Sequel to a Wedding of Sorts
#4 and the Finale in the Witness Series
by StormyNite
Written in September 1998


Part 1

Timeline:  25 years after Nick and Nat's wedding

The tall, dark-blond man wearing a black leather jacket and tight jeans skipped the 
top two steps and landed lightly on the third floor entry of the condominium 
complex.  The music drifted through the door and Jason smiled knowing full well 
his mother would never answer the bell.  She always played that song loudly and 
regressed back to a more pleasant time.  Celine Dion was her name, and the song 
was 'My Heart Will Go On.'  Jason was sure even he knew the song, word for word 
himself, after all these years.  Every time he heard it, a pain would ache in his 
chest, knowing the words of the song expressed everything his mother believed. 

He turned 25 next week and in all the time he'd been alive, he could feel the 
undying love his mother still carried for his father.  Over the years she'd told him 
stories and tried to explain the numerous things he'd felt in his body as he grew.  
As a teen, he'd begun to question numerous things about what he'd been told.  As 
an adult he had serious doubts, since his mother had gone to such extreme lengths 
to remove them from normal society...but she was his mother.  Her love for him 
and his deceased father never wavered...and in 25 years, he'd never felt alone. 

Jason sighed heavily and rang the bell with one hand, while he fished in his pocket 
for his keys with the other.  When Natalie didn't answer the bell, he let himself in.  
He found her sitting with her head resting comfortably against the couch.  She 
stared quietly into the fire that burned brightly in the fireplace.  Beside her on the 
table, sat a bottle of red wine and a half-filled glass.

The music permeated the room like a mist and engulfed them, along with the 
sadness Jason felt emanating from his mother.  It seemed she'd gotten sadder each 
time they'd been together over the last year, even though she denied it vehemently.  
Maybe this would cheer her up.  He was certain the announcement he had to tell 
her would make her happy.  She always wanted him happy.

"Mom?"  Jason walked over and flipped the switch on the stereo, plummeting the 
room into a void lacking any emotion but the sadness he felt radiating from her 
small form.  

Nat quickly came out of her reverie and smiled at her beautiful son.  Each time she 
looked at him as he aged, she had to hesitate briefly to keep from calling him Nick.  
He looked so much like his father.  Nick would have been thrilled and happy to see 
his son doing so well.  The years had been kind to her and Jason, and the 
community had left them alone after Nick's death and disappearance.  Even the 
Enforcers never came to check on them anymore.  Apparently, Nick paid the price 
for them all when he chose to die instead of bringing her across.  The contract had 
been fulfilled as stated, and even they could not renege on the deal.  Her mind 
flashed back 25 years as she stared at her son.  The wave of pain that never seemed 
to diminish over the years, coursed through her veins.

******************
25 years earlier

"I love you, Nat....now and always."  Nick's last words tore at her heart and she 
screamed in agony.

"Nick!!!!  Don't you leave me, Nick!"  Tears flowed freely down her face as she 
cradled him in her arms and his heart beat once, then no more.  "No, Nick!  I can't 
do this alone...please...don't do this."  She clutched him closer and tried to force 
her blood into his mouth to no avail.

"Nat?"  Tracy had walked into the room only minutes after LaCroix and Natalie.  
The pain her friend and partner felt ripped her apart while she watched the two 
people who meant more to her than anyone deal with the finality of death.  Nick 
was gone.  She'd felt him go as if a light in a room had been switched off.  Her 
partner and friend was no more.  She knelt down beside Nat while she grieved and 
tried to support her.  The anguish and grief overwhelmed her and tears began to 
flow unchecked down her own face.  "Nat...Nick's gone.  You have to let him go, 
now.  You have to live for both of you now.  Raise your child with the love you 
both possessed.  Don't let him have died in vain.  This isn't what he wanted."  
Tracy placed her arms around Natalie and tried to get her to release Nick's lifeless 
body.

Unable to watch any longer, LaCroix reached over and ripped his son's pale, 
lifeless form from Natalie's weakened grasp.  He held his son in his arms and 
glared at Natalie with pure hatred in his eyes.  "You have done this.  His death is 
on your conscience.  So much for mortal love,"  he spat in a low growl, then 
disappeared through the skylight.

A silent scream formed on her lips as she watched her hated enemy disappear with 
her heart and soul into the night, then she passed out.

**********************

"Jason!"  Natalie smiled as she shook her head to clear the images of the past from 
her mind.  "I didn't hear you come in."  She stood and went to embrace him 
soundly.

"I don't doubt it.  Someday, Mom, the neighbors are going to call the police on how 
loud you turn up the stereo."  He smiled knowing full well all the neighbors loved 
her.  Of course, what was not to love?  Here she was an almost 60 year old woman 
who didn't look a day over 35.  He used to question her about her appearance when 
he was younger.  Finally, when he was 19, she told him the truth.  It wasn't plastic 
surgery, nor good genes.  It was the magic potion she'd taken using his father's 
blood that kept her young.  She said originally she started taking it to stay young 
until they could find his father's cure, but after he died, she took it to be close to 
him.  To feel that Nick was still with her, no matter what happened or where they 
went.  It was one of the reasons they moved so often.  People began to notice after 
10 years or so when you didn't age.  She said she would take it as long as Nick's 
blood supply held out.  When it was gone, she would be old just like everyone else 
her age, but until then it was a piece of his father she would treasure and keep 
without regrets.  Jason never berated or questioned her motives from that day on, 
knowing full well his mother believed his father waited for her...even now.  He 
wasn't sure his faith was that strong, but he was glad his mother's was.  At times he 
was sure she was right, and his father still lived.  

"To what do I owe the privilege of your company?"  Natalie brightened when she 
returned to the couch and picked up her half empty glass, then sat down.

Jason came over and sat down beside her and took the glass from her fingertips.  "I 
have something to tell you and I think you are going to like it."  Jason beamed with 
pride and happiness.

"Kelly said yes!"  Natalie squealed in delight and hugged her son exuberantly.

"Yes!  She said yes!  I still can't believe it.  The most beautiful, understanding 
woman I've ever met said yes to marrying me."  His eyes danced with joy along 
with his heart.  "She's coming by to pick me up in about a half hour.  I took a cab 
over to tell you."

Natalie kissed her son on the cheek and hugged him fiercely.  "I'm so happy for 
you, Jason.  Have you set a date?  Tell me it will be soon and not one of the those 
long drawn out engagements."  She eyed him hopefully.

"We were thinking in 3 months.  That would give us time to get everything moved, 
Kelly's parents adjusted to the idea that she was going to be living here in Montreal 
versus Quebec.  You know how they are up there."  He smiled sheepishly, since he 
didn't really get along with his intended in-laws.

"Three months sounds perfect, Jason."  She smiled, then turned serious.  "You told 
her, didn't you?"  Her eyes questioned his, yet she knew the answer.  "You have to 
tell her, Jason.  This is not an option.  She has a right to know."

Jason stood and paced over to the fireplace while he stared into the flames.  He 
reminded her so much of Nick when he did that, her heart stopped momentarily.  
"She won't believe me, Mom."  He turned serious blue eyes back to hers.  "Hell, I'm 
not sure I believe half of it.  Who in their right mind is going to believe in 
vampires and a secret community, let alone the fact that I'm suppose to be the son 
of a full blooded vampire."  He watched the pain dust his mother's features and he 
regretted his words immediately. Then she stood, walked over to the mantel, and 
pulled a picture out from behind the painting that so elegantly graced the room.

"Look at this picture, Jason.  Take a real hard look at this picture."  She shoved it 
into his hands.  It was the picture of Nick and Natalie at the precinct picnic taken 
27 years earlier.  "Now tell me you aren't his son."

Jason stared at the photograph of his father and smiled.  He'd seen pictures of him 
a dozen times and there was no doubt Nick was his father.  The resemblance was 
uncanny, almost shocking to a point.  "Mom, I didn't say he wasn't my father.  I 
just said people wouldn't believe he was a vampire."

"Take a good look, Jason.  What else do you see in that picture?  Take a good look 
at me and tell me just how much older I look than that picture."  Then she pointed 
to the inscription on the magnificent old painting less than 5 inches from his face.  
'To my best friend and mentor, Nicholas'  Vincent Van Gogh.

"Do I need to turn the painting over to show you the date.  I have it insured, you 
know, for a little over 15 million.  Tell me again, how plastic surgery can make a 
60 year old woman look like she's 35.  How half of the stuff that I own, and you 
now own, dates back to the 13th century."  She walked over, picked up the de 
Brabant sword she kept by the fireplace and ran her fingers down it reverently, 
then tossed it to her son.  "It was your father's...not his ancestors, not an heirloom 
from some other family, but your father's...and you have the money in your trust 
account from the de Brabant Foundation to go along with it."  She marched back to 
him, angry now at his obstinence.  "I know you don't want to believe a lot of this, 
Jason, and you never have.  But you are half vampire, half mortal created in love 
by two people who fought a community and a world of disbelievers to get you here.  
With that, you have some special powers you've never discovered.  That extra 
strength you possess, the ability to see well even in dim light, your ability to know 
when I'm in trouble or bothered...did you think that was all normal?"  

Nat walked over to the couch, picked up her glass from the table and downed the 
remaining contents.  Finally she sat down on the couch.  "Reach out with what you 
feel, not what you know, Jason, and you will find another world much larger than 
the one you thought existed.  There are things beyond all our understanding out 
there and you are just a part of it.  Kelly has a right to know what she's getting 
into.  Your father paid the price for our freedom 25 years ago out of love for both 
you and me.  The Enforcers don't come any longer and I have no reason to believe 
that they will, but Kelly needs to know in case they do.  You need to be prepared.  
It won't change anything if she loves you."  She stared into his confused blue eyes.  
Giving in, he reached out to her with his mind and he gasped.

"Mom?"  Jason rushed to her side.  "You wouldn't leave me?  Not like this.  Not 
now, when my life is becoming something you'd be proud of."  His worried blue 
eyes met hers and it tore into her heart.

She caressed his face lovingly.  "I have always been proud of you, Jason.  Just as 
your father would have been, but there are no guarantees in this life and I want you 
happy.  Kelly will make you happy.  Your job makes you happy.  I must admit it 
frightens me at times when I read all the reports about what the CSIS does, but you 
love it.  So I am happy."  She smiled.  "I have done my job in raising you, now it's 
your turn to let me be happy, too."  A horn honked outside and Nat gazed at the 
window.

"That's your ride.  Now you go tell her everything and if she loves you, it will all be 
alright."  She kissed his forehead and met his eyes solidly.  "True love is forever 
and nothing can rip it apart...not time...not distance...not death.  Be honest with 
each other up front and you will never be alone.  It's a gift from God...treasure and 
protect it with your life and it will always be there for you."  She stood up and 
pulled him up with her.  She embraced him, then kissed his cheek and smiled.  
"You'd better get going or you'll miss your ride."


Part 2

----------

Nat closed the door and returned to the fireplace.  Reverently, she touched the Van 
Gogh, then picked up the picture of her and Nick at the picnic.  She smiled at the 
memory of his touch on her leg.  God, how she missed him still.  They'd had such a 
short time together, but she had no regrets.  On the day that Jason was born she'd 
made Nick a promise, and she'd fulfilled it faithfully.  She would be happy for both 
of them and raise their son with love, hope, faith and respect.  She would show him 
the joy and happiness of being alive and how to live life to the fullest.  She'd 
enjoyed their son for both of them and been happy doing it.  Jason was the one 
constant in her life and her ability to teach him to love and have faith in the people 
around him had saved them more times than she could count.  

