Background Music:  Dangerous Minds


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Second Chance
Chapter Five--Betrayal

By: Deborah A. Hymon

October 16, 2005

Thank you, Donna for
   editing this chapter.

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“Is there someone here named Dimitri?”

Everyone turned toward the doctor who stood barely inside the waiting room. Before Nick could respond Dimitri stepped forward.   “I’m Dimitri.”

“Natalie Lambert has been calling your name. She’s awake, but still a bit sedated.  She insists on seeing you.”

Nick quickly stepped toward the doctor.  “I’m her fiancé, Nick Knight. Doctor, how is she?  What about the baby?” His voice was shaky, but demanding.

The doctor tugged off the stethoscope from around his neck, and tucked it into his lab coat pocket.  He hesitated briefly before he raised his head to look at Nick.  The frown on the doctor’s face caused Nick’s chest to tighten.  “What is it?  Is there something wrong?”

The doctor never broke eye contact with Nick.  “She came through the surgery fine. Her vital signs are good, and so far there doesn’t seem to be a problem with the baby.”  He paused, and took a deep breath, glancing around the room before he continued.  “I’m sorry, but Natalie specifically said she didn’t want to talk to anyone until she’d spoken to Dimitri.”

Nick glared at the doctor. “Nat wouldn’t say that.  If she did, she didn’t mean it.  You don’t understand.  Didn’t you say she was sedated?”

The doctor glanced at Dimitri, before again looking at Nick. He nervously shifted his weight and took a step back, before he answered.  “Yes, she is, but she’s very alert, and demanding to see Dimitri.  She was very firm with her constant requests to see no one until she’d spoken to him. I’m sorry, but I feel we need to honor her wish. She’s very agitated. Perhaps he can calm her. It’s very important that she doesn’t get upset. We need to keep her quiet, for her sake, and especially the baby’s.”

Dimitri stepped between Nick and the doctor.  He lightly touched Nick’s shoulder.  “Knight, I’m not sure why she’s not asking for you, but the doctor is right. Natalie needs to remain calm, to heal.  Let me go to her. I’ll speak with her, tell her you’re here and wanting to see her.”

The doctor stepped aside, and slowly eased toward the door, obviously not wanting to be caught in the confrontation.  Nick could feel his anger pushing to free his vampire. He took a much-needed deep breath, and tried to relax, to calm his beast.  He didn’t say anything.  His eyes narrowed, anger clearly visible.  Flame who watched the two men from across the room, gasped at the look Nick gave Dimitri.

“Tell her I’m here.”  The tone in Nick’s voice sounded lethal.  “I’m giving you five minutes, that’s it.”  Nick shrugged Dimitri’s hand from his shoulder. “Remember this.  She belongs to me, now and forever.” Nick’s voice was barely a whisper, meant for Dimitri’s ears only. 

Dimitri didn’t respond. He turned and followed the doctor out of the waiting room and down the hall to Natalie.  The confrontation with Knight hadn’t been pleasant, and he understood Knight’s anger.  A sick feeling started in the pit of his stomach, causing his last meal of blood to churn.  He had a good idea why Natalie wanted to see him, and he sure the hell wasn’t looking forward to this visit.

“She’s in here.”  The doctor pushed open the swinging door to the Recovery Room, allowing Dimitri to enter before him. “She’s been rather vocal about seeing you. I’m not sure what’s going on between you and her fiancé, but don’t upset her.  Remember, there are other patients in the ward, and I don’t want them to be disturbed.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

The doctor pulled back the curtain from around Natalie’s bed.  “I’ll leave you two to visit. Make it brief. She needs her rest.”  He closed the curtain behind Dimitri, and walked away. 

Dimitri stepped behind the curtain and saw Natalie staring at him.  “Nat…” The tone of his voice was low, filled with tenderness.

“Damn it, Dimitri!  What have you done to me?”  She screamed in a whisper, trying to keep anyone from hearing her.

Dimitri cautiously took a step forward.  He didn’t want to frighten her.  “Natalie, please try to relax, and I’ll explain everything.  The doctor wants you to remain calm. He said it wasn’t good for you or the bab…babies, if you get upset.”

