Nightwing/title> </head> <body bgcolor=linen text=indigo link=purple vlink=darkorchid> <center><font size=+2><b>Nightwing</b></font><br> By TT</center><p> <i>Disclaimer</i>: The characters of the Stephanie Plum series belong to Janet Evanovich and are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. <p> <i>Notes</i>: 1) I found the beginning of this story on an old 3.5-inch diskette [which should alert you to the fact I began it a loooong time ago. ;-) ] I do remember what it was and what I was going to do with it and someday I might just continue the real story for it, but in the meantime, I thought I’d have a little fun spinning the Stephanie Plum universe in a completely different direction. I will warn you, this whole idea and outline was done at about 3 in the morning after 3 days of getting less than 2 hours sleep (so my brain is mush) 2) A “Season-cycle” is a year – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. 3) There is a healthy dose of fantasy/folklore in this story, so if you don’t like that type of stuff… you’ve been warned. [Gosh that sounds ominous, doesn’t it? ;-D] <p> <b>WARNING!!! : Sappy mushy-mush</b><p> <hr color=indigo><p> <b>Nightwing</b><br> By TT <p> In all his seasons, he had flown far and wide. He had seen much, more than he would like and less than he dreamed. But always, he had flown alone. <p> He knew that the females wanted him as their mate. After all, he was a strong, handsome hawk, but as with all red tailed hawks, he would mate for life and, given the blessing – or curse – he had been granted, he had yet to find the hawk which stirred him to mate. <p> Many, many seasons ago, before he reached the age of mating, he had discovered a fascination with humans. They were certainly odd creatures and their actions were amusing and curious. To learn more of them, he allowed himself to be captured and used for what they called heraldry. Many of the other hawks he had spoken to who had done this had said it was interesting and a good way to learn more of humans, if you were willing to tolerate limited freedom for several seasons. <p> The human’s nest he finally chose and allowed himself to be part of was a good home, one he enjoyed. Though he never would want to live on the ground like them, the need to spread his wings and fly was far too ingrained, he found the knowledge he gained satisfied his curiosity. <p> Once he had finished his time with the humans, they had released him to the wilds because he had reached the age to mate. <p> It took time, but, eventually, he had made his way far from the human world he had been living in and searched for a mate. <p> Instead, he found himself drawn by a cry of distress. As he flew to see if he could help, he realized his time with the humans had affected him more than he thought, for, before that time, he would have sought the cry to see if it would provide a meal. <p> Even from a distance, he could tell the human was in trouble and, still affectionately remembering his time with them, he sought to fend off the attacker. Using his hunting skills, he let out a cry and dived at the attacker, using claws and beak to fend off the aggressor. Despite being much smaller, the hawk was successful in driving away the attacker, saving the human. <p> Satisfied the offender was far away, he turned and looked, realizing for the first time, that he had defended, not a human, but one of the spirits of the wilderness. <p> The spirit thanked the young hawk and asked what he would have as a reward. <p> Taken aback, the young hawk replied with the first thing to come to mind, “Life. Mate.” <p> A smile curved the face of the woodland spirit. “Then I grant you a long life,” the spirit had replied, touching the young hawk’s head. “And I pray you will find your lifemate as well. Live well, Nightwing,” the spirit continued before disappearing into the woodland. <p> Shocked by the power that flowed through him from the touch, he felt changed happening within himself. He didn’t know what the changes were, but he knew he was different now, not as he had been. He was also confused about the way the spirit had said “lifemate”. All red tailed hawks mated for life, but this word seemed to mean something different. He wasn’t sure what, but he was certain he would, someday, find out. The other thought he had to ponder was the name – Nightwing. It was true that he and the other hawks had names written upon their hearts, names they alone kept, for that name had power over them. He had never heard his true name spoken aloud. That the spirit said it revealed more than the young hawk could imagine. <p> Eventually, the realization came to him that he was still on the ground where he had landed. It wasn’t a safe place for him. Spreading his wings, he launched into the air. <p> Now, over 150 season-cycles later, he still flew the skies and he still flew alone. His fellow hatchlings had died many, many seasons ago and even their hatchlings had died; yet he remained alone. He blamed it on the “lifemate” curse he had received, though; he knew it wasn’t truly a curse. The female hawks sought him, desired him and some even tried to capture him into mating, but he didn’t want them, they didn’t complete him. <p> The restlessness this incompletion created within him caused him to wander farther than any hawk he had known before. It had started with his leaving Cuba and flying to the great land to the North. He had covered much of that land, at times drifting so far from the ocean that he could no longer see or smell it. <p> In that time, he had despaired of ever finding his mate, someone who would soar with him, nest with