Please, if you like it, and want more, tell me, and keep your eyes peeled for the next installment!

Usual disclaimer: Nick, Nat and LC aren’t mine, blah, blah…although Nicky, Sarah and Adin are.

Copyright 1998

Detective Nick Knight tossed his pen down onto his desk, shuffled a large handful of paper together, and with a grin of self satisfaction dumped the lot into his out tray.

"I-am-outta-here." he said to the near empty room. His shift was over, and nothing was going to stop him from going home.

Captain Reese had grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt the second he had walked into the room to start his shift earlier that night, and had dragged him over to his chair and pushed him forcefully into it, and while standing over him, proceeded to loudly order him to not move ,and I quote, ‘his sorry butt out of that chair’ until he had finished all of his outstanding paperwork.

He had to admit though, it had indeed accumulated into quite a bit all of a sudden.

Nick had pouted and grumbled for the first few minutes, but once started he soon tore into the mountain of triplicate forms, and slaved steadily away for the rest of the night.

"Finished?" came a light feminine voice behind him.

"And then some " he said without turning around.

Tracy Vetter, stepped into his line of vision and flopped down into her desk chair.

"So, what’s been going on in the outside world partner?" Nick asked.

"Well, since you were indisposed, I took Caine and went to talk to the owner of the Goddard Building. Mr J.M. Goddard himself. Man talk about loaded! That building is huge and I bet it didn’t even leave a dent in his bank account." Tracy exclaimed leaning back in her chair, her infamous perkiness some what abated as she shook her head in awe of the money she had seen flaunted unabashed before her that night.

Nick mirrored her position, steepled his fingers, and began to swing his chair slightly from side to side with his knee up against the desk.

A thirty-four year old, male body had been found two days earlier. Apparently murdered in his own public relations office, at the Goddard Corporation building in down town Toronto.

"Did you get anything?" he asked knowing full well the answer would be negative. He knew the minds of the incredibly wealthy such as Goddard, They would reveal nothing, and more likely than not, run you in circles while skillfully evade every question asked, until you felt like ripping their aristocratic throats out.

He had done just that on occasion, back in the days of his greatest sinning. The memories of the long ago time still haunted his everyday.

His wretched beast within was often too great a weight to bare some days. Those days were long and hard. They were filled with the screams of the dead echoing in his ears until insanity would threaten to drown him in their blood.

But today had been a good day, a boring day, but a good one none the less.

He looked up and raised an eyebrow at Tracy who had not yet answered him. She was chewing her bottom lip, appearing hesitant.

"Well?" he prompted.

"I’m not sure, he didn’t say anything specific, but I got the distinct impression that he was holding out on something." Tracy said raising her eyes to meet Nicks. "What do you think? Will it be worth going back again?"

"I don’t know? Why ask me? This is your case Trace." Nick exclaimed as he spread his hands out innocently infront of him.

"I know it’s my case. But you know these people Nick. I mean you *are* sort of one of them." She said smiling a shy cocky smile at her partner.

"Why do you say that?" he asked, with a hint of having taken offense at the suggestion in his voice.

"Nick!" Tracy lowered her voice and continued with indignation, placing her elbows on the desk infront of her, leaning toward her partner.

"You’re loaded. You’ve been around these people, you know them. So don’t play the innocent mortal with me Nick Knight!"

"Ok, Ok. I confess!" he said as he let his head loll back and his arms flop to his sides. "I’m...one of... Them!" his face scrunching in mock horror.

Tracy snorted and threw a pencil at him.

It was good to see Nick smile again, he had been so depressed and moody the past few months that Tracy had started to become genuinely concerned.

But something had happened recently to change the detective. He was almost unrecognisable at first. He was happy. Well as happy as she had ever seen him anyway.

It had been right after Natalie’s accident in fact. (Hmm. Must be a flashback looming.-Kylie) Tracy knew it had caused the change in the relationship between her partner and the infamous lady M.E. Their relationship had become solid, more defined. No more of the absurd denial of each others feelings for one another.

<<<------ Flashback -----<<<

Natalie was driving back to the coroners office, having just left the latest grizzly crimescene. Nick had looked particularly handsome tonight. His hair wind swept, he was in an extremely rare, playful mood, which made him smile that famous and very cute boyish grin of his.

God she loved his smile! She hadn’t seen much of it lately. He was diving into one of the worst bouts of guilt ridden depression she had ever seen him in. She had been worried about him. Tonight was a good night for him though, and so she was going to make the most of it.

Nick had asked her over to watch a movie after work, and she found herself grinning uncontrollably in her excitement, her stomach fluttering with a nervousness she hadn’t felt for a long time. She was really looking forward to finally spending some time with Nick. Having hardly seen him at all over the past month, work had kept either or both of them away from each other of late.

But finally tonight they had a coinciding day off, and she, for one, wasn’t about to waste it... Get a grip on yourself Lambert! It’s just a movie. Don’t too get carried away!

Natalie was conscious of the wet road after a light shower which had recently passed. So she was concentrating on the road and traffic around her carefully. Which is why she had plenty of time to ponder her next thought.

This is going to hurt.

She had time to see the white pickup truck run the red light. She had time to see and calculate that no matter what anyone did, they were going to hit. Everything happened in slow motion, the whole thing surreal.

The truck plowed into the passenger side of the car. The force of the impact shunted her car twenty metres across the intersection, and into a power pole. Her whole body pounded and vibrated, as if a large canon had gone off next to her.

Nick!! one thought. Then a darkness she had no control over, took her into it’s depths.

Nick and Tracy walked into the bullpen talking lightly about the bunnysuit found in the vice evidence lock up last night. The room around them was suddenly painfully quiet.

Nick looked around, nobody would make eye contact. A confused frown formed.

Nick was about to say something when Reese stepped out of his office, having seen them come in.

He called quietly "Nick, could you come into my office please"

*Please?* Reese never said ‘please’ and ‘in my office ‘ in the same sentence. Nick was confused and the beginnings of worry was working it’s way into his mind. He couldn’t remember doing anything lately that would warrant a summons from his Captain.

Nick walked into the Captain’s office and Reese closed the door gently behind him.

"Nick sit down. I have something to tell you." Nick sat in a chair opposite the captain’s desk. The frown on his face changed, deepened and a sudden tightness took hold in his stomach at the tone of Reese’s voice. Nick mentally steeled himself, but what his captain said next, was something he hadn’t been prepared for. It hit him like a freight train.

"Nick," Reese continued firmly but softly "Natalie’s had an accident"

"What?" It was all Nick’s brain had allowed him to say, his eyes widening. He lent forward.

"She’s been involved in an MVA on her way back to her office." Reese paused then said "She’s been hurt Nick. They’ve taken her to Mercy Faith."

"No, no I just saw her, less than an hour ago, she was fine." Nick denied waving his arms toward the door and moving further forward in his seat.

"Nick" Reese sighed and waited silently as he watched the array of emotions flood across the detectives face. Reese saw Nick gain some grasp on the reality of what he had just said.

"Nick, come on, I’ll take you to the hospital."

"How bad?" Nick asked staying in his chair as Reese stood.

Reese looked down at his desk for a brief moment. Damn he hated this! He meet Nick’s eyes again.

"The hospital said she was in a serious but stable condition. I’m sorry, but that’s all I know."

Serious! Nick dropped his gaze to the desk top, then closed his eyes and braced his hands against the Captain’s desk. Panic began to wash it’s way through Nick’s body like a growing surf. Starting in his chest, it rolled down to his toes, then back up again. He couldn’t breath. Nat! God no, not Nat! God Please, anyone but her!

Reese saw Nick’s breathing increase, the pure panic that rose in his eyes. He went round to stand next to his detective, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He could feel a slight tremor course through his body. When it threatened to become the full blown shakes Reese said softly.

"Nick, she needs you, now more than ever."

Nick kept his eyes closed, ran one trembling hand through his hair, and finally took a painful, deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Come on Nick. I’ll drive." Reese pulled gently on Nicks arm. Nick looked up at his Captain and nodded. Without any resistance he stood and turned toward the door.

With a impassionate expression on his face he left the office and headed out to the captain’s car. He didn’t think he could even fly straight right now let alone drive. But he knew he had to get to her, NOW! Reese followed Nick, having to almost trot, to keep up with the tall man striding determinedly down the hall way.

The whole precinct watched as Nick left.

"Just friends my arse!" some one muttered as the men disappeared into the night.

Nick had stood in the hospital room doorway, a trembling hand covering his mouth, staring at the still form on the bed across the room.

A form lay there, one which had always been so strong, she had seemed almost immortal in her mortality. Now she was hurt. Now she may die.

It was at that moment, as he watched Natalie lying in that hospital bed, surrounded by tubes and monitors, he realised that if she died, so would he. He couldn’t live without her. He knew what he had to do. Lacroix be damned.

Natalie had been unconscious for three days. Nick hadn’t left her side throughout. He didn’t eat and rarely slept. The usual burning hunger was overpowered by a different pain.

The nursing staff had fixed him up a cot in Natalie’s room to sleep on, having after the first day, not even bothering to suggest that he leave. It hadn’t taken them long to realise, he wasn’t going anywhere.

Natalie had woken to the most beautiful sight she could have ever imagined. Nick. He was smiling, holding her hand and brushing the hair from her forehead.

"Hi" she whispered giving Nick a slight weak smile.

"Hi, yourself." He said his heart leaping out of his chest at the sight of the breath taking blue of her eyes.

"The doctors say you’re going to be fine now that you’re awake, you just have a nasty concussion, a broken arm, a couple of ribs and a few bumps and bruises." Nick relayed the information to her, not able to take his tender gaze from hers. He paused, his mask of strength slipping away.

"Nat, you really scared me" he said quietly, his face pinched trying not to let the tears he could feel forming in his chest to surface.

Natalie reached up her hand, and caressed his cheek. She felt his lips tremble as she brushed her fingertips across them. Nick’s tears finally escaped, they ran freely down his face.

"I love you Natalie." he rasped "Please, don’t ever do this to me again!" he clutched her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

Natalie stared into Nick eyes for a moment. Three perfect, wonderful, beautiful words, and they were all for her.

"God, I love you too Nick!" she whispered passionately.

Nick gathered her up into a gentle embrace, mindful of her injuries, and moved to lay next to her on the bed and he held her close to him for the remainder of the day.

-----

Although they try to have as normal a relationship as any couple would have, their sexual relationship was somewhat limited. It didn’t stop them however from continuously pushing the boundaries of Nick’s control. They had made progress in the few short weeks they had been together.

Natalie had persuaded Nick to begin drinking human blood again, of which Lacroix had only been only too happy to supply from the Raven. With the satiation of his constant hunger which had been brought on by his diet of cow’s blood and protein shakes, Nick had not only felt healthy and strong, but he was able to control the beast within with greater ease, thus allowing he and Natalie to have some semblance of intimacy without the risk of him losing his hold on the vampire and hurting her.

A few weeks later, when the two publicly reviled their new status,( they had kissed spontaneously, a little more passionately than ‘just friends’ would, right there in the middle of the bullpen. In the end, it had seemed the easiest and quickest way to announce to everyone that they were most definitely now an official item! )

Well! Two things happened after the initial gasp and subsequent cheer.

Firstly, the entire precinct had heaved a collective sigh of relief. Secondly, and almost immediately afterwards, the longest running bet in station history was settled. Five years was a long time to let ten bucks ride on whether the detective and lady coroner would finally see what everyone else had seen since day one.

After Natalie had left, Detective Wilson had walked over to Nick and held out two hundred dollars to him. He had stuttered a little uncomfortably.

"Nick, ah, well um, This is Schanke’s winnings. He put fifty bucks on you two getting together, so um here." He thrust the money into Nicks hand and hurried back to his desk. Nick had just stared at the money in his hand, his mouth slightly agape.

He then left the bullpen and entered the empty men’s room. He shut himself in a stall, sat on the toilet and quietly let his tears fall into some waded up toilet paper. Nick was surprised at the pain and loss he still felt for his best friend and partner. But then he had been trying to push the grief away, into the far corner of his mind. It was easier than to feel and acknowledge the loss the mortal man was truly having on him. He had not long managed to stop measuring Tracy up to his old partner. This had caught him by surprise.

Through the tears that streamed down his face, he let out a chuckle

"Jesus Schank, fifty bucks! No wonder you were constantly badgering Nat me to get together!"

He smiled as he wiped the tears from his face. He folded the money and placed it carefully into his shirt pocket.

Nick let out a stifled laugh at the thought of what Don’s wife’s reaction would be when he told her, of both him and Nat getting together, and Schankes rather hefty bet. Myra was going to bring Schanke back from the dead, just so she could kill him again for doing something so stupid!

Nick had kept in close contact with his partners family. They were like his own. He had also made sure they were financially secure, and that Jenny would have funds for college. They would want for nothing, he would always make sure of that.

That had been a good day too. In fact it had been the first of many good days since.

The Knightmare it seemed was over, for now.

>>>--->>>

Tracy waited for Nick to answer her original question, eyebrows raised.

Nick sighed "Yes, it will be worth going back, and...I’ll go with you" he said resigning to the fact that he would have to interact with people whom irritated the hell out of him.

"Thanks Nick." Tracy beamed, perking right up again.

Nick suddenly looked toward the doorway, then back at his partner, his smile broadened as he said

"Your rides here."

Tracy looked from Nick to the doorway. She smiled then reached for her purse and put her jacket on. A moment later Javier Vachon sauntered into the bullpen carrying a black full faced helmet, which he tossed to Tracy.

"Knight" Vachon smiled as he nodded a greeting to the older vampire.

"Vachon"

Vachon turned to Tracy and let loose the roguish smile which never failed to make her weak at the knees, and he knew it.

"Ready?"

"Yep, Lets go" trying hard to ignore the smug smile now on his face. He had heard her heartbeat react to the first one. Damn his ears!

Oh, but they were such cute ears!

Nick rose as Vachon entered and had now donned his own long black coat. He followed Tracy and Vachon as they walked out of the precinct.

"I’ll see you tomorrow Trace" he said as they parted in the parking lot. "Drive carefully" he added to Vachon with a raised eyebrow. Vachon rolled his eyes.

Nick knew Vachon would never harm Tracy, but it didn’t hurt to remind him every now and then of what Nick would do to him if anything did happen, accidental or not.

Vachon and Tracy straddled Vachon’s Triumph, and Nick headed for his caddie. He watched, shook his head and smiled as his partner, now bikerbabe, took off into the night clutching tightly onto her vampire boyfriend. Tracy was definitely not the innocent naive rookie that she had once been.

Nick slid behind the steering wheel of the caddy, started the engine and headed gladly for home.

As the lift kicked in he shrugged out of his coat and jacket. He was tired, it had been a long night and an even longer week. He had hardly seen Natalie at all outside of work. He wearily rubbed at his eyes as the lift came to a halt.

He slid back the door, and immediately froze.

Someone had been here.

It hadn’t been Lacroix. It was someone else. They had been here, in his home!. He could smell the foreign scent, a vampire. Who ever it was, they had left at least three or four hours ago.

Nick quickly scanned the open expanse of his loft, and saw something sitting on the dining table. Throwing his coat and jacket over the piano as he passed, he walked cautiously across to the table. He could now clearly see what was upon it.

A photo album, bound in a dark green leather, and a letter, addressed to himself.

Without touching the items he turned back towards the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door, grabbing one of the lableless green wine bottles from within. Not bothering with a glass he pulled out the cork with his teeth, spat it in the sink, and took a long swig from the bottle. He turned back toward the table, and with bottle in hand he headed to one of the chairs and sat down.

Picking up the letter, he saw it was of fine quality paper, and the black script flowing and cultured. Detecting a scent, he brought the envelope to his nose and inhaled. Jasmine.

Nick started slightly at the memory the scent produced.

<<<-----Flashback-----<<<

- Michigan, New Years Eve, 1985.-

A beautiful creation stood before him. Who could this incredible vision be!? Her blonde shoulder length hair billowed gently in the night breeze. Her silk, blood red dress clung to the shapely curves of her body. And most prominently, her dark expressive eyes, which shone so brightly with such an inner light, that he was drawn to her with an intense force, of the likes he had never before experienced.

He was threatened to drown in her beauty.

He wanted her!

Now!

The unforgiving world around him, suddenly came crashing back into the foreground. The sounds and voices in the room demanding his attention.

The large stately room was packed with New Years revelers decked out in tuxedos and evening gowns. The Michigan Institute of Technology Fund raising Ball had drawn a respectable crowd. The party showed no signs of abating even though the Midnight hour long passed.

Nick glanced around the room until he caught sight of his master and sibling. Lacroix was engaged amicably in conversation with a rather interesting middle aged portly gentleman whom was wearing a rather garishly coloured waistcoat. The man was waving his arms with great exaggeration, while explaining to his ‘father’ the catastrophic implications of cutting the budget to the space programme.

