The FK universe and all it's characters do not belong to me- Cause if they did, I'd lock them at home and never let them leave. Ok, only one of them!!!!!! Anyway, no copyright infringement intended and if ya sue me all you'll get is two ADHD kids and a pack of gum- so think long and hard. Rebirth part 01/12 Renee Nick and Natalie reluctantly parted from their embrace at the sound of LaCroix's none-too-subtle interruption. "Ahem" "I do *so* hate to intrude on this touching vignette, however I was anxious to see that our Dr. Lambert's - transformation, as it were, went without any unforeseen difficulties. Earnest and loyal though he is, our Nicholas has a less-than-stellar past in his attempts at creating another of our kind. I wanted to be sure you had come across safely, Natalie." When Natalie quirked an eyebrow at this last remark LaCroix shrugged and gestured eloquently with a minimal hand movement. "I presume it is not impertinent of me to assume this familiarity, seeing that you are now - family." LaCroix ended this last comment with a trademark smirk. "Umm, no," Natalie said with a rueful grin of her own, "I'd say that since you argued for my life so eloquently, the least I can afford you is to place us on a first name basis, Lucien." This remark was punctuated by a definite smirk on Natalie's part. "Touché'" Nick felt like it was time for his intervention before Natalie and LaCroix choked on their honeyed civility. "LaCroix, Nat and I were hoping for some privacy..." he said glancing toward the door. "Yes, LaCroix, I am aware of the entire silent conversation you two just engaged in, and I DON'T appreciate being discussed, albeit telepathically, like I am not here. And you can keep your comments about my body- delightful or otherwise, to yourself." With that she picked up the other bottle of blood on the nightstand and took a healthy swig. Nick turned and looked at Natalie in frank amazement. Even LaCroix looked positively nonplused. "Is there a problem, gentlemen?" Natalie asked with a half smile. "How?..." Nick started to say only to be stopped by LaCroix's slow clapping of his hands. "Extraordinary, Doctor Lambert. It would appear, Nicholas, that you should have brought our dear Doctor across a long time ago. She is a natural vampire. If that's *not* an oxymoron." A question was in Natalie's eyes as she looked at Nick. "Natalie, " Nick said, "while some skills come quickly to newly made vampires, telepathic communication is not one of them. You should feel the link now- that low hum you hear in your head and the mild tingle to the hairs on your neck when you are near to your family members- but to hear an entire telepathic conversation between other vampires who are not trying to telepathically link with you is absolutely unheard of at this stage in your development. Most vampires are NEVER able to accomplish that." "Most impressive, doctor. You, it would appear, are an Eternal," end part one Part two When Natalie and Nick both looked to LaCroix with baffled expressions, LaCroix merely sighed "Oh, Nicholas, due to your perpetual angst and search for "Humanity", your own education is sorely lacking. " "An Eternal is not like a mortal." LaCroix stated, only to be interrupted by Natalie. "You mean not like most mortals," she supplied. "No, Doctor," LaCroix replied with a distinct note of irritation in his voice, "They are not mortals at all." With that he crossed the room and said "Let's take this lesson out of the 'love nest'," he stated while casting a contemptuous glance around the room that Nick had moved Natalie to after she had lost consciousness- to the candles he had lit around the bed and the general romantic vibe that the room was emanating,"and retire to the living room. Frankly, I feel the need for a drink." When they were all comfortably seated in the living room and sharing a bottle of blood-wine, LaCroix picked up the lesson where he had left off. "O-Kay," Nat started, "Now, that last remark is going to require some serious explanation." "You see, Dr. Lambert, it is really quite straightforward, you are NOT a mortal. Silence", LaCroix ordered, with his hand raised, when Nick and Natalie both opened their mouths to speak "if I am to continue, I will need your cooperation and your silence." This was the message from both Nick and Natalie to LaCroix's proclamation. "An eternal is quite simply, not a mortal. They are born of mortal parents and are born with no distinguishing abilities or traits, initially. However, they are different in many, many ways. Immortals possess many attributes and skills not present in mere mortals. Have you ever been ill, Dr. Lambert- any serious illnesses?" "No, I.." she started, only to be cut off by LaCroix. "And nor should you Ever -had you not joined our happy little family. Frankly, without the gift of Nicholas' blood you would have lived indefinitely. Now, Eternals are not without weaknesses, they are not impervious to death. Severe trauma will kill one- although it must be SEVERE. A car accident with serious injuries would not kill an Eternal, unless decapitation or complete blood loss occured. And I do mean COMPLETE blood loss. Eternals will perish in fire. However, these are the only ways an Eternal will die. Disease or old age will not take their lives. They do age normally until they reach obsolescence, then, if they have not discovered their 'unique" nature on their own, one of their elders would come and instruct them and prepare them for the sleep. They have a separate "community" from humanity, much as we do." "Patience," LaCroix cautioned when it appeared that Nick and Natalie would both begin to barrage him with questions. "Let me tell this in my own time. Now, as I was saying..." he began again with a stern glance at his companions. "The sleep is necessary to the continued lifespan of an Eternal. They must tie up any loose strings in their lives and appear to die, then they return to the Earth and sleep for a space of time, usually about a year." LaCroix stopped in his narrative at the look of frank shock on the faces of both Nick and Natalie. "Now, do not be surprised", he said. "They do not have the blood we partake in to sustain their youth and vigor. They live as humans, so after 80 or 90 years, they