General Information: ALEX
by Sue Whitehorn
This is an attempt at what Nick and Janette would do and how others would respond if they adopted a mortal child as their own.
As usual the Characters of Nick, Janette, Lacroix and Vachon are not my own, but belong to James Parriot and the crew. Alex is my own made up idea.
I hope you enjoy this strange and fun story.
I give permission to archive to IB list.
Again, Enjoy.
Chapter 1
Large house on the outskirts of London: Circa 2010
Nick and Janette were sitting on the couch, watching a homemade video on their TV. Nick was sitting with his arms around Janette whose head was laying on his shoulder. Every once in a while they would both laugh.
On the screen in front of them was a little girl of 6, with long dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt that said simply Alexis. She had a large, plastic apron wrapped around her and was kneeling on a chair next to a table. Newspapers were laid out on the table and a white, glossy paper was on top of that. The little girl had her hands on the paper, fingerpainting. She was very intent on what she was doing, as Nick suddenly appeared in the corner of the scene, with his sleeves rolled up. He went over to the little girl and bent down to see what she was doing. The little girl suddenly put her red paint covered hands on his face and pushed him away.
"Oh, Nicola, you look so good in red!" Janette said as she egan to laugh. Nick too, was chuckling to himself and pulled Janette closer to him. Suddenly, there was a woosh of air at the deck door and the figure of a young woman stood on the deck outside. She opened the door and stepped in. She was about 5'7 slim and had long, dark brown hair that flowed down her back to almost her waist. She was wearing blue jeans, a sweatshirt, and athletic shoes.
"Hi, Mom, Dad. I'm home." came the cheery voice. The young woman, bounced into the room and walked toward the couple on the couch.
"Hey, Alex. You home, already?" Nick said as he looked up at the woman, who came over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah. Vachon's car broke down and we had to fly back to the city. It was such a mess. Vachon had grease all over him. He really thinks he knows all about cars. But what I want to know, is why doesn't he drive a new one?" Alex said. Then she saw the movie on the TV and groaned. "Oh, sheeze man, are you watching that old thing again?" and started to move toward the kitchen for a drink. But Nick grabbed her and put her on his lap beginning to tickle her mercilessly. "Daddy, plese stop! You know how ticklish I am."
Janette smiled at Alex and said, "You know, I remember when you were very small, you loved for your father to tickle you."
Between bursts of laughter, Alex managed to say, "Yeah, but. . giggle, giggle,. . .I'm not. . .giggle, giggle. . .a little girl now. Daddy, please stop!"
"Not until you tell me your sorry." Nick said as he continued to tickle his daughter.
"Ok, ok. I give. . giggle, giggle. . . Please! I'm sorry, you can watch that movie anytime you want to!" Alex said, panting from the exersion.
"That's better." Nick said and released his daughter. Alex moved into a better position on Nick's lap and laying her head on his shoulder she sighed and said, "I remember when you used to tell me stories at bedtime, Dad. I kinda miss that, ya know?"
"Yes, I remember." And Nick began to drift back to 15 years ago in Toronto, when he and Janette first met Alex.
Flashback to 1995 Toronto, Canada.
Nick landed just short of the bulding. He was looking forward to tonight! He was off for two days and he had made plans with Janette. They were going to spend the next two days together at her special rooms in the Raven and simply enjoy all the time alone together. Talking, playing, and making love. <Ah, yes. Making love, over and over and over and over and. . . . .Nick! Snap out of it, or you won't be able to go into the club because of this wonderful bulge pushing out the front of your pants!>
Nick chuckled to himself and then went to the front of the building and entered the door to the Raven, Nightclub Extrodinaire! As he entered the club, he was hit with the loud music and the pounding of human heartbeats, and the scent of human blood filled his nostrils causing his mouth to water. But that sensation was quickly quieted as he shook his head and made his way toward the bar. There she stood, his beloved Janette in a dark black dress, cut low in the front to show off her beautiful breasts, and slit up the side to show off her gorgeous long legs. Nick's earlier bulge reappeared with amazing swiftness and his groin began to ache.
