The Crazy Adventures of Nicky and Angie
by: Delilah Robbins

Part 1

Agelique sat in the corner brooding as Nicholas entered the room looking spiffy and in good spirits.

"Hello my dear." He drawled in that Nicholas voice complete with Cheshire cat grin.

She turned away in disgust, averting his gaze.

He frowned and squinted trying to understand her sudden moodiness. "What on earth is the matter?"

"I’m hungry." She sulked.

"Well, why not get yourself a cup of Joe?" He reasoned as if she were the dimmest being in all creation.

"I’m tired of the same old Joe!" She snapped. "I want to go out to eat tonight."

He looked at her for a moment and spun on his heel, and crooking a gray-gloved finger stated firmly. "No, my dear, too risky."

"How can you say that?" She whined. "You can dine wherever you like, eat whatever you want! Joe has type O positive blood, I prefer O negative. Joe Haskell every night!" She complained. "I need some variety!"

His eyes narrowed. "You want variety?" There’s a steak thawing on the counter in the kitchen, go gnaw on that!" He threw his head back and indulged in peals of laughter.

Her sea green/blue eyes widened in an instinctual gaze. "Perhaps I could start on you first." She said slowly as if in a trance. In an instant she was at his neck, ready to plunge her fangs into his beating jugular.

In the same instant he turned to face her with lightning speed, his hands grasping her wrists and pulling them behind her. His face was in her face and his scowl made her cower. He shook his head. "You’ll be very sorry that you tried that my dear." He threw her into the sofa. "You don’t appreciate Joe Haskell? Tonight you’ll starve!"

An hour later, Nicholas sat at the dining room table in his house by the sea. His reluctant dinner guest sat pursing her lips, pulling the bottom one over the top one in fits of anger. He grinned at her as he lifted the tureen covers from his favorite dishes. Rubbing his hands together, he anticipated eating the delicacies that lay before him.

"Let’s see, what have we here? Blood pudding, blood sausage and some ox blood for my Chinese food." He turned to Angelique displaying his most delicious Nicholas smile. "And what have you to say my dear?"

She flashed her se green eyes their widest. "You know sometimes I think I’d give my eye teeth to have your powers!"

He studied her for a moment and then nodding in agreement exclaimed, "That would be quite a sacrifice, coming from you."

Angelique stumbled through the doorway like an overfilled mosquito. Drunk with human blood, she felt the unsettling sensation of having too much of a good thing. Her stomach, normally wash board flat protruded a little. The intense pressure at the back of her throat almost caused her to belch but she suppressed the urge. I am Angelique. I dare not burp, She reasoned with herself.

Concerned that she may have been wearing one of her victims, she crossed to the full-length mirror in the hallway. Grinning she checked her teeth for stains and appraised her appearance. There wasn't a hair out of place, or a bloodstain to hide. She smiled approvingly.

Sauntering into the drawing room, she traced the backs of the furniture with a lazy finger and reminisced about the evening's events. Her gullible victims had all been handsome men of course and she shuddered with satisfaction as she remembered how she’d earned their admiration and then expertly moved in for the kill.

To her surprise though, she felt hungry a gain. Blood is rather like Chinese food she thought an hour later and I’m still hungry. There’s a certain type she hadn't indulged in either, the Barnabas Collins variety. In an instant, she flew to the door with great purpose. Just as she was about to turn the knob, Nicholas sneaked up on her, scaring her out of about 200 years of after life. "Going somewhere my dear?" He teased. "Nicholas, you frightened me!" She sighed.

He arched a dramatic brow. "Aren't you concerned about the lateness of the hour?"

"Mildly but, I can be back before dawn."

"Very well my dear." And then he whispered. "I'll go with you."

"NO!" She interjected fiercely.

This time he raised both eyebrows. "No?"

"You know what I must do. You don't like to watch that."

"On the contrary my dear, it is you who don't want me to watch. You won't be going out any more this evening Angelique."

"I haven't gone out at all. She lied. I don't understand."

"Judging from your gamy smell, I'd say you've had quite enough! You may devour Barnabas Collins when and if I say so but not before." He warned. "Are we agreed?"

"Nicholas."

His eyes flashed fire. "ARE WE AGREED?"

"Yes Nicholas." She sulked as she made her way to her coffin. "I'm turning in now."

Nicholas smiled his Nicholas smile. "A wise decision. If you don't crawl into your coffin soon, I'll be sweeping you up and pouring you into an urn." All the way up the stairs, he indulged in peals of laughter as he made his way to his own bed.

Angelique's eyes were daggers. Crossing to the secret compartment drawer in the hallway, she pulled out the list of revenge ideas she’d been compiling. She slowly unfolded the paper and read her choices.

Steal Stokes' talisman collection. Convince Adam that Nicholas is his mate. Bite him where it counts..

Angelique’s Plan

Angelique pulled out the list of revenge ideas and contemplated her choices. Steal Stokes' talisman collection..…? No, Nicholas was too powerful to be manipulated by a talisman. Bite him where it counts…? No, His reflexes were like lightning. The last time I tried that he nearly starved me to death. She thought ruefully.

The key was Adam, Nicholas' pride and joy.

Adam. Adam. She mulled him over in her mind. Adam had possibilities. Nicholas tells me he's been made with superior intelligence. She pondered and shook her head. I don't see it. In fact, she marveled at what a docile dope he was. He took to suggestion like one took to hypnosis.

Then it occurred to her that Adam had a reputation for being violent. Slowly her eyes widened and a sly smile curled her lips. She didn't even bother to keep her thoughts to herself. "Nicholas thinks he has everything planned but he's in for a surprise tomorrow night." She floated gracefully to her coffin.

