<Flashback>
"You know, Nick, I've just about had it with you.  I tell you what I want you to do, and you do
the opposite.  Do you want to become mortal again, or not?"  Nat asked him, throwing her black
journal onto her desk.  "Nat, you know I do.  It's just that I have to be in top condition to handle
this case.  Whenever I follow the program, I start to get weak.  After this case, I promise I'll--"

"No! Don't say it! Spare us both the pain."  Nat turned away from him.  She thought they had
resolved this issue.  "Nick, maybe it'd be better if we took a break.  God knows, I need one."

Nick looked at her, frustration building up inside of him.  How could he make her understand?
"Nat, I don't know what to say to you."

She turned and smiled sadly at him.  "Maybe that's the problem, Nick.  You wrote all of those
beautiful things in your card a few months ago, when I was ready to call it quits.  But you never say
the words."  Again, she turned her back to him.  Nick's pager went off.  He looked at the message.
Damn.  "Nat, I have to-"

"Go."  It wasn't an acknowledgement, or a request.   Nick looked back at Nat once more before
leaving the morgue.  Her posture was stiff and she wouldn't look at him.  As soon as he was out the
door, Natalie sat down at her desk.  It was so unlike her to be so emotional, but her dreams were
so real.  Could she ever make him see how much she wanted this?  She laid her head on her arms,
and began to sob.
<End Flashback>

 Nick picked up the phone and dialed the morgue.

"Coroner's Office, this is Grace. Can I help you?" Grace's voice greeted.

"Hi, Grace.  It's Nick Knight.  Is Natalie around?"  He asked.

Stony silence greeted him for a few moments, then Grace replied, "No, Detective, she isn't." Her
tone no longer friendly.  "She left here about two hours ago in tears, saying she didn't know when, or
if, she'd be back."

Nick frowned. "Did she say where she was going?" He asked. What had he done?

"No. I don't know what you said to her, but she looked absolutely devastated.  I don't know if you
don't know how she feels about you, or you just don't care, but frankly Detective, I think you should
stop thinking so much about your sorry self, and start thinking more about her!"  That said, she
slammed the receiver down.

Nick knew he was really in trouble now. He picked up the phone and dialed Nat's home number.
When the answering machine picked up, he frowned.  "Nat?  Nat, it's Nick.  We really need to talk.
Please.  I'm sorry.  Call me."  He hung up and dialed her pager number.  After entering his home number,
he added 911, to let her know it was important.  Two hours, and several phone calls later, Nick was
beginning to panic.  The sun would be up in less than thirty minutes, so he was trapped.  Where was she?
Why had he just left her like that?  Because he was a coward.  He didn't want to deal with the feelings,
so he hid behind his badge.  He continually used it as an excuse to run away from his 'discussions' with
Nat.  Now, it may have cost him more dearly than he could ever have imagined.

Natalie awoke and looked around her.  She had that same feeling as always, after she awakened from
her dream.  That sweet, delicious euphoria of post-orgasm.  She sat up and noticed that once again, she
was naked, covered only by a thin sheen of perspiration.  She sighed in frustration, as she headed for the
bathroom.  Enough was enough.  As she climbed into the shower, she decided that once and for all, things
would be settled tonight.
*  *  *

*Nick reached for the phone, just as he heard the 'click' of the answering machine.  Damn!  She had
called, and he had missed it.  He replayed the message on his machine.  "Nick?  It's Nat.  Look, I know
you're there, it isn't sunset yet, and you've had to have left forty messages on my machine and pager to
call you at home.  Pick up the phone.  <pause>  Ok.  Well, if you're there, turn on your radio to KTON.
Leave it on until I get there.  Bye."   Nick frowned.  KTON?  Why did she want him to turn on that
obnoxious teeny-bopper station?  She was on her way to see him.  Maybe there was hope, after all.   He
turned on the stereo, as he poured himself a glass of bloodwine, and frowned as the first strains of a
dance-mix song assaulted him.  He barely listened,  until the announcer's voice came on.  "Greetings go
out tonight to an old college friend of mine.  Guess she's having some troubles with her guy.  She called
and asked me to make a special dedication.  Well, okay, then.  Nick: this one goes out to you tonight from
Nat.  She says to tell you, that no matter what's in your past, it makes no difference to her.  As long as you
love her, as much as she loves you, she's sure the two of  you can work out the rest..."  Nick turned up the
volume to the stereo, as the music started, and sat down.

      Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine,
      I'm leaving my life in your hands.
      People say I'm crazy and that I am blind,
      For risking it all in a glance.
      How you got me blind is still a mystery,
      I can't get you out of my head.
      Don't care what is written in your history,
      As long as you're here with me.
 
      I don't care who you are, where you're from,
      What you did, as long as you love me.
      Who you are, where you're from,
      Don't care what you did,
      As long as you love me.
 
Nick turned at the sound of the stair doors opening.  He couldn't believe that the words of the song
could be true.  How could he make her understand?  Nat looked at Nick, as the second verse started.
 
      Every little thing that you have said and done,
      Feels like it's deep within me.
      Doesn't really matter if you're on the run,
      It seems like we're meant to be.
 
