Angels Among Us (A Miniseries)
This got pretty good feedback when it went out initially in Oct 99. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer:
All characters herein were borrowed, abused, and put back. Characters
are owned and copyrighted by Sony Pictures/Tristar Corp and were created
by James Parriott and Barney Cohen. I'm just borrowing them for awhile,
I promise to put them back in relatively good condition. No copyright
infringement is intended. Any similarity to any real persons, living,
dead or undead, or any other fan fiction, is purely coincidental. Also,
nothing in this story is intended to offend anyone. If I screw something
up, please let me know. If you want a sequel please ask, otherwise I
assume you've had enough of my crap.
Permission to archive by Mel on fkfanfic given.
In the Arms of the Angels
By Cousin Raven
raven@naturesong.com
=========================
N&N Packer story ahead...
=========================
The angel sat on the roof above the loft and watched at Nicholas' Caddy
pulled in. The sun was near rising, but for once Nicholas was not cutting
it too close. He smiled at that. He'd watched and followed him so many
nights, so many close calls. Too many to count.
With a sigh, the angel slipped through the roof and sat himself invisibly
in the loft. The elevator whined and the door opened. Nicholas came in and
took off his coat that the angel knew was just for show. He did not feel
the cold, or heat, except from the sun. Nicholas went to the refrigerator
and opened it, taking out a half-empty bottle. He poured himself a glass
and sat at his piano. He began to play, softly, quietly, and the angel
remembered that day, so long ago, that he'd witnessed the transformation.
It was not really a great spiritual transformation, just a physical one.
The man remained the same, no matter what he did, no matter what his
sustenance. The angel had sighed a long and low sigh when it was complete.
He was in for a long, long assignment with this one.
Now, sitting in the loft, he was glad. This one had proved a loving and
complete person, no matter what he thought of himself. His guilt was
overwhelming sometimes, so overwhelming that even the angel needed a break
sometimes, something to cheer them both. Tonight was one of those nights.
The phone rang and Nick stopped playing to answer it. This didn't surprise
the angel, because he was planning this, but it did surprise the caller.
"Nick?" Nat's voice came on. "I thought you'd let the machine get it..."
Nick pondered this. She was right, he never answered the phone. "What's
up?" he asked.
"Well, I was hoping we might be able to catch a movie tonight, you know,
we're both off and such..."
Nick smiled. "That would be great."
"Okay," Nat said, "Just pick me up at 8."
"You got it," Nick said.
"And Nick, I..." Nat faltered. "I'll see you then."
Confusion muttled Nick's face, but he responded anyway, "Okay, Nat. 8
o'clock."
They hung up and the angel sighed yet again. She'd been so close, so close
to divulging her feelings, and Nick hadn't even heard it. The angel shook
his head, even the immortals could be thick-headed sometimes.
With a smile on his face, Nick returned to the piano. He began playing
another tune, much happier, and the angel was glad. The song soothed his
soul, the angels and Nicholas'. With quiet reverie, the angel remembered
all of the times Nick had berated himself, guilty over the very fact of his
existance. It was silly as far as the angel was concerned. Nicholas had
sputtered someting about vampires being evil. That wasn't true as far as
the angel knew. After all, vampires were different, but not evil. They
weren't any more evil than lions or tigers. They just were, and the angel
accepted this. He wished Nicholas could do the same, but it didn't look
like *that* was going to happen anytime soon.
Nick stopped playing and got up, finishing off his bottle and placing it in
the recycle bin. The angel watched, as always. Finally, Nick went up to
bed and the angel followed. Soon, the stillness of sleep took him and the
angel still watched.
A dream took hold of Nicholas, and the angel was there.
Nick could see a great wide lake surrounded by mountains and sunlight
gleaming off the snow-capped peaks. He blinked for a moment, blinking back
the brightness, until he realized he was not burning. The angel approached
him within the dream, his wings carefully hidden. His face was soft like
that of a young boy of 12 or 13. Nicholas viewed him with suspicion.
"Who are you? Where am I?" he said.
The angel smiled patiently up at the displaced vampire. "You are safe,
Nicholas. You are in a dream."
Nick looked around, suddenly appreciating the view. "Okay, then who are
you?"
The innocent smile continued to play on the angel's lips. "I am a guide,
nothing more."
Nick thought about this for a minute. "Then guide me."
"I am," said the angel, "Every day, every minute of your life."
Nick's face became suddenly dark and he looked away. "I don't deserve
that."
"Why?" the angel's voice was suddenly antagonistic. "Why don't you deserve
to be guided, guided to love, to joy? You are no different mentally than
the millions of other humans out there, you just don't realize it."
Nick tried to vamp out, unsuccessfully, and looked at the angel with
piercing eyes. "Do you know what I am?" he hissed.
The angel resumed his innocent smile. "Indeed, I do."
Nick considered this for a moment. "And you accept me for who and what I
am?"
The angel's face was full of compassion, "Of course. Why can't you accept
yourself?"
Nick appeared to think on this. "Because I am a killer."
"No," the angel said, "No more than the wolf, the lion. You are a part of
the universe, a planned part, you have a purpose."
"What purpose?"
"Your kind have changed the course of history for the better. You are
better prepared to take actions mere mortals wouldn't even consider, many of
your kind have no fear at all, and sometimes that is necessary."
"But, what is my purpose?"
The angel smiled. He'd expected this. "My dear Nicholas, you have had
many, many purposes over the years."
"How 'bout now?"
The angel regarded Nicholas carefully. How much to tell? He pointed the
way up the trail. "Let me show you."
The trail led, impossibly, to Nat's bedroom. Nick recognized it
immediately, but tried to pretend he didn't. On the bed, Nat had lain down
and was sleeping quietly. Clutched in her hand, a diary. The angel reached
over and plucked it from her hand. She did not stir.
Nicholas shifted uncomfortably. The angel smiled, opened the page up to the
current day, and began to read:
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I almost told Nick I loved him on the
phone, but I hesitated. What would he say if he knew? He keeps saying he
can't be with me, and i respect that, but damn it, why can't he say he loves
me? Is he capable of love? To love a mortal? I'm begining to wonder."
The angel put the diary back in Nat's hand and looked up at Nicholas. Tears
were plainly visable on Nick's face, almost pouring down his face. "I had
no idea," he said.
The angel smiled up at him. "You still have time...if you do love her." He
gazed at the sleeping Natalie.
Nick turned and searched for the path they had taken. "I've got to get
back..."
The angel sighed and touched Nick's face with his hand. Nick's eyes closed
and a second later opened again. He was in his bed.
He checked the clock. It was 5pm. The sun was still up, but if he was fast
he might be able to catch a florist and at least get her some flowers. He
dialed up the florist and was surprised when a voice answered -- Nick almost
balked. The voice was the same as the angel's.
He gave his order and account number and was told they'd be delivered at
precisely 7:50 pm. He sighed and leaned back in bed.
The angel's voice came quietly to him in his half-sleep. "You'll have to do
better than that."
He shot up out of bed and looked around. "Where are you?" he almost yelled.
The angel watched and debated with himself. Finally, outside his better
judgement, he materialized in front of Nicholas. His wings were pure and
strong, and he seemed to glow. His clothes were those of the 13th century
crusader Nicholas' used to be.
Nick shielded his eyes from the bright glow, as bright as the sun. "Why do
you plague me?" he asked the angel.
With a sigh, the angel quit his display and became invisible again.
"Everyone deserves to be loved..." he said in the ensuing silence. "...even
you."
Nick looked around his loft. Everything was as he'd left it. He got up and
went to the refrigerator. When he opened it, he saw a beautiful corsage,
made of the tiniest red roses he'd ever seen. He stared at it for awhile
wondering how it got there, and then decided it was just one of those
unexplained things. He jumped at he heard something drop behind him. A
package lay on the table, wrapped in metallic red paper and white ribbons.
The tag read, "To Natalie from the lonely crusader."
He stared at this for a moment as well. He was so curious just to open it
and see exactly what gift he was giving. He fought it though and put it
down. He returned to the fridge and took out a fresh bottle. He filled his
glass and drank it down slowly, enjoying the pleasure it gave.
------
Nat sighed as she woke, stretching every muscle. She'd had such a strange
dream last night. She dreamed Nick had been in her bedroom, but of course,
that was impossible. She reached over and put her diary in her drawer. No
need to write anything yet. She got up and showered. As she was drying,
she went back into her bedroom and stopped dead.
Her bed had been made, and a soft black dress was there. She looked out the
blinds. Yup, sun was still up. It couldn't have been Nick. She sighed and
began looking through her house systematically, every closet, every cubbard
was looked under or in. Nothing. No one was there. She shook her head,
trying to figure it out.
Another angel watched. She was young, and mischievous, and best of all, she
liked Nat with Nick. When Nick's angel had suggested this, she'd jumped at
the opportunity, after all, how often does one get a chance to extend an
assignment. 'course that might not happen, but it was worth a try. Natalie
did so deserve to be happy.
--------
At precisely 7:50, a young boyish looking angel delivered the flowers. Nat
opened the door, expecting Nick, and was surprised at the bouquet. The
dozen red roses were almost as big as the angel and he handed them to her
quickly. She smiled and said, "Wow" several times. She brought them in and
returned with a tip, but to her surprise, the delivery boy was gone. She
shrugged and returned to her kitchen. The roses were huge and a deep blood
red. Nat spotted a card in with the baby's breath and plucked it out. She
read it aloud.
