphrodite, who was Eros' mother, was jealous of the beautiful mortal woman," Nick started to tell his tale, resting his hands on her shoulders. Aphrodite commanded her son, Eros, to cause the mortal woman to fall in love and marry the most abhorrent creature on the earth. But it backfired because Eros fell in love with Psyche at first sight and couldn't carry out his mother's instructions."

Nick leaned closer and kissed her lips, and then he spoke softly as he pulled back. "He secretly became lovers with Psyche, only coming to his love under the veil of darkness. When she found out his true identity, he had to flee." Nick leaned his forehead against Nat's, closing his eyes.

Nat realized that Nick was doing more than repeating an ancient myth to her and listened to his words carefully, resting her hands at his waist, lightly caressing him in support.. "Aphrodite's wrath was not satisfied in separating the lovers and she did many other cruel things until finally, Eros went to Zeus and pled his case."

His breath quickened and he lifted his head, gazing into her eyes to finish the story. "Taking pity on his story, Zeus coaxed Aphrodite with kind words until she gave in. Psyche was welcomed by the gods and offered a cup with the divine ambrosia, which she drank and became immortal. Eros took her hand in marriage and they were never parted again. In the end, Aphrodite accepted her daughter-in-law as part of the family."

Pausing a few moments, Nick studied the emotions playing across her face. "I know you don't think much of my superstitious beliefs, but just maybe this necklace will be a protection when I offer you that cup of immortality and even charm LaCroix into accepting you as part of his family."

As the double meaning and intentions of his story became clear, she gulped and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, pulling herself tight against him. "Oh, Nick." She looked up into his eyes. "You mean it? You really mean it?" At Nick's nod, she buried herself into his embrace.

"Nat?"

She pulled back and looked at him, waiting.

"I have to ask - to be sure. I need the words. Nat, will you allow me to bring you across, to be what I am, to live the way I live, to be with me forever - as a vampire?"

"Yes, Nick. I want to be with you forever as a vampire." She reached to hold the pendant and looked down at the image of the lovers. Looking up at him again, she said, "I will always wear this as a reminder of our story, of how we found each other."

Nick captured her lips in a kiss, pulling her tight against his body. His hands roamed over her as his love poured through the passion of his lips and tongue.

Almost forgetting herself and her plan, Nat pulled back out of his arms. "I have a gift for you, too, Nick."

Nick glanced around, seeing nothing in her hands. He looked up at her with a questioning look. Then he saw her hands reach for the buttons at the top of her dress and gasped at what he knew she was about to do.

Nat bit her bottom lip in her nervousness. What would his reaction be? Would he like what he saw? Would her aggressiveness turn him off? He was from the 13th century. She sucked in a breath and started undoing the buttons down the center of her dress.

Nick reached his hands to where her fingers were undoing the buttons. Softly, he asked, "Can I help?" looking into her eyes.

She nodded and moved her hands back to give him room to allow his fingers to unbutton the dress. He held her gaze as his fingers worked down the dress, only momentarily looking at his fingers and what he was uncovering every few buttons. He noticed the red velvet and fluffy marabou peeking through and grew curious. If he had been mortal, his heart would be pounding in his chest. Even so, he thought he felt two beats back to back.

When he had worked his way to her waist, Nat grasped the top of the opened dress and pushed it from her shoulders, causing the dress to slide into a puddle at her feet. Kicking off her shoes, and all at once, the Santa teddy titled, 'Velvet Dream', was all that she wore as she stood in front of Nick.

Nick's eyes slowly looked over the length of her down to her feet and back up again to gaze into her eyes. "Nat..." he groaned in deep voice. His eyes again roamed over her body, unable to get enough of her, yet clearly enough to cause an immediate response in his groin.

Nat immediately noticed the large ridge outlined under Nick's pants and licked her lips before looking back into his eyes, now flecked with gold.

