Part 4
 

******

Sometimes, the noise and the crowds of the Raven made her feel so alone, and
lately these times seemed many.  Why was it so easy to feel isolated even
with so many around?  Milkos certainly noticed her mood, for he was by her
side in a moment with a fresh glass of bloodwine.  But that would not be
enough to satisfy her tonight, as she held her hand up to let him know that
she had no interest in blood at the moment.  She just watched as he laid the
full glass on the bar next to her, then left without a word.  Endless nights
watching as mortals and vampires alike mindlessly drank and danced their
time away. Eternity was made to seem so much longer this way.  If only
Nichola were around.  A slight mischievous smile began to form across her
heavily made up lips.  Yes, he would be a most interesting diversion.
Closing her eyes, her thoughts drifted back to their last moments together
after he had so sweetly returned the painting of hers by da Vinci.  Her body
quivered as she relived the touches and the kisses that they shared.  "Oh
Nichola, if only we would share each others company more often."  Even
though he was far, she tried to reach out into the night and will him to
her.  The vibrations were there, but weakened by him trying to embrace his
humanity.  Yet, they were still there, their blood bond that united them as
brother and sister for all of time.  Holding her breath, she waited for some
sign that he had felt her through their connection, but there was nothing.
That being unsuccessful, she opened her eyes and glanced over at the
telephone at the end of the bar. Maybe she should give him a call.  After
all, LaCroix had left her with the job of returning what was in that gaudy
velvet bag to the place where Nichola played his little mortal games.  'The
bag, now that might be amusing,' she thought as she envisioned it lying on
her desk in the other room.  What was in that bag?  LaCroix had said that it
was from a crime scene, but Nichola was no doubt too busy playing policeman
to visit her.  She was so bored and alone, even LaCroix had left town with
some excuse that he needed time to reevaluate some thoughts.  The voices and
the music was becoming louder, it was absolutely maddening.  Lifting the
glass that Milkos had left, she slowly walked past the crowded bar as she
headed for her back room.

The room was dark by mortal standards, but she had no trouble seeing as she
closed the door behind her and blocked out all the sounds of the club's
night life.  The quiet eased her nerves, but her attention was focused on
the bag. As she moved towards her desk, she studied the small bag that she
had placed on top of some papers.  Reaching towards it, she suddenly stopped
and began to turn away.  Then confidently she again approached the bag.
LaCroix had not said that she should not handle the contents.  There was no
warning to stay away from what was inside.  Surely, he would not have left
it with her, and expected her to just hand it over to Nichola without first
examining what it contained.  This was her establishment, and she was to
know of everything that passed through.

With conviction, she picked up the bag and pulled apart the cord that sealed
it.  Gliding her small hand into the bag, her petite fingers could feel the
cool smooth metal.  Smiling, she gently slid the candlestick from its pouch
and placed it on her desk.  Tilting her head to one side, she examined the
shiny object.  Not much to look at she thought as walked around her desk and
sat down before it.

"A candlestick?  I thought it to be much more significant than a piece of
silver."

Sighing heavily, she felt so let down, so disappointed.  The evening was so
young, and her best prospect of entertainment turned out to be only an old
piece of metal.  Hopelessly, she stared at it, trying to figure out what
would help show off its attributes.  Maybe it would shine so to speak if it
were used.  In her bottom desk drawers there were always a supply of candles
and match sticks.  Picking out a long tapered candle, she snugly fitted it
into the candleholder.  At least she could relax by the candle light and be
far removed from the noise of the Raven tonight.  Some solitude might be
beneficial for her, time to think as LaCroix had said before his trip.
Striking the match, she lit the candle.  The flame burned fierce, and she
squinted her eyes from its brightness.  As the candles glow softened, she
swiftly moved her head towards the sound of laughter.  A child's laughter.
Rising from her chair, she quickly looked in every direction trying to
determine its source.  There should not be a child out alone at this hour,
especially at this club.  The laughter had seemed close, yet she could see
nor feel anything nearby.

"Where are you honey?  Come out.  I promise not to hurt you."

Silence was her only answer.  Most likely it was only her imagination.  She
laughed at herself.  A child, how ridiculous.  It must be decades since she
has seen a child other than in movies.  A sudden pain of emptiness griped
her, and she grasped for her drink.  But her emptiness grew as rapidly as
she consumed its contents.  How foolish to even think of this now.  There
was never going to be a child in her future.  No matter how many centuries
she lived.  Never a child of her own to mother as only she could.  Grief of
her limitations poured over her, as the pain of what could never be
tightened around her heart.

"I would have made a good mother if only I had a child of my own."

A gust of wind appeared from nowhere and blew all the papers from the desk,
only the candlelight remained undisturbed.  The laughter that she a first
heard had transformed into whimpers.  It was impossible, but she did hear
the cries of a child.  They were coming from the alley by her back door.
Afraid that she might again lose track of the child, she raced to the door
and threw it open with so much force that it slammed against the wall.  The
startled little girl began to step back until she had found herself against
the wall and could go no further.  Tears streaked from her blue eyes, and
her long black tresses swirled around her perfect features.  She was a young
girl of about eleven or twelve, not a child.  The girl's beauty was
remarkable, and Janette extended her hand.

"Come, and we will find your mother."

The small dark-haired beauty took her hand with no fear, and entered the
back room of the Raven.  Once the door was closed, Janette turned to the
girl, who looked so familiar, and gently asked.

"Do you know where your mother is?"

Looking up, the child smiled and her eyes glistened.

"Yes."

Janette was confused by the girl's quick response and her change of mood,
but she persevered.

"Did you run away from home?"

Again the girl gave a bewitching smile.

"No, I am home."

