From: amydrag@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca Date: Fri, 4 Jul 1997 10:47:43 -0600 (MDT) To: FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com Subject: Submission Fare Thee Well A Forever Knight / Black Harbour Cross Over By Tammy Morrison ******************************************************************** Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. They all belong to the various powers that be. This is pretty silly, and it's something odd that occured to me when I was listening to the Rankin Family this morning. Placement is after Last Knight (the resolution being that the cure worked and Nat wasn't as dead as she looked) and during 2nd season of Black Harbour when the 'Nazi' history teacher has resigned and Nick Haskell has gone back to LA. I promise I'm back on my meds now, really ;) ******************************************************************* Natalie had survived. LaCroix had flown her to the hospital after he'd seen Nick's clear tears and she'd been transfused with enough blood to bring her back to him. When Natalie got out of the hospital, LaCroix had told them to leave quickly before he changed his mind. They'd run. For a while they just travelled Canada, wandering. A coroner, an ex-vampire and a cat in a caddie. Sounded like the beginning of a bad joke. Then one morning Natalie had ran to the bathroom of their hotel room. Nick had followed, very concerned, he found Natalie hunched over 'the porceline god' wretching. When she looked up at Nick she had a glorious smile on her face. "Time to settle, Nick", she announced, "I'm pregnant." They'd discussed it a good long while, but Natalie wouldn't allow Nick to go back to police work, too dangerous. She knew he wasn't used to being a mortal again and would take to many risks. She intended this baby to grow up with a father. When it was all settled out, it was decided that Nick would become a teacher. Aristotle had told Nick he'd arrange for one last 'life' change, and that Natalie would set up a small private practice after the baby was born. They'd decided they liked Eastern Canada better than Western Canada but Natalie wanted to live by the ocean, so they ended up in Black Harbour, Nova Scotia. ******************************************************************* Tasha came back to school after summer holidays, wondering who her new social studies teacher and home room would be. The previous teacher had resigned as he'd agreed with her mother, Katherine, this year and so the school board had hired someone new. She heard he'd come from Toronto and used to be a cop. To Tasha, on those recommendations, he sounded like someone who should be teaching in her old school in LA. Gabbing with Michael as she entered her home room, she didn't notice the teacher scribbling on the black board. "Hi, I'm Mr. Knight. You're new home room, and you're?" A startlingly familiar voice asked pleasantly. She turned around and nearly dropped her books, even Micheal was gaping. "DAD?" She asked loudly, staring. He smiled broadly, "So that's why I've been getting the odd stares since I got here. 'Fraid you've got the wrong guy, I'm Nick. Nick Knight. Just moved here with my wife, Natalie." Even the amused twinkle in his eye was the same, just he dressed better and had a nicer haircut. "My dad's name is Nick. Nick Haskell. This is just too creepy." Tasha sat down in a desk still stunned. Michael voiced a muted good bye. "So you're dad's pretty good looking, huh?" Mr. Knight asked jokingly. "I never thought so", Tasha responded. 'Ouch, that was a broadside', Nick thought and he spoke again, "So you're dad's Nick Haskell and you're..." "Tasha. Tasha Haskell", she responded, other students were walking in and whispering. Mr. Knight smiled again and shook his head, "Short for Natasha?" Tasha nodded, "You're going to have to meet my wife." Then Knight looked at his filling classroom and spoke up, "Okay, class, as I was telling Tasha here. I'm you're new home room, Mr. Nick Knight, and I will be teaching social studies and music. And before you ask, NO I am not related to Tasha's dad, Nick Haskell. He started right into class with such enthusiasm that he drug every student in the room along for the ride. ******************************************************************* After school Tasha stopped by homeroom to see Mr. Knight. "Hi Tasha", Knight looked at her as he spoke, "What can I do for you?" "I was wondering if you would be coaching soccer too this year?" She asked hesitantly. "Soccer, huh? I'm not really familiar with the game. I take it that was something, the fellow who had the position before me did. Sorry that I can't