A Dark Begining by Pam Williamson and Liz Muller (story from fkfanfic.com with permission of Liz) Hi all, This story will contain 1, possibly 2 adult chapters, I'm not sure yet how it will break up. This is a story we wrote to launch a new faction called the UnHoly Trinity. We like the idea of Natalie as a vampire, and we like the idea of Nick, Nat, and LaCroix together as a family. A Dark Begining 1/5 by Pam Williamson & Liz Muller Nick was in the caddy, heading to the Raven. He'd just left Natalie at the morgue. He'd had the strangest feeling that he was being followed, but didn't know by whom. He had checked on Nat, just to be on the safe side. Maybe LaCroix could tell him if someone was looking for him Natalie was sitting at her desk, thinking. Something was bothering Nick, but he wouldn't say what. He'd been hovering around her lately, making her nervous. He'd finally left tonight, to go and talk to LaCroix. She sighed. Once that thought would have upset her, but after Divia.... She shook her head. If someone had told her she'd be happy that Nick was seeing LaCroix, she'd have had them committed! She heard the door open, but before she could turn around a hand clamped over her mouth. As LaCroix watched Nick enter the Raven from his secluded spot, an evil smile crossed his face. He looked on as Nick went to the bar and sat down, asking for him. LaCroix watched Nick staring at the glass before him. As Nick was about to touch the glass, LaCroix walked to him, "Go ahead my dear Nicholas." Nick pushed the glass away, "LaCroix I'm not in the mood." "Tsk, Tsk...and here I thought you actually had come to your senses. I'm so disappointed." LaCroix said, taking the glass. Nick turned to his master, "Something's going on LaCroix. I'm not sure.It's just a feeling.." LaCroix could sense his Nick's uneasiness. "A feeling?" "Almost as when Divia was here." LaCroix looked away. He'd sensed something similar himself. He was sure it wasn't Divia, but couldn't quite figure out who it was. "I have sensed something similar, myself, Nicholas." Nick was about to reply, when his phone rang. "Knight" he said. "Its Tracy, Nick, you need to come down to the morgue....." A cold feeling crept over him. "Whats wrong Tracy, Tell me!!" he whispered urgently. "Nick..... Natalie's missing. And someone left a note for you, but we don't know what it says. Its in what looks like hieroglyphics" Nick turned to LaCroix. "Tracy, don't touch the note. Be right there." "Natalie has disappeared hasn't she?" LaCroix said. "A note was left behind, in what looks like hieroglyphics" "Nicholas, as much as I loathe what you do, I think its best that I accompany you." Nick looked sharply at LaCroix, but nodded. "Ok, lets go. I don't like this.... I don't like this at all. And LaCroix, as much as I want to fly, we'll take the car." LaCroix glared at Nick for a second then nodded slightly. They arrived at the coroners office in record time. They made their way through the crowd, into Nat's office. Nicks eye's swept the office. It was a mess. Signs of a struggle were visable They walked over to Tracy, standing by Nat's desk, staring at a note. Nick took one look and turned to LaCroix. "Can you read it?" LaCroix looked sharply at Nick, and took the bag. His breath caught as he recognized the writing. It was an obscure form of demotic, an obsure form of egyptian hieroglyphic writing. He looked at Nick, "Yes, I can read it.... We have trouble." "Trouble?" Tracy asked. "And why are you here?" Nick looked at LaCroix, then back at Tracy, "Ah, he's an expert on ancient languages." LaCroix nodded to Tracy. "Yes, when Det. Knight told me what you had found, I volunteered my services." He turned to Nick, "I think I can decipher the note a little better over there in the brighter light", LaCroix turned and led Nick away from the others. "Nicholas, it seems Divia had another child..... who was not.... pleased with her death. He wants revenge on her killers. And Natalie is to be the means to that end." He said grimly. Nick was stunned! Natalie!! He turned stricken eyes' to LaCroix. "What are we going to do?" he ground out. LaCroix answered, "First, we don't want to call attention to ourselves by letting this note get into the hands of your mortal co-workers. The Enforcers are the last thing we need now." "I'll handle that. Now, what about Natalie. Does it say who has her or where she is?" Nick said trying to keep his voice low even though he wanted to scream. LaCroix looked over the note once more. "Divia's child is quite fond of Egyptian artifacts. She...or he writes 'My mother was liken unto the angels on King Tut's coffin'. LaCroix looked at Nick, then continued, it goes on to describe several pieces from his tomb." Just then, Tracy called out for Nick, "We just got a call in from the museum. There was a possible break in. They found a note, similar to the one we have." LaCroix and Nick looked at each other as if they knew what section of the museum. "Tracy, where at the museum?" Nick asked. Tracy answered, "The Egyptian exhibit." Nick and LaCroix exchanged another look. They had to get there but needed to dump Tracy. "Trace, why don't you finish up here, and the professor and I will head over there." Tracy nodded, and Nick and LaCroix hurried out. Breaking all the traffic laws, they shortly arrived at the museum entering the museum, they headed quickly to the Egyptian room. Several officers stood near an open sarcophagus. They could see one of them holding the note. As they approached, Nick heard one of the officers saying, "Strangest thing. Nothing taken, just a note left." Nick took the note and handed it to LaCroix. "Well?" He asked sharply. LaCroix read the note. Nick saw his face tighten. "What, LaCroix, Tell me!!" LaCroix looked at Nick for a long moment, before replying. "It is kind of a challenge, Nicholas. We have three days to find where Natalie is being held. If we do not, our enemy will kill her." He paused. "Also, if we do not find her by tomorrow night, she will be brought across." Nick sagged against the coffin in shock. After they left the museum, LaCroix and Nick returned to the Raven "LaCroix, can you think of anything that will help us to find Natalie?" Nick asked as they sat in the back room. "Us? Nicholas, you haven't used that word in this context for a very long time. And, yes, I am going to help you find Dr.Lambert." LaCroix crossed the room to retrieve a bottle of blood. "Even though I do not relish the idea of the two of you together, I have grown somewhat...fond of Natalie myself. Plus, we need to handle this ourselves. Without your mortal friends." Nick sat there for a moment, unsure what to say when LaCroix spoke, "I do recall a family Divia was quite taken with. Let me remember." While LaCroix poured a glass of blood, he forced his mind back to the past. Back to when Divia was innocent, or so LaCroix had thought. Then it came to him, "The family's name was Azhara. Yes..now I remember. They were faithful followers of Seti." Nick waved off a glass of blood LaCroix offered. "Anything else LaCroix?" Shaking his head at Nick's refusal, LaCroix set across from him. "Divia was quite enchanted with the young man from that family." LaCroix drank deeply, then spoke, "Khafe. That was his name." "Khafe...why does that name sound so familiar?" Nick got up and walked around trying to think. Natalie woke slowly. