The Last knight and Beyond

by Olivia Jean Ecklund
Chapter 3

He bowed his head accepting her thanks and said, "Take care of him, Natalie. He is all I have." The creature of darkness stepped back into the shadow's.

Natalie's hand was shaking as she reached up and turned the bed lamp on lighting the darkness around her. LaCroix was gone. She slumped back onto her pillow exhausted, trembling and let hot tears slide down her face. As she lie there thinking, she realized that she was glad that LaCroix had shown up. He would not keep his word, but he would at least leave them alone for a few years. At least until he thought it was time for her to be brought across. She decided not to tell Nick about his visit. Nick had promised to stay with her and to try Janette's cure again. That was all she needed to think about now. She let herself drift off to sleep.

* * *

Reese pulled up in front of Nick's building. Nick was out of the car before he could even turn off the motor. "I'll let you in, Captain," he called. Reese only saw his shoes pass the window as Nick airlifted and went for the skylight. He sat for a moment, gasping for breath. The sight was sure more than the 'idea' of thinking Nick could fly. He forced himself to get out of the car and went toward the security door. He had often wondered why such an extensive security system was required and now he knew. Nick needed it while he was 'dead to the world,' during daylight. What that boy must have suffered when he, Reese, had forced him to come to work or court in the daytime. He shook himself mentally. Nick was an 800 year old Vampire, not boy, but Reese knew he would always think of his friend as a very young man.

Some days he had looked into Nick's eyes and seen the same pain he saw when he looked into a mirror. Maybe that's why he felt he could help Nick. He, himself, was in pain. His wife was slipping away fast. She was only in her 50's, and the disease had engulfed her so quickly. His daughters had married young, and moved to different states. They hardly even called anymore. They had been so close when they were little... his princesses. He was devastated when their adolescence had taken them so far away emotionally. They seemed to have good marriages, and he was happy for them, but lately the emptiness in his life had overwhelmed him and he had felt desperate for a change.

Nick slipped into the loft through the open skylight. He went to the frig and grabbed a bottle from the back. LaCroix had made him keep it for emergencies. Natalie had reluctantly agreed.

He opened the bottle and let the cold bloodwine slide down his throat. Fleeting images of the donor ghosted across his thoughts...a young student trying to make it through college... struggling to feed himself. The boy had hopes and dreams for a better future. So much of the plain vintage blood was donated by students and the homeless. It made the drink sometimes hard to swallow, but it would save his life. The best vintages were taken from people who donated for charity, or for other reasons Nick did not want to think of. People with lives that were rich and rewarding. Even though this wasn't a good vintage, it was smooth and very filling. It had been so long since Nick had fed on human blood and, having tasted Natalie's, he knew no other would ever satisfy him again. This bottle of human blood would nourish his body in a way that a bovine's never could. He finished half of the bottle, then he went to let Reese in.

Reese came into the loft and looked around curiously. The loft was uncluttered, and in good taste, showing a touch of wealth.

Nick greeted him with a weary smile. "Captain?" he started.

Reese held up a hand, "Joe, Nick. Call me Joe when we're not in the office."

Nick smiled, "I'd like that, Joe. Why don't you go on home. I'm okay and I promise I'll go to bed."

"I'm staying, Nick," he said looking over at the couch.

"What! I don't need a babysitter, sir," he laughed, uncomfortably.

"Please, Nick. I need to get out of my place," Reese begged. "Denise has a caretaker for tonight. All I need is the couch."

Nick saw huge unshed tears in the man?s eyes. He knew how horrible it was watching the one you love, die so miserably. "Of course," he said. "Come, you can have my bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

"No, Nick!" the older man protested.

"Joe, I've slept on it many times. Just don't open the windows when you get up. I don't like to smoke on the furniture."

Reese, only half listening, replied, "I didn't know you smo....," he stopped and snorted, running his hand nervously through his hair. "Funny, Nick."

Nick grinned his boyish grin, took the remote and shut the shutters, blocking out the night sky. "Natalie is going to come here to stay for awhile. I am going to make some calls. I want to have a few changes made to the bathroom upstairs. I think they will need to start pretty early in the morning."

Joe nodded, "Okay, Nick. I need to be out pretty early anyway. Are you sure about the bed?"

"You'll be more comfortable upstairs. No argument!" He led Joe up the stairs, got his friend some towels, and showed him the bathroom.

