From: TheBear! <thebear@earthling.net>
Subject: [all-xf] Fic: Incarnations of Immortality by: TheBear!
Source: atxc


===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Chapter 9b


 


Nick's Loft


 


12:30 a.m.  Thursday

 

Scully and Mulder had stayed in the shower, making out, until the water
turned cold.  Mulder thought the art of making out didn't receive the
respect that it should.  The anticipation of what was going to come next
had both of them panting, even if Scully didn't need to breathe.

 

They gently toweled one another off and Scully said, "Nick said that I
could use the guest bedroom."

 

"Nick's a great guy."  Mulder responded.  "Where is it?"

 

"Right this way," Scully said, grabbing Mulder's hand and fairly
dragging him behind her.

 

Mulder only held back at all because he really liked the view he got
following a naked, excited Scully.  He noticed that the wetness between
her thighs was red.  Concerned, he asked, "Scully?  Are you alright?"

 

They were almost to the bedroom door when she heard his question.
Sensing the concern in his voice, she turned around, "I'm fine, Mulder,
why?"

 

"I just noticed that you..." he trailed off, gesturing toward the blood
smeared between her thighs.

 

Scully looked down and was suddenly embarrassed.  "Oh, uh...  I kinda
forgot to mention that..."

 

"What, Scully?  Are you Ok?"

 

"Yeah, really I'm just fine, Mulder.  Uh...  Well...  It seems that blood is
the only body fluid that vampires have," she continued quietly.

 

"Oh."  Mulder said.  He could see that this embarrassed her.  He didn't
mind at all, but had been concerned that she might be injured.  "I don't
mind Scully, really!  I just thought you might be hurt."  He could see
that she was still uncomfortable and decided that actions would speak
louder than words.

 

Scully was momentarily surprised when Mulder swept her up in his arms
and carried her through the door.  He threw her onto the bed and
immediately kneeled between her legs.  Throwing one leg over each
shoulder he dove into her with his mouth and tongue.  Any concern she
might have had about Mulder being turned off by her new condition was
erased by the waves of pleasure that poured over her.

 

Mulder was not at all put off by the taste of Scully.  Slightly
metallic, the blood quickly became his new favorite flavor.  The sounds,
the little moans and gasps she made, they were all the encouragement he
needed.  Soon she was crying his name out and when he looked up he saw
that she had changed.  Her eyes were blood red and her fangs were fully
extended.  She seemed on the edge of orgasm, but would not tip over.

 

"Mulder!  Oh, Mulder!  I need...  I need to..." Scully shouted.

 

Mulder suddenly remembered that she would need to bite him to cum.  He
stuck his hand toward her, offering his wrist.  She grabbed his hand and
bit into his wrist, sucking strongly.

 

The link between the two was re-established and the love and concern
they felt for one another rolled into her orgasm.  Mulder felt her tip
over the edge and felt himself follow her.

 

After a few swallows she released him, momentarily spent.  He was spent
as well, and somewhat embarrassed to have cum so prematurely.
"Apparently the link works both ways," he said.

 

She chuckled at his discomfiture.  I'm sure you will be able to make a
comeback, Mulder.

 

Mulder crawled up onto the bed next to her and took her in his arms.  "I
love you so much, Scully," he whispered into her ear, kissing the lobe
and the area of her neck below it.

 

Mulder's lips on her neck were like an instant injection of fire
throughout her body.  She was suddenly ready for round two in a big way.

 

Mulder noticed the instant arousal and thought to himself, "Ok, the neck
is apparently vampire erogenous zone number one."  he was about to be
disappointed that he couldn't respond as rapidly as he would have liked
to, when he noticed that he too was suddenly and overwhelming ready for
the second round.

 

Scully felt Mulder's raging erection pressing into her side and laughed.
"Ahh, the unspoken benefits of immortality, revealed!"

 

Mulder captured her mouth in a searing kiss and then said, "I think I
just figured out what we are going to do with the next century, or ten."

 

Scully smiled at him and decided to test his newfound stamina and show
off her own apparently infinite ability to hold her breath.

 

Thirty minutes and three orgasms later, during which Scully had kept him
in her mouth the entire time, Mulder decided that he now knew what
heaven must be like.  His recovery time was measured in seconds, not
minutes.  "This is definitely worth getting run over and shot!" he said
after screaming out Scully's name for the third time.

 

Scully had waited long enough.  She continued her oral assault until she
felt him harden in her throat once again, then she pulled away from him
and crawled up his body, dragging every inch of herself across his erect
member as she went.  She captured his mouth in a searing kiss and then
impaled her self on him.  She rode slowly at first and then built up
speed until she was pounding him down into the mattress like a
jackhammer.  His hands on her breasts were tentative at first until she
guided him with her own hands on his.  Soft and sweet would come soon
enough.  This session was to be strong, hard and fast.  Soon he was
torturing her nipples, squeezing and pulling, rolling them between his
finger and thumb.  He screamed out her name until his voice was raw,
trying to restrain himself until she reached the point of no return.

 

Finally she had built up the pleasure in herself until she thought she
would go insane with need.  Mulder arched his head back, baring his
neck, instinctively knowing what she needed.  She could resist no
longer.  She plunged her fangs into his throat and drank the hot rush of
blood in huge gulps.  Through the link she felt his encouragement and
this time she didn't stop.  She felt Mulder release inside of her both
physically and through the link.  Her own orgasm rolled through them
both.  She felt his love and adoration pouring out for her in his blood.
She felt his need so strongly that it made her cry, even as she drank.

 

Mulder's last thoughts as he died were filled with the incredible,
absolute love he felt from Scully.  Love for him alone.  "I am going to
really really *really* enjoy living forever," he thought as his
consciousness faded away.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


The Raven


 


1 a.m. Thursday

 

Nat and LaCroix sat silently in his office for a bit.  "I thought we had
an understanding, Natalie,"  LaCroix said.  "Why are you so unnerved by
my presence?"

 

Natalie couldn't get her vocal cords to cooperate with her, so she just
lifted her hands out of her lap and presented her left hand to him, palm
down.

 

LaCroix saw the ring and immediately understood its significance.  "Ahh,
I see."  he shook his head, "Nicolas is an impetuous child.  He knows
that marriage ceremonies are not generally practiced among our kind.
Yet Nicolas is not one to conform to the mores of our society."  He
caught Natalie's gaze and continued, "Did you think that I would be
angry with you, child?"

 

"No...  Yes...  I don't know..."  She sighed heavily.  "I guess that I was
just worried that you might think I was trying to take him away from
you." she said in a descending voice, ending in a whisper.  "I'm not,
you know."

 

LaCroix considered her for a moment.  "While the institution of marriage
is not commonly accepted in The Community, we do recognize mates when we
see them.  You must realize Natalie that monogamy has a different
meaning among us.  The bloodkiss is the height of intimacy among our
kind, but it is not seen in the same way as physical sex.  Bloodkiss is
shared among males and females alike with no thought to gender.  You and
Nicolas may remain monogamous, sexually, but I will still expect you to
share him with me in the bloodkiss.  You will find that, sharing the
bloodkiss is quite common, especially between master and child."

 

"You're telling me that I shouldn't be jealous of Dana."  Natalie
responded.

 

LaCroix nodded his head.  "But not only Dana," LaCroix said.  "Nicolas
has more than one child, you know."

 

Natalie remained in denial for a moment, "He hasn't seen Serena in
years, and they were hardly close then." she said.

 

LaCroix merely smiled and waited.

 

The thought struck her suddenly.  She knew he had brought her back
across, but she still thought of Janette as his sister/ex-lover.  "I
guess I still think of her as your child." she said with a sigh.

 

"As do I child.  However, we must both face the fact that she is not.
Nicolas is Janette's master now."  LaCroix said.

 

"If she will ever forgive him," Natalie added.

 

"Oh she will... eventually."

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Methos was confused and a little angry.  Something about this policeman
was getting to him.  He knew far too much and seemed able to make him
say things he didn't want to say.  In 5000 years he didn't remember ever
encountering someone quite like this.  He seemed to have presence like
an immortal, but there was no quickening at all, not even what he would
expect to feel from a pre-immortal.

 

Speaking of which, he felt MacLeod nudge him and indicate the
approaching figure with his chin.  It was the longhaired man that had
gone into the office where the roman was.  This time he didn't feel
anything at all.

 

"Excuse us for a moment," Nick said as he and Tracy stood up and walked
several feet away to speak with Vachon.

 

Mac leaned in close to Methos and whispered, "I don't feel it; do you?"

 

"No.  It must have been the woman."  Methos whispered back.

 

Vachon had just told him that LaCroix and Natalie were going to be
joining them when he heard the whispered exchange behind him.
Unthinkingly he whipped around and returned to the table in the blink of
an eye.  "What?!  What about her, what did you feel?"  He exerted every
ounce of power he had, enthralling Pierson beyond even his ability to
break lose.

 

The speed and ferocity of the Detective's approach stunned MacLeod.
"He's just like the guy in the airport," was the first thought to pop
into his head.  It wasn't a quickening, but he could feel the tendrils
of power emanating from this creature like a heavy fog of electricity
sizzling his skin.  He was about to go for his sword when he discovered
that the longhaired man was holding him from behind.  "Damn, I didn't
even see him move," he thought.  He struggled briefly, but it was as if
he was held in place by iron bands.  He couldn't move at all.  He heard
a whisper in his ear.

 

"Relax.  We have no intention of hurting you."  Vachon said.

 

"Yeah?  Well you have a bloody funny way of showing it."  MacLeod
responded.

 

Suddenly another voice startled them all.

 

"If we had wanted you harmed, Mr. MacLeod, you would be harmed already."
LaCroix looked at his son, "Nicolas, I think you might have to relax
your hold slightly.  I do not think that he is able speak at the
moment."

 

Everyone turned to look at the Man and Woman standing at the entrance to
the room they were in.  MacLeod felt once again the gentle wash of
energy that was the quickening of a pre-immortal; so much quieter and
more subtle than the real thing.

 

Methos shook off the cobwebs of his mind, released when Nicolas turned
to look at the newcomers.  He was angry.  He had been absolutely at this
man's mercy.  If Knight had drawn a sword Methos would have been unable
to do more than watch as the blade swung at his neck and took his head.
"Not a pleasant feeling!" he thought.  Then he saw him.  He still felt
nothing, "Wait a minute, what's..." he began thinking.  Then he saw the
woman from earlier and realized that the feeling he had was from her.

 

"Well...  You look different.  Cleaner."  LaCroix jibed.  "Short hair
works for you, I think."

 

Methos resigned himself to the encounter.  He drew himself upright and
looked around somewhat theatrically.  "What, no cross?  I won't know how
to act," he quipped.

 

LaCroix smiled at this man's bravado.  "I suppose something could be
arranged if you wish."

 

"Quite alright, young man.  I think we can do without."

 

LaCroix raised a brow at being described as a young man.

 

Nick became slightly impatient and repeated his question.  "What did you
mean about her?" he said gesturing at Natalie.

 

Methos refused to meet Knight's gaze.

 

"I don't need to see your eyes Pierson, it just makes it easier."  Nick
said.

 

MacLeod jumped in, "What do you know about us?"

 

"We know what the watchers knew."  Nick answered, as he gestured for
Vachon to let him go.

 

"She is like us," MacLeod said.

 

"She will be, anyway.  Someday," Methos said.

 

Tracy asked, "How do you know?"

 

Nick turned to Natalie, "Mulder didn't know he was immortal," He turned
back to Pierson and MacLeod, "How can you tell?"

 

"We can feel each other," Methos began, still not sure exactly what they
knew and didn't know.

 

"Yes, the quickening- the lightning I saw after the beheading, but... you
can feel that even before the first death?"

 

"We can feel the potential quickening.  It isn't as strong, and we need
to be closer, say 3 or 4 meters, compared to about 30 meters for the
real deal," Methos said.

 

Natalie was floored by the news.  She looked at Nick, "But what about..."

 

"I don't know.  We will find out soon."  Nick said, walking over to wrap
his arms around her.

 

MacLeod looked at the collection of people around him and voiced the
question that was on his mind, and he assumed Methos' as well, "Look, I
don't mean to be rude, but are you all vampires?"

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Nick's Loft


 


1:30 a.m. Thursday

 

Mulder and Scully had just finished cleaning up, again, and Mulder was
drinking heavily- Gatorade.

 

Scully was feeling somewhat guilty, "I'm really sorry, Mulder" she said.

 

Mulder finished a half-gallon container of Fierce Lime and turned to
Scully, "I'm not."  He walked over to her and wrapped her in a tight
embrace.  "I would be more than willing to wake up thirsty every day for
the rest of my life in return for what you gave me tonight."

 

Scully gave him a smile that lit up the room.  "You're a hopeless
romantic, Mulder."  Scully's smile dimmed as she thought of something.
It's Thursday, Mulder.  We're supposed to fly back to Washington
tomorrow."  She had a brief moment of panic.  "What are we going to do?"

 

"I don't think we should make any decisions immediately, Scully.  I'll
call Skinner and arrange time off.  We can talk to Nick and see what he
thinks.  Maybe we will even talk to these immortals, if they turn out
ok.  We could at least see how things work for them."  Mulder said as he
looked down at the woman in his arms.

 

Scully looked up into Mulder's eyes and saw concern.  Suddenly he looked
down at her and a look of wonder crossed his features.  "What?" she
asked.

 

"I was just thinking about what you were saying, how we handle Skinner,
the FBI, going back; how do we integrate our new situations into our
old."  His smile got wider, "Then I remembered how difficult it was,
going to work with you every day.  I was so in love with you, and so
afraid of loosing you.  Loosing you to the job, loosing you because I
would give myself away and you wouldn't want me.  I was so desperate for
you, and so full of fear,"

 

"Was... and now?" Scully asked.

 

Mulder's smile softened an his eyes were so dilated that they were
almost entirely black.  "And now; you're standing in my arms, and
holding me.  And, I know that you love me more than I could have ever
thought possible.  I'm happy Scully.  Deliriously happy, and I am
looking forward to being with you, not for twenty or thirty years, like
I used to fantasize about, but rather twenty or thirty centuries, or
more!"

 

Scully graced him with another of her thousand-watt smiles and his heart
just melted.

 

"You fantasized about growing old with me?"  Scully pulled his head down
for a long, lingering kiss.  She broke the kiss and hugged herself tight
to his chest.  "That's so sweet Mulder!"

 

He laughed.  "Well, that wasn't the only fantasy I had about you
Scully."  He leered at her lecherously.

 

"Well," she chuckled, "Tell me the rest later, were going to be late to
the Raven as it is."

 

"Ah, we mustn't disappoint your master."  Mulder said dryly.

 

Scully was immediately worried, "Mulder, please tell me you aren't
jealous of Nick."  Scully searched his face for signs of anger.  "I need
him to train me and get me used to this life, not to mention the fact
that I owe him my life."

 

Mulder felt bad about teasing her, "Scully, I was only kidding.  I don't
understand this thing with you and Nick, but I know it is important to
you.  And, I know that you love me, not him."

 

Scully felt a little relief, but wasn't fully reassured.  "Mulder,
you're right.  You don't understand, and I need you to understand.  Our
lives do depend on my standing in the vampire community, unfair as that
is.  The enforcers would have demanded that you either be brought
across, or die.  Since the former is impossible, we will need his and
LaCroix's protection to keep the later from happening."

 

"How do you know that, Scully?"  Mulder asked.

 

"Let me show you Mulder."  Scully reached up and stroked his neck,
seeking permission.

 

Mulder understood what she wanted.  He would never deny her this, "Show
me, Scully."

 

She lifted up into the air and kissed his neck tenderly.  Then she
willed the change, dropping her fangs.  She slowly sank her teeth into
his neck, savoring the rich taste, the cardamom perfume.  She knew she
was only a day old, but she didn't see herself ever tiring of this.  She
poured everything she had learned from Nick into the link.  She knew it
wasn't as strong as the twin bloodlink she and her master shared, but
she was pretty sure he would get most of it.  She finished with images
of the Nick of now, to counteract the images of his violent past; and
finally ended with her undying love for Mulder and desperate need for
him to be in her life.

 

She pulled away, reluctantly.  She watched in fascination as tiny
electrical currents played across the wound, closing it almost
instantly.

