A Bubblegum Crisis / Forever Knight crossover

Little Girl Lost
-------------------
By She-Hulk (brobinso@neocomm.net)

Part 3	


	Silia studied the hardsuit designs and realized she would have to scrap
the lot. They just couldn't withstand the new strength of the team. She
waved a hand at the screen and spoke to Mackie. "It won't work. The suits
just weren't designed to take that much internal pressure. Any ideas?"

	Mackie frowned and pointed to a list of materials they had considered when
they had first built the suits. "Here. We discarded it as being too heavy,
but that isn't a problem now. Do you think this would work?"

	Silia smiled and patted him on the arm. "Mackie you're a genius! Let's run
some simulations and see if the computer simulation agrees."

	Nene stared at the ceiling and groaned. She was bored. Silia and Mackie
were shut up in the lab and Priss was at Hot Legs.  She looked over at Linna
and tossed a pillow at her. Linna didn't stop reading her newspaper, but
deflected the missile absently. "I'm bored! Linna? Are you listening to me?"

	"No."

	"Come on Linna, let's go see Priss." 

	Linna did look up at that. "You know you can't go out where LaCroix might
sense you. Besides, Leon will probably be at the club. It would look pretty
suspicious if he saw you there when you're supposed to be sick."

	Nene scowled wandered over to watch the city. "I know. But what am I going
to do?"

	"I don't know, just don't leave the building."

	Nene stiffened suddenly and turned to Linna in alarm. "Linna!" Her voice
was low and urgent. "I can feel another vampire!"

	"This surprises you?"

	"No! I mean outside, in the hallway!"

	Linna focused and felt the strange vibration. It was not familiar. "Get
Silia!"

	
	Nick rang the bell and froze as he heard the distinctive click of a gun
hammer being drawn back. He slowly turned around and found himself face to
gun with Silia Stingray. Nick noticed the change, of course and frowned. "I
see I'm too late. LaCroix found her."

	Silia laughed and lowered her weapon. "No, I'm afraid Nene managed quite
capably in his absence. Come in."


	Nick watched the group and was struck by how close they were. They way
they teased each other spoke of years of friendship. Nene laughed at
something Linna said and he saw the sweet air that still surrounded her even
after her passage into the night. The casual way they handled the blood
consumption disturbed him, though. He sipped from his own glass and tasted
human blood. Had they killed for it? 

	Silia saw him frown and knew what he was thinking. Nick had warned her
that Nene would be feeling intense guilt over what she'd become and that a
substitute of cow's blood might be easier for her to accept. 

	Only Nene had felt no guilt. Nor had the others. She drank deeply from her
glass and realized that Nick had been describing his own guilt. "Is the
vintage not to your liking, Mr. deBrabant?"

	"It's fine." He met her level gaze. "I just wondered about the source.
It's very.....rich."

	Linna laughed and pointed to Nene. "It's Nene's special mix. She cleaned
out a blood bank and has been experimenting with different blends." Linna
lifted the bottle and read Nene's notes. "Let's see. One part A- to three
parts O+. I think you've got a winner here, Nene."

	Nick shook his head. "That's rather dangerous. It can call attention to
you." 

	"That has already been taken care of. I've just purchased a small research
company for the express purpose of providing the supplies we need. There
will be no more robberies." Silia filled her glass again. "You are disturbed
by something."

	"You all seem rather casual about this. I don't understand how you..." He
trailed off as Silia raised a hand.

	"Please. Let me finish for you. You are wondering why we can drink the
blood of mortals without the guilt you yourself feel. You don't know us,
Nicholas. We have lost our loved ones, some to disasters, some by the hands
of monsters who call themselves human. We have struggled for years against
an overwhelming foe, yet we persevere." She stood and faced the city. "You
have not walked these streets with us, seeing the death and the
hopelessness. Watching as people are crushed under corporate machines and
their blood used to grease the wheels of 'progress.' There is little
morality in this city and sometimes I think that we are the sole possessors
of this virtue." 

