Forever Knight

Heart Of A Child

Nick peered into the cribs.  He never tired of seeing these two small miracles lying before him.  Six month old Joseph Lucien Knight rolled over and opened his eyes.  He was usually the first to wake from his naps.  He lifted his arms and cried to be picked up. 

Nick went to the kitchen to get their bottles.  Since they would be fed their dinner as soon as Toni got home, he took only a small juice sized bottle for each of them.  It was a standard infant formula.  Although the tests that Doctor Tom Nichols had done showed that while they both had the vampire gene in their DNA, neither of them showed any signs that they were anything but normal infants. 

Toni had breast fed them until they were two months old and then weaned them to the bottle.  Nattie made the transition easily, but Joey, as with any major change in his little life, objected strenuously.  Finally, though, he had accepted it and Toni, over LaCroix's vehement protestations, went back to work. 

She compromised.  She would only work part time at the precinct and do freelance work at home.   They decided that she would transfer to day shift and, of course, Nick would remain on nights.  That way, one of them would be home at all times.  Not that they had to worry about finding someone to stay with the babies.  They had 20 sets of babysitters at their beck and call.  Everyone in the complex wanted their turn with the twins.  In fact, on several occasions,  Miriam Feldman and Teressa Giovanetti practically forced Nick and Toni to go out for the evening so that they could spoil their charges.  Miriam and Teressa were, as they were with everyone in the complex, the twin's self appointed surrogate 'aunts'.

By the time he returned to the nursery, Natalie Janette Knight had awakened.  As usual, she lay in her crib, intently studying her hands and making babbling small talk.  Joey, ever hungry, was loudly demanding his bottle. 

"Not until we take care of the more mundane chores, big fella."  Nick said, taking him from the crib and putting him on the changing table.  He was an armful.  At the last checkup, he was almost fourteen pounds.  That was good, even for a full term baby, and exceptional for a preemie.  Keeping one hand on the wiggling infant, he took a disposable diaper from the lower shelf.  He made a face as he removed the used one and cleaned his son's bottom.  "How can someone so small and so cute make so much of something that smells so bad?"  He mused as he put the new diaper in place.  Joey answered him.  Unfortunately, Baby Babble was not one of the languages Nick spoke fluently.  Finally, he put Joey back in his crib and gave him his bottle.  Cleaned and content, Joey made happy slurping sounds as he took his formula.

"Now for your sister."  Nick said, lifting Nattie from her crib.  She was much smaller and lighter than her brother.  She weighed only ten and one half pounds.  That was barely average for a preemie at six months.  Doctor Nichols, though, had assured them that it was not unusual for boys to outstrip the girls at this stage.  Changed and back in her crib, Nattie sucked on her bottle, although not with the gusto of her brother.

He tousled her curls.  There was no question whose children they were.  Joey had his daddy's blond locks with Toni's waves and his mother's coffee and cream eyes.  Nattie had Toni's chestnut hair and even tighter curls than her father had, and the bluest eyes possible.  Joey had his mother's round features, while his sister's face was more heart shaped, like Nick's.  Nattie was quiet and easygoing, just like Toni, while Joey was impatient and vocal.  Nick teased that Joey had inherited LaCroix's disposition.  LaCroix took it as a compliment.

Toni arrived home as the twins finished the last of their bottles.  They each took a twin and sat them in their highchairs for their solid food.  Nattie ate hers daintily, befitting the little lady she was, while Joey, partially satisfied from his bottle, decided it would be much more fun to finger paint the table with his beef stew.  Daddy, he decided, looked better in junior strained peas, while he decorated himself with the bananas.

Nick and Toni had learned early that it was better to bathe the twins, particularly Joey, after they had been fed.  Bathing was the same as everything else.  Nattie sat quietly playing with the rubber duckie that Grandma had sent to her while Toni washed her.   Joey, on the other hand, made a game of it, splashing and laughing until there was more water outside the tub than inside.  Joey's rubber duckie had been reduced to shreds by four months when Joey tried to find out why it squeaked.

Finally, fed, bathed and in their sleepers, the twins sat in their playpens.  Nattie cuddled against the giant panda from 'Uncle' Bill and 'Auntie' Marge, while Joey teethed on the ragged arm of the purple dinosaur.  Toni and Nick sat down in the kitchen to their meal.  Nick nibbled at the food on his plate.  Although his main source of nourishment was still blood, he found that he was able to enjoy eating solid food more and more.  "Great meal, eh, Toni?"  He said.  "I guess I'm finally getting the hang of cooking." 

"Yeah.  You and Stouffers make a great team in the kitchen."  She replied.  Tonight it was Frozen Pasta Primavera.  Maybe, if they were lucky, they would be able to finish eating without incident.  With two such as Joey and Nattie, that was a rare occasion.

Just then, Joey started screaming at the top of his lungs.  They ran into the living room.  Joey seemed to be all right, but when they checked on Nattie, something was definitely wrong.  She was laying deathlike still in her pen, her face a sickly shade of gray-blue.   Nick picked her up and held his ear to her tiny chest.  Her heart was beating in an odd rhythm and she had stopped breathing.

"CALL 911!"  He screamed at Toni as he placed her on the dining room table and began mouth to mouth resuscitation.  "Come on, Nattie!  Breathe sweetheart!  Come on, Baby!  Breathe for Daddy!"  He said repeatedly as he forced his air into her lungs.

As sirens wailed in the distance, Nattie took a feeble breath and let out a small cry.  It was the greatest sound Nick had ever heard.

**********

Tom Nichols came out of the examining room.  The spirit of Natalie Lambert, unseen by anyone but Nick, Toni, Clarissa, and LaCroix, was right behind him.  "Nattie is all right.  For the time being, anyway.  I did an EKG and a sonogram on her and I'm afraid the news is not good.  It appears that she has a partial Patent Ductus.  When the baby is in the uterus, there is a passageway between the left and right ventricles of the heart.  Since the fetus does not need to breathe, this allows the blood to bypass the lungs.  When the baby is born, this passageway closes shortly after the baby takes its first breath.  In Nattie's case, the passage did not close completely, and there is a tiny pinprick of a hole in her left ventricular valve.  When she was a newborn, it was not a problem, but now that she is getting bigger and more active, it can and probably will, become very serious."

You mean, like today?"  Toni asked.  She and Nick clung to each other.  Tears were streaming down their faces.  Natalie put her arms around the two of them.  LaCroix and Clarisse also held each other closely. 

"I'm afraid so.  Only the next time could be much worse."

"What's the prognosis?"  Nick asked.  Since he had been a doctor in some of his other identities, he already had an idea what Tom was going to say.

"Without surgery, the chances are the Ductus will become larger and more of a problem as she grows.  She will be able to do less and less and with more and more effort.  It will be harder for her to breathe and her heart will enlarge and become weaker as it tries to pump more blood to make up for the deficiency.  If it's not corrected, it's unlikely she will survive infancy.  Patent Ductus is found in at least one third of all Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or crib deaths, as they are called."

**********

Brabant, France 1233

Nicholas de Brabant stood in front of the freshly dug grave.  The marker said Paul-Lucien de Brabant.  Born 1232,  Died 1233.  He was Fleur's first born.  They had found him, dead, in his crib three days before his first birthday. 

He quickly ducked behind one of the larger stones as he heard footsteps.

"Nicholas, what are you doing here?"  Fleur de Brabant said.  Although she was married, her husband was not of nobility, so he had taken her surname.

"I ... I should not be here."  Nicholas said as he slowly stood up. 

"Nonsense!  He was your nephew.   You have every right to be here."  Fleur said .  "He was always a sickly baby.  He seemed all right when we put him to bed that night, but the next morning, we found him dead."   

Nick put his arms around her and she and her brother held each other in their sorrow.

**********

Los Angeles

"How soon before the surgery?"  Nick asked.

"It's not an emergency situation just yet.  I'd like to run some more tests before I do anything.  Although hospital policy says that she should remain here for a few days, I'm going to release her to go home.  I don't want any of the people here at Childrens to do any testing on her.  If they find any abnormalities due to her heritage, the questions they would ask could bring the Enforcers out in droves.   I'm still learning about vampire physiology from Clarissa and from Dr. Lambert's journals.  We don't know anything about a mortal-vampire child, though.  There simply are no precedents to go by.  Bring heer to my office sometime next week and we'll get started.  Also, if you could contact Dr. Lambert, I'd appreciate anything she could do to help."

**********

Toni put Nattie into her crib and positioned the oxygen mask around her nose. She laid the bottle beside her.  It was one of the conditions that the hospital imposed before they agreed to release her.  If all went well, she could discontinue using it tomorrow.  Natalie had suggested, and Tom agreed when they told him, that it would be an excellent idea to have an oxygen system handy, in case there was a repeat of tonight.  Nick assured an anxious Teressa and Miriam that she was going to be all right.  They had watched Joey while Nattie was rushed to Childrens.  After he had seen them out, he and Toni sat on the couch, Natalie sat in the easy chair across from them. 

"Tom Nichols didn't even have to ask.  You know I'll be there with you every step of the way."  Natalie said."  I also have the greatest medical minds of all time at my disposal.  I won't let anything happen to my little namesake"

"Nor will I."  LaCroix said as he emerged from the kitchen with a tray.  A mug of coffee for Toni, a chocolate protein shake for Nick, and a glass of 'red' for himself.  "I didn't know what you might want, Dr. Lambert."  He said.  She indicated that she did not want anything.

"Some of the best physicians in the world today are among the Community."  LaCroix said determinedly as he sat on the arm of the chair beside Natalie.  "They will do everything in their power to insure my granddaughter survives.  I can guarantee that." 

**********

Nick walked into the squad room.  He had taken a week's emergency leave to help Toni with Nattie.  She was getting better every day, but there was still the awful chance that she could have a relapse at any time. 

He noticed a large container sitting by the coffee pot.  On the front was Nattie's picture.  Underneath was a sign 'Natalie Knight Fund'.  Jerry Davies came over and dropped a dollar in the container.  "Detective Roberson over in Robbery dates Ernie Patterson.  He's one of the Emergency Room doctors over at Childrens.  He told her about Nattie and the next thing we know ... "  He pointed at the container.  "They're all over the place.  Every precinct has at least one.  After all, these kinds of operations cost big bucks.  Lots more than a cop makes.  She's going to get the best care money can buy.  We'll see to that."

 Stash Kerlowski came over, took a handful of change from his pocket and dropped it in the container.  Then he handed Captain Davies a crime report.  "This just came in."

Davies read it and handed the paper to Nick.  "It's all yours and Taylor's.   Homicide.  Behind the Century City Mall.  Cop killer.  Victim was a member of the Dublin, Ireland CID.  Handle it."

**********

The loading dock was crowded with police cars.  In addition, every television station had sent a camera unit and the place was swarming with onlookers from the mall itself.  Nick and Mike Taylor had to practically squeeze into the tiny area.

An officer handed Taylor a clipboard.  "Victim's name is, or rather was, Liam O'Neill.  Shot twice through the back of the head.  Gangland style.  Not a pretty sight."  He led them to the car.  "ID was made from his wallet and passport, and the papers from the car rental company confirm it." 

As was the case with most killings of this type, no one had seen anything.  The person who found the body was an employee of one of the shops who happened to be taking out the trash.  He had immediately called the police.