A chill cut through the stunning vampire as she stared at her small guest.
Maybe she was going about this the wrong way.  She tried again.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Genevieve, but I am called Gen for short."

"Genevieve, that is a French name.  Are you French?"

"Yes, I was supposed to have been born in France."

"I was born in France.  You see, we have something in common.  So tell me
why you are here, and not at home in bed."

"I have come to be with you."

As her tolerance rapidly slipped away, her frustration was overtaking her.

"Non!  Why do you do this?  Have I not been kind to you?"

"Yes my Mama, you have been very kind, but there is still so much for us to
do."

"Mama!  Why do you call me this?  I am not your Mama!"

Janette's angry words did not frighten her, as her pleading words continued.

"Please Mama.  We can only share one night together.  Please may I call you
Mama?"

Crimson tears stung at her eyes as she fought them back, and confronted the
child.

"Who are you?"

"I am Genevieve, and I am the daughter that you never had.  I waited to join
you here on earth, but the man you call LaCroix came to you before I could
grow inside of you."

Trying to clear her head, she closed her eyes then cautiously she dared to
re-open them.  The girl stood before her with both small arms extended.

"Come Mama, I know that there is so much for me to learn."

Janette knew that this was impossible, yet she knew so much about her past.
Again she angrily approached her.

"How do you know so much?  Who are you?  Someone is surely looking for you."

The young girl's features became heavy with sadness.

"Do you not recognize your own daughter?  Did you not know who I was when
you first laid your eyes on me?  There is no one who searches for me on this
night.  You created me, I am your deepest desire.  Let yourself feel who I
am."

Genevieve moved close to Janette, and wrapped her tiny arms around her
mother's waist and pressed her head against her chest.  Apprehensively,
Janette allowed her arms to close around the one who claimed to be her
daughter.  This girl had knowledge of what less than a handful of vampires
had ever known of her beginnings.  She knew it was the encounter with
LaCroix almost one thousand years ago that had made her unable to bear a
child.  Most astonishing of all was the fact that the girl was correct about
the feelings she experienced when she first saw her.  She had felt as if she
knew the child, even recognized her.  A sudden chill ran through Janette, it
was now very apparent.  The girl's looks were well known to her, it was how
she herself appeared as a child.  All the girl's words were true.  This
could not be happening, yet it was.  So long she had wished for such a gift.
  A gift that neither LaCroix nor Nicholas with all their riches and powers
could provide.  Pulling the girl closer to her, she cried softly.  The
beautiful child looked up.

"I do not wish to sadden you Mama."

Glancing down, she began to wipe away her tears, then smiled.

"Sadden me?  Non, non ma Cherie.  I have never been more happy than at this
very moment."

Genevieve's face brightened, and she pulled away.

"Mama, I have seen the other children who live here.  They do not dress as
I. Could we find more suitable attire?"

Taking a step back, Janette quickly examined Genevieve's clothes.  Strange
how such apparel had gone unnoticed.  The child was clad only in a white
loose fitting toga style garment, with only a torn cloth to tie at the
waist. Lifting Genevieve's hand above her head, she slowly turned her around
to evaluate her outfit.  Shaking her head, she quickly sighed.

"Oh, this will not do.  The very first thing we must do is go shopping.  The
stores will be open late tonight.  We shall find something more appropriate,
oui?"

"What is shopping Mama?"

Janette slid next to her daughter, and put her arm around her shoulders.

"Come, you are right, there is much for you to learn."

Guiding the youth to the back door, they exited into the darkened alley.
Turning towards her daughter, her voice dropped to a whisper.

"If we are to travel together, we must fly.  I will hold you close to me.
Do not be afraid."

With complete trust and love, Genevieve snuggled closely to Janette's side.

"I am not afraid as long as I am with you."

Holding her tightly, Janette looked up into the stars and followed a path
above the city towards the center of the town.  Within a few minutes, they
came across a secluded alley in which to land.  The icy Autumn winds blew as
hard on them on the ground as they did during their brief flight, but there
were no signs that her daughter felt uncomfortable.

"You must be cold and hungry."

"No, I do not feel cold, and I do not know what hungry means."

"We are the same with the temperature, but so different about being hungry.
I am always hungry, my hunger never stops.  No matter how much I have, I
always require more.  It is good that you do not have this unrelenting need,
but you must try to eat.  We will get something as soon as we find you the
loveliest dress in all of Toronto."

Genevieve slid her tiny hand into Janette's, as both walked contentedly from
the alley.  Immediately Janette turned in the direction of the stores that
would carry the finest selections for her new daughter.

The store she settled on was filled with shoppers as the mother daughter
pair swung their clasped hands and strolled down each aisle.  The noisy
crowds with their taunting heartbeats, soon faded into the background as
Janette soon lost herself in the feeling of being with her own child.  It
did not take them long to locate the part of the large exclusive store that
held the girl sized clothing.  Genevieve excitedly tore from Janette's grasp
when she spotted a rack filled with dresses.  Removing the first dress she
touched, she held it up to show her mother.  Janette only grinned, and shook
her head.

"Non, no white.  There are so many wonderful colors that will bring out your
beauty.  Put it back, and we will look for something else."

After visiting many areas of the store and many different departments, they
chose a dark blue silk dress and a shiny new pair of black patent leather
shoes to go with it.  Genevieve had even found a matching hair ribbon that
was trimmed in lace.  Everything was a perfect fit, and Janette gratefully
left the old clothes with the sales clerk to discard.  As they turned to
leave through the jewelry department, all eyes were on the stunning pair.
However, neither noticed for both were to caught up in enjoying each other's
company. As they moved towards the exit, a striking gold charm bracelet
caught Janette's eye, and she pulled Genevieve over to view it.  Each
heavily polished link held magnificent charms of dolls, animals, and musical
instruments.