 

Mulder thought he felt her reluctance, and then a flash of wonder.

 

She felt surprise, and wondered why she was surprised until she realized
that it wasn't her that was surprised.  "Mulder?"

 

"I can still feel you, Scully.  Barely, but it's there."  He opened his
eyes, which, once again, he didn't remember shutting and looked down
with love at the face of his soul mate.  He laughed with pure joy at the
sight.

 

Scully realized that she hadn't retracted her fangs or changed her eyes
back and was slightly embarrassed.  Then she felt a wave of reassurance
and delight from Mulder.  "Oh my," she whispered.  she couldn't sense
his actual thoughts, but the emotions seemed to be coming through pretty
clearly.

 

"Are you OK with this, Scully?"  Mulder asked, suddenly concerned.

 

She felt his concern and responded hesitantly, "Are you?"

 

Mulder understood that her hesitation was for him, not her.  She was
worried that he would think it an invasion of his privacy because it was
caused by her power.  "Scully, I am one hundred percent delighted."

 

She could feel the truth in his words, the delight in his heart and once
again thanked God for the glorious gift that He had seen fit to give
her.  "I love you Mulder.  More and more with each passing moment."

 

"Yeah?  Feel up to a short flight?  Wouldn't want your master to get
anxious."  Mulder said.

 

This time she could tell that he was teasing.  "Hold on tight!" she
said, and leapt up into the air.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Chapter 9c


 


The Raven


 


2 a.m. Thursday

 

The last patron left the club, assisted by the bouncer as he could
barely stand upright.  He was put into a cab and sent on his way.

 

The only ones left in the club were Miklos, Alma, and the party in the
back room.

 

Everyone had ignored MacLeod's question.  Nick had remembered what Froag
said to Mulder when he was about to chop his head off.  "That's what he
meant.  He said it was small, but he would take it.  He could feel
Mulder's pre-immortal quickening."  Turning back to Pierson he asked,
"What would have happened if a pre-immortal were beheaded?

 

"I don't know, why do you ask?"  Methos asked.

 

Nick paused a moment, unsure of how much to reveal to this virtual
stranger.

 

"Look, I think we've been more than helpful here.  You come up to us,
claiming to be police detectives, drag us back into this room, assault
us mentally and physically, and then demand a bunch of answers from us
about a subject we don't normally discuss with anyone, and then you
refuse to explain what the hell is going on!"

 

LaCroix was vastly amused at this man's outburst.  "Come, now.  It could
be worse.  So far no one has been hurt here.  And you did come into my
club, looking for me.  You even went to the trouble of flying in backup
from the other side of the continent." he said, indicating MacLeod.

 

MacLeod was as annoyed as Methos, "Look, how do you know so much about
us?  Who the hell are you people?"

 

"Well it's obvious, isn't it?  We know your movements because I had Mr.
Pierson followed since he appeared in my club the other night.  I know
where you came from because my agent saw you come off of a direct flight
from Seattle Washington, we know you're immortal because that same man
crushed your rib cage earlier this evening, yet you sit here sipping
scotch as we speak."  Turning to Pierson he said, "I had you crucified
over 1900 years ago.  The very fact that you're here at all is a
testament to your immortality.  We know about immortals at all, thanks
to your Mr. Froag.  He attacked Nicolas and an associate of his several
nights ago and returned to life twice after being shot several times and
thrown off of a building."  LaCroix said.  "As for who we are, you've
already guessed that."

 

"This associate is the Mulder that you mentioned?"  MacLeod asked
Knight, "What makes you think that he is pre-immortal?"

 

"Was."  Nick said.

 

"Oh...  How did it happen?"  MacLeod asked.

 

"Remember that group of watchers I mentioned?"  Nick continued when
Pierson and MacLeod nodded their heads, "They thought he was you." he
said, gesturing toward Pierson.

 

"Why would they think that?"  Methos asked, believing he knew the answer
already.  "Let me guess, they saw him go into my apartment."

 

Nick nodded his head.  "When he came out, two men ran him down with a
car, trussed him and threw him in the trunk.  They took him to a
warehouse where they discovered he was not immortal and shot him in the
heart.  Of course, he was nearly dead anyway from the car hitting him."

 

"And you saw all of this?"  Methos asked.  "Why didn't you stop them?"

 

"No.  I didn't see any of it.  Vachon got there after they took off, and
he followed the car."

 

Just then Nick felt his daughter approaching, in flight no less!  And
from the emotion he could feel, he determined that she must be carrying
Mulder.  "Brash, impetuous child!"  he thought.  She is going to wear
herself out quickly, and be hungry when she gets here.  "Vachon, could
you ask Alma to bring us some beverages?  and bring several bottles of
uncut as well."

 

As Mulder and Scully landed outside the door to the club, MacLeod and
Methos both stood up, their hands going to their swords in their coats.

 

"Relax, gentlemen.  It is just Mulder."  Nick reassured them.

 

"How do you know that?"  MacLeod asked, not at all reassured.

 

"He is with my daughter."  Nick said.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

When she set him down, Mulder was struck by an intense sensation, unlike
anything he had ever felt before.

 

Scully caught part of it through her link and immediately changed.
"What the hell ish that?" she lisped out through her fangs.

 

"I don't know!"  Mulder said.  Slowly the feeling became more bearable,
until it was like a hum in the back of his mind- he was aware of it, but
not distracted by it.

 

Scully figured out that it must be the quickening that the watcher
memories had referred to.  "It's the quickening, Mulder.  It tells you
when other immortals are near."

 

"Early warning radar, huh?"  he responded.  "Well that's just about the
weirdest thing I've ever felt before. Must be Pierson and his partner."
Mulder said.

 

Scully felt her master reach out to her through the link.  "Nick and the
others are with them," she informed Mulder.  "He's mad at me for flying
you here.  I'm not tired, why would he think that?" she trailed off, her
eyes unfocused as she silently communicated with her master.

 

When her focus returned, Mulder asked, "So, he's mad at you?"

 

"He thinks I overexerted myself by bringing you all the way here by
air."  Scully said.

 

"Did you?"  Mulder asked, concerned.

 

"No!  I'm not tired at all.  In fact I'm not even extremely hungry.  He
seemed to think I would be."  she said.

 

"Well, lets go in and face the music.  Why do I feel like a teenager
that is bringing back his date to her father past curfew?"  Mulder asked
her.

 

Scully laughed, but felt not dissimilar at all.  Bracing herself she
entered the Raven, Mulder in tow.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

"Your daughter?"  Methos asked.  Knight didn't look old enough to have a
daughter of sufficient age to be running about by herself.  He couldn't
picture vampires having children, "but what do I know?" he thought

 

"Yes.  Her name is Dana Scully."  Nick said just as she and Mulder
walked into the room, Alma in tow, carrying a tray of glasses and
several bottles.  "Dana, Mulder, this is Adam Pierson and Duncan
MacLeod."

 

Hello's were exchanged and Methos turned back to Knight wanting to press
him to continue the story.

 

Nick watched as Dana took a glass of the uncut blood and sipped at it.
He pressed into the link they had looking for fatigue, hunger, and
making sure she was in control around these mortals "Well, non-vampires,
anyway" he thought.  He found that she was just fine.  "Are you sure you
really flew yourself and Mulder all the way here?" he asked through the
link.

 

Dana was surprised by the question.  "Yes, of course I'm sure!  Do you
think I am lying?"

 

"You should be exhausted by such a trip.  You're only a day old, Dana!"
he practically shouted at her through the link.  "Don't be in such a
hurry to exercise your powers until you and I spend more time together
on them." he rebuked.

 

"Well, I feel fine.  But, I will do as you say." she responded, somewhat
irked.

 

Methos and MacLeod watched the silent exchange with curiosity.  Mulder
was catching all Scully's emotions, as well as some of Nick's.  The
others watched in varying degrees of amusement.

 

Nick realized everyone was watching him.  "Well," he said turning back
to Methos and MacLeod, "as I was saying, these watchers had Mulder
chained up in the trunk, Vachon had followed them to a warehouse not far
from where I live.  By chance Dana and I were outside and she saw
Vachon.  She went to the warehouse and got there in time to see them
shoot Mulder."

 

MacLeod and Methos noticed that Dana had her head down, observing her
hands while Mulder had one arm wrapped around her and his other
caressing her arm.

 

"Anyway," Nick continued, "When Mulder came back we knew he was like the
man we had fought on the rooftop.  Your Phineas Froag."

 

Mulder choked a bit at the name, "Phineas Froag?  What the hell kind of
name is that?" he asked.

 

"South African."  Methos mumbled.

 

MacLeod still didn't think things added up, "That doesn't explain how
you knew about watchers, quickening, and the game."

 

LaCroix smiled widely and commented, "Actually, as I understand it, my
Granddaughter extracted that information," he said, indicating Dana.

 

MacLeod asked, "How exactly do you mean that?  Your granddaughter; can
vampires have children?"

 

"Nicolas is my Child.  Dana is Nicolas' Child, my granddaughter."
LaCroix answered.

 

"Well, that's as clear as mud."  MacLeod said.

 

"Nick made me a vampire."  Scully said.  "He's my maker."

 

The two immortals absorbed that information for a moment.

 

"How did you persuade the hunters to tell you about us?"  Methos asked
her.  "And what did you do with them?"

 

Scully dropped her head into her hands.  She was embarrassed.  She was
annoyed with herself for being embarrassed.  "I viciously killed a dozen
men, and I'm embarrassed!" she thought.

 

LaCroix was proud of his granddaughter's instincts and abilities, "One
day old, and she has both power and control.  She may have been made by
chance, but she was a worthy addition to his family.  Far better than
that whelp Serena, whom Nicolas had made through a foolish
misunderstanding," he thought.  If Natalie had even half of Dana's
potential, his family would be one of the most potent in The Community.
"Yes, Dana," he said aloud.  "Tell us what happened, I have only heard
third-hand accounts."

 

It may have been said with humor, but she heard the command behind the
banter.  She looked at Nick and saw resignation on his face.  "Go ahead"
she heard through her link.

 

"I... I don't really...  I didn't really think at the time."  She ran her
hands over her face, rubbing her eyes, and then up over her head,
through her hair.  She decided to approach it clinically, the same way
she would describe an autopsy, divorcing her feelings from the horror of
the situation.  "I had just landed outside the window.  I saw Mulder,
propped up in a chair.  He was severely injured, barely alive.  Then one
of them, Jimson, shot him in the chest.  The one who gave the order, was
named Perone...  Anyway, I saw them shoot Mulder and I lost it.  I went
through the window and..."  She paused and had to take a deep breath.  She
felt Mulder's reassurance through their burgeoning link.  She also felt
Nick's compassion and understanding.  "I...  tore them up, I guess.
Perone was the only one I drained.  That's how I knew about immortals,
from his memories."

 

MacLeod looked at this little slip of a girl before him.  She was
dwarfed by her lover, in whose arms she was wrapped.  He had a hard time
picturing her killing a dozen men with her bare hands.  "You killed them
all?  Why didn't they shoot you?"

 

Nick was himself torn between paternal pride that his child was so
powerful, and concern over her loss of control.  Of course the cause in
this case was completely understandable.  If Natalie had been attacked
so, he knew without a doubt that he would tear through a hundred men if
necessary.  He responded to MacLeod's question, "They didn't have time,
Mr. MacLeod.  I believe you have seen for yourself the speed at which we
can move when necessary."

 

LaCroix decided to change the subject, "You called me 'young man' Mr.
Pierson.  May I ask why that particular appellation?"

 

"Unless the legends are wrong, your kind cannot go out in the daylight.
It was daylight when we last met, so I assumed that you were not yet a
vampire at that time."  He waited for LaCroix's confirming nod and
continued, "That would make you, what, not quite 2000 years old?"

 

"Whereas you would be..."  LaCroix began.

 

"Older.  Let's just say I was around a long while before that."

 

Mulder asked, "Do we become stronger with age, like vampires?"

 

"No.  The more quickenings we absorb, the stronger we become.  Age of
itself is meaningless." Methos explained.  "One can develop more skill
and experience with age, but it is not automatic.  MacLeod could defeat
me in a fight because I have only infrequently engaged in combat.  In
fact, up until the last several years, I had not been in the game for
over 2 centuries."

 

"How old are you, Mr. MacLeod, if I might ask?"  Tracy said, curious.

 

"I was born in 1591," he said.  "AD." he added.  Then he asked the
group, "How much stronger do vampires get as they age?"

 

LaCroix said, "It depends on the individual, but large differences in
age usually indicate large differences in strength and ability.  So
Nicolas, who is 8 centuries old, is much stronger than Vachon, who is
not quite 5.  A new fledgling is virtually powerless- quite vulnerable
under most circumstances."

 

"Mulder, if I might ask, How is it you became involved in this group?
If you just tonight realized that you are immortal... how long have you
been together?"  he asked, indicating his arm around Dana.

 

"Scully and I work together.  We've been partners for 7 years."  Mulder
answered.

 

"You're cops too?  Toronto PD has a large vampire contingent, does it?"
Methos asked, wryly.

 

Scully responded, "Actually, Mulder and I are agents of the FBI."

 

Mulder added, "We came here for a conference this week."

 

"But you're Nick's child?  so you knew..."  MacLeod began.

 

"It's a long story, but the short version is that I have been a vampire
for," she looked at her watch, "almost exactly 24 hours."

 

Mulder added, "We only met everybody here this past week."

 

"Fickle fate has brought us all together here today," LaCroix said.

 

MacLeod looked at Tracy, "How long have you..."

 

"I'm still mortal, for now," Tracy answered his unfinished question.
"Mortals aren't allowed to know about Vampires.  Those who find out are
made to forget.  Those who cannot be made to forget either join or die,"
she said, this time answering his unspoken question.

 

He turned to Natalie, "What about you?  You're mortal."

 

She answered, "I was planning on coming across very soon.  We will have
to see what happens when we try," she said reaching for Nick's hand.

 

"Apparently those who have already gone through their first death cannot
be brought across."  Nick added.

 

"How do you know that?" MacLeod asked.

 

Scully couldn't blush anymore, but that wasn't true of Mulder.  Nick
took one look at him and shouted for Alma, "Alma, could you bring Agent
Mulder a glass of Orange Juice?  Better make it a double."  He looked at
Scully and whispered, "How much did you take?"

 

If she could have blushed, she would have been scarlet now.  "Uh, all of
it...  I think."

 

Mulder stepped in to defend her, "I asked her to.  It was the most
incredible experience of my life." he said with a smile.

 

Natalie looked at the two of them, so obviously in love, and was filled
with joyous anticipation for her own transformation, "Either way, we
will have forever, Nick." she said looking into his eyes for acceptance.

 

Nick looked back into Natalie's eyes and answered her unspoken plea,
"Either way, I will love you forever Natalie."

 

"Not to intrude," MacLeod began, "but you will need to find a mentor to
train you, Mulder.  You're in the game now, whether you want to be or
not.  Unless you plan to spend the next thousand years on holy ground,
you will have to fight to survive."

 

"Holy ground?"  Mulder asked.

 

MacLeod looked pointedly at Scully, waiting to see if she knew the
answer.

 

"Uh... the memories are almost gone."  She said, discovering it for the
first time herself.  Concentrating on the fading memories she had taken
from Perone, she said, "Immortals do not fight on consecrated ground."
She thought for a moment more and added, "I don't know why not, but they
don't."  She looked at MacLeod and asked, "Why not?"

 

Methos answered, "We don't really know what will happen if that rule is
broken, legends say that the last time two immortals fought on holy
ground was in the oracle's cave south of Herculaneum in 79AD.  No one
knows if it is true, but I have yet to find an immortal that will break
that rule, even those who break all of the others."

 

LaCroix broke in, "Are you saying that an immortal battle on consecrated
earth caused Vesuvius to erupt?!"  He demanded.

 

"No, I'm saying it is a legend among us.  That's all."  Methos answered.

 

"There are rules to immortality?"  Mulder asked, still thinking about
Methos earlier statement.

 

It was MacLeod who answered, "There are a few, and adherence to them is
demanded by honor, but there are as many dishonorable individuals among
immortals as there are among mortals."  He paused for a moment before
offering, "I would be willing to get you started until a mentor can be
found, but I'm not certain that I am willing to take on a student right
now."  He continued before anyone could question him, "We may need to
find someone for Natalie as well, depending."