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. She groaned slightly as she tried to sit up. She looked around, slightly dazed, trying to figure out where she was, and what happened. Suddenly her memory returned with a thud. She remembered the hand over her mouth, and being pulled around tolook into the yellow eyes of a very, very, pissed off vampire. ======= He looked at her with a malevolent stare. "So, you are the pet of Nicholas de Brabant, and his father." Natalie shivered at his tone at began to struggle. He laughed, an evil laugh that echoed through the room. "Go ahead, it will not help you. You will be the means for my revenge." With that, his other hand came up in a vicious punch, and in a burst of stars the world disappeared. ======= Natalie gingerly felt her head, wincing at the pain in her jaw. What was going on? She realized that she wasn't alone. Natalie tried to fight the pain...to keep her mind clear.When her abductor's back was turned, Natalie tried to sit up. Her eyes strained to see what was around her. Maybe where she was or a door through which she could escape. Natalie could make out that the place was a warehouse of some sort. Boxes and straw littered the room. The vampire turned to face her. "My dear Doctor, don't even think of trying to escape. You are the honey that will draw the flies into my grasp." Natalie shivered at the menace in his voice. "Who are you and why do you want Nick?" she asked, defiantly He walked over and stood next to her. He reached out and lightly stroked his fingers down her neck. " I am the son of one they killed. You might have heard of her. Divia. What they did requires revenge. I shall take from them something as precious." Natalie looked up at the strange vampire, "You're Divia's son? Divia was out of her mind! I'm sure you know how vengeful she was." "Hold your tongue! You will NOT speak of her in that manner", the vampire growled. "You are not even worthy to speak her name!" Natalie began to shake all over. "If I'm going to be killed in her name, I'd like to know the name of the son who is going to do the deed." She was trying to keep him talking. Something she had learned from hanging around the police station. Keep them talking and they won't act.He suddenly became quiet. Something that frightened Nat even more than the vampire's growl. The vampire stood, and walked away from Natalie. He stood under the high window and stared out. He watched the night sky. If he closed his eyes he could almost hear Divia calling his name from long ago. "Khafe...come to me Khafe." Natalie quietly crept closer to the door she had spotted earlier. It was obvious that he had gone off to a place other than the warehouse. Suddenly, he turned, his eyes blazing. "I guess that only a coward would not say his name before the prize victim... Khafe." Then Khafe was next to her, and had grabbed her by the throat. Natalie could see his fangs gleaming, and watched, terrified, as they moved towards her neck. He lightly grazed her neck, just over the vein, and sucked lightly at the blood that welled up. Nat closed her eyes, and a low cry escaped her as images flooded her mind. She saw Divia, and blood, and death. As suddenly as they started, they were gone. She realized that he had pulled away, and was staring at her. "So.... You do love Nicholas.. and he you. This is better then I had hoped." He grinned at her, his smile becoming even more evil if that were possible. "I will so enjoy bringing you across, and then seeing you pay for Divia's murder." With a quiet laugh, he tossed her, hard, back onto the bed. "I shall be back, later. I must now prepare for tomorrow night. You will be the means to restore my Mistress to her rightful place." Nat watched him go, stunned. Slowly his words sunk in. He was going to kill her. And kill Nick too!! She sat there shaking, wracking her brain for some way out of here. She had to warn Nick! A Dark Begining 2/5 by Pam Williamson & Liz Muller Back at the Raven, Nick paced the floor racking his brain as to where he had heard the name of "Khafe" before. Nick turned, looking at LaCroix. "Khafe, Khafe..why does the name sound so familiar?" LaCroix replied, "I do not know Nicholas. But I do know that the sun will be up soon." "I can't leave her out there somewhere. She may be hurt" Nick said looking out the window. LaCroix looked down at the glass of blood. Quietly he said, "I know Nicholas...I know. I can't bare the thought of her out there alone either." Nick looked sharply at LaCroix. He could sense the truth behind hiswords.... and was surprised by it. Nick concentrated. Suddenly his eyes widened in shock! LaCroix *loved* Natalie! Nick made it back to the loft with just minutes to spare. After exchanging his street clothes to his black pajamas, he sat on the couch with a bottle of blood in his hands. How could this be? LaCroix actually in love with Nat? His Nat?? Nick drained the bottle in two gulps..then reached for the second one that sat on the table before him. But how?.......... the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. All the times LaCroix didn't kill her.....Nick shook his head. He didn't want to believe it, but there it was. LaCroix was in love with Nat. Nick sighed and leaned back on the couch. Somehow he couldn't hate LaCroix for that. But, could he share her? And would Nat even want it? It was something they'd have to work out later, right now rescuing Nat was the top priority. Nick got up and got another bottle. He wanted to be strong, needed to be strong to save Natalie. ===== LaCroix