Forever Knight

New life For Old

 

"You've got to be joking."  Toni Knight said to her mother.

 

"Yes, Robyn.  Say you are only kidding."  Nick Knight added.  "You can't possibly be serious."

 

"No, I am not joking.  And yes, I am very serious."  Robyn Parker answered her children's questions.  "I've given it a lot of thought, and this is what I want."

 

"But Mom, you've always said that you had a lot of living to do before you were ready to make that decision."  Toni replied.

 

"I know what I said, but it turns out that I don't have nearly as much time as I thought I had. At least time to live fully.  Dr. Tom called yesterday with the results of my annual checkup.  It turns out the x-rays showed an anomaly in my brain."

 

"Cancer?"

 

"An aneurysm?"

 

"Worse.  He says it looks like the beginnings of Alzheimer's disease.  He wants to run some more tests, but he's just about positive that's what it is.  I've been thinking about it, and he may be right.  I have been forgetting a lot more things lately than can be attributed to normal."

 

"So what does that prove?"  Nick said.  "Even I forget things.  Ask Toni.  I can never remember to set the trash out on pickup day."

 

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up, Nick.  But that's not what we're talking about.  I've seen what Alzheimer's can do to someone up close and personal.  My grandmother suffered from it, and it was heartbreaking to watch her deteriorate day by day.  Physically, she was healthy, but for the last years of her life, she was a mental vegetable.  My Uncle Dennis spent every free hour and hundreds of thousands of dollars taking care of her.  Not to mention the emotional cost.  For all practical purposes, he had no personal or social life.  In the end, she had forgotten how to walk, talk, eat, and control her bodily functions.  Everything had to be done for her.  Literally.   For all practical purposes, she was little more than a newborn infant in a seventy five year old body.  When she finally succumbed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.  I'm not about to put you two, and Sherry and Ron through that kind of hell.  Not when I can do something about it." 

 

**********

 

Robyn sighed deeply.  Her announcement to her children had not gone well.  They both tried to talk her out of it.  Especially Nick.  They had known practically from the start that this day would come.  Now that it was here, she had hoped that it would go better than it did.   They begged her to think it over.  She had thought about it.  Every day since Tom Nichols called to give her the results of the CAT scan.  There was no doubt.  Alzheimer's Disease.    < Yes. >  She admitted to herself.  < This is what I want.  Lucien has been after me for years now to make the decision.  Although he does not exactly push it, he does mention it every chance he gets.  Well, now I have decided.  The next time he asks me, I will give him my answer. >  She kissed the framed picture of the red haired lady with the twinkling blue eyes and set it back on the mantle with the pictures of the rest of her family.  "I love you, Mumsie."  She whispered.

 

**********

 

They walked arm in arm through the park.  To the casual observer, they were two ordinary people in love.  In that observation, they were no different from the dozens of others that strolled in the park on this evening. This couple was very extraordinary, however.  It was the fact that one was mortal and the other a vampire that made them quite unique.

 

"You do not know how much I have enjoyed these nights."  Lucien LaCroix was saying.  "Being with you has been the best time of my life.  And I have had some very good times in my life."  He gave her a hug to punctuate his remarks.

 

"As have I."  Robyn replied.   "While I haven't lived nearly as long as you have, I have really enjoyed the fact that you are in my life. In fact, I can't picture my life without you there."

 

"You know, it can always be that way."  He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

 

"I know.  And I think I'm ready."

 

What ... ?"

 

"I'm ready, Lucien.  I want you to bring me across."

 

"Robyn.  Are you sure?  I mean, up to now you've been telling me that you need more time.  Time to do all the things you want to do.  What changed your mind?"

 

"My grandmother Buchmann."

 

***********

Munks Corner Ohio, 1968

 

Robyn stood outside the door.  She took a deep breath and opened it. This was never easy.  But then again, this was her grandmother.  She had an obligation to care for her.  If only so that her Uncle Dennis could have some time to himself.  She took Sherry's hand and went into the room. 

 

Agnes Buchmann looked tiny and fragile laying on the double bed.  Her hair, once a vibrant copper color, was now faded and brittle, with clusters of knots where there used to be shiny ringlets. Her sapphire eyes were dull and spiritless.  Her skin was the color and texture of dry parchment.

 

"Come on in, Barbara."  She called in a thin voice.  "I was wondering when you'd be up to see me. You don't come into town much anymore.  Not since you and Joe bought that farm.  I see you've brought little Robyn with you.  Where's Harry?  Is he in school?  I never can keep that boy's schedule straight."  She smiled gauntly.  "I guess I must be getting old."

 

Robyn looked at her grandmother with hurt and pain in her eyes.  Although she knew that the woman's memory was failing, the fact that she thought she was her mother hurt like a hot poker.  It was not entirely a surprise, though.  Agnes Buchmann had been living more and more in the past lately.  That, and the fact that she no longer remembered that her brother Harry had been killed in Vietnam two years earlier cut through her.  "Mumsie."  She said softly, brushing the thin wisps of hair from the woman's face.  "I am little Robyn.  I'm all grown up and married now.  This is my little girl, Sherry.  Mom and Dad are at the farm.  It's harvest time and we came to stay with you until Uncle Dennis gets home."

 

Agnes's eyes became hard.  "Don't lie to me, girl."  She said with a harshness that belied her frail condition.  Her eyes sparkled, but now it was with fury, not mischief.  "I know what you're trying to do to me.  You're trying to make me think I'm crazy.  I'm NOT CRAZY!  YOU HEAR ME!"  She shrieked.  "I know my own daughter when I see her.  You ARE Barbara!    I AM NOT CRAZY!  Now GET OUT!"  She picked up the plastic water glass from the nightstand and threw it at Robyn.  It narrowly missed Sherry's head as it clattered against the wall and bounced harmlessly onto the floor.  They had learned long ago not to put anything breakable near the woman.

 

Robyn took the frightened three year old's hand and started to the door.

 

"HENRY! HENRY! Where are you?"  Agnes screamed as they headed down the stairs.  There was the sound of more plastic items hitting the wall.  "Why aren't you answering me?  HENRY! HENRY!" 

 

Henry Buchmann had died ten years earlier.

 

**********

Los Angeles, Present

 

"Tonight's topic, Gentle Listeners, is mortality."  The silky voice of the Nightcrawler came over the KLAC airwaves.  "How many of you have wanted to live forever.   And how many of you have actually achieved that kind of immortality."  He paused for effect.  "Unfortunately, the gods, the fates, or whatever you wish to call them, have decreed that mortals have only a brief time allotted to them in this plane of existence.  How many years do you have?  Seventy? … Eighty? … A hundred years is pushing it. 

 

What if you could live for centuries?  Millennia?  What if you were never sick?   Never aged?  Never died?  What if nothing could seriously hurt you?  Almost nothing could kill you?  Would you be satisfied with that kind of life?  Or would you be bored beyond belief?  What would be your challenge?  What would bring you fulfillment?

 

Perhaps it is the knowledge that you have only a finite time to accomplish your destiny that provides you with the impetus to achieve that which is unachievable.  As Cervantes so aptly put it, to dream the impossible dream.  So it has been throughout history.  So it will be long after your mortal flesh has turned to fine ash.

 

 Think on it, Mes Enfants.  What would you do with Eternity?"  Another pause.  "I have answered that question.  Have you?

 

As always, I am the Nightcrawler.  I am your friend.  I am your companion on these long nights.  I will be with you.  I will always be with you.  Until tomorrow night, Miei Bambini, I bid you bona notte … "

 

Lucien queued the album and turned off the microphone.  He stared into the maroon liquid in the glass sitting in front of him.

 

  

**********

Brabant, 1275

 

Lucien LaCroix stood outside the castle.  He had been back here many times since that fateful night almost fifty years ago.  Somehow, he never quite got up the courage to see her in person.  It was always from afar.  Although he never stopped loving Fleur, and he probably never would, he had made a promise to Nicholas that he would not bring her across.  He would keep that promise.  After all, he was a Roman, and his word was as good as his life ... or more accurately, his unlife.  Of course, he still wanted to take her.  He had dreams of the two of them together for all eternity.  Now, there was no hope that those fantasies would ever come true.

 

Nicholas was not with him this night.  Earlier that year, they had another falling out, and Nicholas had taken off for parts unknown.  He would be back, though.  He always came back.  He definitely would be here soon.  Of that much LaCroix was certain.

 

He looked at the window on the upper floor of the castle.  Her room.  He knew it by heart.  Many times over the last half century he had stood beneath it listening to the sounds coming from there.  At first, there were sounds of her crying, possibly for him.  Then the sounds of two young marrieds doing what two young marrieds do in their bed chambers.   Shortly after, there were the sounds of infants that progressed to toddlers and then to children and finally to adults.  Now there was only silence.

 

He was there for many occasions, albeit in the background.  He was hiding in the sunless safety of the spring house, when they buried the three infants that had not even reached their first birthday.  He was there in the shadows of the mausoleum when they laid Robere Clerie, her husband, to his final rest.  He was also there when they took Luc Girard Clerie, her eldest son, to the family graveyard at the top of the hill.  He had been barely nineteen when he had been killed by brigands.  He had watched from the safety of the guardhouse when the solemn procession bore the body of Mme. Catherine de Brabant to the ancestral burial ground.

 

It was all he could do to keep from rushing to her side and comforting his beloved on these sad occasions.  Nicholas though, had needed all the comfort he could give his fledgling during this time.  It was difficult to give him that support though.  He had to constantly fight to contain the emotional upheaval that was going on inside him.  He wanted to scream.  To cry. To vent his grief.   But he was Roman.  He was a General.  Roman Generals do not cry.

 

He watched as the priest went in to the castle.   It wouldn't be long now.  Fleur de Brabant had only days, possibly even only hours in her mortal shell.  He wanted desperately to go to her.  To be with her in her final hours.  But he could not.  He would not.  If only Nicholas had not been so stubborn.  So protective.   This scene would not be happening.  They would all be together ...

 

Forever.

 

An eternity without the one he loved more than life itself.

 

**********

Los Angeles, Present

 

He was leaving the booth when he felt his presence.  Nicholas had never been very good at concealing his vibration signature from his father, but then, Lucien had never stressed that part of his son's education as a vampire.  It was a way to control him.  He could always sense Nicholas, but Nicholas couldn't sense him unless LaCroix wanted him to.  He could tell his son was angry.  LaCroix knew why.

 

"Are you going to do it?"  Nicholas asked as he approached the booth.

 

"And a good evening to you, too, Nicholas."  LaCroix replied sarcastically.  "What brings you here tonight?"

 

"You know damn well why I'm here."  Nicholas said.  "Are you?"

 

"Am I what?"  LaCroix feigned innocence.  He knew perfectly well what Nicholas was talking about.  It was all he had thought about for days.  He wanted desperately to bring Robyn across, but at the same time, he was hesitant.  He loved her completely, and nothing would give him more pleasure than to have her by his side for the rest of eternity.   Still, there was something about this that nagged at the back of his mind.

 

"Don't play coy with me."  Nicholas said angrily.  "Robyn said she was going to have you bring her across. She doesn't know what she's asking.  She's confused and upset because of the results of the physical exam.  You can't possibly be thinking of doing it.  You can't consign her to damnation for all eternity.  I forbid it."