 

Methos saw Mulder about to protest and added, "There are those who hunt
the young because they are easy kills.  Their quickening is not as
strong, but they can get more of them.  The good news is that those
people are not very skilled, because they don't have to be.  You will
need training if you want to survive."

 

Tracy was slightly appalled by this attitude, "Is that what you all do?
Go around hunting each other?"

 

"Not at all, Tracy."  MacLeod answered.  "As Adam mentioned, he has not
been in the game for centuries, preferring to avoid conflict and spend
his time studying and doing research.  I only fight when challenged, or
in rare cases when I feel that an immortal is presenting a threat to my
friends or community."  MacLeod chose not to elaborate on that issue.
"Many of us have lives we enjoy, we exist within a segment mortal
society for a decade or so and then move on before it becomes obvious
that we are not aging."

 

Tracy was not reassured, "But you said you were looking for this Froag
person, and you didn't sound like you were looking to sit and have a
pint with him," she pressed.

 

"Scott was my friend.  Froag hunted him down all the way from South
Africa, just because he wanted his quickening.  If someone killed your
friend, wouldn't you want him or her to pay?"  When he saw she was going
to protest, he added, "Froag is immortal, the courts cannot dispense
justice to such as him.  Even if he was convicted, all he has to do is
commit suicide, and he is out.  I imagine it is the same in the vampire
community- justice among immortals is handled by immortals."

 

Tracy, having participated- indirectly- in vampire justice, could'nt say
anything to that.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

By about 4 a.m. Methos and MacLeod could no longer hide their yawns.
LaCroix suggested that they should call it a day.

 

Mulder looked at MacLeod and Pierson and said, "Scully and I have a
couple rooms at the Plaza that we won't be using.  I'll get our stuff
packed up if you two want them.  They are paid through Friday."

 

"I have a place," Methos began.

 

Mulder interrupted, "Yeah, I've seen it, remember?"

 

MacLeod laughed, imagining Methos' rather spare style.  "Let me guess, a
bed and a chair?"  at Methos' annoyed look he continued, "I'll take the
Plaza."

 

Nick said, "Natalie and I will take Dana back to the loft, you can meet
us there, Mulder."

 

Mulder wanted to protest, but felt Scully willing him not to, and
swallowed it back down.  "Ok.  I won't be long," he said to her,
sweeping her up into his arms and planting a deep kiss on her mouth,
leaving her anticipating his return.

 

Vachon grabbed Tracy's hand and placed a sensual kiss on her palm.
"Come home with me?" he whispered to her.

 

Tracy shivered with anticipation; the feel of his cool lips on her hot
palm were like the sensation of fire and ice.  "I- I have to go back to
the precinct and sign out.  I'll meet you at the church."

 

Vachon leaned in close to her ear and said, "Why don't you see if you
can arrange some time off.  I think you and I have some things to
discuss.  Depending on what you decide, you might want to think about
taking a vacation." he growled in her ear.

 

Tracy turned beet-red and felt a shock of electricity shoot straight out
from her center to her extremities.  Her fingers, toes and scalp were
tingling and she was suddenly sweating.  "I'll be there as soon as I
can, Javier," she whispered back, not trusting her voice.  Her decision
was already made, and it only remained to be seen if Vachon felt the
same for her.  If this behavior was any indication, she was pretty
confident that he did.

 

LaCroix watched Vachon and Tracy's behavior and guessed that The
Community would have another addition as early as tonight.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====


Chapter 10a


 


4:15 a.m. Thursday December 14th

 

Nick and Natalie were in the front of the caddie while Scully was in the
back.  If Nick was trying to reinforce the whole parent/child feeling,
he was accomplishing it handily.  She felt like a twelve-year-old child.
She had to keep herself from reacting like one.  "Nick, why were you
upset that I flew to the Raven with Mulder?"  She asked.

 

"Dana, a fledgling vampire shouldn't be able to do what you did.  It
should have exhausted you, and I was concerned that you would lose
control and have to be restrained."  He looked at her in the rearview
mirror for a moment.  She still looked small and fragile, but he knew
that was a mistake, she was very strong for her size and age.  "The only
thing I can guess that might explain it is Mulder.  You said you drained
him?"

 

She was still embarrassed by this subject matter, but she answered.
"Yes."

 

"Had you consumed that much vampire blood you would have been similarly
strengthened.  His Immortal blood must have fortified you beyond what a
mortal's would have," Nick said.

 

Scully smiled, "Well, if he has anything to say about it, I'll be
enjoying a meal like that on a daily basis."

 

Natalie laughed, "I know how he feels.  Vampire stamina is a wonderful
thing." She said cattily.

 

Scully laughed at the embarrassment she felt from her master.  "Now you
know how I felt," she thought to him.  Out loud she said, "I have found
that immortals have pretty amazing stamina as well."

 

"Oh?" Natalie asked, clearly wanting more detail.

 

"Let's just say that his ability to come back from the dead in seconds
carries over to all aspects of his life now."  Scully said with a leer.

 

Natalie choked with surprise and laughter.

 

Nick said, "Alright girls, you're going to make me blush here!"

 

Natalie and Scully laughed the rest of the way to the loft.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Mulder paid the cabbie an extra $50 to get him there fast.  He quickly
packed up his and Scully's things and went back down to the cab.  He
stopped in the lobby and gave the keys to Pierson and MacLeod.

 

"Duncan, I appreciate your offer- training, I mean.  If you don't want
to take on a student though, I don't want to impose." Mulder began.

 

"I don't want you to be alone while Froag is about.  I will get you
started, and then we'll see."  MacLeod smiled and added, "I've never
lived in Toronto before."

 

That comment stopped Mulder dead in his tracks.  "Uh. How long does it
usually take?"

 

"What, training?"  MacLeod asked.

 

"Yeah."

 

"Well the basics can be covered in eight months to a year.  True
proficiency can take several years," MacLeod said.

 

"Oh.  Ahh. I still have a job in DC."

 

"You have to leave that life behind."  MacLeod said gently.

 

"Why?  No one knows I died."  Mulder said.

 

Methos laughed, "No one living, you mean."

 

"That's true.  I have actually never encountered someone who died in
such a way that no-one knew they had died."  MacLeod thought for a
moment.  "You have some decisions to make, Mulder.  You will be very
vulnerable in such a high-profile profession.  And, it will be virtually
impossible for you to be adequately trained while working."

 

"Scully and I need to talk.  We don't know how it's going to work with
her condition either.  It will be difficult to work as a field agent
when she cannot go out in the daylight."  Mulder said.

 

"Why don't you think about it for a couple of days.  We will meet you at
the Raven on Sunday, and you can let me know what you have decided.  We
can look into some options in the mean time."  MacLeod added, "If you
see Froag, don't think you can take him, get the hell away from him and
call us."

 

"Don't worry, I'll save him for you two." Mulder said with a smile.  He
didn't think he had to worry with Scully around.  She would eat him for
lunch. "literally" he thought.

 

As he turned away to leave Methos asked him one last question.  "By the
way Mulder, why did you have 2 rooms?" Methos asked.

 

"We still needed 2 rooms when we got here."  Mulder said enigmatically,
and left.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Toronto Homicide, 96th Precinct


 


The first thing she heard when she went in to the precinct was the voice
of Captain Reece shouting, "Vetter!  Where the hell have you been?"

 

"I had to hunt down a couple of sources, captain, but I think we may be
able to ID the decapitation victim."  Tracy said as she breezed into his
office, closing the door behind her.

 

"That's not your case." Reece started to say, raising his eyebrows at
the closed door.

 

"I know captain, but I already wrapped up all of my paperwork, and with
Nick at the conference we don't have any outstanding cases."  Without
stopping for breath Tracy pressed on, "Actually, captain, I was hoping
to take some vacation, seeing as how things are kind of slow, and I
don't have anything else going on.  Plus, I think Nick is going to be
asking for some time pretty soon as well so now would be perfect."

 

"Vetter.  Vetter!  Breathe, dammit!  I can't get a word in edgewise with
you."  Reece said, annoyed.  "What makes you think Nick will be asking
for time off?"

 

Tracy smiled conspiratorially, "Well, you didn't hear it from me, but I
noticed that Natalie is wearing some new jewelry," she said while
holding up her left hand and waggling her ring finger.

 

Reece leaned back in his chair, "No.  You're kidding me," he said.

 

"Nope.  Serious as a heart attack, cap," she said with a giant grin on
her face.

 

"Finally pulled his head out, huh?"  Reece mumbled.  "I wonder who won
the pool?"

 

"We shouldn't say anything until he goes public, He'd kill me if he knew
I told you."  Tracy said, only half joking.

 

"All right, I'll see you a week from Monday.  Now get out of here!"
Reece blustered.

 

Tracy snapped to attention, "Yes Sir!" she said, and then took off
whistling, 'Get Me to the Church on Time' from 'My Fair Lady'.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Nick's Loft


 


The cabbie broke a few more traffic laws on his way to the loft.  Mulder
felt like a giddy schoolboy.  He couldn't wait to hold Scully in his
arms again.  His career might be over, the X-files might end up
officially closed down, and his girlfriend might never be able see the
sun again, but he couldn't help thinking in that moment that life was
sweeter than he had ever imagined would be possible.  He decided right
then to dedicate the rest of his long, long life trying to make her as
happy as she made him.

 

Scully could actually feel Mulder getting closer.  There was an almost
overwhelming sense of joy saturating their link.  Even Nick could feel
it.

 

He was shocked.  "You have a link with Mulder?" he asked, interrupting
her in the middle of her description of flukeman to Natalie.

 

Natalie had wondered why Dana was getting a broad, goofy smile on her
face as she was describing the genetic mutation that led to a
human/fluke worm cross that was killing sewer workers and implanting
them with parasitic larvae.

 

Scully was startled by the abrupt question.  "Was I not supposed to do
that?" she said, bewildered.

 

Natalie laughed, Dana looked exactly like a guilty teenager who was
caught by her father kissing a boy.

 

Nick was irked by his own reaction.  "Sorry, Dana.  No, of course you
didn't do anything wrong.  It's just not supposed to be possible.  Even
if Mulder were another vampire, you shouldn't be able to establish a
bloodlink with him, except when you are actually exchanging blood.
Especially in one day!"

 

Well, it isn't like ours, Nick.  It's mostly just feelings, not actually
thoughts."  Scully said.

 

Nick continued, "Such links usually only exist within bloodlines, and
take time to develop after sharing the bloodkiss many times.  You
haven't exchanged blood with Mulder.  Have you?"  Nick asked suddenly
curious.

 

Scully definitely liked one aspect of vampirism.  Her childhood curse of
blushing at the drop of a hat was erased forever.  "Not really," she
said.  "Not like you and I have, if that is what you mean."

 

"What do you mean not really?"  Nick asked, clueless.  "Either he has
consumed your blood, or he hasn't."  Nick said.

 

Scully was mortified.  Imagine trying to explain to your father how your
boyfriend went down on you and 'performed cunnilingus' and you might
have the idea.

 

Natalie actually thought she saw a very brief blush on Dana's cheeks.
She too was baffled as to what could be so emb. "Oh, I get it."  She
thought to herself.

 

"Nick, remember when you told me that vampires only bodily fluid was
blood?"  Natalie asked.

 

"Yes, so?"

 

Natalie arched her eyebrows and waited for comprehension to sink in.

 

It finally did.  "Oh. Sorry.  Uh, I wonder if a, uh, more conventional
exchange, might strengthen it."

 

"But Mulder isn't a vampire," Natalie said.  "What if he, I mean, uh."
she trailed off.  There wasn't really any polite way to ask whether
Mulder would enjoy the taste of blood, especially given that he had
already indulged, so to speak.  "Never mind."

 

Just then Mulder came in from the elevator, carrying an armload of
luggage.  He dropped the bags and swept Scully into his arms, kissing
her soundly.  "Hi." He said.

 

Scully found herself matching Mulder's exuberance.  "Hi," she said
breathlessly.

 

Natalie was feeling a little 'exuberant' herself.  "You know, Nick, I
think Dana can broach the subject.  You and I have some very important
issues to discuss.  Upstairs.  NOW!"

 

Nick turned to Mulder and Scully and said, "You kids have fun.  See you
in the afternoon."  Then he grabbed Natalie, tossed her over her
shoulder and flew upstairs, with Natalie screaming in delight.

 

Scully held her hand up, interrupting Mulder before he could say a word.
"Mulder, in less than an hour the sun will rise.  I will be out like a
light until sunset.  We can talk or we can." she trailed off with a
smile.

 

Mulder smiled, leaned in for a soft tender kiss, and then followed
Nick's example- running rather than flying.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


International Plaza Hotel


 


6:30 a.m. Thursday.

 

Methos and MacLeod decided that they would hit the mini-bar and
decompress a bit before crashing for the morning.

 

"I wonder what I will find out about the world in another five
millennia." Methos commented.

 

MacLeod chuckled and said, "Well, they say it is the information age."

 

"No, I am quite serious.  I had always thought of myself as a rather
cosmopolitan fellow.  I've been everywhere, seen everything."  He
sighed, "It's one thing, MacLeod, to see new inventions and innovations,
those have come on and off for my whole life.  It is another thing
entirely to find out about an entire race of beings that has been here
for at least as long as I have and I never knew it.  Not just a couple
of individuals, but an entire race.  How many other myths are true?
Will I be shocked if we meet a werewolf or, I don't know, a Mummy?"

 

"Come on, Methos.  Do you really think werewolves and animated mummies
really exist?"  MacLeod scoffed.

 

"Of course not!  But, that's the point, isn't it?  A week ago I would
have given you the same answer about vampires.  I would have laughed at
you for even asking the question."  Methos answered, standing up and
saying "I'm going to go try to sleep."  With that he headed for the door
connecting their rooms.

 

"Well, you will just have to take comfort in the fact that they
apparently didn't know about us, either."  MacLeod tried to cheer up his
friend.

 

Methos paused for a moment and looked back, sadly, at his young friend,
"The difference, MacLeod, is that they didn't discover a race of beings,
any one of whom, could kill them without breaking a sweat.  We did."

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====


Chapter 10b


 


Nick's Loft


 


"You want to try what!?" Mulder demanded.

 

He and Scully had worked out their initial sexual tension in a fast and
furious bout that took advantage of the rapid healing properties of both
of them, generating enough force that, had either been mortal, a visit
to the emergency room might have been called for.  Scully had been able
to keep from entirely draining Mulder only because in the ferocity of
his movements he had torn himself away from her mouth after only a few
gulps.  Scully had watched the wound on his neck close itself with a
blue spark and brought up the subject she and Nick had discussed.

 

"I want to exchange blood with you Mulder.  Like vampires do." She
answered.

 

"But, but..."  Mulder began.  He stopped and thought for a moment.  The
concept wasn't repulsive to him, he had already tasted her blood and
didn't mind it at all.  He was confused as to the reason, however.
"Why, Scully?  Do you think it will bring me across?"

 

Actually she hadn't really considered that possibility, and Nick didn't
mention it either.  "I don't know Mulder.  I didn't really think about
that."  She took a moment to do so.  "I don't think it could, if it
hasn't already.  Nick thinks it could strengthen the bond between us.
Maybe we could actually communicate ideas as well as emotions."

 

Mulder slowly smiled, looking at her peculiarly until she said, "What?!"

 

"Trying to get into my head, Scully?  Figure out what's going on in
there?"  he asked with a devilish grin.

 

"I'm hardly that optimistic, Mulder.  If you can't figure it out, how
could I ever hope to?"  She retorted smartly.

 

Mulder mulled over the possibilities.  Not only would she have access to
his deepest feelings and emotions, but his fears as well.  "Of course I
would have the same access to her," he thought.  He knew that she loved
him, he drowned himself in it every time she bit him.  Nevertheless, he
had a couple of deep dark secrets that he was afraid would hurt her.
The old Mulder would have allowed that to stop him.  The new Mulder was
determined to overcome any obstacle to have Scully.  A couple of
skeletons in the closet weren't going to stop him from doing this.