Nick looked into the car.  The victim was still slumped over the steering wheel.  Two entrance wounds were visible just above the back of the collar, and the exit wounds through the front had ripped the man's throat apart and blew the lower part of his face away.  Fighting the urge, Nick turned away.  Forcing the vampire back down inside himself, he opened the man's shirt.  "This is not Liam O'Neill."  He said.

"But all the identification is O'Neill's.  What makes you so sure he's not this O'Neill guy?"  Taylor asked.

"I worked with Inspector O'Neill on a case in Toronto.  Liam O'Neill is a very devout Irish Catholic.  He always wore a crucifix.  This man has none."

"Maybe it was blown off when he was killed."

"Trust me.  This is not Liam O'Neill."

**********

Toronto 1994

"Hello, Bridget."  Inspector Liam O'Neill said as the newly made vampire came up behind him at the cemetery.  The vampire hunter leveled his crossbow at her heart and pulled the trigger.

Nick came to Bridget Hellman's grave just as Liam finished packing the dirt around it.  "Bridget was a good friend to all of us.  The hardest part was, she was an innocent victim in all of this.  To have to kill her like that wasn't an easy thing for you to do."

"After what Jack the Ripper did to her, I couldn't let her go on.  I had to save her from the endless torment she would have suffered as a vampire.  You can understand that, can't you?"  O'Neill said.  "How did you find out about me?"

"Let's just say I heard it from friends.  You could have killed me just as easily as this when you saw me use my powers to save you.  That's what a vampire hunter is supposed to do isn't it?  Why didn't you?"

"You saved my life.  You could have let me die in that fire.  That's what any other vampire would have done.  I'll ask you the same question you asked me.   Why didn't you?"

"Because I'm not like the others.  I do not kill unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I realized that.  That's why I didn't kill you."  He extended his hand.  "Perhaps if circumstances were different.  Perhaps if I wasn't what I am and you weren't what you are, we could have been good friends.  Take care, Nicholas Knight."

"Take care, Liam O'Neill."  Nick said shaking the vampire hunter's hand.

**********

Los Angeles

The phone was ringing as Nick and Taylor returned to their desks.

"This is Angie Roberson over in robbery."  She said as Nick answered the phone.  "I'm pretty sure we have something over here that ties in with the homicide case you just received."

"We'll be right there."  Nick said.

"I think this is your victim."  Angela Roberson said as Nick and Mike followed the petite black detective into the robbery squadroom.

"Liam O'Neill."  Nick said as he walked over to the man sitting at Roberson's desk.

"Nicholas Knight.  What are you doing here in Los Angeles?"  O'Neill said taking Nick's outstretched hand.

"I live here now.  Oh, by the way, this is my partner, Mike Taylor.  What brings you all the way from Dublin's fair city to these shores."

"A long overdue Holiday and a little semi-official business.  Although that is not the reason I am here at this time.  I reported that I had been mugged and my car and all my possessions had been

stolen.  When I identified myself, this young lady acted as though she had seen a ghost."

"In a sense, she had."  Mike Taylor said.  "We found your car and your things about an hour ago.  Unfortunately, they were with a man who had been killed gangland style.  Do you know anything about that, Mr. O'Neill?"

"Not a thing, Detective Taylor.  As I told your partner, I am here more or less on holiday.  When I exited my hotel, I was accosted in the parking garage and struck from behind.  When I regained consciousness, my wallet, my passport, my money, and my car were missing.  I immediately notified the authorities, and now you know as much as I do.  If I may, I would like to assist you on this case."

"I'm sure Captain Davies would be glad for your help.  Why don't we ask him?"  Nick said.

**********

"Could we talk...  privately?"  Nick said to Liam as they left Captain Davies's office.  Davies had readily given his permission for O'Neill to help Nick and Mike.  Nick took Liam to one of the interrogation rooms.  "Now, I want to know the real reason you are in LA.  I know you too well.  You didn't come six thousand miles just to enjoy the smog."

"You're partially right. I am on leave from the CID.   I heard a rumor of a vampire on the West Coast who had fathered a child by a mortal.  I wanted to check it out."

"And you want to kill this child?"  Fear wrapped itself around Nick's heart.  He was after him and the twins!

"Not unless he or she poses a threat.  My quest is more out of curiosity. As you know, thanks to one of your kind who didn't complete the job, I am half vampire.  The child is like me, belonging to neither world.  Perhaps we can help each other make it through this life.  I have changed since I met you in Toronto.  You showed me that there is good as well as evil in vampires too.  I now hunt only those vampires who are a clear threat to humanity."

"Do you ever work with the Enforcers in your hunting?"

Liam grunted loudly.  "Are you joking?  The Enforcers, like ninety-nine percent of the Community, would take a great delight in seeing me laying face down in my own blood or perhaps with no blood at all.  No.  I'm on my own as usual."

As they walked back to Nick's desk, Liam noticed Nattie's container sitting on the coffee bar.  He picked it up and studied it.  "Natalie Knight.  She looks just like you.  She's your daughter, isn't she?  She's the child I'm searching for, isn't she?"

Nick took a deep breath and held it and then slowly shook his head yes.  "She and her twin brother are mine."  He took out his wallet and opened it.  "This is Nattie and this is Joey.  That's Toni, their mother, my wife."

"How?  I thought vampires ...couldn't ... you know ... "

"Toni is completely mortal.  In order to make love to her, I had to learn to control the vampire in me to an infinite degree.  As I did that, my mortal side became dominant.  When that happened,

I was no longer sterile as you can plainly see.  Even though I am able to function as a mortal, I am still fully vampire as well.  They really are wonderful kids and I can guarantee they aren't the slightest threat to anyone.  Except maybe to a stuffed purple dinosaur that Joey likes to teethe on.  And the rubber ducky he dismantled.  Why don't you come home with me and see for yourself?"

As they left the building, several shots rang out.  Nick pushed Liam to the ground as the precinct emptied, everyone running in the direction of the shooter.

"Go on after him."  Inspector O'Neill said to Nick   "I'm all right"

**********

"There's no question about it now.  Whoever killed the person who robbed you, did it thinking he was you."  Taylor said after they had returned inside the police station. 

"And it looks like he's going to keep on trying."  Captain Davies added.  "I'm going to put you in protective custody until we catch this person."

"You have a saying out here, Captain.  No way, Jose."  Liam O'Neill objected.

"You're a target.  I'm not going to have you going out in the open where the killer can take pot shots at you at will.   Not in my jurisdiction, anyway.  At least let me assign some officers to you for protection."  Davies said.

"Wrong again.  I won't have any tails on me.  That would be like hanging a sign around my neck with a bullseye painted on it."

"He can stay with us."  Nick suggested.  "After all, we are acquainted with each other and we have worked together before.  He could be our house guest.  That way, I could guard him without making it seem too obvious."

Davies looked at O'Neill.  O'Neill reluctantly nodded acceptance.

**********

"A-A-Y-E-A-H!"  The screeching came from the nursery.

"The twins always know when I come in.  I think they might be psychic."  Nick said as he closed the door to the apartment. 

"Hi, honey!"  Toni called from the nursery.  "The twins have been fussing ever since you pulled into the garage.  They know Daddy's home."  She came into the living room.  She kissed him and held her hand to Liam.  "You must be Liam O'Neill.  I'm Toni.  Nick said you would be staying with us.  Something about a murder attempt.  He told me all about you, so there's no reason for us to play footsie with each other.  As they say, mi casa es su casa."

"Everything?"

"He told me that you are half vampire and a reformed vampire hunter.  He said that you were here to try and help the kids.  He also said that he trusts you and if he trusts you, that's good enough for me."

Nick came out of the bedroom, a baby in each arm.  "Here is the rest of the family.  This is Nattie."

Liam took her tiny hand and kissed it.  She smiled her patented lopsided smile and fixed her sapphire blue eyes on him.  It had the same effect on him that it had on everyone else.  "She's a pretty one all right.  When she grows up, you'll have to beat the suitors off with a stick."

" ... And this is Joey."

He shook Joey's hand.  Joey tried to stuff Liam's hand in his mouth.  "When you grow into your looks, young man, you'll break many a little lassie's heart."  Joey bit down hard on the Inspector's index finger with his four little teeth.

"Are you sure he's harmless?"  O'Neill said, rubbing the injured finger.

"Just teething, that's all.  He thinks everything that comes within range is something to eat."  Nick replied. 

Toni poured herself a glass of milk and reached into the cupboard for a packet of chocolate Instant Breakfast.  "Got to run.  Starlog is doing the background interviews for Holy Grail today.  I want to get down to the studio and clean up my office before they get there.  Also, CBS needs some extras for the ballroom scene for Southern Seduction.  We volunteered.  Your costume is on the couch.  It's at seven thirty tonight.  Ventura Party House.  Don't be late."

"WE volunteered?" 

"I knew you wouldn't mind.  Of course, that was before I knew we would be having a house guest.  Besides, you haven't taken me dancing in a long time.  I might be able to wangle a part for Inspector O'Neill, too.  That is, if you'd want it."

"I'd be delighted."  O'Neill said.  "Imagine.  Me.  A star."

Nick picked up the uniform.  "Confederate?"

"After all, it is a miniseries about the South.  Besides, all the Union parts were already cast.  Don't forget.  Seven thirty.  I should be home by then."  She pecked him on the cheek.  "Bye."  With that, she was out the door.

"And I thought I could move fast."  Nick said.

**********

Nick put the twins in the playpen in Toni's old apartment.  They still kept it as a studio / office.  He removed the paraphernalia from the bed and put it in one of the closets.  "As you can see, we rarely use this room as sleeping quarters. "  He said.  "If you'll wait a minute, I'll get a blanket to spread over the window.  Thanks to my vampire control, I have about a half hour that I can be in the shade without too many problems.  It's a good thing these windows face north."  He said, pulling a blanket from the storage trunk.

"That won't be necessary."  Liam said. "You forget that I am half mortal.  I can tolerate the sun fairly well."

"That's right.  You are ... half mortal ... and ... half vampire."  Suddenly Nick's face lit up.  "I know this might sound like I'm pushing things a lot, but I have a big favor to ask of you.  Nattie has a bad heart condition.  She needs surgery. That's what the containers at the police station are for. Our doctor knows about vampires, and of course he knows all about human physiology, but there is no information on vampire-mortal halflings.  If you would, could you let Tom Nichols run a few tests on you?  You just might be able to provide the information he needs to save her life."

"If you would have asked me that a few days ago, I would have said no.  But, now that I have met you and your family, I cannot refuse.  Especially since it's for that precious little Nattie."  He went to the playpen and kissed her on the head.

"Let me call him and set something up."

**********

"Well, I do declare,  Y'all do look right handsome, Captain Knight, Suh.  You too, Major O'Neill."  Toni said, as she emerged from the bedroom.  She was dressed in a dusty rose brocade gown from the Civil War era.    Her hair, a wig supplied by the studio, was done in long, finger curls of that period.  On top, she wore a mantilla of the same colored lace as her dress.  She looked every inch a true Southern Belle.  Nick and Liam were in their costumes as well.  Nick was a Cavalry officer and Liam was  an Infantry Major.  "Ah must be the luckiest woman in the South to have two such handsome gentlemen to escort me to the cotillion."  Toni curtsied, demurely fluttering her eyes over her fan.

Nick and Liam each took one of her hands and bowing, kissed it.

"Why Miss Atonia, I am surely purely pleased to be your escort for the evening."  Nick said, a twinkle in his eyes.

