I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do
***
He watched over his son diligently; waiting for him to open his eyes. His body had healed from the wounds inflicted in the arena, and though his son looked well, he would not awaken. He looked like he was in a light sleep. LaCroix was reminded of that fairy story, "Sleeping Beauty". Smiling, LaCroix kissed his son gently on the lips waiting for him to awaken by his true loves first kiss. But as the train continued its return to Toronto, his son never regained consciousness. Slowly, LaCroix�s concern was growing.
Janette sat close by, watching the display and new that her presence was no longer needed. She should return to her own home and life but she couldn�t bring herself to leave her newly restored family. There was a peace settling between them all and it warmed her greatly. She would return to Toronto for a little while, just to make sure that Nicholas healed completely from his injuries, then she would leave. Perhaps.
***
One week had passed and still Nick had not made any attempts to contact her. Worried over his disappearance Natalie Lambert went to Nick�s loft, hoping to find some sort of clue to his vanishing act. But after looking over the apartment and coming up with nothing, Natalie headed back to her apartment to stand by the phone. If Nick was alive, she had to believe that he would call her. He wouldn�t just leave her behind. He loved her. Sitting down at her kitchen table she lightly touched her belly. She hadn�t eaten all morning, and her stomach was rebelling; informing her that it was empty and needed sustenance. Deciding that she should get something to eat, she headed to the refrigerator and started to pull out some eggs when the pain hit her in the stomach. She doubled over with pain, and dropped the egg carton. She crumpled to the floor, landing next to the smashed eggs. Her cat, Sydney hurried over to her and began to lick at the unintentional free meal.
Steadying herself, Natalie took a deep breath and tried to get to her feet. Finding that she couldn�t, she dragged herself slowly on her hands and knees to the nearby phone and quickly dialed 911.
***
The Raven was still closed for patrons, but Vachon remained seated at the bar, drinking a glass of blood wine. He knew that upstairs two elder vampires were sitting faithfully by a bed, watching over a sleeping prince who refused to awaken. Still locked in his own personal battle, to bring Tracy across as a vampire or skip town, therefore Vachon�s senses were down and he didn�t sense the female until she came up behind him and kissed him on the cheek.
Instead of feeling happy to see the blond, Javier felt more nervous. She looked at him happily, with love-struck eyes, and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, then slowly slipped her hands inside his jacket.
"Well, its been a week. I made my decision. I want to be a vampire."
Vachon�s face fell and he pulled away from her.
Misinterpreting, Tracey Vetter looked at him with eyes now filled with hurt.
"You don�t want me?"
"No Tracy, it has nothing to do with not wanting you. I do. You know that. Its just...a little more complicated."
"What is?" She asked trying to get him to look at her.
He finally confronted her but his eyes refused to come up.
"Tracy, if you become a vampire you can�t stay in this life. In a few years you�ll have to move on....you will have to leave everyone behind. Do you understand? You won�t be able to have contact with your family or any of your friends. When you move on, we will have to make it look like you died. Are you sure you want to do that? To leave this life all behind you? Have you really considered the consequences?"
"I have. I made up my mind...and when I thought you had died...and I realized I was going to have to go on without you, I found I didn�t want to. Everything that I am, is because of you. I understand what you�re saying. I will abide by what ever rules is necessary to be with you. So, please? Take me?" She threw herself into his arms and Vachon sighed sadly. Then meeting her eyes he smiled and kissed her gently on the lips.
Oh yeah, Nick was going to kill him.
"Okay, let�s go someplace quiet...come on."
Taking her by the hand he led her slowly out the door. Tracy followed him, her eyes filled with love and longing.
***
The candle light flickered in the room. LaCroix sat at the edge of the bed watching over the limp form. Several times he had spoken to him, commanding Nick to awaken. But the boy did not stir.
He tried shaking his young one but that didn�t work either. Growing more concerned with each passing moment, he stared at Janette. She�d had fallen asleep in a vacant nearby chair. She had grown exhausted over her adventures, and though she had fought to keep awake, she had finally succumbed to a restless slumber.
