Things Fall Apart - Parts 23-33
Jarvinia

Things Fall Apart - (23/33)

Five nights later:

Nick turned off the laptop, information emblazoned in his mind.  He
knew where Natalie was.  He knew *exactly* where Natalie was.

Once LaCroix had received the disks from Aristotle's messenger, the
elder vampire had taken great care to keep any and all of the
information from him.  At present, LaCroix believed him to be
sleeping, and had made the mistake of leaving him at the loft while
speaking with someone.  Other than that it was some mortal, he could
only guess at the precise reason.  It was something about Natalie, he
suspected.  He remembered the other mentioning trying to get the
mortals to take this seriously...but he didn't care what it was, only
that it was giving him this opportunity.

He was not going to let her wait through the mortals' bureaucracy--
he was determined to get her back, and now.  The information was all
that he needed...more than enough to get where he wanted.  He grabbed
his jacket and slipped it on, his eyes burning amber.  In another
moment, he was gone; the loft left dark and silent.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick stared through the trees, just outside of the clearing around
the building.  It looked just as it had on the CDs Aristotle had
sent.  The complex sat in the middle of nowhere...no prying mortals
for several miles in any direction.  It made it both easy for him to
approach the building, and for the mortals to keep it relatively
hidden.

He closed his eyes, leaning against one of the trees.  Flying here
was probably a mistake.  He was exhausted, and while it allowed him
to travel both quickly and untraceably, it meant he was hungry.

He cursed to himself and pulled the flask out of his pocket that
LaCroix had given to him the day before.  He had put it in his pocket
earlier that night without thinking about it.   The flight here had
drained him of his energy, and he needed the blood.  He unscrewed the
top, drinking the sweet nectar down, letting it sooth his tired
muscles.

The blood was, of course, LaCroix'.  And it's flavor...so
wonderful....  He smiled, and putting the flask back in his pocket,
he stared at his surroundings through a deep golden hue, his lips
still forming a devious grin.

He took to the air, quickly flying up and out of view, and focusing
on the lone man guarding the one roof entrance that the cameras
couldn't get.  In a second, he had silently landed behind the guard,
grabbing the man and sinking his fangs into his neck.

The blood was warm, and it fueled his anger.  As the man's body
slackened, he lowered it to the ground, staring at the limp form. 
The mortal's heart beat slowly but strongly in his ears.  The man was
still alive, but barely.  At the same time, he'd done what he'd
needed--provided himself a way into the building.  That's all he
cared about right now.

He grabbed a key card from the man's pocket, walking over to the
door a few steps away.  Sliding the card, he made his way inside,
moving quickly and precisely.  He avoided the cameras with relative
ease, most of his attention focused straight ahead.  He took a
corridor, and then another, swiped the card again, and headed down
another corridor.

He knew he was getting close, and he slowed somewhat.  All around
him, he could feel the mortals' life signs; their heartbeats pounding
relentlessly in his ears.  He pushed them away, heading purposely for
the end of the hall.

He could see the door...the last door.  Behind it, was Natalie.  He
approached ever nearer until he heard footsteps behind him, following
him.  He spun and snarled at the man, another guard.  Easily, he
avoided the path of a stun gun, backing away with a smile.  He had
nearly reached his goal, and he wasn't leaving without completing it.

Pain ripped through his body, but when it was ceased, he turned. 
Behind him had been another guard, and he shoved the mortal into the
wall.  Another wave hit him, the electricity from the stun gun doing
more to anger him than anything else.

A moment later, he found the sensation increased as more than one
guard attacked him with their stun guns.  The intensity of the pain
numbed his muscles, and after a short time, he found himself on his
hands and knees under the assault.  When he collapsed, he felt it
stop, but he didn't have the ability to do anything in response.

"Check his person and make sure he's not carrying any weapons," one
of the men spoke, and another followed the instructions, coming back
with nothing but the flask and keycard.

Nick shifted, the affects of the weapons beginning to wear off, but
it wasn't nearly enough for him to fight back.

"Put him with the woman.  Then we'll alert the others of our new
guest."

They roughly pulled Nick to his feet, half dragging him the
remainder of the distance to the room.  One of the guards opened the
door, and then they proceeded in.

Natalie watched them, standing in utter surprise as Nick was dragged
nearer.  Then, they opened her cell and literally shoved him into the
hard cement floor, again locking the door.  A few seconds later, the
guards left, and the only sound in the room was Nick's somewhat deep
breathing.

He moved, pushing himself onto his hands and knees with difficulty. 
His muscles hurt so much....

"Nick?" Natalie called, slowly approaching him, getting as close as
her chain would allow.  "Nick, please say something."

He raised his head, his golden eyes meeting hers.  Flecks of crimson
danced in them.  He licked his lips, a speck of blood disappearing.

She stared at him, a little stunned at the sight of him--especially
the drops of blood.  That, however, could wait.  For now, he was here
and not responding.  "Nick?  Please...."

Slowly, he began to calm.  He breathed deeply, letting himself take
in the cool air.  He bowed his head, willing himself to change back. 
The mortal's blood still flowed quickly through his veins,
invigorating him....

As he calmed, the adrenaline rush began to fade, leaving him tired
and hungry.  Right now, he felt almost identical to when he had
arrived, but this time he didn't have the flask of blood.  The
electricity had drained and weakened him.

"So tired..." he finally spoke, inching closer to her.  Lying down,
he rolled onto his side and let Natalie hold him, her fingers
caressing his face and running through his hair.

He smiled, enjoying the closeness, even if he could barely focus.  A
moment later, he had drifted off; his lips still twisted upward, a
few drops of blood resting at the corner of his mouth.

Natalie simply held him, wondering how he got here and where LaCroix
was.  Despite not having fed for nearly a week, her hunger was the
least of her worries.  Right now, she had Nick...but she feared what
might come.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Despite his anger at the mortals, LaCroix reminded himself to remain
quiet as he arrived back at Nicholas' home.  His first destination
was the refrigerator, and he poured himself a glass, slowly sipping
the blood.  He finished the glass and filled it again, replacing the
bottle.  The refrigerator appeared identical to how it had been when
he'd left several hours before.  Nicholas hadn't fed as he had
promised he would upon waking.

His anger spiked, his concern not far behind.  He headed for
Nicholas' room, determined that his son would feed.  Nicholas would
drink his glass' contents before he left the room...whether the
younger was presently sleeping or not.

He entered the room somewhat noisily, but froze as he realized the
bed was empty, nearly dropping the glass.  Nicholas was not present.

Quickly, he searched the loft, but found nothing.  His eyes burned
scarlet, most of his anger directed at himself.  He should not have
left Nicholas alone.  Now, he just had to find his son, which,
without his link, would be difficult.

First, he called Antonius, but there was no word of his son.  Then,
he contacted Vachon, getting a similar response.  Knowing Nicholas'
fondness for the mortals, he left the loft, heading to the apartment
of his son's mortal partner.  Perhaps she knew something of this.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Tracy put a boxed dinner in the microwave, setting the timer and
starting it up.  When she turned, she found LaCroix standing within
arms reach, nearly seething at her.

"Where is he?" he demanded, keeping his tone as level as possible.

She backed away from LaCroix, not sure what to think of the
expression on his face.  "Who are you talking about?"

His eyes flashed gold for a second.  "Nicholas.  He has disappeared."

"And you expect me to know where he is?"  She watched him glare with
rage down on her, and it made her nervous.  "I honestly don't know
where he is, LaCroix.  Nick doesn't exactly share a whole lot with me."

By the sound of her voice and heart rate, the mortal was telling the
truth.  His emotions toned themselves down a bit, but it didn't
change his thoughts.  "It's probably a good thing, even if you don't
agree with it, Detective."  He met her eyes, his anger again boiling
as his phone rang.  He pulled it out of his jacket and turned it on. 
"What is it?!"

"Nicholas."

That one word made his eyes widen slightly.  "Where is he, Aristotle?"

"Uh...he went to that facility, probably with the notion of freeing
Natalie.  It didn't go quite as he had planned, I don't think."

"Explain."

"Nicholas is now in the same situation Natalie is.  I'll call you
back when and if I can discover more on what's happening there."

As Aristotle hung up, LaCroix put the phone away, his eyes now solid
amber.

"What is it?"

He turned to the mortal.  "Nicholas has fallen victim to his foolish
impulses once more, possibly making matters worse.  He has been
captured by your kind."

Tracy watched as LaCroix turned, preparing to leave just as abruptly
as he entered.  "Where are you going?"

He spun, her question annoying him.  "Although it is none of your
business, suffice it to say I am going to get my children back.  And
I will use whatever means necessary, even if it means bypassing your
laws," LaCroix hissed, then turned and left.

Tracy just stood there, a little stunned.  The microwave dinged and
she jumped, having forgotten her food.  Her hunger, however, had
slackened upon learning that Nick was apparently in the same facility
Natalie was.

She was afraid...not just for Nick and Natalie, but also for
LaCroix, herself, and the world in general.  Things were starting to
get out of hand, she suspected, and she felt herself being pushed
further and further to the outskirts.

Without Nick here, and, for that matter, without him working with
her, she was out of the loop.  Vachon wouldn't tell her about what
was happening, and LaCroix...well, he had his own problems and didn't
like her associating with Nick, anyway.  Overall, it was an annoying
predicament.

She sighed and turned toward the microwave, her hunger returning a
little.  Although she really didn't want it, she knew it would be
better to eat.  Pulling it out of the microwave, she prepared to go
on with her morning activities, her thoughts flitting quickly from
one thought to another.


Things Fall Apart - (24/33)

A deep breath echoed through the room, and Natalie snapped her
attention to the source--Ningal.  The ancient vampire stared at her
through weary, tired, and hungry eyes.

This was the first time Ningal had wakened since that doctor had come
in and drugged her not long after she had arrived.  Previously, the
other had always received another dose before she fully woke...but
this time was different.

Ningal's eyes drifted to the form lying in front of Natalie.
"Nicholas....  How is he?" she asked, quietly, shocked by his presence
even through her weakness.  Before the younger vampire answered, her
eyes met Nick's golden ones.  "How long have you been here?"

When Nick merely stared at Ningal, Natalie told her, "Just a few
hours.  He's been sleeping."

She held the golden gaze, able to clearly see that something was
wrong.  This didn't seem like the Nicholas she knew.  "Nicholas...?"

The door opened loudly, turning the three vampires' attention to it.
In walked four mortals:  two guards, the doctor, and another man that
none of them had seen before.  One of the guards and the unknown man
remained by the door, while the second guard unlocked the door to
Ningal's cell, allowing the doctor access.

He approached with caution, something about her eyes warning him back.
"I just want to get a blood sample," he told her, and held up an empty
vial.  Her eyes turned gold, but it was obvious to him that she was
still paralyzed from the drug.  She didn't make any move toward him,
nor could she even shrink away.  He approached and knelt before her,
gently pulling her arm toward him and took the sample with little
effort.  Once that was done, he stood and turned to the other.  "We
should let her recover more before continuing."

"No, Dr. Paxton, we will proceed as planned.  We cannot risk her
recovering enough to do harm," the man said, his glare icy and stern.

The doctor turned back to Ningal, a resigned expression on his face.
He couldn't do anything about the order...but he really didn't want to
do this.  He shook his head.  "I can't.  The drug hasn't been
thoroughly tested."

The man's anger rose, and he stalked forward, reaching for the syringe
in the doctor's hand.  "Then I'll do it."

He drew back and out of his superior's reach.  The two forms in the
adjoining cell shifted, their eyes on him...one a frightening shade of
amber.  "I'll do it," he stated, aware that it was probably the less
of two evils.  At least he could treat Ningal like a human...his boss
would simply stab the needle into her and have done with it.  He
couldn't do that...couldn't treat vampires as if they were some kind
of animal.

Once his boss left the cell, he again knelt, injecting the drug slowly
into Ningal's depleted bloodstream.  A low growl emanated increasingly
louder from the right--a deep, feral growl.  He didn't have to look to
know it was the vampire, Brabant, who was the source.

He stood and pulled a unit of blood from his lab coat, placing it on
the ground next to Ningal.  "Drink it when you can.  It might be some
time before you get more."

"Stop socializing with the creature, Paxton!"

He shot a glare back at his superior, but did as asked, standing and
exiting the cell.  The metal cage latched shut with a sickening click,
at which he flinched.  He couldn't imagine what it was like for
them...not quite.  He didn't have much choice whether he aided the
work here or not, but at least he wasn't in a three-meter square cage.

Then, one of the guards left, Paxton following, and then the man and
the other guard exited as well, the door literally slamming shut and
echoing throughout the room.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick held Natalie tightly against him, leaning against the wall.  She
was, thankfully, fine as far as he could tell, but his anger remained.
It no longer consumed him, but it remained.

In the other cell, Ningal rested on her side, her eyes tightly shut.
Nearly twenty-four hours had passed since that mortal doctor had
injected her.  It hadn't taken long for her to recover her movement,
and being starved, she drank the unit of blood at that time.  Since
then, however, she had become weak and, although she did not say so,
he suspected she was in great pain.

His eyes flashed gold and he pulled Natalie ever closer, making her
shift.

"Nick?  You need to relax...please."

He realized his grip was quite stronger than he thought, and loosened
his arms.  "Sorry...I'm just...."

"Shh...it's okay.  I know, Nick, I can feel your emotions."

He tensed, asking, "What?  How..."

"I don't know.  It's just started to hit me the last hour or so.  But,
I can't feel you, Nick.  I can't feel LaCroix, either.  Just a little
from you, just enough to tell that your anger is there...and it scares
me."

Again, he pulled her against him.  He forced himself to do what he
could to get his thoughts more under control, but he really didn't
want to push the anger away.  He wanted and needed it...it was there
because of what these mortals were doing to his people.

The door swung open, admitting several guards.  They approached the
cell, opened it, and entered with their stun guns held out.

Nick shifted, snarling at them.  He wasn't going to let them hurt
Natalie...not if he could do anything about it.