One of the many Scientists here no doubt. Lacroix seemed to be enjoying himself though, Janette on the other hand looked ready to drop dead from boredom. He decided to rescue her.

Nick came alongside Janette, and whispered into her ear,

"I need your help"

Janette turned to Nick and raised an eyebrow. Nick gently took her elbow and pulled her away from their sire and his new ‘friend’. She went willingly. That was until he pointed discretely at the women in red and asked Janette

"Who...is that!"

Janette looked at the woman. Her expression softened for a moment and she glanced back at Lacroix. She then frowned ferociously as she recalled the past. She turned back to Nick and spoke tersely

"Why don’t you go and ask her." she said impatiently pulling her elbow from Nicks grasp and turning abruptly away.

"Come Janette! Don’t be that way, I know you know who she is!" Nick smiled charmingly at his one time lover now sister and friend.

Janette sighed and turned back to him.

"Very well, but you will owe me Nicolas."

Nick nodded

"Of course" he had expected nothing less from her.

"Sarah Lamont, child of Gaelan." she sighed.

"She’s one of us?" Nick said incredulously. He stood still for a moment and closed his eyes. When he opened them he gasped in astonishment

"But I can hardly feel her?" he looked to Janette for enlightenment.

"That is because she is a half breed." she spat callously.

"Oh." it was all he could say. Nick looked over to where Lacroix was still deep in conversion with the scientist. He must be genuinely entertained by this fellow, other wise Lacroix would have brushed him off long ago. Content that his master’s attention was diverted from himself, Nick made to approach the woman. A strong hand grabbed and dug into his arm as he was began to move

"You are not going to speak to her Nicolas!" Janette growled while glancing over at Lacroix.

"He would not allow you to fraternise with one so impure."

"I know." Nick shot back a devilish grin. He knew it would at the very least annoy the hell out of Lacroix, and quite possibly drive him into a blinding rage. But he would heal, he always did after Lacroix dealt out his various forms of punishment. This would be payback after all. The physical pain would be worth it.

Nick had not wanted to come tonight. He had been all but dragged here, kicking and screaming by Lacroix, who had also, as it just happened, to turn up on his doorstep a few days ago. Having pretty much left him alone for the past five years. Nick had a feeling his father was not about to let him go again so easily. The phrase, ‘Nicholas, pack your bags you are coming with us’, had sent a fairly clear picture.

Nick wrenched his arm free from Janette’s grasp and made his way over to the beautiful woman.

She was standing across the room by a set of closed patio doors.

Sarah reached up to place a few stray strands of hair back into place. Looking up, she saw a handsome blue eyed man with unruly blonde hair, dressed completely in black standing before her.

He was staring at her openly. After a moment of a silence, on the verge of becoming uncomfortable, he offered her his hand.

"Hello. Nick Gerard"

Sarah appraised the man before her for a moment, then took the offered hand and said

"Yes, I know. You are Lucien’s child are you not?"

Nick blinked in surprise

"Yes. You are aquatinted with him?"

"Our paths have met on occasion." Sarah said coolly her lips pursed.

She watched his eyebrows rise in surprise, then his smile broaden. God what a smile. Her knees felt weak and her heart raced.

"Should you be talking to me Nicholas, or has Lacroix mellowed in his old age?" She asked while toying with the stem of her champagne glass.

"No to both questions. But then, I don’t share Lacroix’s particular view of the world. So I do as I please." he said lifting his chin and puffing out his chest slightly.

Sarah smiled

" I’ll just bet you do" her disbelief quite apparent.

Nick flustered a little at her candor.

"Yes, well most of the time anyway...well some... Ok hardly ever, but tonight, I’m feeling a little daring." he managed to stumble out, his smile turning a little shy, but then widened again as she said

"Good!" she then looked at him sideways and seductively purred

"Shall we dance?"

"I’d be honored." Nick offered Sarah his hand. They rid themselves of their champagne glasses and made their way out onto the dance floor.

Lacroix glanced across the room to check on his children. He had felt a change in mood from Nicholas. His strong aristocratic features frowned. What he saw did not please him, not one bit. He let out a tortured sigh.

"Aren’t you going to do something?!" Janette hissed as she moved to his side.

Lacroix turned his head slightly in her direction.

"No, There are too many present. Let this be his last act of defiance toward me. It is obviously intentional, and I shall not give him the satisfaction of receiving what he expects."

He returned his gaze to his son. He would deal with his insolent son at a later time.

"He shall be returning with us tomorrow, after which this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated any longer." Lacroix’s voice was low and dangerous, his glare never leaving Nicholas.

He offered his arm to Janette, who was still pouting, staring at Nicholas and Sarah dancing. It turned into a wilting glare as the couple moved much too close together.

Lacroix took Janette’s arm

"Come, we shall leave him to his foolishness" With a last glance at the pair he led his daughter from the party and out into the night.

They would hunt until the first rays of the morning sun forced them to find shelter.

Later that night.

Nick’s back thumped up against the wall beside his hotel room door. Sarah’s body forcefully pressed up against his, keeping him from moving as her lips passionately and madly sought out his. Nick fumbled with the lock on the door without disengaging himself from the task at hand. When the door finally opened he wrapped his arms around her waist and guided them both inside, his lips never leaving hers. He kicked the door closed as they began to instantly tear each others clothes off, letting them fall where they may.

The couple made their way to the large bed in the centre of the room where they fell, naked, hands sliding over each others bodies.

"It’s been a long time Nick " Sarah mumbled breathlessly against his lips.

Nick rolled her onto her back, his weight against her, and as he began to kiss his way down her neck, to her ample breast, he breathed

"For me too. I won’t hurt you Sarah" and he new that he couldn’t, for even though she was only half vampire she still had the strength to pull him off if the need should arise.

"I know" she let out a low breathless moan as he reached her breasts. After sampling her hardened nipples, he carried his ministrations on south.

Nick woke the next night to an empty bed. He rolled over and saw a note on the pillow next to him, he smiled. It hadn’t just been an intensely amazing dream! How long had it been since he had such a night of passion! Way too long! He pressed the paper to his nose, a gentle scent of jasmine permeated from it. The same perfume Sarah had been wearing. Smiling he opened the note.

My dearest Nicky,

Thank you for the wonderful night.

For making me feel beautiful and special, if only for a while.

It means more to me than you’ll ever know.

Au revoir

Mon amour,

Sarah.

Nick continued to smile. Sighing as he carefully folded the note and reached out to the dresser to place it in his bag, where it sat half packed.

He had always known this was never going to be anything more than a one night stand, as had she, but he hoped to meet up with her again. You never know. He grinned at the fantasies this thought created.

Content he rolled out of bed and padded across the room to see if he could rescue any of the clothes he had been wearing the night before, then began to finish packing his bag.

Four years later he would find himself being blown apart by a pipe bomb in a convenience store. He would not think of Sarah again after that day, for that was the day his heart and soul were claimed by another.

----->>>

Nick turned the envelope over and opened the seal. He unfolded the letter from within and took a deep breath. He began to read.

My dearest Nicholas,

It’s been a long time hasn’t it. I have thought of you often over the past few years.

Sadly though, if you have this letter, then I will not gaze upon your beautiful face again.

As on the event of my death Aristotle was to leave this letter and a photo album with you. Please Nick, forgive me for what I’m about to tell you.

As unbelievable as this is about to sound, it is the truth. That new years night we spent together, had an unforeseen consequence. About two months later, I discovered I was pregnant.

>>

Nick’s mouth dropped open, and he stared at the letter in his hand, unable to read on. This wasn’t possible. Vampires can’t have children! Sarah knows this! Why is she doing this to me?

He read on, only to have his universe shift out from under him.

>>

Nick, I know you don’t believe me, but the child is yours. There is no question in my mind what so ever. You are the only person I have slept with for over 20 years. God, he even looks just like you!

I suppose your next question is Why didn’t I tell you long ago?. Well at first I was afraid of the others, the community, the enforcers.

I know what the full blooded of our kind think of me. I know how they treat me. I was afraid they would kill him. You and Lucien were the only ones of our kind to show me any kindness or respect. So I named him after you both. His name has been a reminder for me of the good things which have happened in my life. It gave me comfort to hear your name. To Nicky though it is a piece of his father to have as his own.

Later, as time went on, and we had been safely hidden from the community for quite some time, my reasons for keeping him from you became selfish. I feared that if you knew about him, you would want to take him away from me.

It was irrational of me I know, you aren’t like that, but having a child can make you do irrational things. I’m sorry Nick, for depriving you and our son of that time together.

I’m writing this letter now, because I’ve been diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The doctors don’t think I will see out the year. I’m dying Nick.

I don’t want our son to be alone. He needs one of us to help him through the changes he is inevitably going to go through...which he is already going through.

This illness has given me the courage to finally face you with the truth .

As my pregnancy went on, I became mortal. How, why, I don’t really know, but I could spend several hours in the sun with minimal discomfort. It is truly glorious Nick. Yet another miracle I owe you.

But the price of my mortality was high. Don’t misunderstand, every second was worth it. To see my son grow, to see him everyday and to hear him say that he loves me. Every moment has been worth every lifetime I have ever lived or that I ever might have.

So, as I became mortal so to did I become susceptible to mortal sickness...and death.

Our son too is mortal, although I have begun to notice vampiric traits appearing in him in the past couple of years. What this will lead to, I don’t know. He needs you Nick, now more than ever. You are the only family he has, and right now he is alone and hurting.

Nick please don’t be angry, but I told him his father had died before he was born. Try to understand why I told him this. I didn’t want him longing for you, I didn’t want him waiting for someone, who would never come.

So, he doesn’t know about you, and won’t, unless you decide to be his father. Take him in Nick, he needs you and I think, perhaps, you need him too.

I know this isn’t coming out right. I can only hope I was right about you Nick, your love, caring, honour and strength are what you can give to him . Go to him, love him, he’s of your blood, your son.

If you decide to change your life, and that is what taking him in will demand, call Aristotle, he will tell you where he is, and what you need to do.

Please forgive me Nick,

Goodbye my knight, my love.

Sarah.

Nick felt the bloodtears run down his face as he read the letter. They now dropped silently onto the table. He wiped his face with the palms of his hands, trying to get his thoughts into focus.

Nick folded the letter back into the envelope, and placed it on the table. Pulling the photo album closer, he ran his fingers over the cover.

Turning the cover over, Nick stared at the first page. The face of a new born infant was looking back. Underneath was written the baby’s name.

Nicholas Lucien deBrabant - Born 25th August, 1985.

Tears anew fell from his face. This was a dream. It had to be.

As he flipped through the pages the boy in the photographs grew and aged. Birthdays, a day at the Zoo, his first day of school.

The final page was of the boy maybe eight or nine years old, blue eyed, wavy blonde hair bleached almost white by the sun, smiling, and his mother, as beautiful as ever, she too was smiling. They were happy, and so full of life, and the sun was shining.

Nick stared intently at the last photo, then leaving the album open, he rose and crossed the room to the phone, he picked it up and called the one person he right now wanted to share this moment with.

"Lambert here" She had just got home from work.

"Nat, it’s me."

"Nick! Hi, how was your day." Nick could hear her smiling on the other end. He smiled back.

"Uneventful...that was until I arrived home" he paused then asked

"Nat can you come over, now?" the smile had faded and his voice grew soft and needing.

Natalie didn’t ask any questions she could hear in his voice that he was upset about something.

"I’ll be right there." With that she hung up, grabbed her purse and keys and headed back out the door.

Nick walked back over to the table and picked up the album. He carried it over to his black leather couch and sat down. Holding the book in his lap he continued to flip through the pages until he heard the lift start to descend to pick up Natalie.

As she entered the loft, Natalie saw Nick, sitting on the couch looking intensely down at a book. As she neared, she saw the pink tear tracks down his face.

"Nick what’s wrong!" she rushed to his side.

"Nothing."he said turning to smile at her "Absolutely nothing is wrong." he looked into her eyes then back down at the book, Natalie followed his gaze.

"Who’s that?" she asked she was looking at a picture of a boy about six years old.

"I think he’s my son" Nicks voice was soft and rasped with emotion. He looked back to Natalie. She was staring at him mouth open, eyes wide. Her brain disengaged in shock.

"I know, that was my first reaction too." a half grin pulling his at his face.

"B..but, I thought...?" she stumbled as she moved to sit next to him.

"That we can’t have children? Yeah me too." Nick finished. Natalie raised her eyebrows in question.

Nick tried to explain what happened, to the best of his knowledge.

"His mother was only half vampire. Who knew this was possible? I certainly didn’t. Lacroix maybe, I don’t know." Nick shook his head and shrugged his shoulders

" Her kind are not fondly thought of within the community, and they’re usually either ostracised or killed, more often killed. Her sire was old though, so she was somewhat protected." Nick’s jaw tightened in determination as he looked at Natalie.

"He may not be my son Nat, but I have to find out, I can’t abandon him. I have to know." Nicks eyes pleaded understanding to Natalie. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders pulling their heads together, and held him tight

"I understand Nick, I’m here for you, for you both. What ever you decide." Natalie ran her fingers through his hair. Nick turned his face to hers and kissed her tenderly.

"Thankyou Nat, God, how I love you."

After disentangling for a moment to call Aristotle. They spent the rest of the day wrapped up together on the couch looking through the new life before them.

-----

Lacroix lent back in his office chair, fingers steepled and drawn to his lips. Nicholas had left the city. Why?

He could feel intense emotions radiating from his son. What trouble had Nicholas’s persistent divergence into this mortal life created now?

Having called Aristotle, Nick had found the roundabout location of the child.

He couldn’t think of him as his son yet, it would just be too painful if it turned out that he was not.

He had called his travel agent that afternoon, and had booked a first class ticket for himself to Paris on the first flight leaving Toronto that night.

Sarah had taken her son to a town a few kilometres north of the city where they had lived for the better part of the past five years.

He would have liked Natalie to have come, but she couldn’t leave her work at such short notice, so he was going alone.

Natalie had left for work a short time ago, so he busied himself with packing his bag. Nick glanced at his watch and picked up the phone to call the precinct. The Captain should be in by now.

"96th, Reese." boomed the voice of his Captain.

"Ah, Cap, it’s Nick,"

"Please tell me you are not going to be late." pleaded Reese.

"I’m not going to be late." Nick said then added

"I’m not going to be in at all... not for a few days"

Nick winced and quickly pulled the phone away from his ear as the Captain’s voice got somewhat louder.

After taking a deep breath Reese demanded.

"You had better give me a dammed good excuse Knight!"

Nick paused for a moment, deciding how much to tell his boss. What the hell, he was going to find out anyway.

"I have to go to Paris to collect my son."

Silence.

"I didn’t know you had a son." Reese finally said his tone a little lower.

"Neither did I until last night. His mother has recently died. I’m the only family he has." Nick told his boss and friend.

"Wow."

"Yeah, tell me about it. I’d appreciate it if you kept this to yourself for now Joe." Nick asked.

"Of course, just let me know when you get back" Reese said his tone accepting of the situation. It was a pretty good excuse.

"Thanks Cap," Nick sighed then added " I’m sorry for bunking on you Joe, but I have to do this."

"I understand Nick. I’ll hear from you when you get back."

"Yes. Thanks again."

Nick hung up the phone, placed the last few items into his bag, zipped it up, and headed downstairs to wait for the taxi which would take him to the airport.

Nick touched down in Paris about three hours before dawn. He made his way to the hotel he had booked himself into to await the following night.

Nick didn’t sleep all day. He had dozed at times, but mainly passed the time impatiently flicking through the multitude of TV channels, and pacing the large suite.

The moment the sun had dropped to a tolerable level, he had left for the central city Law office which Aristotle had instructed him to visit, per Sarah’s orders.

He now stood in the small, elegant foyer of an old stone building. A short, round man with balding hair, exited a door from behind the reception desk.

"Nicolas?" The man spoke to Nick, eyebrows raised.

"Yes."

The man smiled and extended his hand.

"Bonsoir!, I am Gerard Couelle, Miss Lamonts solicitor, welcome to Paris" Nick shook the mans hand and nodded.

"Please come this way, Miss Lamont left something for you here, a video I believe." The solicitor beaconed Nick into his office.

They entered the small office, it was tastefully decorated with leather and wood, as many old law offices were. Shelves run the entire length of the room, crammed with large law texts.

"Please, sit." Couelle waved his hand at the chair by his desk as he bent to a bottom draw and came up with a video cassette.

"She left this with me about a week before she died. She said you were to watch it first, then ask questions" Couelle smiled "Her words"

Nick smiled as he imagined the conversation.

Couelle placed the tape into a machine on top of a television, set into a wall cabinet. He handed Nick the remote control.

"I’ll leave you to watch it, I’ll be outside when you are finished."

Nick nodded.

"Thank you."

The solicitor left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

Nick looked down at the remote in his hand and pressed the play button.

