Hiding Out At The Raven (Forever Knight; Natalie, Janette)

[fickitten]

Title: Hiding Out At The Raven.
Fandom: Forever Knight (Natalie, Janette).
Rated: G.
Notes: After I got through re-watching Hunters, the episode from season one where Schanke stays at the Raven (I did love that episode, heh) I thought 'What if Natalie was forced to hide out at the Raven because someone was trying to kill her?' and then there was this. AU, assume it's set somewhere in season one after 'Hunters'. 3,202 words.

-

"Alma. Have there been any problems?"

Alma and Miklos are in conversation when she approaches them but both immediately look up and stop talking when they hear her voice. Miklos turns to fetch her a drink and Alma stops leaning on the bar, turning to face her as she processes the question.

"None," she says, nodding towards the corner of the club. "She's been working over there for most of the day."

Janette glances over at the table where Natalie sits, papers spread out in front of her, pen in hand. Unlike when Nicholas asked her to guard Schanke, who required near constant babysitting, Natalie has stayed out of the way and left her fledglings alone.

"She's all right for a mortal," Alma continues, shrugging when Janette looks at her and raises an eyebrow in disbelief. "Unlike that other one, we barely know she's here."

"The good doctor is different," Janette agrees and takes the glass Miklos hands her. "We'll open shortly, make sure everything is order."

The two of them scurry to do her bidding and Janette takes a sip of her blood wine, surveying the club briefly as she walks over to the table. Natalie jumps when Janette slides into the seat opposite her and looks at her watch in reflex.

"Janette," she says, "Sorry, you startled me. I didn't realise the time." She starts organising her paperwork into piles and adds, "It must be nearly time for you to open, I'll get out of the way."

"There is a little time yet," Janette says, "You could have done your work upstairs if you'd preferred it, I would not have minded."

"You were sleeping, I didn't want to disturb you. I'm sure having to look after me isn't something you're all particularly enjoying." She piles everything together and offers a tired but genuine smile. "I appreciate you letting me stay here."

"You wouldn't have disturbed me," Janette says. "And you're welcome. Any friend of Nicholas, after all...."

Natalie's expression says she doubts that but she's polite enough not to say so out loud. It's almost a shame, really, Janette thinks. When she'd allowed Detective Schanke to stay at the Raven she couldn't get rid of him and had to force herself to listen to his inane chatter for hours on end to keep him out of trouble, but Natalie, who she wouldn't mind getting to know a little better, has stayed out of the way and hardly said a word.

"Come," she says, standing up and smoothing her dress. "I'll show you where you can work upstairs. Have you eaten?"

"I'm not really that hungry," Natalie says. "I'll be fine."

"Everyone has to eat, Natalie. I cannot allow you to leave obviously, Nicholas will never forgive me if something were to happen to you, but I can send one of the others out to get you something."

She waits while Natalie picks up her work and checks to make sure she hasn't left anything behind, then leads the way upstairs to her personal rooms. She allows few people up here but she's prepared to make an exception in this case.

"I'll send someone up," she says, waving Natalie towards the couch. "Tell them what you'd like to eat and they'll fetch it for you. I don't have anything to offer you here. There's a desk if you prefer," she indicates the door on the far side, "In the office. Drinks that are suitable, on the other hand, I can provide. You only need ask."

"Thank you," Natalie says, rubbing a hand tiredly across her eyes. "I need to check in with Nick at some point. Can I borrow the phone?"

"Of course. You'll find one in the office. But I'm sure he'll come and check on you personally once the sun has set."

She surprises even herself with the lack of bitterness in her voice. Perhaps, she thinks, she's just starting to see what it is that Nicholas likes about this mortal.

"He said he'd bring me some case files to look over," Natalie says, "So he might."

Janette lounges against the arm of the chair and regards Natalie thoughtfully. "I must oversee the opening," she says, "But I'll come up and check on you later. You should try and rest-- Alma said you've been awake most of the day."

