The Last knight and Beyond

by Olivia Jean Ecklund
Chapter 1

This is a Forever Knight/with a touch of Touched By An Angel story Disclaimers: No infringement of copyrights intended. I'm just borrowing the characters for this fiction work. Thank you to Linda B my sister who beta read this several times. Thanks so much to Kylie for all her help and encouragement.

"Damn you, Nicholas," LaCroix yelled. He raised the staff. Nicholas looked away. A faint heart beat touched LaCroix1s senses. He threw the staff aside so violently that it shattered as it hit the stone fireplace.

He grabbed Nicholas by the shirt, and pulled him away from Natalie. "You would rather die than face a future without her?!" He spat the words into Nick's face. His eyes were amber.

Nick just stared into those piercing eyes and nodded, determined.

LaCroix would never admit it to his son, but the thought of a day without Nicholas somewhere on this planet scared the hell out of him. He could not even fathom the thought. He stared back, searching his son1s eyes. The reality of Nicholas' determination hit him between the eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "I told you I was leaving tonight, with or without you. I will not come here again unless summoned. Are you coming with me or not?"

Nick only stared at him blankly, unable, it seemed, to hear him.

He grabbed, Nicholas by the shoulders and shook him hard, trying to bring him out of his shock. When it didn1t work. He back handed him across the face. "Nicholas, look at me!" he demanded. Nick focused on him, finally, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "No, LaCroix. I will not go with you, tonight. I must at least care for her body."

Rejected, LaCroix allowed one blood red tear to slide down his cheek. Fiercely he pulled Nicholas into his arms, hugging him hard against his chest. Then he set the startled vampire, back onto his feet and rose into the air toward the skylight. "Nicholas," he called down, "she is not dead yet. Perhaps you should take her to a hospital." Then he was gone.

Nick turned back to Natalie. "Not dead!" The words pierced his mind like a red hot poker, clearing away the cobwebs that had clouded his thoughts. He scooped her up and flew up through the skylight toward the nearest hospital.

Now that he was thinking more clearly, he could hear the faint, surprisingly slow but steady heartbeat... almost too slow. He knew he didn't have much time before it faltered. He chose a dark empty spot in the parking lot to land, then ran with her into the ER, calling for help. Flashing his badge got him immediate attention and soon blood IV's were dripping into both of Natalie's arms.

All Nick could do now was wait. He prayed to a God, he wasn't sure would even listen to him, but he had to try. He sat at her bedside hour after hour. Nurses came and went changing the blood bags and taking her vitals. In the morning, Nick was grateful that they accepted his need for a darkened room. He had tried to explain about his allergies. The nurse had looked at him curiously, but had drawn the curtains so he could sleep. He was determined not to leave Natalie's side until he had talked to her.

In the late afternoon, Captain Reese came into the room. He saw Nick asleep with his head on the edge of the bed. The Large man reached out a big beefy hand to touch the young man's golden hair, checked himself, and shook him gently by the shoulder.

Nick looked up at him through sleepy eyes. "Captain?"

"Nick, how is she?" His boss asked, peering down at Natalie1s pale face.

"The doctors told me a couple hours ago that she would make it. They do not know if there will be any permanent damage from the loss of blood. It was really close."

Reese could see the pain in Nick's eyes. "What happened, Nick?"

Nick looked away, "I don't know, Captain. I found her outside my build..."

Reese interrupted. "I don't want the fabrication, Nick. I want to know what really happened... I don't just want to know," he whispered, his voice hard, his eye piercing into Nick's, "I demand to know."

Nick looked at him fearfully, curious, "I don1t understand."

"Nick, I'm a good detective. That's why I'm Captain. One of my people is down from loss of blood. We all know what you told the officers who took your statement." He leaned down and looked into Nick1s eyes... anger flashed. "Now, I want the truth!"

Nick opened his mouth to protest again, but the look in Reese's eyes stopped him. This man already knew the truth! How? Where? Why? Nick could not understand. "How long have you known?"

