Timeless (16/?) by Elisa P. Black "I need no help from you, LaCroix." "Oh, really? Did you know that there is another witness to the murder of the desk clerk?" He put up a hand to stop Shane from leaving in a panic. "Oh, it's quite too late now; she's already told her story." "But how...?" "If you had any sense at all, you would have been able to detect it." Shane was speechless. "Furthermore," continued LaCroix, "you have exposed us to one who investigates such things as the likes of us." Scully shivered as he ran the back of his hand across her cheek, as much from its icy coldness as from revulsion. LaCroix smiled ferally. "And, since you obviously don't know, this is Dr. Natalie Lambert." "Natalie Lambert. The one who knows of us? The one that Nick--?" "Scully turned sharply to look at Natalie who carefully kept her eyes on the two vampires. LaCroix shook his head. "And you sink us deeper by the minute. Really, after 1500 years, you should know better." "Well, what am I supposed to do about them?" "Let's see. You could kill them both, but what would be the point with Dr. Lambert? I dare say that Nicholas would kill you for her death. As for the other... her partner is quite the persistent type. I think that you would pay for her death as well." "So what should I do?" "Why, let them go, of course. I'm sure Ms. Scully can keep a secret." "None of your games, LaCroix. This is serious." "I *am* being serious. After you let them go, I will find the other witness and persuade her to change her story. That way, she will make an unreliable witness. You definitely do not have the skills to persuade her yourself. Mind you, I'm doing this for the Community, not you. And certainly not for your father." "Rikahn does not need anything from you!" "And I suppose, neither do you," LaCroix smirked. Shane grumbled but ripped apart the ropes binding the two women. With a final glare at LaCroix he flew off through the broken window. LaCroix shook his head and picked up the frayed ropes. Natalie and Scully massaged their wrists while backing away towards the door. He spun suddenly to face them. "I suggest that you hurry and leave now before I change my mind." Nat gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement and thanks and turned towards the door. Scully stood her ground, pulling out her gun to hold in a steady two-handed grip. LaCroix simply raised an amused eyebrow. "Who are you?" demanded Scully. Nat turned back to her friend. "Dana, we have to go now!" Scully didn't move. "Who are you? Answer me!" LaCroix grinned almost benevolently. "Right now, I am your savior." "I'll ask you one more time: Who are you?" Natalie grabbed her friend's arm. "Let's go!" Scully stayed put. LaCroix blinked and opened glowing amber eyes and a fanged mouth. "*This* is who I am," he growled. Nat froze in fear despite her urgent need to run away. Scully stared in shock and confusion. Another blink and the monster was gone, as if it had never been. LaCroix bored into Scully with clam, blue eyes. "I suggest you leave now." Nat tugged again at her friend's arm. "Let's go." Scully hesitated. Several more pale people in black suddenly appeared in the room. Three were distinguished-looking gentlemen and the fourth was a beautiful dark-haired woman, none of whom Nat recognized. The five vampires stared solemnly at Scully. She could feel some immense force of power emanating from them, sensed how easily they could kill her. Yet she didn't want to believe it. She wanted to think that, with her gun, she could control the situation, take down these people whom -- she was sure -- were hardened killers. But the tugging on her arm had grown in alarm and she relented to it. After all, Natalie knew about these people and just how dangerous they must really be. She quickly holstered her gun and followed her friend to the door. She didn't look back. End of Part 16