require rejuvenation. After this time they awaken as young adults again and begin thier lives over. Not a dreadful existence, at all. Then, there is the relationship between Eternals and vampires. You know, " LaCroix mused, as though thinking aloud, "I am quite ashamed that I didn't realize what you were from the beginning. Then again, I had not encountered an Eternal in centuries." He gave his head an almost imperceptible shake , as though to clear his thoughts, then continued. "For centuries Eternals were the perfect choice to bring across as vampires, for they become extremely powerful and deadly. As you know, a vampire gains strength and ability with age. An Eternal only just brought across will possess the level of abilities of a vampire centuries, if not millennium, old. They are virtually indestuctible. The sunlight will slow you, make you feel sluggish, but it will not harm you. A cross is in no way abhorrent to you. A stake will kill you, but the possibility of a human being able to detain you, let alone immobilize you to use a stake , are astronomically slim. However, there will be other vampires who will attempt to destroy you. " At this last remark Natalie leaned forward and asked breathlessly, "But why? If Eternals were the preferred choice for being brought across, why would other vampires attempt to destroy them?" "My dear Doctor, vampires are predatory by their very nature. In previous times vampires would place themselves in league with Eternal vampires in bands. There were frequent conflicts over territory between bands and, invariably, the Eternals would prevail. Over time rogue vampires became very wary of Eternals and would quickly befriend them or try to destroy them. Eternal vampires are extremely dominant creatures. You are now intimidating to many lesser vampires. They will see you as a threat. We must train you in the use of your abilities as quickly as possible, otherwise, you may not live long enough to enjoy them." end Part 2 Rebirth Part 3 Nick and Natalie were both, momentarily, at a loss for words. Natalie was the first to recover. "You mean to tell me that I am some super vampire?" "If you wish to put it in such flippant terms, yes. However, I would advise you to be a little more serious regarding the condition that you now find yourself in. You are in grave- no pun intended- danger." LaCroix advised. "So, I am supposedly stronger than -say, umm- Nick?" Natalie asked with a twinkle in her eyes. "Definitely." "Hmmm, so I could _theoretically, of course_ toss him around like a Frisbee?" "Yes, you could " LaCroix replied, as he thought , . "Thank you," Natalie said quietly to LaCroix, with a new sense of understanding of him. "Hmmm, that is most unnerving- you really must learn to curb that telepathic eavesdropping , Doctor. You are *NOT* stronger than I and I do *not* enjoy your uninvited foray into my psyche," LaCroix responded in a haughty tone brimming with disdain and a glimmer of anger, "Do I make myself clear?" "Quite. I have had quite a lot thrown at me tonight and I'm just trying to get my perspective." "Well, that's good to know," Nick remarked with a smile, " I was beginning to think you had some violence planned for me." "No," Nat replied, twining her arms around Nick's neck, "just curious, although, for fun we could..." "That is *more* than enough, children. We have plans to make. Dr. Lambert is going to require some rather extensive training and education to learn to harness these powers she has just received" LaCroix interjected. " We shall meet at the Raven tomorrow after sundown to make preparations. Tonight, Dr. Lambert, I suggest you make a few phone calls and tie up your loose ends. You will not be able to work with humans at present , unless you plan on ripping the throat out of every one you meet. The thirst is too intense in the first stage. We must teach you restraint. Perhaps, Nicholas can help you with that, as it is the only area of his nature at which he excels." At Nick's less-than-happy visage, LaCroix remarked, "As for now, I plan to leave you two to your own private, affairs for the remainder of the night. I do not anticipate arguments from you on that issue." As he exited the loft, the sound of Nick and Natalie's laughter ringing in his ears warranted a genuine smile on LaCroix's part, for the first time in a long time. end part 3 Rebirth Part 4 ~~ Warning: Adult~~ "I thought he would *NEVER* leave!" Nat proclaimed as she wound herself around Nick as close as she could get. "LaCroix was telling us things we HAD to hear, Nat" Nick said, as he rubbed his cheek against Nat's hair, deeply inhaling the fresh scent of her. "I know, but, there are some things I am *very* eager to try. Now, that I don't have to fear for my life," she said with a low growl, as she raised her face up to Nick and playfully nipped his lower lip with her front teeth. "Nat, you are definitely displaying some personality changes, but I am *not* complaining." "Good, cause I am feeling * very* predatory..." "Me, too," and with that, he scooped Natalie up and bolted the stairs up to his bedroom where he lay Natalie on his bed, none too gently and proceeded to kiss her senseless. When he raised his head, amber eyes met amber eyes and he smiled. Nick rolled off Natalie and lay beside her. As he brushed a stray lock of hair off her face, he looked intently into the face of the woman he loved with every fiber of his being. "Nat, do you know how much I really love you? I don't possess the words to express to you the depth." "The first taste of your blood told me, Nick. Just as the first taste of mine told you. You are my everything." With that she pulled his face back down to hers and kissed him softly at first, but with increasing ardor. Nick plunged his tongue into the sweet recesses of Natalie's mouth, relishing the taste and feel of her. Natalie lightly scraped one throbbing fang across Nick's tongue, drawing a tiny amount of blood. When the first drop entered her mouth Nat shuddered with pleasure and moaned against Nick's mouth. Nick pulled back from Natalie and began to unbutton the blouse that was molded to her curves. When he had the shirt open to expose the red lace bra that Natalie was wearing, he trembled with desire. "Oh, Nat, you are so