ACT TWO, SCENE FIVE

SETTING: A fairly modern apartment, well-kept and expensive. A young woman is

sitting in bed reading by lamp light.

The young woman looks up as if sensing someone staring at her, but soon returns to

her reading. A sudden movement catches her eye, so she gently lays down her book

and, pretending to plump her pillows, pulls out a gun instead.

YOUNG LADY: (Slight British accent) Whoever's out there, I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it. (Waiting and cocking the gun) I do not have all night. (Seeing a figure step away from the shadows) Come where I can see you. (Recognizing the person as he moves into the light) Oh, it's you. (Lowering the gun) What brought you here? Another fight with your girlfriend? (Really looking at him) Why are you dressed like that? (Snidely) You'd think she'd at least dress you better. (Curious) Why aren't you saying anything? (Pausing) Does she have that organ as well? (Shaking her head) How did I ever get hooked up with you? I ...

The rest of her sentence is cut off as her visitor lunges at her, knocking the gun from her

hand. She struggles, kicking and biting, until he strikes her head against the

headboard. This silences her enough for him to reach for the dirk. Just as he is set to

plunge the weapon, she twists, jabbing her knee in his groin and causing him to lower

his arms in pain. She quickly grabs his hands and plunges the knife in the area she had

so recently kicked. While he writhes in agony, she attempts to get away. He grabs her

foot, drags her back to him and pulls the knife from himself. He flips her over and holds

her as he again prepares to stab her. She continues to struggle, but he proves to be too

strong. The woman screams as the dirk punctures her flesh, and then ... silence.

ACT TWO, SCENE SIX

SETTING: The hospital. Captain Reese is standing around waiting for someone when he

sees Nick.

REESE: (Beckoning to him) Over here, Knight.

NICK: What's up, Cap?

REESE: Looks like our serial killer has struck again.

NICK: (Frustrated) Great. If it isn't one thing, it's another. (Looking around) Who's bagging her?

REESE: No one. (At Nick's perplexed look) This one's alive, Knight. Barely, from what the EMTs said, but she's hanging in there. It looks like our boy really messed up this time.

NICK: Was she able to talk?

REESE: The medics were in too much of a hurry trying to save her life to ask her twenty questions, but I am hoping the doctor can clue us in on when she'll be able to talk.

NICK: How did they know she needed help?

REESE: (Snickering) Damnedest thing. She actually called for them herself.

NICK: (Smiling) She sounds like a tough lady.

DR. FLEURIDEAUX: (Walking up) She is. Monixa Harltrim could never be considered anything but strong. (Holding out her hand) Hello, I'm Dr. Fleurideaux. I've been Ms. Harltrim's doctor for the past three years.

NICK: (Shaking her hand) How is she?

FLEURIDEAUX: Surprisingly well. The dagger didn't do as much damage as first thought. (Looking at the chart) Other than the fact that she's in a lot of pain, she'll probably be going home real soon.

REESE: What can you tell us about the wound?

FLEURIDEAUX: Just that it does match the description of the wounds of the other women that you sent out. (Perplexed) What I can't understand is what caused him to hold back. If he had applied a little more pressure, she'd be dead now. (Accepting a report that a lab tech brings her) Thank you. (Reading) Now, this is interesting.

NICK: What?

FLEURIDEAUX: Monixa came in with a lot of blood on her. So much that the paramedics had us prepared to do an almost instantaneous transfusion. (Looking at both men) We found out she didn't need it, but all of the blood had us thrown. But, according to this report, the mystery is over. (Handing the report to Reese) The majority of the blood came from someone else; possibly her attacker.

NICK: (Reading) Finally, a break! (Looking up) Do you think Ms. Harltrim would be up to a little chat? We really need to speak with her.

FLEURIDEAUX: Well, (Thinking) I guess it wouldn't be a problem. (Walking them to a room) But promise me you won't overtire her.

REESE: You have our word.

They enter the room and walk to the bed where she is sleeping. She awakens.

NICK: (Pulling out his badge) Ms. Harltrim, I'm Detective Knight and this is Captain Reese. We were wondering if you felt up to a few questions.