Idly she wonders about the amount of concern she feels for this mortal woman's well-being. Mortals have never held much interest for her before now, only useful to pass the time or as a snack, but there's something about this one, even if she won't admit it to anyone but herself.

"I couldn't sleep," Natalie says. "I'm not used to being hunted." Her smile is wry, acknowledging that Janette, of all people, obviously does. "But I'll try."

Janette smiles at her and stands up, says, "Hopefully you will not need to get used to it. Enjoy your... work." Paperwork has never been something she tolerates well but the advantage of being as wealthy as time has made her is that she doesn't need to, she can hire people to do it for her. "I'll send Nicholas up when he arrives."

She takes her leave and returns to the club, taps Alma on the shoulder and sends her upstairs to fetch whatever Natalie requires in the way of food. She's strangely unsettled by the way Natalie isn't phased by being in what is, essentially, a vampire nest. Unlike Schanke, Natalie knows who they are and she knows to be careful but she still doesn't appear to be scared of them. She intrigues Janette and after so many years of life, few people truly intrigue her anymore.

She perches on the bar so she can keep a look out for Nicholas and an eye on her club, shooing away anyone who tries to keep her company. She watches as Alma leaves and returns and admits she's surprised that it takes two hours for Nicholas to arrive. He's carrying a bag in one hand when he does and several files in the other.

"Nat called," he says by way of explanation. "Insisted that she was fine and that I should go to work first and see if there's been any progress in finding out who's behind all of this. She said you've taken good care of her." He leans in to kiss her cheek. "Thank you, Janette, I owe you one."

"You owe me several," Janette says, "But not for this. She's been no trouble at all. I think the fledglings actually like her. Alma says they've barely noticed she's here."

"Speaking of here," Nick says, glancing around with a frown. "Where is she? I brought her some clothes Grace packed for her and some paperwork she wanted."

"She's upstairs. I sent Alma out earlier to get her something to eat, since I don't exactly cater for her needs here. You can go up if you like."

His expression is one of surprise and she resists the urge to twitch uncomfortably. Really, she supposes, she should be insulted that her hospitality surprises him. She said she'd look after his precious mortal and she's doing just that.

"I'll go up and see how she's doing," he says, moving away from her. "I can't stay long, Stonetree wants all hands on deck, but I'll find you before I leave."

She watches him walk away and hands her glass to Miklos for a top up when she senses him behind her. Though normally her main source of entertainment, the club and its patrons are boring her tonight, and she decides that once Nicholas departs she'll go upstairs and find out how her guest is faring.

He stays for little over half an hour and finds her, as promised, on his way out.

"If I can get back before sunrise I might spend the day here," he says, "If you don't mind. Nat says she's fine but I think this is bothering her more than she lets on. I'll come and keep her company."

"I'm sure I am more than capable of entertaining your friend," Janette says, feeling mildly insulted by what she perceives as a slight to her abilities. "But of course, if that's what you wish, you may stay here."

"You don't like entertaining mortals, Janette. You've said so yourself. Numerous times if I recall correctly." He gives her an amused look then but she doesn't respond to it.

He kisses her and heads for the exit and Janette sets her glass down with a clink, slipping off her seat on the bar as she waves Miklos over.

"I'm going upstairs to check on our guest," she informs him. "Bring up a bottle of the house special and a red wine suitable for the doctor when you get chance."

"How long will be she be staying?" Miklos asks.

"That remains to be seen," Janette says. "She'll stay until it's safe for her to go home, so I suppose it will depend on how good at his job our dear Nicholas actually is. Keep an eye on things down here. You know where I'll be if you need me for anything."

Miklos nods and says, "I'll bring the wine upstairs. I don't think there'll be any problems, it's quiet tonight."

"It has been all week," Janette says with a sigh. "It's a good thing it doesn't much matter to me whether or not we turn a profit. Though it is always preferable."