beautiful." With that he unhooked the front clasp and allowed her full pink-tipped breasts to spill out into his waiting hands. He brought the nipple of her right breast to his mouth and circled it with his tongue before lightly grazing it with his teeth, drawing just a drop of blood. As he lapped at it with his eager tongue, Natalie moaned and arched her body , pressing herself more firmly against Nick. She then pushed herself away from Nick, sat up and proceeded to remove Nick's shirt with trembling hands. When she had his shirt removed she ran her tongue over his small masculine nipples and then flicked them with her fingernail. As Nick trembled with his own increasing desire, he pulled Natalie up off the bed to stand beside it as he removed her slacks and red lace panties. She helped Nick to slide his jeans down over the bulge in his briefs. Then, when Nick had shucked his jeans completely off and flung them on the floor Natalie helped him ease his briefs off and uttered "Oh, my, Detective Knight. I thought body parts that impressive only existed in Romance novels." Nick let out a husky laugh as he pulled Nat back onto the bed on top of himself. He ran his hands down the length of her body, reveling in the silky feel of her pressed up against his cool skin. He threaded his hands through her hair and pulled her mouth back down to his and plundered it with his own. Natalie pulled her mouth away after an interminably long and soulful kiss and sat up astride Nick stoking her hands down his chest slowly, until she reached his manhood. Then she stroked him intimately with increasing speed and pressure until Nick let out a strangled "Nat" , at which point he placed his hands on her hips and lifted her up and had her on her back and was entering her in one fluid movement. As he delved into her moist, silken folds, he and Natalie both let out moans of pleasure so intense they bordered on pain. He increased his thrusts until he was at a frenzied pace, at which point Natalie cried out "Now, Nick, Now !" As he looked into Natalie's amber eyes, and she looked into his, he leaned forward. Nick's fangs entered Natalie's throat, just as her fangs pierced his. They both shuddered with the depth of the most intense pleasure they had ever known as they both drank and climaxed. After an impossibly long time, Nick and Natalie retracted their fangs and disentangled their limbs. "Nat, that was *incredible*!" Nick said breathlessly. "Glad I wasn't the only one who thought so. But, you know, since that *was* the first time for me.." At Nick's incredulous look, Natalie puched his shoulder with her fist. "As a Vampire, you perv." "Well, I thought *wow*, if you were that good the first time..." he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "As I was saying," Natalie started with a stern look at Nick, "Since that was the first time, my technique may need some work, so let's practice...OK?" "Nat," Nick said as he planted a very erotic kiss on her, "That is the best idea I have ever heard." And he reached out to oblige his pupil. end part 4 Rebirth Part 5 When Nick came downstairs the next evening at dusk he found Natalie hanging up the phone. "I told the Morgue I had a crisis and need a leave of absence for an indefinite period. They told me you had just called and spoken with Captain Reese. Gossip sure travels, doesn't it?" "Yes. I called them from the upstairs extension after I got out of the shower. They'll will have a field day now with you and I both taking leaves of absence at the same time due to 'personal issues.'" "Well, now that's done, I'm ready to get started with my vampire lessons," she said , as she threw Nick a radiant smile and wiggled her index fingers at the sides of her mouth, simulating fangs. "We also need to order some supplies from the Raven. I polished off that case this morning. Does Janette have delivery service? Oooooh, I can't *wait * to see the look on her face when she finds out I am now *one * of you. No offense, Nick, but your 'sister' has been a little too non-sisterly towards you for my taste. " "Nat, you realize that she knows already. The link.." "Oh, yeah, I didn't think of that. How do you think she feels about it?" "Nat, if you are ready to learn- focus and *you* tell me. Use the link." Natalie wrinkled up her nose and her eyes became unfocused. "She is happy. For us." She looked back at Nick with a rueful expression on her face. "OK, now I feel bad, but she has always made me feel insecure. It was like a tug- of- war for you between her and LaCroix versus me and mortality. True, ever since LaCroix brought her back across, she has been better. I think she is still grieving for Robert." "Yes, she is." "Well, you'll see her soon enough, Dad said to meet at the Raven, remember?" Natalie said, with an impish grin. "Dad? If you keep having fun with LaCroix you may find yourself wearing a wooden stake accessory," Nick said with a smile. 'You don't really think he'd..." Nat broke off with a horrified look on her face. "No," Nick said with a smile, "but why antagonize him?" "You have been doing it for almost 800 years , now it's my turn," with that she stuck out her tongue. "What's going on, Nat? I mean, you're like a different person. There is usually a personality change, to some degree , when someone is brought across, but it's minimal. But you.." he left the sentence hanging and quirked an eyebrow quizzically. 