Nick placed his hands on her bare shoulders and caressed the warm, soft skin there and on her upper arms. "God, Nat, you are so beautiful," he said, still stunned at the vision before him. "But don't you know that you don't have to wear things like this to make me want you. I want you so badly. I have for a long time. I just didn't know if it was a wise thing to allow myself to give in to it." Nick's eyes followed his hands as they cautiously traced the fluffy marabou along her breasts. Dipping down the front of the red velvet teddy over the bare looped opening there, his fingers dared to touch the warm flesh underneath, lingering there a moment. He glanced back into Nat's eyes watching him closely. "Not that I don't love your gift, Nat," he said huskily. "You're so beautiful."

Nat finally found her voice. "Before you told me how you felt, I would receive such mixed messages from you. It was hard to know what you wanted or even noticed," she said, trembling.

Nick pulled her close against his body, feeling her breasts pressed against his chest and his male hardness pressed into her abdomen. His hands slid down her back and along her sides, where the soft velvet opened to satiny bare flesh. "I noticed, Nat, I noticed," he said huskily. His lips captured hers with a fierceness he almost couldn't contain. His arms slid around her back again and down to cup her exposed rear end, pulling her close against his groin. The vampire was being unleashed too fast and he felt the bloodlust rapidly rise in him. Nick wasn't ready for this yet. He pulled away from Nat, before he lost all control.

Nat watched Nick step away from her as tears filled her eyes. What had she been thinking, teasing a vampire the way she was? The past few weeks had been so wonderful; she just wanted more. Stepping towards Nick, she apologized, "It's my fault, Nick. I wasn't thinking. I never should have..."

"Nat, don't, please don't apologize," he said in a gravely voice, struggling with the vampire's demand for blood. He grabbed for a candy cane hanging on one of the tree branches and started licking the candy. Then he bit into the stick and broke a chunk off to chew. As he gained back his control, he turned back to Nat, hoping he hadn't scared her too much.

Nat watched him, puzzled as he continued to lick on the candy cane. "Nick, do you really like candy canes that much?"

"Not really. Like I said, it's just something I started doing sometimes around mortals."

Nat was getting worried. Was Nick losing it? "But you don't have to do that for me, Nick. Why are you licking one now?"

Nick smiled at her confusion and closed the gap between them. "I said I do it sometimes for that reason. I also like the sweet taste." With that, he touched the sticky candy across Nat's lips. Then he licked across her lips, tasting the sweetness and capturing her lips. His tongue probed into her mouth, caressing her tongue. Slowly pulling away from her mouth, he muttered against her lips. "Mmmm... sweet lips."

Realizing Nick was again comfortable with the intimacy they had been sharing, she leaned into his kiss. Her hands caressed over his back, the silk shirt feeling so smooth under her fingers. She grasped the silky material and slowly pulled the shirt from where it was tucked into his pants. Sliding her hands under the shirt, she caressed his cool muscled back as Nick moaned his delight into her mouth.

Nick touched the sticky candy cane along her skin as his lips followed the trail of sweetness. Nick licked along her cheek with his tongue, worshipping her flesh. "Did you know that Peppermint," he mumbled as he licked her skin and kissed lower on her neck, "was used in ancient times for purification and sacrifice?" he mumbled, not once stopping his journey across her sweet skin.

"Oh, so it's a ritual sort of thing?" Nat asked, barely able to stand under Nick's oral assault. Who would have thought that sticky candy canes could make her feel this way?

"Mmmm..." Nick dragged the wet candy along her neck, following the trail with kisses and licking the sweet stickiness. He held her firmly in his arms, supporting her as he felt her legs weaken under her. He continued along her neck, twirling his tongue and tracing back over her skin to capture every bit of sweetness there, stopping only to lightly blow against her wet skin.

"Ahhh, Nick..." Nat didn't know how long she could keep standing and Nick had so far managed to drive her wild with attention to the neck and higher. Just as she wondered how she would survive any further assault on her senses, Nick lifted his head away from her neck and smiled at her.