"Please let me buy this for you.  Do you like it?"

"It is very nice Mama, but I only wear this one piece of jewelry.  It is all
that I need."

Genevieve pulled back the sleeve of her new dress, and revealed a petite
white beaded bracelet that clung tightly to her wrist.  Taking her
daughter's wrist, Janette protested as she gently twisted her arm to the
side while trying to locate the clasp to remove the simple band.

"Non Gen, let's remove this and replace it with this exquisite gold
bracelet."

With great strength, Genevieve jerked her arm from Janette's grasp, and
protectively held her hand against her chest while using her other hand to
cover the small bracelet.

"No!  I must wear this until it is time."

"Time?"

The answer to Janette's question was answered with an action instead of
words as Genevieve forcibly tugged her mother away from the counter and out
through the glass doors that led to the street.  Surprised by the youth's
sturdiness, Janette offered no resistance as the girl ran and pulled her
down the sidewalk.  With each hurried step, Genevieve looked into the stores
windows, until she came to the window of an ice cream store, where she
suddenly stopped.

"Look Mama!  There are others my age in there with their Mothers.  Let's go
in."

Looking in, Janette hesitated, and her daughter's excitement faded as she
realized the implications of what she had asked.

"I am sorry Mama.  You do not come to these places do you?"

"No Gen, this is where mortal children and their parents go when they are
hungry.  I must go somewhere else."

"Then let's go to where you go, and be hungry together."

Janette smiled at her daughter's suggestion.

"No Gen. Let's go here.  I should have thought of it myself.  All children
should have ice cream.  I want to see you try this food."

They hurried into the store, and both approached the glass counter.  The
wall behind the counter was filled with pictures of sundaes, banana splits,
milk shakes, and ice cream cones.  The glass before them separated them from
two rows of different colored ice creams.  Janette pointed out the pictures
on the wall and smiled as her daughter excitedly inspected all the
possibilities.  It did not take long for the young man who worked there to
notice Genevieve's difficulty in choosing, and he walked up to her.

"If you want, I can give you a small taste of anything that looks good to
you."

Genevieve turned and smiled at her Mother as Janette nodded her head in
approval.  The next ten minutes were spent trying each flavor.

"They are all so good, I can not decide Mama."

"Then it does not matter" Janette turned to the young clerk.

"Which is your most popular item?"  The man pointed to the picture of the
banana split on the wall.

"Okay, we will have one of those."

Genevieve's eyes were wider than Janette thought possible when she was
presented with the long dish of ice cream covered in nuts, syrups, and
whipped cream.  As Genevieve finished her treat, Janette silently watched,
absorbing every precious moment.  After the dish was emptied, Janette leaned
across the table and caught her daughter's attention.

"I have an idea of where we could go.  Come let's be on our way."

Both left the store, and walked down the street lighted by lampposts that
were designed to look as if they were from a past time.  Soon, Janette led
Genevieve onto a secluded street and held her close as they again took to
the sky.

The park they landed in was empty.  It was much too dark for other children,
but the moon was bright and Genevieve pulled Janette towards the swings.
With only a few energetic pushes, Janette had helped Gen to swing quite high
very rapidly.  Then taking the swing next to her, Janette equaled her
daughter's level with a few short movements.  As each pumped harder and
harder to go the highest, their laughter filled the crisp fall air.  The
last of the remaining leaves on the trees began to flutter down around them
as they soared through the air.  After many moments, Genevieve stopped her
swing and waited for her Mother to stop.  Jumping from the swing, she then
began to run deep into the park as Janette easily kept up with her.  As she
approached a large pile of leaves, Genevieve grabbed her Mother's hand and
pulled her into the leaves with her.  The leaves were dry, and were most
likely waiting to be picked up to be disposed of.  Genevieve stood up, and
laughed as Janette struggled to free herself from the leaves.  As she
regained her balance, she startled Gen by bringing a huge bunch of leaves
with her and tossing them on her.  Then the battle began, with both laughing
so hard that it was difficult to remain standing.  Leaves flew everywhere
until the once large pile was scattered throughout the park.  Again
Genevieve pulled at Janette, drawing her even deeper into the park.  The
girl's pace turned from a quick walk into a full run as they both raced up
and down the leaf covered hills until they were out of breath and fell
laughing to the ground.  As soon as Genevieve's breathing slowed down and
she felt more rested, she turned to face Janette.

"May we go home Mama?  I would like to spend some quiet time with you, just
the two of us."

Even though she felt surprised and confused by her daughter's request to
return to the Raven, she nodded her approval.

"Of course.  If that is what you want.  Come we will leave immediately."

As they stood up, each brushed the pieces of leaves from themselves.
Tenderly, Janette reached over and pulled a piece from her daughter's hair
that she had missed and straightened her ribbon.  Genevieve clung closely to
Janette's side as both looked up into the sky to depart.

Feeling Genevieve's closeness as they flew was beginning to be very
comfortable for Janette.  Landing near the Raven's back door, they opened it
to go inside.  The first thing that they noticed when they stepped into the
quietness of the back room was that the candle had already burned down more
than halfway.  Noticing Genevieve's fixed focus on the candle and her upset
expression, Janette moved towards the lit candle and picked up a new one.

"I will start a new candle if you are concerned that this will soon be
extinguished."

Genevieve rushed to Janette, and pulled the unused candle from her hand.

"NO!  Please do not touch the candle Mama."

"Why is this candle so important to you?  Why are so upset?"

Genevieve gently pulled Janette from the candlestick and smiled.

"It is not necessary to talk of this now.  Let us just spend time with one
another while we can."

