Blood and Donuts

For Karen a long time friend.

The 96th precinct was buzzing with activity. Halloween was approaching fast and the crime rate was on the rise keeping everyone extra busy. Detective Nick Knight had just about all he could stand of paperwork. Nick looked over at his partner Tracy Vetter and saw that she was in a losing battle with the ever growing stacks of forms. Nick decided that it was definitely time to duck out and see Natalie at the morgue. As soon as he got up Tracy shot him a look.

"Where are you going? You are not going to stick me with all this work."

"I'm just going to see if Natalie has the test results back yet from our latest victim. I won't be gone long."

"Yeah right," Tracy said under her breath.

When Nick walked into the morgue he noticed that Natalie wasn't alone. There was a young woman that was working with her. She was labeling samples over by the counter. Natalie looked up when he entered the room.

"Hi, Nick."

The woman looked up from her work and Natalie introduced them. "Nick, I'd like you to meet Dr. Karen Thornheart, top of her class. The best and the brightest, Karen, this is detective Nick Knight." They exchanged hellos. Natalie explained, "Dr. Thornheart will be working with me on the night shift learning the ropes so then I might get more vacation time."

Karen looked at Natalie and Nick and grabbed up the samples she finished labeling. "I'll just run these to the lab." She heard the rumors that there was serious romance between the good looking detective and Dr. Lambert. She figured they'd probably want to be alone.

Natalie leaned back in her chair. "So what brings you by?"

"I just wanted to know if the results came back from the Summer's girl?"

Natalie shuffled some of the files around and found the right one; she handed over the report. He took it without glancing at it. Natalie thought to herself, ok time to set the trap. She pretended to look at her computer innocently as she worded her next sentence carefully.

"So Nick I heard that this year the policeman's ball is going to be combined with Halloween since they fall so close, thus killing two birds with one stone."

He had a feeling he knew where this conversation was leading and he just knew he wasn't going to like it. "Really? I've been so busy with work. It's been a mad house down there. When I get back I'll probably have to dig Tracy out of the paper work that never ends."

She knew he was stalling. "Come on, you, me an evening of dancing and stimulating conversation with costumes, how can you possibly say no?"

Nick actually had a pained expression on his face. "Nat, you know how I hate parties and the mere though of a costume in public is just horrifying."

She gave him a playful slap on the arm. "Don't be such a spoil sport. It's the human thing to do, emphasis on human. So will I have the pleasure of having Nicholas Knight on my arm?"

He gave a mock bow. "As you wish my lady, I'm but your humble servant." He took her hand and kissed it tenderly. She blushed to her roots.

"All right go get back to work." She started straightening the files on her desk.

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

Nick's shift had finally ended. He pulled his 62 Caddy into the garage and rode the elevator up to his second story loft. He took off his red blazer and hung it on one of the kitchen chairs along with his gun holster. He put his car keys in an ornate box on the end table. Nick grabbed one of his many remotes and aimed it at the blinds. The heavy shutters slowly closed with an electric whine. He went to the refrigerator and got out a wine bottle filled with cow's blood. Nick had made a vow a long time ago to never drink human blood again, a fact that drove Lacroix insane. Lacroix saw it as denial of one's self. Lacroix was like a father to him and the master vampire loved his prized son, Nicholas, very much. That's why Lacroix tormented him throughout the centuries. He always gave sarcastic opinions and mocking replies especially when they weren't needed or wanted.

Nick uncorked the bottle with his white teeth and took a hefty draught of the red liquid. He picked up another remote and turned on the stereo. He was not surprised when he heard Lacroix's voice on the radio. Lacroix broadcasted from a back room at the Raven which he owned. He called himself the Night Crawler and always went on and on about dark topics of discussion. Nick sat back on his black leather couch wondering what tonight's topic would be.

"Tonight, gentle listener, I see that it is very nearly Halloween. A time when dead things," he chuckled to himself, "roam the streets. Why is it that everyone is compelled to become someone else every 31st of October? Are you so desperate to become something you are not? What about the other three hundred and sixty-four days a year? Where does that inner demon in you go? Do you keep it locked up in the furthest recesses of your mind? Does it rip at your gut howling for release? More importantly will you let it out? Tell me listeners, what scares you the most? Tell me your deepest, darkest fear. The kind of fear that leaves you sweating in the night." Nick turned off the stereo and stretched out on the couch, not long after he drifted off to sleep.