"I am real pleased too, Ma'm."  Liam's 'Southern Accent' had heavy overtones of an Irish brogue.  It was a good thing that none of them had speaking parts.

"Shouldn't Teressa and Miriam be here by now?"  Toni asked.

"They're not coming." Nick said.  "You forgot.  This is their Bingo night.  Atomic bombs couldn't keep them from that.  Not when St. Agnes Church has a $2500 jackpot.  By the time I remembered that fact, it was too late to get anyone from the complex to babysit."

"So, who's going to watch the kids?"

"I got someone." 

"Who?"

"He's very good with the kids."

"Who?"

He knows their routine."

"WHO?"

"Here he comes now.  Right on time."

Lucien LaCroix came in through the front door.  Nick had told him not to use the skylight since they had a guest.  LaCroix stared at Liam O'Neill for a long moment and then strode angrily to Nick.  "Nicholas.   I must talk with you.  In private.  In The Bedroom! NOW!"

LaCroix grabbed Nick by the throat and shoved him against the wall as soon as Nick had shut the door.  "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?"  He shouted, his eyes red and his fangs completely descended.   "Don't you know who that is?  He's a VAMPIRE HUNTER!  And YOU brought him HERE!  To YOUR home!  With MY grandchildren, yet!  I ought to kill him right now and then stake YOU for such a boneheaded thing!  You are putting everyone at a terrible risk!  WHY?"

"It's not what you think."  Nick gasped between choking coughs.  "HE'S not what you think.  He's changed.  He no longer hunts indiscriminately.  He only hunts those of us that pose a threat to the mortal community and to our Community as well.  In addition, since he is half mortal, he has agreed to work with Dr. Nichols to see if there's anything he can do to help Nattie."  He rubbed his throat as LaCroix released his grip.  " I trust him.  I'll take full responsibility for him."

"You will, indeed.  If he steps one foot out of line,  It will be on your head.  Or more precisely, through your heart."

**********

"I don't know. Maybe we should call this whole thing off."  Toni said as they drove to the Party House.  "LaCroix watching the twins by himself?  I have a funny feeling."

"Come on, honey.  It's not like he's a stranger."  Nick said, putting his arm around Toni.  "He is their grandfather, after all.  We did leave him all the emergency numbers, including the Bingo

hall,  just in case there's any problems."

"Their grandfather?"  Liam said from the back seat.

"He brought me across."  Nick explained.  "That makes him my vampire 'father'.  So, in a sense that makes him their grandfather.  He really dotes on those kids, too.  Spoils them rotten.  Especially Nattie.  He's the one who gave her that nickname.  Come on, relax.  Enjoy the ball.  After all, what could go wrong?"

**********

LaCroix settled into the recliner.  He took a sip from the glass in his hand.  "You know. I don't know what the fuss is all about."  He said as he stroked Hoiman who was sitting his lap.  Hoiman purred contentedly.   

LaCroix  had just checked on the twins and they were sleeping peacefully.  He had never been alone with them for any length of time. Teressa and Miriam had kept coming in and out every hour to check on them whenever he was there before.  There were times when he was sorely tempted to fang them for their interference, but there were other times when he was grateful for it.  Of course, he would rather eat garlic boiled in holy water than admit that, either to them or to Nick and Toni.  In a sense, he was glad they were at the Bingo.

"This will be a chance to prove to my son and daughter-in-law that I am perfectly capable of handling two tiny infants on my own."  He said to Hoiman, scratching him behind the ears.  "I am, after all, General Lucius Gaius Pletano.  I have commanded Caesar's Elite Legions.  I am almost two thousand years old.  I am a master vampire.  I am not some wet-behind-the-ears teenager who needs constant supervision."   Hoiman licked LaCroix's hand in apparent agreement.

**********

"Okay, people, lets try to get this without too many retakes."  The director said, clapping his hands together.  The ILM crew had worked their magic once more.  The main dining room of the Ventura

Party House had been transformed into a replica of a southern plantation ballroom.

The 'musicians' began their routine. There was no sound.  They were actors, and their instruments were dummies.  The actual music would be dubbed in later.  The extras waltzed around the room as they had rehearsed it at least a dozen times.  Each one wore a tiny, nearly invisible, wireless earpiece that played the actual music so they could keep time with the steps. 

At last the director yelled cut.  "Okay.  One more time.  Just like the last."  The cameras were repositioned to film the scene from a different angle.  They went through the routine again. 

"I didn't know you were such a wonderful dancer,"  Nick whispered into Toni's free ear.  "If I knew that, I'd have taken you dancing more often."

"I'm not that great a dancer.  I'm just following your lead."  She whispered back.

Again the director yelled cut.  "You people are great.  Let's do it once more."  The cameras were once again moved.   The 'music' started and they began the dance again.  Suddenly, there was a distinct "beep ... beep ... beep"

"CUT! CUT! CUT!"  The director yelled in frustration.  "Okay, okay, who's the idiot that forgot to take off his beeper.  They didn't have pagers in 1862, remember?"  

Nick raised his hand as he shut the pager off.  "I'm afraid I'm the idiot."  He said sheepishly.

"Okay.  Ten minute break while Columbo, here, answers this important call.  And it better be very important!"

**********

LaCroix flicked the remote to turn the TV off.  He had never watched Melrose Place before.  Now he knew why.  In his opinion, it was one of the most inane pieces of unadulterated drivel on the 'boob tube'.  From the nursery, LaCroix heard the sound of one of the twins crying loudly.  Apparently someone else shared his opinions of modern day television.

Joey was standing in his crib.  LaCroix picked him up.  One whiff told him that his grandson was not expressing his views of the TV show.  Then again, maybe he was.  He took him to the changing table.  He had seen Nick and Toni change the babies many times.  He knew what to do.  He carefully tore the strips off the diaper.  He made a face and quickly turned away.  Blood did not bother him.  Gore did not bother him.  This did.  Swallowing hard and holding the diaper at arms length, he deposited it in the trash bin.  He found the wet wipes and cleaned the area.  As he was positioning a fresh diaper, Joey felt the urge to relieve himself.  A stream of hot yellow liquid sprayed LaCroix's face and ran down his black silk shirt.   "One more stunt like that, young man, and Grandfather will personally stake you."  He said as he took another wet wipe to clean his face. 

Joey laughed and clapped his hands.

LaCroix let his eyes yellow and his fangs descend.  He opened his mouth menacingly and hissed at Joey.

Joey laughed all the louder.  "A-A O-O!"  Joey said, opening his mouth and baring his four tiny teeth in an imitation of LaCroix.  "H-H-H!"  He hissed.

"You will forget you heard that.  You will never make that sound again."  He said slowly and in a low tone, looking Joey directly in the eyes.

"H-H-H!"  Joey's reply was to hiss again.  He clapped his little hands and smiled broadly.  He had learned a no-no word and he was going to make the most of it.

That's when LaCroix remembered that young children cannot be hypnotized.  The seeds of disaster had been planted.  He would just have to live with it.  "When Nicholas and Atonia find out, I might not be living much longer."  He mumbled.

**********

" ... I'll be right there."  Nick said from the den as he replaced the phone on the cradle.  "That was Taylor."  Nick explained to Toni and Liam.  "They just got the call.  There has been a murder on the battlefield set in the field in back of the house.  Since I'm already here, Davies wants me to help with the investigation."

"I guess that means there will be no more takes tonight."  The director said with a dejected look on his face.  "Everybody go home.  We'll try again some other night."  He took a brown prescription bottle out of his pocket, shook two lavender pills into his hand and popped them in his mouth.

**********

Nick and Liam elbowed their way through the crowd behind the behind them.  All the extras, instead of going home, had gone to the scene.

"What's he doing here?"  Davies said, pointing to O'Neill.

"Well, you did assign Sergeant Knight to protect me.  What better way to do that than to keep me in his sight at all times.  And I am a police officer, after all."  Inspector O'Neill said.

"Sorry.  It's just that  ... Well, see for yourself."  Davies and Taylor led Nick and Liam to the body.  Toni opted to stay behind.  They went behind one of the supply trailers that nestled one against each other just off the 'battlefield'. The body was covered with a Confederate flag. Taylor lifted it.  The man was laying face up in a huge pool of blood.  He was male, Caucasian, well built, about twenty eight or thirty.  He was bare from the waist up.  Two wooden stakes protruded from either side of the man's chest and impaled him to the ground.  His throat had also been slashed, and there was a large 'X' cut into the flesh of his chest.  From the bruises and cuts on his body, it appeared he had been beaten severely before he had been killed,  Nick turned away.  The sight of the blood was getting to him.  He looked at Liam.  He, too was turned away.

"Gruesome, isn't it?"  Mike said as he replaced the flag.  His face was almost as pale as Nick's.

"He's one of my crew.  His name's Duncan Lewanders."  Larry Groce said as he came up to them.  "I found the body.  We were setting up props for the battle scene they're supposed to shoot in the morning.  Dunc came here to the supply trailer to get some more powder charges.  When he didn't return after a half hour, I came to see what was wrong."  Larry took a deep breath.  He was obviously shook up.  "That's when I found ... "  He pointed to Lewanders.

One of the uniformed officers continued to take Larry's statement.  Nick knelt beside the body.  A gleam of something reflecting the searchlights that were positioned around the scene caught his eye.  He took a handkerchief and picked it up.  It was a button from a Confederate uniform.  He had seen that type of button before.  "It's authentic, not one of the studio replicas."  He said to Taylor as he dropped it into an evidence baggie one of the officers supplied.  "I know because I'm sort of a Civil War buff."

A flash went off behind Nick.  He turned just in time to see one of the newspaper photographers leaning over his shoulder snapping the shutter of a .35mm camera as fast as he could.  "Edgar Rathman of the National Peeper, isn't it.  What brings a piece of slime like you out?  And how did you get past the barriers?"

"Press privilege."  Rathman said, flashing his credentials.

"Just because somebody had the lunacy to issue you a press pass, don't think for a minute that you're a journalist.  You and that piece of bird cage liner you work for wouldn't know the truth if it walked up and shook hands.  Tell me, do they still call you 'Ratface'?" 

"Knight, isn't it?  Glad to see you remember me.  Do they still call you 'Nick the Brick'?"  Rathman took several more shots.  "Can't you just see the headlines?  'Civil War Maniac Strikes TV Miniseries'.  Care to make a statement?"

Nick looked the weasel featured newsman in the eyes.  "Yes I would."  He sought out the man's heartbeat.  "Give me your camera."  He said slowly and deliberately.  Rathman handed Nick the camera.  Without breaking contact with Rathman, Nick opened it and took out the roll of film.  He held it to one of the searchlights and exposed the entire roll.  "There is no story here.  Go home."  He handed the camera back to Rathman.

"No story ... Go home."   Rathman said as he walked away.

"How'd you do that?"  Taylor said, scratching his head. 

"Hypnosis.  A friend taught me some years back."

"You think you could teach me that little trick"

"I had to pay a hefty price for that knowledge.  I don't think you would be willing to afford it"

**********

Joey's antics had awakened Nattie and she added her sobbing voice to the chorus.

"Now, now.  Don't cry, my sweetheart."  LaCroix said, picking her up.  "Grandfather can't handle it when his little Nattie cries."   He drew the back of his hand over her tear stained cheek.  She took his finger and put it in her mouth and sucked vigorously on it.

