Background: This is a bit of fluff whose sole purpose is to provide some friendly Nick/Janette interaction. (Plot? What's that?) Place it anywhere during the first or second seasons that you want to. There aren't any spoilers, so it really doesn't matter.

Repayment

by Time Jordan

Neither the darkness nor the noise of the Raven could mask his approach from her. She could feel their bond vibrate as he wove his way expertly through the writhing bodies, both mortal and vampire. She watched with amusement as the vampire patrons moved quickly out of his way, while the mortals danced on, oblivious to the predator who passed through. A mortal's connection to life was so very tenuous...

"Nicolas," she said in greeting as he finally reached her. "What brings you here tonight? Yet another murder suspect who likes to frequent clubs?"

He leaned against the counter beside her. "Actually, no."

"Non? What, then? Do you need some information on some of the local lowlifes? A sympathetic ear for your guilt-laden brooding?" She paused. "Surely there hasn't been another renegade from the Community?"

"No, nothing of the sort. You know, you look ravishing tonight."

She smiled. "You sound almost like the Nicolas I once knew. The charming one who used to dance me across the floor and whisper in my ear. Are you quite certain you don't want anything from me?"

"Actually, I do want something. Several things, in fact."

"Aaah. Now I get the truth. What can I do for you?"

"Well, to start with, you can join me for a drink."

"A drink, Nicolas? You mean you're not *on duty*?"

He leaned closer towards her. "Even cops get a break once in a while, Janette."

She smiled and leaned forward, bringing her lips in contact with his.

"I had begun to wonder. The usual for me, Miklos." She frowned. "I'm afraid that I haven't any of your preferred beverage on hand. There isn't much demand for it here."

"That's all right." He turned to the bar. "A glass of the house special, Miklos." Janette looked at him in surprise.

"I thought the good Dr. Lambert had you on a strict diet, Nicolas? No human blood, no fun?"

"Yeah, well, it's my life, not Natalie's."

"Oooh. Disillusioned with Dr. Lambert's attempts at a cure, cheri?"

"Disillusioned with mortal life. Or with mortals." He took a sip from the glass beside him. "We're supposed to be the killers, but despite eight centuries, I'm still amazed sometimes by what they can do to each other."

"What happened?"

He shrugged. "Work. Life. Death. I didn't really come here to discuss my cases. Or Natalie. Or my quest for mortality."

"Then why are you here, Nicolas? What really brings you here tonight?"

He gave a familiar smile, one which always caused her to wonder if it could truly be aimed at her, it was so brilliant. "You."

Long practice enabled her to keep her voice steady, allowed her to respond casually. "Me?"

"Yeah." He looked away for a moment. "You assumed tonight that I was here on business. I've been thinking back lately, and I realized that almost every visit I've made here has been for business. Tonight I've come for you."

She twisted the stem of her glass in front of her, watching as the liquid spun. "So you're here to make up for all of those other occasions? Your business trips? This is an apology?"

"I'm here because I wanted to see you, Janette." He caught her hand and brought it to his lips, holding it for a moment.

She smiled at him in anticipation. "You have the whole night off?"

"I have the whole week off, actually."

"The whole week?"

"Yeah. Vacation time. One of the advantages of working in the mortal world."

"If you did not insist on working for mortals, you would have all the vacation time you wanted, Nicolas."

He laughed. "But then it wouldn't be special. Will you allow me the honour of your company this week, Janette?"

"That depends. What do you have in mind?"

"A trip home."

"Home?" She tilted her head and looked at him directly. "France? Paris?"

"Galleries, theaters, dancing..."

"People who speak a civilized language. Shopping? New clothes? New jewelry?"

"If that pleases you. I'm all yours, Janette. For a whole week."

"What about Dr. Lambert? Does she not want your company for this vacation?"

"Nat isn't on vacation this week. She's saving it to visit some relatives later on."

"What else is there, mon amour? Why now?"

He hesitated. "I miss you, Janette. I miss having someone who understands, who shares my perspective, my memories. Mortals have no sense of history. It's hard sometimes to carry on a conversation with someone for whom a century might as well be an eternity. I want to visit Paris with a woman who remembers it before the Eiffel Tower went up."

She shuddered. "That is one monument we do not need to visit. A truly ugly structure."

"So you'll come?"

"Did you really expect me to say no?"

He smiled that smile again. "I had hoped you wouldn't. I have tickets booked for tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow? So what are we going to do for the rest of tonight, Nicolas?"

"Mmm. I can think of a few things. Would you care to dance, milady?"

end part 01/01

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Time Jordan
Dark Knightie/Immortal Beloved

Comments, praise, and criticism are all welcome.