Subject: 98-FAMILY1--UnblessedEvents-pg


(Unblessed Events is the first story of a trilogy.  the first and
second stories will be posted in close proximity to each other, and
the third will follow soon, just not quite as close together.  Each
one should be able to stand on it's own, but they really are intended
to fit together  -  Micki)
----

I had this story around (in it's original form) for quite some time before
I actually figured out how to upload it to my server, after geting net
access.  It was originally written during the last half of January, '96,
about 2 - 3 weeks before "The Human Factor" aired.  The original was more
like an outline, and the expanding of it to a more readable story format
was begun mid-November '97, almost 2 years later.

Permission for Mel or Cynthia to archive.  Anyone else too, but please
let me know.
(98/07/19 ADDENDUM: any T+Vpacker or DP may also archive.)

Much thanks and hugs to Janis for her assistance.  I tend to
over-comma, so she had what must have been an annoying task in her
beta reading!  Hugs to you, Janis!

This story assumes that:
    1)  Tracy's only personal knowledge of vampires is Vachon and Screed.
    2)  Natalie knows about the rest of the community including Vachon.
    3)  For some reason Tracy is beginning to suspect that Natalie may
        have some knowledge of Vachon and what he is.
(Personally I figure sometime Vachon might have mentioned something about
that doctor friend of her parners helping (insert name here), and that
Tracy recognizes the name as a vampire, then starts thinking that if he
knows Nat and Nat helped a vampire somehow, maybe she knows Vachon is
one.)  But how or why she thinks Nat might know something isn't really
important for this story, it's just background.  So on with the story...

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                     FAMILY 1: Unblessed Events
                     by "Micki" Lynn McCormick

This story is both a T+V & N+N story. And as we all know, they aren't
mine - wish they were though!

************************************************************************

It had been a busy night for Natalie at the morgue.  She had actually
hoped there might me a new case for her, just so she might have a chance
to see Nick and Tracy.  The first thing she had faced was doing a second
autopsy on an exhumed body, because the insurance company hoped that foul
play might be involved and wouldn't have to pay out.  She had thought at
the time ~fine, buddy - have your suspicions.  But at least have the
second autopsy done closer to the time the first one was.  Not only does
it make it harder to do after they've been in the ground a little while,
but think of the poor family!~

Then when she had finally gotten that finished, she thought she might get
a chance to slip out and go over to drop off some reports at the precinct,
and hopefully get to see Nick there.  She'd just put her jacket on and was
picking up the reports to take over, when her supervisor stopped in and
asked her where she was going.

"Over to the precinct to drop off some paperwork."  Natalie swung her
purse onto her shoulder and pulled her keys from her pocket.

"Not when we've got so much to do around here," was his reply.  Natalie
just looked at him blankly, then after a moment she told him she had no
more new patients. Her old cases were either completed or waiting for
results on toxicology and out of her hands, so she had nothing to do.  He
dropped the original of an internal memo into her hands and said, "I guess
you didn't get this.  At least now I know why there's been nothing done
with the room.  Let the department send someone for those if they need
them right away.  You need to get ready here."  He left and Natalie read
over the memo.  It was the painting schedule for the different areas of
the coroners building.  She looked at the date and time her area was
set for. ~Oh great!  First frippin' thing in the morning!  Well, at least
the smell of fresh paint shouldn't be too bad by the time I come in
tomorrow night... I hope~, and she had spent the remainder of her shift
moving everything into the middle of the room while still keeping
everything useable in case she did get a new case.  She hadn't.  The
last thing she had done before leaving had been to make sure the plastic
was covering everything that she'd placed in the center.  She didn't
think her boss would appreciate it if he saw even a tiny paint spot on
her computer, desk, or chair.

When she had gotten home, she'd showered and fallen into bed, practically
asleep before her head hit the pillow, and she began dreaming.

She was trying to examine the body of a young man who was covered in all
kinds of paint spatters because the paint tarp had fallen aside, and the
painters had splashed paint on him.  Part of her mind knew this was just a
dream - if she'd had a patient he'd be in cold storage, NOT left on a
table with a painters tarp over him, but most of her mind was living the
dream.  Because everything had been moved together, the body was between
her and the phone, and the painters weren't letting her move past them to
answer it when it rang <when did they appear?>.  On the 2nd ring, the body
reached over and picked it up, handing it to her.

Natalie grogily reached for the phone, somewhat glad it had roused her
from her weird dreams. "Hello?" she answered sleepily.  "Oh, hi Tracy.
This is a surprise.  What's the matter?... Oh, okay.  I'll meet you there
in about half an hour, maybe 45 minutes..  Are you Okay?... Okay, good.
Umm, yeah, I'll see you then... Bye."

