This story was written in celebration of the DarkNN list's one year
anniversary that happened on January 14th.
I would like to thank Heather-Anne Gillis and Lea Condren for betaing for me and for being the list aunts for DarkNN.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is the ADULT version of this story. If you do not like reading adult
sexual situations, please do not go any further.
I don't own them--we all know who does. No infringement is intended. I just wanted to have some fun.
Permission to archive at Mel's, JADFE, and DarkNN.
This is dedicated to the DarkNN family which is 160+ strong, and to my
sister--who is definately a survivor.
Survival (01/03)
Tyra
January 2000
Monday afternoon:
Natalie sat across from her doctor. Nervously, she played with the tissue in her lap. She knew the news wasn't good.
"Natalie, I don't want you to unnecessarily worry--but the baseline
mammogram that we took of you last week showed a lump, still undetectable by self-examination."
"Where is it?" Natalie whispered softly, the shock of the news radiating through her body.
"It is in the upper right-hand quadrant of your left breast. As you know, we will need to do a biopsy. I don't want you to worry; more than likely it is benign--but you know that we have to check. Do you have any questions?"
"No, I know what to expect. I just can't believe this is happening. I had come in for the baseline before I was 40 because of my family history--I never expected..." The tears started to silently fall from Natalie's eyes.
"I know you are in shock, Natalie. So am I. I'm glad you came to me. I promise you, Natalie, I will do the best I can for you. You're not just my patient...you are also my friend. I haven't forgotten our years in medical school together."
"Diane, I'm so glad it's you--I just don't know what to do."
"Dry your eyes, go make an appointment for the biopsy, then go home and
open a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates. Don't worry until we have
something to worry about--you know how often these turn out to be benign."
"You're right--chocolates, wine and sleep would be good. Thanks, Diane."
"Call me, Natalie. Don't hesitate. I'm here for you, and together we will get through this, my friend."
Natalie rose from her chair and hugged Diane. "I guess I'll see you again sooner than I thought. Thanks for being so good to me." Natalie made an appointment for Wednesday morning. She drove home, tears still flowing from her eyes. She didn't know what to do--two days, and then the time it would take to get the biopsy results. She took several deeps breaths as she climbed the stairs to her apartment. When she opened her door, Sydney flew toward her--instantly sensing that his mistress was not ok. Natalie flopped down on the sofa, cradling Sydney in her arms. She stroked his soft fur, trying desperately to forget what she learned today.
Monday night:
Natalie had decided to go into work. She hoped the night would be a busy one, and it would make the time go faster. Unfortunately, it was a slow evening-- the best she could do was catching up on paper work. Nick stopped by with Tracy at the beginning of their shift to say hi. He had asked her if anything was wrong. She told him she was tired, that she had run errands during the day. She wasn't ready to tell him about her biopsy--besides, all the panic might be for nothing. Natalie clocked out early and went driving. She wasn't ready for this. She knew what breast cancer could do to a woman--and it petrified her. She thought of all the things she hadn't done--of the love she didn't have present in her life. She would be facing this alone. Nick would be there for her, loving her and being her friend. But a friend wasn't what she needed--she knew she would need a lover, not a friend, to remind her that she was a woman.
Nick--was he the biggest mistake or miracle of her life? Trying to cure him was one thing--being in love with him was another. She was tired of kisses long forgotten and dreams that might never come true. Suddenly, she realized that her life was slipping away. Tomorrow--she was always living for tomorrow. Now, she realized she may not have many more tomorrows.
She looked up, realizing that she was in the neighborhood of the Raven. She felt drawn there, to lose herself--like she had done when they thought the asteroid was going to destroy all life. She heard the music coming from inside when she drove by the front door. A parking space was empty up the street, and she pulled her car into the space. After taking a deep breath, Natalie left her car behind and headed toward her escape.
Natalie sat at the bar and ordered a double vodka and tonic. She
looked around at the people losing themselves in the music. Her work clothes made her stand out. Maybe, she thought, she should go home and change. She decided to just drift into a corner when her drink arrived. She saw an empty table and settled into the plush seat. The drink flowed down her throat, soothing her nerves ever so slightly. She downed her first drink and signaled the bartender to make her another.
A couple on the dance floor caught her eye. Their hips churned in
perfect union, as their hands explored each others' bodies. Natalie watched, entranced, as they started to kiss--their tongues visibly dancing together. Their passion was honest and for all to see. Slowly, they made their way toward the back hall. Just as they were going out of sight, Natalie saw the flash of the tell-tale eyes of a vampire, from both of them.