"To my goddess, from you faithful knight." She would've melted right then
and there, but her angel caught her and helped her to keep standing. She
still had a long night ahead of her.
Outside, the other angel giggled to himself. That had not been the message
Nick had wanted placed, but sometimes he deserved a kick in the butt.
----------
Nick arrived in the caddy then, and his angel watched from the front step.
He stepped out dressed in a suit and tie. In one hand he carried the
corsage, and in the other the mystery package. He approached the door
almost hesitantly.
One angel called to another, and Nat's angel had Nat answer the door before
he even pushed the doorbell.
"Hi." Nick said softly.
Nat smile was wide and genuine. "Oh, Nick, thank you, they're wonderful."
He nodded slowly. "Here," he said as he offered her the corsage and gift.
She took them and invited him in. Nick's angel quietly followed.
When he saw the dozen red roses, Nick took a double take. He read the card
and began to wonder if some other knight was after Nat. Deciding the
florist had gotten his order mixed up, he was about to let Nat know when he
felt a cold finger on his lips. A whisper in his ear said, "Sometimes...you
need a little help..." the angel said.
Nick looked around for a minute. Sydney jumped onto the couch and began
licking at his paws. Nick watched him carefully, but he appeared
unconcerned. His own feline angel hung about him, keeping him calm.
Everything must be perfect, the kitty angel knew.
Nat came out and saw how close Sydney was to Nick. She wasn't growling, or
hissing. Imagine that. She had the corsage attached to her wonderful dress
now, and she twirled to show it off. Nick caught her and held her in a long
embrace, a kiss, a soft, and passionate kiss followed. Nat suddenly felt
very hot and Nick released her to catch her breath. She caught sight of the
package and read the card.
"My, my," She said, "We are quite the poet tonight."
"You bring out the best in me," he said truthfully, and his angel smiled.
She opened the package. A box was within, and opening that she discovered a
heavy picture frame, sized for an 8 X 10 picture. Around the edges were
tiny cherub angels highlighted with gold trim. A tiny banner on the bottom
said simply, "Nicholas and Natalie". She smiled. "Thanks, Nick, now we
only have to get a picture for it."
He smiled while looking at the frame curiously. "Yeah," he said absently.
The movie they ended up seeing was "Titanic". The angel scoffed at the
choice though. Truth was, such a thing wouldn't happen, angels didn't let
those who were in love, truly, completely in love, be seperated for very
long.
After the movie, they drove back slowly, Nick's arm around Nat. She almost
slept there, cuddled in the crook of his arm.
"Are you hungry?" he murmured.
"Oh, yes..." she mumbled in her sleep. She could almost taste cocoa and
crumpets. "Pastery..." she mumbled.
Seeing an all night bakery, Nick pulled off the side of the road. Inside
the bakery, Nat's angel prepared for them.
They walked in, arm in arm, and the angel looked over the counter. "Can I
help you?" she said, being very perky, or at least trying to.
"Can I get some cocoa and..."
"Crumpets," the angel answered and passed a small tray with half a dozen
crumpets and steaming hot cocoa. Nat looked at her confusingly, but the
smell of the cocoa was just too much, and she started to drink it. They sat
down at a booth and the angel behind the counter winked at Nick's angel.
She approached him with another tray, this one with a small, perrier sized
bottle filled with dark liquid. "And for the gentleman," she said and left
into the back. Nick watched her go, speechless.
Nat saw and started to giggle.
"This is not funny, Nat. Something's going on here," he said as he cracked
the seal on the bottle. It was good, and not human. He was glad.
"Maybe," Nat said hesitantly, "it's happening for a reason."
"You mean someone wants us to be together?"
Nat nodded. "Nick...I," she hesitated again.
"Nat, I love you," Nick said impulsivly, knowing that's what she was trying
to say. She reached over the table, and they kissed passionately. A bright
flash broke their kiss, and they saw a young looking boy with a camera.
"Hey," Nat said with a big smile on her face. "What're you doing here?"
The boy looked at Nick and knew he was recognized. "Maybe you should ask
him," he said and disappeared.
Nat looked around. No one was around, at least none that she could see.
She smiled at Nick and they ate their meal in peace. When they were
finished, Nick went up to pay. That was when he noticed there was no cash
register. None at all. He looked around. There was also no attendant. He
sighed and they left the shop. They got in the caddy, Nick holding the door
for Nat, then drove he drove her home.
At her doorstep, she kissed him deeply, and he returned it. She smiled and
went in. Nick practically flew back to his caddy. Such a strange night, he
thought to himself, but it had gone just great.
Inside, Nat looked at the picture frame. It was no longer empty. Within,
she saw the picture of the two of them at the shop. It was truly beautiful,
and she put it on her nightstand. She couldn't wait for the next time.
As the mortal and immortal prepared for the day, the angels sighed in
unsion. It had been an exhausting night, but well worth it.
=========================
FK isn't mine. Wish it was.
Dark Angel Rising (0/1)
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
Sequel to "In the arms of the angels" Sort of
==============================
Prologue
Raven sat contentedly at her desk, eyeing the wonderful feedback she'd
gotten from her latest story. She smiled as she read each comment. It
*had* been such a sappy story, but it got such good press.
A rush of air announced she was no longer alone. She turned to greet the
visitors, but instead got a large wooden stake held against her chest.
Though not a vampire, it would kill her just the same. She stared at the
stake, then at the intruders. They growled at her revealing large enforcer
fangs and motioned her forward. With no other choice, she went.
They arrived at the CERK building some time later, Raven suffering from
multiple splinters where the stake had almost done some very serious damage.
The two enforcers half walked/half dragged her into the broadcast room. The
General sat across from her, eyeing her suspiciously. The enforcers did not
relinquish their hold.
In LaCroix's intense gaze, Raven thought she saw amusement, but that was
gone in a blink.
"Just what did you think you were doing...writing this...trash?" LaCroix
said and shoved a small pile of papers at her. She saw the title page, it
read, "In the arms of the angels".
Taking a deep breath, Raven said, "But they loved it...they ate it up."
"Do you even understand why you're here?" Uncle asked almost sweetly. Raven
shook her head no. "You are in grave danger, danger of losing your Cousin's
permit, and your enforcer's licence. What made you think you could write
something this...mushy...this...loving...and get away with it?"
Raven swallowed thickly. "Poetic licence?" she stuttered.
LaCroix laughed then, almost letting Raven relax, but then the stake was
shoved harder in the small of her back. "My dear," he said, "Why should I
let you go to write more of this...nonsense?"
Raven licked her lips and thought for a minute. "Well, my birthday's coming
up...maybe you could, you know, give me a break."
"Hmmmm, so I am to let you go because it's your birthday? What would all
the other cousins say...letting you get away with distinct mushiness just
because it's a certain day of the year?"
Raven stared then said, "They'd say even you can be understanding...I hope."
LaCroix shook his head. "Kill her," he said to the enforcers, who started
for the door, dragging the shocked Raven toward the door.
"Wait!" she said quickly, "I might be able to...um...rectify it."
"And how would you do that?" LaCroix murmured.
Finally finding her feet, she stood straight and tall and said, "They did
ask for sequel."
Disclaimer:
All characters herein were borrowed, abused, and put back. Characters are
owned and copyrighted by Sony Pictures/Tristar Corp and were created by
James Parriott and Barney Cohen. I'm just borrowing them for awhile, I
promise to put them back in relatively good condition. No copyright
infringement is intended. Any similarity to any real persons, living, dead
or undead, or any other fan fiction, is purely coincidental. Also, nothing
in this story is intended to offend anyone. If I screw something up, please
let me know. If you want a sequel please ask, otherwise I assume you've
had enough of my crap.
Permission to archive by Mel on fkfanfic given.
==========================
Dark Angel Rising (1/1)
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
Sequel to "In the arms of the angels"
=========================
The angel watched LaCroix enter his bedroom with a practiced eye. He had
followed LaCroix all of his 2000 year life and nothing surprised him
anymore. He took his clothes off and showered, getting ready for his day
sleep. The angel watched passively, distantly.
The angel could feel many things in LaCroix tonight. He was irritated by
the feelings that flowed to him from the bond with his son; feelings of
mortal love and it pained LaCroix to feel it. He felt he might be losing
his son, and it caused more hurt to flow.
His monologue this night had been bitter and brief, all about losing one's
family to others, of how hard it was to let go. Even after 800 years,
LaCroix still had not the courage to let go. The angel knew this, and the
angel watched carefully. Many times had the angel saved LaCroix from
himself, from his enemies, even once from his own son. That was a rather
big hint that Nicholas would not be controlled anymore, and LaCroix tried to
accept it that long year that he waited to regain his strength. The angel
himself had nursed his wounds somtimes, invisibly, unfortunatley, the blood
of angels was as poison to vampires, so he did what he could. No matter
what LaCroix did, he was still the angel's charge; his duty.
So many things had happened over the years, so many things the angel wished
to forget. So many victims. It was so hard to stand idly by and watch for
interlopers when you really wanted to throttel your charge and tell him to
give it a rest for a night. Now it was easier, victims were rare. The new
technology the mortals had invtented had made life harder for the vampires
in more than one way.
The angel saw LaCroix come out of the shower and pad his way into the
bedroom. He dried his hair with the towel he carried and climbed into bed.
The angel smiled. Soon, he would be asleep...and the angel would show him
marvels.
-----
LaCroix opened his eyes. They were standing in sunlight, and LaCroix
balked, heading for any shelter. The angel stopped him with a word.
