Yep, another birthday story. They give me the situation and I take it from there. This is my first try writing a story based on song lyrics but that's what Jody wanted and it was HER birthday <G>
 

WARNINGS: Explicit Sex (M/F) (Nick/Natalie)

ARCHIVE PERMISSION: Permission to archive to  Mel's FKFanfic Archive, Mortal Love Archive, and JADFE Archive IS GRANTED. All others must ask permission.

DISCLAIMERS: The Forever Knight characters belong to Columbia Tri/Star. No copyright infringement is intended.  This story and all other characters are copyrighted by me.

All Comments may be sent to : clonstar@swbell.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com
 

Love's Flame (1/2)
(Jody's birthday story)
by Nightlady
(c) 1998
 

<Another night slowly closes in and I feel so lonely>
<Touching heat freezing on my skin I pretend you still hold me>
<I'm going crazy I'm losing sleep I'm in too far>
<I'm in way too deep over you>
<I can't believe you're gone You were the first You'll be the last>

Nick stood in the street looking at the dimly lighted windows of Nat's apartment. Shame filled him. Just over a week ago, he'd lost control of the beast. He'd managed to flee before he'd harmed her, but he'd been unable to bring himself to face her since then. He'd called in to work and arranged
an indefinite leave of absence, he had more than enough vacation and personal time accrued to be able to do so.  Despairing, he'd grabbed several bottles from the fridge, then turned off both the phone ringer and the answering machine, unable to bear having to speak to anyone or to chance hearing her voice. During the week of torment, he tried to convince himself that the best thing he could do, would be to move on. A part of him, however, tortured his heart with the memory of how right and good Nat had felt in his arms. The sweetness of her mouth on his and the remembered
scent that was uniquely hers filled not only his waking thoughts but his dreams as well. He had to see her even though he feared again losing control. He craved her. The man craved the heat of her skin against his cold body, her strength for his weakness and her faith in his humanity. The beast craved her blood and the possession of her soul. Nick craved all that Nat was, and he could no longer stay away.

In a moment he was outside her bedroom window, listening carefully, and relieved to hear only one human heartbeat emanating from within. Quietly, he opened the French doors and stepped inside. A glance showed him that she was not in the bed and he moved silently to the doorway. 'I'll just look at
her and leave.' He silently promised himself. 'She'll never know that I've been here.' As he moved slowly down the hall following the sound of her heartbeat, he suddenly froze as he heard his name.
 
 

<Wherever you go I'll be with you>
<Whatever you want I'll give it to you>
<Whenever you need someone; To lay your heart and head upon>
<Remember after the fire; After all the rain>
<I will be the flame I will be the flame>

Cautiously, he approached the living room. At first he didn't see her, then he realized that she was asleep on the couch. Even as he watched her, she again murmured his name, her voice soft and pleading. Nick didn't realize that he had moved until he found himself kneeling beside the couch. With a gentle touch he brushed strands of her hair from her face. He drank in every detail of her sleep soften features wanting to be able to hold them in his memory forever. It was then that he noticed the tears running slowly down the smooth curve of her cheek. He reached out and softly caressed her
cheek. "Oh, Nat. I never meant to hurt you or cause you pain." He whispered. "I love you so much."
 

<Watching shadows move across the wall Feels so fright'ning>
<I wanna run to you I wanna call But I've been hit by lightning>
<Just can't stand up for falling apart>
<Can't see through this veil across my heart over you>
<You'll always be the one You were the first You'll be the last>
 

The past week had been the worst in Nat's life. The memory of Nick's cool flesh against hers was still vivid. When, after a kiss that had taken her breath away, she'd opened her eyes and looked into his golden ones she'd known that her very life might be hanging by a thread. To her surprise this
wasn't frightening. She had faith that Nick wouldn't hurt her. She trusted his ability to control the beast enough to stop before he drained her to a point where the only options would be to let her die or bring her across.

When he'd abruptly pushed her away and fled, she'd called out after him pleading with him to stay and then collapsed in tears. Her love for him was so strong as to almost be tangible. At last, she'd phoned him but the phone rang unanswered. It wasn't until the next night, when she'd learned from
Schanke that Nick had called in and arranged for an indefinite leave of absence, that fear had entered her heart.  Repeated calls to the loft produced only the ringing of the phone, and Nat grew more upset with every passing hour. After work, she'd driven over to Nick's, the faint light of the dawn showing her the closed window shutters. She started for the door, then hesitated. If Nick were there, he had chosen to be alone and she felt that she had to allow him some time to compose himself. If he weren't there, if he'd moved on Nat was not sure she was ready to face that possibility. She'd driven back to her apartment, hoping there would be a message on her machine from Nick and, when there was not, cried herself to sleep.

The rest of the week had been spent in anguish. She'd gone over to the loft several times but could not bring herself to actually go up. She was certain that if she did and found it had been abandoned, she would not survive the pain.  She didn't sleep much, only a few fitful hours each day when exhaustion finally overtook her. Tonight, she'd called in sick, unable to make the effort to appear normal.