Nat pushed the control button to raise the head of her bed so she could better see him.  “Get upset?  Hell, I’m furious!  I don’t know exactly what you did, but I can feel you, feel you inside of my head. My entire body vibrates, and somehow I know you’re the cause of it. This is different than when I’m with Nick. Where is Nick?”

Dimitri, eased closer to the bed and cautiously sat down on the edge.  He reached for her hand.  Encouraged when she didn’t pull away, his other hand slowly reached up and caressed her face.  “Nick is in the waiting room. He’s about to claw the walls down to get in here. Natalie, you’ll never know how terrified I was when the kid shot you.  The bullet hit you in the shoulder and pierced an artery. You lost a lot of blood, quickly.  I couldn’t stop the bleeding. I could hear your heartbeat slowing. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew you didn’t want to die.”  He paused to let her grasp what he had told her. 

“How did you know that?”

“Natalie, you told me someday you wished to be brought across.  I assumed that meant you didn’t want to die a mortal death.”

“Of course I don’t want to die, who does?  But my reasons for accepting an alternative live style are to be with Nick. I know I’m not a vampire because I obviously still have a heartbeat.”  She motioned to the heart monitor hooked up to her body.  “But somehow I feel connected to you. I feel you inside of me, and I can tell you that I’m not happy about it. What the hell did you do to me?  Whatever you did, I want you to undo it.”

“I wish it were that simple, Natalie.”

She brushed his hand away from her cheek and pulled away from him.  “I thought you were my friend.”

“I am your friend, and that’s why I did this. You were bleeding, and I knew the only thing that would save your life was to give you a few drops of my blood.  Vampire blood in small doses can be healing to a mortal. The mortal receives a bit of our regenerating abilities.”

Her eyes widened at his confession. “You did what?”

“When I heard your heart failing, I tasted your blood.  Before you ask, no, I didn’t bite you. I tasted you from the wound with my finger.  You’ve been with Nick, and I know he’s taken your blood during intimacy. You know what happens during and shortly after he takes you, the connection.  Nick told me he’s never allowed you to taste his blood. The two of you have only half completed the blood circle. He’s taken your blood without you reciprocating.  When I tasted your blood, then gave you mine, we completed the blood circle.  That is why our connection is stronger than the one you have with Nick.”

“I don’t want this connection to you.”  Tears filled her eyes and she looked away. “What will this do to the babies?”  She turned her head to look at him. “How could you do this to me, to us?”

“Natalie, I’m not sure the effect it will have on the babies, but they’re alive. I did it to save your life. The paramedics would never have reached you in time to stop the bleeding. You and the babies would be dead if I hadn’t done this. I know you’re angry, but I swear to you, it was the only way to save you, to save all three of you. I also know that Nick isn’t happy with this either. He’s angry and hurt, but I believe if he’s given time to cool down and think, he’ll agree I made the right decision.”

“Are you telling me that there’s no way to sever this bond, this connection we now have?”

“No, Natalie.”  Dimitri dropped his head, avoiding eye contact.  He nervously flipped the ring on his left hand with his thumb, trying to figure out what to say to her.

“I want to see Nick.”

Dimitri lifted his head and looked at her.  “Natalie, I’m sorry. This bond we share will weaken over time, but it’ll always be there.  We’re a part of each other now.  I do promise to block my emotions and thoughts as much as I can, but there will always be times when we’ll feel what the other feels.”

Natalie felt the stinging tears as they flooded her eyes.  She could no longer hold them back.  “I’ve wanted this connection for so long, but I want it with Nick.”

“I know, and for that I’m sorry, but I’m not sorry for saving your life. You’re very important to me.  No mortal has ever meant this much to me.  I just hope that eventually you’ll understand why I did this, and try to forgive me. I don’t want to lose you, lose our friendship.”

Natalie turned her head away from him. “Go.  Send Nick to me.”  Her voice was low, but she knew with his sensitive hearing he heard her.

Dimitri stood, and quietly looked down at her. She still avoided looking at him.  He felt his chest tighten at the thought of her rejecting him. In all of his long existence, no other mortal woman had ever affected him like Natalie. She’d freely trusted him, and he’d betrayed that trust, even if it were to save her life.  She’d opened his cold heart, and given him her friendship.  He knew he couldn’t go back to his past existence, living without feeling. 