 

Scully watched her lover's face with trepidation.  She was nervous
herself; the thought of anyone, even Mulder, seeing into her deepest
secret places was inherently frightening.  In the end, though, her
deepest secret was her feelings for Mulder.  It couldn't hurt to have
him see that, could it?  Then she remembered Ed Jerse.  She hadn't
actually had sex with him, but it was only because he had been unable to
perform.  She had wanted to; if only to prove to herself that she didn't
need Mulder in her life.  What she had proven was that she could do
something stupid and self destructive in a futile effort to convince
herself that she didn't need him, when it was so obvious that she did.
It would have been like tearing her heart out to prove that she was
strong enough to live without a functioning cardiopulmonary system.
"Talk about short-sighted," she thought.

 

She saw on Mulder's face that he had come to a decision.  She wanted to
rescind the offer before he could tell her no, but he beat her to the
punch.

 

"I want to Scully.  I want to be one with you in every way possible.
Before we do, though, I need to tell you something.  I, I..." he started,
suddenly choking back a sob.  "I betrayed you once Scully."  He looked
at her and quickly dropped his eyes.  "It was while you were... gone."

 

No need for him to explain that reference.  She knew he was talking
about the months she was missing after she had been abducted.

 

"She was involved in a case..." He laughed mirthlessly, "It was the first
experience I had with vampires, actually.  Kristen;  she was a target to
be turned by a trio of vampires who were killing people very publicly."
He reached out to touch her, but pulled back suddenly and dropped his
shoulders in defeat.  "I'm sorry Scully.  I was lonely and desperate,
and I didn't know if you were ever... I know that doesn't come anywhere
close to making it ok, but I'm sorry.  Sorry it happened, sorry I never
told you..."

 

Scully realized that Mulder was really torn up over this, and that
telling him it was alright wouldn't help.  He needed her forgiveness,
even if she thought there was nothing to forgive.  "Shh, Mulder.  I will
forgive you, if you will forgive me."

 

"For what?" he said, startled out of his self-recrimination.

 

"Ed Jerse," Scully said, simply.

 

He looked at her like she had grown a second head.  "How can I forgive
you for that?  I caused it!  I treated you like a piece of furniture and
drove you away from me, right into his arms." He responded.

 

Scully stared at him, jaw dropped.  She had told herself that very thing
after it had happened.  "I was wrong then, and he's wrong now," she
reflected.  "Mulder, I think you and I would have fewer
misunderstandings if we both just shut up and stopped taking the blame
for everything that has ever gone wrong between us.  Let's do this and
eliminate the need for words, because neither of us seems to be very
good at them."

 

Mulder smiled at Scully's highly accurate assessment of their
relationship.  "I agree," he said simply.

 

Scully dragged one sharp fingernail along her throat, slicing it open
and guiding Mulder's head to her neck while she bit down on his
shoulder.

 

Mulder choked a bit at the sensation of Scully's cool, thick blood
filling his mouth, but convulsively swallowed as he felt the sting of
her fangs in his shoulder.  Suddenly his sense of self was ripped away
and replaced with the maelstrom of Scully's thoughts and memories.  It
was like the previous times she had bitten him, except immeasurably more
intense.  "If this is how it feels, no wonder I can't stop," they
thought together in a weird sort of simultaneous thought.

 

Finally, when Mulder's heart stopped beating and the last spark of
consciousness faded out, the link was broken.  Scully felt like she had
died again, except this time there was no plain, no doorway and
certainly no Melissa.  She finally returned to full self-awareness and
opened her eyes, "When did I close them?" she wondered.  She looked down
at the face of her love and patiently waited for him to return.  She
would have gone to get him some juice, but the sun was coming up and a
deep feeling of lethargy was stealing her away.  She lost consciousness
just as Mulder gasped awake.

 

Mulder gasped awake.  He immediately focused on Scully, Visually and
through their link.  He noticed that she was asleep; he could feel
peace, contentment, but no thoughts, no ideas.  "Oh well, either it
didn't work, or it takes more than once," he thought.  Either way, he
planned to do it as often as possible- for in that moment, the two truly
were one.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Vachon's Church


 


Tracy was breathless with anticipation.  She had definitely made her
decision.  She was hoping to make this her last night as a mortal.  When
she was promoted to detective and assigned to the graveyard shift it had
taken a little while to get used to the change in sleeping patterns.
She had stopped missing the daylight after a while, enjoying the
difference in pace and culture that the night offered.

 

That was before she even knew about vampires.

 

She knew that she would not miss the sun.  Even when she had days off
and could spend time in the sun, she didn't anymore.  Those occasions
when she was forced to meet her father somewhere during the day were
more annoying than pleasurable.  Part of that, "Ok, most of it", she
added silently, was due to annoyance with her father, but even when it
wasn't to meet him somewhere, she found daylight to be bothersome.
Always fair-skinned, she had a tendency to burn unless she slathered on
the sunscreen.  While she had done so in her younger days just to spend
time on the beach in a bikini, lately she could rarely bother to
remember, and often burned.  "Now at least I'll have a reason," she
thought.

 

Since meeting Vachon, she had grown to love the night, and she had grown
to love Vachon.  He could be maddeningly cavalier at times, but she
loved that he felt beholden to no one; he wasn't involved in any
political games and he didn't try to use her for any hidden agendas.
Vachon was, in many ways, the ultimate hedonist.  He didn't do anything
unless he enjoyed it.  He spent time with her because he liked her, and
liked being with her.  He put up with her quirks and foibles and never
tried to change her.  He seemed to genuinely care for her.   At first
she had thought of him as a slacker, and definitely too scruffy-
although she had enjoyed watching him from the beginning, especially
when he was walking away from her.  Eventually she found that he was a
wonderfully caring soul, even if he was emotionally immature at times.
She was definitely in love with him.  What she wasn't sure of was if he
felt the same way about her.  She thought that he did, but her innate
insecurity reared its ugly head- after all, Vachon was seriously hot- he
could have almost any woman he wanted at will.

 

As she entered the church, her heart was beating wildly and she was
somewhat embarrassed because she imagined that Vachon could probably
smell her excitement.  She was really looking forward to tonight.

 

Vachon heard her practically running up the steps.  Soon the scent of
her blood washed across his senses- Apricots and lilies- like sweet
perfume on his pallet.  As she got closer he could feel his fangs begin
to ache as her other scent, warm and musky, became apparent.  Though he
always delighted in sneaking up on her and startling her, tonight he
decided that a more direct, and seductive, approach might be in order.
As she stopped in his 'living room' amidst the dozens of lit candles, he
approached her through the doorway in front of her, pausing after
entering to rake his eyes up and down her slender, sexy form.

 

Tracy saw the hunger in his eyes, as they slowly perused her- as though
he were a man who hadn't eaten in days, and she was the buffet.

 

He decided that the one thing he would miss about her mortality was the
delicious blush that covered her entire body when he looked at her like
that.  He did it again just so he could savor it once more before
proceeding.

 

As she watched his eyes turn luminous she knew she had the answer to her
question, he definitely thought of her that way.  "You said we needed to
talk," she whispered.

 

"Do you really want to spend a lot of time talking right now?"  Vachon
asked.

 

"No.  But, it might be good to go over a few things before we do this,"
she answered.

 

Vachon smiled predatorily, "Tell me what you want, Tracy" he slowly
strolled towards her, letting slip his personal presence, enveloping her
in his power, not to threaten, but to entice.

 

Tracy's mouth went dry.  Other parts of her suffered the opposite
reaction.  She had to lick her lips before she could form the words, "I
want you, Javier.  I want to be with you." She paused as he came within
millimeters of her before stopping.  Her voice dropped to a husky growl,
"I want to be like you."  She slowly wrapped her arms around him and
drew his head down for a kiss, "Give me the night, Javier."  Then she
put her mouth on his and began a slow burning kiss.

 

Vachon felt himself stirring at Tracy's demand.  As he opened his mouth
to allow her questing tongue access to his fangs, he felt himself become
fully erect.  He pulled his head back enough to look into her eyes,
"Last chance Tracy, tell me now that you aren't ready or you will never
see the sun again."

 

"Is that a threat?" she asked with a smile.

 

"It's a promise.  Once I start, I won't be able to stop before it is
time to bring you across."  Vachon said seriously.

 

Tracy locked eyes with him and replied, just as seriously, "Bring me
across, Javier.  That is what I want."

 

Vachon smiled broadly and said, "Then that is what you will have!"  And,
saying that, he swept her up into his arms and flew her into his
bedroom.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Nick's Loft


 


The sun was up, but Nick wasn't sleepy yet.  He was so excited by his
fiance that he couldn't wipe the goofy grin off of his face.  After
satiating their sexual desires- several times- they had decided to talk
about their wedding.  Each had a great deal of time off coming to them
and they couldn't decide to get married before trying to bring Natalie
across, or waiting until after the transformation and initial training
had ended.  Of course, there was the added uncertainty of Natalie's
immortality.  Whether she would actually cross over, or just become
immortal, or?

 

In any case, Nick was still deliriously happy.  Natalie would be his
forever, in darkness, light, or in between.  Not to mention the little
fact that every time they had sex was just as, if not more exciting than
the last.  Nick was looking forward to some of the kinkier games they
could play as soon as the change (whichever it was) was made.

 

"Nicolas Knight!!!"  Natalie yelled at him, startling him out of his
self-absorption.  "You haven't heard a word I have said for the last
five minutes!"  She complained.  "Where were you this time?"

 

"Sorry, Nat.  I was just thinking how wonderful things are right now.  I
was so obsessed with you for so long, and so desperately lonely,
thinking that you and I could never be.  I was despondent, thinking that
I could never be forgiven, thinking that I was the epitome of evil just
because I was a vampire.

 

Natalie looked at him with sad eyes, knowing intimately from the blood
link the sorrow, guilt and despair that Nick had felt.  Added to the
fact that she had shared his loneliness and torment in many ways.

 

Nick continued, "And now, all that has changed!  I have you, I am happy
with my vampirism, I have reconciled with my father, I have a child who
is showing herself to be an excellent addition to the family, and She
and I both have the loves of our lives forever, whether vampire or not."
Nick drew his naked and sexy woman into his lap, kissing her soundly.
He drew his head back and said, "I love you so much, and I am so looking
forward to living forever with you."

 

"So am I, Nick.  What do you say we figure out what we are going to do
for the next few weeks first?" she said with a smirk.

 

Nick smiled back at his lovely bride-to-be.  "You're right, Nat.  I
don't know if it is the immortal blood, but whatever the cause, Dana is
learning at a very rapid rate.  I think she will have enough of the
basics to be on her own within a couple of days.  She will need to spend
time with me off and on for years to master everything, but that won't
require constant contact."

 

"What about my change, Nick," Natalie asked.  "When do you think we
should try?"  She was concerned and eager at the same time.  She wanted
to know what was going to happen.

 

Nick felt Natalie's impatience and wondered what would result from their
attempt.  He had to admit that he wanted her to be a vampire.  He felt
guilty that his desire meant no more sunshine for his beloved, but he
knew that she also wanted it before they knew about her incipient
immortality.  "Nat, I want you any way I can get you.  I hope you won't
be upset if I tell you that I would really like to see you in fangs."

 

"Oh, Nick, me too.  I really don't think I want to spend eternity
chopping heads off."  Natalie said.

 

"What if that is what happens?"  Nick asked, suddenly picturing his
beloved in a sword fight, "Will you fight?"

 

Natalie thought about it for a moment.  "I don't like the thought of
killing, Nick.  I may not have live patients, but I am still a doctor."
She stopped speaking for a moment and looked at her love, considering
him.  "I couldn't let someone take me away from you.  I won't look for a
fight, but I won't lie down and die, either."  She smiled, trying to
lighten the mood, "Maybe you can train me Nick, how long has it been
since you swung a sword?"

 

"It's like riding a bike, Nat.  You never forget."  Nick said with a
broad smile.  "As to your question, I think we should do it this
weekend.  Saturday night, maybe.  We can plan a wedding for a couple of
weeks after that?  And maybe a honeymoon trip after that.  What do you
think?"

 

Natalie slowly smiled until her teeth showed.  She pulled herself closer
to Nick and said, "Here's to fangs!" grabbing the back of his head and
smashing her mouth against his.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Vachon's Church


 


6:30 a.m. Thursday

 

Vachon had removed all of Tracy's clothes and laid her on her back, on
his bed.  Shedding his own clothes, he had laid beside her on his side,
facing her.  He had stopped her as she tried to roll towards him,
saying, "Patience Querida, lie back and relax.  I will tell you what to
do."  He then proceeded to stroke her body with his free hand, using the
backs of his nails, fingers curled under, alternated with his whole
palm.  His touch was very light, and entirely avoided the primary
erogenous points.  

 

He stroked her belly, circling her navel, up to her breasts, covering
every inch except the nipples.  He stroked her face, ears, and neck-
avoiding her lips.  He stroked her thighs and inner thighs up to her
stomach, while avoiding the place she really wanted him.

 

Tracy was quivering.  Her nipples were rock hard, she was dripping wet
and her lips ached to have his kiss.  She had promised herself that she
wouldn't beg, but had since thrown that decision to the wind.  She was
moaning and begging him to stop teasing her, to touch her where she
needed to be touched.  She had no idea how much time had elapsed, but it
seemed like forever.  She was going crazy with need.

 

Vachon decided that she was finally ready, and moved his head to her
breast, gently scraping one fang across the tip of her nipple.

 

The sudden sensation against the area where she had desperately wanted
to feel him sent her over the edge, causing the roiling feelings in her
to boil over into orgasm.  The feeling increased as Vachon treated her
other nipple to the same sensation.  She felt him enter her and screamed
her release as the orgasm got stronger, causing her whole frame to
shudder and shake.  His movement within her was like being attached to
an electrode- overwhelming sensation of pleasure assaulted her senses,
rendering her almost unconscious.

 

Vachon slipped his fangs into her neck as she was delirious with
sensation.  As the heat of her blood filled his mouth, the link was
established and her earth-shattering orgasm initiated his own.  He was
swallowed up in the images and memories pouring forth from Tracy.  Her
hopes and dreams, her fears and concerns- they all washed over him like
a flood.  He felt her recently discovered love for him- her desire to
love him with all of her heart, tempered by her fear of rejection, her
uncertainty about her own desirability and worthiness to be loved.

 

Tracy became lost in a sea of sight and sound, realizing at last that
she was seeing Vachon's life as he remembered it.  She also felt how he
cherished and adored her.  She saw how, in his eyes, she was desirable,
how he lusted after her body while he had fallen in love with the person
inhabiting it.  She felt his reassurance that he would be there, waiting
for her to return from the crossroads.  Eventually everything else faded
out and she found herself standing on an open plain.  She thought it was
a memory of Vachon's until she realized she couldn't feel him anymore.

 

"Where am I," she whispered, not expecting an answer.

 

She got one anyway.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Vachon felt the moment that her heart stopped and consciousness fled.
Acting quickly, he bit into his wrist and put it to her mouth.  "Come
back to me Tracy." He whispered in her ear.  "Querida, I love you.  I
need you.  Come back to me."  He felt her latch onto his wrist almost
immediately, sucking for all she was worth.  Finally, when he started to
feel light headed he pulled his wrist from her mouth.

 

Before consciousness left her once again, he heard her say, "I love you
too, Vachon."

 

Vachon smiled down at the angelic face of his new Child, "Welcome to
the night, Trace."

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====


Chapter 11a


 


Nick's Loft


 


12:00 p.m. Thursday December 14th

 

He had slept all of four hours.  He spent another thirty minutes
watching his Scully sleeping.  Of course there wasn't much to see.  She
didn't breathe, she didn't move.  If it wasn't for the slight link they
had, he might have thought she was dead.  He reflected on the way their
lives had changed in less than a week.  Last week he was an FBI agent
obsessed with aliens, conspiracies, the supernatural and the occult.
Today he was supernatural- an immortal that was shacking up with a
vampire.

 

In the end, the whole immortality/vampirism thing was minor.  More
importantly, last week he was desperate, alone, and hopelessly in love
with his partner- with no real hope of ever being with her.  Today they
were one in more ways than he could ever have imagined.  "Life is sweet.
Weird, but sweet," he whispered to himself.