"You a shower first, Nick, and I'll just rest here on the bed," Joe said sitting down and trying the mattress. He nodded his approval. "I'm glad Vampires don't really sleep in coffins!"

"No," Nick smiled, "I tried it once after watching Dracula in the 30's. I woke with a kink in my neck. Never again!"

Joe laughed.

Nick took a quick shower. When he came back into his room, Joe was already asleep. Nick pulled the spread, that was folded at the foot of the bed, over him and turned off the light then headed downstairs.

He took the bottle from the frig, drank a glass of bloodwine, sat on the couch and made some phone calls. After he had accomplished all he wanted to do, he laid on the couch and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Nick woke about 5:00 am. He had grabbed the phone to call the hospital to check on Tracy, when he noticed that Reese was up and looking at his paintings.

"Hey, Nick!" he called, when he noticed that Nick was awake. "These are really good.

Nick came over shyly. He seldom showed anyone his work. "Thank you," he said, quietly.

"Why don?t you show or sell them?" Joe asked, curious. "I didn't even know you painted."

"I can't," the young artist explained. "Someone would eventually notice that they were the same artist, but painted centuries apart. It would create a big problem for the community." He moved closer to one. "I tried it once," he said, indicating the painting of the most vibrant landscape that Reese had ever seen. It had obviously been created before the industrial revolution began to pollute the earth. "One hundred two years later, someone did put it together with my newest painting." A look of pain flashed across his face. "LaCroix, took care of the problem, ignoring my protests, and the man vanished from the face of the earth. I keep it to remind me of that folly. I won't take that chance again. I only use 10 canvases, and I repaint over them after they have been with me 50-60 years. It's hard to chose which one will go. They are good friends." He said, pushing the memory away, "I need to check on Tracy."

Reese watched him move back across the room. He wondered if he had been wise to get involved and yet he knew he wanted it no other way. He might be in pain himself, but so was Nick. Something had spoken to his heart and told him to reveal himself to this young man and embrace him.

The buzzer rang and he headed toward the door, "Must be the workmen."

Reese watched, amazed, as a huge force of men came through the door. They carried new amazing appliances for the room up stairs. "Nick, Natalie might come home tonight. How can you get that all done in time?"

"You can have anything done in a short time with enough money and men."

"Must cost a fortune," he speculated curiously.

Nick came closer to him so only he could hear, "I have a rather large inheritance from my previous lives. Have you heard of the Barbant Foundation?"

Reese looked surprised, "Yes, I received a scholarship for underprivileged kids from them for college when I was a senior in high school." Nick was astonished, "Really! I have had that program in effect for 150 years."

Reese just nodded, overcome with emotion. Finally he said, "It changed my life, Nick."

Nick said, his own eyes filled with emotion, "It was my pleasure. I seldom get the privilege to know what all the money goes for. I'm happy to know it helped shape such a wonderful man." He reached out and squeezed Reese's shoulder with affection. He was rewarded with a big hug.

Nick hugged him back, then stepped away. "I'm going to make that call.

Reese waited while Nick made his call. He could hear the brief Conversation; no change.

When Nick re-dialed to talk to Natalie, he called out, "Nick, I'm going to head home. Thanks for letting me stay."

"You're welcome. Joe, come anytime."

"Thanks, Nick. I'll hold you to that. I'd better get going now." He left as he heard Nick say, "Natalie Lambert's room please."

Nick sat on the edge of the couch.

Natalie picked up the phone. "Nick?" she asked, groggily.

"Yes, it's me," he said. "Nick, it's 6:00 am! Are you okay?" she knew he was usually asleep by now.

"Yes, My Love," he replied. "How are you today?"

Natalie was quiet for a moment. Concerned, he asked, "Nat, are you okay?"

"Are you sure that's you, Nick?" she spoke, her voice full of giggles. "You've never said anything to me like that before. I was just letting it soak in."

He laughed, delighted by her reaction. "Get used to it. LaCroix's gone and we don't have to hide anymore."

"What about the others?" she asked, a bit unsure yet hoping LaCroix would keep his word.

"Not a problem, Nat. They would never touch me. I am LaCroix's and they respect him too much. Beside he would tear them apart with his bare hands."

"Why have we been afraid of them for so long then?"