Nick realized it was time to open his gift. "Come here," Nick said, eyeing her lustfully. "I think I want to open my present now." Nick guided her to stand by the couch, and dropping his eyes to her breasts, he reached for the velvet tie holding the looped opening together and pulled the tie open, exposing the center of her chest to him. He bent his knee, resting it on the couch, lowering his line of sight to her chest. Holding her at the waist, Nick pulled her closer and he kissed the exposed flesh between her breasts, the white marabou trim tickling his face. Then he kissed away from the center towards her right breast as a hand moved to cup the other velvet-covered breast. He moved the velvet aside where he was kissing, exposing her creamy breast to his gaze. A growl escaped from his chest at the feast before him, but not wanting to neglect her other breast, flicked his finger flicking across the velvet-covered nipple. Nick brought the candy to his mouth, licking it, moistening the cane. Nick watched her bare breast closely as he drew circles of stickiness on her nipple, then wider concentric circles on her entire breast.

Nat didn't want to break the spell, but she just had to ask. "Not that I'm complaining, but mind if I ask why you have this obsession to use candy canes?"

Nick licked the outer edges of her breast, drawing in her scent. He worked his way around her breast, licking and kissing, blowing cool breath against her wet skin, nibbling and caressing her flesh with his mouth. He looked up into her eyes and lifted his lips from her luscious flesh. "Maybe it's the fact the peppermint tends to mask the scent of blood. It makes it easier for me to keep control of the vampire. Don't you like it?"

Nat groaned as his lips again attacked her breast, sending waves of pleasure through her body directly to her core. "Nick, don't stop," she begged as she worked her fingers into his hair.

Nick licked closer and closer until he came to her hardened, waiting nipple. Slowly, his tongue traced around her nipple, eliciting a moan from Nat. Nick pulled her tight against him and surrounded her nipple with his lips, sucking on the hardened tip, drawing the elastic flesh out as he looked up into her eyes. As her nipple sprang free, he commented, "I think you do like it." He lightly blew against the nipple and watched it pucker even more than before.

"God, Nick, that feels, ahhhhh...." Her affirmative response was drawn out as he blew against her wet nipple and she felt a tightening in her groin.

His hand slid under the velvet covering her other breast and cupped the mound in his palm. He toyed with her hardened nipple, twisting it between his fingers. Unable to resist any further, his mouth left her right breast and covered her second breast, sucking on the waiting tip.

Nat's fingers tightened in Nick's hair as she groaned against his continuing assault. "Nick, please..."

He opened his mouth wider and inhaled as much of her breast as he could, dragging his tongue over her sweet skin and flicking the nipple's tip. The ripples deep inside her core exploded into a white light and she fell against him, unable to support herself any longer. "Nick," she panted, "Oh God."

Nick caught her as she fell against him, and sitting down on the couch, he shifted her to straddle his lap while her heartbeat calmed. Raising his eyes to hers, he said, "I want to make love to you completely, Nat. But I don't want to bring you across our first time. I don't want it to end prematurely. But I do need to bite you to... finish making love. Do you understand?"

Nat smiled. How in the world did this man ever think he had no soul, no heart? She reached to caress his cheek. "All right, Nick. And by all means, use all the candy canes you want," she said with a grin.

"I think I'd like to finish unwrapping my Christmas present upstairs," Nick said with a smile. He scooped Nat into his arms and grabbed a handful of canes from the tree - just in case - and levitated them to the next level. Not taking his eyes from hers, Nick slowly lowered her to her feet at the bed's edge, holding her close.

"That was..." Nat could not find the words to describe how she was feeling, overwhelmed with Nick's words and the magic-like quality of the evening. Her hands reached for his only to find the candy canes clutched in his grip.

Nick quickly laid the candy canes on the night stand, except for the one he had already been using and turned his attention back to Nat. His fingers gently held her face and he lowered his mouth to hers.

As Nick lightly nibbled her lips, tasting her warm moist mouth, Nat wrapped her arms around him caressing his back. Lowering her hands to his firm butt, she pulled him close, pressing her body against his length and crushing her breasts against his chest.