He turned to go, but stopped before stepping through the privacy curtain.  “Natalie, I’m truly sorry.  I know you remember our conversation before we entered the deli. Yes, I’m attracted to you, have been since the day I met you. But I want you to know…I want you to believe… this attraction had nothing to do with what I did. The one thing I do want you to believe is I did this for you, for Knight, and for the babies. You’ve waited a long time to have a life with him, and I couldn’t let that slip away when I had the power to stop it. I hope you can believe that.”

She didn’t respond. Her only answer was to shut her eyes, to shut him out.

Dimitri turned and walked down the hall toward the waiting room.  He’d spoken the truth, and told her exactly what he’d felt, why he’d given her his blood.  He still couldn’t believe how this one mortal woman had swept into his life and totally turned his world upside down. She’d opened his cold dead heart, to feel emotions for the first time in three thousand years.


Nick paced the length of the waiting room, anxiously waiting for Dimitri to return. He’d managed to control his beast, but he was still angry. He glanced at the clock. He meant what he’d told Dimitri; five minutes, and if Dimitri hadn’t returned, nothing would keep him from going to Natalie.

He still had doubts if Dimitri truly did have another reason to give Natalie his blood, other than to save her life. Dimitri freely admitted his attraction to Nat. Dimitri and Natalie were now bonded in ways that he’d secretly desired from the time he’d met her. He didn’t doubt Nat’s love.  His heart knew she loved him, but his head kept telling him the bond she now shared with Dimitri would change how she felt, would weaken their relationship.

“Nichola, you must calm yourself.”

Nick turned and glared at Janette.  “Why would she want to see him?  She’s asking for him instead of me. I should be the one in there with her.  Damn it, Janette, I’m her fiancée, those are my babies she’s pregnant with.” He kept his voice low enough for only her ears.

Janette didn’t know what to say. “Nichola, do you have any idea why she asked for him instead of you.  I don’t understand.”

Nick took her elbow and ushered her out into the hallway, away from the others. He didn’t want anyone to hear him try to explain.  “Janette, Dimitri told me he gave her his blood. He swears that he tasted her blood only to see what she desired concerning being brought across, and he’d earlier suspected the pregnancy. He wanted to be sure. He said Nat’s heart was failing because of too much blood loss. He gave her a few drops of his blood to save her life and the babies.”

“Then what is the problem?  You should be grateful he was there with her, otherwise…”

“I am grateful, but there’s more. Dimitri met Nat before I had a chance to let her know I had returned.  He’s admitted he’s attracted to her. He’s even offered to bring her across if I don’t.”

“Oh, my.” Janette’s eyes widened.  “I can’t believe Natalie would allow him to be her master.  Nichola, she loves you deeply. I’ve always known that.” She caressed his face.

“I know that too, Janette.” He tilted her chin, cupping her face in his hands.  “Janette, my heart knows she loves me. Her blood tells me how much she desires to be with me, more than words ever could.  Its incredible, the love, devotion, and passion I feel radiating from her when I taste her.  But my head keeps telling me this bond they now share is so much more than what she and I have.  I’ve only taken her blood. I’ve never suggested she taste mine because I was afraid of what it would do to her or the babies.  They now have the full blood circle. You know what that means.”

She didn’t say anything, just nodded her head.

The attraction is there, at least on his part. What if these new feelings they share brings them together?  What if Nat’s instincts go with the feelings?  You know how powerful the full blood circle is.”

Janette tenderly ran her finger down the side of his cheek, slowly outlining his bottom lip. “Oh, yes…I know” she whispered.

He could tell she remembered the bond they shared. It still remained between them, though it was weak from the lack of continuously sharing blood.  He and Janette hadn’t shared in several years, but their bond could still be strengthened by a mental push.  What frightened him the most was the thought that Dimitri might do the same with Nat, to strengthen their bond, and claim her for himself.  If he chose to do so, Nat would be helpless to his invasion of her thoughts and body.  Just the thought of Dimitri sending Nat mental caresses, ones that felt as if he were intimately touching her body, infuriated him.  The blood circle could be an all-consuming thing, especially when shared between a vampire and mortal.