As Natalie dressed and otherwise prepared to go meet her young friend, she
wondered idly what was the matter.  ~She can't lie worth beans.  I wonder
what her problem is.~  Natalie sighed and pulled a lacy blouse over her
camisole.  ~I might as well wear this.  It's pretty and delicate without
looking sexy, but I still can't wear it to work.  Anytime Nick and I do
anything it's usually after work, so I never get to wear it anywhere.~

She grabbed her car keys and purse and headed out.

*******************************************************************

Tracy and Natalie sat in the coffee shop facing each other over
coffees.  Tracy's eyes showed that she had been crying, a lot.
"Well, umm, I don't know where to go.  I've got a problem, and I'm
lost.  I can't go to my dad with this, or Vachon, and Nick just
wouldn't believe me."  Tracy sighed and sniffled.  "I don't even
know if you will or not."

At the mention of Nick and Vachon in the same sentence, and with
Tracy being so upset, Natalie suggested "Maybe let's go sit in my
car and talk.  It'd be a little more private."

After getting their coffees poured into take-out cups and picking up a
small box of assorted donut holes, they went out to the street and
climbed into Natalie's Saturn.  Settling down in it, Tracy continued, "I
think maybe you know about Vachon, right? I mean, his, umm, I suppose
'dietary habits' would be as good a way to put it as any."  Natalie knew
what she meant, of course, but thought it best not to say too much at this
point, so nodded and waited for Tracy to continue. "You're a doctor.
You've got to be in order to be a coroner.  I know I don't really know you
other than from work and knowing you guys are friends, but I figured if
Nick trusts you then you've got to be a good person, so that's why I've
come to you."

Tracy sat quietly for a few moments, trying unsuccessfully to blink
back tears from her swollen eyes as she sipped at her coffee.  Natalie
reached over and took her hand and said softly, "I know what you're saying
about Vachon, but I don't know where you're going with it.  I can't help
unless I know what the problem is."  She just sat quietly then, rubbing
Tracy's arm until she was ready to continue.

Tracy took a DEEP breath, "Natalie, I think I'm pregnant, and it could
only be Vachon's, but he would probably think I was lying to him if I told
him that, because he says that can't happen!"  Tracy burst into tears,
sobbing like a child.  Natalie reached over and took Tracy's paper cup
from her shaking hand, then pulled Tracy close, letting the younger woman
cry on her shoulder.

After a few minutes, Tracy sat back and sniffed.  "I shouldn't be talking
to you about this.  I'm probably putting you in danger.  I should go."
She picked up her nearly empty paper cup and swallowed the last mouthful.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you, Nat."

As Tracy reached for the door, Natalie locked it from the drivers side
switch.  "Look, Trace.  I already know about Vachon and what he is.  I'm
not in any further danger from the community from your having told me.
But I do have a question..."  When Tracy nodded, Natalie looked her
straight in the eye and asked "HOW!?"

Tracy sniffled between sobs, and Natalie handed her a tissue. "He'd
just fed.  A LOT.  So he wasn't really tempted to take too much from me."

"Look Trace, you're coming over to my place today.  We're going to stop
and pick up a few things on the way, but I want you to be where I know you
aren't alone."  Natalie started the car.  "Now, have you had any kind of a
test, or do you just think you might be?"

Tracy told why she thought she was but then added, "No.  I haven't had a
test.  I wanted to go for one but I was afraid that my dad would get hold
of my medical records somehow, and I don't want him to know."

Natalie changed the topic as they drove, since there was nothing further
to be done in the car.  By the time they got to the pharmacy Tracy was
actually laughing, at the antics of a toddler on a baby leash no less.
"So are you going to come in with me, or do you want to wait out here,
Trace?"

"How long will you be, Natalie?"

"Not long.  It's not like waiting for a prescription or anything."

"I'll stay here."  Tracy seemed to be sniffling again.

After buying what she needed, Natalie headed out to the car.  Tracy wasn't
crying now, but she wasn't talkative at all either.  They drove back to
Natalie's apartment in silence.  Natalie was deep in thought as she drove.
She considered the possibilities but put it out of her mind when she
realized that it would be counterproductive for Nick to feed -that-
much.

************************************************************************

Tracy lay sleeping on Natalie's sofa as the sun went down.  15 minutes
later Natalie answered a soft knock at her door.  "Hi Nat," Nick said,
then kissed her forehead, "I got your message when I woke up, so came
right over.  What's wrong with Tracy?"

Natalie closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she did so, before
speaking.  "I can't tell you Nick, not yet anyway.  But I've got to tell
Tracy about you in order to get her to allow me to tell you her problem,
and I need your help. So please, let me tell her?" Nick frowned but
before he could say anything Nat continued, "I know why you haven't told
her before, but Nick, you've got to trust me on this.  I need your help in
order to help her, you can't help unless you know her problem, and she
won't tell you or let me tell you unless she knows about -your- secret.
And she's in danger, or will be, if we can't help her."  She looked up
into Nick's face. "Please Nick, trust me on this."  Nick slowly nodded
then followed Natalie into her living room, where Tracy was beginning
to stir from a restless sleep.