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

Halloween was one of Tracy's favorite times of the year. She loved the idea of dressing up and being someone else for one night. She was currently elbow deep in her favorite tradition of carving a jack O lantern. She ripped out its guts piling them on newspaper on the kitchen table. The goo squished between her fingers. When the guts were completely removed she wielded a long sharp kitchen knife. She slashed and cut a face into the harmless vegetable. Tracy enjoyed a hot cinnamon donut while she admired her handy work. The pumpkin had two triangles eyes, two slashes for a nose and a jaunty smirk. The pumpkin sported two fangs that she made for teeth. Her subconscious must be working overtime because she knew she was just putting off the inevitable. Tracy brushed the spiced crumbs off her mouth and grabbed up her leather jacket. She just needed to face this head on.

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

Tracy paced outside St. John's church. Her boot heels clicked against the pavement sounding loud even to her. She murmured to herself, "What am I doing? I'll just go in and ask him, no big deal if he doesn't want to go. God knows I've gone alone before. I can do this. All right, I'm going in. That's it." Tracy pulled open the heavy door to the abandoned church. As she stepped into the hall she heard the faint strains of a guitar playing up in the choir loft. She smiled to herself and hurried the rest of the way. When she got to Vachon's room she saw him sitting on an old looking chair. One leg was draped over the arm. He was playing his black Gibson.

He stopped playing and lifted his head to pierce her where she stood with his dark brown eyes. His slow smile sent a rush of warm tingles down her spine. They had a somewhat difficult relationship, him being a vampire and she a mortal. Half the time she didn't even know if what they had could even be construed as a relationship. She sat on the sofa that was old but comfortable. He moved to set his guitar aside but she reached out and touched his cold hand.

"Keep playing; it sounded beautiful."

He stared at her intently then inclined his head, "ok." Tracy leaned back against the sofa and watched him play. Her lips parted as she watched his long fingers slide up and down the strings; she was mesmerized. When he was finished with the tune he set the guitar aside. "Now would you like to tell me why you were wearing out the pavement out front?"

She looked away embarrassed, "You knew?"

"Of course," he said with a playful smile. "You were only out there for an hour."

She hit him on the chest. "It was not that long."

Vachon reached beside the chair and grabbed one of his 'wine' bottles. He uncorked it, took a hefty drink then placed it between his thighs. Tracy gazed at the bottle and wanted to be that bottle, resting there comfortably. She took a deep breath and thought 'come on Trace don't loose it now.' "I wanted to ask you if you had any plans for Friday night. Cuz if you didn't, uh, would you like to be my date for the policemen's ball slash Halloween party?" He just looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Tracy rushed on, "You're free to say no but I'd really like it if you went with me." She looked down and started pulling on a loose thread on her shirt. "I'm just tired of going year after year alone. The police commissioner's daughter all alone, how pathetic. Don't think I don't hear the whispers."

"Well how is it going to look, you showing up with your informant? That's big time scandal right there."

Tracy huffed, "I don't care! No one knows you. They don't know you're my informant, plus the costume which you will be wearing. As for your dashing biker good looks, I don't care what they say."

He laughed. "Oh, is that what I look like."

"Come on, Vachon, please."

"Fine, I'll go but do I really have to wear a costume?"

"Yes, it is a costume party."

He gave her a sly smile. "Ok, how about I go as a vampire?"

She laughed. "Boring, you already are a vampire. Be imaginative, get creative, have fun with it."

He leapt out of the chair and pounced on her tickling her till she was breathless. "I'll give you boring."

She laughed and tried to roll away from him when he found a particularly vulnerable spot.

Vachon gave her a devilish smile. "I think Screed still has his old sailor's uniform; maybe I'll borrow it." He waited for her reaction 5… 4… 3… 2… He counted silently to himself.

"You better be joking! I'm not going to show up with you smelling like a sewer in a rag that couldn't possibly still resemble a sailor's suit."

He smiled at her, "Calm down. I was just joking. Man, you're tense these days."

Screed was one of Vachon's best friends. He was an outcast among the other vampires because he was a caroushe, a lesser form of a vampire. When he was made he fed off a rat instead of a human thereby sealing his fate.

Vachon asked, "Is your partner going to be there?"

Tracy frowned. "Nick, I doubt it, why?"

He put on his innocent face. "No reason."

"Nick doesn't like police functions. He's a loner, kinda like you; he keeps to himself a lot."

Vachon scoffed, "I'm not like him. For one thing he's way too uptight and secondly I'm way better looking."

Tracy laughed, "You'll get no argument out of me."

