OLD FRIENDS, NEW LIFE!

by Sue Whitehorn

General Information:

Here is a story on my thoughts of what happened to Daniel, the boy Nick and Janette had as their mortal son for awhile in 1944 London. No referrals are necessary.

This is just a small light-hearted story to be simply enjoyed. No moral comments, or any guilt intended.

The Characters of Nick, Janette and Daniel belong to James Parriott and Tri-Star. Luke is again my creation. (what a little cutie, hmmm?)

As always, I do request that you let me know what you think of the story. I really care about what you think, if you like it or not doesn't matter, I want to know what you like and don't like. It means alot to me, So please let me know what you think!

Again, Enjoy!

Nick's Loft:

Nick and Janette sat on the couch, looking at pictures and information on real estate. Nick had quit his job with the Metro PD and become a PI. This gave him more freedom and more time with his family. Janette had taken on the position of consultant with a local fashion designer and loved every aspect of her new job. It gave her a chance to do something on her own, away from Nick and Luke. Something that she sorely lacked for the past 7 years, following the birth of their son. Both Nick and Janette loved their son, and their new found freedom as inherited vampires, but they still longed for a purpose and individual identity apart from each other. Their jobs gave them that independence to pursue what interested them most. They still maintained that love that a family needed to survive, though. And Luke, for his part did not seem to mind that his mother was preoccupied at times, and his father was gone for several days on occasions. Now, Janette and Nick were trying to find a new place to live. They did not feel that the loft was an appropriate home to bring up Luke. They wanted to find a nice home that was spacious, and yet still somewhat homey.

Luke was at the piano, playing Beethoven's, "Fur Elise" and doing a beautiful job. He seemed to have acquired the feathery light touch, and moodiness of his father on the keys. As he was playing, Luke's finger struck a note that was not quite right, and Nick looked up from the real estate papers and said, "G#, son."

Luke wheeled around on the piano bench and grinned at his father. "Yes, I know, Dad. I just wanted to see if you were listening."

Nick grinned back and said, "Luke, you know that I always listen to you when you play. Now, would you be so kind as to play it correctly?"

Luke turned back to the piano and began to play the piece again. His small, agile fingers, moving gracefully on the keys. The music was heavenly, and both Nick and Janette were caught up in the melody. It reminded them of a time, long ago. Suddenly, Luke stopped in the middle of a phrase, and sat up stiff. Nick looked over at his son and said, "What's wrong, Luke?"

Luke did not speak, but through the mind link he said, <Mom! Dad! Someone's coming. Someone old, but not as old as you.> Nick and Janette looked at each other in puzzlement. Who could Luke have sensed?

There was a sudden whoosh of air and all three occupants of the loft raised their heads to look at the window in the upper floor. Standing there, with his head pressed against the glass, was a face that Nick and Janette had not seen for more than 50 years! The figure opened the glass and glided gently down to the floor of the loft.

"Daniel!" Janette said with mixed emotions. She walked over to him and he took her hand, pressing it to his lips.

"Hello, Milady. You look as beautiful as ever." Daniel said in his most persuasive, flattering boyish voice.

"Daniel, how are you? Where have you been? What have you been doing?" Janette suddenly let go with a slew of questions, not giving Daniel a chance to answer any of them.

"Janette, give him a chance to speak, love!" Nick said, as he too, went to Daniel and shook his hand. "Daniel, you look well."

That I am, Nicky old boy. That I am." And then Daniel looked over at Luke, who stood there watching his every move. "And who is this 'andsome lad?"

"That is our son, Luke." Janette replied with a great deal of love and pride. Luke walked over cautiously to Daniel and put out his hand for Daniel to shake. But Daniel was gracious and shook Luke's hand saying, "Hello there, Luke. My but you do look alot like your father." Luke let go of Daniel's hand and nodded the compliment, then walked over to the large black leather chair and sat down. He never took his eyes off the "boy vampire" that had suddenly burst into his world.

"Got any refreshment for a lad, Milady?" Daniel said in a sweet, yet irritating way as he looked at Janette. She smiled and said, "Yes, of course, Daniel." And she walked over to the refrigerator to get a bottle of blood, (as they always kept a supply in case Grandfather Lacroix needed one when he came to see his grandson).

Nick and Daniel sat down on the couch and Nick looked over at the "boy vampire". He was surprised that Daniel was even alive. "I am really surprised to see you, Daniel. It has been over 50 years since we have been in London. How in the world have you survived all this time?"

"Well, Nicky old boy, I used me wits!" Daniel said as he took the bottle from Janette, who sat down in the other leather chair. "I am very resourceful. Always was. Er, don't you 'member in London? When I stole Milady's purse? I almost got away with that! Would 'ave if you adn't been a vampire!"