"I had my suspicions before the bomb, but afterwards, well no one could have gotten there and then gotten out like you did, Nick. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize you have super human abilities. I read through a lot of your older cases. To many perp's saw strange things that can't be explained. That time you were arrested, the officers found steer blood in your frig. You're allergic to the sun. Most people use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. You have to barricade yourself in your apartment. I guess what really convinced me, though, is Natalie. She's always running tests on you."

Nick squirmed in his chair, dread filling his heart. He did not wish to hurt this man. Reese continued, "I've seen you at crime scenes, Nick. I saw your eyes change once. It's beyond me how you maintain control or even why you do the job you do." He leaned in closer, "You can trust me, Nick."

Nick allowed his voice to deepen and his eyes to change to amber. "Knowledge can be a dangerous thing, "The threatened. "I could make you forget..."

Reese pulled a chair closer and sat, "Yeah, I realize that, but I want to know what really happened. I know you and Natalie are under pressure. The death of her friend and then almost losing Tracy so close to Schanke's death. It's enough to take anyone over the edge."

Nick had closed his eyes, but when he heard "almost", his eyes flew open and he exclaimed, "What! She1s not dead?!"

"Damnedest thing happened. They took her to the morgue, and an hour later, when Grace went down, she saw her move. She's still hanging on and the doctor said she might make it."

Nick sat, stunned. Tracy was still alive. Had Vachon gotten to her on time? He knew the Spaniard was still recovering from his staking and illness. He1d been away, hiding from Tracy. Nick had helped him to hide, hoping to prevent the heartache that he and Natalie suffered. He had also hoped to keep Vachon from bringing Tracy across. Still, he had called Vachon to tell him when he had found out that she was dying. He knew the other vampire had been on his way to see his love when all this with Natalie had begun.

"That1s great news, Captain." He mentally shook himself. He realized that Reese was still waiting for an answer. Well, he would tell him... he could always make the man forget later on.

Nick turned haunted eyes to look at Reese, "She came to me, and asked me to make love to her... asked me to take only a little blood at a time. A friend of mine regained her humanity that way." He looked back at Natalie and his hold on her tightened.

Reese's eyebrows rose at the cure Nick had mentioned, but he didn't say anything.

Nick continued to speak, slowly and with great sorrow in his voice, "My control was already lost. I was full of pain and regret. Tracy was shot because she didn't know the bullets wouldn't hurt me. All the harsh emotions that allow the Beast to take over, were right on the surface." He said, almost to himself, "I hadn't had human blood in a very long time.

Reese watched, fascinated, as a blood red tear slipped out of Nick's eye and slid down his cheek, leaving a crimson trail.

"There was no physical love making at all. I could not stop there before the fireplace. Her blood was like sweet ambrosia. It filled me in a way I have never been filled. Her love overwhelmed me. It has been over 800 years since I have felt that completeness. Only at my mother's breast was I so loved and filled with such peace."

"800 years!" Reese croaked. "I had no idea." Nick continued, "I don1t know if she will ever be able to forgive me." He looked at her pale face. Agony radiated from his voice, "I could not bring her across as she asked me. I could not condemn her to the hell I live in. I was going to let her die..."

Nick's anguish overwhelmed Reese and he reached out to put an arm around Nick's shoulders.

"I asked a friend to help me join her, but he refused. When my friend left, he told me she was not yet dead, so I brought her here as fast as I could fly."

Nick reached up and soothed her brow. He brought her pale hand to his lips.

"A friend," Reese said, flatly. "LaCroix?"

Nick turned quickly, placing Natalie's hand back at her side. He looked at Reese, astonished by the revelation. "You know about LaCroix?"

"Don't you mean 'Father'?" Reese asked, a bit smugly.

Nick nodded and admitted, "He is my 'sire', the creator of this 800 year hell. I have called him 'father'. He left Toronto last night. He as much as told me that he would not return while Natalie is alive."