 

"YOU forbid it?"  LaCroix shouted. "YOU FORBID IT! As you forbade Fleur?  You stole her from me.  I WILL NOT make that mistake again.  Robyn is NOT your little sister.  She is not an innocent.  She is a fully grown, mature, and experienced woman."

 

"I'm sure you would know all about her … experience."  Nick's eyes were tinged with yellow.

 

"Watch what you say. That has nothing to do with this!"  LaCroix matched his son's anger.

 

"Then why won't you do as I say?"

 

"As YOU say?  YOU have NO say in this matter.  That is strictly between Robyn and I. WE have talked this through many times.  SHE knows perfectly well what SHE is doing.  You knew that eventually I would bring her to me.  It's just that this is a little sooner than I expected.  Regardless.  It is of NO concern of yours.  Unless you have something else to discuss, I suggest you leave.  NOW."  He punctuated his remarks with a hiss.

 

**********

 

Nick seethed as he drove home.  His 'conversation' with his father had not gone well.  He had not seen LaCroix this overbearing and autocratic in over fifteen years.  He thought he had mellowed since coming to Los Angeles.  It was obvious that he was wrong.  And now Robyn would be paying for this error in judgement.  With her soul.

 

**********

Brabant

 

Nicholas watched from the safety of the dimly lit hallway as the priest left the room.  He had arrived a scant moments before.  Although he knew that LaCroix was here too, he carefully avoided the master vampire.  He was not ready to deal with him.  Not yet.  It would not be long before he would have to face him.  LaCroix always knew when his son was nearby.  He shuddered at the thought.  It would not be a pleasant reunion.  That was definite.  

 

Inside the room, he could hear the subdued sobs from the small group of servants and caregivers gathered there.  He knew the end was only a matter of hours.  Fleur.  His precious Fleur.  His little sister was dying.  She was the last.  His father had been killed in battle when Nicholas was but a teen.  His mother passed away fifteen years ago.  Andre, Fleur's youngest and only surviving child had taken the orders when he was sixteen, three years after he had learned the terrible truth about his uncle. There was an ironic comfort in the fact that the last sacraments were given to her by her son, Pere Andre Brabant Clerie.  Except for some distant cousins, there were no other heirs.  With Fleur's death, the Brabant line would fade into history.

 

He knew in his heart that he had made the right decision those many years ago.  He could not let LaCroix make his sister into what he was.  She was light.  She was purity.  She was goodness.  He would have destroyed all that.  He knew it and so did LaCroix.  That was why he backed down.  Now though, faced with her imminent death, Nicholas was not entirely certain that he had made the best choice, even though he knew it was the right choice.

 

**********

Los Angeles

 

LaCroix downed the glass before him in one swallow.  He sat in his apartment and brooded.   After Nicholas had left, he considered going to the After Sunset, but discarded that idea.  He was not in the mood to be around anyone.  Vampire or mortal.   < The impudence of him! >  He poured himself another drink and disposed of it even quicker.  <How DARE he! >  He seethed as he threw the glass against the wall. < He thinks he can tell ME what to do … or not to do! >  It shattered with a hollow sound that echoed the sentiments in his heart.   

 

Nicholas had not been this difficult since they left Toronto.  LaCroix believed that he had come to accept his life, and that he even took some measure of pride and responsibility to the Community.  He was, after all, on the Council of Elders.  True, it was only a very minor position, but it was a giant leap for the vampire who only a decade earlier had despised all that he was.  It seemed to the elder vampire that this was not the case with Robyn. Apparently, Nicholas was only able to accept the vampire lifestyle as long as it was not imposed on anyone else.

 

He was not imposing anything on anyone.  Robyn had come to him.  SHE had asked him.  Whether he brought her across or not was between the two of them.  Nicholas would just have to learn to live with that.

 

He opened another bottle.  This one was an excellent vintage, and fresh too.  Probably not more than two days old.  It had been mixed it with a Chateau de Mer Pinot Noir - 1983.  Together, they made a heady combination.  He started to take another glass from the cabinet.  Then, in an uncharacteristic action, he lifted the bottle to his lips and guzzled a long drink.  

 

**********

 

Robyn looked at the sky.  The night had always fascinated her.  Maybe that was an indication of what was to be her fate.  She had asked.  He had not given her an answer.   They had spent the rest of last evening in each other's arms.  Their lovemaking was exquisite as usual, but he carefully skirted anything concerning her question.  When she woke later that morning, he was gone.  She could only guess where.

 

She poured another helping of brandy into the snifter. She wasn't a drinker.  After seeing the horrible things that booze had done to Jack Parker, she had sworn off hard liquor.  Usually, she only had a token drink on special occasions.  < In a way, this is a special occasion. >  She rationalized.  She was dying.  Not physically, but if Tom Nichols was right, Alzheimer's disease was killing her mentally.  That was even worse.

 

She had asked Lucien for help and while he hadn't exactly said no, he had sidestepped and skirted the subject at every opportunity.  To Robyn, that was the same as a no. 

 

< Has he been toying with me all this time?  Was he only teasing me about this?  Did he ever have any intention of bringing me across? >   She took another swallow and let the warmth from the liquid soothe her.  It looked more and more like that was the truth.

 

**********

 

The dark cloud that hung over Nick's mood from the time he left KLAC was even darker as he slammed the front door.  Toni wanted to comfort her husband, but she instinctively knew that this was not the time.  He wanted… he needed … to be alone.

 

He stomped to the kitchen and practically tore the refrigerator door off the hinges.  He took out three bottles ... The ones with the Premier Mieux label… The best vintage the After Sunset had to offer.  He tucked them under his arm and headed for the windowless room in the basement.  It was going to be a long night.

 

"Daddy."  A small voice said.  "Can I sit with you for a while?"  Four year old Donny Knight climbed into the chair opposite his father.  Donny held up a plate of cookies and a can of soda. "Mommy always makes us milk and cookies when we're upset.  Mommy won't let me pour the milk from the jug so I brought this instead.  I know you can't eat any of this, but maybe I can eat it for you."

 

"Donny.  Go upstairs.  Now."

 

"Something else Mommy tells us … when you're upset, it really helps a lot to talk to somebody about what's bothering you.  I can listen real good, you know.  And you know I can keep a secret real good too." 

 

Nick started to say something, but the look in his son's eyes held such trust and wisdom that he thought better of it.  Donny only wanted to help.

 

"It's about Grandma, isn't it?"  Donny finally said.

 

"What?"

 

"Grandma.  She wants to become a vampire just like Grandfather and you are, doesn't she?"

 

"Where did you hear that?"

 

"Nowhere exactly.  It just sorta came into my mind while I was trying to find out why you were so mad a little while ago."  Donny confessed.

 

< He read my mind? >

 

"I know you want to protect Grandma."  The boy reached over and patted his father's leg protectively.  "You think being a vampire is a bad thing.  Grandfather doesn't think so, and neither does Aunt Clarissa or Cousin Jeb.  I don't know who is right, but I do know that Grandma is going to do whatever she wants to do anyway and nobody can stop her once she makes up her mind to do it.  Grandma says that's where Mommy gets her stubborn streak from.  Us kids too."

 

"Maybe you're right."  Nick put his hand on top of his son's tiny hand.  "But Grandma is making a big mistake, and I don't want to see her hurt."

 

"You can't stop her from getting hurt.  And if you try to, you're gonna hurt her a whole lot more.  Maybe you should just let her do what she thinks is right.  Just like when I was learning to ride my bike.  You had to let me do it even though I coulda gotten hurt real bad.  I didn't get hurt real bad, though.  Just a few scrapes and bruises.  And Grandma maybe won't get hurt neither."

 

< Who is the father in this conversation and who is the son?   And when did Donny get such insight.  Sometimes I think he's four and a half going on thirty eight. >

 

"He's right, you know."  Toni said as she entered the den.  "You know my mother well enough to know that she'll do what she wants regardless of anything we say or do.  All your opposing her is going do is cause a lot of hurt and pain for both her and you."  She put her arms around the two of them and hugged them tightly.  "Are you going to be this stubborn when it's time to bring me across?"

 

"That's not for many years to come."

 

"It's really not that far away.  People are already starting to talk about the young husband I've got.  Next thing you know, they'll be calling me a cradle robber.  And the kids are almost old enough to take care of themselves during the day."

 

"Touche."  Nick kissed her lightly on the cheek and then kissed Donny as well. 

 

The four year old made a face and rubbed his cheek as though he was trying to remove the kiss.  "Kissed.  By my father.  Yuck!  Gross!"  He protested

 

"I guess you are correct."  Nick continued.  "I can't fight the odds.  Two against one ... counting LaCroix and Robyn that makes four against one … is too much.  Okay.  I'll accept her decision.  But only to keep peace in the family.  That doesn't mean I have to like it."

 

He was rewarded with two loud smacking kisses.

 

**********

 

Nick sat on the barstool at the After Sunset and gently twirled the glass of Red Deer in his hands.  After the talk with Toni and Donny, he felt a little better about the whole situation, but he still had serious doubts.  He came here to talk with Clarissa, but she was out for the evening.  Milos did not know when she would be back.

 

"Hey, there Nick."  Jeb Puckett said as he slid onto the stool next to him.  "You look lower than a snake's belly.  Wanna talk about it?"

 

He had to talk this out with someone.  Jeb was as good as anyone.  "It's Robyn. She has Alzheimer's disease."

 

"Oh!  Lordy!"  The hillbilly's face turned paler than usual.  "Not Miss Robyn!  No wonder you're feeling so down.  Is there anything I can do to help?"

 

"That's not the whole of it.  She says she wants LaCroix to bring her across."

 

"So?  Where's the problem.  That sounds like the perfect solution to me.  That way she don't have to worry none about havin' the disease, and I know that LaCroix has been wanting to bring Robyn into the Community for a long time."

 

"But I can't permit him to damn her soul forever.  I can't just stand by and let him make her into something evil."

 

"Miss Robyn is a real smart lady.  She didn't just fall off 'n a turnip truck yesterday morning.  She's been around vampires long enough to know what she's getting into.  Hell, Nick.  I was drug across against my will.  I didn't know diddly squat about bein' a vampire at first.  If it weren't for Clarissa, I'd've probably been staked before the week was out.  I ain't never believed my soul was damned.  Still don't.  Of course, ain't nobody never told me it was supposed to be doomed, neither.  If Robyn doesn't believe she will be evil, then she won't be evil.  She ain't evil as a mortal and she ain't gonna change when she's brought across.  It's just a changin' of forms, that's all.  From mortal to vampire.  It ain't got nothin' to do with sin or damnation.  I know you think you're some kind of evil monster, but trust me Nick, you're one of the goodest guys I know, vampire or mortal.  You just gotta believe that."

 

"Jeb.  Sometimes you make more sense than some of the most learned men I could name."

 

"Shoot."  The vampire blushed as much as he could.  "It ain't nothin' but good old fashioned common horse sense.  Does that mean you ain't gonna try and stop LaCroix from bringing her across?"

 

 "Yes, Nicholas.  You will not interfere."  Lucien LaCroix stood behind him.

 

"LaCroix.  How long have you been there?"