LaCroix stopped and eyed the stranger. His angel was dressed in full Roman
soldier regalia, decked to the nines. He was young, perhaps nineteen or
twenty. LaCroix would have rushed him were it not for his wings. They hung
out of the solder's uniform at odd angels, showing their utter reality.
LaCroix swallowed thickly, tasting some of the night's drink.
"What do you want of me?" LaCroix barked.
The angel smiled a disarming smile and shook his head. "Lucius, Lucius,
after two thousand years, you'd think you'd recognize me by now. But that's
not important. Look around."
Lucien did, he saw mountains and streams, and fish in the streams. The sky
was bright as day, but he saw no sun. "What kind of trickery is this?" he
said.
The angel gave a blank look. "No trickery Lucien, I assure you."
"Where are we?" Lucien asked.
"A place out of time, a time out of place."
"I've had enough of your riddles..." Lucien said and started for the angel.
"No." The angel said and his being brightened brighter than a thousand suns.
Lucien shied away from the light and buried his face in his hands. "What
have *I* done?" he asked.
The angel sighed and revered to normal brightness. "You are a strong man,
Lucien, but a lonely one. Dont' you realize the more you pull your children
to you the more they will try to run? It is a natural human reaction."
"We are not human," Lucien said, his face deadpan.
The angel approached him, all anger, all pain gone. He touched his chin so
very softly, but he felt the fingers burn into him. He looked into his
eyes. "Yes," he said, "You are human."
Lucien came awake with a start. "I am not!" he said loudly enough to be
heard by the basement dwellers. The building rang with the sound for a
moment, then all was quiet.
Lucien stared at the clock. The sun was still up. He doubted he could get
any more sleep. Sighing, he laid back anyway and closed his eyes. The
angel whispered in his ear, "...in all the ways that count."
With a roar, LaCroix jumped from the bed and searched the room. He searched
the closet, under the bed, the travel trunks, even the dresser drawers.
Nothing. He sighed and sat back down.
--------
Later that night, LaCroix stood on the roof of the Coroner's building. He
watched Nicholas drop his mortal love, Natalie, off for work and they kissed
passionatley. The anger within LaCroix burned to an awful jealous green.
How dare she interfere with his son. They broke their kiss, and Natalie
went into the morgue door. Nick watched her go with a mixture of yearning
and love. In a flash, LaCroix was at his side.
"It's a little trivial, don't you think?" LaCroix asked in his most
restricted voice.
"Maybe, LaCroix, but I love her," Nick responded, not even looking at
LaCroix.
Lucien could have burst a blood vessel. How dare he admit it, admit his
love, and reject his father all in one blow. He started to sputter in his
rage. The angel, seeing this, touched his shoulders, calming him gently.
He whispered in LaCroix's ear, "If you do not let them go...how will they
know they need you?"
LaCroix was silent after that. He took flight away, and Nick looked up
vaguely, wondering if maybe he should stay and protect Natalie. A little
boy's voice, his own angel whispered in his ear, "She'll be all right," and
so, he left the Coroner's building.
--------------
LaCroix shifted through the pile of CDs and sorted which songs he would play
tonight. It had been 3 weeks since he'd seen Nicholas that night. 3 weeks
of ignoring and avoiding Nicholas' prying eyes. Some cases that Nicholas
had worked on had brought him to the Raven, but LaCroix had avoided him, and
sought refuge in obscure places. So far, they had all worked effectively,
and he planned to use them to his advantage in the future.
A knock on the soundbooth door drew his attention away from his music. It
was Nicholas. Since he'd already been seen he decided to just allow him in.
Nick came in carefully, looking around as if he'd never been there before.
The current song ended and LaCroix leaned over to speak into the microphone.
"And so, my children, what have you learned being alone these long nights?
Have you learned I am a necessary part of your life, or have to come to say
goodbye forever?" The music started again and the 'on air' light went out.
Nicholas pondered this for a moment, his angel urging him on. Finally, he
said, "LaCroix, I came to thank you. I know it took alot to stay away for
so long..."
"Nonesense," Lucien said, "I did what I did for me. One can only stand so
much guilt, at least one who is not accustomed to it." He let the final
words echo in the air, seeming to vibrate about the room.
Nick smiled vaguely. "Yes, LaCroix, but thank you anyway." Nick got up to
leave, "And LaCroix?"
Lucien looked up, his face a blank mask, "Yes, what is it?"
"You are a part of my life, and you always will be." He left then with all
speed.
LaCroix looked at the empty door and sighed. "Well, at least he knows..."
The angel wrapped his arms around his charge. "You *are* a great man," he
said.
========================
THUWMP
...sound of writer getting staked.
========================
Okay, so it wasn't *supposed* to be this mushy. Apparently, I'm getting
*very* sappy in my old age. I'll try to do better next time. Darn it all,
I really didn't intend for this story to come out like this. *sigh*
----------------------------------------------------------
Here lies Raven, deader than dead
Thought LaCroix was good in bed
Pretty soon she came to know
Just how long his fangs did grow.
-I wish; now, on with the story:
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Angel's Book
Sequel to "Dark Angel Rising"
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
-----------------------------------------------------------
LaCroix roared, "I am not a good guy!" He looked around the CERK booth,
looking for the source of the horrendous accusation. "How dare you!" he
said as he looked.
The angel hid in the corner, though he was certain LaCroix could not find
him even if he were standing on top of him. He held his hands to his mouth.
It was all going so well, then he opened his big mouth. How was he going to
get out of this one? They'd bust him down, take away his wings. He'd be
guarding somebody's dog by sunup. The thought made him want to scream.
He'd always been able to contain past mistakes, convince LaCroix he was
hearing things. Now, he was certain he wouldn't believe him anymore.
After 2 thousand years of subtlety, he'd screwed up. Just great. The
Angelic enforcers would come...and they could be just as mean as their
vampire counterparts. He tried unsuccessfully to will LaCroix to forget.
Finally, he stood up and brushed the astral dust from his cloak.
LaCroix was still searching the soundbooth, convinced someone was there.
Finally, the angel approached him. "LaCroix!" he said very loudly right
near the old vampire's ear. He nearly jumped 10 feet, but the angel smiled
as he restrained the reflex.
"Who are you?" LaCroix roared.
"Sit down, Lucien, sit down and relax. If I'd wanted to hurt you I'd have
done it already." The angel tried very hard to sound tough. He doubted it
worked.
LaCroix took his seat though in his chair and looked furtively around. The
angel materialized in front of him, sans wings.
"I am..." the angel started then decided LaCroix probably wouldn't *want* a
guardian angel. He finished carefully, "Garron," he finished. "I am here
to show you something...something very important."
LaCroix snorted his derision. The angel continued, "And if you would
accompany me, I'll show it to you."
LaCroix smiled evilly. "Just what is this 'something important' about?"
The angel put his blankest of blank expressions on his face. "Why, you, of
course."
-----
Nick sat at his desk, contentedly looking through gruesome murder reports.
Nat was happy with him; it made everything so much easier. He wasn't even
sure what *exactly* happened, but he was glad for it. As he looked through
the papers he vaguely felt something *strange* come from the link with
LaCroix. It was alarmed at first, then angry...then full of wonder. Nick
looked around the bullpen as if he could somehow see what he was feeling.
Then nothing. The link just seemed to sever so completely, Nick reeled from
the impact. All was quiet. Everyone was looking at Nick, who had stood up
in his desk. Surprised expressions greeted him. He'd said something,
probably very loudly.
He blinked for a second, trying to remember what he said. Cohen approached
him with her usual brusque manner and said stiffly, "Knight, my office." As
for making a quick exit, she was a lifesaver. He happily headed for her
office. Conversation returned to normal, most of it about the detective's
strange behavior.
"Knight, what's going on?" Cohen said after he'd settled himself in the
chair across from her desk.
"Cap'n, I don't know. It almost feels like I had a death in the family. I
can't explain it."
"Hmmm. Your father."
"What did you say?"
"Well, that's what you just yelled, you said, "Father." I figure that's who
you feel strange about."
"Cap'n, I need to see if he's okay."
"How much time do you need, Knight? A week, two? You've got a lot of
vacation time accrued."
"Let me see if he's okay...it' shouldn't take that long. Maybe just the
night."
"Okay then, take today and tomorrow off..." Nick got up and almost flew out
of the office, "And Knight..."
Nick turned at the door.
"Don't yell like that again. We're jumpy enough around here."
Nick smiled, "Yes Cap'n"
------
LaCroix stood he knew not where. The sky seemed to glow with a pale pink
color. His skin didn't prickle with the feeling. It was disorientating.
Before him was a wide plane of grasses and plants, gently sloping upward in
tiny hills. It was the kind of place he hadn't seen in a long time. Far
away, almost on the horizon, he could see a man walking purposely toward
him. On his side, the angel stood silent, watching the approach as well.
Tears appeared on the angel's eyes, but they were for himself. If this
failed, he would lose his wings, his job, and worst of all, his guardianship
of LaCroix. It was hard to contemplate after almost 2 thousand years.
The man approached cautiously. He appeared to be a rather young man, in his
mid twenties, dressed in a soft roman toga. LaCroix eyed the toga
yearningly. They'd been such a comfortable piece of clothing. Under his
arm, the man carried two books.
"I am the keeper," he said, as if that explained everything.
"And what, pray tell, do you keep?" LaCroix said evilly.
The keeper looked at the angel then back at LaCroix. "These books," he
said, "are a complete record of your life, a record of every deed, every
accomplishment, no matter how brief."
