Chapter Text
CHAPTER 16
With LaCroix's consent, they spent Sunday moving Natalie into Nick's loft, including her cat, Sydney. After a weeklong absence, he was aloof, finding hiding spots in the new space and ignoring her. Nick reminded her that she had changed. It would take the feline a while to realize that she was still his companion. As the last of the boxes were unloaded and the assisting vampires departed, Natalie realized that for the first time she was alone with Nick. She'd been in his place more times than she could count but as she looked around, she realized that this was now her home.
Nick saw her stand in the middle of the room, looking lost. He came up to her, wrapping his arms around her. "Memories?"es," she turned to face him, sliding her arms around him "It’s just weird to think this is now my home. I'll put in notice with my next rent, and we can figure out what to do with the things I didn't bring over here."
"You can make whatever changes you want, Nat. This is your home. I want you to be comfortable."
"It’s okay, Nick. Of all the transitions this week, this is the easiest." She slid her hands along his back, tangling in his hair, kissing him lightly. He deepened the kiss, until her fangs descended.
"mmm, Nick? Shall we move this party somewhere more comfortable?" she murmured.
"Do you want to?" he brushed his hands along her back, his fingers reaching under her sweater, caressing the bare skin.
"Yes," she shivered with the feeling of his touch. "I've wanted to make love to you on those satin sheets in the big bed ever since I first saw your room."
"Our room, Nat. That is our room." he pulled away and took her hand. "That dream is mutual, my love. Come..." He lightly gripped her hand and floated upstairs, knowing she now had the ability as well.
They landed on the balcony and walked into the bedroom. She went over to the stack of boxes rummaging around until she found what she wanted, and she pulled out a silk robe. He had gone around lighting candles, giving the room a soft glow.
“Fuzzy pink terrycloth doesn’t give the proper mood,” she commented as she tossed the robe on the bed.
“Whatever you wear, or don’t wear is fine, Nat. I seem to recall a cotton shirt…” his sentence was not finished as she kissed him with the passion that she’d held in check for years.
“And where were we?” she mumbled, pulling his shirt out of his pants.
“You think I’m overdressed?” he commented, pulling her sweater over her head.
“Very.” She grinned.
“Natalie, let me…“ he pushed her back onto the bed. Together they moved, riding the wave of passion higher and higher until she pulled him against her, planting her fangs in his shoulder. He slid his fangs into the large vein her neck, his seed flowing into her. She relaxed visibly, smiling at him.
“Nick, help me up.” She smiled as he picked her up, resting her on the pillows. “My muscles didn’t want to work.”
“That’s because they were determined to hold me tight.” He lazily ran his fingers along her chest, laying on his side next to her.
“Are you complaining?”
“Absolutely not,” he kissed her nose before reaching over to take a bottle from the table and hand it to her. As soon as he’d pulled the cork, she reached over and grabbed it.
She drank half the bottle, and set it on the table, turning to face him. “Is that normal? Its like an out of body experience and then I’m so weak. I understand now why we could not do this before.”
“I don’t know how much I take,” he admitted. “I can try to not bite you.”
She kissed him. “No. I like you biting me. Just means we can’t get too creative until I have better stamina.”
“I can live with that. I was not expecting you to be so eager.” He continued to caress her, exploring every inch.
“I trust you, Nick. I think you know my history. At least I was told that there are no secrets between us. I sometimes think that I was originally attracted you because you were safe. I didn’t need to worry about you… umm.” Her voice trailed off and she felt him hold her hand tightly.
“Abusing you? Never. I have never, and never would take a woman against her will.” His voice was firm. “You saw my reaction when Roger attempted.”
She kissed him lightly. “I remember. You risked disclosure. I didn’t understand how serious that was. When I woke up in your arms, I felt safe. Even when you were completely vamped out, I knew the man was in control.” She began kissing him.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” he teased.
“Doesn’t look like you need much convincing,” she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him with more intensity. Their initial hungriness for each other was tempered and they made love slowly, deliberately and the blood sharing brought them both to a climax that was intense. He handed Natalie the bottle without being asked and she fell asleep shortly after finishing it.
~~
Needing less sleep than Natalie, Nick woke mid-afternoon. He showered and dressed, and after bringing a fresh bottle up to the bedroom for her, came downstairs and started playing on the piano. His happiness was reflected in the music that flowed from him.
As the sun was setting, the steel shutters opened, and he could hear movement. “Nick?” she called out.
“Yes?” he called, walking up the stairs and into the bedroom.
“Is the sun down? LaCroix just called to me.” She had finished the bottle and was finding clothes. “I really want to shower before I go anywhere.” She smiled to him, “I have blood residue, like everywhere.”