 

"Longer than you think."  He paused, letting the implications sink in.  "In the end, it doesn't matter whether you approve or not.  Robyn wants it and that's really all that is needed.  You are aware of the connotation of informed consent."

 

Nick nodded.  "I will not oppose it."

 

"I suppose, considering it is coming from you, that this is as much of an approval as I can expect."  In another moment, he was gone.

 

**********

Munks Corner, 1972

 

Dennis Buchmann lifted his mother out of the bed and into the wheelchair.  "Come on Mom, Let's go to the window and you can watch the cars go up and down Hamilton Road."  He straightened her housedress and guided her arms through the sleeves of the sweater.  She did nothing to help him.  Agnes Buchmann only stared straight ahead.  For the past two years, she had been like this.  There was no sign of recognition or awareness of what was happening.  He pushed the wheelchair to the window of the enclosed porch.  He had long ago converted it into her bedroom.  The private duty nurse was waiting for him in the living room.  She would care for her while he was at work.  Just as she had been doing for the past three years.

 

"Take good care of her, Mary."  He said.  "You know the routine and you have the phone numbers in case you need help.  By the way, I don't have your paycheck made out yet.  Yesterday, Mother tried to get out of bed on her own and took a nasty fall.  I had to spend the evening in the Emergency Room.  It was nothing serious.  Just a few bruises and a mildly sprained ankle.  Unfortunately, the change in her routine and being in a strange place traumatized her so badly, it took the rest of the night to get her calmed down.  Normally, she's like she is now, but every once in a while, she almost seems to come out of it. That's the third time in as many months that she's tried something dangerous.  I guess I'll have to move another bed into the porch and sleep with her, too.  I'll make the check out on my lunch hour and give it to you tonight." 

 

Mary nodded.  "That's all right, Mr. Buchmann.  I know how trying she can be.  Tonight will be fine."

 

Agnes continued to stare straight ahead.  What her eyes saw, her mind did not comprehend.

 

**********

Los Angeles

 

< No. >  Robyn thought.  <I can't put them through that.  Ever.  If Lucien won't bring me across, I'll find someone who will. >  She stared at the nearly empty glass of brandy.  <Was that me, or the booze talking? >  She took the glass to the sink and glanced at the clock.  Two thirty AM.  Maybe a good night's sleep would clear her mind.

 

She sensed him well before she saw him.  She had been able to do this for over a year now.  < Perhaps I'm more of a vampire that either of us realizes. >  "Hello Lucien.  What brings you here tonight?"

 

"You.  I have been giving much thought to your request of the other evening.  If you still want it, it would give me great pleasure to welcome you into the Community as my fledgling."

 

"Must you be so formal?"

 

"No."  He kissed her passionately.  "I want you.  Any and every way I can have you.  If you think our relationship has been good up to now ... as Mark Twain was reported to say, you ain't seen nothing yet."  He took her hand and led her toward the bedroom.  With his other hand, he was unbuttoning her blouse.

 

Somewhere between the kitchen and the bedroom, most of her clothes had been deposited on the floor, as well as nearly all of his.

 

**********

 

The bite was pure ecstasy.  As it always was.  She knew that it had brought him to fulfillment. As it always did.  Her heart leaped.  It a few more minutes, the act would be complete.  He will have brought her across.  Suddenly, she realized that he had withdrawn his fangs from her neck after only a few swallows.  Not early enough to complete the transformation.  Not even enough to begin it.   She looked at him, a mixture of disappointment and betrayal in her eyes.  "Why?"  She asked, tears in her eyes.

 

"Why what?"

 

"You said you would bring me across.  But … "

 

" ... But I did not."  He replied, kissing her gently. 

 

She roughly pulled away from him and got out of the bed.  She walked across the room.  "You were lying to me all the time, weren't you?  You have no intention of making me into a vampire. Do you?  To you I'm nothing but a toy.  Something you can use, and when I'm all used up, you can throw me away and get another one."  She shouted at him. Her fears were true.

 

"Robyn.  I … "  He followed her and put his arms around her.  She pulled them off. 

 

"I have every intention of bringing you across."  He said softly.  "But not just yet.  I want you to enjoy all the things you have ever wanted to do before then.  What do you want to do first?"

 

She did not answer.

 

"There is an old song that goes ' See the Pyramids along the Nile.  Watch the sunrise on a tropic isle … '  Whatever you want, whatever you need, I will provide it for you.  I want there to be no regrets when the your wish becomes a reality."

 

Robyn thought a few minutes.  Although she had often said that there was so much she wanted to do before this moment, she could not think of one thing at this time. "Perhaps one last dish of Breyers Death By Chocolate."  Almost anything else could be done at night.

 

"Very well, then.  Death By Chocolate it is."  Lucien smiled.   He took her hand and brought it to his lips.  "Tomorrow, you shall have your ice cream.  Today, enjoy everything that you can."  A second later, he was dressed and gone.

 

**********

 

Toni crossed into the living room.  Robyn followed.  

 

"He's agreed to do it, hasn't he?"  Toni said.  It was not a question

 

Robyn only nodded. 

 

"When?"

 

"He didn't say exactly.  Maybe tonight.  You know, he said I was to do everything I wanted to do before ... "  Robyn gave a half laugh.  "The only thing I could think of was to eat a bowl of Death By Chocolate.  Want to join me?"  She held up a grocery bag.  "The condemned ate a hearty last meal."

 

"Don't let Nick hear you say that."  Toni admonished.  "He actually thinks that you are being condemned."

 

"I know.  But I don't look at it that way, Toni.  I look at it like I'm being given a chance to live.  I mean, there may be worse ways to die than from Alzheimer's disease, but I don't know what they are."

 

**********

Munks Corner, 1974

 

Barbara Scott put her arm around her daughter.  "I know that's my mother lying there, Robyn."  She said, pointing to the casket in the viewing room of Shedder's Funeral home.  "But I can't seem to .... I don't know what.  There's no grief.  No sorrow.  I can't even cry.  All I feel is relief.  She's in a better place.  A place where there's no confusion.  No pain.  A place where she's forever young and forever with her beloved Henry.  That's her body lying there, but as far as I'm concerned, Agnes Buchmann died four years ago.  Right about the time she stopped living in this reality."

 

Dennis Buchmann came to his sister and his niece and the three of them hugged each other.  "I know it sounds trite, but she's better off this way.  We all are, too."  He said with a quivering voice.  His eyes were red and puffed.  Robyn could see that he had aged at least fifty years in the fifteen years since their mother had been initially diagnosed as suffering from senile dementia.  Later the diagnosis was changed to the more recently named Alzheimer's disease.  She knew he had suffered the most.  He had taken care of her almost single handedly after his father had passed.  True, her mother and her, and several of the cousins had helped whenever they could, but the majority of the burden fell to Dennis.  Now that she was gone, he was a young old man with no appreciable future.  

 

**********

Los Angeles

 

Robyn checked the mirror.  In a little while her activities probably wouldn't make any difference.  She had spent the day pampering herself.  First, she and Toni had lunch at the Cafe Del Rey.  It cost a small fortune, but she might as well enjoy herself.  She wouldn't be eating anytime in the near future anyway.  From there, they went to the Penzone Salon for an afternoon in the elegant spa, including the whirlpool and steam room, and of course the full body massage. The last stop was Jose Eber's, where they treated themselves to a complete makeover. 

 

Now, she was ready. It was true she could still do all of these things after she became a vampire.  She knew that from conversations with Clarissa.  She also knew that after she came across, there would not be any real need to do them.   Finally, she had called in and arranged for an unspecified amount of unpaid leave of absence. Her excuse was that she was suffering from a unspecified blood disease and was going to need extensive treatments.  Almost everyone assumed it was some form of leukemia, and Robyn didn't bother to correct them.  That was not stretching the truth too far.  Her future would involve a 'blood disorder'.  She knew that it would take time to learn all the things she would have to know to survive in the mortal world. She also arranged to be transferred to the night shift when she returned.  She said that the treatments would leave her with an abnormal sensitivity to the sun.  That much would be definitely true.  Even though she would be a vampire, she had told Lucien in no uncertain terms that she wanted to continue to do as many of the things that she enjoyed as a mortal as she possibly could.

 

She has just finishing pulling on the sea green chiffon dress that Lucien especially liked when she heard, or maybe felt him come in.

 

"You look fantastic."  He said as he kissed her lightly on the jaw line.  He lingered at the jugular.

 

"I want this to be a special occasion."  She replied.

 

"And it shall be."  He said.  He took her hand and gently led her to the door.  It was then that she realized that he was in a tuxedo.

 

"So, where are we off to now?"  She said as she pulled an imaginary piece of something from his lapel.

 

"The most romantic spot on earth."

 

"Paris?"  She said as he helped her on with her coat.

 

LaCroix only smiled enigmatically.  "You will see."  He said softly

 

**********

Brabant

 

He dug his nails into his hands so tightly that the palms began to bleed.  The others, the mortal family, had gone to their rooms early in preparation for the next day's events.  Slowly Lucien LaCroix approached the coffin.  < She is only sleeping. >  He thought as  he kissed her gently on the forehead.  Her flesh was cold.  As cold as his.  < If I slit my wrist and let my blood drip into her mouth, she will come across and be with me until the end of time. >  He knew it was not true.  Fleur was dead.  That was the truth ... Not undead … Dead.  Nothing he or anyone else could do would reverse that.  He stared at her.  In death, the years and the age lines seemed to lessen and she looked much like she did that fateful day.  The day he had left his heart with her.

 

He was aware that someone ... Nicholas ... was behind him.  "It is all your fault."  He hissed at the fledgling vampire, his anger barely controlled.  "YOU did this to her.  YOU killed her.  If you had let me do what I had intended to do fifty years ago, she would still be alive.  Still be young.  Still be with me.  I shall NEVER forgive you for this."  He pulled his cloak around him and left the great room with a whoosh of air.

 

**********

Los Angeles

 

"I will NOT let that happen again."  He said to no one in particular.

 

"Let what happen?"  Robyn answered him.

 

"Nothing."  He lied.  "I was just remembering something that happened a very long time ago. "  He mentally pulled the facade of impassiveness even tighter.  "Now.  Shall we be off for an adventure you will never forget?  I can guarantee it will be only the first of many."  He said as he wrapped a large fur robe around her.

 

"Is that necessary?"  She said.

 

"Do not worry.  Although it is real, the bear was not slaughtered solely for its fur.  It was given to me a long time ago by an Indian acquaintance of mine.  Unlike the supposedly civilized white man, they used every part of any animal they killed.  And like my kind, they killed for survival, not for sport."

 

"But ... "

 

"You will be glad for it in a few minutes."  He said as he pulled her into his arms and lifted off the ground.  "It can get very cold where we are going."

 

**********

 

She snuggled into his arms.  He was right.  She was glad for the robe.  This high up, the air was at least twenty degrees cooler than on the ground.  Also, at the speed he was traveling, the wind chill was a formidable factor as well.  She looked up.  Here, above the clouds and the lights of the city, the stars glowed like so many blue white mini lights against the indigo black sky.  Below her, the cities looked like some surreal lighted black velvet painting.   If nothing else, this made the evening extra special.  Much too soon, he began to descend, and before long, they were on the ground once more.

