A Bubblegum Crisis/Forever Knight crossover

(Note: This story assumes that the FK episodes "Ashes to Ashes" and
 "Last Knight" did not happen)
      
I used several scenes from this story in another fan fiction called Blood
Ties. I was torn between two ideas and in the end I wrote them both. This
is my favorite, but Kahm wouldn't let me discard Blood Ties.

Little Girl Lost
---------------------
By She-Hulk (brobinso@neocomm.net)     
Part 1

	Nene shut off her computer with a small sigh and leaned back in her chair.
The noise level was dropping in the station room and she could hear herself
think again. It had seemed as if the day would never end. Nene wondered if
the boomers had all decided that today was the day to go on the blink. Over
two hundred calls of boomer malfunctions had filtered through the office
today, causing Nene to whine loudly at one point, "What are we, Genom's
customer service?" The outburst had not gone over well with the captain and
Nene had found herself in his office. 

	She saw Naoko approaching and groaned. She had her 'matchmaking gleam' and
Nene was very much afraid of what that meant.

	"Nene! Want to go with me to a new club? I hear that this place is Hot!"
Naoko winked at her as she perched on the side of Nene's desk. "Come on
Nene, gorgeous guys and wonderful music. What more could a girl ask?"

	"Food. Sleep." Naoko waved her comments aside.

	"You can sleep anytime! This club can't wait!"

	"Are they about to close down?"

	"Nene! I'm serious!"

	"So am I! Seriously tired! Not tonight, Naoko. I really need to get some
sleep. Maybe later?"

	Naoko wasn't giving up. "I'll pay." Nene hesitated and Naoko moved in for
the kill. "I'll buy you dinner, too."

	Nene sighed deeply and found herself nodding. "All right. Let me get my
stuff together. What's the name of this place, anyway?"

	"The Raven."
                                + + + + +

	LaCroix sat quietly in the far corner of the Raven and studied the
patrons. Music poured from hidden speakers, adding to the confusion of the
smoke-filled room. The lighting was blue and red, casting garish shadows
across the human's faces and LaCroix smiled at the swaying bodies. So many
choices, so much time. Bodies were packed onto the dance floor, gyrating in
whatever dance was now the fad. The smells of sweat, perfume and alcohol
reached his heightened senses and he wrinkled his nose slightly. Such a
strange place, MegaTokyo. He had opened the club here after hearing of the
problems that this city had with violent deaths. Just the kind of place he
liked. With so many falling victim to the boomers, no one was likely to
notice a few more. 

	He had hunted well since his arrival and was confident enough now to
consider expanding his 'family.' The stray image of Nicholas flashed
through his mind and he forced it away. That was past. He had his future to
consider now. He got up and made his way through the press of bodies to the
bar. 

	A couple of young women pushed in front of him suddenly and he was forced
to stop. They had been thrown off balance by the crowd and LaCroix saw the
redhead stumble back towards him. He caught her easily and helped her to
stand. She turned to face him and LaCroix inhaled sharply. She was smiling
at him in gratitude and embarrassment, but the smile wasn't what had
captured him. It was untouched air that surrounded her. She exuded
innocence and he felt a slow smile steal over his features. Perfect.

	Nene stared at the tall gaijin and wondered why her heart was pounding so
hard. She felt like she had just jumped in front of a boomer. She couldn't
seem to take her eyes off his. They were so beautiful. Nene began to
tremble and was startled when Naoko spoke to her. "Come on Nene, let's get
something to drink." 

	LaCroix watched as she was pulled away and followed silently. The other
girl was of no consequence, but the redhead was exactly what he'd been
looking for. He slipped behind the bar and motioned the bartender away from
the girls. "Hello ladies, what can I get you?" 

	Naoko ordered her drink and turned to Nene, who was staring at LaCroix.
"Nene? What do you want?" Nene blinked and shook her head as if to clear
it. "Uh..I don't know..." LaCroix leaned over the counter close to her and
stared into her eyes again. "Maybe I can suggest something?" His voice was
like silk, flowing over Nene and drawing her deeper into his gaze. She felt
herself nod, but didn't know what she was agreeing with. 

