Hi everyone. Here is another installment in my saga of Nick's re-claiming of his mortality. It can stand alone, but timelinewise, takes place anytime after "Pas de Deux". It is ADULT (mildly so) and full of romance and humor. If this offends you, or you are not the correct age, shame on you! Please leave now.
OK, this one may be a little far-fetched. Nick--a closet Star Wars fan??? Forgive me, but with all the hoopla about Mantom Phenace (sic), I couldn't help it. My sig/ot and I braved the premiere and he dared me to combine N&N, SW and sex. How could I resist? True SW aficionados will easily recognize the parallels. APOLOGIES to Lucas and Co. No intent to infringe, dishonor or slander intended, just good clean fun. And as re: FK, the same applies. Just borrowing the characters.

Permission to archive at JADFE, Mortal Love, Mel's site and the fkfanfic site. All others, let's negotiate. Comments, purple milk, sexy jedi masters, etc.. to pasvee@earthlink.net.

Secrets by Mistress V

Natalie found the note stuck to her organizer. "Nat: Keep the evening of June 21 free for a special date. ILY, Nickxxx." She frowned, thinking. Why was that date familiar? Not their "anniversary", not a birthday, not the departmental physical...Then it hit her. It was the premiere night of the latest installment of the Milky Way Chronicles. "Two Minutes to Midnight: In the Beginning" would debut at 11:58pm on June 21st.

After a 10 year wait for this, the latest in the upstart Australian director Dave Grayson's sci-fi soap, public interest was rabid. And Natalie's was among the greatest. She sighed. How would Nick react knowing she was a Chronicles junkie? For that matter, how could she explain that she couldn't possibly do anything else that night but go to the premiere? Nick would laugh his head off, his view of Hollywood was not the same as hers. Oh dear.

Nick's arrival derailed her train of thought. She accepted a kiss. "Did you get my note?" he asked, giving her a hug.

"Yes. What's up?" she replied, curious.

"Well..." Nick began thoughtfully, "I really wanted to keep it a surprise, but I guess I'll tell you. I'd like to take you to the movies."

"The MOVIES?" Natalie was taken aback. Nick and live cinema was still an experimental equation, at best. He looked boyish, eyes sparkling.

"Yes, Nat," he said excitedly, "I'd like you to accompany me to the premiere of 'Two Minutes to Midnight'." Natalie gasped. "Nat, what is it? Nick looked concerned. "I've been waiting 6 years to ask you for this date!"

"No, Nick," Natalie assured him, "I'd LOVE to go! Let's discuss it tonight, I have to finish these reports."

Nick kissed her, a little suggestively. "OK, I'll cook, you bring dessert...and "dessert". "

***

"So," Natalie said as they ate. "You've been looking forward to this movielike all the other mortals, eh?" She finished her pasta alla carbonara, amazed at how quickly Nick had adapted to cooking--and cooking well.

Nick grinned. "I've wanted to see it AS a mortal for years. Now I finally can." Since Nick's re-discovery of his mortality, Natalie was constantly surprised at how the simplest of things brought him so much pleasure. He took her hands.

"Nat, I used to watch all those mortal couples going to the Trilogy films, and I realized I wanted to go, too...with a date, sit there, eat popcorn, put my arm around her at the scary parts, you know. Teenage stuff."

Natalie smiled. "But surely you could have?" Nick shook his head. "The community doesn't like to mingle with mortals on so large a scale. We had screening parties, and it was fun, but no one got into it very much. Vampires can be terribly blase' about mortal things. That's why I want to see this film with you--we can enjoy it together." Natalie was taken aback. Something she took for granted, going to the movies. No wonder he enjoyed their video evenings so much. He'd been practicing.

"So, did you like the Trilogy, then?" she ventured.

"Oh MAN," Nick enthused, "I was the ultimate fan. I have all the final edition videos and a ton of merchandise. I'm almost ashamed to say this, but I'm sort of a walking encyclopedia on the subject."

"REALLY?" Natalie eyed him, amused. "Name the 5th planet of the Ritian system." "Mahmatt." Nick didn't even think before replying. He looked back at her.

"OK, how many galactic defenders are left?"

"Six. Scattered across the Telerrian system." Natalie's reply was just as quick. Their eyes locked.

"Nick, meet the former president of the Chronicles Club from my college dorm." The secret was out. Nicholas du Brabant Knight, crusader, nobleman, detective and former vampire, and Natalie Lambert, ME for Toronto, were both Chronicles nerds.

***

Nick rummaged through his closets until he found a large box marked "Chronicles." In it was everything imaginable. Videos, action figures, books, you name it. Natalie was more than a little impressed, even though she had a similar box back at her place.

"Look, Nat! My Chronicles Ultimate Trivia Game! Fancy a go?" Nick smiled innocently, but she knew better.

"OK. What're the stakes?" she asked. Nick looked hurt.

"Stakes? Gambling?"

"Well," she smiled mischievously, "we have to make it a LITTLE interesting. I say $20..." Nick shrugged. Money was no object. "Or....20 centimeters. Are you game?"

Nick actually blushed. "Strip trivia?" he asked in a small voice.

"Exactly." Natalie moved to set up the board. This WAS going to be an interesting night.

***

A few hours later, the score was tied at two games each and both players were down to their underpants. Natalie couldn't believe she was playing half-naked. Part of her desperately wanted to grab Nick's shirt and cover herself, but, as her reputation as a Chronicles fan was at stake, she declined. It was all down to the final question. Natalie drew the card and grinned. A toughie. This one could cost Nick the game.

"Name the village that Mithoo the Evil destroyed in his quest for Commander Merkon." Nick frowned. Natalie could almost here his brain circuits frying. "Nick?"

He finally shrugged, admitting defeat. "Game," he sighed resignedly. Natalie kissed him.