LaCroix looked at the books and swallowed thickly. They were both rather
thick, almost the same size. "They are both mine?" he asked.
"Heavens, no. One is yours...one is your son's"
LaCroix contemplated this for a time. The keeper opened the first book up,
the one with "Lucius of Rome; Lucien LaCroix" on it's cover. He idly
flipped through the pages. LaCroix craned his neck to see, but it was
beyond his sight. The keeper stopped in almost the middle of the book.
"Here we are, this is now."
LaCroix saw the amount of pages yet to go. "And is it all written, even the
future?"
"No, the future is not written here, but we do have the exact number of
pages that we will need to write every deed down."
LaCroix eyed the pages left again. It seemed he was somewhere in midlife.
"And the other..." he said.
The keeper smiled. Leave it to LaCroix to care more about what his son's
life book said. He put the first book down and picked up the second. The
cover read, in deep gold lettering, "Nicholas De Brabant". He opened it to
a certain page and began to read, "Today Nicholas became vampire. The guilt
will break him down, all this killing, but it was meant to be." The keeper
watched LaCroix's expression, but it did not really change. After centuries
of masking one's feelings, it came easily to him.
"What of his search for redemption?" LaCroix asked with all sincerity.
The keeper sighed. "Yes, we have expunged a number of misdeeds from his
lifebook. There are whole pages that have been erased."
LaCroix nodded carefully. "What of his search for _humanity_?"
The keeper looked at the angel, then back to LaCroix. "I told you, we do
not know the future, only what we are meant to write."
"Then, where is he now...what page in his book?" LaCroix seemed to be
catching on.
The keeper lifted the book and turned to a page about one-third of the way
into the book. "He is here. He still has much left to do. Many people to
rescue, to protect. And they will ultimately owe it all to you...."
LaCroix muddled over this for a moment. "And he will live longer than me?"
The keeper seemed sad. "We cannot tell you that, only show you the pages
for deeds yet to accomplish."
"So, am I to learn that I should leave him alone, to run his own life..."
"No." the keeper was adamant. "You are now and will always be an essential
part of his life. Feel for him now. He is not there. He feels this
emptiness as well, and is coming as we speak to find out if you are well."
"Nicholas..." LaCroix said softly.
"We must return," the angel said and LaCroix nodded slowly.
-------
Nick burst into the soundbooth, almost yelling. LaCroix sat calmly in his
chair, gazing at Nick with wonder. His perspective had changed somewhat
since his visit with the keeper. Now, he saw Nick more as a brother than a
son. It was different.
"Why Nicholas...what is wrong?" LaCroix said calmly. On the side of him,
the angel dropped the shield that had protected Nicholas from knowing what
was happening with LaCroix. Nick felt the familiar touch of his bond with
his master.
"You're all right," he said as a statement of fact.
"Of course," Lucien smiled. "And how have you and the good doctor been
doing? I've been thinking about her and she seems like she'd be a wonderful
addition to our family..."
"LaCroix," Nick said as he stepped out of the booth, "Don't even think about
it."
================================
All my FK fan fiction archived at
http://www.naturesong.com/raven/myfkfan.htm
This is kind of related to my intro for "Dark Angel Rising (0/1)"
Just a little filk
Raven's Requiem
-----------------
Here lies Raven
Deader than dead
With a stake in her heart
And a hole in her head
She wrote a cute story
All weak and sappy
LaCroix didn't find it funny
And made poor Raven quite unhappy
"Wait, LaCroix, I'll rectify
The story yet again
The sequel to the sequel
Might change the final end"
"Make it quick
Type your note
For it will soon be
'All she wrote'"
She typed and typed
In a frantic rush
But the final word
Turned her to dust
So, you think she lay
Dead on the floor
But the writer comes back
Always for more
==================
The Angel of Death
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
-------------
Sequel to "The Angel's Book"
archived at http://www.naturesong.com/raven/myfkfan.htm
--One last bit of mushiness...and then I'm back to more cousinly
tendencies--
=================================
Nicholas left the soundbooth and LaCroix settled back in his chair. He
snorted his derision, he'd think about adding the good doctor to his family
if he pleased. A soft voice whispered in his ear, "We're not done yet."
Instantly, LaCroix came alert but the soundbooth was already gone, faded to
dust. They stood again on the empty plain, LaCroix, Keeper, and Garron
(LaCroix's guardian angel).
The Keeper fixed Lucien with a dark expression. "Now, does it look like he
cares for you? He hasn't come to visit you in a long time--because he knew
you were okay."
Lucien considered this for a moment, then dismissed it. "Why am I here?
What do you want of me?"
The keeper smiled. "Only to let you know *we* are here...we do watch.
Everything you do is being recorded."
"To be judged, I suppose?"
The keeper looked at the angel, who responded, "To judge is not our
responsibility...that's the death angel's job."
Hardness filled Lucien's ice blue eyes. "Why tell me this now?"
"Many things will happen in the near future..." the angel said.
The keeper nodded, "We want you to know that trying times are coming. You
musn't do anything drastic...you and your son have many duties left to
accomplish. Do not ruin it."
The angel added, "The future depends on it."
Slowly, Lucien felt himself coming awake. He was sitting in his soundbooth
and he felt a whisper, so soft, so calming, "Do not ruin it. The future
depends on it."
--------
Exhausted in his relief, Nick flew slowly back to the precinct. It had
irritated him that he'd thought something had happened to LaCroix...it had
worried him, as much as he hated to admit it.
As he flew, he began to flashback to all the good times he'd had with
LaCroix. Few and far between, but they did happen. His good mood continued
until he smelled it...blood. He dropped out of the sky to investigate.
He heard a woman yelling, screaming actually. He made for the sound. What
he saw almost stopped him in his tracks.
A woman lay on the ground, severly wounded, a man was on top of her with a
knife. Without further prompting, Nick blinked over to the attacker and
lifted him up off the woman by the throat. Nick held the knife hand stiffly
and sqeezed. The knife clattered to the pavement.
On the street, the poor girl coughed and sputtered weakly. Her angel sat
beside her and cried. Nick's angel touched the smaller angel and whispered,
"Justice will be done..." he threw a sidelong glance at Nick. "One way or
another."
Nick had vamped out at the first sign of trouble, now, holding the man just
inches from him, he knew in that horrifying instant that he could kill him
if he wanted to. He should kill him. Dirty bastard tried to kill that
girl. He swallowed thickly as he heard her heartbeat weaken and stop. He
stared at the undeserving perp. //You will not remember me...you will
confess your crimes to the police...you will never to this or any other
crime again.//
The man weakly echoed Nick,"Confess my crimes...never again..."
Disgusted, Nick dropped him and he landed hard on the pavement, knocking him
out. He turned his attention to the girl...and saw something completely
unexpected.
The boy he'd seen in his dream was there, along with another. They stood
quietly, tears in their eyes. Their wings glowed a deep golden,
highlighting every feature, every feather. As he stared, dumbstruck, he saw
what appeared to be the girl, get up and touch the shoulder of the smaller
angel. They embraced and the smaller angel pointed in the distance. The
girl nodded and started for the point noted. A small white light appeared,
like a beacon. She walked toward it gratefully, and Nick felt compelled to
look harder at it. To him, it appeared to be a lantern, held aloft by a
large dark figure with deep black wings that glistened in the moonlight.
Nick could have sworn he was over eight feet tall. Wouldn't want to meet
him in a dark alley, Nick automatically thought. When he did, the two
angels regarded him as if noticing him for the first time.
The smaller angel's mouth became an almost perfect 'o' and she said, "He
*saw*!"
The older angel, Nick's angel, looked over and sighed. "My precocious
crusader," he said.
Then it was over. Completely.
Nick looked around, but all he saw was the girl's dead body and the
unconcious body of the attacker. There was nothing more he could do here,
the perp would wake up and want to confess more than anything in the world.
He decided to make an anonymous 911 call anyway.
-----------
Nat hummed to herself as she went through the motions of working. Her mind,
although paying attention to what she was doing, was occupied with thoughts
of a certain vampire detective. Everything had gone so well last night, she
just couldn't believe it. Usually, murphy's law was in full force and
nothing worked between them. It was either a case, or a memory, or her, but
it was always something. She smiled even as she worked on the body. He
sure was good at spoiling her when he wanted to.
Nat's angel sat at her desk, happy with the realization that their plan had
worked. Finally, perhaps, they would be happy.
----------------
Nick made his way to the morgue slowly. He couldn't believe what he'd seen
and needed to tell *someone*. He got there just as she was finishing up her
latest 'patient'. She had yet to notice him, so he watched her from a
distance. She put her instruments in the tray and brought them to the
autoclave to be prepared to be sterilized. He slipped in behind her and
touched her shoulder.
Predictably, she jumped but softened when she saw it was him. She smiled
and got out of her scrubs. "You okay?" she asked him, he looked like he'd
seen a ghost.
"Now I am," he said. "I saw something tonight...something I can't explain."
"Well, was it good or bad?"
"I'm not sure." He looked worried almost.
She scrubbed up and sighed. Thank you Murphy, she thought sarcastically.
"Tell me about it."
"No," he said surprising her. He gathered her up in his arms. "I've got
the rest of the night off, and I want to think about only you."
He kissed her slowly, deeply, then.
The angels looked at each other and giggled. This had turned out to be a
pretty good assignment after all.
===========
Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
Enforcements, NA, Unholy Trinity, DP
Bring Back the Knight!