	LaCroix mixed their drinks and presented them with a flourish. Naoko
dismissed him, not liking gaijins and tried to catch the eye of a young man
across the bar. LaCroix noticed this and turned the man. It took only an
instant to compel him to ask Naoko to dance and then he returned to Nene.
"I haven't seen you in here before. Your first time?"

	Nene nodded and sipped the drink he'd given her. "Yes. My friend wanted to
come, so I...." She trailed off as his eyes caught hers again. She was
drowning and it was the most delicious thing she'd ever felt. Everything
fell away except for his eyes and some small part of her was trying to warn
her that this was wrong. 

	"My name is LaCroix." The words washed over her and she sighed in
pleasure. His voice was so soft and Nene wanted it to wrap around her and
never let go. He was asking her something and she struggled against the
tide of lethargy that encompassed her. "Nene....my name is Nene." He smiled
and Nene grinned happily back at him.

	"How very nice to....meet you."

	The room was cold, but Nene didn't feel it. She was in LaCroix' arms and
all she could feel was him. LaCroix picked her up and laid her on the bed
gently. He kissed her forehead and whispered to her. Nene sighed and began
to unbutton her blouse. He watched as she dropped it on the floor and
smiled as she lay back against the pillows, waiting for him. LaCroix knelt
beside the bed and leaned over her, letting his hands settle around her
tiny waist. "So perfect. So innocent." He kissed the side of her throat and
Nene gasped in pleasure. The rough feel of his tongue caused her to shiver
and he pulled her closer to him. Nene curled around him and arched her neck
back, exposing her vulnerable throat. LaCroix smiled again, revealing the
extended fangs. Nene was oblivious. His eyes changed to a predator's gaze
and he ducked his head to feast.

	The sharp pain caused Nene to jump, but it was too late. Euphoria filled
her and she wept with pleasure as he drained her life away. Consciousness
began to fade and Nene slipped into the darkness with a small sigh.

	LaCroix made himself stop and raised his head. his animal eyes focused on
the dying pulse in Nene's throat. He tore a gash in his wrist and pressed
it against her mouth, forcing the blood inside. Nene didn't move at first,
but then she inhaled deeply and her eyes flew open. She began to drink.

	The taste that flooded her mouth was incredible and she drank greedily.
Nene felt the odd rush in her body and tried to think. LaCroix was over
her, his wrist at her lips and she was...drinking...his blood! Nene gasped
and tried to pull away , but LaCroix was strong. He forced her to continue
and Nene whimpered in distress. "Drink, my dear, for with this I give you a
most precious gift." Those animal eyes were the last thing she remembered.

                             + + + + +

	Linna pressed the button again and frowned at her watch. It was after one
and Nene hadn't shown up for their lunch date. She'd called the police
station, but today had been Nene's day off and they had no idea where she
might be. Linna gave up on the doorbell and began to pound on the door.
There was no response and Linna felt a flicker of unease. This wasn't like
Nene. 

	She decided that Silia should know about this. She hoped she was
overreacting, but if she wasn't....

	Silia adjusted the radio to Nene's frequency. There was no signal and
Silia wondered if Nene had been unable to activate the tracer. Priss and
Linna were out searching for her, but they were operating blindly. There
was no way of knowing where Nene might be. Their last contact with her was
yesterday when she'd arranged to have lunch with Linna. 
	Silia lit a cigarette and worried.

                              + + + + +

	Nene awakened slowly, her mind sluggish. She opened her eyes and stared at
the ceiling above her blankly. It wasn't hers. Nene tried to remember where
she was, but all that came to her was a handsome bartender and a strange
drink. Dread made her sit up and fear caused her to gasp when she realized
that she was in a strange bedroom. She pushed the covers away and was
relieved to find that she missing only her shirt. A wave of hunger swept
over her and she clutched her stomach. Nene looked at her watch and found
it gone. She frowned and stood up, closing her eyes when the room began to
spin. 