 

Mulder still hadn't decided exactly what to say to Skinner, yet.  It
depended on how difficult he was going to be about this.  It also
depended on why he and Scully had been sent up here in the first place.
Other things had occupied his thoughts and kept him from wondering why
they were really there.

 

As Kimberly answered the phone, Mulder reflected that maybe he should
have spent a little more time wondering about these things *before*
calling his boss, "Hi Kimberly.  It's Mulder, is he in?"

 

"One minute, I'll see if he is available," she said, putting him on
hold.  She came back on after a few seconds, "Ok, Agent Mulder.  I'm
transferring you now."

 

"What is it, Mulder?"  Skinner sounded slightly annoyed.  "What could
have possibly happened at a simple conference, for Pete's sake?" he
asked, rhetorically.

 

Mulder's mind was filled with a few dozen different scenarios where he
answered that question honestly- none of them worked out in his head so
he said, "Uh, nothing. that is nothing to be worried about with the
conference."

 

"What did you need to speak to me about then?" Skinner asked.

 

"Well, uh, that is I want to request some vacation time.  Actually we
need to request a couple weeks, Scully and I." Mulder said, stumbling
through the answer.

 

"Fine.  Email a request in and I will approve it.  Anything else?"
Skinner replied brusquely.

 

Mulder could not have possibly imagined it would go that easily.  "Uh.
No sir."  Something was definitely up, but he was going to take
advantage of it while he could.  "Thank you," he said.

 

Skinner replied, "You're welcome Agent," and hung up.

 

"That was too easy." Mulder muttered to himself

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Natalie woke up feeling extremely thirsty and very sore.  However, it
was definitely the good kind of sore.  She had received more physical
gratification in the last 5 days than she had in the rest of her life
combined.  "Of course, that isn't saying much" she reflected.

 

Even without the knowledge that came from the link when Nick drank from
her, she would have had no doubt that she was beautiful in Nick's eyes.
It was as though he had worshiped her body.  He had touched and stroked
and kissed every square inch of her body this morning.  She looked like
she had been wrestling with a thorn bush, there were little scratches
and bite marks spread over her entire body.  "As if he was marking his
territory," she thought with amusement.  She unequivocally did not mind
being marked as his.  He could put a big sign on her back that said
'Property of Nicolas Knight' as far as she was concerned.  She belonged
to him, just as he belonged to her.  Feeling wanton and decadent, she
covered herself in nothing but a silk robe and went downstairs to get
something to drink.

 

As she left the bedroom she heard the television.  "Mulder must be up.
No way it's Dana," she thought.  She was no expert on vampires, but it
was hard enough to get Nick up and out of bed before sundown, she didn't
think a fledgling would be anything less than dead to the world.  She
saw him sprawled out on the couch surfing through the channels, not
landing on one for more than a few seconds before moving on.
"Definitely a guy thing," she thought.  "Nick does the same thing, when
he watches TV at all."

 

Mulder heard her coming down the stairs and stopped surfing for a
moment, "Hey, Natalie.  Good Morning?" he asked.

 

"I think we have to go with 'good afternoon' Mulder.  How long have you
been up?"

 

Mulder resumed surfing, "About an hour or so."

 

"What's the matter, Mulder?  Nothing worth watching?" she asked as she
walked to refrigerator.

 

"Mostly soaps.  I have enough intrigue, tragedy and suffering in my life
without watching that crap," Mulder responded.  He noticed her
destination and asked, "Hey Natalie, could I impose on you to bring me a
bottle of whatever you're having?"  He smiled, slightly embarrassed at
her knowing look.

 

"Oh?  Are you thirsty, Mulder?  Feeling a bit. drained?" she teased as
she collapsed into the chair facing the couch Mulder was sprawled out
on.

 

Mulder noticed that her legs looked like they had lost a fight with a
dull razor, "I'm lucky, I guess.  Mine all healed," he said, gesturing
toward her legs.

 

It was Natalie's turn to blush as she handed Mulder his bottle of orange
juice.  She had brought herself a glass to go with her bottle.  She got
tired of refilling it after the 3rd time and joined Mulder in drinking
straight from the bottle, upending it and not putting it down until it
was empty.  "Wow.  I was really thirsty!"

 

Mulder smirked at Natalie and said, "I hope you two weren't planning on
waiting very long before you come across.  It doesn't appear that you'll
be able to hold out much longer."

 

Natalie blushed furiously at that, but all the same, she was quite happy
that she and Mulder could tease each other like that.  She hadn't had a
close friend outside of Grace and Nick in what felt like ages, and for
her and Nick to have another couple so close, and not have to hide
anything at all, "Well, it feels wonderful!" she mused.  "I hope you and
Dana hang around for a while, Mulder.  I really like you guys."

 

Mulder's smile faltered slightly at that.

 

Instantly concerned, Natalie leaned toward him asked, "Mulder?  What's
wrong?"

 

Mulder sat up and put his face in his hands, resting his elbows on his
knees, "I don't know what we are going to do, Natalie.  For the last
seven years, the X-Files were my whole life.  Scully's too.  I have
spent years searching for the answers to certain questions.  There are
conspiracies that we have been trying to crack for just as long.  I am
not sure how I feel about giving up on that, even for a year or two that
Duncan says I would need to take to train.  Not to mention that Scully
has a whole new life that she needs to prepare for as well."  He leaned
back into the couch and sighed heavily.  "On the other hand, I've spent
most of the last 7 years pining away after my partner too.  If I had to
choose between the two, Scully would win hands down every time."

 

Natalie nodded her head.  "I always knew Nick would have to leave
someday.  He can't stay in one place for more than a decade or maybe
fifteen years at the outside before people notice that he isn't getting
any older.  I dreaded that time, not knowing where our relationship
would be when it came."

 

She stopped for a moment and smiled, wistfully.  "I will miss my career,
and my friends.  In the end though, being with Nick is more important
than being the youngest coroner in Toronto history, not to mention being
one of the best despite the 'handicap' of being a woman."  She stood up
and went to the refrigerator to grab two more bottles of OJ and returned
to the chair, passing one bottle to Mulder.  After draining it in two
long pulls, she said, "You know, Mulder- I can be a coroner anywhere I
go.  Just because you leave the FBI, if that is what you decide, that
doesn't mean you can't continue your search for the Truth.  You already
have resources outside of the normal channels, and now you have a couple
of key advantages, especially with Dana's newfound skills and abilities.
The two of you could investigate people and places you could never touch
before.

 

"I hadn't really thought of it like that," Mulder said in wonder.

 

"How do you think Nick managed to have the highest solve rate in
Department history?"  Natalie smirked.  "He's a very good cop, but being
essentially impervious to bullets, being able to hypnotize suspects and
witnesses, and preternaturally acute senses all stack the deck in your
favor."  She laughed, "If I had a dollar for every bullet I've removed
from Nick in the years I've known him, I would be almost as rich as he
is."

 

"Well, that's definitely one more thing to consider," Mulder said.
"When Scully and Nick wake up we need to talk."  Mulder closed his eyes
and clasped his hands on top of his head, sinking down into the couch,
"I need to figure out what I am going to do about my new status.  I am
not sure I want to spend eternity going around chopping off people's
heads.  I know I don't want to spend eternity on holy ground, not to
mention it might be a bit painful for Scully."  He opened his eyes and
smiled at Natalie, "I do know that despite all of the uncertainty
regarding our changes, I am happy. content.  You have no idea how big of
a change that is for me.  I haven't been at peace like this since I was
a young boy.  I am happier right now than I have ever been in my life.
However we move forward, so long as it is together, I will adjust to
whatever else comes.

 

Natalie felt almost exactly the same way.  Definitely content, whatever
may come.  She was suddenly struck with a thought, "Aren't you supposed
to be flying back tomorrow?" she asked.

 

"I called our boss and arranged a couple of weeks off," he responded.

 

"I need to do that, too.  Nick suggested a couple of months," she said.

 

Mulder raised his brows at that, "Can you get that much?" he asked,
surprised.

 

Natalie smiled, "We both have tons of leave accrued.  We never really
take any," she said.  "Besides, we have a good excuse," she said,
waggling her left ring finger at him.

 

"Yeah?  When are you guys tying the knot?" Mulder asked.

 

"We were thinking about the weekend before New Years," she answered.

 

"What about the. other event?"  Mulder asked slyly.

 

Natalie blushed slightly, "Saturday. I can't wait!" she confessed,
sounding like a little kid two days before Christmas.

 

Mulder laughed out loud.  "Well, I don't know about you, but I am
starved.  How about I buy you breakfast to celebrate your impending
immortality?"  He added, "It's not as if our significant others will
feel left out."

 

"Ok, let me leave a note, Nick might actually wake up," Natalie said
getting out a piece of paper and a pen from a kitchen drawer and
scrawling a few words.  "Ok, let's go."

 

"Uh Natalie?  You going in that?" he asked, gesturing at her robe.

 

"Oh.  I guess I'm a little distracted," she said, blushing again.  "Let
me go throw something on," she said running up the stairs.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Nick slowly achieved consciousness.  He could feel that the sun was
still up, and wondered what had awoken him.  He rolled over to look at
Natalie and saw that she wasn't there.  "That must have been it," he
thought.  Remembering that they had guests, he put on both the top and
pants of his pajamas.  He was about to head out of the bedroom when he
heard Natalie running up the stairs.  She swooped into the room and
suddenly stopped short when she saw him up and dressed, sort of.

 

"Oh, Nick!  I didn't think you would be up already," she said.

 

"What's the matter, Nat?" Nick asked, concerned.

 

Natalie went over to her bag and took out a pair of jeans and a sweater,
as well as a bra and panties, and began getting dressed.  "Nothing's
wrong, Nick.  Mulder and I were going to go grab some breakfast.  Want
to join us?" she asked, pausing with her arms crossed above her head,
about to pull her sweater over her head, and looked at him for a
response.

 

Nick stared at Natalie, clad in jeans and a bra with her hands
semi-confined above her head and started to get some ideas he wanted to
explore Saturday night prior to her conversion.

 

Natalie noticed the predatory look he was laying on her and blushed head
to toe, "Nick. Breakfast?"

 

"Thanks Nat- I'm tempted, but I think you had better eat something
first.  I don't want you getting anemic!" he replied, deliberately
misconstruing her question.

 

She blushed even harder and pulled her sweater on.  "Nicolas de Brabant!
You are incorrigible!"

 

"Nat, after you guys eat, why don't you go in to the morgue and see if
you can arrange that time off.  If you can keep Mulder out of Dana's and
my hair until about midnight, I think we can complete the preliminary
stuff and she would be able to move out and among mortals without me
babysitting her." Nick suggested.

 

"Isn't that awfully fast?  Just a couple of days and she is good to go?"
Natalie asked, concerned.

 

"I don't know what it is, Nat.  Maybe it's the immortal blood she is
feeding on, but she's advancing faster than I've ever heard of.  Even
with the deep link training I'm using, it should take a several days for
the basics, and she had them mastered the first night."  Nick shook his
head in wonder.  We just need to cover a couple of things and practice
them a little and she should be ok."

 

"And that's it?" Natalie asked.

 

"No, she will still need time and practice to master some of the more
challenging skills, but she won't need to be attached to my hip.  First
of all, those lessons will be intermittent, and second, those lessons
can wait. Until we get you caught up to her level."  Nick smiled
tenderly at the love of his life.  "If things go normally, it won't take
more than two or three weeks at the outside, and who knows?  Being
filled with your very own supply of immortal blood may accelerate your
progress as well."

 

"Or I might not come across at all," Natalie said, somewhat glumly.

 

Nick refused to let the possibility bring him down, "Then sword lessons
for you, young lady!  Now, go.  Eat.  Keep Mulder occupied.  I'll see
you tonight."  Nick laid into her with a searing kiss, giving her a
taste of just what he had in store for her tonight.

 

Natalie kissed him back just as thoroughly, letting him know she was
more than ready for whatever he had for her tonight.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Natalie and Mulder had each consumed 2 entrees and about a gallon of
orange juice before they felt sated.  The bemused waitress had stopped
even asking if there was anything else she could get them, and just
brought them a pitcher of juice.

 

Mulder was laughing at Natalie's stories, sharing things with her that
he had only shared with Scully.  He was suddenly struck by the fact that
he hadn't sat and talked with a friend, about nothing special, for. "I
can't remember doing this since I joined the FBI."  No conspiracies, no
aliens, no work at all.  It was almost like he was exhaling after
holding his breath for years.  No angst, no emotional investment, just a
nice chat with a friendly person who had no political interest or reason
for betrayal.

 

Natalie noticed Mulder drifting off into another world and smiled at
him.  He looked relaxed.  "I think this is the first time I've seen you
relax this week, Mulder," she observed.

 

That was exactly it.  He felt relaxed.  In his anal-retentive
obsessiveness, now that he could put a name on it, he could quit
thinking about it.  "Yeah," he said with a kind of satisfied sigh.
"Actually, I think it's been quite a while longer than a week."

 

Natalie leaned back and smiled at Mulder.  Outside the sun was setting,
and she could see part of the sunset between the buildings.  She was
enjoying the peaceful companionship.  She suddenly started at the look
of utter shock on Mulder's face.  He looked like he had sat on a tack,
or been touched by a live wire.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====


Chapter 11b


 


Nick's Loft


 


4:45 p.m. Thursday December 14th

 

Scully came back to life with the setting of the sun.  She could feel it
slipping over the horizon with her newfound senses, "That's strange,"
she thought, she felt as though she had just lain down.  She remembered
the last thing she had done before falling asleep- drinking Mulder's hot
life's-blood as she rode out her own orgasm and, through the link, felt
his as well.  "That's definitely the way I want to fall asleep from now
on!" she thought.

 

[*That* can be arranged] she heard Mulder say.  She rolled over to look
at her lover when she noticed she was alone in bed.  She immediately sat
up and looked around for him, but he was nowhere in sight.  "Mulder!
Where are you?" she asked out loud.

 

[Actually Scully, I am downtown having breakfast with Natalie.]

 

"What?!" she almost shouted.  She suddenly realized that she wasn't
hearing him with her ears, but rather in her head.  She closed her eyes
and saw a table full of empty dishes in front of her and a very
concerned looking Natalie leaning forward and asking her 'what's wrong,
Mulder?'

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Mulder answered Natalie's question, "Nothing, Natalie.  Scully just woke
up, that's all."

 

[Tell her that her theory of the blood exchange was apparently right]
Scully thought to Mulder with a sense of wonder at this new sensation.

 

"Scully says your theory was right.  What theory was that?"  Mulder
asked.

 

Natalie's train of thought was completely derailed.  "You... She???"
Natalie paused and scrubbed at her face with her hands and swept them up
and through her hair, taking a moment to put her thoughts together.
"You can hear her?" she asked, still trying to reorganize mentally.

 

Mulder was starting to feel very hungry suddenly.  *Very* hungry.  He
closed his eyes and groaned at the hunger pangs.  As his eyes closed he
suddenly found himself in Nick's guest bedroom, but only for a moment
and then the scenery whizzed by and he found himself, not half a second
later, wrenching the refrigerator door open, grabbing a bottle, tearing
the cork out and chugging it down.

 

[Sorry, that was me.] Scully thought.  [I felt how full you were and my
own hunger didn't hit me for a moment.]

 

Mulder was momentarily lost in the sensation that came from the blood.
He had a faint impression of a young man laying on a table at the Red
Cross, donating for his school's blood drive.  As he opened his eyes he
came back to himself and noticed that Natalie was looking a little
green, "Actually, everything looks a little green," he thought.

 

Natalie was about to ask Mulder what was wrong when he opened his eyes
and she saw that they had changed to the green/gold of a vampire.  Her
hands flew to cover her mouth as she gasped out loud.  "Mulder! Your
eyes!" she whispered loudly, looking around to see if anyone else
noticed.

 

"What?" he said, blinking rapidly until the greenish tinge everything
had was gone.  "What just happened?" he demanded in a harsh whisper.  He
focused on Natalie who was still staring at him, stunned.  Abruptly he
stood up and pulled out his wallet. Throwing two fifties on the table he
said, "Come on, let's get out of here." He growled.