As she looked into Gen's beautiful eyes, her heart already began to feel the
longing pain that she knew she would have when Genevieve would leave.  As
much as she had tried to pretend that this magical night would not end, she
knew from somewhere deep inside that this gift was only temporary.
Desperately, she pushed away her sadness as she thought of how lucky she was
to have been given each special moment with this girl.  No, she would never
be sad that this opportunity had been made to her.  It was so much better to
have this time with her, even if it was to be short, than to have no time at
all. Lightly caressing the young girl's face, Janette calmly asked.

"Do you know how much time Genevieve?"

"As long as the candle burns.  Please sit near me Mama, and tell me of when
you were my age."

A soothing wave of peace swept over Janette as she moved towards a wide
rocking chair at the back of the room.  Glancing over to Genevieve, she
motioned for her to come and join her.  As she approached, Janette widely
spread her arms apart, and Gen readily climbed onto her lap.  As Genevieve
laid her small head against her chest, Janette stroked and smoothed her long
waves of black hair.  Janette could feel her soul calmed by the warmth of
the child against her as she began to speak of long gone experiences.  Not
once did Genevieve stir as the hours drifted by, and Janette spoke of her
own childhood.  Tears came as she remembered her own mother whom she had not
thought of in centuries.  All of the thousand year old details came back
easily as she lovingly held her daughter.

Suddenly, a rush of air startled Janette awake, and with a panicked glance
towards her desk she saw that all that remained of the candle was a long
white stream of smoke that quickly dissipated.  Looking down, she felt the
emptiness of Genevieve's absence.  Genevieve was gone.  They must have
fallen asleep together during the early morning hours.  How she longed for a
few more hours. Brokenheartedly, she stood up and heard the soft sound of
something fall to the floor.  Almost reflexively, she stooped down to pick
up the tiny white circle that lay by her feet.  It was Genevieve's bracelet,
the one she had insisted on wearing until its time.  The weight of the
sadness from Gen's departure lifted as she held the tiny band close.  She
remembered how fortunate she was to have been granted the chance to learn
how she would have been as a mother, and also to have been able to know such
a wonderful child. She now knew what would have been had she not accepted
the darkness from LaCroix.  Again looking at the bracelet, she twisted it
but found that it had no clasp.  How had she removed it without breaking it?
  Then one of the beads caught her eye, there was a letter on it.  Rapidly,
she began to turn all the beads until each showed its letter.  Janette
clutched the tiny bracelet in her hand as she tenderly smiled.  The angel
that had visited her really was her child.  The letters spelled out
Ducharme.

End Part 4

******

"Damn it Knight!  This is the last time that you are going around back, and
I am staying out front.  I'm tired of always doing things your way."

Schanke's voice was beginning to pound in Nick's head.  The entire drive
back to the precinct had been one long complaint about their usual
procedure. Schanke had gone on and on about how his partner always came out
smelling like a rose and was a hero while he was always made to feel the
chump.  Only messing up or going the wrong way.

"And another thing Knight.  How could you have possibly got up to that
fifteenth story balcony before me?  I caught that first elevator up.  Do you
really expect me to believe that you climbed all those fire escape steps
faster than the elevator could get me up there?"

Wishing Schanke would just get off the subject, Nick sighed.

"It doesn't matter Schanke, we got him.  Isn't that the whole reason we do
what we do?"

Schanke's voice rose in anger and frustration.

"It does matter!  You're always the one to grab all the glory for yourself.
This is some kind of game, and you always need to win."

"You're wrong Schanke.  I only wanted to catch the perpetrator."

"Yeah, that's what you say, but when we are out there it's like you're
competing with me.  Or maybe I'm just in your way.  Yeah, that's it isn't
it? Why didn't I see this before?  You never wanted a partner.  You don't
need one.  Is that it Knight?  Am I getting in your way?"

Schanke stood directly in front of Nick, blocking him from his desk while he
waited for his partner's response.  While trying to remain calm, Nick held
back his thoughts of Schanke's behavior, and only stopped and stared at him.
Finally, Schanke moved to the side and allowed his partner to sit at his
desk and begin working on the paperwork that needed to be filled out.  But
Schanke was not ready to let this confrontation drop, and he continued to
vent his frustration.

"Oh I'm so sorry, PARTNER!  I was in your way again."

In exasperation, Nick looked up from his paperwork.

"We got the guy Schank.  We did good.  There's nothing else to discuss."

"NO, NO, NO, partner.  You got the guy!  You did good!  And I am tired of
being in your shadow!"

Staring at Schanke in disbelief, Nick shook his head, and while trying to
not provoke his partner he tried one more time to settle this over-reaction.

"You're not in my shadow.  We make a great team."

An irritated response was all he got for his efforts.

"We are not a team.  You my friend are a one man show, and I am some clown
in the background."

Becoming indignant, Nick stood up and faced Schanke.

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

"Well that's not good enough."

Both realized that the entire precinct had become deathly silent, and all
eyes were on them as Schanke's last words hung in the air.  Schanke's eyes
began to nervously shift around the room as their stalemate persisted, but
Nick never blinked once as he stared at his partner.  The sound of silence
was what brought Captain Cohen from her office, and she scanned the room
full of officers.  It was her words that broke the silence.

"What's going on out here?  Don't any of you have anything to do?"

With her words, papers began to rustle, the sounds of keyboards resumed, and
the low murmur of voices once again filled the room.  Captain Cohen walked
over to the two detectives who refused to relinquish their stares.

"And what's the problem here?"

Schanke rushed to speak first.

"It's nothing Captain."

In an annoyed voice, Nick repeated Schanke's words.

"Yes. It is nothing."

Schanke threw a vicious glare in his partner's direction, as the Captain
spoke with displeasure to both of them.

"Well you two better work out this 'nothing' problem.  Dr. Lambert wants to
see the two of you down at the Morgue ASAP.  She has some information on
that murder victim from last night down by the radio station."