This got pretty good feedback when it went out initially in Oct 99. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer:
All characters herein were borrowed, abused, and put back. Characters
are owned and copyrighted by Sony Pictures/Tristar Corp and were created
by James Parriott and Barney Cohen. I'm just borrowing them for awhile,
I promise to put them back in relatively good condition. No copyright
infringement is intended. Any similarity to any real persons, living,
dead or undead, or any other fan fiction, is purely coincidental. Also,
nothing in this story is intended to offend anyone. If I screw something
up, please let me know. If you want a sequel please ask, otherwise I
assume you've had enough of my crap.
Permission to archive by Mel on fkfanfic given.
In the Arms of the Angels
By Cousin Raven
raven@naturesong.com
=========================
N&N Packer story ahead...
=========================
The angel sat on the roof above the loft and watched at Nicholas' Caddy
pulled in. The sun was near rising, but for once Nicholas was not cutting
it too close. He smiled at that. He'd watched and followed him so many
nights, so many close calls. Too many to count.
With a sigh, the angel slipped through the roof and sat himself invisibly
in the loft. The elevator whined and the door opened. Nicholas came in and
took off his coat that the angel knew was just for show. He did not feel
the cold, or heat, except from the sun. Nicholas went to the refrigerator
and opened it, taking out a half-empty bottle. He poured himself a glass
and sat at his piano. He began to play, softly, quietly, and the angel
remembered that day, so long ago, that he'd witnessed the transformation.
It was not really a great spiritual transformation, just a physical one.
The man remained the same, no matter what he did, no matter what his
sustenance. The angel had sighed a long and low sigh when it was complete.
He was in for a long, long assignment with this one.
Now, sitting in the loft, he was glad. This one had proved a loving and
complete person, no matter what he thought of himself. His guilt was
overwhelming sometimes, so overwhelming that even the angel needed a break
sometimes, something to cheer them both. Tonight was one of those nights.
The phone rang and Nick stopped playing to answer it. This didn't surprise
the angel, because he was planning this, but it did surprise the caller.
"Nick?" Nat's voice came on. "I thought you'd let the machine get it..."
Nick pondered this. She was right, he never answered the phone. "What's
up?" he asked.
"Well, I was hoping we might be able to catch a movie tonight, you know,
we're both off and such..."
Nick smiled. "That would be great."
"Okay," Nat said, "Just pick me up at 8."
"You got it," Nick said.
"And Nick, I..." Nat faltered. "I'll see you then."
Confusion muttled Nick's face, but he responded anyway, "Okay, Nat. 8
o'clock."
They hung up and the angel sighed yet again. She'd been so close, so close
to divulging her feelings, and Nick hadn't even heard it. The angel shook
his head, even the immortals could be thick-headed sometimes.
With a smile on his face, Nick returned to the piano. He began playing
another tune, much happier, and the angel was glad. The song soothed his
soul, the angels and Nicholas'. With quiet reverie, the angel remembered
all of the times Nick had berated himself, guilty over the very fact of his
existance. It was silly as far as the angel was concerned. Nicholas had
sputtered someting about vampires being evil. That wasn't true as far as
the angel knew. After all, vampires were different, but not evil. They
weren't any more evil than lions or tigers. They just were, and the angel
accepted this. He wished Nicholas could do the same, but it didn't look
like *that* was going to happen anytime soon.
Nick stopped playing and got up, finishing off his bottle and placing it in
the recycle bin. The angel watched, as always. Finally, Nick went up to
bed and the angel followed. Soon, the stillness of sleep took him and the
angel still watched.
A dream took hold of Nicholas, and the angel was there.
Nick could see a great wide lake surrounded by mountains and sunlight
gleaming off the snow-capped peaks. He blinked for a moment, blinking back
the brightness, until he realized he was not burning. The angel approached
him within the dream, his wings carefully hidden. His face was soft like
that of a young boy of 12 or 13. Nicholas viewed him with suspicion.
"Who are you? Where am I?" he said.
The angel smiled patiently up at the displaced vampire. "You are safe,
Nicholas. You are in a dream."
Nick looked around, suddenly appreciating the view. "Okay, then who are
you?"
The innocent smile continued to play on the angel's lips. "I am a guide,
nothing more."
Nick thought about this for a minute. "Then guide me."
"I am," said the angel, "Every day, every minute of your life."
Nick's face became suddenly dark and he looked away. "I don't deserve
that."
"Why?" the angel's voice was suddenly antagonistic. "Why don't you deserve
to be guided, guided to love, to joy? You are no different mentally than
the millions of other humans out there, you just don't realize it."
Nick tried to vamp out, unsuccessfully, and looked at the angel with
piercing eyes. "Do you know what I am?" he hissed.
The angel resumed his innocent smile. "Indeed, I do."
Nick considered this for a moment. "And you accept me for who and what I
am?"
The angel's face was full of compassion, "Of course. Why can't you accept
yourself?"
Nick appeared to think on this. "Because I am a killer."
"No," the angel said, "No more than the wolf, the lion. You are a part of
the universe, a planned part, you have a purpose."
"What purpose?"
"Your kind have changed the course of history for the better. You are
better prepared to take actions mere mortals wouldn't even consider, many of
your kind have no fear at all, and sometimes that is necessary."
"But, what is my purpose?"
The angel smiled. He'd expected this. "My dear Nicholas, you have had
many, many purposes over the years."
"How 'bout now?"
The angel regarded Nicholas carefully. How much to tell? He pointed the
way up the trail. "Let me show you."
The trail led, impossibly, to Nat's bedroom. Nick recognized it
immediately, but tried to pretend he didn't. On the bed, Nat had lain down
and was sleeping quietly. Clutched in her hand, a diary. The angel reached
over and plucked it from her hand. She did not stir.
Nicholas shifted uncomfortably. The angel smiled, opened the page up to the
current day, and began to read:
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I almost told Nick I loved him on the
phone, but I hesitated. What would he say if he knew? He keeps saying he
can't be with me, and i respect that, but damn it, why can't he say he loves
me? Is he capable of love? To love a mortal? I'm begining to wonder."
The angel put the diary back in Nat's hand and looked up at Nicholas. Tears
were plainly visable on Nick's face, almost pouring down his face. "I had
no idea," he said.
The angel smiled up at him. "You still have time...if you do love her." He
gazed at the sleeping Natalie.
Nick turned and searched for the path they had taken. "I've got to get
back..."
The angel sighed and touched Nick's face with his hand. Nick's eyes closed
and a second later opened again. He was in his bed.
He checked the clock. It was 5pm. The sun was still up, but if he was fast
he might be able to catch a florist and at least get her some flowers. He
dialed up the florist and was surprised when a voice answered -- Nick almost
balked. The voice was the same as the angel's.
He gave his order and account number and was told they'd be delivered at
precisely 7:50 pm. He sighed and leaned back in bed.
The angel's voice came quietly to him in his half-sleep. "You'll have to do
better than that."
He shot up out of bed and looked around. "Where are you?" he almost yelled.
The angel watched and debated with himself. Finally, outside his better
judgement, he materialized in front of Nicholas. His wings were pure and
strong, and he seemed to glow. His clothes were those of the 13th century
crusader Nicholas' used to be.
Nick shielded his eyes from the bright glow, as bright as the sun. "Why do
you plague me?" he asked the angel.
With a sigh, the angel quit his display and became invisible again.
"Everyone deserves to be loved..." he said in the ensuing silence. "...even
you."
Nick looked around his loft. Everything was as he'd left it. He got up and
went to the refrigerator. When he opened it, he saw a beautiful corsage,
made of the tiniest red roses he'd ever seen. He stared at it for awhile
wondering how it got there, and then decided it was just one of those
unexplained things. He jumped at he heard something drop behind him. A
package lay on the table, wrapped in metallic red paper and white ribbons.
The tag read, "To Natalie from the lonely crusader."
He stared at this for a moment as well. He was so curious just to open it
and see exactly what gift he was giving. He fought it though and put it
down. He returned to the fridge and took out a fresh bottle. He filled his
glass and drank it down slowly, enjoying the pleasure it gave.
------
Nat sighed as she woke, stretching every muscle. She'd had such a strange
dream last night. She dreamed Nick had been in her bedroom, but of course,
that was impossible. She reached over and put her diary in her drawer. No
need to write anything yet. She got up and showered. As she was drying,
she went back into her bedroom and stopped dead.
Her bed had been made, and a soft black dress was there. She looked out the
blinds. Yup, sun was still up. It couldn't have been Nick. She sighed and
began looking through her house systematically, every closet, every cubbard
was looked under or in. Nothing. No one was there. She shook her head,
trying to figure it out.
Another angel watched. She was young, and mischievous, and best of all, she
liked Nat with Nick. When Nick's angel had suggested this, she'd jumped at
the opportunity, after all, how often does one get a chance to extend an
assignment. 'course that might not happen, but it was worth a try. Natalie
did so deserve to be happy.
--------
At precisely 7:50, a young boyish looking angel delivered the flowers. Nat
opened the door, expecting Nick, and was surprised at the bouquet. The
dozen red roses were almost as big as the angel and he handed them to her
quickly. She smiled and said, "Wow" several times. She brought them in and
returned with a tip, but to her surprise, the delivery boy was gone. She
shrugged and returned to her kitchen. The roses were huge and a deep blood
red. Nat spotted a card in with the baby's breath and plucked it out. She
read it aloud.