Nick smiled at this as he remembered the day they met. "Yes, that's true. But how did you manage to escape from Lacroix? And how have you managed to stay alive within the Community? The Enforcers would. . . "

"Not wise to connect with that lot, ole boy." Daniel cut Nick off in mid-sentence. Seeing that both Nick and Janette were very interested to hear his tale, Daniel took a big swig from the bottle, wiping his mouth on his sleeve and then continued. "Wasn't a prob with Lacroix. He was interested in you, Nicky. When you ran off to America, shortly after the war was over, he followed you. He didn't care 'bout me. I simply laid low until he was gone. Lacroix was so concerned with finding and keeping you that he completely forgot 'bout me."

"That explains Lacroix, but how did you survive? What about the Community?" Nick pressed the question again.

"I stayed away from large cities. Lived in the country, mostly. Never went to any big community. Took blood from any animals I could find, and slept wherever I could find shelter from the sun. Sometimes I got lucky and a drunk or criminal crossed me path and I was able to drink from them. Not the best cuisine, but adequate. I learned to fend fer meself when me parents were killed. I knew that if I went to a city or large village the Community would be there. So I stayed away. I've learned alot about survival in the last 50 years." Daniel had spoken with pride and arrogance up to this point. But Luke could sense there was something down deep that was troubling Daniel. He seemed sad about something, but Luke couldn't put his finger on it.

"Why did you come here, Daniel?" Janette said quietly.

"Just wanted to see me old friends. You left kinda in a hurry. Didn't get to say goodbye." Daniel replied, finishing up the bottle.

Nick saw the pain in Daniel's eyes and he began to feel a pang of guilt. "We're sorry for that Daniel. But it wasn't my intention to turn you into a vampire. That was lacroix's doing. And it disgusted me to the point that I couldn't stay with him any longer. I'm sorry that you were involved in the first place."

Daniel observed Nick for a few minutes, and then broke into that big beautiful smile, and said, "It's ok, Nicky. I understand. But you still coulda said goodbye."

For the next several hours, Nick, Janette and Daniel talked over old times, as Luke watched, and observed the three of them. There was something special between them and he couldn't figure it out. He could sense love and affection from all three. But there seemed to be some kind of barrier between them. Especially from Daniel to Nick.

"Why don't you stay with us for a few days, Daniel?" Janette said, after a lull in the conversation. Daniel's eyes lit up at this suggestion. This is really why he had come. He wanted to spend time with his old friends. Although he was a little bitter at them for leaving him so abruptly.

"That'd be great, Milady. I'd like to do just that." And turning to Luke, he said, "Would you mind that little man?"

Luke continued to stare at Daniel, but did not reply. He watched him cautiously. He wasn't sure how to take this "boy vampire" at all. He had, after all intruded into his life, and taken some of his parent's attention away from him!

"Luke Robert deBrabant Knight! Acknowledge when someone speaks to you please." Janette said in a firm voice.

Luke turned to Daniel and said, "Why are you here? What do you want from us!"

"Luke! That's not at all kind, son." Nick said, somewhat irritated himself. "If you can't be polite, then you can leave the room."

Luke looked at Nick and then at Janette. He finally looked at Daniel and said, "I don't want you here! You will just caused trouble for my parents!"

Janette then looked at Luke, very surprised, and very annoyed. "Luke, you can go to your room, now.!"

Luke looked at Janette with a very hurt expression on his face, and then he got up from his chair and ran up the stairs toward his room. Janette watched him in disbelief. Luke was generally so kind to others, and he rarely defied his parents. What was the matter with him?

Nick, too, was a little surprised at this action from his son. Why would Luke take an immediate dislike to Daniel? Usually there was an inner reason that he alone could sense but others couldn't until it was too late. Now Nick was on his guard.

But Daniel knew quite well what the problem was. Somehow, what he had been told of Luke was true. This child was indeed special, and he knew exactly why Luke did not trust him. Daniel wanted Nick and Janette to take him back as their intended son. He would now be rival for Luke's attention of his parents. But it was more than that. Daniel had heard that Nick and Janette had become inherited vampires, and that is what he really sought after. He just needed the right time to approach Nick. For he knew that they would never deny him that gift! If he was turned into an inherited vampire, he would be able to grow to an adult, and then be able to move in the world as others of his kind did, instead of hiding in caves, and abandon shacks to survive!

"Give the lad time to adjust to an old friend, Nicky old boy. He barely knows me, and needs time to find out just who I am, and what I'm like." Daniel said as he saw the frustration in Nick and Janette's face.

"He still has no excuse for being rude!" Janette replied to Daniel. "And I intend to speak to him about that!"

Daniel stood up and walked over to where Janette was standing, looking upwards toward Luke's bedroom. "Please don't do that, Madam Knight. You can't blame the lad for his insecurity at this time. Give 'im time to adjust. Just leave the situation alone and let Luke and me figure out how to solve it. Please, Milady!"

Janette looked down at Daniel and softened her expression. She nodded her agreement.

Later

About an hour later, Nick came into Luke's bedroom. His son was sitting at his small desk reading a book, and looked up at Nick when he came in. Nick could tell that Luke had been crying, but he did not say anything, as he knew his son would be embarrassed if anyone knew that he, (a man) had resorted to tears.