"You really think he will keep his word?" Reese asked, then added, "Nick, this might come as a surprise to you, but I was an FBI agent when I was very young. The agency knows of your kind."

Nick rose quickly out of his chair, stepped around Reese and went to the window. The sun was down and he opened the curtains to stare out into the last rays of a glowing sunset. He watched until it was pitch black and the stars came out. Finally, turning to Reese, he asked, "If that1s true, why haven't they killed us? Why let us live?" Reese sighed, "It's complicated. For one thing, the FBI doesn't know how many of you there are. They don't want a Holy War on American soil or a panic among humans. For another thing, they do not want to bring attention to themselves. There are lots of things they keep secret from the world. Occasionally, one of your kind does a job or mission for them. Vampires make great spies. They can get into places that most people can't."

"Do they know about me?" Nick asked.

"No, Nick. At least I don't think so. I've been asked to keep an eye on the Raven, and LaCroix, but no one has even mentioned you. I'd rather keep it that way. I won]t say anything. You've tried to blend into society in a very benevolent way. I don't want to change that. Natalie needs you and you need her. Government involvement would only complicate things. Right now most of your people live on a donated food supply. I don't like what the few who don't do, but that has been put out of bounds of local jurisdictions. I have strict orders not to meddle in those cases or call attention to them. I don't. I did, however, notice that Natalie keeps covering them up. That also led me to you. I never mentioned this to the FBI. They just assume I'm doing my job. This is all something I wish I Didn't know about, but I've learned to live with it."

"Captain Reese, why are you confiding all this to me? You must be aware that our society has pretty strict rules about not allowing our existence to be know to mortals."

"I know I'm taking an chance, Nick. But I can see you need friends. The idea of what you are and have been is frightening, but I care about you, Nick. Sometimes I see a frightened boy in your eyes. You and Natalie belong together. I want to be here for you."

"What's in it for you?" Nick asked, skeptically. "You're an officer under my command. You have all become my 'children'." He added, "You're a good cop and if I can help keep you here awhile longer, I want to. Tracy will need you here when she's better, and I..." he hesitated, "I have always wanted a son."

"What!" Nick looked his Captain in the eyes. He saw something there he had only glimpsed a few times in LaCroix eyes... Love.

"I know you may think I'm losing it, but something draws me to you, Nick. You're a fine young man. You strive to live a good life... help people. I admire your strength and desire to change what you are." He looked deeper into Nick's eyes and tears formed. "My wife's dying, Nick. She has Alzheimers. We can't even communicate anymore. I want to help you. I need to be there for someone. The girls are married and live so far away now. Please, Nick, you can trust me. I would value you as I would a boy of my Own."

"I'm 800 years old," Nick reminded him.

Reese smiled at him, "Well you wouldn't know it to look at you. Being what you are, does have it's advantages."

He came close to Nick and then did an amazing thing. He reached out and drew Nick into a big bear hug. "What do you say, 'young' man? Do you want a human father, for a season in your life?" he asked, then released Nick and stepped back to look into the young man's eyes.

Nick teared up again. "I would be honored," he said, touched beyond imagination.

A tiny voice filtered into their consciousness, "Hey, can I have one of those hugs?" They both turned to see Natalie smiling weakly at them. Nick literally flew to her side and took her hand in his.

Reese shook his head, amazed.

"Natalie," Nick breathed in a whisper. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

Natalie held out her other hand to Reese. "Captain," she said weakly with a look that added, "It's good of you to come."

Reese took her cold hand and rubbed it gently.

Natalie looked around and realized she was in the hospital. "Nick, how did I get here?"

Reese answered for him. "Nick brought you here, Natalie. He loves you. Don't judge him to harshly. Talk to him... let him explain, then forgive him. You need him and so do I." He kissed her hand. "I'm going to get some coffee," he said as he left quietly.