And yet, they didn't go after her, but instead went for him.  He was
again shocked, the electricity momentarily paralyzing him.  From his
hands and knees, he could see Natalie's protests, although he couldn’t
make out her words.  It flowed through him again, this time knocking
him unconscious, everything suddenly disappearing.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Paxton sat at the bench, looking over several of the lab results.  The
DNA amazed him, the minor differences that resulted in a vampire's
abilities.  Previous research had already proved that their skeletal,
muscle, and all other physical structures were identical to a human’s.
The difference came in how their organs functioned.  Some had no use,
while others were merely at another level than for a human.

Overall, if he had to make a statement of whether vampires were human
or not, he'd have to answer in the positive.  There were too many
similarities if they weren't.  Vampires seemed little different from a
human with a disease or condition.  He didn't like referring to it
that way, but that was how it appeared.  It was something that could
be passed on through blood, primarily through the creation of
'children', through bringing mortals across.

Vampires were human whether humanity wanted to address that fact or
not.  From the various samples of vampire blood he had studied, they
all had the appearance of an altered human.  On average, the younger
the vampire the smaller the distinction between the 'virus' as he
called it, and the subject's DNA.

Ningal's blood had been quite interesting, as the virus' definition
was more visible.  He glanced at the microscope, where a sample of
Brabant's blood sat.  The virus was almost identical in both of their
blood samples, despite their age difference, and it intrigued him.  It
showed that age wasn't the only factor, although age did seem to
affect how well one of them could recover from injuries.

A rustle of little feet caused Paxton to look up to where in a large
cage sat two white rats, each looking down on him with a faint gold-
colored gaze.  They were the result of some of the earlier
experiments.  Most of them had been destroyed, but he had asked to
keep these two.  They were, in a way, pets.  Through the rats, the
relation between generations and family members was revealed.

The single sample he had obtained from Natalie had shown her position
on the genealogical ladder.  She was Nicholas' sibling and, since he
was one of LaCroix' children, so was she.  They were each of the same
generation--as far as the virus' form indicated--that Ningal was in,
which was quite interesting.  The version of the virus they had was
similar, but it's definition was different.  The virus in Natalie was
still relatively weak, showing just how short a time she'd spent as a
vampire.  The other two...their's was more visible.  The virus was
fairly pure in the three--much more so than many of the other samples
they had obtained.  It showed just how close to the original source
they were...but, he knew that would probably never be discovered by
mortals.  Perhaps the vampires knew...and perhaps they didn't.
Whichever way, he suspected the first of their kind, if alive now,
would have been at least ten thousand years old, probably more.

Paxton reached up to the cage, unlocking it with a key and pulling one
of the rats out.  He held it, petting it.  With a smile, he wondered
what the world would think of him keeping vampire rats as pets.
They'd probably think him crazy.  But, he knew that as long as they
were treated well and kept well fed, there was really nothing to fear.
Sure, he'd been nipped several times, but no permanent harm had been
done.

He sat the rat on the bench, and watched as it scurried across toward
the microscope and several blood samples...at which he caught it,
again.  Obviously, it was hungry, and he put it back in the cage,
where it drank from the blood in the feeder.  He carefully locked the
cage and stared at the metal lock.

On several occasions, they had escaped before he'd put a lock on the
cage.  They knew how to get out and, as far as he was concerned, were
more intelligent than the average lab rat--far more intelligent.
Whatever the case, sometimes he could swear they knew what he was
thinking, or what he was about to do.  They watched him more intently
than they had before the experiments.

Paxton turned and stared across the room to where his current subject
laid on his stomach, metal manacles holding the vampire's arms and
ankles in place.  It was Brabant, and he slept calmly.  The vampire
had been brought in not even an hour before, unconscious from the stun
guns.  His boss had accompanied them, ordering him to drain most of
the vampire's blood.  He had reluctantly done so, during which he
received a lecture on making sure everything was done according to his
orders.

He didn't like it, but knew if he didn't, he would be out of there to
who knew where in a flash.  So, he had accepted his orders...even if
the thought of carrying through with them sickened him.  Yet, one of
the conditions was, since he and Natalie were siblings and Brabant was
older, that they wouldn't touch the younger as long as he followed
directions.  So, for her sake, he would do as told.

When he had seen Brabant earlier, the feralness had nearly frightened
him.  He hadn't expected it...a silent, clear disapproval of his
actions told to him through a deep golden gaze.  That had affected him
far more than any words would have, and he suspected that the vampire
knew that.

He hoped the anger would fade, or that he would at least be able to
calm it...but he wasn't sure.  This one was different.  His rage was
deep and even hunger or pain didn't do much to dispel it.

He knew this vampire was probably more of a danger than any of their
past subjects, and that two of the guards were under medical
supervision because of Brabant.  One had been nearly drained and had
not yet recovered consciousness, while another received several broken
ribs from being shoved against a wall during Brabant's capture.

Despite what he knew, he really, deep down, wasn't afraid.  Brabant
was as human as he was, perhaps more considering his work here.

For several minutes, Paxton simply stared across the room.  Then, he
caught faint movement from the vampire and he approached.  He watched
the muscles in the vampire's back shift, and he softly spoke, "You're
not strong enough to break free...even if you hadn't been drained of
most of your blood."  At that, golden eyes stared over at him.  "I'm
sorry.  I don't want to do this, but I have no choice."

"No choice..." Nick hissed, his eyes turning crimson.  "And Natalie,
are you doing this to her as well?  Are you going to?"

He shook his head.  "No.  You and she are siblings, and she is young. 
We would risk killing her.  I am told that as long as you live, she
will not be harmed."

"And Ningal?"

Paxton bowed his head.  "I don't have much say in what happens to her.
She was the subject of another of the doctors here."

Nick let his eyes soften, nearly returning to blue with the other
man's sad tone.  "And?"

"And my colleague refused to continue.  He...disappeared, and is
probably dead.  I only continue because I do not wish to end up like
that.  I still have my family, even if I haven't seen them in several
months."  He paused a moment, and then returned his focus back to the
subject.  "I'm not supposed to see or speak to Ningal without my
superior's permission, and he's not let me out of this lab since you
saw me yesterday."

Nick watched as Paxton gestured across the room to a cot, and it hit
him that this doctor was just as much of a prisoner as he.  "Ningal is
dying," he stated and turned away.

Shocked by the revelation, Paxton murmured, "Dying?  How...how do you
know?"

"I could see it.  She's in a lot of pain from whatever you gave her."

His anger flared.  He knew the drug hadn't been ready to test on a
vampire.  "I will deal with this," Paxton stated and left the lab,
arguing with one of the guards at the door before being escorted down
the hall.


Things Fall Apart - (25/33)

Paxton entered the room where Ningal was being held...but found only
Natalie.  Ningal's cell was empty.

He moved closer, realizing Natalie was unconscious.  "What happened?"
he demanded, not in the mood to be run around in circles as usually
was the case.

One of the guards stated, "She fought us when we took Brabant."

"And Ningal?"

"The boss and several of the guards took her."

"Take me there.  Now!"

The guard stepped back and swallowed.  It, however, wasn't his place
to argue with Dr. Paxton.  He would let their superiors deal with
this, but he would do as asked.  He turned, leading them through the
corridors, eventually stopping in front of a room.

Paxton entered, just in time to watch a stake come flying down at
Ningal's chest.  She didn't scream or otherwise move with impact.  He
stared at his boss with anger, and the next thing he knew a sharp
blade severed her head.

He looked away, not wanting to see this.

"You shouldn't be here, Doctor.  You are not supposed to leave the
lab.  I believe you have work to attend to...unless you'd like one of
the others to attend to it?"

Not looking up, he shook his head, still trying to calm himself over
what he'd just seen.  "No.  I'm off to get to work on that right now,
Sir," he spoke, leaving the room as calmly as possible and allowing
himself to be escorted back to his lab.

As the door shut behind him, he closed his eyes for a moment, trying
to relax.  When he opened them, Brabant turned his way, staring at him
and waiting.  He stared at the vampire, knowing this would not go over
well.  "Ningal is dead.  She's been staked and beheaded.  I truly
didn't want this to happen."

Nick looked away, hoping this wouldn't go any further than it already
had.  He couldn't bear it if he had to hear the same thing regarding
Natalie.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

LaCroix pulled on his jacket and headed for the kitchen.  He was sick
of dealing with the mortals.  It had been roughly thirty-six hours
since discovering his son missing, and the mortals didn't seem to
care.

He had shown some of the proof from Aristotle to the mortals, but it
wasn't enough.  Tonight, he would deliver the remainder of that proof
and take matters into his own hands.  He would have his children back,
whether or not he followed the mortals’ laws.  If they attempted to
turn his reaction against them, he would state it was a Community
matter, which it was.

He quickly poured himself a glass, taking a large sip of it.  Then,
there was a knock at the door.  He stopped, pausing momentarily.
LaCroix walked out to the door, opening it only to find two uniformed
officers and Reese standing there.  "What is the meaning of this?"

The officer on the right quickly told him, "You are under arrest for
bringing a mortal across."

LaCroix just stood there, trying not to laugh.  The mortals wanted to
arrest him for bringing someone across...and the last person he turned
was Natalie.  Eventually, he stated, "Unless there are more laws I do
not know about, I will not comply with your petty foolishness.  I have
brought no one over since the announcement of that law."

The one that had spoken before shifted, and then explained in a firm
tone, "We have the man's testimony that you are his 'sire', as well as
other proof that he is telling the truth.  You are under arrest
for..."

He grabbed an envelope off the table, which contained printouts with
more proof to give to the mortal authorities of the research.  "I have
no time for this.  It is nothing more than a lie, and it can be dealt
with later.  For now, I am going to retrieve my children."  He began
to push his way through, but Reese wasn't budging.  He glared at the
mortal, but the other didn't react.

"If you leave, LaCroix, you will be marked as a renegade by
authorities, and the order will be to detain you by any force
necessary."

LaCroix' eyes flashed gold, but Reese didn't react.  He didn't like
the sound of that at all...but what he did know was that it would be
carried out.  If, by chance, they did manage to detain him, it would
merely make it take longer to get to his children than if he just went
with them now.  "Fine," he hissed.  "I'll play along with your games
for now, even if it's just probably some simple typo...on one
condition.  I want this," he said, holding out the envelope to Reese,
"delivered to the Mayor tonight."

Reese paused for a moment, and then nodded.  "If it'll help get Nick
and Natalie back from wherever they are, it'll be there."

Resigned, LaCroix allowed them to escort him out to the police car and
read him his rights as he got in.  They were going to handcuff him,
but one glare changed that.  Soon, he was on his way to the precinct,
sitting silently in the car, staring at the rearview mirror, and
irritating the two officers.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

LaCroix was led into the building, most present stopping their work as
he walked through the main section of the precinct.  "I want to see
this supposed child of mine."

Reese nodded, and they headed into part of one of the interview rooms.
Through the one-way glass, LaCroix saw a blond haired man in his late
twenties sitting at a table.  The man was indeed a vampire, but he had
never seen the man before and stated as much.  The vampire turned and
met his eyes through the glass, and the mortals seemed to take that as
indication that he was lying.  It wasn't difficult, really...he could
have done the same without thinking, just by locking onto the presence
of the other vampire.  But the mortals didn't know that.

Then, they led him to another room, telling him to sit at the table.
He did so, waiting for the mortals to start to deal with this.  When
they didn't, he demanded, "What is this 'proof' that that man is my
'child'?"

"Testimony, and a polygraph test of sorts.  Both came back with the
same results, and that's that you are his sire."

Aware that a polygraph test wouldn't quite work on a vampire, he
asked, "Just how was the last done?  As I'm sure you know, our life
signs are different from yours."

Reese stepped forward, stating, "Yes, they are, but your brain
functions more or less the same way a mortal's does.  It's not an
exact science, but coupled with the other results, it's enough to
arrest you."

LaCroix sat, staring blankly forward.  This was a waste of his time,
but he really couldn't do anything about it.  He glanced to the
officer at the door, looking at the weapon held in his hand.  It
wasn't a standard weapon, but more of a stun gun, he
guessed...possibly a similar weapon to what incapacitated his son a
little more than a week previous.

He leaned back and laced his fingers, aware that tonight was going to
be long...too long.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Tracy knocked loudly on her father's door, waiting impatiently for it
to be answered.  When it was opened, she froze upon seeing her mom
standing there.  "Mom...what are you doing here?  I thought-"

"Come inside, Tracy.  We both want to discuss something with you."

She saw her father come into the living room, two thick files held in
his hands.  "What is this about?  I got a call about some emergency
and came over."  Neither said anything.  "Tell me, now, or I'm
leaving."

"We just want to try and talk some sense into you.  Your father has
showed me some information on your partner, and I think you should see
it as well.  He's not who you think he is, Honey."

"I think I'm old enough to decide for myself who I talk to."  Her mom
retrieved the files and brought them to her, holding them out.  She
took them, hesitantly.

"Please, just read them.  Then, you can make your own decision, that's
all I ask."

Tracy turned to her father, stating, "Why do you keep doing this, Dad?
Why do you keep messing with my life?"

"Just read it.  That LaCroix is presently at the precinct for breaking
one of the new laws.  He's not what he seems, and neither is Brabant. 
I don't want you associating with either of them, or any other members
of their Community, for that matter."

Despite her father's relation, she ignored it, knowing that if it were
true, there would have to be some reason.  "I'll do as I want and talk
to who I want.  Nick's my friend, and that's not going to change."
They remained silent, and she became uncomfortable.  Usually, her
father would just yell at her and try to get her to agree...but he
hadn't, this time.  At least that was a relief.  "Fine," she
eventually answered.  After all, what would be the harm in reading
through the files?  It would make them happy and, just maybe, they
would leave her alone about it.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Sitting in her apartment, Tracy held her head to her hands.  The files
had quite a bit more than she expected.  Nick's file was, in one word,
alarming.  Just some of the things he had done in the past...he'd
wiped out whole families and caused the death of whole towns when he'd
gotten out of control.

In contrast to Nick's file, LaCroix' was much more...sterile.  LaCroix
was a killer, yes, but...he didn't waste his time killing, just as he
didn't when dealing with other things.  Nick, however, was
different...Nick was a much more brutal killer, something she never
really realized.  LaCroix killed if it was necessary and if he wanted
to...but Nick often killed from his emotions, his wants.