The next evening, a demure Angelique sat contentedly in the drawing room. Nicholas waltzed in just long enough to pick up his hat and gloves. He paused for a moment leaning against the fireplace to study her placid demeanor.

He knitted his dramatic brow in confusion. "You know I haven't given you permission to go out this evening."

"I know. Thank you for the lovely tureen of cow's blood in the refrigerator, that will do nicely for me." She returned without a flinch.

"What's going on with you?" he whispered with flaming eyes.

"Why Nicholas, whatever do you mean?"

At that moment the clock struck seven. He was supposed to meet Maggie at the Blue Whale at seven thirty. "I've got to go, don't wait up!" And in an instant he was gone.

Don't wait up she thought raising a sardonic brow. If you're going out with Maggie Evans you'll be home by ten thirty tops!

Certain that he was gone, Angelique evaporated into thin air transforming her self into a bat.

A moment later, She was at Collinwood flying through a window in Adam’s room. When she materialized as herself, he recoiled in fear.

"You're not afraid of me are you?"

"Yes." he moaned.

"Well you shouldn't be. My name is Angelique. Angelique means angel. Do you know what an angel is?" She reasoned.

"I think so." He said in a monotone voice. "Good. Then you know that I am angelic and harmless." The words almost burned her throat coming out. A shelf of brow covered Adam eyes. "Why are you here?"

"Adam I'm concerned about you. Nicholas has been saying some pretty frightening things about what he intends to do to you." Her eyes misted with artificial tears.

Adam shook his head stubbornly. "Nicholas friend."

Now Angelique shook her head. "Oh no Nicholas is not your friend."

Adam again shook his head. "You're lying. Nicholas friend."

This wasn't going to be so easy she thought. It wasn't fair either, everyone else seemed to have much more influence over Adam, why was he being such a stubborn mule with her?

"Adam you don't believe a word I'm saying do you?"

He shook his massive head.

"Yet you trust Nicholas. If he told you to jump off Widow’s Hill again you'd do it wouldn't you?" She plodded.

He shrugged. "Probably."

She clapped her hands together. "A three syllable word Adam, I'm impressed!"

Adam shrugged and hesitantly smiled a half smile.

"Such progress should continue but, I guess it just wasn't meant to be." Her eyes misted again.

"What do you mean?" he asked in monotone.

"Adam will you trust me? You must!" She implored.

He stared at her blankly.

"Adam, Nicholas means to destroy you! He wants to dissect you to find out how you're made. He's quite mad you see, he wants to make people!" She studied him for two minutes, trying to judge his reaction.

"Dissect?" He repeated.

She was starting to get impatient and fought the impulse. "He wants to cut you up Adam, to kill you."

A crazed look came over Adam's face. "Nicholas Bad!"

"He's so bad." She agreed. She took a sharp intake of breath. Her eyes bulged and a triumphant smile came to her lips.

The stitch marks on Adam's forehead started to pulse. "Nicholas is not my friend!"

She shook her head vehemently. "No! He isn't. Adam, listen to me. She took his great face in her hands and staring into his stitched eyes she instructed him. "There is something you must do to protect yourself. You must beat Nicholas senseless!"

His head lowered in confusion.

"Tear him limb from limb."

He smiled with recognition and nodded.

"He'll be home at ten thirty, come to the house by sea then." She bid him through widened eyes.

He shook his head in confusion again. "Ten thirty?"

She took a deep breath. Patience is a virtue she reminded herself. "When the big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the ten." She smiled a dazzling Angelique smile.

"Ten thirty." He repeated with confidence.

She disintegrated into batliness and flew out the window.

All the while she was in Adam’s room she was so tempted to just grab him and drain his jugular. I'd be putting him out of his misery. She thought to herself. No, the sacrifice will be worth it later on. She opened the refrigerator and sipped her god awful cow's blood.

Nicholas Blair returned from Maggie Evans’ home at exactly 10:25 P.M. As his flame colored Lincoln convertible approached the driveway; his thoughts turned again to her. Pleased that his charm was beginning to work on her, he congratulated himself. Then again, he never had problems working his magic on women. With Haskell out of the way, it would only be a matter of time before she was his completely. That was the way Nicholas operated. Jealous boyfriends were disposed of as easily as that.

The handkerchief/drink trick, nice touch. He thought.

This time, Nicholas Blair was himself smitten. Was Maggie unwittingly casting a spell on him? The thought terrified him as few things did but it didn’t chase him away. The new sensation, fear mixed with something else (fondness?) was thrilling. It made him pursue her with a vengeance.

Unsettling thoughts would still manifest themselves at times. He knew that love tapped the power out of warlocks but he wouldn’t let it happen to him. Dismissing his infatuation for her, he mused, she’s like all the others, corruptible and disposable. Then again…

…She had a sense of herself. So few women he’d known had that. There was fire in her blood! And if it were possible he liked himself even more when he was around her. Dare he think it? Was Maggie Evans bringing out the "best" in him?

He turned to other thoughts. Angelique! What was he going to do with her? That crafty little mind of hers was so easy to predict. Imagine her trying to get Adam to turn against me! He laughed to himself, parked the car, and looked for Adam.

Inside, Angelique drew the curtains back looking for the remotest sign of Nicholas or Adam. She drew in a quick invigorating breath and smiled with anticipatory satisfaction. "In a moment, Nicholas will be torn to bits and then Barnabas will be mine!" He will never stand in my way again!"