She could feel the tears rising to the surface again. That could be she and Nick--well, a better dressed version, of course, but the passion would be the same. The feeling that if you waited one more minute to share yourselves with each other you, would spontaneously combust. Of course, if she were a vampire, that would be possible if she walked out into the sun.
Another drink was sat down in front of her and she looked up at the man carrying it. It was HIM.
"Dr. Lambert, to what do I owe your patronage tonight?"
"I needed a drink, and this was on my way home."
A smile drifted across LaCroix's face. "Dr. Lambert, you and I both know that the Raven is not on your route home from work. It is also not of your nature to drink more than one vodka tonic a night. I believe this is your third double."
"Well, I'm trying to change my ways and loosen up a little. Can't a girl do that if she wants?"
"Of course, Doctor. But I do not believe that is the reason you are here. Or do you always cry in your double vodkas?" LaCroix brushed a tear from Natalie's face.
"I needed to get away, to escape--and this place was as good as any other."
"I believe you know that this is not the safest of places to escape from reality--unless, of course, you are looking for a permanent escape."
"In a few days, I may be..." Natalie whispered under her breath.
"Doctor, maybe you would like to lighten yourself of your burdens." LaCroix sat down before Natalie asked and he looked at her, waiting for her to speak to him.
Natalie sipped her drink, and looked up into LaCroix's eyes. "I''ve got a situation, and I'm not sure how the situation is going to turn out. I'm worried, is all--no need to burden anyone else with it."
"Burdens, I am told, are meant to be shared."
"I'm not sure with whom to share this one."
LaCroix quickly captured Natalie's hand in his own and brought her fingers to his lips. He kissed them gently, his tongue lightly caressing the soft pads. He closed his eyes, and painlessly slipped one of his fangs into Natalie's skin.
Natalie gasped. She barely felt the prick on her finger--but she was shocked at LaCroix's brazenness. "Excuse me, but what--" Natalie's words drifted off as LaCroix continued to suck on her finger, her blood filling his mouth and his mind. He let her finger slip out of his mouth and again kissed the tip.
LaCroix opened his eyes and looked squarely at Natalie. He turned to the bartender and signaled for two more drinks. He needed one--the passion and fear he had felt in Natalie was overwhelming. The pair sat in silence until their drinks arrived. It was only after they had both downed their new drinks that they spoke.
Natalie sighed heavily, and LaCroix reached for her hand. "Do you know for certain? I could not tell...your fear was too great."
"I have to have a biopsy on Wednesday."
"You have not told Nicholas?"
"No. I don't know that I am."
LaCroix looked surprised. "You love him." It was a statement more than a question--but Natalie answered it anyway.
"Yes. But there is nothing that he can do. I don't want to worry him."
"We both know there is something he can do." LaCroix gripped Natalie's hand tighter. "And if he will not do it, if there is a need, I WILL. I have not forgotten that you saved me and the community."
Natalie stared into LaCroix's eyes, seeing the sincerity of his words.
"I have thought about that. There are other courses of action."
"To have them butcher you, and make you dreadfully sick in an effort to cure you?"
"The cure rate is excellent, if it is caught early."
"I assume you are in an early stage?"
"Yes."
Miklos sat another set of drinks in front of them and walked away. He could feel the seriousness of the conversation--the area around the pair radiated with heaviness. LaCroix and Natalie sipped at their drinks, sitting again, in comfortable silence.
"I should be getting home."
"If you do not wish to be alone, you are more than welcome to stay in my quarters, or I will call Nicholas to come take care of you--if you prefer."
"No, I think I should be alone for awhile. Thank you for the offers."
"Will you allow me to see you home?"
Natalie thought for a moment, considering what the implications of accepting the vampire's offer could mean--then she thought about her car parked out front. "Would you drive my car home for me?"
LaCroix raised his eyebrow at her suggestion, a smile crossing his face. "If I must, dear Doctor. It should not sit out front--just in case."
"Just in case."
"And to answer your question--no, I will not tell Nicholas. That is up to you."
Half an hour later, Natalie was at home with her car safely parked out front, and LaCroix flying back to the Raven. Natalie pulled her pajamas out of the drawer and started to undress. She started to cry again as she was taking off her sweater. She wanted to be held--by Nick. She wrapped her arms around herself. The tears ran down her face as she cuddled in the blankets on her bed.