"So when do you want me to swing by your place?"

Tracy calculated in her head. "Eight would be good." Tracy got up from the sofa and gave him a quick kiss.

"I'll be there," Vachon promised. Tracy felt somewhat giddy as she left the church.

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

The next night Natalie rode the elevator up to Nick's loft on the second floor. When she pulled open the heavy door she was greeted by a heavenly sight. Nick sat at his black piano which dominated a good portion of the room. Candles burned on either side of the piano. He was playing something by Beethoven but she didn't recognize the piece. Nick was wearing his red silk robe with the black trim and black silk pajama bottoms. Out of everything he wore this was what she fantasized about the most. That robe got a lot of mileage in her fantasies. He continued to play as she walked over to stand beside him. His long fingers caressed the ivories.

"That's beautiful, Nick."

His blue eyes crinkled as he smiled at her giving him that little boy look that she loved. "So what brings you by tonight?"

"Oh, I'm just checking up on you. Have you been a good boy, drinking your protein shakes?"

At that he grimaced a bit. Natalie was trying to find a cure for his vampirism. She had been torturing him with protein drinks, vitamins and blood supplements. Everything she tried left him slightly nauseated or worse. He got up from the piano bench and snuffed out the candles. "I try."

"Well, that's good to hear."

He sat down in one of his big comfortable chairs. She took the leather sofa and shifted slightly so she could look at him. "There's more than one reason I stopped by actually. I've come to talk about costume options."

He gave her a wicked smile. "Since you're making me go to this thing I'll take care of the costumes."

"What!" She squeaked.

He rubbed his hands together like he had evil plans.

"Fine," she relented. "I guess it's only fair; just keep in mind that we do work with those people and have to see them everyday." She cringed. "So what's it going to be?"

"You'll have to wait; it's a surprise. Come to my place tomorrow. We'll change here then go."

She pouted, "Rats, you're not even going to tell me? I just better not have to return to work with a brown paper bag on my head."

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

It was the night of the ball and things were getting interesting in Tracy's apartment. Her costume granted was not all that imaginative but with a little creative work it would definitely get more than a few looks. Tracy hadn't worn her police uniform in five years, ever since she made detective. She was delighted that it still fit. Tracy started with the pants and cut them into very skimpy shorts. Then the shirt sleeves were cut so only little caps were left. She tried on the outfit but when she tucked in the shirt the shorts were so short that the hem stuck out of the leg holes. She could fix that easily. Tracy untucked her shirt and tied the ends in a knot leaving a little midriff. She put on a black belt and dangled a set of handcuffs from it. She put on her policeman's hat that she liked; everyone else that she worked with had hated it. Tracy heard a knock at the door just then. She couldn't wait to see the look on Vachon's face when he saw her. She quickly added the final touch, two tiny white porcelain fangs. Tracy bared her fangs in the mirror to see how they looked. Oh yeah, this should be good.

Tracy opened the door and her heart stopped. Vachon looked amazing! He was wearing a tight fitting bull fighter costume. His tight black pants hugged every curve of his lean body. His shirt was a silky red that was opened up to mid chest. He had tied his long raven hair back with a piece of leather. She was literally hanging onto her door for support. He was her hot Spanish bull fighter Ole'! Vachon was equally checking her out. He smiled, "Uh Tracy, how is that different exactly? You are a cop."

She gave him a big toothy grin. "I'm vampire babe cop."

Lust filled his eyes.

Tracy ran her tongue over her fangs. "Ya like?"

He pulled her into his arms, she was turning him on. "You are one hot vampire," he murmured.

She ran her fangs over his throat nipping and kissing. Tracy heard him softly moan with pleasure. He pulled back a little. "We should go cuz that's getting painfully arousing. We're taking my bike so grab your helmet." Tracy went to the closet and got her helmet that Vachon had given her so they could take trips on his bike. All of a sudden Vachon was struck with the giggles.

She looked at him funny, "What?"

"It's just you're a vampire cop." He thought of Nick who actually was a vampire cop and his partner was dressing up like that. He shook his head laughing. They got on is red Triumph and sped off into the night.

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

When Natalie got to Nick's place she didn't know what to expect. He was ready and waiting for her. He handed her a big white box that she was reluctant to take. Why oh why did she say he could pick out the costumes? She eyed the box like it was a ticking bomb.

"Don't open it till you're in the bathroom. We'll both change at the same time then come out. How does that sound?" He was grinning like a little boy and practically bouncing around.

"Just tell me it's not leather or latex or chains of any kind."