	"I drink without remorse because I am still what I have always been; a
predator among predators. If I didn't have such convenient means of gaining
supplies then I 'would' hunt the streets. Believe me, we could feed every
hour of every night for a hundred years and not even scratch the surface of
the evil in this place."

	The sound of slow clapping caused everyone but Silia to start. Priss
stepped forward and picked up a bottle from the coffee table. She pulled the
cork out with her teeth and spat it away. Lifting the bottle to Silia she
spoke with a razor sharp edge. "The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen!" And
she drained the bottle. Priss wiped the blood from her mouth and turned to
Nicholas.

	"deBrabant. You know LaCroix well, right?" She sneered as he nodded. "Then
tell us how we can kill him. How do we destroy this monster?"

	Silia was concerned at Priss' behavior. "What's is it?"

	Priss faced her. "Leon's dead."

	Nene gasped. "No! Oh Priss, he can't be!"

	"Daley's gone, too. They found the bodies outside of the Raven. Since
boomers had trashed the place it brought the investigation under the AD
Police jurisdiction. They tried to arrest LaCroix and the bastard killed
them." Priss hurled the bottle at the window and watched it shatter into
dust against the armored glass. Hot tears escaped her and she clenched her
eyes closed to stop them. "The cops think it's another 33-S." Her voice
broke and Nene held her while she cried. 

	Nicholas saw Silia and Linna move to stand bedside them. They hovered
protectively, but he sensed the rage building within each of them. Nick
realized that LaCroix may have just made the biggest mistake of his undead
life.


+ + + + +


	They continued to train in the days that followed, honing their skills
under Nick's watchful eye. He marveled at how quickly they adapted to their
new abilities.  

	Silia tapped the computer screen, catching his attention. "See here? The
suit was originally designed to provide protection and enhanced strength.
We've discarded all of the components that provided the muscle and that left
more room for better armor and more weapons." She entered a command and the
digital display changed. The list of weapons that scrolled out beside it was
impressive. She handed Nick a glass vial filled with silver liquid.

	"What's this?"

	"Silver nitrate. Mackie has been running some tests and it turns out that
this stuff is lethal to us. It turns our blood into poison."

	She held up a bullet. It was over four inches in length and he could see
the strange jacket that made it distinctive. "An exploding tip, filled with
silver nitrate. I'm hoping this will give us the edge we need to finish
LaCroix."

	Priss' sudden curse filled the air. They watched as she stormed across the
training room after Linna.

	Linna laughed and easily dodged her wild swing. "See? Slow as a turtle!" 

	Silia started to rise, but Nene flashed by the pair and sent them both
toppling. "I don't think either of you have room to talk, do you?" She
grinned and they both went after her. Nene let out a small yelp and fled.

	Silia shook her head and returned to her explanation.


+ + + + +
	

	Mackie adjusted the scanner and nodded at Silia. "Ready when you are." She
stepped onto the pad and the ring began to lower. It reached the base of the
pad and rose. Mackie looked at the new readouts and compared them with the
old ones. He frowned. "You'd better come see this."

	Silia saw the changes and smiled. "I thought so."

	"What is that?" Mackie was half afraid that he knew the answer.

	"Adaptation, Mackie. Father was right."


   + + + + +	


	Priss felt him before he entered the club. The faint tingle reached her as
she finished her last set and she scanned the crowd as they cheered. She
heard the door open and knew that LaCroix  was here. Priss cursed mentally
and left the stage. She raced back to her dressing room and changed quickly.
She grabbed her jacket and turned to find LaCroix standing behind her. 

	"Don't you know how to knock?" Priss slipped her jacket on and shoved her
hands in the pockets. Her fingers curled around her pistol and she thought
of Leon. "I don't sign autographs, if that's what you're looking for."

	LaCroix merely raised a brow. "If it's a game you want, then I must
disappoint you. I desire only one thing from you, Miss Asagari." He had her
by the throat and against the wall before Priss could react. She gasped as
he began to squeeze. "This will not kill you, but it will cause you
unnecessary pain. Where is she?"