 

She recognized the landscape even at night.  There had been a special on it on the Travel Channel only a week before.  "Aculpulco?  Is this the most romantic place on earth?"

 

"While it is very romantic, it is only a short stopover.  From here, we will go by boat to our next destination."

 

"Which is?"

 

LaCroix only smiled his most infuriatingly smug smile and kissed her on the cheek.  "Do not be so impatient.  Soon we will have all of eternity to explore."  He kissed her again, this time not so platonically.  "It will be a while until transportation is ready.  In the meantime, why don't we explore this romantic place?"

 

**********

 

It was well after midnight when the yacht pulled up to the dock.  Lucien and Robyn were waiting for it.  While their clothes were relatively unmussed, Robyn's hair was slightly disheveled and Lucien's face held nearly invisible signs of lipstick.  There were two small nearly healed marks on her throat near the collarbone.

 

 They had gone to one of the luxury hotels, she couldn't remember which one, for a sumptuous dinner.  She had eaten her fill while Lucien had watched and moved the food around on his plate. Occasionally, he would put a piece of food into a napkin, to simulate that he had eaten something.  After the dinner, they had spotted an enticing stretch of secluded beach.  Fortunately, there was enough rocky cover that their clothes didn't need to be on the sand.   

 

Robyn stood staring at the luxury cruiser before her.  It was easily the size of the Royal yacht.

 

"Is this yours?"  She said in a small awed voice.

 

"No.  Unfortunately, my ... ship is quite unserviceable.  It is in several pieces at the bottom of the English Channel.  You see, it was sunk during the evacuation of Dunkirk.  Since I rarely used it, I never had it replaced.  This one belongs to an old friend of mine."

 

"When you say old friend, how literal are you being?  With you that expression takes on a whole new meaning."

 

"Very old."   He kissed her again.   Without breaking the kiss, he led her up the gangplank to the deck. 

 

As soon as they were on board, the crew unfastened the ropes and the ship headed out to the open sea.

 

They snuggled in the stateroom as the sun came up.  They were still snuggling when the sun went down.  Only now, the covers were on the floor and there were several more tiny holes in Robyn's neck.

 

It was well after sunset when the ship pulled into a small harbor.  As far as Robyn could tell, they must have been somewhere east … or was that now west … of Hawaii.  She was vaguely aware that they had crossed the International Date Line sometime during the afternoon.  But, since she and Lucien had been asleep, more or less ... a lot less than more ... in the master cabin with the windows blacked out, their exact location was uncertain.

 

Robyn gasped as she walked down the gangplank.  The island seemed to be plucked right out of a South Seas travelogue.  A small village straddled a palm tree lined road that led from the dock into the jungle.  Flaming bamboo torches lined each side of the road.  The air was heavy with the fragrance of Bougainvillea, Orchids, Kenikeni, Ginger, and a half dozen other intoxicating scents that Robyn couldn't even put a name to.  A well built young man wearing nothing more than a flowered loincloth placed an orchid lei around Robyn's neck and ceremoniously kissed her on the cheek while his female counterpart did the same to LaCroix.  < If I didn't know better, I'd swear I was on Fantasy Island. >  She looked around, half expecting to see Ricardo Montalban, followed by Herve Villechaise, come striding down the pier any minute.

 

She was not prepared for the person who did come to greet them.

 

Lady Zera.

 

LaCroix bowed before the Ancient vampire.  Robyn did the same.

 

"Welcome to Bali Kiel, Robyn, Lucius."  The ancient vampire said.  "In Polynesian, that means Part of Heaven."

 

"Thank you, Lady Zera."  Lucien said.  "For allowing us to use your ship and your island.  I want this time to be a most memorable experience for Robyn."

 

"I am more than happy to do this for you, Lucius.  And as I said before, I will be honored to bring her across."

 

"She's going to bring me across?'  Robyn asked in a louder than stage whisper. "I thought you were going to do it."

 

"I was."  Lucien replied.  "But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is the most ideal way to do it."

 

**********

Two Days Earlier

 

"You want me to bring your friend across."  Lady Zera said.  "I was under the impression that you would be the one to convert Robyn Parker."

 

"I was going to do it.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was not the way I want to be with Ms. Parker.  If I bring her across, she would be my child.  My fledgling.  I would be her master.  Her father.  Not to mention the convoluted relationship she would then have with Atonia and Nicholas.  She would be their sister and sister in law as well as both their mother and mother in law.  Can you possibly imagine what she would be to the children?"  He paused briefly.  "I do not want that kind of a relationship with Robyn. That is why I am asking you to do it.  Could you … would you … bring her across for me?"

 

Lady Zera steepled her fingers to her chin and sat silently for a long while.  "I have not created a child in a very long time.  There are others who could bring the lady across for you.  Nicholas, for one.  But then I know how he feels about this sort of thing, and if he is not willing, then perhaps Clarisse, or maybe Jebediah, or even Tobias might be able to do it for you."   

 

LaCroix shook his head softly.  "I want her to be equal, not subservient to me. That can only be accomplished if someone who is at least my equal, if not my better, brings her across.  There is no one in the Community who fits those prerequisites as well as you do.  You are the only one I would trust with this most special request. You, my Lady, are definitely my better."

 

Lady Zera smiled softly.  "You always did have a way with words, Lucius.  You know just how to turn a phrase to get a person to do just what you want them to do.  I accede to your request.  I shall be honored to bring Robyn across for you."

 

**********

Present

 

"You know, Lucien, she's right."  Robyn said after he had told her of his conversation with Lady Zera.  "You do have a way with words. I never thought of it that way, but you are right.  It would be better if someone else brought me across.  And I cannot think of anyone else I would rather have do it than Lady Zera."  She turned to the Ancient and bowed before her.  "I am asking you as well.  Will you make me a vampire?"

 

Lady Zera smiled broadly.  "Yes, Robyn Parker.  I will make you a vampire.  You will make an excellent addition to our Community."

 

"When?"

 

"Not just yet.  Like Lucius, I want this to be a special time for you.  For the both of you.  Tonight, enjoy the hospitality of my island.  We shall discuss the arrangements at a later time." 

 

Lucien and Robyn both kissed the ruby ring on the finger of the elder vampire and in less than an eyeblink she was gone.

 

**********

 

They lay on the coral sand beach and stared at the night sky.  Lady Zera had pulled out all the stops to make this evening special.  First, there was a luau in the village square.  Robyn was aware that only a few of the individuals actually partook of the roast pig and the mountains of other delicacies that were available.  Then there was an exquisite demonstration of Polynesian dance performed by costumed dancers.  Again, Robyn could not help but notice that many of them were considerably paler skinned than their fellow tribesmen.  Robyn wondered just how many of the island's inhabitants were members of the Community. 

 

**********

Brabant

 

He stared at the star filled sky and wiped a bloody tear from his eye.  Fleur had loved the stars so.  Now, with her death, they seemed considerably dimmer than they had fifty years ago. He was aware that Nicholas was standing a few yards behind him.  He turned and glared at his fledgling.  "I thought I told you to get out."  He growled.  "I NEVER want to see you as long as I live.  And I INTEND to live for eternity."  He seethed.  "An eternity I had planned to give to your sister.  Now, because of YOUR interference, that is impossible."  His eyes turned gold.  "Do you have ANY idea how I feel now?  DO YOU?"

 

"You know I could not let you bring her across."  Nicholas said, his voice breaking. "You know that it was the right thing to do."

 

"I know NOTHING of the sort.  I only know that when they put her into the mausoleum today, they buried my heart as well.  I shall hold you SOLELY responsible for that."  With the customary rush of air, he took to the sky.  He had to get away.  He was only seconds away from destroying Nicholas and everyone and everything within a ten mile radius.

 

Nicholas watched his master as he quickly became nothing more than a tiny speck in the night sky.  A few seconds later, another speck, Janette, followed the first.  He had come here to offer LaCroix his sympathy and to grieve with him.  He, of all people knew the master vampire's love for his sister, and he also knew the depth of his anguish.  Instead, he had been reviled and threatened.  < Perhaps LaCroix is right.  Perhaps I am to blame for Fleur's death. >  He wiped the red streaks from his face.  LaCroix had Janette to comfort him.  Nicholas had no one.

 

**********

Bali Kiel

 

Robyn did not hear the Ancient until she stood in front of her.  Apparently, neither did Lucien, since she saw and felt him tense for a millisecond in surprise. 

 

"I did not mean to startle you, Lucius.  I only want a few minutes with Robyn."  Lady Zera started walking down the beach.  She motioned to Robyn to follow her.  When they had come upon a secluded cove, Lady Zera motioned for them to stop.

 

"I only wish to make certain that this is what you really want."  She said.  "I know you probably know more about us than any mortal."

 

"I suppose I do.  After all, my ... ah … boyfriend is a vampire.  My son in law is a vampire and most of my friends are vampires as well.  And yes.  It is what I want.  Lucien and I have been talking about it for several years now, but up until a few weeks ago, it was only a vague sometime thing.  Now, I am ready.  I wanted Lucien to be the one to bring me across, but after listening to his explanation, I agree with him.  I'm glad you are going to bring me."

 

"And why is it so important that you be brought across now?"

 

Robyn was silent for a few moments.  "I got the results from my latest physical exam.  Alzheimer's Disease.  My grandmother had it.  It was a very traumatic emotional time for everyone involved.  I'm not going to put my children through that.  I figured that since I was going to make the conversion  ... someday.  Why not now?"

 

"Again, I know this is a seemingly ridiculous question, but it is one I must ask.  Do you realize the consequences of your actions?"

 

"As you said, I know vampires better than most mortals possibly could.  I do realize the consequences of what I am asking.  And again I will repeat my first answer.  This is what I want.  I want to be a vampire.  The only question is where and when."

 

"Very well.  It will take place two days from now.   One hour after sunset.  At the lagoon.  It's a beautiful setting."  Lady Zera paused hesitantly.  "After I agreed to do this, I sought the counsel of several of the elder members of the Community.  Some of them know you personally, others have heard of you.  They indicated that they want to be present when the transition takes place.  I told them I would ask you if they could attend.  I assure you, the ceremony will be dignified and conservative."

 

 "How many and who?"

 

"There are seven.  Andreas.  He is the chief Enforcer."

 

"I thought you were head of the Enforcers."

 

"Technically, I am, but Andreas handles the day to day, or maybe I should say century to century running of that organization.  Another is Remington.  He is a long standing member of the Los Angeles Community.  You may have met Eloise at Nicholas's wedding.  She handles many of our interactions with the mortal world.  Miklos from the Toronto Community has also requested to be present.  He remembers the help you provided to them with Janette a few years ago.  Of course, Clarissa and Jebediah will be here.  After all, they are part of your family."

 

"That's six.  Who is the seventh one?"

 

"Nicholas, of course."

 

< Nick wants to be here!  That's a radical departure from his initial stance! >  Robyn nodded solemnly.  "Yes.  They may come and watch the ceremony.  I have a request of my own.  Would it be possible for my daughter Toni … Atonia to come as well?  She will be brought across in the near future.  I think she might learn something from this."

 

Lady Zera smiled.   "I had a feeling you would say that.  I have already dispatched my private plane to get them … and I have included an invitation to Atonia as well."  She kissed her future fledgling on the cheek.  "Now, return to your man.  I feel he is probably very worried right about now."