 

Natalie silently stood up, grabbed her stuff and walked out with Mulder.
As they got outside she explained what she had seen.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Scully had her eyes closed, listening in, but not commenting.  She
didn't know what to think- Mulder's eyes vamping out?  Was it an echo of
her, or was he changing?  What did it mean?  Suddenly she felt something
she had never felt before- like fire in her head and a buzzing in her
ears.

 

[Oh, no.  Not now!] she heard Mulder think.

 

She saw through his eyes an intense man striding through the parking lot
towards Mulder and Natalie with violence written all over him.

 

[It's not Froag.  I don't know who it is.] she heard Mulder tell
Natalie.  [Go get in the car, get it running and I'll jump in.]

 

She heard Natalie answer ask him what he was going to do without a
sword.

 

[I don't think he will try anything here, it's pretty public.  Just go!]

 

Scully saw him pull a sword from his coat and felt Mulder's fear
blossom.  "NO!" she screamed.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Natalie jumped into the driver's seat of the Caddie and started it up.
She pulled out of the parking spot and dropped it into drive with her
shaking hand.  She headed to where Mulder was and saw the immortal
cocking a sword back over his shoulder, getting ready to swing it at
Mulder.  What she saw next almost caused her to wreck the car.

 

Mulder moved faster than the eye could see- he struck the other immortal
in the neck with the edge of his hand like he was trying to crush his
larynx, but he struck with such force that he took his head almost
entirely off.  It remained connected by only a little bit of skin and
muscle on the right side of the neck.  Apparently it was enough, because
within several seconds of the body hitting the ground, the light show
began.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Nick was drying off when he heard, and felt, Dana's angry/fearful yell.
He had the impression through the link that she felt threatened with
deadly force, but he couldn't sense anyone else- vampire or mortal.
That didn't stop him from flying down the stairs at top speed.  He was
just in time to see Dana floating, bathed in a crackling blue aura and
screaming like to tear out her throat.  He tried to reach through their
link and it felt like he was opening his mind to an electric current.
He immediately clamped down on the link and watched, helplessly, as she
convulsed in... actually she didn't look like she was in pain anymore, and
suddenly the aura collapsed and she crashed to the ground.

 

"Dana?  Are you alright?" Nick asked softly.  He gingerly reopened the
link between them and felt...  He smiled at the feeling.  "Dana, do you
need a cigarette?"

 

Scully sat up and looked at Nick, confusion written on her face, "Nick,
you know I don't smo..." she suddenly caught the almost smile on his face
and the humor through their link.

 

Nick suddenly laughed out loud, "Now there is something you won't see
again anytime soon.  A vampire blushing!" he crowed.  Suddenly he got
serious again.  "What just happened, Dana?"

 

In the afterglow of the quickening Scully had momentarily forgotten
herself.  She pressed into the link with Mulder and saw him tossing the
body into the trunk of the caddie and yelling at Natalie to drive.  He
was looking around for any witnesses but didn't see anyone.  Natalie
gunned the engine and squealed the tires as they left the parking lot,
on their way back to the loft.

 

Nick only caught about a third of all of that through his link with
Dana, but he could tell that she was completely immersed.  "Wow, Dana.
Wow.  I mean... Wow."  Nick was shaking his head in amazement.  "I've
never heard of a link like that, not even legends.  The master/child
link is usually as strong as it gets, but it's never like this.  Never
like becoming the other."  He sat down at the table and just stared at
his child.  "It's like you are in a bloodkiss.  Total immersion!"

 

Scully just said, "We tried out your suggestion."

 

"Well I'd say it worked," Nick said with a loud exhale.  "So I take it
Mulder took his first head?  Was it Froag?  How did he do it?  He
doesn't even have a sword... Does he?"

 

Scully levitated herself up off of the floor and went over to the fridge
and pulled out a couple of bottles.  "That really made me hungry," she
explained at Nick's raised eyebrows.

 

"Tell me what happened, Dana," Nick said.

 

Scully drained about half of a bottle and began, "Well, I woke up and
was talking to Mulder when I noticed that he wasn't in the room," she
began.  She recounted all of the events up until the feeling of the
quickening and seeing the unknown immortal.

 

"Who was it?" Nick interrupted.  How did Mulder beat him without a
sword?

 

"We don't know who.  As to how... I'm not sure, Nick.  It's almost like
when I... That night, when I watched Mulder get shot- it was like that.  I
was seeing through Mulder's eyes, and everything around him slowed to a
crawl and we hit him in the throat... but it was too fast.  Our hand
didn't crush his larynx, it went through his neck..."  She looked up at
Nick with worry in her eyes.  "Mulder shouldn't be able to move that
fast!  It's not possible, is it?"

 

"What's not possible, Dana?"  Nick asked.

 

"He can't have come across?  He ate Pancakes!  I could taste them.  And
he was in the sun, I could feel it and it didn't burn at all!  He can't
be a vampire.  Can he?"  She asked, ranting and throwing her hands in
the air.

 

Nick replied honestly, "Calm down, Dana.  This is new to all of us.  We
will figure it out."  Nick reached over and took her hand, "The
important thing for now is that Mulder is alive.  Focus on the positive,
Dana."

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

They had driven about 5 minutes when Natalie finally asked the question.
"Ok Mulder, you want to explain what just happened?"  She continued to
stare straight ahead, made sure she had both hands on the wheel and
tried very, very, hard to keep her voice calm and even.  It was the only
way to keep from falling into a complete panic.

 

Mulder started to laugh, becoming a bit manic before he shut himself up.
He could feel a nagging little thread of panic itching to break free.
"Sorry Natalie.  I would really like to tell you.  I really would.  But
I don't have a clue.  I don't know if that was Scully acting through me,
or if I somehow took some of her attributes, or...  I don't even know
where to begin."  Mulder paused for a moment as if waiting for an answer
and then said, "Nick and Scully don't have a clue either."

 

Natalie gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, and her voice was
just a little more brittle as she asked, "You can hear Nick too?"

 

"Yeah... I mean I can't hear him, but Scully can and I kinda hear what she
hears."  Mulder started to notice that Natalie was more than a little
freaked out and hastened to clarify, "I don't have a link with him if
that is what you're asking.  I mean that I can hear him with Scully's
ears.  They are talking.  Out loud, I mean."  Suddenly he sobered as
both the topic of Nick and Scully's discussion, and the memories that he
could sense Scully recalling came through, "She caught part of the
quickening."

 

"Natalie was distracted from the weirdness of the situation by the
thought of an innocent bystander being injured, "Innocent?  Bystander?"
she wondered.  "Maybe kind of 'not directly involved', 'semi-bystander.'
Maybe." she thought.  "Is she ok?" she asked Mulder.

 

"Yes.  Nick is razzing her about the...  Well, it kind of starts off
really painful, but it ends... Well...  Let's just say I can see how someone
might get addicted to headhunting," he said, blushing.

 

Natalie saw the blush creep up his face out of the corner of her eye and
barked out a short, but genuinely amused laugh.  "Do you need a
cigarette Mulder?"

 

Mulder stared at her goggle eyed for a second, "Do you and Nick have a
link, Natalie?"

 

Confused by the apparent non sequitur, Natalie just gave Mulder a
puzzled look.

 

Mulder said, "That is exactly the same question Nick asked Scully."

 

Now Natalie began to laugh out loud, dispelling all of her tension in a
virtual celebration of the ridiculousness of the entire situation.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Room 1013, Plaza Hotel


 


Methos was standing on the deck outside the sliding glass door of the
hotel room Mulder had 'loaned' him when he saw the quickening in the
distance.  He focused on where he could see it, about a quarter mile
away.  As soon as he thought he had the landmarks committed to memory he
ran back into his room and through the door to Mac's room.  He saw him
coming out of the bathroom, pants on and sword in hand- his hair still
damp from the shower.

 

"What the bloody hell?" Mac demanded.  "Methos, I told you I would be
over when I was ready!"

 

Methos interrupted him, saying, "I just saw a quickening, MacLeod.  Not
a quarter mile south of us."

 

MacLeod didn't even pause, "One minute" was all he said as he quickly
finished getting dressed.

 

They were in the car and on the road within 5 minutes.  They both knew
whoever was involved would be long gone, but if it was Froag, he might
leave the body behind.  At least they might be able to tell if it was
Mulder who was involved.  Maybe there would be witnesses from whom they
could find out something.

 

"Here Mac, I'm sure it was here," Methos said, indicating the parking
lot beside a little diner.

 

They parked and began to walk around the parking lot, looking for
anything.  Strangely, there was no one milling about; no police cars,
nothing seemed out of the ordinary.  If this was the place, there must
not have been any witnesses.

 

"Methos."  Mac called.  "Look here."

 

Methos went over to where Mac was standing and looked down at the large
blood puddle at his feet.  "Someone or something died here."  Mac said.

 

"I see a few scorch marks, but no broken glass," Methos added.  He
noticed something lying between two cars across the drive aisle and went
over to it.  "Somebody lost their blade," he said, bending down to pick
up the short, broadsword.

 

"Froag's?"  Mac asked.

 

"Could be, I know he uses a broadsword, but I've never seen it.  The
question is who else is in town?"  Methos frowned.  "Froag is a prick,
but he's pretty darned good.  If someone took him they had to have done
it quickly- you would think the sounds of a prolonged sword fight would
bring someone else out of the diner."

 

"We can't be positive, Methos.  He could have lost his sword and had to
leave quickly," Mac said.

 

"But he had time to grab the body?"  Methos answered.  "Not bloody
likely."

 

MacLeod thought about it for a moment, "Well, Somebody had time to grab
the body and leave the sword.  We shouldn't assume who it was.  We need
to try and find out."

 

"Yeah.  I'll see if his watcher has caught up with him yet."  Methos
said, resignedly.

 

"I have to run an errand across the border.  There's a dealer who claims
to have a 13th century kogarasu-zukuri," MacLeod began.

 

Methos started laughing, "You were going to come out here anyway!  And
you want me to feel guilty about 'dragging you across the continent!'
you..."

 

"I didn't plan on dragging myself out of bed and rushing to the airport
to catch a plane!  I was going to fly in this weekend."  MacLeod said,
indignantly.

 

"Sure, right, whatever." Methos dismissed MacLeod's protest.  "When will
you be back?"

 

"I told Mulder I would meet him Sunday night at the Raven," he answered.
"I'll be there about ten or so."

 

Methos said "Ok," and walked away.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Halfway to the loft Mulder said, "Nick wants you to call him."

 

Natalie wasn't angry, but she was getting a little tired of this silent
communication.  "Alright Kreskin, it's getting a little old already,"
she said as she hit the speed dial.

 

"Yes Nick?  The Amazing Kreskin said you wanted me to call?"

 

"Actually, I was telling Dana that I should call you.  Apparently
speaking to one, is the same as speaking to both," he said as he shot
Scully a dirty look.

 

She shrugged her shoulders and smiled impishly back at him.

 

Natalie shot Mulder a dirty look and received the same impish grin.
"Why were you going to call me?"

 

Nick said, "Dana said that you're coming back to the loft?"

 

"Yeah, why?" Natalie asked.

 

"I think you should go ahead to the morgue, try and get the vacation.  I
want to wrap up Dana's training and..." Nick began

 

"Nick- there's our passenger to think about... Remember, he can't stay
long."

 

As macabre as it was, Mulder couldn't help but laugh at Natalie's
delicate description.  Of course, that set Scully off and both Nick and
Natalie had to listen to laughter in person, and over the phone.

 

Nick sighed at the 'children's' antics.  "Natalie, go to the Raven.
I'll call LaCroix and tell him you're coming."  Nick added, "Be back
here at Midnight and I'll take you for a ride," he said suggestively.

 

This, of course, caused Natalie to blush, while Scully laughed at the
suggestion, and Mulder laughed at Natalie, and then Mulder and Scully
each laughed even harder at what each other was hearing and seeing.
After a few moments they settled down, wiping the tears from their eyes.

 

"All right Nick," Natalie said.  "I think in the future we will have to
avoid phone conversations in these two's presence.  It's distracting."

 

"Absolutely," Nick agreed.  "I will see you at Midnight, Love."

 

"I can't wait!" Natalie replied and then disconnected the call.  She
found the next turn and headed toward the Raven.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

They drove for about 10 minutes before getting to the alley behind the
Raven.  As they stepped out of the car they were almost simultaneously
struck by the situation.

 

"I never thought I would be doing something like this," Mulder began,
quietly.

 

Natalie agreed, saying, "I handle bodies all of the time, but this is
definitely different.  I'm usually trying to catch a murderer, not
helping cover one up and disposing of the body."

 

"I didn't really think of it as a murder, Natalie." Mulder said somewhat
defensively.

 

"Mulder, ritual combat is still murder in the eyes of the law," she
began, but then relented at the hurt look on his face.  "I know you
would have avoided this if it were possible, Mulder.  But you have to
accept that your life now includes behavior that civilized society calls
murder.  Two hundred years ago duels might have been an accepted and
even celebrated activity.  Today, they are considered murder.

 

Times change, but it seems that immortals don't."  She heaved a big
sigh, "It doesn't mean you're a bad person Mulder.  If things don't go
the way I want them to, I will be joining you in this 'game.'  Don't
think for a moment that I won't take someone's head if it comes down to
them or me, but it is still murder in the eyes of the law, and I have
always been on the other side of the fence."

 

Mulder sighed himself.  "Yeah.  I don't think I can live like this and
stay in the Bureau.  I don't think they would look kindly on having a
head-chopping agent in their employ," he said leaning against the car
and scrubbing at his face with both hands.  "Not to mention a mass
murderer with a literal taste for blood," he added with a smile.

 

[Hey!]

 

"Sorry, Scully, but you did kill a dozen men.  It doesn't make you a bad
person." He said, quoting Natalie and chuckling.  He looked at Natalie
and saw the worried look on her face.  "Don't worry Natalie.  I'm not
loosing it, at least I don't think so.  I am just trying to accept my
new reality.  Scully and I are murderers.  We didn't do it out of
malice, or because we are evil, but because it was all we could do under
the circumstances we were in.  And, we will both kill again, for the
same reasons.   So will you.  Watchers, Hunters, the 'Game'; to protect
ourselves- and our friends- in our new reality, we will kill.  I think I
will be better able to accept that if I don't try to deny it or dismiss
it.  I will kill to live, but I don't have to live for the kill."

 

[Boy, talk about 'paradigm shift'.] Scully added.  [Whoops!  Got to go,
Mulder.  Nick's going to try and block our link so we can finish
training.  Don't worry if you don't hear from me for a while, Ok?]

 

"Ok Scully," Mulder said and then felt their link quiet down almost to
nothing.

 

"Ok, Mulder.  I'd just like to go on record saying that this whole
'mental conversation' thing you've got going with Dana is starting to be
really exasperating," Natalie said, facing him with her hands on her
hips and giving him an annoyed look.  "Come on, let's get LaCroix and
get this over with.  I've got to get to the morgue and arrange time
off," she said, heading toward the door to the club.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Chapter 12a


 


Toronto Homicide, 96th Precinct.

 

7:00 p.m. Thursday

 

After Nick had Scully practice her 'Whammy' on a few of the homeless
denizens of the street he took her with him to the precinct so that he
could talk to the captain about some time off.

 

As Nick was in the captain's office, she sat at his desk and looked
around the precinct.  She wondered how many times she had been in
homicide departments, similar to this one, working on a case, or
following one of Mulder's far-fetched leads.  "Three hundred and thirty
seven," she suddenly realized as her newly found perfect memory quickly
shunted through each and every one of them in a blur of images.

 

"You forgot to mention perfect recall, Nick," she thought.  She had
always envied Mulder's ability to remember everything; whereas he had
thought of it almost as a curse.  Thinking back on Nick's memories of
the horrors he had committed in his immortal youth, she could see
Mulder's point.  She herself could remember in exact detail her own
recent murderous behavior.  "You were right Mulder.  No matter how we
dress it up in circumstance, it is still murder," she thought.

 

She closed her eyes and leaned back in Nick's chair.  He was still
blocking her link with Mulder, and all she saw was the insides of her
eyelids.  The rest of her senses, however, were almost overloaded with
the activity around her.  She could hear the heartbeats of the
detectives working around her.  She could smell the perfume of their
blood singing in their veins.  Even though it called out to the vampire
in her, she found that she could easily control it.  She had fed well
before she and Nick had flown here, "Plus, when you have filet mignon
waiting at home, you don't find ground chuck all that tempting," she
thought.