paced in his room. This wasn't like him. But, just knowing that Natalie could be in harm's way drove him insane. The walls seemed to close in on him. He had always thought Dr. Lambert to be the mortal that would be Nick's downfall. But, in truth...she was to be his. Her face, the way the curls of her hair cascaded onto her shoulders, invaded his dreams. How he wanted to lose his fingers in those curls!! How her lips would taste on his.To touch her bare skin against his...the thought almost drove LaCroix mad. Mad with desire. Sunset could not come to soon. He had to find her for her all of their sakes. And then, they could decide what to do, because he realized he could not let her go. ===== Natalie sat huddled on the cot, knees draw up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them. She'd spent hours searching the cell for a weapon, or a way out. She found nothing. She couldn't warn Nick or LaCroix. She couldn't even help herself. That thought angered her. Then there was the pain. Natalie's face ached and her muscles screamed of pain where she had been hit. And then, a deeper pain of being alone. Alone with no way out that she could see. Hot tears of fear came, streaming down her face intermingling with dried blood and dirt. Then, the anger surfaced once more. She yelled out as her voice echoed through the building, "You will not win!!! Do you hear me?? YOU willNOT win!!" With the edge of her sleeve, she wiped the tears away. Forcing her body to move from the cot, Natalie inched her way until her feet touched the wooden floor. As she walked, she saw a stream of light from around the corner. Rounding the corner, she saw a small window up high, where soft wisps of sunlight filtered through onto the floor. How long had she been here? She knew all night. Natalie quickly looked down to where her watch was supposed to be. Finding >none there, she decided to take a peek outside. With strength she didn't know she had, Natalie piled one crate on top of another, until on tiptoe she could see out the tiny window. Maybe if the window was big enough, she could escape...providing she didn't break her neck falling to the ground outside. Khafe was a vampire...she'd be safe as long as the sun didn't set, which if by the looks of it, would in an hour or so. Looking out the window, the tears returned. And so did the thought of Nick...and of LaCroix. Why was she thinking of LaCroix? Even in the past weeks, his face entered her dreams. Dreams that included both Nick and LaCroix. Natalie sighed. If she didn't find a way out of here, she wouldn't be able to have the time to find out why she was thinking of those two-one of light and one of night. As Daylight's fingers began to melt away, she became more frightened. ===== Khafe grunted as he placed the last statue. He surveyed the room. It was perfect. All was in readiness. Soon his mistress would be returned to him and they would make the world pay! He closed his eyes, and sensed the sun....it was almost time. He went over to a basin and bathed. then he dressed in his ceremonial robes. He picked up a white bundle and disappeared He walked to where he had left his sacrifice. Natalie feverishly tried yell out of the window for help. "No one can hear you. And soon, no one will ever hear from you again, Khafe said as Natalie spun around. Natalie lost her footing and fell...only to have Khafe catch her. He looked down in her face. "Soon, Divia...very soon." ======= After calling in sick to work, Nick flew over to LaCroix's place. "Nicholas", LaCroix said as he sensed Nick's presence. Nick stared at him for a moment realizing that it was true how LaCroix felt for Natalie. His eyes shown the truth. Nick almost couldn't find his voice as he spoke, "You love her too, don't you?" LaCroix could feel Nicholas's confusion. He shared it. He looked directly at Nick "Yes. I love her. I know that upsets you, but it is the truth." He watched the affect of his words on his son. "LaCroix, I don't understand. All these years, you've gone out of your way to cause her pain. You knew that I loved her and yet you made sure that unhappiness always prevailed." Nick stared at LaCroix as he tried to explain. "True, I did. And for that I'm sorry. I didn't realize the.....change in my feelings till last night. And I caused her pain from..jealousy I was jealous of you....... and now I know I was jealous of your relationship with her." LaCroix looked away. "You will never know how I regret what I've done to her." Nick felt betrayed, yet at the same time touched. He had never seen his master so humble. He had no idea what to say next. Should he yell or understand? Then the words came without warning, "We both love her and whatever follows, we will all make it though it. We have to put our differences aside and believe in the love we feel for Natalie. It will give us strength to find her." LaCroix's eyes snapped up. This was not what he had expected. "Yes, first we find her, then we'll see." LaCroix could feel something strange within him A spear of hope pierced the wall he had built up around his soul. After Fleur......He closed his eyes, then said, "Now. We must find Khafe. Where did you say you had heard his name?" Nick turned his attention to the question."I knew that the name had sounded familiar. So, I made a few phone calls today...I couldn't sleep." Nick tried to keep his mind focused. "I found out that there is a warehouse owned by an art importer with the same name. It was under investigation a few months ago."It's listed under the name of Khafe." "Then I think we should start there." A Dark Begining 3/5 by Pam Williamson & Liz Muller Khafe dragged a struggling Natalie up the stairs. She was pounding on him, and he didn't seem to notice. Nat was ....dressed..... if you wanted to call it that, in a stiff white linen skirt. She was bare to the waist, save for a large collar of blue, green and gold. Khafe dragged her over to a white, stone altar and stopped. His eyes moved over the scene before him, checking to make sure all was ready. Satisfied, he turned his attention to his captive. She had stopped struggling. Although he could feel her terror, she showed no sign of it. Her face was flushed with anger. She stared definitely at him, waiting. She could feel her insides shaking apart. Natalie had stopped the struggling in hopes to confuse Khafe. What she really wanted to do was to kill him and run. But his hold on her was too strong. Her breathing became short ragged breaths as she stared into his devil- filled eyes. Then she found her voice. "You will no get away with this! Divia is dead. And no matter what you do, you cannot bring her back!" Khafe grinned at her. the menace in it was palpable. " Divia's *body* was destroyed, but her spirit lives on, and you shall provide it with a new home." He tightened his grip and spun her around, so her back faced him. Almost gently, he moved her hair aside. Natalie began to tremble as she realized what he was going to do. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain, and could feel her blood being sucked out. Her eyes closed as images and feelings began to pour into her. She tried to break free but he held her in an iron grip. A wave of weakness swept over her, as she was overwhelmed by what she saw. Distantly she felt his fangs withdraw from her neck, and she felt herself lifted. A lassitude filled her, and she couldn't move, her mind reeling from the images. Natalie felt her body go numb. And then she swore she could feel...blood? It was blood on her lips. She could hear Khafe's words, "Now, the two will become one. And Divia will live once more." as he prepared for the ceremony. Natalie wondered who's blood was in her body. Khafe answered, "Not to worry, it is not of me. Just some poor waif that donated his body to science." She stared at him in disbelief. "We wouldn't want you to starve before the ceremony is completed" He turned away and went over to a box, opened it and took out a scroll. He reverently unrolled it and began to read. ===== As Khafe began to read, Nick and LaCroix arrived at the warehouse. It was dark inside except for a candle's glow coming from a window up high. They floated up to it and careful not to alert anyone, peeked inside. "Khafe!" LaCroix whispered. Nick could see Natalie on some sort of altar and a strange man looming over her with a scroll in his hands. LaCroix thought hurriedly of what Khafe might be holding in his hands. Then Nick and LaCroix turned to each other, "Divia." Just as Khafe was about to read the incantation to join Divia's spirit with Natalie's body, Nick and LaCroix crashed through the window with fangs bared, growling, lunging at him. Shards of glass fell onto the semi-conscious Natalie. She tried to focus. There was noise and then two others there with her and Khafe. Nick tackled Khafe, only to be thrown over the altar, over Natalie. He rose, to try and help her. It was then, he noticed the marks on her neck. His anger grew into rage as he tackled Khafe again, just as LaCroix had him by the throat. As Khafe was knocked against the wall, LaCroix found a broken stick. Just as he was about to stake Khafe, Nick stopped him...just long enough to set it aflame with the scroll that had been lit from one of the candles. "Now!" Nick growled. LaCroix drove the stake deep into Khafe's chest. Then turned his attention to Natalie. Nick rushed to her side and turned her head to show LaCroix his discovery. By this time, Natalie was totally unconscious. LaCroix was about to speak, when Nick said, "I can't do it. I can't bring her across and live with myself." "She is going to die if we don't do something, Nicholas. I'm sure we *both* do not wish for that", LaCroix said, his heart - if it could still beat, would be beating for Natalie. A single blood tear fell from Nick's eye as he watched LaCroix's fangs extend and his eyes changed. LaCroix looked at Nick once more before he made a swift movement to his arm. He tore his skin open and forced Natalie's mouth open. As his blood poured into her mouth, they both began to whisper to Natalie's limp body, "Drink..please drink. You must drink to live!" She didn't respond. LaCroix could feel that she needed something more. With his free hand, LaCroix grabbed Nicks wrist and tore it open with his fangs. Before Nick could protest, LaCroix pressed the bleeding wound to Nat's mouth. "My blood will not give her the will to live that yours will. Without another thought, Nick forced his arm to Nat's mouth, "Please Natalie...Drink!" As both of their blood dripped into her mouth, Nat's head began to move. Then a soft moan came from her throat. The two vampires drew their arms from her mouth as her eyes began to flicker open. As her eyes fluttered, she could see the ceiling though it was now totally dark in the warehouse. Before she could look around, visions flooded her mind, and she let out a terrified scream. Nick and LaCroix caught her as she began to thrash violently. "She must have gotten some of Khafe's blood." LaCroix said worriedly. We have to get her out of here... I suggest we go to the loft." Nick picked up Natalie and left the building leaving LaCroix behind. As Nick flew to the loft, LaCroix set fire to the building leaving no trace of Khafe. Nick had only been at the loft a few minutes when LaCroix arrived via the skylight. "How is she?" Nick looked at Natalie, who was unconscious once more, on his bed. "I don't know." Nat began to toss and turn, and both vampires could sense what she was feeling...confusion, anger and fear. LaCroix looked at Nick concerned. "We have to reach her, somehow, Nicholas!" Nick held her hand as LaCroix held the other. "Nat..darling, please wake up"! Nick begged Just as he said the words, Nat's eyes popped open. She screamed, then recoiled to the other side of the room, huddled in a corner. "NO!! She yelled. Natalie sat trembling violently as she tried to make sense of the images she saw, and the strange way she felt. She knew Nick and LaCroix were with her, but she couldn't seem to stop the blood soaked nightmare scenes she saw. Through the death-fulled visions she could see LaCroix and Nick crouching there beside her. Slowly the images began to fade until their faces were clear. She blinked several times as if to blink away the horrible scenes. Then as if a switch had been turned on, she recognized where she was."Nick? LaCroix?" Natalie looked around..."How..how did I get here?" Then the memories slammed their way into her. Her kidnapping, Khafe, the ceremony, human blood.... Both Nick and LaCroix helped Natalie to her feet and eased her back into the bed. "Nat, your okay. Your safe now", Nick said gently. LaCroix brushed the back of his hand on her cheek, "sleep now." Nick and LaCroix silently went downstairs. Both were more then slightly stunned by what happened tonight. "Nicholas, you know she will need more then that bovine swill you insist on drinking." Nick looked