Another Reality

by Olivia Jean Ecklund
Chapter 13

The shower was running and he caught a glimpse of her behind the fogged glass of the shower. He found himself staring at the beautiful profile. He could see no details, just the form of a beautiful woman.

Suddenly that woman cried out with anger and pain. He saw her hands moving quickly and he realized she was scrubbing herself furiously. A wail rose and she crumbled to the floor. Her back was against the glass. He heard her muffled cry. She was curled up against herself.

He grabbed a huge white fluffy towel and opened the shower door. A cloud of hot steam hit him in the face. Nick reached for her, the hot water scalding his arms. He gasped and withdrew. Reached up to shut the water off, he could see her skin was burned and red. "Oh, Natalie, what have you done to yourself?"

He wrapped the towel around her and picked her up to carry her to a soft bench in the room. "Natalie," he called to her, raising her chin so that he could look into her eyes. "Please let me help you."

Her eyes flashed amber. She grabbed his wrist and plunged her fangs into it.

Nick was shocked but didn't try to pull away. He reached over her head and stroked her hair gently. "Natalie, I love you. You can feel my love through my blood," he whispered through lips tight with pain.

After about 30 seconds she drew back and licked the wounds closed and pushed his arm away from herself. The towel slipped down off her shoulders and he saw that they were a beautiful unblemished white with a slight pink flush from the ingested blood. She looked up at him now with clear blue eyes. She smiled.

Nick leaned down and kissed her lips gently. When he straightened up again he saw her grip the towel tightly to her. He turned away to give her privacy and saw a white robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door. He went to fetch it.

As he did Natalie stood and wrapped the towel around her under her arms. When Nick came she turned her back to him and reached back with her arms and shrugged into the robe. As Nick took the ties and reached around her to tie them the towel slipped to the floor.

Nick drew her back against his chest and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Are you better now?" he asked. "I'm wonderful!" she breathed, "It's euphoric to feel the blood of a man who loves you course through your veins. It cleanses and heals you, not only physically but emotionally. Thank you, Nick. Your love means the world to me."

He turned her to face him and pressed a kiss to her chin. "You're Welcome." His voice was low almost a purr. He felt such an envelopment of peace that seemed to cover him as she'd taken his blood.

"Am I under your spell now?" he asked.

"Spell," she laughed, sliding her arms around his neck. "That's only in the movies. You might feel that way from loss of blood. I might have transferred a bit of my feelings for you when I took your blood. But that will fade in time. Let's go downstairs, Nick. I think I still have some of that orange juice, some bagels and cream cheese. You should eat, then sleep."

They went down the steps arm in arm. Natalie pushed Nick onto a bar stool and got the orange juice. He drank it down gratefully and then chewed on the slightly stiff bagel and the soft cream cheese. It felt good to get some food in his stomach.

"I took about 1 1/2 pints of blood, so you might be a bit weak for a few days. Try to get as much sleep as you can. Come lay on the couch and sleep here the rest of the day. She led him to the couch and settled him in, covering him with the throw. She slipped under his head and cradled him in her lap. She stroked his hair and caressed his face. She leaned to kiss him, his eyes where already closing.

"Sleep, my love, Sleep," she said.

Nick slipped into a deep sleep.

"So," she whispered. "You want to kill LaCroix for me. I have waited centuries to find someone willing to kill him for me." Her eyes flashed amber and she smiled. The points of her white fangs were revealed.

Natalie moved away from Nick and watched him sleep from the chair closer to the windows. She kind of perched on the top of the back on the chair like a great bird of prey. She'd fed twice now from him. Already she could feel a change. His blood seemed to amplify her powers and make her stronger. Her body ached to feel him close to her, yet she could not risk his life. There was much to do yet. She closed her eyes and stretched back like a sleek cat. Her robe was lose and open to her waist and the sides fell over her hips and down the chair back leaving her legs bare. What would it be like to make love to this golden man? To feel his blood flow through her in the throws of their passion? She felt her fangs itch at the thought. She had to be careful with Nick. He'd lost enough blood for now. She could not drink from him again for several weeks.

She thought of LaCroix. If he ever touched her again she would find a way to kill him. How could she have ever surrendered herself to that monster? She'd enjoyed his lovemaking years ago. She shuddered. His touch make her cringe now. He was such an evil contrast to that beautiful young man. She slid down the chair and went back to look at Nick. She kneeled by his side and ran her fingers through his hair again. "You might want to kill for me, yet we can never plan this. At least you can't my love. I do not want stain to be on your soul. You must remain pure of heart." She leaned to kiss his soft lips and felt him respond even though he was still sleeping. She smiled at him and then headed back upstairs to sleep.