He made his way over to the bar and taking his beloved's hand, brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Hello, Janette, mon amour." he said in a low, sensuous voice.
"Bonjour, Nicola, mon coeur." Janette returned the greeting and put her arms around her love and kissed him tenderly on the lips. He was here at last. And now for the next two days they would spend much time renewing their love.
Nick pulled Janette into his arms and kissed her more fully. Her lips parting slightly to pull at his lower lip. Nick was in heaven! After his total frustration of the last two weeks he needed this rest and attention. And no one could give him the attention he needed and craved better than his love of over 750 years,
Nick had become frustrated with Natalie the last month. She had become so insistant that he try harder to stay away from the blood. She constantly would tell him, "The more you drink the blood, the longer it will be for you to come back across." And he tried, he really did. There were two days some time back when he became so weak he could hardly get through the day. And it had pleased Natalie. She was so proud of him. But he had paid the price of his fasting. At the end of the second day he was so weak and so famished that he almost attacked not only Nat, but Schanke as well. And he did finally find release when a mortal at the Raven came too close. He dragged her outside, flew her to his loft and drained her! Then he had to slit her throat with a knife, take her valuables to make it look like a robbery and leave her body on an abandoned street to be found by someone who would notify the authorities. And when her body was discovered, he and Schanke had to find out who the killer was. That was the worst part. That was when he went to Natalie and told her that he was through with her ideas, and her theories. He knew that he could not live as a mortal and was now not sure he even wanted to. He told her that she was slowly destroying him and that he could not live as she wanted him.
It was at this time that Natalie tried several times to get Nick to bring her across, but he refused. He knew that if he brought her into his world, that she would forever hold it against him and find someway to eventually destroy him. He had gone to Janette for comfort at this time and it was this crisis that suddenly awakened the lost love thay had shared so intimately for so many centuries! Nick knew then, that it was not Nat that he truly craved and desperately needed. It was his beloved Janette whom he had loved from the moment he set eyes on her those many nights ago in Paris.
Nick had managed to trick Natalie one night when she was trying very hard to get Nick to change his mind about bringing her across.
Flashback to 3 weeks ago:
Nick's loft:
Natalie looked at Nick as he drank the blood from the green bottle he had retrieved from the refrigerator. She was going to stand her ground, no matter what Nick did. She was not going to let him move away from her again. "Nick, please! Why is it so hard for you to accept this?"
Nick, still turned around toward the refrigerator with his back to Nat said, "Nat, we've been through this too many times to count. I will not take you into a world of total darkness. I can't do this. Please don't ask me again."
Natalie became angry and started shouting at Nick. "That's not fair! Why is it always your decision? I have a right to my choice too. I don't want to lose you Nick, and since we can't find a cure, I want you to bring me across! Why is that so hard for you to accept?"
Nick suddenly vamped out, eyes gold, fangs bared and turned around facing Nat. Then he spoke in a low sultry voice, "Is this what you want, Nat? To be like this?" (Nick snarled and growled lowly, then continued), "To be a creature of the night? Is this what you want to be? An irredeemable, uncontrollable beast?"
Natalie jumped back at first when Nick turned around so suddenly in vampire mode, but then she stood her ground. "Nick, stop it! I know what you are capable of doing and I am not afraid!"
Nick stepped slowly toard her and with a low menacing voice sai, "You should be, Nat. You have no idea how easily I could break your. . . " And Nick quickly reached out and grabbed Nat by the throat and hisssed, "neck!"
Nat gasped and was truly afraid, but she still stayed where she was. "Then kill me, Nick. Because I can't go on without you."
