THE SACRIFICE OF LUKE!

by Sue Whitehorn

General Information:

This story is another one about Luke, Janette and Nick, all inherited vampires. Luke is immortal but appears human in all aspects until he reaches puberty when he will gain his vampire powers. Until then, he has special powers that can be used to heal or kill.

There is violence in this story and some abuse to a child (not sexual) so if you do not like this kind of story, you are hereby forewarned.

All of the FK cast belong to Tri-Star and James Parriott. Luke is my own creation, Darling.

I hereby give my permission to archive this to the IB site. All others please ask permission first.

Feedback once again is important. Let me know what you think!

The continuing saga of the Knight's- Nick, Janette and Luke!

Chapter 1

Nick's Loft:

Luke stood on the top of the small stepstool, watching his mother ice the cake! Today was his 6th birthday. Uncle Schanke, Aunt Myra and Jenny were coming over for a party tonight and Luke could hardly wait! Grandfather Lacroix had promised to stop by later, and told him that he had a very special gift for his grandson. Oh, birthdays were so much fun!

"Mommy, aren't you done yet?" Luke said impatiently. He was waiting to clean out the frosting bowl and it did seem that his mommy was taking entirely too much time. She had scrapped out the bowl as far as it could be scrapped to Luke's satisfaction, and he wanted to take his finger and lick out the chocolate left in the bowl.

"Just a minute, Luke!" Janette laughed and looked down at her impatient son. "You want your cake to look beautiful, don't you?" she teased him.

"Yes! But how many times do you have to run the knife over the top? The icing is on already!" Luke said, "Please! Mommy! Can't I lick the bowl, now?"

Janette made one more trip around the cake with the knife to tease her son, then looking down at him she smiled. Relinquishing the bowl to Luke she said, "OK, you can lick the bowl now. But I don't want to see any icing left, when your through. And keep the bowl in the kitchen, please?" She said, hollering after Luke who had picked up the bowl and was heading for the couch.

Janette went back to the sink and began to clean up the dirty cake dishes. She smiled as she looked at Luke who was sitting at the table, devouring the last remnants of the icing. He was so excited about today! And she was too! For so many years she had wanted a child, and now she had the most beautiful, and caring child a mother could want. Luke was special. He was an inherited vampire as she and Nick were. But he would not come into his vampire powers until he reached puberty. He did have some special gifts, though. Ones that she and Nick were a little afraid of, but accepted. He seemed to have the power to heal and the power to kill. And not with the skills of the vampire. They just seemed to be a gift bestowed by a higher power. She and Nick worried about their son, at times, knowing that the powers he possessed were not really his own. He seemed to have no control over them at times. But he had never used them to harm unless someone's life was threatened.

Luke had finished his eating frenzy with the bowl and brought it back to his mother, to clean. "Thank you, Mommy! That was really ' yummy!" He said as he handed her the bowl. "When do we get to eat the cake?"

"Son, you just finished off several tablespoons of frosting! Don't you think you can wait until tonight to eat the cake?" Janette laughed as she put the bowl in the sink, and began to wash it.

"But Mommy, I can't. . . . ." Luke stopped in mid-sentence, and his eyes took on a glassy look. He suddenly began to shake, and then stood very stiff. His eyes fluttered and rolled into the back of his head and he slumped to the floor, unconscious.

"Luke! Luke!" Janette yelled as she bent down to her son and turned him over. She raised his head and ran her hand over his face. She gently shook him and tried to wake him. Luke's eyes were closed and his breathing was erratic! Almost as if he was gasping for air! In the mind link Janette heard, "Help me, Mommy! Please help me!"

Janette picked up Luke and carried him to the couch. She gently laid him down and then ran to the sink and got a cloth. Running it in cold water she went back over to the couch and sat down beside her unconscious son. Janette put the cold, wet cloth on Luke's face and began to wipe it gently across his skin. "Luke! Luke! Please wake up!"

