Return-Path: Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 10:00:57 -0700 Reply-To: clark Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: clark Subject: It's Not My Fault (00/??) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Disclaimer: This is a little idea I've had for a bit. Below is the start of a story that I will continue based on the readers' input. Instructions for how you can participate are given below. All other standard disclaimers apply; eg., the characters don't belong to me. --------------------------------------- It's Not My Fault (00/??) by S. Clark Nick Knight came out of his slumber slowly. In fact, had he been awake, he would have realized that he'd been sleeping far more soundly than usual. Of course, that thought, had he thought it, would have made no sense. But, neither did anything else Nick was thinking at this point. He'd been out for an indeterminate time. He was in an interminate place. Someone was nearby but he wasn't sure who. Worst of all, he wasn't wearing black silk jammies. --------------------------------------- Now, for the fun. Please send me e-mail (sclark@best.com) with your favorites from the categories below by 12pm Pacific time (-0700GMT) on Sunday, May 17th. I will tabulate the results and continue the story based on the most popular responses. Note: this will not be an adult story. I'm going to try to make it fun. Please write to me (sclark@best.com) directly with any responses or questions and DON'T POST REPLIES TO FKFIC-L or FORKNI-L. Thanks. - Where is Nick? The station The loft Schanke's CERK Natalie's Apartment Vachon's Church the top of the CN Tower other (please specify) - Who else is there (pick up to two)? Natalie LaCroix Janette Don Schanke Tracy Vetter Vachon Captain Stonetree Captain Cohen Captain Reese Myra Schanke Jenny Schanke Alma Miklos no one other (please specify...note, 'real' people will not be used) - Pick two objects: Rope Chain Feather Duster Bicycle Ham Sandwich Mayan Jade Cup Diamond Broch Plate Glass Window Cellular Phone Caddie other (please specify) - Pick an outfit: tuxedo dress casual wetsuit bunny suit (as in clean room) bunny suit (as in energizer) sweats dress blues other - Pick a state: Vampire Human Somewhere inbetween - Pick a day of the week (I'm guessing you already know their names): - Pick a general starting time: high noon dusk midnight dawn other - Tell me one thing you've always wanted to see in an FK story. (PG-13, please.) I'll do my best to work in as many as possible. Return-Path: Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 23:17:43 -0700 Reply-To: clark Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: clark Subject: It's Not My Fault (01/??) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Thanks to all who've participated with the beginning of this story. Wonderful ideas, but you all scare me. Anyway, you'll have more chances since this just gets things started. If didn't participate the first time around but would like to, no problem. Instructions for how you can be a partner in this literary crime are given at the end of part 1. And yes, when it's all over I will be posting a summary of the responses I've gotten. Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website as well as FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. It's Not My Fault (01/??) by S. Clark and a cast of tens Nick Knight came out of his slumber slowly. In fact, had he been awake, he would have realized that he'd been sleeping far more soundly than usual. Of course, that thought, had he thought it, would have made no sense. But, neither did anything else Nick was thinking at this point. He'd been out for an indeterminate time. He was in an indeterminate place. Someone was nearby but he wasn't sure who. Worst of all, he wasn't wearing black silk jammies. He wasn't sure why but for some reason he had the oddest impulse to sneeze. So he did. And loudly. The shock of the sneeze woke him up the rest of the way and he looked to see Natalie standing over him tickling his nose with a feather duster. "There we go, wakey wakey," she said and tickled him some more. Nick shook his head then moved into a sitting position. He held his hands up to his head trying to clear his thoughts. Generally he had no trouble clearing his mind. Generally, it was just clear. Now he felt like his hands were made of felt. Or covered with