Nick released natalie and quickly stepped over to the fireplace. He bent down and shut up the beast deep inside of himself and his fangs retracted. His eyes became normal and he sighed. What was he going to do? He loved Nat, but he was becoming tired of this game. He could never be mortal again and he knew that. And he was not about to be the instrument of Nat's destruction. Then it suddenly hit him. He knew exactly how to free himself from the request and allow her to forget him and go on with her life. He turned toward her and slowly walked to where Nat stood. She had a few tears in her eyes from fear and frustration. He put his hand up to her face and said gently, "Alright, Nat. I give up. If the only way we can be together is for the both of us to live in the vamprie world, then I will bring you across."
Natalie was a little stunned at this sudden change of heart in Nick, but she was finally relieved. There at least would be an end to her suffering. A resolution to their plight. She smiled and said, "Finally, you have accepted my choice. I'm sorry I was so angry, Nick. But I love you so, and I want us to be together, in any world we can."
"As do I, Natalie." Nick lied for the first time to Natalie about his true feelings. And then Nick pulled Natalie close for a last embrace. He stroked her soft chestnut curls and held her close for some time. And with a final kiss on the lips, he took her by the hand and brought her over to the fireplace. Holding her hands he looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Nat, are you sure this is what you want?"
Natalie looked into those beautiful sapphire eyes and smiling said, "Yes."
"Then give yourself to me, Natalie. Submit to my will!" Nick commanded as he looked deep into her eyes. He could hear her heart beating. And he began to bring the rapid beat down to an even and slow, steady beat. As he continued to regulate the beating of her heart he also reached deeply into her mind. Natalie was beginning to relax under Nick's gaze and he could feel her resistence weakening. He continued to look deeply into her eyes and say, "Give yourself to me Natalie. Submit to my will. Submit to my power!"
Slowly and carefully, he pressed deep into her mind, drawing all her resistence out until finally he could feel her bending to his power. When he was sure that she was freed of all barriers, he spoke in a low mesmerizing voice.
"Natalie, you know that I am a vampire. You have know this for a long time. And you will always protect my secret and that of the community. Do you understand?"
"I. . .understand." Natalie said softly, her eyes glazed and staring deeply into Nick's eyes. It was very apparent tht she was truly under Nick's power and glued to his every word.
"WE are friends and that is all. We have been friends for a long time, and we work together, but that is all. Friends, only! Do you understand?"
"Friends, . . . .on. . .ly. . understand." Natalie repeated as if she was in a fog and was repeating whatever was said to her.
"We are going to go back to the morgue and you will give me all the notes, papers, and tapes you have on the search for a cure for me. And then you will forget about the cure. Do you understand?"
"Yes. . .must give you. . . all research material. . forget. . .all."
Nick looked deeper into Natalie's eyes, searching to see if she had put the barriers back up, but she was completely under his control. He then, picked her up and flew them to the morgue, where Natalie gave Nick all the materials she had collected over the years, trying to search for a cure to his vampirism. When Nick was sure that he had all the "evidence" of their intimate and on-going relationship, he brought Natalie back to his loft and burnt the papers in the fireplace. Then he turned to Nat and said, "You will remember nothing of this. You will forget. All you will remember is coming ove to talk about the Foster case. Do you understand?"
"Forget. . . came to talk about Foster case. .forget. . ." And Natalie's eyes began to flutter as if she was drifting off to sleep.
Nick reached deep into Natalie's mind to see if there was still any remnants of their relationship, and when he could find nothing, he slowly released her from the hypnotises.
Natalie slowly lowered her head and then jerked it back up for a second, before she began to shake her head as if to shake the "bugs" out of her brain. Then she looked at Nick and said, "What was I saying?"
Nick smiled and said, "You were telling me about the autopsy report on Sullivan and...."
Natalie then began to shake her head in agreement and put her hand up to let Nick know that she was remembering, "Oh, yeah, the Foster case. Well, that is all I know right now."
"You sure your ok, Nat?" Nick said as he touched her arm.