"Because I was never sure that LaCroix, until recently, wouldn't sic them on you."

"Oh...What are you doing up so early?" she asked.

"I was so tired I fell asleep soon after we got here last night. Guess what? I had a babysitter last night."

"What?" she said, unbelief in her voice. "Did Janette come back?"

Nick laughed hearing the reserve in her voice, "No, it was Joe. He insisted on staying."

"Captain Reese!" she laughed, trying to comprehend.

"What's all that noise," she asked, hearing the workmen in the background.

"I'm having a bigger closet built for you," he lied, crossing his fingers behind his back.

Trying to distract her from further questions, he said, "I have lots to tell you. I can't wait till the sun goes down."

"Neither can I, Nick. Hurry as fast as you can. I'll be waiting." "I need to stop by to see Tracy for a few minutes, before I come up to you," he told her.

"Of course, Nick. Give her my love if she's awake. I love you," she finished.

"I love you too, Nat. See you later." Nick hung up and arranged for some flowers to be sent to Tracy and a room full for Natalie. He arranged for a delivery of more bloodwine. He told the workmen that he was a day sleeper and was going down to sleep in his car. He took a bag of whole blood from the freezer and thawed it in the microwave. Making sure the workmen were all upstairs, he slipped the bag into his coat pocket and rode the lift down to the garage where he settled into the back seat with a pillow and blanket from the trunk. He took out the blood and drank it down.

The warm blood, sliding down his throat, was ecstasy. It made him feel strong and well, but not as good as Natalie's blood had. He shook himself and felt a new drenching of shame for what he had done to her. It threatened to overwhelm him. He pushed the feelings down and let himself drift off to sleep.

Waking about an hour before sunset, Nick returned to the loft and found that the workmen had finished and left. He surveyed their work, amazed. A thought occurred to him and he made a call to Grace. After he had explained what he wanted, she was only to happy to comply.

"It's about time you got together, Nick,' she had said before hanging up.

He showered and shaved carefully, then put on black slacks and a brilliant blue shirt that Nat had given him. It was the first shirt he'd had in 100 years with a bright color in it. She said it matched his eyes.

Grace came about 20 minutes later. before sunset, with all the things Nick had asked for. She helped him put some of Natalie's things in the closet, then she headed off to work. Just after sunset, he got the order of green bottle's. He quickly stored them and raced for the Caddie.

Chapter 4

He ran up the hospital steps and inquired about Tracy's whereabouts. He found the room and entered. He was instantly aware that Vachon was sitting in a darkened corner keeping a vigil over his partner. He nodded to him and asked, "How is she?" He stared into Tracy's pale white face, "Did, you...?"

Vachon came closer, "No, she's still human. I had nothing to do with this. She was already back in ICU when I got here. They moved her here a few hours ago. It's pretty much a miracle.'

Nick looked at him, "You believe in miracles?"

"Well," he fidgeted, "No other word fits. She was pronounced dead and now... she's not..."

"Has she awakened?" he asked. Peering closely at her, he took her hand in his.

"No, she's in an induced coma. It will help her heal faster."

Nick looked around. "Where's her parents? I thought they'd be hanging around."

"Out of country... Nurse said they are on a cruise and they haven't been able to notify them yet. Suits me fine... they'd never let me stay here."

Nick smiled at the long haired, unkempt looking man. He was a man of few words and for his 500 years of un-dead life, he seemed to be uneducated, yet Nick knew him to be a brilliant Jack-of-all-Trades, a thief and a master musician. After Tracy had thought she'd killed him with the stake, Vachon had forced her to use on him when he was sick, she had buried him. Nick had been flying over the beach one night when he had felt Vachon calling for help. He'd unburied the half dead, un-dead Vampire, and had hidden him. He had thought it was better to let his partner think Vachon was still dead. Now he knew that he had been wrong. Vachon loved Tracy. They also deserved a chance to make a relationship work.

Vachon spoke quietly, "Thanks for letting me come back, Nick."

"So there's been no change?" Nick asked, peering closer.

Vachon rose and came into the dim light from the corridor. "The doctor said she was in a lighter coma and could come out of it anytime. She's spoken a few words, but it's just been your name, Nick. She seems a bit agitated." Vachon said, curiosity heavy in his voice.

"She saw what I was just before she was hit. She's pretty ticked and hurt." Nick, stroked the pale hand that he had picked up.