“Nichola, stop it!  Nothing could keep Natalie from you, not even Dimitri.  How could you doubt her?  Hasn’t she proven her devotion to you by remaining faithful to your memory all these years you’ve been gone?”

“Janette!  You know how powerful this can be, especially between a vampire and mortal. What if I lose her?  I did once, but I won’t allow it to happen again. If Dimitri attempts to claim her as his own, I’ll kill him!” His anger flared to the point of causing his eyes to begin to take on a yellow hue.

“Stop it!  Think, Nichola. Do you think you could defeat Dimitri if you tried?  No!  He is too much older, stronger than you.  I’ve known him for centuries, and so have you. I’ve always thought him honorable.”

“Janette, this is Nat we’re talking about. She’s a very unique woman.  Any man or vampire would desire her. I told you, he’s admitted he’s attracted to her. What if he wants her for his own, to claim her…and my children?  I won’t allow it! Never! Natalie belongs to me, now and forever. I won’t let anything or anyone tear us apart.  I’ll fight Dimitri or anyone who tries to take her away from me.”

“You won’t have to, my old friend.” Dimitri laid his hand on Nick’s shoulder.  “She’s asking for you.”

Nick and Janette had been too preoccupied with their conversation to notice his return.  Nick stared at Dimitri as if all the answers would be in the vampire’s eyes.  “Listen, Nick, I told you about the attraction I felt for Natalie, and I told her too. I did so to be honest. I only confirmed what she already knew was there.  But you have it all wrong. If it hadn’t been for Natalie, I never would have known what I’ve been missing all these centuries.  She’s cracked this old soul wide open, allowing my emotions the freedom that I denied myself for way too long. She’s taught me how to feel again, to feel warmth in this cold dead heart. I’ll admit something else.  I’m jealous of your relationship.”

Nick shrugged Dimitri’s hand off his shoulder. “Stay away from Nat.”
 
“Knight, stop it.  Yes, I’m jealous, but neither of you have anything to worry about. I told Natalie I would never do anything to harm your relationship, and I mean to keep that promise.  Anyone can see you two belong together. I know you won’t believe it, but you’re the reason I gave her my blood.”

“You expect me to believe you?”

“You can believe anything you choose. I can’t control your thoughts or your emotions. But Natalie is my friend. I’ll do anything to make her happy, but it seems only you can do that. Her happiness depends on what you do about this bond I now share with her. She needs your support, to know this bond will not change your feelings about her, to destroy your dreams.  I promise I won’t do anything to strengthen the connection. I only want her friendship.  But, I would do anything to find a woman who could love me as much as Natalie loves you. This is what I’m jealous of, what I want for myself. Thanks to her, I now know that unconditional, unselfish love is the most precious gift.  I want what you two have, whether it’s with another vampire or a mortal.”

Nick didn’t say anything. He’d listened to every word, and almost believed the man spoke the truth.  Silence hung between the two vampires, their eyes locked.  Janette remained quiet, waiting to see the outcome of the confession.

Nick’s eyes narrowed.  “I want to believe you, Dimitri.”

Before Nick could continue, Dimitri rested his hands on Nick’s shoulders, and looked him straight in the eye.  “Then do so, because I swear to you I’ve spoken nothing but the truth. Natalie taught me love nor friendship can survive unless there is honesty.  I want her friendship, but I would like to have yours too.  Nick, go to her. She needs you. She wants you.”

Nick wanted to go to Natalie, but he had to ask once more what Dimitri’s plans were concerning Nat.  “What about you, Dimitri?  What do you want from all of this?”

“Natalie is upset about the bond. That’s why she wanted to see me. I tried to explain to her what she’s feeling. She wants me to undo it, which you know can’t be done.”  He dropped his hands from Nick’s shoulders, and lowered his head, breaking eye contact for the first time since he’d started the conversation.  “I think she hates me. I hope with time she can understand why I did this, and will eventually forgive me. Losing her friendship and trust deeply saddens me.  I hope I can prove to both of you that I’m worthy to be your friend.”

Nick didn’t respond. He walked around Dimitri, toward the recovery room, never looking back.

“I swear I meant every word, Janette.”

“I’m not the one you need to convince, but for what it’s worth, I believe you.”

“Thank you. I only hope Natalie will, and maybe Nick too.”