MONIXA: I can try. (Struggling) What would you like to know?

NICK: Your injuries are consistent with a string of murders. Since you seem to be the only victim lucky enough to be left alive, we were curious to know if you could identify your attacker?

MONIXA: Hell yes! After what he did to me, I can think of nothing better than his spending the rest of his natural born years in prison.

REESE: (Curious) You sound like you knew him before the attack.

MONIXA: (Chagrined) Unfortunately, yes. I took pity on him a few times and went out with him. (Shrugging painfully) Stupid me, huh? (Thinking) Who would have thought that boring, unimaginative little nothing could find it in himself to come after me?

NICK: It happens to the best of people. (Steering her back to the subject) I know you need your rest, so we'd appreciate your telling us what you know so we can get out of your hair.

MONIXA: I'm sorry. (Pausing) I tend to ramble where jerks are concerned. (Pausing again) And this is one big jerk who goes by the name of Brian Patrick. He told me he worked as a medical supplies salesman, but he knew too much about medicine and various treatments, so I think he was a doctor. (Rolling her eyes) He had a girlfriend who was a nurse or some sort of fluff. (Seeing their looks) I didn't offer him any pressures; just a place to feel comfortable. (Gesturing) And this is how he repays me!

REESE: I understand how you must be feeling, and I can guarantee you that we will find him. Your testimony will go a long way in convicting him and ... getting your revenge.

NICK: (Seeing the cat-like grin spread over the young woman's face) Is there something that you haven't told us?

MONIXA: (Grinning even more) Oh, yes. (Enjoying the moment) I don't think he'll be forgetting our tussle anytime soon.

NICK: And why is that?

MONIXA: I left him a little reminder of our special time together. (Thrilled) Shall we say, he left my place with not all of his ... manhood intact.

REESE: (Uncomfortable) You don't mean you ...

MONIXA: (Smugly) Caused him to finish the game a couple of balls short.

NICK: (Chuckling) Well, that should definitely narrow the field.

ACT THREE, SCENE ONE

SETTING: The Police Station. Reese, Nick and Tracy are sitting around talking and

laughing.

TRACY: (Laughing hysterically) She did what?

NICK: According to her, she relieved him of a few of his close personal friends. You should have seen Cap's face when he realized what she was saying.

REESE: (Embarrassed) Your face was kind of green as well, Knight.

TRACY: I wish I had been there. To see both of your faces would have been a money-paying event. (Seeing someone come in) Hey, Opella, over here. (Watching him limp over on crutches) What happened to you?

OPELLA: Would you believe rollerblading? (At their perplexed looks) My girlfriend and I decided yesterday was a great day to spend teaching me how to skate. As you can see, I didn't do as well as I hoped.

NICK: (Smiling) Couldn't find the brakes, huh?

OPELLA: Not fast enough. (Looking closely at them) So, what was so funny just a few minutes ago? You guys looked like you were about to die laughing.

TRACY: Cap and Nick were telling me about their exploits with the latest Slayer victim.

OPELLA: (Startled) There was something funny about a dead body?

TRACY: Oh, but she wasn't dead. (Seeing his look) Yep, we finally got a break in the case. (Pausing) He left a living, talking, highly ticked off individual. (Smirking) And, she left her mark in a very ... sensitive area.

OPELLA: So, I guess you have some forensic evidence that you want me to analyze for you.

REESE: (Very uncomfortable as Tracy and Nick quiet down) Umm, I've been meaning to talk to you about that. (Adjusting his tie) To avoid any more mix-ups, the bigwigs have requested that Dr. Lambert handle the case from here on out.

OPELLA: (Matter-of-factly) Natalie's coming back? (Looking at Nick) I didn't realize she had recovered from her little mishap.

NICK: She's a lot tougher than she looks. (Standing and moving to the other guy) We hope there won't be any hard feelings about her coming in.

OPELLA: (Patting him on his back) Of course not. We all want this case cleared up as soon as possible.

An officer brings a file to Reese.