"So that's your problem.  You're hungry.  I bet Brother is too."   He put her back in her crib and went to the refrigerator.  He took out two bottles and hunted for the warming instructions Toni had written for him.  They were nowhere in sight.  "They're big kids."  He reasoned.  "They can handle it cold."  He went back into the nursery and gave each one a bottle.

Joey settled down once he had his bottle, but Nattie continued to cry.  He picked her up and cradled her in his arms as he sat in the rocker.  Toni had done this many times when they were fussy.  Maybe it would calm her down.  He positioned the bottle to her mouth and bounced her on his knee.  She sucked halfheartedly on it.  Suddenly, she looked at him wide eyed.  LaCroix had no time to react as a jet of formula shot from her mouth onto his shirt and trousers.

At this same moment, Joey discovered that if he pulled hard enough, he could take the nipple out of his bottle.  The contents went all over the crib and dribbled down on Hoiman. "H-H-H-H!"  Joey hissed once more and then giggled loudly at his feat.  Hoiman beat a hasty retreat under Nattie's crib.

As if that weren't enough, the phone rang.  The answering machine kicked in.  "You have reached 555-9812."  Nick's voice announced.  "Neither Nick nor Toni can come to the phone." Toni's voice continued. "Leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."  They both said in unison.

"LaCroix?  C'est Clarisse.  I know you're there.  Pick up."

Still holding the struggling, crying, vomit soaked baby in his arms, LaCroix managed to get to the phone and hit the speaker button with his elbow.  "Clarisse!  Get over here!  NOW!"   He demanded.  This only made Nattie scream all the louder.

"But mon pere.  I can't just leave just now.  I have a business to run."  She said coyly. Through her link with her father, Clarissa La Pont had sensed that the elder vampire was having problems.  It was the reason she called. 

"Milos can handle the restaurant.  You are needed here."  LaCroix practically shouted into the phone.  Joey added his voice to his sister's.

Clarissa was certain that there was no emergency.  She would take great delight in making him stew in his own juices.  "Milos isn't here tonight."  She said.  "Since you are playing babysitter, I'm here all alone."

"COME! ... NOW!"

**********

Nick knew there would be razzings made when he went into the precinct in his Civil War uniform.  Why, oh, why, hadn't he thought to bring a change of clothes?  Because no one could have known there would be a murder.  That's why.

Amid choruses of Dixie and pseudo anti-Confederate slurs and one liners, he managed to fill out the preliminary paperwork. Toni got wolf whistles and joking propositions.  At least they had better be jokes.  From there, he went to the morgue.  Dr. McCoy was just finishing up the preliminary examination of the body.

"I haven't seen anything like this in a long time."  He handed the report to Nick.  "Death was from loss of blood resulting from the wounds to the throat.  He was apparently tortured first.  I found traces of curare in what little blood he had left in him.  Not enough to kill him, but enough to paralyze him.  It was also on the stakes in his chest.  He was staked, then tortured, and finally killed."

"If he was tortured before he was killed, why wouldn't anyone have heard him screaming?"   Taylor asked.

"The curare."  Quincy McCoy answered.  "It would have paralyzed him but not made him unconscious.  The killer probably got a lot of perverse pleasure out of seeing him suffer and knowing that Lewanders couldn't move or scream.  Whoever did this ... "  He shook his head and his voice trailed off.

**********

Clarissa descended through the skylight.  She had expected trouble, but what she saw was a disaster.  A roll of paper towels was snaked across the living room floor.  A white powder, smelling decidedly like soap, covered the floor in front of the sink.  A large spill of an unidentifiable nature, but looking vaguely like blood, stained the living room carpet.

LaCroix paced woodenly between the kitchen and the dining room, holding Nattie, still messed, against his shoulder.  She was wearing the oxygen mask.  LaCroix was cradling the oxygen bottle in his other hand.  "She has been crying."  He said, frustration and fear in his eyes.  "If I put her down, she starts to cry again ... I was afraid ... her heart ... I didn't know what to do."

"That  was the right thing to do."  Clarissa assured him.     

From the nursery, she could hear Joey crying at the top of his lungs.  She went in.  Joey stood bare bottomed in his crib.  He had messed his diaper again and apparently LaCroix had not fastened it securely when he changed him.  It had fallen off.  The bed, as well as Joey's legs, was awash in spoiled milk and poop.  

Hoiman cowered in a corner, his fur covered with the foul smelling mixture.  He looked at Clarissa with pleading yellow-green eyes.

If it weren't so serious, it would be hilarious.  As it was, it was all the female vampire could do to keep from laughing out loud.

"Help me."  LaCroix said softly.  " ... Please?"

"What happened here?  On second thought, I don't think I want to know."  She disappeared into Nick and Toni's bedroom and emerged a few minutes later dressed in one of Toni's old sweat suits and a shower cap.  "I don't want to ruin my good dress, or my hairdo."  She said.

"First, let's get the kids cleaned up.  You take Joey into the bathroom and bathe him in the tub.  I'll wash Nattie here in the sink."  She barked out orders.   When that was done, she had LaCroix put them in their playpens while she went about cleaning the mess in their bedroom.

She stripped the cribs and took the sheets and blankets, as well as their clothes to the washer.  "You smell terrible." She said to LaCroix.  "And you look even worse.  Give me your shirt and trousers.  I might as well wash them, too."

"Not on your eternal undead life.  This is a three hundred dollar shirt and these pants are custom tailored.  You are NOT going to put them in the washer!"

She looked in the utility closet and found a package of dry cleaning mix.  She handed it to LaCroix.  "Put them in here.  Follow the directions on the box.  It's made for dry clean only clothes."

"And what do I wear while they are being cleaned?"

"Just wear your undershorts.  It won't take that long to clean them."

"I don't ... wear undershorts."

Clarissa raised one eyebrow.  The thought of LaCroix buck naked was too much for her to contemplate at this time.  "You and Nick are about the same size.  Wear something of his."

LaCroix gave her a sneer as he went into the bedroom.  Moments later, he emerged wearing one of Nick's T-shirts and a pair of his shorts.  He handed the bag with his clothes to Clarissa.

Clarissa let out a low sensuous growl.  "Ni-i-i-ce legs."

"Nicholas is four inches shorter than I am."  He explained.   "His pants do not even come to mid calf.  And they're ... cotton."

She put the bag into the dryer.  While they were being cleaned, she told LaCroix to clean the mess in the kitchen and dining room, while she took a sponge, a mop, and a bucket full of soap and Odo

Ban and went to work on the cribs and the carpet in the nursery.  Then she tackled the stain in the living room.  Finally, she took a loudly protesting Hoiman to the kitchen sink and washed the mess out of his fur.

At last, everything was back the way it should be, and the twins were once again sleeping peacefully in their cribs.

"Hurry!"  LaCroix  said taking her by the arm.  He positioned her under the skylight and opened it.  "Leave now.  Nicholas and Atonia ... and that O'Neill creature ... are almost here.  Don't say anything about what happened here tonight to anyone."  He pecked her hastily on the cheek.  "I owe you." 

"And I will most certainly collect, mon pere."  Clarissa fluttered her eyes and patted his cheek softly.  "Bon soir, mon cherie."  She exited through the open skylight.

Nick and Toni opened the door to find LaCroix sitting in the recliner sipping his drink.

"Well, how did things go?"  Toni asked.

"Everything's fine."  He said smugly.  He glanced up at the now closed skylight.  "Things couldn't be better."

Nick and Toni did not notice Hoiman, sitting in the shadows, preening his still damp fur.  Nor could they see the area rug that LaCroix had put over the wet spot on the carpet.

**********

Nick fingered the uniform button.  Forensics had not found anything helpful on it.  Only a few blurred fingerprints and traces of the victim's blood.  The same held true for the stakes.  Nothing to go on there.   

Duncan Lewanders had no known enemies and was well liked by everyone who knew him.  According to everyone they questioned, he was a quiet man with a wife and two and 3/4 children.  They were expecting their third baby in about two months.  Nick thought of Toni and the twins.

"Maybe Tracy can do her thing with that.  It might help us identify the murderer."  Mike suggested.  Tracy Vetter had used her psychic powers on several occasions to profile suspects by 'reading' objects from the scenes of crimes.  She was never wrong.  Nick also suspected it would give Mike another opportunity to see the blonde private investigator.  Not that he needed one.

They explained what they planned to do to Liam.  As the Inspector had told Davies, Nick was not letting him out of his sight.  Not just because there was a threat to his life, but because of the implied threat O'Neill posed to the Community and visa versa.  While Nick trusted him, he did not want to take any chances.  Also, there was a slim possibility that one of the Community might be the assassin.

**********

Tracy Vetter showed them to her couch.  The office was about to close when they called, and she had suggested they meet at her home.  After they had introduced Liam, Nick handed her the button.

She sat a few moments, twirling it in her fingers.  Suddenly she stiffened.  "A battle ... Shiloh ... Confederate soldiers ... He's walking among them ... He's ... "  Suddenly she stopped.  Her face was a dull shade of gray and her eyes were filled with fear. 

Mike put his arm around her.  "It's all right.  It happened a long time ago.  I'll be here with you .  Everything's all right."  He said softly, smoothing her hair.  Even a blind man could see he cared very much for her.

"The carnage ... it's terrible ... "  She continued.  She shook her head to clear it.  "I'm sorry.  The images from that time are so powerful, I can't concentrate on the present owner of the button."  She said, handing it back to Nick.

She showed them to the door.  < Come back later.  I need to talk to you. >  Tracy said.  Nick looked around.  No one seemed to have heard her but him.  Mike and Liam were busy talking to each other.  Her voice was in his mind.

< I will. Give me a few minutes. >  He sent back.

"Since we are here, I want to check on the kids."  Nick said to Mike once they were in the garage.  He handed the keys to the Caddy to Mike.  "Why don't you and Liam head back to the precinct.  I'll meet you there."

"You know, I haven't seen those two little darlings in a while.  I think I'll come up with you."  Mike said, handing the keys back to Nick.

"No.  I don't think that's a good idea.  Nattie hasn't been feeling well lately."  Nick lied.  "Her heart, you know.  I don't think she should have any excitement right now."  Nattie was fine, but he had to think of a way to see Tracy without Mike and Liam tagging along.  He was positive she had discovered something from the button that she did not want to share with anyone but him.  Mike bought it.

"Okay."  Nick said once he was seated on Tracy's couch.  "What did you find that you couldn't tell anyone except me."  He handed her the button again.

"There were vampires at the scene.  I know what Liam is. I didn't pry.  It's in his aura.  I didn't want to say anything about what I saw in front of Mike either.  I know it's been over a year since  Alexandra, but I don't think he's ready to deal with vampires yet."  She rubbed the button thoughtfully.

"Since there are vampires involved, I'll have Clarissa make a few discrete inquiries."  Nick suggested.

"She's there, too ... Clarissa ...  She knows him ... It's horrible ... So many dead ... wounded ... He's walking among them ... Hunger ... Blood ... Feeding ... He isn't just feeding off the bodies ... He's getting some kind of a perverse, erotic thrill out of it ... She's trying to stop him."  She doubled over, a look of agony on her face.  "Is that what it's like?  A terrible, aching need?  This horrible, eternal obsession.  Vachon tried to tell me about it, but I couldn't imagine what it was like.  Not until now.  It must have been torture drinking those protein shakes Natalie made when what you really craved was blood."

Nick wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel.  "It wasn't so bad."  He said.  "You don't have to go on any more.  Now that I know that much, maybe I can get the rest from Clarissa.  Do you want me to absorb some of the pain?"