She heads upstairs and finds Natalie still on the couch, curled up with a file on her knee and a few others spread out on the coffee table. She doesn't appear to be doing much reading, her eyes unfocused and her mind clearly elsewhere. She looks up when Janette clicks the door shut and her gaze refocuses as she closes the folder.

"Still working, I see."

"Not really," Natalie says, tossing the file onto the table. "I can't concentrate."

"Then perhaps you should take a break," Janette says.

There's a tap on the door and then Miklos enters, setting down a tray where she directs him to before nodding to them both and leaving.

"Wine?" Janette asks, pouring herself a glass and hiding a smile when Natalie looks nervously at the bottle. "Not from this bottle, obviously." She indicates the second bottle and Natalie laughs.

"Please," she says. "Though remind me not to lose track of which glass is mine."

"I'm sure you'd soon realise your mistake."

"I'd rather not have to," Natalie says, wincing at the thought. "No offence, but I don't think yours will be anywhere near as appealing to my human tastebuds."

"None taken," Janette says, pouring a second glass and offering it to Natalie before taking a seat on the other end of the couch.

"It's so quiet up here," Natalie remarks as she shifts to face her. "It's soundproofed?"

"Sometimes I do not wish to be disturbed."

"And your hearing is more sensitive than most."

"Indeed," Janette agrees, smiling at the understatement. "All the rooms up here are soundproofed, it blocks out almost everything."

"But not everything?"

"Not everything, no." Janette frowns. "Surely your experience with Nicholas has taught you how much a vampire can hear."

"Nicholas," Natalie says, imitating Janette's pronunciation perfectly, "Doesn't always tell me useful information like that."

Janette rolls her eyes. "He does tend to be that way."

"You'd know better than I would."

"You would think he'd be more... forthcoming, given what he wants you to do for him."

Natalie looks uncomfortable at the mention of her quest for a cure. She's aware of Janette's thoughts on the matter and clearly doesn't want to discuss it.

"You will fail you know," Janette says mildly. "There is no cure for vampirism."

"Not yet," Natalie says. "But if Nick isn't giving up, then neither will I."

"Does this life really seem so bad to you?" Janette asks, genuinely curious. Personally she thinks Natalie Lambert would make an excellent vampire, but she can only imagine Nicholas thoughts on the matter if she were to bring it up.

"Does it matter? This isn't about me."

"It could be," Janette says. Natalie looks away and Janette continues, "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it since meeting Nicholas."

Natalie gives her a thoroughly exasperated look, which Janette counters with her best imitation of an innocent smile, sipping her blood wine and waiting patiently.

"Nick would never bring me across even if I asked," Natalie says finally, which Janette suspects is probably the truth. "And I don't know who else I'd trust to do it. So thinking about it would be a waste of my time."

"But you have thought about it, yes?"

"Yes, Janette, I've thought about it," Natalie says. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"My my, you are defensive. It was just a question."

She smiles, perfectly relaxed, while Natalie frowns and drinks another mouthful of wine, her body radiating tension. This is far more entertaining than the club.

"I think the lifestyle would suit you, myself," she continues. "I suppose there is the small matter of not being able to walk around in the daylight but at least one must no longer hunt down one's food. If you're against killing people..."

"I am against killing people," Natalie snaps. "You know that."

"Well, as I said, it's no longer necessary. In fact it's rather frowned upon these days, what with all these police officers around to hunt down those responsible for mortal deaths."

"Damn them," Natalie says, rolling her eyes. "It must cause you no end of grief."

"It does," Janette agrees, amused. "But there's something to be said for having lunch available at any time of the day or night."

She raises her glass in a mock salute and reaches over for the bottle to top it up. Natalie shakes her head and laughs, relaxing somewhat as if giving up.

"You enjoy trying to piss me off, don't you?"

"I must find my fun where I can."

"And the mortals downstairs just aren't doing it for you."

"Most mortals are dull creatures," Janette says with an elegant shrug. "You appear to be an exception. Even the fledglings like you."

