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

Opening her eyes with the sudden alertness that came with the setting of the sun, Natalie looked around the room in puzzlement. Despite the lack of ambient light, she could see clearly the elegantly furnished bedroom. One she'd not seen before, but it bore Lucien's taste. She was not completely sure where she was, but it appeared to be one of his residences. One thing that she'd learned over the past six months was that her lover was not one to stay in one place long. Not if he had a choice. Even in Paris, he had several homes ~ a townhouse in the city, a villa in the country and of course a penthouse in the most expensive hotel.

The wrinkles in the sheets told her that she'd not slept alone, but her companion was not to be seen. She knew that he would not be far. He never was. Even when alone in one of the Parisian homes, she had felt 'watched', her every move and thought scrutinized. While his attentiveness was at first welcome, she now felt stifled. Was it love, or control that he sought? There were times that Natalie was not sure. Was this what Nick had endured for eight centuries?

Pangs of hunger reminded her of the need to feed. The ever-present desire for blood pulled at her. Evidently Lucien had helped her to bed that morning, she thought with amusement, finding herself wrapped only in the cotton sheets. Pulling on the gown and robe that were laid across the footboard, she made her way down the curved stairway. She could hear the faint sounds of music coming from a room at the end of a short corridor. The twinge of her vampire senses told her that Lucien was waiting there.

A flickering fire cast light and shadows through the room. Seated in a leather armchair, Lucien looked up from his newspaper to see Natalie's cautious entry.

"Ah, good evening, Natalie," he smiled in greeting, folding the newspaper and setting it on the end table. "Did you sleep well?"

She nodded, approaching him with amber eyes. The travel had been exhausting. With all of the time zone changes, she was not sure how long she'd slept. Nor how long it'd been since she last fed. Uncorking the bottle that was on the table next to him, he poured a generous amount into a glass and handed it to her silently. Without a word, she upended the glass and drained the contents.

"Better?" he asked gently.

"Much," she replied, glancing around the room. "Where are we?"

"Toronto," he shrugged. "My home near the airport. It has proven useful on several occasions."

"Where is the phone? I would like to make some calls." Restlessly moving around the room, she pretended to study the titles on the bookshelf.

"Natalie, please, we have plenty of time for phone calls. Can we talk?" he motioned to the chair next to his. His style had always been autocratic with his offspring, so to appear conciliatory was a struggle. Rebellious children had always been ruled by force. And he did not hesitate to use physical restraint if necessary. He knew that Natalie would leave him if he maintained that tradition. That was something he did not want. He was determined, this time, to not make their discussion a battle.

"About what?" she asked impatiently. He frowned, holding out a hand to her, the unspoken request. With a sigh, Natalie sat in the chair, holding out her glass expectantly. He silently refilled both of their glasses.

"Before we go to my townhouse in the city, I need to know. What are your intentions, Natalie?" his words were measured, emotionless.

"I thought I made that clear."

"Not exactly," he replied frowning. "Shall we take this one step at a time?" he watched her silent nod. "You wished to return to your life in Toronto?"

"Yes."

"To your friends?"

"Yes."

"To your job?"

"Yes," her voice became more emphatic, her posture stiff.

"I'm not sure that is a good idea, Natalie." He said thoughtfully. Every bone in his body was screaming to him to simply forbid it, and leave it at that. He knew though, that she would rebel. She would run, like Nicholas, and then he would have lost them both. That was more than he could stand.

"I thought we'd already discussed that," she said firmly, her eyes glinting with growing anger.

"Just listen for a moment," he requested, taking her hands in his, loosely caressing them as he watched her expression.

"Go on," she nodded, visibly relaxing with his ministrations. He was so adept at seducing her. It was, at times, difficult to hold any sort of serious conversation, as the discussion would turn physical before she could get him on the topic. This time, she was determined. They *would* discuss her future, and whether their future would be together or not. She was not going to treat her life as a plaything, to be discarded when it became difficult or boring.

"I am not forbidding you but I have concerns," he began. "Does not your job require much exposure to blood?"

"Well, yes. It does," she agreed, shifting so that she sat on the edge of the chair. Even though she'd steeled herself for this discussion, his gentle caresses were driving her to distraction.

"Do you recall Nicholas having difficulty at murder scenes?"

"On occasion," she said quietly. It was something she'd convinced herself would not be a problem. With determination and a firm conviction of mind over matter, Natalie had told herself that a return to the coroner's office was possible. She wanted to simply undo what she had done. Yes, Lucien was a skilled lover. But there was so much that she'd given up to be with him. Did he even realize it?

"You are young in this life. You do not have the control that he has."

"I'll be okay," she said firmly.

"Hmmm," he gazed at her, doubt clearly reflected in his expression but he knew that she would not be dissuaded on that point. "And then, how will you explain the past six months?" he ran his hands further up her arms, restraining himself from pulling her onto his lap and seducing her senseless.

"I don't know, why?"

"I simply wished to know what story to tell, if asked. I do not want you to disappear from my life. It stands to reason that your mortal friends might want to meet me... or I might want to meet them."

"Oh," she murmured. She had not imagined that he would willingly allow himself to be drawn into her mortal world. Was she underestimating the relationship he felt toward her?

"And you do realize that whatever we do now is temporary. People will notice that you do not age. You will, at some point have to move on. We all do."

"Unless my research..." she began.

"Research?" he pulled back, holding her hands tightly as he looked at her through narrowed eyes.

"Lucien, I never said I would give up my research. I promised Nick..." she said nervously, sliding her hands from his grip, and standing.

"Natalie, you made your choice six months ago," he said firmly, his posture stiffening as he watched her nervously pace across the room. "And besides, you do not even know whether Nicholas still wants your help."

"Lucien, it isn't just that," she replied, turning to face him, gaining courage and conviction with each moment. "I need to be useful, *feel* useful. I chose this path because of the endless possibilities, not simply the endless time. I need to do this. Can't you understand that?"

"That I do understand, Natalie," his voice softened as he realized that her actions were not a deliberate rejection of him. "Our lives would be so empty otherwise, and I apologize for not making you feel more welcome within the Paris community."

"Lucien... it wasn't just that. I did feel welcome, but as your lover and child. They were your friends, your history. I felt like an outsider. I want to have friends of my own, a job of my own."

"I can accept that, Natalie," he nodded. "I am simply urging caution. May I remind you, there are options besides the coroner's office." Standing, he approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist, as he spoke "You do realize that if you return to your previous post, you will encounter Nicholas."

"I... I know," she whispered. Their last meeting had been a bitter parting. Things had been said that she now regretted. Would they be able to repair even the simple friendship?

End Part Four