“That happens, Nat. It’s called sweat. Go, get cleaned up. I’ll call him.” He kissed her lightly and went downstairs, picking up his phone and calling their sire. “I’m calling for Nat,” he began without preamble. “She’s in the shower.” He poured a goblet of bloodwine for himself, and then filled two of the travel coffee mugs with the uncut variety. “Yes, we are both on duty tonight. I’m setting up supplies for her. Oh, okay, I’ll let her know. We’ll stop at the club after our shift.”
Natalie came down the stairs, dressed in a simple navy-blue suit and gray blouse. Her hair was still damp, loose around her neck. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. He was letting you know that a medical release to return to work was faxed to your office this afternoon.”
She looked at him puzzled. “How did that happen?”
“We take care of our own. You called in sick for the week at his suggestion, right?” she nodded. “So, he took care of it. Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m still getting used to all the community things.” She looked at him. “It’s normal for you. The more I’m learning, the more I wonder how you’d adjust to losing it all.”
“I know,” he sipped his wine. “It’s something to think about.” He would have said more but his pager trilled to life. She handed him the phone and listened as he called. “OK, I guess we aren’t driving together. I have a case.”
“Let me make sure its not mine.” She took the phone and dialed. “Grace? Do I have a case pending? No? okay. Nick was paged, so I was just making sure. I’ll see you at 9.”
“I prepped supplies for you,” he said, pointing to the travel mugs. “Are you going to tell Grace?”
“Thank you and yes. I’ll file a change of address with the department as well. You know they know who else lives at 101 Gateway. You can tell Schanke after 10, okay?”
“And they can tell the world, “ He smiled at her look. “You know they will.”
“I know. Go, before we’re both late.”
~~
She strolled into the office shortly before nine pm, going straight to the locker room to hang up her coat then stopping at the main desk, rummaging through the file cabinet.
“Doctor? Can I help you?” the receptionist turned, a curious look on her face as she saw Natalie searching for something. She was not used to the medical staff looking for mundane things like forms.
“Oh, I need a change of address form.” She explained.
“Those are in the Personnel forms, second drawer. Here.” She handed one to Natalie with a second glance. “Moving?”
“Moved.” Natalie smiled. “thanks.” She took the paper and went to her office. With her vampiric hearing, she heard the phone being dialed and a soft voice asking for Grace.
Humming softly, Natalie hid her lunch bag under the desk, and took her schedule clipboard off the top of the file cabinet. A note from her supervisor was clipped to the top
Welcome back, Dr. Lambert. We received your release today. Glad that you are back with no restrictions. Mike will take the first call for tonight, so hopefully you won’t have field work.
She filled out the address form and added it to the clipboard, setting it on the top of her in-box as she logged into the computer. It did not shock her to hear the door opening. ‘And so it begins’ she thought to herself
“Natalie? Is there something you’re not telling me?” her assistant entered the room and looked at her intently, leaning on the steel autopsy table. “Did something happen when you were out sick last week?”
“Why do you think that?” Natalie turned, her back to the wall, holding the clipboard on her lap, her left hand not clearly visible.
“How did you know that the 96th was out on a case? Is there a reason you would know that Detective Knight was paged? And a change of address form?” Her arms were folded over her chest as she studied Natalie’s calm demeanor, her questions rapid-fire.
“A bit impatient, are we? I just got here.” She handed the clipboard to her assistant and waited.
“hmm. 101 Gateway? That sounds familiar.” she looked further. “Emergency contact phone number is the same as your new home number?”
“Yes?” Natalie smiled and held out her left hand.
Grace looked at her suspiciously until she saw the ring. With a loud ‘woop’, she enveloped Natalie in a tight hug. “Girl. I am so happy for you, and the blond wonder-cop. When did this happen?”
“Friday, after he got back from the Provincial meetings.”
“When’s the wedding?”
She shrugged. “To be determined. We went to the mall Saturday and got the ring. Moved most of my things to the loft on Sunday. Parties are yet to be decided.”
“You just let me know if you need help. I’ve helped friends organize weddings.” She pulled up a chair and studied the ring again. “He let you pick it out? Or was this not a planned proposal?”
“Yes, I picked it out. As to whether it was planned? That's complicated. At least the timing was not planned in advance. That it would happen at some point? That's a different story. I’m not sure what happened at the meetings but I’m not complaining.”
“Please tell me that it’s not a secret,” she looked at Natalie hopeful.
“Nick will be telling Schanke after 10. You have until then to scoop him. Myra saw us leaving the jeweler, but we asked her to wait until we went off duty tonight.” Natalie laughed. “I’m going to catch up on e-mail. I’ll fax this change of address at the end of my shift. Feel free to gossip about me. You know I won’t do it.” She looked at her assistant. “I expect to know who won the pool.”
“Pool? What pool?” she was the picture of innocence.