	Priss gripped the gun and pulled the trigger. The bullet was wild and
clipped LaCroix in the side, but it was enough. The bullet exploded and he
fell back, screaming. Priss ran from the club and took to the air. 


+ + + + +
	

	Silia watched the people on the street dozens of stories below. She heard
Nene step out and turned to scold her. Nene held up her hand. "I need air,
Silia. I hardly think LaCroix will fly past and see me." 

	Linna joined them and the studied the city below them. Nene sighed. "Do
think it's odd, about the blood I mean?" 

	Linna shrugged. "I guess it's part of the whole package, isn't it?"

	"Yes, but it just seems so normal. You remember how I was before. This
kind of thing would freak me out, now I'm mixing the stuff like a wine
maker! Is that normal?"

	Silia laughed and shook her head. "I think you're trying to hard to find
something to be guilty about. You are not the same person you were, Nene.
We've become so much more than we were before. I think that the things
you're feeling are part of the instincts we possess now."

	Linna spoke softly, almost afraid of what she was thinking. "When Priss
told us about Leon.....I thought..." She frowned and forced herself to
continue. "My first thought was of the blood, then I thought of Leon as a
person."

	Silia smiled. "Leon was a good person, Linna. He will be missed. The thing
you have to remember is that you are not human any more. On an evolutionary
basis, we are a different species now." She waved a hand toward the city.
"We're stronger than they are, that makes them seem distant, separate."

	Linna saw the shape coming toward them from the sky. "Nene, get inside!
Silia, there's somebody coming!"

	Silia focused on the intruder and gasped. "It's Priss!"


	Priss spotted the Lady 633 and wiped the blood from her eyes. Her strength
was fading fast and she doubted she would make it to the building. Bloody
sweat covered her and she was shivering. She wondered if she would die from
the landing or would she be dead before she hit the ground. Priss heard
someone calling to her as she fell

	Linna caught Priss and struggled to keep them both aloft. She hadn't tried
to carry someone before and it was harder than she would have thought. Silia
appeared beside her and helped carry Priss back to the roof. She was
delirious, but Silia understood. "There...he..I tried...shot him...it
hurts.....Silia..."



	Mackie replaced the blood bag with a fresh one and checked the needle in
Priss' arm. Silia was tearing the rest of her clothes away and washing off
the sweat so she could see. "There." She pointed to a small scratch on her
side and Nick frowned.

	"That's it? That's what's making her so sick?"

	Silia pulled on a pair of surgical gloves as Nene brought her a surgical
kit. She laid the instruments out and looked at Mackie. "Keep the blood
transfusions going. If she wakes up, she if she can drink some as well.
Linna, move the scanner over Priss." Linna adjusted the scanner and Silia
watched it as she made the first incision. "She said she shot LaCroix. He
must have been too close when the bullet exploded." She nodded to the
screen. A tiny sliver of metal was visible. Silia caught the piece and
removed it. "Linna change the scan to infer-red." The screen changed and
Nick saw several white areas.

	"What are those patches?"

	"Silver nitrate. Or rather the effects of it. It's killing whatever it
comes into contact with." Silia picked up a larger scalpel and began to
excise the 'dead' flesh. Priss screamed and tried to sit up. Linna and Nene
held down her arms as Nick grabbed her legs. Priss cried out again as Silia
removed a large chunk of flesh. 

	Silia paused and looked at Mackie. He held a goblet of blood to Priss'
lips and she drank deeply. Two more glasses and Silia began again. Priss
clenched her teeth against the pain and prayed she would pass out.

	No such luck. Silia removed the last of the infected areas and ran the
scanner again, making sure the wound was clean. It was and she wrapped the
gapping hole lightly. The regenerative sleep would heal the rest.

	Priss felt a warm wet cloth wash away the sweat from her face and looked
up to see Nene staring down at her in concern. Priss' voice was faint.
"Sorry about the car, Mom. I guess I'm grounded?" 

	Nene's eyes filled and she smiled. "You're damned right you are!"