It made sense, but it bugged her somewhat.  Is this why Nick wouldn't
let her closer?  Why he wouldn't let her past his barriers?  She was
mad...more at her father than anyone else.  This didn't change her
view of Nick, because it didn't change the person he was here, now, in
the present.  For her father to even think that it would make a
difference....  She wasn't that shallow.  Sure, she might be blonde
and the Commissioner's daughter, but her friendships weren't broken
that easily.  This only made her want to stand by Nick in whatever he
wanted to do more.

Closing the file, she pushed them away from her and leaned back.  A
few minutes later, she felt something...and opened her eyes to find
Vachon standing on the other side of the room.

"What are you here for?  No, don't tell me...you're looking for
LaCroix."

Vachon just stood there, blinking a couple of times in silence.

"Go on, say it."

"I'm not.  I just dropped by...you said you wouldn't mind."

She closed her eyes and sank further into the cushions.  She wanted to
be anywhere but here.  "Sorry.  I've just been....  You're really here
just to talk?"

"Yeah.  I figured I'd just come by."

"Thanks."  Again, he simply stared at her.  "For coming by, that is.
It's a relief...no parents bugging me and no LaCroix wanting to know
where Nick is...."

"He's right, you know.  You shouldn't spend so much time with us--with
vampires."

"How do you know about that?  Never mind, I'm not going to ask.  Nick
probably would have said the same thing."  Vachon once more didn't
react, and she asked him, "Aren't you going to leave or something?"

"Only if that's what you want."

"No, it's not...I just don't really get you.  I don't know if I ever
have."

Vachon approached and sat on the couch next to her.  "I don't think
you're supposed to, Trace."  He paused, telling her, "LaCroix won't
hurt you, nor will he bring you across.  Besides, I think I'd rather
have you stay just as you are."

Hearing Vachon's comment about LaCroix relaxed her a little.  At the
same time, it was something she already suspected.  LaCroix just
wanted her away.  He wanted his family back together, and didn't want
any more mortals in his way.  "I don't want to be one of you.  I know
that.  I just don't...I don't know where everything around me stands. 
I know I'll die and that you, Nick, and Natalie will live on.  And,
anyway, I don't think I could handle that...living forever."

Gently, he pulled her closer, letting her rest against him.  After a
moment, he asked, "You know, we're used to moving on...to changing
lives.  We can only stay in one place for so long."

"You're going to leave, aren't you?" she said, the words more of a
statement than a question.  She knew his answer.

"Once this is settled, yes.  I believe Antonius' thoughts are similar
to mine.  We've been here a while...I was prepared to leave when we
first met, but I stayed."

"Because of me, right?"  She watched him nod.  "It's okay, Vachon.  I
just hope Nick gives me the same kind of warning you are.  Just know
that you can drop by anytime...even in twenty years, if you want," she
told him, managing a slight smile.  "I really wouldn't mind."

"I'll keep that in mind."  He held her against him, closing his eyes
and just resting.  "Nick will be okay, and I think you know that."

She nodded, but didn't comment.  She hoped he was okay, but what if
something had happened?  LaCroix had seemed quite concerned when he'd
dropped by, and she was afraid.  "Just hold me.  I don't want to think
about anything right now.  I'll always be a friend, and I hope you
can, too.  You being here really helps, Vachon."

Tracy closed her eyes and leaned against him, listening to her
surroundings--everything from the gentle breeze from the window to the
occasional breath or heartbeat from Vachon.  She enjoyed his presence,
and was glad he had dropped by.  Now, she just wished Nick and Natalie
were back and well.


Things Fall Apart - (26/33)

Nick's skin burned in such a way that he'd never felt before.  Not
only did his skin burn, but the scent of the garlic irritated his eyes
and nose as well.

A knife cut the skin near the burning sensation, and a moment later, a
substance dripped into the wound--more garlic.  He hissed at the pain
it caused, trying to shift to lessen it, but the manacles still held
him firmly in place.

Then, a few moments later, more garlic was put on his skin, the blade
making another cut in that section.  It was, if possible, even more
painful than the previous action.  He again snarled, pulling hard
against his bonds.

"It'll be just a moment," Paxton said, waiting and watching the wounds
as they started to heal.  A couple of minutes later, he carefully
washed the area, thoroughly cleaning all of the garlic away.  He dried
the still red skin, commenting, "That's the end of that test."

Nick shut his eyes.  He didn't want to hear that one more time.
Already he'd been attacked by crucifixes in this room...and now
garlic.  What was next?

He quietly watched the mortal, spying a clear container of what looked
like water.  He cringed.  It probably was water...holy water.  Soon,
he felt the same precise procedure that had been used for the garlic
being carried out.  It was tested on various sections of his skin in
varying dilutions.

It produced more painful burns than had the garlic, but at least he
could breathe a little easier.  He wasn't sure how much time had
passed, only that the doctor was tiring, and that it had to have been
at least several hours considering how long each application took.
For both the garlic and the holy water, it had been applied, sat for a
certain set amount of time, and then was washed off.

He wondered how much longer this would go on, and wished he could
feed.  Yet another section of skin was covered with the holy water,
and he flinched, twisting slightly.

Time was passing, ever slowly, yet the doctor showed no signs of
stopping.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick winced as a sliver of wood went deeper into his skin.  He already
had at least a dozen similar slivers stuck in him, and whenever his
muscles moved, the pain was almost unbearable.  So far, several had
broken, and he'd found himself in more pain.

The last several hours had been, for him, anyway, pure hell.  It was
every little thing that bothered him--crosses, garlic, holy water,
wood....  He knew there were still burns on his shoulders from the
previous 'tests', but he was too tired to really care.

He closed his eyes tight as another sliver was pushed under his skin,
this one hurting more than the previous one for some reason.  He
twitched and the splinter snapped.

"Sorry," Paxton muttered.  While retrieving the broken bits, he asked,
"LaCroix...what is he really like?  I mean, I know who he is and about
his past, but the reports are rather dry."

Nick looked away.  LaCroix.  He'd been cut off from his sire since
Natalie had been taken...and then he'd just left Toronto, not even
with a hint of where he was going to LaCroix.  The elder vampire was
more than a little angry, he knew.  He winced from a combination of
what LaCroix would do and one of the splinters being pulled out.
"He's quite a bit more than he seems," he stated, even though he
didn't have to say anything.  Paxton probably didn't have to remove
the splinters, either.

"I figured that.  You don't have to answer--I was just curious, and
since you're his family, I-"

"He's very Roman...and likes to keep to himself," Nick stated, cutting
the other off.  "If you want to know more, I suggest you ask him
yourself."

Paxton halted in his actions, the tip of another splinter just
piercing the smooth, flawless skin.  "This probably isn't the best
time to ask, but...how did you meet Dr. Lambert?"  He withdrew the
splinter just as the other's muscles tensed again.

"I woke up on her table...not that interesting, really."

"And her curiosity got the better of her, didn't it?"  He waited, but
the other remained silent.  "Sorry...I probably shouldn't prod into
your personal life like this.  I am, however, curious what the blood
tastes like to you?"

"You ask a lot of questions," Nick commented, his voice tired and
weak.

Paxton considered that, and figured this was certainly not the most
ideal time for questions.  "Hmm...well, I'm sure you've heard the
saying 'curiosity kills the cat'...doctors are another curious lot."
He slid the sliver in quick and deep, causing the vampire to gasp in
surprise and pain.

The door opened and Paxton met his superior's eyes.

"How is it going, Doctor?"  He met the vampire's gaze, which slowly
turned golden.  "Don't take too much care in your work, Paxton.  He's
a creature...an animal."  A small length of wood--several inches long
and just under an inch in diameter--caught his attention and he picked
it up off the table.

"What are you doing?" Paxton demanded, watching as his superior
circled the vampire.

In an instant, he struck, bringing the small stake down into the
vampire's back, just above the waist.  When Nick howled in pain, he
grinned.  "Now, there's a reaction for you.  No more toothpicks.  Move
on and remember that you're testing his healing capabilities, not his
tolerance for petty splinters."

Paxton flinched as his boss left the room, the door slamming loudly
closed.  He turned toward the vampire, seeing the blood slipping from
the wound and pooling slightly in the middle of his back.  He
approached, his fingers wrapping around the piece of wood, causing
Brabant to move.  Aware that this would be difficult if he took his
time, he grabbed it again, quickly yanking it out.

He watched as the vampire tried to shift without luck, the manacles
holding him in place.  The other was in pain, and as he stood there,
he noticed the other getting weaker as the wound healed.  Perhaps
vampires could survive many wounds and injuries, but to have the
sudden weakness and hunger that came with it....  He honestly wasn't
sure which he'd rather be, a vampire or a mortal.

The door opened again as he was lost in thought on the matter.  It was
one of the guards, and he was handed a piece of paper with a list on
it...it was how he was supposed to proceed.

He closed his eyes and nearly crumpled the piece of paper.  He was to
test Brabant’s healing by where the wood was put...and he was supposed
to use the same size wood as he'd just pulled out of his back.  To
him, it looked more like an endurance test, something along the lines
of 'how many times and in how many ways can you stake a vampire
without feeding him before he can't handle it anymore'.

He spent the next several moments carefully removing the small pieces
of wood he had been dealing with earlier, the vampire clearly
experiencing some pain from his actions.  The wounds healed quickly,
and by the time he'd finished, the wound in Brabant's back was almost
completely healed.

The vampire's breathing had increased somewhat and his muscles had
tensed.  He paused before continuing, wondering if he could do this or
not.  He glanced up at the security camera in the corner, realizing
that he really didn't have a choice.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

LaCroix paced in one of the conference rooms, waiting.  He'd waited
before and, finally, after nearly twelve hours, he had submitted and
allowed the mortals to test to see if he spoke the truth.  It had
taken some time for the mortals to set the test up, but he had waited.

The mortals had been quite surprised when his statements were regarded
as truth.  Soon after, now roughly a full day since he had arrived
here, he again demanded to speak to the man that proclaimed to be his
child.  This time, unlike other attempts, the mortals were going to
allow it.  At present, he merely had to wait for the vampire to be
delivered to him.

As the door opened, he followed the movements of the man.  They were
somewhat arrogant and even brash.  He stiffened, watching as the young
vampire, Michael Larson, looked up at him with a smile.  He wanted to
rip it off, but knew he couldn't quite do that with the mortals
present.  However, he was tired of waiting.

"Leave us," he hissed, glaring at Reese, who had entered with the two
officers and Michael.

"I'm staying, but no one else will remain," Reese stated and dismissed
the officers.

LaCroix shot another glare at Reese once the others had left.  "Fine,
but do not interfere."  With that, he turned to Michael, returning the
slight smile...but his was of a different nature, he suspected.  In
one quick action, he spun the other and sank his fangs deep into his
neck.  It elicited a gasp from Reese and struggling from the vampire,
but neither attempted to stop him from continuing.

He drank deeply of Michael's blood, a hint of foulness present.  This
vampire was brought across by Aha.  He withdrew, feeling his anger
rise.  It was yet another diversion he was being tricked into.  "Damn
the Council," he muttered, his eyes changing to a deep scarlet.  Reese
backed up a few inches, causing his attention to be diverted there for
a moment.  "This is nothing more than another of the Council's
tricks!"

He took Michael by the shoulders, turning him to look at him.  He
forced their gazes to meet, pushing his presence into the other's
mind.  With a few careful prods, he had the other pulling away in
fear, and he smiled.  LaCroix released Michael, watching the other
back away, showing his confusion and terror.

"They took me!" the man suddenly stated, far from his original
arrogant appearance.

"Who?" Reese asked, quite interested in this and the vampire's quick
change in behavior.

When Michael didn't state the answer, LaCroix explained, "Aha and the
Council forced this."  He started for the door, leaving the confused
vampire backing toward one of the corners of the room.  "I'm leaving
to go after my children.  This one is of no concern to me at the
moment."

Reese reached forward and stopped the other.  "Wait just a moment."

He jerked out of the grasp, stating, "I have waited more than long
enough!"

"A few minutes in my office.  The information you had passed on was
looked into and something is being planned."

LaCroix lets his eyes turn amber at the revelation.  "Why was I not
informed of this?"

"Because you've been under arrest and neither the Canadian nor US
government are directly involved in this plan.  A short phone call to
set things in motion and so that they know to expect your presence,
and you may go."

"Fine," he hissed through his teeth.  He wasn't sure if he liked this,
working with the mortals in this matter, but he could deal with it.
"Then make sure they know not to cross me.  I will do whatever I feel
is needed."


Things Fall Apart - (27/33)

Natalie stared through the bars with a golden glare.  She wanted
out.  She wanted to feed.  She wanted Nick.  Every single one of
those thoughts was draped, top to bottom, with blood.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall.  When Nick had
shown up, her hunger and worries had virtually vanished.  Then, when
they'd come in and taken him, she had panicked.

The mortals had in turn reacted, stunning her to unconsciousness. 
Upon waking, she found Ningal missing, the room eerily silent.

It made her mad...more than mad.  She wanted out, and she wanted out
now.  She was sick of this in more than one way and, to top it off,
she was starving.   She needed and wanted blood--now.

All around her she could hear the mortals' hearts beating
rapidly...in panic.  Deep down she delighted in the knowledge of
their almost obvious fear and, somewhere in her mind, she wondered
what was going on to cause that fear.

Four men entered the room and one approached her cell with a key. 
The man entered with two of the others, and they approached her.  She
snarled at them, warning them back, but it did nothing to deter their
path.

She felt herself roughly pulled to her feet, and when she tried to
shrug out of the touch, she got a painful zap from one of their
weapons.  Yet, she was so angry it merely fazed her.

When she realized what they were doing, she relaxed her outer
appearance slightly as her instinct took over.  Her wrists were
released from the manacles, one word echoing in her mind--freedom.

She pulled away, getting yet another dose of electricity.  When it
stopped flowing into her, she wrenched the weapon out of the man's
grasp, breaking his arm.  Before the other near her could react, she
flew at him, slamming him into the bars with more force than she had
ever used.  His weapon slipped from his grasp, his body going limp,
and when she released him, he slid to the ground.

All of this caused no specific reaction in her mind, her only
thoughts being to get out of there at any cost.  She headed for the
door, another shock hitting her.  She pushed that guard into the
wall, her hunger increasing as his pulse did the same.

Finally, only one man stood in her way.  She snarled at him, but
once again, he remained in place despite his fallen peers.  Again she
flew, landing just between the door and the man, him facing away from
her.

