SUBJECT LINE:
{ASSM} "The Man Next Door" {Dancer} (MF reluc magic mc rom)


-------

Disclaimer/Admonition: This story has explicit descriptions 
of people engaging in careless and unprotected sexual 
activity in it, and shouldn't be accessed by minors.  Kids?  
Try this stuff and you'll probably end up either in an AIDS 
ward waiting to die or in the maternity ward looking at 
your child before you graduate.  Don't rush into 'It' - 
it's not THAT much fun, and certainly not worth the risks 
around nowadays - I'm glad I'm married! :) In any case, 
should this find its way into minors' hands, neither I nor 
Dancer should not be held responsible - I DID warn them.

Copyright notice: I, the author of this tawdry pile of 
maudlin feelings masquerading as smut, hold all rights of 
reproduction to this work of prose.  Private copies for 
personal perusal and archives for NON-commercial 
distribution are permitted.

Plea for attention: The only reward ASS* authors can expect 
is the joy of sharing their creation with the rest of 
humanity.  But wait - how does that author KNOW if people 
are reading and enjoying his story?  Yep; if you like a 
story posted to alt.sex.stories.*, the fair thing to do is 
email the author and tell them so.  I promise that it'll 
make YOU feel good to send them kudos, after all, Mark 
Twain said, "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to 
cheer someone else up."  As always you may contact me (and 
my wife Dancer) through my 'legacy' Deja News email 
account:             <empath69@my-deja.com>  
(Wow, I'm not just an author, now I'm an AGENT, too!  ;)

Editor's Note: Man!  The more stories of hers I read the 
more of an amateurish hack I feel! :S   Yes, I can weave a 
decent story (even if a 'warm fuzzy' romance aspect will 
creep in despite my best efforts:) but Dancer's works are 
just so HOT!  A real *passion* that I just can't capture. 
<sigh>

My only consolation is that even Dancer has the occasional 
flaw to her writing. (She persists in spelling it 
"matress", but then I always 'word my swaps', so I 
shouldn't talk. :)

=============


The Man Next Door (m/f oral, rape) 
[by Dancer, Copyright 2001]


My great aunt had decided to put herself in a nursing home. 
Aunt Sophia just celebrated her 84th birthday. She 
announced at the family party that she would be moving into 
Shady Oaks Health Care Center because she was too old to 
live alone. She told me that I was in charge of taking care 
of her three-story house and the acre of grounds it was 
built upon. I'd hoped Sophia would do that. I loved her 
house and missed spending my summers there with her. My 
brother and sisters played at Sophia's when we were growing 
up and I knew they were jealous of our aunt's decision.

Shady Oaks is a misnomer, but the town thought Shady Maples 
was a bad idea. It was a small town of 4,600 in central 
Iowa. I lived there most of my life except for when I lived 
on campus at Iowa State University. Shady Oaks was very 
typical of what you know about small towns. Everybody knew 
everybody else and women and men gossiped over the back 
fence. We had some crime: shoplifting, drug makers and 
dealers, and traffic violations. Rape and murder hadn't 
found us yet.

Aunt Sophia moved out the first of May and I moved in right 
after her. The house was furnished. Where else could you 
keep family heirlooms? My family wouldn't sell anything 
until after Sophia passed away, so I only needed my 
clothes, toiletries and food. I settled into the bedroom 
that I used when I stayed over the summers. I just didn't 
have the balls to take over Sophia's room.

The room was on the second floor and had French doors that 
opened onto a tiny balcony. When I was little, I'd pretend 
I was a fairy princess overlooking my kingdom and waiting 
for Prince Charming to rescue me. I left my childhood 
memories and toured the house, figuring out what I would 
need to buy at the store. The basics, I thought. The food, 
bath soap, shampoo and laundry detergent I liked. I made a 
mental grocery list and drove to the store.

I watched the sunset as I drove, yellow to orange to pink 
to deep blue. God, it was beautiful! I parked and went 
inside. I got a cart and started shopping. Lettuce, tomato, 
onion, garlic, potatoes, bananas, apples and grapes from 
produce. I worked my way to the meat counter for hamburger, 
roast and a ham slice. There was only one guy behind the 
counter and he was serving another customer. I glanced at 
the customer and did a double take. The guy was a dead 
ringer for my favorite actor, Keanu Reeves, and dressed all 
in black, like Keanu did in 'The Matrix'.

