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

Natalie awoke with a groan. Her face still felt swollen and painful from crying. Rolling over, she padded over to the bathroom. Staring at her reflection, she barely recognized the disheveled woman that she saw in the mirror.

"So this is what I've become," she said bitterly. Her reaction to Nick leaving was a shock. She'd never reacted this way to the loss of a friend, or even family. She'd spent her life pushing herself to the limits. Determined to make her way in the world *her* way. She'd finished high school in three years, and undergraduate in even less time. Graduating from medical school at age 23, she'd sworn to never rest on her laurels, never relax. There was always something to learn. Losing her parents at an early age had taught her self-reliance. Friends were a luxury, not a necessity. When had that changed?

Washing the dried tears from her face, she walked out to the kitchen in search of something to ease her growling stomach. Somehow, she'd forgotten to eat supper before going to bed that morning. She was not even sure that she'd put away the groceries. The image of a hungry cat and melting rocky road ice cream was on her mind. To her surprise, the groceries were neatly stacked on the counter. Sydney's dish was filled. Her pint of rocky road was in the freezer. That was odd.

Before she could ponder how the groceries mysteriously were unbagged and arranged, the phone rang. She was not in a particularly sociable mood, so she decided to simply let the machine pick up. Tracy's voice came over the speaker, loud and more than a little annoyed.

"Natalie, pick up the damn phone. I know you're there. If you don't pick up, I'm going to start singing.... I can fill up your tape with really annoying disco or you can talk to me. I'm very..."

Sighing, Natalie crossed the room. Tracy would make good on that threat, and then she was likely to simply come over. "All right, you win. What do you need?"

" Need? What do I need?" she sputtered. "A partner!"

"Sorry, Trace. Can't help you there. I'm a coroner, not a cop," she replied sarcastically.

"You know what I mean," Tracy replied, her voice calmer. "If anyone knows where he went and why, its you."

"Actually, no, I don't," Natalie said matter-of-fact.

"Oh, come on, Nat. Surely he didn't leave town and not say good-bye to you."

"To be honest that is precisely what he did do," Natalie replied, her voice harsh. She could feel the tears coming again, and resolved that she would not allow herself to show any more sorrow. Life would go on.

"Oh, Nat," Tracy said softly, the shock was hard to disguise. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe that he would do that to you."

"Well, he did," she snapped.

"I know he always claimed that you were just friends, but I always thought you two were more than that."

"Appearances can be deceiving," Natalie stated simply. She longed to simply hang up, but she also did not want unexpected guests... and to hang up would simply invite Tracy to stop over on the pretense of 'making sure you're all right.' "And, now, if you don't mind, I need to book off. I have no desire to spend an entire shift being interrogated."

"All right, sure, Nat," she hesitated. "But, ummm, if you want to talk, I'm here. I don't know exactly what your relationship with Nick is, or was, but..."

"And now is *not* the time to discuss it," Natalie said firmly. In the short time that she had been on the phone, she'd come to a decision. This was not the end of the world. It was time to start a new chapter in her life. One where the shadowy world of vampires had no role.

"But if you need to," Tracy repeated.

"I know," Natalie replied, "I'm fine, really I am. I'm just not ready to see people at work."

*****

Preparing for his broadcast was a ritual. Read the newspaper to decide a topic. Choose the musical selections and stack the CDs. Retire to his study to write the monologue. The staff of the Raven knew better than to disturb him. Especially when he was in his study. Writing was an art that LaCroix cherished. He detested poor grammar, or incomplete thoughts, and would not broadcast anything less than perfect. Finding the exact quote to convey the mood and theme took time, and a large library.

Hearing the bold knock on the door broke his concentration, and stirred his temper. Tempted to simply ignore the interruption, the second knock angered him. How dare anyone intrude upon his private time? Determined to discipline the offender, LaCroix stood and stalked over to the door.

"What?" he demanded, throwing open the heavy oak door.