help." Nick looked genuinely disappointed. "That's okay", Tasha stood just staring at Knight. "Well, I have to get home and help Natalie unpack. Our furniture and stuff from Toronto was supposed to have arrived today. She'll do to much otherwise." Nick closed his briefcase and stood up from his desk, then spoke again conspiratorially, "She's pregnant with our first." "Maybe I can stop by and help", Tasha offered. "Sure", Nick smiled broadly, "And when we're away from school call me Nick okay. I hate the sound of Mr. Knight." They walked from the classroom together and exited the school. Nick hopped into a classic cadillac convertable parked in the lot, waved at her and pulled out turning down the same road as she and 'Nonda walked to get home. She stood still stunned by Nick and then took off at a run to pick 'Nonda up. ******************************************************************* "I don't believe you", Anonda harumphed at Tasha, just within Katherine's earshot. "About what?" Katherine asked. She missed Nick so badly that she'd buried herself in housework, the new restaurant, the boat yard, whatever to keep he mind off of him and their troubles. "Her new teacher", Anonda blurted out, "She says he looks just like daddy." "He does, he could be dad's twin!" Tasha stated as she walked to the fridge and got a glass of milk. "He just moved here with his wife, Natalie. I found out their bought the old MacNeill place up the road from us." "They must have money to afford that place", Katherine commented, "It's like a mansion practically, an old victorian house. We all used to avoid it as kids because of old Mr. MacNeill. They must have been the ones who payed to have it all fixed up over the summer." "Yeah, well I promised I'd go and help them unpack", Tasha commented, "He's really nice and they're expecting their first baby. So he's afraid she'll do to much otherwise. Will it be a problem mom?" "I don't see why it should", Katherine commented, "You can go after supper and be sure to be back before ten, okay?" "Thanks", Tasha kissed her mom's cheek and ran upstairs to get changed. "I still don't think he can look that much like daddy", Anonda grumped. "I don't either, but let's humour Tasha, okay?" Katherine smiled at her youngest and went back to work on supper. ******************************************************************* Tasha walked up the drive of the old MacNeill place and was suprised to see a little white sedan parked out front but no cadillac. She walked up to the door and knocked, and a pretty young woman, short with long auburn hair and sparkling blue eyes answered. "Hi, I'm Tasha", Tasha spoke up, "I promised Mr. Knight, I mean Nick I'd come and help unpack." "Hi Tasha", the ladie said as she swung open the screen door, "I'm Natalie, Nick's wife. He mentioned you might come by." Tasha looked around expectantly and was greeted by an overenthusiastic grey and white cat who bashed her legs with his body and purred loudly. Tasha bent down and picked him up. "Oh Sidney, you big old mush ball", Natalie smiled and petted the cat's head, "Don't let him bully you into petting him, he's a old dear but a terrible flirt. Come on in and sit down, would you like a coke?" "Sure", Tasha followed Natalie into the kitchen where an round, antique dining table and chairs sat covered in boxes and bags and sat down, putting the cat down in the process. The cat walked over and began to munch contentedly out of food bowls. Natalie opened the fridge, one of the state of the art jobs that Tasha hadn't seen since Hollywood and pulled out two cans of coke. "I like to drink mine from the can", Natalie handed Tasha one, "Would you like a glass though?" "Nah, this is fine", Tasha looked around, "You guys have some great stuff." "Wait til you see Nick's big screen TV and stereo set up.." Natalie smiled, "He's out picking up his DTS system." "Wow", Tasha's eyes gleamed, "Can I come over and watch MTV sometime?" "Well I prefer MuchMusic, but sure I don't see why not", Natalie shrugged and chugged her pop. "If you don't mind me asking, how far along are you?" Tasha looked at Natalie's slightly bulging tummy. "Only three months. It's either one huge baby or twins... or I'm just eating too much." Natalie smiled, "Tit for tat though.. Is Tasha short for Natasha?" "Yeah, I guess.." Tasha answered reluctantly and Natalie started to laugh, "Why?" "Oh, because I always used to get called Tasha or Natasha by my grandmonther. Natasha was her name and I was named for her, but my parents anglicized it. She refused to stop calling me that though. At least it's really your name." Natalie smiled, "Well shall we get to work?" "Sure