“Perhaps, with time, they’ll both understand why you did this and all will be as it was.”

“I hope so, Janette, I hope so.”  He rubbed his hands across his face as if he could wipe away the problem.  “I meant what I said about them belonging together and being jealous of what they have.”

“I know.”

Her comment got his attention.  He looked at her with a new understanding.  “I’m sorry, Janette. I know you and Nick have been together for centuries. It must be difficult to see him with Natalie, to know how much he loves her.”

Janette’s eyes seemed to sparkle as her lips curved into an all-knowing smile.  “At one time it did, but that was before I found my one true love, Robert, who also was a mortal.  We only had a short time together before death took him from me. But he lives on in Patrick.”  She motioned to the teenager across the room that stood talking to Nick’s partner, Flame.  “I’ll always love Nick, but I never knew the type of love Nick and Natalie share until Robert.  I can understand your feelings, wanting what they have.  I hope someday you’ll find that type of love.  If I’m lucky, I too will know such a love again.”

“So do I, Janette, for you and me.”  He smiled at her, before he walked into the waiting room and took a seat on the far sofa, away from the rest of the group.

Flame had been curiously observing the entire scene unfold. She didn’t know what had happened. Dimitri and Nick seemed to have a heated disagreement over something, and she would just bet a month’s salary it concerned Natalie.  She felt more confused knowing Natalie wanted to see Dimitri before Nick. Her detective instinct told her things weren’t what they appeared to be, but she planned to discover the truth.  She felt thankful she didn’t have one more problem that had early plagued her. After seeing Nick eat, and knowing he fathered Nat’s baby, she didn’t have to worry about her new partner being a vampire.

She watched Dimitri remain with Janette after Nick went to see Natalie. Their conversation seemed intense, and it disappointed her she couldn’t hear what they were saying. Apparently, he knew Janette, which only heightened Flame’s curiosity. When he walked back into the waiting room, and took a seat separate from the others, she decided to join him.

She slowly approached the handsome vampire. “Hi.”

Dimitri looked up, surprised to see Flame standing directly beside him. “Hi.” 

He smiled at her, and she could have sworn she’d seen a slight trace of sadness pass across his face before he slipped behind a tell-nothing mask.  His sensuous voice sent shivers running up her back, to her neck, causing her scalp to tingle. She instantly felt her heart race.  He arched a brow, and his smile broadened. Damn, he had heard her heart beat increase. She’d always hated vampire’s sensitive hearing, even Daniel’s.  She tried to calm her excitement.  “Care if I join you?”  She asked, motioning at the seat beside him.

“Of course. I would like that.”  He stood.  Once she sat down he returned to his seat beside her. The gentlemanly gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

“Want to talk about it?”

“About what?”  He asked, even though he had a good idea to what she referred.

“Come on, I’m not blind. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I know you and Knight butted heads, and I know he’s really pissed at you, and if I’m not mistaken it has something to do with Natalie.”  She waited, daring him to deny it.

“Not clever, just intelligent.” He spoke the same words she’d spoken the night they’d met in the alley.

His comment caused her to laugh.  “Don’t you mean intelligent for a mortal?”

“Your words, not mine.” His smile broadened into a sexy grin that again made her chest tighten and her heart race.

Damn, him. He had an affect on her, one she hadn’t experienced in a long time.  His dark ebony eyes danced, and she knew he enjoyed their banter, and probably hoped to use it to change the subject. She returned his smile. “Nice try, Dimitri.”  Gees, even his name sounded sexy rolling off her tongue. “You can’t avoid me forever.”

His eyes locked with hers, and neither spoke, until he reached up and gently pushed a stray curl from her cheek with his fingers.  “I don’t want to avoid you.”

She continued to stare at him, until she realized the man had rendered her totally speechless. She wondered what he meant by his last comment?  His hand lightly stroked down her cheek before he dropped it back to his knee.  She took a deep breath, trying to redirect her thoughts to something other than the strong sexual attraction she felt for him.  “Okay, then don’t avoid my questions.  Do Nick and Natalie know what you are?”

He chuckled at her direct question before answering. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. “I don’t think this is the time or place for such a discussion, do you?”