REESE: They ID'd the blood. Our guy's O- and it also looks like he's a borderline diabetic.

TRACY: (Excited) That plus his ... disfigurement really narrows the players.

NICK: Yeah, you're right, but I'm not going to do the preliminary search and find. (Innocently) So, I guess that leaves you?

TRACY: (Uptight) It won't really have to come to that, right?

NICK: (Grinning) If we want to be absolutely sure to get our man, I'm afraid so.

TRACY: Oh, joy.

ACT THREE, SCENE TWO

SETTING: Nick's apartment. The music box is playing and Natalie is deep in sleep.

NICK: (Walking into the room and seeing her) Nat? (Pausing and walking to the bed) Natalie, I'm home. (Moving away and getting dressed for bed) How on earth can you sleep so sound? (Getting into the bed) You're nice and warm. (Moving the covers away from her stomach and bending to it) Hello, you two. I hope you haven't been giving your mother a hard time. (Kissing the spot) Good morning and pleasant dreams. (Laying down for a few minutes, but not being able to sleep) How does your mother sleep with that noise? (Sitting up and switching the lamp on) That music box is quickly getting on my nerves. (Reaching over Nat and closing the box. Natalie awakens) Hello there.

NATALIE: (Drowsily) When did you get in? (Snuggling closer to him) I didn't even hear you.

NICK: (Getting comfortable with her in his arms) I noticed. You were sleeping like the dead.

NATALIE: (Drifting back off) Isn't that .... your .... job?

ACT THREE, SCENE THREE

SETTING: The police station. Nick is waiting with Natalie in Reese's office when the

Captain and Tracy walk in.

REESE: (Moving to clasp Nat's hand) Glad to see you up and about, Dr. Lambert. (Walking to his desk and sitting) Tracy was just filling me in on your attack. I'd understand if you didn't feel up to this.

NATALIE: I'm fine. (Emphatically) Really. (Grinning) It would take more than a little roughhousing to keep me down. (Looking at Reese) I did have three brothers.

REESE: (Chuckling) Glad to hear it. (Looking at the file) Did Knight fill you in on the latest escapade of our serial killer?

NATALIE: (Opening her own file) In graphic detail. (Looking up) Have you been able to find a match with the name she gave you?

TRACY: Not a one. (Sitting) The address she had on him was a fake and the job didn't pan out either. (Shaking her head) It looks like we're back where we started.

NATALIE: (Excited) Not necessarily.

NICK: What is it?

NATALIE: (Tossing him the bagged glove) This.

TRACY: I don't get it. (Staring) It just looks like a regular old surgical glove to me.

NATALIE: (Glaring at her) That's probably because it is just a surgical glove.

REESE: I'm not sure we're following where you're going.

NATALIE: A few years ago, I had an allergic reaction to the lubricant found on the standard gloves, so I had to order this special hypo-allegenic brand that had baby powder instead of lotion. (Taking it back) This glove has the powder and it had a blood trace of O-.

NICK: That ties our boy in as the Slayer. But, that doesn't necessarily mean anything. (Shrugging) I mean that company probably supplies half the medical supplies for the city.

NATALIE: Nope. (Beaming) I am the only purchaser of this type of glove this side of the border. I allot the extra money to have it shipped from a little supplier in Oklahoma City. The only way I know about the place is I have a friend who works there and makes them special for my department.

TRACY: (Joining the excitement) That means that our stalker has to be working out of here.

NICK: That also explains why somebody else might have gone after Nat. (Looking at her) He felt that she could focus our efforts here.

NATALIE: I don't know how focused things are going to be. (Pausing) Don't forget there are over a hundred guys that have direct and authorized access to our medical supplies and probably close to two hundred more that could finagle access.

REESE: Yeah, but that sure narrows it down from 25,000. (Picking up his phone and dialing) I'll get a list of all of the guys who are out on illness leaves. With that kind of injury, I doubt he would have shown up for work today. (Speaking into the phone for a minute and hanging up) They'll have a list for us in an hour. (Looking at his detectives) I hope you two are up for a long night.