"No.  They're not my memories.  I've trained myself.  They'll fade in a short time."

 **********

Nick took a seat at the bar at the After Sunset.  He had came here directly from Tracy's.  He noticed a container like the one at the precinct was sitting on the end of the bar.  It was full, and bills were even stuffed into the opening.  They weren't all ones, either.

"Clarissa's idea."  Milos said. "She talked to Captain Davies and he gave her one of those.  He said someone would be around every Friday to collect.  That's the third time it's been filled this week."  He handed him a glass of 'house special'.  

"I appreciate it.  Actually, I'm here on business, though."  Nick said.  "Is Clarissa around?"

Milos pointed toward the dining room.  Clarissa was seated at a table reading and making notes as she shuffled through a stack of papers.

Nick placed the button on top as he took a seat across from her.

"What's that?"

"A Confederate uniform button.  From the scene of a murder.   You probably heard about that.  Tracy read the button for me.  You were there.  At Shiloh.  Want to tell me about it?"

Clarissa studied the button a few moments.  "It's impossible.  He's dead.  I'm positive of that.  His name is George Deveraux.  I came across him about a year before Shiloh.  It was at the battle of Norton's Hill.  It was only a minor skirmish.  Never even made a footnote in the history books.  They had commandeered Monica De Fontaine's ... establishment ... as an impromptu hospital.  He was just a common soldier, and he was badly wounded.  He begged me to help him.  I brought him across.  We had to move on rather quickly.  I didn't see him again until Shiloh."

**********

Shiloh 1862

The scent of gunpowder and death hung strongly over the battlefield as Clarisse De Mer walked among the bodies.  The battle had raged furiously for several days without a clear victory for either side.  Undoubtedly, it would continue in the morning.

"Help me.  Please help me."  A soldier called out.  Clarisse went to him.  He was little more than a boy.  His wounds were grievous.   He was dying.  He looked at her.  "Are you an angel?"  He asked.

"An angel?  Oh!  No, mon cher.  Not an angel.  All I can do is to end your suffering quickly."  She carefully lifted him and put her lips to his throat.  Her fangs descended and her eyes turned yellow.  A few minutes later, the young soldier suffered no more.

"Excellent work!"  A voice said from behind her.  He was clapping his hands.  It was George Deveraux.  He was dressed in the uniform of a Cavalry Colonel.  There were several unmended bullet sized holes in the tunic.  "As you can see, I have promoted myself since last we met.  You and I have the same purpose.  To end the suffering of these poor fellows and at the same time, assure ourselves of a more than adequate source of food, as well as a never ending supply of thrills."

"Deveraux!"  Clarisse said angrily.  "That is not my purpose here.  While it is true that I do feed, it is only on those who are already dead or dying.  I do not and I never will take any pleasure from it."

"Then you are missing all the excitement of it, my dear."  He put his hand around her waist.  "Let me show you."   He led her to another wounded soldier.  Without saying anything, he  grabbed the screaming man and viciously drained him.

"Why did you do that?"  Clarisse said, horrified at what she had just witnessed.  "He was not that badly wounded.  He would have survived."

"That's the point.  He knew he would have lived if I hadn't taken him.  He also knew he was going to die at my hands.  He was terrified.  It's that fear that provides such a thrill.  You must try it sometime."   He grinned, blood drooling down his chin.

Ugly chills traveled up her spine.  He was her creation.  He was evil.   She would have to destroy him.  There was no other solution.

She picked up the sword from a dead officer and swung it at him.  It left a bloody welt across his chest.  She swung again and made another one.  He growled at her.  His eyes were red with rage.  He grabbed the sword and knocked her to the ground

He was attacking  another soldier.  She picked up a piece of broken flagpole and rushed at him.  He partially deflected it, but not before it caught him solidly in the shoulder.  With an unearthly howl, he fell to the ground.  With all her might, she pushed the improvised stake through him and into the ground. 

Quickly, she picked up the other end of the flagpole and drove it through the other shoulder.  "I should kill you, but I don't want your perverse evil inside of  me."  She looked at the sky.  It was nearly sunrise.  "I think I shall let nature do the job for me.  It will give you time to think about what you have done.  Perhaps, you might even repent a little."  Turning, she left Deveraux on the ground and flew off toward shelter.

**********

Los Angeles

"Before I left, I injected him with a bit of curare I had stolen from the hospital tent to make sure he couldn't escape.  I went back the next night and there was no trace of him.  I was positive the sun had taken care of him.  I had every reason to believe he was dead.  I don't see how he managed to survive."

Nick took the button back.  "Thanks, Clarisse.  Now that I know who we are looking for, we can narrow the search considerably." 

"Nick, you must let me take care of this.  He's after me.  That man at the party house was only a calling card to let me know he's back.  He murdered that man in the same manner that I left him on the Shiloh battlefield.  He knew that sooner or later, I'd make the connection and come after him.  Nick.  He's my mistake.  I'll deal with him."

"No.  We'll deal with him.  From what you say, he's pure evil.  I'm not going to let you put yourself in danger.  Would you consider letting Toni make a sketch?"

**********

" ... The  face is a bit longer and the lips are narrower ... "  Clarissa told Toni.  Toni corrected the picture.  "That's him.  That's George Deveraux."

"Are you sure?"  Toni said.  She went to the bookcase and took a book from it.  She held the picture on the dust cover against the sketch.  They were of the same man.  "That's Mark Mitler. He's the author of Southern Seduction.  No wonder everyone says his account is so historically accurate.  He was actually there."

Clarissa took Nick aside.  "I must talk to about ... your houseguest.  The Community is not happy with you for him."

"He isn't what you think.  He's reformed.  He has been working with Tom in an effort to help Nattie.  Remind those who want to vent their frustrations on him, that he's under my personal protection.  If anyone harms him, they will have to answer to me."

"They already know that.  It's the main reason he's still alive."

**********

Liam O'Neill rolled his sleeve down as Tom Nichols labeled the vials of blood he had drawn.  "Usually when a person gives that much blood, they get coffee and donuts."  O'Neill joked.

"Don't have any donuts, but you're welcome to some coffee."  Tom said, taking a beaker off the Bunsen burner and pouring it into a specimen cup.  "It should be just about ready.  I've been brewing it for the last two days."

"Two days?"  Liam held up his hand.  "On second thought ... "

"How about a lollipop then.  It's something I've been working on."  He held up a sucker.  "Most kids balk at taking medicine, so I made it into candy. This one is orange.  It's vitamins."  He held up another one.  "This one is strawberry triple antibiotic.  Here's one that you should like, Nick.  Protein supplement.  Root Beer."

Nick unwrapped it and stuck it in his mouth.  "Not bad.  Maybe you should think about contacting one of the pharmaceutical companies.  I bet you could make a fortune."

"I already have.  Their lawyers and mine are already negotiating a contract.  Now, let's get that little darling in here so Uncle Tom can give her a checkup."

Nattie squealed as Tom placed the stethoscope button on her chest.  She took it and put it to her mouth.  "A-A-O-O-A  H-H-H"  She cooed into it.

"You've been taking lessons from Brother haven't you?"  Tom said as he rubbed his ears.  Nattie just giggled agreement and clapped her hands.  The checkup was completed without further incident, and Nattie sucked happily on an orange lollipop.  The pain of the numerous blood samples completely  forgotten.

"She's barely within normal ranges on all her tests, but her blood pressure is up significantly from the last time. The sonogram also shows that her heart is definitely enlarged.   That means her heart is having to work harder to pump the blood.  Hopefully, I can get enough information from this visit and what I can learn from Liam to start making preparations for surgery.  I have a feeling we can't wait too much longer."

**********

"Do you mind if I ask you some personal questions?"  Toni asked Liam.  "If you're going to help our daughter, it's only fair that I know all about you."

"I don't mind at all.  Ask away."

"First.  How is it that you are half vampire?  Were you born that way?"

"No.  I was attacked by a vampire when I was just a young lad. I think I was twelve at the time.  I don't know whether he intended to bring me across or kill me.  Either way, my attacker was driven off before he could finish the job.  My rescuers took me to the village church where the priest cleansed my wounds with holy water and prayed over me.  The holy water burned like crazy, but it stopped the progression of the 'vampire virus', as Doctor Nichols calls it."

"If you were twelve when you were attacked, how come you are, what, fifty now?"

"I do age, but very slowly.  While I may look fifty, I am actually closer to a hundred fifty.  I age approximately one year for every three."

"What about your vampire traits?"

"I can tolerate sunlight, but I burn very easily. I tell others it's because of my Irish complexion.  I have greater speed and endurance than the average mortal, but not as much as a full vampire.  I can fly very short distances.  Maybe only a block or two at a time, but it is very awkward and clumsy.  Actually, my flying is more like very long jumps.  Religious articles don't bother me.  You've seen that I wear a cross.  I have a heartbeat of thirty seven beats a minute and a blood pressure of fifty over thirty three.  I eat solid food but I try to avoid ingesting blood products whenever possible.  I don't eat garlic, but it's because I don't like it, not because it does any nasties to me."

"How did you become a vampire hunter?  And why?"

" 'Tis a long story.  After my injuries were healed, the priest sent me to be raised by the monks at a local monastery.  They instilled in me a firm belief that my vampire side was the work of the devil.  When I went out on my own, I was determined to seek out and destroy all those who were devils.  I fell in with this group, a few of them were halflings like me, and they taught me the ways of the vampire hunter."

"What made you change your mind and only hunt those who are evil?"

 "Your husband.  I was hunting a particularly evil and very powerful vampire.  The mortal world knew him as Jack The Ripper, among other names.  I finished him off, but not before he attacked me and an innocent lass. I was trapped in my car and it had been set afire.  Nick pulled me from the burning car.  He showed me that there was good in everyone.  Perhaps I can repay him for saving my life by helping to save your daughter's life."

"I would like to do something for the two of you."  Liam O'Neill said to Nick and Toni later that day.  "After all it can't be all that easy a time on you what with Nattie's problems and all.  Then there's the added burden of having me underfoot all the time.  Why don't you go out on the town?  When was the last time you did something, just the two of you?  I'd be more than happy to watch the twins."

Nick and Toni looked  at each other.  It seemed like ages since they had a night together. 

"I appreciate the offer, Liam."  Nick finally said.  "But I have to turn it down.  Word is out among the Community that you are here.  If anyone found out that I left you alone with Nattie and Joey,  they'd stake you, and then they'd stake me, too.  And then they'd probably stake Toni just for good measure.  I tell you what, though.  I'll call Miriam and Teressa.  If they're willing, maybe the three of us can go somewhere.  You're probably just as stir crazy as we are, being cooped up in here all the time."

"You've got a point there, Nick.  After all, I didn't come all the way across an ocean and a continent just to stare at four walls.  I think I'd like to see Los Angeles by night.  My treat, of course."

"Of course.  I'll call Miriam now."

**********

"If you would have called anyone but us, we would have been very upset.  We are always happy to watch these two darlings."  Miriam Feldman said.  Teressa Giovanetti was already seated in the rocker, a twin on each knee. The story of the purple dinosaur, their favorite, was propped in her lap.  This must have been the two thousandth time they heard it.  They especially loved it when it was read to them with an Italian or Yiddish accent.

"You three just go on and have a good time.  Don't worry about a thing."  Teressa called out.  "We have all the emergency numbers and we've just completed the YMCA course in First Aid."