Janette was in a panic! She ran to the phone and dialed the number for Dr. von Wellsung. He had moved his practice to Toronto at the request of Lacroix. The Doctor had become fascinated by Luke and his powers and agreed to stay out of curiousity and desire to treat this fair-haired, blue-eyed wonder. "Please answer! Please answer!" Janette whispered into the phone, as she continued to bathe Luke's face. He was still breathing erratically and had his eyes closed. What was wrong with him? What!?!?

96th Precinct:

"Nick, Capt. said she wants the Taylor report on her desk ASAP! Do you know where the I245 form is?" Schanke said, shuffling through the piles of papers on his desk, in somewhat of a panic.

Nick looked up from where he was and went over to Schanke's desk. He reached into the out tray and handed Schanke the filled out report he had typed up an hour ago. "You know, Schanke, if you would be a little neater, you might find something!" Nick smiled at his partner.

"Thanks, Nick! I knew I put it here somewhere!" Schanke grinned at Nick and left for Cohen's office.

Nick went back to his desk to finish the Robinson case. A kidnapping that had ended up a happy one for a switch. The potential victim was freed and back safe and sound with her parents. A few minutes later, he saw Schanke returning to his desk. He had a smile on his face. Obviously, all had worked out well with the Captain. <Good! That means that nothing will interfere with his son's birthday party tonight!>

Just then, Nick's phone rang, and he picked it up saying, "Homicide, Kni. . . . wait! Slow down, sweetheart, I can't understand you!"

Schanke had reached his desk and was watching Nick. His face suddenly got very serious and his breathing became more rapid. Something was upsetting him. What was it?

"Ok, I'll be right there!" Nick hung up the phone, getting up from his desk and looking at Schanke. Reaching for his jacket, he said, "Something is wrong with Luke! He passed out and Janette can't get him to wake up!" He said rapidly. "Janette called the doctor and he is on his way. I gotta go, Schanke." He said rushing out of the precinct.

Schanke, looking up at Nick with concern in his eyes, said, "Right! I'll tell Cohen, and Nick. . . ..." But Nick was gone before he got to tell him he would help if he needed him. Turning back to his desk, Schanke said, "Boy, I hope the little guy's ok. He's such a cute kid! Sort of a Junior Nick!" And he got up to tell Captain what had happened.

Chapter 2

By the time Nick got home, Dr. von Wellsung was already there. Nick walked over to Janette and put his arm around her. She had been crying, and was really shaken up. He looked down at his son who lay (and by all appearances), sleeping on the couch. Dr. von Wellsung had a stethoscope over Luke's chest and was listening intently. Then he removed the scope, and took the apparatus out of his ears. He rebuttoned Luke's shirt and checked his eyes. Then he pulled something out of his bag. He began to run it under Luke's nose. At first, nothing happened, then, Luke's face scrunched up and he frowned for a minute. His arms flailed around and his eyes fluttered. He opened his eyes slowly, and stared into space. Then he began to focus on the person sitting on the couch next to him. Luke didn't seem to recognize Dr. von Wellsung at first. He suddenly began to back away from the man calling out in a loud, frightened voice, "Mommy! Mommy!"

Janette left Nick's arms and swiftly went over to Luke. Dr. von Wellsung stood up and let Janette move to his place. He walked over to Nick as he observed Luke's behaviour.

"Shh! Honey! It's ok!" Janette said in a quiet voice as Luke reached out for her and grabbed his mother's blouse. "Mommy's here! I won't leave you!"

Luke held on for dear life, and began to sob in his mother's arms. Janette hugged her son and tried her best to comfort him. She looked up at Nick with much concern in her face, and then to Dr. Wellsung.

"I can find nothing wrong, physically with the boy." Dr. von Wellsung began. "But he has had some kind of deep shock. His pulse and heartbeat are a bit rapid for that of our kind, but it seems to be calming down somewhat since I arrived," he continued, looking at Luke and scratching his face.

"What kind of a shock, Dr.?" Nick said, looking very puzzled and worried. "And from what?"

"That is what I don't know!" Dr. von Wellsung said. "Janette told me when I arrived that she and Luke had been icing his birthday cake and he had eaten some of the icing. She said he was excited for his birthday, and I don't see anything that happened could possibly have triggered this kind of reaction. He seems to be better now, and I do not see any permanent or even temporary damage at the moment. I suggest that you watch him for the next 24 hours, and keep him from too much excitement. It's ok for him to celebrate his birthday, but don't let it get out of hand. If you have further need of me, call." And with that, Dr. von Wellsung picked up his bag and coat and started to leave.