Picking up his jacket from the back of his chair, Nick spoke up.

"We'll get right on it, Captain."

Schanke squinted at Nick, as he emphasized each word.

"Yes...WE...will."

Cohen shook her head in disgust and turned to leave, but then remembered the
other reason she had come out of her office.  A dark velvet bag was clutched
in her hand, and she held it out to the detectives as she spoke.

"A woman was in a little earlier and said to give this to either detective
Schanke or Knight.  I assume you know what this is about?"

Schanke snatched the bag from his Captain's hand, as he sneered at Nick.

"I'll take that Captain.  Thanks."

Turning to leave once again she stopped, reconsidered, and then confronted
the two detectives.

"Listen both of you.  Settle this!  I do not want to hear any more of this
childish bickering."

As she walked back to her office, Schanke pulled opened the bag's cord and
removed the candlestick.

"What's this supposed to mean?"

A smile crossed Nick's face as he enjoyed Schanke's look of confusion.

"I don't know Schank, but you're the one who grabbed it from the Captain.
So be a detective and figure it out.  It's all yours."

Both looked over as Captain Cohen closed her office door hard, and Nick
turned from Schanke to pick up a few more forms from across the room before
leaving to see Natalie.  As Nick searched for the forms, Schanke stared at
the tarnished candlestick in his hands.  The lights in the precinct began to
flicker, and everyone stopped for a moment then resumed their work.  Then
came another flicker and then all power was lost.  The only sounds were the
hum of the machinery winding down.  Everyone seemed to freeze as a moment
passed until the emergency generators turned on.  But the generators only
supplied a minimal amount of light, definitely not enough for the graveyard
shift.

Schanke rolled the candlestick between his palms.

"Hey, I got a candle holder here.  Anyone got a candle?"

The officer at the desk began to search under some boxes and called out to
Schanke.

"I think there are some here in the emergency kit.  Let me look........Yeah,
I got one."

Turning around, he threw the candle in Schanke's direction.  The candle
tumbled through the darkness. Schanke nearly missed it but somehow managed
to make the spectacular catch.

"Got it....thanks Morganson."

Placing the candle in the holder, Schanke then rummaged through his drawer
for his old cigarette lighter.  After a few tries the lighter started, and
he held the flame to the wick.

Brightness exploded into the precinct, as half the officers shielded their
eyes.  Instantly, the flame lessened and a soft glow replaced the blinding
light.  Shaking his head, Schanke turned towards the desk officer.

"Hey Morganson, what kind of candle did you throw here?  Are you sure it
wasn't a stick of dynamite?"

A still stunned Morganson stared at the now calmly burning candle.

"I've never seen anything like that before Schanke.  I don't know what
happened, but I think that I will get a hold of the manufacturer."

"No, forget it.  It's fine now.  Probably just a fluke."

The candle's reaction caught Nick's attention, and his eyes never left the
object as he walked back to his desk with the paperwork forms.
Distrustfully, he reached over to Schanke's desk to pick up the candlestick,
but Schanke intercepted him.

"What are you doing Knight?"

"Maybe we shouldn't be using that.  It could be evidence."

"Well I'm using it.  It will not hurt it.  If it were evidence, then why
didn't the lady say so?  Just drop it Knight.  You know, for just once I
wish things would be done my way."

A strong breeze whipped through the precinct, causing everyone to turn and
look for the opened window.  Schanke turned back to his candle to re-light
it, but found that it was still burning strong, somehow it had managed to
stay lit.  By this point, everyone was beginning to feel on edge.  The power
being out, the intense light from the candle , and the unexplained breeze
was distracting everyone from accomplishing anything.  As several private
conversations began to start up around the room, Captain Cohen came out and
loudly cleared her throat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just received an urgent call from my husband.
There has been a family emergency, and I will be taking some time off.  I
have decided that I will be leaving Detective Donald Schanke as acting
Captain in my place until my return.  You are to give him all the respect
that you would normally give me."

Schanke's eyes widened as he stood stunned with his mouth open.

"Me?"

Taking a few steps towards him, she questioned him.

"Don't you think you can handle it detective?"

Uncertain at first, he stumbled over his answer.

"Well.....yeah, sure."  His confidence and his excitement grew.  "You won't
be sorry Captain.  You just go and take care of that family problem, and do
not worry about a thing here.  Take all the time you need."

Looking very skeptical, she thanked Schanke as she walked back towards her
office.  With an ego that was bursting at the seams, Schanke turned around
to face Nick.  Pointing his thumb towards himself, he mouthed the words.

"My way."

Schanke's grin was so wide that it reminded Nick of the Cheshire cat from
Alice in Wonderland, and it took him took several minutes to get the picture
of it out of his mind.

Several more minutes passed and Captain Cohen's door swung open, and she
approached her best team.

"Detective Schanke, I trust you will not abuse your new found authority?"

"Of course not Captain."

"Okay then.  As my last official act until my return, I have some orders for
you detective Knight.  Since there was no time to find you an adequate
replacement partner, you will be working solo on this radio station case.
If you find that you need help, speak with detective Anderson.  I have
already briefed him on some of the particulars."

Nick smiled and nodded his affirmation, then addressed his Captain.

"Thanks Captain.  I will be fine.  We are all looking forward to your
return."

"Thanks Knight."  Still looking worried, she turned to face Schanke, and
gestured towards her office door.  "Okay Captain Schanke, she's all yours."

As she walked towards the door fastening the last of her raincoat's buttons,
the desk officer called out to her.

"Captain?  We're getting calls from several area stores.  Lots of alarms
going off, probably due to the power outage.  Should we go and check them
out?"

Pointing to Schanke, she pushed open the door as she spoke.