"We're ready for anything."  Miriam said, holding up her lifesavers card.

Liam met them in the garage, carrying a briefcase.

"What's that for?"  Toni  said.

"Let's just say it's an insurance policy.  In case our assassin makes another attempt on my life"

"Now, where shall we go first?" 

"How about something to eat?"  Liam suggested.  "I'm half starved."

"Where would you like to go?  There's a zillion restaurants in Los Angeles."

"I know this is going to sound strange, but how about a McDonalds.  I have always been a sucker for a Big Mac."

"You are the boss.  McDonalds it is."

"Toni, since you know the tourist traps in LA better than I do, you are hereby appointed official tour guide."  Nick said, getting into the passenger seat.

**********

They pulled up to the window at the McDonalds.  "Two Big Mac meals and two chocolate shakes."  Toni said .

"Make that three."  Nick added.  "I'm hungry too."

"I didn't think you could eat."  Liam said.

"Oh, but he can."  Toni answered.   "The vampire control factor.  I didn't know you liked Big Macs or I would have gotten you one, too."

"I don't know whether I like them or not.  I've never had one." 

"Thish ish goob"  Nick said as he swallowed a gigantic bite of his sandwich.  "And so is the shake."  He sucked it with a loud slurping sound.  "A lot better than protein shakes."

"I must apologize for my husband's manners."  Toni said.  "He's been this way ever since he discovered solid food."

"Hey, I've got eight hundred years to make up for."  Nick said, taking another bite.

"But not in one night.  Now where to?"

Liam pointed to a billboard.  "I've heard of that place.  Knott's Berry Farm.  Is it as fantastic as they say it is?"

"Absolutely."

"What's so great about a farm?"  Nick asked.

"It's not a farm.  It's a theme park."  Toni said.  "You really are a brick."

"Flattery will get you everywhere."  He pecked her lightly on the cheek, leaving a ketchup smear. 

"It's been ages since I've been to an amusement park."  Liam said.

"I've never been to one."  Nick said quietly.

"Never?"  Toni said, pulling into the curb lane.

"Do street carnivals count?"

"NO!"  She flicked on the turn signal.

"Where are we going now?"  Nick said.

"We MUST further your education.  To Knott's Berry Farm.  Where else?"

**********

"Nick!  Come on! The park closes in ten minutes."

"But we haven't even seen a third of the park yet.  Just one more ride ... Please?"

"No!"  Toni said, grabbing him by the ear and starting for the exit.  "We can come back again some other time and you can finish riding all the rides."

"Are you sure you haven't been possessed by the ghost of my mother?  She used to do that to me when I was naughty."  Nick said, wincing.

"NOW!"

"Okay.  Just let me get my things together."

They dumped the boxes and bags in the back seat.  There was barely enough room for Liam.

"I swear.  I know they made a profit today.  Just off the two of you."  Toni said.  There was a huge assortment of stuffed animals and dolls.  'For the kids' Nick and Liam rationalized.  They had also bought at least a dozen Knott's Berry Farm T-shirts and an equal number of baseball caps.  These, they said were for friends.

"We have more postcards than we have friends to send them to.  And we have lots of friends."  Toni said.  "And what, pray tell, am I going to do with ..."  She held up a pottery caricature of a bear with a clock in its stomach.  "This?"  

"Be careful with that!  I won it at the shooting gallery."   Nick said, putting the bear back in the bag with the rest of the things.  "You're an experienced decorator.  I'm sure you'll think of something."

"Oh!  I know a lot of things I could do with it."  Toni said with a mischievous grin.

"So, did you mean it when you said we could come back to Knott's Berry Farm someday?"  Nick asked as Toni turned onto the freeway.  "Or maybe next time we could go to Disneyland.  I really had a ball.  I never realized places like this even existed."

"You're joking."  Toni said, looking at her grinning husband.  "No, you're not joking, are you?     Liam, trust me.  He's not always this immature.  It's just that he's been so busy looking for the secret to mortal life, he's never stopped and learned how to live."

"Dinna worry about it, Toni.  I'm a lot like Nick in that respect.  I haven't had much opportunity just to be myself either.  I'm not as vocal about it as Nick is, but I'm just as excited as he is.  I have had a marvelous time tonight, too.  Could we really go to Disneyland?"

Toni just laughed and rolled her eyes.

Nick suddenly stiffened and he drew in a sharp breath.  "Pull off at the next exit."  He said in a low serious tone.  Toni glanced at him.  His face was a mix of fear, agony and anger. His eyes were beginning to fleck.  She headed for the exit ramp.

"Now pull into that alley."

"Nick."  Toni said as she brought the car to a stop.   "What's wrong?  I've never seen ... "

"Clarisse!"  Nick said, deliberately and flatly.  "Take Liam home.  I'll be there as soon as I can."  With that, he rose and took off into the darkness.

"Well?"  Liam said as he flew off.  "Aren't you going to follow him?"

"You heard what he said."

"I heard.  But I also sense that something is terribly wrong.  There's a definite possibility he might not be able to handle it alone.  You know where he's going.  Which would you rather do,  take me there, or watch me go hip hopping across the Los Angeles skyline after him?"

Toni put the car in reverse and backed out of the alley.  Mentally, she was calculating the quickest route to the After Sunset.

**********

Toni screeched to a halt at the entrance to the alley behind the After Sunset Restaurant.  No use going in the front way. There were too many vampires around and she didn't want to put Liam in any jeopardy.

Liam reached down and pulled out his briefcase.  He opened it and took out a pistol and several long wooden darts.  "It's a refinement of a children's dart gun.  Much more efficient and a lot less bulky than a crossbow.  He inserted a dart in the muzzle and put several more in his back pocket.  He started into the alley.  "You stay put.  Nick and I can handle this."  He called to her.

What greeted him in the alley was shocking, even to the jaded vampire hunter.  In the light of the lamp above the rear door of the After Sunset, he could see everything.  Clarissa was lying on the ground.   She was naked from the waist up, and her shoulders were pinned with two stakes.  Bruise marks were beginning to form on her face and chest.  She was wide eyed with fear, but unable to move. 

Above her, Mark Mitler / George Deveraux stood with a sword in his hand.  " ... You really should have finished me off on that battlefield, Mother Dearest."  He said, hate dripping from every word.  He drew the sword across her abdomen, leaving a long bloody streak in its wake.  "You should have made sure I was dead.  Almost as soon as you left, a medic found me and set me free.  As soon as the poison you injected wore off, I got out of there."  He slowly drew an intersecting bloody line across her belly. A look of intense pleasure was on his face as he saw the pain and fear in Clarissa's paralyzed eyes.  "As for the good Samaritan who rescued me?   I killed him, of course."  Deveraux raised the sword above Clarissa's head and started to lower it.  "Just as I am going to kill you." 

He screamed in agony as one of Liam O'Niell's darts pierced his back.  With a horrible growl, he turned his attention to Liam.  With practiced movements. Liam quickly reloaded, and in an instant, fired again.  This one found its mark between the fifth and sixth rib.  Deveraux fell in his tracks.  For good measure, Liam fired again.  This one landed next to the first.  Soon a third and then a fourth dart was protruding from the vampire's heart.

Toni  came into the alley.  She was dragging a body of her own.  "I saw this one lurking at the entrance to the alley.  When I saw he had a gun, I got out my persuader, here, and whacked him across the head."  She held up a two foot length of one inch rubber coated heavy cable.  "He'll wake up with Excedrin headache number 999, but he will wake up.  Any idea who he is?"

"He's the man who has been trying to kill me."  Liam said.  "Does Nick have any handcuffs?"

"In the glove compartment."

"Good.  Get them and cuff him to the dumpster.  That'll keep him out of our way while we clean up this bloody mess.  Pun definitely intended."

While Toni was doing that, Liam removed the stakes from Clarissa.  Toni returned with the handcuffs and a blanket as well as the first aid kit from the car.   Just then, Nick came stumbling out of the shadows.  His shirt was torn and bloodied and there was an angry red welt across his chest.  Toni ran and embraced him.

"It's okay.  I'm okay."  He kept repeating as he held her close.  "Deveraux cut me with the sword.  It must have been coated with curare.  I couldn't move.  It's wearing off, and I'll be all right in a few minutes."  He motioned toward Clarissa.  "How ... "

Liam was ministering to her from the first aid kit.  "She's starting to come around, but she has been hurt very badly."  He said.  He had cleansed the wounds and they were already starting to scab and scar.

Nick came to her and let his fangs grow.  He positioned them above his wrist and just as he was about to bite down, Liam grabbed the arm.

"No. Let me."  He said.  "You need your strength to heal your own wounds."  He took a pocket knife and, grimacing, drove it into his own forearm.  He held the bleeding cut over Clarissa's mouth. 

With a great effort, she turned away.  "I'd rather die."  She gasped.

Liam grabbed her by the chin and forced her head back to the front.  He jammed his arm against her mouth.  "And if you don't drink, you just might get your wish."  He said angrily.

Clarissa struggled for a moment and then reluctantly sucked.   After the first mouthful, she drank eagerly.  Finally, she gently pushed Liam's arm from her.  "Nick was right.  You are different. 

Thank you."  With Nick and Liam assisting her, she got to a sitting position.

Toni had gone back to the Caddy and returned with two T-shirts.  "You had better put these on."  She said handing one to Nick and the other to Clarissa.  "I heard the call over the radio.  Someone reported this to 911.  The police should be here any minute.  No sense having to explain any more that absolutely necessary."   From the first aid kit, she bandaged Liam's arm.

Liam went to the vampire's body and removed the darts.

"Will he stay dead?"  Clarissa asked.

Liam nodded.  He held up one of the darts.  "They're made of hawthorn wood and have been soaked in a mixture of garlic juice and holy water.  Trust me.  It works every time.  He is very dead. 

Does anyone have a pencil?"

Toni dug in her purse and produced one. "It's a mechanical pencil.  I go through wood pencils like Kleenex.  Will it do?"

"It'll have to do."  He took the pencil and inserted it into one of the wounds.  "That should satisfy the coroner."  He said.

 As Toni was putting Nick's bloody shirt into the dumpster, several police officers came into view.  Nick showed his badge. 

"He's the one you call the Civil War killer.  I recognize him from the handout they gave me the other day."  Clarissa lied.  "He's been in the restaurant several times.  All he talked about was how much I reminded him of Monica, the heroine of Southern Seduction."  She continued the lie.  "Tonight he came in and said there was something he had to tell me in private.  As soon as we went into my office, he started fondling me.  I ran into the alley and he followed.  He started hitting me and screaming at me. He was incoherent.  Something about how the South had betrayed him and how he was going to make all of us pay.  I managed to stab him several times with a pencil."

< Good girl. >  Nick sent.   < That'll explain the wounds. >

< I had a feeling that's what Liam had in mind .>  She sent back.

"That's when we came into the alley."  Nick continued the narrative.  "We were on our way home from Knott's Berry Farm and decided to stop for a bite."  He pointed to Deveraux's body.  "He was dead by the time we got here.  One of the pencil stabs must have punctured the heart." 

"Who's he?"  One of the officers said, indicating the unconscious man chained to the dumpster.

"That is Harry Vollmer."  Liam said.  "I have every reason to believe he is the man who killed the person who stole my car, and made the attempt on my life at the police station.  He is a fairly good sized wheel in the terrorist wing of the Irish Republican Army.  I arrested him ten years ago for the bombing of an Orange stronghold.  He swore he would follow me to the ends of the earth to take his revenge.  Apparently he meant it."