“Tell me more. I’ll believe that no one has been wagering about us, just like you'd believe that I'm still a virgin. I know you, Grace. Why else would I put you in charge of publicity. It saves me sending out announcements.” With a twinkle to her eye, she smiled.
“Oh, now we’re getting somewhere.” She looked over with a smirk. “And how was our detective?”
Natalie smiled, “let’s just say that swooning really is a thing.”
Standing, Grace hugged her again, grinning broadly and headed to the door. “Worth the wait, I presume. You won’t be disappointed. The entire department will know. Rapidly.” She watched the woman head out and call down the hallway.
As soon as the door was closed, Natalie picked up the phone and called Nick’s cell. As soon as it connected, she just said. “Grace knows about us.” She went back to reading email.
~~
As soon as Nick hung up the phone, he glanced over and saw his partner looking at him curiously. “That was a short phone call.”
“Yes, it was,” he responded without explanation.
“Are you going to tell me how Natalie was close enough to overhear my phone call Friday? Did you have me on speaker?”
Nick glanced around the room, and could tell that half the room was attempting to listen in. He stood up and gestured toward the lunchroom and strode that direction, hearing Don follow. “No speaker. She was… close.” He said as they went into the room, getting a sideways glance from the other.
That seemed an odd explanation. She would have to have been very close. "Close? Even if you had the volume all the way up, she’d have to be like on top of you.” He scrutinized the man’s amused smile. “Not going to tell me, are you?”
“A gentleman does not discuss such things,” he said, taking a deep breath before continuing. That got a raised eyebrow look from the man. “That isn’t why I wanted to talk to you. I was at the Eaton Centre Saturday night with Natalie. We ran into Myra.”
“Oh? She didn’t say anything about seeing you,” his eyes narrowed. “Since when do you go to the Mall on a Saturday night and with Natalie?”
“I asked her to not say anything until I’d had a chance to talk to you.”
“Okay,” he pulled up a chair, and sat down. “If you’re pulling me into another room, this must be good.”
“I hear that you talk.”
‘We are married. That’s what married people do, Nick.. Something you’d know if…” he stopped his rant seeing his partner’s expression as he nervously paced around the table.
“She was very happy that you were right about what is going on.”
“Oh?” he grinned broadly. “And what IS going on? Or do I need to call Myra?” ?” He was enjoying watching his usually calm, cool partner act like a nervous bridegroom.
“I asked Natalie to marry me.”
“And?” he looked sternly at his partner.
“She said yes. Myra saw us leaving the jeweler.”
“oh… that is great Nick. I knew it. I knew you two would figure it out sooner or later.” He stood and gave his partner a hug.
“The call was Nat, saying Grace knows. You know that neither of us likes being in the spotlight so we’re letting the two of you take care of that.” He took Don’s hand. “One more thing, before you go out there and tell everyone.”
“OK?”
“We’ve not set the date or anything, but I’d like you to be my best man.”
“Moi? Partner… you got it.” His smile broadened, and Nick swore he saw a hint of moisture in the corner of his eyes. "And I can talk? You aren't keeping this a secret?"
"Tell the world." Nick smiled. "Between you and Grace, we won't need to send announcements."
"Absolutely, You will not be disappointed. The entire department will know by the end of the shift." He stood and embraced Nick. "Get ready for an epic bachelor party." With a sly smile, he followed Nick out to there desks, waiting until he had pulled a file out of his IN box to slide his chair over to to the desk behind his.
More than one person glanced their way curiously. Nick attempted to appear like he was working as his partner slowly made his way around the room speaking softly to the other detectives. After a few whispered conversations, Nick stood up and went to the captain’s office, knocking and then entering.
“Detective? You have something to tell me?”
“Not case related." he said swiftly, which puzzled her even more. “I’m told that you listen to the gossip.”
“I have, and I do,” she responded. She leaned back in her chair looking at him curiously. She’d never known him to pay attention to the precinct gossip, even when he was the focus, and he frequently was. “I don’t share what I hear but I do listen. Why do you ask?”
“I want to confirm something that you’ll hear sooner or later. I’d rather tell you myself.” She nodded. She’d always known him to be private about his personal life, no matter how much the other detectives speculated about him. “Dr Lambert and I are engaged. I proposed over the weekend.”
She smiled broadly, taking his hand and shaking it. “Congratulations. That is something that most definitely will make the rounds, so I appreciate you telling me. I’m sure I will be asked for confirmation by other command officers as soon as the word gets out. If I’m not mistaken, your partner is out there telling everyone.”
“I asked him to do that. Natalie and I are not fond of being in the spotlight. Don was quite happy to do that favor for us.”
“Favor?” she smiled. “I’m sure he’s enjoying it. I don’t see this as being an issue for the department. When you have set a date, please let me know so I can arrange coverage for people attending.”
“Thank you. I would not have thought of that detail.”