Nick deepened his kiss, probing her mouth and exploring her, wanting to fully experience all of her. Nat's roaming hands grew unsatisfied with the silk covering Nick's chest and hungrily pulled back just enough to wildly undo the buttons, her mouth never leaving his. With the buttons undone, Nat pushed the shirt from his shoulders, encouraging Nick to release her long enough to let it fall from his arms onto the floor.

Nick reluctantly pulled back from her to allow his shirt to be removed, but quickly pulled her close again as the shirt fell from his arms. As her bare breasts pressed against his chest, a moan escaped his throat. She felt so good against his body. His mouth left her lips, kissing and nipping along the column of her neck. His mouth ravished her flesh as his arms held her, clinging helplessly to her. Sliding down her body, he fell to his knees, resting his face on her abdomen, still covered with the partially discarded teddy. Turning his face into her body, he inhaled deeply and was rewarded with her womanly scent, rich with desire. He slid his hands under the teddy on her back and pulled it down over her rear, lowering the fabric from her most private flesh. He paused as her beauty was revealed and he kissed at the apex between her legs. Sliding the teddy down her legs, he pulled it the rest of the way off and tossed it aside. Gazing up at Nat with golden eyes, he gently guided her to sit back on the bed.

Nick nudged open her legs, pushing them apart and opening herself to his view. Licking the candy cane, Nick contemplated his next move. Watching Nat as she leaned back on her elbows, Nick trailed the sticky candy cane along one of her inner thighs, stopping just short of where she wanted him to touch the most. Nick grasped her about the hips and lowered his face to her legs.

Leaning back on her elbows, Nat stretched her head back and relished the sensations Nick was causing to ripple through her. Moans escaped her throat as he licked his way along the sensitive flesh of her thigh. Nick kissed her skin every few moments, making her feel like a goddess being worshipped. "Oh, Nick...." Suddenly, Nick withdrew, turning to her other leg.

Her head snapped up at his torture. "Oh, God, please..." The delightful sensations caused by Nick's attention to the sensitive area at the top of her thigh had made her core ache for his touch there.

Nick nibbled and licked his way back to the ambrosia drawing him. Finally, as he arrived at the source, he lightly dragged his tongue across. Then holding her hips tightly, his tongue lapped deeply between her folds. Pausing at her swollen nub, he sucked at the sensitive flesh, holding Nat's hips steady from her wild thrashing and screams. Releasing her nub, he again lapped along her folds, and was rewarded with a rush of her feminine juices.

"Oh God, oh God, Nickkk..." she screamed. She could barely think straight anymore with his attack on her senses. His oral caresses slowed and he peered up at her with a smug look.

"I just realized how overdressed I am," he said seductively, looking over her ravished naked body and then, at himself, still clad in dress slacks, shoes and socks. Standing, he unbuckled his belt and took off his pants while Nat shifted on the bed to make herself comfortable on the pillows, the lovers necklace glinting between her breasts. Toeing off his shoes, Nick then finally removed his socks. When he stood back up in only his boxers, he saw Nat leaning on the pillows with a candy cane in her mouth.

"Uh-uh," she said with a shake of her head. "Those too," she said, leering at his body.

Nick slowly grasped the band of his shorts and, pushing it down and over his hips, revealing the strength of his mortal desire. Nat's eyes widened at the sight before her and hungrily smacked the cane between her lips. She pushed herself up from the pillows as Nick crawled onto the bed. "Come here," she instructed.

Guiding him to lie next to her, she sat at his side, examining the perfect specimen of manhood. Her hand lightly caressed his abdomen, watching his penis respond to her near- touch. Then she drew the wet candy along his penis, circling around the head. A pinkish clear droplet crested on the tip and she smeared it with the candy cane.

Nick groaned as Nat left wet trails of stickiness and he threw his head back against the pillows with the sheer pleasure of it. But when her touch centered on the head, he looked up to watch. A deep growl vibrated in his chest as he saw her bring the candy cane back to her mouth to lick the taste of his precum there. But before he could act, her lips descended to lick along his throbbing shaft.

