From v4s@FKFANFIC.COMSat Feb 1 20:39:19 1997 Date: Sat, 1 Feb 1997 20:10:12 -0500 From: Virtual Fourth Season To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Subject: V4S: A Taste of Rebellion (6/8) Episode Number: Forever Knight Virtual 4th Season - Episode #6 Episode Title: "A Taste of Rebellion" "Air" Date: January 30, 1997 Author: Libby Singleton Part 6 of 8 This story is based on characters and situations created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen and owned by Sony/TriStar. No infringement is intended. Copyright 1997 Elizabeth Ann (Libby) Singleton -------------------------- A TASTE OF REBELLION Swearing to get her act together, Natalie managed to balance the two overfilled paper grocery sacks as she dug in her bag, searching for her apartment keys. This dashing around on her nights off was going to be the end of her. If she'd only think ahead a bit, she could get at least a few of the errands done after her shift ended on work days. At least then she'd have more time for some sort of social life. As soon as she felt her key ring among the mass of junk, one of the sacks fell to the floor. Muttering mild profanities, Natalie fumbled to find the lock, unable to take her eyes off the grapefruit rolling down the hallway. This did not bode well for her night off. Before she'd opened the door, a funny feeling of something not being right started to gnaw at her psyche. No, really more like a tingle, she decided. Was that a heartbeat she heard? Somebody's pulse? Get a grip, she thought, you're not hearing a damned thing. Chalk it up to too many vampires on the brain. But something was definitely wrong. Holding her keys one between each finger to use as a weapon if needed, she slowly turned the doorknob. Cracking the door ever so slightly, she noticed a light was on. Of course she could have left it on herself. She often did to avoid coming back to a dark apartment. Had she this time though? She couldn't remember. Drawing in a deep breath to prepare, she pushed the door all the way open. "Do you need assistance with your bags, my dear doctor?" LaCroix said, stepping from the darkened kitchen. "Aaargph," was all Natalie could manage as she stifled her scream. "What the hell are you doing here, LaCroix?" Tilting his head, he said sincerely, "A common question these days." "Now wait a minute..." she said as he brushed past her to gather up the groceries, minus the wayward grapefruit. "You have no right to be here!" Throwing her an innocent smile, LaCroix set the sacks down on the table. "What 'right' is needed? You are practically family." "I...am... a member of your family and...and...the coffee does go under the kitchen sink!" "Forgive me. That is where my Nicholas keeps it," he commented, sounding a bit miffed as he handed her the can. "My opportunities to be domestic are extremely limited, fortunately." Opening the cabinet to put the coffee in its place, she saw the box of cat food and it reminded her of the one item she'd forgotten. Wait, more than the food was missing. "Where's Sidney?" "You have a child?" He was back at the table, examining each item with idle curiosity as he plucked them from the sacks. "No, LaCroix, I have a cat." "Oh, yes. The beast turned vicious so I put him in your linen closet... Aren't potato chips bad for mortal health? As a physician, you should be a bit more concerned about salt." "There's no litter box in the linen closet," she snapped, yanking the bag from his hands. Probably crushed half of them in the process. Natalie hated chip bits. "No matter. He'll sleep for another hour or so." "You hypnotized my cat?" she asked. "In a manner of speaking," he explained. "LaCroix!" "The alternative would not have been as pleasant for the creature," he explained cooly. "If you've hurt Sidney, I'll...I'll..." She thought that was her limit until the vampire pulled out a box of tampons. "You do seem a tad cranky, my dear." "Out. Get out now." "To be truthful, I am here on business of a sort," LaCroix said, removing folded papers from the inner pocket of his jacket. "I'm in need of a diagnosis." Was LaCroix asking for her advice? The novelty intrigued her enough that she took the papers. "Tammy Reese's chart? LaCroix, this is privileged information. How... Never mind, I don't want to know." "It is a copy. I put the original back in its proper place," he informed her, sounding as if that fact made everything okay. "This is meant for only her