mom45


	Dance of the (K)night Oct 2003 By: Patty Costantino A N&N story dedicated to KC Smith. Happy Birthday! As always, thanks to Phylis for beta-reading this for me. And, a very special thank you goes out to Kristin for the magnificent N&N image she created for this story. Click on the picture (see below, near the end of the story) to see more of her lovely manipulated images. Disclaimer and Characters: Nick and Natalie along with lyrics to Enrique Inglesias’s song Bailamos don’t belong to me. I’m just borrowing them for a little while. Permission is granted to archive at FKfanfic2, FK FTP archive. Will be archived at my site: http:/www.geocities.com/pas_20197/homepage08.html Any constructive criticism or thoughts are greatly appreciated and welcomed at psmoot43@hotmail.com or pas_20197@yahoo.com ************************************ Dance of the (K)night Oct 2003 By: Patty Costantino ************************************ The creaking of the door opening, followed by footsteps on the hard linoleum caused him to spin around, tearing him away from the mundane job of drying the wine glasses to study the intruder. “Nick, what brings you here?” He asked, his eyes widening in surprise, as he watched the blond haired detective approach the bar. “The Raven closed hours ago.” “I know, Miklos,” said Nick, sitting on a stool. “I came to see LaCroix.” The dark haired bartender’s brown eyes widened more. “He left at least two hours ago.” “That’s odd,” Nick said, his face creasing into a puzzled frown. “I got a call from him earlier this evening saying it was urgent that he speak with me.” Miklos shrugged. “I don’t know, Nick. He never said anything to me, just to close up and he would see me tomorrow night.” “I guess I was wrong, then.” Nick began to rise, still bewildered. “Would you like a drink before you go?” Miklos placed an empty glass on the bar, and began to pour from an opened bottle. “No, thanks,” Nick said, his tone emphatic, his hands moving to stop him. As the intoxicating aroma of the blood wine drifted up to his nostrils, however, his manner changed. His eyes began to glow amber, and he pulled back, allowing him to continue to pour. In recent weeks, with all the setbacks he’d had, the temptation to give into human blood had been great, and his control had been faltering. Especially, when it came to being around one certain coroner. Natalie. His dear, sweet Natalie. Oh how he wanted her…desired to taste her succulent nectar. The deep abiding love he carried within his heart for her didn’t help the situation either, only heightened his need even more. In these last few weeks, for her own safety, he’d been trying to put some distance between them, spending more time at the Raven with Lacroix, indulging in his company and private stock, than with her. He knew Natalie was hurt by it, he could see it in her eyes and manner the few times when they were together at a crime scene or the morgue. But he couldn’t help it. For her protection, he needed to do it. “Nick…oh Nick?” Nick glanced up in time to see Miklos look away and down the length of the bar, his head tilting slightly in that direction, a complacent smile lighting his countenance. Puzzled, Nick swung around to follow his gaze. In an instant, his perplexity faded into a mixture of astonishment and growing excitement, as his eyes took in the sight before him. Natalie, decked out in a simple, but long royal blue, halter-style dress was walking towards him. No, gliding …would be a better word, he thought, his eyes observing the swish of her hips through the silky clingy material of the gathered open-back dress, as she moved closer. Nick had seen her dressed up before, but tonight, she was breath taking. He noted with a sense of satisfaction that her hair was down, cascading around her like long, thick ribbons, and her eyes were seemingly bluer, her skin peachier than ever against the deep rich color of the dress. “Hi, Nick,” he dimly heard her say, as he forced his eyes away from her enough to notice that she’d taken a seat beside him, and was staring back at him, her face aglow with warmth, her eyes with love. For a long moment, a silence ensued, as they sat there, gazing at each other, electric sparks passing between them. Then Nick somehow found his voice, “Natalie, you look ravishing,” he said, his tone becoming husky with longing, his eyes filling with adoration. Her smile broadened. “Thank you, Nick,” she said, a shiver of excitement creeping up her spine at the sound of his voice and the look in his eyes. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” Her eyes began to sweep over him, noting the classic attire of his dark silk shirt and pleated pants and …<oh dear! > Her brows rose in surprise, her face flushing, as she suddenly saw the effect she was having on him. Natalie swallowed hard, and forcing her eyes back to his face and away, turned towards the bartender to speak in a surprisingly steady voice, “Could I have, my usual, Miklos.” Nick was smiling briefly at her discomfiture, but it soon dissolved into a baffled frown, when he heard her murmurings and saw Miklos place a drink filled with a dark red liquid beside her. “Your usual? ” He asked, his voice and expression becoming alarmingly concerned, as he leaned over to study her drink. “It’s only wine, Nick.” She explained, catching his stare. “I know that, Nat.” He snapped, drawing away, as he watched her take a sip. “You didn’t answer my question. How did Miklos come to know your ‘usual’ drink?” “I’d rather not say just yet.” She replied cagily. “Why don’t you try some of yours?” Her eyes darted to his full glass. “My what?!” Nick said, his eyes following hers, puzzlement from the other matter quickly forgotten, as astonishment began to grace his features over this twist in the conversation. “Your ‘wine.’” She explained in a gentle tone. Her eyes moved back to his face to give him an even look. “You want me to drink this?” Nick raised his glass, still dumbfounded. “Yes, you need it.” She explained in a matter-of-fact fashion, but her voice still carried a trace of tenderness to it, and her eyes began to flicker with understanding. “What is going on Nat?” His eyes narrowed, his voice wary. “You always told me the blood was keeping me from coming back across.” Natalie sighed into her drink. “I was wrong, Nick. Now, it’s keeping us apart.” She glanced over to meet his troubled expression with candor. “So please, drink it.” Her voice only carried encouragement. Baffled, Nick still resisted. “Nick, go ahead…it’s what you need.” She nodded towards the drink in his hand. “I finally understand that.” She flashed him such a beautiful smile, his heart almost melted. Still bemused, he hesitated for a moment longer. “Are you sure Nat?” He asked. Natalie nodded again. “Go ahead.” Nick brought the glass to his lips, and tilting it, allowed the liquid to glide down his throat. For an instant, his eyes closed, his nostrils flaring as his face took on almost a blissful expression at the feel of the rich full-bodied nectar rushing through him. He let a sigh escape his lips as he continued to delight in it. When, at last, he opened his eyes, he caught Natalie’s loving smile. Reaching over, he impulsively seized her hand, pulling it into his lap. “How was it?” She asked, shyly, catching his rapturous look. “It was wonderful.” Nick admitted with some reluctance, and gave her a sheepish grin. Then looking away from her, and downward to study her hand in his, he began to run his thumb over her knuckles. “Good.” Natalie turned back to Miklos. “I’d say this calls for another round.” “What?” Nick looked up to regard her again, the look of confusion back on his face. “I think one will do, Nat.” “Oh no,” she insisted as Miklos placed two more drinks beside them. “You need to sate your appetite with more before you do what you’re going to do.” “And what is that?” His bafflement grew, as he continued to look at her and stroke her hand with his thumb. “Bring me across,” she answered with candor, her eyes boring into his, challenging him. Nick groaned, releasing her hand. “Awww Nat, we’ve been through this before. You know I won’t do it. You’re too…” “Yeah, I know.” She interrupted, her tone becoming exasperated. “I’m too virtuous and good to be damned to your horrible existence. Well, you know I don’t think that way.” She paused. “And, besides it’s my choice too.” “She’s got a point, Nick,” Miklos interjected, nodding his head in understanding. Nick glared at him. “Don’t you have something you could be doing?” “Hey, Nick.” Miklos held his hands up in surrender, as he saw the anger in Nick’s face. “Take it easy.” He turned away, and moved towards a tub filled with glasses. As Nick watched him move away, he started to open his mouth to speak again, but was silenced by the touch of Natalie’s hand to his lips and, a second later, the sound of music reverberating through the nightclub. He turned in time to see Miklos’s hand drifting away from a switch, as Enrique Inglesias’s low, throaty voice and guitar strings carried over the Raven’s sound system. Esta noche bailamos Te doy