Romance Fan Fiction ❯ Insatiable ❯ Chapter 2

Insatiable

 

Disclaimer: Nick & crew belong to James Parriott and Sony, not me. I'm just borrowing them to give them a happier life than they had on the show. The song “Insatiable” also does not belong to me. Lyrics are by Darren Hayes.

 

Timeline: A couple of years post 3rd season. Ashes to Ashes happened but Vachon and Urs did not die. Nobody died except Divia. Last Knight was someone's nightmare after eating too much garlic before bedtime.

 

Lemons coming later.

 

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Chapter 2

 

New Year's Eve was clear and cold, the stars twinkling unseen through the city lights. Nick drove his Caddy to Nat's apartment, alternately dreading and anticipating the night's festivities.

 

Why he had given in to Reese, he didn't know. But since he had agreed, he wanted to make the most of it by being with Natalie. These moments with her would have to sustain him for the rest of his unnaturally long life. The upcoming year would fly by and he would have to leave far too soon.

 

Nat answered the knock at her door, opening it wide to let Nick in. “Let me grab my purse and coat and I'll be ready,” she told him.

 

Nick just stared at her, speechless. He'd seen her dressed up before, but tonight, she was…divine. His eyes traveled from her curly auburn hair which was piled in an `updo', with curly tendrils framing her face, to her shoulders and neck, bare except for two thin straps. His gaze moved down, taking in the sleek black dress that flared at her hips to give her plenty of room for dancing, down, down her shapely legs encased in black silk, ending up at her small feet that wore low, black, strappy heels.

 

Meanwhile, Nat's eyes had been doing their own traveling, noting the tailored lines of Nick's classically elegant black tuxedo. It didn't help that she knew what lay beneath those expensive clothes….she forced her eyes back to his face and away from the bulge she'd noticed…

 

“You are beautiful,” he breathed, his eyes meeting hers again.

 

Natalie was stunned by the expression on his face, and was that…gold flecks in his eyes? She cleared her throat and it seemed to break the spell. Silently, he took her coat from her and held it as she put it on. Then he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her to the Caddy.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

All eyes seemed to turn to them as Nick escorted Natalie into the ballroom where the precinct was having its annual New Year's Eve party. The attention bothered Nick, until he realized that most of the men were openly gaping at the gorgeous woman at his side. Then it really bothered him. Possessiveness and jealousy flared like a roaring lion and he pulled her closer, his arm tightening around her trim waist.

 

Nat glanced up suspiciously at Nick's sudden mood change, wondering what had caused it. He maintained his hold on her as they maneuvered through the crowd to find a table. Spotting Tracy and Vachon, she realized Nick was heading for them.

 

Tracy grinned at the couple as they approached. “Wow! You two look great!”

 

Vachon's eyes widened as he saw Nat and he gave a low whistle, then grunted when Tracy elbowed his ribs. He grinned sheepishly at his date as she glared at him.

 

Nat just rolled her eyes, not noticing the silent communication that suddenly passed from Nick to Vachon and back again, causing the Spanish vampire to quickly become subdued.

 

Standing, Tracy motioned to Nat. “Time to go to the ladies' room.”

 

Setting her purse on the table, Natalie followed the younger woman, wondering what she wanted. There was only one other person in the restroom; as soon as she left Tracy turned to Nat. “Okay, spill it.”

 

“Huh?” Nat asked, confused. “Spill what?”

 

“What's going on between you and Nick?” Tracy replied.

 

“Nothing,” Nat answered. “We're just friends.” The phrase had become a mantra over the years. Not that she didn't want to be more than friends with Nick. And they were both aware of how the other felt…but they were careful to never cross the line...well, except for the night he'd had amnesia. After regaining his memory and the knowledge of what he was, Nick had been adamant that there could never be a repeat performance. Even after Janette's brief mortal period, he'd still refused. She knew he was scared, frightened that he would kill her in the heat of passion. And while she had eventually been able to convince him that she trusted him, he couldn't - wouldn't - trust himself.

 

Shaking off her depressing thoughts, Nat continued, shrugging. “Reese threatened to bust Nick to traffic if he didn't show up. I didn't have a date, so who better to come with than my best friend?”

 

Tracy's skepticism showed as she looked Nat up and down. “Hon, people don't dress like that for their best friend.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

As the women walked away, Nick sat down next to Vachon, who turned to give the older vampire a speculative look.

 

“I know it's none of my business, but what are you going to do about her when you have to move on?” Vachon asked.

 

A frown appeared on Nick's face. “You're right. It is none of your business,” he said flatly.