	A loud sound reached her and she opened her eyes slowly. Something was
beating loudly against the window. Nene crossed the room on unsteady legs
and pulled the curtain aside. The night sky greeted her, but she could see
nothing but trees. Nene watched the darkened lawn in surprise. She could
see a small mouse scrambling through the grass. Nene shook her head.
Impossible. She looked for the source of the noise she had heard. The
beating came again and Nene focused quickly. She stared and couldn't
believe the sounds that were bombarding her ears. Thunderous beats gave way
to other sounds of the night and Nene fell back as the onslaught hit her.
She covered her ears and sank to her knees beside the bed. The moth
continued to beat against the window, not realizing the chaos it was
inflicting.

	Nene sat in the floor and wondered how this could be possible. A slight
sound behind her caused her to leap up and back into the window. LaCroix
stood in the door and watched her with a slightly amused expression. "I see
you're awake. Hungry?" He held a wine bottle up and Nene felt the wave of
hunger again. 

	"Where am I?" She edged forward and snatched her blouse from the floor.
LaCroix smiled as she hurried into it and stepped into the room, closing
the door behind him. Nene watched him warily.

	"You're in my home...your home, now." Nene gasped and shook her head. "I
don't know what you're talking about, but I'm leaving. Right now." She
marched towards the door boldly, hoping he'd move, but un-surprised when he
didn't. 

	LaCroix laughed pulled the cork from the bottle. Nene smelled blood. He
was in front of her in an instant and she didn't have a chance. He caught
her around the waist and pulled her against him. "Not as good as fresh I'm
afraid, but it will sustain you long enough for you to take your first
prey." Nene was horrified at what he was saying. She struggled in his
embrace, but LaCroix merely tightened his grip. He raised the bottle to her
lips and Nene cringed. She tried to turn away, but her own hunger betrayed
her. The scent of the blood filled her senses and she was lost. 

	Blood rushed into her mouth and she felt LaCroix laugh again as she drank. 

	Nene was curled up in the corner of the bedroom. LaCroix had left again,
saying that he would return with something a little 'fresher'. Tears ran
down her cheeks and Nene saw the tiny red splashes on her hands. She had
listened to him as he told her what she was now, but it hadn't meant
anything at first. It was the bloody tears that had finally driven her
change home. She was a vampire. Nene moaned and thought of Silia and the
team. What was she going to do? She couldn't tell where she was and even if
she managed to escape, she knew he would come after her. HE said that the
daylight would kill her and she had to....feed to survive. Nene didn't want
to die, but to drink from someone..... 

	He would return soon and she would have to take her first victim. The idea
of it terrified her. She reached behind her, under her blouse and squeezed
the back of her bra strap. The tiny click told her that the tracer had
activated. She didn't want to endanger the others, but they were her only
hope.

                                 + + + + +

	Silia stared out at the night sky and wished Nene would contact them.
Priss was slouched in a chair beside her, her normal surly attitude
magnified by the circumstances. 

	"Damn Nene! Why does she pull this crap now?" Priss' outburst meant
little. Nene never did this. She was never out of contact this long. She
was never late for meetings. Now or any other time, this was bad.

	Priss kept shooting furious looks at Linna who was monitoring the radio.
Linna threw up her hands in a 'what can I do?' gesture. The sudden shrill
beep caused everyone to jump.. Linna adjusted the volume and began to trace
the signal. "I've got it!"

	Silia's voice was like ice. "Let's move!"

                                + + + + +

	LaCroix left the young boy in the living room, knowing that he wouldn't
move. He opened the bedroom door and motioned Nene to come out and join
him. She did so reluctantly. The sight of the teenager caused her to balk
and LaCroix pulled her into the room.

	"No. Please."