toda mi vida Quedate conmigo “Nick,” he heard Natalie whisper against his ear. “Come dance with me.” There was an uneven, seductive quality in her tone, causing Nick to quiver with delight. She tugged at his hand, coaxing him to his feet. Nick resisted for a second, still troubled by their conversation, but as he watched another beautiful smile, filled with such warmth and tenderness, spread across her features, he relented. Returning the smile with one of his irresistible boyish grins, he allowed himself to be led out to the dance floor. Once there, Nick swept into his arms, and while the pounding tempo of the Latino beat resounded off the walls of the nightclub, and the lights cast a warm, blue-greenish glow over them, he began to move her around the room. Tonight we dance I leave my life, in your hands Gliding around the floor, pressed against each other, Natalie closed her eyes, allowing the passion of the song and Nick’s cool embrace to warm her heart and caress her soul. We take the floor Nothing is forbidden anymore Wrapping her arms more tightly around him, Natalie felt him suddenly slacken their pace, and they began to sway to the music in slow movements, their hips moving languidly against each other. Natalie moaned, as she felt Nick’s lips descend on hers, kissing her long and hard, his tongue plunging inside her warm mouth, his hips continuing to press against her. After a time, he released her lips and began to rain sweet kisses over her eyelids, nose, and cheeks before traveling down to nuzzle her neck. Working his way over to the spot in the middle of her collarbone, he swirled his tongue languidly around her sensitive skin. At the same time, he began to stroke up and down her bare back with his hands, dusting her warm flesh with his fingertips. Don’t let the world dim our sight Don’t let a moment go by Nothing can stop us tonight Nick moved back to within inches of her face, and looking down, he could see the erratic rise and fall of her chest through her dress, and smell her arousal. He smiled inwardly, overjoyed at being the cause of her heated state. Impulsively, he swung her around, pressing her against his back, and began moving his hands with slow deliberateness down her arms, across her stomach, and around her hips. Bailamos, let the rhythm take you over Bailamos Te quiero amor mio, bailamos wanna live this night forever Bailamos Te quiero amor mio, te quiero Natalie reached up and encircled her arms around his head, molding her body to him. Nick rubbed his cheek against her silken hair inhaling the sweet scent of lavender from her shampoo and perfume. Natalie moaned, tangling her fingers in his thick blond locks. Spurred on by her response, he brushed her hair aside and began to place delicious kisses around her earlobe while he slid his other hand from around her hip to her bare back, and began to stroke her satiny skin. She trembled and he began to lick, taste and nibble her ear in earnest. Tonight I’m yours We can make it happen I’m so sure Warm, sensual sensations were bombarding Natalie, their closeness bringing her to a fevered pitch. She pulled Nick’s head down to her neck where he began to shower soft kisses from her neck to her shoulder. At the same time, he snaked his hands around her waist, drawing her close again, pressing his hips against her backside. Now I’m letting go There is something I think you should know I won’t be leaving your side We’re gonna dance through the night I’m wanna reach for the stars Hot, intense feelings were still coursing through Natalie when, without warning, she found herself being turned around and pulled into his arms. Before she could respond, she felt his lips capture her mouth in a fierce kiss, his arms enfolding her in a tight embrace. The kiss went on for a time, their tongues dancing around each other, his hand cradling her head, his fingers stroking her auburn curls. With his other hand, he began to dust the soft flesh of her back once more as he began to whirl them around the floor again. Natalie moaned against him, running her tongue over his teeth until the sharp, elongated fangs appeared. Nick growled as she continued to travel over them, finally impaling herself. At the first sip of her blood, so rich and succulent, tasting like the finest Belgium chocolate truffles, images and incredible feelings overwhelmed him. Images: of her and Lacroix planning this rendezvous at the Raven, so Natalie could talk to him. Emotions: of her desires to be brought across, her need and willingness to be with him at all