She felt his cool breath caress the side of her check.  The heat inside her chest rose several degrees.  Everything about him caused her body to respond in ways she’d never known before, never known with another man, and especially with a vampire. She wondered if it was the vampire’s natural charisma. They all possessed it, and could use it to seduce their prey. 

Flame tried to swallow, to clear her throat of its tightness.  She pulled back, to look into his dark eyes.  “Perhaps not, but when and where would be the time and place for such a discussion?”

Dimitri arched a brow. “Would you trust me to treat you to dinner, later tonight?”

This hadn’t been the response she’d expected.  She bit her lower lip as several reasons flew through her head why she should say no to his unexpected invitation. ‘No, don’t do it, Flame.  You just met this vamp. How do you know it’s not all a plot to get you alone, to take your blood?’ Her inner voice, something she usually listened to, screamed. 

She stared into his eyes, trying to see some deceit in his invitation.  What she saw for a brief moment caused her breath to catch. His eyes had briefly pleaded with hers.

“I promise no harm will come to you.”  He added.

“Why should I believe you?”

Again he leaned forward to whisper for her ears only. “Because I’m an honorable vampire.”

His comment caused her to release a loud laugh.  She quickly tried to compose herself before drawing attention to them, but she knew she’d failed miserably when she heard Nick’s sister shush them.  She briefly glanced at Janette to see her stern face, her finger resting on her lips, a sign to be quiet.  “Sorry.” She mouthed to the petite woman. The woman nodded her acknowledgement.

Flame turned back to Dimitri, her amusement at his comment still very apparent by the smile she flashed him.  “Is there such a thing?”

He quirked his lips.  “You’ll never know unless you give me a chance to prove it.”  His words challenged her.

Flame never could resist a dare, and she had a feeling he knew it, thus the reason for his request.  “True.”

“If that’s a yes, then what time?”

“I’m working a half shift tonight. Knight and I were supposed to attend an orientation, but I know it’s not going to happen now. The Captain told me he’s booked both of us off for the remainder of tonight’s shift, and for the next couple of days.” She didn’t know why she revealed her entire work schedule. The comment slipped out before she realized what she’d said.  She would need to be on guard when around Dimitri. He made her usual emotional control slip too easily.

“Let me send a car for you.  I need to stick around here to make sure Natalie is okay.  I want to try and talk to Knight again before I leave.”

Flame stood. “Okay, what time?”

Dimitri stood, and motioned for her to walk with him. “Why don’t I have the driver pick you up around two?” He briefly took her elbow, guiding her into the corridor.

Again his touch sent unfamiliar vibrations through her body. She fought the exciting sensations, and answered him with a tone she hoped sounded calm.  “Of course you mean two this morning, not two in the afternoon.”

“Of course.”  This time Dimitri laughed.

“Where exactly do you intend for us to go for dinner at two in the morning?”

His devilish smile again graced his handsome face. “Do you like surprises?”

“What woman doesn’t?”

“Good. Where do you live?”

“Oh no you don’t. Nice try, but I’m not in the habit of giving out my address to people I’ve just met.  Your driver can pick me up at the 96th precinct.”

He winked at her in a playful way, and shot her another gorgeous toothpaste smile.  “I guess I shouldn’t push my luck. I should be pleased you accept dinner invitations from people you’ve just met.”

Again his comment made her laugh, something she hadn’t done in too long a time.  Dimitri played a good game of cat and mouse with words, and she found she enjoyed it very much.  She had no doubt; dinner would be filled with stimulating conversation. “Take what you can get.”

“I usually do.”  The look he gave her let her know he’d meant his comment to have a double meaning, but she wasn’t sure which one he’d actually meant.

She cocked her head, and looked up at him. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what we’re going to discuss at dinner because I haven’t.”

“I never doubted it, Flame.”  He took her hand, lowered his head, and kissed the back of her hand in a courtly gesture.  He continued to hold her hand, his eyes again locking with hers. “Until we meet again.  Just remember, you did say you like surprises.”

Before she could respond, he turned and walked back into the waiting room, leaving her with the most bewildering feeling she’d ever experienced.  She stood in the hallway for several minutes, reflecting on their entire conversation.  ‘Damn, what the hell am I going to do now?’ she wondered. 








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