"Tracy... You awake?"  Natalie asked as she patted Tracy's cheek.

"What's Nick doing here?" she sleepily asked, then added "You haven't told
him, have you?", her eyes growing huge and her cheeks suddenly flushed as
she became fully awake.  She sat up on the sofa and pulled the quilt up
practically to her chin.

"No Trace, I haven't.  But Nick has something to tell you.  Would you
like a cup of tea, either of you?"  Tracy nodded, and Nick said nothing,
so Natalie made two cups, one for herself and Tracy.  After she returned,
she sat down beside Tracy while Nick spoke.  He had seemed to wait for
her return from the kitchen before starting.

"Tracy... I'm not really certain how to tell you this."  Nick sat
fidgeting until Natalie put her arm around his and pulled him close.

"Just tell her and get it over with, Nick.  That's the best way.  Or I
can tell her if you prefer."  Natalie squeezed Nick's arm and smiled at
first Nick, then Tracy.

"Ok Nat.  I shouldn't be doing this.  I really shouldn't."  Nick took a
long breath then slowly let it out.  "You've never seen me eat, have you?
And you know about my allergy to the sunlight.  Does that sound familiar
to you at all?"  He watched as Tracy shifted and shrugged.  "I'm a
vampire, Tracy.  I don't kill anyone anymore, but I used to.  I drink
cow blood now, as I have for about a century."  Nick paused and looked at
Tracy.  "I'm the same as what your friend Vachon is..."

After he finished, Tracy just laughed.  Then she smiled and said, "You
know, I'm really NOT surprised.  I've kinda wondered about that sometimes,
despite your attempts to make me think otherwise.  Mostly I thought if I
were to tell you, which I wouldn't have, but if I had, I mostly figured you
wouldn't believe me.  But sometimes I kinda wondered if you were and just
really good at hiding it.  But why are you telling -me- this? And why
now?"

Natalie spoke up then.  "I asked him to tell you, because I need his help
to help you. I figured you'd be more agreeable to Nick's help if you knew
he'd understand."

Tracy sat for a few minutes, staring blankly into space, somewhere beyond
Nick's head.  She sighed and took a sip of her cooling tea.  Then she
stated, somewhat hollowly, "Oh. Yeah. I guess that's okay."  She sighed
again, then went on "I know it's not supposed to be possible, Nick, but
I'm pregnant - Nat did a test this morning to confirm it - and it could
only be Vachon's.  He doesn't know yet.  So now what do I do?"

This time the silent blank expression belonged to Nick.

Natalie spoke first.  "I think you've got the same choices as anyone else
would have, just with a few more factors to consider in your decision.
If you choose to keep it, there's a possibility that it could be born with
the same condition as it's father, and I don't know what effect that would
have on a LIVING baby.  You could abort, or you can wait til a little
further along, not too much mind you, and decide then.  That's what I'd
suggest, and we can do tests on you and the baby to monitor your
conditions and see what we can determine.  Also on Vachon if he'll allow
it, to find out -why- this happened when it shouldn't have been possible."

Natalie knew they both had that night and the next off, so she decided to
call in sick, as she still didn't think that Tracy should be alone.

Later, as the 3 of them sat watching a movie, the women decided to order a
pizza.  Then, as they were waiting for it to be delivered, Tracy turned to
Nick, asking, "Nick... would you be able to talk to Vachon for me? I don't
think he'll believe me if I tell him.  I don't.  I don't think I can face
telling him either.  Please?"

Natalie thought to herself <right now she sounds more like a young teen
than the 25 or so years she is...  but then it's not everyday you find out
you're pregnant from a vampire.>  Natalie looked over at Nick and nodded
very subtly.

"Sure Trace."  He stood up to go.  "I'll go now, and I'll see you girls
later."  He looked at Nat and smiled, before leaning over and giving each
of them a hug.  Normally he just wasn't a particularly hugging sort.  Oh,
Natalie was the exception, as had been Janette in the past.  But anyone
else - no... Of course he knew how scared Tracy was feeling right now.  He
didn't think you had to have heightened vampiric senses to feel her fears,
and he knew she needed that comfort.  Just as he was about to leave, the
pizza arrived.  He looked at them and winked.  "Perfect timing or what?"

Natalie got up to get the pizza, and she and Nick stood talking quietly in
the kitchen for a few more minutes before he left.

As Nick watched her pulling out plates and napkins, and cutlery should
Tracy want to use it, Nick leaned over and asked quietly, "Not that I mind,
Nat, but how come you loaned her -my- sweatpants, and how did they end up
here in the first place?  I don't remember bringing them over...  and I'm
quite sure I'd remember leaving here without clothing if I'd worn them
over."