Although it would be simple to leave, her hunger demanded more, her
instincts still in control.  She knocked the weapon from his hand and
sunk her fangs into his flesh, drinking the warm nectar that lay
inside.

She drank and drank, the taste urging her to take ever more--so she
did.  The man's heart weakened, and the two guards that were still
conscious remained silent and wide-eyed.  The flow of blood slowed
and soon came to a halt.  She dropped the man's now limp body to the
ground, his form crumpling into an untidy pile.

The blood calmed her, her instincts slowly going back into their
place.  She stood, her eyes still golden and fangs gleaming, watching
as the two stared at her, their hearts racing.  She backed up,
slowly, until she was eventually leaning against a wall.

The one whose arm she had broken darted out the door, and the other,
who she had done nothing more than shove him out of her way, glanced
to the two fallen guards.  She hissed, and he too slithered his way
out of the room, the door swinging shut behind him.

Natalie stared straight ahead, the smell of blood sharp to her
senses, but no heartbeats thundered in her ears.  She only heard the
soft, panicked sounds she had heard earlier.  Now, every little noise
of her breathing...the rustle of her clothes...it all grated on her
senses.  She looked from one of the fallen guards to the other, both
dead.  She clenched her jaw, her eyes turning a sad shade of crimson.

She killed them.  She killed both of them without even a hint of
mercy.  She killed them without so much as a thought.

Half of her wanted to scream at what she had just done.  The other
half wanted to do it again...and again.

She closed her eyes and slid down the smooth white wall, not wanting
to move.  Tears slowly trickled down her face, not sure just what to
think of her actions.  She had flown, she was sure of it, everything
being a blur to her.  She was a killer, a hunter, and her instincts
proved it.

Natalie shut her eyes tight against the sight before her.  She
wanted to get away from this room...but was afraid of what might
happen if she did.

Would she kill again?

She pulled her legs against her and cried, hoping no one would
disturb her.  Silence was good...and this was the quietest place. 
She could still hear the heartbeats from the other mortals, but right
here, there were no heartbeats intruding on her thoughts.  Just
herself, and nothing more.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Paxton held yet another piece of wood loosely in his hands.  Brabant
lay still on the table, his wounds no longer healing.  The vampire
was still alive, but....  This one would be the last one, he knew. 
Any more than this and he risked killing Brabant...something that
seemed to be the fate of every vampire that came here.

He raised the small stake, bringing it down in the vampire's
shoulder.  The action forced a small, pitiful scream from Brabant,
and he winced.  It was more of a whimper than a scream.  Every noise
that broke the silence, he knew, made both of them cringe with fear
at the torture that was to come.

He waited a moment before removing the wood, afraid of hearing more
sounds of pain.  Paxton deftly gripped the wood, pulling it out as
quickly and straight as possible.  This time, he received no
response, his pulse quickening.  "Brabant?" he called in a whisper,
remaining right where he was.  Could the vampire be dead?  Could the
last one have been too much?

He swallowed, hoping that wasn't so.  He moved to the front of the
table and looked down on the other.  The vampire didn't move in the
slightest.  "Nicholas?" he prodded, hoping the friendlier approach
would gain some reaction, but it didn't.  He pushed Brabant's head to
the side, turning the vampire to look at him.

Golden eyes stared back at him...hungry, afraid, and hurt golden
eyes.  He again swallowed, wondering just where those eyes were being
directed.  When Brabant breathed deeply in, closed his eyes, and
turned the other way, he exhaled with relief.  He was alive.

He stood, preparing to head across the room to the fridge when the
door opened.  Armed men entered, pointing their weapons at him.  He
froze, demanding, "What's going on?"

"You're under arrest along with the others in this facility for the
actions taken by its members."

"Now wait a minute..." he started, but two approached and prepared
to cuff him.

A snarl came from next to them, and the two men stopped their
actions and glanced at Nick, who was glaring at them.

Paxton slipped from their grasp, asking, "So, is that to mean all of
this is shut down?"

"That's one way of putting it," one of them stated, his gaze mostly
on the vampire strapped to the table.

"Then deal with the others here.  Unless you know what to do with
him," Paxton said, gesturing to he vampire.  "He needs blood and I
can give it to him.  Go, I'll take care of this."

One of the men from the door stared hesitantly back.  But, after a
moment, he nodded and called to the two already in the room, telling
them to remain and watch the two.

Paxton then continued on his previous path to the refrigerator,
pulling out several units of blood.  He went back to the table and
paused upon seeing the restraints.  He set the blood on a nearby
counter and pulled out his key ring.  A moment later, he had found
the key and started unlocking the manacles.  It possibly wasn't the
best idea, but would be much simpler.

He was slightly startled as Brabant shifted, turning on his side,
but reminded himself to keep calm.  The vampire's hungry eyes shifted
to the closer of the two men, and he quickly grabbed one of the units
of blood, handing it to Brabant.

Not long after, four units of blood laid empty on the counter. 
Paxton pulled up a stool and sat next to the table, watching Brabant.
He wasn't sure how things were going...the blood seemed to have
helped somewhat, the wounds not looking quite as red, but....  He was
afraid he'd gone too far, and was thankful that Brabant had seen
reason and had not killed him with the first opportunity.

A radio on one of the men's belts fired up, which was answered in an
instant.  "Wilkins, here.  What's going on?"

"The facility and its workers are secure.  We have a...guest who's
coming your way, unescorted.  Do not, I repeat, do not get in his way."

"Yes, Sir," he answered, somewhat miffed at the instructions.

Seconds later, the door swung open admitting a tall, angry, and
golden-eyed vampire into the room.  Paxton stood as the vampire's
eyes met his, backing away out of instinct.  He knew exactly who this
vampire was.  He knew it was best to stay out of his way, and he would.

LaCroix crossed the room to where his son lay on the metal table,
pulling Nicholas forcibly to his feet.  However, the younger was much
too weak to stand.  He offered his wrist, urging Nicholas to drink. 
After several attempts, he succeeded, fangs ripping into his wrist,
quickly drinking his blood.

He allowed his son to drink far more than he should have, but was so
concerned with Nicholas' well-being that he almost forgot to pull his
wrist from the other's grasp.  Once he had done so, LaCroix turned
Nicholas in his grasp.  His son's eyes were gold...but their link was
still gone and he could not discern the precise reason.

"Come, Nicholas.  We shall go to Natalie."

"Natalie..." he began, but LaCroix stopped him with a finger to his
lips.  His sire pulled him toward the door and he half-walked, half-
leaned on the elder vampire.  Although LaCroix' blood helped, he was
still very weak.

Paxton watched as the two left, slightly stunned by the vampire,
LaCroix', short duration in the room.  The elder vampire, from the
short glimpse he got, had been both exactly what he'd expected and
nothing that he'd expected.


Things Fall Apart - (28/33)

Nearing the end of the hall, Nick hesitated upon seeing two mortals
standing at the door.  LaCroix pulled him along, but he stopped, not
allowing the action.  The door was the same one that led to the room
Natalie had been held in.  The question was, if she was safe, why was
she still in there with men standing guard?  He didn't like the look
of this at all.

"Come, Nicholas."

"Natalie...is she...."  He shook his head, not able to say anymore,
fearing something had happened.

"I only just arrived and you were closest.  Now, come, and we shall
see."

LaCroix pulled him again, and this time Nick allowed the action,
still putting a lot of his weight on his sire.  As they reached the
door, the mortals there got nervous, which in turn made Nick worry
more.

LaCroix stopped before them.  "Let us pass."

"Can you calm her?  She won't let us in the room," one of the men
said, their voice only somewhat calm.

LaCroix glared at them, and they moved out of his way.  He pushed
the door open, a body lying just inside the room.  Although not what
he expected, it didn't sway him from his goal one bit.  Natalie sat
on the floor against a wall on the other side of the room.

Nick held onto his sire's shoulder, looking at Natalie as she
glanced up at them.  Her eyes were amber, scarlet streaks running
down her cheeks.  "Natalie?"

She looked away, curling up as much as possible.

Now using the wall for support, Nick slowly approached her, sliding
down the smooth surface to sit with her.  He reached forward and she
hissed as he nearly touched her.  Nick forced her to look at him, and
she tried to pull away with no luck.  "Natalie, what happened? 
Please, tell me."

"I...I killed them...both of them.  I...please...just leave me
alone."  She jerked out of his touch relatively easily, preparing to
stand, but he stopped her, pulling her back down.  "Nick...please."

"Shh..." he told her, pulling her closer.  He leaned against the
wall; the wounds in his back making him wince slightly.  He did what
he could to ignore them, focusing on Natalie.  He held her, rocking
slightly despite the faint pain that shot through him at the action.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Paxton walked down the hall, glancing over his shoulder at the armed
man following him.  In his slightly shaking hands were three units of
blood and Brabant's shirt.

Despite his arrest, he was fully aware of recent events.  A couple
of hours had passed since the others had arrived, namely, LaCroix. 
Natalie had killed two of the complex' guards shortly before it had
been taken over by area police and a handful of FBI agents.  At
first, no one had been allowed in the room where Natalie was -- even
after LaCroix and Brabant had managed to calm her somewhat.

He, himself, would be the first mortal to approach them, something
he wished to do, even though it was not the most intelligent choice
if LaCroix' earlier appearance could be any indication on his mood. 
LaCroix was angry.  It wasn't specifically directed toward him, but
all of those that were involved.

The officers and agents did not entirely trust him, which he could
understand.  Yet, he also realized that his intentions had been good,
probably the only reason he hadn't been handcuffed and physically
removed from the area.  Upon reaching the door, he felt his nerves
itch at what lie beyond.  What would he see beyond the door?

He was admitted, and was immediately hit with silence.  The door was
shut behind him, making him the only mortal in the room.

LaCroix sat, nearly asleep, in a chair by what had been Ningal's
cell.  The other two vampires were near the wall, lying on the ground
with Brabant tightly holding Natalie from behind.

Paxton froze as Natalie's eyes met his.  She was hungry, he could
see it...but there was more.  She was afraid of something, but he
couldn't tell what.  Brabant stirred as she stared at him, and he
pulled Natalie closer.  The vampire's eyes bored into him with more
emotions that he couldn't quite discern.

Abruptly, he felt himself shoved into the wall and nearly dropped
the items in his arms.  A light, icy glare kept him more firmly in
place than the hands pinning him to the wall.  "Wait," he softly
said, telling the other, "If I could have done something to stop what
happened, I would have.  Please know that."

LaCroix' eyes flashed a deep gold.  He observed the mortal, looking
for some sign of deception, but he seemed to be telling the truth.

"Let go of him, LaCroix," Nick spoke, breaking the silence.  "He
doesn't, and didn't want to hurt us.  He was here against his will,
just like Natalie and me.  Besides, he can do no harm now."

At first, the words seemed to have no affect, but after a moment,
Paxton found himself released.  As LaCroix stalked away, Paxton
thanked the vampire for letting go of him.  He then looked down at
the objects in his hands, telling them, "I brought a unit of blood
for each of you and, also, Brabant's shirt.  I can get more blood, if
you would like."  He stepped closer, holding the items out to
LaCroix.  When the vampire only took one of the bags, he cautiously
walked toward the other two, handing Brabant the rest.

Nick carefully sat up, wincing several times.  There were still
splinters in his back and, although they were becoming more than a
tad annoying, he did his best to ignore them.  He pulled Natalie in
front of him and handed her one of the bags of blood.  She refused it
and he tried again.  It didn't work.  "Nat, you need it."

She shook her head.  "I don't want it.  All I want is to be alone." 
Natalie looked up at Paxton, and then turned in Nick's grasp, leaning
against him.

Again, Nick winced...and Paxton noticed.  "You're hurt," he stated,
instinctively moving closer.

"No thanks to you, I'm afraid."

Paxton swallowed.  He knew the tests had been painful...more than
just physically, he guessed.  "I truly am sorry.  Please, let me help
if I can.  I don't like seeing any living being in pain--not a human,
vampire, or anything else.  Please believe that."

Nick held the mortal's gaze, then, after a moment, he slowly nodded.

Paxton turned to LaCroix, and receiving a small, short nod, he went
to the door and asked one of the guards to retrieve some of his
things from the lab.  Again closing the door, he found himself
focusing on Natalie.  She appeared frightened and hungry, but mostly
the first.  He didn't think her fear was of him, but whatever it was,
it was strong.  He watched her struggle to keep control, Brabant
doing what he could to calm her.

When the door opened, he quickly took the supplies.  He turned back
to find LaCroix slipping two units of blood into his coat pocket. 
LaCroix then gently pried Natalie from her brother, pulling his
daughter into his arms and picking her up.

LaCroix prepared to leave the room, and stated, "We will be waiting,
Nicholas.  I wish to return to Toronto as soon as possible."

Nick nodded and turned to the mortal, staring at Paxton until they
were alone.  Again, Nick shifted and his pain flashed across his face.

"Lie down," Paxton calmly spoke upon seeing the reaction.  "Tell me
where they are, and I'll get the remaining splinters out."

He did so and allowed the mortal to remove the slivers of wood.  It
was uncomfortable for him, exposing himself to a mortal like this,
but at least they would be removed.  He had enough trust in Paxton to
know that.

Once he had finished, Paxton watched as the vampire put his shirt
back on and drained the unit of blood LaCroix hadn't taken.  Brabant
looked relatively healthy considering what he had been through, but
at the same time, he could see the hesitation in the other's
movements and the paler of his skin.  It would take a little time
before Brabant fully recovered, he knew, and he blamed himself for
it.  "Uh...what I said before--I really meant it.  I'm sorry for what
happened.  For Ningal's death, for the tests...everything."

Nick didn't say anything, couldn't, and only gave Paxton a single
nod.  He could sense the truth in the other's words.  Yet, he had
questions he wanted answered.  "Whatever was given to us when Natalie
was taken...it cuts us off from each other."

Hearing the implied question, he responded, "It suppresses certain
aspects of your blood more than others.  It's probably what severed
the link.  Given time, it will wear off."

Nick nodded.  He had suspected as much, but wanted something to tell
LaCroix if his sire asked.

"What's wrong with her?  With Natalie?"