My mother would give me a good jab in the ribs for staring. 
I couldn't look away from the stranger. I knew it wasn't 
Keanu. What in God's name would Keanu be doing in a Podunk 
town in Iowa? The voice was melodic and hypnotizing. I 
couldn't hear what he asked for but the tone...God! He got 
his meat (ha-ha) bundles and faced me. I felt myself blush. 
With an inclination of his head, he acknowledged me and 
walked away.

The clerk asked me if he could help. I ran up to the 
counter. "Was that Keanu Reeves?"

"No, but I thought he was, too!"

"I thought I was going to faint when he looked at me." I 
fanned myself with my hand. I gave the clerk my order and 
tried to get myself under control. I threw my purchases in 
the cart and rushed to find that man again. I went to 
frozen foods. He wasn't there. I tossed in some pizzas that 
were on sale. I scanned the check out lines for him as I 
rounded the corner.

"Oomph," I heard.

"I'm sorry," I apologized as I swiveled my head toward the 
voice. My jaw dropped. I ran into the Keanu wannabe. He 
rubbed his hip where my cart struck him and my eyes 
followed the motion. "Uh, I-I'm really sorry. I, ah, I 
wasn't watching where I, ah, was going."

He tapped the box of Band-Aids he had against his thigh. He 
pursed his lips and lifted his dark brows up and down. He 
walked to me, inhaled my scent and kept going. I followed 
him with my eyes as he checked out. He nodded slightly at 
me before he left the building. I finished shopping in 
record time. I paid and loaded my bags in my car's trunk. 
He wasn't waiting for me, like I had hoped. A girl can't 
have everything, I guess.

I drove home taking the side streets. I really wanted 
another opportunity to see Keanu again. That's what I named 
him, Keanu. (Laugh all you want, it's better than Joe Blow 
from Kokomo!) I didn't spot him walking and pulled into the 
driveway. I unloaded my bags, went in the kitchen door and 
set them on the counter. I put the cold stuff in the 
refrigerator and the dry goods in the pantry. The bag that 
contained the toiletries I took upstairs to the bathroom.

I made my way to the balcony outside my room. After what 
happened, I needed a smoke and lit up. I inhaled deeply; 
blowing smoke rings up into the night air. I forgot to 
bring an ashtray with me and wandered in to find one. I 
filled a paper cup from the bathroom with water and went 
back to my perch. My butt leaned against the railing as I 
relaxed. I dropped the smoldering cigarette in the water-
filled cup and lit up a second.

My eyes scanned the surrounding treetops. The stars were 
thick tonight. I spotted Ursa Major and Orion. Venus glowed 
halfway up from the horizon. I stargazed a while, then saw 
the neighboring pool lights flicker on. Somebody was going 
for a dip and I maneuvered myself to sitting down with my 
legs dangling between the rails. My room was dark, so 
whoever it was couldn't see me watching.

The view was great. Sitting where I was, I could see the 
patio and pool through a gap in the tree limbs. I fired up 
my third cigarette. A man came out, butt nekkid. "Turn 
around," I whispered to myself. He turned and I got an 
eyeful of bare skin, including a soft penis. I clamped my 
mouth shut as a giggle erupted. I couldn't make out his 
face because a breeze came up and obscured my view. It died 
down and I saw the man dive quietly into the water.

He did a few laps, then broke the surface. It was Keanu. My 
inhale got caught in my throat and I coughed. Keanu didn't 
hear me, I guess. He rested against the pool wall, letting 
his lower torso float. Quietly, I scooted from between the 
rails and crawled into the bedroom. I stood and went to the 
toilet, still coughing. I drank some water and calmed. I 
flipped on the overhead light in my room and walked out to 
the balcony.

Keanu was gazing directly at me. I waved. He smirked and 
crooked a finger, motioning me to come over. He knew I was 
watching. Shit! Why am I worried? I can tell him the truth. 
I left the house and walked through the sideyard to the 
fence separating us. I pushed the gate open and went in. 
Keanu still floated in the water. I strolled over to a 
lounge chair and sat down. His dark eyes burned a hole 
through me. "Yes, I was watching you. So what?" I said.