"Hey, it was a hard question. Really." Nick was heading into a sulk. Unless she moved quickly, he would remain there on purpose, just for spite. "OK, Mister, roll over. Time to pay up," Natalie said matter-of-factly. Nick obliged. At least he wasn't TOO sulky yet. Natalie shucked off his boxers and took his shaft in hand, feeling him grow harder and longer in her grasp.

"Do I measure up?" he asked softly. Natalie smiled.

"Oh yes, Mr.. Knight," she told him before giving the head of his cock a soft lick. Nick moaned. "Quiet, Knight," she said, "the lady demands satisfaction."

"And so she shall have it," he replied, rolling over to kiss her.

***

"I can't believe it!" Nick said to Natalie the day before the premiere. They were watching the Trilogy one last time. "Reese actually told us we couldn't take any time off for the film. He said it was unprofessional to have half the force at a movie."

"Well, how are you getting out of this one?" Natalie asked, feeding him some more popcorn. "Ha. I applied for this day off months ago. I'm fine. Besides, Reese said he had some family hoop-de-do this weekend, so he probably won't be around to notice. Windbag..." he finished.

"Good," Natalie gave him a kiss. "I want to be in the balcony with you tomorrow night..."

***

The premiere brought out the best and worst of Toronto. Celebrities and scifi freakazoids, politicians and mobsters, plus everyday citizens filled the theatre to capacity. Everyone who was anyone was there. Nick had dug out his old "Be Still and Know" button, and Natalie sported her vintage Kizhu ears, but they were still astonished at the parade of Chronicles-perfect costumes in attendance. Every prop house in Ontario must have been raided. The film was every bit as good as expected. Nick and Natalie watched, entranced, arms around each other. The 2 hours sped by, yet seemed to last blissfully forever. The images flew past until the movie came to its dramatic end.

"Wow," Nick sighed as they began the exodus through the lobby. "What a magical event." He kissed Natalie. "Thank you for being here with me," he told her.

Natalie kissed him back. "I wouldn't have missed it, Nick."

"Look, Nat---" Nick pointed to an adolescent couple ahead of them. "Isn't that Amy?" Natalie looked over. Amy and Sara were in town for two weeks; they'd all had dinner a few nights before.

"Yes, it is!" she said. "Who's she with? A guy? Sara will have a fit!" Nick guided them swiftly behind the couple. His hearing, still somewhat vampiric, had picked up an interesting conversation.

"And could you BELIEVE that OLD couple next to us?" Amy was telling her escort. "Making OUT! GROOOOOSSS!"

The young man snickered. "Yeah. Grownups shouldn't do that, it's disgusting."

Amy laughed. "Tell that to my Aunt Natalie. When she and that detective boyfriend get near each other, she sucks his face right off." She made a loud slurping noise.

Nick and Natalie eyed each other, trying not to laugh. "Hello, Amy," Natalie greeted her niece.

"Aunt-Aunt NATALIE!" Amy whirled around.

"Who's your friend?" Natalie indicated the now-mortified young man, coolly.

"Jeff Schanke! What are YOU doing here?" The surprised voice of Don Schanke was heard. Nick turned to find his partner standing next to them. He was in the company of perhaps half a dozen of his bowling cronies, and all of them wore faded, too-tight Chronicles t-shirts.

"Er, hi, Dad, aren't you bowling tonight?" Jeff Schanke looked at his trainers.

"Don't hi Dad me," Schanke said. "It's past 2am! Does your mother know you're here?"

"Scheez, Dad..." At that moment, Myra and Jenny Schanke appeared.

"The gang's all here," Nick whispered to Natalie. Schanke's eyes grew very wide. "Myra? Whaaa---?"

"Don, relax," she assured him. "The kids are with me, it's my treat. You didn't think you were the only Chronicles fan in the house, did you?" She laughed as she led the entourage away. Scahnke still was rooted to the spot, mouth dropped open.

"Hey guys!" Tracey and Vachon joined the group. "Who's minding the store?"

"My question exactly!" Reese's voice cut in. "Well, well," he said sarcastically. "Toronto's finest at work. And after I specifically said no leaves granted this evening. How does this look? More than half the precinct is here! Who's guarding Toronto?"

"You're here, too," Tracey ventured, indicating Reese's children.

"Vetter, I'm warning you..." Reese began. "HI, DAD!" Tracey yelled. They all turned to look as Commissioner Vetter, surrounded by the media, saw his daughter and waved. Never one to miss an opportunity for good press, he hurried over, reporters in tow, and gave Tracey a press-prefect kiss.

"Hello, honey," he said smoothly. "Ladies and gentlemen, as I was saying, the premiere was in good hands. Here are some of the 96th precinct's best, making sure nothing went wrong. We all had a good time, thanks to Captain Reese and his staff." Reese puffed himself up for the cameras. As the interview ended, he and the Commissioner wandered off, discussing police matters.

"Whew." Nick sighed. Schanke finally snapped out of his stupor. "Nicky boy---what are YOU doing here?" he asked.

"Same as all of us," Nick said. "Enjoying 'Two Minutes to Midnight'!"

***

"So, Detective Knight," Natalie asked him, "do you have any other secrets?" They were snuggled together, watching Commissioner Vetter's interview on the early morning news.

"I'm a pretty mean disco dancer," Nick admitted. "S'pose I find my white suit and we hit Club Brick House some weekend?"

"Cool!" Natalie said. "I think I have a spandex dress somewhere..."

"Look at Vachon," Nick pointed at the TV. "What a poser! And Reese!"

Natalie found something to play with. "Hey, Nick, how about a rematch? I'll let you win this time.."

Nick kissed her soundly. "OK, but as far as I'm concerned, I've already won..."