Natalie looked into Nick1s frightened eyes. "Was he holding you?" she asked, trying to lighten the moment.

Nick nodded. "Nat, forgive me!" he burst out, unable to stand it anymore. Would she forgive him or send him away? He had to know!

"For what!" she cried, seeing the anguish in his eyes.

"I took too much... You almost died!" A ruby tear escaped his eye.

Chapter 2

Natalie was quiet for a few minutes. Nick could see she was thinking about what had happened. He walked to the window to give her time. Finally she called to him. "Nick, come closer." She raised her arms carefully, to avoid jerking the IV's. When he came to her, she slipped her arms around his neck, and gently drew him down to her. "Nick, it's okay... I'm still here... you're still here."

Nick sobbed against her neck, "I couldn't stop, Nat! I couldn't!" He drew back to look her in the eyes. "I couldn't leave... not that way, Nat. I couldn't bring you across. I can't condemn you to this life of hell. I just can't. Please don1t ever ask me again... please!" He begged her.

She looked at him stubbornly, "We'll talk about it."

He looked at her with dread, "I still have to tell you the rest of it."

"Then tell me if the need is so great," she whispered, tracing the lines of his face with her fingers.

He pulled a chair close and lay his face against her hip. He still had an arm around her waist. She buried her fingers in his hair, gently stroking his head.

With agony in his voice he told her, "LaCroix came as I was laying you down on the floor. He wanted me to leave you there and go with him." He felt her stiffen, and tried to pull away, ashamed.

"Nick, tell me the rest," she pressed him, holding him to her.

"He urged me to bring you across or just turn my back. I couldn't do either. I asked him to end my life for me."

"What!" she gasped. "No! Nick, I would never want that sacrifice from you. I understand why you don't want to bring me across, knowing how you feel about your life, but what good would it do to sacrifice yourself because of me."

"I promised that whatever happened we would be together," he explained. "But not your death, Nick. I don't ever want that for you. Promise me, Nick.'

"I can't, Nat. I can't! Life without you is not living. It would make this hell of a life more pointless than ever."

He blurted out, "The beast is still here, Nat! It didn't work..."

"Nick, you can't say it didn't work. It took months for Janette's cure! We've tried only once. You owe me to keep trying."

"No! Nat, please don't ask me to endanger your life again... Please...," he begged.

Natalie prayed for the right words. "Nick, it's our only hope. We'll try it differently. You'll go back on human blood. You won't be starving. I should have realized what I was asking. No more protein shakes. You'll feed before we make love, and you'll only take a little. I have faith in you."

"Faith... that's what you said this time. I nearly killed you! I don't know..." He tried to move away.

She clutched his arm, angry. "You nearly killed me, Nick," she accused him. "I don't remember giving you that option. Now you owe me. We will do it my way." Her voice quivered, "Don't you love me?"

Nick looked startled and hurt. "How can you ask me that?!" he asked with a tortured voice. Anger crossed his features. "You ARE life to me! Without you, I might as well walk into the sun!"

"Nick," she pleaded, "Promise me you will stay with me and see this through." She added again, not caring whether it hurt him, "You DO owe me, Nick. If you really love me, you will give us another chance."

Nat, was right. He did owe her. Besides, what choice did he have. Life without her would not be life at all. Nick sighed and leaned to kiss her gently. He felt her fingers bury themselves in his hair as she pulled him closer for a deeper kiss. He drew back after a moment. "All right, Nat. We'll do it your way."

"Promise?" she asked.

"Promise," he smiled at her then leaned to kiss her again.

She slumped back onto the bed, exhausted. "Nick, how long have you been here?"

"I don't know... It's been over 24 hours."

"Go home. I need sleep and you need to feed. Go to the Raven and get some supplies."

'Raven's closed now with LaCroix gone, but I do know where to get some supplies."

"LaCroix's gone! What do you mean gone?" She sat up, hope renewed in her eyes.