In the early years, when the enforcers came to check on her, she'd been frightened 
for Jason's sake, but as time passed their life became more stable.  When Jason 
turned 12, the Enforcers had decided he was but a human child after all and 
disappeared. Over and over again, she'd used this picture to help her keep her faith.  
For some reason it always seemed to bring her the peace and joy she and Nick had 
briefly shared.  She'd taken to talking to him through that picture and she was 
certain he could hear her no matter where he was.  Today was no different.

"Well, Nick.  Our son is finally grown.  He's found the right woman for him, just 
as we found each other.  Seems to me, though, he's a much faster learner than you 
ever were."  Nat walked back to the couch and sat down with the picture firmly in 
her hands.  She traced a finger tip across Nick's features, just as she had a thousand 
times before, giving into the love she felt 25 years ago as well as today.  "Kelly said 
yes and he's going to tell her tonight.  It won't be long now.  Soon, my love, we 
shall be together again just as we promised.  I know you are still waiting for me.  I 
can feel it.  I made you a promise 25 years ago and I've kept it.  Our son is happy 
and will be no matter what the future brings.  He won't have all those regrets you 
and I had."  She sighed and a single tear escaped her blue eye and trailed slowly 
down her face.  "I've had a good life with only one regret and you know what that 
is.  It's time to rectify that as well.  I love you, Nick, as much today as I did that day 
you sat up on the morgue table.  Not time, nor space, nor death will ever change 
that.  You are my heart and soul even still today."  She kissed the picture 
delicately, then stood to replace it back behind the painting where she'd stored it all 
these years.  "Soon, my love....soon."

------------------

Jason slid into the car beside Kelly rather somberly and closed the door.  Kelly 
noticed it immediately and became concerned.  Her long, dark, curly hair framed 
her face and accentuated bright green eyes making her more breathtaking than 
usual.  She reached over and touched Jason's knee in comfort.  "She didn't like the 
idea, I guess?"  She questioned.

Jason turned his blues eyes to meet hers and realized immediately what she 
thought.  "No, Kelly!"  He grabbed her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed 
the palm softly.  "Mom loved the idea of us getting married.  She just pointed out a 
few things that I'd forgotten to mention to you that might be important.  I guess 
over the years, I'd just taken them for granted and figured everyone else was the 
same...but she's right.  You have to know everything before we get married.  Then, 
if you still want to marry me, I'm yours."  He smiled hopefully at her questioning 
eyes.  "Let's go somewhere quiet where we can talk."  His genuine concern 
frightened her, so she reluctantly agreed.

---------------

Jason paced the floor in front of the small fireplace in his apartment.  He'd moved 
in here right after he'd gotten out of the CSIS academy and just never saw a need to 
move.  It wasn't large, but comfortable and there was room for all his favorite 
things.  The Joan of Arc cross, several Mayan pieces and the portrait of his mother 
painted by his father sometime before his death, hung proudly above the mantel.  
Other antique vases and several swords decorated the room in a somewhat gothic 
motif, yet modern with the leather chairs and couches facing the fireplace.  Kelly 
watched him rub his hands through his hair in frustration while he paced, trying to 
find the right words to start.  

Just what was he going to say to make her believe him.  Hell, he didn't believe 
most of it himself, but his mother was right.  He had talents others did not.  Did 
that make him part vampire?  He didn't know.  As he paced, his mother's words 
echoed inside his brain.  "Reach out with your feelings, not with what you know."  
Jason stopped, took a deep breath and tried to relax.  He let himself drift and listen 
to everything about him.  First there was nothing, then Kelly's heartbeat echoed 
across the room into his mind followed by her own unique scent.  When he pushed 
into the feeling, it overwhelmed him.  He opened his eyes in disbelief to find her 
staring at him motionless in front of her.

"What is it, Jason?"  Fear laced her voice as she spoke.  "Nothing can be that bad.  
I love you, no matter what."  She stood, crossed the room without hesitation and 
wrapped her arms around him.  She let her warmth and love cover him like a 
blanket and he finally relaxed once more.  When his tension eased, she raised her 
head from his shoulder and gazed hopefully into his eyes.  "Tell me."  She spoke 
softly.

Jason pulled her back into his arms and buried his face in her soft curls, breathing 
in the scent that was uniquely hers and he realized, this too, was something that 
was not normal.  He pushed her to arms length and froze.  He wasn't human.  He 
knew that now and Kelly had to know it as well.  "I want you to sit down, Kelly, 
and keep an open mind.  What I have to tell you is going to be unbelievable...but 
it's true.  It took my mother to make me see it tonight, and you have a right to 
know."  He led her to the couch, sat her down, then eased down onto the cushions 
beside her.  Taking her hands into his, he began.

"First, I want you to know that I love you beyond anything else in my life.  I think I 
have from the first day that I met you.  You make me feel whole.  You're the part 
of me that has been missing for 25 years and I want to spend the rest of my life 
with you."  He hesitated then plunged onward.

"You remember when you remarked how young my mom looked, and when I told 
you she was almost 60, you freaked?"  He smiled, then continued.  "I think you said 
you wanted the name of her plastic surgeon, immediately.  Well, her plastic 
surgeon is my dad."  He waited for that to sink in.

"Jason, you said your dad was dead.  That he died before you were born.  I find it 
hard to believe that..."

"Well I didn't phrase that correctly.  It's my father's blood that keeps my mother 
young.  You see, my mother has been using frozen ampules of his blood in an old 
Chinese concoction that is suppose to extend your life expectancy to at least 1000.  
The only catch is you have to find the blood of a willing vampire for it to work."  
Jason waited.

"Right, Jason!"  Kelly smirked.  "Your telling me your mom looks like she's 35 
because she drinks the blood of your father and he was a full fledged blood 
sucking, fanged face, old time movie vampire."  She raised a questioning eye filled 
with mirth.  "I guess that means you're part blood sucker yourself then?"  She 
chuckled, then gasped when she saw fear in his eyes.  She reached out to touch 
him.  "Oh, come on, Jason.  You don't honestly believe your father was a vampire 
and your mom stays so young looking because she drinks his blood?"

Jason stood and walked across the room to the Joan of Arc cross and pulled it out 
of the box reverently.  He walked back to her and placed it in her lap.  "That is 
Joan of Arc's cross.  The real Joan of Arc's cross.  I had it authenticated.  She gave 
it to my father before she was burned at the stake in hopes that he would find his 
faith again and come out of the darkness."  He walked over to the chest he kept in 
the corner and pulled out several old photographs varying in age.  He pulled out 
the last picture of his dad taken at the wedding and laid them in front of her.  
"Look at the pictures, Kelly.  The man in that first photograph is Nicholas 
Chavelier, dated late 18th century.  The man in the second is Nicholas Forrester 
dated 1966, and the last one is Nicholas Knight.  What do you see?"  He watched 
her stare at the pictures in disbelief.

He returned and squatted down on the floor in front of her.  "They are all my 
father.  I used to fool myself when I was younger, thinking my mom was just crazy 
when she told me the stories...but she wasn't lying.  That beautiful sword at my 
mom's is not a family heirloom, it was my father's sword in the crusades.  He was 
brought across in the year 1228 and made a vampire by a man named LaCroix.  
That man made his life a living hell for over 800 years.  My father spent the better 
part of 300 years trying to atone for all the evil he'd done in his lifetime and that's 
how he met mom.  They fell in love and sacrificed everything to be together.  In 
the end, others of my father's kind poisoned him with my mother's blood in an 
effort to make him bring her across and make her a vampire as well.  He died 
because he refused to kill my mother while she carried me.  I was the one thing 
they were both willing to die for."  Jason hung his head in regret.  

"I used to feel guilty because my dad died to bring me into this world, until I 
realized it was the one thing he treasured most."  Jason's blue eyes met hers as a 
single tear ran silently down her cheek.  "Life...Kelly...  My father treasured life 
beyond all else.  Giving himself to save me was a labor of love and I wouldn't 
dishonor that by feeling guilty.  I am part vampire, part mortal and I have powers 
that I've been afraid to use because I wanted to deny the truth.  Tonight, I grow up.  
Tonight, I accept what I am and the fact that I am not totally human.  Tonight, I 
am Jason de Brabant Knight, son of Nicholas Knight, vampire and man.  Tonight, 
I accept full responsibility for myself and my own happiness and vow to honor my 
father's memory by being the best I can in this lifetime."  Jason grasped her hands 
once more.  "I want to share this new life with you...but if you can't because of 
what I am, I will find a way to let you go."  

Kelly removed her hand from his and stroked his beautiful face.  "Jason, whether 
you're a vampire, a CSIS agent, a trash collector, or a bum on the street...I love 
you.  I don't want to spend another day of my life without you."  She kissed him 
softly on the lips.  

He released her lips, smiled, then clasped his hands in hers once more.  "There's 
more and you have to understand this."  Jason braced himself to say the words he'd 
refused to voice earlier.  "We are going to be alone in this.  My mother is leaving 
us.  I know that as sure as I know how much you love me.  She is going to my 
father.  They pledged their love to each other for all eternity and she is going to 
honor that, and as much as I want to stop her, I know it's the only thing that will 
make her truly happy."

"Oh Jason, you're wrong.  Your mother is the most stable, happiest person I've ever 
met.  She's sad and melancholy at times, but she'd never do anything to herself and 
leave you alone."  Kelly tried to make him see the logic.

"But I won't be alone."  He looked deep into her eyes for understanding.  "She's 
been waiting for me to find someone who loves me for who I am, not what I am.  
She's fulfilled her promise to Dad and now she's going to him, because you and I 
are as they were...soulmates throughout eternity."  He smiled bravely.  

Kelly pulled him into her arms and they cried together for the first time as one.  
Jason finally understood what it meant to be an adult.  After a few minutes, he 
wiped his eyes and then hers.   "I guess this means the wedding is still on?"  He 
looked at her sheepishly and she smiled with more courage than he felt.

"Most definitely yes, Jason Knight, but we have to understand it all."  She waited 
for him to agree.

"I am going to make a few phone calls and get some answers myself.  Before we 
are married I want to know everything about my father, my mother and the 
community."  Jason stood up and pulled her to her feet.  "...and I don't care who I 
have to bribe to get the information.  I want to see my father's grave before we are 
married and understand just what we are up against."  Determination shown in his 
eyes, then he kissed her passionately.  "Together, my love...Just like mom and dad, 
we are going to take on a world that no one but a select few knows exists...and we 
are going to have our answers."


Part 3

--------------

1 month later:

Jason looked at the paper in his hands, then the man sitting quietly in the chair 
opposite him.  He scanned the paper closely, then frowned.  "I can't believe after a 
month this is all you can come up with.  You're trying to tell me that this man 
LaCroix just flat disappeared off the face of the earth?"  Jason threw the paper 
down on his desk in disgust.