       + + + + +	


	LaCroix had thought he was dying at first. The fire in his side was
excruciating and for a brief moment he wished he would die so that the pain
would stop. But his thirst for revenge was stronger and he forced himself to
act. Pulling his shirt away, he stared at the ragged wound. LaCroix knew
that it wasn't a normal bullet that had struck him. He had felt it explode,
felt each white hot piece as it violated his flesh. He reached for dagger
beside of him and began to cut.


+ + + + +


	Priss opened her eyes and stretched as the door opened. Silia entered with
Nene right on her heels. "Hi. I guess you want to check me out, huh?" She
tossed back the blankets and Silia began to cut away the bandages. Priss
looked down to see unblemished skin and laughed. "Excellent work, Dr.
Stingray. You'd make a fortune in cosmetic surgery." Priss idly ran her
fingers over the scar on her other side and thought of things she couldn't
change.

	 Silia saw her eyes darken and spoke quietly. "Are you hungry?" 

	Priss shook away her memories and grinned. "That was a joke, right?"



	Priss lit a cigarette and refilled her glass. "So now he knows who I am.
It won't take him long to find out about the rest of us."

	"Are you sure you hit him?" Linna's voice was low.

	Priss laughed, but there was an edge to the sound. "Yeah. I'm sure. He
fell back, but he was getting up again as I left."

	"He's an ancient vampire. They are almost impossible to kill. I know, I
tried once." Nick frowned into his glass.

	"Maybe we should offer LaCroix a deal." Silia waited for the explosions.

	"Are you out of your mind?" Linna pushed away from the table and began to
pace. "He almost kills Priss and you want to meet with him? Am I the only
one who thinks this is a very bad idea?"

	Priss shook her head. "I don't like it either. I'd prefer him dead." She
glanced at Nick. "But I don't see that we have any other choice. We can't
keep hiding." Priss flicked the ash from the tip of her cigarette. They all
heard it hit the glass of the ashtray. Life had gotten very complicated. "If
we could get him to agree to leave the country..."

	Nick's expression was doubtful. "LaCroix is a law unto himself. I don't
think he'll agree to that, but he might agree to stay in the background." 

	"I don't want him near me!" Nene was on the verge of tears. 

	Nick sighed. "He brought you over, Nene. There are ties between you now.
LaCroix won't be willing to let go that easily."

	Silia spoke quietly. "He doesn't have a choice. He either leaves or we
kill him."

	"Or he kills you."


+ + + + +


	LaCroix was surprised to hear that Nicholas was in MegaTokyo and wanted to
see him. He was immediately suspicious. Time to renew old acquaintances.

	This part of the subway had been part of the infamous Paradise Loop a few
years back. The development of Geo City had brought about the refurbishment
of the old line, but parts of the system were still the same. Nick walked
down the darkened tunnel cautiously, his ears straining. Rats scurried away
from him and squealed in protest. Nene clenched his hand and tried to
remember that she was a vampire now. They couldn't hurt her. She easily made
out their furry bodies in the dark and gulped audibly. Nick smiled at her
encouragingly and they continued to descend. 

	Silia was right behind them. She hadn't liked the idea of this meeting
place, but she'd been given little choice. LaCroix had insisted they meet in
the abandoned station. He would agree to nowhere else. Linna's voice was a
mere vibration, but Silia heard her. "I've got all three of you on screen.
Priss is in position." Silia said nothing as she touched the ear piece. 

	Linna received the signal and radioed Priss. "Silia's ready. Let's just
hang back and hope we're not needed." She waited for Priss to reply. After a
moment's silence, she tried again. "Priss?"



	Nick stopped on the edge of the platform as LaCroix emerged from the
shadows. Torches had been placed all around the platform and the light
flickered over his features in a gruesome display. "LaCroix."

	"Hello, Nicholas. It has been too long." He smiled at Nene and she
trembled. "And you Nene. Are you well? I hope these last weeks haven't been
unpleasant for you. Come closer and let me see you." Nene felt herself take
an involuntary step forward. Silia placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her
and didn't react as Linna spoke in her ear.

