This is a new Round Robin that is being posted to the FK Vals list.
Standard disclaimers apply.

The loft was empty. Well, it wasn't *literally* empty; the furniture was still here, covered in drop cloths. But Nick was gone. Natalie walked to the bedroom closet and opened it. Empty. She didn't know why she had bothered looking, she had known from the moment she'd noticed Joan's cross was gone that she wouldn't find anything here. He wasn't coming back.

After talking to Joe Reese, Natalie had booked off early. She hadn't seen Nick for two nights. She had assumed that he had taken some much-overdue personal time, but when she went to the precinct to deliver some reports, the Captain had called her into his office to tell her the news. -- At the end of his last shift, Nick had turned in his resignation, effective immediately. He hadn't even told Tracy that it would be his last night.

She had come straight here, of course, assuming that Nick was having yet another crisis of faith. But this time was different; he had been possessed by a demon. Nat hadn't believed in such things, until she had walked into Vanderwal's rooms. She had never been scared of Nick before that night. And afterwards, when he had told her that what had happened had set them back on his quest...she didn't want to think about that night.

So he had finally done it -- left without a word. She had worried about this ever since he had almost disappeared when Schanke and Captain Cohen died in the plane crash. But after their talk, she thought he would leave some kind of word for her. He owed her that much at least, after all they had been through together -- after all that she had done for him.

Natalie found herself back in the living room. She threw herself down on the couch and closed her eyes. When she opened them they were full of tears; she decided to have a good cry right here and get it out of her system. She curled up on the sofa and let the tears flow, unaware of the eyes peering through the skylight.

Lacroix watched through the window, wondering what his son had done now. Nicholas had disappeared without a word to anyone. At first Lacroix had supposed that Natalie would know something, but it was apparent from her reaction that she did not. It was also obvious that Nicholas had not given a thought to her safety.

He sighed inwardly; he supposed he should keep and eye on the good doctor. After all, she *had* saved the Community from the Fever. It was only right that he watch over her until Nicholas came back. Quid pro quo, Doctor Lambert.

***************

Natalie wiped at her tired eyes; she didn't know how she made it through the next night. It had been busy, but every time someone walked through the door, she half-expected it to be Nick. She thought of the way he'd sneak up on her while she was concentrating, or the way he'd smile when she caught him in the act. She cleaned up as quickly as she could. She had to get out of here; at the end of the shift the Captain was going to announce that Nick had resigned, and she didn't want anyone to see her like this.

On the way home, Natalie realized that she had no food for Sydney, or for herself, for that matter. A nice pint of rocky road ice cream sounded good right now. She would put on her rattiest sweats, cuddle on the couch with Syd and eat her comfort food. Maybe she should take some of that vacation time that she had coming to her, and go somewhere warm and sunny for a week or two. Somewhere there were no vampires, and no one had ever heard of Nick Knight.

Because her hands were full, Natalie waited until she was in her apartment to sort through her mail. She threw the groceries on the table and leafed through the envelopes. There were the usual overload of advertisements and bills, and one letter -- from Nick. Her heart was pounding as she tore open the envelope and read the letter.

He wasn't coming back, that was the bottom line. He thought he wouldn't be able to control the vampire if he stayed. Nat threw the letter away from her in disgust. As usual, Nick was running away from his problems.

Lacroix listened at the door. She was crying. He had seen through the window that she had received a letter. Perhaps it was from Nicholas? Unable to squelch his curiosity any longer, Lacroix raised his hand to knock on the door...and just as quickly lowered it back to his side.

There was nothing to be gained by approaching her so quickly. Their last meeting had not gone well. She most likely would not be happy to see him, especially at this point in time. He listened by the door until her sobs subsided. Judging by the sound of her breathing, she had cried herself to sleep.

He walked through the kitchen silently, absently noting that she had not put away her groceries. He stood by the couch for awhile, just watching her sleep. He pondered what this woman meant to him. At first, she was merely a way to get to Nicholas. He had never really forgiven his son for taking Fleur away from him...and he'd never forgiven himself for letting her go so easily.

But Dr. Lambert -- Natalie -- seemed to want most of the same things for Nicholas as he did. Their paths seemed to be crossing more often than not lately. She was beautiful, but then, Nicholas always did have good taste in women. But her spirit, that was even more special than her good looks. Every time they met, she stood up to him, refusing to show her fear.

He spied the letter on the floor. He picked it up and read it quickly. So Nicholas wasn't coming back. Supposedly leaving to protect her. Lacroix wondered if in his haste, his son had even truly considered Natalie's safety.

There was little actual danger from Nicholas himself. There were, however, Enforcers. Surely his son has explained about the Enforcers to his coroner-friend. She would certainly realize the danger she could conceivably be in. Of course, she'd saved the Community from the Fever, so there was the possibility that she would be protected. He leaned down and caressed her curls with a feather-light touch, and whispered, "Nicholas is a fool."

End Part One