 

"Lucien?  Worried?  About anything?  Are you sure we're talking about the same Lucien LaCroix?"

 

"He hides it well, but, yes he does worry about you very much."   She kissed her again.  "Now go before he comes looking for you.  Although he knows better than to interfere when I request privacy, His heart might just overrule his head."

 

**********

Los Angeles

 

Nick held Toni's hand tightly as they walked through the terminal.  While he wasn't too enthusiastic about her going to the crossing, he had to agree with Robyn.  She should know all that there was to know before she made her decision.  Besides, it wasn't a good idea to refuse an invitation from the oldest known vampire.

 

Jeb Puckett's jaw dropped as he spotted the sleek jet waiting on the tarmac.  "Are you sure this is for us?"  He asked.

 

"It has to be."  Miklos replied.  He had cleared customs from Canada only a few hours earlier.

 

"Well, it is the only plane at the Executive gate, so this must be it."  Clarissa added.  Her mouth was also open at the sight.

 

"I suggest we get on board."  Andreas said as he approached the plane.  He was closely followed by the other two vampires.  

 

Nick recognized the Enforcer chief from several encounters.  This was one of the rare times when the meeting was on friendly terms.  Things had changed radically since the Millennium Symposium.  Enforcers were no longer looked upon as the heartless monsters they once were.  Andreas was responsible for much of that.  He also knew Remington and Eloise from their work with the Millennium Initiatives.  He knew that they were all liberal and progressive in their views.  He wasn't entirely sure of Andreas, but if Lady Zera had invited him to witness Robyn's crossing, that was a good enough endorsement for him.   

 

**********

Bali Kiel

 

"I feel sort of like Roarke."  Robyn mused as she and Lucien waited for the plane to land on the private airstrip.  Lady Zera and her entourage stood slightly behind and to the right of them.  A wide grin split her face.

 

"Who?"  Lucien asked.

 

"Ricardo Montalban ... Fantasy Island ... The TV show." 

 

Lucien still had the bewildered look on his face. 

 

"Never mind."  Robyn attempted to smile again, but it did not come easily.

 

"You must excuse Lucius."  Lady Zera said.  "He tends to eschew much of the so called modern genre.  I'm afraid he has a tendency to be a fuddy duddy."

 

"FUDDY … DUDDY!"  Lucien replied indignantly.  "I am NOT a fuddy duddy.  I am a conservative traditionalist."

 

"Is that why you once remarked that William Shakespeare was a radical and a rabble rouser and that he should be staked with his own pens?"

 

"He didn't!"  Robyn gasped in mock horror.  She knew that Lucien was an ardent devotee of Shakespearean drama.

 

"Oh, but he did.  And in those very words."

 

"Fortunately for the Bard, I changed my mind."  LaCroix said with a hint of a smile.

 

In the distance, the whine of the jet's engines was growing louder.

 

"Come."  Lady Zera said.  "It is time to greet our guests."  She started toward the tarmac. She gave a mischievous wink in Robyn's direction.  "Smiles everyone.  Smiles."

 

**********

 

They sat on the veranda of the main house watching as the eastern sky began to lighten with the pre dawn glow.

 

"I don't know about y'all, but I'm plumb wore out."  Jeb Puckett said with a huge yawn. "I think I'll turn in.  All them time zones we crossed confused the bejeebers out of me.  I don't know which is which.  Is this tomorrow or is it yesterday?"

 

"Actually, it is today."  Robyn explained.  "But according to your reckoning, it's tomorrow.  You see, when you crossed the International Date Line, the date became one day ahead.  Don't worry, Jeb.  Everything will return to normal when you return to Los Angeles."

 

"How's that?"

 

"When we go back across the International Date Line, time will go one day back."  Nick clarified.

 

"So we'll lose the day we gained by coming here?  Right?"

 

"In a sense."  Toni affirmed.  "But actually, you won't lose anything.  Only the date on the calendar will change back."

 

"But where will the extra day go?   Don't tell me.  I know.  It'll be waiting for the next person who crosses the line.  Right?"

 

Nick only shook his head slowly.  Jeb's logic always confounded him, but he had to admit that the southern vampire did make sense.  Backwoods sense.  In a manner of speaking.

 

"I think on that note I'm gonna head to bed."  Jeb reiterated.

 

"I think I'll join him."  Clarissa said as she headed for the door.

 

One by one, the others also retired to their rooms.  Eventually, only Robyn and Nick were left.

 

"Are you positive that this is what you want?"  Nick asked.

 

"Yes.  It is what I want."  Robyn said without hesitation.

 

"Then I will support you.  Although I am not entirely thrilled with it, I realize that the choice is ultimately yours.  Regardless of what I think, you must follow your heart.  If it tells you that this is the right thing to do, then it is the right thing for you.  All I ask is that you be happy."

 

Robyn reached over and kissed her son in law on the cheek.  "Thank you, Nick.  You don't know how much that means to me.  I know you were opposed to my coming across.  I'm glad you changed your mind."

 

"Actually, it was Donny who changed my mind.  He reminded me that everyone has to make his or her own decisions in life.  Or is that unlife?"  He smiled as he returned her kiss.  "Although I can stay in the morning sun longer that the rest can, I think I'll turn in too."  He started to the door.  "Enjoy the day."

 

**********

Munks Corner

 

Barbara and Robyn packed the last of the things securely in the boxes.  There were three stacks.  One to keep.  One to give to the Volunteers Of America.  And one to be thrown away.  The pile that held the greatest amount was the throw away stack.  While they suspected that Agnes Buchmann had become a pack rat as her disease advanced, they were totally unprepared for the amount and variety of things that she had saved and hidden.  Things like empty cereal boxes, and four giant trash bags full of paper and plastic grocery bags.

 

She had three closets full of clothes and underwear, most of them still in the boxes, or with the store tags still on them.  Yet the things she habitually wore, a housecoat and a slip and panties, were little more than rags held together with pins, and in some cases even staples. There were clothes from when she had worked, even though she had retired some twenty five years before her death. They had came across at least twenty pairs of shoes, many dating from her working days as well, and an equal number of handbags.  Many of these still had the store tags too.

 

They found a dresser in the guest room filled with every piece of mail she had ever received in the last fifteen years.  Bills, letters, even junk mail.  Over half of it wasn't even opened.

 

While they were doing this, Dennis sat at the front window where his mother had spent much of her final years.  "What am I going to do now, Sis?"  He asked.  There was a pleading quality to his voice.  "I've spent most of my adult life taking care of her.  Now it's too late for me to do much of anything else.  I've got no friends.  No social life.  Nothing.  I'm beginning to wonder.  Was it worth it?"

 

Barbara Scott had no answer for her brother.

 

**********

Bali Kiel

 

Robyn lay on the sandy beach.  The sun in the nearly cloudless sky felt warm and soothing.  Something was missing, though.  A servant in a native costume brought a tray with a drink and a sandwich.  Gradually it dawned on her what was wrong.  There was no one to share it with.  Toni was still asleep.  Most of her friends were vampires.  They could not enjoy the beach and the waves with her.  Not now.  Not in the sun.  In a few hours, she would be one with them.  Then they all could lie on the sand.  Of course, there would be no sun, but there would be companionship.  Friends.  That was what she wanted most.  Especially from Lucien.  But then, he was more than a friend.  Much more.

 

**********

 

Lady Zera stood at the edge of the beach.  As usual, she was flanked by her two bodyguards.  Instead of their severe black almost uniform like suits, they wore white linen slacks and casual linen shirts.  A platform had been erected on the sand and an ornate red velvet covered throne-like chair was placed on it.  Around the platform, eight more chairs, just as elegant, but simpler than the throne were arranged.  From the edge of the beach to the platform, a red carpet had been laid.  Huge urns filled with flowers were arranged along the edge of the carpet and even more flowers lined the platform.  At the edge of the beach, a tropical combo played hauntingly beautiful native music.  <Yes.  It was perfect. >   Lady Zera agreed with herself.

 

She glanced behind her.  The others, the seven who would witness the ceremony, were lined up.  All were attired in casual tropical dress.  Behind them, Lucien LaCroix and Robyn Parker waited.  Lady Zera could tell that the mortal was nervous, but she hid it well.  Lucien, like the others wore tropical attire, white slacks and a white linen shirt.  It contrasted sharply with his usual all black clothing.  Robyn looked elegant in a simple sheer white toga type dress with a wreath of orchids braided into her hair. Lady Zera was dressed in a similar costume. 

 

All was ready.   With an almost imperceptible nod, she started to the platform.  The others followed. One by one they took their place on the platform.  Toni was seated in a chair at the edge of the beach for her own safety.  She was guarded by two large well built vampires.  As the others explained it, this was so that she wouldn't inadvertedly become her mother's first meal. When Lady Zera had taken her place on the throne chair, Lucien LaCroix came onto the beach with Robyn on his arm.  He led her to the foot of the Ancient and gently placed her hand in the hand of her soon-to-be-master.  He kissed her gently on the forehead and took his place at the eighth chair.

 

Robyn closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  < This is it. >  Although theoretically she could still back out, for all practical purposes, she had committed herself to be brought across. She knelt to kiss the ruby ring on Lady Zera's right hand.  

 

"Are you ready, my child?"  Lady Zera whispered.

 

Robyn nodded.  "I am ready."  She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Lady Zera stood.  She raised her hands and the band stopped playing.  "My Friends. We are gathered here to welcome Robyn Parker into our midst." She paused and looked carefully at the assembled guests.  "Is there anyone here who has any objections to this?"

 

Silence.

 

"Good."  She placed her hands on Robyn's shoulders and drew her toward her.  Gently, she kissed her on the forehead and then on each eye.  She turned the soon to be fledgling so that she was facing the audience.  Then she pulled back Robyn's hair and kissed the neck where it met the collarbone.

 

Robyn drew a deep breath as she felt Lady Zera's fangs elongate. A twinge of fear was pushed aside by the feelings of exhilaration and anticipation.  There was a slight pain as the ancient vampire broke the skin, but that was quickly forgotten as Lady Zera's fangs gently probed for the carotid artery.  As she pierced it, Robyn felt an ecstasy unlike anything she had ever felt before.  It was definitely erotic. < So this is what Lucien meant. >   The euphoria increased geometrically as Lady Zera began to drink from her.  When she felt that she could not endure the exhilaration another minute, a deep dark swirling shadow began to envelop her.  Her legs felt like rubber and her breathing became labored.  She was only vaguely aware that her body was shutting down.

 

**********

Place Unknown

 

She was standing on a grassy plain beside a sparkling pond.  The sun was shining brightly and the sky was a deep blue.  Ahead, on a slight knoll stood a large wooden door. It reminded her of the ones that she had seen in pictures of Medieval European cathedrals.  There did not seem to be any structure associated with the door.  It just stood there in the middle of the hill.  It opened and a bright white light streamed through it.  Robyn closed her eyes and put her hand over them to shield them from the brilliance.

 

"Don't be afraid, Sissy."  A man's voice called from the other side of the door.  Robyn recognized it immediately as her father's. 

 

"There's nothing here that can hurt you."  Agnes Buchmann called out from behind Joe Scott.  "I ought to know."