felt. He moved them in front of his eyes and they were pink. Not his normal light, peachish flesh tone. But pink. Bright pink. He was wearing some ridiculous costume. "What is this?" he asked. He hopped up from the couch, now realizing that's where he was, and rushed into Natalie's bathroom. He peered at himself in the mirror best as he could given the small size of the mirror vs. the much larger size of a fully grown vampire and realized he was indeed wearing some ridiculous pink outfit. He was attired to look like a rabbit. Nick placed his hand down on Natalie's hot rollers but didn't realize he was singeing his paw until he smelled the melting vinyl odor of the palm pad. He ran the paw under water. And, feeling the water's coolness, realized he must be awake. "Come back to me honey bunny," cried Natalie, still in the living room. "Oh, do return," came a second voice. This voice was that of his master, Lucien LaCroix. He rushed back to the living room and saw LaCroix sitting casually in Natalie's living room, attired a tuxedo. "LaCroix, what are you doing here?" "What do you think I'm doing here, Nicholas?" LaCroix examined his nails, as if they'd be anything but flawless. "We have a date?" "We do?" Nick didn't recall having set up any engagements. But, he could be casual. Especially given the right mood and for a few drinks. "Not , Nicholas. Natalie and I." LaCroix tilted his hand casually towards the good Doctor Lambert. Nick now noticed that Natalie was dressed in a midnight blue evening gown. Natalie moved to LaCroix and took his hand, tenderly kissing the back. "It's dusk, Nick, time for us to experience the night." "But Nat," Nick's voice rose as he pleaded. "How can you? LaCroix?" Nat smiled as LaCroix draped his arm protectively around her waist. "It's Saturday night, Nick. What have I ever gotten from you on a Saturday night but a chance to analyze blood samples while chewing on a cold ham sandwich. Lucien has been kind enough to show me there is more to your world." "I believe is it also your night off, Nicholas. Go enjoy yourself. We have a new stripper debuting at the Raven." "I'm not sure he'd enjoy that, Lucien." Nick couldn't believe that Natalie was acting so familiar with LaCroix. The same LaCroix that not long ago had tried to kill her. "Oh, that's right. I get these vampire/cop relationships confused. Vachon is the one interested in the Vetter woman. You're right, Nicholas should no go see the show." "Didn't you date the Spaniard once?" LaCroix didn't really care about Natalie's past. It was a half-hearted attempt to change the subject of conversation. "We were supposed to be on a double date, Nick and I with Vachon and Tracy," she explained. "But Nick and Tracy had to work. The slacker slugged back three bottles of your house best and stiffed me for the bill." LaCroix patted her hand. "I'm sorry to bring up such painful memories. After tonight, you'll never have to worry about such trivialities again." "This can't be," groaned Nick. He tried to think if something had happened. Maybe it was like that one time. He drifted back. Yes, that time he drove the caddie into the side of a building while thinking about he and Janette, their past, dancing. It wasn't as much the remembrance that made him drive into the building, but swerving to miss that dalmatian. Nick whacked himself on the side of the head to get this thoughts back to the future. Then he realized the future was too far and settled on the present. No, as far as he could remember he hadn't done anything too unusual prior to this evening. Relatively, of course, for an 800 year old vampire cop. But how could it explain the odd way that Natalie was acting? And Natalie? With LaCroix? That was beyond belief. Of course, there was simply no explanation for the bunny suit. No, there had to be more happening. But what? Ok...didn't say we'd get it all done at once, did I? For part 2: If you'd like to guide the action, please send me your responses to the following list of questions. Once again, I'll tally them up and use them to create the next, which may possibly be the last, bit o' story. - Who ends up together ... Nat & LaCroix Nat & Nick Nick & LaCroix - Does Nat end up ... Human Vampire Somewhere Inbetween Dead - Is Nick... Dreaming Drugged His own usual self A Brick Other (explain what it is, please...I can use a good idea.) - Is this story worth