"To my goddess, from you faithful knight." She would've melted right then
and there, but her angel caught her and helped her to keep standing. She
still had a long night ahead of her.
Outside, the other angel giggled to himself. That had not been the message
Nick had wanted placed, but sometimes he deserved a kick in the butt.
----------
Nick arrived in the caddy then, and his angel watched from the front step.
He stepped out dressed in a suit and tie. In one hand he carried the
corsage, and in the other the mystery package. He approached the door
almost hesitantly.
One angel called to another, and Nat's angel had Nat answer the door before
he even pushed the doorbell.
"Hi." Nick said softly.
Nat smile was wide and genuine. "Oh, Nick, thank you, they're wonderful."
He nodded slowly. "Here," he said as he offered her the corsage and gift.
She took them and invited him in. Nick's angel quietly followed.
When he saw the dozen red roses, Nick took a double take. He read the card
and began to wonder if some other knight was after Nat. Deciding the
florist had gotten his order mixed up, he was about to let Nat know when he
felt a cold finger on his lips. A whisper in his ear said, "Sometimes...you
need a little help..." the angel said.
Nick looked around for a minute. Sydney jumped onto the couch and began
licking at his paws. Nick watched him carefully, but he appeared
unconcerned. His own feline angel hung about him, keeping him calm.
Everything must be perfect, the kitty angel knew.
Nat came out and saw how close Sydney was to Nick. She wasn't growling, or
hissing. Imagine that. She had the corsage attached to her wonderful dress
now, and she twirled to show it off. Nick caught her and held her in a long
embrace, a kiss, a soft, and passionate kiss followed. Nat suddenly felt
very hot and Nick released her to catch her breath. She caught sight of the
package and read the card.
"My, my," She said, "We are quite the poet tonight."
"You bring out the best in me," he said truthfully, and his angel smiled.
She opened the package. A box was within, and opening that she discovered a
heavy picture frame, sized for an 8 X 10 picture. Around the edges were
tiny cherub angels highlighted with gold trim. A tiny banner on the bottom
said simply, "Nicholas and Natalie". She smiled. "Thanks, Nick, now we
only have to get a picture for it."
He smiled while looking at the frame curiously. "Yeah," he said absently.
The movie they ended up seeing was "Titanic". The angel scoffed at the
choice though. Truth was, such a thing wouldn't happen, angels didn't let
those who were in love, truly, completely in love, be seperated for very
long.
After the movie, they drove back slowly, Nick's arm around Nat. She almost
slept there, cuddled in the crook of his arm.
"Are you hungry?" he murmured.
"Oh, yes..." she mumbled in her sleep. She could almost taste cocoa and
crumpets. "Pastery..." she mumbled.
Seeing an all night bakery, Nick pulled off the side of the road. Inside
the bakery, Nat's angel prepared for them.
They walked in, arm in arm, and the angel looked over the counter. "Can I
help you?" she said, being very perky, or at least trying to.
"Can I get some cocoa and..."
"Crumpets," the angel answered and passed a small tray with half a dozen
crumpets and steaming hot cocoa. Nat looked at her confusingly, but the
smell of the cocoa was just too much, and she started to drink it. They sat
down at a booth and the angel behind the counter winked at Nick's angel.
She approached him with another tray, this one with a small, perrier sized
bottle filled with dark liquid. "And for the gentleman," she said and left
into the back. Nick watched her go, speechless.
Nat saw and started to giggle.
"This is not funny, Nat. Something's going on here," he said as he cracked
the seal on the bottle. It was good, and not human. He was glad.
"Maybe," Nat said hesitantly, "it's happening for a reason."
"You mean someone wants us to be together?"
Nat nodded. "Nick...I," she hesitated again.
"Nat, I love you," Nick said impulsivly, knowing that's what she was trying
to say. She reached over the table, and they kissed passionately. A bright
flash broke their kiss, and they saw a young looking boy with a camera.
"Hey," Nat said with a big smile on her face. "What're you doing here?"
The boy looked at Nick and knew he was recognized. "Maybe you should ask
him," he said and disappeared.
Nat looked around. No one was around, at least none that she could see.
She smiled at Nick and they ate their meal in peace. When they were
finished, Nick went up to pay. That was when he noticed there was no cash
register. None at all. He looked around. There was also no attendant. He
sighed and they left the shop. They got in the caddy, Nick holding the door
for Nat, then drove he drove her home.
At her doorstep, she kissed him deeply, and he returned it. She smiled and
went in. Nick practically flew back to his caddy. Such a strange night, he
thought to himself, but it had gone just great.
Inside, Nat looked at the picture frame. It was no longer empty. Within,
she saw the picture of the two of them at the shop. It was truly beautiful,
and she put it on her nightstand. She couldn't wait for the next time.
As the mortal and immortal prepared for the day, the angels sighed in
unsion. It had been an exhausting night, but well worth it.
=========================
FK isn't mine. Wish it was.
Dark Angel Rising (0/1)
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
Sequel to "In the arms of the angels" Sort of
==============================
Prologue
Raven sat contentedly at her desk, eyeing the wonderful feedback she'd
gotten from her latest story. She smiled as she read each comment. It
*had* been such a sappy story, but it got such good press.
A rush of air announced she was no longer alone. She turned to greet the
visitors, but instead got a large wooden stake held against her chest.
Though not a vampire, it would kill her just the same. She stared at the
stake, then at the intruders. They growled at her revealing large enforcer
fangs and motioned her forward. With no other choice, she went.
They arrived at the CERK building some time later, Raven suffering from
multiple splinters where the stake had almost done some very serious damage.
The two enforcers half walked/half dragged her into the broadcast room. The
General sat across from her, eyeing her suspiciously. The enforcers did not
relinquish their hold.
In LaCroix's intense gaze, Raven thought she saw amusement, but that was
gone in a blink.
"Just what did you think you were doing...writing this...trash?" LaCroix
said and shoved a small pile of papers at her. She saw the title page, it
read, "In the arms of the angels".
Taking a deep breath, Raven said, "But they loved it...they ate it up."
"Do you even understand why you're here?" Uncle asked almost sweetly. Raven
shook her head no. "You are in grave danger, danger of losing your Cousin's
permit, and your enforcer's licence. What made you think you could write
something this...mushy...this...loving...and get away with it?"
Raven swallowed thickly. "Poetic licence?" she stuttered.
LaCroix laughed then, almost letting Raven relax, but then the stake was
shoved harder in the small of her back. "My dear," he said, "Why should I
let you go to write more of this...nonsense?"
Raven licked her lips and thought for a minute. "Well, my birthday's coming
up...maybe you could, you know, give me a break."
"Hmmmm, so I am to let you go because it's your birthday? What would all
the other cousins say...letting you get away with distinct mushiness just
because it's a certain day of the year?"
Raven stared then said, "They'd say even you can be understanding...I hope."
LaCroix shook his head. "Kill her," he said to the enforcers, who started
for the door, dragging the shocked Raven toward the door.
"Wait!" she said quickly, "I might be able to...um...rectify it."
"And how would you do that?" LaCroix murmured.
Finally finding her feet, she stood straight and tall and said, "They did
ask for sequel."
Disclaimer:
All characters herein were borrowed, abused, and put back. Characters are
owned and copyrighted by Sony Pictures/Tristar Corp and were created by
James Parriott and Barney Cohen. I'm just borrowing them for awhile, I
promise to put them back in relatively good condition. No copyright
infringement is intended. Any similarity to any real persons, living, dead
or undead, or any other fan fiction, is purely coincidental. Also, nothing
in this story is intended to offend anyone. If I screw something up, please
let me know. If you want a sequel please ask, otherwise I assume you've
had enough of my crap.
Permission to archive by Mel on fkfanfic given.
==========================
Dark Angel Rising (1/1)
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
Sequel to "In the arms of the angels"
=========================
The angel watched LaCroix enter his bedroom with a practiced eye. He had
followed LaCroix all of his 2000 year life and nothing surprised him
anymore. He took his clothes off and showered, getting ready for his day
sleep. The angel watched passively, distantly.
The angel could feel many things in LaCroix tonight. He was irritated by
the feelings that flowed to him from the bond with his son; feelings of
mortal love and it pained LaCroix to feel it. He felt he might be losing
his son, and it caused more hurt to flow.
His monologue this night had been bitter and brief, all about losing one's
family to others, of how hard it was to let go. Even after 800 years,
LaCroix still had not the courage to let go. The angel knew this, and the
angel watched carefully. Many times had the angel saved LaCroix from
himself, from his enemies, even once from his own son. That was a rather
big hint that Nicholas would not be controlled anymore, and LaCroix tried to
accept it that long year that he waited to regain his strength. The angel
himself had nursed his wounds somtimes, invisibly, unfortunatley, the blood
of angels was as poison to vampires, so he did what he could. No matter
what LaCroix did, he was still the angel's charge; his duty.
So many things had happened over the years, so many things the angel wished
to forget. So many victims. It was so hard to stand idly by and watch for
interlopers when you really wanted to throttel your charge and tell him to
give it a rest for a night. Now it was easier, victims were rare. The new
technology the mortals had invtented had made life harder for the vampires
in more than one way.
The angel saw LaCroix come out of the shower and pad his way into the
bedroom. He dried his hair with the towel he carried and climbed into bed.
The angel smiled. Soon, he would be asleep...and the angel would show him
marvels.
-----
LaCroix opened his eyes. They were standing in sunlight, and LaCroix
balked, heading for any shelter. The angel stopped him with a word.