'I am not a new person, Nick. I am just more perfectly myself than I have ever been." At the confused look on Nick's face, she continued. "Your presence in my life, though a *wonderful* addition, has been a series of complications- especially since I fell in love with you.' "Nat, I know I.." "No Nick, listen, this is not to disparrage you in any way. But I have felt like a living time bomb. My mortality has been this huge obstacle between us. You have been afraid to make love to me. I felt like every minute only brought me closer to death and losing you. Now, we have forever," Nat's voice caught on a sob and Nick reached out to pull her into his arms. She pulled away from him after a moment when she had composed herself. "Also, there's the fact that I feel so invigorated. Like my life up until now was just a pale shadow compared to this. I feel like this is what I was meant for. I have come home. Not to mention the adrenaline rush of all this strength and these powers. Pretty heady stuff, this immortality," she said with a sheepish grin. "Oh, Nat. I was so afraid you'd hate me for this, and here you are.." "'Queen of the Undead'?" Natalie quipped. "Yeah, something like that. " Well, now that we've got that heart- to- heart out of the way. Are you going to teach me to fly or not?" "Judging from your other talents, I don't think that will be necessary. Try it. Will it and it will happen." "OK, but just in case- stick close and if I can't get going on my own steam- you can take over." "Deal," Nick said. And with that, Nat looked up at the open skylight , ascended through it and took to the night air to the Raven and the meeting with LaCroix. End part 5 Rebirth Part 6 When they entered the Raven arm-in-arm, LaCroix and Janette were seated at a corner table sharing a bottle of the Raven's private stock before opening. As they approached the pair Natalie started to feel very apprehensive. Then she gave herself a mental shake- LaCroix rose to greet the couple and gave a courtly little bow, "Nicholas, Natalie, so good of you to be punctual." Janette came towards them and held out her hands to Nick and Natalie. "Nichola, Natalie, I am so pleased for you," she said taking Nick's right hand and Natalie's left into hers. At Natalie's look of frank disbelief, Janette sighed. "Dear Natalie, this animosity must end. There is no need for it. When you were attempting to take our Nichola away from his family, to reclaim his mortality- of course there were bad feelings, but now you are one of the family. Naturally, we are happy that Nichola has found someone to spend eternity with." And with that she leaned forward and kissed a stunned Natalie on the cheek. "Janette, no one said that Nat was not going to keep trying to find a cure for me, for us now." Nick stated. He did not notice Natalie quickly averting her eyes. LaCroix did. "Yes, well. Let us discuss Natalie's gifts now,"Janette said in an attempt to terminate a possibly explosive topic between Nick and LaCroix. LaCroix gallantly seated Natalie and Janette beside one another before he and Nick sat across from each other at opposite ends of the table. "It's quite remarkable to have an Eternal vampire in the family ," LaCroix stated. "It's been centuries since I've even heard whisperings of the existence of one." "Oui, and I am picking up absolutely nothing from her. Her mind is comletely closed to me," Janette remarked. "Yes, but she could use the same link that she is unconsciously blocking to bring you to your knees in agony, if she were to choose," LaCroix intoned. Nick and Nat shared a bemused look. "It would seem that there is much to teach you. Both of you." With that remark all four vampires stilled, as if to listen to something in the distance. "What *is* that ?" Natalie asked " I can feel it, but I don't understand. There's more than one of them, but they are not like us," she looked to LaCroix for answers. "No, they are *far* more dangerous than even we," LaCroix said with a voice that sent shivers of apprehension down the spines of all in the room. "They are the enforcers." He turned to look intently at Natalie. "And they are looking for you. I suggest we don't wait for them to find us." end part 6 Rebirth Part 7 "What should we do?" Natalie asked the group, with an increasing note of fear in her voice. "Janette," Lacroix said, "They will not trouble you as long as you do not interfere with them- you offer a very valuable service to the community." Nicholas, you are already on rather tenuous terms with the enforcers. You and I must get Natalie out of here and to safety. Now." "I must retrieve something from my penthouse and then we will make our retreat," he said. Upon reaching his bedroom, LaCroix crossed the room to stand before small wooden chest on his nightstand. It was a dark wood, polished to a glossy sheen , with its top accented by several rich red stones set atop it in highly ornate settings. He reached to lift the lid when he paused. "What are you doing here?" he asked, without turning and in a voice totally devoid of emotion. "I think you know why I'm here, Lucien. I've come for the Doctor." The voice flowed like silk over bare skin, a low husky voice with a hint of honey. < A smoky voice> he thought , LaCroix turned slowly to look at the speaker, a decidedly cool smile on his face, one that did not reach the ice chips that were his eyes. She had an equally distant look on a perfectly formed face. The Masters would have killed to paint the beauty standing before LaCroix. Her elegant features were alabaster and smooth, only enhancing the impact of emerald eyes. Her jet tresses fell over one perfectly rounded shoulder and hung in lazy waves down to her waist. The aquamarine dress she wore skimmed graceful limbs and clung to generous curves to end above her sculpted legs. She was exquisite. And deadly. "Of course, you are welcome to meet my daughter -in- law, or is it Granddaughter? These vampire relationships can get so convoluted, don't you agree?" "Lucien, your pomposity never ceases to amaze me. Or is that amuse me?" his adversary inquired with a quirk of one raven eyebrow. "Well, it is always a pleasure to amuse you in whatever way I can, mon petite. May I say that you are as beautiful as ever?" he thought. The wave of pain LaCroix felt at the sight of her was quickly squashed by his fierce determination that she have no idea of the conflicting emotions she set raging within him. "Thank you, Lucien," she said with an odd inflection to her voice, as though, this meeting was not as easy on her as she would wish. The tension in the room was so thick as to be palpable. The hostility flowed between them as an electrical current. "You, of course, have not changed either," she added. "And, of course, you consider *that* the greatest of tragedies, that I am unchanged, isn't that so?" he asked, sounding almost weary. "So, shall we retire downstairs and join my children, as it is *obviously* too late to escape you and your henchmen?" "My *associates* are not with me. I thought perhaps we could have a civilized discussion without the need for reinforcements," she stated in chilly tones. "Aren't you afraid that we might not choose to be *civil* , especially as you don't have your *associates* to protect you?" LaCroix asked with the sarcastic facade he always used to mask any unwelcome emotion he wasexperiencing. Rage battled with a jumble of other feelings. Emotions that he dared not name, even to himself. Feelings that the vampire before him felt all too clearly. he thought , < why did *she* have to come?