angry for a moment, then sighed. " I know, LaCroix, I know.. I, I just didn't want this to happen." Nick sighed and sank down onto the couch. "Nicholas, I will return shortly with proper supplies. Take good care of her while I'm gone." With that LaCroix flew from the loft. Nick made sure LaCroix was gone. He walked over to the fireplace to where a brick was out of place. Carefully loosening the brick, he removed it to retrieve the bottle. "LaCroix there are even things you don't know about me", Nick said as he blew the dust from the bottle. Pulling the cork with his teeth, he inhaled the sweet scent of the human blood. It was only a inch away from his mouth when he suddenly popped the cork back into its place. "No, this must be for Nat. She needs it so that she can survive". Nick went upstairs, with the bottle. He stopped just inside the door, and watched Nat sleeping. She looked so peaceful. All her cuts and bruises had healed, leaving her skin a flawless white. He crossed over and sat on the edge of the bed. He gently smoothed some of her curls off her forehead. "Oh, Nat. I'm so sorry." he whispered. She stirred at the sound of his voice and her eyes slowly opened. She blinked a few times, and looked up at Nick. " Nick, whats happened, I feel . . . different." Just as the words left her mouth, pain like she never felt before, ripped through her stomach, and she groaned. Nick pulled the cork with his teeth and spit it across the room. With one hand behind her head lifting it up, he held the bottle to her lips with the other, "Drink". At first, Natalie didn't understand, then he repeated as the liquid passed her lips, "Drink Nat, please". Natalie began to drink slowly, then the desire to satisfy the hunger, the sips grew into gulps. "Slowly Nat, slowly," Nick whispered. Then as Natalie realized what she was drinking, she pulled away, some of the blood pouring onto the white gown she wore. She looked at Nick in horror. "I'm not one of you! I can't be!" With that realization, came the understanding of the images she had seen earlier. She watched as Nick sadly shook his head. "Nat, we had no choice..... Khafe had drained you almost completely, and if we hadn't brought you across, you would have...." He stopped unable to finish. Nat watched Nick as he looked away. " Nick, tell me. What would have happened?" He slowly looked at her. "Nat, He... he was trying to bring Divia back, using your body... She might have been able to finish what he started.... We had to see that didn't happen, so we brought you across." Natalie's face become one of confusion. So much to take in at once, but something Nick kept saying puzzled her. "Nick, I don't understand. Who is we?" Natalie asked, touching his shoulder. He kept his face turned away from her, hoping not to explain. "Nick?" Natalie was tugging on his sleeve now. "Please tell me." Nick slowly turned around to face the woman that he'd swore he would never bring across. "Nat", he begin as he took her hands into his "I wish there could have been another way..." "Just tell me Nick! she said, her voiced laced with fear. Nick looked into her eyes and finally admitted, "I was not the only one who helped bring you over. It was LaCroix that was the other." Nat stared at Nick in horror. "Nick! how... why..." she came to a complete stop. She just couldn't believe what Nick had said! LaCroix, her master!. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. " Nick. Why? You've spent 800 years running from him, and you let him bring me across! Why? " She withdrew her hands from Nicks and sat back, staring at him, a look of hurt, betrayal and anger on her face. Nick could also feel her fear. Natalie scooted farther away from him, drawing her knees to her chest. She kept shaking her head, "This isn't happening...No, it can't be happening...LaCroix, *my* master." She then glared at Nick, "How could *you* let him do this?" Nick rose from the edge of the bed. "Natalie, you're not hearing me." He paused, then continued, "If *we* both had not brought you over you would be dead now!" Nicks words penetrated her confusion *we* he kept saying we. "Nick what do you mean 'we'?" Nick stood near Natalie, and looked at her. She looked away, unwilling to meet his eyes. "Nat.... LaCroix started to bring you across... but you.... resisted. He gave my blood to you along with his. He said you would only have the will to live if I helped." He fell to his knees next to the bed. "Oh, Nat! I just couldn't let you go!! I need you! I love you, more then anything, and I'm so sorry!" Blood tears began to run down his face as he bowed his head. Natalie slowly inched her way to Nick. His tears nearly broke her heart. She reached out and touched his blond hair, "Nick, please look at me", she pleaded. As they both looked upon each other, Natalie finally knew that she had Nick's love. She took his face into one of her hands. With the other she wiped his face clear of his bloodtears with the hem of her gown. A Dark Begining 4/5 By Pam Williamson & Liz Muller Nick was touched by this simple act of love. He couldn't resist her any longer. In one rushed moment, he took her into his arms. As Nick's arms slid around her, Natalie could *feel* his love for her and his desire. It was in her mind, in her soul. She grabbed his shirt and pulled, amazed at the ease with which it opened. As he pulled her close, she reveled in the feel of her naked skin touching his. She moaned as his lips crushed hers in a passionate kiss Natalie fell backwards onto the bed, pulling Nick with her. Her hands were everywhere, delighting in being able to finally have him. Nick's tongue forced its way into her mouth, and quickly began to tease hers, as his hands gently cupped her breasts kneading and stroking them. Natalie moaned as Nick lowered his mouth onto one of her breasts. As he sucked on her nipple, she arched her back, her hands pressing his head down even further. Hungry for more of her, Nick kissed eagerly down her chest, her flat stomach until he reached the part that ached for him the most. She couldn't help herself as a scream of pure extasy escaped from her throat. Nick breathed in her scent as he delicately nibbled on her hard point. As she screamed, she arched up against him, her hands tangling in his hair. Slowly and lovingly he teased her, smiling as she moaned and writhed under his skillful lips. Unable to stand it any longer, Natalie pulled Nick's head up to hers and captured his lips in a fierce