Suddenly, there she was. Her hair had been shawn short, she looked pale and thin. But still beautiful, the spark still glittering in her dark eyes.

She was outside in the sun, sitting comfortably in a chair, surrounded by rose bushes and flowers.

She smiled, then spoke,

"Hello Nicholas." Nicks eyes filled with unshed tears and his throat tightened.

"Hello Sarah" he whispered.

Sarah went on and talked about her son, his talent for music, his love of ice hockey, his intelligence, his stubbornness, his favourite food. Lastly she spoke to Nick, she warned him of what to expect from her son when they would finally meet.

"Nick, he’s going to be angry, at you, at me, at everyone. I’m sorry, but he seems to have inherited my temper." She smiled at the thought. Nick chuckled, it was as if she was really here talking to him, not gone, not dead. But she was. He let out a shaky sigh.

"But don’t despair, you will survive, and so will he, for I know without a doubt that he will be safe and be loved by you." The tears that had been teetering, fell at last as he heard her voice her undying faith in him.

"Forgive me Nicholas. Sarah looked down at her hands for a moment, then back up to meet Nick’s eyes. " Remind him of my love for him Nick, for he will forget as the pain buries the good times." Nick nodded "Goodbye Nicholas. No regrets." She smiled lovingly at him a tear fell across her cheek.

And then she was gone.

After a moment Nick stopped the tape. He saw a box of tissues on the desk and plucked several. He wiped his eyes for a few minutes, and with a ragged breath he stood to recall Mr Couelle.

The solicitor brought with him a satchel. He stood behind his desk and pulled out a folder.

"These are the papers of Guardianship for the boy, and this..." he said pulling out a single piece of paper and holding it out to Nick.

"...is the blood test results which you asked for. They arrived by international courier late this afternoon."

Nick took the piece of paper from Couelle. He looked at the DNA match up between the boy and himself.

He had to sit down. The laboratory stated that there was a 99.98% chance that Nick was the biological father of this child.

"Congratulations. It’s a boy." The solicitor said with a large grin splitting his face. Nick looked up at him still in a daze. Then he smiled.

"Thank you. May I use your phone?" he asked the still beaming man.

"Of course"

Nick picked up the phone and dialed Natalie’s number. A moment later in a different time zone, a familiar groggy voice answered,

"Mmmf Lambert."

"Nat it’s me." Nick said barely able to contain his excitement.

"Nick!"

Nick paused for a moment, she knew why he was calling. She waited.

"He’s mine." he said barely above a whisper, desperately restraining his tears of absolute joy. He heard Natalie breathe in suddenly. It wouldn’t be a good idea to bleed tears infront of the man standing before him.

"Oh Nick! This is wonderful! Oh Nick, Nick!" Natalie was crying into the phone. Nick just smiled as he listened to her.

"What happens now?" She finally asked. Nick looked back to the solicitor who was standing behind his desk, and repeated the question.

"Now you have to sign the guardianship papers, and then you have to go and get him." he was still smiling. Nick continued to hold the phone to his ear as he picked up a pen and turned the papers toward him, he paused, then with a flourish he signed his name at the bottom of the page.

"I love you Nick" Natalie said softly into his ear.

"I love you too." A lump rose in his throat and threatened to escape.

They said goodbye and Nick hung up the phone.

The solicitor thrust an address into Nicks hand and repacked the papers into the satchel.

"This is where your son is staying, I will call them to let them know you are coming."

"Thankyou." Nick looked at the address. it was a social services facility for children in a town called Persan, about forty five minutes out of Paris. He glanced at the time, it was only eight o’clock, but what was early for a person of the night...

"Can I go tonight?" he asked Couelle.

"Yes, they are expecting you." the man gave Nick a half smile as he said

"She knew you would come." the solicitor looked back down at the satchel and exclaimed

"Oh my! I almost forgot!" he reached into the satchel once again and returned with an envelope.

"She asked me to give this to you to hand on." he said passing it to Nick. Nicks eyes widened in surprise at the name written upon it.

Lucien Lacroix.

The desire to open it was almost too much to overcome, but Nick carefully placed it in his inside coat pocket and tried to ignore it.

"I will send the copies and papers you will require to your hotel as soon as they are processed." Couelle said finally.

Nick thanked the solicitor once again as he shook his hand. After taking his leave, he left the small office.

At nine o’clock, Nick pulled his hired, late model BMW into the parking lot of the Persan Children’s Home. His stomach was twisted into a tight not. The closer he had gotten to his destination, the more nervous he had become.

He stepped out of the car and gazed up at the old three storied brick building, he took a few deep breaths, then made his way inside.

He was immediately greeted by a middle aged man striding toward him with an outstretched hand. He was wearing a brown cardigan and metal rimmed spectacles, the perfect image of a French psychologist.

"Mr Knight, welcome, I am Rene Piaget"

Nick shook his hand.

"Thankyou" after a pause he added

"I must confess to being a bit nervous" he anxiously played with the ring on his little right finger.

"I’m not surprised in the least. If I were you, I’d be a blubbering mess about now, and please, call me Rene." The man smiled heartily at Nick relieving some of his tension.

"Come, I thought we would talk for a few minutes before I bring young Nicky to meet you." Rene gestured to his office door.

"I thought it would be a good idea to try and prepare you for what Nicky’s reaction might be when he meets you." Rene said looking into Nicks eyes for understanding. When he saw it he continued

"He was told of your existence earlier today, his reaction was what I had expected. Professed denial. He will not believe that his mother had lied to him about your death." Rene took a deep breath

"So, I would be prepared for a some what unsavoury welcome. But then again, I have been watching him all evening, and I think he’s more confused than anything, he doesn’t know whether to be angry or happy about seeing you."

Nick nodded

"I understand."

Rene went on.

"Well, what can I tell you about Nicky. Well, he hates to be called Nicholas..."

Nick smiled, he hated it too. At least they’ll have one thing in common.

"...and he’s alot more intelligent, articulate and perceptive than the average child his age. He’s a good, well mannered boy, very helpful. He would often help myself or my wife doing odd jobs." Rene frowned slightly as he continued.

"He can be quiet sometimes, and has become extremely so since his mother died."

"How long has he been here?" Nick interrupted.

"About six weeks, he was brought here when his mother was taken to the local hospice. He would visit her everyday, whether I took him or not, until her death two weeks ago. He is a very head strong young man, who loves his mother. She was all he had...until today."

Nick shifted nervously in his chair

"He doesn’t come with a manual does he?"he asked Rene only half joking. He was becoming a little daunted.

"No, but I’m working on it" he replied smiling, waving a hand toward the computer on his desk.

"Just be yourself, he’ll not respond well to anything else." Nick nodded his understanding.

Rene clasped his hands together and leaned forward in his chair and with a gentle smile asked.

"So, are you ready to meet your son?" he asked Nick. Nick took a deep settling breath and nodded

"As I’ll ever be."

"Ok, I’ll go and get him then."

Nick’s stomach began to palpitate as the man stood and left the room. He sat still, trying not to sweatblood, literally.

Ten minutes went by. Nick had run his fingers through his hair, straightened his jacket several times and brushed invisible lint off the coat folded across his knee. The door to the office opened. Nick froze and held his breath.

He had felt his son’s presence a short time ago. At least he had assumed it was the boy he was feeling, and not another vampire.

As he had waited, he had opened his mind to try and detect any signs of the telltale vampiric vibe. He had hoped not to feel it from the boy, but Sarah had been right, the child had the vampire element in his blood. Nick frowned slightly as he realised the boys’ vampiric vibe was much stronger than that of his mothers.

As Rene entered and turned back toward the open door which hid the boy from Nick’s view, Nick rose to his feet. Rene made quick eye contact with Nick then faced the doorway and beckoned with his hand urging the boy in.

The tension left Nicks face as he saw his son enter the room. He was beautiful. His blonde hair was cropped short in a military fashion, he was wearing jeans and a white Tshirt, his skin lightly tanned. His blue eyes bright and intense.

The pair stood and stared at each other, silently taking each other in.

When he thought it was safe to continue, Rene made the introductions.

"Nicky, this is Nick Knight, your father."

Nick saw the boy’s jaw tighten at the mention of him being his father. They would have a lot to get through. But for now he just smiled gently and held out his hand, resisting the urge to just take him in his arms and hold him.

"Hello Nicky."

Nicky just looked at Nick’s hand for a moment then cautiously took it. He released it quickly, remaining silent, never raising his eyes.

Rene instructed them to take their seats again. Nicky sat in a chair opposite Nick, a comfortable distance away.

Nick glanced down at the hand he just shook with, and rubbed his fingers against the palm. Something had happened when they had touched. It had been like static electricity without the bite, a buzz really. Odd. He looked at Nicky to see if he had the same reaction. The boys’ face was guarded, but his right hand was clenched into a tight fist.

Rene looked and talked directly to Nicky in a gentle yet firm voice.

"Nicky, as I told you earlier, you will be going with Nick tonight. You will live with him at his home."

"What if I don’t want to." Nicky lent back crossing his arms over his chest. He looked defiantly at Rene, still avoiding all eye contact with Nick.

They were the first words the boy had spoken since entering, and they thrust into Nick’s chest and ripped out his heart. Outwardly though, he remained unmoving and silent.

Rene fielded the question firmly

" You do not have a choice Nicky, he is your father and your legal guardian, you will be leaving with him tonight."

After a pause to let the comment sink in he asked the boy, in an effort to distract him from thinking too much about what was happening to him.

"Have you finished packing your bag?" The boy just nodded and stared down into his hands.

Another moment of silence passed, then much to Nicks relief and barely contained joy, Nicky turned to him and asked quietly.

"Where do you live?" still not meeting his eye. But right now Nick would take what he could get.

"I live in Toronto, Canada" he smiled gently as Nicky’s eyes widened slightly.

The smile vanished as Nick saw the apprehension grow in the boy’s face. Nick let out his breath and tried to think of something to say to the boy to ease his fears.

But he didn’t have to. Nicky nodded his acceptance at the situation he was in. Which was just as well because he couldn’t think of anything, nothing the boy would believe anyway.

Nick caught Nicky stealing glances at him as he and Rene continued to chat with each other for a while. But the boy asked him nothing else and remained quiet and sullen.

Rene helped Nick make a list of things he would need to do and organise once they got back to Toronto. Most of which Nick had already been mentally preparing anyway.

As Rene observed the two had become a little more relaxed in each others company he suggested that they go and collect Nicky’s belongings.

They made their way down a long dimly lit dormitory corridor. As they went, Nick heard muffled whispers, and caught glimpses of small, curious eyes peeking out from behind cracked doors.

Everyone had obviously been excitedly expecting his impending arrival. Everyone that was, except Nicky.

They neared an open, lit doorway which led into a small room with two single beds a desk and a set of draws. On one of the beds was a medium sized duffle bag. Nicky entered and picked up the bag. Nick followed him and reached out his hand for the bag

"Here let me."

"No" Nicky snapped pulling the bag out of reach, then softer but just as defiantly added,

"I can carry it"

As the boy moved back towards the open door, Nick raised an eyebrow and looked at Rene who gave him a slight shrug and a half smile in response.

The two men followed the boy back down the corridor. As they reached the main foyer, Rene stopped Nicky and turned the solemn boy to face him. Placing his hands on the boys shoulders he told the boy. "Be good Nicky, we’ll all miss you around here. Write to me and tell me what Canada’s like, Yes?"

Nicky nodded

"Thank you Monseuior Piaget, Bye." Nicky then turned away, his shoulders slouching unhappily, and walked toward the door leading outside.

Nick also grasped Rene’s hand and gave his thanks.

"If you have any problems, just give me call." Rene told Nick as he held onto his hand.

"I will."

Then with a final wave to the boy Rene watched the boy and his father push the main door open and head out into the night.

The ride back to the hotel was a quiet one. Nick had tried to start some form of conversation but soon gave up the futile attempt. He instead listened to his sons heartbeat as he drove, he soon heard it slow as the boy drifted into sleep.

A sudden thought occurred to him then and he kicked himself mentally for not thinking of it earlier. Just how much knowledge, or if any at all did Nicky have of what he and his mother were. What the boy himself may one day become.

Nick spent the rest of the trip figuring out how to tell his new found son that his father was a blood-sucking creature of the night.

As they pulled up to the hotel Nicky woke. Nick saw one of his sons eyebrows rise at the sight of the hotel.

"We’re staying here?" he asked. Nick heard the boys heartbeat increase slightly in anticipation. He smiled.

"Yes, just for tonight, we’ll be flying out tomorrow."

As Nick handed his car keys to the waiting valet. A porter came and took Nicky’s bag, which he gave willingly, an act which didn’t go unnoticed by Nick, who hid a slight smile by wiping his mouth innocently with his hand.

The porter led the pair up to their room. Nicky looking curiously around as they went.

"I’ve only seen this place from the outside before." he said to Nick as they entered the lift which would take them to one of the penthouse suites.

As they entered the elegant rooms. Nicky exclaimed softly

"Wow, this place is bigger than our house!"

Nick motioned to the porter to leave the bag where he stood, and after receiving his tip the porter left .

"Are you hungry?" Nick asked.

"No" Nicky replied absently as he curiously inspected the living area.

Nick picked up the boy’s bag and headed toward one of the bedrooms.

"You can sleep in here. It’s getting late. You must be tired. I know I am." he said.

Nicky followed him silently into the room. A large queen sized bed dominated the room. There was a large ensuite off to the left and a large wardrobe to the right. Nick placed the bag on the bed and left it for Nicky to unpack what he needed for the night.

Nick stood in the doorway as he watched Nicky open his bag and pull out his pyjamas. He took in a breath and spoke to the boys back.

"I know this is hard, Nicky, This is all pretty new to me too. We’re both making some major changes in our lives." Nick moved back into the room so that he faced Nicky.

"I may not always do or say the right thing, but I’ll always try to do right by you. But I’m going to need you to help me out sometimes by telling me when things aren’t alright with you. Ok?"

Nicky had paused at what he was doing and after taking a breath and letting it out, he nodded slightly "Ok."

Nick nodded and turned toward the door.

"I’ll let you get some sleep then." he took a step toward the door then turned back to his son and said haltingly

"Ah, I um... I work the nightshift so I’ll...um probably sleep much of the day. You’ll be alright if you wake before I do?" Nick saw the first real smile cross the boys face briefly as he said

"Yeah, I know, I’ll be fine."

Nicky still didn’t look at Nick instead sat down on the floor and proceeded to methodically take off his shoes and socks.

Nick breathed a sigh of relief as he realised that he wouldn’t have to start at square one in explaining his unique heritage to his son.

"Just what do you know?" Nick asked carefully

"About what?"

God this was going to be like pulling teeth! Nick cried in his mind.

Nicky had seen Nicks expression change to one of anguished desperation and decided to let him off the hook. It was late after all, and he was tired.

"I don’t know, just what my mother told me."

Having changed into his pyjamas, Nicky stood looking at where he was to sleep. He just couldn’t resist.

Taking a few steps back until his back was up against the door, he ran full tilt, and did a flying leap on to the huge bouncy bed.

He jumped up and down a couple of times before dropping down to snuggle down under the luxurious softness of the blankets and lay there staring into the dark. He thought about this new guy, Nick.

Apart from thinking he was his father, he seemed alright. He must be rich though, to be able to afford a suite in this place.

It was very different to the comfortable yet simple surroundings he and his mother had lived in.

He wasn’t so sure he liked the idea of going to Canada, it was a long way from where his mother was. He wanted to go and see her grave, he had only been there on the day of the funeral. Maybe Nick would take him. If he wouldn’t, then he would take himself.

With that thought in his mind, began to hum a lullaby his mother used to sing to him when he was smaller until he at last fell asleep, his tears dampening the soft pillow.

Closing Nicky’s bedroom door behind him, Nick walked over to the kitchen area, pulled open the fridge and withdrew a bottle.

He swigged half the bottle of bloodwine he had acquired from his Paris contact, while standing leaning against the fridge. He listened to his son get ready for bed.

His son! Nick grinned. He went to the couch and lay down, he flopped one arm over his eyes and brought the bottle to his lips with the other. He lay there letting the past few hours sink in. He chuckled quietly as he had heard Nicky leap onto the bed, and breathed deeply, as he heard him sing and cry himself to sleep.

How much of his sons life had he missed out on?! For the first time he began to feel angry at Sarah for keeping Nicky from him.

The feeling soon subsided as he reaquired the understanding of why she had not told him. Her reasons had been valid, even now, with himself and Lacroix (he hoped), to protect him, he could still be in danger. Especially if the enforcers became interested. Nick let out a long calming breath, and tried to put the morbid thoughts from his mind. He didn’t want to think about all that just now. Reaching for the phone he called Natalie and spent the next hour telling her all that had happened.

By three am, exhaustion over came him. With all the emotional stress tonight and having not slept the day before. Nick soon found himself drifting to sleep, thinking only good thoughts of the life that he had created.