"So, we've got two killers for the price of one."  The officer said.

"Actually, you can credit Toni Knight with the collar.  She bludgeoned him as he was about to finish me off."

"Do you think you are able to come to the precinct and make a report?"  The officer asked Clarissa as he helped her to her feet.

"I'm a little bruised, but other than that, I'm fine."  If anyone had examined her closely, they would have seen several reddish-blue scars that could have easily been mistaken for bruises.

Nick saw a familiar face in the crowd that had gathered at the entrance to the alley.  "Ratface."  He said, looking deep into his eyes and concentrating on the man's heartbeat.  "Remember what I told you the last time. Then do it." 

Rathman handed his camera to Nick.  "There is no story here.  Go home."  He mumbled as he walked away.  

**********

Nick signed the last of the preliminary reports.  "There.  That's one incident I'm glad is over."

The Irish consulate had gladly waived extradition rights to Harry Vollmer.

"Now about Deveraux."  Liam asked.

"Not to worry."   Nick said.  "Quincy McCoy is moderately suggestible.  I think I've convinced him that Mark Mitler died just as Clarisse said he did."

Nick's phone rang.  From the caller ID, it was his home number.  "Teressa, Miriam.  What's wrong?"  He said, panic entering his voice.

"It's Nattie!"   Miriam Feldman said.  "She stopped breathing.  There's no heartbeat either.  We called 911 and they are taking her to Childrens.  Teressa is in the ambulance and my Morris is here with me.  We'll bring Joey with us and meet you at the hospital."

Giving a hurried explanation to the group, Nick quickly ushered Toni and Liam out of the squadroom.  "You drive!"  He said to Toni.  "It would look too suspicious if we were at the hospital without a car."  With that, he took to the air again. 

**********

He arrived as the ambulance was leaving.  Teressa and Mario were in the waiting room.  They embraced Nick. "Joey ciminci a capriccioso."  An hysterical Teressa rattled in Italian.  "Noi venge atrovare che cosa erratico.  Nattie e no respirare.  Ella forse morto" 

Nick held the sobbing woman gently.  "In Inglese. Por Favore." 

"Joey, he start crying, and when we check on him, we find Nattie.  She no breathe.  She look like she dead.  Dio mio! She maybe dead.  Even the paramedics couldn't get her, what did they call it? 

Stabilize."  There was terror in the woman's eyes. 

Seconds later, Toni, Liam and Clarissa pulled into the Emergency room.  She must have run every red light between the precinct and here.  Then Nick noticed the red police light shining on the dash of the Caddy.  She had run every red light.  Behind them were Miriam and Morris with Joey.  In a few moments later LaCroix arrived.  Mike and Tracy rounded out the 'family'.

 Nick went to the receptionist.  "I'm Nick Knight.  This is my wife Toni.  They just brought our daughter in.  Cardiac arrest.  Is there someone we could talk to?"

The woman did not even look up. "Medical Insurance card, please."  She said in a monotone.  Hands trembling, Nick fished through his wallet and found the card.    She handed Nick a clipboard.  "Fill these out and have a seat.  Someone will be with you shortly."  She still had not looked at them.

Nick handed the papers to Toni.  He was shaking too badly to even hold the pen.  Toni was not much better.  Finally, Tracy took the clipboard and began filling in the forms.  She took them back to the receptionist.

"Are you the child's mother?"  The woman asked.

"No.  That's her mother."  Tracy said, pointing to Toni.

Well, we have to have the parent's signature here ... here ... and here"  She made an 'X'  in several places on the forms "... before we can do anything for  ... " The woman glanced through the papers. " ... Nalatia."

"Natalie."  Nick corrected.

She typed something into the computer.  "Do you have a card for Nalatia.  I don't see her listed on your insurance records, and until we are sure she is covered, we cannot begin any treatment.  After all, a broken leg is nothing to treat lightly."

Nick leaned across the desk.  His knuckles were white and his eyes were beginning to fleck.  "NATALIE.  My daughter's name is Natalie.  N-A-T-A-L-I-E.  She doesn't have a broken leg.  She has a heart condition and she went into cardiac arrest." 

"Who is your supervisor?"  LaCroix said, looking the woman directly in the eyes.

"Amy Romaine."

"Get her."

"She's not here.  She's on two weeks vacation."

Who's in charge?"  LaCroix's eyes were almost yellow.

"I am."

A woman motioned to Nick from the door of the treatment ward.  Nick excused himself and went inside.  It was Natalie Lambert.  "Oh. Thank goodness."  He said, holding her tightly.  "I was just about to do something to that receptionist.  LaCroix still might.  How is Nattie."

"Not good.  They've got her on life support.  Tom's with her and I've got everyone on my side working on a solution.  Be patient.  Don't give up hope.  Pray a lot.  We'll find a way."

"That is, if we can get past that ... idiotic receptionist."

"Let me see what I can do."

Unnoticed by all but a few, Natalie followed Nick to the reception desk.  While Nick distracted the receptionist, which wasn't hard to do, Nat typed several entries into the computer.  When she was finished, she gave Nick the high sign and slowly faded from sight.

At Nick's request, she reluctantly checked the computer files again.  "Oh.  Here it is.  Natalie Jean Knight."

"Natalie JANETTE."

"Whatever.  She's covered.  I'll notify them to start treatment."  The woman got up and headed down the hall.

"Where are you going?"  Nick called after her.  "The Emergency Room is that way."

"It's my coffee break."

He grabbed her roughly and half dragged her toward the Emergency Room.

"I'm on my break.  I'll tell them when I came back."  She said indignantly.

"In the meantime, Nattie could die without treatment.  You will tell them now."

"The union will hear of this.  So will my lawyers.  You can't just grab a person for no reason at all."

After what seemed like an eternity, Tom Nichols came out into the waiting room.  "She's finally stable.  Her heart is very weak, and any exertion could precipitate another cardiac arrest. We don't have a choice anymore.  We have to close the ductus as soon as possible."

"When?"

"I have a call in for the staff cardiac surgeon. I've also contacted UCLA medical department for a consultation with their cardiac specialists.  I'll work with them, but I am not even remotely qualified to do the job myself.  I'll try to keep her secret if at all possible.  I'll let you know as soon as I hear something.  If you and Toni want to see her, you can, but it can only be for a few minutes.  They'll be taking her to ICU soon."

Nattie looked very frail, and her skin had a very gray tinge to it.  Tubes and monitors were connected to every part if her tiny body. Toni held back a tear as she stroked her daughter's head.  Nick wept openly.  A nurse came into the enclosure.  She put her hand on Nick's shoulder and patted it reassuringly for a few seconds before she injected something into one of the IV tubes.  She hugged Toni as she left.  All too soon, the team came to take Nattie to Intensive Care.

"If you want to come with us, you can."  One of the orderlies said as the transferred the baby to a gurney.

**********

Nick looked over at Toni.  She was sitting in a chair pulled up to the bed.  Her head was laying on the edge and she held Nattie's tiny foot in her left hand.  She must have fallen asleep a half hour ago.  Nick did not need as much sleep as a mortal did, but he was ready to admit that a quick catnap would be appreciated right about now.  He looked at his watch.  In another hour and a half, the sun would be up.

"Bring her across."  LaCroix stood at the foot of the bed.

"NO!" 

"She will die if you don't.  Is that what you want for your daughter?"

"Then she'll die.  There's a chance.  A slim one, I know, that this operation will be a complete success.  She'll be able to grow up.  Go to school.  Play with her friends.  Date.  Marry.  Have

children of her own.  What will she have if I bring her across?  She'll be an infant for the rest of eternity.  You know the Code.  A vampire who cannot take care of himself is a liability and must be destroyed.  Is that what you want for your granddaughter?  Is it, LaCroix?  IS IT?"

LaCroix stood silent for a few moments.  "No."  He finally said softly.

Nick swayed slightly and gripped the edge of he bed tightly.  LaCroix put his arm around his son to steady him.

"When was the last time you fed?"

Nick shook his head.  He couldn't remember.  "I had half a hamburger, some fries and a shake about seven o'clock last night."

"That's not what I mean.  I know you have been sending strength to Nattie."  LaCroix said.  "You need blood.  Human blood.  I'll be back in a few minutes."  With a whoosh, he was gone.     

Toni raised her head, bleary eyed.  "Did he say you needed blood?"  She held her arm to Nick.

"LaCroix will be back soon.  He's getting me some."  Nick swayed again.

"You need it now.   Take only a little bit.  Just enough to hold you until he gets back."

Nick stroked her neck.  "If it's all right with you, I'd rather take it from here."

"You know it is."  She pulled her hair back.  Nick kissed the pulse point tenderly and gently pushed the points of his fangs into her. He knew it was the same blood coursing through her neck as through her arm, but somehow, it seemed sweeter, purer when he drank from her throat.

Robyn Parker came into the room.  As soon as he had found out about Nattie,  Lucien LaCroix had dispatched a private plane to the Columbus airport to whisk her to her granddaughter's side.  Her eyes went wide and she put her hand to her mouth.  Inadvertently, she let out a gasp when she saw Nick's fangs buried in her daughter's neck.  She knew that he was a vampire.  She knew vampires drank blood.  But she had never seen him actually doing it.

"It's all right, Mom."  Toni said as they finished.  "He was starting to get weak.  He's been sending a lot of strength to Nattie and he needed a little boost."

"But I thought you didn't drink human blood anymore."   Robyn said to Nick.

"Only in an emergency."  Nick replied.  "Or in the throes of passion."  He whispered softly into Toni's ear.  Toni blushed deeply.

They went out into the waiting room as a nurse came in to administer another in the endless medications.

Liam, Mario, Teressa, Tracy and Mike sat in a corner of the room.  Each of them had a rosary and were praying softly. Nearby, Miriam and Morris in a yarmulke and prayer shawl, rocked slowly, chanting the Jewish prayers for the sick.  Joey slept on two armchairs pulled together to make an impromptu crib.

Tom Nichols came in.  There was another man with him.  Nick was positive it was one of his kind.  "Your prayers have had some effect."  Tom told the group.  "This is Dr. Gregory Hedwig. He is probably the foremost pediatric cardiologists in the world today.  He is supposed to hold a series of seminars at UCLA starting Monday, but he decided to come out a few days early.  When the dean of the UCLA School of Cardiology told him about Nattie, he offered his services."

"I've read Tom's reports and as soon as I examine her, I'll be able to tell you more.  I took the liberty of notifying Surgery to put an operating room on standby.  If all goes well, we can operate today."  He went into her room just as LaCroix came into the waiting room.

He had a cooler and a large box from Jolly Pirate Donuts.  He held up the box.  "I bring sustenance."

"I hope they are chocolate creme filled."  Toni said opening the box.

"Would I bring anything else?"  LaCroix went to Robyn and offered her a donut.

"Lucien.  You are spoiling me.  Sending a private plane and all that.  I only wish Sherry, Ron and the others could have come with me.  They'll be out on a commercial flight.  They had to make arrangements to take off work and school."

"You deserve spoiling.  If you had notified me, I would have taken care of the rest of that, as well."  He said, kissing her lightly on the forehead.

Robyn lowered her eyes.  She was not sure if LaCroix had seen the red that was creeping rapidly into her face.

"You're responsible for Dr. Hedwig's being here, aren't you?" Nick asked LaCroix.  They had gone into an unused room where LaCroix gave him 'breakfast'.