Nat licked the sweet peppermint covering the hard cool flesh, stopping at his head to flick her tongue there and swirl around the engorged tip. Wrapping her lips around him, she sucked and licked, lightly cupping the sacks underneath.

Nick could take no more and pulled her mouth away from him, turning to capture her beneath his body. He stared into her eyes with his gold ones, her heartbeat increasing at his intensity. Pushing her legs apart with his knee, he positioned himself at her opening. His mouth captured her lips in a passionate kiss as he pushed into her. The sensation was so overwhelming, surrounding his coolness with such tight warmth, that his lips paused on hers as he groaned into her mouth.

Nat wrapped her legs around his hips, drawing him deeper inside. Nick now held her gaze as he started a rhythm, pulling back and thrusting back into her core. Lowering his mouth to her again, he kissed her and then worked his way over her cheek and down her neck, kissing and nibbling.

Despite the peppermint, Nick still had been able to smell Nat's essence in her blood, cinnamon and spice and something he couldn't quite place. But he had not had an overwhelming craving to take it into himself - until now. As he came near his release, the vampire demanded the life blood of the woman he loved.

Nat watched the tension and struggle on Nick's face and realized what he needed. Turning her face aside, she bared the column of her throat for him.

Nick paused at her invitation and, while the bloodlust was strong, he knew he must control his taking of her blood. She was his life and he needed her. Licking the skin covering the vein, Nick readied to taste her for the first time. With a thrust of his hips, he sank his fangs into her flesh and his seed exploded into her. The blood flowed into his mouth, the taste of her richer than he ever expected - rich with her love for him. Images of their years together flashed in his consciousness, flavored with her point of view. He never knew the extent of her love.

Pulling his fangs from her and licking over the wounds, he quickly looked at her face. He hoped he had not taken too much, being lost in the taste of her. She had to be okay. He smiled with relief as Nat smiled at his silent inquiry.

"I'm okay, Nick," she said, caressing this cheek. "I'm okay."

He sighed in relief and buried his head along her neck in her hair and squeezing her tightly as Nat caressed his back in loving support. "I love you, Nat," he whispered into her ear.

"I know," she said, tightening her arms around him.
 

A smile slowly stretched across Nick's face as he woke, sensing the weight of her against his chest. His eyes remained closed, savoring her warm body draped on his, her leg entwined with his and her arm across his waist in possessive embrace. He caressed her skin lightly where his hand lay on her side, wondering when the Heavens would realize their mistake and take her from him - for surely he did not deserve her love.

They had made love last night and she was unharmed. Opening his eyes, he gazed down at her and watched her slow, even breathing. He couldn't ask for more... yet, she was offering much more. She wanted to join him forever. He pressed a kiss on her hair, wondering how he had survived these eight hundred years before her.

Nat slowly stirred to life, sliding her leg down Nick's and stretching alongside his body. "Mmmm..." she mumbled in satisfaction and kissed his chest where her head rest. "Morning."

"Actually, it's afternoon," he informed her with a chuckle.

Her eyes shot open and looked up at his sparkling blue ones. "Afternoon?" she exclaimed in shock, pushing up on her arm. For a second, she was panicked, feeling like she had to be late for something. But then it dawned on her that it was Christmas Day and she had no other plans than to be with Nick. She settled back into his arms fully awake. "Oh, I forgot. This is where I'm supposed to be."

"And I hope you stay in my arms forever."

She looked up into his eyes, twinkling with tender love. Nat needed to ask, the thought weighing on her mind. "I know you asked me to join you, to come across... but is it just because you feel it's a last resort? To keep LaCroix from taking me from you?"

Nick shifted on his side to face her and look into her eyes. He tenderly brushed some stray hair from her face. "LaCroix's threat caused me to look more closely at our situation sooner. But if there had not been his threat, I know I would have come to the same conclusion eventually. Nat, I could not go on without you, even if we had been able to be together for the rest of your mortal lifespan. I know it's selfish of me, but I need you in my life... forever, if you'll have me. I truly want you to join me."