continuing? yes no - Give me a place (I'll let y'all come up w/them) in Toronto. - Give me two items. (Again, y'all are creative, go to it). - Favorite Star Wars Film Star Wars (A New Hope) Empire Strikes Back Return of the Jedi - What is your favorite color? - Who is in Nick's flashback? Tracy Vetter Don Schanke - Boxers or briefs? Remember, responses go to ME . DO NOT WRITE FKFIC-L or FORKNI-L. The deadline for the this questionnaire is 9pm Tuesday (PDT), May 19th. If you have questions, please let me know. Return-Path: Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 22:45:19 -0700 Reply-To: clark Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: clark Subject: It's Not My Fault (02/03) To: FKFIC-L@lists.psu.edu Thanks, yet again, to all who've participated with this story. Sorry it's taken so long to get the remainder out to y'all, but real life interfered a bit. It's been fun for me to write, so I hope it's worth the wait Part 03 will follow in a day or so, and include a summary of the responses I'd gotten for parts 01 and 02. Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website as well as FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. This story is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. It's Not My Fault (02/03) by S. Clark and a cast of 10's Nick clawed at the evil thing but he was in its grasp. It clung to him like a second skin. He dug through the drawers in the kitchen. And, realizing he never cooked, realized he wasn't well stocked with kitchen implements. But, he did manage to find a can opener and a nail file. With those he was able to extricate himself from the evil pink bunny suit. Nick dressed himself in a tasteful, without being ostentatious, grass skirt and returned to the couch and his dog-eared copy of "Eeyore's Gloomy Little Advice Book." He realized, though, something was amiss. Even with his favorite book he wasn't feeling quite himself. He sniffed at the bottle of blood he'd been drinking the night before. It finally dawned on him. The cow had been infected with Mad Cow Disease. This could explain everything. His odd attire. Natalie's odd behavior. Of course, LaCroix had been, as always, LaCroix. Nick looked at his watch and realized it was still day time. He turned off all the lights in the loft, except for the red lava light, and headed up to bed. He wanted to get some sleep before evening. Then he'd get a chance to see Natalie, make sure she was all right. Nick awoke with a start and unzipped himself from his Transformer's sleeping bag. He heard the sound of laughter. He wondered if he'd left the television on. Coming down to the main part of the loft he found Natalie and LaCroix engaged in what could be considered a pleasant conversation. Of course, most people would have considered it making out since she was sitting on LaCroix's lap and they were kissing. But Nick didn't want to think of it that way. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. Nat blushed and pulled away from the older vampire. LaCroix took a sip from a wineglass, mostly likely a bit of the Raven's finest. "Don't you want your friends to visit, Nicholas?" As LaCroix crossed on leg over another Nick noticed LaCroix was attired in tight black leather pants and orthopedic shoes. Nick came down the stairs and walked over to Natalie. He cast his gaze over her green dress with blue accents that brought out the blue in her eyes. "I've missed you." Natalie cast her gaze over Nicks' silk boxer shorts, which was all he was currently wearing. "I'm glad to see you, also." Nick was warmed by her smile. He moved closer, desiring to give in to his desires. "You don't want him, Natalie, you can do so much better." She looked at Nick's face. The innocent expression. "But he's so cute," she said. "I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this," announced LaCroix. "Stay with me and you may have all of my Beanie Babies." She looked again at Nick and took in a deep breath. "All of them?" "Except for the Princess Bear." Natalie reached out and stroked Nick's face. "And the blue eyes. He's so cherubic." "Including the Princess Bear." Natalie smiled and turned to face LaCroix. "Deal." Nick grabbed Natalie's wrist. "No. Don't give into the temptation. I'll buy you Beanie Babies. Pink Lawn Flamingos. Toy Penguins. Whatever will make you happy." Natalie pulled her wrist from Nick's