 

"What do you mean by that?" Nick asked her as he approached the desk,
questioning her unspoken comment.

 

Scully opened her eyes and regarded her 'master' for a moment before
answering.  "The stuff in the bottle satisfies the hunger, but it is not
as good as it is 'straight from the tap' as it were," she evaded.

 

"That's true, but you weren't thinking of the bottled product, were
you?" Nick asked as he stood in front of her, arms folded across his
chest.

 

"Even from the source, I can't imagine regular human blood coming close
to Mulder's," she mused with a sigh, the wonder and desire evident in
her voice.  "When I drink from him, it's like fire running through my
soul.  He burns into me and it's as though I can feel him in each
individual cell in my body."  She shivered slightly as her perfect
memory replayed their last encounter for her.  "I don't know if it's his
love, his immortality, or both; but I think Mulder has spoiled me for
anything or anyone else; even your blood, Nick.  I know when I drink
from you that it is the blood of my maker, and I can tell that it's
different, certainly better than human, but it's just not like Mulder."

 

Nick could feel the pleasure/desire emanating from her.  He was awed at
the strength of the bond Dana had with her lover.  He hoped that he and
Natalie would have something similar.

 

Scully shook herself out of her reverie, "Did you get your vacation
squared away Nick?" she asked as she stood before her Father in
Darkness.  She giggled at that thought, 'Father in Darkness,'  "Dark
Daddy." She thought to him.

 

"Impudent Child!" he thought back to her with a mock growl.  He
couldn't keep the grin off of his face entirely, though.  He was
relieved that she and Mulder had so quickly accepted some of the darker
aspects of their new reality without falling into the despondency that
had haunted him for so long.

 

Scully sobered slightly, saying, "I think the difference might be that
Mulder and I have each other to remind us that we aren't monsters.  At
that time, LaCroix wanted you to act like a monster, and you didn't have
anyone to tell you differently."

 

"Never forget, Dana, that we have that monster inside us and we must
keep it under tight control, or it will dominate us," Nick whispered.

 

"We had that darkness in us even before we were changed, Nick.  I know
it has been so long ago, but surely you remember having to fight the
darkness in your soul, even before you changed." Scully said.

 

"Yes, that's true, it's just more powerful now." He replied.

 

"You're right, Nick.  But now we are more powerful as well," she
replied.

 

Nick changed the subject, "Anyway, to answer your question, Yes.  I got
the vacation.  Now we need to see if Nat can get hers, and we will be
set."

 

"What did you tell your captain?" Scully asked.

 

"I didn't have to tell him anything, Tracy was there first," he said
deadpan.

 

Scully chortled at that.  "I take it she doesn't keep secrets well?" she
said as they stopped and looked around to be sure no one was watching.

 

"Oh, she can keep a secret when she thinks it is important, like the
truth about vampires.  But for everything else, she is an inveterate
gossip," he replied, smiling down at her.

 

Scully suddenly realized how close they were to one another, and how
their low conversation and continuous eye contact must appear to
everyone else around them.  She could hear their increased pulse-rates,
and she could feel everyone in the precinct staring at them.

 

Nick heard the sudden lull in conversation around them and realized that
he and Dana were standing in each other's personal space, carrying on an
intimate conversation.  He closed his eyes and groaned softly, "I can
hear the rumor mill gearing up now, Dana."

 

Scully laughed and said, "Oh come on, Daddy, lets have some fun with
them.  It's not as if Natalie is going to have a problem with it," she
said as she stepped closer to him, until they were almost touching.  She
wrapped her arm around his waist and tried to lead him out.

 

Nick stood there, staring down at his daughter.  "Oh you are a brash,
impetuous child."  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and allowed
her to tug him out of the precinct.  It was all he could do not to laugh
out-loud at the whispers he heard starting up behind them as they left.

 

Scully didn't restrain herself.  She heard some of the comments and
laughed out loud.  When he looked at her with eyebrows raised, she said,
"No offense intended Nick- Natalie is a lovely woman, but the thought of
having sex with her doesn't do anything for me at all; and the idea of
sex with you seems almost incestuous- let alone having you both at
once!"

 

Nick did laugh at that.  He then paused for a moment, as if trying to
come to a decision.  He had his arms crossed, with his left hand against
his mouth like 'The Thinker'.  After a minute, he seemed to come to a
decision.  He said, "Now, we are going to practice something important;
something very dangerous as well.  You will need to exercise an enormous
amount of control over your hunger, and your bloodlust."

 

Scully was intrigued, "What are we going to do?"

 

As he took to the sky, Nick answered her question, "Hunt."

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Toronto Coroner's Office, Morgue.


 


7:00 p.m. Thursday

 

Natalie snuck up on Grace as she was intently looking at some sample
slides.  "Evening Grace," Natalie whispered in her ear.

 

"Good Lord, Girl!" Grace said after jumping halfway out of her seat.
"You like to have frightened a year off my life!"  She stood up and
turned around, hands on her hips and mock glaring at the unrepentant
woman in front of her.  She then noticed the tall good-looking man with
Natalie.  "Who's this fine young man?  You finally get tired of waiting
for Detective Knight to come to his senses?"

 

Mulder guffawed at that, and at seeing Natalie's blush.  "No Ma'am, just
keeping Nick's fianc company while she takes care of a few things," he
said, waiting for the look of shock and surprise that he expected after
Natalie's briefing on Grace during their ride from the Raven.  He wasn't
disappointed.

 

"What did he just call you?!" Grace practically shouted, gripping her
shoulders and turning Natalie to face her.

 

Natalie couldn't keep the big, goofy grin off of her face as she lifted
her left hand up for Grace's inspection.  "He finally came to his
senses," She replied.

 

Grace grabbed Natalie's hand and brought the ring up for a closer
inspection.  "Good Lord, girl.  That man don't do anything by halves,
does he?" she said as she brought her eyes up from the ring to Natalie's
face.

 

Even though slightly embarrassed she couldn't help but say, "No, he does
*everything* over-the-top."

 

Grace laughed at that.  "When's the wedding, dear?"

 

Still bearing that goofy, tooth-baring grin, Natalie replied, "December
30th, two weeks from Saturday."

 

"Lord above, Girl!  That's awfully fast, isn't it?  Can you plan a
wedding in 2 weeks?" Grace asked, stunned.

 

"Well, it's not going to be formal, we will just have a few friends and
some extended family, not a big church wedding."  Natalie's smile turned
into a sly grin, "besides, now that he's pulled his head out, I'm not
letting him change his mind!"

 

Mulder laughed out loud at that, and Grace joined him.

 

Natalie realized that she hadn't even introduced Mulder to Grace.  "I'm
sorry; Grace, this is Agent Mulder with the FBI; Mulder, this is Grace
Balthazar, my assistant."

 

"Oh? Is there a new case you guys are working on?  I hadn't heard
anything."  Grace began.

 

"No, my partner and I are actually on vacation."  Mulder answered.
We're going to stick around for the wedding."

 

"Friends or extended family?" Grace wondered aloud, arching her brow,
clearly interested in this faucet of Natalie's life that she was
previously unaware of.

 

Natalie jumped in, afraid of what Mulder might say, "Would you like the
hot lights and rubber hose now, Grace?  Or are you waiting for a more
opportune point in the interrogation?" she said with a smile and a
laugh.  "Dana, Mulder's partner, is related to Nick.  Kind of like a
distant niece."

 

Grace gave Natalie a look, like she was humoring her by dropping it for
now, but would be back to revisit the subject later, "Mm Hmm.  What are
you doing in tonight, Natalie?  I didn't expect you back yet."

 

"I just came in to get some vacation arranged.  We've got plans to make,
and a honeymoon to enjoy afterward." Natalie said; her goofy grin back
in place.  Plus she knew that nothing would sidetrack her assistant like
sexual innuendo.

 

Grace smiled openly and teased, "I bet you're not waiting for the
honeymoon!"

 

Natalie put on a straight face and deadpanned, "Well, practice makes
perfect."

 

"I heard that!" Grace said, ever the relationship cheerleader.  "You get
yourself situated and be sure I get an invite when you figure out where
you're having it!  The wedding, I mean.  You can just tape the
honeymoon."

 

Mulder cackled at that, not able to contain himself at the look on
Natalie's face.

 

Natalie rolled her eyes at Mulder's antics and said, "Oh, you are *bad*
Grace!"

 

"You know it!" she agreed.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Ontario Watcher Chapterhouse


 


8:45 p.m. Thursday

 

Methos was checking the database, trying to figure out who might have
been involved in the fight from which he had seen the quickening.  There
were actually several in the province besides himself, Mac, and Froag.
As he was perusing the db, an update on one Willy Williams came through.
His watcher, Ken Baker, was relatively new to the group and this was
only his second charge.  His first had been a very young one, only a
couple of years as an immortal.  He died in the first 6 months and Baker
had been reassigned to Williams.  Willy was about 250 years old, and was
a real piece of work.  He had been an indentured servant brought over
from England in the 1750s.  He was a thief and a scoundrel and only came
to America to escape the hangman's noose at home.  Methos wondered how
this guy had survived two years, let alone over two centuries as an
immortal.  He attacked any immortal he came across, in public or not.
If he found one who was his better, he would find a way to escape the
fight and run away.  He was apparently in Toronto after being chased out
of Buffalo, NY by just such a circumstance.

 

"I guess he learned his lesson at last," Methos thought as he read the
narrative of the battle that ended Willy Williams' tenure among the
Immortals.  As he continued to read, he began to get a feeling that this
was not entirely right.  The description of the fight seemed pretty
routine, but some of the details didn't fit.  By the time he had gotten
to the part about the woman with long curly black hair in a green
Cadillac; and the two taking the body and head with them, Methos began
to think that this entire narrative was a sham.  He reread the vague
description of the immortal that took Williams' head and thought of a
new immortal that fit that description perfectly.  "That would make the
longhaired woman Natalie Lambert," he thought.  "That can't be right,
Mulder doesn't even have a sword, does he?" he asked himself.  Methos
ran a quick check to find out where Baker was staying, and took off,
deciding to go speak to him face to face.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Vachon's Church


 


9:00 p.m. Thursday.

 

Tracy sinuously stretched her lissom nude form out on the bed, savoring
the sensations she had been experiencing.  She had awoken at sunset with
a ravenous hunger, quickly satiated by the four and a half bottles of
blood Vachon had handed her, one after the other, chuckling as she
downed them as fast as she could.

 

Halfway through the fifth bottle, her stomach appeased, a new hunger
overtook her.  Through their newly forged link, Tracy could feel
Vachon's desire.  His need to possess her ignited her own yearning.
What had followed was the most intense four hours in her life.  They had
made vigorous, ardent love- varying between furious bouts of physical
prowess; and long, slow, languid sex that drove her insane with need and
desire as he teased and tormented her before allowing her release.

 

Vachon watched Tracy stretching out on the sheets like a cat waking from
a nap.  The sweet taste of her blood still lingered in his mouth and he
savored it like the finest wine.  "Thank God for vampiric stamina," he
thought.  Tracy had been an insatiable sexual monster, seemingly intent
on draining every last ounce of life out of him.

 

Tracy giggled as she caught that thought from her lover.  "You make it
sound as though I was taking you against your will, Javier," she said,
laughing.

 

"Not at all Querida," he replied.  "I just thought we might want to get
out of bed while it is still night," he joked.  "Seriously Trace, We
need to get some basics covered if you want to be able to go back to
work in a week."

 

"Seriously?  When have you ever taken anything seriously, Vachon?" she
pouted, clearly wanting to lie about for a while longer.

 

Vachon realized that they seemed to have switched roles.  Tracy was
usually the overly controlled one, driven by duty and responsibility;
whereas he was the one who was usually carefree and easygoing.

 

"I take you seriously, Tracy.  I love you," he answered.  "I want you to
be happy, and I know you want to keep working as a cop."  He reached out
and tenderly stroked her face, "In order to do that, you need to get the
basics down and be able to control the blood lust."  He leaned down and
placed a soft kiss on her lips, then moved down to her ear and
whispered, "If you're a good girl, and learn fast, I might be persuaded
to give you a treat," then he pierced the lobe of her ear with a single
fang, nearly causing her to have an orgasm just from that.

 

Her every nerve ending was hypersensitive to sexual stimulation.  Tracy
quivered as Vachon pulled away, stood up and walked away toward the
shower.  "Oh you fight dirty, Javier!" she moaned, watching his
delicious butt, actually licking her lips at the thought of sinking her
teeth into it.

 

Vachon felt the desires and emotions running rampant through his child,
stirring his own, and relented slightly.  He looked back over his
shoulder and smiled at her when he saw her eyes fixed on his backside,
"Aren't you going to join me?" he asked.

 

She leapt out of bed and attacked his mouth with a searing kiss,
stroking his fangs with her tongue and digging her nails into the object
of her attention.  She didn't know what it was about this man, but
somehow he inflamed her desire like no one else had ever before.  Even
in her most erotic fantasies she hadn't imagined being so eager and
hungry for sex.  While she wasn't a prude, she hadn't really been a
particularly sexual creature.  She slept with her boyfriends in the past
more for their benefit than hers.  When she did orgasm it was usually at
her own hand.  Typically, it was brief and, while pleasant enough,
certainly nothing to write home about.

 

With Vachon, she *was* sex: hot, steamy, and wet.  When she came, it was
like she was on fire, burning from the inside out.  No one had ever made
her feel like that, and she was very rapidly becoming addicted.  These
feelings and desires made her want to do things that she had never
wanted to do before.

 

She had never been especially fond of oral sex, usually reserving it for
birthdays and Christmas, if she was in a relationship at the time.  It
wasn't that she found it especially distasteful, just that she didn't
take much pleasure in it.  With Vachon she was learning that it could be
just as pleasurable to give head as to receive it.

 

Vachon felt Tracy slide down the length of his body, dragging her erect
nipples down his torso, and licking and sucking his skin as she went.
She scraped her fangs across his abdomen and licked the droplets of
blood from him, causing him to moan.  "I have a feeling that we aren't
going to make it to the shower," he rasped out just as she closed her
mouth over his stiff member.

 

Vachon heard her respond through their link; "Hmm, do you care?"

 

"Nuh Ohhhh," was all he could reply as she took him all the way into her
throat and began to lave his balls with her tongue.  Not having to
breathe certainly made an already good thing even more enjoyable.  She
refused to slide more than halfway off of him before gobbling him back
down, increasing her pace, and grabbing his ass to encourage his
thrusts.  Vachon was wracked by guilt and desire.  If he had initiated
this activity, or even suggested it he would have fully expected to be
slapped for being a misogynist pig; especially with a 'modern' woman
like Tracy.  This was, however, absolutely the hottest, sexiest thing
any woman had ever done for him in nearly 500 years of life.  He had
absolutely no control, and couldn't have stopped if someone rammed a
wooden stake through his heart.  When she offered her left wrist so he
could cum, her other hand busy driving herself toward orgasm, he thought
he would explode.

 

She felt like a harlot, but she found his reaction to her attentions so
stimulating that she couldn't help herself.  She was enjoying this
almost as much as he was.  As Vachon bit down on her wrist, Tracy pulled
back so that he came right in her mouth, the combination of his blood
ejaculate and her own ministrations brought her to powerful orgasm of
her own.

 

Vachon fell back against the doorframe, utterly spent.  Tracy carefully
licked him clean and said, "You can return the favor in the shower."
With that she bounced to her feet and sauntered off to the bathroom.

 

"Woman, You're going to kill me yet," Vachon thought as he staggered off
after her, waiting for the vampire's recuperative powers to kick in.

 

It was after 11 by the time the couple made it outside of the church to
begin Tracy's training.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Chapter 12b


 


The Dirty Mick bar and grille


 


10:00 p.m.

 

She had done it.  It was very hard to stop in time, and she could tell
that Nick was just about to pull her off forcefully, but she managed to
stop.  She could still hear his heart beating rapidly in fear, even
though he was unconscious.  "Good!  The bastard should be afraid!" she
said.

 

Nick chuckled, "I almost thought you weren't going to stop there for a
moment, Dana."

 

"I think it was more rage than hunger, Nick.  I was so pissed off that
he thought he could do that to me!" she answered.