LaCroix stopped and eyed the stranger. His angel was dressed in full Roman
soldier regalia, decked to the nines. He was young, perhaps nineteen or
twenty. LaCroix would have rushed him were it not for his wings. They hung
out of the solder's uniform at odd angels, showing their utter reality.
LaCroix swallowed thickly, tasting some of the night's drink.
"What do you want of me?" LaCroix barked.
The angel smiled a disarming smile and shook his head. "Lucius, Lucius,
after two thousand years, you'd think you'd recognize me by now. But that's
not important. Look around."
Lucien did, he saw mountains and streams, and fish in the streams. The sky
was bright as day, but he saw no sun. "What kind of trickery is this?" he
said.
The angel gave a blank look. "No trickery Lucien, I assure you."
"Where are we?" Lucien asked.
"A place out of time, a time out of place."
"I've had enough of your riddles..." Lucien said and started for the angel.
"No." The angel said and his being brightened brighter than a thousand suns.
Lucien shied away from the light and buried his face in his hands. "What
have *I* done?" he asked.
The angel sighed and revered to normal brightness. "You are a strong man,
Lucien, but a lonely one. Dont' you realize the more you pull your children
to you the more they will try to run? It is a natural human reaction."
"We are not human," Lucien said, his face deadpan.
The angel approached him, all anger, all pain gone. He touched his chin so
very softly, but he felt the fingers burn into him. He looked into his
eyes. "Yes," he said, "You are human."
Lucien came awake with a start. "I am not!" he said loudly enough to be
heard by the basement dwellers. The building rang with the sound for a
moment, then all was quiet.
Lucien stared at the clock. The sun was still up. He doubted he could get
any more sleep. Sighing, he laid back anyway and closed his eyes. The
angel whispered in his ear, "...in all the ways that count."
With a roar, LaCroix jumped from the bed and searched the room. He searched
the closet, under the bed, the travel trunks, even the dresser drawers.
Nothing. He sighed and sat back down.
--------
Later that night, LaCroix stood on the roof of the Coroner's building. He
watched Nicholas drop his mortal love, Natalie, off for work and they kissed
passionatley. The anger within LaCroix burned to an awful jealous green.
How dare she interfere with his son. They broke their kiss, and Natalie
went into the morgue door. Nick watched her go with a mixture of yearning
and love. In a flash, LaCroix was at his side.
"It's a little trivial, don't you think?" LaCroix asked in his most
restricted voice.
"Maybe, LaCroix, but I love her," Nick responded, not even looking at
LaCroix.
Lucien could have burst a blood vessel. How dare he admit it, admit his
love, and reject his father all in one blow. He started to sputter in his
rage. The angel, seeing this, touched his shoulders, calming him gently.
He whispered in LaCroix's ear, "If you do not let them go...how will they
know they need you?"
LaCroix was silent after that. He took flight away, and Nick looked up
vaguely, wondering if maybe he should stay and protect Natalie. A little
boy's voice, his own angel whispered in his ear, "She'll be all right," and
so, he left the Coroner's building.
--------------
LaCroix shifted through the pile of CDs and sorted which songs he would play
tonight. It had been 3 weeks since he'd seen Nicholas that night. 3 weeks
of ignoring and avoiding Nicholas' prying eyes. Some cases that Nicholas
had worked on had brought him to the Raven, but LaCroix had avoided him, and
sought refuge in obscure places. So far, they had all worked effectively,
and he planned to use them to his advantage in the future.
A knock on the soundbooth door drew his attention away from his music. It
was Nicholas. Since he'd already been seen he decided to just allow him in.
Nick came in carefully, looking around as if he'd never been there before.
The current song ended and LaCroix leaned over to speak into the microphone.
"And so, my children, what have you learned being alone these long nights?
Have you learned I am a necessary part of your life, or have to come to say
goodbye forever?" The music started again and the 'on air' light went out.
Nicholas pondered this for a moment, his angel urging him on. Finally, he
said, "LaCroix, I came to thank you. I know it took alot to stay away for
so long..."
"Nonesense," Lucien said, "I did what I did for me. One can only stand so
much guilt, at least one who is not accustomed to it." He let the final
words echo in the air, seeming to vibrate about the room.
Nick smiled vaguely. "Yes, LaCroix, but thank you anyway." Nick got up to
leave, "And LaCroix?"
Lucien looked up, his face a blank mask, "Yes, what is it?"
"You are a part of my life, and you always will be." He left then with all
speed.
LaCroix looked at the empty door and sighed. "Well, at least he knows..."
The angel wrapped his arms around his charge. "You *are* a great man," he
said.
========================
THUWMP
...sound of writer getting staked.
========================
Okay, so it wasn't *supposed* to be this mushy. Apparently, I'm getting
*very* sappy in my old age. I'll try to do better next time. Darn it all,
I really didn't intend for this story to come out like this. *sigh*
----------------------------------------------------------
Here lies Raven, deader than dead
Thought LaCroix was good in bed
Pretty soon she came to know
Just how long his fangs did grow.
-I wish; now, on with the story:
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Angel's Book
Sequel to "Dark Angel Rising"
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
-----------------------------------------------------------
LaCroix roared, "I am not a good guy!" He looked around the CERK booth,
looking for the source of the horrendous accusation. "How dare you!" he
said as he looked.
The angel hid in the corner, though he was certain LaCroix could not find
him even if he were standing on top of him. He held his hands to his mouth.
It was all going so well, then he opened his big mouth. How was he going to
get out of this one? They'd bust him down, take away his wings. He'd be
guarding somebody's dog by sunup. The thought made him want to scream.
He'd always been able to contain past mistakes, convince LaCroix he was
hearing things. Now, he was certain he wouldn't believe him anymore.
After 2 thousand years of subtlety, he'd screwed up. Just great. The
Angelic enforcers would come...and they could be just as mean as their
vampire counterparts. He tried unsuccessfully to will LaCroix to forget.
Finally, he stood up and brushed the astral dust from his cloak.
LaCroix was still searching the soundbooth, convinced someone was there.
Finally, the angel approached him. "LaCroix!" he said very loudly right
near the old vampire's ear. He nearly jumped 10 feet, but the angel smiled
as he restrained the reflex.
"Who are you?" LaCroix roared.
"Sit down, Lucien, sit down and relax. If I'd wanted to hurt you I'd have
done it already." The angel tried very hard to sound tough. He doubted it
worked.
LaCroix took his seat though in his chair and looked furtively around. The
angel materialized in front of him, sans wings.
"I am..." the angel started then decided LaCroix probably wouldn't *want* a
guardian angel. He finished carefully, "Garron," he finished. "I am here
to show you something...something very important."
LaCroix snorted his derision. The angel continued, "And if you would
accompany me, I'll show it to you."
LaCroix smiled evilly. "Just what is this 'something important' about?"
The angel put his blankest of blank expressions on his face. "Why, you, of
course."
-----
Nick sat at his desk, contentedly looking through gruesome murder reports.
Nat was happy with him; it made everything so much easier. He wasn't even
sure what *exactly* happened, but he was glad for it. As he looked through
the papers he vaguely felt something *strange* come from the link with
LaCroix. It was alarmed at first, then angry...then full of wonder. Nick
looked around the bullpen as if he could somehow see what he was feeling.
Then nothing. The link just seemed to sever so completely, Nick reeled from
the impact. All was quiet. Everyone was looking at Nick, who had stood up
in his desk. Surprised expressions greeted him. He'd said something,
probably very loudly.
He blinked for a second, trying to remember what he said. Cohen approached
him with her usual brusque manner and said stiffly, "Knight, my office." As
for making a quick exit, she was a lifesaver. He happily headed for her
office. Conversation returned to normal, most of it about the detective's
strange behavior.
"Knight, what's going on?" Cohen said after he'd settled himself in the
chair across from her desk.
"Cap'n, I don't know. It almost feels like I had a death in the family. I
can't explain it."
"Hmmm. Your father."
"What did you say?"
"Well, that's what you just yelled, you said, "Father." I figure that's who
you feel strange about."
"Cap'n, I need to see if he's okay."
"How much time do you need, Knight? A week, two? You've got a lot of
vacation time accrued."
"Let me see if he's okay...it' shouldn't take that long. Maybe just the
night."
"Okay then, take today and tomorrow off..." Nick got up and almost flew out
of the office, "And Knight..."
Nick turned at the door.
"Don't yell like that again. We're jumpy enough around here."
Nick smiled, "Yes Cap'n"
------
LaCroix stood he knew not where. The sky seemed to glow with a pale pink
color. His skin didn't prickle with the feeling. It was disorientating.
Before him was a wide plane of grasses and plants, gently sloping upward in
tiny hills. It was the kind of place he hadn't seen in a long time. Far
away, almost on the horizon, he could see a man walking purposely toward
him. On his side, the angel stood silent, watching the approach as well.
Tears appeared on the angel's eyes, but they were for himself. If this
failed, he would lose his wings, his job, and worst of all, his guardianship
of LaCroix. It was hard to contemplate after almost 2 thousand years.
The man approached cautiously. He appeared to be a rather young man, in his
mid twenties, dressed in a soft roman toga. LaCroix eyed the toga
yearningly. They'd been such a comfortable piece of clothing. Under his
arm, the man carried two books.
"I am the keeper," he said, as if that explained everything.
"And what, pray tell, do you keep?" LaCroix said evilly.
The keeper looked at the angel then back at LaCroix. "These books," he
said, "are a complete record of your life, a record of every deed, every
accomplishment, no matter how brief."