He disappeared under the water and came up in front of me. 
He lifted himself out and stood, making no move to cover 
his crotch. "So nothing." I licked my dry lips as he padded 
over to me. He leaned down and put his hands behind me, 
taking the towel off the back. He dried his black hair and 
wrapped the towel around his narrow hips. "My name is 
Nathaniel, not Keanu." He walked into the house, leaving me 
sitting there dumbfounded.

I rushed in. "How did you know I called you Keanu?" He 
wasn't anywhere in this room. I stepped carefully across 
the wooden floor, tracking his wet footprints to the 
hallway. They trailed into a room at the far end. I 
followed. I saw him from the doorway lying naked on the bed 
with his long legs crossed at the ankles. "How did you 
know? Are you a mind-reader?" I demanded.

Nathaniel placed his hands behind his head. "Something like 
that."

"Well, keep your nose out of my thoughts."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because you've been chosen. Like Sophia was chosen sixty 
years ago."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" I jammed my hands on 
my hips. "What do you know about my aunt?"

"You've been chosen for me. Sophia was chosen for me, a 
long time ago."

"You still haven't answered my questions."

His voice deepened. "Come to me, Olivia."

My feet began moving, drawn by his voice. I willed myself 
to stop. "No."

"Yesss." Nathaniel pitch grew more hypnotic.

"No," I hissed and steeled my mind against him.

"Your aunt was much easier. Her will was weak." His eyes 
darkened to black. He echoed his voice as he spoke,  
"Olivia, I need you to come to me." I hooded my eyes and 
stayed put. If he wants me so bad, he'll have to get off 
his ass and come get me. Suddenly, Nathaniel was in my 
face. He seized my mouth with his, kissing me hard. I sank 
my teeth in his lower lip and tasted blood.

I shoved him away and drew back. "Keep away from me, you 
bastard!"

Nathaniel touched his lip. He saw the blood and licked it 
from his fingers. He bared his teeth and purred, "I like my 
women with spirit."

"I'll show you how much spirit I got," I retorted.

He disappeared. I scanned for him. I felt my head being 
tilted back. He was behind me, yanking my hair. He gripped 
my jaw, forcing me to turn and face him. The hand left my 
face and ripped my shirt open. "You will surrender, if not 
tonight, then tomorrow." I saw his upper lip curl back and 
the fanged canines.

"You're a fucking vampire!"

Nathaniel chuckled, "Not fucking you yet, Olivia. Only a 
starving vampire." He bent down to my throat and I felt his 
lips graze my skin. I let out a shriek. He released me to 
cover his ears and howled, "BITCH!" I took the chance, 
running by him and toward home.

I locked the door and leaned against it, panting. There 
were a million ways he could get in here. I wouldn't be 
able to guard them all. What to do, what to do? All I knew 
about vampires came from the movies. I figured beheading 
Nathaniel was a reliable alternative. I closed my eyes and 
thought about where I could get some help. Family? Church? 
They'd think I was nuts and lock me up.

'Bram Stoker's Dracula' popped in my head. It was the scene 
where Keanu is in Transylvania and being seduced by the 
succubae. I was one of the demon women and Keanu was 
touching my hair. He pulled me to him. We kissed. 'That 
wasn't in the movie,' I thought and opened my eyes. 
Nathaniel embraced me, kissing the hollow of my throat.

My mouth fell open to scream but my voice was frozen. I 
shuddered at his touch. My mind was reeling. My skin was on 
fire and tingling all over. Each breath was a struggle. I 
couldn't free myself from him. I was dead meat and still a 
virgin. Life's a bitch, ain't it? "What are you doing to 
me?" I gasped out.

Nathaniel pulled my breasts out of the cups of my 
brassiere, palming the small mounds. "I'm making you mine, 
Olivia. Branding you with my touch." His mouth closed over 
a nipple. I screamed, digging my nails into his scalp. 
Tears scalded my face. He shifted and suckled the other 
turgid peak. My emotions ran wild and I ground my body 
against him. "Yes, my sweet, surrender," Nathaniel 
whispered.

He removed my jeans and placed me on the tabletop. He 
stepped between my legs and lifted my hips up. In one 
thrust, he broke through my virginity, sinking deep in my 
vagina. He pounded me savagely for hours, never stopping 
until the early morning. I lay paralyzed with fear of him 
and the brutal fucking. He pulled out and glanced at my 
blood on his prick. "Thank you, Olivia, for allowing me to 
deflower you. I will return this evening at sunset to pick 
up where I left off." He faded into a mist, seeping under 
the door.