"Look, Agent Knight, I've had 10 men working on this little project of yours for a 
month, and the only thing we can corroborate is that a man named Lucien LaCroix 
owned a place called the Raven in Toronto up until 1996.  He disappeared that year 
and the establishment has changed hands on numerous occasions.  No one can get 
a straight answer out of anyone who works there.  There are no business files, no 
driver's license, no financial maneuvering that we can trace.  It's like he 
disappeared off the face of the continent.  We've used our Interpol connection...and 
still nothing.  The only thing my men can say is that the place now called The 
Nesting Place is just about as weird as The Raven was back in 1996.  Some of my 
guys swear that some of the patrons never leave it.  The building is so old it should 
be condemned but the city can't because some do-gooders got it listed as an 
historical building.  People go in and never come out, but no one reports them 
missing.  I even had one of my guys swipe a couple of glasses and run some prints.  
More than half of them we ran didn't exist in any computer used by man.  Now 
how do you think that's possible in this day and age?  Everyone is in the 
computer."  Arnold Haswell stood and offered his hand to the young agent.  "I 
know this is a personal thing for you, Jason, and we'll keep at it if you want.  I 
know you're taking money out of your trust fund for this and it's expensive.  I have 
to be honest with you,  I don't think it's going to do you any good.  I'd swear the 
CWPP had something to do with LaCroix's disappearance, it's so clean.  But I have 
friends, and had them check.  Our guys didn't do it.  LaCroix is gone."

Jason reached across his desk and shook Haswell's hand.  "Thanks Arnold, for all 
your help.  Tell your men to keep looking for awhile longer and I'll make a visit to 
The Nesting Place myself."  

"No problem, Jason.  I'll keep you informed." Haswell shook Jason's hand once 
more and disappeared out the door.

------------

The music blared loudly in his ears when Jason stepped through the door into the 
darkness.  The feeling of lust and something else permeated his senses.  The 
further he proceeded into the bar, the more electricity he felt.  Suddenly the man in 
front of him turned and bared fangs at him.  Jason stepped back involuntarily and 
reached for his weapon.  The man seemed non-plussed and advanced on him until 
a pale, petite blonde woman appeared at his side.

"It's alright, Joshua.  He's not here to hunt."  She shoved a glass of red wine in his 
hands and the man drained it in one gulp.  When he looked up, his face was 
normal once more.  He slid behind her, then disappeared into the undulating 
crowd. 

Alma eyed Jason closely, then smiled provocatively.  "Yes, you look like your 
father.  The rumors were true.  I would never have believed it."  She offered her 
hand for him to kiss in a tradition that had long since disappeared, but Jason's 
education and training had served him well.  He was a bit of a history buff.  He 
lifted her hand slowly and kissed the back of it like a gentleman of times gone past.

"Alma Stonewood, owner of The Nesting Place and a friend of your father's.  It is a 
pleasure to meet you, Jason Knight."  Her eyes flashed gold for a second, then 
returned to their original brown.  She laughed at his discomfort.  "Let me offer you 
a drink."  She laced her arm through his and pulled him toward the bar.  With the 
twitch of her finger, two glasses appeared before them and the bartender poured 
some thick red fluid into one glass, followed by whiskey into the other.  She picked 
up the goblet of red wine and handed the whiskey to Jason.

Jason stared at the fluid in her glass, knowing full well it wasn't wine and hesitated 
slightly before he accepted the whiskey.  

She followed his eyes and smiled.  "I could get you a glass of the house special if 
you want, but I didn't think you'd approve.  Your father never did."  She sipped her 
glass slowly, obviously savoring the taste as the blood slid slowly down the back of 
her throat.  "Of course, I stopped stocking cow blood after your father was gone, 
but I could get some if you desired it."  Her eyes questioned his, then she laughed.

"Come, come Jason.  Out with your questions."

"You knew my father?"  Jason whispered as the whiskey burned the back of his 
throat.

"Very well, and your mother, too.  I hope she is well."  True concern flashed across 
her face before she placed the mask of mockery and indifference back in place.

"Mother is very well, Ms. Stonewood.  I've come looking for information on the 
man they called LaCroix.  Did you know him?"  Jason tried to hide his anxiety but 
his heartrate gave him away.

"The General said you would come looking for him.  I see once again he was right.  
I must admit I am surprised.  I thought the Enforcers would never have let you 
survive.  With the unrest in the community after your father's death and the way 
your mother was repaid the debt she was owed,  I should have known they would 
let you survive.  LaCroix must have known as well."  Alma signaled the waiter 
once more.  This time he slid a piece of paper across the bar surface.

"LaCroix said I was to give this to you, and only you, if anyone came looking for 
him.  I've had it for almost 24 years, maybe 25.  One doesn't count the years after 
you reach 300...just centuries."  Alma stood, leaned over and kissed Jason on the 
lips softly.  "That was for your father.  I never got to tell him how much I 
appreciated his friendly ear and guidance in a very trying time in my life.  He 
never let me thank him properly, so I offer it to you, his son."  She curtsied in front 
of him and lowered her eyes in homage.  "Thank You!"  She rose gracefully, then 
disappeared back into the crowd.

Jason slid the note into his hand and tore it open.  It was an address in 
England...no name, no directions, nothing...just an address.  Jason hurried out the 
door.

-------------

It was like small shots of electricity coursing through his veins as soon as he'd 
stepped off the plane.  They were not exactly like what he'd felt at The Nesting 
Place.  These were more pleasant, almost comforting but becoming stronger the 
closer he got to the address he was given.

Jason had left Kelly at the hotel soon after they'd arrived.  She'd thrown a fit, and 
reminded him of how they'd promised to do this together but he'd won the 
argument in the end.  He needed to talk with this man LaCroix...alone.  He was his 
grandfather by all rights, and Jason wasn't sure what to expect.  He'd refused to tell 
his mother where they were going in order not to worry her.  When he'd mentioned 
the name LaCroix on several occasions, he could feel the anger within her.  
Whatever happened between them still left a huge scar on his mother's heart and 
he had to have the answers.  Natalie wouldn't give them to him.  She'd told him 
numerous details about the community and the abilities of the vampires, but she 
refused to talk about LaCroix.  Tonight, he would have answers and see his father's 
grave.  Tonight, he would know exactly what he was and he had to do that...alone.

Jason rang the bell on the estate gate from his car, and was let in by a remote 
switch and a metallic voice over the intercom.  He drove his rental car up to the 
front entrance and walked swiftly to the front door.  It opened before he could 
knock.  A pale man in his late 30's opened the door and let him in.

"I'm Jason Knight.  I've come to see Mr. La...."

"The General has been expecting you."  The butler motioned down the hall.  "He 
will join you shortly in the study.  If you will follow me."  The man turned 
effortlessly and glided down the hall.  Jason followed.  He was led into a small 
library and offered wine.  Jason declined and walked over toward the window to 
wait.

LaCroix watched the young man intently from the doorway where he stood.  Jason 
was so much like Nicholas.  Enormous energy controlled by an incredible spirit.  
Energy poured off the boy calling to the vampire within him, but he pushed it back 
into the recesses of his mind.  They'd come this far, and he refused to sacrifice the 
goal for the vampire's single moment of pleasure.  

The electrical tingling shooting through Jason's veins had intensified ten fold when 
he stepped into the house.  Almost sensing another presence, he turned to face 
LaCroix.  Stark, blue, piercing eyes laced with a cold indifference greeted his.  The 
man before him gave off a sense of power that virtually oozed over Jason and he 
gasped for breath.  Incredible age and pain washed over Jason's senses until he 
collapsed from lack of oxygen and the tingling increased.  Jason tried to rise up 
from the floor and fight the feeling of helplessness to no avail.  It was like the 
oxygen in the room had been sucked out.  His body cried out in need of the 
precious elements required to keep him alive, but he refused to cower or give in.  
He pushed out with his mind, then his very soul and struggled to his feet in spite of 
the power that swirled like a mist about him.

"You are just like your father.  He, too, would never give in to defeat without a 
struggle."  LaCroix reached over and grabbed Jason's arm to steady him.  

Jason flung his hand away in anger.  "Some sort of test, General?  Or do you just 
like playing with your food before you eat?"  Jason glared at the creature before 
him.

A slight smirk flitted across LaCroix's face before he spoke.  "Well done, 
Jason....like father, like son.  Nicholas would have been proud.  I see the Good 
Doctor did not do well in teaching you to curb your tongue and respect your elders.  
Pity...I was so in hopes you'd be different.  But then again, you are part mortal like 
your mother.  One can't expect improvement with a tainted blood line.  I suspect 
we shall have to fix that."  LaCroix eyed Jason closely to see if he'd caught the 
insinuation.

Jason's anger overtook him.  Without thinking, he pulled a vial from his pocket 
and tossed it at LaCroix.  The contents burned him as the holy water ran down his 
arm onto his hand.  LaCroix hissed in anger.  His eyes flared red for only a 
moment, then he regained control.  He brushed the remaining droplets off with a 
hankie from his pocket, then glared at Jason.  "Something your mother taught you, 
I suppose."

The anger was still present in his voice, but he didn't advance any further.  "What 
is it you want, Jason?"  He asked, already knowing the answer.  They had come full 
circle to this and he needed Jason's support. It was apparent Jason had inherited his 
father's temper and his mother's cunning.  Other tactics were obviously required.  

Jason didn't moved as he sized up the man before him.  The electricity between 
them was intense, but he was hiding something.  Jason could feel it, just like he 
could when his mother was in trouble.  There was a connection between them and 
Jason gave into it.  LaCroix felt it immediately and smiled as his grandson tried 
out his powers.  When he reached back to touch his mind, a cold wall slammed in 
his face.

"I want answers, LaCroix.  I want to know where my father is."  Jason made it a 
command not expecting compliance but lies from the creature before him.  His 
mother had been correct.  LaCroix's evil was very powerful, but he was hiding 
something...something of great importance.

"You father died 25 years ago, Jason.  What possible answers could I give you?"

Jason advanced on LaCroix.  "He's alive, LaCroix.  I can feel it.  So let's just cut to 
the chase.  What is this going to cost me?  I have something you want."  Jason 
waited.  Negotiations required skill and timing and he had a great deal to lose.  He 
would not throw it away now, because of stupidity.

LaCroix analyzed the young man and could feel the determination within.  He was 
the answer and the time was now or never.  Time was growing short and his 
reserves were slim.  He made a decision, turned, pushed a button on the wall.  It 
slid silently behind the other.  A lighted stairwell spiraled downward and LaCroix 
disappeared right before his eyes.  Jason followed down the staircase until he 
reached a flat landing that spread out into a huge room.  Candles circled the room, 
their glow dancing off the ceiling in a myriad of shadows, adding an eerie quality 
to the silence that smothered the room like a cloak.  On the far side of the room lay 
a still form.  Jason approached slowly, afraid of what he might find.


Part 4


Jason walked slowly toward the still figure laying on the slab in the dim light.  As 
he neared, the electricity he'd felt earlier increased to the point of pain.  With each 
step, the tingling increased until he stopped at the man's side.  The low light made 
his features shadowed and Jason reached for a candle on the wall for a better look.  
He gasped.  The man in the photographs he'd seen all his life lay silently on the 
cold slab before him.  Nick Knight, his father, had survived.  "Dad?"  Jason 
whispered as he tried to find his voice.  He set the candle down beside Nick and 
Jason gently shook his shoulder.  Nick neither moved nor responded, so Jason 
shook harder.

