Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 15:41:52 -0400
      
The usual disclaimers apply...    
Archive it with the rest of the story!!! 

    
Previously on 'The Guiding Darkness' ....... 
      
  >> "Certainly, doctor," he agreed, leaning closer. He had noticed how she 
hid the box under other purchases. "Not that I need to tell him anything. I'm 
sure he already knows what time of the month it is." Nodding at her shocked 
expression, he pushed his cart away and continued as far from the hygiene 
section as possible. Now, where could he go that she would not follow? Ah, 
sporting goods... <<


Part 3
Debra Ann Fiorini 
   
Arriving in the sporting goods section, LaCroix slowly walked the aisles 
perusing the items for sale. Solemnly, he shook his head. "Mere child's 
play," he thought, as he disdainfully kicked a soccer ball out of the way of
his cart. "When I was young, men didn't play with this child's fare. We 
killed each other for fun. Ah yes, those were the days..." 
   
"Oh, now this looks fun," LaCroix spoke to himself and hefted a steel 
cross-bow from one of the shelves. "I could get some serious enjoyment out 
of this." 
   
Just then another cart hit into the side of his cart and the impact knocked 
LaCroix backwards and into a wall of football equipment. 
   
"Oh no!" exclaimed Natalie. "Are you following me??" 
   
"Whatever do you mean?" asked LaCroix as he rose gracefully to his feet. 
   
Natalie was giggling. "You have a football helmet on your foot." 
   
LaCroix looked down and then up at the doctor. "I am quite aware of that. 
Thank you. I was just about to remove it." But after several kicks, the 
helmet stayed put. 
   
"Nice dance moves you have there," Natalie laughed. 
   
"Very funny," LaCroix growled and with one final kick, he sent the helmet 
flying. . . . . up and over the shelves and into the next aisle. 
   
In a second, there was a loud thump and then someone yelled, "Owww!" 
   
Natalie burst into a fit of giggles. LaCroix wanted to pretend he thought 
the whole situation was very passe but even he couldn't hide a quick smirk. 
   
After gaining her composure, Natalie announced, "Leave." 
   
"What?" 
   
"You heard me. I said 'Leave.' I don't want you following me around this 
store." 
   
"Dr. Lambert, I can assure you I am not following you. I am, in fact, trying 
to avoid you. It was you however, you ran into me." LaCroix paused for a 
second and then added, "Perhaps it is you who should stop following me." 
   
Natalie gasped. "Why would I follow you of all people, Mr. Gloom and Doom?" 
   
"I don't know," LaCroix shrugged. "Maybe you would care to explain what you 
came into the sporting goods aisle for tonight - and maybe you would also 
care to explain why I saw you outside of the Raven last night . . . . even 
though Nick is on a training mission in Montreal! Why can't you stop 
following me?!?" 
   
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