He clenched his jaw.  Although not entirely sure of the reason
himself, he had a general idea of the cause of her reaction. 
"Natalie has never had blood straight from the source before. 
Neither has she killed a mortal, let alone two.  The vampire took
over, and she's afraid it will again."

"But that was self-defense," Paxton stated in an instant.

"She also knows that she didn't have to kill them.  That if she was
in control, she could have disabled them without doing so.  She will
have to learn to live with what happened and the consequences of it,
whatever that might be."  Nick turned, starting for the door.  When
Paxton stopped him with his hand, he looked back at the mortal.

"I hope she recovers from this.  I really do."

Nick met the other's eyes, but made no other response.  Then,
without any further action, he left the room alone, heading for the
facility's exit, LaCroix, and Natalie.


Things Fall Apart - (29/33)

Nick lay on his bed, staring over at Natalie.  She was sleeping, and
had been since before they had arrived back in Toronto.  They had
driven back as soon as night had fallen, and he had held her as she
drifted off.  It worried him, as she had now been sleeping for well
over twelve hours.  He had slept some, but Natalie was occupying too
many of his thoughts to allow him to really rest.

Night had again fallen, and LaCroix was on the phone.  Aristotle had
sent the elder vampire more information...and so had the mortals. 
Between the two sources, LaCroix knew about what had gone on, who was
involved...everything.

Carefully getting off the bed, Nick headed downstairs, watching as
LaCroix listened to Aristotle on the phone.  The two were talking
about Paxton.  The speaker was on, and he moved through the files on
his computer with ease.

"He knows quite a bit," Aristotle spoke, his voice filling the room.
"His knowledge of vampires is too extensive.  If he were to fall into
the wrong hands...lets just say the mortals would have an immense
source of information on us."

"Then we will have to deal with him."

Nick stiffened at the words.  Although he didn't know what, exactly,
LaCroix had in mind, he was fully aware of what it could.  "We can't
kill him, LaCroix."

As LaCroix turned to face his son, Aristotle's voice perked up. 
"Nicholas, how are you?  And Natalie?"

"I'll be fine.  Natalie is...sleeping at the moment."

"It's probably the best thing for her.  She is, after all, going to
have to face the mortals' questions and pressures."

"I will not allow them to so much as touch her.  She was completely
within her rights to kill them," LaCroix hissed.

"But not in the mortals' eyes," Aristotle countered.  "As far as
they are concerned, she's a killer."

Nick approached and sat at the table by LaCroix, seeing the elder
vampire tense from Aristotle's words.  He remained silent, waiting
and listening.

LaCroix didn't want to think about Aristotle's comments.  The other
vampire was right, he knew, but that could be dealt with later.  So
far, the mortals hadn't acted on that...so neither would he.  There
were other matters that needed to be dealt with as well.  "I want
Paxton declared as a ward of the Community.  It shouldn't be too
difficult considering the others were given to us to deem their
punishment.  Have him brought here, to Nicholas', and have it done
quickly."

"It will be tricky to do without getting too much attention from the
mortals, but it will be done."

"One more thing, Aristotle.  I want you to focus on who was behind
that facility's operations.  I smell something foul."

"The Council?"  Aristotle paused, hearing an audible breath.  "There
was some Community involvement, which I've already discovered.  The
source could very well be Aha and his Council."

"If it is, I want the mortals to find out about it.  I want you and
Merlin to plant clues for the mortals.  Reveal the Council if it is
they who are meddling, and find out what is and isn't true regarding
the mortals' findings."

Nick watched his sire's eyes glow, feeling tinges of the emotion
across their bond.  Finally, his senses were beginning to return to
normal, and he was glad.  Although LaCroix often prodded his
thoughts, more than he wanted at times, it was quite unsettling to be
completely cut off from his sire.

He listened and waited as LaCroix finished his conversation with
Aristotle.  After the other hung up, Nick asked, "What are you going
to do with Paxton?"

"Give him a choice.  He may either choose to work with the Community
under close supervision, die, or become one of us."

Nick turned to the computer, where just about every piece of
available information on one Jeremy Paxton sat.  "He has a family,
LaCroix."

"And so do we, Nicholas.  We are family, and he participated in
harming it."

"Against his will," Nick stated, his anger rising.

"Which is why he is being given a choice.  It is his knowledge of us
that must be contained, and this is the best course of
action...unless you would rather he be simply killed?  If he had
willingly harmed either you or Natalie, he would be meeting the same
fate as the others."

"Judgement by our own 'Council of Elders'?  How can we even be sure
they can be trusted with this and not take their power within the
Community too far as Aha has?"

LaCroix considered that, as well as those that were a part of it. 
In truth, it was more of a court than a 'council'.  It consisted of
several city Elders, and was only a temporary entity.  He had
declined being a member for this matter because his children and
himself had been too heavily involved in the situation, and the
mortals would not tolerate the possibility he might...influence
matters.  "It will be a fair judgement, Nicholas.  All but those
accused of the highest crimes will be handed back to the mortals for
their punishment."

"And Paxton?  What will you do to him?"

"First, I wish to be convinced of his truthfulness.  Then, if it is
obvious he wished no harm to the Community, he will be offered the
choice."

Nick turned to the computer screen and scanned through the
information.  Paxton was quite reputed in the medical sciences.  He
had entered college at age fifteen and was, more or less, a genius. 
It was probably one of the reasons he had been chosen for this.

He wondered what would happen and, more importantly, how Natalie
would handle this.  He was worried about her reaction to what she had
done.  Natalie had killed, something that he was aware she was
against doing.  Her control had slipped, and she feared it would
happen again.  When Paxton arrived, he wondered how she would handle
his presence.

LaCroix shut the computer down and watched his son.  Nicholas was
preoccupied.  The younger vampire's thoughts flitted from one thing
to another, but always landed back on Natalie.

Natalie.  Her reaction was somewhat troubling, but she would be
fine.  She was strong and could handle this.  She was his child, his
family, and he would not allow anything more to interfere with it.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick leaned back, his eyes closed.  He was tired.  His hunger had
abated, and his link with LaCroix and Natalie had almost fully
returned, but he was still tired.  The feeling was both physical and
mental.  He was nearly sick of dealing with the mortals.  Mortals
could be crueler than many of his kind, and they could do so without
a second thought.

His envy of the mortals was gone.  It had finally vanished after
slowly fading over the last several months.  First, he had simply
decided he needed time to himself, and then vampires had been
revealed to the world.  He had been dragged into the situation, along
with everyone else.  When LaCroix was forced to bring Natalie over
because of her actions, he had grown ever closer to LaCroix and the
Community.  And now...now he wasn't sure he wanted to deal with the
mortals anymore.  Frankly, he was tired of it.

The buzzer interrupted his thoughts, and he opened his eyes to see
LaCroix letting the visitor up.  He remained sitting, watching as the
elevator arrived and Paxton entered, Antonius right behind the
mortal.  Paxton carried a small cage with two white rats, scurrying
about and looking at the vampires around them.

LaCroix glared at the animals, his distaste evident upon realizing
what they were.  "Carouche should not be kept as pets.  They should
be destroyed."

"Carouche?" Paxton slowly pronounced, the term unfamiliar to him. 
"Are they carouche because they're animals?"

LaCroix gave a glance to the rats and turned away, Nick keeping
silent from his place on the couch.  Realizing they weren't going to
answer, Antonius explained, "Carouche are animals that have been
brought over or humans whose first meal consisted of animal blood."

"But they're still vampires," the mortal quickly countered.

LaCroix spun, facing Paxton.  "Carouche often act like animals. 
They can be quite unpredictable, and it is not recommended to keep
them as...'pets'."  An uncomfortable silence found its way in as
LaCroix stared at the mortal.  Antonius shifted, causing the
attention to turn to him.  "What?" LaCroix asked, his annoyance at
the rats still evident.

"I must return home.  I'm looking after Michael.  I'm taking him in,
adopting him.  Despite the control he apparently displayed among the
mortals, he knows nothing about us, nor about how to control his
wants."

LaCroix closed his eyes and nodded.  He had forgotten about the
young vampire amongst everything that was happening.  It was good
that Antonius was taking responsibility for the fledgling.  It would
be good for him, as he knew the Italian didn't have any family.  "See
that he learns well."

Antonius gave a nod, backed up the few steps into the elevator, and
took it down.

The rats moved in the cage, their attention locking on LaCroix. 
With a hiss from LaCroix, they quickly shied away.

"Why am I here?" Paxton asked, but the two said nothing.  "I was
wakened and practically dragged here without any notice.  What's
going on?"

Nick turned toward the mortal and stood.  He approached and pried
the cage from Paxton's hands, taking the two rats over to the kitchen
table.

Confused, Paxton looked between the two vampires, and then stared at
Brabant.  Before he made it a step, he found LaCroix in his path. 
When he looked to the other, Brabant turned away, and he swallowed,
wondering what was going to happen.

Gold filled LaCroix' eyes, and he reached for the mortal's arm.  He
took it somewhat roughly, the other resisting out of instinct. 
Without a comment, LaCroix bit into the flesh, a gasp escaping
Paxton's lips.

The mortal's blood was rich and, suffice it to say, quite
interesting.  Conflict raged within, between wanting to keep his own
life and harming the life of beings he admired.  Paxton meant no harm
to the Community.

He released the grip, his fangs retracting as he licked the blood
from his lips.  LaCroix met the mortal's gaze, which was surprisingly
calm despite his action.

While holding his bleeding wrist, Paxton demanded, "What is going
on?  What are you going to do to me, kill me?"

LaCroix glanced to his son, who was purposely staying out of this. 
"That will be your choice."

"Choice?"  He again glanced between the two vampires.  "What choice?"

"Your knowledge is dangerous to the Community."

"I will keep whatever I know about vampires to myself, I swear.  I
will not betray your people.  I have no wish to do so."

LaCroix paused before commenting, "I am aware of that.  However, the
mortals may attempt to use your knowledge against us, and we cannot
allow that to happen."

Paxton swallowed.  Could LaCroix be suggesting that he would die for
his knowledge?  But then, what would the choice be?

"Death is one option.  Your other options are to become one of us,
or continue as a mortal working with our community."

"And my family?  Will I be able to see them?"

"They will remain untouched no matter your choice, and yes, after
things have been set up, you may see them."

"I can't...."  Paxton shook his head.  "I need time to consider this."

"Understood.  You will remain here, at Nicholas', and will be with
one of the Community at all times."

Paxton turned to the other vampire, who had been rather silent since
his arrival.  He could see a hint of anger within Brabant, and he
tensed, knowing it was at least partially his fault.  The two
vampires shifted their attention, and following their gaze, he found
Natalie standing a short distance away.  Her eyes were a bright gold
and focused directly on him.

"What's happening?" Natalie demanded, her attention remaining firmly
on the mortal.

LaCroix watched, sensing her hunger and anger rise.  He approached
and stood behind her, holding her by the shoulders.  "He will be
staying here until he can decide his fate.  That is, if that is okay?"

Natalie closed her eyes.  She knew what he was trying to get at. 
She had to deal with this, even if she feared what she could do. 
"It's fine, I just...."  Her eyes remained gold.  A moment later, she
pulled out of LaCroix' touch and went to the refrigerator.

As she drank from a bottle, Paxton couldn't help but stare.  "What's
wrong with her?" he asked, seeing her near desperation for the blood.

"At least she's finally feeding.  We need blood whether we want it
or not," LaCroix explained.  "She must learn how to handle her
feelings, learn how to handle killing; just as we all must at some
point."

Paxton turned toward Natalie, following her actions.  She drank a
good portion of the bottle and then sat on the floor, leaning against
the refrigerator, the green glass gripped tightly in her hands.  He
faced LaCroix, telling him, "You have to understand--I didn't want
this to happen.  I didn't want anything like this to happen."

"That's what your blood tells me and what you've repeatedly said."

Surprised, Paxton half blurted his response.  "You believe me, then?"

"Yes."  LaCroix glared at the mortal.  "Not only are you too weak to
harm one of us on your own, you are too weak to even stand up for
your beliefs!"

Paxton tensed, hoping the vampire's gaze would soften.  It didn't,
and he took a couple of steps back.  He ran into something, and found
Brabant's hands holding him in place.  "Yes, I'm weak.  I did what I
could do.  I didn't want to leave my children without their father,
my wife without her husband...we live off my income.  The facility
forwarded my earnings to my family.  They would have had nothing if I
had died.  I couldn't leave my family like that, something I think
you can understand."

LaCroix stiffened and looked away.  The mortal had hit closer than
he wanted.  Perhaps that was one of the reasons he had this mortal
brought here.  "Just know that while you are with my family, you will
do as we say."

From her position on the ground, Natalie watched them.  Standing,
her eyes abruptly lost their amber color.

The gears from the elevator shaft switched on, the three vampires
turning toward it.  Paxton turned as well, waiting.  They all watched
as the door slid open, Tracy walking in.

She froze upon seeing the others.  "Nick...I wanted to see how you
and Natalie were doing...I guess I should...."

"Stay right where you are, Detective," LaCroix hissed, stopping her
in her tracks.  He turned to his son, demanding, "You should have
changed the alarm code, Nicholas."

Nick ignored his sire, moving away from Paxton and crossing the
room.  "Tracy....  You shouldn't be here."

"I suspected that.  I'm sorry, Nick.  I just...I wanted to talk to
you and make sure you were all right."

"My children are fine," LaCroix told her, approaching.  "I suggest
you leave and not return unless you are invited by either myself or
Nicholas."

She swallowed, turning toward her partner.  Even though he wasn't
working, she still thought of him that way.  Nick was her
partner...and would always remain a friend, even if he didn't come
back to work.  In his eyes, she could almost see his thoughts.  He
was pulling ever further away.  Here, with Natalie and LaCroix, she
knew he was at home.  "I'll call you later, okay?"

Nick nodded.  "That's fine, but please...don't come over without
asking first.  I'm not going to change the alarm code, but please,
Tracy, don't just drop by."

She glanced away.  His words hurt.  Nick didn't mean for it to, she
didn't think, but it still hurt, nonetheless.  They came from
different worlds--worlds that weren't meant to mix.  "I'll talk to
you later, Nick."  Then, she quickly made her way into the elevator,
taking it down before anyone could stop her.