"Oh, sure Nick. Just tired. Guess I should go home and get some sleep." Natalie looked around for her coat she had left earlier and then turned to Nick and said, "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye." And she headed for the lift door. In a few minutes, she was gone.
Nick watched her leave with sadnes in his eyes. He would miss their chats and her humor. But it was for the best. She could not go on with the way their relationship had been going, and Nick would not live in her world. He sighed and then decided that he needed a drink. But as he walked over to the refrigerator, he decided that he needed more than just a drink. He needed Janette. And he grabbed his coat and flew out the door, heading for the Raven.
Chapter 2
Raven Nightclub, Toronto 1995
Nick was still locked in a loving embrace with Janette, when Miklos moved closer to them and tapping Nick on the shoulder broke the kiss.
"Yeah, Miklos?" Nick said as he looked at Miklos, a slight bit irritated.
"Just wondering if you want something to drink, man?" Miklos said with a slight grin on his face.
Nick looked at Janette and she at him and then he said, "Yeah, of the house special! And make it quick, Miklos!" Nick looked at Janette who raised an eyebrow and then smiled. Miklos came back with the bottle and two glasses and set them down in front of Nick and Janette then winking at Janette left the two alone.
Outside the Raven, across the street, a man was kneeling down at the front of a car trying to get the tire off. The tire looked like it was made of some kind of plastic that had melted in a pool under the car. It was, as they say, "flatter than a pancake". As the man worked on the tire, a young woman stood watching him holding the hand of a little dark-haired girl.
"Please hurry, Tony. We are not in the best neighborhood!" the woman said in an anxious voice.
"I know that, Sherry! I'm working as fast as I can. Fine time to have a flat, especially when we are late for the party." Tony replied to the woman watching him. He glanced over to look briefly at the little girl who was holding on to her mother's hand and watching her father with big eyes. "Don't worry, Alex, we'll get to Steven's party as soon as we can." Tony tried to reassure his daughter.
Tony went back to working on his tire, when suddenly he heard a gasp from both his wife and daughter, and turned around just as a man's hand connected with his head and sent him sprawling on the pavement. When he recovered, he saw that his wife was standing close to the car, holding Alex and a man held a gun to her head. Alex was terrified, and Sherry was pleading with the man. "Please, what do you want? Please don't hurt us. Please don't hurt my child."
The man holding on to Sherry said, "Shaddup lady or I might just be willing to rape you right here." And the man grinned as he took a closer look at the woman he was holding.
Tony got up and started for his wife and child but was prevented by another man who grabbed his arm, pulling it around to his back and raising it toward his shoulders. The pain made him wince, and the man holding him said, "I would think twice fer ya do that again, buddy. It would be no problem if my pal decided to rape your wife."
Tony relaxed a bit and tried to find out what these low-life scums wanted with his family. "What do you want?" he asked quickly.
"Now that's the way to play, man." The man holding Tony said with a smile. "What we want is your money, and the lady's jewels. Give us what we want and we will leave you alone."
Tony, not wanting to be responsible for the death of his wife or child, complied immediately. Reaching into his back pocket, he handed the man holding him, his wallet. The man grabbed it out of his hand and opened it. "Well, this is just great, you tellin' me all ya got is a $20.00 bill?" Then looking at his partner in crime he said, "See if the lady has got any money, and take those jewels from her neck!"
The man holding Sherry grabbed her purse and began to leaf through it's contents looking for anything valuable. All of a sudden the man was overcome with pain in his leg and the little girl holding on to her mother's hand kicked him again in the shins and said, "No, that's my mommy's. Give it back!" The man holding Sherry doubled over in pain for a moment and then grabbed Sherry and threw her down on the pavement. Tony made an attempt to go to his wife, when the man holding him pulled out a small gun and shot Sherry in the head! Then, he turned and shot Tony in the head.