 

"Dad?  Mumsie?  Am I dead?"  Robyn asked as she took her hands down from her face.  While the light was brilliant, it did not seem to have the effect on her eyes that she thought it would.  She found she could stare into it with no pain or discomfort.  She could clearly see the figures standing in the light.

 

"Not yet, squirt."  Harry Scott said as he came beside his father.  "The choice is yours.  You can come with us into the light, or you can return.  Just remember that if you go back, you'll be in the darkness."

 

"I know that, Harry.  But now that I'm here, I'm not so sure I can leave this place for all eternity."

 

"You won't necessarily be leaving it forever."  Barbara Scott said as she joined her husband.  "You will return to this place when you experience true death.  From here, you either go on to the eternal light or go to the eternal darkness   It all depends on how you have lived your life.  Again, the choice is yours.  Just because you choose the darkness for now doesn't mean you are condemned forever."  

 

"It's the same whether you are a vampire or a mortal.  Goodness or evil doesn't depend on what form you are.  It has nothing to do with whether you have fangs or not.  It depends on what you do while you're in that state."  Agnes proclaimed to her granddaughter.

 

"I wish you could convince my son in law Nicholas of that.  He thinks that because he is a vampire he's irrefutably an evil monster, forever condemned to hell."

 

"He has to come to that realization on his own."   Harry assured his sister.  "He will see the truth eventually, but none of us can say when that will happen.  Just that it will." 

 

**********

Bali Kiel

 

Lady Zera glanced briefly at Lucien and Nicholas, who were mentally fighting to restrain themselves from rushing to her side as she gently lowered Robyn to the floor. A man in native attire handed her a jewel encrusted ceremonial knife.  She knelt beside the limp form.  Slowly, carefully, she made a slit in her wrist.  She held it over Robyn's mouth.  "Drink, My child."  She whispered.  "Drink and return to us."

 

Lucien LaCroix closed his eyes.  < Return to me, Robyn. >  He called mentally.  < I cannot exist without you. >

 

**********

Place Unknown

 

Robyn wiped a tear from her eyes as she looked into the faces of her family.   It would be so easy to go with them.  To be with all those she had lost in her mortal life.   Family.  Friends.  Schoolmates.  Neighbors.  There were so many.  So easy just to keep walking into the light.  Then she heard the soft voice calling to her.  "Drink, My child."  It said.  "Drink and return to us."  It was Lady Zera.  She felt rather than heard Lucien calling to her to return to him as well.  This was the moment of truth.  She knew she had only one choice to make.  Slowly she turned from the light.  Eagerly she walked toward the darkness.

 

**********

Bali Kiel

 

Lady Zera watched anxiously, and after what seemed like an eternity, Robyn finally swallowed.  Then she grabbed the Ancient's wrist and pulled it to her mouth.  As though she were a newborn infant, her fledgling suckled the life giving elixir from her new master.  Robyn gave a strangled cry of frustration as Lady Zera pulled her wrist from her.  It was quickly replaced with a bottle that one of the vampire attendants had provided.  As soon as it was empty, another one took its place.  Then a third one.  And a fourth.  Finally, Robyn's first hunger was assuaged.  She took Lady Zera's hand and was helped to her feet.

 

"I give you Robyn Parker.  My daughter, and the newest member of our Community."  Lady Zera said as she led Robyn around the platform to the applause of those assembled.  She stopped in front of Lucien. "She is now yours, Lucien.  I give her to you freely and with my blessing.  Take good care of her and train her well."   She said as she placed Robyn's hand in his.

 

"I will, My Lady."  Lucien said softly. He took Robyn's hand, and to the continuing applause of those in the area, led her to the path to the main house. 

 

**********

 

Robyn stared out of the window of her bedroom at the plantation house.  The sky was showing the first faint traces of pink.  Soon it would be day.  Something she would never see again.

 

They had partied the night in celebration of her crossing.  Even Toni seemed to enjoy herself in spite of the fact that the others made certain that she stayed a respectable distance from her mother at all times.  Now it was over.  Tonight her training would begin in earnest.  

 

Lucien LaCroix came behind her.  He put his hands on her shoulder.  "It is done."  He whispered softly.  "Now we can live as we were meant to be."  He kissed her gently on the ear, nuzzling it as he finished.  "Come now.  Let me show you exactly how much I really do care for you."  He led her toward the bed, deftly removing the sheer nightgown she was wearing as they went.  When they reached the bed, she saw that he too, was now unclothed.  His black pajamas were lying beside her gown on the floor. < How did he do that? >  He had not released her at any time.  She smiled.  She always knew he was well endowed, but now with her new sight and senses, she could see just how truly remarkable he was.  She gasped.

 

Lucien saw her expression.  He lay on the bed and drew her to him.  "Cher Coeur. Laissez moi vous aimer comme vous meritez d'etre avez aime.  (Dearest heart.  Let me love you as you deserve to be loved.)"  He whispered in a husky voice as his lips found hers.

 

**********

 

She sipped on the thick maroon liquid in the goblet that LaCroix held to her.  It was from Lady Zera's private stock.  Even though she was less than a day old as a vampire, Robyn could tell that it had been freely donated by one of the islanders.  "You were right, my love."  She said to Lucien.  "I thought our lovemaking was exquisite as a mortal, but what I just experienced has that beat all hollow.  Will it be this good every time?"

 

He thought a moment.  "No."  He said as he idly played with a wisp of hair that hung over her forehead.

 

"No?"

 

"This was only the beginning.  I can assure you, it will get better and better as time goes by and you learn to properly use your powers."  He grinned seductively.  "Then it will be awesome."  He pounced on her and kissed her mischievously.  "Deliciously awesome!"  He rolled on his back and pulled her on top on him.  "Speaking of delicious."  He began planting butterfly kisses down her forehead and cheek.   His eyes were golden.  They matched hers.

 

"Then, by all means, let's start the learning process."  Robyn laughed as she captured his upper lip and began nibbling on it.

 

**********

 

"Are you sure you want to do this?"  Lucien LaCroix said.

 

"Oh, for Pete's sake, Lucien."  Robyn replied.  "I know I've only been a vampire for a few days, but she is my daughter after all.  You think I'd hurt her?  Of course not!  I have that much control."

 

"Do you?"

 

"That's why you're with me, isn't it?"  Her tone was definitely sarcastic.  "To pull me off her in case I go into a feeding frenzy."

 

"No it's not."  He replied.  < Not entirely. >  She was right, of course.  He was there to protect Toni ... and her in case there was any trouble.  That was only one of the reasons though.  He just wanted to be with her.  For whatever the reason.  "I just ... never mind.  We're here now.  Just be careful."

 

'Yes, Sir."  She said, giving him a defiant mock salute.

 

Before Lucien could respond, Toni and the others came across the tarmac toward the waiting plane.

 

Robyn took Toni's hands in hers.  With almost blinding speed, her daughter's scent hit her.  Peanut butter and apples.  < I can do this. >  She told herself.  She swallowed hard.

 

"Mom."  Toni said.  "I'm glad you invited me to this.  Now I won't be so scared when my time comes."  She wrapped her arms around her mother and pulled her close.  "We all will be waiting for you when you get back."  She said as she kissed her mother on the cheek.

 

Robyn felt her fangs drop.  She knew her eyes were golden.  She could hear Toni's heartbeat and almost see the blood coursing just below the surface of her neck.  It called to her.  It sang to her.  < Blood.  In easy reach. >  All she had to do was  ...  < She's my daughter.  She's my daughter. > She chanted to herself over and over like a mantra.  Gradually, she forced her fangs to retract and her eyes to return to their original color.  She sighed noticeably as Toni released her. 

 

Nick and the others said their farewells.  She was very surprised that they did not evoke the same sensations as Toni had.  There was no hunger.  No blood lust.  Just friends saying goodbye.  She would have to ask Lucien about that as soon as the plane took off.

 

**********

 

"The reason is simple, quite simple, my dear."  Lucien said as they walked back to the plantation.  "Nicholas and the others are one with us.  Atonia, on the other hand is a mortal.  Mortals are our food.  They are lunch."

 

"But she's my daughter."

 

"Your MORTAL daughter.  Now you are a vampire.  That changes the relationship considerably.  That is why we are staying here.  Away from all vulnerable beings.  Eventually you will learn what is necessary to live among them without feeling as you just did.  Then and only then will you be allowed to return to something resembling your former life."

 

"And how long will that take?"

 

"It depends."

 

"On what?"

 

Lucien only shrugged his shoulders.  "On how well you do.  For now, do not worry yourself about it.  There are many things you must learn before you can function with mortals and the sooner we get started, the better.  Your tutelage will begin tomorrow night."

 

**********

 

Robyn knew that the sun was down.  < This must be one of the things that vampires know instinctively. >  She looked at the nightstand.  There, as there had been every evening since she was brought across, was a bottle of blood.  If the past week was any indicator, this would be human.  She pulled the cap and sniffed.  Human.  She had told Lady Zera even before she was brought across that she would not kill, and Lady Zera had assured her that she would not have to except in the direst of circumstances.  She wrinkled her nose as she poured the thick liquid into the glass sitting beside it.

 

"Do not judge it so harshly."  Lucien LaCroix said from behind her.  She had not heard or felt him come in.  "It is from Lady Zera's private stock.  Nothing but the best for her daughter."

 

"But I told her, and I also told you that I would not kill humans.  I know that I needed human blood at the beginning so I wouldn't be a Carouche.  I know this is donated, but I don't want to get used to mortal blood.  I don't want to start craving it.  What's wrong with Red Deer or even Red Deer Wild?  You and Nick have raved about it and I've overheard several of the patrons at the After Sunset saying it's the best they've ever tasted.  Why can't I have that?"

 

"Patience Robyn.  Patience."  Lucien said, putting his arms around the fledgling vampire.  "You are much too young a vampire to be experimenting with your diet."  He held up the bottle.  "Think of this as mother's milk.  Just as a mortal child must be slowly weaned to other foods, so it is with you."  He kissed her gently.  "There is plenty of time for experimenting later.  After your system has sufficiently matured."  He held the glass to her.  "Now, drink.  We have much to do tonight."

 

Robyn put her thumb in her mouth and sucked noisily.  "Yeth  ... Daddy."  She said with a gleam in her eye.  "I be good girl. I pwomith."  She smiled innocently at him and batted her eyes as she drained the glass.

 

Lucien had a similar gleam in his eyes.  "As long as you're not too good."  He said, giving her behind a playful swat.

 

Robyn pulled a lock of hair across her face.  "There was a little girl  ... Who had a little curl ... Right in the middle of her forehead ... And when she was good ... She was very very good ... But when she was bad ... " She returned the playful smack and ran across the room.  "She was even better." 

 

"You'll pay for that."  LaCroix was right behind her.

 

"I certainly hope so."   Robyn giggled seductively as she attempted to leap over the bed.  LaCroix was quicker.  She found herself lying flat on her back with Lucien pinning her hands above her head with one hand.

 

"Payback time."  He grinned wickedly as he began tickling her with his other hand.

 

**********

 

Several hours later, they were standing on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.  Although she had flown with LaCroix either holding her or close by, today was to be her first solo flight.

 

"Nervous?"  He said, putting his arm around her for moral support.