"He can't hear you, Jason."  LaCroix's voice softened as he stared at his son lying 
near death on the cold stone.  Jason turned angry eyes toward LaCroix.

"What have you done?  Why didn't you tell me or my mother?"  Jason advanced on 
LaCroix in anger, totally unafraid of the ancient vampire.  "You've kept my father 
from me out of some sick perverted desire to keep him away from my mother.  You 
son-of-bitch!"  Jason threw himself at LaCroix forcing them to crash to the floor 
together.

LaCroix easily tossed Jason off him before he could connect to his jaw.  Jason 
attacked again, only this time he carried a stake in his hand pulled from the 
confines of his jacket.  LaCroix, slowed by the constant drain from Nicholas for 
over 25 years, barely side-stepped him and took a glancing blow to the shoulder 
before he rolled out of the way. 

"Enough!"  LaCroix growled as he batted the pathetic little stick out of his 
grandson's hand.  "You have no idea what has gone on for 25 years."  LaCroix 
grabbed Jason by the collar and slammed him hard up against the wall.  "Nicholas 
is my son and I have done what is necessary to keep him alive.  I had hopes that he 
would be able to wear out the poison over the years, but he is dying.  When he is 
awake, the pain is so overwhelming it crushes us both."  The old vampire finally 
released him and tossed Jason hard across the room, then glared at his impudent 
grandson.  "I have given him my blood mixed with curare and stolen your mother's 
blood to keep him alive...but it's not working any longer.  Only your mother's blood 
eases the pain, but she will not sacrifice her life for his.  Her precious mortal life is 
more important to her than keeping Nicholas alive."  Anger flared in his eyes and 
his fangs dropped without him thinking.

"You're lying!"  Jason screamed from the floor.  "My mother loves my dad.  She 
would trade her life in a minute for his if she knew he was alive."  Jason struggled 
to his feet.  "You've kept him here away from her because she's a threat to you.  A 
threat to your power over him.  What they had was stronger than anything you've 
ever known and you couldn't stand it.  So you tried to destroy it, only it backfired.  
You thought when you made the deal with the Enforcers that my father would be 
forced to do what you wanted.  He would be forced to come back into the 
community, to your side, to bring my mother across...only it didn't work."  Jason 
spit blood that pooled around his lip, then wiped it on his sleeve.

He glared at his grandfather more intently this time.  "Yes, LaCroix, I found out 
about your little deal.  It cost me plenty but believe me when I say, money can buy 
you just about anything you want.  The only thing I couldn't buy was your location 
because they are all terrified of you.  So why don't we get on with what you really 
want.  You could have killed me anytime in the last 25 years and you didn't.  You 
could have killed my mother as well but you didn't do that either.  So why don't 
you tell me what's really going on.  Tell me how you've kept my mother from 
feeling that dad is alive for over 25 years." Jason stared at LaCroix and waited.  
Suddenly, LaCroix doubled in pain and collapsed to his knees when Nick moaned 
in agony on the flat slab behind them.  

LaCroix tried valiantly to push the pain away but to no avail.  He stumbled to the 
wall and pushed a hidden button.  He reached in and removed a vial from the 
hidden compartment and managed to grasp it tightly before the next wave of pain 
crushed down upon him.  He clutched his abdomen, and crawled on the floor to 
Nick's side.  Pulling himself up from his knees, he poured the red contents into 
Nick's mouth.

"It's alright, Nicholas.  Drink this, it will help with the pain."  He poured the entire 
contents down Nick's throat as Jason watched in fascination.  When he finished, 
LaCroix tossed the vial on the floor and sliced his own wrist with his fangs.  When 
his blood began to flow freely, he placed it over Nick's mouth and waited.  "Drink, 
Nicholas!  You must drink or you will die."  Nick took several swallows then fell 
into a deep slumber once more.  LaCroix removed his wrist and collapsed to the 
floor beside the cold rock slab holding his son.

Jason finally understood.  "You kept us alive to keep him alive.  Mom's blood is in 
that vial, isn't it?  It's her blood that stops the pain and you think mine will too."  
Jason knelt down in front of LaCroix, who sat motionless on the floor staring at his 
grandson, while his own body healed the ravages of Nicholas' pain that he felt 
through their link.  "You couldn't stand the fact that he loved my mom and me 
more than you, so you've kept him alive and in pain to make him pay for it."  
Hatred flared within Jason as he stared at the evil creature before him.  "I should 
stake you right here for torturing him like that."

Sad eyes met Jason's and LaCroix tried valiantly to stand.  Unable to manage that 
simple feat, he sat back on the floor and rested his head against the cold slab 
behind him.  "He is my son.  I would do anything to keep him alive, just as 
Nicholas was willing to die for you."  LaCroix turned and gazed at Nichols for a 
moment before he continued.  "It wasn't meant to be torture, I..."  He cast his eyes 
back upon his grandson.  "...I just couldn't let him go.  I know you don't believe 
this, but I do love him."

"How did you....?"  Jason couldn't express himself.

"Keep your mother from knowing he was alive?  I am very old, Jason.  I have 
powers even the Enforcers don't know about.  It comes with age and the evil within 
me.  When I realized my blood wasn't strong enough to stop the pain, I went to 
your mother.  She begged me to take her to him.  She was 7 months pregnant with 
you.  I refused, and we got in our usual battle of wills.  In the end, she started 
having contractions and I took her to the hospital.  I took some of her blood and 
wiped her memory of the whole affair.  A part of me respected what Nicholas had 
done for you both and I couldn't kill her...or you.  Periodically, I would return and 
repeat the procedure after you were born.  Her blood was the only thing that 
stopped the pain within him.  Mine would keep him barely alive if he drank it, but 
not stop the pain.  You see, the Enforcers changed the rules.  The bargain was to 
use a temporary potion on Nicholas to make him bring your mother across or kill 
her.  If he did, I'd finally get my son back.  If he didn't, when the potion wore off in 
several months, Nicholas would realize your mother didn't love him enough to 
sacrifice herself for him.  In either case I would get my son back at my side.  In a 
few years the hatred would wear off and we'd get on with our lives."  A great 
sadness spread across LaCroix's face.

"But they didn't use a temporary potion, did they?"  Jason said softly.

"No!  When it didn't wear off after 7 months, I knew I'd been manipulated by the 
council.  They were frightened of Nicholas and your mother and what they could 
accomplish together.  The Enforcer who took your mother's blood knew she was 
pregnant.  He also knew when he drained your father that Nicholas would never 
sacrifice your life for his own.  I would be incensed, blame your mother and kill 
her while she carried you and your father would die.  I would never find out, and 
they would once again have control."  Anger laced with sadness ebbed and flowed 
throughout the room from the ancient vampire sitting on the floor beside his son.  
"I should have killed him after I found out, but I ..."

Jason leaned over and touched LaCroix's arm in support.  "You couldn't...he is 
your son."  The hatred and anger he'd felt earlier vanished as he recognized the 
love in the man before him.  "We have to find a way to help them both.  In 3 
months I'm getting married.  I won't be alone anymore and my mother has fulfilled 
her promise to my dad.  She won't live without him any longer.  I know it as sure 
as I breathe."  Jason stood up, then offered his hand to his grandfather.  "I'm not 
going to let that happen and I need your help."

LaCroix recognized Nick's tenacious nature in his grandson along with the 
determination.  "I'm not sure after all the years of pain your father is sane.  I'm not 
sure her blood will cure him.  I'm not sure he can survive another 3 months.  The 
pain is intensifying and his body is losing the battle within him.  I'm not sure 
anything we try will do anything but kill them both."  Uncertainty along with 
regret etched LaCroix's face for the very first time.  Realizing what he'd just 
confessed, he used centuries of practice to force his mask of indifference back into 
place. 

"Nice try, Grandfather!  But I already know you care.  So let's find a way."  Jason 
smiled at the older vampire in front of him and offered his hand in friendship.  
"Together, we find a way to keep them alive."



Part 5


Footsteps could be heard coming down the stairwell.  The butler suddenly appeared 
in the doorway of the room with fear written across his pale features.  "I'm sorry, 
General, but she refused to leave and ..."

Kelly stepped into the room behind him pointing a pistol directly at his heart from 
the back.  Her small stature seemed dwarfed by the man in front of her but the 
anger and determination in her eyes said she was a force to be reckoned with.  She 
stepped out from behind the butler and gasped when she saw the blood on Jason's 
lip.  Instantly, she reacted by pushing the pale butler forward and turning her gun 
toward LaCroix.  "These are wooden bullets laced with garlic if you're interested 
and I hit everything at this range."  

"It's okay, Kelly."  Jason walked over to her and held out his hand for the gun.  
"He's really on our side."  He motioned toward LaCroix.

She reached up and wiped more blood from his lip with doubt in her eyes.  She 
then turned angry eyes back to LaCroix.

"I would suppose you know her?"  LaCroix questioned snidely as his strength 
returned.

"She's my fiancee'.  Her name is Kelly, and if you think she wouldn't have killed 
you, you are mistaken."  A moan sounded from the slab behind LaCroix and a look 
of pain crossed the ancient vampire's face once more.  He turned in distress toward 
Nicholas who struggled toward consciousness.  

"No, Nicholas, not yet."  He tried to restrain his son.  Jason was at his side 
immediately.

"I thought my mother's blood eased the pain for some time."  His confused eyes 
met LaCroix's.

"Not since the last batch I got several months ago.  Each time it wears off sooner 
than the one before."  Desperation along with pain was laced in LaCroix's voice.  
"We can't let him gain consciousness before your mother arrives or we'll have to 
kill him.  The pain after 25 years will destroy what's left of his mind and his body."  
LaCroix pushed Nicholas back flat on the cold slab by pure strength as the pain 
enflamed them both.

Kelly gasped from the side of the room when she saw the flash of the silver blade 
Jason removed from his pocket.  "No Jason!"  She screamed and ran to his side not 
understanding who was on the slab in front of them.  She grabbed him around his 
waist and held him closely.  "You can't..." 

Jason held her briefly then turned her around to see Nick lying on the cold surface 
struggling against LaCroix.  She gasped in recognition.  "He's alive, Kelly.  My 
father is alive and we have to keep him that way until my mother gets here."  Jason 
turned questioning eyes to LaCroix.

"Is it true, he will know everything with the first drop of my blood?"  Jason's blue 
eyes were tinged with doubt.

"Yes.  He will know all that you are, all your hopes, your fears, everything that 
makes you Jason Knight.  That is, of course, if he's still capable of that.  I don't 
know at this point."  Doubt was written on LaCroix's features.

"He's capable."  Jason sliced his wrist, then quickly sliced Nick's.  As soon as the 
blood  began to flow freely he pressed them together and entwined his wrist around 
his father's until he could grasp Nick's hand.  Jason gasped and collapsed to one 
knee but remained in contact with his father.  Nick immediately stopped struggling 
and became quiet once more.  Jason refused to break contact but the pain became 
unbearable.  He screamed in agony but fought to hang on.  Kelly jerked his arm 
free and pushed him back against the wall.  She stared into his blue eyes as gold 
flecks dusted the surface and something worse than pain etched itself into his 
handsome features.  

"Jason?"  She shook him gently as the desperation she felt edged her voice.  "Jason, 
it's okay.  Stay with me.  Come on...stay with me."  She watched in fascination as 
the gold disappeared from his eyes and the bright blue color returned as well as her 
fiance'.