	"You must. To survive." LaCroix' voice was soothing, but Nene was beyond
that.

	He pushed her towards the boy and Nene could hear the rapid flutter of his
heart. She could see the pulse beating strongly in his throat and the
hunger crept over her. She was touching his face and try as she might, she
couldn't seem to pull away. The boy's eyes were blank and Nene avoided
looking at them. She bent over him and felt LaCroix' hands on her shoulders. 

	"Feed, my dear. Embrace your hunger." Nene shivered and ran her tongue
over her fangs. Oh God. She looked into the boy's eyes. Forgive me. She
touched his neck and let her teeth sink into his throat. Blood flowed and
Nene moaned.

	As the boy died, so did a part of Nene. She watched his body fall and
wanted more. LaCroix turned her to face him and smiled at the gleam of
hunger that still burned brightly in her eyes. "Shall we go hunting?"

	The windows exploded inward and Nene fell back, away  from LaCroix. Three
armored figures stood in the room and Nene ran to them. 

	Linna caught Nene in her arms and carried her out. Silia turned to
LaCroix. Her voice was electronically altered, but he could hear her fury.
"I don't know what sick game you were playing, but it ends here." She and
Priss opened fire, but LaCroix was gone. 

	Priss cursed and checked her scanner. "He's gone! How the hell did he do
that?"

	Silia didn't reply as she studyied her own scanners. They  registered no
trace of him and she scowled at the body that was left. "The boy is dead.
Let's go." They backed out of the room and were gone.

	LaCroix stared down at the mess and sighed. 

                                + + + + +

	The Knight Sabers arrived back at Lady 633 in a somber state. Nene hadn't
spoken since they'd rescued her. She hadn't responded to their concerned
questions and she'd flatly refused to go to the hospital.

	Linna had stayed close to her, but Silia noticed that Nene kept looking at
her in fear and she wouldn't let anyone touch her. She was nervous and
edgy. She finally asked if she could take a bath and lie down.  Silia got
her settled in a guest room and met the others in the living room.

	"We should have killed the bastard!" Priss was outraged and looking for
blood. "Silia! Did she tell you what the son of a bitch did to her?" Silia
shook her head and poured herself a drink. 

	Linna was sitting on the couch, her arms wrapped tightly around her
updrawn knees. She didn't want to be the one to say this, but it had to be
said. "Do you think he raped her?" 

	Priss swore and stormed across the room, looking for matches, but really
trying to fight back tears. She lit a cigarette with shaking hands and
stared hard at the smoke.

	Silia felt the burn of the scotch as it slid down her throat and cursed
herself for not acting sooner. She thought of the boy and wondered what
part he had played in all of this.

	Priss cursed again and Silia turned. "We should have killed him." Silia
nodded. 

	Nene let the water pound over her as she cried. Red water swirled down the
drain and she wept for the life of the boy who would never become a man.
Nene searched her conscience and was faintly appalled to find that she felt
only the slightest twinge of guilt herself. LaCroix had caused this, but
still, shouldn't she feel 'some' responsibility? Nene wondered if she had
truly become a monster.

	 She'd been surprised to see her reflection in the bathroom mirror. That
must have been a myth. She wondered what was myth and what was real now.
Vampires weren't real, but here she was. The water was very hot and Nene
knew that she shouldn't be able to stand this temperature. So much to learn.

	She turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Smells and sounds
reached her and she heard the others in the living room. No, she hadn't
been raped. God, if only that was what had happened. She could recover from
that. Nene dried herself slowly, smiling without humor at Priss'
declaration. Yes. They should have killed him, but could they? How did you
kill a vampire. Did the old wooden stake trick work? Or did it take
something else? She shivered, but not from cold. Silia had given her a robe
and she pulled it on gratefully, unwilling to wear her own clothes. They
smelled of him. Of blood.