> "Afraid of you, darling? Why, of all people, would I fear *you*, my beloved husband?" She turned on her heel and left the room. end Part 7 rebirth Part 8 As they descended the stairs to the club below, LaCroix was immersed in his thoughts. He traveled deep into his memories. Many were painful. Some were exquisite. Images of the vampire before him held tight in his embrace, memories of love and passion warred with memories of harsh words and accusations hurled in anger. Stamping down his emotions, as was his way for the past 2000 years or so, LaCroix did not speak at all. Ekaterina, too, was lost in thought. Her memories were also laced with pain. Bittersweet memories of the best and worst days she'd ever had. All shared with this obstinate, pompous, seductive vampire. Love and hate were said to be a fine line. She certainly believed that, as they were a tightrope she had walked for years. Reining in her errant thoughts, she turned her attention back to the business at hand. Nick, Natalie, and Janette were on their feet awaiting LaCroix as he and his companion entered the room. They had felt the wave of emotions from LaCroix before he abruptly severed the link, effectively shutting himself off from his children. Their concern was evident on their faces. "Allow me to make the introductions," LaCroix said in his smooth, courtly manner "Nicholas Knight, Natalie Lambert, and Janette DuCharme- my family," he indicated with a wave of his hand towards the assembled vampires. "Meet Ekaterina Ivanova, Elder of the Enforcers and...my wife." LaCroix ignored the stunned looks on the faces of his family and seated Ekaterina as his family struggled to hide their dismay and shock. "Your *WHAT?*" Nick started, just to fall silent at a look from LaCroix, one that squelched any questions before they were asked. "There will be answers in due time, Nicholas." LaCroix stated, before turning his attention to seating Ekaterina. When all were seated LaCroix stated, "Ekaterina wishes to discuss Natalie with us at this time. We will cooperate with her- for now. However, "he said, directing this to Ekaterina, "that is subject to change. Natalie's safety is of the utmost importance. And when I feel that safety is endangered or compromised, all contact will cease- immediately and completely.. Is that understood?" The look he threw at the raven haired vampire would have had woman of a lesser character on her knees, begging for mercy. "Lucien, I think that you, all of you," she said gesturing to the other vampires present, "have misinterpreted the Enforcers' interest in Doctor Lambert." At LaCroix's frankly disbelieving look, Ekaterina continued. "We did not come to harm Doctor Lambert." She looked into the expectant eyes of Nick, Janette, and LaCroix, before her eyes settled on a frankly apprehensive Natalie. "We are here to protect her." When everyone remained silent, as in doubt, Natalie spoke up, "Protect me? From whom?" "The Rogues. There have been some hostilities in the vampire community." At LaCroix's quirked eyebrow, Ekaterina responded, "More so than usual, Lucien. A band of Rogue vampires are now traveling in a pack, under the leadership of a very powerful and insane vampire named Sherrod. He has organized them and is planning to destroy the Eternal Vampire in a show of strength, before he destroys us all. " "So, this pup Sherrod means to decimate the entire community here? I think not," LaCroix replied in his usual tone of certainty. "That is his intention. We can not allow that to happen. Natalie," Ekaterina said turning towards the vampire she was addressing, " we must insure your safety. If we can eliminate Sherrod, his followers lack the drive to continue to be a threat. You must destroy him." There was a silence in the room as the assembled vampires thought on what the had learned today. "Well," Natalie said, "This has been some last couple of days. It's a bit much to take in. First I nearly die, then I am brought across , only to find out I have these coveted powers I never dreamed of. Now you tell me a pack of rogue vampires is out to get me. Why?" All eyes turned back to Ekaterina. She spoke in a silken voice. Its nearly hypnotic properties were very similar to LaCroix's. Natalie thought, as she noted a glimmer of what could only be admiration in LaCroix's eyes as he listened to the exquisite vampire. Natalie knew LaCroix would be very displeased if he realized just how much her extra perceptions were able to pick up on. Natalie was constantly surprised as her ability to read the others' thoughts without their knowledge grew, seemingly by bounds every few moments. LaCroix had originally been apparent to her only when speaking with the other vampires, as though, if he wasn't actually allowing her to see inside, the interaction with the others made him more open to her. Now she was even picking up some distinct thoughts from him, although by far, most of what she perceived from him were feelings and emotions. Right now he was seething with a myriad of different and conflicting emotions. He was feeling concern for Natalie. This startled her, that he felt such protectiveness for her. She realized now that, in spite of the terrible things he had done to Nick over the centuries, he truly felt as though he were keeping his family together. She could feel the love and protectiveness he felt for Nick and Janette. Now, she could feel that he viewed her in much the same way. While she had been mortal, helping Nick trying to become mortal again, he had seen her as a threat to the family. Now that she was no longer a mortal, he wanted to keep her safe and protected for Nick's sake and for hers. The lovely creature seated among them also had his emotions in an uproar. While he had thrown up a powerful wall around his thoughts of her, his emotions were not