She was in a vast field, ahead of her stood Nick. Joyfully crying his name she ran toward him, but no matter how fast she tried to run she was unable to get closer to him.  She could see his face clearly and the need and pain on it tore at her heart. Again and again she called to him. At last the distance between them closed and they were face to face.  She could feel the soft, cool touch of his hand on her face. Tears streaming from her eyes she murmured his name. "Oh, Nat. I never meant to hurt you or cause you pain," she heard him whisper, "I love you so much." She opened her eyes and found Nick's crystal blue ones looking down at her. In silence she looked at him and then raised her arms to him, praying that he'd not vanish.
 

<I'm going crazy I'm losing sleep I'm in way too deep over you>
<You'll always be the one You were the first You'll be the last>
 

End Part 1
 

Love's Flame (2/2)

Nick found himself drowning in the love that shone from Nat's eyes. As she reached out to him, he gathered her into his arms with a sob. Holding her tightly, his hands tangled in her luxuriant curls, the warmth of her body soothing the ache in his soul, he pressed her against his chest. He felt her arms encircle him tighten. He lay his cheek against the top of her head eyes closed as he breathed deeply of her scent. He could feel the warm wetness of her tears on his shirt. "Nat, I'm so sorry. Forgive me. I can't exist with out you."  He murmured against her hair.

Nat could hardly believe that this was real. She wrapped her arms about Nick, need to feel the solidity of his body. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she felt him holding her as if he'd never release her. She felt at peace for the first time in a week. Wanting to see his face, she pulled back slightly and lifted her head.

Nick looked at the joy that he could see in Nat's face as she raised it to him. He felt his need for her suddenly burst into passion. Cupping the back of her head in his hand he looked deeply into her eyes asking for and seeing that he had not only her love, but also her complete trust. "I love you, Nat. I want to make love to you, but you have to be aware of all the risks." He said.

Nat felt a soothing warmth blossom in her chest. "I know the risks. You might take to much and then I'd either die or you'd have to bring me across." She answered. When Nick nodded, she could see the pain that the possibility of either of those events caused him. Running her hand behind his neck, she pulled his head down until their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. "I believe that you will be able to stop before that," she told him, "but if you cannot, then bring me across." She smiled and lay her head on his shoulder. " I love you, too. I cannot think of anything I would like more than to spend eternity in your arms."  She met his eyes again and saw his answering love.

Nick gazed at Nat, his love and his desire for her making his breath ragged. He crushed her against him, his mouth on hers and kissed her deeply. He felt her lips part beneath his and plunged his tongue into her waiting, welcoming mouth. He ran it slowly along her teeth, the caressed her tongue and drew it into his mouth. Shudders of pleasure ran through his body as Nat explored his mouth fondling his sensitive canines. Even as he fought to keep the beast down, he felt his fangs drop. He needed her, the man ached to feel her soft skin and to plunge his already hard cock into her deepest recesses. The vampire ached to taste the sweetness of her skin and the elixir of her blood. Moaning with desire, Nick lifted Nat and carried her to the bedroom. There he placed her on her feet and lifted the t-shirt she was wearing over her head. He kissed her again as his hands undid the clasp of her bra, freeing the soft mounds of her breasts.

Nat shivered slightly from anticipation as Nick removed her clothing. Her own hands found the buttons of his shirt and swiftly undid them. Running her hands along the firm muscles of his chest she eased the shirt off, letting it join her clothes on the floor. She leaned into him, the coolness of his skin causing her nipples to become erect. As she thrust her tongue deep in his mouth, she felt him turn her slightly so that her back was facing the bed. She gasped as she felt his cool hands move down her sides and then slide into the waistband of her shorts and the lacy bikini underpants she had on. His hands caressed her as they worked the garments over her hips to pool around her ankles. Nick's hands squeeze her ass, pressing her now nude mound against the hard bulge in his trousers.

Nick heard Nat's moan of delight as she ground her pelvis against him. His cock throbbed, seeking release from the constriction of his clothing. He felt Nat's delicate hands undoing the waistband and then the zipper of his trousers. As they dropped down around his feet, his hard penis strained
beneath his underwear, pushing it outward. Again he felt the heat of Nat's hands, carefully working the briefs over his hips. Nick sighed as his manhood was at last released and then he pulled Nat tightly against him.  The warmth of her body against the cold hardness of his cock was ecstasy
and made him even more eager to feel her warm vagina enclosing him.

Nat's eyes widened as she saw the size of Nick's penis. She'd known that he was well endowed but she had to admit to being impressed. The sight was enough to make her become moist as she imagined how good it would feel to have him deep within her, filling her completely.