"Indirectly.  He was scheduled to be here anyway for the seminar.  I had a ... colleague ... persuade him to come a few days early.  When he found out it was for my ... granddaughter, he was most eager to give any help he could."

Dr. Hedwig came out of Nattie's room.  He motioned for Toni and Nick to follow him into the unused room.  Liam and LaCroix went with them.  "She's improving, but she's nowhere near out of the woods.  Surgery is definitely indicated.  I've scheduled it for four o'clock this afternoon.  There's only one problem.  Blood.  It would take too long to isolate the vampire factor and then add it to regular blood."

"Here"  Liam said holding out his arm.

Gregory Hedwig looked at Liam with a look of open disgust.  "You're O'Neill, the Vampire Hunter.  I've heard of you."

"That's true, but right now, I'm Liam O'Neill, the blood donor.   I'm half vampire.  I've already got human blood and vampire factor.  I'm  O-negative, so there should be no problem there.  My vampire gene is also compatible with Nattie's.  Tom can attest to that.  I can afford to give more blood than the average donor without any problems, and I heal much faster than the average mortal."  He thrust his arm to emphasize the point. "Yes or No."

Hedwig nodded assent.

LaCroix took Liam's arm.  "I'll go with you.  I'm certain I can convince the lab technicians to overlook any abnormalities in this procedure."

"I'm sure you can."  Liam said as they headed for the elevator.

"If any of you want to go in to see her, feel free.  I'm keeping her in a semi comatose state until the operation, but I see no reason why she can't have visitors."

Robyn went in first.  Fifteen minutes later, Tracy and Mike visited their 'niece'.  The Giovanettis and the Feldmans were next.  Each came out teary eyed, but positive.

**********

About noon, Father Ryan dropped by to administer the Sacraments of the Sick to her.  Rabbi Solomon also 'just happened to be in the hospital'.

Mike and Tracy took Joey home.  Kira and Tomo Takahara had volunteered to watch him.  They wanted to eat, bathe and get a change of clothes. 

It was shortly after three o'clock when the surgical team transferred Nattie to the operating floor. 

"Surgery like this isn't something that can be done in a few hours.  Normally, open heart surgery takes anywhere from eight to ten hours."  Dr. Hedwig explained.  "I expect that the earliest we will be over is sometime around one AM.  If anyone wants to go home and come back, please do so."

The Gramwood family arrived.  The Giovanettis and the Feldmans left, to be replaced by Marty and Sherline Wilkerson and their daughter Tanya. 

Mike and Tracy returned with clean clothes for Nick and Toni.  "I talked with Davies and Ganlon."  Mike said.  "As we speak, every O-negative police officer in the city is lined up at the Red Cross waiting to donate."

Nick and Toni used the unused room to shower and change.  Bathed and in clean clothes, Toni curled up on the floor.  Minutes later, Nick joined her in sleep, cuddling her tightly.

Ever enterprising, Tanya and Nellie set up an impromptu babysitting service for the parents of the other ICU patients.  Jay became a de facto gopher, going for coffee, gift shop items, and by borrowing Tracy's car, things from nearby stores.

Ron and Sherry toiled over the mandatory partially completed jigsaw puzzle, while Robyn and LaCroix played their umpteenth game of chess.

LaCroix had 'let' her win enough times to keep her interest.  In this game, however, Robyn had legitimately put his king in jeopardy.  If she played it right, she could checkmate in two moves.  LaCroix was not happy about the turn of events.  "I dislike losing."   He grumbled.  "And I especially dislike losing to rank amateurs." 

"That's one thing I've discovered about players who think they know all about  the game.  They're so predictable."   She picked up her rook.  "If I were playing by the gambits, my next move should be to lead with my rook.  You would then counter with your bishop and that would, in turn free your king.  However, since I am a 'rank amateur', and don't know any better,"  She put her rook back,  "I think I'll move my knight thus."  She took the knight and toppled his king.  "I believe that is check, mate, and game." 

"Robyn."  He said.  "Are you sure you're not a ringer?  I have a feeling you knew I was letting you win and you went along with it just to set me up.  Just how long have you been playing anyway?"

"I won my first tournament when I was twelve.  I've also been mentoring the chess club at Madison High for the last ten years." 

At eight o'clock, Clarissa and Milos came and brought an assortment of dinners from the After Sunset.  "I figured by now everyone would be sick and tired of hospital and vending machine food. "  She said.  She also had a cooler full of bottles for the 'metabolically disadvantaged'.  

Nick and Toni finally woke and joined Liam to look at the TV.  Not that anyone was watching what was on.  Their thoughts were upstairs in the surgical suite.  Every time the elevator stopped, everyone jumped, if not physically, at least mentally.

Finally, at eleven thirty, the elevator door opened and Tom Nichols exited.  He was dressed in scrubs.  "Just thought you'd like to know that the open heart portion of the surgery is done.  Nattie is doing extremely well."  He told the cheering throng that crowded around the elevator.  "They're taking her off the heart machine and finishing the closing.  She should be in Recovery by one o'clock"

**********

Greg Hedwig came to Nick and Toni's side as they watched their daughter sleep. 

"How can we ever thank you for what you have done for Nattie."  Toni said.

"Thank me?"  He said.  "I only did my job.  Although, I must admit, it sometimes felt as if there was a pair of invisible hands guiding mine.  And more than once I got the distinct impression there were more people in the operating room than there actually were.  Nattie probably won't even be aware of anything until late tomorrow evening.  Go home and get some rest.  You two look like shit."

As soon as he left the recovery room, a certain red headed doctor appeared.  Literally.  "Natalie, who was in there with Greg?"  Nick said.

"Hello, Nick.  It's good to see you too."  Natalie Lambert said.  "Actually, there was a whole team in there.  Let's see.  There was Christian Barnaard, Edward Jarvis, and five members of the first open heart surgical team.  They all helped."

"How can we thank you for all your help?"

Natalie smiled.  "You can love each other and these kids with all your heart and all your soul.  And yes, Nick, you do have a soul.  A very positive soul."  She kissed them and then kissed Nattie.  "Now.  Go home.  Dr. Hedwig was right.  You two do look like shit."

Gregory Hedwig stopped in the waiting room to bring the others up to date.  When he had finished, he took Liam aside.  "I misjudged you.  If you had not done what you did, we never could have operated on Nattie.  I just want you to know you have my grateful thanks."

**********

Toni and Nick held their daughter's hands in theirs as she slept.   It had only been three hours since the surgery ended, but already the color was back in her face.  He put his ear to the bandages.  Nattie's repaired heart beat loud and strong.

Nick thought he heard a noise and looked around.  There, standing just inside the door was Lady Zera and her ever present bodyguards.  As usual, she was impeccably dressed in a lavender casual suit outfit.  Her gray hair seemed almost luminescent in the subdued light of the Recovery Room.  Wordlessly, she approached the bed and placed her hand across the infant's forehead.  She closed her eyes and concentrated.  For several moments, she seemed to be frozen in time.

"She is strong.  She will recover."  Lady Zera finally said.  "In answer to your unasked question, I did nothing to her.  I merely probed her mind very gently to ascertain her condition.  And to say a small prayer to whatever gods were listening for her safety."

"Prayer?"   Nick stammered.  "I thought vampires didn't believe ... "

"Lucius does not believe in prayer.  I have been around much longer than even he can imagine.  I believe in ... what is the phrase ... covering all bases."

"Lady Zera."  Toni said softly.  "Please forgive me if I am going where I am not supposed to go.  Nick has mentioned the hierarchy of vampires to me.  Are you an ancient or an original?"

Nick winced visibly at the question and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Enforcer bodyguards take an imperceptible step closer to Lady Zera.

Lady Zera, however, merely smiled a benevolent, grandmotherly smile. "You should know, my dear, a lady never reveals her true age."   There appeared to be a twinkle in her dark brown eyes. 

Her guards resumed their previous position.  She put her hands on Toni's head and pulled it toward her.  Gently, she kissed her on the forehead.  She repeated the scene with Nick.  Then she went to the bed and kissed the tiny figure.  With a rush of air, she and her bodyguards were gone.

**********

A triumphant procession snaked through the common area of the complex.  Nattie, the guest of honor, sat on Toni's shoulders, followed by Joey, perched on his father's.  This was followed by

LaCroix, Robyn, Mike, Tracy, and most of the residents of the complex. 

Sherry, Ron and the others had returned to Ohio as soon as Nattie was pronounced out of danger.  Robyn would be staying for an extended period of time. Her agency had received a call from  Microsoft asking for a government expert for the Y2K project.  Their resident expert had received an unexpected promotion and was being transferred to San Francisco.  Since Robyn had been already working on that project in Columbus, and since she was already in the area, she was assigned to work with Arnie Sherrod, who was on loan from Packard Bell, on the problem.  According to Arnie, it would probably take at least six to eight months. 

Mike Guerrierro, however, preserved the events with a camcorder, and the Gramwoods would be mailed a copy.

At one end was a huge buffet table, courtesy of Mario and Clarissa.  Above it was a banner reading 'Welcome Home Nattie'.

It had been only two weeks ago that she was at death's door.  Now, she gave every indication that she was a normal, healthy child.  Even the surgical scar down her chest was completely healed.  In another few months, Tom theorized, even that could be barely noticeable.

As the procession passed the food table, each one was handed a plate and everyone took their fill from the goodies before them.  As soon as the last finished, the partying began.  Unfortunately, after about an hour, the guest of honor and her brother were sound asleep on their respective parent's chests.  Nick and Toni quietly took them to the apartment and tucked them in. 

Liam O'Neill came into the bedroom as Toni pulled the cover over Nattie's sleeping form.  "I hate to be a party pooper, but I have an early flight tomorrow.  I'm afraid my quest is over and so is my holiday.   I shall miss all of you terribly."  He reached down and kissed Nattie.  "One of my regrets is that I have no family of my own.  Perhaps, now that she has my blood in her, you'll let me consider her as a very small part of me.  I promise I shall not make any demands of you or her."

"NO."  LaCroix said as he came into the room.  "You shall consider her to be a DEFINITE part of you.  Just as we shall consider you as a part of us.   I also bring a message from the Community at large.  I informed them of what you have done for all of us.  They want me to assure you that you will always have a place here in Los Angeles."  He held his hand to Liam.  "Make any requests as you please.  If possible, they will be met.  This is not good-bye, merely adieu."

There were tears in the vampire hunter's eyes as he shook the elder vampire's hand.  "Because of what I am, and what I do, I have never had a family or even friends.  To be accepted this way is truly a miracle I never thought I'd see.  If any of you ever find yourself in Ireland, you will always be welcome under the O'Neill roof."

**********

They watched as Liam O'Neill's plane taxied to the end of the runway.  "I loved it when the Customs Inspector X-rayed every one of those stuffed dolls and animals from Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland.  There must have been at least thirty of them."  Toni chuckled.  "I wonder if he had to do that or if he did it just to bug Liam."

"Who knows.  After all, there were four duffel bags full of them."  Nick replied, carefully searching the ceiling. "You know, Ireland is a beautiful place.  I've been there on several occasions, but never as a tourist.  Maybe we'll go there someday."

"I've never been there."

"Nattie will need some time to recuperate, and the children have never been to Brabant.  Why don't we take them there and maybe make a stop in Dublin on our way.  After all, we do have a wedding anniversary to celebrate."  He said, a twinkle in his eye.

**********

The End

No Way