Disclaimer:  These characters do not belong to me. I'm using them 
with gratitude, but without permission.  I'm making no money from 
this work, and have nothing to give to anyone who cares to sue me.  
Both Nick and Janette belong to various members of TPTB.  As if any 
of you really need to be told that.

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.  I hope this 
pleases all of the IB list members.  Feel free to send me feedback at 
timejordan@hotmail.com.


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

************************************
Time Jordan 
Dark Knightie/Immortal Beloved/Ravenette

    Source: geocities.com/timejordan/Fanfiction

               ( geocities.com/timejordan)