so easily disguised. Natalie felt the anger he had that the enforcers were here. He did not want interference in *his* family. He also was torn between rage and delight at seeing this woman again. He vacillated between hatred for this creature and love. A love the depths of which Natalie would not have believed him capable had she not been privy to his thoughts. How and when had this vampire become his bride? Natalie was consumed by curiosity and she knew the vampires seated with her were also. Nick was the easiest for Natalie to read, it was as though his every thought and feeling were whispered in her ear. Janette was much more difficult to read, as they were not so closely related by the blood, although she certainly understood her better since drinking from Nick- janette's brother and past lover. In addition to the distance in blood between them, Janette was older than Nick and much more adept than Nick at hiding her thoughts and feelings behind a wall. "They want to get you, Doctor Lambert, may I call you Natalie?" Natalie was jerked out of her reverie and psychic eavesdropping by the use of her Christian name. "Um, yes, sure- call me Natalie." "Very well, thank you, Natalie," and with that Ekaterina favored them with a smile that was breathtaking in its sincerity. "They wish to harm you Natalie, as a show of strength. Sherrod wishes to destroy all vampires." "But what of his followers?" Janette asked in her melodic voice. "Yes, does he plan to destroy them too, or is he out to be the dominant vampire over the only pack left?" "Children, please, let our *guest* explain her presence her without your interruptions," LaCroix spoke as with the endless patience of a parent for an inquisitive child. "Valid questions," Ekaterina replied, throwing LaCroix an inscrutable look. Nat thought wryly. "Before he was brought across, Sherrod was already insane, and as you know, "she shot another glance at LaCroix, "Oftentimes, being brought across only amplifies insanity or other flaws in the mortal." She turned her attention back at the group, but not before LaCroix had quirked one eyebrow and smiled a sardonic smile with no real warmth to it. "Sherrod has his followers calling themselves disciples. He was a lay minister in a fundamentalist religion before he became hopelessly insane. He was a snake handler. He considered himself the right hand of God. He still does. He plans to start by destroying the most powerful first," she looked to LaCroix and then Natalie," that means you two. Then he will destroy the "wicked sinners living in the world," with a look to Janette and Nick, that means basically everyone outside his circle. Then he alone will hunt those he deems worthy of God's wrath. And the hunting should be plentiful, because by then, we'll all be destroyed." Part Nine Janette sat on the edge of her bed, ruminating on the events for the past few days. So much had happened so fast. Who was this mysterious "wife" of LaCroix’s whom his children had never even heard of? And now to discover that the "mortal" Nick had loved for so long, had never actually been "mortal" at all, at least only in the strictest interpretation of the word! It was almost too much. Janette picked up the silver hairbrush and started to pull it through the mass of ebony silk that framed her aristocratic face. This had always calmed her nerves, even when mortal, though she had certainly never owned anything of the beauty and worth of this hairbrush that was now only a trifle in the scope of her possessions. As with many things she owned, it had been a gift from LaCroix. He seemed to know exactly what gifts would delight her. This trinket had been hers for 300 years, and the sight of it continued to please and delight her. LaCroix might been seen as brutal to many, and at times Janette felt as though he were pure evil- but only when she was angry. She knew LaCroix had saved her from a life and death that would have been miserable. She had been used very poorly in her mortal life and would assuredly, have either died from pox or from delivering the bastard child of one of scores of men who had paid to use and debase her. Shaking her head to clear it of thoughts that she didn’t wish to have, Janette closed the drapes on the approaching morn, on the sun light that gave life and food to many, yet meant only pain and death to her. end part nine part ten LaCroix felt her presence on the outside of his door before he heard the knock. "Come in," he called. Ekaterina crossed the room in swish of satin, the soft folds of the dressing gown she had changed into, gently caressed her thighs as she walked over to LaCroix, who was seated once more in his favorite chair. "May I?’ she asked, indicating the opposite chair with a slight inclination of her head. "Certainly," LaCroix stated, thinking "Two visits in one day," he murmured, "after centuries absent, my my, will miracles never cease?" His lips twisted into what could only be described as a parody of a smile, for there was no joy anywhere inside him at this moment. "Ah, Lucien, king of witty repartee and unkind gibes, may we talk seriously?" Ekaterina asked on a sigh. "Again, I extend to you my apologies. You seem to bring out the worst in me- though many would argue there is nothing in me *BUT* the worst," this remark was accompanied by a genuine self-mocking smile. "Yes, and I would have to agree with them," Ekaterina said with a teasing smile. "I missed you Lucien," she added, without guarding her feelings from him, for once. Her heart lay open and vulnerable before him and sincerity was shining in her eyes. "Ah," LaCroix started, with wistful tone in his silken voice, "and *I* missed you mon petit, though I am loathe to admit it." A genuine smile spread across the general’s face as he added, "I even missed our verbal sparring." When a happy, nostalgic look spread over Ekaterina’s face, Lacroix quickly added, "Not to mention our less *cerebral* activities," with a seductive glimmer in his eyes. "Lucien," she reproved him in a voice with no censure whatsoever in it, as though this were a conversation that had been played over many times before and she was supplying the scripted response. "We need to formulate a plan regarding Sherrod." " I have a plan, it’s quite