grasp. "No. Yes. I don't know." The thoughts were overwhelming. "Get away from her," came a growl from behind. Nick turned around to see LaCroix standing behind him, poised with a long, slender walking stick. It looked rather like a stake. Something Nick just happened to have hanging around the loft near the fireplace should he ever need staking. Nick moved back to the wall and grabbed a hockey stick. "I'll not have you threatening me in my own house." The two faced off, circling each other. Natalie considered beaning them both with something heavy like a bowling ball or a bag of frozen peas or even a first edition of "Alice in Wonderland." Seeing as she had none of these things she decided instead to leave. They were big boys. Let them fight it out. She'd await the victor at home with Sydney. She picked up her pretty flower and half-melted bomb pop and headed out to her car. A new Jaguar, thoughtfully supplied by Lucien LaCroix. After another five minutes of circling each other Nick and LaCroix realized the object of their mutual affection was no longer present in the loft. They eyed each other and then took off in search. Nick took the caddie. LaCroix followed on the motorcycle. About halfway to Natalie's apartment they found themselves stuck in traffic. Angry red lights flashed ahead of them, indicating an accident. The entire street was blocked off. Nick jumped out of the caddie and ran forward. LaCroix tried to cut him off, racing the motorcycle up a sidewalk, but Nick anticipated the move and shoved LaCroix off the bike and into a conveniently placed fruitstand. Nick was ready to take to the air, to fly to Natalie's apartment. But then he noticed the accident scene. The woman lying on the pavement, being attended by the paramedics. It was her. Natalie. Nick rushed over and knelt beside her. "Oh Nat," he whispered. "What have we done?" Her eyelids fluttered open, the blue eyes dull, not trying to seek out his face. "Nick?" LaCroix came up besides Nick. "Do something, you fool. Make her one of us." "I can't," explained Nick, his voice weak. "I can't condemn her to this existence." Nick remained, kneeling at her side. Inhaling the scent of her blood. This loss reminded him of the loss of Schanke, and he drifted into those painful memories. But that loss was different. He hadn't loved Schanke. Well, not in that way. "I can," snapped LaCroix. He grabbed Natalie's body and began to walk from the scene. One of the paramedics yelled at him. "Sir. Sir! That woman is injured." LaCroix paid no heed and took off into the night. Nick's eyes snapped open. He realized he no longer heard her heartbeat and expected her to be gone. He looked down and she was gone. Physically gone. Nick rushed up to a paramedic. "Where is the woman?" "That tall dude took her," said the paramedic. "The cops are putting out an APB." Nick nodded and rushed from the scene. He felt for LaCroix through their link and took to the sky. Wherever he was, she'd be with him. He'd find them both. Nick landed on the top of the CN Tower. Over on the far side he saw the two shapes huddled in the darkness. He rushed to them, but found it wasn't the two he sought. It was Serena and some soon-to-be ex-mortal. Nick excused himself and kept searching the top of the tower. His efforts paid off. He found them. LaCroix with his newest daughter, Natalie. "Natalie." Nick breathed out her name. She looked at him, her eyes golden with desire. "Nick." Nick rushed to her, grabbing her tight. "Oh Natalie. Forgive me." She met his lips. She no longer seemed warm to him. He no longer seemed cold to her. In fact, it seems things were just right. "Nick, now we can be together." The words rushed out. Guilt flashed on his face. "Of course. Forever." "But first, could we stop at the Raven for some take-out? I'm a little peckish." He swept her up in a hug. "Anything, my love. Anything." Over her shoulder Natalie mouthed the words 'later, my place,' to LaCroix. "Now we can be together, always," Nick gushed. LaCroix smiled and winked at Natalie. "I'm so happy." Return-Path: Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1998 00:03:31 -0700 Reply-To: clark Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: clark Subject: It's Not My Fault (03/03) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Thanks, yet again, to all who've participated with the story. This part is just a summary of responses used to create the first 2 parts, the actual story ended in part 02. Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website as well as FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested drop me a line. This story was based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for their use. **Part one responses, indicating the number of votes each choice received. - Where is Nick? The station - 2 Other responses: The loft - 3 Morgue - 2 Schanke's - 5 Alley behind Azure - 1 CERK - 1 Tracy's apartment - 2 Natalie's Apartment - 10 Raven - 1 Vachon's Church - 4 Grocery - 1 the top of the CN Tower - 6 City Park - 1 other (please specify) - Who else is there (pick up to two)? Natalie - 17 Other responses: LaCroix - 11 Amanda (Highlander) - 1 Janette - 7 Urs - 1 Don Schanke - 8 Unknown Uniformed Officer - 1 Tracy Vetter - 6 Roger the Shrubber (Monty Python) - 1 Vachon - 2 Captain Stonetree - 1 Captain Cohen - 0 Captain Reese - 0 Myra Schanke - 4 Jenny Schanke - 5 Alma - 1 Miklos - 1 no one other (please specify...note, 'real' people will not be used) - Pick two objects: Rope - 5 Other responses: Chain - 5 crossbow - 1 Feather Duster - 16 wet floor mop - 1 Bicycle - 3 Mayan jade cup (fake) - 1 Ham Sandwich - 12 jump rope - 1 Mayan Jade Cup - 4 half drunk Mtn Dew soda - 1 Diamond Broch - 7 souvlaki - 1 Plate Glass Window - 2 alphabetized refrigerator - 1 Cellular Phone - 4 Nick's handcuffs - 1 Caddie - 4 Nick's Badge - 1 other (please specify) remote - 1 protein shake - 1 - Pick an outfit: tuxedo - 9 Other repsonses: dress casual - 5 boxers with Taz & Bugs Bunny Slippers - 1 wetsuit - 2 cheezy vampire halloween costume - 1 bunny suit (as in clean room) - 1 nothing - 2 bunny suit (as in energizer) - 9 fluffly pale blue towel - 1 sweats - 1 casual - 1 dress blues - 4 other - Pick a state: Other repsonses: Vampire - 20 California - 2 Human - 3 Florida - 1 Somewhere inbetween - 13 Idaho - 1 - Pick a day of the week (I'm guessing you already know their names): Sunday - 6 Thurs - 5 Monday - 2 Friday - 7 Tuesday - 6 Sat - 8 Wednesday - 1 - Pick a general starting time: high noon - 5 Other responses: dusk - 12 2am - 1 midnight - 8 Hour or two before dawn - 1 dawn - 8 3am - 1 other - Tell me one thing you've always wanted to see in an FK story. (PG-13, please.) I'll do my best to work in as many as possible. Sorry, all. Don't have a list of these. I know some things, like driving into a building, the Dalmation, and the T&V double date, were suggested. **Part two responses, indicating the number of votes each choice received. - Who ends up together ... Nat & LaCroix - 11 Other responses: Nat & Nick - 11 all three - 2 Nick & LaCroix - 10 - Does Nat end up as a ... Human - 10 Vampire - 11 Somewhere Inbetween - 9 Dead - 4 - Is Nick... Dreaming - 3 Drugged - 4 His own usual self - 7 A Brick- 5 Other (explain what it is, please...I can use a good idea.) Other responses: victim of a practical joke - 2 In a trance - 1 abducted by aliens - 2 bottle of mad cow - 2 Sam Beckett - 1 being taught a lesson - 1 Set up by Nat & LC - 1 gunshot to the head - 1 relationship w/Nat - 1 guilt - 1 - Is this story worth continuing? yes - 30 no - 0 (this was sweet, y'all ) - Give me a place (I'll let y'all come up w/them) in Toronto. Lots mentioned...most popular, CN Tower w/4 votes - Give me two items. (Again, y'all are creative, go to it). Ones I used included: Hockey stick - 1 Pink lawn flamingo - 1 Bag frozen peas - 1 motorcycle - 1 Transformer's sleeping bag - 1 LK staff - 1 bowling ball - 1 bottle, cow (mad) - 1 fruit stand - 1 can opener - 1 orthopedic shoes - 1 beanie baby - 2 tight black leather pants - 1 nail file - 1 grass skirt - 1 half-melted bomb pop - 1 dog-eared copy of "Eeyores Gloomy Little Advice Book" - 1 A Jag - 1 First Ed. "Alice in Wonderland" - 1 Bottle Raven's Finest - 1 Sydney - 1 Pretty Flower - 1 Toy Penguin - 1 Red Lava Lamp - 1 - Favorite Star Wars Film - sorry...forgot to work in a reference (doh!) Star Wars (A New Hope) - 8 Empire Strikes Back - 9 Return of the Jedi - 14 - What is your favorite color? blue - 9 wine - 1 green - 9 black - 1 purple - 3 pink - 1 gold - 1 turquoise - 1 red - 4 silver - 1 yellow - 2 - Who is in Nick's flashback? Tracy Vetter - 9 Don Schanke - 24 - Boxers or briefs? boxers - 15 (with 5 specifying black silk) briefs - 10 nekkid - 3 ** Thanks again, everyone, for participating. I had fun.