Nick remained in place, setting his jaw.  He hadn't meant for his
words to come out so harsh to her, but knew it had to be that way. 
He couldn't talk with Tracy right now.

"Nicholas, forget about her.  For now, we have our own concerns." 
LaCroix turned to Paxton, his gaze softer than before.  "Watch him,
Nicholas, and make sure Natalie feeds."  He prepared to head toward
the door, but stopped at the rustling in the cage.  "And make sure
those things remain in that cage."

"Where are you going?  It's almost dawn."

"I wish to make a few phone calls, and will be back at sunset."

As LaCroix left, Nick turned his attention back to Natalie and
Paxton.  He saw the mortal swallow, glancing back at the two rats in
the cage.

"If I'm brought over, who would do it?  Not LaCroix, I hope."

"I'm not sure, although I do not believe he would do so himself." 
Nick turned his attention on the cage, commenting.  "Don't lose them.
They might be relatively harmless, but if they get out, they could be
trouble.  You can take them out during the day, when LaCroix isn't
here, if you'd like."

Paxton nodded.  He would do as told, and not just because he really
didn't have any choice.  Despite the abruptness of his journey here
and knowledge of having a 'choice', he knew they were right.  It
would be too dangerous for their kind if his knowledge came into the
wrong hands.  He knew exactly what could harm and what could kill,
and what reactions to expect.  He knew how to starve a vampire to the
point where they were conscious but unable to defend themselves. 
And, most importantly, he knew more about vampire physiology than, he
suspected, most vampires did.

"Nick...."

Nick twisted around, finding Natalie with her eyes again glowing
bright amber.

She turned away, walking across the room.  With the remote, she
opened one of the blinds, letting sunlight pour into the room.  "What
am I going to do?" she asked as she moved closer to the light. 
Although Nick tensed, he didn't move toward her.  She was thankful of
that.  Reaching out, she held her hand in the sun and closed her
eyes.  Her skin burned just like Nick's and any other vampire's skin.
She pulled her hand away, showing it to Nick.  "I burn, Nick, and I'm
not sure, but I think I flew when I killed those men.  Whatever
LaCroix gave me...I think its affects have worn off."

"Then we can deal with it."

She rapidly shook her head.  "I'm a killer, Nick, and I'm afraid.  I
don't want to be a killer."

Nick crossed the room to her, pulling her closer.  "I know you
don't, and you aren't.  Remember that.  Those men's deaths were not
your fault.  You acted in self-defense."  He felt her try to pull
away, and he continued, "You should feed and rest, Nat.  Please."

Hesitantly, she nodded.  Natalie walked back to the refrigerator,
grabbed a bottle in addition to the partially emptied one on the
floor, and headed upstairs.

Paxton watched, much as he had been for the past several moments. 
When she disappeared into one of the rooms, he turned to Brabant. 
The vampire looked at him...through him.  It was eerie, but not much
else.

"Make sure your carouche are fed, and do not attempt to leave.  If
you do, I assure you that LaCroix will not be pleased."

The mortal shut his eyes and nodded.  That, he believed.  And yet,
he had no wish to leave.  He would remain because he wanted to and
did not wish to betray them...nor did he wish to die.  He trusted
Brabant, even if that trust wasn't shared.

He again turned to the vampire, only to find the other gone. 
Brabant was probably with Natalie, which was completely
understandable.  He wanted to be with his family.  They both did, he
only wished he could be with his, but knew it had to wait.


Things Fall Apart - (30/33)

Tracy sat impatiently at Vachon's, waiting for him to give her an
answer.  "Please, Vachon," she asked as he paced.

"It's complicated, Tracy.  I can't just give you a 'yes' or 'no'
answer."

She threw her hands up in disbelief.  Her partner was...her partner.
Sure, he was a vampire, but....  "Nick can't be that complicated."

"Well, he is."  Vachon paused, turning to her.  "He keeps a lot from
those around him.  I doubt if even LaCroix knows everything about his
son."

"And I can't even get Nick to tell me anything...I think I get the
point."  She stood and prepared to leave.

"Wait, don't go yet.  Now is not a good time to ask any questions. 
Nick and LaCroix...they have to deal with what is going on with the
mortals.  When this is over, then ask him your questions.  But not
now."

"You're sounding awfully authoritative."

"I've helped them quite a bit.  Not only that, but I've been helping
Antonius.  I don't like this, Tracy.  Once this is settled, I'm
leaving Toronto."

With that, she looked away.  She didn't want to acknowledge his
statement to leave.  She knew he was going to, and in truth, she knew
Nick couldn't answer anything right now.  She just wished he wouldn't
block her out as he was doing.  Even a little bit of information
would be nice...like knowing if Nick would try to come back to work
or not.  "I'm sorry, Vachon.  I shouldn't have come."

"No, stay.  I can't answer your questions, but I can wait with you."

She smiled a sad smile.  "I think I want to just be alone right now.
I'm sorry, I just want to think."  She left the room, heading out of
the building as he stared after her.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Curled up on her couch, Tracy stuck her spoon into her bowl.  The
ice cream was almost gone.  It was cold and sweet, and it pushed her
thoughts away.

Several days had passed since Nick and Natalie had returned and
since she had last talked to Vachon.  Tensions were again building,
and she was tired of it.  In fact, that was the whole reason she was
sitting here.  She took the night off, wanting a break from it all.

She set her bowl on the table, grabbing the remote.  The news the
last few days had been...quiet, and they kept mentioning that
something would be announced.  And, every day since, that had been
repeated.  Her curiosity was, as a result, piqued.

She changed the channel, the contents of the news surprising her
somewhat.  Tonight, she could see, was different.

"Recent laws, specifically those relating to vampires adding to
their race and working among humans, have been reversed.  No remnants
of these laws remain, and it seems unlikely that they will return in
the near future.

"For those that missed the beginning of this news broadcast, more
information has been released regarding previous topics.  More
information on just what vampires are will be released shortly.  In
addition, there is startling evidence that points at members of their
own community as being the cause of the previous, false, information.
This information has been traced to certain members of their
community, certain members that have been ousted from their society.

"This link is undeniable, and it is suspected that soon, it will be
dealt with within the Community.  However, all attempts to contact
those in the Vampire Community have been met with resistance and the
comment that this will be taken care of, and as soon as possible. 
Exactly how this will come about is unknown.

"On a slightly different note, it is uncertain just what will be
done to Dr. Natalie Lambert, who killed two of the underground
research facility's guards during her captivity at the center.  The
actions were in self-defense and, as of yet, neither side has
arrested her.  We are trying to gather information, but as with other
information, it is difficult to obtain any from authorities."

Tracy watched, listening as a little more information was slowly
revealed.  So much did she want to go to Nick, or even Vachon...but
she reminded herself that they were both very possibly mixed up in
this in some way or another.

On the television screen, she caught a flash of LaCroix.  He was
talking with several mortals, rushing along to stay away from the
cameras.  She didn't blame him.  If she were in his place, Tracy
suspected she would do exactly what LaCroix was doing.  Although, she
didn't know if she would be able to handle all of the pressure or not.

The good news was that Nick would be allowed to return to work...if
he chose to, anyway.  She honestly didn't think he would come back. 
But then, she really didn't know him, either.  She would talk to him
later, she hoped, but wasn't going to dare bother him with LaCroix
there.  She didn't want to deal with Nick's father...much as she
didn't want to deal with her own.

Even though they were so much alike, they were also different.  They
were from different times, and they had never truly been close
friends--unlike Nick had been with both Natalie and Schanke.  It
showed, especially when LaCroix had told her to leave and Nick just
stood there.  That still hurt her.  It hurt her that Nick couldn't
tell her himself, that LaCroix had to do it when they were both right
there....

She continued to focus on the news, listening as it repeated over
again, stating that the laws and government sentiment was returning
to the state it had been before the initial attack in Seattle.

She shook her head.  It couldn't reverse itself just like that.  She
could almost see protests firing up, and was glad she had called in
tonight.  With the next day being her night off, she feared what
would happen when at work once things settled down again.

She honestly didn't care what her co-workers thought of her calling
in.  She had more than enough sick days to take--one wasn't going to
hurt.  Hopefully, she could talk to Nick and find out what he was
going to do, but she wouldn't be surprised if he just simply left.

Vachon was going to leave, and from him, she knew Antonius was
probably going to do the same.  She didn't blame any of them for even
considering it, let alone actually leaving.  She just feared that
Nick would leave as well...but she also feared he would just leave
and not say a word about it.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

"I know what the mortals know, Aristotle.  They're badgering me
about it, trying to see if I know more."

"Well, soon you will.  It is, one-hundred-percent, assuredly the
Council.  They have ties to most of what has happened.  The attacks
in Seattle, the research center down in New York, the fledgling that
turned up in Toronto...all of that and more, too."

LaCroix simmered.  He just wanted to find them.  He didn't care what
else the Council had their filthy hands in.  "Where are they?  Just
tell me!"

"I can't."  There was a pause, and then he stated, "The location of
their current headquarters is known, but it is empty.  They aren't
there, and I haven't pinpointed their locations."

"You don't know where they are?"

"No, I don't.  When this news was broadcast, they
just...disappeared.  We believe they flew to another country and then
got in the airways with false ID's.  I have possibles, and from what
I can tell, they are currently all on the North American continent."

"They're coming here, then."

"I didn't say that."

"You don't have to.  They'll be here.  I want to know when they
arrive."  With that, he hung up and turned around.  There, he found
Nicholas, Natalie, and Paxton staring at him.  He focused on Natalie,
approaching.  Although his connection with his children had returned,
he still didn't know how his daughter was dealing with this, not
really.  "Nicholas, how is she?"

Nick turned to his sister for a moment, who was becoming more
nervous by the second.  LaCroix hadn't done much to help Natalie,
trying to force her to deal with killing.  He didn't like it, but
there really wasn't any other option.  Again facing LaCroix, he
stated, "It's going to take time, LaCroix.  She was not prepared to
kill, not mentally.  The hunger is fading, and I taught her a few
tricks to help her control it."

"Enough that she will be fine here, with our...guest?"

Nick gave a glance to Paxton, whose pulse increased slightly.  "Why
don't you ask Natalie for herself?"

At that, LaCroix watched as Natalie shrank back from him by several
inches.  He knew he had been harsh on her at times, but it was
necessary.  She had to deal with her guilt, and she had to do it on
her own.  Until she did that, he would give her no sympathy. 
Nicholas could do that.  "Well?"

His gaze stared icily down at her, but she remained calm.  "I can
manage, LaCroix."

He kept a smile carefully concealed, pleased at her answer.  "Good. 
Nicholas and I will be away for the night, and may not return by dawn."

Natalie watched as her sire left by the skylight, Nick remaining
behind for a moment.  Their eyes met for a few moments, and then he,
too, was gone.  She closed her eyes, feeling their presence fading. 
Thankfully, it didn't leave...but the emptiness was still there.  It
was similar to when she'd been cut off from them while at the
complex.  She was empty inside, and even her returned link wasn't
helping much.  She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she stared at its
source through a golden haze.

He backed away from Natalie, aware he had hit something beneath her
previously calm exterior.  "I'm sorry, I only meant to...."

"It's okay, I know."  She glanced down, her features returning to
normal.  "I'm still a little...off.  I just...I hate this," she said,
stalking off and sitting heavily on the couch.

"Hate this situation, or hate being a vampire?"

She abruptly spun to face Paxton, who was now approaching and
standing a short distance in front of her.  "Primarily the first,
although I'm starting to wonder if I did the right thing by becoming
a vampire.  It's not all it appears.  It's...more than just having to
drink blood and stay out of the sun.  There's the hunger that's
always there, and there's fear."

"Fear?  Fear of what?"

"The hunger, what I'm able to do...of the mortals, of fire....  It's
not as simple as it seems."

Paxton sat next to her, staring forward.  Being brought across was
one of his options, the one he had seriously considered taking.  But,
until now, he hadn't had the opportunity to talk with Natalie. 
"Natalie, please forgive me for asking this, but what is it like,
really?  The hunger, the rest of it."

"It's like living a dream...but living a nightmare, as well."  She
stood and walked to the refrigerator.  She pulled out a bottle,
slowly pouring herself a glass.  Light shined through the blood like
sunlight through a precious stone.  She suppressed a laugh and turned
back to Paxton, approaching.  "Sure, I'll live forever, but only with
this," she said, holding the glass up and taking a sip of it.  "A
vampire's hunger demands it.  It will even demand death of friends
and others if control can't be kept.  Without any control, we're
murderers, and the control is...complicated.  At first, once one has
had the first taste of blood, it's easy...surprisingly so.  Then, as
your guard drops and you become more used to everything and learn
what your abilities are...then, the hunger starts to take over and
you have to fight with it all of the time.  In comparison, it's less
than the initial hunger, but it never leaves."

"So...the hunger is...what?"

"Just a feeling, really.  But it gnaws at you like nothing else.  It
has a mind of its own, but is really just another part of you.  The
hunger is what I hate.  I mean, I miss the sun, I miss chocolate and
eating....  But, if I ever became mortal again, I would never miss
the hunger."

Paxton bowed his head as she again sat next to him.  "I guess what
I'm wondering is if it's worth it?"

"Your choice...the one LaCroix gave you?"

"Yes, that.  I don't want to die, but I really don't like the idea
of being an eternal prisoner.  I'm not even thrilled with the idea of
becoming a vampire.  I mean, if I had more time...it might not be as
bad, but I know that's not possible."

"For me, the good outweighs the bad, I think.  I couldn't be with
Nick without being a vampire, so I made my choice.  It's not as bad
as it sounds, but it is difficult at times.  If you decide to come
across, I think I can get Nick to help you.  He's not like LaCroix."

"Something I've had more than enough time to gather.  For
being...father and son, they're quite different, but much alike."

"Yes, they are...on both of those counts.  Is it worth it?  Yes. 
But that's just my opinion.  Knowing what I know now, I don't think I
would change my decision."  With that, she took another sip of her
glass.  To her, it was worth it.  It was the only way she could be
with Nick.  But, was it for Paxton?  For someone like Paxton, who had
a family and a life...which he would very possibly lose.  If he came
across, he would have to, at some point, explain to his family what
he was and why he'd chosen this.  For her, her family was Nick and
LaCroix.  She hadn't needed to explain.