	Nene crossed the bedroom and opened the sliding door. She stepped to the
edge of the balcony and hurled the clothes over the side. She didn't bother
to watch them fall. The sound of a heartbeat alerted her to Linna's
presence, but she didn't turn.

	Linna had seen her toss her clothes away and knew that whatever had
happened was much worse than they suspected. She joined Nene on the
balcony, careful not to touch her. They stood quietly for a long time,
neither one knowing what to say.

	<Oh, by the way, I'm a vampire now?> She realized that she would probably
have to leave the country if she wanted to keep this a secret from the
others. She forced tears away and listened to the steady throb of Linna's
heart. Nene began to feel an odd tingle. The faintest glimmer was coming
over the horizon. Soon the sun would rise, but Nene wouldn't see it. She
walked back into the bedroom and held the door open for Linna.

	Linna left, but her expression betrayed her hurt. Nene couldn't do
anything about it now. She had to prepare. She closed the sliding door and
pulled the heavy drapes shut. Would that be enough? If a small crack of
light got in would that hurt her? Did she need a coffin? Nene pulled the
covers off of the bed and made a pallet in the large walk-in closet. She
shut the door and laid a pillow across the bottom. Nene felt the pull of
sleep and curled up in the farthest corner. As the sun rose, consciousness
slipped away.

                              + + + + +

	Silia terminated the link and scowled at the blank monitor. The police had
found no traces of a body when they had returned to LaCroix' mansion. Once
again she regretted not killing him when they had the chance.

	 Silia began contacting all of her informants, trying to find information
on the man who'd taken Nene. By late afternoon, she gotten a name. Lucian
LaCroix. A Frenchman who'd immigrated to this country a year ago. He had
opened a night club called the Raven, not far from Genom Corporate
headquarters. She began to search through the Paris records.

	Linna knocked softly on Nene's door, not wanting to startle her. It was
well after lunch and she figured that Nene would be ravenous by now. She
blinked back tears at the memories of Nene's appetite. <Let her be all
right, please.> Her prayer wasn't directed at any one god, but to anyone
who might be listening. Linna opened the door a crack and peeked into the
dark room. The curtains were drawn, but she could see that the bed was
empty. Linna pushed into the room and then into the bathroom. Nene was
gone. Fear hit her, but she forced it down and tried to think calmly.

	Nene had been extremely upset, unable to stand anyone around her. She
wasn't behaving normally so Linna had to imagine what she might do under
these circumstances. She pulled back the shower door. Empty. Then she
dropped down beside the bed and looked under it. Again, no Nene. Linna
opened the closet door slowly and sighed with relief when she saw the
pillow lying in front of the door. Nene was asleep in the back of the
closet and Linna wept to see her best friend reduced to this. She closed
the door and went to Silia.

	Silia looked up as her office door was flung open. Linna stood before her,
angy, but crying. "We have to kill that monster! I went to check on Nene,
but she wasn't in bed. She had hidden herself in the closet, Silia. Like a
child hiding from the monsters." Her voice broke and she drew a deep
breath. "We're going to kill him."

	Silia closed her eyes and clenched her hands into fists. She had been
hesitant to bring Nene onto the team, but she had turned out to be the most
important member. Her cheerful optimism had provided them with them one
thing they didn't have enough of: hope. "We'll kill him, but not before we
destroy his world."

                             + + + + +

	Priss sat in the back of the Raven and stared at the man behind the bar.
Her fingers were inches away from her gun and it took all of her control
not to end this now. Silia had been firm. <We don't kill him quick, that's
to easy. We will ruin him first, then we'll kill him> Silia had been a
virtual iceberg since last night and Priss was thrilled at her bloodthirsty
attitude. <Now we're going to create some major chaos!> Priss slipped her
hand into her pocket and let her fingers rest on the remote control. The
boomer waitresses were new and in perfect condition, but that meant nothing
to the virus Silia had designed. Priss pressed the switch and sat back to
watch the show.