Little Alex stared at her mother and father laying on the pavement bleeding and then with big, round dark brown eyes suddenly looked up at the men. They were coming towards her! She turned around and began to run. She ran across the street, with cars dodging her and slipped in the door of the Raven behind an entering customer. The two men who were chasing her, were caught in the traffic and did not see where she went. And they knew it was time to high-tail it out of there. They ran back down the street and disappeared into an alley.
Inside the Raven the little girl ran in between the dancing couples, frightened and bumped into a tall man with short blonde hair and sinister looking eyebrows. She screamed.
Nick and Janette (who were locked into another kiss) suddenly parted and glanced out towards the dance floor. They saw a small crowd gathered toward one side of the dance floor, and then heard the heartbeat of a small mortal! Nick and Janette advanced toward the crowd and were just in time to see the tall, blonde start to pick up a small child, who was standing stiff in front of him. Nick moved quickly and picked up the child, then turned to the blonde and said in a threatening voice, "No, Andrew! Small children are off limits! You know that!"
Andrew looked at Nick, knowing who he was and backed off a little. "Sorry, Nick, but children are such a tasty morsel, don't you agree?"
Nick looked at Andrew, and a low snarl escaped his lips, which frightened the little girl in his arms, and she became very quiet. Andrew backed away even further and held up his hands in surrender.
Janette said, "The show's over, get back to what you were doing!" And then she went to where Nick was. "Come, Janette. We must get this child to safety." And he started toward Janette's private rooms in the back with Janette following close behind. When they finally reached the back Janette opened the door for Nick and he and Janette slipped behind the doors.
Inside Janette's private rooms, Nick carried the little girl to a couch and sat down with her in his lap. She was crying and holding on to Nick, out of fear and needing protection. Nick looked down at her and said, "It's ok sweetheart. You are safe now. I won't hurt you. Shh! It's ok." He began to stroke the dark hair and looked at the little girl smiling. Janette moved over to Nick's side and sat down on the couch necxt to him. She put her hand on the little girl's back and rubbed it.
After a few minutes when the little girl seemed to relax a bit, Janette turned her face towards her and said in a soft voice, "What is your name, little one?"
The little girl was still crying, but not as hard now, and managed between gasps to say, "Alexis." and she put her hands up to her face and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. Janette got up and went to a drawer where she retrieved a handkerchief and walking back to the couch sat down and handed it to Alexis.
Nick looked at the little girl and said in a very soft voice, so as not to frighten her, "What are you doing here, Alexis? This is not a place for little girls."
Alexis looked up at Nick and said sobbing, "I was trying to get away from those bad men who hurt my mommy and daddy." And then she began to cry in ernest all over again. She instinctively reached out for Nick who pulled the little girl close to his chest and began to rub her back trying to soothe her. "Shh, it's ok Alexis. No one is going to hurt you now."
After a few minutes, when Alexis had calmed a bit, Nick pulled the little girl into his lap and took the handkerchief from Alexis and wiped away the tears from her face. Then he said again in a soft voice so as not to scare the little child, "My name is Nick, Alexis." And looking at his love, he continued, "And this is Janette. We would like to help you if we could. Can you tell us what happened?"
For the next few minutes Alexis told Nick and Janette about the bad men who had hurt her mommy and daddy, and how she got scared and ran away from them. Nick looked at Janette and said, "We must protect her, Janette. But I need to find out what happened. Can you watch her until I return, and keep her safe from," and he nodded in the direction of the door.
"Yes, Nicola. I will protect Alexis from them and keep an eye on her until you return. She will be safe." Janette said as she smiled at Nick. Janette knew that a small child was a tasty morsel indeed for the vampire. Their blood was sweeter than any wine or honey. And the strength and vitality of the blood sung in their veins. She also felt sorry for the small child and wanted to protect her from any harm.
Nick looked back at Alexis and said, "Alexis I'm going to find out what has happened. Would you like to stay with Janette until I get back?"