Outside, Nicholas was able to control Adam in exactly one minute.

Adam hemmed and hawed. "Nicholas, Angelique is no angel."

"Far from it." Nicholas agreed through gritted teeth. "Don’t worry about her Adam, she can be controlled. I can guarantee that!"

Adam’s head was bent in shame. "Is Nicholas angry with me?"

Nicholas smiled his winning smile, clapped Adam on the back and affirmed, "Of course not. I know of a way you can get back into my good graces though." He lowered his voice. "Here’s what I’d like you to do. Go to the old house and…"

In the drawing room of the house by the sea, the clock struck eleven fifteen. Angelique paced back and forth deep in thought. I heard Nicholas pull up to the driveway yet, there’s been no sign of Adam or him. What if something went drastically wrong? Just as she was about to go out and look, there were three heavy blasts on the front door.

Through the windows she could see Adam standing behind it. Dare I ask if everything went according to plan?

Briskly she ushered in the giant. "Adam, where’s Nicholas?" She inquired desperately.

In monotone Adam answered, "Nicholas is dead. I threw the pieces of him in the ocean!"

Could it be? Her heart raced with joy! Old Nicky is feeding the fish. To celebrate, she had the incredible urge to gnaw on Adam. Oh, he had such a large neck. It would be a veritable blood bath! She watched his jugular vein pulse and pulse. If she took him now it would be warm down her throat. Then reality brought her thoughts to a screeching halt. What am I crazy? He’s an artificial man. For all I know there might be motor oil in his veins. The thought was repulsive.

She looked Adam in his stitched eyes. "You’ve done well Adam." She reached for a chocolate from the candy dish and tossed it to him. He caught it in his mouth.

"Run along now." She instructed him.

With Nicholas out of the way, Angelique evaporated into batliness and flew in the direction of the old house.

Squeak!…Squeak!…She wondered …Squeak!…if Barnabas…Squeak!…retired to his third story bedroom for the evening...Squeak!…Yes, Yes!…The light in the room was off and to her surprise, the window was wide open…Squeak!…Everything was working out like a charm…Squeak!…She wondered if by merely causing Nicholas’ death, if it had indeed restored her powers…Squeak!…He’s asleep I’m sure…Squeak! Should I wake him and make him beg for mercy?…Squeak! Her tiny bat body shuddered with thrilling anticipation, at the power that she could now wield. She eagerly attempted to fly in for the kill!…SQUEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, something was assaulting her tiny bat senses. Ugh! Garlic! Garlic everywhere, in window valences on the ledge, in the shutters. And crucifixes! Where did they come from!? They burned her eyes as surely as the garlic burned her nose. In lightning speed squeaky Angelique plummeted down three stories falling smack dab in the middle of a mud puddle. As she plopped in the muck there was only one word that come to mind…Nicholas!

Upon returning to the house by the sea, Angelique tried desperately to creep in without a sound. She was sopping wet and her limp blonde curls ere caked with dry mud. She tried to tiptoe down the creaky stairs to her coffin, when the drawing room became flooded with light.

"Good evening my dear!" Nicholas drawled through his Cheshire cat grin.

"Nicholas!" Her bottom lip trembled as she waited for the worst.

"What had happened to your clothes?" He jeered.

Her sea green eyes flashed with fury. Why was he playing with her like this? "You know very well what’s happened! I fell out of the sky just now!"

Throwing his head back, he indulged in earned peals of husky laughter. "It serves you right, you know. I knew what you were planning all along."

Her brows knitted in frustration and confusion. "How?" She snapped.

He shook his head and grinning his widest exclaimed, "I’ve known you for well over three hundred years, my pet. I know what you’ll do before you even think it up." His eyes narrowed and a complacent smile replaced the grin. "Crosses and garlic, like citronella to mosquitoes.

The Crazy Adventures of Nicky and Angie Part 6 of ?-The Proposal

Tuesday night was beauty regimen night for Maggie Evans. Sitting in her parlor, she gazed at Sam’s finished and unfinished canvasses as she propped up her cotton ball separated toes. She found that the pearly pink nail polish dried the best that way. Her hair, wrapped in a towel, was carefully tucked away from the green mask smeared all over her face. She wore a comfortable jumpsuit, one she reserved for kicking around the house in. It’s a good thing Nicholas is working tonight. She silently mused. Otherwise…..

Just then her reverie was interrupted by the sound of lively knocking. Not at all security conscious, she immediately limped to and opened the front door to find Nicholas Blair behind it. She was mortified. "Oh!"

Nicholas nearly jumped out of his skin. Instead of seeing his beloved Maggie, he saw an alien life form. "Sorry, wrong house!" He whispered. Confused, he turned around to exit.

"No Nicholas wait!" It’s me, Maggie! She immediately pulled off the turban, hurriedly wiping off the mask. She encouraged him to look at her.

Relieved, he let out a sigh of relief, as her beautiful face and hair materialized.

"I thought you were working tonight!" She gasped.

"I tried to, but found I couldn’t concentrate. My mind constantly wandered about other things."

"Like what Nicholas?" Maggie inquired innocently taking a seat on the sofa, while Nicholas sheepishly crossed to join her.

"You." He stated simply, taking her hand. He suddenly felt nervous and very vulnerable. Damn it! He thought, I feel shaky. "Maggie," He continued, "There is something I want to ask you." He got down on one knee. "Will you…"

Maggie’s eyes flew open in alarm. Immediately, she shot out a hand to cover his mouth. "Good Lord Nicholas!"

Great balls of fire! He thought. He was the picture of confused. "What’s the matter Maggie."