 

Nick had taken her to what he described as the seediest bar in Toronto.
"I thought we were going hunting Nick," she had protested upon seeing
the dive he was leading her into.  She was still leery about the very
idea, but he would only say 'trust me' when she tried to question him.
In the end, she decided that she did trust him.  She knew he didn't kill
for food, and hadn't in over a century.  She didn't think he would make
her kill.

 

"You are hunting, Dana.  I would never teach you to hunt innocents, and
we are not here to kill anyone.  However, you will, essentially, be
committing assault and battery.  Therefore, we will be choosing prey
that warrants such treatment, or rather, you will be letting your prey
choose you.

 

"What do you mean?" Scully asked.

 

"Sexual predators are plentiful, easy to find, and who better to suffer
a little turnabout?  All you have to do is hang out for a while, be
seen; be seen to be alone and 'vulnerable' and then walk out and see who
follows."  Nick said.  "I will be out back.  Come around before you let
your prey get close and I'll help you if you need it."

 

She knew that he meant that he would help her to stop from killing her
prey, not that she'd require any help defending herself.  She went in
and nursed a drink for a little while, pretending to drink, while she
surveyed the crowd.  It didn't take long to pick out two or three who
were eyeing her like their next meal.  She would have felt nervous in
this place even with a gun before her change.  Now she could feel the
predator in her becoming excited in anticipation.  She also knew that
she could control it.  Mulder's immortal blood had given her control
unheard of in a fledgling vampire.  She knew from her link with Nick
that, with the vibe of barely constrained violence in the air, and the
smell of mortal blood that filled the room, most newborns would be
tearing into the crowd with unrestrained ferocity.  She again thanked
God for the gift that was her lover.  Not only did he make her a happy,
well-adjusted person, he also helped her to be a happy, well-adjusted
vampire.

 

"I think that's enough for one night," she said to herself and got up to
leave.  She noticed one of the lurkers cutting a line to intercept her
before she got to the door, and quickened her pace just enough to get
out ahead of him, but not enough to lose him in the crowd.  "He's going
to be in for a shock," she thought.  She heard Nick admonish her not to
get too eager- to maintain control.

 

"Hey, darlin' where you running off to?  The party is inside," he said.

 

Scully put on her best 'frightened woman' face and said.  "Just leave me
alone!" and ran around the building and down the alley.

 

"We're going to party one way or the other!" the man growled and
followed her around the back of the building.  As he rounded the corner,
he stopped short when he saw the hot little redhead he was after
standing in the back alley, hands on her hips and glaring at him.  He
looked around to see if anyone else was around, but didn't see anyone.
"Well, well little lady.  Looks like it's just you and me.  Now why
don't you come over here and let me show you how a real man treats a
lady."

 

Scully smirked and said, "Don't you understand?  No means No!"

 

The man, one David Birch- a three time loser who was out on bail,
awaiting sentencing for his latest conviction for sexual battery (plead
down from felony rape) - had never taken no for an answer, and didn't
see a need to start now.  It would, of course, be a serious error this
time.

 

He was faintly surprised that she didn't try to run as he advanced on
her.  A smarter man might have realized that he was walking into a trap,
but the words 'smart' and 'David Birch' rarely went together in a
sentence.  He closed in on her and grabbed the back of her hair, meaning
to pull her in for a kiss, when she grabbed his hair and pulled his head
aside.  He had a brief glimpse of glowing red eyes and luminous white
fangs before he felt a tearing pain in his neck.  He was so stunned by
the rapid turn of events that he couldn't even scream as he felt his
heart's blood being drained from him.

 

As Scully felt David's memories and thoughts enter her own mind, she
became outraged.  She saw his past and saw his plans for her- a quick
sodomization and then slitting of her throat as he finished.  She was
angry and wanted to punish him for presuming that he had the right to do
that to anyone, let alone her.  It was the anger in the end that almost
pushed her to drain him, not the hunger or the thrill of the hunt.  In
fact, the hunt didn't really thrill her much at all.  She could feel her
beast, but it didn't really fill her with excitement the way she
remembered Nick's experiences when he was a fledgling.  "Thank you
again, Mulder," she thought.

 

It was the thought of Mulder that helped her to release Birch before she
killed him.  She didn't want to sour their relationship with homicidal
tendencies, do she dropped Birch.

 

"In the end you stopped.  That's all that matters, Dana," Nick said.
"It proves to me, and to yourself, that you are in control.  Not the
beast.  That is important, and will help you deal with everything else."

 

Scully wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and spat the taste of
his thin, sour blood out of her mouth.  "What now, Nick?" she asked.

 

"Now we wait until he comes to, and you get to practice your whammy some
more," Nick said with a smile.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Hnri Duval's Antiquities


 


12:00 a.m. Friday.

 

Mac walked into the antiques shop, eagerness and skepticism warring in
his heart.  The dealer had emailed him photos and details about the
sword, but he wouldn't be certain until he saw it for himself.  He had
tried to acquire this sword over 200 years ago, "if it's the same
sword," he mumbled to himself.  He had been outbid at an auction in
London by some simpering twit of a minor noble.  "Bloody idiot had no
appreciation of fine steel!" MacLeod thought. "Just wanted to show off
how wealthy the family was."

 

"Pardon me?" he heard from beside him.  He had been so preoccupied with
his memories of that event, and the attendant emotions, that he had
failed to notice that he was speaking out loud.  He turned and looked
upon the source of the question.  A dark haired ingnue with pale white
skin was considering him with a puzzled frown, which caused her full
lips to pout ever so slightly.  He was instantly entranced with the
lovely creature before him.  "My apologies, my lady.  I was lost in
thought and hadn't realized that I had spoken aloud," he said with a
courtly half-bow.  He swept her hand up to his mouth for a kiss and
introduced himself; "I am Duncan MacLeod, at your service."

 

"Janette dCharme," she replied with a very slight curtsy.  "A pleasure
to make your acquaintance," she said, automatically falling into a
pattern of courtly behavior.

 

They both stood there for a moment.  He had not released her hand, and
she made no motion to withdraw it from his.  He was about to speak when
they both started at the voice of the shop's owner.  "Monsieur MacLeod,
you're early!" he said in his loud, booming voice.

 

Mac dropped her hand and they took half a step away from each other.  He
turned to Hnri and said, "Not a problem, Hnri, I can wait for a
moment."  He turned back toward the beautiful woman he was just meeting
but she was gone.

 

"No, no.  We had completed our business already," he boomed.  "Come,
come.  I think you will be well pleased by what I have to show you."  He
waved Mac back toward the rear of the shop.

 

MacLeod stared at the door, wondering why she had so quickly fled his
side.  He slowly walked back to where Hnri was waiting for him,
"Alright Hnri, you had better not have flown me all the way out here
for nothing..." he trailed off, not able to completely remove his thoughts
from the lovely Janette dCharme.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

Janette walked briskly away from the shop.  She had had to leave lest
she turn one of Hnri's customers into a lunch snack.  "He would never
forgive me," she thought.  It was too bad, she thought.  Mr. MacLeod was
as appetizing a man as she had seen in decades.  With his courtly
manners and his overwhelming masculinity.  "Enough!" she chastised
herself.  "Mortals are too fragile to make good playmates," she told
herself.  "And it would be a shame to waste such a fine specimen on
nothing more than a quick snack."

 

Janette put all thought of him out of her mind and headed back to her
club.  She would find someone there to play with.

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 

MacLeod couldn't get the girl off of his mind.  He haggled
half-heartedly with Hnri over the sword.  It was indeed the sword he
had tried to acquire over 200 years ago, and as happy as he was to find
it, he was more interested in finding out about the girl he had met at
the shop.  She intrigued him greatly.

 

"Very well, Monsieur MacLeod.  Shall I ship it to Seattle for you, or
would you prefer to take it with you?"  Hnri asked.

 

"Hmm?"  Mac was shaken from his reverie.  "I'm sorry Hnri, what did you
ask?"

 

Hnri paused for a moment to consider his old acquaintance, "What is
wrong, monsieur?  You seem to be distracted."  He then noticed the look
in MacLeod's eyes.  "Ah ha, it is Mademoiselle dCharme, is it not?  You
are taken with her, yes?"

 

"She is a very striking girl, Hnri.  Does she often utilize your
services?"  Mac asked, hoping to appear even slightly nonchalant.  He
knew he had failed when Hnri ignored his spoken question and answered,
instead, his unspoken one.

 

"She has a club, 'Corbeau' it is called.  Here I have a card," he said
as he ambled off toward his desk.  "Yes, yes.  Here it is," he said-
waving it over his head as he returned to MacLeod's side.

 

"What do you know of her, Hnri?" Mac asked.

 

Hnri smiled, seeing that this man was smitten by the considerable
charms of his other late night customer.  "She only ever comes here at
night.  Never during business hours.  I think she is a very private
person, I know nothing about her except that her knowledge of fine
antique jewelry far outstrips my own not inconsiderable talents.  I only
know that she has a club, because she usually has her purchases shipped
there."

 

MacLeod was disappointed that Hnri could not share anything of
substance about the intriguing girl.  "How long have you known her?"

 

"She first came here several years ago, but only in the last eighteen
months have I seen here more than once a year or so," Hnri answered.  I
think she opened her club here around that time," he added.  He watched
as MacLeod pondered for a moment, then added, "There is something about
her, No?  She has about her an elegance that one rarely sees in today's
youth.  She descends from aristocracy, perhaps?  A younger daughter of
some European nobility, seeking anonymity in the new world?"

 

Mac chuckled at his friend's flights of fancy.  "No doubt you're
correct, Hnri."

 

Sensing that the discussion was at an end, Hnri repeated his question,
"The sword Monsieur, shall I ship it to Seattle?"

 

"Hmm?  No, Hnri.  I believe I shall take it along with me," he decided
that he wanted to take it to his hotel room and examine it in greater
detail.  After all, he had wanted to find this sword for a long time.
"After that, perhaps a drink," he thought.  "I'm sure I can find a nice
club somewhere in Buffalo..."

 

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

 


Vachon's Church


 


1am

 

Had Scully been there to see it, she would have wondered if vampire
training came from hidden textbook that all master vampires were
required to use as a course syllabus.  Though Vachon didn't use the deep
imprinting technique Nick used, everything else was very similar.
Vachon encouraged her into her first flight, which went quite well until
she tried to land.  He drove his fangs entirely through his bottom lip
in an effort not to laugh out loud when Tracy couldn't slow down enough
and ended up crashing and rolling several meters.  It reminded him
exactly of that ski-jumper they showed at the beginning of ABC's Wide
World of Sports back in the 1980's while the voice over commented on
'The Agony of Defeat.'

 

She picked up on the hide-and-seek part very quickly.  She could follow
Vachon in her mind's eye quite clearly.  She was awe-struck at the
keenness of her senses, extremely excited at the possibilities.

 

"No wonder Nick always catches the bad-guy," she said excitedly to
Vachon. "I feel like everything around me is just dying to tell me all
about itself.  I can see the energy emanating from the tiniest speck of
living material, plant or animal!"  She grabbed Vachon in a hug and spun
them around, "This is so wonderful, Javier!!" she laughed with delight.

 

Vachon smiled, basking in the delight he felt from his child, so unlike
his other daughter, Urs.  "Yes Querida.  I could never understand
Knight's desire to give up all of this."

 

"What do you mean?" Tracy demanded.  "Nick doesn't want to be a
vampire?" she asked incredulously.

 

"I think that has changed recently," Javier said.  "You should ask him
about it if you're curious."  One thing Javier did not want to do, now
that things were going good, was to presume to tell Knight's partner
things about his past.  Knight was scary enough on a diet of cow blood.
Now he was at full strength and Vachon didn't care to do anything that
would piss him off.

 

"I will!" Tracy said, shaking her head.  She couldn't imagine how
someone could have this gift and want to give it up.

 

"Worry about that later," Vachon said, wanting to distract her from that
line of thinking.  "You have learned enough for tonight.  Let's go
upstairs," he growled softly in her ear.  "I think your hard work
deserves a reward, don't you?" he asked, nibbling but not penetrating
her earlobe.

 

Tracy shivered in delight.  "I always wanted to be the teacher's pet,"
she moaned thickly.

 

They entwined their fingers together and gently floated up the stairs
and into Vachon's, now their bedroom.  As they set down, He silently
asked her to stand still, and then began to undress her.

 

Tracy could not restrain herself from trembling as Vachon began to
unbutton her blouse.  His eyes never left hers as he worked each button
free.  He began to whisper to her through their link, telling her that
she was beautiful, that she haunted his dreams when he was asleep, and
his thoughts when he was awake.

 

Finally he had her shirt open.  He slowly pushed the material over her
shoulders, caressing her arms as he slid it off of her, letting it fall
to the floor behind her.  She could barely stand; the feel of his hands
tenderly stroking her skin, combined with the raw emotion and desire he
was communicating were threatening to reduce her to a quivering wreck.
Vachon filled her with smoldering passion and her heart and body both
ached to have him inside her.

 

Vachon paused for a moment after he unhooked the clasp on Tracy's bra.
He spoke as he slowly slid his hands under the cups of the now loose bra
and ran his thumbs over her erect nipples, "No one has ever made me feel
like you make me feel, Querida.  I burn for you, to be inside you and
feel you inside me."  He was virtually panting as he rasped out the
words.  "You're like a drug, Tracy, now that I've had you, no one else
could ever satisfy me.

 

Tracy was overwhelmed.  Her pale flesh was coated in a gloss of
blood-sweat, blood tears were flowing freely down her face, and she was
so wet for him that her pants were soaked through.  Her ability to speak
had fled her entirely.

 

"Shh, Querida.  Don't try to speak; I know," he whispered as he slid her
bra off of her shoulders and let it drop.  He finally broke eye contact
with her, leaning forward to kiss her throat, collecting the blood from
her skin as he moved up to her ear and began to work it over with his
lips, teeth and tongue.

 

She didn't even notice that he had undone the buttons on her jeans when
she felt them fall to the floor.  She was lost in the sensation of her
lover laving her entire body with his tongue, kissing and suckling every
square inch of her flesh, moving around her body and he moved down.
Where he was kissing and tasting her along the graceful curve of her
spine, his hands were stroking and caressing her breasts and abdomen.
He slid his hands slowly down her flanks to the waistband of her panties
while he worked the area of the base of her spine with his mouth.  Once
he had pulled her saturated panties off of her down to the floor, he had
her step out of the puddle of clothing she was in- turning her to face
him.

 

Vachon was on his knees in supplication before his angel.  He ran his
hands up the backs of her slender legs, stroking up and across the
crease at the top of her thighs while looking up into her wildly red
eyes.  Never mind that she didn't actually need to breathe, Her fangs
had fully dropped and she was panting like a steam bellows, fanning the
flames of his desire.  The smell of her sex right in front of him was
making him insane with the need to taste her.

 

Tracy watched, riveted, as her lover buried his face into the juncture
of her thighs.  They were both moaning in delight as he licked and
suckled her.  His hands on her ass pressed her onto his mouth with a
great deal of force, as if he were trying to consume her whole.  It was
for the best really- it was the only thing keeping her upright because
her legs had failed her completely the moment his mouth latched onto
her.  As he worked her over with his lips and tongue, she felt her
already dizzying arousal climb into the stratosphere.  She was moaning
and groaning so loudly that she was sure people in the next province
could hear her.  She needed to cum like she had never needed anything in
her life.

 

His child's need was beating against him like a battering ram.  Finally
the combination of her need and his own was too much for him to resist
any longer.  In an amazing display of speed he released her, tore off
his own clothes and impaled her before her feet even hit the floor.  He
lasted about three strokes before he had to bury his fangs in her
throat.

 

He had moved so quickly that she didn't even realize that he had let her
go before he had sunk into her and began pumping rapidly.  Already on
the cusp of orgasm for several minutes, she immediately drove her fangs
into the junction of his neck and shoulder.

 

They both came, nearly simultaneously, and harder than either had ever
experienced before.  They experienced their own, and the other's at
once.  The sensation and emotion were like a standing sound wave that
gets returned to the source, creating feedback.  The orgasm amplified
until each was driven into unconsciousness.  "But what a way to go!" one
of them thought as darkness overcame them.