costs. And, above all else, her love assailed his mind and senses, as he continued to taste her. Bailamos, let the rhythm take you over Bailamos Te quiero amor mio, bailamos Wanna live this night forever Bailamos Te quiero amor mio, te quiero With reluctance, Nick pulled away and regarded her with awe, understanding finally sinking in. Understanding that Natalie’s motives for being brought across were purely selfless; she desired to be with him and only him. Her love was that strong and totally without condition. In that moment, as he continued to gaze at her, watching the love bloom in her eyes, Nick suddenly felt humbled by it all. Humbled that she would be willing to risk everything, even possible damnation of her soul to be with him for all eternity. In eight centuries, he’d never met any woman like her. She was one of a kind. Eyes brimming with blood tears, Nick nodded to her, firm resolve now in his face. He leaned forward to capture her lips again in a long, deep kiss filled with raw intensity. Then, cupping his hands around her face, he drew away, and spun her around against him. With a gentle stroke of his hand, he brushed the unruly curls away from her neck, exposing the silken flesh of her throat to him. (whoa, oh oh oh) Tonight we dance (whoa, oh oh oh) Like no tomorrow (whoa oh oh oh) If you will stay with me Slipping an arm across her, he leaned forward to blaze a trail of kisses down her neck, his fangs grazing her skin along the way. As he kissed and nipped his way downward, he found the pulsating vein, and as gently as he could, sliced through her flesh. Te quiero, mi amor Quedate conmigo, esta noche Quedate mi cielo Holding her tightly, he drank deeply from her, as more intense images, thoughts, and feelings of her love, faith and trust in him washed over him, sending him into such a state of fulfillment that he was reeling from the experience. Bailamos, let the rhythm take you over Bailamos Te quiero amor mio, bailamos Wanna live this night forever Bailamos Te quiero amor mio, te quiero As the song came to an end, Nick heard the slowing of her heart, and felt her go limp in his arms. He pulled away, licking the twin wounds. Holding her steady with the one arm, he tore into the wrist of his other with his fangs and brought it to her mouth. Seconds later, he felt her lips begin to move across his skin to drink from him. As he continued to hold his wrist up to her, feeling her newly formed fangs scraping against his skin, a new sound began to drift up to his ears. A low purring. Perplexed, Nick looked around trying to ascertain from where the sound was coming and noticed that the surroundings were slowly beginning to fade. Looking down, he saw Natalie disappearing as well. Then…poof! She was gone. Horrified, Nick continued to stare at the spot where Natalie had been moments before, the purring becoming louder with each passing moment. Where was she? Natalie! Don’t leave me!!! Nick woke with a start, his forehead covered in blood sweat, the purring transforming immediately into loud ringing. He wiped the sweat from his brow, and looking around, noted he was in his own bed in the loft and the ringing was coming from the phone on the bedside table. He emitted a soft sigh as a mixture of disappointment and relief descended on him. It was only a dream. Like the thousand others he’d had of her. Nick reached for the phone. “Knight here!” He barked into the receiver. There was a slight pause on the other end, and then a familiar voice, “Nicholas…” Nick let out another sigh. <Oh perfect!> “What do you want, Lacroix?” “What I’ve always wanted, Nicholas, for you to rekindle your true nature.” His velvet- voice purred over the phone line. “Well…that’s not going to happen, now is it?” Nick snapped, annoyed. “Perhaps.” Lacroix dragged out the word, letting it hang in the air. “So why did you call?” Nick asked, curiosity overtaking his irritation. “Ah yes…my reason for calling.” Lacroix paused. “Well, you see, Nicholas, I have this urgent matter I need to discuss with you. After you get off from your tedious cops and robbers job tonight, perchance, could you come by the Raven for just a moment?” *********************************************** Finis I hope the image didn’t distract you too much. Please let Kristin know what you thought about her work of art at kris1228@ earthlink.net BTW, should Nick's dream become a reality in a possible sequel? Please let me know. Feedback is always welcome with suggestions and comments at psmoot43@hotmail.com or pas_20197@yahoo.com Home Back to Fiction