"Well…you’re not going to ask me to marry you, are you?"

"That was the general idea."

Maggie rolled her eyes and chuckled lightly. "In this setting? Look at what a sight I am!

He held her face in his long slender fingers. "You’re perfectly beautiful just as you are!"

She shook her head wearily. "A girl wants her proposal to be special. I want to be all dressed up and in the right atmosphere, candles, a nice restaurant like Louis on the Wharf!" She looked at him hopefully. "Oh and a huge diamond ring!"

Hmmm, He thought to himself. I didn’t think she was the materialistic kind. Whatever she wants he shrugged. I’m good for it.

"All right Maggie." He nodded hopefully. "We’ll try this again tomorrow night. Prepare to be swept off your feet!" He said luxuriously. He kissed her hand and exited the cottage.

*************************************************************************************

This time it was Nicholas who sneaked into the house by the sea. He didn’t want Angelique to know that he hadn’t been entirely successful in his endeavor. As he prepared creep up to his room, light flooded the hallway. Peals of bell-like laughter taunted him.

"Turned you down flat didn’t she?" Angelique gloated. "I knew she would."

"Not exactly, my jubilant little leech. It seems that Maggie requires a certain ambiance while I propose to her."

"I could have told you that. You know, I’m really rather surprised that you didn’t think she would. You really are blind!" The laughter continued.

"Her requirements are pretty standard I’d say."

Angeliques eyes sparkled. "Louis on the Wharf, and a huge diamond ring!"

Nicholas regarded his charge as his brow furrowed. "How did you know that?"

She shook her head perching a casual hand on her hip. "It’s what all these small town girls want Nicholas. Maggie Evans isn’t extraordinary after all."

Nicholas dismissed Angelique’s catty remarks. "Since you’re up anyway, would you like to see the ring?" He was so animated.

Angelique tried to suppress a chuckle. "She sent you home so early that you had time to visit the jewelers before it closed? She threw her head back and indulged in choking fits of laughter.

Nicholas’ jaw tensed as his eyes tore into hers. His arched eyebrow and piercing look sent chills up and down her spine. "Are you through?" He asked quietly and steadily through gritted teeth.

She lowered her head biting a finger. "Sorry, of course."

He opened the blue crushed velvet box unveiling a perfectly formed four-karat diamond ring.

The glint of the stone terrified Angelique. For a moment, she thought she saw one of the sun’s rays.

"That’s for one woman?" She inquired shaking her head. "You know Maggie’s a small girl, I don’t think she has the brawn to carry it, let alone wear it."

Nicholas threw his hands up in the air. "Oh, Why do I bother…?"

"…Nicholas there’s one other thing, suppose she does consent to marry you, where’s the ceremony to take place?" You’d be struck by lighting entering any place of worship, church,…

**************************************************************************************

Nicholas didn’t want to appear overly zealous but he arrived at Maggie’s door twenty minutes early. Despite his excessive timeliness, he had to wait another twenty minutes and then some as she finished dressing. After what seemed like eons, Maggie reappeared.

"Let me just put my earrings on, then I’ll be ready." She sang out excitedly.

Nicholas watched Maggie put on the lavish emerald drop earrings encrusted with diamonds. If he knew jewelry, and he did, they were absolutely authentic and priceless. Suddenly jealous, he wondered who gave them to her. Joe worked at a cannery so bobbles like those were far from his reach. Sam, during his lifetime, barely made ends meet. Where did they come from? He tried to sound nonchalant but it wasn’t coming out that way.

"Wherever did you get such marvelous earrings Maggie?" He asked, with punching emphasis to his words.

Smiling placidly, she replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "I found them in my purse one day."

He raised an eyebrow and yanked at his great ring. He peered through questioning, half-closed eyes.

"You found them?" He enunciated slowly.

"Yes, it’s so strange!" She said pensively. "Someone obviously wanted me to have them." She threw her hands in the air casually. "But who?"

He frowned, staring at her through dark eyes. "Yes who?" He echoed. The green-eyed monster was getting restless. Rage raced through his icy veins. "They certainly look authentic." He stated plainly.

She smiled broadly. "They are, Joe had them appraised, they’re priceless!"

He shook his head deeply disturbed. "Maggie, aren’t you the least bit worried about how you acquired them?"

She pouted defensively. "No! I like them!" She stubbornly maintained.

"But Maggie…"

She took in a quick breath. "Joe didn’t like them either! She stamped her feet. "Very well then, I’ll take them off." She spouted resentfully.

She has a bit of a temper. I’ll have to control that. He thought shrewdly. In the meantime, there was no sense starting off such an important evening the wrong way. "No, no Maggie!" He chuckled ingratiatingly. "Let’s just forget the whole matter, my dear." He gestured her toward the door as he grinned from ear to ear. Inside, he was seething about Maggie’s anonymous benefactor and her insistence at publicly doing him homage by wearing the earrings.

*******************************************************************************

Back at the House by the Sea, Angelique was savoring every drop of Barnabas’ blood. "Mmmm! I really am enjoying this." She paused, smacking her lips. "Type O negative!"

"Aren’t you finished yet?" He moaned.

"Barnabas you’re good to the last drop!" She sighed.

"Please desist!"

"You look good enough to eat." She teased.

"Stop making jokes at my expense!" He shouted.

"You always said I wouldn’t be happy until I had the last drop of your blood." She jeered.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" He shouted in agony. He didn’t know which was worse, her teeth or her mouth.

*******************************************************************************

As the beautiful couple was seated at the best table in Louis’, every eye turned to regard them momentarily. They had that kind of presence.

