Same disclaimers as in chapter one apply. Enjoy!

            Tracy awoke late the next afternoon to the feeling of someone's arms wrapped securely about her. The memory of the night before came rushing back to her and for one moment she froze. What if it had all been a dream? It had been no dream, Tracy discovered that she only had to look over at the sleeping form of Vachon, still asleep, his arm still curled around her, to realize that. She remembered the words that he had spoken to her and smiled at his sleeping form gently. The disease that had ravaged the vampire Community had caused them both to realize the depth of their feelings for each other. It was then that the sleeping lump known as Vachon awoke and looked over at her. Propping himself up on one elbow, he kissed her forehead gently. Their eyes met and Tracy knew everything that he'd said last night had been real, and that he'd meant every word. Vachon once again looked into Tracy's eyes and any hint of doubt vanished at the soft smile that curved onto her lips. She sat up, and they embraced each other for a few minutes, silently reaffirming their bond to one another. No words were spoken. None needed to be. All that had needed to be said had been said last night. They spent the day together, just talking. Somehow it was enough. "Tracy… I just want you to know.. I meant it, what I said, last night," Vachon said to her. His eyes were filled with a tenderness that hadn't been there before, not until Tracy had come into his life. He didn't know why he was saying this, but a part of him wanted to say it now, in case he lost the nerve. He was not one who was good with words and it was hard for him to admit his feelings face to face. She sat beside him. "I know, Vachon, I know," Tracy reassured him. "You've changed me, Trace, I don't know how to explain it…" He pulled her into a tight embrace and they fell back into comforting silence.

            Vachon had realized last night that he'd been afraid to love, to let the love of another in. He'd built a wall of emotional detachment around his heart over the centuries, to keep others at a safe distance, to keep his heart at a safe distance. That wall had weakened the night that his eyes first looked into Tracy's. It had begun to crumble into nothingness at the fist caress of her lips upon his own at their first kiss, back in her apartment months ago. Time passed all too quickly and eventually it was time for Tracy to go to work, something that Vachon was not looking forward to. He didn't want to leave her side now. She was halfway to her car when Vachon informed her that he'd like to ride along with her. As he'd predicted, Tracy had protested. "At least let me walk you to your desk. Please?" he asked her, his cool fingers lifting a stay strand of hair from her face and lovingly caressing her warm cheek, his look pleading. Tracy felt her resolve melt at the look on his face. "Oh, all right," she replied finally, allowing him to take her by the hand as they walked the rest of the way to her car, surprised by the show of affection, however slight.

            Nick was already at the precinct, going over some of the paperwork, and reminiscing of events centuries past when Tracy and Vachon entered. He was sitting at his desk, too engrossed in reading and his thoughts to notice that Tracy was not alone as she walked over to her desk. Upon reaching their destination, Vachon took Tracy's hands in his, kissing her tenderly on the cheek. He pulled her into a tight embrace and held her close. He didn't want to ever let her go. Not out into the precarious Toronto night, not out into the danger that came, inevitably, with her job. He was… afraid for her. Afraid to lose the one he cared for. Now that he realized how much Tracy meant to him, Vachon was loathe to let her go. "Just… be careful, Trace. I don't want to lose you," he told her, concern evident in his voice. Tracy embraced him tightly. "Relax. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," she replied confidently. He caught her gaze and held it. "I'm serious, Trace. Promise me," he insisted. "I will," she answered. "I love you," Vachon told her in a whisper that was barely audible to her mortal ears. At the last three words Nick was snapped out of his thoughts and looked up, recognizing the voices, more than a little surprised as he watched Vachon leave. In fact, he was absolutely stunned at the revelation that his mind produced as he added it all up. This couldn't be the same Vachon who'd showed an utter disdain for mortal love and mocked commitment, could it?

            What was it that made Vachon change so dramatically? He'd seen the looks and gestures that had been exchanged between him and Tracy as she'd come in. This was no platonic friendship. Not anymore. Nick's head was spinning at all the mixed thoughts and feelings he now harbored and he really didn't know what to think or even how to feel. He'd always thought that there would never be anything between Vachon and Tracy, if not because of his non-committal nature, then because of his vampirism. He also knew that Tracy had hinted on more than one occasion that she'd been growing tired of his evasiveness and yearned for a definite answer to their relationship. So why, how had it all come about? It was obvious that Vachon cared greatly for Tracy and that he really loved her, which was extremely surprising. Nick knew Vachon was fond of women, but that was as far as it had ever gotten before. This was clearly not the case. This was no ruse, no it was too heartfelt to be even master deception. A part of Nick was resentful – he hadn't worked up the courage to tell Natalie how he felt about her. And yet, this immature, noncommittal child had made an incredible leap, both emotionally and mentally. And a part of him was happy, for Tracy, at least. But he was also concerned for her safety. Did either of them know or understand the risk they were taking? Vachon wasn't the type who involved himself with mortals so heavily. Or at the least, not like this.