Taking his son�s hand gently into his own, LaCroix once again poured over the memories of the last few days. The words Nick spoke in New York.
<"I can't begin to say how sorry I am for the hurt I caused you...All the pain and betrayal not that you have been any better. Although, I know I started it and usually tried to end it now all I can do and all that I can say are the words. Hope someday you will believe them. You were right. You are the only father I have and-and I love you. I am so sorry, please forgive me!">
*He loves me again, and he wants me to stay with him.* He smiled in triumph, at long last his son was his again.
He never believed that his son would willingly return to him; if he believed in them, he would have called it a miracle. Divia�s havoc and destruction had reopened old wounds, and yet had healed other ones as well.
There was so much to look forward to now. So much he wanted to share with his child. So many things to do.
He would have to have a special room made for his child. Nicholas of course could not stay at that loft. No, he would stay with him here, at the Raven, where he would be safe. That foolish mortal job would have to go as well. Far to dangerous. Then there was that Doctor Lambert. He smiled, as he thought yes, he would have to get rid of her too. Carefully though, he would have to worm his way back into his son�s life in a such a way that Nicholas would not be suspecting his intent. Then, once Nicholas was back in his life he would pack his family up and move on to another life. Somewhere far away from mortals this time so he could spend as much time as possible with his child. He might even be able to convince Nicholas to share his own bed with him.
He would have to be subtle. Perhaps, he could say that Silveran was on the loose, and he wanted to keep Nick safe by staying near him, and then...then
"LaCroix don�t do this."
Looking up, LaCroix saw Janette had awakened.
"Do what?" He asked innocently.
"I am your blood child as well. I can feel some of those stray thoughts of yours. Don�t do it. You will risk losing all that you have with Nicolas if you try to smother him and make him your slave once more. To be used at your leisure. Nicolas has grown to love you again and forgiven you for the pain you have caused him. Do not damage the bridges by becoming possessive."
He scowled. then shrugged his shoulders at her.
"If you wish to return to your life in Paris, please feel free to go. I am more than capable of looking after Nicholas."
*How dare she speak to him like this, he thought. How dare she try to take Nicholas from him.*
Janette sighed and sitting up, she pushed her hair back and smoothed out her dress.
"Sometimes LaCroix, you are such a fool. I am not trying to take him away from you. Nicolas wants his freedom. He has the taste now in his blood and he will not surrender it, no matter how much he loves you. Once again, he will run from you and you will be back at the beginning. Use your intelligence for once. Nicolas loves this place and he loves his mortal pet. If you want to be a part of his life again and to be a welcomed one you will have to at least, at the very least become tolerant of Nicolas friends. That includes Doctor Natalie Lambert. He loves her. As foolish as it is. So please, don�t do anything to spoil things. Please!"
Getting to her feet she paced the room and then confronting LaCroix she waited for him to come to terms with what she said. A wave of emotions ran through him; anger at her insolence, and anger at Nicholas for still wanting his independence. Then his face softened to reluctant acceptance. Janette was right, if he tried to wrap his tentacles around his son the boy would indeed take flight or renew the battle between them. The peace between them was still fragile. It would need time to be rebuilt and gain strength. For once, he would have to bend and swallow his pride. If he wanted to keep Nicholas, he would have to allow the boy his freedom and that included his ill gotten choice of friends. He would have to get on friendly terms with the female coroner. That would not be easy, as that woman believed him to be the ultimate evil in this world. But, if he wanted Nicholas, he would have to try.
Finally he gave Janette a firm nod. Janette left the room to go freshen up and find something to drink.
Left alone in the room, LaCroix returned to his child�s side. Sitting on the bed, he slowly began to stroke the golden hair back from his face. The face was deathly pale. Though he tried, he could not sense his son�s awareness. Nick was still locked in a deep sleep. What was this mystery? Why won�t he awaken?
Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
***
Through the years
You've never let me down
You turned my life around
The sweetest days I've found
I've found with you
***
He felt like he was flying, or floating. Everything seemed so far away and distant. His father was nearby. Lucien was concerned and growing fearful. *He loves me? Even after everything I�ve done he still loves me.* That warmed the former crusader�s heart.
He could also sense Natalie, her presence. She was calling to him, beckoning to him. Smiling. He wanted to go to her. She was so beautiful with the sunlight radiating over her body and hair. She looked like the sun itself. He started towards her and then stopped. But where was his father? He turned and could see his father�s figure far behind him. Dark and full of shadows, calling out to him. Begging him to come back to him.
But what about Natalie, he loved her too. Can�t he have both of them? They were so different and yet so alike. Natalie was like the sunlight, and LaCroix was his moonlight. He wanted them both, needed them. How could he choose between them?
*I love you both! Please don�t make me choose!* He fell to his knees staring at Natalie and then once more at LaCroix. Oh, he couldn�t bear it. Not any of it.
"Nick? You ok?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Nick looked up to see a short balding man staring down at him. He was dressed in a white suit and his eyes which once were full of exasperation was full of love.
"Schank?" Unable to believe it, Nick stood up and flung his arms around his dead partner. Schanke had died in a plane crash a little over a year ago. His life had gone through radical changes and Nick had almost died from sadness. Schanke had been so special, so wonderful. So full of life and energy. There had been so much Nick wanted to share with him and but now he never would.
"Hi Partner. So, I see you�re having some difficulty. Thought I�d come and help."
Breaking the hold, Nick looked at the man sadly.
"Oh Schanke, I miss you!"
The deceased smiled.
"Ah, come now. I�m not that far away. I�ve been sticking close to you since that accident."
"You have?" Nick couldn�t believe it.
"Course. Well, in between checking in on Myra and Jenny. Not that I have to look in on them much anymore. Myra's got a new guy. He wouldn't be my first choice, but he's good to her. And he loves Jenny like she was his own. So, I can spend my free time with you!"
"You�ve been with me? All along?"
"Not even an inch away from you. You know, Nick that there is an afterlife, and its not too shabby. Although, I gotta say, finding out that I was right about your little secret spun my head a little. You know, I had this weird feeling you were a vampire! And I was right! I love it when I'm right!"
Nick blinked back tears and shook his head at his deceased friend.
"I never felt you...I thought you were gone." Forever.
"Never. I�ll always be with you, partner. In fact, I have been doing a lot of praying for you. I also met your mom and sister...wow! We�re all pulling for you."
Nick lowered his head in shock. Pain filling into his soul. "They know?"
"Yup. They still love you. We also know you�ve been trying to make up for everything and were sticking by you. All the way."
Looking up, Nick nodded, a smile returning to his lips.
"Where am I, Schanke? What is going on?"
"Ah well, You�re sort of like in limbo. Neither in heaven or in hell. You�re still locked in that body of yours, but it�s slowly losing ground."
"The arena? Then am I dying?"
"Yeah, but don�t worry. We�re working on it."
"We?"
"Yeah, we. But, it sure would be helpful if you did a little fighting on your own."
"If I die Schanke?...What will happen to me?"
Schanke shrugged. "You haven�t fully paid for your sins, Nick. Up here the ones in charge really do not like it when mortals are killed. They've got this thou-shalt-not-kill thing. But you�re getting there. I made a deal and the big boss, and I do mean big, said that if you can save twice the amount of mortal lives you took, you�ll be forgiven. But you�re still quite a ways off. Man, you were a blood thirsty thing weren�t you?" He chuckled lightly, slightly punching Nick�s shoulder playfully.
"I�m sorry Schanke...I�m so sorry."
"It�s okay partner, we�ll pull through. All of us. Now you just relax and have a seat." Nick obeyed and Schanke joined his side.
"So what now?"
"Now, we wait."