simple, really," LaCroix replied. "And that would be...." Ekaterina started, leaving it open for LaCroix’s response. "I find him, I destroy him." "Ah, and what makes you think it will be that simple?" she asked. "Well, I have a certain talent for finding and destroying those who oppose my wishes." "Lucien, if he were not so well hidden and protected, the Enforcers would have destroyed him without ever alerting Natalie to the danger. We feared we’d been unable to locate him before he moved on Natalie, so we decided to approach her and inform her of the danger, so that she could be on her guard. She’s very powerful, isn’t she?" she suddenly asked with an expectant look on her face. "Yes, and her power has scarcely been tapped," LaCroix replied with a hint of pride in his voice. "It goes toward explaining the uncommonly strong attraction she held for Nicholas, even before he had tasted her blood. There has always been a "Kinship", if you will, between vampires and Eternals." "It also explains why you never simply killed her yourself, when she was trying to "cure" Nicholas," Ekaterina added. "MMM, Yes, it does," LaCroix replied with a thoughtful look on his face. I could *not* explain to myself my reluctance to orchestrate her demise. I plotted it and tormented Nicholas with it, but in the end I let him believe that he had won her life with his ridiculous charade of indifference. He was so blatantly enamored of her that only a fool would have believed otherwise. I am many things, but I am *NOT* a fool. I simply did not wish her death. While LaCroix was deep in reflection, Ekaterina let her eyes roam over his features, hungrily storing the images to remember when this crisis was over, and she would see her husband no more, for who knew how many centuries. She didn’t think of the possibility of NEVER seeing him again, as she knew it was not a possibility. However strong their hostility and bitter their disagreements, she and Lucien always found their way back to seeing one another again. This thought was followed by, Ekaterina could not hide the smile that accompanied the mental image her thoughts had conjured. Pulling themselves out of their reveries, they began once more to "discuss" the possible courses of action for the upcoming confrontation with Sherrod. This "discussion" was NOT brief. end part ten Part 11 Natalie and Nick spent the next several days at a remote country estate that LaCroix had acquired earlier in the century working on Nat’s telepathic, flying, and various "other-wordly" vampire talents. On the third day, Nick turned Natalie’s tutelage over to LaCroix, as her abilities had already surpassed Nick’s own. "It’s remarkable," Nick exclaimed to LaCroix, "her talents are growing by leaps and bounds, she has the strength of a very old and powerful vampire already." "Indeed she does, " LaCroix responded, once more with a smug and proud tone, "indeed she does." Natalie then proceeded to spend the next days- nights, rather, with LaCroix as her teacher. They were lounging in the library on their sixth night ((())) , sipping their dinner and discussing the history of the enforcers when Ekaterina rushed into the room. "Our most sensitive enforcer has telepathically located Sherrod." she stated in a rush of words. "Surprisingly enough, he is alone now, not far from here. Apparently he has had a falling out with some of his closest associates and is hiding nearby recouping. Now is the time to strike! His defenses are at their lowest, and he is vulnerable, let us make haste to end his miserable existence." As LaCroix opened his mouth to respond, there was an explosion of shattering glass from the dining room. LaCroix and Natalie jumped from their chairs, as Nat screamed, "Nick!" in fear for his safety. It rapidly became apparent that Sherrod’s "falling out" had been a ruse to separate LaCroix and Natalie from the others to destroy them all more leisurely. Unfortunately for Sherrod, the information did not reach its destination in time. LaCroix and Natalie were still with the others, neither separated nor vulnerable. As six vampires rushed the library, primed for the blood of their enemy, the three vampires inside were ready for them. Natalie flew at the first vampire and broke his neck as she sank her fangs into his throat, seemingly without any effort. LaCroix shattered a queen Anne chair as if it were a toy made from popsicle sticks and plunged the wooden leg through another vampire’s chest, dropping him in his tracks with an inhuman growl. Ekaterina sprang onto the third vampire’s back and all but removed his head with a savage rending of flesh by her fangs. Before the remaining three vampires could even begin to join in the fray, Nick sprang on them from behind , staking two, simultaneously as Janette removed the sixth’s head with one arc of a broadsword. Ekaterina wondered, vaguely amused. The only vampire not yet dead was the one Natalie had attacked. Lying helpless in the floor as Natalie feasted on the first "fresh" blood she had ever consumed, Sherrod lay shuddering. LaCroix quietly asked, "Natalie, could you stop, for one moment, before he’s gone?" in a very soft and deadly tone,. With a flush of embarrassment, Natalie realized how thoroughly enraptured and aroused she was by the blood of her enemy on her tongue. She pulled away from the fount. "Since you have tasted his secrets Natalie, are there any more followers of his to concern ourselves about?" LaCroix inquired. "No, " Natalie said, rising to her feet and casting a contemptuous glance at the vampire lying at her feet and wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, "the accounts were purposely inflated and exaggerated to intimidate us. He thought," she said, indicating the vampire at her feet with an angry jerk of her head, once more looking down at him with loathing, "he could frighten us and make my destruction easy to accomplish. This sorry six is the "army." And *THIS* pitiful excuse for a vampire," she said with a contemptuous kick to Sherrod’s side, "is the "right hand of God," she said in a voice filled with anger and blood. "I thought as much," LaCroix responded while thinking, "Perhaps then ," he said, handing Nat the splintered chair leg in his hand, "you’d care to do the honors." With