Nick stepped out of the loafers he was wearing, and then extracted his legs from his lower clothing. That done he eased Nat to a sitting position on the bed and knelt to remove her sandals, shorts and underwear. Still kneeling he leaned forward, kissing and licking his way from her knees to the soft, creamy skin of her inner thighs.  His tongue darted briefly forward to caress her sex and taste the sweet juices of her excitement.

Nat gasped as Nick's tongue made it's way into her innermost folds. When he continued to move upward toward her belly, she made a small moue of protest. Nick smiled up at her and rose, lifting her legs to the bed.

Once Nat on the bed, he lay down beside her. Raising on one elbow, Nick leaned over and softly began to kiss her eyes, cheeks and finally reclaimed her mouth. His hands moved slowly down her arms, then back up along the inside of them. While he nuzzled the softness of her throat, sucking
lightly at the spot where her blood flowed closest to the surface, his hands trace light patterns along her sides, her hips and the tops of her legs. He could hear the increase in her heart beat and felt the subtle tension that was building throughout her body. Unhurried, he moved from her neck to the fullness of her breasts. He licked one in ever decreasing circles until his tongue found and played with the firm nub of its nipple.  Taking the nipple in his mouth, he sucked on it. At the same time one of
his hands kneaded the other breast, pulling and gently twisted the nipple of it. He felt Nat as she arched upward against him, her breath ragged with the pleasure she felt. His other hand slid between her legs, and he found the moist opening in which he would soon sheath his eager manhood.  Moistening his fingers, he found the core of her sensitivity and began to rub and stroke it.

Nat could feel her entire body shudder at the waves of delightful sensation that Nick's actions produced. She moved her hips against his fingers, seeking the ultimate bliss she knew awaited her.  Between the intense waves from her core and the incredible feelings that Nick's suckling and playing
with her breast were giving her she soon found herself swept on a tide of sexual gratification. She cried out as she neared orgasm and then moaned in frustration as Nick stopped just short of her achieving release. She writhed beneath him, trying desperately to come. Her moan of frustration
turned to a gasp of pure satisfaction as she felt Nick ease his body between her legs.

Nick felt Nat's hand enclose his organ and guide him to her opening. His desire was raging. The man aching for the physical satisfactions of burying his aching cock within the very center of the woman he loved and the vampire craving her very life's blood and possession of her soul. Unable to resist, he entered her with a slow, steady thrust. Her tight warmth nearly pushed him over the edge and once fully inside her, he stayed unmoving until he could regain control. He wanted to be sure that Nat was fully satiated, too.

Nat could feel every inch of Nick's cock as he entered her. She met his thrust with her own, and felt her rise to bliss began again. She loved the moment of stillness that followed his entry. She could feel her entire core filled with his hardness and she moaned aloud at the pure pleasure of it.  At last she felt Nick begin to move, slowly withdrawing almost all the way then once again plunging back into her. She wrapped her legs around him and met each thrust with her own. Looking up at Nick, the light from the hallway making his hair gleam like gold, Nat was struck by the look of total pleasure on his face. She could see the glint of his gold colored eyes through his half-closed lids and the white glistening of his fangs. As she gazed, she felt a love for him so overwhelming in its intensity that she gasped. She knew at that moment that no matter what happened in the next few minutes, this was worth any risk or cost. All other thoughts were vanquished as her orgasm washed over her in a shuddering wave of delight.

Nick felt Nat's body moving in time with his own. She seemed to caress his cock, tightening as he withdrew, opening to his return. The sensations carried him closer and closer to his ultimate release. When he heard gasp and then felt her contracting around him in orgasm, the beast demanded its
due. With a sound between a moan and a growl, he plunged his fangs deep into the pulsing artery in her throat. Her blood gushed into his mouth, triggering his own physical release and the beast gloated as it feed not only on the physical nourishment, but the psychic nourishment as well. The gloating quickly faded as the beast found the one thing that it could not destroy, a love so pure, fearless and deep that it burned like the sun on the brightest of days. The heat of Nat's love forced the beast into retreat in a way that the man could never achieve. In only a few moments, Nick was able to withdraw his fangs from her neck and to his relief the strong steady beat of Nat's heart sounded in his ears.

As she basked in the warmth of her orgasm, Nat felt the sharp sting of Nick's fangs in her throat. Her senses reeled from the onslaught of emotions she suddenly received from him. All the years of anguish, pain, despair and self-loathing and then the last few years of renewed hope, dreams, and his love for her were almost instantly a part of her soul now, too. She met them with the only weapon she had against the beast; her trust in Nick, her faith in Nick, and most of all, her love for Nick. She felt the beast withdraw and the tender love of the man gain ascendancy. For the second time that night, she opened her eyes to find his blue ones gazing at her. As he slid his weight from on top of her, she smiled and reached for him. With soft tenderness they held one another, their hearts and souls, forever one.
 

<Wherever you go I'll be with you>
<Whatever you want I'll give it to you>
<Whenever you need someone To lay your heart and head upon>
<Remember after the fire After all the rain>
<I will be the flame I will be the flame>
 

The End.