"Now, now, now, is that *any* way to greet me, Lucius?" the calm smooth voice of the chief enforcer broke LaCroix's anger faster than a bucket of cold water.

"Anthony? It has been too long. Please, do come in," his tone polite, his mannerisms deferential, he led his guest to a pair of leather wingback chairs. Walking over to a cabinet against the far wall, he unlocked a door, and withdrew a tall glass bottle. Setting it on the table, he grabbed a pair of crystal goblets. He had a suspicion why the head of the Enforcers was visiting him, and knew that it would take all of his skills as a politician to dissuade them from taking action.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your coming to call?" he asked, filling the goblets and handing one to his guest.

"Come now, Lucius. Surely a man of your wisdom would not need to ask," Anthony said, taking a slow sip from the goblet.

"May I assume, then, that you wish to discuss current events?"

"In a manner of speaking," he smiled, a cold, calculating expression. On a lesser vampire, it would send chills. To LaCroix, it was a familiar tactic of intimidation. One that he had used, and would not give in to. "We hear that Nicholas has relocated."

"Somewhere warm and tropical, I would hope."

"Sarcasm does not suit you, Lucius," Anthony said coldly.

"All right, what is it that concerns you about my son moving on?" LaCroix inquired politely. Appearing deferential did not come naturally, but he knew very well that Anthony was in the position of power at present. To argue with him was inviting unwelcome guests. "It is not as if this was not an appropriate action on his part."

"He was a bit, hmmm, shall we say, indiscrete, was he not?"

"To what are you referring?" LaCroix asked mildly.

"I believe you know quite well," Anthony said smugly. He could feel the strain that the other man was having in remaining cool and unemotional. "Doctor Lambert. She knows, does she not?" he watched LaCroix's expression closely, his eyes narrowed. He did not need to say anything to get his answer. "I thought as much. I believe that you have met the woman, have you not?"

"Yes, I have," he began. "She is not a threat. May I remind you of her role in developing a cure for the fever? Not to mention that she has used her professional position to cover up carelessness. Actions that would severely compromise her, if discovered."

"Yes, yes, yes. I know. That is why I am visiting *you* rather than dispatching a squad to visit *her*."

"Why is it necessary that anything be done? She can be trusted."

"She has lost her protector within the community, Lucius," he said thoughtfully. "You may be confident of her discretion, but others are not. She must be seen as having close ties with someone in the community. We would prefer it be you. Therefore she must be with you publicly."

"Is that all?" LaCroix asked, finishing his drink and setting the goblet down firmly.

"For now," he shrugged.

"For now? Tell me. What is your eventual plan, then?"

"It would be most convenient if she were to request, or at least consent to you bringing her across," Anthony stated, looking at some invisible spot in the distance. He really did not want to order the execution of this woman who quite obviously knew their secret, and was resistant to the hypnotic influences of the vampire. All the council had agreed upon was a temporary reprieve. If she entered into a relationship with the ancient LaCroix, that might appease everyone.

"Will you force the issue?"

"Not at present," he said absently. He really did not want to be more specific.

"But that is a possibility?" LaCroix probed. He had grown fond of the mortal physician that had captured his son's heart. He certainly did not want to see her become a target of the Enforcers. Romancing her was not an unpleasant prospect...

"I would be lying if I said not. Some wish it to happen now, but I convinced them that allowing you to handle the situation would be less likely to cause strife on the council."

"I appreciate your honesty, Anthony," he started. Standing, he faced the other man, "and the prospect of wooing the lovely doctor is not a completely undesirable activity. I would not need to be coerced into such a plan."

"Just make sure that you are successful, my friend," Anthony warned as he stood and extended a hand. "I don't want to come here again on business."

"Understood," LaCroix nodded, escorting his friend to the door. Now, he had work to do. He knew that Natalie listened to his show, so he would start with the monologue. A very special monologue....

End Part Two