Jason gulped for air when he came back to reality, then stared into Kelly's eyes.  
"He knows mom is going to kill herself.  He's still trying to help her.  He's calling 
to her even through the pain to let her know he's alive.  That's why the blood isn't 
helping.  Her blood eases the pain, but he's trying to awaken to stop her and it 
causes the pain to return even faster."  Jason pulled Kelly into his arms.  A single 
tear escaped his eye as he stared across the room at LaCroix.  "We have to help 
them.  You have to release what ever you have done to my mother to keep her from 
feeling him."  Jason pushed Kelly aside and went to his grandfather.  "You have to 
let him go or you will lose him.  Don't you understand?  What they have together is 
stronger than blood.  They can't survive without each other.  He's not like you.  He 
never was.  That's why you want him around you."  Jason grabbed LaCroix's arms 
in desperation.  "Please...let him live.  Only you can do that."  Blue eyes filled by 
centuries of loneliness and regret hidden under the guise of hatred and evil met 
Jason's.  

LaCroix closed them briefly, then delved deep within himself for a power that 
transcended time.  He summoned an art he learned over a 1000 years ago from one 
of the ancients before he walked into the sun.  A yellow haze began to form around 
him that turned into a glowing light and spread throughout the room.  Jason 
stepped back and held Kelly as electrical sparks began to twinkle in the haze 
around LaCroix.  With each breath LaCroix took, the sparks intensified until 
almost a solid sheet of white light surrounded him.  He slowly began to raise his 
arms and the bright light exploded  outward into the night.  When he opened his 
eyes the haze and lights were gone.

"It is done.  Their connection is restored."  He turned slowly and gazed at Nicholas 
sleeping calmly on the flat surface before him, then he disappeared.

------------

The dreams had become more frequent since Jason and Kelly had left for England.  
Each night, she had a sense of great loss engulfed in pain and she would wake 
screaming Nick's name.  Tears seemed inadequate for what she felt, but she cried 
anyway.  When she finished, she would relax and push into the void that used to be 
the link between her and her husband, only to be met by a black wall of space.  The 
harder she tried, the thicker the wall became until she was forced to back away for 
her own sanity.  

After Jason and Kelly left early that morning the dreams began to happen during 
the day.  Something was wrong and it involved her son.  Quickly she tossed some 
clothes in a bag and headed for the airport.

---------------

Natalie stepped off the plane a little past midnight.  Jason had been gone less than 
24 hours, but something wasn't right.  She could feel it in the connection between 
them.  That connection had always been stronger from Jason's side, but it still 
existed marginally within her.  She picked up the keys and the map from the rental 
car counter and pain flashed in her mind momentarily.  It was so quick, she 
thought she'd imagined it, then it came again, harder this time and more persistent.  
She could see Jason and Kelly in the image and the fear and pain he felt flashed 
between them.  Quickly, she headed for the car, uncertain just how she was going 
to find them.  She turned on the ignition, took a deep breath and once more pushed 
out into the empty void that had been the link to Nick.  "Just once more, Lambert.  
I won't give up until I know for certain."  She'd voiced her thoughts out loud before 
she realized it while she relaxed and prepared herself for the impenetrable black 
wall.  

When the void became black once more, she took another deep breath and pushed 
harder.  The solid black mass gave slightly.  She pushed harder with her mind and 
finally with her heart.  It collapsed and she fell headlong into a tunnel filled with a 
death-like cold.  She reached deeper into it looking for Nick and was greeted by 
unimaginable pain.  It burned brightly like a flame engulfing everything around it, 
yet a cold center of blue still managed to survive within.  Natalie gasped at the 
intensity, then felt Nick.

"Nick!"  She screamed in relief as tears poured down her face.  "Oh, my God!  
Hang on, my love.  I'm coming."  She peeled out of the parking lot with tires 
squealing and loose gravel flying everywhere.  She turned in the direction of the 
pain and followed it.



Part 6


---------------

Kelly ran to Jason's side and helped support him.  The cold in the room seemed to 
increase after LaCroix disappeared.  Jason held onto her and together they made 
their way back to Nick's side.  Kelly stared at the man on the slab still in disbelief.

"I really didn't believe it all, Jason."  She turned sad green eyes to her beloved.  "I 
mean, I wanted to believe it because you did, but deep down inside I don't think I 
really did...until now."  She hesitantly reached over and touched Nick's face.  The 
coolness of his skin seemed to seep under her skin and she stared intently at his 
still form.  "He looks exactly like that picture you showed me of him and your 
mother 26 years ago.  He hasn't aged.  It's incredible."  Finally, it all hit her.  "It's 
all really true.  Your father is a vampire and your mother has been using his blood.  
Just like you said."  Her voice cracked and fear touched her features before she 
turned worried eyes back to Jason.

He saw it in her eyes and interpreted it wrong.  "I won't hold you to your promise, 
Kelly.  You don't have to marry me. I understand..."  She reached up with her 
fingers and placed them on his lips to silence him.

"No Jason!  I love you.  I just realized what could happen if you save him.  Those 
men, or vampires, or Enforcers or whatever you call them…if your father survives 
they will come after him again."  A great sadness overwhelmed her.  "They will 
have to struggle to be together all over again."  She looked to her finace' with 
questioning eyes wanting him to deny it.  Praying he would think of something she 
hadn't.

Jason pulled her into his arms.  "They will find a way to be together...they will find 
a way."  He pushed her away and placed his hands around her head so her eyes 
locked with his.  "You can't imagine what they have been through and how much 
he loves her.  You just can't imagine."  His eyes spoke of pain and loss and a single 
tear escaped his blue eye.  She wiped it away.

"Tell me what it was like."  She whispered.  "Tell me how you know and what you 
feel."  Her voice said reverently.  "I want to know."

Jason pulled her back into his arms and stared at his father on the cold slab in front 
of them.  "It was like being inside his mind.  I saw images that flashed so quickly 
they hurt...and then the emotion.  He feels everything, the pain ravaging his body, 
the loss of my mother, the hatred of what he's done, and the loathing of what he is.  
It's all there.  It's so powerful, so consuming, and then there is the warmth.  All the 
images of Mom and him are filled with such warmth and passion, I can't even put 
it into words.  They are soulmates bound by the heart and their blood.  He has 
struggled against the pain for her and for me.  He has been waiting for me to grow 
up and for her to join him.  They sacrificed 25 years of their lives so I could be 
happy and walk in the sun, to love and be loved for who I am, and carry on in their 
name.  I'm their legacy, their hope for the future in this mortal world, to show the 
others that there is something stronger than evil."  Jason knelt down by his father's 
side and caressed Nick's arm.  Jason finally understood the images.  He turned 
knowing eyes back to Kelly.

"It's love, Kelly.  Love is stronger than any obstacle, any power...even pain.  If you 
truly love someone, you can overcome anything."  He turned back to his father and 
smiled.  "They have..." His eyes went back to hers.  "...they will.  Together they can 
accomplish anything."  Jason stood, feeling much lighter than he ever felt in his 
life because he'd finally found what he'd been searching for.  He pulled Kelly into 
his embrace once more.  "He's given me the one thing I've struggled so hard to 
find."  He kissed her cheek, then smiled.  "He's given me faith in us that no matter 
what happens tonight, I know I love you with all my heart and my soul, just as he 
loves mom.  They will find a way and we will be right beside them."

"Jason, how will your mother find us?  She doesn't know where we are."  Kelly 
voiced her concerns at a whisper when a soft moan escaped Nick's lip and drew 
their attention back to him.

"He'll tell her.  Now that LaCroix is not blocking their link, dad will lead her 
here."  Jason looked into Kelly's doubting eyes.  "Their link is so strong.  The 
power between them is indescribable. That's why they feared them.  Together they 
can accomplish anything."  Jason stared in awe at his father and they waited.

--------------  

Natalie drove the little rental car at a maddening speed, following the link between 
her and Nick.  At times, she had to gasp for air from the pain and twice she had to 
pull over to keep from wrecking the car.  Nick was losing a 25 year battle.  He 
needed her and he needed her now.  "I'm coming, Nick.  Just hang on."  

She turned the corner and saw the closed gates in front of her.  Without hesitation, 
she rammed the gates, tearing them off the hinges and throwing them into the air 
as she whizzed up the driveway to the main entrance.  Not bothering to shut the car 
off or close the door, she dashed out of the car and up to the main entrance.  The 
door opened as soon as she reached the top step.  The pale butler simply stepped 
out of her way and she ran headlong into the hallway.  She stopped briefly and took 
a deep breath.  The pain was more than intense now.  It was a constant throb, with 
sharp knives lacing their way through her body.  She gasped, then pushed into it.   
She had to find Nick.  She turned immediately to the study and ran.  The lighted 
stairwell on the far side of the room seemed an eternity away and Nat fought for 
her balance through the blinding pain now overwhelming her.  The closer she got, 
the more intense the pain that flowed between them.  Natalie flew down the 
stairwell, stepped through the entrance and screamed in agony.

"Nick!!!!!!!"  She collapsed to one knee and gasped for breath.  Jason flew to her 
side.

"Mother?  Are you...."  Concern and fear raced through him.

She accepted his arm to help her up.  "Help me to him, Jason."  Tears cascaded 
freely down her face and the pain along with the loneliness of 25 years were etched 
into her lovely features.  Jason helped her to his father's side.

The pain had increased to the point of agony while he struggled to consciousness.  
He had to wake up.  No matter how bad it hurt.  Natalie was here.  He could feel 
her love even now through the wall of blackness filled with the burning flames of 
hell.  He had to let her know he was still alive.  He had to tell her he loved her one 
more time. "Nat????"  The word tore from his lips when he opened his eyes for the 
first time in 25 years.

Natalie wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder weeping 
openly.  "I'm here, my love."  She kissed his lips softly, then laid her cheek next to 
his.  "I'm here, Nick.  It's our time now.  Let me help you.  Make us one as we were 
always meant to be."  Her voice broke between sobs.  
 
His arms went around her and pulled in the warm and love that she offered while 
the pain continued to assault his body mercilessly.  "Nat?"  He whispered through a 
dry throat.  "Our son...tell me...our son...is he...?"  Nick fought for control of the 
beast as Natalie's blood called to him like a siren beckoning him to the shore. 

Natalie looked at Jason.  He stepped forward and grabbed his father's hand.  "I'm 
here, Dad.  I'm here with both of you."

Nick followed the voice to the young man now at his side holding his hand.  Their 
son...his son...stood full grown at his side.  He could feel the connection between 
them when the pain overtook him again.  His body convulsed in pain and he 
screamed Nat's name in agony.

"Nick!!!!  You have to take me.  Please...I can't live without you.  We said forever, 
Nick...I meant it.  Please, Nick, let my blood heal the pain.  Make us truly one."  
Her eyes pleaded with him and he couldn't refuse.  His fangs extended and he 
pulled her willing neck to him.  With great effort, he gently placed his fangs into 
the soft tissue.  With the first drop of her blood the pain began to ease and he 
drank.  Each day of the past 25 years played in his mind through their link.  Each 
moment with their son, each tear that she'd shed, each hour of loneliness she'd 
endured to come to this moment to be with him.  If he'd had any doubts they were 
washed away with every mouthful of her blood.  Her love overwhelmed him and he 
bathed himself in the feeling of the warmth and security it always gave him.  In 
turn, he held back the torment he'd spent but let her feel his undying faith and love 
in what they had together.  He let her see and feel what had kept him sane all these 
years waiting for her.  Each piece of their lives finally fell into place.  They were, 
and always had been, destined for this moment in time.  Love and faith had 
brought them together and would continue to be their anchor.  