Maggie smiled at her dashing escort but a moment later was annoyed. She almost seemed like a different person at times throughout the evening. "You’re doing it again!" She announced through clenched teeth.

Nicholas shook his head completely confused. "Maggie what is it? What am I doing?"

"Staring at my earrings with that look on your face."

He smiled a bewildered half smile. Placing his hand over hers and looking deeply into her eyes, he responded in his typical, charming way. "I am sorry my dear. No more, I promise." He tugged at his ring nervously. Why was she so volatile this evening?"

Her heart warmed in an instant. "Oh Nicholas." She gushed. "I am sorry, you must think me terribly rude." Her bottom lip trembled. She felt a bit dazed. What’s the matter with me?

The waiter was immediately at their table. Nicholas Blair is rolling in dough. He thought to himself.

"Good Evening Mr. Blair, Miss Evans!" The waiter greeted them deferentially. "What can I get for you this evening?."

Nicholas ordered in perfect rolling French. We’ll start out with the Pate’ de …

*********************************************************************

After a sumptuous meal, the waiter flamed Spanish coffee glasses right at their table.

The disturbances that ruffled the evening in the beginning seemed to all but disappear.

"What would you like for dessert Maggie?" Nicholas smiled, grinning from ear to ear.

She scrunched her nose. Her smile, sneaky and sinful matched his. "I don’t think I should have dessert. Everything’s so rich here."

He gave her a provocative glance. "We could share one." He tantalized raising both brows.

She giggled as he caressed her palm. "Oh, why not? But, Nicholas you choose the dessert!"

"Let’s see…" He whispered, regarding her through his hot half closed bedroom eyes. He was finally going to bed her tonight. He just knew it. "How about something with crème de menthe, or key lime pie, perhaps.

Maggie instantly froze. "Oh I see! Strictly green deserts!"

"Maggie!"

She stood up throwing her linen napkin on the table. Green, like emeralds!" "What is it you’re implying? Why won’t you just let it alone!" She yelled at the top of her voice. Every patron in the restaurant stared at them including the string quartet.

Nicholas was mortified. He grabbed her hand. "Maggie what’s wrong with you?"

She shook her head slowly, as she became herself again. "I don’t know." The dizziness faded away.

Everyone was looking at her. Popping her eyes in wonderment she covered her mouth with her hand as she slowly sat down. "I’m so sorry! Let’s get the key lime pie."

It’s all the things she’s been going through. He thought to himself. Sam’s death, Joe’s betrayal and Nicholas took complete responsibility for the latter. He would have done anything to take her away from Joe. He knew he’d better propose to her and quickly before she changed again!

He beckoned to the waiter who, gestured to the string quartet to play their favorite music, Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. He removed the royal blue box from his side pocket.

She was bubbly enthusiastic Maggie again. Gazing at him in anticipation.

He crossed to her side and knelt next to her. As he attempted to slip the ring on her finger all the other patrons watched adoringly, warmly.

"Maggie Evans will you marry me?" He beamed. The approval in the room was intoxicating.

All of a sudden a look of terror came over Maggie’s eyes. "NO!"

There were several gasps from the patrons and a quiet hush for several minutes afterward.

Nicholas’ jaw tensed. He made mental list of what he was going to do. When I take her out of here, I’m going to kill her. Then I’m going to beg Diabolos to send her to Hell, so that I can kill her again!

Nicholas’ jaw tensed. He made a mental list of what he was going to do. When I take her out of here, I’m going to kill her. Then I’m going to beg Diabolos to send her to Hell, so that I can kill her again!

As they were leaving, a clumsy Willie Loomis came to bus their table.

"Maggie! Oh, hello Mr. BBBlair! Willie stammered.

Maggie looked at him giving him a chilly greeting. Her alter ego was still kicking up a rumpus. "Willie what are you doing here?"

"Since Barnabas don’t have too much for me to do lately, I took a job here as bus boy."

Then Willie caught sight of the emerald earrings. Without thinking, he started to reprimand Maggie.

"Maggie! You aint supposed to be wearing those!"

Nicholas couldn’t help but notice Willie’s chastisement of Maggie.

"And why is that Willie?"

Willie shook in his boots. "I..I..I..Dunno. Well them being so valuable and old and all…

Nicholas just sat with his arms folded in front of him, as Willie dug himself a hole that grew larger by the moment.

In a gesture that could only be described as art… magical art that is, Nicholas raised his arms causing the emerald earrings to fall from Maggie’s ears. Reciprocal to his actions, every single person in the restaurant stopped frozen in time, caught suspended in whatever action they were engaged in prior to his spell. He casually walked to the spot where the earrings fell, scooped them up and deposited them in Loomis’ pocket.

Satisfied with his actions, he snapped his fingers and the room became animated again.

Nearby, A man received a much deserved, drink in the face from his angry dinner partner. Willie was splattered with hot grease upon his return to the kitchen and Nicholas beckoned to the waiter who, gestured to the string quartet to play Moonlight Sonata, Nicholas’ and Maggie’s song.

He removed the royal blue box from his side pocket.

She was bubbly enthusiastic Maggie again. Gazing at him lovingly.

He crossed to her side and knelt next to her. As he attempted to slip the ring on her finger all the other patrons watched adoringly, warmly.

"Maggie Evans will you marry me?" He beamed confidently. The approval in the room was intoxicating.

All of a sudden a tears came to Maggie’s eyes. "Of course I will!"

There was a quiet hush for exactly one second and then applause resounding and jubilant.