Nicky woke in a confused fog. He rubbed his eyes as he took in his surroundings. The memories rushed back into his mind, and he sat still for a moment before slipping off the bed and over to his bag.

He dressed in his jeans and a clean black t-shirt. He pulled on the socks and shoes he had worn the night before, and repacked his bag.

Tip-toeing across the room he cracked open his door and peered out into the living area of the hotel suite. He could see the top of Nick’s head as he lay asleep on the couch. He closed the door again and went over to the bedside table to check the time, two-thirty, the sun was still high in the sky. He would have plenty of time.

If Nick was anything like his mother, he would sleep like the dead.

Hoisting his duffle onto his shoulders, he once again opened the bedroom door. He checked that Nick was still asleep, then slowly crept pass him to the door, watching the sleeping man all the way across the room, making sure he didn’t wake.

Nicky carefully and quietly opened the main door and slipped out, softly clicking the door closed behind him.

He made his way quickly through the hotel and out onto the street. He had been to Paris several times with his mother, so he had some idea of how to get around.

Nicky looked up and down the main street getting his bearings, then turning left, he headed down the footpath. A few minutes later, and after asking an elderly lady for directions, he made his way down into the Metro.

Standing on the platform, he had to wait twenty long agonizing minutes for the train he needed. Jumping on, he sat down in an empty window seat and relaxed for the first time since leaving the hotel.

It had been earlier that morning when he had woken with a start. Sweat beaded his brow and his heart was racing. He knew what he had to do. He had to leave. He didn’t want to go to Canada, he didn’t want to go with that man. He didn’t want to leave his mother. He didn’t want her to have left him.

He had cried for an hour before he finally fell back in to a restless sleep.

Now he watched the city slip by, eventually turning into the lush green country fields which had been his home more than half his life.

Nick woke abruptly, the bottle he had been holding fell to the floor with a soft thump as it hit the plush carpet. Something was wrong. Nick sat up and listened. He couldn’t hear Nicky’s heartbeat He leapt from the couch, panic on the verge of setting in and quickly went into Nicky’s room.

Empty, and his bag was gone too.

"Damn!" Nick swore. He looked at the time, ten past five. The sun wouldn’t be down for another hour. "Damn!". He went back out into the living room rubbing his hand across his forehead, cursing himself for not waking, as he tried to think what to do. He grabbed his coat, and rummaged through the pockets until he found the number of the Children’s Home. Grabbing the phone he called Rene.

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Nick asked in full detective mode. He had told Rene what had happened. Rene hadn’t seemed too surprised.

"Yes, I think I know just where he would have gone." Rene paused and took a breath

"I think he may have gone to his mother."

Rene gave Nick the address of the cemetery where Sarah had been buried, and as soon as the sun had set, Nick retrieved his car and made his way through the city and headed north.

Nick turned off his lights as he neared a small country church which was partly surrounded by an old cemetery. He didn’t want to alert the boy to his presence, causing him to take off again.

As Nick got out of the car. He could feel the weak vibe marking his son’s presence.

Scanning the area, Nick spotted the boy about two hundred meters to the right. He took to the air.

He landed a few meters behind where the boy lay sleeping next to the grave of his mother.

Nick sighed and slowly walked over to his son. He sat down by his side and after a moment of just watching him sleep, Nick lightly brushed the back of his hand down the side of the sleeping face to wake him. Nick jerked his hand away suddenly. A flash of energy had passed into him when he had touched the boy’s face. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it had been stronger than when they had first shook hands, and a little different. Nick then felt something stir in his mind, but couldn’t quite grasp it. He looked bewildered at his hand. Then back at the sleeping form.

"Nicky" he said softly.

The boy stirred, then woke suddenly and scuttled quickly across the ground, away from Nick until he was a couple of meters away.

Nicky found his voice.

"How...how did you find me?" the boy asked, frowning.

"Rene thought you’d be here" Nick said calmly. He took a breath and added.

"You didn’t leave a note." Nick stated keeping his face neutral, but he let a little of the worry he had felt into his voice. Nick held the boys’gaze, which the boy returned, strong and unafraid.

Nicky heard the tone of Nick’s voice and felt a slight pang of guilt at ditching the guy.

"Sorry." he said quietly. He dropped Nick’s gaze and looked down at the grass, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth.

Nick looked down at Sarah’s grave and brushed his fingers over her name.

"She was a wonderful woman." Nick looked up at his son. "I know she loved you with all her heart."

He saw the tears form in his sons eyes, he felt his own throat tighten. But the boy’s tears never fell.

They sat one on either side of Sarah’s grave for over half an hour, finally Nick gently spoke.

"If were going to make our flight, we have to go." He rose to his feet, picked up Nicky’s discarded bag, and headed away toward the car. Nick lent against the car on the driver’s side, as he watched his son walk slowly toward him, his head bowed and then silently climb into the car. Nick whispered Sarah his own final farewell, and slipped into the drivers seat.

They drove the hour back to the hotel in absolute silence.

They stopped by the hotel only long enough to pick up Nicks bag, settle the account, and to ring Rene to tell him all was well.

As they made their way through the city to the airport, Nicky finally spoke.

"Aren’t you going to ask me way I ran away?" he glanced at the man beside him quickly then back down into his hands as they fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt.

Nick started a little at the sound of the boy’s voice. Recovering quickly though he answered

"I had a pretty good idea why you left, and I thought you would probably tell me if and when you wanted to."

"What do you know about what I’m thinking?" Nicky accused, his voice tight, his anger rising.

"Because, they’re probably the same feelings and thoughts I had. They made me feel like bolting out the door, and running like hell."

"What were they?"

"I was scared, scared as hell." Nick glanced at his son, trying to judge the effect his honesty was having on the boy. Nothing, not even a twitch. This kid was good.

"I mean here I am, an 800 year old vampire who only had myself to take responsibility for, and was told I could never have children. Suddenly though, I’m told I have a son, a life who has to depend on me to survive, his total responsibility was on my shoulders. It scared me for a while." He looked at the boy again.

"You’re not scared now?"

"No."

The boy paused in thought then asked quietly.

"What made you stop being scared?" Nicky was looking at him with open curiosity.

"When I woke up...and you were gone. I realised that I needed you in my life.And that I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Nicky swallowed as he took in what Nick was telling him. He continued to look silently into his hands.

Arriving at the airport, they left the car with the hire firm valet, and carried their bags into the main international terminal.

Nick registered them in, purchasing a ticket for Nicky as well.

Nick had received a package from the solicitor, it having been delivered to the hotel. Inside were several documents including the guardianship papers and a passport and Canadian Visa for Nicky.

They kept their bags with them. They were both small enough to be carry on luggage, saving them time and hassle when they landed.

They had an hour to kill after passing through customs before they could board their plane. Nick used the time to call Natalie again.

Natalie had been excited and nervous about finally meeting Nicky. She managed somehow though to keep her questions to a minimum, which Nick was grateful for. The boy was standing right beside him. He smiled as he knew how restrained she was being.

Nick asked Natalie to drive the caddy to the airport to meet them. They would arrive in Toronto dangerously close to dawn. Nick would most likely be riding home in the trunk.

After talking some more, Nick finally said goodbye and hung up the phone.

He turned to find Nicky looking up at him with one eyebrow raised.

"Who was that?" the boy asked him flat out.

"That, was Natalie. My significant other." Nick said smiling, eyeing Nicky’s reaction, trying to gauge the reaction to the latest bit of news.

"Does she live with you?"

"No." Nick grinned.

"Why not?" Nicky asked curious.

"Because I haven’t asked her to." Nick said sighing.

"Why?" as only a child can.

"Just because! What is this anyway?," he said with mock annoyance

"You hardly say a word in twenty-four hours, now suddenly you’re grilling me like it’s the inquisition!" Nick waved his hands about in exasperation.

"You only had to say, you were afraid she’d say yes!" Nicky sighed shaking his head, a touch of a grin escaping his previously unemotional facade. Nicky turned away, and started to walk toward the shopping area.

Nick stood gapping at the child’s incredibly accurate insight. This had actually been the longest conversation they had had, and Nick had been able to catch the first glimpses of his son’s true personality...and sense of humour. Shaking his head and smiling as he recognised Sarah in his son.

He hurried to catch up with the boy as he disappeared into a book store.

After wandering around the duty-free shops and watching the planes through a viewing window for a while, the pair sat down on a row of empty plastic chairs. Nicky was sipping quietly on a coke, While Nick took the opportunity to take a couple of discrete swigs of blood from his travel flask.

"So" Nicky spoke after a moment.

"So" replied Nick.

Nicky glanced at Nick and asked

"What should I call you?"

Nick looked down at his son.

"Whatever you fee1 comfortable with." he replied.

"What does everyone else call you?" Nicky took another sip of his drink.

"Well, just about everyone calls me Nick."

"Ok." Nicky nodded seemingly satisfied.

Nick let out a quiet breath as he watched his son play with the straw in his drink.

What had you expected? Nick chided himself. Did you think the boy was going to start calling you Dad right away? No.

But he was a little disappointed anyway.

After another long bored silence, Nicky said with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Who doesn’t call you Nick?"

Nick looked back at Nicky with a puzzled expression

"What made you say that?"

"You said, just about everyone calls you Nick, so, who doesn’t?"

Nick paused and sighed. He would have to tell him about his ‘family’ eventually. It may as well be sooner rather than later.

"Your...Grandfather." Nick said solemnly

"I have a grandfather?" the strain in the boys voice made Nick look quickly down at him.

Why was he upset? Then the realisation dawned upon him. Of course it would be a shock! Sarah had been the boys only family, and now not only did the boy now have a father, but he had an entire extended family as well. Gently Nick said.

"Yes, and an Aunt too., and Natalie of course."

The boy just stared at him. Nick turned slightly to face his son, and continued.

"Your Aunt, my...sister, is called Janette. And your Grandfather, is Lacroix, Lucien Lacroix. He...made... both Janette and I." Nick smiled as his sons eyes seemed to light up as he spoke.

His smile faded, as his son’s face fell into a thoughtful frown. Nick was about to ask the boy what he was thinking, when the boy spoke up.

"Lacroix?" Nicky’s face lit up again with recognition.

"Yes! Mother has spoken of him"

Nick’s frown deepened as he asked carefully

"Yeah? What did she say."

"Nothing really but...that, he was nice really...when he wasn’t being a sadistical tyrant." he said, quoting his mothers words.

Nicky seemed unfazed at the thought of his Grandfather being a sadistical tyrant. Seeing this Nick relaxed.

"Yes...yes he is!" Nick spluttered through snorts of repressed laughter.

When Nicky saw that Nick had control of himself once again, he asked.

"What does he call you?"

Nick paused for effect before saying.

"Nicholas"

"No" Nicky said in horror.

"Yes"

"Well he’d better not call me that!" Nicky said with disgusted determination.

"Well don’t be too disappointed if he does, he can be quite...persistent." Nick said with a warning in his voice not to push it with Lacroix.

"The sadistic tyrant thing?" Nicky asked one eyebrow raised.

"Yes" Nick couldn’t help but chuckle at his sons unintentional Lacroix eyebrow impersonation, and with the short hair, it was almost too much.

Finally they were able to board their plane and they were shown to their first class seats. Nick stowed their bags away in the over head lockers and took his seat next to Nicky, as he sat by the window.

"Have you ever been on a plane before?" Nick asked the boy. He had heard the boys’ heartrate increase as he looked out the window at the groundcrew as they finished loading the baggage onto the plane and then drive away in the now empty caterpillar-like cart and trailers.

"No" the boy shook his head. "But I’ve always wanted to" he looked down and quietly added

"Mother always said it was too dangerous."

"Yes, it probably was" Nick said supporting what Sarah had told the boy.

"So why can we now?" Nicky asked confused.

Nick though a moment at how best to answer the boy.

"Because I’m able to protect you now from others." The boy just frowned his continued confusion.

"Your mother was mortal, and even if she wasn’t, she was young. I am neither." Nick said quietly in the confined area of the plane. He watched Nicky mull this new information over.

Nicky then leaned over and equally quietly said

"So, the older you are, the stronger you are?"

Nick nodded and smiled his approval at the decisiveness of his son.

"Are you really 800 years old?" Nicky asked very quietly, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Nick chuckled

"Yes"

Nick shared his sons barely contained excitement as they took off down the runway, engines roaring, then lifting into the air. The lights of Paris fading behind them. Nick noticed Nicky watch the lights of the Eiffel Tower reflectively, until they were gone before settling back into his seat.

They watched the inflight movie together, ‘The Three Musketeer’s’, Nick actually enjoyed it even though it was hideously historically flawed. But he just kept quiet and took it at face value. He didn’t want to scare the poor boy away now with lectures on French history. Lacroix will do enough of that for the both of them.

After eating both his own, and Nicks meal, Nicky had fallen fast asleep.

Nick looked at the sleeping boy curled up on the seat. He was so peaceful. He knew it was cliché, but the child really did look angelic as he slept. He was perfect.

Nick wondered at how it was he had helped to create such an amazing thing as this child.

Nick thought now of Lacroix. What would his reaction be when he found out about his son. Would he try to kill the boy? Cast him away? Take him away? Nick thought hard. No, he finally concluded. He didn’t think he would, at least he prayed he wouldn’t.

The relationship between he and his father had improved greatly after their latest confrontation. He had openly declared his love for Natalie. Lacroix, as expected, went into a rage.

He and Nick had fought, hard.

<<<---<<<

Nick had lain bloodied and battered on the floor of the Raven. Lacroix had him by the throat. He had lifted his head off the floor and was all but screaming at his son. Nick would never forget his words. "Why do you continually do this to me!" Lacroix had yelled. His own injuries dripping blood onto Nicks face and chest.

"We had an agreement Nicholas! You will not leave me! Not for anyone! Ever!"

Nick had looked into his fathers eyes at that moment, and had seen the emotion, raw and powerful flash through Lacroix’s eyes.

He stared disbelieving at the man seething before him as he had a thousand times before. But as he stared now, he saw someone different, someone...afraid. A realisation filled Nick. Why had he never seen this in his father before?

Lacroix was still holding on to his neck as Nick struggled to speak

"Why? Why didn’t you tell me?"

Lacroix frowned at his son’s words.

"Tell you what?!" the older vampire blustered.

"That you don’t want to be alone, that you...love me?" Nick whispered. He had bloodtears blurring his vision now, so he wasn’t certain if he had actually seen what he thought he’d seen. Lacroix’s face had crumpled, then immediately replaced with his usual icy mask, as it instantly slammed back into place.

Lacroix suddenly backhanded Nick to the ground and into oblivion, then strode away back to his apartment, leaving his son to suffer where he lay.

Nick hadn’t seen or heard Lacroix again for over a month. But when he did, Lacroix had said nothing about he and Natalie. Silently though he had given his blessing in the only way he new how.

He hadn’t killed Natalie. In fact, he has been practically polite to her on the few occasions they had met.

This had been unnerving at first, which Lacroix undoubtedly gained much entertainment from. But after a time Nick felt the gesture genuine and allowed himself to relax.

For the first time ever, Lacroix had relented. The pact that he had made with Nicholas, eight hundred years ago, had been nullified.

>>>--->>>

Nick shook Nicky awake shortly before they came into land at Toronto.

Nicky looked out the window as the city lights came into view. So this was his new home. Looked nice enough. But then it was dark. Nick was leaning over his shoulder pointing out the CN tower, and the area where they would be living.

Nicky held his breath as they came in to land. Then smiled, impressed at the smoothness of it. Not quite as bumpy as he had expected, nor the blazing fire ball he had tried not to think about.

When the aircraft came to a stop at the terminal, Nick stood and retrieved their luggage from the overhead locker, carrying it off the plane.

Nicky followed Nick down the isle and through the main door into the terminal. That was where Nicky felt the first indication that Canada was as cold as he had been led to believe, and it wasn’t even winter yet. It was a darn site colder than it had been in Paris. He shivered slightly.

Nick noticed his son shiver and asked him in English

"Cold?" It would be good to warm up his English as well as his body.

Nicky looked at him blankly for a split second as his brain switched languages. Then nodded.

"A little."

Nick was wearing his only warm clothing, so as they walked the long walk from the arrival gate to the customs desk, Nick shed his jacket and removed his woolen jersey. He didn’t feel the cold, not at this time of year anyway.

He stopped walking and held the black jersey out to Nicky

"Here, put this on." Nick helped Nicky pull it over his head and roll up the sleeves so they fit. Satisfied his son wouldn’t freeze before they reached the car, Nick led them toward the customs gate, replacing his jacket back over his black t-shirt.

Natalie had watched their plane land in all it’s glory, and she had her hands clenched tightly together infront of her as she anxiously waited in the arrival lounge.

She couldn’t ever remember feeling so excited and nervous about anything as she did right now. She took a long deep breath and let it out slowly to try and calm the butterflies in her stomach.

She took another one.