kiss. She could feel his erection straining against her, and suddenly, she felt different. She opened her eyes, and looked at Nick. His eyes glowed gold at her. she realized her's must look the same. A trace of sadness must have showed on her face because Nick gave her a gentle smile. "You are so beautiful, Nat" he whispered as he slid his shaft into her. Natalie gasped at the intense pleasure she felt. She arched her neck and felt....fangs, her fangs press against her lips At first, the sensation of her own fangs frightened her. Then, as she felt each of Nick's thrust, fear gave way to rapture. The realization that they could truly be as one excited her even more. Nick looked into her now glowing eyes with his own. His fangs ready to penetrate as his release was nearing. He held her head, then moved it to where her neck cried out for him. She opened her mouth to moan, but instead a low growl was heard. Just as his spilled himself into her he buried his fangs into her neck. Nat growled a sound of extreme pleasure as she had never known before. Nat was overwhelmed by what she felt from Nick. She knew everything that he was, everything he had been. But she needed more. Instinctively, she licked his neck, just over the vein, tasting him. She drew her head back and with a low growl, buried her fangs in his neck. She was lost! She could *feel* Nick. She could feel his love and she wanted more. In a burst of radiance, they came again. Exhausted and sated, Natalie withdrew her fangs, unable to belive what she had just felt. Now, she truly understood how much Nick loved her, and what it had cost him over the years to keep the beast at bay . Contentedly, she cuddled next to Nick, and they lay basking in the serenity they had found together ===== LaCroix approach the loft, with a crate of his finest in his arms. He could sense what was happening inside. He was... jealous, even as he reveled in their pleasure. The feelings they shared were amazing to him! His own feelings were mixed. He loved Nicholas, and strangely he loved Natalie. LaCroix drifted though the skylight. Setting the create down, he looked towards Nicholas' bedroom, sensing...knowing what had transpired between his son and the woman that he had unsure feelings for. He wanted to rush upstairs and . . . what? tear them apart? join them? Disgusted with his behavior, he took a bottle of blood from the crate and emptied it in mere seconds. After the third bottle, he heard a sound emerging from Nicholas' bedroom. ====== Nick and Nat had been dozing when Nick sensed LaCroix's arrival. He tried to get up without disturbing Nat, but she woke up. She looked at him puzzled. "Nick, I sense something..." she trailed off. Nick sighed. " You sense LaCroix, Nat. He's downstairs. Come on, he brought dinner, and you need it." He held out his hand. Nat looked at herself, "Not till I take a shower, I'll be down in a few minutes." ===== LaCroix sensed Nick coming down the stairs. He turned to face his son. "How is Natalie doing, Nicholas?" Nick walked over to LaCroix. "As well as can be expected. She was... not pleased that you brought her across, but she seems to understand it a bit." LaCroix's face tightened at Nicks words. He would never admit to feeling pain. "Ah, well, there was nothing else to be done, you know that. I trust *our* Dr. Lambert will be down soon? She does need to feed," LaCroix said with one of his eyebrows raised. Nick had caught onto the subtle way his master had worded the sentence, "Yes. She is taking a shower at the present moment." A shower, Natalie's body being caressed by a small waterfall...water touching her body as I want to touch it, LaCroix thought, quickly turning away from Nick. As he did, he took another bottle from the crate. "LaCroix? Are you alright? Nick asked as his master fell quiet. It wasn't like him, especially when LaCroix had the perfect opportunity to lay the guilt thick upon Nick's shoulders. Nick knew that it would be just like LaCroix to never let Nick forget that if it weren't for him, Natalie would be dead and Divia in her stead. Trying to regain his composure, LaCroix drank from his now fourth bottle. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be? Divia has not been allowed to return and Natalie is one of us." He paused, then looked at the bottle, "I couldn't be happier." Nick was about to reply, when he heard Natalie on the stairs. They both turned to watch her. She was wearing one of Nick's robes. Nat crossed the room to stand by Nick. She could smell the blood LaCroix had been drinking and her eyes changed. LaCroix silently handed her a bottle and they watched as she quickly drained it Natalie was confused by the feelings coming from both men. She felt Nicks love and his confusion at LaCroix. LaCroix's feelings were more difficult for her to understand. She could swear she felt.... love? She eased herself onto the couch and looked at them. Her masters, her lover, and what? She didn't know. " Nick, LaCroix.... what are we going to do? I don't pretend to understand what's happened. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I think we we need to talk." She looked at them and sighed. 'How did everything get so complicated' she thought Natalie lifted one hand to rub the bridge of her nose. She was so confused. The only thing she knew for sure was that LaCroix would have to be her teacher. Nick just wasn't up to it. She opened her eyes, and looked at the two men. So different, yet both looking at her with such concern. "Nick... I think its best if LaCroix teaches me what I need to know. " Nick looked upset at that, but before he could say a word, Nat gasped as images of death overwhelmed her. Instantly, LaCroix was next to her, one hand on her shoulder, whispering soothing words to her. "Natalie", LaCroix said as their eyes met. She could not remember a time when his eyes looked upon her with such compassion, such feeling. This was not the same LaCroix that knew before Khafe kidnapped her. He leaned closer to her, "it is all right. I will help you to understand what is happening." Nick watched as his master comforted the woman he loved. What she said hurt... but being honest with himself he knew she was right. LaCroix was the better teacher and he could sense that LaCroix truly did love her. What would happen between them all could be dealt with later, right now Natalie was the first priority. "LaCroix.... help her." was all Nick said. LaCroix then looked at his son. "Before