doctors and parents. I can't just stand here and divulge her condition to you!" "I saved her life, Doctor. Shouldn't I have an interest in her outcome?" "Why didn't you hypnotize a doctor at the hospital?" "I trust opinion." "Excuse me?" Natalie said, totally taken aback. LaCroix replied with a half smile and raised eyebrows. Though she suspected he was enjoying his little game, LaCroix's mannerism gave Nat the impression he was also genuinely concerned about Tammy's health. She looked LaCroix straight in the eyes, forcing herself not to let his returned gaze become intimidating. "You plan to bring her across, don't you?" "Of course not!" he snarled. "Those of tender years have the capabilities of managing such a gift. I've learned my lesson in that regard. I am a vampire, Doctor, not a monster." Natalie moved away a few steps. Nick she could talk down when he lost it, vamping out before her. LaCroix was a different matter entirely. She knew mortals who angered the ancient vampire often ended up as his next meal. "Her blood pressure is good, her heart appears to be sound. Her lungs were a little congested the first night, though they've..." "I understand all that. What is the outlook for her future?" "Just remember, I'm hardly an expert when it comes to living patients," she said, flipping through the papers again, trying to make sense of the bombardment of information. "Her tests all appear to be pretty good. Well, at least under the circumstances. You're not going to like this answer, but I think her doctors are right when they say we're going have to wait and see what happens." "These doctors, are they the best? Experts could be brought here from the United States or overseas, if needed." Natalie attempted to smile reassuringly. "I don't think you'd find better anywhere." Taking the copies from her, LaCroix placed them back inside his jacket. "I must rush to the studio now, for the Nightcrawler returns at midnight. This visit has been most pleasant. We should get together more often." "Don't even think about it," Nat replied, locking the door after he left. She hadn't even managed to walk back to her groceries when there was a knock. LaCroix? A peek through the keyhole proved right. Reluctantly, she opened the door. The vampire held out a grapefruit. "Is this yours, my dear?" "Yeah, thanks," she said, grabbing the fruit. She slammed the door shut. Unable to stop herself, she flung the door back open and shouted, "I am 'your dear'!" **** Bill's gut felt like it was ripping apart. He hadn't eaten anything since the burgers with that cop the night before. As it was, he'd ended up hurling those all over the social worker's car. Really a gross mess. Anne kept stressing it was okay; she'd clean it up. Yeah, like she was going to leave it all over her dashboard. He'd turned down a meal at the group home. The food there wasn't bad. He just wanted to go right to bed. Only when he woke up early the next afternoon did he realize he'd missed that big computer science test. He'd need a doctor's excuse or maybe a note from Anne to make it up. Then the whole world would know he was a ward of Social Services. That'd sure make him popular at school. He'd rather take a failing grade, blowing his perfect grade point average. Life really sucked big time. Now his dad was taking the blame for those little kids. It wasn't fair. The old man tried to make things good for his son. Money was getting tight, yet Bill wore the latest fashions and always had cash for a movie or a compact disk. Life would've been better for his dad if the man had simply given him up when his mother left. Maybe if the old man had been able to work longer hours he'd still have a job. Without the worry of a small child, maybe he would've stayed away from the bottle. If Bill wasn't around, surely his dad wouldn't be sitting in prison. **** Everything was falling apart. What was the use of even trying anymore? The street in front of the CERK station was deserted. All evidence of the wreck was gone. They'd even replaced the door. From across the street, Bill saw a man turn the corner, pausing before entering the tall building. The door swung loosely afterwards, not shutting completely. Bill's return to the scene of the wreck had been to brood. He knew what he wanted to do, just not how to go about it. Guns were hard to find in Toronto. Slitting his wrists seemed gross. Now it was as if the path was being cleared him. There wasn't even a