Natalie then stopped breathing altogether as the first passengers from Nick’s plane began to enter the lounge. Nick would have flown first class so they would be among the first off.

Suddenly there he was. Nick strode through the doors, carrying two duffle bags. He was followed closely by a blonde child, dressed in jeans, scuffed sneakers, and a black jersey about ten sizes too big.

He was adorable, they both were.

Nick smiled broadly as they moved to hug each other.

"Welcome home" Natalie said as Nick held her tight.

"I missed you." he whispered in her ear.

"Me too."

Natalie pulled back from him and looked down at Nicky.

"You must be Nicky. I’m Natalie. Welcome to Canada." she said holding out her hand and giving him one of her brilliant smiles.

Nicky gave a shy smile back and shook her hand.

"Thankyou."

"Well, come on," Natalie put her arm around Nicky’s shoulder and steered him toward the exit.

"It’s almost dawn, if we hurry, Nick won’t have to ride in the trunk."

Nick picked up the bags he had dropped to the floor as he hugged Natalie, and smiling joyfully, followed the pair out of the terminal and into the carpark.

As they neared the caddy, Nicky stopped suddenly and exclaimed quietly in awe to Natalie,

"Wow, Is this your car?"

"It’s Nick’s" she said nodding at Nick as he put the bags in the trunk.

"Cool."

Nicks heart fluttered at the praise. He likes my car! Yes!

As Nick drove them all back to the loft, Nicky sat in the back and listened to the two adults as they talked.

"Did they finish the work I had ordered." Nick asked Natalie.

"Yes, all to order. It was amazing! I never knew it could possibly be done so quickly. It looks good too." she replied.

"Good" Nick nodded.

They turned into the warehouse district, and finally into Gateway lane. They stopped in front of one of the warehouses.

Nicky looked curiously out the window then glanced at Nick. Nick just smiled as he pointed the remote door opener at the garage. When it was fully open he drove the caddie inside and closed the door behind them.

As they all got out of the car, Nicky looked around what was obviously a garage. It was full of covered cars, and motorcycles.

Nicky could contain himself no longer.

"What is this place?" slipping back into French.

"This," Nick said smiling as he grabbed their bags. "Is home"

"You live here?" Nicky said raising his eyebrows in disbelief.

"Yes, we live here. And speak English, you’re in Canada now." Nick smiled gently reminding his son, as he headed to the waiting lift.

Natalie was already there, punching in the access code to release the lift.

They all climbed aboard and headed to the second floor. Natalie smiled as she slid open the door when the lift stopped. Nicky’s eyes almost popped out of his head and exclaimed in surprise.

"Blimey! Look at this place!" he stared about the loft thoroughly impressed.

"Come on, I’ll show you to your room." Natalie drew the boy toward the far end of the loft. They passed the kitchen and turned left to where the guest bathroom was. Nick followed behind them, dropping his bag on the couch as he passed. Carrying Nicky’s duffle he came up behind the others as they admired what was obviously a very new room.

Nicks eyebrows went up as he entered. Natalie was standing back, hands on hips with a satisfied grin on her face.

Nick continued to inspect the workmanship.

"Not bad" An understatement if ever he’d made one. It was very nearly a miracle. This room had not been here when he had left for Paris three days ago.

"I chose the colours for you, but if you don’t like them we can repaint it." Natalie told Nicky, who was staring open mouthed at the huge room. He blinked as he said

"This is mine?"

"All yours, you can decorate it any way you like." Nick said

"We could even go out tomorrow and get some posters or something" he added. Nicky could only nod.

The large room was painted blue, with black trim. A black desk was against the far wall with a new computer all hooked up and ready to go. A black lamp sat on a bedside table . A set of draws and a wardrobe were to the left, and to the right was a large single bed with black sheets and a duvet decorated with a black and sliver sun and moon design. Nicky finally found his voice and turned to Nick and Natalie.

"This...this is great, thank you."

Nick put the boy’s bag down on his bed and turned, gesturing as he headed back out the door

"Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the place."

With a quick last glance around his new room, Nicky followed Nick back into the living area with Natalie trailing behind.

Natalie watched Nick show his son around the loft from the couch. My god, she thought, they look so alike, he’s like looking at a little version of Nick. He had the same beautiful blue eyes as his father. And when he spoke, which hadn’t been much, but it was enough to notice their accents were very similar, except Nicky’s had more of a French accent with some words.

She had realised early on, when Nick had told her from the plane to Paris, of the builders impending arrival and the need for her to let them in and supervise, that Nick was going to take this child in, whether or not he was his.

This had made her feel completely mushy and full of pride in Nick. He was a lot more human than he ever let himself think, though it was something she had always known.

The pair came back downstairs, and sat with her in the living room area.

"So what do you think?" She asked the boy.

"It’s big" he said.

Natalie grinned

"Yeah that’s what I thought too when I first saw it."

They sat silently for a moment. All starting when the metal shutters, which keep out the deadly sun during the day, automatically came to life and slid into place. Nick leapt up as he said to Nicky.

"Come on, I’ll help you unpack." Nick led his son in to his new room.

Nick came back out, a short time later, closing the door behind him. He crossed over to Natalie and took her in his arms as she stood to meet him.

"God he’s perfect Nick." Natalie said into Nick’s chest as they held each other.

"Yes." he whispered into her hair.

They stood there for a long while before Natalie finally pulled away slightly to ask.

"Is he alright?"

"Yeah, I think so. A little overwhelmed maybe. He wasn’t very happy about coming at first, but I think I’m growing on him." Nick smirked. Then he sighed as his concerns over took his humor.

"I hope he settles in Ok."

"Just don’t rush anything with him Nick. He’s still grieving for his mother. And this is what they call the honeymoon period. Nicky still has a lot of emotional stuff to deal with." Natalie said gazing at her lover. She saw his eyes become somber as she spoke.

"Yeah Nat, I know." Nick kissed her forehead before breaking away and going back to check on Nicky.

Nick poked his head around the door and saw that Nicky had unpacked his meager clothing. A trip to the mall would definitely be in order.

He saw a photo of Sarah carefully propped up on the beside table. Nicky was fast asleep in his bed, almost hidden by the covers. Nick could see and smell the fresh tears on the boys face and pillow. Sighing raggedly he reached into the room and turned off the light. Leaving the door slightly ajar, he went back out to Natalie.

Natalie took his hand as he drew near, and led him upstairs to his own bedroom. They shared a pair of Nick’s black silk pyjamas, and crawled wearily into bed wrapping each others arms around the other, and quickly falling into a deep and much needed sleep.

Nicky struggled toward consciousness. Slowly sat up in his bed, and took in his new surroundings. He closed his eyes and lay back down again for a moment. His stomach was telling him that he was very hungry.

He threw back his duvet and swung his feet to the floor. He sat gazing around his new room again. Standing, he made his way over to his computer. He had always wanted one, but they had always been too expensive for his mother to buy. He ran his hand over the keyboard, and checked it out. It had all the bells and whistles, it even had Internet capabilities and a Pentium II processor.

Maybe living here wouldn’t be so bad. Not that he had anywhere else to go.

His stomach rumbled it’s annoyance at being ignored, so Nicky left his room and ventured out into the kitchen. Nobody else seemed awake, so he opened up the cupboards to see what he could find to eat. Not a hell of a lot.

Natalie woke. Her mouth immediately began to water as the smells of cooking drifted into the bedroom. She opened her eyes to see Nick still asleep beside her, so it wasn’t him creating those delicious smells. It had to be Nicky.

Nick stirred and grumbled but didn’t fully wake as Natalie crawled a beeline over him to get to his robe.

She left the bedroom sniffing the air, following the fabulous aroma downstairs.

She smiled as she watched Nicky move around the kitchen with practiced ease. He was making the best French toast and coffee she was sure she had ever smelt.

"Good evening" She said as she moved toward the kitchen. Nicky smiled at her shyly and said

"Hi, um, I hope you don’t mind, I was hungry." he waved his hands in the direction of the stove.

"Not at all, especially if I can have some. It smells delicious." Natalie smiled at the boy.

"Sure, there’s plenty."

The boy handed a plate over to Natalie and watched her as she sampled the fair.

"Oh!" she said with her mouth full.

"This is divine!" she took another large mouth full.

"And you found this in Nick’s cupboards?!" She said after she had swallowed. Nicky nodded. Satisfied that he had done well, he filled his own plate and sat down next to her at the breakfast bar and dug in.

While helping herself to a second helping Natalie asked Nicky,

"Who taught you how to cook?" She returned to sit next to the boy. When he had finished his mouthful he replied

"Nobody taught me really. My mother was a really bad cook." Nicky smiled as he remembered his mothers famous ‘failed casserole incident’.

"So if I ever wanted to eat something other than scrambled eggs, which was all she could make, I had to learn how to cook. So, I got a whole lot of cookbooks out from the library, and just followed the recipes."

"Just as well you did, ‘cause Nick can’t cook either, in fact I wouldn’t even let him anywhere near the stove if I were you" Natalie grimaced at the thought of Nicks one and only attempt to cook for her. They had ended up going out.

"You however Nicky, are a Natural"

Natalie was suddenly grabbed from behind.

"Complaining about my cooking skills?!" Nick said menacingly

"What cooking skills?" Natalie said as she shoved another fork full of toast into her mouth. She was rewarded by a growl and a big wet kiss on her cheek.

Nick patted Nicky on the back of the head as he passed into the kitchen.

"Sleep well?" He asked.

"Yes thanks."

Nick went to the fridge and took out a bottle. He reached up and grabbed a coffee mug and poured a healthy serving of blood into it. He took the mug and sat down with the others to eat his breakfast.

Nick caught a glimpse of his son watching him fascinated with what he was doing, but when he sat down next to the boy, he quickly averted his eyes.

He was surprised at the boys lack of revolution. He didn’t even usually drink infront of Natalie, though for a different reason. She would usually lecture him and force him to choke down a protein shake. Nick gave a small prayer of thanks, and took another sip.

"I thought Nicky and I could go to the mall tonight while you’re at work." Nick suggested to Natalie as he finished off his mug.

"Sounds like a good idea to me" Natalie said as she moved to put her plate in the dishwasher.

"What about you Nicky?" Nick shifted his gaze to the boy.

"Sure" he said shrugging his shoulders while moving a last piece of toast around his plate.

Natalie finished the dishes while Nick and Nicky took turns to shower and dress. Then after Natalie herself had dressed they all piled into the caddie and headed to the morgue to drop Natalie off at work.

"What’s your job Natalie?" Nicky asked leaning forward from the back seat as far as his seatbelt would allow him, as they headed downtown.

"I’m a Medical Examiner." she said back over her shoulder.

"That’s dead bodies and stuff, isn’t it?" Nicky said intrigued.

"Yep, that’s the one."

Natalie turned to gauge the reaction the boy had to her profession and smiled. She could see she had just moved up a notch in the eyes of the ten year old boy.

When they came to a stop outside the coroners building, Natalie lent over and gave Nick a quick kiss, then opened the car door and got out

"I’ll see you guys later!" she waved goodbye to Nicky, and disappeared inside.

A few minutes later, Nick and Nicky entered the local shopping mall.

As they walked Nicky pushed aside the strange feeling at calling Nick by name, and asked him a question he had been thinking about ever since he asked the same of Natalie.

"Nick?" he said and waited for the man to reply.

"Yes?" Nick smiled slightly as his son called him by name for the first time.

"What do you do for a living? I mean, do you work?" Nicky glanced at Nick.

"Of course." Nick smiled as he answered

"I’m a homicide detective"

"You’re a cop!" Nicky said bewildered.

"Yep"

"Really?"

"Yes, really." Nick sighed. Why did people always find it so hard to believe!

"I don’t believe you." Nicky looked skeptically at Nick, waiting for the punchline. A vampire a homicide cop?. I don’t think so.

But that apparently was the punchline. Nicky began to laugh as Nick showed him his badge.

"Yes, yes it’s very amusing" Nick said in his best ‘less than amused’ Lacroix imitation, while putting his badge away. Nick then smiled at his sons laughter. It was good to see him happy, if only but for a moment.

As Nicky settled down. Nick put his hands on his hips.

"Well, where should we start?" he turned in a circle, taking in the shops on the level they were on. Nick then appraised his son, taking in the clothes and very worn shoes he was wearing.

"New clothes, I think." he stated.

"I don’t need any clothes." Nicky replied.

"Yes you do. You can’t wear the same thing everyday." Nick said in a fatherly no nonsense tone

"And we need to get you some dress clothes to wear to the Raven." he added, compiling a mental list.

"What’s the Raven?" Nicky frowned at the thought of having to dress up.

"It’s Lacroix’s Nightclub. We’ll probably go and meet him tomorrow night." Nick caught the boys jaw stiffen as he talked and asked.

"Is that alright with you?"

"Yeah, It’s Ok." Nicky said after a minute of thought.

His mother had told him a little more about Lacroix than what he had let on to Nick. He knew that he was a very old vampire, and that he could be very mean. He also knew though, that he had helped his mother when she was in trouble...and that should count for something. As Nicky thought about this his nervousness at meeting the master vampire, lessened, a little.

Nick noticed the boy relax again slightly, and so he steered the boy toward the nearest menswear shop. "Come on," he said "Lets shop till we drop."

Nick and Nicky both stumbled out of the lift loaded down with shopping bags.

They had started off slowly, Nicky had turned away from anything even remotely expensive. Nick had only convinced his son that he could afford anything, even on a cop’s salary, after showing him the balance on his working bank account. It was almost a million dollars.

So with a little nudging, and with Nick being a professional shopper ‘n all, had persuaded the bewildered boy to buy half the mall.

Along with a multitude of clothing and three pairs of shoes, they had also bought some posters for Nicky’s room, and a couple of games and joysticks for his computer.

They dumped the clothing bags on the bed in Nicky’s room and immediately fished out the games and began to load them on to the computer.

They had spent half an hour in the computer store, Nick having had no idea at the range of software available. He had never really been into computers, and had only recently obtained one himself which he used mainly for work.

Eventually they had each chosen a game, and had headed straight home to try them out.

Natalie an hour later arrived back at the loft to sounds of groans, grunts and yelps coming from Nicky’s room. She warily entered, only to find, the two boys, and that was very much what Nick was at this moment, avidly wrestling a joystick each and making a lot of enthusiastic noise. They were playing one of those advanced 3D fighting games. Nicky appeared to be winning, much to Nick’s dismay.

"Having fun?" She announced her presence, smiling at the pair.

Nick turned to Natalie and grinned heartily.

"Nat!" He gratefully put down his joystick and rose to give Natalie a hug.

"You’re early."

"Slow night, so I booked off." She let go of Nick and wondered over to the pile of bags on the bed and started picking through them.

"You two have certainly been busy." She did a quick inventory of what they had bought, and nodded approving of their purchases.

"Yeah, I’ve never bought so much in my entire life!" Nicky said turning to Natalie as she perused the merchandise.

"Nick must have dragged me into every menswear store in the place."

Natalie laughed as the boy rolled his eyes.

"Well it could have been worse." she said. Nicky raised an eyebrow in question.

"I could have dragged you into every menswear shop in the place." She declared.

Nicky shuddered exaggeratedly with Nick and Natalie chuckling at his theatrics.

"Come on I’ll fix you something to eat" Natalie said. Nicky gratefully followed her out into the kitchen.

As Natalie prepared dinner for Nicky and herself, she smiled at the thought of how well the new father and son were getting on after such a short time.

Nicky really was an exceptional child. Articulate, polite and generally a good kid. He also oozed with the same natural charm and confidence his father did. Which made him all the more alluring.

But she could also see the raw pain of loss simmering inside him. He was trying to ignore it, hide it. She had done that herself when Ritchie had died. She also knew the dam would burst sometime, it was just a matter of when. And would have to be Nick be ready for it.

After they had all eaten, and fed, Nick helped his son put his new things away, and then they all settled down to watch a movie.

It finished just as the sky began to lighten and the shutters automatically closed.

Nick smiled happily at Natalie as he picked up his sleeping son and carried him to bed.

Before climbing under the covers of his own bed, Nick set his alarm clock to go off at two pm. He climbed into bed and snuggled up against Natalie’s warmth She was already half asleep bundled up under the covers.

"You two seem to be getting along well." she mumbled through the blanket.

"Yeah, he seems a lot more relaxed around me now. He’s a nice kid." Nick frowned a bit.

"He can become very quiet suddenly sometimes. It’s a little disquieting." Nick sighed. "I suppose it’s to be expected though, his mothers only been dead three weeks, and now he’s not only got a father he thought to be dead, he has a whole new family, way of life, and he’s in a foreign country. I’m surprised he hasn’t locked himself in his room and refused to come out."

"He’s a strong kid, and he’s young. He’ll be fine Nick. Just give him time to adjust to all the changes at his own pace. And as for losing his mother. That’s going to take a little more time. All you can do is be there for him when he needs you."