 

Vachon lifted one shoulder casually. “I know. I was just curious. I'll be around for a while longer than you, if you want me to keep an eye on her after you're gone.”

 

Nick's eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why would she need someone to keep an eye on her?”

 

Vachon's eyes widened. “You're kidding, right?”

 

Now Nick was confused, and concerned. “What are you trying to say?”

 

“You really have no idea, do you?” Vachon said, swearing softly in Spanish. “I hate to tell you this, but when you leave, Nat will be considered fair game by the some in the Community.”

 

Nick froze. Fear rose causing his heart to beat twice in quick succession. “What do you mean? Explain,” he growled.

 

“Everyone knows that she's under your protection,” he replied in a low voice. “And everyone knows how you feel about her. But when you leave, you won't be around to protect her any longer. There are those who will want her, simply because she was so important to you. Then there are the ones who are curious as to what you see in her and will want to find out. And you won't be here to stop any of them.” He was about to say more when he saw Tracy and Nat walking out of the restroom.

 

Nick's eyes followed Vachon's and came to rest on Natalie. The Spaniard's words pounded in his head. What was he going to do? He couldn't stay past his time; LaCroix wouldn't allow it. He couldn't take her with him…or could he?

 

Staring at her, Nick knew he had to do something. He couldn't leave her to the mercy of the Community. Even if he took Vachon up on his offer to watch over her, it would only be for a couple more years. Vachon would be moving on eventually, as well. The thought brought something else to mind. In a very low voice, so that only Vachon could hear, Nick asked, “What are you going to do about Tracy when you move on?”

 

Startled by the question, Vachon simply blinked. Then a wry look appeared. “You're not going to like it.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

Vachon sighed. “I'll give her the choice to come across or be marked.”

 

Nick's eyes flashed amber so fast only Vachon noticed. Angrily, he growled, “That's no choice!”

 

“It's the only choice she'll have,” Vachon replied calmly. “You know it, you just don't want to admit it.”

 

Nick was silenced by the remark and by the approach of the two women. Unable to continue the conversation, he brooded over the other vampire's words. Because as much as he hated to admit it, Vachon was right.

 

If he left Natalie behind, she would be vulnerable to the Community. He couldn't do that to her. He couldn't stay, either. That left two choices, just as Vachon had pointed out. Bring her across or exchange enough blood with her to bind her will to his, marking her as his property in the eyes on the Community. He instinctively knew she wouldn't want to be marked, but either way, she'd have to move on with him. The thought both terrified and thrilled him at the same time.

 

An hour or so later, Commissioner Vetter stood at the microphone and welcomed everyone, then the dance contest began. Acting as emcee, the Commissioner introduced each couple, then drew a slip of paper from a box and handed it, still folded, to Officer Ross, who filled the role of DJ. Ross looked at the paper, then selected the appropriate CD. When the song was cued, he nodded to the contestants and pressed the play button.

 

It was quite a sight. Since the contestants had no way of knowing what song would be played, there had been very little anyone could do in the way of practice beforehand. It was comical at times, as an older couple would find themselves dancing to “Don't Worry, Be Happy” or a young couple would find that their song was “Peggy Sue”. A few couples did well, but all in all, everyone was in it just for fun.

 

Nick looked up in surprise when Tracy and Vachon were called to the dance floor to take their turn. Nat turned to him with a grin. “This should be interesting,” she commented. Nick didn't reply. His gut was churning nervously as they awaited their turn.

 

A Latin beat filled the air and everyone watched as Vachon lead Tracy in a series of moves that betrayed his Spanish origins. When the song was over, Vachon led Tracy back to their table to the sound of enthusiastic applause.

 

“You guys were great!” Nat exclaimed. Vachon smiled in appreciation. Tracy, breathing a little hard, her face alight with pleasure, simply grinned. Nick and Nat were the last contestants and she couldn't wait to see what was going to happen.

 

Nick gave Vachon a look. “Lucky for you that you had Latin style music.”

 

Tracy gave Vachon a suspicious glance, but he just looked back, his chocolate eyes wide and innocent. Then he gave Nick a surreptitious wink; Nick quickly hid his grin, thinking as he did, `Damn! Why didn't I think of that?”

 

Two couples later, Nick and Nat were called to the floor. Nick could see shocked faces on the edge of his vision; he wondered if they were more shocked that he actually came to the party, or that he was willing to dance. He smiled slightly. It didn't matter. What mattered was that he was going to dance with Natalie. They stood there waiting as the slip of paper was given to Ross.

 

Ross opened the paper, inserted the CD, nodded to them, and pressed play.