To be continued
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Survival (02/03)
Wednesday morning:
LaCroix had called Natalie both on Tuesday evening and before she left for the hospital. Both times he had expressed that he would take care of her situation, if she would like--or talk to his son if she preferred. Each time Natalie had refused, telling LaCroix that she would tell Nick if she needed to.
She lay on the stretcher, trying to relax before the doctors took the biopsy. Her head swam with all the possibilities, but in the end, she knew it boiled down to either she had cancer or she didn't. And then if she did, she would have to decide if she would use traditional treatments or become a creature of the night.
Wednesday night:
The doorbell startled Natalie out of her pacing. She looked through the peep hole and saw Diane. She knew before she opened the door that she had cancer.
Natalie opened the door. "It's cancer, isn't it?"
Diane looked at her friend and nodded. "I wanted to tell you in person."
"Thank you." Natalie stepped away from the door, leaving it open. She called for Sydney. He ran toward her and into her arms. She hugged him to her as she started to sob.
Diane closed the door behind her and put her arms around Natalie. "It'll be ok, Natalie. You know the survival rates are astounding when it is caught early. And you may only need to have a lumpectomy--if you choose."
"I know, Diane. It's just all the mess..." Natalie allowed her head to drop onto Diane's shoulder as Sydney escaped to the floor.
"Natalie, you know as well as I do that woman can live full lives filled with passion, love, sex and even children after breast cancer. It isn't a death sentence."
The door to Natalie's apartment flew open and the two women screamed.
Nick decided to stop by Natalie's on his way into work. He knew it was her day off and that she hadn't been feeling well. He thought maybe some flowers would help her mood. His fist had frozen mid-knock as he heard the conversation that transpired inside. He stood in shock and disbelief, but the sound of Natalie's tears forced him into action.
Natalie took one look at Nick and the flowers in his hand. "I just dropped by to give you these." Nick looked at Natalie until her eyes locked with his. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Diane looked back and forth between Nick and Natalie. "I think I should be going. Natalie, I set up an appointment for you tomorrow at my office so we can talk about your options. I'll see you around four." Diane hugged her friend and quickly exited the tension-filled room.
Nick took Natalie by the arm and guided her to the sofa. He pulled her into an embrace and held her tightly against him as she cried. Nick kissed the top of Natalie's head, gently rocking back forth trying to soothe her. "I'll be here, Natalie. I won't let you go through this alone. I'll take care of you."
Natalie stopped crying and dried the tears off her face. "How will you take care of me, Nick? Will you hold my head as I vomit after chemotherapy? Will you do my shopping after radiation has stolen all my energy from me?"
"Yes, I said I will take care of you, and I will, Natalie."
"You'll hold me and make love to me after I lose part or all of my breast to remind me that I'm still a whole woman?"
"I can't do that, Natalie--you know it is too risky."
"Too risky? I'm getting ready to lose my breast, do things to my body that no one was ever meant to do--and you think that making love to you is too risky?"
Nick paused, reminding himself that Natalie was striking out at him because she was scared--she had to have somewhere to direct her anger, and he was the best target.
"And I know what you are thinking, Nicholas Knight--I am not directing my anger at you--I am angry about YOU. I can't believe you would let me go through all that without ever offering to bring me across."
Nick looked at Natalie in shock. "Natalie, you should know you don't want to be what I am. Damned, soulless...it isn't a life." Nick went to the window and stared at the streets below.
"And you have decided this for me? At least LaCroix offered to take care of me. He didn't want to see me sick."
Nick turned abruptly at Natalie's words. "LaCroix?!"
"Yes, and before you ask--I went drinking at the Raven the other night, and he tasted my blood--without asking. He has called every day to check on--" The phone rang before Natalie could finish.
Nick flew to the phone, his hand beating Natalie's. "Hello," Nick said as he put the receiver to his ear.
"Nick? Is that you?"
"Yeah, Grace, it's me. I assume you would like to speak to Nat." Nick handed the phone to Natalie and walked into the kitchen to find his emergency supply of blood hidden there.
"Hi, Grace."
"Nat, I hate to bother you on your day off, but where did you put the MacLeod report? They are having trouble locating the body, and I can't find the preliminary report."
"It should be in my out bin. If it isn't there, then it must have been picked up to be filed."
"Ok, I'll have another look around. You have a good time, Nat!" As soon as Natalie hung up the phone, it rang again. She picked up the receiver.
"Hello, Natalie. Have you heard the results yet?"
Natalie swallowed hard, "Yes. It wasn't good news. Nick found out by accident, and he is here now."