you say anything else, Nicholas", he said rising to face Nick, "Do not concern yourself of what I am capable of doing. I will only instruct her in the necessities." LaCroix looked away, then met Nick's eyes once more. With unspoken words, Nick that LaCroix wouldn't try and take Natalie from him. "Okay, now that is worked out, when does my first lesson begin? Natalie asked both men. Nick looked at LaCroix, LaCroix looked at Natalie. "I think we should start tomorrow night, when you've had proper rest", LaCroix answered. Nick added, "and you need time to think. Much has happened to you." Natalie bit back her immediate response. She didn't want to wait!!! But Nick was right... and so was LaCroix. She did need rest, and so much *had* changed. She nodded tiredly. "Okay, okay, tomorrow." She paused then a thought struck her. "How are we going to explain what happened? Somehow. I doubt you can whammy your way past the mess in my office, and what about work?" Nick and LaCroix exchanged a glance. Nick spoke. " Nat, I'll handle the others, don't worry. As for work..... well for now you're going to have to take a leave of absence." Natalie looked like she was going to argue, when LaCroix spoke. "Natalie, unless you want to place your co-workers lives in danger, you will do as Nicholas suggests. Further, you should plan on staying here. It is safer for you and for... mortals." Natalie picked up another bottle of LaCroix's special and was about to drink when a thought crossed her mind. "Wait, I can't stay here! My things are there and then there's Sydney!" LaCroix looked at Nick. Nick found a pen and handed it and a pad of paper to Natalie, "Write down what you think you'll need and I will go and get them. As far as Sydney, Grace already has him. She took him in when you became missing." Nick didn't want to leave her. But, it would be better if student and teacher started getting used to each other. Natalie took the pen and paper. She sat down with the bottle in one hand and the pen in the other. Quickly she scribbled the items she needed, then handed the list back to Nick. Nick took the list and leaned down to give Nat a kiss. "I'm going to stop in at the station, to take care of some things. Try to rest, Nat." Before Nick slid open the door, Natalie rushed to him, giving him a hug. Without another word, he left leaving her and her teacher finally alone in the loft. Hi all. This is the last part of the story. We hope you all enjoyed our little tail. We owe special thanks to Heather Markle our beta- reader, and editor. She helped make this story soooo much better! ((((((((Heather))))))) A Dark Begining 5/5 by Pam Williamson & Liz Muller Natalie slowly walked back to the couch and sat down. Lacroix had sat in one of the chairs near the couch. For a moment they just stared at each other. For so long they had been advisories, and now they shared a bond. "So . . ." Nat said. LaCroix just looked at her. "Natalie. I know that this.... gift is not what you wanted, but it doesn't have to be unpleasant. Nicholas has always made things harder then they have to be." He paused, searching her face for understanding. "LaCroix, I realize that Nick has a tendency to overdose on the guilt. That's not me." She stared to say more when another, mild vision wracked her body. In an instant, LaCroix had her in his arms, whispering to her, and running his hands gently over her back. Natalie clung to LaCroix as more visions clouded her mind. Tears now streaked her face and small sobs were finding their way from her mouth. "What's happening to me?" "Ssshhh, my dear Natalie", LaCroix said as he tried to think feverishly of a way to keep the torment from her mind. Without a second thought, he drew away from her. Natalie watched as he bit into one of his wrist then offer it to her. At first she thought to recoil, but then a sensation like no other she had felt before pushed back her fear as she eagerly took the offered wrist and the life-force it held. LaCroix watched as she fed from him and saw the calming effect washing over her. As Nat drank, she reveled in the taste of his blood. She could feel it push the visions from her mind. She began to sense his feelings, the desire for her. Not quite understanding why, she could feel her own desire grow. She wanted him. She withdrew her fangs from his wrist, and began to drop feather light kisses on it. LaCroix watched as her kisses moved further up his arm. Just as she reached his neck, he bent it allowing her full access. Natalie stopped short as her fangs scratched his skin. She closed her eyes, loosing herself to his feelings, her desires. In one motion, she drew his lips to hers, her hands roaming the front of his shirt trying to untuck it. With one of his hands, LaCroix caressed the curls of her chestnut hair. The other held her at the small of her back crushing her body against his. He broke the kiss and looked deeply into her eyes. "Natalie", he began to say when she put a hand to cover his mouth. She looked into his cool blue eyes, and saw the concern and love in them. She smiled and drew him down into a passionate kiss. LaCroix began to run his free hand down her shoulders to cup her breast. Through the cloth, he teased her nipple, feeling it harden. Natalie moaned and arched her back, pressing herself against him. LaCroix laid her down and quickly slid on top of her, pressing himself harder to her. LaCroix slipped one of his hands underneath her to grab her buttocks With eager passionate moves, his mouth covered a breast through the fabric. The moments flew by as if they were fire. He removed her clothes, his shirt and trousers strewn on the floor. LaCroix looked at her, their eyes both glowing and fangs extended. In one swift motion his fangs buried deep in her neck as his length penetrated her body. She dug her nails into h is back, moaning as each thrust became deeper, harder. "LaCroix! Natalie screamed as she climaxed. ===== Nick arrived at Nat's apartment. He took out the list of things she needed and proceeded to find them. He found himself in her bedroom. He carefully opened a drawer to find the nightgown she'd had requested. Gently, he removed it and stroked the soft cotton fabric. He held it close to smell her scent. And then he felt Nat's orgasm. He just sat there on her bed, stunned. She was making love to LaCroix! Jealousy flared in his heart as he imagined them together. ====== Just as her release came, Natalie froze. The image of Nick slammed