"Yes, he left town. He said he wouldn't come back unless we asked him."

"Fat chance of that. Why didn't he force you to leave with him?"

"He looked into my eyes when I asked him to end it for me and knew that if he didn't kill me I would take care of it myself. He told me you weren't dead and left, knowing I would not follow as long as you live."

He leaned forward and laid his cheek against her shoulder. His body shuddered, "I'm free, Nat. Free to love you." She clutched him to her and laughed, then cried, elated at this turn of events... this blessing. "Nick, no matter what happens, cure or no cure, all I ask is that you stay with me. We'll move whenever we have to. Just stay with me. Promise me, Nick. Even if the cure doesn't work, promise me you will stay," she begged desperately, needing his promise.

Nick stood again, took her hand, and pressed it against his lips, "I've already promised, Nat. Remember... I promised" he kissed her again.

She smiled warmly at him, "I just needed to hear it again. Now go home, Nick. Get some rest... feed. I need to sleep."

"All right. I love you, Nat." He held her close for a moment more and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Good night." He turned and left the room glancing back once to wave at her.

Outside, Nick suddenly felt almost unable to move. He had been on edge for a very long time and now he realized how hungry he was. He began to wonder how he was going to make it home. He staggered, falling against the wall.

A booming voice said, "Whoa!" A large arm slipped around his waist and held him on his feet. "Come on, Nick. Let me take you home."

Nick protested, "I should go see Tracy."

Reese replied, "She's still unconscious. You can't do her any good. I'll ask the nurse to call us if there is any change. Come on, Nick."

Nick, to weak to protest, let the Captain lead him out of the hospital and into his car. They drove in silence back to the loft. Nick realized he was getting quite hungry. He marveled how satisfied his body had been up until the last couple hours. He hadn't even thought of all the blood that had been dripping around him. Now he could hear Reese's blood pumping through his veins and his steady heartbeat. He could smell Reese's blood.

He looked at Reese with amber eyes and saw Reese turn to look at him. He heard the Captain's heartbeat speed up. He smiled, let his fangs show a bit, then let out a chuckle to ease his Captain1s fear. "Don't worry, I can hang on. I've had lots of practice. It is just a bit uncomfortable and I'm so tired."

Reese let out a ragged sigh, "Sorry... you scared the hell out of me. For a Moment, I thought I might be breakfast."

Nick laughed, then said seriously, "There's always a danger to those around me, but it's pretty minimal. That's why I have always kept Natalie at arms length. I didn't want what's happened, to happen. Right now you are safe.

"I understand, Nick. It's worth the risk for me. I don't know what it is that draws me to you. I always wanted a son. It never happened. You're a fine young man," he said with a smile. His voice hardened, "Then there is LaCroix. He's not exactly 'Father' material. Maybe I just want you to see what a good father can be. At least I think I can be a better father."

Nick agreed, "I have no doubt of that, Sir. It touches me more than you realize. You would think someone of my age needs no family ties. I've lived so long trying to break the ones I have... perhaps I have destroyed the only one I did want."

Reese looked at him, "What?"

Nick waved it away. "A long story... for another night."

Reese smiled, "I'll hold you to it, son. I would be honored if you would share your stories with me. I'm a huge history buff. Imagine talking to someone who lived during the last 800 years. It's amazing."

Nick said, "You have a deal." He sat back in silence, just basking in the glow of feeling wanted, and marveled at this new gift in his life.

* * *

Natalie lay crying. She couldn't stop the tears. Moments after Nick had left she had been seized with fear and elation in such a way that it had overwhelmed her. Nick had nearly killed her, and would have left her to die if not for LaCroix, yet now he was willing to see if their dreams might come true. This filled her with elation.

She didn't fault him for what had happened. She knew it was her fault. What had she been thinking? She knew that Nick was on a starvation diet. She had thought to kill the beast by starving it to death, breaking it's hold on Nick.