I stared vacantly at the window, waiting for the sun to 
rise fully. I rolled onto the floor, unable to stand. I 
crawled painfully upstairs. The cool tile of the bathroom 
felt good. My thighs were streaked heavily with blood and 
cum. I rested, gathering my strength to take a bath. I 
managed somehow to get in the marble tub and clean myself. 
This is how it feels to be raped, I thought, gazing at the 
pink-tinged water. I knew I was bleeding inside. I let the 
warm water ease in my vagina. It burned. I needed to go to 
the hospital but he would find me and rape me again. It 
didn't matter. I wanted to die.

The water turned cold. I got out, shivering, and wrapped a 
fluffy towel around me. I limped to my bed and fell into 
it. The softness enveloped me, cradling my body. People 
came by. The phone rang. I just lay there, waiting for 
sunset. My mind registered the gorgeous colors as the sky 
grew darker and darker. Any time now, he would appear and 
rape me.

A mist crept under the French doors and solidified into the 
form of a man. Nathaniel. He was naked and his penis jutted 
out, red-tipped and swollen. He sat beside me and stroked 
my hair. He pushed me on my back and parted my legs. Blood 
smeared on my thighs and caked in my pubic hairs. "Did I do 
this, Olivia?" he asked as his hands touched the red fluid. 
He lapped my blood from my skin and hair, then slipped his 
tongue in my sore vagina. I whimpered.

His tongue licked over the tears in my channel. I shook and 
felt myself dampen at his touch. I cried, ashamed at my 
body's betrayal. My knees were over his shoulders and his 
hands caressed my belly. "Nathaniel, please don't rape me 
again," I begged through my sobs. The pain from the first 
attack melted away as his tongue tasted my pussy. A calm 
came over me and I relaxed.

Nathaniel's tongue lapped and lapped inside me. He didn't 
move to touch me anywhere else, just tongued my vagina and 
massaged my belly. My body grew hot and restless. He rubbed 
his nose over my clitoris. I bucked and orgasmed, coating 
his mouth and tongue with my cum. He licked me clean and 
brushed his lips across my belly, moving up my torso to my 
breasts. The nipples stood at attention. He licked each one 
and kneaded the mounds. "Olivia," he said and thrust his 
cock inside me.

I tensed, expecting pain, and felt...satisfied. I wasn't 
numb either. Every thrust, every withdrawal I was aware of 
every millimeter of his cock. My eyes softened with desire. 
I ran my hands over his chest and back. I pulled him on top 
of me and kissed his jawline and throat. I nibbled the 
cords of his shoulders. The thrusts quickened, as did his 
breathing. His body went rigid and he howled my name as he 
shot his release.

The cum filled me, then began burning. I fought to get out 
from under him. He pinned my arms above my head and my legs 
tangled with his. Screams ripped through my lungs and out 
my mouth. I went into a seizure. Blood dripped from my eyes 
and pussy. My heart squeezed once then stopped beating. My 
brain still functioned since I can tell you what happened.

Nathaniel waited a moment, then let me go. I was limp. My 
body's muscles refused to move. He had rolled over next to 
me, watching and waiting. The blood that earlier poured out 
of me was drawn back inside my body. He placed a palm on my 
breastbone and tapped a heartbeat. Air filled my lungs. I 
sat up and looked around me. "What..."

"Welcome, Olivia, to my world," Nathaniel answered with a 
smile. My face wore a look of shock and disbelief. "You're 
a vampire now, my love."

"How?"

"We use sexual intercourse to pass our genetic code. I'm 
very sorry about hurting you last night, but it was 
necessary. Your vagina needed to be torn to allow my seed 
to enter your bloodstream." My body shivered and he wrapped 
his arms around me, warming me up.

"You told me I was chosen. Chosen to become a vampire?"

"Yes. Our bloodline has diminished in numbers because of 
HIV. Your immune system is strong enough to fight off the 
virus."

"What about my Aunt Sophia?"

"I met her when she was 24 years. She had lost her husband 
at Pearl Harbor. I seduced her the moment we met. Sadly, 
Sophia was not a virgin. Her marriage had been consummated 
before her husband's death. My seed would not take and I 
never touched her again. Virginity is very important. A 
virgin tears easily went mated with and accepts the change 
much faster."

"Can I have children?"

Nathaniel kissed my cheek. "No, love. Vampirism destroys 
the gonads, making us barren."