	The waitress carried the tray of drinks high over head and set them down
on the appropriate table with a thump. She then picked up each drink and
poured it into the laps of the customers. They howled and jumped up,
catching LaCroix' attention. He hurried to the table in time to be struck
in the face by a chair. The virus was designed to bypass certain logic
circuits. They wouldn't harm any humans, except for LaCroix and then only a
little. The three boomers converged on LaCroix as all of the customers
fled. He began to hurl them across the room and they smashed into the wall
one by one. He stared at the broken boomers in fury and puzzlement.

	 Something smacked into his forehead and he grabbed the offending object.
It was a plastic dart with a suction cup on one end. He looked up and saw
the fourth boomer holding the toy gun. A familiar voice began to emanate
from the boomer and LaCroix grew angrier. 

	"You've crossed the wrong people, LaCroix. Now it's time to pay." He heard
the tiny click inside the boomer and leaped behind the bar as the boomer
exploded.

	Priss laughed as flames began to consume the building. Silia's warning
should have given the bastard time to get clear, but the incendiary device
would level the club. She gunned the engine of her bike and waved to the
fire trucks she passed.

                               + + + + +

	Nene opened her eyes and knew that it was night again. She stretched
slowly and got up. The closet door was still closed, but she smelled
Linna's scent in the room. She'd came in while she was asleep. Nene stepped
out into the bedroom and spotted the suitcase on the bed. She pulled out a
change of clothes and smelled Priss on them. She'd been to her apartment.
Nene got dressed, trying to ignore the gnawing hunger. She was going to
have to feed soon or the hunger would overtake her. The curtains slid back
and she studied the city. Where to begin?

	Nene left the apartment and headed toward the elevator. The doors opened
and Linna stepped out. She saw Nene and froze. "Nene! Where are you going?"

	Nene backed away as Linna came near her. The sound of the blood rushing
through her veins was loud. "Uh...I...was going out for some dinner." Nene
winced at the thought. Linna was smiling and Nene watched in horror as she
reached out and hugged her. 

	"That's our Nene! But you don't have to worry, I've been cooking all day!
Come on, let's get you fed." Nene was dragged back into the apartment.

	Linna seated her at the table and began to fill a plate for her. Nene saw
all of her favorite foods and quickly wiped away bloody tears. <Now what do
I do?> Linna sat the plate down in front of Nene and smiled at her. Nene
looked morosely at the food and then back at Linna. The hunger was rapidly
growing and all she could hear was the beat of Linna's heart. Nene shoved
away from the table and ran into the bedroom, slamming the door. Linna was
right behind her.

	She shut the door quietly and moved to stand behind a weeping Nene. Linna
wrapped her arms around her and Nene stiffened. "Don't. Please leave.
Before I......before I hurt you."

	Linna hugged her tighter and spoke firmly. "Nene. You won't hurt me. I
just wish you'd let me help you. We're all so worried about you. Talk to me
Nene. You know you can trust me." She hesitated, then plunged ahead. "What
did he do to you?"

	Nene gasped. "Linna...please. Just go away. I'll hurt you." She pulled
Linna's arms away and moved to the window. 

	Linna frowned, but didn't leave. "We love you Nene. Nothing that has
happened to you can change that." Nene laughed wildly and turned. Linna saw
the bloody tears and involuntarily stepped back. 

	"Do you still love me, Linna? Can you love a vampire?" Linna took another
step back and the predator reacted. Hunger exploded through her and she was
across the room in a second. Linna flinched as she found herself face to
face with Nene. She felt her grip her arms and tried to back away. She
couldn't break free.

	Nene whispered softly in her ear. "I can't stop it. It's eating me alive.
I hear every beat of your heart. Every swish of your blood as it moves
though your veins. I've tasted it, Linna. It's so sweet! It rushes through
me and I live." She kissed the side of Linna's neck. "I'm sorry. I tried to
leave, but you wouldn't let go." 

