The Cup of Life

By Summer

Beta read by: Ms. Handbag

Pairings: LaCroix/Nick

Disclaimer: I don't own them, nope. Maybe they own me? Would that be ok?

The night was still young and for a change, LaCroix felt content. Things were getting back to the way he liked it. Janette had returned and reclaimed her club; Nicholas was no longer viewing his master as the ultimate evil in the world.

Right now, Nicholas was probably at work defending the mortals from the vermin of the city. Things had been getting much better over the past year, ever since Javier Vachon had arrived in Toronto. Even now the young vampire was on the dance floor doing some very slow moves with a newly brought across vampire. He looked rather sensual and LaCroix found it hard to look away from the sexy Spanish vampire.

It had been several weeks since Divia's death and it had taken a great deal of pull to get the young vampire to recover from losing his own blood child, Ursula, who at the hands of LaCroix's own daughter, was killed in an act of revenge. Vachon seemed to finally be coming out of his depression.

Tonight was special at the Raven. No mortals were present at the club. This was the night of inheritance. The night when all vampires celebrated their birth and thanked their masters for the gifts of eternal life. Not that LaCroix expected much from his own children on this night , but he was glad he could channel his offspring and see that they were at peace.

Janette was leaning over the bar, allowing a very young, yet good looking fledgling drool over her. Janette always enjoyed flirting. LaCroix suspected this young fledgling didn't even have a clue that to Janette he was but a mouse and she was the cat. Amused, LaCroix turned away and sipped at the house special. Yes, this moment in time was indeed worthy of remembering.

As the loud vibrating music stilled, Vachon made his way over to the stage, and whispered something to the lead singer. Then turning he hurried over to the bar, all the while eyeing LaCroix in a very desirable way. Swallowing a sip of blood, LaCroix wondered what the young Spaniard was up to, though he recognized the look in those dark brown eyes. Yes, he knew that he had spent these past few weeks tending to Vachon personally, but it was more out of obligation then anything else. He found Vachon attractive, but hardly more then a distraction.

There was only one creature on this planet that held him in a spell, and as much as LaCroix has suffered from the day Nicholas De Brabant had been brought across, he had no regrets. The past eight hundred years had been glorious. Although Nicholas was more pliable these days, he still had shown no inclination that he wanted to return to their old relationship. The one that LaCroix sorely missed. The relationship had developed after Janette had left to pursue her own interests.

It had been a happy time for LaCroix and it had lasted for decades, until for some reason, Nicholas once again began to judge LaCroix's way of life, and pull away from his kind, and most importantly from him.

Vachon reached the bar, and to LaCroix's surprise, snatched the drink from the ancient's hand and drank the rest of the blood down in one gulp. As Vachon headed toward the dance floor, he paused, and with a gesture invited LaCroix to join him. The music began to play and LaCroix decided to throw caution to the wind. After all, he deserved a little fun now again.

Without hesitation LaCroix moved out from behind the bar, and ignoring Janette's questioning gaze walked out to the dance floor. Vachon had already started to dance with an unusual bump and grind that lured LaCroix's eyes down to Vachon's more interesting attributes. Yes, this is exactly what he needed. A distraction.

Do you really want it?

Go, go, go, ale ale ale

Go, go, go, here we go, yeah

The music, beat loudly with a heavy bass line, tribal drums and a sinuous guitar playing to the new rhythm. Everyone was getting into the flow of the party. When the door opened, Janette looked up from her fawning admirer. Nick had arrived.

He was stunning and if looks could kill, Nick's would have. He was wearing a flaming blood red silk shirt that was almost completely unbuttoned, and wearing skin tight black pants that literally showed off his every perfection. He was even wearing long black boots and a flowing black cloak. She clicked her tongue in admiration at his washed and recently cut blond curls and the lack of shave upon his face. In all it was a deadly look and it spoke one thing. Trouble.

Janette winced nervously, as she wondered what had brought the Knight here. Often it had to do with his work or it had to do with LaCroix, both of which often resulted in verbal fights that were quickly followed by physical fights. She wondered suddenly if she should remove her favorite crystal glasses from the room.

Nick stopped when he saw that the floor in the center of the room was empty except for two vampires that were moving fluidly and rather sensually. He narrowed his eyes for a moment, and then looked away. Returning his gaze towards the bar, Nick practically glided towards Janette, and taking her hand kissed it ever so lightly.

It was only then that he noticed the young fan at her heels. Nick shot the young vampire a warning as he let down his shield and brought all his eight hundred years to the fore. The young fledgling that at first found the arrival annoying backed away when he realized he was dealing with a much older and much more dangerous predator. Nick couldn't resist adding a low hiss for effect.