"Natalie?  Is something wrong?"

She looked to him.  "No, nothing's wrong.  I'm just thinking about
your question some more."  Was it really worth it?  If she hadn't had
Nick, she would have had nothing.  If she had a close family, or even
children when she'd became a vampire...she couldn't imagine that. 
But to be watched over all of the time, Paxton's other
alternative...he would risk losing his family.  "It's worth it, even
if it doesn't seem that way.  You won't be able to be as close with
your family, and you won't be able to have any more children."

"I understand that."

"Do you, really?"  She stared into her glass and shook her head.  "I
made the choice on my own to come across...Nick didn't know.  I
wanted to be closer to him, to be able to kiss him and not have him
look away.  I know you're thinking about your family, but think about
everything.  Don't wait for it to come up."  Natalie finished her
glass and stood up.  She gave a glance to Paxton, and then took her
glass to the sink.  "I'm sorry; I'm saying more than I need to."

"No, it's fine."  He stood and walked up behind her, stopping
several feet away.  "It's good to be told that it's not as simple a
decision as it seems it should be."

She managed a smile, but kept it to herself.  Paxton, she suspected,
would do fine.  He would handle this life much better than she had
and still was.  He wouldn't have the same problems she was having.

Her anger rose, but she held it down.  It was no one's fault, except
perhaps LaCroix.  He may have known that the mixture he gave her
would prevent her from not only burning, but flying as well...but she
doubted it.  Now, she could fly, but the sun was her enemy.  Her skin
could no longer stand even a few seconds, let alone a few minutes of
its caress.  She knew it was the one thing Nick missed, the one thing
she suspected most vampires missed.

Paxton remained in place, watching Natalie.  Something was wrong--he
could feel it.  "Please, tell me what's wrong."

"It's nothing to concern you with."

His muscles tightened somewhat.  Her tone was the same as what he'd
heard from the other two.  "I think it is.  It's something to do with
Nick and LaCroix, isn't it?"

"No, not really," she truthfully told him.  "I mean, it concerns
them, but I have to deal with it."

"With being a vampire, right?  With killing?"

She tightly clenched her eyes shut, then nodded.  Purposely, she had
avoided that issue in her thoughts.  It was enough to think about it
when she had to, but now, when she didn't....  "Yes, that's it.  Nick
has done what he can, and LaCroix...well, you've seen him.  He's been
pushing me, but rightfully so.  As a vampire, I have to learn how to
deal with this.  Nick didn't, and I've seen what it's done to him. 
LaCroix doesn't want that to happen to me, and neither does Nick."

"You didn't want to kill, but you had to, right?  That's what you
don't like."

"Yeah, that's the main thing.  That and...everything."  She turned
and let her gaze meet Paxton's.  "I'm thinking it was a mistake to
keep what I am a secret, even if it was the right thing to do at the
time.  It was hard, pretending to be a mortal.  I honestly don't know
how Nick managed it there at first.  It's easier now, but whatever
you do, don't try and hide what you are."

"I'm not planning on it."  He walked to the table, sitting in front
of the rats' cage.  "You know, I think you're right.  It's probably
worth it."  He was still nervous about this, but at least his
thoughts were more firmly in place.  He stared at the two animals,
watching them as they came to the edge of the cage, one of them
moving over by the lock.  "LaCroix' not going to kill them, is he?"

She turned to the rats, sitting at the table.  "No, I don't think
he'll kill them.  You just have to make sure they don't get loose
when LaCroix' here.  If they get loose, then he might."  Natalie put
her fingers up to the cage, and the rats approached her, somewhat
warily.  When they again went on about their actions, she smiled
faintly.  "LaCroix just doesn't like them because they're carouche. 
They seem to be friendly, though."

"They don't judge, which is nice.  They live, watch, and listen. 
That's more that a lot of humans will do."

Natalie bowed her head, giving him a nod.  Paxton was right about
that.  She watched him with the rats, realizing that even though they
were carouche and Paxton was mortal, they got along quite well.

In truth, Paxton got along fairly well with most of the vampires
he'd met...despite what he'd done.  He didn't hate vampires, and he
didn't necessarily like the actions of his own people.  That she saw
over the last few days.  He had been cordial the entire time, never
once trying to escape or harm any of them.  He was comfortable there,
something she hadn't expected.

She smiled to herself, aware that LaCroix was probably irked by
Paxton's behavior.  More than anything, she was worried for them,
wondering what they were doing.  LaCroix wasn't happy, she knew...and
neither was Nick.

And then, here she was, watching over Paxton while they did
whatever.  Basically, they were doing nothing, and she was worrying
too much.  It was so much simpler to just sit and do what Paxton was
doing--sitting and watching.  And so, she would too.


Things Fall Apart - (31/33)

Nick sat at the bar, LaCroix on the next stool over.  His sire was
there, staring at the mural above the bar.  They had sat there the
entire night before, and had barely slept any during the day.

The Raven sat entirely empty.  No one remained, not even a
bartender.  Only he and LaCroix were there...and a video camera.  On
their way in, LaCroix had caught a reporter hanging out behind the
club, and he'd confiscated the camera, stating it would be returned. 
The cameraman and reporter had protested, and then LaCroix had stated
there might be an exclusive story out of it.  He knew LaCroix had no
intentions of it being exclusive, even if it were released.  The
camera was up in one of the cupboards, looking down on events,
recording.

Nick honestly wasn't sure if the Council would fall for it
again...but the Council, especially Aha, seemed to think themselves
invincible.  Besides, this time he wasn't wearing a wire.  The camera
was hidden, creating about as much noise as the lights above.  Unless
they were looking specifically for it, the Council would very likely
overlook it...something he could only hope would be the case.

More than the camera, Nick knew where either he or LaCroix had
placed at least a half a dozen weapons.  There were several stakes,
as well as two swords.  They were for when the Council arrived.  And,
he knew, they both knew, the Council would come.  Aristotle had
already called and told LaCroix that all of the members of the
Council were probably in Toronto.

All they had to do was wait a little longer.

LaCroix finished off his glass and reached for the half-full bottle
in front of him.  He first filled his glass, and then topped off his
son's.  Nicholas sat calmly, looking ahead, much as he had been.

Soon, the Council should arrive, and then, everything would be over.
The Council would pay for their meddling, and would never be able to
do so again.

Nick felt something familiar behind him and tensed.  The presence
belonged to Aha--he knew it.  He turned, LaCroix doing the same. 
Along with Aha, were the other three remaining members of the
Council.  He met the other vampire's eyes, the room tinted faintly
golden.  "You should not have come here," he stated, flashing his
fangs.

"Keep your son under control, Lucius.  We don't want a scene now, do
we?"  Aha glanced to his three comrades, and looked back to Lucius
with a smile.  "It is you who should not be here.  Your attempts at
working with the mortals have backfired, making things worse for all
of us."

LaCroix stood, coming to stand right in front of Aha.  "The only
reason I've needed to work with them is because of you!  You've
arranged all of this."

An eyebrow rose at the Roman's words.  "Arranged?  Why not just say
'planned'.  I know that's what you meant."

"There are no simple words to explain what you've done.  You've
killed how many of us to get at me?!"

Aha stepped away, walking halfway around LaCroix.  "Does it really
matter?  They were weak, as I'm sure even you will agree."

"And Ningal?  She wasn't weak," Nick stated, turning Aha's attention
to him.

The Ancient narrowed his eyes, which turned amber in an instant. 
"She was a disadvantage to us.  She would have destroyed us, so we
dealt with her."

"By ensuring her death?" Nick hissed through his fangs.

"We were hoping that you or your sister would have died.  It's a
pity, really.  It just means this will have to continue, again, some
time in the future."

With that, LaCroix' eyes flashed crimson.  "I think Nicholas would
much rather fight if he were given the choice.  So would I.  If you
want to kill us, then come and try!  Face us in person, without the
mortals' fear to lean on.  Tonight is the end of this!"

"Why not wait a little while?  It's quite enjoyable watching the
mortals fumble around.  They don't have any idea of what's happening,
really.  Even with what they said in the news, they know nothing. 
They just don't get it.  Neither does the Community, for that
matter."  Aha laughed, but both his stance and that of the other
council members remained calm.  He watched as LaCroix stepped closer.
"Ah...so four against two, that's how you want to play it?"

"I want this over with."

Aha scoffed, and so did the others with him.  "It will never be over
with, and you know it.  The mortals will always be a threat, and so
will those like you.  The Community means nothing to you."

The words pushed LaCroix, but he knew Aha was doing this on purpose.
He wasn't going to let that happen.  "On the contrary, it means quite
a bit--especially my family.  Unlike you, who even killed one of your
counselors."

"We did not kill Ningal!" one of the other members of the Council
stated, taking a step forward.

Aha smiled.  "We didn't kill her.  The mortals killed her."

"And the mortals were under your influence," LaCroix countered. 
"Just like how you used them to make the attacks!"

"So what if they were?  It was still the mortals, not us, that did
the deed--and that won't change."

"But it was your plans.  Our people have paid for your games."

A laugh, and Aha took a few steps back.  As a result, Lucius was
surrounded by the Council and stood right where he wanted him.  "Our
'games' are real, Lucius, not like your dealings with the mortals. 
Quite petty for a General of your stature, isn't it?"  He waited, but
the other vampire wasn't taking the bait.  "You know, Damien was
supposed to die in that first attack.  It was supposed to completely
destroy them, leaving you nothing to work with."

"You kill your own kind," LaCroix snarled.  "You're worse than many
of the mortals."

"And that is supposed to concern me?  Tonight you and your son will
die.  I think Natalie can hold her own...for a time, anyway.  She'll
die, too, probably at the mortals' hands."  Aha watched Lucius' eyes
burn brighter, and grinned at the almost uncontrolled anger.  "Let's
get on with this, shall we?  We would like to return to Europe as
soon as possible."

LaCroix watched as two of the Council pulled out scythes, the third
and Aha pulling out swords.  As they swung at him, he felt one of the
blades slash into his side.  His son retrieved the two swords,
tossing one to him.  He caught it, preventing the descent of another
blade as two of the Council members went for Nicholas.

With a hiss at the Ancient, LaCroix countered, "Nicholas is not the
weakling you believe."

Aha struck forward with his sword in an attempt to disarm the other.
It didn't work, but he was unconcerned.  "Correction, he's not the
weakling that *you* believe."

The comment hit LaCroix deep within, and he sliced his weapon
through the air out of anger, hitting nothing.  Off guard, he found
another blade digging into him from the other council member that
wielded a sword.  With a glance, he could see Nicholas was fighting
the two with scythes...a weapon his son was not used to defending
against.  He stopped more attempts from reaching him, losing sight of
Nicholas.

With a well-placed blow, he shoved Aha away.  The distraction
allowed him to get to his other opponent, beheading him with his
sword.  One of Nicholas' attackers moved to him, and then he knew
this would end quickly.  Soon, he heard another meet the same fate--
Nicholas killing his opponent, and then he killed the female council
member, her scythe falling to the ground.

LaCroix smiled, himself and Nicholas now circling a grinning Aha.  A
stake was passed to him from his son, each of them carrying both wood
and blade.  Aha, however, merely had a sword.  "You wanted this
quick, it'll be quick," he spoke, rushing forward.  He deflected
Aha's sword, pushing a stake into the other's heart.

Aha laughed even with the wood protruding from his chest.  "You
still think you can kill me?"

At that, he didn't reply.  There was really no reason to.  Instead,
he gave a slight nod to Nicholas, and a moment later, Aha was
beheaded in one simple swing.  His eyes met his son's across the
carnage, each of them bleeding from their wounds.  Now, they needed
to clean this up--something they had to do before they could tend to
their hunger.

Silently, they did exactly that, the Raven quickly becoming devoid
of any evidence of what happened.  The beheading, sufficient to kill
the Ancients, was not taken lightly.  They both knew how difficult it
was to kill the older members of their kind and were not about to let
them have the chance of regenerating.

By the time they had finished, their wounds were healed, dried blood
clinging to the edges of the rips in their clothes.  LaCroix watched
his son and smiled.  Nicholas was, indeed, his.  Nicholas had dealt
the final blow to Aha, and now stood next to him, more or less his
equal.  He grinned, pleased that his son was taking his rightful
place.  When the younger vampire gave a smile back, he was even more
pleased.  Finally, they were truly father and son, almost brothers. 
He had waited so long for this, and it was here.  Not only that, but
he suspected it would last quite some time to come.

Matters were now settled for the time being, the Council's bodies
now destroyed, and all that was left was to cremate their remains. 
LaCroix led Nicholas to the bar and pulled out a bottle of blood.  He
poured them each a glass, and handed one to Nicholas.  "Take this,
Nicholas.  I will call others to deal with the remaining tasks. 
Then, they will never be able to return."

Nick took the glass, sipping the blood.  The flavor calmed his
senses, but only somewhat.  His eyes still burned golden, and as
LaCroix disappeared into the office, he waited with little patience. 
When Aha had died, he felt something break.  The link the Ancient had
tricked him into, the link he had believed already severed, had
alerted him to Aha's arrival at the Raven.  His eyes turned scarlet,
and Nick drank more of the blood.

This time, it did soothe him.  The link was still present when Aha
had come, and only his death, specifically his beheading, had broken
it.  He was enraged that the Ancient had tricked him and taken
something so dear to him.  LaCroix, Natalie, and Janette were the
only others that had a link with him.  Aha had used that link in ways
that even LaCroix only did occasionally and with care.

LaCroix returned, focusing on his son.  Nicholas stared forward,
rage flowing through his veins.  Rage directed at Aha.  His own anger
came to the surface upon feeling the emotions from the younger
vampire.  "Nicholas?"

Nick snapped his attention to his sire, relaxing somewhat.

"There is nothing more to worry about, except perhaps the mortals'
reactions.  Aha and his council are gone.  He will never harm any of
us again.  Never."  LaCroix' eyes flashed red on the last word,
emphasizing his point.

A smile crept across Nick's features.  It wasn't a thankful smile of
a simple victory, but instead, it contained hints of the power that
came from the kill.  Within a few minutes' time, Nick felt himself
calm, his adrenaline and anger fading.  The Council was gone.  That's
what mattered.  Now, loose ends needed to be tied up, and life would
go on.