Nat pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "It's not selfish, Nick. Not when I want to be with you just as much as you want me with you." She leaned against his body, burying her head under his chin and tightening her arms around him. "So when are you going to bring me across?" she mumbled against his chest.

"Whenever you are ready."

Pulling back and looking at him, she asked, "Now?"

"Are you sure you don't want to have time to think first, time to do some last things while you are able?" He wasn't having second thoughts; he just wanted to give her everything that he was able.

She paused at his words, considering his offer. But nothing meant more to her than the man holding her. "I don't need anything but you, Nick."

Nick studied her face and determined that she had considered waiting, even if for a few days, but decided against it. "Okay... but I want to explain what will happen first, so you're ready for it. I need to give you that much."

Nat nodded, knowing he had no such privilege, appreciating his care. She wondered if he realized all he was doing for her to make this transition as easy for her as possible.

Leaning on his elbow, Nick reached to pile the pillows at the headboard before scooting back and settling against the pillows. He held out his hand to Nat, inviting her to lean on the pillows with him.

As she joined him, his hand grasped hers and she quietly waited, knowing how difficult this was for him. "When I take your blood this time, I will take much more - almost all. You will grow light-headed and lose consciousness. You will die." Saying these first words were the hardest, because no matter what words he used, he couldn't escape the fact that he would be taking her life's blood. And if he did nothing to call her back, it would be her death.

Trying to ignore the moist heaviness in his eyes, he continued, "You'll wake up in a place where you need to make a choice. Do you remember me telling you about this place?" he asked, looking over at her.

"Yeah, I do. Does it look the same for everyone - this place?"

"Not completely. But there will be a place where you wake and you will have to make a decision. Going into the light is sometimes a door or tunnel or just a bright light. Whatever form it takes, going there will take you to where your family and friends that have gone before you will be waiting for you... But I won't be there." Looking away, he explained how to find him. "If you want to come back to me, you must turn away from the light and listen for my voice. You will need to follow my voice and drink from me - drink my blood. My blood is what will bring you back and start your body's change into a vampire."

Nat reached for his face, turning it back to her. "Know that I will choose you, Nick."

"No one is absolutely sure until they are faced with the choice. Are you sure this is what you want Nat? It's not too late."

"Nick, I can't say I'm not nervous, but you are my Love. How could I live without you, or let you go on without me? I'm sure this is what I want."

Nick sighed in relief. "I'm glad. I don't know how I could go on without my Soul, now that I have found her." He reached between her breasts for the pendant at the end of her necklace, rubbing his thumb over the image of the lovers. Laying the pendant back against her skin, Nick closed his eyes and tears fell over his face, unable to hold them back any longer.

Nat reached to his face and wiped the wet trail with her fingers. "I love you."

When Nick opened his eyes, they were a rich gold and he gazed into her eyes. The scent of her blood reached out to him and he centered his thoughts on her heartbeat, feeling the pulsing of her blood pound inside his head. He gently pushed her back onto the pillows, half leaning over her. His hand brushed aside her hair from her neck, spotting the twin marks from last night. His hand caressed the skin as he anticipated tasting her again, taking nearly all of her into himself. He gazed hungrily at her creamy flesh there and looked back into her mortal eyes one last time.

Nat's heart beat with anticipation. The hunger in Nick's eyes was not unlike the sexual hunger she saw there last night - yet it was so much more than that. His eyes bore deep into her soul, seeing everything, feeling it all. She felt no doubts, no regrets. And she wanted to experience everything, determined to remain conscious for as long as possible.

Nick lowered his mouth to her throat, licking the warm skin tenderly, feeling the vein's pulse under his tongue. Kissing her neck, he whispered huskily, "Forever." Then holding her head to the side, he sank his fangs into her throat and drank deeply.



The End.


 

THE CHALLENGE: The challenge was issued on the DARKNN mailing list in time for
Christmas. The story had to be 1) a DarkNN story 2) have Nick in a Santa suit and/or
Nat in 'Santa' lingerie 3) have live reindeer 4) have a candy cane used in an unusual
way 5) have mistletoe and hot chocolate/hot apple cider used in the same scene.


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