Her heart began to slow as the mortal life of the one he loved more than existence 
began to fade away into the darkness.  Her life was now his and she waited on the 
brink.  Nick released her neck with tears in his eyes.  He cuddled her in his arms 
and wept.  "I will love you for all eternity, Natalie."  He whispered through broken 
sobs of despair.  "This is not what we wanted."  He rocked her gently in his arms, 
then kissed her hair as her heart began to stop.  Quickly he brought his wrist to his 
fangs and sliced it deeply.  With his doubts finally banished, he placed his bleeding 
wrist to her lips.  "Drink, my love, stay with me for all eternity.  I cannot survive 
without you."  There was fear in his voice as he waited for her to make the choice 
of a life in darkness with him or death.  

She could feel his pain fade away as he drank.  Each time he drank the sweet pull 
of his body and his love engulfed her.  Pleasure surged through her along with a 
feeling of peace and belonging.  All the loneliness of  25 years faded away under 
his love.  She was home.  They were one as they were always meant to be.  She 
pushed into their link and let Nick feel all of the joys and sorrows of raising their 
son without him, then filled him with love.  The love she possessed for only him.  
A love that would last for eternity no matter what happened.  Together they would 
face anything thrown at them.  She felt him release her neck and the blackness 
slowly engulfed her when his soft words penetrated her foggy mind.  She tried to 
speak but couldn't.  The light at the end of the tunnel of darkness was so inviting.  
She headed toward it only one step, when he placed his bleeding wrist to her lips.  
The first drop of his blood beckoned her to return to his love.  Without a second 
thought, her lips latched onto his wrist and drank his life giving blood into hers.

Nick gasped in pleasure when she sucked gently at first, then harder.  "Yes, my 
love.  Come with me.  Stay with me."  He cuddled her in his arms as she drank 
from his wrist.  The sweet feeling of being united with her engulfed him and he 
gave into it.  He wanted more, she wanted more.  She released his wrist and stared 
into his eyes with a thousand questions while her body burned for more of him.  He 
kissed her lips hungrily and nipped her tongue with his fangs.  Her fangs dropped 
immediately and the power of the souls united raged freely.  She wanted more.  He 
pulled her to his neck and she planted her fangs into his sweet flesh.  Passion laced 
with love flooded through her and she drank deeply.  Each mouthful of his blood 
gave hope and promise of what was to come and she couldn't get enough.  Just like 
an addict, she drank of the power and love that he offered.  He began to falter and 
she knew she should release him, but she couldn't.  Twenty-five years of torture 
had drained his strength, but the beast within her couldn't be stopped.

 Nick, too, was lost to the feel and needs of his child, his love.  He could no more 
deny her than he could the beast within himself, even though he knew the 
consequences.  She was his heart and soul.  They were finally whole and he would 
not deny her at any cost.  

"Nicholas, you must stop her."  LaCroix's command echoed through the room, but 
Nick refused and held her to his neck.  LaCroix was at their side immediately.  
"You are not strong enough, Nicholas.  She will destroy you."  LaCroix growled at 
his son's insanity.

"I cannot deny her, LaCroix."  Nick gasped between breaths as Natalie fed from 
him. "I cannot..."  His words began to slur.

LaCroix ripped his own wrist and shoved it to his sons lips.  "Drink, Nicholas.  
Use my strength to save us all."  Nick sank his fangs into his father's wrist and 
drank deeply.  Using the ancient vampire's strength and his own love for Natalie, 
they finally became a family based on something besides the darkness.


Part 7


Natalie released Nick's neck and drifted off into a safe warm slumber.  Cuddled in 
his arms, her body began its journey into its new state.  Nick released LaCroix's 
wrist moments later and fell into a deep healing sleep, long overdue.  LaCroix 
collapsed onto the floor from the drain on his body.  Jason and Kelly caught him 
before he reached it and tried to steady him.  LaCroix retreated back into himself to 
pull the reserves of his age, and let the beast within him heal his body.  When he 
opened his eyes, Jason and Kelly sat next to him on the floor.

"Are you alright, Grandfather?"  Jason asked hesitantly.  He watched LaCroix 
closely as the gold flecks dusted his eyes.  Jason quickly reached behind his back 
and retrieved a bottle of blood he'd found only moments before.  He shoved the 
bottle into LaCroix's hand and watched the old vampire drain the bottle in 2 gulps.  
When LaCroix's eyes met his, the gold was gone.

"I will survive, Jason, and so will your father and mother."  LaCroix leaned back 
into the stone slab and rested his head.  He let himself go to the link between 
himself and Nicholas, and the tiny bridge between  Natalie established through 
Nick.  They would survive together now as a family, and he would welcome the 
new child into the fold like any good grandparent.  Nicholas' pain was completely 
gone, replaced by something much stronger.  It sizzled through their connection.  
How he envied what was between them, but he would be content to share it from 
the sidelines for now.  Tomorrow always had possibilities...and his son was alive.  
A small smile spread across his stoic features.

"You saved his life."  Jason said in awe.  "He wasn't strong enough to bring her 
across, was he?"  Knowing eyes questioned LaCroix's.

LaCroix did not answer but rose slowly from the floor to his feet.  Brushing the dirt 
from his jacket, he put himself back in order.  Children were so tedious, so time 
consuming, so demanding.  He eyed his grandson before him and once again 
marveled how much he looked like his father.  Yes, it was going to be an 
interesting few years ahead of them.  It will be interesting to see how Nicholas and 
the Good Doctor handled their son's rebellious nature.  Then maybe Nicholas 
would appreciate all that he'd tolerated over the years.  "I suggest, Jason, that you 
stay with your parents until I return with the supplies.  If they awaken, remove 
yourself immediately.  Nicholas' control is tenuous at best at this point...and your 
mother has none."  LaCroix waited for Jason to understand, then disappeared once 
more.

---------------

Kelly and Jason had moved both Nick and Natalie upstairs into the master 
bedroom.  The big soft bed lined with black satin sheets reminded Jason of the bed 
his mother slept in at home.  Satin and black must mean something to vampires.  
He would have to ask when this was all over.  He and Kelly took two hour shifts 
sitting beside them, looking for signs of their awakening.  Kelly was to awaken 
Jason immediately if she saw or heard anything.   Fatigue overwhelmed him and 
he fell into a deep slumber on the couch nestled in the corner of the room.

Kelly caught herself drifting off to sleep and jerked her eyes open seconds before 
she tumbled out of the chair.  When she checked on Nick, he moved slightly and 
embraced Natalie.  A feeling of warmth spread through the room followed by 
something she couldn't describe.  As Nick fought his way to consciousness his body 
reacted to the woman in his arms and he caressed her back pulling her deeper into 
his embrace.

The pain was gone, replaced by a feeling of complete peace.  Nick didn't want to 
leave it.  It cocooned him in a feeling of warmth and love he'd never known.  He 
wanted never to leave it, but his body had needs that were demanding to be taken 
care of.  His mind also knew his love would have needs beyond his shortly.  He had 
to be there for her.  He forced his mind through the wall of darkness and the safety 
of her love to come back to the present.  Her body reacted to his almost 
immediately through their link.  He pushed back into it, forcing her to sleep a little 
longer.  She needed time.  Her body needed time to adjust.  Fully awake now, he 
buried his head in her glorious hair and drank in the smell that was only his love's.  
Pure joy at the feel of her in his arms undid him.  Tears of joy ran down his face 
while he cradled her in his arms and ran his hands over her body.

"She's going to be okay."  Kelly said softly, slightly frightened.  Should she awaken 
Jason?  Was she nuts?  What she saw before her was not to be feared.  In her heart 
she knew it, in her mind, logic waged war against her.  Her heart won the battle.  
The creature before her was a man who had learned to love with more than his 
heart.  He would not harm her.

Nick turned clear blue eyes to the voice that spoke.  Instantly, the images from 
Jason's blood flooded his memory.  He smiled and moved Natalie to a more 
comfortable position still within his arms, but lower where he could watch the 
beautiful woman before him.  "You must be Kelly."  He spoke softly through his 
dry throat.

Surprise registered on her face.  He was so gentle, so kind.  His voice matched his 
face and all thoughts of him hurting her were banished.  "How...how...did you 
know my name?"  She questioned, then realization hit her.  "Sorry!"  She looked 
down at the floor embarrassed, afraid to look at him.  "I'm rather new at this."  
Nick reached over and lifted her chin to meet the eyes of the woman his son loved.

"Don't ever be sorry for not knowing the powers of darkness.  Be thankful you have 
gotten to live in the light and the love of my son."  Nick smiled at her warmly.  
"You are even more beautiful than he sees you.  The light inside you is filled with 
hope and love.  He is a lucky man."  

Kelly blushed at the compliment, then stared at Natalie as she moved in Nick's 
arm.  "She's going to be okay, isn't she?"  Fear crept into her voice when she spoke.

Nick ran a hand through Natalie's hair.  His touch seemed to calm her.  When his 
eyes returned to Kelly, a great sadness was there.  He pushed it away.  "Okay is a 
relevant term.  If you're asking me, will she survive?  The answer is yes.  If you're 
asking me if she's alive, she and I would argue over that."  He turned loving eyes 
back to his wife.  Without thinking, he ran his hand through her tangled mane in a 
loving gesture, then returned his gaze back to his future daughter-in-law.  "We are 
together.  That's all that matters.  Together we'll find a way back, but until then we 
shall love and live as vampires.  It wasn't what we wanted, but I think it was our 
destiny. We will fight our way back."  He smiled again and a twinkle shown in his 
eye.  Kelly was struck by how handsome and charming he was.  "Besides, it's what 
we do best."  

Nick picked up the heartbeat just as the soft rustle on the couch gave way to the 
tell-tale signs of another mortal in the room.  Jason appeared behind Kelly and 
stood transfixed.  The man in the pictures, the man in his dreams, the man he 
always pretended still existed...stared back at him.  In all his life, he'd had one 
dream...that was to know his father.  To spend time with the man who had been 
willing to sacrifice everything for him to come into this world.  Jason stood 
speechless.  What he'd felt earlier from his father was so overwhelming, so 
confusing, yet so wonderful.  He wanted more.  

In awe of his son, Nick stared intently at the piece of him he'd been denied to love 
or know.  His son, their son, was a grown man.  A feeling of pride flooded him, but 
sadness as well for what he'd missed that could never be regained.  He was the first 
to find his tongue.  "You look like your mother."  Nick stated simply while he 
stared at the blue eyes of his wife and her tiny nose.  He could see so much of 
Natalie in him, and himself as well.  Nick surveyed him from head to toe.

Jason came around and sat down in the chair beside the bed so he could be closer 
to his father.  "She always said I look exactly like you."  Jason said shyly but kept 
eye contact with Nick.