LaCroix looked at the books and swallowed thickly. They were both rather
thick, almost the same size. "They are both mine?" he asked.
"Heavens, no. One is yours...one is your son's"
LaCroix contemplated this for a time. The keeper opened the first book up,
the one with "Lucius of Rome; Lucien LaCroix" on it's cover. He idly
flipped through the pages. LaCroix craned his neck to see, but it was
beyond his sight. The keeper stopped in almost the middle of the book.
"Here we are, this is now."
LaCroix saw the amount of pages yet to go. "And is it all written, even the
future?"
"No, the future is not written here, but we do have the exact number of
pages that we will need to write every deed down."
LaCroix eyed the pages left again. It seemed he was somewhere in midlife.
"And the other..." he said.
The keeper smiled. Leave it to LaCroix to care more about what his son's
life book said. He put the first book down and picked up the second. The
cover read, in deep gold lettering, "Nicholas De Brabant". He opened it to
a certain page and began to read, "Today Nicholas became vampire. The guilt
will break him down, all this killing, but it was meant to be." The keeper
watched LaCroix's expression, but it did not really change. After centuries
of masking one's feelings, it came easily to him.
"What of his search for redemption?" LaCroix asked with all sincerity.
The keeper sighed. "Yes, we have expunged a number of misdeeds from his
lifebook. There are whole pages that have been erased."
LaCroix nodded carefully. "What of his search for _humanity_?"
The keeper looked at the angel, then back to LaCroix. "I told you, we do
not know the future, only what we are meant to write."
"Then, where is he now...what page in his book?" LaCroix seemed to be
catching on.
The keeper lifted the book and turned to a page about one-third of the way
into the book. "He is here. He still has much left to do. Many people to
rescue, to protect. And they will ultimately owe it all to you...."
LaCroix muddled over this for a moment. "And he will live longer than me?"
The keeper seemed sad. "We cannot tell you that, only show you the pages
for deeds yet to accomplish."
"So, am I to learn that I should leave him alone, to run his own life..."
"No." the keeper was adamant. "You are now and will always be an essential
part of his life. Feel for him now. He is not there. He feels this
emptiness as well, and is coming as we speak to find out if you are well."
"Nicholas..." LaCroix said softly.
"We must return," the angel said and LaCroix nodded slowly.
-------
Nick burst into the soundbooth, almost yelling. LaCroix sat calmly in his
chair, gazing at Nick with wonder. His perspective had changed somewhat
since his visit with the keeper. Now, he saw Nick more as a brother than a
son. It was different.
"Why Nicholas...what is wrong?" LaCroix said calmly. On the side of him,
the angel dropped the shield that had protected Nicholas from knowing what
was happening with LaCroix. Nick felt the familiar touch of his bond with
his master.
"You're all right," he said as a statement of fact.
"Of course," Lucien smiled. "And how have you and the good doctor been
doing? I've been thinking about her and she seems like she'd be a wonderful
addition to our family..."
"LaCroix," Nick said as he stepped out of the booth, "Don't even think about
it."
================================
All my FK fan fiction archived at
http://www.naturesong.com/raven/myfkfan.htm
This is kind of related to my intro for "Dark Angel Rising (0/1)"
Just a little filk
Raven's Requiem
-----------------
Here lies Raven
Deader than dead
With a stake in her heart
And a hole in her head
She wrote a cute story
All weak and sappy
LaCroix didn't find it funny
And made poor Raven quite unhappy
"Wait, LaCroix, I'll rectify
The story yet again
The sequel to the sequel
Might change the final end"
"Make it quick
Type your note
For it will soon be
'All she wrote'"
She typed and typed
In a frantic rush
But the final word
Turned her to dust
So, you think she lay
Dead on the floor
But the writer comes back
Always for more
==================
The Angel of Death
By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
-------------
Sequel to "The Angel's Book"
archived at http://www.naturesong.com/raven/myfkfan.htm
--One last bit of mushiness...and then I'm back to more cousinly
tendencies--
=================================
Nicholas left the soundbooth and LaCroix settled back in his chair. He
snorted his derision, he'd think about adding the good doctor to his family
if he pleased. A soft voice whispered in his ear, "We're not done yet."
Instantly, LaCroix came alert but the soundbooth was already gone, faded to
dust. They stood again on the empty plain, LaCroix, Keeper, and Garron
(LaCroix's guardian angel).
The Keeper fixed Lucien with a dark expression. "Now, does it look like he
cares for you? He hasn't come to visit you in a long time--because he knew
you were okay."
Lucien considered this for a moment, then dismissed it. "Why am I here?
What do you want of me?"
The keeper smiled. "Only to let you know *we* are here...we do watch.
Everything you do is being recorded."
"To be judged, I suppose?"
The keeper looked at the angel, who responded, "To judge is not our
responsibility...that's the death angel's job."
Hardness filled Lucien's ice blue eyes. "Why tell me this now?"
"Many things will happen in the near future..." the angel said.
The keeper nodded, "We want you to know that trying times are coming. You
musn't do anything drastic...you and your son have many duties left to
accomplish. Do not ruin it."
The angel added, "The future depends on it."
Slowly, Lucien felt himself coming awake. He was sitting in his soundbooth
and he felt a whisper, so soft, so calming, "Do not ruin it. The future
depends on it."
--------
Exhausted in his relief, Nick flew slowly back to the precinct. It had
irritated him that he'd thought something had happened to LaCroix...it had
worried him, as much as he hated to admit it.
As he flew, he began to flashback to all the good times he'd had with
LaCroix. Few and far between, but they did happen. His good mood continued
until he smelled it...blood. He dropped out of the sky to investigate.
He heard a woman yelling, screaming actually. He made for the sound. What
he saw almost stopped him in his tracks.
A woman lay on the ground, severly wounded, a man was on top of her with a
knife. Without further prompting, Nick blinked over to the attacker and
lifted him up off the woman by the throat. Nick held the knife hand stiffly
and sqeezed. The knife clattered to the pavement.
On the street, the poor girl coughed and sputtered weakly. Her angel sat
beside her and cried. Nick's angel touched the smaller angel and whispered,
"Justice will be done..." he threw a sidelong glance at Nick. "One way or
another."
Nick had vamped out at the first sign of trouble, now, holding the man just
inches from him, he knew in that horrifying instant that he could kill him
if he wanted to. He should kill him. Dirty bastard tried to kill that
girl. He swallowed thickly as he heard her heartbeat weaken and stop. He
stared at the undeserving perp. //You will not remember me...you will
confess your crimes to the police...you will never to this or any other
crime again.//
The man weakly echoed Nick,"Confess my crimes...never again..."
Disgusted, Nick dropped him and he landed hard on the pavement, knocking him
out. He turned his attention to the girl...and saw something completely
unexpected.
The boy he'd seen in his dream was there, along with another. They stood
quietly, tears in their eyes. Their wings glowed a deep golden,
highlighting every feature, every feather. As he stared, dumbstruck, he saw
what appeared to be the girl, get up and touch the shoulder of the smaller
angel. They embraced and the smaller angel pointed in the distance. The
girl nodded and started for the point noted. A small white light appeared,
like a beacon. She walked toward it gratefully, and Nick felt compelled to
look harder at it. To him, it appeared to be a lantern, held aloft by a
large dark figure with deep black wings that glistened in the moonlight.
Nick could have sworn he was over eight feet tall. Wouldn't want to meet
him in a dark alley, Nick automatically thought. When he did, the two
angels regarded him as if noticing him for the first time.
The smaller angel's mouth became an almost perfect 'o' and she said, "He
*saw*!"
The older angel, Nick's angel, looked over and sighed. "My precocious
crusader," he said.
Then it was over. Completely.
Nick looked around, but all he saw was the girl's dead body and the
unconcious body of the attacker. There was nothing more he could do here,
the perp would wake up and want to confess more than anything in the world.
He decided to make an anonymous 911 call anyway.
-----------
Nat hummed to herself as she went through the motions of working. Her mind,
although paying attention to what she was doing, was occupied with thoughts
of a certain vampire detective. Everything had gone so well last night, she
just couldn't believe it. Usually, murphy's law was in full force and
nothing worked between them. It was either a case, or a memory, or her, but
it was always something. She smiled even as she worked on the body. He
sure was good at spoiling her when he wanted to.
Nat's angel sat at her desk, happy with the realization that their plan had
worked. Finally, perhaps, they would be happy.
----------------
Nick made his way to the morgue slowly. He couldn't believe what he'd seen
and needed to tell *someone*. He got there just as she was finishing up her
latest 'patient'. She had yet to notice him, so he watched her from a
distance. She put her instruments in the tray and brought them to the
autoclave to be prepared to be sterilized. He slipped in behind her and
touched her shoulder.
Predictably, she jumped but softened when she saw it was him. She smiled
and got out of her scrubs. "You okay?" she asked him, he looked like he'd
seen a ghost.
"Now I am," he said. "I saw something tonight...something I can't explain."
"Well, was it good or bad?"
"I'm not sure." He looked worried almost.
She scrubbed up and sighed. Thank you Murphy, she thought sarcastically.
"Tell me about it."
"No," he said surprising her. He gathered her up in his arms. "I've got
the rest of the night off, and I want to think about only you."
He kissed her slowly, deeply, then.
The angels looked at each other and giggled. This had turned out to be a
pretty good assignment after all.
===========
Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com)
Enforcements, NA, Unholy Trinity, DP
Bring Back the Knight!