Ignoring Janette's nervous stare he sat down in one of the nearby stools and then spun around to watch the dance proceed. His eyes never once left LaCroix's seductive and lithe moving form.

The cup of life, this is the one.

Now is the time, don't ever stop

Push it along, gotta be strong.

Push it along, right to the top

Janette had refilled her drink and was watching the dance and Nicholas with a wry smile on her face. If she didn't know any better she would have sworn Nicholas had the little green monster on his shoulder. It was then as she was about to bring her drink to her lips that Nicholas turned and grabbed her drink from her hand. With a long look at her, he drank it down in one gulp. She smiled and waved him off, and without further ado, Nicholas turned, and shrugging off his cloak made his way to the dance floor.

Como Cain y Abel, es un partido cruel.

Tienes que pelear, por una estrella

Consigue con honor, la copa del amor

Para sobrevivir y luchar por ella

Luchar por ella (YEAH)

Do you really want it... (YEAH)

Insinuating himself in between LaCroix and Vachon, Nick turned away from his master and put his all at Vachon.

If LaCroix didn't know better the emotions he was reading off on his son verged on a bit of jealousy, but whether it was over Vachon or his master was in debate. As LaCroix watched the silent challenged dance, to his amusement, he found himself feeling as though Nicholas and Vachon were fighting over him, like he was a lioness waiting for which buck would win the fight.

Here we go! Ale, Ale Ale!

Go, go, go! Ale, Ale Ale!

Arriba va! El mundo esta de pie.

Go, Go, Gol!! Ale, Ale, Ale

La vida es, competicion. Hay que sonar, ser campeon

La copa es, la bendicion. La ganaras, Go, Go, Go!

The tempo increased to a furious pace, but they kept in step with the music. A crowd had gathered, and the impromptu audience couldn't turn away. The room seemed to sizzle as the two handsome vampires danced with fluid precision.

Nick brought in a few of his own personal moves and Vachon found himself admiring every move and trying his best to counter it with a few steps of his own. It became evident though, even to Vachon, who was gaining the upper hand.

And when you feel the heat. The world is at your feet

No one can hold you down. If you really want it

Just steal your destiny. Right from the hands of fate

Reach for the cup of life. 'Cause your name is on it

Do you really want it...(YEAH)

Vachon tried to make a turn and in the process lost his balance and fell on all fours. Admitting defeat graciously, he remained on the ground and watched Nicholas triumphantly add a few more dance moves that even LaCroix had never seen before. Including one that moved his hips in a most provocative way that had LaCroix lick his lips.

Was it just Vachon's imagination, or did he actually see LaCroix lick his lips?

Tu y yo! Ale, Ale Ale.

Go, go ,go! Ale, Ale, Ale

Tonight's the night, we're gonna celebrate

The cup of life!!! Ale, Ale, Ale.

Un, dos, tres, ale ale ale. Un, deux, trois, ale ale ale...

The music stopped and Nick ended his dance challenge with a final slice into the air with a wave of his hand. Everything was quiet, no one moved or spoke and the moment held possibilities. Then Nicholas reached down and helped Vachon to his feet.

LaCroix couldn't help but feel a little let down and headed back to the bar. He felt strong arms grab him by the shoulders and swing him around. Bracing himself for the coming confrontation that usually followed when meeting Nicholas, LaCroix was taken back when instead of seeing anger on his son’s face he saw a flash of golden eyes and then lips crushing brutally onto his.

The Kiss had done its trick and LaCroix found himself unable to respond, other then to stare in confusion at his child. But as soon as LaCroix felt the teeth biting into his lips He groaned at the flow of blood feeling every part of his body come to life.

Pulling away, Nicholas wiped his red blood stained lips with his tongue, flashing LaCroix a long look and then started for the stair case. As he walked past LaCroix, he whispered into his ear. "Do you really want it?"

LaCroix swallowed down his own blood and once again felt the heat hit him. Narrowing his eyes that held a hungry beast he started after the fleeing form.

"Do you even have to ask, Nicholas?"

Janette watched the two depart and laughed slightly. The only danger tonight would be if the bed in LaCroix's room couldn't hold two enthusiastic and thirsty night creatures.

"Well, if that don't beat all." Vachon muttered sullenly, as he returned to the bar to order another drink.

"What's the matter Vachon? Nicholas beat you fair and square.” replied Janette.

"Yeah, but at least he could have let me watch. As a consolation prize. What a letdown."

Vachon sighed. He froze when he felt Janette's fingers stroke his hair. He gulped when he saw her eyes flood with gold. She leaned close and whispered sensuously, "Then perhaps, I should help you lick your wounds."

Vachon grabbed his drink and then followed Janette upstairs to her private chambers. The night was no longer silent, and for this night there were no questions and for Nicholas no search for humanity.