Nick removed one hand from Natalie and reached for his son's face.  The touch of 
his fingertips created a pleasant electrical current between them.  Nick laid his 
palm on his son's cheek, slowly, reverently marveling at the feel of him.  The 
warmth of Jason's skin penetrated the cold of his fingertips and warmed his heart.   
Regret then etched Nick's face.  Jason clasped his hand over his father's.  "I'm so 
sorry, Jason."  His voice broke when he spoke.  "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you.  
That I wasn't there when you needed me growing up with all the changes...all the 
birthdays, all the plays I...."

"No, Dad!"  Jason pulled Nick's hand into both of his.  "Don't be sorry.  You were 
always there for me."  Jason nodded toward Natalie sleeping soundly in his father's 
arms.  "Mom made sure of it.  Every card, every birthday present, every recital she 
made you there for me."   He cast his eyes lovingly at his mother. "She loved me 
for both of you."  Tears ran down his own cheeks while he spoke.  "Now is our 
time, Dad.  Now we can all be a family, just like I always dreamed."  Jason reached 
over and grabbed Kelly's hand as she stood beside him.  "I have a woman who 
loves me, a father who was willing to die for me, and a mother who has walked the 
shores of heaven and hell to make sure I did everything right.  I'm the luckiest man 
alive."

Nick sighed and pulled his son to him.  With one arm still around his beloved, 
sleeping in his embrace, he wrapped the other around his son's head that laid 
willingly on his shoulder.  "I have missed so much, Jason."  Nick whispered.  "I 
promise to make it up to you."

Jason removed his head from his dad's shoulder and stared into his father's blue 
eyes.  "Then, let me feel you, Dad.  Let me feel all that you are, all that you have 
been and how much you love me.  I need a part of you to make me whole."  Jason 
raised his arm, pulled the silver blade from his pocket, and sliced his wrist.  He let 
the blood flow freely, then looked at Nick.  "Let me give you what you missed and 
let me know my father in return."  He waited for Nick's acceptance.

Nick raised his arm and Jason sliced it.  Once again, Jason placed his wrist to his 
father's and entwined their arms together.  Nick relaxed and pushed into the blood 
bond between them and let the images flow both ways.  Father and son each shared 
all that they were.

-------------

LaCroix entered the room silently when he felt Nicholas and his son bond together.  
A sense of fulfillment washed over him.  His family was finally whole.  He felt 
Nicholas begin to fade and drift back into sleep still holding tightly to his son.  
This, too, would pass after his body had healed, but for now they would take one 
step at a time.

Jason felt his father drift back into slumber and he released his wrist reluctantly.  
With the pain gone, the man beneath was more than he'd ever imagined.  Nicholas 
Knight was both man and vampire and he'd finally come to terms with what he 
was with the love and faith of his wife.  Together, they could accomplish anything 
and Jason was certain they would.  He turned to Kelly with a smile on his face.  "I 
think I'm going to like my Dad."  She laughed in relief and hugged him fiercely.

LaCroix appeared suddenly beside them.  "That is all well and good, Jason, but you 
must give him time to recover.  You must give your mother time to adjust to her 
new state, then you can go on with your lives."  LaCroix walked over and sat 
several bottles on the nightstand.  

Jason eyed them closely and understood.  "How long do you think it will take."  
Jason grabbed Kelly's hand once more.  We are getting married in 2 months."  
LaCroix raised a doubtful eye.

"I think a September wedding at Casa Loma would be better, don't you, Jason?"  
Kelly chimed in quickly.  "What's another couple of months?  Besides we might 
even have time to get black roses tipped in silver by then."  She smiled at LaCroix's 
quick look of disdain.  Kelly laughed.


Part 8


----------

September of that same year at the Casa Loma in Toronto

Jason paced the floor endlessly while the caterers and florists made numerous trips 
back into the garden.  It was near dusk.  Kelly's mother, and her bridesmaid were 
helping his fiancee' to change.  Warren, Jason's best friend, stood silently by the 
door watching as he paced back and forth. 

"They'll be here, Jason.  You've talked with your dad a dozen times in the last 
month.  He owns a private jet, for Pete's sake.  They will be here!"  Warren shook 
his head in dismay.  Since finding his father, Jason had been a changed man.  
There had always been things about Jason that intrigued Warren, but now there 
was something more.  He couldn't put his finger on it, but he liked it.  Jason was 
more than he was before and Warren admired that.  

A black limo pulled up and an elegant women in a long royal blue gown stepped 
out.  Judging from her looks, she was in her 50's, but she carried it well.  Her body 
and legs were in great shape and she walked with the assurance of a woman who'd 
already accomplished what she set out to prove.  When his eyes traveled to the face 
and the short blonde hair, his breath caught in his throat.  "Aunt Tracy?"  Jason 
walked forward in disbelief.  Tracy hugged him fiercely and laughed.  

"Hello, Jason.  You didn't think I would miss this did you?"  She kissed him gently 
on the cheek trying not to leave a lipstick mark.  "You look just like your dad did 
26 years ago.  I can't wait to see him and your mother."  

Jason hugged her again, then made the introductions and led her personally down 
to her seat in the garden.  Tracy eyed the garden closely and looked for the punch 
bowl.  "What?  No Wishmaker Punch for the occasion?"  She raised and eyebrow 
and smiled.  She'd told him the story herself after he'd given her the news about his 
father.  

Jason leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.  "After the ceremony...not before.  
Can't have everyone dancing on the ceiling too early."  He laughed and headed 
back toward the door.  It was now after dusk and his nerves were stretched to the 
limit.  He turned to find LaCroix standing behind him.  Becoming accustomed to 
his grandfather's abrupt appearances and departures over the past few months, he 
didn't even flinch.  "Grandfather!"  Jason smiled and offered his hand.  "I'm 
thrilled you would take the time to attend."

LaCroix raked his grandson with a scathing look, then dismissed the thought of 
appropriate revenge when the long white limousine pulled up.  Jason's heart rate 
jumped and LaCroix smiled.  Yes, his grandson was developing nicely.  In time, he 
too, would see the advantages of another style of life.

Jason felt his father a block away and his mother too, now that she was closer.  He 
bounded down the steps to greet them.

---------- 

Kelly had paced anxiously back and forth in the small room as her mother and 
bridesmaid, Ellen, helped put on the finishing touches.  "They'll be here, Kelly.  
The wedding doesn't start for another hour."  Ellen walked over to the window and 
peered out casually.  "I, for one, am anxious to finally meet Jason's parents.  You 
said they were in England for the past several months.  Does that mean they are 
going to come back looking 20 years younger.  You know they are supposed to 
have the best plastic surgeons over there and Jason's parents are rich, aren't they?"  
Ellen's constant chatter was beginning to get on Kelly's nerves but at least she 
would have a logical explanation for Nick and Natalie's youthful appearance…at 
least one Ellen would believe.  She wasn't sure about anyone else, but she didn't 
care.  Jason had been the happiest she'd ever known him.  Even though he and his 
father had only talked on the phone over the past 4 months, they'd grown close.  It 
was all going to work out.  Yes, she had faith too.  It would all work out.

Ellen spied the white limo pull up.  "I think they are here.  That's the biggest limo 
I've ever seen.  Is that the one you guys are taking tonight?  Oh, my God!"  Ellen 
exclaimed when Nick stepped out of the car in his tuxedo.  "You didn't' tell me 
Jason had a brother.  Where have you been hiding him?"  Ellen turned questioning 
eyes to her best friend.  Kelly knew exactly who she was looking at before she ever 
gazed out the window.  Moments later a long slender leg stepped out and took 
Nick's hand.  Natalie stepped out of the limo gracefully.  The teal dress clung to 
her slender form and accentuated every curve.  The diamond necklace around her 
neck caught the lights in the entryway and sparkled brightly into the night.  It was 
a simple dress, cut moderately low in the front revealing some cleavage but not 
deep enough to draw your attention away from the necklace around her neck.  The 
back plunged to the waistline and ended in folds of material that nestled just above 
her hips, creating a softer feel to the gown.  The teal color brought out the shinny 
highlights in her auburn tresses that graced a porcelain white complexion.    Kelly 
had always thought that Jason's mother was beautiful, but tonight she was 
breathtaking.  

"Okay, who's the woman?"  Ellen turned back to Kelly with disgust written on her 
face.  

"I'm afraid you're a little off base, Ellen, and they are probably a little too old for 
you.  That's Jason's mom and dad.  They just got in it would appear.  I should go 
greet them."  Kelly headed for the door.

"Kelly, you can't.  It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride.  I'll go get them.  
Besides I want the name of their plastic surgeon.   They don't look a day over 35.  
I've gotta know."  Ellen headed for the door.

---------------

Jason stopped short when his mother stepped out of the car.  His breath caught and 
he stood mesmerized.  The beautiful creature before him was his mother.  It was 
hard to believe.  Jason had always admired his mother and thought her pretty, but 
she was more than that now.  It was not like she'd really changed, but everything 
just seemed enhanced.  The electricity he felt between them sizzled.  He could 
actually feel her now, just as he did his father.  He shook his head to clear it, then 
waited.  He didn't want to push her control.  Nick had warned Jason not to force it, 
that these things took time, but Natalie had learned to control the vampire within a 
much shorter period of time than most.  Of course, Nick didn't impart the fact that 
he shared his blood with her regularly to help.  Jason finished his assessment and 
locked eyes with his mother, but he waited for her to make the first move.  He still 
wasn't certain.  This was so new to him.

"Well, do I pass inspection or should I go home and change?"  Nat's eyes twinkled 
in delight as her son immediately turned red with embarrassment.  She flew to his 
arms and wrapped them around him.  "Oh, how I've missed you." 

Shocked but thrilled with his mother's overture, Jason hugged her back, then 
twirled her in the air.  "You look perfect, Mom."  He sat her down and eyed her 
closer this time with concern in his eyes.  "Are you okay...I mean do you feel okay 
with being around so many ..."

Nat leaned over and kissed her son.  "I'm fine, Jason."  She turned and smiled at 
Nick who stood silently behind them, basking in the feeling of warmth he felt from 
both of them.  Their genuine affection for each other and Natalie's comfort level 
with their son made him overjoyed.  "I have a wonderful teacher back here who 
takes great care of me.  I'll be fine."  A silent message was sent between Nick and 
herself and she relaxed a bit more.  "We'll be fine...both of us, Jason."  She pushed 
her son away slightly to admire him.  "Now, let me see you.  You look almost as 
handsome in that tux as your father did 26 years ago."  She turned back to Nick.  
Her eyes filled with admiration and love.  "Of course, he looks even better now."  

Jason laughed and hugged her once more.  He released her, then went to Nick.  
Jason still marveled at the fact that his father was alive.  Nick pulled his son into 
his embrace and hugged him fiercely.  "It's okay, Jason.  I'm not going anywhere.  
There will be lots of time for us now."  He pushed the calm and faith in a future 
through their blossoming link.  Jason felt it immediately and stared in amazement.

"You're going to teach me how to do that, aren't you?"  He stated calmly.  

Nick smiled, then laughed.  "I'm going to teach you lots of things, Jason."  His blue 
eyes twinkled in the lighted entryway.  "We are going to make up for lost time...."  
He turned to his wife who returned to his side and wrapped her arm around his 
waist.  "...all of us!"  Nat hugged him.  Nick turned and placed a soft kiss on her 
lips.  

When he released them, Natalie whispered.  "And you always keep your promises."