thing", Tasha jumped up as Natalie eased herself out of her chair, "where first?" "Living room, I think. That way Nick can just set up the DTS when he gets back", Natalie smiled and led the way into the living room. ******************************************************************* Tasha had been spending every moment of spare time with Nick and Natalie helping them unpack. Nick was alot like her dad, but happier. Natalie had laughed when she said that and had commented that she wouldn't have said that if she knew him when they lived in Toronto. "So where is your dad, Tasha", Natalie finally asked. Tasha stood silent for a while and then said, "Mom and him are having problems. He's gone back to LA." "Oh", Natalie answered rather lamely. She had guessed that that might be the case but hadn't wanted to bring it up til now. "I miss him real bad", Tasha said the emotion coming through in her voice. Natalie came over and wrapped her arms around the teens body. Tasha sobbed into Nat's shoulder. "Why?" "I don't know Tasha", Natalie stroked the girl's hair, "These things just happen sometimes. Look at the brightside though, they may be seperated but at least you still have them both. My parents died when I was young, my grandmother raised my brother and I." "I guess", Tasha said. "Sure and who knows what'll happen in the future", Natalie commented, "you may be suprised. Sometimes miracles really do happen." Natalie's face was so hopeful that Tasha started to believe too. "Thanks Nat", Tasha said. They continued to dust and set out the small bits of decor left in boxes until they had finally finished unpacking and Nick had promised them a celebratory barbeque this afternoon. "Nick's a great teacher, but there's one thing I'm going to miss", Tasha spoke up conversationally. "What's that?" Natalie asked curiously. "Soccer, we don't have a coach for soccer anymore..." Tasha sighed, resigned to a year with no soccer. "I may be able to help", Natalie volunteered. "YOU", Tasha looked at Natalie suspiciously. "As long as I take it easy, this shouldn't be a problem", Natalie reassured the girl while patting her belly, "I used to play soccer at my high school and then I was Team Captain at college." "Alright", Tasha squealed enthusiastically and hugged Natalie. "What's that all about?" Nick asked as he walked into the living room. "Just made Tasha an offer she couldn't refuse", Natalie smiled and kissed Nick deeply cutting off any further questions from him. "Okay, we'll get back to that later", Nick smiled bashfully, "I have some bad news. I am a horrible barbequer..." "What have you done NOW Nick?" Natalie stood glaring at her husband. "I burnt everything", Nick shrugged, "Good news is, I'm taking all of you out for dinner. We might as well get your sister and mom too, Tasha." Natalie sighed, and pulled Tasha up the stairs behind her, "You can help me pick something out to wear. "This is going to be wierd", Tasha shook her head as they climbed the stair. "Nick specializes in weird. One day I was eating a peanut butter and banana sandwich and he wanted to try it." Tasha looked a little disbelieving that he'd never tried on before but Natalie continued, "Nick's family stuck very much to normal food. You know meat and potatoes. Anyway I made him one and used up the last of the peanut butter. He loved it so much that he wanted another one, but no peanut butter right? Well he created the banana and raspberry jam sandwich..." Natalie stuck here tongue out nd made the 'gag me' motion. "Gross", Tasha's face scrunched up in disgust, "That's worse than the stuff 'Nonda likes to eat." Natalie smiled and pulled a denim jumpsuit out of her closet. "What do you think?" "That's really cute, Natalie", Tasha nodded, "What I meant was I'm gonna love seeing mom and 'Nonda's reaction to Nick. They don't believe anyone who tells them how much he looks like dad." "Really", Natalie laughed, "Well they better get used to him. Nick's talking about buying one of your family's lobster yachts. He loves his expensive toys." "So, I've noticed", Tasha laughed and plunked on the bed while Natalie got changed and ready in the bathroom. "Well, I'm ready", Natalie came out, hair fixed, and make-up done, "You better call your mom and tell her we're coming." "'Kay", Tasha picked up the phone and dialled. ******************************************************************** Katherine was relieved. Tasha had called and said that Nick and Natalie Knight were taking them all out to dinner. She was going to insist on meeting them soon anyway, since her daughter was spending most of her free time with them. Even her brother and sister-in-law was telling her how