He took her in his arms and kissed her hair her face and finally her lips.

"You’ve made very happy Maggie."

"Oh Nicholas, I know the loveliest church by the sea where we can be married…"

Meeting the Challenge-Keep Eve in 1795!

The Crazy Adventures of Nicky and Angie – Part 9

Maggie turned to Nicholas lovingly. "Oh Nicholas I know the sweetest little church by the sea where we can get married!"

An unfamiliar feeling shot through Nicholas’ veins. It was fear. He shot her an anxious look.

"A church wedding? He shook his head turning away. "Oh Maggie I’m afraid a that’s quite out of the question."

"Why Nicholas? Aren’t you a believer?"

He nodded in earnest. "Oh, I’m a believer alright! I have it on the best authority."

"You don’t attend Mass?"

"I attend Mass, Black Mass that is." He smiled a half smile.

Maggie laughed a little embarrassed laugh. "You’re going to think me terribly irreverent Nicholas. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of that one."

This time Nicholas’ grin extended from ear to ear. "Oh, you will Maggie, in fact you’ll be attending one very soon. I promise."

Her brow furrowed sadly. "Still, I think Pop would have wanted me to be married in the church. That we he could smiles down at us from heaven."

Poor sweet naïve Maggie, he thought. Nicholas shared knowledge that only devils, angels and the Divine knew. Though Sam wasn’t scorching in Hell, he wasn’t exactly playing harps with the cherubs either. Gambling debts, sending Burke to prison unjustly and bouts with drinking, assured that he had much to atone for before entering the pearly gates. Still it was her innocence that appealed to him the most.

********************************************************************************

Nicholas entered the house by the sea at exactly 10:35 P.M. A fuming Adam greeted him.

"Nicholas, where is Eve? She’s been missing for two days now and you don’t seem to care!"

Adam was really starting to get on Nicholas’ nerves and truth told he didn’t particularly care if Eve ever came back. It gave him an idea. What if I found out just where she is and got rid of her for good? Hmmm.

"Nicholas! Didn’t you hear me? I said she’s been gone for two days and you don’t give a damn!" He pointed a threatening finger at Nicholas. "You will find her and bring her back! I have needs!" He moaned.

Nicholas regarded Adam through speculative eyes. While I’m at it, I think I’ll get rid of the mechanical boy too. There is definitely something wrong with this batch. I can start anew.

"Leave me Adam, I have much to think about!"

"Nicholas!"

Nicholas shot Adam a murderous look that curdled the motor oil in his veins.

"I said leave me!" He thundered.

Adam lumbered out of the room.

Nicholas crossed to his mirror, no to the place where his mirror used to be! "Angelique has my mirror!" He spouted through gritted teeth. I should have cracked her off the side of the head instead of popping her in the mouth.

Nicholas wasn’t worried though, being the resourceful warlock that he was, he had a spare mirror. The spare was even better than the one the leech stole. It had a rewind button! Quickly replaying the events that sent Eve to the past, he saw where Angelique put the amulet. The amulet she would need to bring Eve back. It was still on her dresser drawer. Nicholas promptly located the amulet and when he ventured into town that day, he promptly dropped it down a manhole. Now legions of rats and vermin could inhabit 1795 with Eve.

Back in the past, Eve did what she enjoyed best. Killing! She was on a veritable spree. I can do whatever I like Eve gloated. Angelique said she’d bring me back in an hour’s time.

"Back in the past, Eve did what she enjoyed best. Killing! She was on a veritable spree. I can do whatever I like Eve gloated. Angelique said she’d bring me back in an hour’s time."

Violence, mayhem and sexual suggestion.

Eve, or Leona Helmsley as she was called back in 1795, watched as the blacksmith finished shoeing her horse.

Jason, the blacksmith regarded his beautiful patroness with lustful eyes as he drove the last spike into her horse’s hoof. "That will be ten shillings." He spouted off shrewdly.

Placing her hands on her hips, she threw her head back laughing heartily. "I have no money!" She stated proudly, wildly, letting her fiery mane flip around. Her voice was low and her tone throaty.

Suddenly, unspeakably angry, Jason’s eyebrows made a shelf that accentuated his dark, brooding, eyes. He approached the vixen sporting flaming tresses, as he jerked her to him by the waist. Then he realized there were other ways she could pay, like up against the stable. His grimace lightened as the corners of his mouth curled in a fevered smile. "I’ll take it out in trade milady."

"Will you now?" She smiled complacently, as she conked him on the head with one of his red-hot irons. (After all, she was Nicholas Blair kind of woman.)

Watching him crumble on to the floor, a delicious charge coursed through her entire body. Better than sex she thought to herself. Totally satisfied, she galloped in the direction of Collinsport Goal.

*******************************************************************************

Bubbly Maggie Evans tried desperately to find a reverent compromise for the ceremonial portion of her wedding. She knew Nicholas was totally opposed to the church she’d pick out however, he was open to a Black Mass, whatever that was.

"Nicholas, you have me all in suspense. What exactly is a Black Mass? I asked Pastor McElroy and he was very uncomfortable about the whole thing. As a matter of fact, he completely snubbed me after I asked him."

Nicholas quickly unbuttoned the only one he ever kept fastened, as her joined her on the sofa. Taking her hand and smiling broadly, he expertly allayed her fears.

"My dear Maggie, Pastor McElroy was probably very put off. After all those years of theological training, you knew something he obviously didn’t. That must have been devastating for him." His velvety voice chimed, as he lifted her face to meet his dark eyes. Slowly his penetrating windows drew hers down to the depths of his.