"Good, then he will take care of the situation. I will send over some of my finest stock for you. Miklos should be there in about an hour."
"There doesn't appear to be a need to do that at this moment. Nick is not accepting that solution to my problem."
LaCroix growled. "My son is a buffoon. If you need me, my offer still stands. And regardless, I will always have a table ready for you."
"Thank you, Luc--"
"There is no need. I must be on the air in a few minutes. I will call you before I retire for the day. Good night, Doctor."
"Good night."
"So, you and LaCroix are on a first-name basis." Nick took a long swig from the bottle he had found in the back of Natalie's refrigerator.
"I got tired of being called Doctor Lambert. He can be too formal at times."
"He has offered to bring you across?"
"Yes. But it isn't he whom I love." Natalie turned and walked toward her bedroom. She turned back to Nick and firmly said, "Stay here. I'll be back." Natalie closed the door to her bedroom and headed toward her closet.
Twenty minutes later, Natalie opened the door again. She was now
dressed in a short, black lace dress. The dress was tight with a square
neckline, leaving little to the imagination. Nick stared at Natalie--then
turned away, downing the rest of his bloodwine.
"I haven't seen you wear that dress before."
"You have never taken me anywhere I could wear it. It's not exactly dinner and video material."
"I didn't know you wanted--"
"Wanted to be wined and dined, wanted to be shown off, wanted to be treated like a woman instead of a friend--No, Nick, I guess you didn't know. Have you learned anything about women in the eight centuries you have been on Earth? I believe most of us like to be pampered at times."
"I do know that about women, Natalie. I just didn't know that about you."
Natalie picked up her purse and headed toward the door. She turned back to look at Nick. "I guess you don't know me as well as you think." Natalie opened the door and started to walk down the hall.
Nick locked the apartment, then jogged to catch up with Natalie.
"Where are we going?"
"You are taking me to the Raven."
Nick and Natalie walked into the Raven. Miklos stared at the air, entranced by Natalie's open sexuality. He had their drinks fixed by the time they arrived at the bar.
"Nick, your regular, and a double vodka tonic for the lady. I believe your table in the back is open, Natalie. Just remove the reserved sign."
"Thank you, Miklos."
Nick felt like an outsider in his community's home and toward Natalie. He followed Natalie over to the table.
Miklos slipped out from behind the bar and headed toward the radio booth. He reached LaCroix as he exited the booth.
"I assume they have arrived?"
"Yes."
"I'll take my drink at the bar in a few minutes. I need to put in a tape."
Nick looked at Natalie. "Why are we here, Natalie?"
"I wanted you to see something, or, more accurately, someones." Natalie scanned the dance floor looking for the couple she had seen dancing the last time she was there. She spotted them as they danced to the edge of the dance floor. They were entwined with each other again, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh.
Natalie leaned toward Nick. "That couple...the one dancing on the
edge--pressed together."
"I see them."
"They are both part of the community, aren't they?" "Do you see their passion--why can't we have that, Nick? Why can't we express it as they are?"
"Because one of us still has our humanity, Natalie--and until we can find a way to recapture mine, we can't do what they are doing."
"Nick, can you tell me something more 'human' than making love? The ability to choose and love our partners, to be faithful and loyal--to make love out of choice, not out of the need to procreate? There is nothing more human, Nick, nothing." Natalie watched as the couple drifted off into the recesses of the Raven. "Dance with me, Nick. Please."
Nick stood, taking Natalie's hand in his own. He led her off to the dance floor. They swayed together, Nick pressing Natalie up against him. He kissed her temples. Nick's mind was racing--he didn't know what to do. Natalie was making it very clear what she wanted--he just didn't know if he could give that to her.
Natalie ground her hips against Nick's. Her lips drifted from his neck up to his lips. She tried parting his lips with her tongue, but Nick pulled away. "Nat, please, I don't know if I will be able to control myself."
"I don't want you to control yourself. I want you to take me to your place, my place, the back hall--I don't care where--and make love to me."
"Nat, I can't."
"On the contrary, Nicholas, you can. The fact is you will not make love to this beautiful woman." LaCroix took Natalie's hand in his own and wrapped it around his neck. He pulled her into his embrace, hard--their bodies colliding together. One of his hands drifted to the small of her back, while the other wrapped in Natalie's hair.
Natalie was startled by LaCroix's hands on her body. She looked into his eyes as she felt him pressing up against her.