NICK: If it'll catch this guy any faster, I'm game. (Looking at the drooping Natalie) But I know someone who isn't. (Thinking) Is there any way we can keep a security detail on Nat until this guy is caught? He tried to get at her once, but I was there to stop him. With these new leads, I can't guarantee I'll be there again.

REESE: No problem. (Standing and heading for the door) Vetter, I need you to pull up some files on that computer you're so fond of.

TRACY: (Standing and following him) Sure thing, Cap. (Stopping and turning toward Natalie) Good work, Nat. We couldn't have done it without you. (Leaving)

NICK: (Taking her hand) She's right you know. We couldn't have done it without you. (Kissing her) I'm glad you're on our side. (Helping her stand) Are you going to be okay without me?

NATALIE: I should be fine. (Massaging her back) I'll probably sleep until you get home, since lately that seems like something I'm really good at. (Shaking her head) I probably won't even miss you.

NICK: (Chuckling as he helps her to the door) It's always good to know I'm appreciated.

ACT FOUR, SCENE ONE

SETTING: The Raven. Lacroix is nursing a drink and staring at the counter when

Vachon walks up.

LACROIX: Oh, happiest of days, the boy has returned. Let the trumpets sound and the angels rejoice.

VACHON: I'm happy to see you, too.

LACROIX: Don't you have someplace else to be. (Turning to him) Maybe playing Barbie and Ken with the bimbo detective.

VACHON: (Sitting) Which one would I be? (Taking a deep breath) Seriously, what have you been up to lately? (Matter-of-factly) Attacked any pregnant ladies?

LACROIX: Now why would you ask something like that?

VACHON: (Suspiciously) Are you saying you don't know?

LACROIX: Know what? (Perturbed) If you must play these silly games, I would prefer that you do it on someone else's time.

VACHON: (Searching Lacroix's soul) Natalie was attacked at the apartment the other day. She ...

LACROIX: (Yelling) Attacked! (Seeing the others stare and lowering his voice) By whom? (Watching Vachon's face) You thought that I had tried.

VACHON: (Shrugging) Nick told me about your history and your vendetta. No offense, but that puts you on the top of everyone's hit parade.

LACROIX: (Standing quickly) But did it ever occur to you that I would want Nicholas and his witch to know when and why I strike. (Walking behind the bar and fixing himself a drink) What purpose would it serve me to try to kill her as an unknown. (Taking a drink) Really, Vachon. I believe you have been hanging around the feeble-minded detective too long.

VACHON: If what you say is true, someone else is after Nat. (Turning to leave) I need to warn Nick. (Stopping) As one friend to another, stay away from them, Lacroix.

They don't need your kind of trouble.

He leaves. Lacroix motions for a woman passing the bar and whispers something to

her. She nods and leaves.

LACROIX: (Putting on his coat) So, they don't need my kind of trouble. (Menacingly) Unfortunately for them, that's all they can look forward to.

And then he's gone.

ACT FOUR, SCENE TWO

SETTING: Nick's apartment. The music box is playing and Natalie is sleeping. A

sudden rush of wind heralds the arrival of Lacroix.

LACROIX: (Hypnotic voice blending in with the music) How peaceful you look. (Walking over and caressing her head) I wonder what you would be doing if you knew what I had planned for you. (Bending over and whispering) Natalie. (Pausing) It's time for us to take a little trip. (Her eyes open and he smiles) Ahh, there you are. (Pushing her hair from her face and helping her to sit up) I was afraid that you were too deep in sleep to hear me. (Looking into her face) You and I have a date. (Holding his hand out to her) Come. (As he takes her out of the room, he reaches over and picks up the music box. On the landing, he looks deeply into her eyes) Tonight, our destinies shall be fulfilled.

ACT FOUR, SCENE THREE

SETTING: Nick's apartment only later. It's empty until Opella steps out of the shadows.