She thought, "I will never tell you, Nick, that LaCroix raped me. You would not be able to live with that. Not without evil invading your heart. I must be the one that destroys him, if I am ever to be free. LaCroix would never allow you and I to live in any capacity, Vampire or Human. His jealousy would destroy you and enslave me forever. There is nowhere in the whole world we can hide."

No matter what happened to them, Natalie would not let Nick go. She would keep him forever with her. She didn't realize that this was where LaCroix's point of view had started. She climbed into the bed and fell asleep, the touch of Nick's lips still fresh on hers.

When Natalie woke the next evening she was drawn to a warm cup of blood that sat on the table next to her bed. She could hear the shower in the bathroom. She smiled when she saw that the bathroom door was not completely closed. As she sipped the warm fluid from her cup she moved toward the door. She heard the shower turn off and the glass doors open.

Nick passed by the slightly open door. His body was covered with with droplets of water and a towel was wrapped around his waist and tucked in. Natalie moved for a better view. His slightly tanned body was beautiful. Her meek coroner had a great body. As he stood before the mirror combing his hair, she watched the rivulets of water run down his back over the tight muscles. She set the cup on the dresser by the door and moved toward him, pushing the door open. Their eyes met in the mirror. She heard his heart beat faster. She was not sure whether it was her ghost reflection or her being there that caused it.

She reached out to run her hands over his back. "Nick, you're so beautiful." She breathed out in a sigh. She ran her other hand over his back, down around his ribs, and to the front of his chest, exploring the hard, firm muscles.

"Natasha." He captured her hand and drew it up to kiss her fingers.

She dared to lay her cheek against his back. "You are playing with fire, Nick."

"I know. I thought I owed you a look. I know you were in distress last night, but you still took my breath away. You are beautiful, Natasha." He felt her lips smile against his back. Then she groaned and pushed herself away. She forced herself to exit the room. She called back to him, "Nick, don't ever do this again." She closed the door.

Nick sighed and shifted, pressing both hands against the smooth white counter. "That was stupid." he thought, "but it felt wonderful." He smiled at his reflection in the mirror. He dressed quickly and came down the stairs. Natalie was dressed for work.

"I thought you were still off tonight," he observed.

"I just got a call. Homicide, gun shot wounds, the body was found in a dumpster."

Nick sighed. He sat on a stool and found there was already orange juice and a bagel with cheese. He would have to get a better variety of food the next time he was invited to stay.

"You'd better take your car. For appearances. Any way, I have to go make a quick stop at home to feed Beast and take him out."

Natalie smiled, "All right, Nick." She slipped on her revolver and pulled her jacket over it. She came over and pressed a kiss to his cheek, running a hand over his back. "Thanks for everything, Nick. See you in a bit." She moved away toward the lift. "Oh by the way," she said over her shoulder, "You're the sexiest man I've ever seen." She turned in time to see his ears flush that beautiful red color.

Her delicate laughter caressed him as he turned back to his food. He gulped the orange juice, grabbed the bagel and his bag and ran down the stairs two at a time. He came out the door in time to wave to Natalie as she pulled into the road and drove away.

Nick drove quickly to his place. Beast was used to him coming and going quickly, but Nick always felt bad not spending time with him. He knew the days were getting shorter for his pal. He held the little guy close, placing kisses on the top of his head and cheek as they went down the stairs. Nick gave him five minutes to relieve himself, then back into the apartment he went. Nick drove to the crime scene.

Natalie was busy when he arrived gathering samples. She smiled up at him As he passed. A warmth of love passed through him.

Don Schanke was already on sight. "Nick!, buddy, where have you been? I've been here an hour already."

"It was supposed to be my night off, Don," Nick reminded him.

Don suddenly came close. "What's this," he said, reaching up and rubbing a thumb against Nick's cheek.

Nick groaned. "Damn, Schanke will be on me from now on until he Finds out who I'm seeing," he said to himself. He lied, "One of the little old ladies in my building caught me on the way out."

"Uh ha," Don said, seeing through the lie. "And cops can fly."

Nick couldn't help but turn his head to look at Natalie and think, "If only you knew."

