Still Yours - Still Mine

    by Illinois Jules (aka Julie Swendsen)

    Copyright 7-24-98

    M/M - Implicit interaction 'tween Nick and LaCroix.

    This is a Missing Scene I wrote for the UF Loop... JEEZ! What??! - More
than two years ago. (YIKES! Have I *really* been around THAT long???!)

    It's my UFish perspective on what happened just after the confrontation
between Nick and LaCroix in 'The Fix', only moments past LC stepping into
the sunlight to proclaim that he and NK *are* each other.

    I had never gone past that initial post, to present it in any form as
fiction. So here it is, now as a short story, sort of... <g> (Having been
re-editted also.)

    The tale begins with dialogue taken directly from the episode, to set
the scenario.

    Disclaimers: Nope, not my characters. I don't own 'em, I'm not renting
them. They belong to TPTB (*Still*, damn them! <g>). I've only blatantly
swiped the pair for my own nefarious UFfish amusement and let them play with
each other as I watched and took notes. ;-[)

    Although many of my Unnamed friends may have read this long ago, I wish
to dedicate it and share it once more with them.
    This is for you, my dears. {{{}}}

    Please archive on the JADFE site.

            Enjoy, as ever,

                Illinois Jules <ILCzJules1@aol.com>
*********************************
Still Yours - Still Mine

(From 'The Fix', introduction taken directly from the episode, to set pace:)

<<<
N: (feverishly) "She betrayed me!"

LC: "Janette didn't have to say anything. A father knows when his children
are in pain. He senses it. As keenly as he senses their rejection of his
generosity."

N: "Then look at this. (Nick crosses over to the window, raising the
darkening shade with the remote. Revealing the vertical blinds.) Do you see?
DO YOU SEE?! I'm changed, I'm cured, I have made it back."

LC: (walking towards him) "You're deluding yourself Nicholas. You have
merely substituted one dependence for another. And what have you gained in the
bargain? Pain? Sickness? The promise of certain...decay. Stop this
foolishness Nicholas."

N: (hoarsely) "You can't accept it can you? You can't accept that I'm a
human being again."

LC: "I am offering you a choice, Nicholas. The others, those who sustain our
secret, will not view this with the same patience."

N: (flippantly) "I'm not yours anymore."

LC: (stepping closer, pausing) "You're wrong Nicholas."

LaCroix now takes a sharp deep intake of breath. (moving cautiously into the
light) "We... *are* ...each other. You will always be mine...eternally." (he
closes his eyes, concentrating on defusing the pain)

Nick has turned to face his master, at his declaration.>>>

    Suddenly LaCroix grabbed Nick by his shirt front, to drag his willful
son to within inches of his face. His anger and frustration boiled just beneath the
surface of his stoic chiseled features. Whisps of smoke rose off him in small
tendrils.

    With tightly reined fury,  "What is it about your precious sunlight, Nicholas.
That you desire it so? That you need to continually strive to leave me... for it?"

    LaCroix then abruptly turned Nicholas around. He brutally ripped his
child's sweaty shirt open at the chest, letting some more control slip
through his normally measured temper.

    "Tell me. TELL ME!  Why must you insist on shunning me, and my gift to
you?...For this...!?"

    The brightness, though muted by the slatted window, was bathed across
the pale naked expanse of the younger man. It seemed to surround his punished
spirit in an angelic blush.

    Regaining most of himself again, LaCroix continued in measured tones,
gesturing to the blinding rays, "This... means...nothing. The bright, burning,
beams will NOT cleanse you of your precious guilt. That which you so eagerly
carry in your soul.  Your...humanity, will not be found in the light ... of ... day!"

    Pausing, LaCroix added quietly,
    "*Here* is where you belong."

    A cool broad hand splayed across the tight warm breast.

    LaCroix, with his child ensconced, stepped out of the solar glow.  Even he,
with all of his ancient powers, had become more that a little discomforted by
the sun's damning rays.

    The elder's left arm snaked easily around his favorite's waist, to hook
his thumb inside the trousers' waist band.
    The ancient pulled his protege back, closer to him.
    Though still not mortal, the warmth that radiated from Nick sent a
slight subconscious shiver through him.

    LaCroix closed his eyes, reveling in the intoxicating proximity and
scent of his precious child.

    Although changed, Nick was not yet human. The drug is wearing hard on
his system, tiring him.
    The physical support of LaCroix was a temporary cautious welcome.
    He leaned back, resting his head, without thought - on his master's
shoulder.

    Knight took a small respite from the war raging inside his very blood.

    The two blood-bonded vampires accepted this small truce, for the moment.
Each sharing in the strength, security and adoration they built over the
centuries, for the other.

    It wasn't always this tedious. At one time, there was ... more.

    In those scant few minutes, they were frozen, together again. Sadly it
passed too quickly, even for the older immortal.

    "I have to leave soon..." Nick was the first to break the fragile spell.

    LaCroix hushed his word slowly and softly, to add hopefully into the
other's ear,
    "Nicholas...?" He slid his thumb along the inside of the waistband of
the slacks and drew his right hand slightly down the lean bared chest.

    Nick lifted his head lazily from its resting place. He turned his gaze
towards LaCroix' face.

    "No... not, now." Nick ever so gently gave a soft kiss to the cool neck
so close to his lips. He paused and stepped out of the embrace. He was
met with no resistance.

    The harried and exhausted blond paused,
    "LaCroix, I need more time, to think..." Nicholas then turned to face
the only one who had ever meant so many unnamed things to him.

    But he knew, even before he looked --

    He was alone, again.

         FIN