Disclaimers: These characters aren't mine. I'll mail them back to
TPTB when I'm done. Of course, considering the postal service's
reputation for losing packages...<eg> This story was inspired by
heat, lack of sleep, the blooper script, the imminent return of LK and
the recent conversion day challenge. Judging from my depiction of
Lacroix, I suspect I've been replaced by a pod person. I don't know
any beta-readers, so all mistakes are my own.

Permission to archive on fkfanfic, the ftp site and probably to
anyone else crazy enough to ask.

This is my second attempt at a better ending for "Last Knight." My
first attempt committed one of the cardinal sins of writing an
ending, so hopefully this will make up for it.(BTW, who are Pam and
Bobby Ewing anyway?) I haven't watched LK in about a year and a half,
and have no plans to do so again, so please forgive any
discrepancies.

Thanks to everyone who knew Stonetree's and Grace's full names.



Title:Fade In (01/01)
by Emma Lighton


  Lacroix held the stake over his head, preparing to plunge it
through Nicholas' back. He squeezed his eyes shut, not able to face
what he was about to do.
  Taking a deep breath to help gather his courage, Lacroix started to
bring the stake down. Through his link to his son he could feel
Nicholas' awareness of what was coming and could feel his fear. The
latter emotion surprised him and caused him to alter the target of
the stake. It clattered to the ground next to Natalie's still form.
Lacroix smiled.
  "You don't want this Nicholas. Despite what you claim, you aren't
ready to join the good doctor, just yet. I sense your fear and
your.." Lacroix's voice trailed off as he tried to identify the other
emotion resonating from his son. His thoughts were interrupted by the
sound of the elevator grinding to a halt.
  Lacroix whirled round to face it, as the door slid open and a group
of mortals and vampires burst into the loft.
  "SURPRISE! Happy Birthday Lacroix!" they yelled as the startled
vampire fell back a step in shock. It wore off quickly and he was
able to study the group as they burst into a rousing rendition of
"Happy Birthday to You." The vampires he had no trouble identifying.
There was Janette, Urs, Screed, Vachon, Divia, Alma and Miklos. All
of them were trying to keep their distance from the mortals, or one
mortal specifically. He turned his attention to the mortals and
quickly located Don Schanke by the smell of garlic breath, that was
noticeable across the loft. The other mortals were Tracy Vetter,
Amanda Cohen, Joe Reese, Joe Stonetree, and Grace Balthazar.
  He turned back towards Nicholas, looking for an explanation, as the
group switched to "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," joined by two more
voices. Natalie was now standing and not looking at all like she'd
just been drained to the point of death. Nick, on the other hand,
seemed to be attempting not to choke on the words to the current
song. As the song wrapped up he cornered Nick.
  "How...?" Lacroix began.
  "I'll be happy to answer your questions, after you blow out the
candles." Nick gestured to a cake that was being wheeled in off the
elevator. Lacroix stepped up and surveyed the cake.
  "Not even close."
  "Sorry, Tracy pointed out it would be a fire hazard and with this
many vampires..." Nick trailed off with a sheepish look.
  Lacroix took a deep breath and blew out the candles to a round of
applause. He looked around at all the smiling faces surrounding him
and felt a suspicious drop of moisture creep into his eye. This was
definitely the best birthday he'd ever had.
--The End
---