"Oh, boy, Oh Boy!" Schanke said, following his gaze. "I'll bet the new Detective's lipstick matches this sample on my thumb."

Nick turned back and glared at him, "Let it go, Don."

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Nick. I won't say anything, We're buddies, remember." He got real close and whispered, "She's a real looker." Then seriously, "I'm happy for you, Nick."

Nick smiled warmly at his old friend, "Thanks. Now what do you say you Fill me in on the case and we get to work."

Nick didn't see Natalie for nearly a week after that. The case she was working on got really intense and she spent every minute of her night tracking down the killer. Nick was busy going over all the data trying to find something he'd missed to help her. She would call him after work, after the sun was up and they talked a bit, but she was so tired and worn that she didn't invite him over. They had both agreed he needed time to regain his strength from her feeding.

Nick spent a lot of time with Beast that week, giving him most of his time off. Finally the case was solved and when his next off-shift came, he asked Natalie if she would come to his place for dinner and meet his friends from med school. Her reaction surprised him. She was afraid. He realized she never dined with humans. It was too difficult to not eat in front of them. He finally let her off the hook and promised he would call when the guests had left.

Natasha sat again on her night off with nothing to do. She had been invited to Nick's, but was not sure about meeting his friends, so she'd bowed out. He hadn't protested too much and she was now wondering why. They'd only been together a few times but she thought she knew how he felt for her. He was having friends over and she wondered if he'd have a woman there for himself. She felt her eyes change to amber and before she knew it she was out the skylight and racing across the dark city toward his apartment building.

The balcony was in total darkness except for a foot from the door. She landed soundlessly and moved closer to the door. Where was this party of friends? She heard no laughter or voices. The place seemed quiet and still. The traffic in the street below was loud and it was difficult to hear inside. Then she heard Nick's voice. He was laughing. She came closer to the window and realized he was standing at his door. There was only one woman with him. She was a Beautiful, raven-haired beauty. He was slipping her coat on over her arms and shoulders. He then captured Her in a warm embrace, laying his chin against her shoulder and kissing the side of her face. They laughed and talked a minute and though Natalie tried she could not hear their exact words, only sounds mixed with a blaring horn and the street noise.

He turned toward the woman, their lips met ever so briefly. She felt the jealousy in her heart ignite and she realized that her eyes were now blazing red and her fangs were exposed. "He's mine, I will not allow him to love anyone else. I need him!" she thought, moving toward the glass. She went until her face was pressed against the glass.

Nick closed the door and turned toward the balcony. He always watched Janette get into a cab from there. He stopped suddenly. His heart leaped into his throat. There stood Natalie with a visage that shook him to his toes. She stood pressed against the glass. Her eyes glared red and her fangs where visible. She didn't move but glared at him fiercely. He stood just staring for a long time, his heart beating wildly. Finally he moved toward the glass doors and pulled it open.

"Nat, what's wrong?" His voice trembled, making him angry. Chapter 14

She suddenly reached out, grasping him behind the neck. "You are mine. I will not allow anyone to come between us."

"Who's coming between us?" he asked, straining against her hold, grimacing against her painful grip. Her breath was cold against his face.

Suddenly, she covered his mouth with hers, kissing him fiercely. He felt her fangs against his lips. Nick closed his eyes and waited for her to strike. He knew fighting her was useless. Her fingers pulled at his collar, ready to strike. Suddenly the cross at his neck came into view. It seemed to flare with a flash of light and she backed away, snarling.

"Take it off, Nick," she demanded threateningly.

"No, Natalie." he whispered calmly, yet he pulled the collar up to hide it from her.

She came forward, her fingers flashing she quickly unbuttoned his shirt below the collar. She ran her cool hands over his chest and leaned to tease his nipple with her lips and tongue. "You are mine," she repeated.

"Natalie!" he gasped, "Please stop." He tried to drag her hands away.

It angered her and she raised her hand striking him in the face and he flew back hitting the wall.

"I will kill her, Nick," the vampire hissed in a deep voice.

"Who?" he asked confused.

"That woman you were kissing."

"Kissing? I wasn't kissing any woman."

"I saw you," she spat at him coming close. She could hear his heart beating, pounding in her ears. The smell of his fear heightened her desire for him.

"Take it off, Nick." she screamed at him. She reached out with her will and took control of his.

He reached up and undid the chain and it fell to the carpet. He held out his arms and she was instantly on him. Her fangs sunk into his willing flesh. His sweet blood filled her mouth and slid like honey down her throat.