"When your water was out for a couple of days when they had to repair that
broken water line, you came over to do laundry, remember?  You left them
in the dryer, and since I had never seen you wear sweatpants I figured
there was no urgency on returning them.  Besides, if I had loaned her a
pair of mine, they'd be too short for her...  She's nearly as tall as you
are, Nick."  Natalie leaned over and picked up a piece of pizza.  "Now go
on. If you stick around, I'll make you eat a big piece of this, garlic
and all...  So go on..."

"See you later."  Nick leaned closer now and gave Nat a quick peck on the
cheek...  Natalie was still rubbing absently at the place his lips had
touched her as she carried the pizza box in, with the other stuff piled
carefully on top of it.

"Dinner's here, Trace."

*************************************************************************

Nick went first to the Raven.  He saw a number of the community there, but
he didn't see Vachon.  He did however see Urs, so he decided to ask her.
When Urs said she didn't know where Vachon was, he asked her to relay a
message to him when she could; that Nick needed to speak to him.  He knew
that Vachon would sense Urs' emotions along their link so he added, "It's
about Tracy...  She's in trouble and I need to talk to him."  Then he
turned and left the club, going to sit in his car.  It was about 5 minutes
later, at most, when Vachon just dropped into it, landing seated next to
him.

"What's the matter with Tracy?"

"She asked me to talk to you about something, Vachon.  She didn't know how
you'd react..."

Vachon just looked at Nick a little puzzled, waiting. <What now - it can't
be she wants to break up again.  We've done that before and it never
lasts.  Besides she knows I'll give her space if that's what she wants.>
After a minute of silence, he said, "So..."

"Tracy's pregnant."  Nick looked over at Vachon and watched as he blinked.
He seemed a little surprised, but he didn't look upset.

"Tracy Vetter?"  When Vachon saw Nick nod, he added "I didn't think she
was seeing anyone else.  Is this good news, or bad, for her?"

"I don't think she's decided yet.  I think she's waiting to see how you
react to the news."

"Well, if it's something she want's, then I'm happy for her...  But why's
she waiting to see how I react?  If she's waiting to see how anyone else
takes it before she decides, shouldn't it be the dad?"

Nick reached out and put a hand on Vachon's shoulder.  "That's why she's
waiting to see how you take it, Vachon..."

Vachon looked stunned.  He blinked several times before answering.  "Nick,
I can't be. You know that.  We're...  She's...  We don't produce offspring
that way after turning...  you know that...  It can't be me."

"She's pregnant, Vachon, and you are the only person it could be.  She
said you wouldn't believe her...  That's why she wanted me to talk to you.
You know how she can't lie...  How when she does it's so awkward you can
see right through it...  She WASN'T lying, Vachon."

"It shouldn't happen...  It can't happen...  So what's she going to do?"

Nick was thinking how confused Vachon suddenly seemed...  "Hey, -I- know
it shouldn't happen Vachon, but it did, and Tracy wanted me to talk to you
about it first.  She's going to wait on her decision about if she's going
to carry or terminate the pregnancy til some of the tests are done.  Nat
wants to run some tests on you too.  She wants to find out what made this
possible."  Nick sighed.  "Maybe this is why we're taught not to get too
close to humans.  Maybe it's happened before and no one talks about it, or
even remembers <now> why they tell us that, but just do.  Who knows.  But
Nat wants to find out.  And Tracy could sure use some support right now.
She's pretty frightened."

Vachon watched as Nick turned over the ignition, and his caddy purred to
life.  "Where are we going?"

"Tracy is at Natalie's right now...  Are you coming?"

Vachon nodded, and for the second time in less than 24 hours, a ride to
Natalie's apartment was made in reflective silence.

*************************************************************************

When they arrived, Vachon climbed out and was quickly standing before the
security buzzer.  "Which one is it?"  He turned and saw Nick reaching for
the door with a key.  Vachon grinned as he asked "Natalie's?"

When Nick looked back at him with a straight face and said "No, mine...",
Vachon grinned from ear to ear...  But then as they were riding up in the
elevator to Natalie's floor, Nick felt he had to explain...  "She went
out of town for a few days quite some time ago, and I volunteered to feed
her cat.  So she gave me a key.  She never asked for it back afterwards,
and I never offered."  Nick tried to shrugg in imitation of Vachon's easy
manner, but it just looked awkward. They were both laughing when Nick
unlocked Nat's apartment door and picked up Sidney before he could race
past into the hallway.

As they entered the livingroom, Natalie looked back and saw Vachon.  She
slipped off the sofa and came back to stand with the guys.  "We had some
pizza, but she didn't sleep well today and hasn't for a few days.  She's
been dozing and waking since."  Natalie looked at Vachon and added in a
low whisper, "Go on over to her and wake her.  Her sleep isn't restful,
and I don't think it will be til she actually talks to you."  Natalie
squeezed his arm, then pushed him towards the sofa.  "Go on."