Natalie snuggled closer to Nick and looked him in the eye.

"I’m going to have to go back to my place soon you know." She said. Nick gazed at the beautiful woman beside him, she had been his anchor through all of this, he wasn’t sure if he was ready to do this by himself just yet.

"Do you have to?"

"Yes."

Nick sighed and wrapped his arms tighter around her.

"You have to do this on your own sometime. You’ll be fine Nick. You’ll be a great Dad." Natalie smiled tenderly at the man beside her. She reached up and kissed him softly drawing his lips to hers.

"I love you Nat." Nick whispered.

They snuggled as close as they could, and held each other until they slipped into sleep.

________

"Right, do you remember what I told you?" Nick asked his son as he straightened the boys collar for the umpteenth time. He was nervous, and it showed. For all his hoping, Nick really had no idea how Lacroix was going to react to his son.

Nicky however seemed to have become even less anxious since yesterday and answered his father with a sigh and quoted,

"Yes. ‘Around vampires, attitude is everything’."

"Good. Let me see it then." Nick said standing back to watch his son. He had spent most of he afternoon coaching Nicky on the finer points of making a first impression around his kind.

It was a matter of survival.

His son wasn’t a full vampire, he would have to learn to project his strength in other ways.

One, was to enhance his vampiric vibe, which was considerably strong for one of such diluted blood.

Nick watched, trying not to smile as his son drew himself up to his full height and took on an aristocratic air. Nick recognised Sarah in the boy immediately and felt his chest tighten.

Sarah had taught Nicky some valuable lessons in being around vampires. Of which Nick was grateful. She had known her son would have to face the community one day, and he would have to be prepared.

"Good. When you meet with Lacroix, be extremely respectful, and be yourself and you’ll be just fine." Nick gave the boy a small smile of encouragement.

The boy was quite impressive. He was dressed in the clothes they had bought especially for the occasion.

He was entirely in black, his shirt and pants cut perfectly to fit, and with his crew cut, he looked like a little Lacroix. Perfect. No harm in softening up the old General. Nick thought.

Natalie gazed appreciatively at Nick as he spoke to his son. He and Nicky were dressed in a similar fashion. Natalie had tried to make them wear some colour, but she had been out gunned, smiling, she couldn’t help but admire the two males before her in all their glory.

She on the other hand was dress in a boring fawn coloured suit, and was waiting patiently by the lift, ready to go to work.

Nick still felt a strange buzzing whenever he touched his son, but it was gentle now, not like the first couple of times he had made contact.

He had also felt a sensation, not dissimilar to that of a bloodlink, forming in his mind. It wasn’t anywhere near as strong as the link he shared with Lacroix, but it was there. Nick had no idea whether Nicky felt it or not. It was on the list of subjects Nick was mentally making to discuss with his son. First though, he had to get through tonight.

Nick wanted to get to the Raven before it opened. An audience was something he did not want when Lacroix met Nicky.

And, as he had promised the Captain before he left for Paris, he would have to return to work later tonight.

Nicky would have to come with him, he didn’t know what else to do with him, and he was not about to leave him with Lacroix on their first night, nor was he leaving him home alone all night.

So after gathering up everything they could possibly need for the night, which included several books for Nicky, a hand held computer game, and travel chess, they all stepped into the lift and silently descended to the garage.

As Nick drove them toward the coroners office, Natalie silently observed him as he fidgeted nervously in his seat.

"He’ll be alright about this Nick, I have a feeling." She said after watching Nick run his hand through his hair for the fourth time. She took his hand in hers and held it tightly.

"I hope you’re right Nat. I hope you’re right."

Nicky sat calmly in the back seat watching the two grown ups in front of him. But after they had dropped Natalie off at work, his stomach began to flutter. Other than Nick, he had never really met another vampire before, and the one he was about to meet wasn’t exactly known for his fondness towards mortals.

Nick pulled up outside the Raven and switched the engine off. Nick took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Turning to Nicky he asked,

"Ready?"

Nicky took a deep breath himself then answered with a confidence he didn’t really feel.

"Yes"

Leaving the car, the pair walked slowly up to the front door of the nightclub. Nick took a final calming breath and punched in the access code. He heard the lock click open, and he carefully open the door and stepped in followed closely by his son.

The room was large and dimly lit. There was bar at the far end, which was preceded by an expansive dance floor. Tables and booths lined the walls. A stage off to the right,was cluttered with various instruments and microphones. The club was eerily quiet, and was completely empty.

The pair jumped as a door suddenly banged open from behind the bar. A familiar, red haired man with pale skin stepped out carrying two crates of wine bottles. Looking up he recognised his employers favourite son and nodded a greeting.

"Hey Nick"

Nick stepped down to the dance floor and made his way over to the bar.

"Patrick" Nick returned the greeting. Patrick was a vampire and the head bartender here. He was also as Irish as they come.

Nick nodded toward the back offices and asked

"Is he here?"

"Aye"

"Could you please tell him I’m here."

"That will be unnecessary Patrick"

Nick started slightly at the sudden voice beside him.

"Lacroix"

"Nicholas. Back from our little trip I see." Lacroix’s tone of voice portrayed his displeasure at not being told of his sons sudden departure.

"It happened rather suddenly, Lacroix" Nick was obviously not the least bit sorry.

Lacroix waved Patrick away. And knowing what was good for his health, Patrick silently disappeared.

Nick saw Lacroix’s eyes shift from him to over his shoulder. Nick turned following his masters gaze to where Nicky was silently waiting halfway across the room.

"Babysitting again Nicholas?" Lacroix sneered.

Nick didn’t answer his father, but moved to stand behind his son. He put his hands on the boys shoulders and looked directly into his masters eyes.

"Lacroix, this...is Nicky. His mother is Sarah Lamont..." he took a breath "...and he is my son." Nick held his breath and awaited the imminent reaction which was sure to come.

Lacroix was stunned into silence for a brief moment, then threw his head back and roared with laughter. "Oh Nicholas, how you do entertain me!" Lacroix gained control, and gave Nick a leering smile.

"He is mine Lacroix." Nick declared

"The solicitor and Natalie ran blood tests, they were positive." Nick paused then in a more forceful tone demanded

" Feel me in him!...Feel him Lacroix!!"

The leer had vanished from Lacroix’s face and now unbridled anger washed from him.

He stalked closer toward Nick and the boy. His movement predatory and dangerous.

"This ‘Quest for humanity’ of yours, has gone too far this time Nicholas!" Lacroix growled.

Nick protectively stepped in front of his son. Lacroix closed in on Nick. He felt his masters breath on his face as Lacroix shouted into it. Nick forced himself not to flinch.

"I will not allow this foolishness to continue!" Lacroix’s eyes glowed amber.

In a flash, Lacroix had Nick by the shirt front and was snarling into his face. His fangs had dropped and his eyes were gold.

"He is not your son!! Nicholas. We can not have children!!" Lacroix punctuated each word he spat at Nick as if talking to a child.

Lacroix suddenly frowned.

"What was that?" he asked still obviously angry, but now bewilderment edged his voice.

"What was what?" Nick frowned, confused at the odd question and sudden change of tact by his sire.

Behind Nick, Nicky stood clutching on to the back of Nicks belt in an effort to keep his body behind Nick’s. His eyes were closed. He opened them slowly to find Nick and Lacroix staring at him.. His heart was racing but he fought to keep a calm expression on his face.

Oh my God! It worked! He had only ever tried to do it on purpose twice before, and they were both with his mother. He hadn’t been sure it would work. Apparently though...it did.

Lacroix had been ready to back hand his son when a strange sensation, coupled with a flash of white light entered his mind. He had looked into his sons face for an explanation, frowning at the unexpected intrusion.

He was now looking down at the boy standing behind Nicholas. He finally surrendered, and truly examined the boy.

He was young, ten, eleven years old. Blonde hair, blue eyes. His eyes? Lacroix looked back to his son, then back to the boy. The same. This is not possible! Roughly letting Nick go, Lacroix took a step back to better view them both.

The boy was outwardly calm. Lacroix could easily hear his heart racing though. But still, not the terror, this kind of display usually provoked in most mortals.

The boy was now holding Lacroix’s gaze. The boy took a breath and then a step forward out from behind Nick and held out his hand.

"Bonsoir, Grandfather."

Lacroix’s frown deepened. Nick felt like smiling, but he knew he was dead if he did.

Nicky patiently held his hand out to the vampire before him and held the mans gaze. ‘Attitude is everything’ he repeated over to himself as a mantra. Nicky knew that to show any weakness to this man now, could be his death, or worse...his rejection.

After a long moment Lacroix slowly took Nicky’s hand.

"Indeed" His icy gaze never left the child’s. He dropped the boy’s hand suddenly, and looked down at his hand. He slowly rubbed the palm with his fingers.

"You did this." it wasn’t a question.

"Yes"

"Why?"

"You were going to hurt Nick."

Lacroix’s left eyebrow raised. He began to pace around the boy before him. Lacroix reached out to the boy in his mind. He paused and closed his eyes. Suddenly opening them again he spun to confront Nick again.

"How is this possible?!" he demanded. Lacroix could feel his son in this boy. This was unheard of. A vampire to father a child, impossible. It was only a fairytale. But still a flicker of doubt edged into his mind.

"I don’t know" Nick shrugged and hung his head slightly.

"It was only one night"

"Apparently, that is all it takes." Lacroix sneered once again at his son.

Lacroix glanced back at the boy, as he warily watched them both. Listening to his heartbeat he heard it slow to almost normal.

Nick watched cautiously, ready to defend his son at any moment, as Lacroix and Nicky sized each other up.

He saw his son begin to mimic the body language of the master vampire before him. At first Nick thought that this action was unconscious. His master could be very alluring, but after a moment he realised, not without a little pride and much fear, that Nicky was purposely copying Lacroix’s movement. Just what had Sarah been teaching the boy?

They both stood facing each other, hands clasped behind their backs in an at ease position. Their difference in height, similar dress and haircut made the scene a little comical. Nick tried again not to smile. The urge faded quickly as he saw Nicky suddenly turned away and begin to inspect the expansive room around him.

"This is your club?" he asked Lacroix as he paced slowly.

"Yes." Lacroix was intrigued by the childs behaviour and couldn’t take his eyes off the boy.

He shadowed the child a few steps behind, anticipating the boy to comment further. He was not disappointed.

Nick moved quietly away from the pair and lent against a table to watch the scene unfold. The boy seemed to be holding his own, and Lacroix was clearly captivated, as was he.

Nicky took in the distasteful decor. Lacroix had changed it soon after Janette had left. It was no longer mysteriously tasteful, but garish and raunchy. Though it still managed to project the dark and dangerous, as only the Raven could.

Nicky turned to Lacroix.

"Interior decorating is something you find rather...challenging, oui?" Nicky new this comment would either make or break him, literally. But he just couldn’t resist prodding Lacroix just a little, and he had to be honest, it was ghastly.

Lacroix’s eyes flashed red for a moment. Nick expecting the worst, pushed himself away from the table and with vampiric speed, headed toward Nicky, readying himself to take the full brunt of his masters fury.

But it didn’t come. Instead when Nick turned to look back at Lacroix, he saw a very small smile flash across the vampire’s lips. Nick abruptly halted his forward motion and stood aside.

Nicky was standing his ground, hands still behind his back. Precociously waiting.

Lacroix was impressed by the child’s fortitude, not that he was about to expose this thought to the boy, or his father mind you.

One thing he did not take kindly to though, was to be insulted, by anyone, let alone a mortal child. Lacroix gave Nick a look advising him not to interfere, and with great constraint, he slowly walked over to the boy. He heard the boy’s heart quicken, and saw him blink rapidly, but was otherwise outwardly unaffected by his anger.

Lacroix kept his face expressionless and cold. He moved up so close to the boy, he had to rest his chin against his chest to look him in the eye. He let his eyes glow brightly gold. The boy’s head tilted up to meet his intense gaze.

"Yes…I believe I do." his voice cold yet laced with fire, Lacroix answered the boys challenge with a warning.

Nicky received it loud and clear. He lowered his gaze purposefully, and moved around Lacroix, and went to stand beside Nick.

"I will speak with you Nicholas" Lacroix issued the command as he strode toward his office located at the back of the club.

"You Ok?" Nick asked the boy while brushing his hand across his son’s head. Nicky nodded but kept his eyes on the doorway through which Lacroix had disappeared.

"Stay here, I won’t be long." Nick said quietly, then followed his sire into the back rooms.

Nick entered Lacroix’s office to find him standing at the small refrigerator he kept there pouring a glass of his private reserve. His usual outward appearance of icy calm, belaying the termoil Nick could just feel crackling along their bond.

Nick closed the door behind him and stood patiently waiting. Lacroix hadn’t even bothered offering the bloodwine to him, not a good sign.

Instead he drained his glass before refilling it and turning to his child. He locked his angry gaze with Nicholas’s calm one. Nick flinched as the anger pulsed along their bond. Lacroix held his gaze for an agonising length of time.

"Where is his mother?" he finally asked sternly.

"Sarah’s dead."

Lacroix dropped his gaze briefly to the desk top which separated him from Nick. His mental barriers slamming up. Nick could feel nothing from Lacroix now. Meeting his sons gaze again he asked in a low voice.

"Tell me" he demanded.

Nick was surprised at Lacroix’s reaction to Sarah’s death. He had always thought he hated her for being impure. But he had seen Lacroix’s mask of cool indifference soften slightly only to be replaced once again.

Nick knew the two had met before, Sarah had told him as much on their night together.

Nick sighed and sat down in a plush chair beside the desk. He lent back, rubbed a tired hand across his face and told Lacroix the tale of the past five days.

Lacroix gracefully lowered himself into his desk chair. Leaning back and steepling his fingers as Nick spoke.

When Nick had finished speaking he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the letter Sarah had written for Lacroix. He looked at the flowing writing on the envelope one last time, then passed it to his sire.

"This is for you" Nick stood and Lacroix took the letter from his hand.

"I’ll leave you to read it, and to make up your mind about Nicky. Call me with your decision. But know this Lacroix. I will not give him up, and I will give my life for his." Nick turned and left the room, leaving his master speechless, surprised at the strength of conviction he had rarely ever felt coming from his son.

Lacroix looked down to the letter in his hand. He placed it on the table and brushed the flowing handwriting softly with his fingertips.

"Ah my dear Sarah, what did you get yourself into this time."

<<<-----

-Dublin, Ireland 1873-

"Leave me the hell alone!!"

Lacroix was instantly drawn to the desperate scream. He moved quickly through the small maze of back alleyways of the Irish city, trying not to breath in the rancid smells of the destitute and dying.

He came to, what would be to anyone else, a dark and foreboding courtyard.

Three vampires stood before him holding a woman up against the far wall. She was struggling valiantly, but had no hope in overpowering her assailants.

The vampires were young, fledglings almost, less than a hundred years old.

One of them, a tall blonde man turned toward him, suddenly sensing the ancient vampires presence.

"She is ours old man!" he spat.

The others also now turned to face Lacroix. The blonde grabbed the woman by the throat to hold her in place against the wall.

Lacroix was old, but he did not allow such insolence from one so young. He glared at the two shorter, darker vampires.

"Leave us" his voice a low growling whisper.

The vampires looked to each other, then at their blonde companion, then back at Lacroix. Having now weighed up the odds, fled.

The blonde growled in frustration at the retreating forms of his ‘comrades’. He turned back to Lacroix and viciously tossed the woman at his feet.

Lacroix instantly slammed the young vampire into the wall by his throat. Every bone in his body now broken. still holding the vampire up by the throat he leaned in close and whispered,

"Never...speak to me in such a manner again. Do you understand?" he waited until the man nodded, then let him drop unconscious to the cobbles.

Lacroix turned to the woman lying behind him and scooped her up flying her back to his apartment.

The search for his petulant son could wait.

Lacroix set the woman down on his large four-poster bed. Fetching a bowl of water and a cloth,

he gently cleaned the blood from her face. As a cut on her forehead began to bleed freely again, he didn’t hesitate in scooping the blood up with his finger and bring it to his tongue. A strange but wonderful taste he thought as images of the womans life and dreams flowed into his being.

Jerking away suddenly he stared at the beauty lying before him. A half breed! He could taste it in her blood. He had the sudden urge to spit it out, but her images flowed over him once again, and he forced himself to control the sudden hunger that rose in the pit of his stomach.

His being could now sense her vampire blood, and it’s origin.

Gaelan, that idiot! He could never do anything right! What a waste of such beauty and strength.

Lacroix sighed and bent over to further inspect the womans injuries.

He removed her filthy rags and elaborate underclothes which were the fashion these days. Lacroix paused as he saw the extent of her injuries beneath.

She had been viciously raped, repeatedly. Such things rarely bothered Lacroix. He had been known to partake in such pleasures himself.

But to be so brutal to one so beautiful, it was sacrilege. Even if she was impure.