"Luke? Are you feeling better?" Nick said in a soft tone.

Luke looked up at his father, and then suddenly put the book down and ran to his father's arms. Nick picked up his son and held him close. Luke could not help it, but he began to cry all over again. "I'm sorry, Dad for being so mean to Daniel, but I don't trust him. He scares me!"

Nick rubbed his son's back and thought about what Luke had just said. "Why are you afraid of him, Luke?"

Luke pulled back and looked into his father's eyes and said, "Because he wants something from you and Mom, and I'm scared he will try to destroy our family!"

Nick looked into Luke's sky blue eyes and said, "Why do you think that, Luke? What do you sense from him? What is it that you see in Daniel?" Nick had learned from past experiences to trust his son's intuition, because he was usually right.

"He knows why I'm here, Nicky!" a voice said behind Nick. He turned and saw Daniel standing at the bedroom door, with Janette behind him.

"What do you mean, Daniel?" Nick replied as he put Luke down on the floor. Luke grabbed Nick's shirt tail and Nick put his hand on his son's head to reassure him.

"I cam here to see old friends, that's true. But I also came for your help." Daniel spoke in a very soft voice as one adult to another. "I'm tired of hiding from everyone. I'm tired of being looked upon as a runaway, or a child. I want to be an adult WITH an adult body. I want to be healed from this damn curse. I want. . . . ."

Luke had suddenly taken a step away from his father, bending his head down he raised it back up. His eyes were gold and flashing, and his fangs were extended as he finished Daniel's sentence, "to be an inherited vampire."

Daniel was surprised at first, but then remembered what he had been told of Nick's son. Rumors was what he thought it was, but now he was convinced that all he had heard was true. Nick's son had abilities and skills at this age that were amazing and very strong!

Luke walked toward Daniel slowly, "And what will you give in return for this gift, Daniel?"

Janette and Nick had backed away from Luke and Daniel, and were now holding on to each other. They knew that this situation was out of their hands. And they knew to trust Luke, when confronted with this type of problem. He would never take a life, or cause injury or death unless it had been directed him by his father, Re-Atum.

Daniel felt a little uneasy, but he stood bodly in front of Luke, who was slightly shorter and smaller than he, but still a very strong force. "I will give me love and life to the two people who cared enough to try to help me once. If Lacroix had not interfered, we might have been a family. I wish to have that family now! I will treat 'em as me parents, and I will be loyal and faithful to 'em for the rest of me life. That is what I will give!"

Luke stood there watching Daniel for a few minutes, then he turned to his parents and said, "Will you accept this exchange of a gift of inherited status for another son?"

Nick and Janette looked at each other, somewhat confused. They were not sure that they wanted to expand their family. But they also knew that they had an obligation to Daniel. After all, it was their Master Lacroix who had caused Daniel to be vampire, but it was Nick and Janette who had set the stage for Lacroix to take the action he did. Now they realized they were responsible. And Daniel had paid the price. He had bore it well, and somehow managed to survive. Not only their abandonment, but also the Community and the Enforcers. They owed him the real life they had robbed him of and they also had strong feelings for Daniel. They truly wanted to help him and give him the family and love he never really had. Nick looked at Janette and she nodded her head. Then Nick spoke to his son, "Yes, we agree with the exchange, if you Luke, also agree."

Luke smiled and said, "I will share Daniel with you Mom and Dad, with pleasure." And then turning to Daniel, he asked once more, "Daniel, if I turn you into an inherited, will you swear loyalty and love and honor to Nick and Janette as your parents, and to me as your brother?"

Daniel was very nervous, but was very happy, and all he could manage was a weak, "yes".

With that, Luke lunged forward and fangs extended came down hard on Daniel's neck. He drank for sometime and then allowed Daniel to drink from his wrist. Within a matter of minutes, Daniel began to feel very different. Luke backed off and shook for a few minutes, fangs began to retract and his eyes returned to their beautiful sky blue. He was weaker, though, and began to sway back and forth and started to fall as Nick caught him. He suddenly fell fast asleep. Nick carried him to his bed and laid his son on the soft mattress. For Luke, this act was a major pull on his small body. Sometimes the power he possessed was too strong for his body to handle. He required rest for his body to regenerate its power. Daniel, concerned immediately went to Nick and Luke and touched Luke's forehead questioning, "Will he be alright, Nicky?"

Nick looked at Daniel and said, "Yes. It takes a lot out of him when he uses his powers at this young age. But once he has rested he will be fine." Nick then began to break into a large grin, saying, "And don't you think it is about time you started calling me Dad?"

Daniel smiled and gave Nick a hug and then went over to Janette and hugged her too. Even though Luke was sleeping, he too, smiled.

Finis
"What was will be, what is shall be no more"

Sue
DkKnight/IB/DkTrinity
suwwhit@ccp.com