"Schanke?"
"Yeah?"
"Please don�t leave me. No matter what happens."
"I�ll never leave you Nick. No matter what happens, I�ll always be by your side. Always."
Smiling, Nick closed his eyes and began the long wait.
***
He slowly began to drink from her body. The technique was old as time and Vachon had been quite explicit that it was up to her to return. The mortal about to be brought across had to have freedom of choice. That was just how it worked.
Completed, he broke the skin of his wrist with his teeth and dropped the liquid into her mouth. He paused and waited and waited.
And waited.
"Come on Trace, come back to me."
After what seemed like a long time her eyes opened, and they began to flow a bright gold.
Vachon smiled.
"Welcome back, Tracy!"
***
Through the years
I've never been afraid
I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed
Right here with you
Through the years
***
Natalie opened her eyes and smiled up at the doctor before her. The pain had stopped and she thought maybe she might live through this.
"Well, am I going to live?"
The doctor only smiled down at her and nodded.
"Good, so can I go home now?" Starting to rise the female doctor held her down.
"What is it?" Seeing the doctor�s face, Natalie felt the cold go through her.
"I have some news for you. Some news that you just might be wanting to hear."
Smiling lightly, Natalie leaned back against the bed and waited for the news.
***
"Hey, Partner got some news for you." Schanke spoke softly through the mist. Nick remained on the ground sitting in tailor-fashion.
"News? Good or bad?"
"Well, that�s up to you."
Nick looked up and gazed at Schanke.
"What?"
"Natalie did it."
Nick suddenly felt the sadness come to the surface. "No, I told her I didn�t want a cure, I told her I wanted..."
Schanke only touched his shoulder and smiled.
"Not the CURE thing Nick. The other thing. Before you left Toronto to play Ben Hur!"
Nick froze. "You mean?"
Schanke nodded. "Yup"
***
Natalie was on her way home. She had sent for the cab and she was surprised when a stretch limousine pulled up in front of the hospital and even more surprised when LaCroix stepped from it and beckoned to her. A little frightened, Natalie stepped forward fighting the impulse to run.
"Mr. LaCroix. I suppose it would be pointless to ask if you�ve seen Nick?"
He shrugged. "If you will get into the car, I will take you to him."
Without hesitation, Natalie leapt into the car. LaCroix climbed in beside her, and shut the door. He smiled as the doctor scrambled for the seat furthest away from him.
"Where is he? What�s happened? What have you done to him now?"
Resenting her accusation, LaCroix barely held back his anger at her.
"I have done nothing to Nicholas. Unfortunately he has been injured. Trying to save me. It�s rather a long story. One that will require your medical services."
Natalie barely held back her fear.
"It�s bad isn�t it?"
LaCroix didn�t answer. Instead he made himself a drink. Natalie watched him pour the blood wine into a crystal glass. Human blood.
"My son is in love with you, Doctor Lambert."
"He loves you too." She returned.
He nodded graciously.
"For the sake of my sons happiness and well being, I am willing to over look our differences."
"I want Nick to be happy." said Nat.
"Then perhaps, we can try....a truce?" Asked LaCroix.
She hesitated, then she swallowed and agreed.
"Sure."
As Lacroix sipped his drink, he paused a moment to look at her. He felt something different about the woman tonight. Something was...he paused to look at her stomach. He smiled.
"I see."
Realizing he knew, Natalie felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
"I�m pregnant. It�s Nick�s child."
LaCroix raised an eyebrow. "More experiments Doctor?" His anger was slowly returning.
"What Nick and I do doesn�t concern you."
"Doesn�t it, my dear doctor? Everything about Nicholas concerns me. You have no idea what you have just done."
Natalie wrapped her arms around herself defensively and snorted at him.
"So much for a truce."
LaCroix shook his head. She had said child. So she doesn�t know that much about the pregnancy. He could tell her, but he would wait. Even though the young were newly made, LaCroix distinctly hear two separate heartbeats. She was going to have twins.