him, have nestlings with him. And in all that time, he had learned much of the world, seen much change and still remained in the prime of health. <p> It was when he was traveling from the fresh-water seas to the ocean that he finally understood what a “lifemate” was. <p> He was resting on a high branch of a tree near where humans came to eat. They would roar up in the noisy polluting horses and sit together, eating food and talking. <p> Nightwing had spent many years near humans and had begun to understand some of their strange language. <p> This day, he saw a family of four; a mating pair and two hatchlings exit their metal horse and settle at the table. <p> Something about the smaller hatchling drew his attention. Perhaps it was her intent interest in the birds flying above, perhaps something else, but whatever it was, he needed to know. <p> Fluttering down to a lower branch, he watched her as she ate, fascinated. <p> He hadn’t been watching long, when the younger hatchling began to look around the area, as if aware she was being watched. He was stunned when after a few seconds; she turned and looked directly at him. <p> When their eyes locked, one word radiated from deep within – lifemate. A part of himself he knew had been missing had suddenly been put in place. He saw recognition in her eyes as well, saw the spark of life ignite into flame. She was far too young and the wrong species, but his soul had been bound to hers in the instant their eyes met. <p> She came closer to him, never breaking eye contact. “I want to fly with you,” she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. <p> Before he could cry out his response, the female of the mating pair called out, “Stephanie Michelle Plum, you come back here this instant. We’re still a long way from Trenton, young lady, and we won’t get home if you keep dilly-dallying.” <p> With a final look at him, she whispered, “Find me.” Then she turned and ran back to the metal horse that would carry her away further and faster than he could follow. <p> But he would follow as far as he was able. And if he lost her, he would search for her and wait for her until she was no longer a hatchling and was truly ready to fly. <p> Launching himself into the air as his lifemate left for her nest, he followed along as best he could, repeating the information he had understood until he knew he would never forget it – Stephanie Michelle Plum, Trenton. <p> There would be much for him to do in the time it would take her to grow. First and foremost, he needed to find a way for them to be together. For, while their souls would be completed by each other, their different forms would cause problems. <p> He did eventually lose track of his lifemate, her fellow nestling and the mated pair, but he at least had a direction to follow. <p> First, though, he needed to find a way they could be together when she was ready. <p> There was only one being he knew of who could tell him how it might be accomplished. <p> Turning on the airstreams, he headed south to the land of his birth. He would find the woodland spirit and learn what he could. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> “Welcome, Nightwing,” the spirit greeted. “I can see from your eyes that you have found your lifemate.” <p> It had taken him almost two years to find the elusive woodland spirit, but now that he had, he had hope. Nightwing cried out his story, explaining that she was human and he a hawk. <p> “That is a difficulty,” the woodland spirit told him. “But not an impossibility.” <p> Nightwing let out a cry of joy. Not impossible. That meant there was a chance. <p> “It will be and extremely difficult and dangerous journey,” the spirit warned. “And before I can tell you all, I must warn you that I can only give you this opportunity if you accomplish a particular task for me.” <p> Nightwing nodded his head in agreement, his blood still singing with the thrill of joy that he might be able to be with her. <p> “Very well,” the woodland spirit agreed, “I will tell you of the task. If you should return successfully, I will tell you of the risks you will undertake should you choose to proceed to seek your lifemate. Here is your task…” <p> Listening carefully, Nightwing took in all of the information of his task. He knew it would take him many season-cycles to complete, but that would allow his lifemate to grow from hatchling to a mature human. He would be patient and accomplish his task. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> Almost twenty season-cycles had passed since Nightwing set out on his mission, but never did he lose sight of his goal. In that one moment of time, his entire being, his very essence had become irrevocably entwined with hers, with Stephanie’s, though he knew that wasn’t her real name, not the name written on her heart, for, when their souls had twined, her name had been written on his heart and his name on hers. When the time was right, when she accepted his dance of courtship, then, and only then, would he say her true name. <p> As he landed in the clearing where the woodland spirit had agreed to meet him, he felt the scars on his body from the battles he had fought. He knew he would heal and his missing feathers would eventually return, but it would all be worth it when she was his. <p> “Welcome back, Nightwing,” the spirit said, accepting the proof of completion of the mission. “Congratulations on completing your mission. Now, I must tell you what I can do and the very high price you may pay if you fail to make her yours.” <p> Nightwing let out a confused cry. Stephanie was already his, how could she not be. <p> The spirit