security guard in the lobby. Walking past the sound booth, Bill froze when he saw the curtains were open. Luckily, the DJ's back was to the glass as he thumbed through a stack of compact disks. Bill dashed to a nearby door marked "stairs". A long hike up meant a quick fall down. (to be continued ...) -------------------------------------------- For more information or to participate in the Forever Knight Virtual 4th Season, write to V4S@fkfanfic.com. From v4s@FKFANFIC.COMSat Feb 1 20:39:23 1997 Date: Sat, 1 Feb 1997 20:10:22 -0500 From: Virtual Fourth Season To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Subject: V4S: A Taste of Rebellion (7/8) Episode Number: Forever Knight Virtual 4th Season - Episode #6 Episode Title: "A Taste of Rebellion" "Air" Date: January 30, 1997 Author: Libby Singleton Part 7 of 8 This story is based on characters and situations created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen and owned by Sony/TriStar. No infringement is intended. Copyright 1997 Elizabeth Ann (Libby) Singleton -------------------------- A TASTE OF REBELLION <> "Didn't they announce he wasn't going to be back until tomorrow?" Adam asked, holding out a large cup of cappuccino. "Go ahead, take it. I bought it for you." Nick reluctantly took it, sniffing at the lid. "Smells good, but you know I don't drink coffee. The caffeine really makes me jittery and, believe me, you wouldn't want to see that." "Hey, of course I remember," Adam said, grinning. "That's why I got it. Couldn't decide what flavor I wanted so now I'll drink yours too without feeling guilty. Wouldn't want it to go to waste. Good coffee isn't cheap." Nick laughed. "One way of looking at it." Adam took a sip of his. Great cup of coffee on a clear, quiet night while cruising around the streets in a classic car. Couldn't get much better than this. <<...There's a special visitor at the station tonight, or, more precisely, the station. Perhaps some of Toronto's finest would be interested in a few facts about this young man...>> "Turn it up. This sounds good," Adam urged. <<...He's a boy with an interesting rhythm, marching to the beat of a different drummer.>> "I've got it!" Nick said suddenly, turning off the radio. "Got what? The measles? A sudden case of mania?" "Who was driving the van! It wasn't the father, it was the son!" Nick said, turning the Caddy around in a parking lot. "Simon confessed...besides, he has facial injuries; Bill doesn't," Adam said. "We never had any proof the driver was injured in the wreck," Nick explained. "Natalie didn't find any signs of blood, just hair from various people, including Bill." "Simon, who already has a long arrest record, was protecting his son, who didn't even have a speeding ticket," Adam mused. "Exactly!" Nick exclaimed. "Call Social Services, will you? See if Bill happens to be missing from the foster home. I'm betting that's him on the CERK building." Adam flipped open his cell phone. "How do you know?" "A creature of the night told me." "You mean 'a worm'." **** <> Reese never knew what the Nightcrawler was talking about in the best of times. At this moment, he wasn't willing to give it a try. A flash of his badge to a uniformed officer gained him admittance to the CERK building. LaCroix looked up with a wry grin of recognition as Reese passed by the sound booth. Earlier in the evening, a phone call from Denise brought news of Tammy's improving alertness. Unfortunately, Leonard had already wet the bed, meaning a bath and change of pajamas before going to the neighbors. By the time Reese made it to the hospital, Tammy was asleep again. True sleep, not a coma. Just as he was about to go out of his mind with restlessness, Adam had rung his cell phone to announce the new suspect. Denise wasn't happy that he'd insisted on going to the CERK building. He'd tried to explain all the waiting was driving him nuts. After all, the doctors assured him Tammy's medication would cause her to sleep the rest of the night. Finally, Denise okayed his leaving just to get him out of her hair. Reese couldn't blame her. Sitting still had never been one of his strong points. "Captain, this really isn't the best place for you," Nick said the moment Reese stepped onto the roof. "Maybe not," he admitted. "Let's go find the coffee pot in this place," Adam offered. "I'm staying, Detectives," he said in his most authoritative voice. The bitter wind bit through Reese's coat, adding to the overall