	Linna was shaking. She felt the brush of Nene's lips and flinched as her
tongue followed. Horror swept over her as she realized that Nene was
tasting her, like a favorite desert. Suddenly she was falling, landing on
the bed behind her. Nene was crouched over her, her eyes inhuman. Linna
gasped when she saw her teeth. Nene gripped the top of Linna's blouse and
tore it away. The cloth shredded like paper and fluttered to the floor.
Linna tried to buck her off, but Nene was incredibly strong. She held Linna
down lowered herself over her body, pressing her into the mattress.

	 Linna opened her mouth to scream, but Nene silenced her with her lips.
The kiss took her by surprise and she felt the probing advance of Nene's
tongue in shock.  Nene explored her slowly, letting her teeth scrap over
Linna's lips. The sharp prick of Nene's fangs brought Linna back to reality
and she began to struggle again. Nene broke the kiss and stared down into
Linna's eyes. She couldn't control Linna like LaCroix had controlled her,
but she could make her stop struggling. Linna felt the desire to flee leave
her and watched as Nene bent to her throat. The sharp pain jolted her back
to awareness, but the ecstasy was upon her. Linna wrapped her arms around
Nene and pulled her closer as she fed.

	Nene was dimly aware of the fading heart beneath her, but it took a while
for the meaning to register. Linna was dying. Nene jerked away and stared
down at her best friend in horror. "No! Oh No!" She laid her head over
Linna's heart, but knew that she was too late. There would be no time to
get her to a hospital. Nene began to sob, burying her face in Linna's dark
hair. Vague images of LaCroix filtered through her mind and she remembered
what he'd done to her. Without giving herself a chance to think about the
consequences, she opened the vein at her wrist.

	Linna tasted the warm, salty liquid and drank deeply. She opened her eyes
and saw Nene over her. The blood spilled onto her tongue and she shivered
at the changes she felt occurring within her. Nene's eyes were apologetic
as she held her wrist to Linna's mouth. Linna closed her eyes and sank into
sleep.

                              + + + + +

	Priss was whistling as she stepped out of the elevator. The bomb at
LaCroix' home had been very powerful and had leveled the structure. Priss
loved this kind of work and chuckled at the thought of LaCroix' reaction.
Silia had contacted her and told her to stay with Linna and Nene tonight as
she was hopping a plane to Paris. She was having trouble finding anything
out about LaCroix there and Silia figured she could accomplish more in
person. 

	Priss opened the apartment door and glanced around. No sign of Linna or
Nene, but then it was pretty late. She pulled off her jacket and dropped
onto the couch. She turned over onto her side and was soon asleep.

	In the bedroom, Nene had pulled Linna into the closet and tried to make
her as comfortable as possible. It was only about three o'clock in the
morning and she still had time to go hunting. Part of her was terrified of
running into LaCroix, but she needed to find blood for herself and for
Linna. Nene opened the bedroom door and moved silently past a sleeping Priss.

                               + + + + +

	The guard slumped to the ground without a sound and Nene helped herself to
his keys. She opened the door to the freezer units and began to fill the
large canvas bags she'd brought with her. Nene stared down at one of the
crimson packs and laughed without humor. <This bypasses the killing part.>
When she had filled the bags she stopped and drained several pouches
herself. Nene placed the empties into her bag and closed the door as she left.

	Nene walked calmly passed the unconscious security guard and shifted the
large bag in her arms. The blood bank would come up a little short
tomorrow, but there would be no evidence. Nene's skills with computers had
come in handy and she'd erased all of the security films. The guard would
remember nothing.
 
                                + + + + +

	LaCroix reached his coffin just as the sun broke the horizon. He had fled
to his backup retreat, when he'd discovered the destruction of his house.
The rattle of the subway overhead caused him to scowl and he snapped the
lid shut. Even the convenient use of his club had been denied him. LaCroix
intended to find those women and make them sorry they interfered. Then he
would bring Nene back to his side where she belonged.

                               + + + + +


     *****************************************************
                 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"
      *****************************************************