            Their shift went on with more silence than was usual as Nick mulled over what he'd heard. Tracy, too, was quieter than usual. It was almost surreal, the events that had taken place the night before and a part of her was still stunned, to put it simply. She'd honestly never expected this from Vachon, not by a long shot. It was Nick who finally broke the silence with a tentative query. "So… I see you and Vachon are pretty close, huh?" He didn't want Tracy to know just how much of their conversation he'd overheard, though it was hard to ask any questions without giving away just how much he'd overheard in order to obtain the answers that he wanted. Tracy fidgeted in her seat slightly at the sudden inquiry. "Um… yeah... It seems that we've finally broken through the communication block we've had since we- for a while," she replied. "So I noticed," Nick commented. The rest of their shift was fairly normal from then on out– their first crime scene was a double homicide with the one witness in a fit of hysterics, the other a single. Other than the latest news on Tracy and Vachon, their night was for the most part uneventful.

            Tracy was surprised to see Vachon waiting for her when she and Nick got back from their shift. Tracy smiled at him and got herself a much needed cup of coffee. Vachon smiled warmly as he embraced her tightly. "How was work?" he asked. Tracy sighed, taking a sip from her coffee cup. "Same old, nothing new," she answered as Vachon came to sit on the edge of her desk. Setting her coffee down, Tracy proceeded to pull out various forms, as usual. He frowned. "You're always doing paperwork," Vachon complained. "Why doesn't your partner do it?" he asked, jerking his head in Nick's direction, where he was busy talking to their Captain. She shrugged. "He always sticks me with it. No matter what I say or do, I always wind up with it. To tell you the truth it's getting really annoying," she replied and Vachon knew from the tone of voice that she was directing the last part of her answer towards Nick.

            Nick finished his conversation with Reese and cleared his throat as he approached Tracy and Vachon, giving the vampire a look that plainly said they needed to talk - now. Vachon arched an eyebrow, but followed Nick over to a corner. "Just a warning, Vachon. If you hurt her in any way… if the rest of the Community ever got wind of this, so help me…" Nick warned. Vachon snorted, unimpressed at the warning and angered by Nick's interference. "Stay out of this, Knight. Tracy's no concern of yours. Besides, you're just as involved with Natalie. Why should it be any different for me and Trace? Why should it be acceptable only for you and not for me?" That shut Nick up for a minute as he tried to find his tongue and reply. "You can't be in love, Vachon, she's mortal! You're getting too involved," he hissed, taking a step towards him, body tense, posture threatening. "I care for Tracy, and it's none of your business, Knight, what she does with her life," Vachon went on, his own body tense and ready for a fight. There was a glint of challenge in his eyes as he stared at Nick, along with the barest hint of golden green in those brown eyes. "You have no idea of the danger you've put her in," Nick countered, clenching his fists. "I swore to you I'd protect her and I will, if it comes to that. Nothing can or will take Tracy from me. Not the Enforcers, not the Community, and certainly not you! I don't know why I feel like I do, I only know that I… love… her and I'll do anything for her and you can't stop me." The words came out in a fierce whisper as Vachon glared at Nick, daring him to rebuke what he'd just said, his gaze sure and steady.

            Nick was speechless for a moment. It just didn't make sense. Maybe it wasn't supposed to, at least not to him, anyway. "You really do love her, don't you?" he asked, incredulous. "Yes, I do," Vachon's voice was unwavering and his eyes still flashed with anger, though the golden green tinge had receded. The sentence was spoken with such conviction that any reply Nick had thought of died on his lips and he decided to drop the issue entirely. As much as he hated to admit it, Vachon was right. This wasn't his business, not any more. Tracy was no longer his concern, nor was it his place to judge either Vachon or Tracy. Nick sighed and looked away, admitting his defeat. Taking that as a sign that the lecture turned argument was over, Vachon sidled past him and back over to Tracy's desk, followed a minute later by a rather subdued Nick. Vachon curled his arm around Tracy's waist protectively as their eyes met. "I guess I'll do the paperwork tonight, Trace," Nick murmured. He needed to be alone with his thoughts. "Thanks, Nick!" Tracy grinned in triumph as she handed him all the forms. Nick sat down and began his work, watching as the two strode out of the precinct arm in arm.

The End