discomfort of the scene. Besides Nick and Adam, there were a smattering of uniformed officers on the roof, all staring at the edge of the building where a tall, thin adolescent male stood on the raised ledge. The coatless boy appeared to be looking straight down, his back to the officers. Joe recognized the woman sitting on the ledge about three meters from Bill as Bev Jones, one of the best negotiation experts he'd ever worked with. "How the hell did he get up here?" Reese asked. "Seems LaCroix has a bad habit of leaving the door open during his show," Adam said. "You'd think he'd be a little more concerned about security in this part of town." "Such a trivial worry, Detective Sakai." The familiar voice came from a dark corner near the stairwell, startling Reese. "Pulling the new door shut locks it, making stepping out for a breath of fresh air during commercials terribly inconvenient." "What are you doing here?" Nick snapped. "We told you to stay in the sound booth." "And miss the evening's entertainment?" LaCroix replied. "That isn't funny," Reese said. "Get him out of here if you have to physically drag him." Nick hesitated, then faced LaCroix, staring him straight in the eyes. No words were exchanged, yet LaCroix gave a resigned sigh. "If you insist on , Detective Knight..." "Get away," the boy screamed. "Leave me alone, all of you!" He pushed Bev from the ledge to the roof, then kicked. His foot missed the woman, but caused him to almost lose his balance and go over the edge. He recovered his footing. A few of the cops, Reese included, started to rush toward Bev. "It's okay!" she said, jumping to her feet, backing away. Her eyes never left the kid. "It's okay!" Bill screamed. "My dad didn't do it!" "A wise child knows his father's innocence," LaCroix quipped dryly. "A wiser child denies his own." "Shut up! Just...just let me die." "That won't solve anything," Bev said. "Please, Bill, come away from the edge and let's talk. You really don't want to do this." "Think of the pain on impact, ouch!" LaCroix leaned over and whispered to Reese. "Be quiet," Reese muttered back. "After what this boy has done to your Tammy? Crippled her, possibly for life?" LaCroix said in a louder tone. "Off the roof, Mr. LaCroix!" Nick interjected. "Wait! Is...is that true?" Bill asked, his troubled green eyes meeting Reese's. "Your kid's the one in the hospital?" Reese swallowed, hoping his expression didn't reveal his hatred. "Yes." "Then you should understand!" Bill said. "I'd been to a party. I...I don't drink much, but my girlfriend and I, we'd had an argument, you know, and she stormed out. The guys said it'd help me forget so I...I had some beer. Just three, maybe four. I've seen what booze has done to my dad. I knew better. Just let me jump... Tell them to let me !" "Don't be a fool, son," Reese said. "I'm not going to stand here and watch another young life end." When Bill didn't immediately reply, Reese let him stand in silence, giving a chance for things to sink in a bit. Hell, he was doing a little soul-searching himself. The kid really wasn't much older than Tammy. Obviously scared to death, aware of what he'd done. It hardly made up for the tragedy, but if Bill jumped, Reese knew the memory would always haunt him. Reese took a step forward. The boy lowered his head, shaking with sobs. Reese took another step. "I'm going to help you off that ledge, son." Bill shook his head. Strings of his longish hair stuck to his tear streaked face. "N-no." Reese held out his hand. "Come on." Tentatively, an awkward, long fingered hand gripped his. Reese squeezed tightly, then pulled the boy toward him. Before he realized, he was embracing the much taller teenager. Bill shook in his arms. "Your...little girl," he whispered. "Tammy has a long road ahead of her," Reese admitted. "She's strong, a fighter. She'll make it somehow." The Captain couldn't bring himself to offer any further words of encouragement to Bill. The kid was in big trouble. Yet after Bill was handcuffed, Reese placed an arm around the kid, motioning Nick and Adam away. "Let me take him down." He led Bill toward the stairwell. "What a disappointing climax," LaCroix said as they passed him by. "Sophocles would not approve." (to be continued ...) -------------------------------------------- For more information or to participate in the Forever Knight Virtual 4th Season, write to V4S@fkfanfic.com. From v4s@FKFANFIC.COMSat Feb 1 20:39:27 1997 Date: Sat, 1 Feb 1997 20:10:32 -0500 From: Virtual Fourth Season To: FKFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Subject: V4S: A Taste of Rebellion (8/8) Episode Number: Forever Knight Virtual 4th Season - Episode #6 Episode Title: "A Taste of Rebellion" "Air" Date: January 30, 1997 Author: Libby Singleton Part 8 of 8 This story is based on characters and situations created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen and owned by Sony/TriStar. No infringement is intended. Copyright 1997 Elizabeth Ann (Libby) Singleton -------------------------- A TASTE OF REBELLION "Knock, knock, anybody home?" Nick said quietly, peeking into the hospital room. Tammy was sitting propped up in bed, her mother by her side. The Captain was tilting his chair back against the wall, apparently dozing. "Come in, Nick!" Denise said, startling her husband. Reese sat up straight, smoothing his shirt before looking toward the visitor. Tammy giggled, a hoarse, awkward sound full of life. Laughing, Nick pushed the door open, balancing the gifts he carried. "Didn't mean to interrupt your nap." "It's been a long week," Reese admitted. "Our girl is back with us now, though. Tammy's going to be moving to the rehab hospital tomorrow." "Dr. Lambert tells me there's a lot of good looking physical therapists," Nick teased. Setting the packages on the bed, he knelt and took her paralyzed right hand in his, raising it to his lips for a light kiss. "I pray you do not find another, forsaking my sworn love for thee, my darling maiden." Tammy began giggling again. Denise joined in. Her father, however, simply sighed, shaking his head. "Don't encourage her, Nick. No car dating until she's sixteen and I mean it," he said seriously. "Especially with anyone who drives a convertible." Nick stood and winked down at Tammy. "Let's see if he means it when you go home." She moved her right hand to very lightly squeeze his fingers, the effort obvious. "Not bad! You'll be back on the softball field before you know it." Tammy grunted. She'd have to relearn how to speak. "She wants a violin," Denise translated. "We've promised her one as soon as she can hold the bow. It'll have to be a cheap, used one, but the doctors say it'll be good therapy." "Speaking of promises, here's the 'personally autographed photo' of the Nightcrawler." Nick slid it from the envelope. Instead of the dark, studio version, he'd talked LaCroix into having an enlargement made from a snapshot Urs had taken in the Raven's sound booth before she'd been killed. The ancient vampire was smiling menacingly, probably at a proposition from the woman who'd been one of his favorite dancers. "'To my most gentle listener from the Nightcrawler, a.k.a. Lucien LaCroix,'" Nick read. "You're lucky. I happen to know he doesn't give personal autographs very often and to sign his real name." "Ety," Tammy uttered. "Sexy?" Nick asked. The girl nodded clumsily. He was rather glad he'd refused to bring the 'I spend my nights with the Nightcrawler' t-shirt, opting for a plain CERK version. "I don't think he'd argue with that," he said, moving the other packages where she could reach and open them herself. "Still don't trust LaCroix any further than you can throw a feather," Reese said. "But there's something about him..." "Uh, yeah," Nick stammered. "Something." *** The alcohol rehab center visitation room was sparse but comfortable. Though Adam knew he really had no right to be there, no reason to interfere, Bill had grown on him. It was too late to keep him out of prison, but maybe there'd be a second chance when the kid was released. An attendant led Simon Grogan into the room. The man sat opposite Adam at the table, not making eye contact. "You wanted to see me?" Simon asked. "I want to know why you are back here." "Because the courts ordered me. I wasn't exactly given a choice." Standing, Adam stared down at him. "You don't get it, do you? I want to know why the hell you keep having to back. You know you've got a problem. You admitted it, yet you keep on drinking." Simon glared upwards. "Hey, this isn't easy... not easy. My son is heading for prison." "I know that, Grogan," Adam snapped. "And I want to make damn sure he's got a decent home and loving, father to return to when he gets out. Drinking is not the answer to your problems. Hell, can't you see booze only adds to them? Until you are out of here and prove to me you aren't hitting the bottle, I'm going to be your