OPELLA: Natalie. (Heading up the stairs) Dr. Lambert, are you here? (Walking into the bedroom) Don't be alarmed. (Looking around) Nick thought I could help you out, so he called ahead and let the guard know. (Walking to the bathroom and looking in) Where are you? You were supposed to be here all night. (Thinking) Well, Knight's going to be tied up until morning, so I think I'll just sit back and wait for you. (Sitting and pulling out the dirk) I'm sure we have a lot to talk about.

ACT FOUR, SCENE FOUR

SETTING: The police station. Nick and Tracy are looking over files when Monixa walks

up.

MONIXA: (Walking to Nick) You called, Detective?

NICK: (Standing and moving to her side) Ms. Harltrim, thanks for coming down here. (Pulling out a chair for her to sit) I'd like you to meet Detective Vetter. Tracy, this is Ms. Harltrim.

TRACY: (Shaking the other woman's hand) You don't know how much I wanted to meet you. (Slyly) I really admired your fortitude and presence of mind.

MONIXA: (Smiling) It was revenge, pure and simple. (Cattily) I wanted him to hurt as much as he was attempting to hurt me.

TRACY: Still, it took a lot courage to leave him ...

MONIXA: (Interrupting her) A few balls short of rack. (Laughing at Tracy's look) I live to think these things up.

NICK: Ladies, as much as you're obviously enjoying this little têtê-et-têtê, we do need to take care of the business at hand.

MONIXA: Again, I must apologize. (Shrugging) Like I said before, I do tend to stray from the subject.

NICK: That's quite all right. (Pulling out several profile books) We asked you down to see if you could identify your attacker from these.

MONIXA: (Opening the closest one) What are they? Criminal records?

TRACY: No, personnel files. (Realizing how that sounded) I mean, ... We believe that the Slayer works out of this precinct because of some leads we received. With your identification, we might be able to find an angle as to where and when he might strike again.

MONIXA: I can tell you that almost as easily.

NICK: (Confused) What are you saying?

MONIXA: After I got out of hospital, I went back and read all of the stories printed about the victims. When I started reading, I figured out why several of their names sounded familiar. (Finishing one book and moving on to another) I'm a membership coordinator at Nu Yu Health Center and all of them were members. (Flipping through pages) Which fits considering that's where I first met him.

NICK: (Frustrated) Why didn't you come to the police before all of this? You might could have prevented some of the attacks!

MONIXA: (Slamming the book shut and standing) I had only worked with those who had joined since I had been working there. It wasn't until I was looking into our files that I made the connection with the others. (Frostily) Believe me, if I had realized who they were before now, you would have been the first person I called.

NICK: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump on you, it's just that I want to really get this guy. (Moving to her and knocking some files onto the floor) Will you please accept my sincerest apologies and look again to see if he's in there?

MONIXA: (Looking down at her shoes) Well, I guess I could, but I can tell you he's not in the books I saw. (Looking up and then suddenly back down) Wait a minute!

TRACY: What is it?

MONIXA: (Pointing at the picture that fell out of the folder) That's him. That's the big jerk who stabbed me!

TRACY: (Reaching down to pick up the photo and blanching) Are you sure?

MONIXA: I was pretty close to him for a while, so I can't just forget that face.

TRACY: (Rattled) Omigod. (Turning to her confused partner) Nick, didn't Opella offer to help watch over Natalie?

NICK: Yeah. I called and told the guard to expect him about twenty minutes ago. Why?

TRACY: (Turning the picture where he can see it) Because Ms. Harltrim just identified Dr. Opella as her attacker.

NICK: (Stricken) Nat! (Heading towards the door) Tell Reese to send as much backup as he can over to my place. I'm going to make sure she's okay. (Hurrying) If she should call, tell her not to let Opella in. (Under his breath) Please let them be okay.

ACT FOUR, SCENE FIVE

SETTING: The roof of Nick's building. Lacroix is standing off to the side with the music

box in hand while Natalie stands on the ledge as if waiting.

LACROIX: (Placing the music box near the edge) Dear, Natalie. How sad that it must come to this. (Walking over to her) It is my wish that you are aware of what is about to happen, so I am going to bring you to a certain level of awareness. (Hypnotic) Come to me, Natalie.