He carefully finished bathing her and dressed the worst of her wounds. She appeared to be healing, be it much slower than vampire ‘normal’. He dressed her in one of Janettes long white night gowns, then left her to sleep.

>>>--->>>

Lacroix smiled as he remembered the months which followed. Sarah, though only 80 years old at the time, had been quite a challenge to his control. Her stubbornness and forthrightness had made his Nicholas appear the superlative cherub. To make things undeniably worse, she and Janette had taken to one another, often joining forces in order to have their way with him, and especially his purse, as only two beautiful women with certain needs and wants can. She endearingly became his adopted daughter of sorts. She had been special. She possessed an elusive spark of life which stood her out from the endless crowd of mortals, the same spark he had also seen within Janette and Nicholas. If Gaelan had not already tainted her blood with his insane bungling, he would have gladly taken her as his own.

He spent a small fortune over the time she was with him. After they parted ways, he had kept tabs on her up until their last meeting. It had not gone well. The events which happened during that time, were one of the few things he had ever done, which he had truly regretted.

Picking up the letter he ripped open the seal and settled back in his chair to read.

-----

Nicky heard the door close behind Nick. He took several deep breaths and waited for his heart to stop thumping in his ears.

As some resemblance of calm and lucid thought returned, he turned his attention to the stage area to occupy himself while he waited. Other than a drum kit, there was a couple of guitars and a piano near the back.

He climbed up on to the stage and wandered over to the piano. He brushed his fingers silently over the keys. His mother had taught him to play from a young age. He had played for her every night. But since she died, he just hadn’t felt like playing anymore. Sadness washed over him, aching his bones. The sweet comforting music which had always been inside of him, had died with she.

"Do you play?"

Nicky started at the sudden voice behind him. He spun around and saw a dark, long haired vampire standing a few feet away from him near the centre of the dance floor. He had been so lost in thought he hadn’t even felt him arrive.

"Pardon?"

"I said, do you play?" the vampire smiled.

Nicky sighed slightly, his gaze dropping briefly to the ivory keys

"No, not anymore." He looked up and eyed the vampire warily.

The vampire sensed the boy’s unease, and also the apparent vampire blood running through his veins. He moved a little closer to the stage and held out his hand.

"I’m Vachon" he raised a questioning eyebrow.

"And who might you be?"

Nicky hesitated for a moment, looking down into the dark eyes of the man before him, trying to judge whether he should go anywhere near this guy or not.

"Nicky" he said returning the handshake firmly. What the hell, he couldn’t be any worse than Lacroix.

Vachon sat on the edge of the stage, propping one foot up as he faced the boy. The boys hand had been warm, human. Vachon casually concealed the confusion he was feeling at the clashing signals he was receiving from the boy.

"You know kids aren’t supposed to be in here. Are you looking for someone?" he prodded.

"No, I’m waiting for Nick." Nicky said nodding toward the back room.

"Nick Knight?"

The boy nodded.

"Ah, that’s alright then."

Vachon swung his foot, hanging over the edge for a minute before asking.

"So how do you know Nick then?"

"He’s my...father." Nicky surrendered, it was just too complicated to explain it any other way.

Vachon fell off the stage.

Nick reentered the club area of the Raven to find Nicky sitting on the edge of the stage along side Vachon, they were both intently watching the younger vampires fingers fly across the strings of his guitar. Thankfully the volume on the amp was turned low so as not to disturb the older vampires.

Vachon really was quite good. Nick thought.

Nick waited until Vachon finished the piece he was playing before moving closer. Vachon looked up when he heard the detective approach.

"Hey Knight"

"Vachon. I see you’ve made a new friend."

Vachon flicked his thumb in Nicky’s direction

"We’ve been introduced" he smiled "Congratulations"

Nick looked at his son with a slight grin "Yeah,Thanks Javier"

"Does Tracy know?" asked the Spaniard

"No not yet. We’re heading over there now though." Nick shoved his hands into his trouser pockets.

"Man, I wish I could be there. To see the look on her face…" Vachon chuckled at the vision in his mind.

"Who’s Tracy?" Nicky asked, frowning slightly in confusion.

"She’s my partner…and his girlfriend" Nick nodded and flicked his thumb at Vachon, smirking at the expected grimace from the carefree vampire.

"She is not my girlfriend!"

"Whatever you say Vachon." Nick grinned.

"Come on Nicky lets go, or we’ll be late for work." Nick guided the boy toward the door.

"Bye Vachon" Nicky smiled and waved goodbye.

"Adios Little Nikito" Vachon returned the wave and placed his guitar down on the stage as he watched the pair leave.

Patrick came along side the Spaniard as the front door closed behind them.

"So what do you make of that then?" the barman asked obviously over hearing everything which had been said in the bar.

"I don’t know yet Paddy. He seems like a nice kid. This is going to be one interesting ride my friend, one very interesting ride."

______

Lucien,

I will assume you have made Nicholas tell you everything which has happened over the past few days.

So I shall get straight to the point. As I’m sure you shall appreciate.

You will not be angry with either Nicholas or Nicky about the situation you are all in at present. It was not their fault these unimaginable circumstances occurred. If you must blame someone, be angry and seething to someone, as I’m sure you will be, then let it be me.

The universe is a strange and powerful place Lucien, and we must take the miracles along with the disasters, and my son, Nicholas’s son, your grandson, is one of those miracles.

____

Lacroix sighed and rolled his eyes at the heartfelt emotion dripping from the page.

____

Lucien stop rolling your eyes, I know this sounds horrendously mushy, but bare with me a little longer!

I ask only one thing of you Lucien. Protect him. Love him. As you love Nicholas and Janette, for he will love and be loyal to you, but only if you deserve such an honour.

He is an intelligent child Lacroix, he will sense deception from you, and will not crumble under your ideas of control. I have made sure of that, as you may or may not have already determined.

Nicky aside, I wish to fare you well Lucien. I hope you find happiness in your life, as I have in mine.

Our last parting was not of the best. Things were said in anger and haste, I apologise for everything I said Lucien. I do not hate you, I never have. You were like a father to me. You were the only hope I had of being accepted by the community in any way. So when I heard you say those things to Henry, well I…well my hope died.

I know you are capable of love Lacroix, so don’t try getting out of any kind of commitment with Nicky with that same old coldhearted act you keep fooling yourself into believing, is who you truly are. It just won’t wash with me.

I had wished to see you all again before I passed over, but the potential danger to my son has stopped me from contacting you both. It won’t be long now, a few weeks perhaps, days. I have the strangest feeling of fear, sadness, happiness and peace Lucien. I have no regrets for this lifetime, so do not pity my life Lacroix, as I’m sure you are inclined to do. So for now, I bid thee farewell.

Goodbye Lucien,

My eternal love,

Sarah.

_______

Lacroix folded the letter and placed it in the bottom draw of his desk, wiping the tear away which was traitorously forming in the corner of his eye before it fell.

________

"What happened?" Nicky asked as they climbed into the caddy.

Nick turned toward the voice which had pulled him from the thoughts he had been enconsed in. Nick started the car and pulled away from the curb before taking a deep breath and letting it out.

"Well, I’m not quite sure." Turning his attention back to the road he continued.

"I told him everything I know, and gave him a letter from your Mother...we just have to wait and see." Nick shrugged and sighed again. When Nicky didn’t say anything he glanced over and frowned.

"And just what the hell were you thinking, by saying what you said about his decorating?!" Nick gave his son an demanding look.

Nicky just shrugged and said still gazing out the window at the lights going by.

"You said to be myself. I couldn’t let such bad taste go by without saying something." He sighed "There was just no nice way to say that his decor stunk."

Nick calmed down and smiled, but said firmly in all seriousness

"Yes well, just don’t ever do it again. You only get one strike with Lacroix. Remember that, Ok?" He waited for understanding from the boy next to him and saw it when the boy nodded solemnly.

"Ok" Nicky looked down at his hands.

"Alright. Lets go to work."

Nick pulled the caddie into the carpark, shut off the engine and turned to Nicky who was sitting in the front passenger seat looking out the window at the precinct building before them.

"Right, there are a few rules you have to know about this place before we go in." Nick said.

Nicky turned to him expectantly.

"Firstly, don’t talk to, or go anywhere near the criminals. Some of them aren’t very friendly." Nick said.

Nicky smiled slightly and nodded his agreement.

"Two, only two people know about what I am. Natalie, as you know, and Tracy. So be careful what you say around anyone else." the boy nodded again.

"And lastly, I don’t want you leaving the precinct alone." Nick raised his eyebrows "Think you can handle that?"

Nicky thought for a moment then nodded.

"Ok, grab your bag, lets go."

They both climbed from the car and made their way inside.

Nick was a little apprehensive. He knew his workmates were going to make a big deal about this,but there was just no avoiding it. So preparing himself mentally for the onslaught of questions, he led his son into the bullpen.

Nick looked over to where he and Tracy had their desks. She wasn’t there. Good, it meant he could see the captain first without having to field the endless questions and comments from his partner.

Nick guided Nicky toward the Captains office, ignoring the curious looks which silently followed them.

Nick knocked lightly on the door and went in.

Reese looked up.

"Nick!" relief flooded his face. "Thank god your here!"

"Hi Cap." Nick grinned.

Reese’s attention shifted to the boy who had followed the detective into the room. He raised his eyebrows in questioning conformation.

Nick placed a hand on the boys shoulder and gently pulled him so he stood infront of him.

"Captain Joe Reese, this is my son, Nicky."

Reese stuck out his hand to the boy

"Hello son, nice to meet you" He smiled kindly.

"Hello Captain." Nicky shook the mans hand and returned his smile shyly.

Reese stood back and inspected the pair. They were both dressed totally in black, which wasn’t unusual for his detective, but coupled with the boy’s features that were obviously his fathers, the resemblance was stunning.

"Yep, no doubt about it." he said shaking his head.

Nick saw Nicky look down and frown at the captains comment. ‘That’ was obviously still a touchy subject.

Joe noticed the change as well and gave Nick a questioning look. Nick just shrugged and sighed.

Tracy walked into the bullpen, she saw Nick in the Captains office and went to join them.

"Nick I ..." her voice trailed off as she caught sight of the child previously hidden by her partner.

She knew instantly who the boy was.

Smiling again Nick turned to meet his partners open mouth and wide eyed gaze.

"Trace, I’m glad your here." Nick paused

"There’s someone I’d like you to meet." Tracy just nodded never taking her eyes off the boy beside Nick.

"Tracy this is Nicky. He’s going to be living with me from now on."

Tracy composed herself, shoving all the immediate questions about vampires and babies to the back of her mind.

"Hey Nicky" she said shaking his hand "How’s it going?"

Nicky smiled he immediately liked Tracy, as he pretty much had Vachon.

"Hi."

Tracy took Nicky back to their desks as her partner and the Captain talked shop for a few minutes.

"So have you been to the Raven yet?" Tracy said gesturing at his clothes, they were a little too dressy to have been worn purely for work.

Nicky flopped down in Nicks chair and puffed out his cheeks as he let out a breath.

"Yeah" He picked up a pencil from the desk and began fiddling with it between his fingers.

"How did it go?"

Nicky frowned and looked up at the woman sitting across from him.

"I’m not to sure"

Holding his gaze Tracy asked

"What do you think about him then."

Nicky glanced down at the blotter on the desk then back up at Tracy.

"I’m not sure about that either."

"Yeah, I know just what you mean kiddo."

After a few minutes of basic questions, where you from etc, from them both, Nicky gave Tracy a mischievous grin, so much like Nick’s that she laughed out loud.

"What?!" she spluttered

"I met Vachon at the Raven earlier."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"You don’t mind if he comes in with me for the next few days, do you?" Nick asked his captain, praying. He had no other option at this point.

"It’s just that I haven’t organised someone to watch him while I’m at work yet and..."

"Yes yes, It’s Ok Nick. I understand." Reese said holding up his hand to silence his detective

"Just don’t make a habit of it though."

"Yes sir."

"Now, you know I have kids of my own. So if you ever need to talk, or ask for advice, don’t hesitate to come to me." Reese gave Nick a half smile of fatherly understanding.

"Thanks Joe, I won’t" Nick looked gratefully at Reese. He knew he was going to need all the help and advice he could get.

"In the mean time though, I want you on the Goddard case with Tracy." Reese said getting back to business.

"Yes sir"

"Ok then, get to work." Reese waved Nick out of his office.

Nick stood smiling and went to join his partner and son at his desk.

"Checkmate"

They were playing chess. By Nicks calculation, they had played about six moves each.

"What!" Tracy madly examined the board but to no avail, she was ‘mated alright.

"How did you do that?"

"Practice." came the slightly smug reply.

Nicky stood to let Nick sit down at his desk.. Tracy grabbed a spare chair and pulled it along side them for the boy to sit on.

Nick shuffled through the paper on his desk.

"Ok, you fill me in on the Goddard case Trace, while I give this kid a run for his money.

Nicky smiled and quickly reset the chess board.

Nicky took in the squadroom as Nick thought out and made his moves.

The captain seemed nice enough, and the other cops smiled at him as they passed by. Nicky looked back down at the chess board to see where Nick had moved. Just where he hoped he would. Nicky moved his knight into place.

"Check."

Nick, who was looking at a set of crimescene photos quickly glanced back down at the board frowning slightly. Glancing up at his son, looking around the bullpen, he pursed his lips then examined the board more carefully before his next move.

Several moves and two games later. Clunk. Nick toppled his King in defeat...again. He had proceeded to lose every-single-game. For some reason this bothered him. He had been playing chess for centuries! He mentally went over every move, seeing every mistake he had made. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried to win. If fact in the last game he had held nothing back. Finally though he began to take in what had just occurred, he smiled suddenly and turned to his partner.

"Trace, my son’s a genius."

Nicky hid the warm effect the compliment from Nick had on him. He didn’t want to feel those things just now, or maybe ever.

The rest of the shift passed uneventfully. Nicky had entertained himself without complaint for most of the shift. Tracy had taken him to a cafe for lunch while Nick caught up on his paperwork.

At four am they gathered together their belongings. Nick shoved the Goddard casefolder under his arm to review at home, and Nicky slung his backpack over his shoulder. They headed for home.

Nick slid open the lift door and entered the loft. Nicky silently went to his room and shut the door.

Nick watched his son. He had been quiet throughout the entire ride home. Nick had tried talking to him, but he soon turned away clearly not wanting to talk.

Nicky had seemed so sad suddenly and it concerned him. He understood the boy was grieving, and tonight had been an emotional ordeal. But still, it hurt to see his child in pain, and it hurt even more knowing he couldn’t do anything to take that pain away.

Nick suddenly realised Natalie should be home by now. He looked quickly around the loft and listened for her heartbeat. Nothing. She must be working late. Turning toward the fridge to quench the continuous hunger which was becoming more insistent. He spotted a note suck to the door.

Walking into the kitchen, he dropped the Goddard file on the bench. Nick peeled the note from the fridge as he read it.

Nick,

I’ve gone back to my place. You both need some time alone to get to know one another.

I knew that if you had been here when I left I wouldn’t have made it out the door.

Call me if you need anything!

Love

Nat.

Nick immediately reached for the phone.

Nicky had felt sad and lonely for the past hour or so of the shift. He didn’t know why he suddenly felt this way, he just did.

Nick had tried to talk to him in the car, but he hadn’t felt like talking, so he had turned away from him and pretended to doze. He watched the lights of the foreign city pass by his window, the colours blending together into a blur of nothing. He’d held in the tears to the point of physical pain which threatened to push to the surface. He had wrapped his arms around himself, and buried his face into the leather of the seat and tried not to feel.

He closed his bedroom door, dropped his bag on the floor and fell into his pillow, finally allowing the tears to soak into the soft fabric.

"Tell me what I should do Nat? I don’t know what to do!" Nick pleaded desperately into the phone.

On the other end, Natalie sighed in sympathy for Nick

"Don’t do anything Nick. Just be there. Don’t force him to talk about anything he doesn’t want to. Not yet. Right now he mostly needs some kind of stability, and thats you.

Talk to him about other things, get to know him. Tell him about yourself. You have to relax Nick, just let things happen."

"Yeah, I know, I know." Nick sighed in tired resignation. "Thanks Nat." He did feel a little better. She had only said what he already knew. He had just needed to be reassured that what he was doing was right.

The tightness in his stomach settled at the sound of her voice soothing his fears. He could listen to her forever.

"You going to be alright now? I can come over if you want me to?" Natalie said half hoping he would say yes. She missed him already.

"Yes. No. You were right. I have to do this sometime." Nick wiped a hand across his face rubbing his eyes. He was tired.

"Ok, Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Nick." Natalie said tenderly.

"Yeah, Goodnight Nat. I love you. I miss you."

"I love you too. Now go to bed!" she replied lovingly then firmly. She could sense the fatigue in his voice. She knew he had been stressed lately, not with only his new son and Sarah’s death, but with Lacroix and his unrelenting work on top of that.