	Nick moved in front of her and met LaCroix' gaze steadily. "I don't think
you understand what's happening here, LaCroix. You've managed to hurt a
great deal of people. Oddly enough they want you dead now. I can't say that
I blame them."

	"Ah Nicholas. Are you still protecting the weak and innocent?" LaCroix
shook his head. "Such promise, such energy, wasted. I wonder if she needs
your protection? I believe that Nene is everything you could have been,
Nicholas. I smell human blood on her. Does she hunt what you will not? Does
she bathe in the blood of her prey, while you dine on the swill of animals?" 

	Nene broke loose from Silia and confronted LaCroix angrily. "What I feed
on doesn't concern you! I didn't ask for this! You brought me across by
force and you have no right to try and claim me!" LaCroix laughed silently
and walked into the center of the ring of light. Nene stood her ground and
lifted her chin. "I won't go with you and if you try anything then we'll..."
She trailed off as he stared at her.

	LaCroix lifted a hand Nene saw the pieces of metal as they fell to the
floor. "Or you'll what? Kill me? An interesting toy, but hardly a threat."
She stepped into the circle and he touched her cheek. "You have no idea of
the trouble you caused me, little one."

	Silia pushed past Nick and faced LaCroix. "Get away from her." LaCroix saw
the gun fixed on him and laughed.

	"Why Nene, is this another child? How marvelous! I had no idea you would
be so...prolific." LaCroix ignored Silia and turned to leave. "You can have
your freedom, child, but Nene will come with me." Silia released the safety
and he stopped. "Unless of course you want your 'sister' to die?" He held up
Priss' helmet, it's face shield smashed.

	"No! You bastard!" Nene lunged after him, raking her claws across his
back. He turned and sent her flying across the platform with the back of his
hand. She hit the wall hard, crushing the bricks and slumping to the ground.
Nene reached for her gun with bloody hands and opened fire on her master.
LaCroix was still advancing on Nene and Silia shot him in the chest three
times in quick succession. He staggered back as Nene and Silia continued to
fire. LaCroix roared at them and picked up something from the floor, hurling
the steel bar at Nene. She screamed as it pinned her shoulder to the wall.
Silia's kick caught him in the side of the head, knocking him down. He
grabbed her ankle and tossed her toward Nene. She managed to keep from
crashing into Nene, hitting the wall beside her instead. Linna burst onto
the platform and strafed LaCroix as she moved to shield Nene and Silia. He
fell back into one of the tunnels and disappeared.  Silia knelt beside Nene
and Nick went after LaCroix. 

	Silia pulled the bar out as Linna went after Priss.

	Linna raced into the dark recess and armed all of her weapons. She shot
through the cramped confines and ducked low ceilings as she searched for
Priss. A steady reading on her screen told her she was going in the right
direction.  The sound of a low moan reached her as she turned a corner and
found herself in a small nook. Priss was lying against the wall And Linna
was horrified to see a long stake splitting the front of her armor. "Priss!" 

	She knelt beside her friend and was amazed to see Priss look up at her
with a faint smile. "Hi. S-Sorry I missed the....show. Ugh...damn...that
hurts." She saw Linna's face and shook her head, groaning as the movement
echoed through her body. "N-Not that bad....missed.....heart."

	Linna gripped the wood and pulled it out quickly. Priss screamed.


	Nene moaned and clutched her shoulder. Silia held a bottle to her lips and
wondered what was happening in that tunnel.


	Nick found LaCroix in a distant crawl space. He was in bad shape, but Nick
knew that he would survive. Hadn't he burned LaCroix beyond all recognition
before? "LaCroix. It's no use pursuing this. They won't let you play your
games with them."

	LaCroix gasped and pushed himself up against the wall. "Y-You disappoint
me Nicholas. I thought you knew me better than that."