NATALIE: (Surprised and dazed) What? (Swaying) Where am I? (Looking around and gasping) How did I get here?

LACROIX: (Moving to where she can see him) Hello, Dr. Lambert. (Gesturing around them) Welcome to my playground.

NATALIE: What do you want? (Trying to move her hands) What have you done to my hands?

LACROIX: Quite simply, I didn't want to have to deal with your particular talents, so I maneuvered things to my advantage.

NATALIE: (Confused) Maneuvered things? How?

LACROIX: So like mortals to ask countless numbers of questions when they don't have the time to do so. Shouldn't you be using your last minutes in a more productive way?

NATALIE: Fine. (Sighing) Nick won't let this happen. (Tiredly) He'll pick up on my distress and come.

LACROIX: (Smiling) If you were sending out anything that even remotely seemed distressful, he might have been able to hear it, but you're not.

NATALIE: (Shaking her head) I don't understand. You know my ... talents, yet you are obviously ignoring their power. (Thinking) Unless ... (Hearing the music) The box! (Panicking) Somehow it's blocking ...That would mean the box wasn't ... (Horrified) You sent the box!

LACROIX: (Smugly) A nice touch, don't you think? (Walking to the box and lifting it) When I heard of its unnatural powers, I felt it would be rather handy in this unnatural of situations.

NATALIE: What can you hope to gain from destroying me?

LACROIX: So much more than if I just brought you into our world. (Drinking in the air) You see, if I simply brought you over or caused your death by virtue of my ability, Nicholas would not learn from this because he would see it as your martyrdom. (Pacing) But, if I killed you outright, he would have to accept that he destroyed something that he truly loved and would not attempt that emotion again. (Smiling menacingly) For me, it's a win-win situation. I get rid of you, a rather bothersome individual to me, and I turn Nicholas away from that which would make him more ...alive,

NATALIE: Is that what you honestly believe will happen? (Taking deep breaths) This won't bring Nick back to you or your way. He'll turn away from you for good and it will drive him to seek his mortality in other ways. He will have had this small taste of mortality and it will leave him craving more. (Pleading) If you do this, you'll be destroying the one thing you've sought to nurture for centuries. You'll be destroying him.

LACROIX: (Thinking quietly) You could be right, but ... it is a price I am willing to pay. (Looking down) Enough of this small talk. (Staring hard at her) I think now would be the time for you to make peace with whatever you worship.

NATALIE: (Giving up) I pity you, Lacroix. More than you will ... Ohhhh!

LACROIX: I'm growing tired of your stalling. (Shaking his head) Your games will not stop what will happen.

NATALIE: (Almost screaming) It's no game! I've started labour. (Panting) Had you forgotten that aspect of my murder? ... Ohhhh! (Gasping) It ... would seem... that Nick would not (Moaning) ... be the only one to pay for this. (Trying to breath) You were told not to (Gasp) jeopardize the child's birth or ... or ... you would have to deal with the Council's justice.

LACROIX: Like before, it would be just another thing I will have to deal with to obtain my right.

NATALIE: (Painfully) Well, ... if you're going to take that right, ...do it ... do it now. (Angrily) If I'm not going to get the chance to see my children alive, I don't need to keep going through this pain. (Almost screaming) Otherwise, get me the hell down from here!

Lacroix stands for a moment doing nothing. As Natalie continues to struggle against

the pain, Lacroix seems to also be waging an internal struggle. He quietly walks over to

the box and ... lowers the lid. Natalie, suddenly free, clutches herself trying to fight the

pain and nearly falls off the ledge. Lacroix is suddenly there to catch her and gently sets

her back on the roof. Natalie collapses against him and he easily carries her toward the

elevator.

NATALIE: (Painfully) What are you doing? (Whispering) I thought you were planning on sending me down the hard way.

LACROIX: (Pressing the call button) Would you rather I reassess the situation again? (Sighing) Typical mortals; never satisfied with their lot. (The elevator opens) Finally. (To Nat) Now to get you somewhere where Nicholas can find you and relieve me of your burden.

NATALIE: (Smiling between gasps) Admit it. You like me.