"This new side of you that is finding expression has me quite entranced. And unlike my foolish son, I do not find it necessary to restrain myself from expressing my desires." LaCroix kissed Natalie on the lips, his tongue gently caressing hers.
Natalie leaned into LaCroix's kiss, losing herself in the hope he offered her.
Nick had walked away from the couple, disgusted with Natalie's behavior and at being pressured to do something he felt was wrong. Miklos was waiting for him at the bar. Nick drank the bloodwine that was put in front of him.
"Nick, I don't mean to pry into your business--but I know you love her--we all do, so why don't you act?"
"I can't do what she is asking of me."
"You brought Janette back across--and against her will. How is Natalie different?"
"I wasn't ready to let Janette die--and she never was like Natalie."
"You mean she was a whore, don't you?""No, it's not--"
"Janette was forced into a life she did not want before she was immortal--and then you forced her back into a life that she did not want."
Nick hung his head and took a long sip of his drink. "You are right, Miklos."
"And now you are denying a woman who wants to join you. Why?"
"I don't want her to change, to stop being the Natalie I love."
"People--immortal or mortal--change, Nick, otherwise they are truly dead." Miklos wiped the bar and left Nick to brood.
Nick looked at the dance floor and saw LaCroix cradling Natalie in his arms. Tears ran down her face. He could barely make out the words of comfort that LaCroix was whispering to her.
Nick stood, downing the rest of his bloodwine. He walked toward his father and Natalie.
"Natalie, I think it is time we went home." Natalie kept her hands firmly in place around LaCroix's neck. "Please, Natalie--we need to talk. You can always come back here if you want."
Natalie looked up at LaCroix. He nodded, placing Natalie's hand into Nick's. "You know where I am, Natalie." LaCroix walked off, leaving the couple behind.
To be continued
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Survival (03/03)
Nick and Natalie rode to his loft in silence. Neither knew what to say to the other. They were at a crossroads. They either faced the future together or apart--which, it remained to be seen.
Natalie paced the loft. "Nick, I want you to understand that I'm not just running from the cancer. Of course, I don't want to go through that ordeal--what woman would--but it is more than that. It's just made me realize how much I'm missing in my life--how much the two of us have been running from what we feel."
"Natalie, I don't--"
"Nick, please, just be quiet and listen. I'm in love with you. I have been for quite a while. And I know you feel something for me. That was obvious when you lost your memory--your feelings for me were so open. I want you, and I'm tired of waiting for a day that we don't know when or if it will get here. In the meantime, I am dying. Every day I'm a little closer to death--not just because I'm getting older, but because I'm without love. I'm without your love, and I'm no longer able to accept that. I need you, Nick. The question is, do you want me?"
Bloodtears streaked down Nick's face. He walked quickly toward Natalie, pulling her into his arms. His kisses were passionate.
Natalie broke their kiss. "What are you doing, Nick?"
"I'm responding to what you said. Now, be quiet, Nat." Nick kissed her again; this time his tongue forced its way inside her mouth. His hands went to the zipper on the back of Natalie's dress, and he slowly pulled it down.
His hands slipped inside her dress, as hers found the buttons of his shirt. Nick pushed Natalie's dress off her shoulders and down onto the floor. His hands cupped her breasts and his fingers pinched her nipples.
"Nat, I've wanted you for so long..." Nick pressed his hardness up against Natalie as his mouth traveled down her neck to her hardened nipples. He sucked on each of them through the lace of her bra. He reached behind her and unfastened her bra. It fell to the floor, and Nick looked at Natalie's creamy white skin.
"Your skin will get paler...the contrast with your nipples will be even greater--you will be magnificent." Nick smiled at Natalie. "You're already so beautiful..."
Natalie pushed Nick's shirt off and ran her hands over his chest. Her hands drifted downward. She started to work on his belt buckle, pulling it free from his pants. Then she quickly unbuttoned Nick's pants and undid the zipper. The pants fell to the floor, as Natalie's hands freed Nick's manhood from its constraints.
"Nick..." Natalie whispered, as her eyes grew wide.
Nick smiled. "I take it you approve." He dropped to his knees in front of Natalie and kissed her stomach. He slipped his fingers into the band of her panties and pulled them down. He helped Natalie step out of them, then kissed her soft curls.
Nick stood and gathered Natalie in his arms, carrying her upstairs to his bed. He laid her on her back and removed the last of his clothing. He knelt at the foot of the bed and kissed the bottom of Natalie's feet. His kisses drifted up her ankles, then to her calves. His fangs gently pierced her skin, and he savored the unconditional love that he felt from Natalie.