	"I do know you. I know that even as hurt as you are, you'll recover. I
also know that you'll try again and they will fight you every step of the
way." He sighed and reached into his coat for a bottle. Nick pulled the cork
and handed it to LaCroix, who stared at him in surprise. Nick shrugged as
LaCroix drank. "You were right about Nene. She's a hunter, though you'd
never guess it to look at her. But she's a pack hunter, LaCroix. You cannot
make her a solitary hunter, she won't survive. Those women are her family
and they will not let you take her from the pack. Look what happened when
you took her the first time. If you continue to try they 'will' find a way
to kill you."

	LaCroix tossed the bottle aside and stared at Nick. "Then perhaps I should
eliminate my mistake. It might not be wise to let such a slip continue to
grow and flourish. I understand that they can come back to haunt you."

	Nicholas shook his head. "You could. Or you could leave them in peace.
Will you destroy this pack, this family? Or will you let them go? The
ultimate decision lies in your hands, of course. Are they worth the trouble
it would take to kill them?" Nick waited in silence for LaCroix to decide. 

	LaCroix heard the distant rumble of the subway above and looked at Nick.
He thought of the way the others had tried to protect Nene. They had been
determined ruthless and cunning. All admirable traits. LaCroix sighed and
wondered where this family would be in a hundred years. Maybe it would be
amusing to find out. "Perhaps you are right, Nicholas. Perhaps I was hasty
with my choice. I will leave this 'pack' in peace. A little age might
accomplish what force will not. It is not as if I will run out of time."


+ + + + +

	
	Nick emerged from the tunnel to find the others waiting for him. Priss was
leaning against the wall beside of Nene. They were both covered in blood and
didn't look too good. Silia and Linna lowered their weapons when they saw
that he was alone. "Where's LaCroix?"

	"He's gone. He won't be back. LaCroix has decided that it may not have
been wise to bring Nene over. She's too much trouble." Nick didn't tell them
that LaCroix said he would return. They didn't need to worry about that for
a century at least.

	Nene handed Priss the bottle and she drained it quickly. Priss wiped her
mouth with the back of her hand and glanced at Nene. "Nice. Kind of spicy.
New mix?"

	Nene laughed and winced as it jarred her shoulder. "Yeah. I added a shot
of AB- to my first mix. Gave it a little pep."

	Linna shook her head at them and lifted Priss into her arms. "If you two
gourmets have finished your critique, then I suggest we get out of here."

	

+ + + + +
	

	Silia looked at him thoughtfully. "You're returning tonight?"
	
	"Yes. I miss Natalie and I need to attend to a great deal of business. It
tends to pile up when I'm away. You must visit us some time. Natalie would
love to meet you all."

	Nene handed him a sealed container. "I can't thank you enough for what
you've done, Nick. I know you don't like to drink human blood, but you
seemed to like the double A mix so I thought...."

	Nick grinned. "Thank you. I'm sure we'll enjoy it."
		

	
+ + + + +


	Silia saw Nene's excited expression as she hurried into Silia's office.
Silia shot a look at Linna. "I think she's been experimenting again. Up to
another taste test?"

	Linna laughed as Nene scowled at them. "I think I can manage."

	Nene stuck her tongue out at Linna and withdrew the letter she'd received
from Nick. "I got this in the mail today. It's from Nick. Apparently another
vampire was visiting Natalie when he returned and sampled some of my mix.
She's thinking of re-opening the Raven here in Japan. She wants to know if
I'd be willing to manage the club."

	Linna laughed and reached for the letter. "Hmmm. Jeanette DuCharme. Very
French. Are you going to do it?"
	
	"Why not? It'll be fun." Silia tried very hard not to laugh at Nene's
enthusiasm.	


+ + + + +


	The Raven was crowded but Nene picked out the vampires easily. The humans
in the crowd were unaware, of course. Which was exactly the way Nene wanted
it. It wouldn't do for her special customers to become known. She heard the
music start and saw Priss take the stage again. She shook her head,
recognizing the song. Talk about throwing yourself into a role.

	Priss poured energy into the song, letting her own emotions shape her
voice. Both the lyrics and the feeling were old.