 

Robyn nodded  "A little."

 

"Just do it like you have been doing it.  Close your eyes and think 'up' "

 

"I prefer the Peter Pan version."

 

"And what, pray tell, is that?"

 

"As Peter tells Wendy, just think happy thoughts.  So I think of the kids.  And the grandkids.  And of you.  That's the happiest thought of all."

 

"Whatever works."

 

Robyn closed her eyes.  "I'm thinking of Toni and Sherry and their spouses."  She rose into the air.  "Now I'm thinking of my grandchildren and Jay's baby."  She rose higher.  "Now I'm thinking of you."  She was airborne.  She opened her eyes and spread her arms.  She soared over the beach.  She climbed into the night sky and executed a series of barrel rolls.   She dove for the ocean and pulled out only a few feet from the water.  Then she rose straight up and soared high above the scattered clouds.  As she looked up, she could see the stars like shining diamonds embedded in the black velvet sky.  She circled the island several times, and then came to almost a standstill suspended hundreds of feet above the earth.

 

"I take it I passed." She called to LaCroix as he pulled beside her.

 

"With flying colors.  Pun intended."  He motioned her to the ground.

 

"This will definitely be the second best thing about being a vampire."  She said as she landed beside the master vampire.

 

"And what will be the first?"

 

"You."

 

"I must say, you are a much more apt pupil than your son in law ever was."

 

"Yes. I know all about that.  Nick told me how you taught him to fly.  I'm glad I didn't have to learn that way.  Although broken bones heal quicker as a vampire than as a mortal, I do not particularly subscribe to the pain methodology of instruction."

 

"If he had not been so confoundedly headstrong, I would not have had to use that method to teach him what he needed to know.  I did not enjoy it, although he is convinced that I did.  In truth, I actually felt sorry for him at times."

 

"Then why did you do it?"

 

"Because he would not learn any other way."

 

**********

London, 1303

 

LaCroix stormed into the room.  He had received word that his latest creation had been seen making a very sloppy kill by several members of the local constabulary. The Enforcers had gotten word of it, and had questioned LaCroix for the past four hours.  Fortunately, he was able to pacify them. He had taken care of the constables.  An unfortunate 'riding accident' while they were inspecting the perimeter of their Lord's estate that same night insured their silence in the matter … forever.  That had satisfied the Enforcers.  Now it was time to give the Crusader Errant another lesson in the art of being a vampire. 

 

Before Nicholas could react, LaCroix had grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air.  "Do you not remember ANYTHING I have taught you?"  He hissed.

 

"What have I done now?"

 

"A better question would be what have you NOT done.  You have NOT been properly disposing of your meals.  THAT'S what you HAVE NOT DONE!"  He threw him against the wall.  Nicholas's head hit with a hollow thud.  "Sloppy.  Very sloppy."

 

"LaCroix.  I ... "  He never got to finish his sentence as LaCroix viciously backhanded him.  He could hear as well as feel his cheekbone crack.

 

"I DID NOT ASK for any explanations.  You will LISTEN.  You WILL LEARN.  You WILL Remember.  Is that CLEAR?"  He punctuated his remarks with a solid fist to Nicholas's stomach that doubled him over.

 

"IS … THAT … CLEAR!"  He hissed.

 

Nicholas nodded as he vainly tried to remain conscious. 

 

LaCroix grabbed his hair and pulled his face to his own.  "Good.  Now I will say this ONLY ONCE.  Until you learn how to behave properly, you will NOT leave this house without Janette or myself with you at ALL times." 

 

Nicholas stared numbly.

 

"DO ... YOU ... UNDERSTAND!"  He punctuated each word with more blows to the hapless fledgling's midsection.  "Now go to your room and do NOT come out until I TELL you to."  He practically threw Nicholas into the hall.

 

**********

Bali Kiel

 

"And will you beat me like that if I do not learn my lessons properly?"   Robyn said as they walked along the moonlit beach.

 

LaCroix was silent for a long time.  "That was a far different time.  Beatings and torture were an accepted method of instruction.  And I was a far different person as well.  It had been only a relatively short time since Fleur had died, and I was full of bitterness and rancor.  Most of my anger was directed at Nicholas, and I missed very few opportunities to take it out on him.

 

We both have matured a great deal since then, although I must admit, in my case, most of the maturation has taken place in the last ten years.  We have made our peace with each other … and I think … I hope we are building the kind of a relationship that we should have had from the very beginning.   After two thousand years, I have finally begun to learn that there is much more to be gained by empathy and gentle persuasion than by violence and forcible subjugation."

 

"Yes, Lucien, You have mellowed.  And I, for one am very glad of it."

 

"As am I.  Now.  Enough seriousness.  Let's have some fun.  Let's play hide and seek."

 

"Hide and seek?  But that's a children's game."

 

"Not the way I play it.  I am going to hide and you have to find me using nothing but your vampire abilities."

 

"And if I don't find you?"  She asked, batting her eyelashes beguilingly.  "What will happen then?"

 

"Then I guess I will be lost forever."  He gave her a mock innocent smile.

 

"I could make a comment on that, but I'm going to be a good girl."

 

"Since when?"  He said as he nuzzled her neck.

 

"There was a little girl ... "  Robyn pulled a lock of hair across her forehead.  She kissed him lightly, but it quickly grew into a much more passionate kiss.  "And if I do find you?"  She teased.  "What will be my reward?"

 

"Oh, I am certain that something will come up."  Lucien said as he disappeared into the jungle.

 

**********

 

Robyn sat on the veranda and sipped at the blood in the goblet.  It was still human, but, unknown to Lucien, for the past few times, she had been cutting it with boar blood.  According to Lady Zera, that was very close to human in its makeup and was an excellent substance to begin the weaning process.  It had been almost two months since she had been brought across and Lady Zera felt that she was ready to start her reintegration into mortal society.  LaCroix though, was opposed to it.  He wanted a few more months of training.  However, one did not question the opinions of the Head of the High Council.  Not even one as old and powerful as Lucien.

 

"Are you ready for tonight's lesson?"  Lucien said as he came behind her.  He took the glass and tasted it.  He made a face and spat it out.   "PIG?  I thought I said to wait a few more years before you started to dilute your nourishment."

 

"It's still over ninety five per cent human.  Lady Zera said it was all right.  As long as I did it just a little at a time."

 

"But I am in charge of your training. "

 

"But she is my master."

 

Her words stung like a slap.  Robyn could almost detect a fleeting moment of hurt in her lover's eyes, but, ever the Roman General, his steel mask of indifference quickly and firmly rammed into place.

 

"She has given ME the task of teaching you.  Therefore … I … shall be the one to decide what and when you shall drink."  He took the glass and poured it onto the flower bed underneath the porch.  "If you MUST insist on drinking something other than human blood, the very LEAST I can do is teach you how to get your own."  He said coldly.

 

"I do not think I need to know how to hunt.  There are many alternatives to that, even with animals.  I know you've heard of Red Deer Wild."

 

That was obviously the wrong thing to say.

 

"Do NOT question me."  His eyes were rimmed with yellow.   "It is necessary that you know how to hunt.  What if you are stranded somewhere and there is no other supply readily available.  Without the hunting skills, you could easily starve.  NOW!  COME!" 

 

That was definitely an order.  One Robyn knew that she could not disobey.  Silently, she followed him into the jungle.

 

**********

 

She stalked the leopard into the clearing.  It stood nearly invisible in the darkness, its markings giving it nearly perfect camouflage as it huddled beneath the bushes.  But with her enhanced sight, it was as clear as day.  She could plainly see that the animal was exhausted and terrified after being hounded nearly all night.  "There."  She whispered to Lucien.  "I have cornered the prey."  Her eyes were yellow and her fangs were extended from the stimulation of the hunt.

 

"Excellent.  Now kill it."  He hissed

 

"No." 

 

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?  YOU have the AUDACITY to disobey ME?"  LaCroix's eyes were heavily flecked with gold.  He actively resisted the urge to backhand the impudent fledgling before him.  <This is Robyn.  This is Robyn. >  He mentally reminded himself.

 

Robyn stared directly at him.  She knew that when he was angry he was truly formidable.  Still, she was not afraid of him.  She had stood him down as a mortal.  She could stand him down as a vampire. "I have not disobeyed you."  She said softly but defiantly.  "I have hunted it.  I do not need the nourishment.  What is the point of killing such a beautiful and courageous animal?"

 

"Either you kill it or I will."  Lucien growled.

 

"What if I just feed a little from it?  Will that satisfy you that I can make a kill if I had to?"

 

"You WILL do as I say."  < This one is just as stubborn as my hardheaded son is ... if not more so. >  Lucien took a deep breath.  "If you think you have that much control … "  He swept his hand toward the leopard.

 

With nearly blinding speed, Robyn was upon the terrified cat.  "Forgive me."  She whispered as she sought out the vein in its neck and plunged her fangs into it.  The intoxicating taste of the hot living blood poured into her mouth.  It was tinged with fear, which gave it a particularly heady flavor.  She eagerly sucked at the vein, gulping the blood as fast as she could.  Images filled her mind.  Pride.  Courage.  The leopard stalking his prey.  Just as she had stalked him.  There was a difference.  He hunted to satisfy his hunger.  She hunted because Lucien LaCroix ordered her to.  A brief moment of guilt and fear overcame her, but it was quickly overwhelmed by the bloodlust.  As the flow slackened, she ground her fangs into the openings to encourage the blood to come faster.  She was suddenly aware that the flow had stopped entirely.  She felt for a heartbeat.  There was none.  The leopard was dead.  She dropped the carcass and looked at Lucien.  There was loathing and disgust in her eyes. "I killed him."  She said woodenly.  "He never did anything to me, yet I took his life."

 

"Finish the job."  He said.  "Break its neck."

 

Numbly, she took the animal's neck and twisted it until she heard the bones snap.

 

"Now we will dispose of it.  Pick it up and follow me."  He rose into the air and as soon as Robyn was with him, he headed toward the open water.  Once they were out of sight of land, he had her drop the carcass into the ocean.  They watched as it sank beneath the waves.

 

"What did that prove?"  She asked as they walked to the house.

 

"That you do not have the control that you think you have."  He replied, the coldness still in his voice. "After a few more kills, you will begin to master the urges and the hunger.  Then you will be able to take just a little.  When you can do that satisfactorily, you might be able to return to mortal society."

 

"If I don't kill, I won't have to control the bloodlust." 

 

< She is still testing me.  I suppose I will have to show her just how much control she really has. >  He darted into the woods and returned a few minutes later with a rabbit.  He took a penknife out of his pocket and stabbed the frightened animal in the chest.  Blood spurted from the wound.  He held it in front of Robyn.  Almost immediately, her eyes became golden and her fangs elongated.  Without thinking, she grabbed the rabbit and brought it to her mouth.  Greedily, she emptied it of its life's blood.   She looked at LaCroix, a mix of horror and loathing in her eyes.

 

"What if that had been Atonia or Sheryl, or one of their children, or your great granddaughter, and they had injured themselves?  How would you have felt then?"

 

"I see what you mean." She kept her eyes to the ground, not daring to look at him. "When is my next lesson?"

 

"Tomorrow."  His mood became light.  "What would you say to something a little more pleasant to end the night?  Perhaps another game of hide and seek?" 