Nick turned to his son.  "Now, I think you have a wedding to attend, don't you, 
young man?"  Nick heard the running footsteps and turned to greet the excited 
bridesmaid.

Ellen tried her best to gracefully slow down but stumbled.  Nick caught her before 
she landed abruptly on the ground.  Embarrassed, she turned red in his arms and 
stuttered while Nick helped her to her feet.  "Ah...Ah...I'm really sorry."  She 
brushed her hair out of her eyes.  "It's just that..."  Ellen stared into Nick's blue 
eyes.  The magnetic pull she felt toward this attractive man sucked the thoughts 
right out of her head.

"This is Ellen, Dad.  Believe it or not she's an accountant and a very old and 
trusted friend.  Not at all the flaky, clumsy, airhead you see before you."  Jason 
rolled his eyes in disbelief.  "Oh, she's also the maid of honor."

Nick chuckled while he helped the young woman to her feet.  "Sorry, I forget I 
sometimes bring that out in people."  

Ellen stood transfixed by the man before her.  He was so much like Jason, only 
more.  If she didn't know better, she'd swear he couldn't be a day over 35.  Finally 
her mind found her voice and she spoke.  "I'm so sorry, Mr. Knight.  It's just you 
look so much like Jason, or rather Jason looks so much like you.  You could pass 
for his older brother."  She turned red again when Nick smiled.  When she 
returned her gaze to Nick's, the beautiful woman she'd seen earlier stepped up 
beside him.

"Oh Ellen, this is my mother.  Mom, this is Ellen Dubonne."  Jason laughed at 
Ellen's discomfiture when the red color refused to leave her face.

Natalie extended her hand to Ellen.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ellen."  

Ellen once more was speechless.  Boy, when she decided to make an idiot of 
herself, she did it big time.  The woman before her was the perfect match for the 
man at her side.  Together they radiated something almost tangible.  The warmth 
she felt between them was genuine and the love in their eyes spoke volumes about 
their relationship.  She accepted Natalie's hand graciously.  "I'm so sorry for being 
such an idiot.  It's just none of us have ever met you before and we were all curious.  
Jason has told us very little about his parents except you live in England."  She 
glared at Jason who stood smiling like a Cheshire cat.  "He said you both looked 
young for your age, but he didn't do you justice.  He forgot to tell us his mother was 
beautiful and his dad was a hunk."  Ellen slammed her hand over her mouth in 
horror.  "I can't believe I just said that."  

Nick and Nat both laughed while they reached over to grab her arms.  "It's okay, 
Ellen.  We'll take that as a compliment."  Nat stared at Nick who was chuckling 
still.  "At least I will, and in my opinion, you're right.  Nick is a hunk, but I've 
always been a little prejudiced.  You are going to have to restrain yourself from 
saying those things in front of him though, or it will go to his head."  The mirth 
still in her eyes while she tried to calm the young woman.  "...And men are soooo 
egocentric at times.  We don't want it any worse."

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Knight.  I don't know what's gotten into me."  She straightened 
her shoulders and calmed down a bit as laughter rang out behind her.  Jason 
couldn't control it any longer and broke down laughing hysterically.  Ellen turned 
to glare at him, then back at Natalie.  "Well, I did have some other purpose besides 
humiliating myself in front of your parents.  Kelly asked to see you before the 
wedding.  She started to come out herself, but we refused to let Jason see her before 
the wedding.  Bad luck you know."  She looked for affirmation for doing the right 
things from Kelly's mother-in-law.

"Absolutely, Ellen.  You tell Kelly we'll be right there."  

Ellen excused herself and almost ran back into the building.  Jason came up 
between his parents and offered each one an arm.  "It would appear I'm about to 
get married.  I think I could use some support."  Nick and Nat each accepted an 
arm and walked their son into the castle.

----------   

Kelly waited nervously for Nick and Natalie to arrive.  When the soft knock on the 
door occurred, she jumped.  Ellen let them in and disappeared out the door.  
Natalie smiled and a tear came to her eye when she saw Kelly's gown.  Kelly 
noticed the reaction and the color of the tear and immediately handed her a tissue.  
"I'm sorry, Natalie.  Jason was sure you wouldn't mind."

Nat stepped forward and hugged her soon to be daughter-in-law.  "I'm so flattered, 
Kelly."  She sniffed and wiped the second offending tear away.  "I can't think of 
any other person I would want to wear my wedding gown.  Jason was right, and 
you look beautiful in it."  Nat stepped back and admired the fit of her gown on the 
young woman.  "I must say you fill out the top much better than I ever did."  Nat 
quipped, then hugged her again.  

Nick cleared his throat and both women turned.  "I have something for you, Kelly."  
He handed her a long small box, wrapped in white tissue, tied with silver ribbons.  
She stared at Nick in disbelief, then opened the package reverently.  Inside sat a 
diamond bracelet with a small ruby charm in the form of a crest.  When she looked 
at it closely, she could see that's exactly what is was.

Nick reached over and pulled the bracelet from the box.  Kelly extended her arm 
for him to put it on, which he did gracefully.  "We couldn't decide whether to give 
you something old, or something new, so we compromised.  The diamond tennis 
bracelet signifies the new and the charm is the de Brabant family crest."

Kelly held her wrist into the light and it danced fire around the room with it's 
brilliance.  She smiled in relief.  "Thank you, both."  She walked over and hugged 
Nick, then Natalie.  "I wanted to thank you both for giving me Jason.  I know what 
you two sacrificed to bring him into this world and I can't tell you how happy he 
has been seeing you two together.  I will do everything in my power to make him 
happy.  I just wanted you to know that."  She smiled sheepishly and lowered her 
eyes to the floor a bit embarrassed.  

Nick reached over and tilted her head up so her eyes met his.  "We are the lucky 
ones, Kelly.  Not only do Nat and I have a chance to be together, but we have a 
wonderful son and now...a daughter.  You have no idea how happy we are to have 
you in this family..."  Nick reached over and pulled Nat to his side.  "...such that 
we are."  Nick leaned over and kissed Kelly's forehead.  "Now, unless my ears 
deceive me, they have started the music.  I think you have a wedding to attend." 

-----------

The wedding was flawless and the bride and groom were deliriously happy.  Nick 
and Natalie stood side by side and greeted all the family and friends of Jason and 
Kelly.  The reception started shortly afterwards.  The bride and groom disappeared 
to change and the guests mingled, enjoying Wishmaker Punch and the live band. 

Tracy had waited till last before she walked up and hugged Nick.  "You look 
fantastic, Nick!"  She beamed with joy.  "I thought we'd lost you.  I'm so glad 
things worked out."  She leaned over and hugged Natalie.  "You look absolutely 
breathtaking, Nat.  I see he still agrees with you big time."  Both women laughed.

Nick touched Tracy's arms gently.  "How are you, Trace?  I mean really?"  Worried 
blue eyes met hers.

"Still worrying about everyone else?"  She leaned over and kissed him gently on 
the cheek.  "I'm fine, Nick.  After Vachon left, I pulled away from the community.  
You and he were really my only connection.  I visited Montreal and checked on 
Jason and Nat periodically, because I knew you'd want it.  I kept searching for Mr. 
Perfect."  She smiled.  "I guess I was looking for another you.  When Vachon 
stayed just as he had always been and never grew up, I couldn't deal with it.  A 
year after we thought you died, he moved on.  I hear from him from time to time 
but that's all.  I moved to Vancouver and opened up a private investigation firm.  
It's done really well for me, and I don't have all the backlash from being the 
Commissioner's daughter.  I've found my niche so to speak, and I like it."  Her blue 
eyes dimmed with sadness and she pushed it away.  "Once in awhile I wonder what 
could have been, but I finally came to terms with the fact that it couldn't have been 
with Vachon.  I'm still looking.  So if you see some 50 year old man in need of 
some female attention, you let me know."  She chuckled.

About that time, a neatly dressed accountant from Kelly's firm came by to 
introduce himself to Nick and Nat.  When he'd finished, he turned to Tracy who 
was the original target in the first place.  He extended his hand to her.  "Hi, I'm 
George Ballor.  Can I buy you a drink?"  He looked hopefully at her. 

Tracy stared at Nick and Nat and they shook their shoulders without a clue.  
Finally, she decided why not.  "Tracy Vetter and I'd be delighted."  She clasped his 
arm gently.  "Have you tried the Wishmaker Punch yet, Mr. Ballor?"  Tracy coyly 
asked.  She turned and winked at Nick and Nat before they headed for the punch 
bowl.

Nick stared at Trace and smiled.  "She seems to have come to terms with it.  Better 
than I'd hoped."  

"She was looking for another you, Nick.  She wanted something Vachon could 
never give her and she knew it.  Trace is a survivor.  She always has been.  She'll 
be fine."  Nat put her arm around Nick's waist.  

Nick pulled her into his arms and marveled at her strength and perseverance.  
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?"  He whispered into her ear and 
became lost in her luxurious mane of hair.  He kissed her neck, then licked slowly 
where his lips had been. 

She ran her fingers through his hair and encouraged his efforts.  The feel of his 
lips always enticed her.  Each time they shared blood, their bond grew along with 
their love...but she felt guilty. 

Sensing her distress, he pulled away slightly.   They'd started a new life 26 years 
ago in this building and it hadn't turned out as they'd planned.  "I'm sorry, Nat, 
that things didn't turn out as we planned on that night.  We had a shot at mortality 
together then.  I took that away 4 months ago.  You've always sacrificed so much 
for me and I promise we will find a way to become mortal again."  His sad blue 
eyes met hers filled with regret.  "Tell me..."

She reached up with her finger to silence him.  "Nothing has been sacrificed, Nick.  
We are together, we love each other, and we will become mortal again when we are 
ready."  Bright blue eyes met his with a look of knowledge in them.

"What are you saying, Nat?  All the progress we'd made was negated with the 
poison from the Enforcers.  We are both full blooded vampires the last time I 
checked."  He held her close and waited.

She smiled broadly.  "How quickly you forget...and here I thought vampires had 
perfect memories."  She waited for him to understand but he didn't.  "Nick, think 
back.  We took lots of samples of my blood before you were poisoned.  I froze them 
all, just like I did the original samples of your blood that I used in the Chinese 
cure. Those samples were filled with the endorphins that started the change in your 
blood in the first place.  If we take those endorphins, it will start the change in us 
all over again.   It will take a long time for it to occur...but it will occur.  This time 
we don't have to figure out a way to make me live long enough."  She wrapped her 
arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the lips.  "Frankly, I'm looking 
forward to that slow transformation."  She pressed her body hard into his.  "I think 
we can possibly keep ourselves occupied until then, don't you?"   The wicked gleam 
in her eye brought a smile to his lips.  "Does this place bring back pleasant 
memories for you?"  She asked coyly.

Nick looked at the hallway, smiled, picked her up, and quickly carried her into the 
conservatory.  He placed her feet on the floor and immediately pressed her hard up 
against the wall.  With one hand, he held her in place, the other hit the electronic 
door switch.  Gold flecks dusted his eyes and he smiled wickedly.   

"Nah....but this room does..."  He crushed his lips to hers and ravaged her mouth 
with his tongue.  Nat moaned in appreciation.  When he broke the kiss, lust-filled 
eyes greeted his.  He smiled lasciviously.  "...and I know exactly where I left off!"

The End
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