He turned and smiled at LaCroix.  Nick then took the bottle,
refilling his glass and handing his sire the other that had remained
when LaCroix had taken for his office.  He watched LaCroix take the
glass and return his grin.

LaCroix sat at the bar next to his son, his lips gently curving with
his continued pleasure.  He sipped the blood, letting himself relax.

Eventually, he and Nicholas emptied the bottle, and as Nicholas took
the last glass, he watched the younger drink.  His son looked at him,
and soon the glass was passed back and forth, each taking a sip and
passing it, neither needing to say a word.


Things Fall Apart - (32/33)

The news was pleasant compared to what she had been seeing
previously on the news.  Announcement had been made of a tape that
had been handed out to all of the news stations.  Until tonight, only
some of that information had been related to the public, specifically
the certain death of the Council.

Late tonight, with a continuous warning, their execution was shown. 
It had been edited somewhat, but from what she could tell, not much
and very possibly before it was sent out.  It was a lot quicker than
she expected...quicker than they deserved.  The sight was a bit
gruesome, even with knowing what was going to happen and some of the
things she'd seen on her job.  The look in Nick's eyes after he
killed Aha was probably the worst of it.  At that moment, she saw the
real person behind her partner.  She saw the vampire that Nick really
was, the person he was.

She bowed her head.  Nick wasn't her partner anymore.  He had made
it final.  He had walked into the precinct last night and handed in
his resignation, firmly stating that he would not be back.  Then, he
had walked out, not even speaking to her.

Arriving home last night, however, she found a note.  It was short
and to the point.

     Tracy,

     Please understand that I couldn't work any longer among the
     mortals.  I'm staying in Toronto, along with Natalie and
     LaCroix.  I'm sure you know Vachon and Antonius are leaving.
     Come by and visit.  It's okay.

     -Nick

Vachon had already left.  He came by the night before, stating he
was leaving that night, and mentioning he would contact her later. 
Antonius...she didn't really know him, so his leaving didn't really
bother her.  But Nick resigning from the force...that really bugged
her.  Already, she planned on going by his place tonight before the
precinct.  She knew it would be too soon, but she needed to.  He had
said to drop by, and she would take him up on it...although he
probably wouldn't be expecting her.  She had to talk to Nick
about...well, about everything.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

Nick virtually glided behind Paxton, asking, "Are you sure this is
what you want?  It can't be reversed, and you do have the choice of
who is to do this."

Paxton swallowed.  While he would rather not have to go through with
this at all, he wanted the vampire to do this to be someone he knew. 
Natalie was out of the question because he knew she was young, and he
wouldn't dare have LaCroix do it.  Not necessarily because he didn't
trust the other, but because he knew LaCroix didn't like him much. 
He glanced over his shoulder, looking into the faintly golden eyes
and nodded.  "I'm sure."

Nick's eyes glowed brighter, and he closed the distance between
them.  He pulled the mortal back, gently guiding Paxton's head to the
side.  His fangs dropped in an instant and his grip tightened,
causing the mortal's heart rate to rise.

Despite his previous beliefs, Nick had no second thoughts about the
present situation.  Sure, he was bringing Paxton across, but it was
necessary.  More than that, it was being done willingly.  He didn't
have any problems with it given the situation.  In fact, deep down he
was just waiting to taste the warm blood beneath the surface, even
savor it as he drained most of Paxton's blood.

Swiftly, he buried his canines into Paxton's throat, taking the
blood a bit faster than he should.  As he felt the heart slow and
nearly cease its beating, he also felt another heartbeat approach. 
He pulled away, Paxton not quite drained, to find both Natalie and
LaCroix turning toward the door.

The elevator was pushed open, and Tracy stood, mouth wide open at
Nick and the man held limply against him.  She stared, seeing the
blood at the man's neck and Nick send a snarl at her.  Immediately,
she realized that perhaps she should have waited a little longer
before coming by, even with Nick's invitation.  "Nick...?"

LaCroix hissed at the newcomer, grabbing her roughly by the arm.  "I
thought I told you not to come here?" he asked, pulling her back
toward the elevator.

"Let her go, LaCroix.  I asked her to come by," Nick stated, taking
in a deep breath.  "Tracy, don't interfere."  With that, he sank his
fangs back into Paxton's neck, taking the rest of the blood, nearly
killing him.

Tracy watched as Nick picked the man up and laid him on the couch,
LaCroix' hand releasing her.  Then, she took a few steps closer; her
eyes not leaving Nick while he cut his wrist and let his blood
trickle into the man's mouth.  Nick was bringing him across.

Nick remained close to the couch until Paxton slipped off to sleep. 
Then, he stood, staring at Tracy through an amber haze.  "LaCroix,
please...you too, Nat.  I want to talk to Tracy."

About to comment, Natalie found LaCroix pulling her back before she
could get out a single word.  He led her upstairs, Tracy's gaze not
leaving them.

Once his sire and sister had disappeared, Nick focused on Tracy. 
True, the two weren't out of earshot, but at least it was the
semblance of privacy.  "I'm sorry I didn't say anything last night. 
I just wanted away from there.  I could feel some of the officers'
uneasiness."

"It's okay.  Really," she told him, even though it wasn't.  She
focused on the man, Jeremy Paxton, who she remembered from her last
visit, and had also seen mentioned a couple of times on the news that
he was a ward of the Vampire Community.  Flashes of seeing Nick
draining him hit her, but she shook her head, pushing the images
away.  "Did you bring him over?"

"Yeah.  It was his choice, the best of his three options."

"Which were?"

Nick looked away, stating, "Death, being watched over by us, or
being brought over."

"So he chose to become a vampire."  She approached, watching the man
sleep.  "What's going to happen now, Nick?  If you're not going to
come back to work...and what about him?"

"He'll get a few lessons, then he'll be off to New York, where his
family is.  I'll be staying here.  Another of the Community will be
watching him, making sure he can control himself around mortals and
doesn't slip.  He'll also probably be working with the Community more
often than not."

Tracy purposely didn't meet his eyes.  He was avoiding the remainder
of the topic.  But, she wasn't going to let it go.  "What about you?"

"I'll do whatever."

Again, she watched him try to get out of her question.  Stepping
close, she grabbed his arm, making him face her.  "Please,
Nick...really, what are you going to do?"

He gently pulled out of the grasp, letting his breath out.  "I don't
know yet.  LaCroix said he had an idea, but he hasn't told me
anything about it."

"It's simple, Nicholas.  It's not much different than what you were
doing," LaCroix stated as he came down the steps.

Although he was somewhat annoyed by LaCroix' obvious eavesdropping,
Nick took the other's appearance in stride.  "And what might that be?"

"An...Enforcer.  That, and liaison with the mortals."  Immediately,
he saw his son react.  "You have the knowledge, skills, and ability. 
You should at least consider it."

"I'll consider it," Nick told his sire, meeting the elder vampire's
gaze.

"So...does that mean I'd still see you around from time to time?  If
you took that option, anyway."

Nick turned back to Tracy.  If he did do what LaCroix suggested,
anything that related or could relate to the Community would be cause
for a Community representative to make an appearance--possibly
himself.  "If needed, possibly.  It depends on what the mortals think
of us once things settle down again."

"So, what...an Enforcer?  That would make you a cop within the
Community, right?"

"I suppose you could say that.  I'm not an Enforcer--not by blood. 
Most Enforcers are one from the beginning, their bloodline being made
of entirely other Enforcers.  I'm just the regular, basic vampire. 
I'd probably end up more like Reese or your father--organizing and
keeping things straight with the others."  He felt something across
the new, barely present link between himself and Paxton.  Nick
turned, seeing the other stir faintly.  It would probably be a couple
of hours before Paxton woke, but it was still dangerous for Tracy to
be there.  "Look, Tracy...."

She nodded, glancing at Paxton.  "Yeah, I know.  I should get going.
I'll talk to you later...I should go ahead and head to the precinct,
too.  Reese wanted to talk to me."

"About getting a new partner," he stated, meeting Tracy's eyes.

"Yeah, I figured I could just stop by the precinct a little early
tonight to talk to him."  She headed to the elevator, LaCroix' gaze
scrutinizing her.  With her hand on the door, she added, "I hope
everything goes okay, Nick."

He didn't move as she left, listening as her presence faded.  He
sensed LaCroix approach him closer.

"Nicholas, he'll be fine for now, you know that," LaCroix spoke,
pulling the younger vampire away from the couch.  His hands rested on
his son's shoulders, rubbing the muscles.  "What do you think of my
suggestion?"

Nick relaxed into the familiar touch.  "It's...sudden.  Other than
that, I don't have much to say."

"It's needed, Nicholas.  I know you don't want to be in my position,
but the Community is going to go back to what it was before, and that
includes the position of the Enforcers.  Without a change in their
organization, however, we risk them being used for other purposes."

He shrugged away from his sire, bothered by the words.  "I'm not one
of them, no matter what anything says."

LaCroix held his son in place, then softly spoke into the younger
vampire's ear, "You don't have to.  You're just the organizer and
wouldn't even have to deal with them under most circumstances.  You
would be, as you said, like that mortal Captain of Detective
Vetter's, as well as liaison with the mortals in this area.  Consider
it seriously, Nicholas.  Speak to Natalie about it, if you want. 
But, for now, just relax."

Nick nodded, a faint smile on his lips.  Yes, he would allow himself
to relax.  He closed his eyes and bathed in the strengthening of his
bond with his sire caused by the other's simple touch.  He needed
this, needed some peace and quiet...and now seemed like a good time
to get some.  "I will, LaCroix."


Things Fall Apart - (33/33)

Three weeks later, Tracy was stunned when Nick and Paxton walked
into the precinct, both being casually taken to one of the conference
rooms.  She was unaware of their reason for being there, and wasted
no time calling Nick's name and catching his arm.  "How are you
doing, Nick?  I didn't expect to see you here so soon."

Nick stopped suddenly, becoming a little uncomfortable when several
sets of eyes locked on them.  "I...decided to take LaCroix up on his
suggestion.  So far, it's not that bad.  Just like a promotion,
basically."

"Hmm...so that's what you've been after, Reese's job," she
commented, trying to keep their conversation light.

He did his best to return a smile.  "Well, the difference is that I
don't get paid, but money's not a problem, anyway.  I'd still be
working here, you know, if it wasn't so hard."

Tracy looked down.  "Yeah, I know."  She wished it wasn't so hard on
Nick and the other vampires, but she was aware there was nothing any
of them could do.  Perking up a little, she told him, "Oh, Brian's my
partner now.  His old partner is working with a new detective.  He's
okay, but I guess I just got used to you.  It wasn't bad having a
vampire for backup, either."  She saw Nick smile a little more at
that, but found herself becoming tense.  "So...how's life in general?
I see your friend is up and about."

Paxton locked his gaze, carefully kept normal, with Tracy's.  It
wasn't too difficult, but then he'd fed recently.  Already, he was
fully aware of what the hunger could do.  "Yes, it's...quite
different, but I don't regret it.  I'm going back to New York next
week.  Nick's just helping me out a bit.  Apparently, I've been
appointed a liaison as well; although I believe I'm working with
another.  I'm a little surprised by it, but then I'm closer to the
mortal world than most.  I think the one I'll be working with will
actually be the record keeper, I'm just the medium of conversation, I
guess you could say."

"Paxton is tagging along with me, getting a few pointers," Nick
mentioned, noticing Paxton was starting to get nervous.

Tracy was a little unsure, but prodded further, "How's Natalie?  I
heard they're pretty much ignoring what happened at that facility."

"Yeah.  They're overlooking it--which is probably a good thing. 
Right now, she's helping me a little.  She mentioned that she'd put
in a formal resignation in a couple of weeks.  She's working a little
until they get someone else."  He stopped, waiting a moment before
answering, "Nat's dealing with what happened, but it's hard on her. 
She'll do fine, though.  We shouldn't worry about her."

She nodded, able to guess a little on how Natalie felt.  Like Nick,
she had pulled away from her and the others, becoming more and more a
part of the Vampire Community.  She was trying to do the opposite,
and Brian was helping a little...although she really missed having
Nick in the precinct.  "So then, what are you here for?"

"Records.  Records of vampires living in each city and their
histories are being transferred back to the Community.  I guess it
could be said to be a show of trust.  Paxton and whomever he ends up
with will get the same records once he gets to New York.  Records are
going to be one of my responsibilities as liaison."

"Police Captain, negotiator, and file cabinet."

He recognized her further attempts at humor and smiled.  "Basically.
So far, it's not that bad, but the Community is trying to return to
our previous form.  We're trying to reinstate the Code, but with
different, newer rules.  With time, things will settle down." 
Reaching out with his hand, he lightly touched her jaw.  "Thanks,
Tracy, for being a friend.  It really does mean a lot."

Then, Nick drew away and, with the other officer that had been
leading him, went to the conference room with Paxton to deal with the
night's business.

*+.*+.*+.*+.*+.

LaCroix sat in the sound-booth at the Raven, looking out through the
glass.  Nicholas, Natalie, and Paxton sat at a table, talking.  A
week previous, the club had again reopened to the mortals, but it was
strict on who got in.  If someone made trouble--mortal or vampire--
they were out of the club.

Nicholas was right where he belonged; as was everything else...even
the microphone in front of him.  It had actually been some time since
he had done a live show, but he felt that tonight was right.  He
smiled, turning on the microphone.

"What a nice night it is tonight--black, silver, and crystal clear. 
I've waited for a night like this, and with it, I return to the
airwaves and will remain for some time to come.

"That's right, my Children--and you are all my Children, whether by
blood or not.  Within all of us are the same thoughts and fears, the
same potential for our passions to manifest in the form of both love
and hatred.  It's all a matter of perspective.

"And, as I said, from where I stand, everything is quite clear.  We
will all endure both the darkness and the light.  And, above all, we
will survive."

~finis~


Well, that's all, folks!  I hope you enjoyed it, and I would very
much like to hear from my readers.  Thanks for reading. <G>

I am not, at present, planning on continuing this story line.  And,
as far as a series goes, it *is* done.  I have a few ideas, which I
might use in the future for more along this line, but am not at
present writing them down.  If you'd like to see/read more, though,
please let me know.

Jarvinia
jarvinia@gmx.com
@>--,---`---