At first, Alexis grabbed Nick's shirt front and clung on for dear life, but then when Janette began to rub her back again, she loosened her grip from Nick and put her arms out for Janette. Janette took Alexis from Nick and put her in her own lap. Then she began to hum softly to the little girl, trying to calm her. Alexis seemed to relax a bit and looked up with questioning eyes to Nick.
Nick smiled down at the little girl and got up from the couch. He gave Janette a kiss and then one to Alexis, which made her relax even more. Then he disappeared out the door.
Janette turned to Alexis and said, "Would you like to watch TV Alexis?" Alexis nodded her head, and Janette picked up Alexis and took her into another room where there was a big chair and a portable TV on a shelf facing the chair. She put Alexis in the chair and turned on the TV. She finally managed to find some cartoons on the tv and Alexis' face lit up. <Good!> thought Janette, <that will keep her occupied for awhile, until Nick returns.> Then she went into her bathroom and finding a washcloth, ran warm water on it and then walked back to Alexis. As Alexis watched the TV, Janette began to wipe the dirt and tears from Alexis's face. The little girl looked up at Janette and said, "You did that just like my mommy!" Janette felt as if someone had placed a stake into her heart and she hugged the little girl.
Chapter 3
Outside the Raven 1995
Nick walked outside the Raven and saw flashing red lights less than a block away. He walked over to the vehicles parked half-way in the lane of traffic and half-way out. Recognizing Tom Pierce, (a street cop with a very pleasant personality, and easy manner) he walked over to him.
"Hi, Tom, what's up?" Nick said causually.
Tom turned around and seeing Nick smiled then begin to frown. "Double homicide, husband and wife. Looks like it was probably a robbery. Not sure though. Dr. Lambert is over there analyzing the wounds."
"Thanks, Tom." Nick said and patting the shoulder of the cop walked over to Natalie who was bent over the bodies of a young woman and a young man. She looked up as Nick approached. Nick looked at Nat and thought, now is going to be the real test of what happened the other night. To see if he was able to "whammy" (Vachon's crude expression for their ability to mind control mortals), her.
"Hi, Nick. Got a real bad one here. Both victims were shot in the head at point-blank range. Gunpowder residue is still on the skin. From the path and size of the wounds, I would say a 32 caliber. But I'll know more later after the autopsy."
Nick bent down to look at the victims and the smell of blood overwhelmed him for a moment. Nat looked at him and said, "You ok, Nick? I know this close proximity to mortal blood does affect you terribly. Anything I can do?"
Nick looked at Nat and shook his head. Then he smiled and said, "I'll be fine. Just give me a minute." Then he looked at Nat and could see that she was sincere in what she said, and it was apparent by her demeanor that she did not remember their close relationship of a week ago. She seemed as a good friend that was really trying to help another friend.
"Well, if you need me, I'll be in the morgue." Nat said rising and then started walking to her car. Nick called after her, "Nat, do you know who was first on the scene?"
"Matt Kennedy was the one who filled me in. Try starting with him." She smiled back and then with a wave of her hand she said, "See ya." and turned again to get into her car.
Nick smiled back, relieved that Nat was still under the influence of his power. If she had been the old Nat she would not have been so pleasant to him, and she would have stayed to see what he was going to do. Nick turned around and started looking for Matt. He finally spotted him talking to another cop and began to walk towards them.
"See if you can find her. Get the description to dispatch and put out an APB" Matt was telling another officer. Then he saw Nick and shook his hand. "How ya doin' buddy?"
"Well, it was a pleasant evening until this." Nick said as he smiled at Matt.
"How did you know what was going on, Nick?" Matt returned, suddenly surprised that Nick was at the scene so quickly.
"I was at the Raven, and word came in of some kind of accident outside, so I stepped out to see what was going on." Nick said, and then smiled, "You know me, I'm always interested in what's going on."