As the chorus picked up, Nat walked over to Nick and placed her hands on Nick's shoulders, leaning
close to his ear.  "I keep having the same dream, Nick, and I'm going to tell you about it.  Close your
eyes."  She waited for him to comply, as the final strains of the song faded.  She reached for the remote
and turned off the stereo.  She replaced her hand on his shoulder.  "For the past two months, I've
continually had the same dream.  It starts out with me, asleep in your bed, wearing a black, silk
nightgown.  I wake up and I see you sitting next to me.  You smile, and lean forward and kiss me."

"Nat..." Nick said, turning his head to face her.

"No, Nick.  Let me finish."  She gently turned his face away from her, then put her hands back on his
shoulders.  "At first, it's a cherishing, loving, wonderfully soft kiss.  We pull back a minute, and I smile
at you.  Then you kiss me again, harder this time, more forceful; more passionate.  Then you kiss
down along my jawline, to my neck.  I turn my head, so you can have better access, then I feel your
wonderfully sharp fangs piercing the flesh; drawing my life from me."

Nick gasped, jerking his head around, but she gently placed her hands on his face, turning him from
her. "Listen.  Close your eyes."  Reluctantly, he complied.   Keeping her hands on either side of his
face, she continued.  "I see a barrage of images, good and bad, flooding my senses all at once.  At
first, I try to fight them, but the pleasure is so intense, that I give in.  I can feel my heart and breathing
slowing.  I sense a darkness, pulling me into it.  Suddenly, I'm standing in a desert, and I see a bright
light ahead of me.  A figure stands near the light, calling me.  When I get there, I'm given a choice.
Step into the light, or return to a life of eternal darkness.  But for me, the choice has already been
made, and I turn back."  She softly kissed his neck.  "I awaken, and the whole world looks and feels
different.  My vision is sharper, images are clearer.  I can hear even the faintest sound.  I can smell
things I'd never noticed before, and my sense of touch is incredibly sensitive.  I see you, sitting beside
me, and I'm suddenly hit with an intense pain, a hunger as I've never known.  You hand me a bottle,
and I drink it as fast as I can.  At the first sip, I am instantly aware of every nuance of the person who
gave their blood; who they were, what they did for a living, who they loved, who their family was--
*everything*.  It's the most incredible experience. After a couple of bottles, the hunger passes, and
I'm suddenly aware of a new desire.  One much older and deeper than the hunger for blood.  I want
you.  You kiss me and I wrap my arms around your neck, pulling you closer to me.  You kiss my
neck, then brush away my nightgown and begin kissing and sucking on my  breasts.  The sensations
are so incredible, and I can't get enough.  I begin to undress you, until we're both standing by the bed,
bare flesh to bare flesh."  She lightly kissed his ear.  "We want each other, Nick, and  at last, we can
have each other.  So you push me down onto the bed, and we begin to touch each other.  I  kiss and
lick every inch of you, and you do the same to me.  You begin kissing your way down my abdomen,
to the folds of my vagina.  Then you place first one, then another, of your fingers inside me and  begin
to move them slowly in and out.  I have you  turn, and I lick the tip of your penis, then take it fully into
my mouth and begin to gently suck on it.  As your hips begin to gently thrust, pushing your staff in and
out of my mouth, you stick your tongue into my tight, wet, center.  As our movements become faster,
you place a finger on my clit, moving it faster and harder.  Suddenly, you turn around and thrust your
hard staff into me, making me scream in ecstacy.  You begin pumping into me, gently at first, then
faster and harder.  We're both gasping in pleasure, unable to get enough.  Finally, I open my eyes, and
they're a deep red color.  I can't stand anymore, and you  lean forward and sink your fangs into me, at
the same moment I sink my fangs into you.  We reach our orgasms simultaneously, and we have no
part of each other that is hidden.  I suddenly know all there is to know about you, and you again know
all there is to know about me.  It's the most incredible, intense, erotic thing I've ever experienced. When
it's over, we lay wrapped in each other's arms, content in the knowledge that neither of us will ever be
alone again." She felt Nick shaking beneath her hands, and she again kissed his neck. At the sound of
the low growl that emanated from him, she moved around to kneel in front of him, clasping his hands in
her own. She looked up and saw that his eyes were golden, his fangs descended. She smiled and held
his gaze.

Nick saw the look that Nat gave him, and he was astounded by the total lack of fear he saw in her eyes.
There was no way a mortal could know those things.  She had just described it, exactly. How could she
know?  How could a dream be so explicit; so accurate?  "Do you believe in Destiny, Nick?" Nat asked.
"I didn't used to.  But I do,now.  I believe that it wasn't an accident that we were brought together.  It
wasn't just a coincidence."  She paused for a moment and gently touched his face.   "Did you hear the
words of the song, Nick?  I mean them.  I don't care who, or what, you are.  Vampire or mortal, I love
*you*.  I don't care what you did.  Your past is just that, the past.  I want you, regardless.  Nick, I
know what it is I'd be giving up.  I've thought long and hard about both the pros and cons.  I want you.
I want us to be together.  I can still look for a cure, it will just have to be for both of us.  You denied
me this once, Nick, and I was grateful for that at the time.  But I've had a lot of time to think about it,
and I'm absolutely, positively, without any doubts at all, sure that this is what I want.  I want you to
bring me across.  I want us to be together.  If it means we have to leave here, leave this life, then I'm
willing to do it. I love you."  As she spoke, her gaze never left his; her heartbeat never wavered.  Nick
sat in silence, just looking in her eyes, for several moments.  He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
How could she want this?  How could she want this life?  "Nat, you don't know what you're asking."