"My dear doctor, I will stick to the truce, and I will even go as so far to say that I will not harm you. However, I cannot agree that the other�s of my kind will let you be. What you and Nicholas are doing is bringing a gap that has never been tried before, or thought possible. I do not know how you did it my dear. But beware, others of my race will not be quite so tolerant of this status. Nor will they consider my son�s well being, or his happiness."
Natalie nodded and then looking away to stare out at the darkened window she sighed.
"So, tell me everything that happened?"
Taking another sip from his drink, LaCroix started his tale.
***
I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more
***
Natalie pulled out her bag of medical equipment and pushing the blanket down she looked over the still healing wound in Nick�s chest. Touching it gently with her fingers she shook her head.
"You said you pulled the arrow out?"
"Yes Doctor." LaCroix stood unnaturally close behind her. He looked down at his son lovingly.
"And usually the healing process takes over?"
"Yes and as you can see it has, but Nicholas still has not awakened."
"Did he receive any other wounds?"
LaCroix nodded. "Yes, but they didn�t go very deep in his skin and they have already healed and disappeared."
Natalie glanced at him and then looked over to see Janette seated nearby watching silently at the three of them.
"Janette?"
"Oui, Natalie. It has been awhile."
Natalie almost spat something nasty at her like * Not long enough.* She didn�t hide the fact that Janette was the heart of her jealousy. She, Janette had once been Nick�s wife of ninety seven years. Though they were history, Janette and Nick had shared so much and for her own personal reasons Natalie wanted nothing to do with Nick�s former lover. Biting down her temper she forced a smile and nodded.
"Yes, I�ll see what I can do." She paused and took out a sharp instrument.
LaCroix grabbed her hand before she could start towards Nick�s chest.
"What do you think you�re doing, Doctor?"
"Well, we can�t take Nick to a hospital and to get some X-rays, and since I don�t have the weapon to look at, I�m assuming that the wooden arrow may have done more damage than you think. It�s possible that a small piece is still imbedded inside him. It might explain why the wounds haven�t completely healed and why he hasn�t awakened. But we won�t know a thing until we open him up." Swallowing, Natalie looked at Janette.
"I will need the two of you to help me."
Getting to her feet, Janette offered her services. LaCroix was more then willing.
Natalie adjusted her grip on the sharp object in her hand and shaking her head, she started towards Nick�s chest.
***
Through the years
Through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had
I've always been so glad
To be with you
***
She cut open his chest with one fine cut. The blood poured from his body.
Both Janette and LaCroix licked their lips. Holding themselves in check they followed the doctor�s orders as she started her own personal dissection of the man she loved.
***
Through the years
It's better everyday
You've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay
I'll stay with you
Through the years
***
LaCroix watched the process feeling the already slow beating of his son�s heart slow ever further. *Nicholas, come back to me my son. You know you belong to me. Do not leave me. I need you, my child.* Using all of his mental powers, he reached out to his child, to impart some of his strength to him
***
Through the years
When everything went wrong
Together we were strong
I know that I belonged
Right here with you
***
Natalie perspired and pushed the folds of skin apart. She had to go deeper. To his heart. The blood gushed out and Natalie could only hope that whatever blood he was losing could be quickly replaced. Keeping the pace slow, moments later she spotted the problem. She had been right.
"Oh god, there it is. It�s so small. Just a splinter of wood....but enough."
"Remove it! Quickly!" Hissed Janette in a commanding tone.
"I am." She reached in and using the special instrument grabbed the offending object and started to pull it out.
LaCroix could feel his son beginning to weaken. He was going to lose him.
"Nicholas!"
***
Schanke rose suddenly to his feet.
"Ah well that�s it. Its over."
Nick joined his partner, his heart heavy.
"I�m dead, aren�t I?"
Schanke only smiled and waved. "Bye Nick. Nice seeing you again."
Infinitely sad Nick nodded. "I�ll miss you Schanke."