worst nightmare. I'm going to visit you, see how things are going, make sure you stick with the program." Tears were forming in Simon's eyes. "Want you to know," Adam continued, "I don't like you at all. I'm doing this for your son. I've seen too many kids take one wrong turn and end up lost forever." "Just one thing..." Adam didn't bother voicing a reply. "Thanks." **** Nick sat in the Caddy for a while after pulling into the garage. He could sense LaCroix was visiting, waiting upstairs. After a long, pleasant visit with the Reeses, Nick didn't feel like arguing over his search for humanity, cow's blood, human blood, faith or any other topic. Even if he suggested they simply watch a movie or listen to a CD, LaCroix would find something to use as bait to start a disagreement. When he finally took the elevator up to the loft, Nick found the ancient vampire sitting on the piano bench re- stringing a violin. "Good morning, Nicholas," LaCroix said without looking up from his task. "I thought you didn't like the modern violins." "My usual instrument has a broken tuning peg due to my own neglect. I fear I failed to loosen the strings after the last time I played," he explained. "Not having the Raven to occupy a portion of my time has proved a bit...boring. I've decided to start playing again as a hobby of sorts. This violin will occupy me until its forerunner is repaired." LaCroix raised the violin to rest beneath his chin, then picked up the bow and played a few notes, grimacing. It was badly out of tune. Raising his eyebrows questioningly, he stood and gestured toward the keyboard with the bow. Nick hesitated. "Sure you have time for this? The sun will be up in half an hour." "I'm spending the day with you," LaCroix explained, his tone firm. "You have been avoiding me again lately, Nicholas. Something I hope to remedy." Nick went to the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle. He slammed the door, trying to avoid his master's gaze. Was there a sense of loneliness emanating from his master? Or was this just another attempt by LaCroix to lure him closer to accepting his vampirism? "We've had our difficulties in the past," LaCroix said. "Yet there have also been many good times. Why do you refuse to remember them?" >>>>>>>>>>>>>> "We are above mortals, Nicholas!" LaCroix yelled. "Not below them as filth covered, uncontrolled beasts! We take what we need to survive and to protect our interests, nothing more. We are civilized. We bathe in water, not blood and gore." Nicholas whimpered in the mud between his master's feet and the tree trunk. Reaching up, he tried to grip LaCroix's hand. Kissing the ancient ring often soothed his temper. This time, however, LaCroix grabbed his outstretched arm and proceeded to drag him across the camp. "A bath. Exactly what you'll get before we seek shelter. I refuse to be confined with anyone smelling as foul as you." At the spring's edge, he tore Nicholas' tunic from his body. "No, LaCroix! Please, I beg of you!" "Now you lower yourself to beggary?" LaCroix growled. The younger vampire found himself being thrown into waste-deep water. The thought of a bath did not bother Nicholas. His mother had run a clean household, bathing being a weekly routine. But at home as a youngster, such matters were also personal, with only his mother and sometimes a servant assisting. Even when he bathed with Janette, they did so privately. "It's cold, LaCroix!" "Don't be ridiculous," his master replied, dunking him beneath the water. Though he did not need to breathe, the sensation wasn't pleasant. He was pulled back up by the hair. "You'll drown me!" Nicholas protested, trying unsuccessfully to cough. "We be harmed by water!" LaCroix tore a piece of material from his own tunic, and began scrubbing at Nicholas' face. Pain would not have been the right word, yet he felt as though his skin was being removed layer by layer. Nicholas managed to twist away. "Public bathing is not decent, LaCroix! What if someone were to wander by?" "Dinner." Forgetting his lessons on detecting mortals by sound and smell, Nicholas looked behind his master for any signs of wayward witnesses. The body of his last victim caught his attention. The man's eyes were wide, unblinking and staring straight at him as a black bird pecked at a bug on his cheek. Nicholas immediately tried to cover himself with his arms and hands. "What's wrong now?" "Behind you! He's n...not dead! He's looking at