She nodded in agreement as Nicholas continued to hypnotize her with his eyes. In a moment, she stared transfixed in the trance of his making. He spoke.

"Maggie Evans, You will quit your job at the Collinsport coffee shop. We will be married by a justice of the peace tomorrow morning. Willie Loomis will be our witness and on our wedding night, you will fulfill my every desire, without question as I will ignite yours…"

***********************************************************************************

Angelique searched frantically for the amulet that she could have sworn was on her dresser. She even checked her change purse. Still no amulet! Moving rapidly, she had to dodge Nicholas. There was a missing magic mirror and an anemic Adam to explain. She shuddered at the thought of how he’d punish her.

Eve had to come back, she’d promised her a "return" trip from the past and in turn, Eve promised daytime protection from Nicholas’ wrath for Angelique. Then it "dawned" on the bombshell bloodsucker.

"Wait a minute!" Angelique thought audibly. "Eve’s not the only one who can protect me." Angelique racked her brain for possibilities…people both dead and alive who would be willing to help her out. After realizing just how unpopular she was to both entities, she continued to look for the amulet.

Eve tied her horse to the hitching post and entered the Collinsport Goal.

"I want to see Peter Bradford." She stated simply.

"Of course Milady the jailer promised. He whispered to another jailer who promptly clapped Eve in irons.

*******************************************************************************

In the courtroom an age Judge Vale senior presided.

"Leona Helmsly, You are charged with the crime of tax evasion. And you have been found guilty!

Eve glared at the prosecuting attorney Charles Dawson who gloated flagrantly.

You are hereby sentenced to serve time in the Collinsport Goal for a term predetermined by the elders of this court. Take her away!" The judge commanded.

"Wait your honor! How can I possibly repay my debt to society if I’m stuck behind bars?"

"You should have thought of that before you committed these crimes." Charles Dawson reminded her.

She screamed as they took her away. Angelique had promised to retrieve her by sun down and easily it was three hours past that.

How ironic she thought to herself, to be accused of tax evasion, after all the blood letting!

In her cell, she pondered her predicament. I would have thought that dumb blonde would have failed me. It doesn’t really matter though. I can just kill my jailers. No one enjoys murdering the subservient the way I do. I’ll be out of here and up to my old tricks in short order.

As she sat there, Eve heard the faint music of a flute playing. She recognized the score immediately and if she wasn’t mistaken it sounded distinctly like the Pied Piper of Hamlin. In answer, legions of rats marched into her cell. At the head of the army was a very aggressive looking rat that resembled Jason the blacksmith, A LOT!

Angelique paced back and forth. Without the amulet she couldn’t bring Eve back. She’d pretty much exhausted her search for it and in addition, couldn’t think of one soul dead or alive who would look out for her during the day, to protect her from Nicholas’ rage.

She paced and paced and brainstormed and brainstormed. (Well, as much as was possible for her) Then it occurred to her that the devout prayed to the man upstairs. Couldn’t I beg the help of Diabolos down stairs? Lighting a candle or two, she started her chant.

"Prince of fire, hear my plea. Master, it is the hour of my need."

Right then and there out of no where, Angelique was pelted by great balls of fire. As she started to ignite she screamed the cries of agony only shared by the damned. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Like the house falling in "The Wizard of Oz" down she plummeted, burning, writhing in agony, until she finally came crashing down hitting the fiery brimstones of Hades. Amazingly, the flames that had enveloped her previously had miraculously ceased, the only tell tale signs of her ignition were some singed strands of hair.

He sat at his huge executive leather desk. His back turned away from her. He was a magnificent looking man. Other than his red business suit complete with red tie and red shirt, he looked exactly like Nicholas. He quickly spun around peering at Angelique through fiery eyes.

"Master you have sent me to Hell!" She screamed.

He regarded her with half closed eyes. "Yes, my home. Is there anything wrong with that?"

She looked around nervously, terribly unsure of herself. "Why no, of course not." She smiled. "This is a nice place. I love what you’ve done with it. Lots of brimstone and fire…"

"…Shut up!" What did you call on me for?"

Her upper lip trembled uncontrollably. "Master, I need to talk tttto you aaabout Nicholas." She stuttered.

"Yes, what about him?" He asked abruptly.

"He’s totally out of control…If you only knew the suffering he’s put me through."

"Suffering you’ve totally deserved, you bimbo! I’ve been watching, it’s better than an episode of The Twilight Zone."

"Be that as it may Master, he’s done something unpardonable. She hesitated. "He’s, he’s…"

"…Yes, yes what is it? He thundered. "Hurry up, I’m a busy man!"

She bit her lip and blurted it out. "He’s fallen in love with a woman!"

At the news Diabolos’ face fell. He paced back and forth.

Angelique almost smiled but was too afraid to. What a bomb I’ve dropped on Nicholas now. She thought.

"Fallen in LOVE?" He thundered. "That doesn’t sound like Nicholas. I mean, he’s my number one guy!" He stated shrewdly. Suddenly crossing to her rapidly he raised an arm to strike her. "If you’re lying to me…"

She cowered. "…No master it’s true!" She screamed. "With a woman named Maggie Evans."

Slowly he brought his hand down again, his face ashen, his eyes burning. He paced again blazing tracks of flame on the…flame.

"I suppose you want to be rewarded for this little piece of information."

"If it isn’t too much trouble sir." She smiled weakly.

His voice became very quiet, almost a whisper, as the horns on his head protruded their highest. "Very well my dear, go to my bedroom and I’ll give you a reward."

Slowly her eyes became great green saucers. She took in a quick breath as the corners of her mouth curled in a fevered smile.