He eased himself up on the bed as he kissed up Natalie's thighs toward her hot wetness. His tongue darted out and lapped at her juices. Natalie withered on the bed at Nick's touches. It had been so long that her body nearly exploded from the pleasure she was receiving.
Nick tasted Natalie, and licked at her nub, until he heard Natalie's heartbeat racing. Then he gently sucked on it as his fingers entered her, preparing her to receive him. He kissed up her stomach, his fangs biting her soft flesh.
Nick caressed Nat's breast, gently biting her nipples before he made his way to her lips. Natalie wrapped her hand and around Nick and guided him into her warm core. His coolness took her by her surprise and she moaned underneath him.
Nick smiled wickedly, glad he was pleasing the woman he loved. Slowly, he started to move inside of her, his mouth devouring hers. Their tongues fought for dominance as Natalie responded to Nick's movements with her own. Together they rode wave after wave of pleasure.
Nick covered Nat's breasts with gentle bites. Natalie moaned loudly, her breathing becoming labored. "I'm going to..."
Nick thrust deeply into Natalie as his fangs pierced her nipple.
Natalie bucked against his body as her orgasm penetrated her body. As the waves of pleasure started to subside, she ran her fingers through Nick's hair and pulled his face up to hers. They kissed, then Natalie turned her face, exposing her neck to Nick. He kissed her gently, then turned her face back toward him.
"It's time, Natalie. We can't turn back after we start."
"If it means I get to touch you like this for eternity--I don't want to turn back."
Nick gently kissed Natalie's lips, then made a trail of kisses to her neck. Natalie turned her head to the side again, exposing her neck to Nick's ministrations.
His fangs entered her neck, and he drank of her life as his bloodseed spilled into her body. Natalie's heart slowed and he brought his slashed wrist to her lips. He felt her sucking, and looked into her new eyes. Her love radiated through his body.
Nick pulled his wrist away from Natalie and kissed her. "Sleep, my love." He cuddled Natalie and together they drifted off to sleep.
Natalie had woke up Nick with her first hunger, and he fed her on the finest bloodwine from LaCroix's collection. They had awoke to find a crate in his living room waiting for them.
After they satisfied their thirst, they had returned to bed. The ringing of Nick's phone woke them from their second sleep. Nick grabbed for the phone. "Knight."
"Hello, is this Nick, Natalie's friend?"
"Yes. Who are you?"
"I'm Diane. We met briefly yesterday at Natalie's apartment. I'm her doctor. I was hoping you might know where I could find her."
"She's here." Nick handed the phone to Natalie. "It's Diane, your doctor."
"Diane, hi. I'm sorry I missed our appointment this afternoon."
"Natalie, that's ok. I've been trying to track you down since this morning. I have some good news for you. The damn lab mixed up your biopsy with a Chris Lambert. I noticed that the blood types did not match. Natalie, I can't tell you how sorry I am. Your biopsy was benign. You don't have cancer, Natalie."
Natalie sat in silence, not knowing what to say.
"Natalie, did you hear me? You don't have cancer."
"Thanks for tracking me down, Diane. I'll give you a call in a few days."
"Stay in touch, Nat. And again, I'm sorry for the mix-up."
Natalie hung up the phone and looked at Nick. "Do you regret what we did last night, Nat?"
Natalie thought for a second, then kissed Nick. "I could never regret what we did. I have been wanting it for so long--I guess this was just the Universe's way of putting us into motion."
"I love you."
"And I love you, Nick."
They held each other, Natalie cuddling into Nick's chest. She drifted off to sleep with a faint smile on her face, as bloodtears fell silently from Nick's eyes.
Diane glanced around the lab, looking for the person in charge. A dark-haired, blue-eyed, pale woman approached her.
"May I help you?" The woman spoke with a thick French accent.
"I was wanting to speak to the technican in charge."
"That would be I."
"I would like to know how these two samples," Diane showed the tech the files on Chris Lambert and Natalie, "were mixed up. I told this woman she had cancer when she didn't--and the other, I had to break it to her that she did. I don't want this to happen again. People get hurt when your staff makes mistakes.
"I'm sorry, Doctor. I can assure you that it will not happen again."
The two women smiled grudgingly at each other, then Diane turned to leave.
The dark-haired woman smiled to herself as she sipped from a cup of red liquid, her eyes flashing golden.
"Bonne chance, Nicholas," she whispered.
The End
Tyra
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