"You're speaking to the wrong person Morganson, the Captain's over there."

Schanke's mouth formed a nervous smile as everyone turned to look at him for
the answer to Moganson's question.  Anxiously, he slid his hands together as
he thought.

"Okay, this is what we're going to do, everyone since we don't have enough
light to do any paperwork."  He stopped and glanced over at Nick who was
busy filling out several forms, and raised his voice.  "Except for my
partner who obviously has the vision of an eagle."  Schanke's words caused
Nick to self consciously look up.  Being able to see clearly in the dark, he
had forgotten about the dimness of his surroundings, but Schanke's remark
motivated him to put down his pen.  Getting Nick's attention, Schanke
continued.

"And since we have lost the use of our computers, there is little we can do
here.  So I want to get as many uniforms on the street as possible.  I want
you to check out those alarms and watch out for looters.  Make yourselves
visible, maybe we can prevent some problems by just being out there.  So
let's see, Fuller and Cameron, I want you two out around Grange Ave. Pearson
and Synder, you patrol Richmond.  And we'll need someone over on King street
near John.  Layton and Keller, you go there.  Keep in touch by phone, and
remember dispatch can still pass through calls."

As the six officers prepared to leave, Schanke could feel his partner's eyes
on him.  As he turned, Nick gave him an approving smile, but Schanke just
squinted at him.

"What's the matter Knight?  Run out of things to do?"

Still smiling, Nick shook his head as Schanke headed for the office usually
occupied by Captain Cohen.

End Part 5

It was not long until the peace of the darkened precinct was suddenly
shattered by the screams of a young woman who unsteadily clung to the front
desk.  The small amount of remaining precinct officers rapidly rushed to the
front desk to help the injured woman.  The woman's cries brought Schanke out
of the captain's office, and he rushed to her aid.  Nick was halfway across
the room, but he could smell her blood from her fresh wounds.  The woman
collapsed to the floor before any one could reach her, and she cried out and
coughed.

"Please help me.........my husband...........he's trying to kill me.  He
followed me here...........please, help me."

Schanke pushed his way through the officers and the detectives as he
shouted.

"Move over, give her some room!"

Bending down, he picked up the woman's head and shoulders, and tried to
figure out how hurt she was.  It looked pretty bad to him.  She seemed to be
bleeding from multiple places.  Looking up towards the desk officer, he
called out.

"Morganson, get the paramedics here."

The woman was shaking and he tried to keep her warm with his body heat as he
spoke softly to her.

"Try to stay calm.  You're safe now.  Can you tell us where to find the man
who did this to you?"

Her words were garbled and difficult to understand as she tried to speak.

"My husband.......He has a knife..........He won't stop............He's
here................Please help me........."

Schanke watched as the woman lost consciousness in his arms.  Laying her
head down, he pulled away and saw that his arms were covered in blood.
Looking away from his arms, he again looked up to the desk officer.

"What are you hearing from the paramedics?  How much longer?"

"A bus collided with a van over on Wellington Street.  There were a lot of
people badly hurt, and everyone was sent there.  They are trying to get
someone here after one of the return trips to the hospital.  Every available
unit is on their way to the crash scene or they are already there."

"Did you tell them we have an emergency here?  She could be bleeding to
death."

"I told them, they know.  But I'll try again Sir."

Nicholas stood behind Schanke, and could hear the woman's heart becoming
fainter.  Reaching down, he put his hand on Schanke's shoulder.

"Let's call Natalie, at least until the paramedics arrive."

With a panicked voice, Schanke twisted around and looked up at Nick.

"Call her Knight!  Call her now!"

Standing up, Schanke looked down on the wounded woman as Nick placed a call
to Natalie.  He rubbed his perspiring forehead, and tried to remember if he
had ever felt more helpless.

Nicholas knew that Natalie couldn't fly, yet she miraculously arrived in
under ten minutes with her medical bag.  Immediately, she took control of
the situation.  Stooping down she lightly felt for pulse on the woman's neck
several times, then lifted one eyelid to check her eyes.  Blood was
everywhere, but she could not find the source.  She needed more information,
and she looked up at all the waiting officers.

"We need to move her off the floor.  Is there somewhere she can lie down and
be examined?"

>From across the room, one of the officer's voice could be heard.

"How about one of the desks?"

Nat nodded, and the officer used his arm to sweep off the top of his desk.
Two officers carefully picked up the unconscious woman, as Schanke ran ahead
and threw his coat over the hard surface.  Natalie followed as the two
officers brought the woman to the new area.

Seeing the pool of blood left on the floor by the woman, caused Nick to turn
away and close his eyes.  Painfully, he pushed away his vampire instincts as
his stomach tightened, longing to taste the scent that captured his senses.
Watching his partner cringe, Schanke shook his head in disbelief.

"Still not used to it Knight?  Well don't go getting soft on me now."

Reopening his eyes, Nick stared at Schanke, as Natalie did what she could to
stop the woman's bleeding.  His partner thought he understood his reaction
to the blood, but in reality he had no concept of how much he had
misinterpreted. It was not repulsion that Schanke thought he saw, it was his
personal struggle to hold back his desires.  What Schanke had witnessed was
the pain of containing the beast.  Determined to overcome his demons, he
gathered his strength and addressed Schanke.

"I'm fine Captain.  I was thinking that I should see if I could locate this
woman's husband.  She seemed to think that he followed her."

Schanke shook his head.

"You have no idea who you're looking for Knight.  I can't see how walking
aimlessly in the dark out there will help anything."

"He may be close, I don't want to lose the trail."

"No Knight, I need you here!  We're too low on manpower."

