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Come Down in Time
lyrics by Bernie Taupin
a Forever Knight Story
by Jill Kirby

In the quiet silent seconds I turned off the light switch
And I came down to meet you in the half light the moon left
While a cluster of night jars sang some songs out of tune
A mantle of bright light shone down from a room

"Janette."

"Nicola." The voice was weary, though Nick heard muted pleasure in it at the sound of his voice.

"What are you doing tomorrow night?"

There was a hesitation, a slightly indrawn breath. "Why do you ask? The same as every other night, I imagine."

"No, you're not. Can Miklos watch the Raven?"

Nick could hear her fingernails tapping on something as she thought. "I believe he can."

"Then we're going out."

"Out? Where?"

Nick held the bracelet up to the light. The diamonds and rubies sparkled. "That's for me to know..."

"And for me to discover, hmm?" Janette was quiet for quite some time. "What time should I expect you?"

"Around eight." Nick smiled. "And, Janette?"

"Oui?"

"Dress up."

Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I'll meet you half way

Straightening his bow tie as he went down the stairs, Nick went over his mental checklist. Tickets - yes; bracelet - he touched his jacket pocket - yes; flowers - yes. Everything in order.

He slipped on his jacket, taking one last, quick look in the mirror. Janette had always loved him in evening dress. More than once their plans had gone by the wayside while she showed him how much she liked him in formal wear. Of course, Nick had few objections to Janette in evening finery - or out of it.

Nick grabbed his keys. Time to go. This evening had to be perfect, and it wouldn't do for him to be late.

Janette had not been herself lately, and it worried Nick. He had even sought out LaCroix to discuss it. LaCroix had for once had agreed with him - though he declined to speculate on the possible reasons behind Janette's malaise. Janette herself had flatly denied that anything was amiss.

"Don't be ridiculous, Nicola." She had handed him a glass, then stroked his cheek with the back of one gloved hand. "What could possibly be wrong?"

"That's why I'm asking, Janette." He hadn't been able to catch her eye. She had simply kissed him quickly, sweetly, and moved away without answering.

It was like... well, like the sparkle had gone out of a fine champagne. Not that he actually drank champagne, of course, but the analogy fit.

After 800 years of Janette, he thought he knew all of her moods - from her glorious abandon in feeding, to the tenderness with which she treated a stray kitten that meowed at the back door of the Raven. But this - this
sadness, this stricken look in her eyes that reminded him of how Natalie had looked when she thought the world was coming to an end... he didn't know what to make of it.

Even her blood hadn't told him what was wrong. The images he got were shrouded and still.

Well I don't know if I should have heard her as yet
But a true love like hers is a hard love to get
And I've walked most all the way and I ain't heard her call
And I'm getting to thinking if she's coming at all

What could he do to bring the brilliance back to her eyes? Sometimes Nick felt so helpless when it came to the women in his life. So he had resorted to the only things he knew pleased Janette - a night out with him, with gifts and affection.

He had planned the evening carefully. The symphony; though they'd be late. A gift. After all these years, she still loved presents. Nick could hear her laugh, see her smile as she tore the paper off a present with reckless disregard, intent only on the prize within. How many presents had they exchanged over the centuries?

Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I'll meet you half way

Drawing the Caddy up to the curb in front of the Raven, Nick looked around, puzzled. There was no bouncer at the door. The usual bustle of patrons entering and exiting the club, which started just after sunset, was absent. A single, crumpled-up piece of paper blew by on the empty sidewalk.

Nick tried the door - locked. It was very unusual for Janette to close the club and miss an evening of receipts. It was more than unusual.

Nick tried to ignore the warning in the back of his mind, but the voice was clear: something was wrong. Very wrong. He was around the building in an instant, using his key to go in through the alley door. Janette had given
him the key long ago, telling him laughingly how tired she was of him breaking down doors to get to her.

There are women and women, and some hold you tight

The Raven was dark and empty. Nick knew instinctively that no one was there. He knew what he'd find if he went to her office, to her rooms - nothing.

Janette was gone.

While some leave you counting the stars in the night

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