sighed. “You have watched humans for many years,” he observed. “But you do not fully understand them. Their ways are very different from yours. When young, their souls are pure and clear. They shine brightly through them, illuminating all around them. As they grow, humans begin to bind the freedom of those souls until all that remains is but a spark of what once was. To win your lifemate, you will need to free her from the strands that bind her. You will need to allow her soul to be free. But, you must also win her heart.” <p> At the questioning cry the hawk let out, the woodland spirit smiled. “Another difference with humans, they protect their hearts and very few ever know the truth of what is written there. You must find your way through the defenses she has arrayed around her heart to win it. <p> “I have found where your lifemate is. She is in a place called Trenton. I can not send you there directly for you will have much to learn first. You are familiar with the area the humans call the bayou?” The spirit received an affirmative cry. “You will go there first and meet with a man who will help you. His name is Pierre. His family has been made aware of your situation and has made preparations. Your recent journey has earned you riches which are valued by humans, so you need not worry about that aspect.” The spirit smiled at the head cocked in confusion at this last statement. “Pierre will explain.” <p> Nightwing nodded and shifted his feet, ready to fly now. <p> “Not yet, young one,” the spirit soothed. “Soon you may begin your quest. But there are a few things you will need to know. First, you will be transformed into human shape, but once a season for ten days, you will change back to your true self. You will be notified before this happens so you can find your way to freedom. This is something that can not be changed. Second, you can not tell your lifemate who you are. You must free her from her shroud of bindings and win her heart. Only when she recognizes you and pledges herself to you of her own volition will you win her and be bound forever together. The length of your life will be tied to the length of yours. No longer will you be blessed with long life for it is a blessing the two of you can not share. Should the two of you be bound together, you will live as long as she does and die when she does. Your lives will be forever intertwined. Should you win her and she makes the declaration, she will suffer from the same limitation you do. For ten days each, she will be transformed into your hawk-mate. You will need to teach her much of your ways. This, of course, will not be possible once she is with child.” <p> Nightwing cried out a question. <p> The woodland spirit laughed. “Humans, like other mammals, do not have hatchlings. It will be an experience for you to learn how to tend your little ones should you have them.” The spirit’s face then grew somber. “You will be given a time of five season-cycles to win her. Should you fail to do so, you will lose her forever, be changed back to your hawk form and spend the rest of your days alone, unable to find peace until you wither away and die of loneliness and a broken soul. It is a heavy price to pay. Either way, you will never again be simply Nightwing, never go back to the simple joy of soaring on the winds, crying your joy at the dawning of the day or preparing for the hunt at the closing of it. You will be irrevocably changed.” <p> Despite the warnings, despite the dangers, despite the heavy burden and the inevitable change he faced, Nightwing didn’t hesitate. He cried his acceptance of the terms. <p> “Very well,” the woodland spirit replied, looking sad and a little worried. He reached forward and tied a small cylinder to the hawk’s leg. “I will tell you how to find Pierre. He will know what to do with the contents of the cylinder. I only have left to wish you luck.” <p> It took only a few minutes for the spirit to explain where to find Pierre. With the instructions dedicated to memory, he spread his wings and launched himself into the air. Leaving, perhaps for the last time, the land of his birth. That melancholy thought was only a brief flash in his mind as, with excitement and anticipation, he began his long journey to the bayous. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> As he shifted on the seat in the small café, Ranger’s eyes scanned his environs once more. Though he wasn’t looking for food, he was keeping an eye out for danger. It was just one of many instincts that never left him in his human form and it had proved most beneficial in the line of work Pierre had arranged for him. <p> Pierre, or Tank, had met him after his long flight and removed the cylinder. Nightwing could remember being surprised by the presence of the woodland spirit, only realizing later that is was a different spirit than the one he left. <p> In his exhaustion, he had fallen asleep as Tank and the new spirit spoke. <p> When he woke up, nothing felt right. There were no feathers on him, his wings were no more and his legs and feet were long. It took him only moments to realize he was human. <p> He and Tank had spent six months in the bayou teaching him how to be human. The life that had been set up for him was taught to him until he knew it inside and out. No one would be able to trip him up on the details, but Tank had been adamant that he not share details. Nightwing, now called Ranger, agreed with the thought. After all, if he said nothing, no one could cause him to make a mistake. <p> Satisfied with all they had been done, Ranger accepted his new life and he and Tank had headed to Trenton to begin their tracking