Her mind was filled with the image of the raven-haired woman and she heard their words and felt his feelings, "Thanks for being my host tonight, Sis."

"You should find yourself a woman, Nicky. There are lots of beautiful young women dying to meet you, little brother."

Nicks thoughts strayed to the beautiful vampire who'd sat up on his table weeks ago and he smiled. She had no idea how close her statement was. "I've already found someone, Janette."

"Really Nicky? Is this the same woman you mentioned before? Where is she? Tell me more about her," she demanded, hugging his arms around her.

Nick held her briefly. "She's not ready to meet anyone just yet."

"Well, when she's ready, bring her to the Raven. We'll have dinner or a drink."

He planted a kiss on her chin and released her waist and she turned toward him giving his a sisterly peck on the lips. "Bye."

Natalie saw all this, and felt it all in seconds, as Nick's blood filled her mouth. She tore herself away. Her jealousy dissipated and she feared for his life and her need for him.

His eyes where still closed. He was breathing hard, his desire for her plain in his face and body. In control of herself now, Natalie pressed her lips against his neck again. This time she only ran her tongue over the two small wounds, lapping up the blood that still leaked out and healing the wound with her saliva.

"Nick," she said, shaking him.

He reached for her, his hands exploring her body. She pushed him away Reluctantly, not wanting to rekindle the Vampire's desire for him. "Nick!" she shouted at him.

He opened his eyes, confused. His hand flew to his neck feeling to two small healing wounds. "Natalie? What happened?" He backed away from her. Natalie realized suddenly there was a persistent sound in the apartment and she focused on it. It was Beast barking from behind the closed bedroom door." She turned back to Nick. "Nick, forgive me. I did not realize she was your sister."

He slumped onto the couch weak from the high adrenaline rush and loss of blood. Embarrassed by his body's obvious high excitement, he shook his head still feeling confused.

Some of the things she had said came back to him. "You saw me with Janette and thought she was a lover?"

Natalie turned away, "I need to go, Nick. Forgive me. I won't spy on you again."

"Please don't go." He stood, pulling his shirt back around his chest. He stepped closer to her and drew her against his chest. He would not repeat the mistakes he had when he'd run out on her that one morning. "Please, it's all right. No harm was done. I'm fine."

She tore away from him, her eyes became amber. She was angry at herself, at his words. "Next time I could kill you." She flew out the door and into the night.

He scooped beast up after Natalie left and took him outside for a potty break. Back upstairs, Nick played fetch with Him to try to calm down. Nick threw the puppet and Beast ran after it. Nick threw it on top of the couch, behind the couch, on top of tables and chairs and Beast hunted all over the room until he found it. Later they just sat and relaxed, watching TV. Finally Nick felt ready to crawl into bed. He didn't have to be at work until 9:00 pm, so he planned to sleep till 7:00. The sun will have set already. He would miss the remainder of the day, but he needed the rest. He felt weak from the blood loss and the adrenaline rush. His sleep was restless, his dreams were filled with glowing eyes.

He woke in the dark, his sleep disturbed by a low deep growl from Beast. It was so dark he couldn't see anything more than a couple feet in front if him. He sat up and drew the dog closer.

"Natalie?" he called out. Suddenly he could see two red eyes watching him from the corner of the room. Unless she was floating there, they were to high for her. There was a scent different from hers, some how male.

"LaCroix," he said. The eyes came closer and he saw there was a tall man impeccably dressed in black with long black hair and skin pale as paper. (Original Nick Knight movie LaCroix.)

"I will never let you have Natasha. She is mine. She will always BE mine." The creature hissed into his face. "Leave her alone."

Nick took a deep breath, "...and if I don't?"

A hand suddenly snatched him up by the throat and he hung above the bed several inches. "Natalie and I are just friends," he lied. Beast was still growling low, but thank God he didn't bark.

"Friends," the creature snarled into his face. His fangs where long and sharp.

Nick flinched back from him.

"She's mine and she will always be mine," he repeated. "Do not forget it. I could take you now and leave a dry empty husk on this bed. For now I will keep my promise. But mark my words Human, she will only toy with you awhile and then she will drain you. It has always been that way. Her fantasy will never come true."

There was a rush of wind and Nick was released. He fell back on the bed. Beast yelped and scrambled out of the way. He now stood barking at the open window.

