Aug 3, 2000 AuntieBetsy@webtv.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I, Elizabeth A. Allen (aka AuntieBetsy, aka Knighteyes) being of questionable soundness of mind and sound (but not satisfied with) body, herewith hand over this document to the 4everknightfanatics to use as they see fit: burning, wiping up spills, a doodle sheet, WHATEVA! I am using the Forever Knight characters as my personal play things, esp. Nick and Lacroix! No infringement is intended!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Guiding Darkness: Part 13 previously on the Guiding Darkness: Nick had just disclosed to Natalie of his psychosexual problem with his "libido" and "Nick Jr." "What? Your libido?" Nat said angrily as she got up from where she was sitting and walked over to the fireplace. "Nick, I truly believe you are getting more human every day...and not in a way I would say that would endear you to me or to any female! I asked you for the truth and you give me a line....uh..uh..a line that I could hear by some scum bag in a bar!" She turned a way from him to face the fireplace. She leaned against the mantle and put her head down. Suddenly, he was behind her. She tried to keep her head down for fear that he would see her blushing profoundly. "Nat I'm trying to explain to you why I acted the way I did....don't I usually treat you a heck of a lot better than that? I have never treated you like one of those scumbag bums you used to hang around bars with...have I?" Nick asked as soothingly as possible. Nat had a hard of enough time conveying her true feelings for me and now the beast within me is taking up residence, he thought to himself. While Nick was deep within thought, he suddenly heard Nat's voice shrill out to him, "Nick, I have never hung out at bars with those types of men! And I never will!! ~~~geesh~~~it was an expression!! 1-2-3-4," she began to count out loud. "Nat, what are you doing??" a confused Nick asked. "Damn it, I'm trying to find my happy place...any problem with that?" she began to pace the length of the living room. She avoided looking him in the eyes. "No problem....when you have found your happy place, let me know and we can resume this conversation sensibly. I said I was sorry and I have tried to explain my behavior.....but you fly off the handle when you hear the truth? What are you afraid of Nat? Perhaps, the beast within me stirred the beast within you? Natalie....I would never intentionally hurt you in this way. Why won't you believe me?" Suddenly she stopped pacing and crossed over to the couch, picked up her purse. "Nick, I can't stay here right now and discuss this....I need to go....fresh air....think.." and without looking at him, she headed for the lift. "Natalie...don't go...stay here with me and talk this out!!" Nick said as he followed her to the lift. He reached out to her and touched her shoulder. She slowly turned away but felt the electricity of his touch burn through her entire being. She fumbled with her purse trying to find her car keys. After locating them, she headed out of his building and got into her car. As she turned the keys in the ignition, the engine refused to turn over. She attempted to start the car once again but still the vehicle would not start. She picked up her cell phone to call the CANADIAN AUTO CLUB. "One hour....you do realize that this is winter and the temperature is zero tonight? No, er uh...I'm not anywhere near a public place to warm up...I'm in the warehouse district!!!! Just please hurry....." she pleaded. She grabbed the blanket that she kept for emergencies from the trunk of her car. After she had wrapped herself up as snuggly as she could, she began to feel drowsy. I must stay awake...I must not go back in to see Nick just now! I can do this....she thought to herself. I can wait an hour for the auto club...After a few moments, she began to feel drowsy and decided to get out of the car and pace a bit in order to stay awake. As she got out of the car, while struggling to keep the blanket around her, she accidentally closed the car door behind her. When she tried to open the door, she found it locked with her keys and purse inside the car. Suddenly, she lost her composure and spewed forth into the dark night, a stream of profanities that were born of anger and frustration!!!! "Shasta McNasty the live long day! You miserable piece o'tar! Nick the miserable trouser snake!.....I can't live this half-life with Nick anymore.....I've got to be with him and what will that get me? Oh, I'll either have a hot and happy death or become a vampire...nice options!!!!! AAARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!" In her anger, she kicked the driver's door hard. Soon, after this final outburst, she decided to go back to Nick's loft and wait for the auto club to arrive. She gathered the blanket around her, took a deep breath and limped her way into Nick's building and onto the lift. As the lift arrived at Nick's floor and the door opened, Nick greeted her with, "Natalie, thank you for coming back to talk this out.....I want you to know the truth and I want you to believe me..... I'm sorry this happened...." he said softly. As she moved toward him and off of the lift, she dropped the blanket to the floor, walked up to him threw her arms around his neck, kissed him slowly and deeply and whispered, "It's okay, Nick...I believe you," then pressing her forehead to his and looking into his blue eyes she said,"Hey, baby...you still in the mood? I'm cold and I need you to warm me up!" Nick stepped back from her and look very confused. He thought to himself, "Natalie's beast has arrived....this is not the Natalie I know.....hmmmmm...what do I do now?" <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> AuntieBetsy @ webtv.net