Matt smiled. "Well this one is really typical. Man and woman were stopped while the man changed a tire on his car, and he and his wife were attacked by two men. According to Mrs. Jenkins over there, the man and his wife were being held by the two men and then after a slight struggle, the two men shot the woman and then the man."
Nick looked over at the curb where an elderly woman was standing talking to two other policemen and seemed to be very shaken. "Did she give a description of the two men?"
Matt frowned and said, "Well, sort-of. She said they were both caucasian, and both fairly tall. One has a scar on his face. Apparently it is a large scar from a street fight or something, as she said she could see it quite clearly." Then Matt's face grew even more serious. "But she also said there was a small child holding on to the mother's hand, and when the mother was shot, and then the father, the little girl turned and ran across the street. She said she was surprised that the little girl was not hit by a car. And then she lost sight of her in the traffic."
Nick now knew that Alexis was the little girl that Matt was talking about. He really didn't want to put that little girl through anymore anguish, seeing as how it was her parents that were the victims and the little girl did not know as of yet that they were dead.
Matt looked at Nick and said, "I told Rogers to contact dispatch and get and APB out for the little girl. The two men will try very hard to find her."
Nick said quietly, "That won't be necessary, Matt. I know where the little girl is."
Matt turned around suddenly and stared at Nick. "What did you say?"
Nick looked at Matt and said, "I said I know where the little girl is. I was at the Raven with a friend of mine and a little girl came running in scared to death. Janette is watching her now. That is the reason I came out to see what had happened to her parents. I'll bring her to the precinct as soon as she calms down."
Matt nodded and then walked away towards the officers talking to the witness.
Nick crossed the street and once again went into the Raven. The crowd of people parted for him easily, knowing who he was and his "position" in the vampire community. As well as his postion with the owner of the club. Nick made his way back to Janette's private chambers. When he came in he found Janette sitting in a chair with the little girl on her lap asleep.
Nick walked over to Janette and knelt down at her feet. He whispered, "Janette, how is Alexis?"
Janette looked down at the little girl in her arms and said, "She was pretty upset, but when I picked her up and put her in my lap, she began to relax and soon she fell asleep." Janette stroked the hair of the little girl and said, "Poor little thing. I wish there was something I could do to help her." As Janette watched the sleeping child, it awoke maternal feelings deep within her and she mourned the fact that she could not have children.
Nick picked up on this vibration and put his hand on Janette's face. "Perhaps you can do something for Alexis, Janette."
Janette looked at Nick with a raised eyebrow. "And what is that, mon amour?"
"I am going to have to take Alexis to the PD to tell what happened and try to get a handle on the murderers." Nick began
Janette gasped and then looked at the small child sleeping peacefully in her arms. "The child's parents were killed? In front of her? Oh, my God, Nick! This child will be affected greatly by that!"
Nick put his finger on Janette's chin and turned her to face him. "Janette, I need your help. Until the killers are found the child is in extreme danger. I am sure that Capt. Cohen will ask me to assume protective custody for her and I will need help to take care of her. Will you help me, my love?"
Janette looked at Nick and then at the sleeping child. This child will need all the comforting and love she can get, and Janette longed to at least have the experience of being a mother, if even for only a few days. She looked back at Nick and said, "Of course I will help. I will get Miklos to run the Raven for a few days and go with you to stay at the loft."
Nick smiled and then gently kissed the lips of this wonderful woman, whom he loved so deeply. "Now, I am going to have to take Alexis to the Pd." He gently shook the child and said, "Alexis,? Alexis? Wake up honey."
The child slowly opened her eyes and stared at Nick. At first she didn't recognize him, but then she remembered he was the one who had held her when she was scared. She smiled and then put her arms out to Nick in a gesture to take her. Nick picked up the little girl, and after kissing Janette one more time, carried the child out the back door of the Raven and hailing a cap got in with Alexis and drove to the 96 Precinct.
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