Nick smiled as he hung up the phone. He crossed the room and softly knocked on Nicky’s door as he slowly opened it.

The tightness, reestablished itself in his chest as he saw his son curled up on his bed asleep.

Nick moved silently to his side and carefully removed the boys shoes. When he didn’t wake he proceeded to remove the rest of his clothing and put his pyjamas on. Nick tucked his son under the covers and turned over the tear dampened pillow. He brushed the softness of the boys face with the back of his hand, trying to ease away the slight frown creasing his sleeping brow.

He stood for several minutes watching his son sleep. What did I ever do to deserve this? Nick closed his eyes and held his breath listening to the steady slow rhythm of the small heart. What if I should wake, and this is all but a dream? Slowly he let out his breath and opened his eyes.

He pulled the duvet tighter around the boy’s shoulders and left the room to fall into his own bed and into fitful sleep.

Nick sat bolt upright. Something had woken him. As the darkened room came into focus he listened to the sounds within the loft, his muscles tensed, ready to leap into action.

There was only silence for a moment, then he heard the source of what had woken him.

"Mama"

The whimper cut deep into Nicks heart.

"Mama! Mama! Mama!" the cry was louder and desperate now. Nick threw back his covers back and leapt out of bed and half ran down the stairs and into Nicky’s bedroom.

The boy was still asleep, tossing from side to side restlessly. Nick moved to the bed and switched on the bedside lamp.

"Nicky, Nicky. wake up, it’s alright." Nick rubbed the boys chest trying to wake him gently.

"No. no! Don’t touch her!" Nicky opened his eyes. They were filled with fear.

"It’s Ok Nicky! You’re safe. Nicky!" Nick felt his own worry rise at the fear he was seeing in the boy’s nightmare.

Nicky suddenly sat hard upright with a scream. He was awake. Tears ran unchecked down his cheeks.

Nick wrapped an arm around the boys shoulders.

"It’s ok, It was just a dream." Nick said soothingly

"Just a bad dream." He could feel his son trembling beneath his arm. He held the child tighter and rubbed his back, all the while saying soothing words in both French and English.

Nicky’s breathing returned to normal after a few minutes, and he lifted his head slightly. Nick stopped his calming ministrations and asked him softly.

"Are you alright?"

The boy nodded affirmative, turned away and lay back down closing his eyes.

Nick straightened and pulled up the scattered bedclothes. Sighing silently he turned off the lamp and left the room leaving the door ajar.

Nick put a hand to his chest to hold it in his heart which was pounding as he walked over and sank into the leather lounge chair.

The fearful tone in his sons voice as he dreamed had effected him deeply. He knew the difference between dream and memory induced nightmares. What he had heard and felt? just now was not a dream. His son had been reliving something from the past, something which had terrified him.

Guilt and anger washed into Nick as he sat in the darkened loft. Something terrible had happened to his son, and he hadn’t been there to stop it. Nick rested his head in his hands and thought about all the other things in his sons life that he had missed and not been there for.

"Sarah, why the hell didn’t you tell me?" he whispered into the dark.

For the next two nights the nightmares persisted. Nick was exhausted. Natalie had dropped by the precinct to give Reese a batch of the latest reports. She was staring at Nick working from across the room. He looked terrible, paler than usual and a little drawn. She walked over to him and perched on the edge of his desk. Nick had told her about Nicky’s nightmares, and she had scheduled

a full physical for both Nicky, and Nick for later that night.

"Where’s Nicky?" she asked looking around and not seeing the boy.

"Trace took him out for lunch." Nick lent back in his chair running his hands through his hair.

"You look exhausted Nick."

"Yeah" he sighed not trying to hide just how tired he felt.

"Right. I’m coming home with you tonight. No arguments Nick, you need a break." Natalie firmly said. Nick knew better than to argue and secretly felt relived. "Ok." he nodded.

"You haven’t heard from Lacroix?" she asked quietly. Another subject preventing Nick from sleeping.

"No, not yet"

Nicky and Tracy walked back into the bullpen.

"Hi Natalie" Tracy greeted the doctor.

"Hey Trace"

Natalie smiled and brought her hands together looking at the two males infront of her.

"Well, are you two ready for your physicals?" she asked lightly. They both groaned. Natalie and Tracy chuckled at their exaggerated displeasure.

"Come on, it won’t hurt a bit."

Later that night, Natalie was sitting curled up on the couch, sipping slowly on a steaming mug of coffee, as she went over the results of the tests she had run on both Nick and Nicky earlier in the evening.

She had sent Nick to bed shortly after Nicky fell into his own.

Natalie had checked on him shortly after he had gone upstairs. He had fallen asleep instantly, still fully clothed. She had gently pulled off his shoes and gun, and pulled the comforter over him tucking him in.

A murmur and broken speech came from Nicky’s bedroom. Natalie listened for a moment smiling at the few words she had caught, something about finding a ship? But no other sounds were made.

She looked back down at the report she was reading.

It looked like Nicky was physically a normal mortal ten year old, though from what Nick and Nicky had told her he was obviously developing mental abilities of a vampiric nature. He also had a minute trace of the vampire attachment in his red blood cells, but they seemed to be co-existing unobtrusively with his normal eurethrocytes.

She could only theorise on how Nick was able to conceive with Sarah. Maybe the intense physical attraction Nick said he had felt with Sarah had something to do with it. But with out a blood sample from Sarah, or more information from somewhere, she couldn’t even begin to guess how it had all occurred.

Natalie quickly put down the file, Nicky was calling out for his mother. She rose and headed into the bedroom. Natalie went to Nicky and held him tightly until well after he had drifted back to sleep again.

<<>>

Lacroix had been stomping around the Raven ever since Nick had introduced his new son to him.

He had been in a foul and dangerous mood, and had continuously got in the way of the bar staff.

It was driving Patrick mad. Of course if one wanted to live one didn’t dare mention anything to the boss, one just had to stay out of the line of fire as much as possible.

Tonight however was different. Lacroix hadn’t come out of his office all night. Nor had he ordered or demanded anything from the staff. He was also replaying an old broadcast of his radio show instead of doing it himself. An air of anticipation radiated throughout the regulars in the Raven. It was like waiting for a tornado to hit.

Lacroix appeared suddenly. Dressed in his usual black ensemble, he strode purposely through the crowd, wisely parted before him, and out into the night. The whole of the Raven heaved a collective sigh of relief.

It was a couple of hours before dawn, but he didn’t intend on staying at the loft very long. Just long enough to deliver his decision. Lacroix landed on the roof and entered the loft silently.

He watched as the good doctor sat on the couch reading from a file which was spread out around her.

He waited until she sensed his presence. Lacroix smothered his surprise when she spoke without turning around.

"Are you just going to stand there all night, or are you going to come and sit down?" Natalie sorted through a bundle of paper as she talked feigning calm. She always seemed to be able to sense when Lacroix was around. The hairs on the back of her neck never failed to tingle an alert.

She looked up as Lacroix gracefully lowered himself into the black leather chair beside her.

"What can I do for you Lacroix?" she asked getting straight to the point.

Lacroix ignored her question and casually crossed his legs and steepled his fingers.

"Good evening Doctor, I hope you are well." he smiled ever so slightly turning on the his usual devilish charm.

"I’m just fine." Natalie sighed and lent back against the couch. She crossed her arms and looked at the man sitting across from her. She noted the minute fidget of his steepled fingers, giving away a slight unease in the ancient vampire. She had never seen him show any kind of insecure emotion ever before. Natalie’s brow furrowed slightly. She surmised then, that he had made a decision.

Calming herself down, she held in the abrupt words she was about to say instead said,

"Nicks asleep. He’s exhausted and it would be best if he wasn’t woken, unless it’s an emergency of course."

Lacroix had felt his son’s increasing fatigue through their link over the past few days. He glanced up toward the bedroom as he replied

"Yes, you are quite right doctor..." He was cut off suddenly by a scream so filled with terror that it made him leap to his feet.

Natalie was already moving toward the downstairs bedroom from where the sound was emanating. Lacroix followed close behind.

It was late. The sounds of the city surrounding their south London flat had fallen to a distant whisper.

Little Nicky lay in his bed, listening to his mother sewing him some new clothes downstairs in the kitchen. He always found it difficult to sleep at night. But he just had to sleep tonight, he had to be ready for his first day at school. Nicky smiled to himself as he thought of the fun his mother had promised him he would have.

He was just drifting off when there was an almighty crash of wood splintering from the direction of the front door. He sat up eyes wide, fear rapidly rising. It took hold instantly as he heard his mother scream.

"No! No! Leave him alone! Nicky!" The terror and desperation in the plea and the footsteps thundering up the stairs motivated Nicky to scramble to his feet. He was almost at the closed bedroom door when it was violently thrown open.

Nicky screamed and rapidly retreated backwards across the room away from death as stood before him, it’s eyes the colour of blood.

Lacroix entered the child’s room and couldn’t stop his eyes widening at the sight before him. The boy was curled in a tight ball with his arms covering his head protectively, pressed hard up in the corner of the room. He was screaming.

Lacroix had heard the same scream thousands of times in his lifetime, usually directed at himself. But to hear it coming from this child, he found oddly disturbing.

He stood back and watched as Natalie spoke soothingly to the terrified child and tried to wake him. When she attempted to touch him he jerked violently away and screamed louder.

The black and the blood red eyes came toward him, growling. Nicky kept screaming. He could hear his mother screaming for them to leave him alone. But all he could see were the hands and eyes, the black reaching out to grab him roughly by the arms and lift him into the air.

Is this what Nicholas has been dealing with all week? It was no wonder he hadn’t slept.

Lacroix moved infront of the boy and crouched down beside Natalie. She was still talking to the boy, who wasn’t responding, her tone becoming more desperate.

"Is he usually like this?" he asked.

"No" came a desperate whisper behind him. Lacroix turned his head slightly to see his son enter the room and crouch down beside him.

"This is the worst it’s been" Nick placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. "Nicky! You have to wake up now!" he said firmly to the child. He shook the child a little harder than previously. Nicky stopped screaming. He still had his head buried and was shaking violently. "Nicky, it’s alright. Your safe, your safe. It’s Nick."

Nicky raised his head slowly to revel terror stricken eyes. Natalie reached over and turned on the lamp. Nicky blinked rapidly as his eyes adjusted, and he seemed to become aware of his surroundings.

He stared, taking in the people before him. Then dropped his head back onto his arms and began to cry.

Nick moved forward and pulled the boy into his lap and pulled his head against his chest. Sitting on the floor he gently rocked and soothed his distraught child.

Natalie sat on the end of the bed while Lacroix, now standing, paced the length of the room.

As Nicky appeared to calm down Lacroix crouched down infront of them again and looked into Nicholas’s eyes.

"Who did this?" he demanded. This had been no imaginary dream.

"I don’t know" Nick sighed. He pulled Nicky away from his body so that he could see his face.

"Nicky," Nick gently spoke to the boy. "Tell us what happened." The boy shook his head no.

"Please Nicky It will help if you talk about it." Nick pleaded. Nicky turned to look warily at Lacroix.

Nick followed his gaze.

Lacroix sighed then held Nicks questioning look. He then held his grandson’s eyes with his and told him. "You have nothing to fear from me child." He shifted his gaze back to Nick "I always protect my family."

"Thank you" Nick managed to choke out looking to his father. Relief was clear in his face and in the sudden relaxing of the previously tense set of his shoulders.

Natalie wiped at the tears streaming down her own face. She knew how much Lacroix’s acceptance of Nicky meant to Nick, and she was happy and more importantly relived for them all.

The hard feelings she had for Lacroix had just softened ever so slightly.

Lacroix lent toward the boy and held his face in his hands.

"Who did this to you Nicholas?" he gently demanded.

Nicky closed his eyes tightly for a second. He then opened them suddenly, rage had replaced the terror, and spat

"Them!"

He turned away and buried his face into Nicks shoulder again.

Nick looked up frowning at Lacroix

"Them?" He watched the frown on Lacroix’s face deepen into a scowl.

"You don’t think it was the enforcers do you?" he asked his sire. His eyes begging him to tell him he was wrong.

Instead Lacroix looked to the boy again

"What did ‘they’ look like?"

Nicky turned his head to face Lacroix, though still pressed against Nicks chest.

"They were black." When he paused, Nick prodded.

"What else?"

"They had pale faces, and...their eyes were red." Nicky whispered the last part and turned back to hide in Nicks embrace, which he tightened protectively about him.

Enforcers.

Lacroix stood. The slight movement of air was all which denoted his rapid departure.

Nick, still holding Nicky tightly to him, stood and led Natalie into the lounge and sat down on the couch. He reached for the remote and ignited the fire.

Natalie sat down next to them and brushed a hand down the boy’s face.

"Tell us everything that happened Nicky." she said. Nick shifted Nicky off his lap and into the gap between Natalie and himself.

Nicky fidgeted his hands for a time and pulled up his knees, before telling Nick and Natalie the story of how his mother and he were paid a visit by the enforcers almost six years ago and how they escaped to France with the help of one of the enforcers. The enforcer had recognised Sarah, and even more importantly, who Nicky was and to whom he belonged.

Lacroix entered the basement of an abandoned warehouse with the stealth of a practiced hunter. He searched for the target of his desired attention. Moving to the next room he waited several minutes until he was alone with the vampire he was seeking before striking.

A strangled yelp of surprise erupted from the man who Lacroix now had on the floor by the throat.

"Good evening, Adin." Lacroix’s voice was calm and controlled, a strong contrast to the rage and power flashing in his eyes and in the grip of his hand.

"I have come to collect on the debt you owe." He moved his face closer to the man on the floor. Quietly, dangerously he added

"I am quite sure, by now, you know why I am here." The writhing vampire nodded.

Lacroix released him abruptly. The thousand year old enforcer coughed and rubbed his badly bruised throat as he righted himself into a sitting position.

"Lacroix, how nice to see you again." he rasped sarcastically.

"Come now Adin, let us belay the tiresome pleasantries. You know what I want."

"Yes. Yes, I know what you want. But know it is something I cannot guarantee."

Lacroix reached down and pulled Adin to his feet and slammed him into the closest wall with enough force to shatter the plaster.

"You will do everything in your power, to persuade anyone who may contemplate trying, that causing my grandson harm, would not be in their best interest." Lacroix paused for effect.

"Or else you shall share in their demise!"

Adin’s previously smug exterior faltered as he realised the implications of what Lacroix was asking, and the seriousness of the request. It would be a life long payment on his part. But he could do nothing. He owed Lacroix a debt of immense proportions. So he nodded his consent to do his bidding.

"It shall be done Lacroix. I will do all I can to protect him."

Lacroix let him go and moved away. Adin didn’t move from against the wall. There were very few vampires of whom he was genuinely afraid of, and Lacroix was one of them. Even he, a master Enforcer, would not be foolish enough to fight one as old and as powerful as Lucien Lacroix.

Lacroix turned his head to face the enforcer.

"Very well. Your debt is duely paid." He nodded his appreciation and disappeared as silently as he had come.

Adin breathed again. He shook his head wearily as he stretched out the limbs the Ancient had battered.

"That kid is going to get me killed one of these days." he muttered to himself.

It was too close to dawn to make it back to the Raven, so Lacroix resigned himself to staying at the loft for the day. He entered in his usual fashion. Nicholas and Natalie were asleep together on the couch. He sensed Nicky was back in his own bed and sleeping calmly.

He moved to stand behind the couch and waited for Nicholas to awaken.

Nick stirred, then turned his head toward Lacroix, trying not to wake Natalie who was asleep in his arms.

"Where did you go?"

"To collect an old debt." Lacroix moved around the couch to sit in the chair. He sighed and meet Nick’s questioning eyes.

"You have my word, the Enforcers will no longer be a concern to young Nicholas."

Nick accepted Lacroix’s statement without doubt. He knew from experience his sires word was his bond.

He nodded his thanks, sending his gratitude and support through their link to Lacroix, who smiled ever so slightly at the rare gift.

"You can sleep upstairs if you wish" Nick said softly. He had noticed the unexpected wariness in Lacroix’s face. He apparently wasn’t the only one not sleeping well.

"I’ll stay here with Nat."

Lacroix nodded his approval, rose to his feet and headed to the refrigerator and selected a wine bottle from within. He scrunched up his face in disgust as he drank the cows blood down as fast as he possibly could in order not to prolong the torture of the putrid taste.

Nick tried not to laugh as Lacroix’s antics reminded him of himself forcing down one of Natalie’s protein shakes.

"Goodday Nicholas." Lacroix said as he made his way up the stairs.

"Goodday Lacroix." Nick replied

Lacroix disappeared into Nick’s bedroom and shut the door.

Nick rested his head against the armrest and feeling more relaxed than he had in months, he wrapped himself closer to the woman in his arms and quickly fell asleep.

Fin.

To be continued. Same bat time...