	Close your eyes 
	and walk the endless night to sleep


	Nene smiled as she set a glass of  'wine' down in front of  the gaijin
vampire sitting at the end of the bar. He returned her smile and winked at
Nene as he raised his glass to her. Nene felt herself flush and began to
wipe the spotless bar. 


	No good-byes
	And no more promises to keep

	
	Silia appeared in front of her and Nene jumped. How does she do that? "Hi,
Silia. How'd your meeting go?" Nene automatically filled a glass and set it
before her. 

	Silia sipped and tapped the leather folder she'd set on the bar. "Not bad.
They agreed to everything I wanted, but they weren't happy about it." Her
meeting had been with several of the more powerful vampires in the city.
Silia wanted to bring them together in a sort of tribunal to help keep some
of the wilder vampires in line. "The Raven is now considered neutral
territory and any vampire who ignores this will find themselves in for a
nasty surprise." 


	It ends tonight
	And fills the emptiness in me

	You must give in
	You must give in


	Nene felt Linna enter and filled another glass. "Sounds good. I just
wonder how long it will take you to maneuver them into taking a position
against Genom." 

	Silia smiled into her glass. "Who says they haven't?"

	Linna sat down next to Silia and looked at Nene. "Close your mouth, Nene.
You look like you've just seen Quincy."


	A game that you can't win
	The hunger
	

	Nene snapped her mouth shut and shook her head. "I would have never
thought that you could become anymore ruthless..." She paused when she heard
a gasp of pain. Nene slipped from behind the bar and headed toward the back
of the room.
	


	The music plays
	The fire burns
	The soul departs
	The fever breaks
	
	

	Linna watched Priss and spoke absently. "She's really getting into this,
isn't she?"

	Silia tugged her sleeve and nodded to Nene. "This should be interesting."

	She saw the couple that had drawn Nene's attention and winced. "He's in
for it."


	You can't turn back
	You can't turn back

	
	Nene grabbed the man by the back of his jacket and lifted him from the
chair easily. He let go of the woman's wrist he'd been twisting and looked
down into Nene's furious gaze. "You will not hurt her again. You
understand?" He nodded blankly and she dropped him back into his chair. She
turned to the woman. "Do you want me to call you a cab?" The woman nodded
and Nene led her back to the bar.


	The night bleeds in black
	The hunger
	

	The woman left and Linna erupted in laughter. "Nene the Enforcer! I love it!"

	She ignored her and made a margarita. The human waitress took the drink
and Nene turned to Linna. "Did you want me to let him keep hurting  her?"

	Linna stopped laughing and shook her head. "Of course not." 

	"Won't people question your....strength?" Silia was frowning and Nene
groaned.

	"No. They think that I've got synthetic limbs. Priss suggested the idea.
It lets me flex some muscle without worrying about who sees."	


	You must give in
	You must give in

	
	Linna laughed again at the thought of Nene 'flexing muscle'. Her laughter
died as the dark haired vampire from the end of the bar slid onto a seat
next to her. Linna's face fell when he only smiled at her and then focused
completely on Nene.

	"Hello." He held up his glass. "Very rich for a 'house' brand. May I have
another?"

	Nene felt herself flush again and took the glass from him. His fingers
caught hers and she looked up sharply. He smiled and Nene felt her toes
curl. "Yes?"


	"What's your name, blue eyes?" Nene told him and he repeated it softly.
The vampire brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

	"My name is Vachon."
	

	A game that you can't win
	The hunger

	The hunger


	

shimai
	

	Oh, by the way. I know all about the problems involved with mixing blood
types, but I'm choosing to ignore it in this story. So don't yatz at me
about it, I know already!


     *****************************************************
                 Nightraven (aka Shawn T. Buck)
            Computer Science Major at Virginia Tech
                                
                         shbuck@vt.edu
                         mousse@vt.edu
                       nightraven@vt.edu
                      shbuck@cslab.vt.edu
                http://www.cslab.vt.edu/~shbuck/
                                
     "If Madoka says there are 99 steps, there are 99 steps"
      *****************************************************