Nick walked with the Dr. to the lift door and said, "Is there nothing else we should watch for Dr.?" He was very concerned about his son.

"At the moment, no. Until we can find out what is causing this (and there may be no repeated episodes), there is nothing we can do. Children sometimes will scare parents severely, Nick." Dr. von Wellsung said as he put a reassuring arm around Nick's shoulder. "But usually they are harmless situations that are all apart of growing up. I know that Luke is one of us and not a mortal child, but the same applies here. Try not to worry, because Luke will sense this and be more worried himself. Just watch him for a few hours, and if the problems repeat themselves, call me."

Nick nodded and said, "Thank you, Doctor. We will call if there are any more problems, and I will try not to worry. Goodbye." And Dr. Wellsung left through the lift door and down the elevator.

Nick went back over to the couch. Janette was holding Luke who was much calmer now. He looked up at Nick as his father sat down on the couch beside Janette.

"I'm sorry, Daddy! I guess I'm not very brave, like a Knight should be!" Luke said as he bowed his head to his chest.

Nick put his hand under Luke's chin and raised it up. He looked into Luke's tear-streaked face and said, "Even knights are afraid, sometimes Luke!" He said with a soft, caring voice. He looked at his son with concern and said, "What happened, son? Why were you so afraid?"

Luke looked down at his feet and didn't way anything. But Nick pressed the question again. "It's ok Luke. You can tell us, we're your parents. We only want to help you. Tell us what is frightening you."

Luke looked up at Nick, then Janette, then back at Nick and said in a very soft voice, "That man said it was all my fault, and that I must pay for what I did!" Then he reached out for his father. Nick took Luke into his arms and held him as his son sobbed. Nick looked at Janette and she looked back, equally as confused. She ran her hand on Luke's back and rubbed it gently, in an effort to comfort him. But Luke was still very frightened. He clung onto Nick as though his father was the last safety net!

Several hours later, Luke was in Nick's lap snuggling up close to his chest. His body wanted sleep, needed sleep. But there was no way he wasgoing to close his eyes. Everytime it seemed that he would drift off and his head began to nod, he would jerk back up, clutch at Nick's chest and look up at his father!

"Shh, Luke, its ok. We're right here." Nick whispered to his son, smiling down at him. "You are safe, here. No one can harm you. Mommy and I would never let anyone get to you Luke!" And he rubbed his back as Luke again slipped down into a comfortable position in Nick's arms. This was at least the 20th time this had happened, and still Luke was petrified! <What is frightening him so that I can't even get through the mental link to him?>

Janette came back to the couch holding a small cup of cocoa. She hoped that this would calm Luke down enough to help him sleep. She nudged her son and he looked up at her. "Luke, would you like some warm cocoa?" She smiled and touched his face.

"Yes, Mommy!" Luke said and took the cup carefully from his mother. After awhile, he said, "Mommy? Can we have my party tomorrow?" This was the first thing he had said that seemed normal in the entire evening. Janette looked at Nick, both smiling with relief that perhaps the crisis was over!

"Yes, Luke!" Janette said looking at Luke and smiling. "I think that is a very good idea. But, you know, you did not get to open any presents, and today is your birthday. Would you like to open the one your father and I got you?"

Luke looked up at his father, who was also smiling and nodded back. "Yes, Luke, Would you like that?"

"Oh, yes, I would!" Luke said grinning from ear to ear.

Janette went over to the bookshelf and brought back a large red package tied with an enormous white ribbon! She brought it over to Luke who got off Nick's lap and sat down on the floor in front of the couch. He began to rip open the paper, revealing a box. He tore into the box and pulled out the largest teddy bear in history. It was all brown with big dark brown eyes and a big black nose. It had hugh round ears, and a ribbon tied around its neck. Luke tried to pick up the bear, (which was almost as big as he), but then, suddenly put the bear down and backed away from it.