************************************************************************************

Where was Angelique? Nicholas wondered. He crossed to his spare magic mirror and prepared to spy on her. Just then, the screen became snowy. He quickly fumbled with the controls, (Rewind, horizontal hold etc.) but the picture remained snowy. Just as he was about to adjust the bunny ears the snow turned to torrid flames. What was this? Nicholas became panicked as the fire continued to burn and smoke until all of a sudden the face of Diabolos boomed into view.

"Boo!" He thundered.

Nicholas jumped two feet back as he heard Diabolos indulging in peals of sadistic laughter.

The mirror flamed again as the voice pounded out orders.

"Nicholas Blair! Prepare to get thy ass down stairs pronto!"

"Yes Master!"

Nicholas indulged in the emotion he had the least experience with, fear in its purest form. What had he done to arouse the master’s attention? He swallowed hard, as the new emotion kicked up a rumpus from the very pit of his stomach.

******************************************************************************

Down in Hell, Nicholas stood face to face with his master.

"Have I angered you master?"

Diabolos shook his head chuckling. "Hell no Nicky, but you’re charge has been tattle tailing on you. Some crazy story about you falling in love."

Nicholas lowered his head. "It’s quite true master."

Diabolos’ eyes shot flame. He was completely astonished. "That’s not so good Nicholas, fall out of it now!"

"I’m afraid it’s a little too late for that."

The devil sat at his great leather desk again. "Tell me all about it." He glared at Nicholas.

"I plan to marry her."

At the news, Diabolos threw his head back and choked with laughter.

"Oh Nicky, Nicky, Nicky. You’re not the marrying kind!" He blasted, clicking his tongue.

Nicholas bit the inside of the left corner of his mouth.

"Master she has bewitched me!"

"My friend, you’re acting stupid but, I shall come through for you.

Remember the pact we made with each other?"

Nicholas nodded.

"If a bird ever made us act backward, we’d help each other out. Well, this Maggie Evans girl…" Diabolos paused. "Say, haven’t I seen her at the Playboy club?"

Nicholas chuckled reverently. "I don’t think so master. She’s very pure."

Diabolos clipped Nicholas on the shoulder affectionately. "Son of a gun! You like the pure ones don’t you? Well get over it!" The devil thundered.

"I shall try master."

"You’ll do more than that." He warned. You’re going straight to rehab the minute I send you back down here."

Nicholas was terror-stricken. (What was rehab?) "I’m coming back master?"

"For a time Nicholas. Then when things have calmed down a bit…I’ll send you back up."

Nicholas shook his head. "What about the woman master?"

"Forget about her!" She’s making you weak. Once you go through rehab, you’ll forget all about her anyway, you’ll see."

Nicholas’ mind was swimming. What in Hell was rehab? He was too petrified to even ask.

"How’s my experiment going?"

Nicholas looked down at the flames beneath him. How was he going to tell his master that it had been a failure?

"Speak up man!"

He took a deep breath and faced Diabolos. "Master, I’m defeated. Eve was a belligerent vixen, she’s been destroyed by a legion of rats. Adam is a blithering buffoon who everyday gets on my nerves more and more. If I could try again…"

Diabolos regarded his number one guy. He clapped him on the shoulder. Nicholas could feel the heat emanating from his touch. "Hey Nicky, you got a bad batch. Hell, sometimes when you recycle it happens. You were right to destroy Eve." The Devil was pensive. "A legions of rats, I like it." He elbowed Nicholas. "Caligula was part of a bad batch." He lowered his voice confidentially. "I’ve got him in the boiler room standing on his head, throughout eternity."

They both snickered.

"Here’s the plan Nicholas. You will not marry Maggie Evans however, I will allow you to perform the black Mass over her body."

"Master, If Maggie isn’t to marry me, why have a Black mass?"

Diabolos raised a fiery brow.

"Nicky I happen to know you haven’t bedded her yet. She’s one of those "nice" girls. Well, here’s your chance. What do you think, right there on the altar huh, huh? Give her your love my friend!"

Nicholas raised a horny brow. His devil horns were starting to protrude through his shiny mane. Diabolos really is my friend he thought.

Diabolos continued. "Hey are you all set for candles?"

"Yes Master."

"How about bat, raven and owl blood, do you have enough?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Now here’s the final part of my plan. The experiment, use Maggie as the life force.

"But master she could die!"

"Confound it man! The experiment won’t take. Now, here’s where your acting abilities come in. You will pretend to lose your powers and we will stage your burning in the forest for that nose miner, Barnabas. That way they’ll be fooled into thinking you’ve been destroyed and that my plans are ruined. That will set you up well for when you do return again."

Nicholas nodded. It was definitely doable. The only thing that bothered him was the rehab idea.

*****************************************************************************

Nicholas escorted Maggie to the table.

Barnabas studied the very much, altered Maggie. Her fiery tresses were decidedly darker and her brows resembled Nicholas’. The former vampire confronted Nicholas.

"She looks different. What have you done to her?"

Nicholas regarded him smugly. "I have given her my love." Maggie smiled at him knowingly.

*****************************************************************************

As Diabolos greeted Nicholas at the fiery gates, he applauded him warmly. "Welcome to club rehab my friend, you’re really going to enjoy this. Come to think of it I could use a little rehab myself."

A moment later, Hell was filled with beautiful women in string bikinis. They came in every shape size and color."

Diabolos clapped Nicholas on the back. "You see my friend, even when you lose, you win!"

Nicholas regarded his master. He really is my friend.

The End?