"Ah," Vachon said, obviously relieved. "I thought maybe you had formed some sort of relationship while I was gone."

"She's my partner and I love Natalie. I won't ask you to step back from Tracy ever again, Javier. If she loves you, then you both have to figure out what kind of relationship you need or want. Please just make sure it's what Tracy wants. Don't bring her across unless she asks.. no... begs"

Vachon smiled, "Thanks, Nick. I will do as you ask."

Nick reached down and kissed Tracy's forehead. "Thank you, Vanchon. I won't try to run her life anymore. We all have to make our own choices.2

Nick leaned down and kissed Tracy's forehead. "Hang in there, Kiddo," he whispered, brushing at the fine blond hair on her forehead. "I'll be in room 342 on the next floor, with Natalie."

"Natalie's a patient?" Vachon asked.

Nick nodded, "Don't ask... she'll be okay... I'll tell you about it someday."

Vachon nodded, curious. He could see guilt and shame flashing across Nick's face. "Okay, Knight. I'll let you know when Tracy wakes up." Nick found Natalie standing by her bed, the IV's gone. She was holding a bouquet of yellow roses. "Nick, they are so beautiful! Smell..." she held them to his face.

He breathed in the fragrant scent, then grabbed her and pulled her close. "Oh, Nat, you look wonderful."

She dropped the roses on the bed and he pulled her against him, kissing her thoroughly until she sagged against him.

"Wow!" she whispered, when he let her up for air.

"Come on...back to bed," he urged. He moved the flowers, then picked her up and laid her back on the bed. "I'm tired, but I'm fully replenished and I want to go home. I can sleep in your bed with you, just as well as I can here."

"My b...be...d! With me!" Nick stuttered.

"Yes, Nick." She had expected that reaction. She smiled at him. His look was priceless. "I don't ever plan to sleep alone again."

"But, Nat, shouldn't we talk about this? I knew you were coming to stay with me for awhile, but I was planning to sleep on the couch. It's still dangerous," he begged.

"I know you're afraid, Nick, but I will never be afraid of you or the beast again. You need me now, and for some reason, I think it needs me too. I don't think it will harm me again."

"A fairy told you this?" he asked sarcastically. "Sorry," he added, when he saw her annoyed look.

Natalie smiled, "Maybe an Angel... I had a dream last night. I was told that you won't endanger me again."

"It's a dream you're basing this on?" He was amazed.

"No...it was more than a dream, Nick. Trust me. Haven't you felt more calm in your spirit since you took my blood? You sat here nearly 24 hours with blood all around you, and you didn't notice did you?"

"No, I didn't, but I was worried about you," he protested. "I wasn't very hungry until after we got out of here, and then I guess I made Reese pretty worried on the way home."

Natalie saw a tiny smile touch his lips. "What did you do, Nick?" she asked suspiciously.

"I guess my eyes changed to amber and... I let my fangs show a bit," he said, sheepishly.

"Oh, Nick, you didn't?" She saw the confirmation in his eyes and laughed. "Try to remember not to give him a heart attack. You did make him forget didn't you?"

He told her about the conversation he'd had with Reese and she listened, then said, "That's amazing, Nick! I'm so happy for you. You need a friend like him."

"What's amazing, Nat, is that he asked me if he could be my father now that LaCroix is gone."

"What!" she exclaimed.

Later their conversation came back to the blood. "Haven't you felt more contentment in your spirit, Nick? Do you feel ANY change from my blood?" "I was hungry, but I was satisfied with less blood. Still, it was human, Nat, not bovine. That in itself would make me calmer. I drank less this morning, too. I forced some down because I knew I would be sleeping all day, then coming here this evening."

"Natalie, your blood made me feel so alive. It was like being in heaven. I have never felt so in control of the vampire."

She reached up and caressed his cheek. "See, it's already working. We'll try again soon. Please trust our love, Nick."

Nick sighed. He knew she would never let him rest until he agreed. "All right, Natalie, we'll try again." He held up a finger to stop her expression of victory, "But not until you are completely recovered and at the point were you would be allowed to give blood transfusions. We might try bottle donations so that I do not have to take it from you directly."

Natalie sputtered, "But, Nick!"

"No but Nick, me," he warned. "It takes time to recover and I will not endanger your health by trying again too soon."