Natalie doesn't respond to that, holding out her glass silently when Janette raises the other bottle with a questioning look.

"I'd bring you over myself if I had the control," Janette says, picking up their previous conversation without missing a beat. "Unfortunately I'm rather prone to not stopping at the appropriate time."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Now Nicholas, he has the control. A little too much control if you ask me. But he's not very good at the after. Fledglings must be trained to control themselves and Nicholas... well, let's just say he's not very good at following through with his responsibilities."

"I know that," Natalie says tightly and Janette frowns at the return of the tension that had faded a few moments earlier.

It takes her a moment to figure out the reason why, but then she remembers Natalie's brother, Richard, and her expression softens. She doesn't say she's sorry, it's not in her nature, but she does change the subject by way of apology.

"You aren't afraid of us," she says. "Why is that?"

"Would you rather I was?"

"No. It's quite the refreshing change actually, but most mortals probably would be."

"You said yourself that I'm an exception," Natalie says flippantly, then sighs and continues a little more seriously, "I'm careful but, no, I'm not afraid of you. Well," she amends, "Not exactly. I'm not stupid enough to think you wouldn't kill me under the right circumstances, but Nick wouldn't have put me here if he thought that was going to happen."

"Nicholas always did like to believe the best of people."

"So you're saying I should be afraid of you?"

"No," Janette says, although she's not sure if she's saying it because she believes it's true or just because she doesn't want Natalie to fear her. "I won't harm you. Neither will anyone else under my roof."

"You have a lot of control over them to be able to guarantee that."

"It's one of the benefits that comes with being older than they are. And with being a child of Lacroix." Janette pauses thoughtfully. "I do a lot to protect the community, that doesn't hurt. They know if they cross me I won't hesitate to throw them out."

"It's very maternal of you," Natalie says, smiling sweetly when Janette glares. "I'm sure they appreciate it."

"I am not maternal," Janette says firmly, wrinkling her nose in distaste. "But they do appreciate it if they know what's good for them."

"They obviously do. They've all been very kind to me while I've been here."

"Well, as I said, they like you."

"Why?" Natalie asks, looking genuinely puzzled. "I mean, Nick's not exactly beloved by the community, is he? He can't be, not with his quest to be human again and I'm tied into that. So why do they like me so much?"

Janette stays silent for a moment as she thinks about how to answer that. Truth be told, she doesn't know what it is about Natalie that makes her so easy to like.

"You would have to ask them that," she says finally, guessing correctly from the expression on Natalie's face that Natalie will never do so. "I don't know."

"If you don't mind, I think I'll leave that for another time," Natalie says dryly, hiding a yawn behind one hand. "Maybe a time when we're not all living on top of each other."

It's on the tip of Janette's tongue to make a comment about how she must be boring her but she knows Natalie hasn't slept much lately, so she decides to leave it be. Human she isn't, but it doesn't mean she lacks compassion.

"You should rest," she says instead. "I have some work to do in the office."

"I guess I am kind of tired," Natalie admits. "I think it's catching up with me."

Janette stands up and holds her hand out to take Natalie's empty glass, placing it with hers on the table.

"You can take the second bedroom," she says, indicating a closed door on the far side of the room. "You won't be disturbed."

Natalie stands up, fighting back another yawn, and picks up the bag Janette saw Nick bring earlier. When she looks at the paperwork still covering the table, Janette waves a hand at it dismissively.

"Leave that if you like," she says. "I promise not to read it."

"There's nothing interesting in it anyway," Natalie says, shrugging her shoulders. "Unless you really enjoy reading illegibly written police reports, in which case, knock yourself out."

"I think I'll pass," Janette says. "Good night, Natalie."

"Good night. Thank you for the company. It was almost fun."

Janette returns her smile with one of her own, acknowledging the truth of Natalie's words, and watches her mortal not-quite-friend leave the room. She'd been put out when Nicholas asked for yet another favour but this one is turning out to be more of a pleasure than a hardship.

Almost fun, she thinks. Indeed.