"Gee, if that's what you wanted you shoulda said something sooner."

"Oh Nick, you are evil." She headed for the downstairs bathroom.

He called after her, "I'm supposed to be evil. I'm a vampire."

She gave a little laugh. He hurried up the stairs to the other bathroom off from his bedroom to put on his costume. Natalie slowly opened the big white glossy box and gasped. She had never seen anything like it. Natalie pulled out the full long dress. It was some kind of medieval gown. It was blue velvet with a high empire waist. The sleeves were bell shaped with tiny little pearls running around the edges. She quickly slipped it on. The dress was exquisite and fit her like it was made just for her. There were leather slippers that matched the dress in the bottom of the box. She slipped those on and left the bathroom to wait for Nick.

When Nick stepped out onto the landing their eyes met. The first thing that came to her mind was wow! The second was that's what he must have looked like 800 + years ago. Nick was wearing a blue doublet that matched the color of her gown. He wore black renaissance type pants that stopped at the knee followed by black leather boots. He descended the stairs slowly. What got her attention was he added hair extensions that matched his own hair perfectly. His blonde hair now touched his shoulders.

"Nick, this dress is beautiful."

He smiled, "I'm glad you like it."

She noticed that he had a sword attached to his belt. It was peace tied so it couldn't be removed from his scabbard. He took her hand and bowed over it. "Nicholas De Brabant at your service, my lady."

Natalie laughed, "I get it, you're a knight, Nick Knight very original. So is what I'm seeing now what you looked like back then?"

"Pretty much, I didn't have long hair during the Crusades but certain centuries I did have long hair."

She fondled his sword. "So do you still know how to use this thing?"

He smirked "I remember, granted it's been awhile. It's all about parrying and thrusting." He got an old box off the table and took out a jewel encrusted necklace. Nick helped Natalie put it on. "It was my mother's; I thought it would look good with the dress."

She touched the gems at her throat. "It's very pretty."

Nick added one last thing to Natalie's costume. He pinned a long scarf to the back of her auburn hair. The blue scarf flowed down her back. Nick explained, "In my time unmarried women used to wear things like this in their hair. Well, shall we be off?"

They linked arms and headed toward the elevator. "My knight in shining armor," she giggled.

He shot her a look. "Behave."

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

Vachon was roaring up the street on his motorcycle when he spotted a familiar 62 Caddy. He yelled back to Tracy. Hey Trace, your partner's up ahead, wanna pass him and give him a show?"

"Yeah!" She yelled back.

Vachon sped up tailgating Nick and revved his engine then sped past. As they passed him Tracy yelled, "Hi Nick!"

Nick and Natalie looked at each other. "Was that Tracy?" Natalie asked.

"Yep."

"Who was she with?"

"Let's see; someone cocky with a motorcycle, that would be Vachon."

Natalie smiled, "I bet they're going to the party too."

When Nick pulled his car into the lot Tracy and Vachon were waiting around for them. Tracy bounded up to them.

"Natalie, I love your dress." When Tracy looked at Nick she laughed. "Nick, what happened to your hair?"

Nick rolled his eyes. "It suddenly grew, must be all those protein drinks."

Vachon joined their little group. "Trace, show Nick your teeth."

Tracy bared her fangs for Nick and he started laughing. They all began laughing at Tracy's fangs, because Nick and Vachon were actually vampires only she didn't know about Nick and she never would. Everyone that was in on the secret thought it was hilariously funny. Tracy became annoyed. "What is so funny? Geez! Do I make a bad vampire or what?" That set them off again. When they finally got control of themselves they headed for the door. Tracy and Nick showed their badges to get in.

The hall was decorated festively with orange and black crepe paper. There was already a good size crowd as they entered the room. Tracy started giggling. She pointed across the room. "There's Captain Reese," she whispered to Nick, "in a chicken suit!"

Nick looked and sure enough the captain was wearing a big yellow chicken suit complete with beak. "Well, there's something you don't see every day."

Tracy got stares galore because of her skimpy outfit and everyone wanted to know who was the handsome man she was with. Natalie's good friend Grace Balthazar came up to her.

"Natalie girl, you look fine. That's such a hot dress." Grace looked across the room at Tracy and Vachon. Tracy was getting a soda. "I didn't know Tracy had it in her to wear something so revealing and who is that man with her? Whoooo! Isn't he just lunchable."

Nick fielded this question. "That's Javier Vachon; they have an interesting relationship."