"That will take months, Nick! I don't know if I can wait that long.'

He leaned to kiss her and said quietly, "We've known each other for a very long time, Nat. I promised you I would not leave you. If we have to leave Toronto, we will do it together. We'll just wait a while longer. I love you. I feel so amazingly good." He drew her close. "The acceptance and love I saw in your blood, is so overwhelming. Did you feel mine?"

"Yes, I did. It was amazing and it's a bit scary isn't it." She listened for his nearly still heart to beat. "Yes, the power we have over each other is scary... and wonderful," he admitted.

"Yes, it is wonderful." She flashed him one of her amazing smiles. "Nick, please see if I can go home with you. I feel great and I don't want to stay here anymore. I just want to sleep next to you and have you hold me."

"All right, I'll go see what the doctor says."

Natalie sat back and relaxed. Things weren't exactly as she wished, but it was a start for them.

Nick returned later and said, "Okay, it's arranged. You will be released within the hour."

"Did you have to put a wammy on someone?" she asked with a grin.

"I'd never do that when it comes to your health," he said seriously.

A nurse came to help Natalie dress, so Nick went into the hall and called Reese to tell him that he was taking her home. The Captain showed up a short time later to help.

Finally Natalie was put into the wheelchair and Nick persuaded the Nurse to let Reese wheel her down one floor to see Tracy. Nick knew that she had awakened from a phone call he had made while Natalie was dressing.

As they entered the dimly lit room, they found Vachon sitting by the bed. He was holding Tracy's hand and whispering quietly to her.

Nick came close, and Vachon got up and moved to the side so that Nick could talk semi-privately to his partner. "Hey, Kiddo. It's good to see you," he told her as he took her hand.

"Nick," her eyes filled with pain. "Why didn1t you trust me?" her voice, barely a whisper, quavered. Nick's eyes filled with blood tears, and his heart beat painfully. Guilt filled him. The pain of Tracy's injuries weighed heavily on his heart.

"Forgive me, Tracy. I thought I was doing it for your own good... to protect you from the community. I failed to realize how dangerous it might be for you, to be my backup." A blood tear slipped down his face.

Tracy reached up with a weak hand up and caught it on her finger, fascinated by it. She motioned for him to lean closer, then slipped her hand behind his neck, pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, "I forgive you about the bullets, Nick. I'm glad you weren't hurt." She pressed her cheek against his cold one. "I was careless."

She continued, "I am very angry about Vachon. You should have told me he was still alive." She wrapped both arms around his neck, holding him close... angry, but so very happy that they were all alive.

"You owe me big time," she said.

Nick could feel her body trembling with emotional turmoil. She cried with him for a time. "Thanks for sending Vancho back to me."

"You're welcome," he said, gently disengaged himself after a few minutes. "You need to rest, and I need to get Natalie home."

Tracy realized, then, that Natalie was there and she strained to sit up higher so that she could see her. Nick took the bed controls and raised the head of the bed for her.

"What happened?" she asked, but when she saw Natalie's pale face and the bandage at her throat, she realized that she already knew the answer to her question. She saw Natalie reach out to take Nick's hand. Whatever had happened, it was okay between them.

Natalie said, "Hi, Tracy. It's good to see you." Reese pushed Natalie's chair closer. "I'm so glad you're better."

Tracy asked, "And you?"

Natalie nodded, "I'm good Trace. I'll tell you about it sometime. Now you1d better get some sleep... doctor's orders," she said with a smile. "I'll send Nick back to see you tomorrow night."

Reese leaned closer, "Good to see you're better, Vetter. Get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

"Thanks, Captain," she said, touched. She felt herself drifting off to sleep.

Nick turned to his fellow vampire, "Vachon, thanks for being here for her. Come... walk with us to the car. I have some refreshment there for you."

Vachon glanced at Reese.

"He knows what we are. Relax... he's a friend. Come on, you're probably famished."

Vachon smiled, "Thanks, Knight. I did sneak into the blood supply last night, but I'd appreciate not having to do it again. I am getting pretty hungry." His eyes flashed amber.

Reese pushed Natalie a little faster down the hall, and the two vampires traded grins as they raced after him.

End Chapter 4


By Jeannie Ecklund Gersknightlady@cs.com





The Last knight and Beyond 5-6
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