She should have realized what fresh blood would do to him. She had seen so many images in his blood... felt so many things. Joy, passion, lust, guilt and mostly an overwhelming love for her... and a desire that staggered her. It made her fear she could not live up to it. He saw her as an Angel. Fear that he would contaminate her had led him to almost let her die.

She whispered to the room, "Why would LaCroix help him to save me?" Suddenly a cold chill touched her and she looked wildly around trying to see into the shadows of the darkened room.

"LaCroix, I know you are in here. Come out where I can see you."

The Vampire stepped onto the dim light that filtered through the door.

"How?" she stammered. He could not have come through the doors or windows. "One acquires some useful abilities with experience and time."

"Why didn't you show yourself to Nick?" she asked.

"Nicholas was too tired and hungry to deal with me. I did promise I was leaving," he said, moving closer to her.

She stared at him. The icy coldness she remembered seeing in his eyes was gone. A profound sadness radiated from him.

"Why didn't you?" she queried looking him in the eyes. "Have you come to kill me?" she asked, fear gripping her.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." He fingered a rose idly, "My flight leaves in two hours."

"When have you ever been concerned about me?" she accused him. She didn't let her gaze waver, but continued to stared at him.

"I realized something last night, Dr. Lambert. Without you, Nicholas will walk into the sun. No matter what I do, eventually it will be so. Since I do not believe that it is possible for you to find Nicholas a cure, I can wait. This may be brutal, but in 50 -70 years you will be gone, and Nicholas will need me again."

"What if I do find a cure?" she asked, afraid of the answer.

His eyes flashed fire, "No! There IS no cure!" He came close and his cold breath chilled her.

"You protest too much, LaCroix." She glared back at him, trying to look into his soul. An idea formed in her mind, "How many centuries did you search?"

He look astonished, then shook his head sadly and sighed, '156 years! I tried every ancient cure there was. I vowed never to go through that again. I had to accept what I was. I suffered so much.. when I finally embraced this life, I found peace. When Nicholas entered my life, there was so much love for a time. Then he changed and the pain and unrest returned. I have tried to tell Nicholas this for century's, but he will not accept it. His pain is often mine. It wears at me and I lash out." His eyes turned red, "You will never tell Nicholas of my search." He came closer... his breath was cold as ice and made her shiver.

"As you wish." What good would the knowledge do him anyway, she thought.

He back up a bit, "You will die eventually, or he will be forced to bring you across before your age takes you."

"Why did you tell him I was alive? You could have just let me die. Nick didn't even realize my heart was still beating."

"No, my dear. Nicholas would have believed he killed you though it was your own folly that created the situation. You don't stand in front of a loaded gun and ask someone to pull the trigger."

"For once I agree," she said, with shame.

LaCroix continued, "When you are gone, I will at least have a chance of convincing him to come with me again. I may have a chance if I do not ask of him what he asked of me concerning his sister, Fluer. No matter what revenge I promised him, I know Nick could never live through the pain I did. He's a much gentler man." He came close again, "You don't realize the anguish you cause him by putting him on that starvation diet. The blood controls us, it's a need that never goes away... the raw craving and hunger... the blood is our only connection to life. Through it, for a few minutes, we feel alive again." Natalie felt hot tears on her cheeks. "I promise never to ask that of him again."

"Good. There may be hope for you."

Natalie asked, curiously, "If Nick brings me across, will you accept me?" She met his eyes again without faltering.

LaCroix reached out, took her hand, and pressed his cold lips to it. She tried not to show her revulsion. He smiled, "You have my respect, Natalie. You would be a welcomed addition to my family." He allowed his eyes to go amber and the tips of his teeth to show, "If Nicholas will not do it, contact me. I would be happy too." He smiled at her letting his fangs show fully.

She ignored him, trying to calm her trembling body. She said sincerely, "Thank you for my life, LaCroix."

End Chapter 2


By Jeannie Ecklund Gersknightlady@cs.com





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