into her mind. She scrambled from beneath LaCroix, grabbing whatever clothing she could. Natalie couldn't think. "What have I done?" she thought. LaCroix looked up at her, realizing what had happened. Calmly, as if nothing had transpired, he drew back on his shirt and trousers. "Natalie", he said as he walked towards her. She walked backwards from him, until the wall prevented her from going any further. Taking her shaky body into his arms, he rubbed her back. "Please don't cry. It was too soon", he quietly said. "I know that your heart belongs to Nick." He tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. " I just hope that someday you will realize that I love you too." With that LaCroix pulled her close and just held her. ====== Nick sat on Nat's bed staring into space, still holding the nightgown. He felt Natalie's confusion and her guilt. Suddenly the tension in him released. It wasn't Nat's fault, how could it be? She didn't ask for this. And he knew the power LaCroix had over others, hadn't he felt it himself? He got up and quickly gathered the rest of the items she needed. He had to get back to the loft they needed to talk, they all needed to. ===== LaCroix moved Nat back to the couch and quietly got a blanket and wrapped her in it. He held her as she cried softly, her confusion tearing at him. He stiffened slightly as he felt Nicholas returning. Nick slid the loft's door, it jerking hard as he threw it closed. Staring at his master with the woman he loved, he couldn't say anything. Slowly, he walked to the dining room table and set down the overnight bag that held her things. He closed his eyes, trying to regain hold over his emotions. "Nicholas..."LaCroix said as he stood. With his back to his master, Nick replied. "There is no need for an explanation." Looking to his right, Nick saw Natalie sitting on the couch. Tears streaming down her face, she staring blankly into the fireplace. "Nicholas, we need to talk." "Oh, I agree to that. But, now wouldn't be my idea of a good time", Nick replied coldly. Nat vaguely heard Nick come in and felt LaCroix move. She stared at the fireplace, wondering what was going to happen now. She listened to the cold tone of Nicks voice and shivered. "Oh God! I've ruined everything" she cried to herself. Nick rushed over to Natalie, her broken voice overshadowing everything else."No, no Nat. You didn't", he said as he held her. She struggled against him, "How can you touch me?" "Nat...it's okay. You are very confused right now, that's all. Your emotions are overly sensitive..." Nick's anger melted as each tear fell from her face. Nick slid a hand across her cheek and turned her face toward his. " Nat... Nat look at me." He asked softly. Reluctantly Nat looked up into his beautiful blue eyes. She saw love and forgiveness in them. " Nat.... I'm not thrilled by the thought of you and LaCroix being together, but... I do understand how it happened." Nick turned to look at LaCroix, who stood silently nearby. He looked into his masters eyes and saw the regret for the pain he had caused Nat to feel as well as the love he had for her. Nick turned back to Nat. "Nat he's a part of you now, just as I am. We can work this out, I have faith in that, in you." As he finished speaking he leaned down and gently kissed her lips. LaCroix watched as their lips met then turned away so that he would not interfere. He walked to the window and stared out into the night. "LaCroix..."Nick said, bringing LaCroix from his thoughts. After a few silent moments, he met Nick's eyes, "Yes, Nicholas?" Nick held Nat's hand and squeezed it. He looked back at her and nodded his head, then said, "I think it's time for that talk." LaCroix regarded his son for a moment then nodded. " I think so." LaCroix moved over and sat in the chair next to the couch as Nick pulled Nat into his lap. " LaCroix, I think its best if you tell Nat how you feel about her...." Nick said quietly LaCroix walked over to a chair, avoiding the couch. Looking at Nick, then to Natalie, he began to explain. "For so many years I've regarded you as an enemy. You wanted what I had invested in the last 800 years of my life." He paused then voiced what needed to be said...the truth. "But the past few months, something changed within me. I can't explain it. It was if I was seeing what Nick had been seeing in you all along." Licking his lips, he finished, "And I wanted part of that." Nick's words and his kiss had eased her fears and she sat quietly listening to LaCroix. She could feel the truth of his words inside of her. Glancing at Nick, she saw the same thought in his eyes. "LaCroix... I don't know what to say. I love Nick. I always have and always will, but....with all that's happened, well, I'm just not sure what I feel for you." She paused and stared at LaCroix. "For years I hated you. I hated what you did to Nick. And now, I know that you did it from love. And now, now I know I have feelings for you too, and it confuses me... I just don't know what to do!" she finished, her voice trembling. LaCroix stood up. His face was hard and resigned. "I never thought in my wildest dreams I would find myself it this point. But the fact is that I do love you, both. I know the pain I have caused you and I know, sadly, that I can never make it up to you. I hope you can understand and forgive me someday." He turned, preparing to leave. He would go. He would give them both their freedom. It was the only thing he could do. Nat *knew* that LaCroix was leaving, that he was letting them go. She realized that she needed both LaCroix and Nick. She couldnt let him leave anymore then she could let Nick go. "LaCroix . . . Lucian, wait. I need you. We both do." She took Nick's hand. "Nick's right. You are a part of me, of both of us. We are bound to each other by more than just blood." She reached to LaCroix with her free hand. "We are united by love too". LaCroix looked at Nick to see if he agreed. Nick didn't know what to think. For so long he had been trying to escape LaCroix's control. Now the unthinkable had happened. Natalie had been brought across and LaCroix was offering him his freedom. He spoke from his heart "I don't know what's going to happened LaCroix, but Natalie's right. We need to be together." LaCroix took Natalie's hand and let himself be drawn into her embrace. The three vampires stood together silently. Each trying to understand what was happening in their heart. kmuller@ix.netcom.com * maeve@DeathsDoor.com