much Nick Knight looked like her Nick. She still didn't want to believe it. There was a knock at the door and she yelled out, "Coming." She pulled open the door to find Nick standing there. Crying out "Nick", without thinking she threw open the door and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him full on the lips at the same time. He blushed bright red, and withdrew from her grasp, "Sorry. Wrong guy, Mrs. Haskell. I'm Nick Knight. Tasha's new teacher. Hope you're ready for dinner." Katherine stood there gaping, this man and her husband could be twins. Tasha had been telling the truth. "If I can get over my embarassment I will be. Please forgive me." "No problem", Nick smiled graciously, "Will .. Anonda be joining us tonight?" "No, she's out with her grandmother", Katherine said as she stepped out and locked up, 'Thank goodness', she thought, 'Anonda would never take the shock.' "Alright then, let's go", Nick smiled, "I made reservations for us at the Cove." ******************************************************************** Dinner had started out a little strained but soon Natalie and Nick's good nature and vibrant personalities won out and put everyone at ease. Katherine offered to throw the young soon-to-be mother a baby shower and Natalie accepted graciously. Dinner had been excellent and they talked about a multitude of subjects, from parenting to Natalie's practice she wanted to start when the baby had been born. As they finished up, Katherine noticed Vicki going into the lounge. "Mom", Tasha started, "Isn't that Vicki? Maybe you should go and..." "Just what I was thinking Tasha", Katherine got up, "Thank you all for dinner. I have to go and make sure a .. 'friend' gets home from the lounge okay. If you could take Tasha home?" Nick and Natalie looked at each other, "If you could use some help.." Nick offered. "Yeah, mom. I can get home on my own. Nick and Nat are good at this kind of stuff." Tasha got up and picked up her jacket. "I'll go get Michael to drive me home." "Alright", Katherine replied, "but straight home, you hear?" "Yeah mom", Tasha split, kissing Natalie and her mother on the cheek. "So what's the story", Natalie asked. "Vicki has 'problems' and sometimes she takes herself off her medicine", Katherine started out. "And either way alcohol isn't a good idea", Natalie nodded, "Is there anyone we should call?" "Tasha will get him", Katherine stated matter-of-factly as if not wanting to bring up his name. Natalie backed off sensing a sore spot. "Okay so we just go in and keep an eye, til the cavalry comes", Nick gestured to the lounge door. "After you, ladies." They entered the lounge, a band played rollicking country and folk tunes. The woman 'Vicki' mingled and made her way to the front of the stage. The band invited her up and she began to sing. Nick looked at Katherine. "She wanted to be a singer", Katherine explained, "And it's an open stage tonight." Nick nodded and watched. Vicki had attracted the attention of someone who looked very familiar to Nick but he couldn't place from where. Nick continued to watch closely as she came down from the stage. "Maybe we should move closer to the stage", Natalie suggested. Both Katherine and Nick nodded and they moved up. Many stares followed them but the trio was oblivious, only trying to keep an eye on the woman. She been approached by the handsome stranger and he'd bought her a drink, they were now sitting at a table not far from where they were. One of the waitresses came over. "It's your turn", she said. "Our turn?" Nick asked. "No one sits this close to the stage and doesn't sing.. House rules", the waitress informed them. Katherine made a sorry I forgot motion and Nick shrugged pulling Natalie behind him. "Come on", Nick said, "Might as well not break house rules." He climbed the stage stairs with Natalie being forced to follow. "Why the hell not?" Natalie asked exasperated. "We'll have a better view to keep an eye on her from up here", Nick whispered into Natalie's ear. She nodded reluctantly. Nick turned to the band, "Silly question, but do you know 'Fare Thee Well Love'?" The band leader nodded and the music struck up. Nick started after the intro, gazing at Natalie lovingly. "Fare thee well, love Fare thee well, love Far away, you must go. Take your heart, love Take your heart, love Will we never meet again no more?" Natalie looked deep into Nick's eyes meeting his gaze and started her verse. "Far across, love Far across, love. O'er mountains and country wide Take my heart, love Take my heart, love No one knows the tears I've cried." It was obvious to everyone in the bar that this song had special meaning for the two. The