a smile that alarmed Nick and delighted LaCroix, Natalie replied, "My pleasure." the end Epilogue LaCroix settled more comfortably into the armchair and looked out through the french doors, across the balcony and into the inky blackness of the night sky. It was the only view of the sky he’d seen for close to two thousand years. It was the only view he’d ever see again. Thankfully, he found the night an ever seductive mistress. He gently swirled the blood in his fluted wineglass before sipping. He didn’t show any reaction as he felt her presence in the room. "Yes, Ekaterina?" "Lucien, may I come in?" she asked quietly. "A strange request, considering that you are already in," he replied with his characteristic sarcasm. "Ah, Lucien," Ekaterina replied in a weary voice, "must you ever try to prick my heart with your mean spirited remarks?" "Forgive me, dear, old habits it would appear, also are immortal. Please, come in and be seated." LaCroix responded, gesturing to the matching armchair diagonally across from his with an elegant wave of his hand. "You wished to speak with me?" he asked with a quirked eyebrow. ‘Yes," Ekaterina responded, seating herself in the armchair and smoothing down her emerald green silk dress with one slim, alabaster hand. "Now that we have resolved everything and your children are safely settled in their new lives, it is time for me to go." She looked to LaCroix with a exression of melancholia on her face. "Ah, so you came to tell me goodbye. How unusual. Isn’t the norm for you to sneak off like a thief in the night? I had come to expect you to leave me without warning, as you did when you left our marriage bed," he responded with more than a trace of bitterness in his voice. His face, as usual was giving away nothing of the turmoil he felt inside. "Lucien, if I had told you goodbye before, would you have allowed me to go? NO," she answered her own question , while raising a hand to stop any arguments he might make to the contrary. "Lucien LaCroix holds tightly to his possesions. And that is how you see me. Your wife, your property. I did not wish to be a possession, Lucien." "Ah, so your departure is my fault, of course," he responded with a bitter laugh that was even more harsh in the quiet room. I should have realized. And here I thought, since you left me, our separation was your doing. How ridiculous of me," he took another sip and turned his gaze from Ekaterina, to once more observe the night sky. "Ah, Lucien, just once could we talk without trying to see who can draw the most blood with our barbed comments and pointed remarks? Could we actually communicate?" she asked, with a bone deep weariness and pain intertwined in her voice. "Why, Ekaterina," LaXroix murmured quietly, gazing deeply into her eyes with a quizzical look on his face. "I didn’t realize that I had the power to hurt you anymore. I thought when you took back your love and your life and left, my sway over you was gone." "Lucien, I left you. My heart, I’m afraid, stayed." When her eyes pooled with unshed tears, she turned her face toward the window, away from LaCroix and tried to rein in the emotions that no one other than the vampire across from her could so deeply affect. LaCroix set his glass down on the mahogany table beside his chair and casually leaned closer to Ekaterina as he spoke, clasping his hands together. "Ekaterina, must you leave so quickly? he asked. You could stay here a bit longer, if you wished." Blinking rapidly, Ekaterina looked back to LaCroix. "Why?" she asked, "would I do that? Are you asking me to stay, Lucien? I thought you gave orders, commands, but never suggestions or requests." "Yes, Ekaterina," LaCroix responded with uncharacteristic candor, "I am ASKING you to stay. You say you left your heart behind when you left me?" asked with a raised eyebrow. At her silent, quick nod, LaCroix took an unnecessary breath and continued, "well, when you left, you took my heart with you." At the look of surprise she threw at him, LaCroix shrugged his shoulders slightly, "Even as it is cold, and quite unbeating, I would wish to keep it with me, if possible. If you stayed..." He let his voice fade away as he looked at her questioningly. "However, this is a request, not a command. I want to to stay, if you wish to. Because you want to stay with ME." Ekaterina moved to LaCroix and crouched in the floor before his chair, taking his cool, alabaster hands in her own. "Lucien, I love you," she said, her voice trembling slightly on the love and hope she was allowing to flower in her once again. " I always have and, undoubtedly, always will. But I can not be your property. I would be happy to be your companion, your lover, your partner for eternity. But I can not, no- I WILL not be your possession. Never again.’ LaCroix looked deeply into Ekaterina’s tear filled eyes, allowing his own to reflect the emotions he was feeling for once. "I’ve been a petulant child." he remarked quietly. "Smashing any toy I could not possess to the floor, to be certain that no one else would know it’s pleasure. Ma petite, I have been a fool." At the look of frank amazement on her face, LaCroix allowed himself a dry, bitter laugh. "The fact that my candor so shocks you merely proves what a fool I have been. After all the years we were together, and then apart, and yet, I continue to hold my feelings inside, hiding them from the one who might understand." LaCroix pulled his hands from Ekaterina’s grip to cup her face. When tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks, he brushed them away with his thumbs. "Will you stay with me, my little Kat?’ he asked softly, his voice, for once, full of genuine feeling. ‘Lucien, I thought I’d never hear you call me that again," she said breathlessly. "I would love to stay with you. I love you." "And, ma chere, I love *YOU*," he said, as he lowered his mouth to hers, to claim it in a kiss of love, hope, and promise for an eternity together. Rebirth the end ************************************************************ 4 EVER KNIGHT FANATICS LISTMOM. Fanatics homepage:http://www.geocities.com/wetvampirekiss/ "Sterilize the Stupid!"- Family Credo I LOVE Animals. They're DELICIOUS! "Life is a gift. Yada Yada Yada." Lucien LaCroix wetvampirekiss @ yahoo.com