As they spoke a large man walked in with Captain Cohen pressed firmly
against him.  His arm wrapped around her, while his hand held a blood
stained knife to her throat.  In labored pants, Captain Cohen struggled to
talk.

"Gentlemen.......I believe that your argument is over."

Both Schanke and Nicholas's eyes turned towards the incredible hostage
situation.  A small trickle of blood rolled down Captain Cohen's neck as the
enraged man pulled her into the room and demanded everyone's attention.

"That's right.  Like the lady says, it's over.  Just let me take my wife
home and no one gets hurt."

Angrily, Natalie looked up from the woman she was trying to save, and
furiously called out from across the room.

"She can't be moved!  Your wife is dying!"

The man pulled the knife harder against the Captain's neck causing her to
gasp.  Tears from pain were dripping down Captain Cohen's face as the irate
husband shouted out.

"Another big mouthed woman!  SHUT UP!  How many bitches you got in this
place? Who's in charge here?"

Stepping forward, Schanke calmly tried to reason with the man.

"Listen man.  You really hurt your wife, and she's not leaving until she's
well.  Why don't you calm down and let this woman you're hurting go?  She's
done nothing to you."

Violently, he pulled Cohen closer to him, and pushed deeper with the knife.

"You think I came this far to let this all go?  I'll cut her throat if I
don't leave here with my wife!"

Stepping between Schanke and the crazed husband, Nicholas tried to look into
the man's eyes.  Seriously, he considered an attempt to hypnotize, but
decided against it.  His Captain was also staring at his eyes and it would
be too risky.  Instead he spoke soothingly to him.

"We all want the same thing.  We want your wife to be well enough to walk
out of here.  Put down the knife, and we can work something out."

The desk officer turned around and spoke to Schanke.

"The paramedics just called, they are outside and are waiting for
instructions."

A small cry escaped from Cohen as the man pushed himself forward with her.

"My wife is not going anywhere but with me.  Now move or this bitch is going
to be needing those paramedics."

Schanke moved to be next to Nick, and slipped a piece of paper into his
jacket pocket as he pulled him to the side.

"Knight, this man just wants to be with his wife.  Why don't you go over and
see how she's doing?"

Understanding that Schanke had a plan, Nick quickly moved to where Natalie
was standing while caring for the woman.  Slipping the note from his pocket,
he kept it out of sight but held it in a way that both he and Nat could view
the words.  Quickly, Natalie reached into her medical bag and began to fill
a syringe.  As the husband inched his way towards his wounded wife, he
called out.

"HEY!  What's she doing?"

"I'm a doctor.  I am just getting your wife something to make her more
comfortable."

"She don't look uncomfortable to me.  Don't give her no drugs!"

"Fine."  Nat placed the filled syringe down near Nick.

Stretching to look around his hostage, the man moved to where both Natalie
and Nicholas stood in front of his wife.  Glaring at the two of them, he
spoke in commanding words.

"Now the both of you, move away!  Me and this pretty little girl are going
to get my wife, and then the three of us will be leaving."

Holding Cohen by her hair now, he pushed her towards the desk, but Nicholas
and Natalie did not move.  He squirmed to look around them, and saw that his
wife was unconscious.  Glaring at Nat, he yelled.

"Wake her up!  I'm not carrying that fat pig!"

"I can't.  She lost a lot of blood.  She has several stab wounds, and she's
bleeding internally."

Striking out with his other arm, he swung out and connected with Nat.
Knocking her across the room, he again hollered.

"You bitches think you know everything.  I'll wake her up myself!"

He had barely finished uttering his words as Nick plunged the syringe into
him, and grabbed at the arm holding the knife.  The man's arm snapped under
the pressure of Nick's superior strength, and with the effects from the drug
he slumped to the floor.  Rushing to Natalie, he helped her up as the other
officers ran to Captain Cohen's side.  Although shaken, Cohen's wounds
appeared to be only superficial, but she fell exhaustedly into a chair.
Natalie insisted that she was fine, and began to apply some antiseptic to
Cohen's throat cuts.  Everyone surrounded Cohen, and they were taken by
complete surprise when the shot rang out.  The entire room of officers all
turned their attention to the front of the room where a man stood with his
gun raised in the air.  Slowly and steadily he aimed his weapon at Schanke
who began to walk towards him.  The man was sweating profusely and seemed to
be in much pain.  His skin was deathly white, and he spoke through lips that
were dry and cracked.

"Don't move any closer.  I'm only here for the candlestick.  I followed the
woman who brought it here earlier.  So I know it is here."

Picking up both hands, Schanke showed the gunman that he had no weapons as
he spoke to him.

"Hey man, you don't look too good.  I'm going to give you what you want,
it's not worth dying for.  I just don't want you to hurt anyone by accident
because of how sick you are.  Okay?"

The man shook his head to remove the sweat that was pouring into his eyes
and to stay conscious.  He was in great pain and his vision was failing, but
he answered Schanke.

"Get the candlestick.  Do it NOW!"

"Okay, okay.  I'm walking over to pick it up now."

The man watched as Schanke blew out the candle, and held it up for him to
see.

"Put it back in the bag, and throw it to me."

Removing the small amount of candle that was left, Schanke placed the
candlestick into its pouch.  Moving slowly towards the man, he held out his
hand to the gunman while the rest of the precinct froze in their places.

"Stop!  Stop right there.  I said throw it to me."

Stopping a few meters in front of the man, Schanke tossed the bag so that it
landed short of the gunman.  Reflexively, the gunman grabbed at the bag that
was out of his reach and it fell to the floor.  The distraction was all the
opportunity that Schanke needed to ram him and tackle him to the floor.  The
officers rushed to Schanke, who was already making his way up with the gun
by the time they reached him.