emotion that echoed from their voices in the words spoke volumes. It was obvious that the pair had narrowly escaped this fate. Together they sang the chorus. "So I'll drink today, love, I'll sing to you, love in pauper's glory, my time I'll bide No home or ties, love A restless rover, if I can't have you by my side." Nick took Natalie's hand and bent down onto one knee. "Oh come back, love Oh come back, love The sun and moon refuse to shine." Natalie pulled Nick to his feet and sang to him. "Since I've gone, love Gone away love this lonely girl has had no peace of mind." Nick pulled Natalie into his arms and they swayed gently to the music while they sang. "So I'll drink today, love, I'll sing to you, love in pauper's glory, my time I'll bide No home or ties, love A restless rover, if I can't have you by my side." Nick noticed Vicki and the stranger get up and leave together, but he and Natalie couldn't just leave and not finish the song. Instead Katherine got up and followed them out. Nick sang the melody and Natalie sang the harmony. "Fare thee well, love " "Fare thee well " "Far away, you must go " "Take my heart, love " "Take my heart, love " Then they sang together. "Will we never meet again no more?" "Will we never meet again no more?" Just as the song ended the lounge exploded into applause, there were tears in some of the patrons eyes, and Nick remembered where he had seen the stranger before. At the Raven, before Divia... He was one of the young ones that LaCroix housed. "Damn", Nick yelled, vaulting from the stage and began to push his way through the crowd, pulling a wooden beer tap from the wall as he went. Natalie cried out after him but was unable to follow due to the crush of bodies. He had no idea where to look but he checked the alley and then headed down to the docks. He saw them standing beneath, the fellow had already vamped out and Katherine was standing either mesmerized or in horror as the vampire pulled Vicki to him. Nick charged down the beach forgetting that he was no longer a vampire. The young one sneered and batted Nick aside violently as he reached him. "LaCroix's little lost son", he laughed haughtily, "Stupid human now.. Meat for the beast. Don't worry De Brabant, I'll get to you next." Then suddenly there was a flurry of movement and two familiar figures held the young vampire. "He shall never be meat for the beast." LaCroix growled. "Oui", Janette grinned evilly, "You however.." And she drug the offender away to be dealt with. "So Nicholas, still protecting the innocent", LaCroix strode to Nick. Katherine was still terrified but now just cradled Vicki in her arms. LaCroix glanced at them dismissively following his one-time son's gaze. "Do not fear Nicholas, they are safe. We will make sure they are -safe- for all involved. You very nearly caused me to have to kill you as a hunter, Nicholas. Do not -ever- do so again. Stay here and I will make sure that the community knows that Black Harbour is off limits to all." "Thank you, LaCroix", Nick said. "No thank's are necessary", LaCroix smiled malevolently, "I am looking forward to seeing my grandchildren and great-grandchildren and so forth grow up." LaCroix turned away when he heard the young vampire's scream of anguish, looking in that direction, t en turned back to Nicholas. "Do not think however that my motive is a humanitarian one, Nicholas. You see I have decided to watch your line and when one is born that interests me, I will come to him or her and make the offer. I am certain one of your children will have the sense to take the gift that you rejected." Nick gulped, there was nothing he could do. For now he could protect Nat and his children, but later. Time was on LaCroix's side, the only thing he could do was pray that Natalie's good sense was an inheritable trait. LaCroix had turned his attention to Katherine and Vicki and was making sure that the events of this evening were suitably clouded. Finally they were done and LaCroix and Janette took off, when Natalie finally found them on the beach. "What happened?" Natalie asked pointedly. Katherine and Vicki were shaking their heads. Nick mouthed, 'I'll tell you later' but said, "I found them down here arguing, very nearly had to break up a fist fight. Let's take them back up there." "Yeah, Vicki's husband is waiting for her", Natalie informed Nick. "Good", Nick said. He didn't know how to break the news about LaCroix and Janette to Natalie. He'd have to find a way later, but for now Black Harbour was the safest place for them to be. Whatever else, LaCroix would keep his word, here there would be no vampires as long as his ex-master and 'daughter' existed. Finis.