"Don�t worry Nick, I won�t be far. When ever you feel a breeze at your shoulder, or a tickle in your ear....that�ll be me. Take care!"
Then everything started to blacken.
Far away a voice called to him. It sounded like his father�s voice.
"Nicholas, I love you. Please come back to me. Don�t go into the light. Return to me Mon Fils! Come back!"
***
Through the years
I never had a doubt
We'd always work things out
I've learned what life's about
By loving you
Through the years
***
She closed him up and admired her handiwork. The wound was healing quickly.
"He�ll need a lot of blood but..." Before she could finish Nick suddenly convulsed and his eyes opened. His eyes were glowing a deep red.
<HUNGRY!> He needed to feed.
He heard the heartbeat nearby and lunged for the meal. But something grabbed him and thrust his wrist towards a fanged filled mouth. Not even hesitating Nick Knight bit deep into his father�s wrist. The blood gushed into his mouth and he sucked the sweet elixir, swallowing it with an uncontrollable thirst.
After what seemed like forever, Nick returned to his senses. The hunger disappeared along with the beast. His eyes returned to blue and gently he removed his teeth from his master�s arm. Licking the wound tenderly, Nick looked about the room trying to figure out where he was. What happened? The last thing he remembered, he was in the arena. No, he�d been with Schanke.
He blinked and looked around again and caught sight of Natalie who was a few steps back looking clearly concerned where she stood. She smiled faintly and waved lightly in his direction.
"Nat." he called weakly, with a small smile.
A little annoyed that his son had not acknowledged him, LaCroix moved away, allowing the doctor access to her patient.
"Hi. We almost lost you."
"Yeah, I know. It was weird too, I was with Schanke."
Natalie smiled humoring him. "Oh, that�s nice. So was hell all that they say...fire and brimstone?"
Nick shrugged, smiling back at her in pure happiness.
"No, actually Schanke said I was in something like Limbo. He said that he was with my mother and sister." LaCroix frowned at the mention of Fleur.
"He said that he was praying for me. He also said that if I save twice the amount of lives that I took...I will be forgiven."
Natalie smiled and hugged him in her arms. Nick then pulled away and continued his story.
"He also told me you did it...you�re pregnant?"
Natalie paled slightly. She had thought that Nick had just been sleeping, and probably had a nice dream with Schanke; an old friend along for the ride. Now she realized Nick had been serious.
"I-I meant to wait...but I kind of got a little excited and... I know you�re probably angry right now."
Nick shook his head and took her back into his arms and kissed her lips.
When Natalie pulled away she saw the smile was not only on his lips but in his eyes.
"We�re going to have a baby." Nick was on cloud nine. "Our baby. Natalie, marry me."
Giggling, Natalie, was so overcome with pure happiness, tears fell from her eyes.
LaCroix retreated to the back of the room, his expression curled in suppressed anger. *How dare she take Nicholas from me. He is mine. Mine, not hers. I am the one that has taken care of Nicholas for centuries. I, who protected and cherished him. I who kissed away his fears and tears.* Now Nicholas was just turning his back on him. He, LaCroix was alone. Again.
Janette, however, was smiling at the two of them. She, too was overcome with excitement at the thought of a baby. As she wondered whether the baby would be mortal or immortal, he thought she could feel two hearts beating -or- two separate heartbeats. She neither knew, nor cared how Natalie had become pregnant; for Janette, the important thing was that Nick was going to be a father. She was going to make sure that she had a place in their lives, as the thoughtful and well-loved Auntie.
"Wonderful news, I will call my decorator..." They looked at her. "Well, we have to prepare for the special arrival, now don�t we? Oh so many things to do, and such little time."
Nick and Natalie, holding each other in perfect harmony, smiled at her. Janette reached out and both Nick and Nat took her hand.
No one noticed LaCroix leave the room.
***
Through the years
It's better everyday
You've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay
I'll stay with you
Through the years
***
End of part five