Natalie's eyes grew suddenly hard.  "I see.  Well, I guess I'll just be on my way, then.  I really thought
you loved me, that the only reason we weren't together, was because of the vampire.  LaCroix was
right--Oh my God!--Do you know what it's like to have to admit that?"  Tears suddenly filled her eyes.
"LaCroix was right."  She whispered.  She stood and gathered her things.  

Nick frowned.  "Nat? What do you mean, 'LaCroix was right'?"  

Natalie stopped and turned slowly around. "LaCroix came to the morgue one night.  He was trying to
convince me to let you go.  He told me that it was my mortality that you loved, not me.  He offered to
prove it to me."  She said the last with a sarcastic catch to her voice.   Nick's eyes opened in shock.
LaCroix had offered to bring Natalie across.  To prove to her that he didn't love her, but her mortality.

"Why didn't you?  If  it's what you want?"  He asked softly.

Nat looked at him sadly.  "I wanted you to do it.  I don't want to be a slave.  If LaCroix brought me
across, it wouldn't be for love.  It would be for control.  I don't want that."  She turned back around.
Her heart was crumbling, her chest felt tight.  "I'm sorry I misread your feelings, Nick.  I'm leaving,
tonight.  I was hoping it would be with you--"  Her voice broke, as her tears started.  She reached for
the handle to the lift, but was stopped from opening it by Nick's hand on hers.

"Nat, are you sure?  Really, *really*, sure?"  He asked softly.

Nat swallowed hard.  "Yes.  I'm not going into this blindly, Nick.  I know what I'm giving up.  No
more sunlight.  No more chocolate, or popcorn, or chinese food.  I won't be able to have children.
I'll have to continually fight the urge to kill someone.  I *know* what I'm giving up.  But I also know--
I *know*, Nick,that it is worth it."  She dared to look up at him, through her tears.  

Nick reached out and gently brushed  the tears from her face.  He hated the idea of bringing her into
this darkness, but he hated the thought of having to live without her, more. "I just don't want you to
hate me, Nat."  Nat placed her hand over his. "I won't Nick. LaCroix led you into this, with-out giving
you the full story. I know the full story, and I know that I'm asking you for this.  I promise you, I will
*never* hate you."

Nick pulled her into his arms, breathing in her fragrance, feeling the warmth of her body.  Was it really
her, or her mortality he loved?  He thought he knew the answer, but what if he was wrong?  It was a
hell of a chance to take.   Natalie felt Nick's indecision.  "Nick, if you do this because I'm forcing you,
you'll end up hating me.  You have to want this, too."  She searched his eyes for some sign that he
wanted this, too.  

Nick looked into her eyes, and realized, he did want this.  He wanted her.  If it meant that they'd
never see a sunrise, or walk on a beach at sunset, then so be it.  He had to have her.  For now.  For
tomorrow.  For eternity.   "Okay."  He said, as a single, blood red tear fell from his eyes.  "I love you,
Nat.  I want you. We'll have to leave this life.  I don't see how we can explain why you suddenly can't
go out in the sunlight.  Besides, you'll need some time to learn control.  We can go anywhere you like.
Just name it."   Nat began shaking.  Not in fear, but in excitement.  "I love you, Nick.  I'm ready."
 

Nick nodded and led her up the stairs. He waited while she went into the bathroom and slipped into
one of his black silk nightshirts.  When she came out, she grinned shyly at him, as he led her to the bed.
"Don't be afraid, Nat. I won't let you down."  He pulled her into his arms, and kissed the top of her
head. "I love you."  He laid her gently down on the bed, kissing her lips softly.  "I need to feed, and
pick up some supplies for you, for when you awaken."  He told her.  "Go to sleep, and dream pleasant
dreams, and I will return shortly."   Nat looked up and smiled. "Promise?"   Nick sat down beside her,
grasping her hand in his. "Promise."
*  *  *

 *Nick walked into his bedroom in the loft. He felt strangely at peace about this. He looked down at
Natalie, sleeping peacefully, her hair spread out about his pillow.  She was so beautiful.  He sat down
on the bed next to her.  Nat opened her eyes and looked up at him.  She smiled at him, and he smiled
back at her.  Then, he leaned down and kissed her.  At first, it was a cherishing, loving, wonderfully soft
kiss.  They pulled back, looking at each other, and Nat smiled at him.  He leaned forward and kissed her
again, harder, more forcefully; more passionately.  Then he kissed down along her jawline, to her neck.
She turned her head, to give him better access, and felt his wonderfully sharp fangs pierce her flesh,
drawing the life from her....

<End> KC
 Nick-and-Natpacker to the bitter end...and beyond.