of Stephanie Plum. <p> When they reached Trenton, Tank and he had hunted down an office building in which to establish their business. There were other men that Tank thought could help and Ranger had plans to open an office in a place called Miami, the place Tank had chosen to live before leaving to help Ranger. This way, whether everything worked or not, Tank would have the Miami branch to support him. <p> It had taken them four months to establish themselves and their business. Already, the security business they had set up had grown to include the branch in Miami and there had been a second suggestion of an office in Boston. As promised, the wealth he had earned from his task was waiting for him. He had been surprised and somewhat baffled to learn about money. The fact he seemed to have a lot of it, enough to impress many others didn’t really mean much to him. He had but one goal – to win his lifemate. <p> One thing that hadn’t changed for him was that females still wanted to mate with him. The first time he had met a human woman in his new form, she had walked into a wall, literally. Tank had laughed and explained what had happened. He supposed it was a reaction that would be flattering to some, but he had a mission to complete and only five years to complete it. <p> The better part of the first year was gone and now he was waiting in a diner for a new bounty hunter Connie had asked him to help. Since she had helped him and Tank out when they first came to Trenton, Ranger felt he owed it to her to help this person. He was not, however, looking forward to the normal response women gave him. <p> When she stepped in the door and he looked into her eyes, he felt his own widen as his heart sped up. It was she. For the past four months he had searched for her, found her address and tried to think of a way to introduce himself, but now he didn’t need to. She was here. <p> What worried him, though, was how bound her soul had become, how closed off her heart was. He would need to take his time unraveling the threads that bound her. Only when her soul was once more free would she recognize him. Only when he had penetrated her heart could she acknowledge him. <p> This could be more difficult than he originally thought, especially since he knew so little of human mating rituals. But he would do it for her, for them. She deserved to be free. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> Ranger left her apartment, anger still burning in his veins. He had experienced much in the past few years of being human. He had learned much bout relationships. His first year working with Stephanie, he had been cautious, trying to understand her, trying to loosen the shroud and find his way through her defenses. <p> But Joe Morelli had been there as well. <p> When he discovered that Morelli had convince her to mate, he had been angry, but Stephanie still came to him, though only for help with her job. Tank had settled him down by explaining that coupling was not the same as mating and assuring him that there was still time to free Stephanie and bond with her. <p> When she had announced that she wished to be mated with and nest with Morelli, he had worked very hard to control his anger. He had succeeded, knowing that his time was running out. When she had so casually dismissed him, hung up on him after he refused to help her – an act which, truth be told, came from his bitterness of spirit and anger over the engagement – he had given in to the anger and gone to her. <p> At her apartment he had offered her the deal. If he were going to be doomed to fly the world alone, withering until death while suffering a soul-wound, he would have at least one night to remember. <p> She had refused. <p> Later, after he had calmed down, he realized he had been wrong, that the deal had only created distance and thrown up more defenses around her heart. Now he would need to start over. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> He looked at her standing in the kitchen, cooking cookies. <p> After making that deal with her, he had never intended to collect on it. When he discovered what an impediment it was, he knew he had no choice but to follow through. Even if he told her he wouldn’t collect, the damage had been done. <p> And perhaps, if only for a little while, he would be able to set he free, to let her fly. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> It had been a mistake and yet it hadn’t, he thought as he left her apartment, uncertain if he was thankful or not that there had been an emergency at a client house that he needed to check. <p> He had spent the night with her, mating, claiming, flying as much as their human bodies would allow. <p> But as she drifted off to sleep, he knew he hadn’t breached her heart’s defenses, knew he hadn’t freed her soul, and was very aware that she hadn’t pledged herself to him. <p> He had taunted himself with a taste of what he may never have and knew he would have to step back. He only hoped it didn’t cause more problems for them. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> He leaned against the doorway and watched he as she slept in his nest – bed. She had come to him in her time of need, probably not fully realizing why. <p> He had been away, his 10 days for the season had arrived and he had just finished them. Listening to his messages, he had felt his heart expand with joy as Tank informed him Stephanie was staying at the Rangeman apartment and why. <p> Though it was raining, he drove all the way to Trenton to see her, to assure himself she was truly well. <p> Now, standing in the doorway watching her sleep, the pain of longing nearly overwhelmed him. <p> When he saw her stir, he carefully hid away his feelings. There weren’t many threads left to break, but the ones left were strong as were the defenses around her heart. It wasn’t yet time. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> Fear such as he had never known pierced his soul as Stephanie fell out of the cupboard. He thought her dead and felt an anguished cry rise in his chest. <p> Before he cold release his grief, he felt her breath on his cheek, felt her move. <p> His eyes closed in relief. She was alive; there was a chance. <p> She opened her eyes and he knew that he hadn’t had a chance to hide his feelings. But, a shocking thing seemed to happen. As she looked into his eyes, he saw more of her heart’s defenses fall, saw some of the remaining threads break, saw her soul flare brighter than it had before. <p> He wanted nothing more than to confess all to her, but knew he couldn’t. She had to choose him. He knew himself well enough, now, to know he had to get her away from him or he would reveal all. Meeting Tank’s eyes, he realized his friend understood. He just hoped that someday Stephanie would as well. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> Ranger knew he would not be living much longer. <p> Things had not gone well. The family history he and Tank had set up was supposed to answer questions, not make targets of the people they had chosen. But the little girl who thought him her biological father had been kidnapped and threatened. <p> Stephanie hadn’t hesitated in helping him. And, as they worked together, he witnessed more of her heart’s defenses falling before him, the few remaining threads which bound her soul straining and becoming weaker. <p> But all his work would be for nothing now. He would die without her. Knowing that, he decided to drop all of his own defenses and reveal all of himself to her. <p> Stepping into the apartment, he met her eyes, allowing his true self, his soul to be revealed. <p> He saw the recognition begin in her eyes, saw the final defenses fall, saw the last strings which bound her break. <p> The impact of the bullets jarred him, but he felt nothing. He was lost in her essence, feeling more complete than he had since that first day he saw her, even more so than when they had mated. For him, that night had been mating, not coupling. He only hoped that she would realize that now and love him as he loved her. <p> A shot tore through his throat and he fell to the floor, as the world around him grew dark. <p> He heard Scrog say “Killing time,” and another shot fire, though, once again, he felt no pain. As the darkness drew him under, Stephanie’s cry of anguish followed him. <p> <center> ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** </center> <p> Slowly he woke up, unsure where he was, uncertain why his wings and legs felt so strange, uncertain as to why he couldn’t feel the warm comfort of his feathers on his arms. <p> His eyes blinked open and, slowly, he remembered that he was in human form. <p> A wave of gratitude that he was not dead welled within him, bringing tears of thanksgiving to his eyes as he realized he was alive and that the head resting on his bed belonged to Stephanie. <p> Something must have alerted her to the change in his state of consciousness. Because she suddenly sat up, blinking her eyes as she tried to waken. <p> “Babe,” he mouthed, smiling. His throat hurt too much to speak, but he knew she understood. <p> “You’re back,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears of relief and thanks. Leaning forward, she kissed him gently. <p> She remained standing by him after the kiss and he could see that her heart and soul were now free. He saw his name on her heart, and the burning brilliance of her soul. His own heart revealed itself in return as he felt his soul flare in the wonder of finding her again. <p> “There is no Joe,” she said, giving no warning as to where her statements were going. “I love you and only you. I have since that day at the rest area.” <p> His eyes widened, she knew. She truly knew who he was. <p> “Of course, I know who you are. Now I know,” she smiled back at him. “And now that I have you there will never be another. I love you. I am yours for however long you will have me.” <p> Leaning closer, he was expecting a kiss. Just before her lips met his, she paused and his heard her whisper his true name, “Nightwing.” <p> Unable to stop himself, he whispered her true-name back to her. <p> When their lips met in what was to be another gentle kiss, it was as if they found themselves surrounded by light. He felt their hearts merge and become one, beating together as one, he felt their souls merge until they stopped being two separate beings and became one. <p> Their fate was now sealed and they would forever belong to one another, as they should. <p> As Stephanie pulled back, he could see the understanding in her eyes of what had happened. <p> He opened his mouth to tell her about the limitations, but she placed a finger on his lips and said, “Shh. I don’t need to know now. We’re together and whatever we have to face, we’ll face together. You will never be alone again.” <p> Nightwing smiled. For year he had flown freely on the wind with no ties, with nothing to hold him back. Now, for the first time in his life, he knew what true freedom was and he had someone with whom to share it. <p> Now, their soul was flying free. <p> End <p> <hr color=indigo><p> <a href="http://www.oocities.org/ttsmiscellany/index.html">To TT's Story Index</a><br> <a href="mailto"ttsmiscellany@yahoo.com">Email TT</a><p> </body> </html>