Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 15:39:25 -0600 From: Deb Rowland Subject: Happily Ever After: Nick Disclaimer: The following is a "Forever Knight" story. All characters belong to the creators and owners of the show. I have never written anything but termpapers and they were a long time ago but I got to thinking that no matter what the storyline for "Last Knight" is, quite a few people will be unhappy. This is just my take on how Nick would like the series to end.I give permission for reasonable distribution. Happily Ever After 1/1 Nick slowly awakened to find the room bathed in a strange light. Not sun light...an "otherworldly" glow that eminated from everywhere and nowhere. As his vision cleared he saw an ethereally beautiful woman with long, golden hair apparently floating in midroom.She had the most serene face Nick had ever seen. Before he could even pull his thoughts together she smiled and spoke directly into his mind. "I am your guardian angel, Nicholas DeBrabant. I have been sent to tell you that your attempts at restitution have not gone unnoticed. *HE* has decided that you have atoned for your actions and in reward you have regained your mortality." As the figure faded from the room, Nick raced to the window and opened the heavy blinds. The midmorning sun caressed his face, the warmth spread throughout his body. He heard the loft door slide open and turned to see Natalie and Jannette enter arm in arm. "Nicola" purred Jannette. "Natalie and I have had a long talk and come to an understanding. We have decided it is silly to fight over you. If you don't mind we would like to share you." Nick quickly glanced at Natalie only to see her smile and nod. ""It's true, Nick. Why should you have to choose between us? We understand that you love us _both_." Nick's first supposition, that he was hallucinating, was disproved by the feel of Jannette's lips on his and Natalie's hand caressing a much lower region. The three made their way up to Nick's bedroom for some long overdue fun and games. (No feminist screams please, this is Nick's fantasy - not mine!) Later, much later, that evening Nick was recouperating on the couch from a rather stenuous afternoon. The loft door again opened and LaCroix entered. Nick froze, realizing that he no longer had the vampiric strength necessary to defend himself from his maker. LaCroix stared intently at Nick. "So...it's true. I could no longer feel our link. You have gone back across." Nick drew himself up and faced LaCroix. "Yes. I'm mortal again. If you decide to kill me, I can't stop you. But I won't let you bring me across again. I'll refuse to drink, and I'll die." "Yes, I believe you would" LaCroix sighed. "Quite a lot has happened lately that has made me think. I realize that I've been mistaken from the start. You will never accept the essential nature of the vampire. I'm sorry for the hurts I've caused you.I wish you nothing but happiness Nicholas.I won't bother you or your human friends, but I would hope that you will find it in your heart to allow me to visit you from time to time. I still think of you as my son." Nick examined LaCroix' face intently. After eight centuries he was used to seeing contempt and superiority there. But this time he saw only honesty and regret. He crossed the room to stand in front of his former master. Nick placed his hand on LaCroix' shoulder and smiled. "I believe you mean it this time. Thank you." Nick heard the sound of the door opening again, turned and gaped as Schanke and Cohen walked in. "Wha? Where? How?" Nick sputtered. "Hey partner!" Schanke shouted. "Surprise! We were never on that plane. We took an earlier flight but on our way out of the airport we got mugged. We both had retrograde amnesia from concussions and since our IDs were stolen we didn't know who were were. We've been living together in Vancouver. Then last week we were in a minor car accident and got our memories back. Did we miss anything in the last 9 months?" Nick grinned as the room filled with his friends and loved ones. And they all lived happily ever after.