Nick and Nat watched as Vachon knelt down before Tracy, took her hand in
one of his, and began to caress her cheek with the other...  When Tracy
began to stir, she leaned in toward him, and he wrapped his arms tightly
around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.  He held her tightly, not
really knowing what to say.  Tracy responded equally, just glad that he
had believed Nick and hadn't walked out on her.  "I don't know what's
happening," he finally whispered quietly to Tracy, "but whatever goes, I'm
here.  I love ya Trace, and I'm here for ya."

Nick and Natalie watched as Tracy smiled her first -real- smile in
several days and hugged Vachon a little tighter.  As Natalie pulled Nick
into the kitchen, they heard Tracy choking back tears as she spoke, "I was
afraid you wouldn't believe me.  I thought you'd run away."  Then the
sound of Tracy's voice was muted, presumably as he kissed her...

*************************************************************************

Natalie looked into the microscope, concentrating  so intently that she
didn't even hear Nick come in.  He stood back a ways just looking at Nat,
knowing how much he loved her yet somehow afraid, even though he knew
that she felt the same way toward him.  Wondering if what was happening
with Tracy was a good thing or not, and wondering how he'd handle it if
it was he and Nat facing this rather than his friends, half wishing it
were and chastizing himself for even thinking that, if only for a moment.
He felt embarrassed when Natalie spoke, as if she could read his thoughts.

"How long have you been standing there, Nick?  I didn't hear you come in.
Come, take a look at this," she said pointing to the microscope. "I may
have something here."

Nick walked over and peered into the device.  "I'll look, but I'm not
sure what I'm seeing," he said, carefully avoiding looking Nat in the
eyes, hoping she wouldn't guess what had been in his mind.

"I've found out why," Nat said, smiling, "at least in part.  And
why it shouldn't happen normally."  She put her hands on Nick's
shoulders as she spoke.  "It seems the virus causes a really low count,"
she said slowly, "but there <IS> a count."  Natalie took a deep breath
as Nick looked up at her, and continued "And of what there is,
about 60% seem to carry the virus but in a dead form of it, like
a vaccine.  Of the remainder, only about 10% carry the living virus.
The rest are <normal>."  She looked at Nick, taking his hands before
continuing. "There's a 36% chance that it won't even have been exposed to
the virus, Nick, and if it has, then there's a tremendous probability
it'll only be the dead virus, which should act like a vaccine to it.  The
main reason one of your kind <can't> have a child normally is because of
how low the count is.  The chance of a pregnancy occurring naturally is
probably one in a million or so.  Tracy just got lucky, I guess.  The
numbers were very similar for you, too.  The next thing I need to do is
see if I can get a sample from her baby.  I'll try using the amniotic fluid
first to see if I can get a figure for what exposure her baby's had, if
any.  Then if it's got the live virus, we could have a problem, but we
won't know til I check."  She hugged Nick.  "The only problem at the
moment could be if I can't make a determination from the fluid.  Then I'd
need to get tissue samples from the baby.  Doable, but more difficult.
But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  If we come to it."

*************************************************************************

The next morning, unknown to Nick in his bed or Natalie in hers, they
shared the same dream - They were living together on an acreage, Nick
watching a TV monitor of Nat and the children, <their> children, a boy and
a girl perfect in every way, playing outside in the yard.  Nick took his
medicine (something Nat had developed for him that made it possible for
him to be out in the sun for a couple of hours) and waited for it to take
effect.  When it did, he joined <his> family outside, joyful that he could
participate in their <daytime> lives despite still being a vampire.  He
was grateful for what medical science and intervention had been able to do
for him (who'd have thought a vampire could have a real family and be able
to spend time outside in the sun with them), while still hoping that
Natalie would someday find a cure.

Natalie awoke from her dream, tears of joy on her face, determined and
hopeful that one day her dream would be real.

Nick awoke from his dream, got up and paced, a single ruby tear coursing
his cheek.  For he knew it could never happen, no matter how much he hoped
otherwise.

*************************************************************************

One night while at work, her phone rang.  "Nat's Bed and Breakfast," she
cheerfully answered.  "Oh, GOD! No!" she gasped. "Take her to my place,
I'll meet you there!"

Natalie grabbed her purse and jacket, practically flying out the door and
nearly knocking into her supervisor in the hall.

"WHAT IN THE HELL!...  Lambert!"

"It's an emergency...  I'll talk to you later."  Natalie called back over
her shoulder, and went racing out the door, leaving him standing there
shaking his head.

She sped all the way home, wishing she had a siren, and making the trip in
record time.

Even so, by the time Natalie arrived at her apartment, Nick had already
arrived with Tracy.  "When did it start, Trace?" she asked as the two of
them helped the younger woman into the bedroom.