me." "Oh, Nicholas, be reasonable," LaCroix said, reaching across the water. "Can you hear a heart beat? His breath?" The bird took flight. Nicholas grabbed LaCroix's hand. "He moved! I saw him move!" "This is becoming tiring..." The young vampire had intended to pull himself from the spring but underestimated his still new supernatural strength. Nicholas watched in horror as his master fell face first into the water. For a very long moment, it seemed like time had stopped, as if nature herself were waiting to see what had transpired. Had Nicholas thought it possible, he would have said a very heartfelt prayer asking to die immediately. His eternal life was about to be cut very short. When LaCroix arose from the water, his eyes were glowing yellow and his fangs were fully exposed. He stepped toward his creation. "I'm sorry," Nicholas squeaked. "It is too late for apologies." The ancient vampire kept to his advance, looking even more menacing than he had with the stake. Nicholas turned, trying to run through the water. His feet slipped on the spring's muddy bottom, sending him into a mass of water plants. Before he could right himself, LaCroix was lifting him, along with half the weeds which had tangled in his hair. He opened his mouth to plead, but could not find the words. LaCroix stared at him for a moment, face to face, the vampiric features fading. Without warning, he started to giggle mischievously, rearranging the weeds on Nicholas' face so more fell in front of eyes. "Even after twelve hundred years, new wonders abound! A vampire fish, I would not think it possible." Realizing the Ancient's mood had suddenly lightened, Nicholas grabbed a handful of weeds, flinging them at LaCroix. The older vampire dunked him back under the water, holding him down. Finding he could see quite clearly despite the stirred up sediment, Nicholas grabbed his master's legs, pulling him under in kind. The battle continued with flung weeds and splashed water. LaCroix even managed to hit his creation in the face with a large sized fish. "What is going on ? Hmmmm?" In their play, neither had sensed Janette's presence. "Such eternal little boys. All wet in the dirty water." "Little boy?" LaCroix asked. Janette smiled teasingly. "Oh, most definitely. You, LaCroix, are a naughty..." Before she could finish her sentence, LaCroix pulled her in by the ankles. "You...you!" Janette stammered in disgust. "Look at me! My dress is ruined! Nicholas, help me out! Do !" Nicholas looked at LaCroix. His master shrugged slightly. "You heard her." Not giving her a chance to flee, Nicholas dove on her, pushing her head beneath the surface. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> As Nick sounded the first note, LaCroix began tuning. The instrument had a good tone, though not perfect. Odd, LaCroix was usually an excellent judge of workmanship in such matters. As his master played a scale, Nick was able to get a better look at the violin. "That's a student model." "The best available on short notice, I'm afraid," LaCroix replied. "Mine should be repaired soon. At that time, will you post a notice at your office that this violin is for sale? The price will be extremely reasonable." "I'm sure you'll find a buyer," Nick said, returning the ancient vampire's smile. He began playing the piano accompaniment he'd arranged for an ancient piece among LaCroix's favorites. Originally written for instruments like his master's antique, the song had been lost long ago. Unless you happen to be two thousand years old and able to play it for your musically talented offspring. On cue, LaCroix raised the violin and joined in. For the first time in decades, master and son played together. Their music lasted long after the sun had risen. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AUTHORS NOTE: This Forever Knight tale is dedicated to the folks I Bridged the Knight with, especially Judy, Ocean, Laurel, Margaret, Susan and, of course, my husband, Marc. A very special thanks goes to Jackie, who filled me in on the first two seasons of plots when I was a newbie, and Catherine, who supplied me with the same episodes on video. Plus, I mustn't forget to thank Craig for making me watch Black Buddha Part I in the first place! It's all fault. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -------------------------------------------- For more information or to participate in the Forever Knight Virtual 4th Season, write to V4S@fkfanfic.com.