I snuggled closer to his body. "Are there any rules I 
should know? Sunlight and all that."

"Sunlight can kill us, if we expose ourselves long enough. 
We are like very light-skinned humans. We burn easily. The 
true death is beheading. You died tonight, but your brain 
still lived. As long as your head is connected to your 
body, your body will function as it did when you were 
human. We don't live on blood. We can eat normal foods, 
except milk. Lactose intolerance, I think." He paused, 
thinking.

"Vampires work at night. No one wants to chance a severe 
burn. Your body can heal itself of most anything, given 
rest. You will find yourself with a strong sexual 
appetite." He gazed into my eyes. "You won't be able to see 
your family now. You carry a potent lust in your blood and 
you will force yourself upon any of them, sexually. For 
example, if your mother hugged you, you would rip her 
clothes off and rape her."

"Eeew! That's gross."

"But true. I have made you mine, body and soul. You'll live 
with me until the day I die, much akin to a marriage."

I absorb everything he told me. I was stuck with Nathaniel 
forever. I smiled.
"I hope you don't snore. I can't make you roll over in a 
coffin."

He tweaked my nose. "Silly, vampires don't sleep in 
coffins. We live very much like humans except we never go 
the beach for a tan."

"Can we have sex?"

"Yes. I'll need to wear you out of your lust. It only lasts 
six or seven years and then you'll be able to control 
yourself in public."

"So, if I got away from you in that time, I'll fuck every 
person I come in contact with and make more vampires?"

"You won't make more vampires. You'll fuck them until they 
drop dead."

"And I'll live like I did as a human?"

"Yes. No sun and no milk. Hell, I go out to eat, see 
movies, play basketball and swim at the Y." He sat up. 
"Have you ever been to Europe?"

"No. Are you wanting to take me there?"

"It would be a good reason not to see your family. Although 
that could only work as an excuse for a few months."

I snapped my fingers; "I got it. I can call them and say 
I'm taking a trip around the world. I'd need a few years to 
experience it all."

"The sunrise is coming in an hour. We had better leave for 
my house and get some rest. You can call from there." I 
threw some clothes in a bag and we ran naked across the 
lawn. Nathaniel led me to his bedroom. He closed the 
curtains and we climbed into bed. I slept passed sunset and 
he nudged me awake. "It's past seven at night. You should 
call your parents."

I dressed and phoned Mom and Dad. I told them I met a 
wonderful man and he was taking me on a world-wide 
vacation. Mom worried, saying she hadn't met this man yet 
and should I really do this. I told her I would be fine and 
Nathaniel was taking good care of me. He was, too, nibbling 
on my bare toes during the conversation. I hung up and 
kicked at him. "Stop that! It tickles!" I said through a 
bought of giggling. He threw me a sultry look. He massaged 
my arches. "Let's go rent a movie. I feel the need for a 
comedy."

"Something with Keanu Reeves, I take it?" He replied with a 
feral grin.

"Oh yeah. Gotta have my dose of Keanu."

Nathaniel padded around the room, dressing as he walked. He 
wore all black: T-shirt, jeans, jacket and shoes. He 
watched me slip on a pair of sandals and reminded me, "Be 
careful around the humans. The lust can be overwhelming."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I will. Besides, you'll 
be with me and if I feel the urge...I jump your bones." I 
wiggled myself against his lean body.

He hugged me tightly. "And that is where 'vamp' comes from. 
So ends the language lesson." We headed down to 
Blockbuster. We didn't encounter anyone along the way but, 
after entering Blockbuster, I began panting. I hid my face 
in his coat, feeling my canines lengthen. Nathaniel held me 
close and my body shook with lust. "Stay calm. We'll be out 
of here soon." He grabbed the nearest Keanu movie, The 
Replacements, and dragged me to the check out counter.

The clerk processed the movie on her computer, watching me 
surreptitiously. I jerked open Nathaniel's jacket and 
chewed on the bare skin I found. I purred loud enough for 
the clerk to hear and grabbed Nathaniel by the shirt. I 
pulled him to me roughly and slammed my mouth on his. I 
lifted my legs up and wrapped them around his waist. He 
snatched the videotape and ran out the door with me 
clinging to him like a kudzu vine.