"I guess about half an hour before I told Nick.  The pain, I mean.  I
don't know when the bleeding started, though."

Nat sent Nick for some supplies and then off to fetch Vachon.

*************************************************************************

Nick didn't worry about taking the car.  Instead he took to the air..  It
was only minutes later when he landed in the alley behind the Raven and
burst in through the back door.

He scanned the area and once again saw Urs.  She was dancing with
someone, possibly hunting he thought, but right now he didn't care.  He
pushed the young man she was dancing with roughly aside.  "Sorry Urs, we
gotta talk." Nick grabbed her arm and led her towards a quieter corner of
the club.

"What's the matter..."  Urs was iritated at Nick's actions, but she could
also feel his fear emanating from him like heatwaves.

"Did he tell you about Tracy?"

Urs put one finger to her lips, nodding around them indicating the other
vampires in the club.  Then she gently touched her belly and nodded.

"Good."  Nick leaned close so that if anyone were to notice them it would
appear as if they were just slowdancing over in the darkened corner.  He
whispered into her ear, "Help me find him now, please?  Natalie's with
her doing what she can, but she's probably losing the baby even as we
speak."

When he pulled back and could see Urs' face, there were tears on it.  She
nodded, wiping her face, and they left via the back entrance.

Once they took to the air, Urs said quietly enough that Nick could barely
hear her, "I'm really sorry.  He was just getting used to the idea, and I
was looking forward to being an aunt of sorts.  From what I know of Tracy,
I can see a lot of similarities... In other circumstances..."  Her voice
trailed off.  When she finally spoke, Nick could hear the tears in her
voice. "I can empathize.  I do not know how I would handle it if our
situations were reversed, I really don't."

Urs pointed out to a dock.  "He's down there."

Vachon was watching them as they landed not too far from him.  He
could sense them coming.  He'd been sitting on the dock watching the
moonlight dancing on the ripples further out across the lake.  He stood
and walked towards them.

"Urs - what's wrong?"  He could see the red streaks on her face and knew
she'd been crying.

"Go with him.  She needs you now.  I'll be at the church or the club until
you have time.  I'm okay.  Tracy needs you now."  She nodded at them and
took off back into the Toronto night sky.

"What's the matter?"

"It's Tracy - Nat's with her, but she's probably losing the baby as we
speak.  I was sent to find you."

*************************************************************************

It was about half an hour later when the men saw Natalie close the bedroom
door very gently and start toward them with her head down.

"Nat?"  She looked up, tears running down her face, seeing Nick and Vachon
through a liquid veil.

"She miscarried.  I couldn't do anything to stop it.  I've got the fetus
for analysis," she added, barely lifting the small dark plastic bag she
was carrying as she headed toward the kitchen.  "Nick, I've got a cooler
in the storeroom.  Will you get it for me please.  I'll get some ice from
the freezer.  Vachon, I've got her sedated, but I'm sure she'd like you to
go sit with her.  She'll be okay."  Nat sighed.  "I wish I could have done
something to stop it;  I was too late to be successful though. I'm really
very sorry, Vachon."  Tears were running down Natalie's cheeks and soaking
into her blouse.

*************************************************************************

It was almost a week later when Natalie next talked with Tracy and nearly
two months since she had confirmed her pregnancy.  Once again they were
sitting in a familiar coffee shop.

"So are you still seeing a lot of Vachon?" Natalie blew on her coffee in
an attempt to cool it slightly.

"Yeah, actually."  Tracy started to blush.

"And...  You're blushing Tracy...  What else are you debating about
telling?"

Tracy fidgeted with her donut.  "Well...  if you come over to my place
now, you'll find a big piece of plywood that is the same size as the
window in the bedroom."  Tracy blushed harder and took a sip of her coffee
before continuing.  "I got my dad to help me get it put in actually.  I
could have got Vachon to do it, but I wanted it to be a surprise... So I
told my dad I had adjusted -too well- to the night, but that now the light
was bothering me for sleeping, and I wanted a way to completely darken the
room.  He and one of my brothers came over and measured my window, and
then they went and got this really big piece of plywood and some tracks.
They installed the tracks and slid the plywood into it, then put the
end pieces on the tracks so it fall out the ends.  Oh, and they cut it
down the middle and put these little hook things on it, so that it's
kinda like inside sliding shutters...  If I want it open, I just unhook it
and push it to either end, and my curtains cover it so you don't see it
since they go from one side wall to the other.  And when I want it closed,
I just hook it together..."  Tracy took a bite of her donut, then added,
"So yeah.  It's safe for him to spend the day with me now, and so he
does...  often..."  Tracy started blushing again and looking at the table.

