This is the first Round Robin that was originally posted to the FK Vals list.
Standard disclaimers apply.

Part 3

As Natalie slept, her dreaming mind began to wander to the night's confusing events. Occasionally, LaCroix looked in on her while he planned something special for her awakening...

**Natalie's Dream**

Natalie awoke to find herself lying on a bed in a strange room. She did not recognize it, but somehow knew that it was LaCroix's bedroom. Rising from the bed, she made her way to the door. She hesitated before opening it.

Whatever lay beyond that door sent butterflies flying to her stomach. She was curious as to what was there, but at the same time, she knew that whatever it was would change her life forever. Swallowing the lump of nerves which rose in her throat, she pushed open the door and stepped into the next room.

Natalie blinked. "Nick?" she said, staring at the vampire standing alone in the middle of a room filled with candles. His pale skin seemed to glow in the candle light. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to stop you," was Nick's reply.

Stop me? Nat thought. Stop me from doing what? Then she remembered the asteroid and her request that Nick bring her across. Now Nick had come to stop her from accepting the gift LaCroix had offered her-- the gift he had refused to give.

"Do you really care so little for me?" she asked him. "Do you really care so little that you would let me die like all the rest?"

"You don't know what you ask of me."

"Don't you think I haven't thought of it before? Dreamt about it before? Well, I have, Nick, and I think I know what's best for me," she informed him.

Nick frowned, the flickering of the candle flames casting shadows on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but could not.

"A very determined woman, is she not?" LaCroix said, suddenly stepping from the shadows and appearing between them. "I think that is why I have chosen her-- her will to live is quite inspiring."

"I won't allow you to do it, LaCroix!" Nick said, anger blazing in his eyes.

"You won't allow me to do what, Nicholas? Save her life?" LaCroix sneered at his son. "The decision is hardly yours to make; it is hers." So saying, LaCroix turned to Natalie and held out his hand to her. "You must choose soon, my dear," he told her. "Time is short--for us all, but most especially you."

"Don't do it, Nat," begged Nick.

Natalie stood there contemplating the arm extended towards her... the hand poised to take her and lead her into a new, eternal future. The offer was tempting, but still she hesitated...

**End Dream**

LaCroix watched Natalie as she slept. She tossed and turned as though something plagued her mind. Reaching out, he smoothed her sweat-soaked hair away form her forehead. The poor child. His usually cold heart suddenly ached to take her pain away. How, he thought to himself, could Nicholas bear to turn her away in her hour of need? Nicholas, he realized, might live to regret his neglect of her. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek gently, so as not to wake her. Then he slipped once again from the room, shutting the door behind him.

End o' Part 3