We rounded the corner and ducked into an alley. He shoved 
me against the brick facing and plundered my mouth. He bent 
a little to rock his denim-covered cock along my soaked 
crotch. I came and bowed my head in exhaustion. I dropped 
my legs and stood, still trapped between Nathaniel and the 
wall. He held me upright with his arms. I whispered 
shakily, "Take me home." I hugged his midsection.

We stepped away from the wall and began to rise up. I 
watched my feet lift off the pavement. Soon, we were above 
the rooftops and flying through the night sky towards home. 
Nathaniel saw my amazement and delight. "Just like 
Superman, my love." I could make out the peaks of his house 
and gaped as he brought us back down to earth.

"You didn't tell me we could fly!" I squealed. "That was 
FAN-tastic!"

He grew bashful. "It's no big deal."

"When can I do it?"

"In time, Olivia, in time." He led me inside. "It took me 
nearly 150 years to master the art of flying."

I bounded to the couch and flopped down. "What other cool 
stuff can vampires do?"

"Form-change into mists and fog. Cast glamours. Call and 
command animals." He sat next to me and I curled against 
him. "I can't remember it all right now. But it all comes 
with time and practice."

"So Hollywood got most of it wrong. D & D got it right 
though."

He gave me a secretive smile. "Gary Gygax accepted the 
advice of a certain vampire who must remain unnamed." I 
gaped at him. "Not me! One of my friends!"

We sat for a while in silence. I stroked his jaw. "Is this 
a glamour? A glamour for my benefit?"

His hand closed over mine. "No. My face isn't an illusion. 
It's the physical body I was born with."

"I'm glad. I'd hate to find out you really looked like 
Ernest Borgnine." I poked his ribs. He laughed and slapped 
at my hands. He threw his weight against me and I was 
pinned to the couch. We shared kisses and laughs. I fought 
through a case of the giggles and said, "I love you, 
Nathaniel." I was still grinning like an idiot.

Nathaniel's face got very serious. He stared at me a long 
time before choking out, "Oh, Olivia, how can you love a 
creature like me?" His voice cracked, filled with pain and 
anguish. He pulled away and rose. I got up and followed, 
embracing him from behind. My head rested between his 
shoulder blades. He spoke just above a whisper; "I raped 
you, Olivia. I coerced you to become a vampire. I cursed 
you to live for eternity and watch those humans you care 
for turn to dust." He whipped around and gazed deeply into 
my eyes. "How can you say you love me?"

"Easily." I looked at him. His dark eyes were brimming with 
unshed tears and his lips quivered. I traced his mouth with 
an index finger. "I love you."

"You say you love me. How long will it last? I was your 
first lover, Olivia. I resemble a man you admire and lust 
for. Can you live a thousand years with me and still say 
you love me? I grew to hate the woman who changed me from 
human to vampire. Will you grow to despise me as well?"

"I do hate you, Nathaniel. I hate that you raped me. That 
you gave me no choice." I walked away to sit back on the 
couch. "I have always believed in fate and destiny. I knew, 
deep in my soul, when I responded to you last night, that I 
accepted whatever road this change take me down. You said 
yourself that I was chosen for you." I captured his gaze. 
"Who chose me for you?"

"Sophia."

I was shocked. "How? When?"

Nathaniel knelt before me and grasped my hands. "I returned 
to Shady Oaks last year and moved into this house. Sophia 
saw me from your balcony. She invited me over, wanting 
answers. Was I related to her one-night lover? I confessed 
who I was and am. She accepted my tale as truth and told me 
about you."

"Why didn't she run like I did?"

"Sophia said she was too old to flee from me. The night I 
loved her, she was freed from her grief and understood 
there was more to life to live. I gave her a moment of 
happiness in a dark time of her life. She wants the same 
for me and believed you were capable of the task. I told 
Sophia I would change you into a vampire, taking you down a 
path you could never return from. There was something about 
you she couldn't describe with words but I found it when I 
saw you at the grocery."

"What was it?" I asked. My mouth had gone dry.

"Hope," Nathaniel replied quietly.


End

=============

Editor's Postscript: Hmmm, there was a point when I was 
trying to wonder why she had a 'rom' tag here - I think 
it's valid.  Though I now wonder if Dancer's trying to 
muscle into MY territory! ;)

Oh, and I find I'm having less and less work to do as a 
proofreader; and she doesn't have the benefit of a spell-
checker - she uses DOS Edit! :) <Empath smiles in marital 
pride>