Natalie grinned.  "That sounds like it works well."  She looked at Tracy
and reached out to put her hand on the younger woman's arm.  "So how -are-
you feeling, Trace?"  Natalie sipped her coffee.  It was still too hot and
a little bitter.

"I don't know.  I hadn't even really got used to the idea.  I guess it's
probably better this way.  I mean, I really am -not- ready to become a Mom
yet.  Someday, but maybe it just wasn't supposed to be this soon.  I mean,
I can't even be an adult around my Dad yet. Not really.  I try and
sometimes I succeed, but I usually end up falling back into the same old
role and so does he.  He won't even treat me as an adult."  She drank a
big swallow of her coffee.  "Umm, this is good."  Tracy licked her lips
and went on, "You know, after I lost the baby, I told my Dad.  You know
what his first response was {It's that damned partner of yours, isn't it.
I -knew- he'd be a bad influence on you.}  Boy, you should have seen him
backpedal from that when I told him that Nick was the one who took me to
my doctor when I miscarried, and that -NO-, he wasn't the father."  She
laughed, remembering the scene.  "Because Nick took me to you as soon as I
told him, my Dad's now convinced Nick saved my life and is trying to pull
strings to get Nick a promotion.  He still wants me partnered with him
though.  After all, Nick -saved- his -little girl's- life, so he wants us
partnered indefinitely."  Tracy finished her coffee and looked over at
Natalie's which was barely touched.  "What's the matter, Nat?  You look so
glum."

"My coffee seems bitter to me.  I'm not going to finish it.  You can have
it if you like."  She passed the cup across the table to Tracy.  "I
autopsied the fetus as best I could.  It was affected by the -live- virus.
It seemed to be trying to grow normally and at the same time trying to
remain static, unaging: therefore, ungrowing.  It never -could- have
become a real baby, Trace."  Natalie stared at the cup that Tracy had
emptied, which was now in front of her.  "I guess I was dreaming.  I
wanted it to go okay, your pregnancy, I mean.  Maybe then Nick could have
believed..."

Natalie cut herself off, excused herself to go to the washroom.  By the
time she had returned, Tracy had bought another coffee for herself and an
iced tea for Natalie.

"I understand, Natalie.  You're at a point where you want a family.  You
hoped our baby would be okay so that it might, umm, encourage Nick to the
idea.  I know how he is.  He'll take this as proof that it -shouldn't-
happen, instead of the hope it would be if you look at it right.  Vachon
has already seen it for the hope.  He says maybe in a few years when I'm
sure of myself about a family and ready for one, if he's still alive and
we're still together, that he'd probably be agreeable to a child again,
but this time, selectively.  You know, medical intervention to be sure
it'd be born normal.  Well, at least as much chance of normal as what two
-human- parents could give.  He's got a good attitude about it all.  Want
me to get him to talk to Nick?  I mean, without pushing him at all.  Just
see if he can open Nick's eyes, so to speak?"

Natalie sipped her iced tea.  "Maybe.  But he'd have to be -very- cautious
about it, otherwise Nick'll think I put him up to it.  I think that would
be worse than -not- talking to him."  She sighed.  "So, you ready to go to
work now?"  Nat chugged back the rest of her iced tea.

"Yeah.  I've got half an hour before I've got to be there.  What about
you? -- Oh, wait... I think I remember Nick saying your shift started
an
hour after ours does, or something..."

"That changed about a month ago.  Now I'm supposed to start at the same
time as you.  We'd -better- go."

**************************************************************************

It was 4 months to the day from when Natalie had first heard of Tracy's
pregnancy.  She lay in bed early that day, staring at the ceiling, too
deeply in thought to be able to sleep.  She'd made her decision.  She gave
up trying to sleep, got up and watched one of those theme talk shows as
she made herself some coffee and drank it.  Funny thing was it wasn't
bitter.  Odd how it had stopped being bitter <today> but had been since
Tracy had lost the baby.  She smiled, knowing enough psychology to
recognize what she saw in herself.  She showered, dressed, and went out
shopping.  Then she went for a walk in the park before she called in to
see if she could get the night off from work.  She could.

**************************************************************************

Nick came home from work, tired.  Nat had called in, sick is what he had
heard, but she hadn't answered her phone when he had called her or been
home when he stopped by.  He'd really hoped that she'd be home.  He had
debated about staying there to wait, but decided <if> Nat was out on a
date or something, she'd be mad if she found him there.  He smiled
disdainfully at <that> memory.  He could swear he could sense her presence
here but shook off the feeling, deciding he was just worrying.  He
wondered if Natalie really knew just how much he did worry about her.  He
went to the fridge, opened it, and took out a bottle, from which he drank
directly. It was only a few minutes til dawn, he'd better go to bed.  Even
<if> Nat was in trouble, which he doubted, there'd be nothing he could do
now til nightfall.  He'd better <try> and sleep.  He sighed and walked
slowly up the stairs to his bedroom.  Natalie was there, sitting on his
bed.  "Nat!" he cried out, VERY relieved that she was okay.  Then
"Nat?..." as he took in the scene.