"Luke, what's the matter? Don't you like your present?" Janette said, wondering why he had backed away from the bear.

Nick was watching his son, too. Whatever was the matter with him? He had never shown fear of anything. Not in 6 years!

Suddenly Luke looked at Nick and said, "Daddy, can bears hurt you?" He was standing about a foot away from the bear, stiff as a board, with fists clenched into tight little balls, and shaking a little. Nick went over to his son and knelt down beside him, putting his arms around him. Brushing his hair away from his face, Nick said,

"Real bears can hurt people. But Luke, this is a toy. It is not real! There is nothing this bear can do to hurt you or me, or Mommy!"

But Luke wasn't so sure. He gingerly went over to the bear, still within close range of his father and reaching out a shaky, but curious hand, touched the bear. The bear did not move, and Luke repeated the action several times. When he was sure it was safe, he then hugged the bear!

After a few minutes, Nick asked Luke why he wanted to know if this bear could hurt him and Luke looked up at him and said, "That man told me to watch out, or the bear would kill you and Mommy!"

"What man? What are you talking about, Luke?" Janette asked curiously. Had Luke gone loco on them? What was wrong with her son?

m, eyes gold, flashing, fangs bared! He faced the bear. The glow from the bear intensified and Nick could feel it burning his skin. The pain was excruciating, and almost unbearable. But he held his ground. Janette ran quickly toward the door and into the hall, holding on tightly to her so in her arms. Nick faced the burning light that was as bright as any sun! He let out a loud growl, then a roar. In a matter of seconds he had pounced on the bear tearing it to shreds. The glow from the room had faded and his burns began to heal. The crisis was again over, for now! Nick left the room and went out into the hall where Janette was holding Luke, trembling herself!

Nick approached her and put his arm around her. "Are you ok, Janette?" He said, and then looked down at Luke and stroked his hair.

"Yes! But I think Luke got some nasty burns!" Janette said as she turned to look at Luke in her arms.

Luke finally looked up at Nick and Janette with tears rolling down his cheeks and said sobbing, "Why does that man. . . hate me, Daddy?!?!"

"I don't know why, Luke! But I do know one thing. I was wrong. Stuffed toy bears can hurt people!" Nick said with tears in his eyes himself. For when he looked at Luke he could see large boils that had formed on his face and hands from where the burning light had met his skin. "We need to get you into some cold water so those burns can heal! Come Janette!" He said making their way to the bathroom. "And after the cold bath, you are sleeping with us Luke!"

They finally reached the bathroom, and Nick turned on the light. Janette carefully took off Luke's pajamas so as not to damage or break any of the boils on his skin. Nick turned on the water to cool and filled up the tub. Together, they helped Luke into the water. He seemed to relax a bit in the soothing cool water. They gently poured the water, over and over his skin. All the time, Luke would not take his hands away from them. First he held onto his mother, and then to his father. He needed protection. He needed the contact. He needed their reassurance, and he needed their love!

Later, all three settled in the big bed in the master bedroom. Luke lay between his father and mother. He was much calmer now and felt better protected. Janette had her arm around her son and was humming to him. She wanted so much to keep him from any more harm. But how much more could this poor child take? He was her son! Her only child! She had waited over a thousand years for him. He was her pride and joy and she loved him dearly. She would not let him be a sacrifice to anyone!

Nick lay there, watching Mother and son, knowing what Janette was thinking. He, too, had waited over 700 years to have a child. Now that he had a son, he would not let him be taken from him. Luke was his! <Who would torture a child? And why? What kind of threat does my son represent? If only I knew why Lacroix had left for Alexandria? I need your help, father!> But whether his father was here or not, Nick knew he had the responsibility to protect his son and his wife at all costs! <I will call the Captain tomorrow and take a leave of absence for awhile! Then perhaps I can take Janette and Luke away from Toronto! Paris! Yes, Luke has never seen Paris, and it is about time he did!>

Two hours later, all three occupants of the bed were fast asleep. Luke had cuddled up to his mother's breast, and had his hand on her face. Janette had her arms around her son to keep him close to her. Nick was lying on his back ready to spring at the slightest movement. Yes, they were all asleep, but they were not resting!

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