The desk officer finally had a chance to radio to the paramedics, as
collectively all sighed in relief.  As soon as the paramedics entered the
room, the power came back on and Natalie guided the doctors to the hurt
woman. Looking down at the gunman's body in the light, Schanke became
concerned and called Natalie over to look at him.  Natalie moved to where
the gunman lay motionless on the floor, and reached down to locate his
pulse.  After several tries, she stood up and faced Schanke.

"This man is dead."

"Oh come on doctor, I didn't hit him that hard."

"No Schanke, you did not kill him, but I think I know what did.  Give me a
few minutes to gather some samples, and until then, no one and I do mean no
one, comes in or leaves this room."

Curiously, Nick walked over to where Natalie was preparing some samples from
the body, and waited until she finished.  Standing up she directed her voice
to everyone in the room.

"I can not be one hundred percent positive until I look at these samples
under a microscope, but this man has all the symptoms of the man that was
murdered in the alley by the radio station.  This is why I had wanted to be
seen at the morgue tonight.  The man I autopsied would have been dead within
the day had he not been shot, and now this man seems to have the same
problem.  We are looking at an advanced case of Vibrio Cholerae, most call
it Cholera.  We have all been exposed, and must be in isolation.  This
entire area needs to be decontaminated."

Schanke turned to Natalie and asked.

"Nat, how bad is this?  Are we going to die too?"

"No, but we have to not spread it anymore than it already has.  None of us
should get it, it can be prevented.  We need the vaccine, and we need to
know everyone who was at the crime scene or was in contact with either of
these two victims."

With remarkable strength, Cohen walked over to Schanke and patted him on the
shoulder.

"You did one hell of a job here tonight, Captain Schanke."

A shaking but relieved smile tried to force its way out.

"Thanks Captain, but if you don't mind..... can I have my old job back?
Being in charge is not all that it's cracked up to be."

There were plenty of understanding smiles as Schanke glanced around the
room. The biggest smile was on Cohen's face as she cleared her throat to
speak.

"Captain Donald Schanke, with all our gratitude, I officially demote you
back to the rank of detective."

"Thanks Captain.  I guess what they say is true, there's no place like
home."

Feeling tired, Schanke moved to where Nick was talking to Natalie, and
quietly whispered to her.

"Nat, I touched the guy.  Do you think that I could be the first to get that
vaccine?"

"Sure Schanke"

Leaving Schanke and Nicholas to talk, Natalie went to check on the woman's
condition.  Before she got a chance to speak with the paramedics, Captain
Cohen stopped her.

"Dr. Lambert.  What do you suggest that we do now?"

"Well, as soon as I get to a phone, I will have the infectious disease
department drop by with some of the vaccines and some crew to clean this
place up."  She turned to the paramedics.

"How is she?"

"She's lost a lot of blood.  When you call, have them send three units of
'O' negative.  And we need a way to get her into surgery.  They can send a
special van that can move her in isolation to the nearest hospital that is
prepared for such conditions.  But, I think she's going to make it.  She's
young and has a good chance.  You did a good job getting her stabilized
until we got to her."  He pointed to the husband on the floor.  "Should we
do anything with him?"

"No, he is going to sleep for several hours.  I'll vaccinate him, and then
he can be moved to a private holding cell."

After retrieving the velvet bag from the floor, Nick brought it over to
Natalie.

"This is now official evidence."

"I'll have forensics take a look at it, but by this point I doubt we will be
able to get anything off it."

As Natalie went to the telephone to call for the supplies and help she
needed, Nick moved to where Schanke and Captain Cohen were standing.

"Schanke, let's try to find out who is looking for this candlestick and why
it is so important."

When Natalie was done with the phone, she joined the three.

"Well, everything is on the way.  Great plan Schanke to take down that wife
abuser.  Not to mention those great moves while bringing down that gunman.
I think that we should start referring to you as Superman."

Smiling at Nat's comments, Schanke looked over to his partner.

"Hey Nick, I'm sorry about all the grief I gave you.  No man's an island, I
guess I know that now.  I never knew how good I had things.  Who wants all
the glory anyway?  Not me.  We're a team, right?"

Throwing his arm around Schanke's shoulders, Nick smiled.

"The best team around Schank!"

With an exhausted voice, Nat interrupted.

"Listen, I hate to break this up, but after I vaccinate you guys I will be
leaving.  I have a few tests to run at the Morgue before I go home.  But you
will all have to remain here and be disinfected.  And in about twenty four
hours you will need to be rechecked."

Looking confused, Schanke spoke up.

"Hey Nat, how come you get to leave?"

"I knew from the first victim that I was possibly dealing with Cholera, so I
injected myself as a precautionary measure.  And when Nick was over last
night, I injected him too.  So except for the two of us, you should all
consider settling in for a while."

Nicholas discretely glanced over to Nat with a gleam in his eyes.  She had
devised a way to let him leave without it looking too suspicious.  Schanke
turned to Nick.

"You get to leave, you lucky dog."

"Just one of the advantages of personally knowing the doctor."  He picked up
the velvet pouch.  "Don't worry Schank.  I will make good use of the time,
and find out what I can about this."

Within the hour, Natalie had received enough of the vaccine to protect
everyone at the precinct.  She was done there, and she packed up her things
and caught up with Nick as he was about to leave.  Everything took longer
than expected, and it was getting close to sunrise.  Noticing that Nat was
about to leave, Nick waited by the door for her.  Pulling her close for a
moment, he whispered in her ear.

"Thanks for finding a way out for me."

She grinned, "Well I figured you had a natural immunity."

Smiling, they both turned towards the door to leave, but stopped as they
heard Schanke call after them.

"Hey, can either of you see if there are any Souvlaki places that deliver?"

Natalie laughed, "Sure Schanke, I'll see what I can do."

End Part 6
 

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