Grace cocked an eyebrow. "I'll bet they do."

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

Back at the coroner's office all was quiet, just the way Dr. Thornheart liked it. Others might be creeped out to be in the morgue at night but she wasn't. She kept herself busy with paperwork and filing. She even took cell samples from one of the bodies that was on top priority to get done. Dr. Lambert had asked if she was going to attend the party the police were putting on but she politely declined. She didn't like parties and tons of people she didn't know. After she finished her shift she planned on visiting her best friend Jade who owned and ran the Gypsy Cove Magic shop. They had been friends for eleven years. She kept in touch with Jade regularly even thought she was a busy doctor now. Their friendship was like fine wine. The older it got, the better it was.

Just then Eddie wheeled a gurney in with a body bag on it.

"What have we got?" Karen asked.

Eddie grimaced, "Road kill. Guy got hit by a semi all eighteen wheels hit him. You're going to have to pour what's left of this guy in a glass."

She gave him a hard look. "Thanks for the visual."

Eddie left and she got to work. She was about to put on rubber gloves when something occurred to her. She put the gloves back and grabbed a scalpel and yanked the zipper open. As she suspected, Ben, one of the new interns popped up screaming. He was somewhat disappointed that he didn't succeed in scaring her. She waved her scalpel at him to make herself look fiercer.

"How did you know it was me?"

"These bags are cheap; they leak. If you got hit by a semi there would be a big mess. Next time pay attention to details. Oh, and tell Eddie he will get his soon."

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

The party was in full swing and everyone was having a good time. Nick got sucked into talking shop with the Captain. It was hard to have a serious conversation when the man was wearing a chicken suit. Tracy ate a festively sprinkled donut at one of the tables set up along the back wall. Vachon sat next to her drinking from a silver flask. There was no question what was in it, most likely something from the O positive family. Natalie and Nick were also at their table. One of the band players came over and tapped Vachon on the shoulder.

"I've seen you play at the clubs; you wanna go up and play something?" Vachon looked over at Tracy who nodded eagerly that he should do it. He thought about it then smiled. "Ok, on one condition." He turned a wicked smile on Nick. "Only if Knight here accompanies me on piano."

Nick's mouth dropped open to protest but Natalie quickly spoke up for him. "He'd love to," and pushed Nick in the direction of the stage.

Tracy smiled at Natalie "This should be fun. I didn't know Nick played the piano."

"There's a lot about Nick you don't know." They watched Nick and Vachon discuss what song they would play then they took the stage. Someone handed Vachon a guitar. He muttered, "It's not my Gibson but it'll have to do." They played 'Don't Fear the Reaper' by Blue Oyster Cult and it got a standing ovation. They ended up playing two more songs before they could leave the stage. Their two loudest fans were Tracy and Natalie.

Vachon pulled Tracy out onto the dance floor and held her close.

"You were amazing," Tracy smiled.

"I do what I can."

The two happy couples danced the night away. The party was a success. They raised enough money to get the air conditioning fixed in the precinct and a few other minor repairs with a little left over to buy a couple dozen boxes of donuts. In the end everyone got what they wanted.

As Vachon walked Tracy to his motorcycle he said, "Did I ever tell you how sexy you look with fangs?"

"Yes, but you can tell me again."

He whispered in her ear. "You wanna go back to my place and fool around in my coffin?"

She laughed, "You don't have a coffin, do you?"

"Just a little vampire humor."

Tracy nipped at his neck. "Well we could pretend that you have one."

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

Natalie gathered up a couple donuts to take to Karen at the morgue. She had Nick swing by the office. When they got there Dr. Thornheart was already on her way out of the building. Natalie handed her the donuts.

"How was the party?"

Natalie smiled. "Oh, it was really great. I had the best time."

"Can I give you a lift anywhere?" Nick asked.

"Ok sure, can you take me to the Gypsy Cove Magic shop?"

Nick nodded and she got in the back seat. On the way to the shop Natalie told her all about how Nick played a couple of songs on stage. Nick dropped her off at the front of the shop.

"Thanks for the ride Detective Knight and thank you Natalie for the donuts, I'll see you at work tomorrow."

Karen went into the shop and was greeted by her friend Jade. Karen smiled "I come bearing donuts."

Jade peeked in the bag. "Ooh, festive ones at that." They sat down at a small table in the corner of the store. As they ate Karen said, "You will not believe what Eddie and that new intern, Ben, tried to put over on me tonight. They thought they were going to scare me."

Jade smiled. "Tell me everything."

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