This is the sequel to the first Round Robin, and is currently being posted to the FK Vals list.
Standard disclaimers apply.

Lucien Lacroix paused outside the gate of his home and gazed at the light in the window. It was, for him, a rare moment of reflection.

He had been feeling strange lately. Even stranger whenever he thought of a certain ex-coroner. It could almost be described as happiness. contentmant was all he he had ever really hoped for, and to be happy was an unexpected bonus.

Natalie. She was the reason for it all.

Lacroix opened the gate and walked into the house. There in the livingroom, was Natalie. She was wearing her "I mean business suit". She was holding a bottle, and looked..nervous.

"Hello, my dear. You're looking lovely as usual",said Lacroix.

Natalie took a deep breath, though she didn't really need it, it was now or never. "Lucien. I'm glad you're home. We need to talk."

* * *

"What!?" Lacroix couldn't believe what he was hearing. "After all I do for you, you want to do WHAT!?"

If anyone had asked him at that moment why he was so angry, he would have spuoted some drivel about gratitude and horrible children. He then would have done something quite painful, and most probably fatal, to that person.

The truth was he was scared. Just minutes ago he had been admitting to himself he was happy. Then he had walked in and had everything torn away.

Natalie wanted to go back to Toronto. She wanted her old life back. *She's not happy with me*. A small part of him threatened to shrivel up and die at that thought.

"Lucien, it feels like somethings missing. Toronto is a part of me. Everything here is wonderful, but it's not my home."

"No, Natalie. You are not going anywhere. You are my child, and you will do as I say."

Natalie had known he would say that, but it still hurt. She belonged to no one but herself. She had been a fool to think he would respect that.

"I, Lucien", said Natalie,"belong to no one." She stuck her chin in the air, and pretended that she didn't want to cry. " I'm going, with or without you. The choice is yours."

Lacriox stood very still. His fists were clenched, and he could feel gold leaking into his eyes. He was terribly afraid that if he moved he would hit her. He knew that would be the end. Natalie would pack her bags and never speak with him again. Lacroix could already see flashes of gold in her eyes.

Natalie had nothing more to say. She turned, and walked out of the room.

* * *

The tension in that house for the next few days didn't even need a knife, it was so thick. Mixed in with the silence was the hurt. It was obvious that these were two very in love people. They were also, unfortunately, two very strong-willed people.

Natalie had the plane ticket ready, she just needed to pack. She was leaving in 10 hours. Somehow, she didn't want to pack.

Oh, she wanted to go. She was eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone. But packing meant closing the book on a part of her life she had thought would work. She had been very happy for a time.

She went to her closet and pulled out her suitcase.

Lacroix, for his part was doing no better. He couldn't sleep. He didn't even really enjoy the special vintage he had treated himself to.

He went to find Natalie.

She was in her room. She was packing. *Surely there's more time than that.* In that moment Lacroix relised that to her would be death in itself. He swallowed his pride, and walked into the room.

"Natalie, I in no way agree with this foolishness.-" She cut him off."I was aware of that, Lacroix." Natalie went back to her packing. She didn't want to hear it.

Lacroix hadn't missed the use of his last name, but that was hardly enough to make him give up now.

"You didn't let me finish, my dear, I was about to say that I know there is no way to change your mind. But I realize that to let you go alone would leave me with little to do back here. The house would be much too quiet for one-"

She cut him off again but this time with her lips. Natalie was elated. She put all of the frustration of the past days into that kiss. By the time they parted, gold tints of passion were rising in both there eyes.

"I love you, Lucien. You have no idea what this means to me."

"Well.." said Lacroix, pretending to think very hard. "I do believe we have some time. You could show me, if you think it's necessary."

"Oh, I do.",Natalie replied.

End Part Two