Around his bedroom were candles and incense; the mood they created being
very warm and romantic.  A satin sheet was spread out on the floor,
sprinkled liberally with rose petals and with a basket on it.  It
contained an ice bucket and two glasses.  When Nick looked a little
closer, he realized the ice bucket held two bottles; one of a good
champagne, the other was one of LaCroix's "best vintages".  Natalie moved
slowly to the floor, taking Nick's hand and bringing him down with her.
She poured a glass from one bottle for herself and from the other bottle
for Nick.  Nat was in black.  She was wearing lace and silk baby-doll
pyjamas that made her look both cute and alluring at the same time.  Nick
wondered rather numbly how she could do <that>.  He'd never seen anyone
manage to look both at once before in all of his nearly 800 years.  All
he managed to say was "Why?..."

Natalie smiled as she cuddled up against him.  "Because I love you, Nick",
was all of her reply.

When they had each finished their glasses, she led Nick to the bed.  Then
she climbed in beside him and once again cuddled up to him, placing her
hand over his opening mouth to stop his protests.  "I want you to be a
part of me, forever.  Yes, I'd like to one day have children, but not if
it means losing you.  I want to be with you forever, and I truly mean
that.  If you bring me across or if you don't, as long as I've got you,
that's all that really matters to me. If you do bring me across, Nick,
then when I find a cure I can cure us <both>.  You know, there are plenty
of childless couples out there, and they are still families.  <You> are my
family, Nick.  I've chosen my path, and I've made my bed.  Let me lay in
it with you.  It's want I want.  I love you, Nick, for all eternity."

She snuggled up close and started kissing him.  Outside it was a bright
new dawn, and they both knew it.  So did Sydney as he padded silently into
the room and jumped up onto the foot of Nick's bed.  As he settled down to
sleep he began to purr, sensing that for the first time in a long time,
his mistress was truly content. If being here in this place was why she
was content, then he didn't care that it wasn't his bed.  He knew he'd
learn to like anything that made -her- as happy and content as he could
sense she was at this moment.  Sydney reached out with one paw and
draped it possessively over two now intertwining legs and drifted off
into a contented slumber.

**************************************************************************

In another part of the city, another vampire and mortal were about ready
to go to bed for the day.

"Oh, Tracy, I have something for you."  Vachon handed her a small shoebox
wrapped in tissue paper.

"What's that for?"

"Something I thought you'd like.  No reason.  But you'd better open it now
before you go to bed.  It can't wait til tonight.

"Okay - but I hope this won't take too long.  I'm really tired.  That's
why I wanted to go straight to bed.  Dad had another conversation with me
today.  He won't be coming over unannounced since the last time when he
walked in on you coming out of the shower asking where your towel was.
He still doesn't like you living here mostly, but he is finally beginning
to realize I'm not a kid any more, and he can't make decisions for me.
But he still doesn't like you.  That chat with him is why I've got a
headache." Tracy reached for the box, then sat down on Vachon's lap to
open it.  As she started to remove the paper, the box wiggled, and Tracy
yelped and would have dropped the box had Vachon not caught it quickly.

"Careful Trace..."

Tracy looked warily at the box, then took a deep breath and opened it.
As she pulled off the lid, the tiniest, fluffiest little persian kitten
with bright green eyes looked up at her and mewed plaintively.  She
reached in and picked up the tiny bundle. "Ohhh.. he's so cute!  Where'd
you get him?"

"A mother cat inherited the church, since I'm almost never there anymore.
She had a litter of kittens, and I didn't realize that picking up this
little guy to put it back in her nest would make her dis-own it.  So I
have been hand raising it.  It's about 3 or so weeks old now, but it's
eating kitten food softened with milk now.  And it's litter trained now
too, so I figured you'd let it in here.  It's been tough to sneak back
there as often as I needed to in order to look after it, or to get Urs to
do so if I knew I couldn't, without you finding out." He leaned in and
kissed Tracy gently and patted the kitten, which was now clinging to
Tracy.  "So are we off to bed now?"

Tracy smiled and stood up, cuddling her little cargo.  Before Vachon came
to join her, he pulled out the litter box and food that he'd hidden in the
closet so the kitten would be comfortable.  As he climbed into bed beside
her, he could hear Tracy's rhythmic breath indicating she'd already fallen
asleep.  And curled up on top of her chest was the fluffy kitten, purring
madly, for the first time he'd heard since he'd acquired it. "Sleep well,
love" he whispered in her ear, and Tracy reached out in her sleep to pull
him into her arms.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
End of FAMILY 1: Unblessed Events (pg version).
Thank-you for reading this and I hope you enjoyed it.
   -Micki