Nick trembled and sweat poured off of him. He put his hand to his neck. He would have bruises. Maybe LaCroix had come to scare him, but it only made him more determined to destroy the creature of the night. He closed and locked the window, then got an old crucifix of his grandmother's from the closet and affixed it to the glass.

He retrieved the forgotten cross and chain from the floor and put the necklace back on. The only thing he really wanted was to see Natalie. He prayed for peace and sleep and finally dozed off.

The next night Nick saw Natalie at another homicide. He managed to get her off to the side. She was having trouble looking him in the eye and he could tell she was embarrassed for the scene she'd caused at his place after the party.

"Nat, please look at me," he begged.

She turned her eyes up at him and he saw there was anger, fear, and pain.

"Natasha," he said, very quietly and close to her face. "It is forgotten and forgiven. Please come to my place and watch a movie with me tonight. We need to talk and I want to be with you. You can stay the day if you like. I have blackout drapes. I even put some in the living room for you." He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss against her cheek.

He saw a red tear escape her eyes and he took it on his finger, it tore at his heart. She might be hard and tough on the outside to most people, but to him, he saw the woman begging to be set free. "Please come."

She finally smiled. "Okay, Nick. I will need to bring supplies."

He smiled a smile that melted the last bits of fear from her heart. "Bring enough to last awhile. You might want to come over often."

She reached out and took his fingers in hers and laced them through his. "I was so afraid you would hate me because of what I did."

"Hate is the last thing I will ever feel for you," he said softly, wishing he could take her in his arms and prove to her how much he wanted her."

She could see the desire in his eyes and she smiled that wonderful smile that lit the night. "I'd love to come." she reiterated.

They heard, "Hey Nick, Where are you?" Schanke's voice pierced the trees like a blaring horn.

Nat gestured, "Shhhh," she pointed to herself and then lifted into the air and disappeared.

"Nick!" the loud voice called again. Don barreled into the small clearing.

"What Schank?" Nick said, irritated. He'd wanted to give Natalie another kiss.

"You alone?" Schanke looked around. "I didn't see the Detective at the scene either."

"Yes, I'm alone," he said, gesturing around him.

"Why," Don asked, still peering into the shadows. "I just needed a minute. This one got to me," Nick said.

"Uhuh! Nick, its okay to sneak off into the bushes with the beautiful detective, but I know for a fact that you haven't been seeing her since she didn't come to the dinner party. You didn't have a falling out did you?"

"No, Don my friend. She's coming for a movie tonight." Don might be overbearing and loud sometimes but Nick and he had been friends for twelve years. They had gone through a lot together.

He saw the concern in his friend's eyes vanish. Don reached out and squeezed his shoulder, "Good, now can we get back to work."

Natalie arrived at 4 am. Nick was ready for her. He'd showered and put on a pair of black jeans and a turtleneck sweater. He didn't want her to see the bruises.

When the door bell rang he opened to door wide and took the large box she was carrying. It was very heavy and he staggered under it's weight. He'd forgotten about her vampire strength. He set it on the kitchen table, the bottles rattled dangerously.

Beast came forward and sniffed at Natalie's feet.

Nick picked the dog up and held Beast closer to her. "It's time you got to know my friend here a bit better. Come on, Natalie. Pet him. Let him get used to your gentle touch."

Natalie reached out to caress the dog's fur. He was soft. His hair was longish and thick. She was rewarded by a warm lick from his rough little tongue. She looked up at Nick and saw him smile. "It will take time. If I set him down now he still wouldn't let you touch him but in time he will get used to you."

He hugged Beast to him. "Good boy. Would you like a chew bone, boy?"

His little tongue came out. Nick gave Beast the bone and he jumped into the big chair and started gnawing on it. Natalie noticed it was covered with a blanket for the dog.

"Would you like a drink, Nat? he asked.

Natalie nodded. "Yes, I think that's a good idea." She followed him into the kitchen. "Nick, why do you call me "gnat"? Isn't that an annoying little fly?"

Nick smiled as he opened a bottle and poured the red bloodwine into a stemmed goblet. "It's because you annoy my emotions constantly. I want nothing more than to ravish you." He looked into her face, surprised with himself and his bold admission.

He passed the drink to her, trying to ignore the smell of blood.

She took the glass and let her fingers linger against his for a moment. "I kind of like it," she said, "Especially your reason. I like the way you use all my different names." End Chapter 14


By Jeannie Ecklund Gersknightlady@cs.com





Another Reality 15-16
Home