 

"I don't think so.  I think I'd just as soon go back to my room and think about what I have learned tonight.  Alone."

 

"As you wish.  I shall see you tomorrow night."  A second later, she was alone.

 

**********

 

She lay on the bed staring into nowhere.  Being a vampire was definitely complicated.  Until tonight, everything had been pretty much as she had imagined it would be, but the killing had been far from her expectations.  She knew Lucien was right.  She would have to be able to kill if needed, but now she was beginning to see Nick's point of view as well.   Killing, unless absolutely necessary, was wrong, morally and legally.  In this day and age, with bottled and even canned blood readily available, it was almost unnecessary as well.

 

What troubled her the most was her reaction to the kills.  She found she was unable to control the bloodlust as she thought she could.  Again, Lucien was right.  If that had been a human being instead of a rabbit ... What then?  She swallowed hard and closed her eyes tightly.  < Don't even think about it.  It wasn't a person.  It was a rabbit. >  She told herself.  < Still ... it could have been ... >

 

"I know it was a bitter lesson."  Lady Zera said as she came into the room.  "But it was a lesson you had to experience.  Believe me when I say that it was a lesson that was as hard for Lucius to teach as it was for you to learn."

 

"How did you know what went on tonight?"  Robyn asked her master.

 

"My dear.  There is very little that happens on this island that I do not know about.  Especially when it involves my child."  She smiled softly.

 

The Ancient held her loosely as she buried her head in her master's chest and sobbed.  Images of the leopard and the rabbit interfaced with mental pictures of Joey, Nattie, Donny, and little Donna.  Slowly, she wiped her eyes and pulled back.  "Will I have to kill again?"  She asked in a shaking voice.  She was not sure she could go through that again.

 

She sighed slowly   "I am afraid so.  At least until you have mastered the control necessary to be around blood without going into a feeding frenzy.  If I know you, it will only be a short time until you have done so."   She kissed her gently on the cheek.  "I will leave you now."  She said sadly.  "There is one who wants to be with you waiting in the hallway.  He has asked me to intercede on his behalf."

 

"Lucien."

 

The ancient vampire nodded.

 

Robyn returned the nod.

 

Lucien LaCroix entered the room cautiously.  He stood at the door, almost as though he was afraid to come any closer.  "I was not certain you had forgiven me for what I had to put you through."  He said softly.  "If you want me to, I will go now."

 

"No.  Stay with me.  I need you." 

 

"Gladly."  He went to her and took her into his arms then kissed her lightly.  The kiss quickly deepened.  Within minutes, they were in the throes of passion.

 

**********

 

Robyn released the goat. It had been three weeks since she made her first kill, and each time it was a little easier to control the bloodlust.  This time everything had gone as she had wanted it to go.  Although it was still difficult, she managed to take only a few mouthfuls of the blood.  She found, much to her surprise and delight, that she did not experience the awful blood hunger that she had encountered with the first few kills.  She looked at Lucien.

 

"You have done well, my love. I did not want to be as harsh as I was with you in the beginning, but sometimes experience is the best teacher."  He said. The pride and love fairly shone in his eyes.   "In a few more days, you will be ready to reintegrate into mortal society.  Of course, it will have to be a gradual thing.  I don't want you going off half cocked like you did with the blood or the kills.  Can you understand?"

 

"Yes.  That first kill taught me much better than all the lectures you could ever give me.  I have definitely learned to go slow.  It isn't an easy lesson, either.  Usually I'm like a freight train.  The whole nine yards and full speed ahead … to mix metaphors.  Now that I know that lives could be at stake with everything I do, you better believe that slow and easy is going to be my motto from now on."

 

He smiled slightly.  "You will make an excellent vampire."  < And an excellent companion. >  "I think it is time to have Lady Zera arrange transportation back to the mainland for us."

 

**********

 

 Robyn and Lucien arrived at the airstrip.  Lady Zera, as well as her two ever present Enforcer companions, was waiting for them at the small structure that served as a combination control tower and terminal.  She motioned to them to follow her.  "I have a surprise for you."  She said.  Once outside, she headed into the jungle.  A few minutes later, they were at the dock.  There, a seaplane waited for them.  On the tail was the logo of Fantasy Island Airlines.  Beside it stood a man dressed in a white suit who looked remarkably like Roarke.

 

Robyn smiled broadly.  < Only Lady Zera could think of a sendoff like this. >  It was truly the fantasy ending to a fantasy experience.  

 

"You are correct."  Lady Zera said in answer to Robyn's unasked question.  "That really is Ricardo Montalban.  He is a very good friend of mine. I served as one of the advisors on his television show."

 

"But the last I read, he was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair."  Robyn said.

 

"That is correct.  But he, like everyone else, has his fantasy.  I have decided to grant it for him.  While he is on this island, he can walk and function normally with no pain or hindrance.  Unfortunately, when he leaves here, he will not remember anything about his experiences.  He will think it was all a beautiful dream."

 

"But how … ?"  Robyn asked.

 

Lady Zera smiled enigmatically.  "Ancient Chinese secret."  She whispered with a twinkle in her eyes.


"Knowing you, Lady Zera, it probably is."  LaCroix said jokingly.

 

"I'll never tell.  Now, go and board the plane."  She kissed Robyn on the cheek and then kissed Lucien as well.  "Take very good care of my daughter, Lucius.  If you don't … " There was definitely an implied threat in the last sentence.  She did not have to complete it.  They both knew the power that the grandmotherly looking ancient vampire could wield if she was provoked.  Few had survived her wrath.  LaCroix did not want to even try.  Besides, he loved Robyn with all his heart and whatever soul he had.  He was ready to lay down his life before he would see her harmed in any way.

 

"There is no doubt I will take good care of her.  In fact, I will spoil her incessantly.  You can count on that."

 

**********

Honolulu

 

The seaplane taxied to the airport dock.  According to the time in the air, Robyn had calculated that Bali Kiel had to be somewhere in the Marianas Islands.  A limousine was waiting at the end of the pier.  While it was less than two miles from the dock to the Executive gate, according to the driver, a 'friend ' had ordered it for the 'happy couple'.  The driver must have thought they were newlyweds.  In a sense, that was not far from the truth.  They had certainly acted like newlyweds on the seaplane.  They rightly assumed the limo had been Lady Zera's doing.  Trust her to make sure that everything was first class.

 

The limo pulled to the staircase of the private jet.  It was the same one that had brought the guests to the island to witness Robyn's crossing.  They boarded, and Robyn was impressed by the splendor of the interior.  If she had not known differently, she would have sworn she was in a five star hotel suite, not a private jet.  As soon as they had taken their seats, the plane taxied to the runway.  Although the airport was crowded with planes, they received almost immediate clearance for takeoff.  Another perk of being the progeny of Lady Zera.  When they were in the air, the stewardess brought them each a glass of dark maroon liquid.  From the condition of her skin, and the vibes she was receiving, Robyn knew that she and the rest of the crew, with the possible exception of the pilots, were members of the Community.

 

Thirteen hours later, they pulled into the Executive gate at Los Angeles. When they left Hawaii, the sun was only beginning to rise.  The windows on the plane were blacked out, so they did not see any of the sun.  Of course, they had far better things to do than watch for any traces of sunlight.  After all, there was a king sized bed in the sleeping quarters, and Robyn and Lucien had made good use of it.  They had passed through four time zones.  By Los Angeles time, it was late evening. 

 

Toni and the rest of the 'family' were waiting for them inside the terminal. 

 

"We're certainly glad that you are back with us."  Toni said as she embraced her mother.  "Everyone has been asking about you."  This time, when she greeted her daughter, there was only a minimal call of blood.  The predominant feeling was the joy of being back home.  Again, Lucien had been correct.  The time on Bali Kiel was well spent and much needed 

 

"We've been sticking with the story about your supposed illness."  Toni continued.  "When we finally told everybody that you had been 'cured' they were ecstatic.  They wanted to throw a party for you, and we couldn't exactly say 'no' without some awkward explanations.  So … we asked them to hold it at the After Sunset.  That's where we're going from here."

 

**********

 

The After Sunset was crowded with all of Robyn's friends and coworkers.  Of course, Eloise and Clarissa made sure that there was plenty to eat, even for the fledgling vampire.  There was plenty of 'blood' food.  It was the first time that Robyn had heard of blood jello, and she was pleasantly surprised that she could eat and digest it easily.  Even Lucien was impressed.  He said that should not be difficult, after all, it was only blood in a gelatin base.

 

"It was developed by some vampires in New Jersey."  Eloise said.  "This is its first mass test.  I'm glad to see that it is going so well.  If that's the case, it just might be ready for the retail market sometime this summer."

 

"Perhaps you should think about blood popsicles."  Robyn said.  "That should really go over big."

 

"What a splendid idea!"   Eloise exclaimed.  "I'll have to bring it up before the Marketing Committee at the next meeting."

 

"I was just kidding."  Robyn tried to explain.

 

"I wasn't.  We're always looking for new ways to present our products.  Ways that wouldn't upset the mortal community if they were to come across them.  Jeb started it with his Red Deer line and now we have at least two dozen products that we are either selling or in the process of testing and evaluating.  You don't think I could recruit you for the Committee, could I?"

 

"As you know, I've just been brought across.  I still have a lot to learn about being a vampire.  Maybe in a couple of decades, I might be ready to take on something like that, but for right now, I think I had better stick with learning to live as I am supposed to live."

 

"I can understand that.  In a few more years, I will ask you again."  

 

Marjorie Therman, one of Robyn's fellow workers at M/S Enterprises, came over to them.  Robyn never had much enthusiasm for the woman.  She was obnoxious, callous, shallow and plastic.  And these were her good qualities.  "Robyn!"  She gushed.  "If I didn't know better, I'd think you went to some fancy health spa for youth treatments instead of a cancer cure.  You look absolutely gorgeous.

 

It was true.  Although the crossing had not restored her youth, most of the telltale signs of aging were gone.  Many of her wrinkles and crows feet had disappeared.  Her skin was smooth and alabaster.  About ten pounds of unwanted fat had also departed, and she did have more energy than she had in a long time.  "To tell you the truth, it was a little bit of both."  < If you only knew my 'treatment'. >  "The clinic where I was treated was on a remote South Pacific Island."  She turned to leave, but Marjorie was right with her.

 

"Don't tell me.  Let me guess.  Sun.  Fun.  And all those gorgeous native guys ... What do they call them ... Kahunas? … Fussing over you.  No wonder you look so great."


" I didn't spend that much time in the sun."  

 

"Oh come on.  Don't tell me you didn't enjoy yourself.  I know I would have."

 

"I went there for a cure, not a vacation."  She fought to keep her temper in check, as well as her fangs.

 

"If this is the cure, give me what you had."

 

< I don't think so. >  The notion of Marjorie Therman as a vampire, babbling throughout eternity, was more than Robyn could bear to think about.

 

Lucien came to them.  One look from him, and Marjorie suddenly remembered something she had to do.  She quickly walked to the other side of the dining room and buttonholed another unsuspecting guest.  Robyn breathed a sigh of relief.  Another minute of that annoying woman's prattle and she would have forgotten all the lessons about controlling the bloodlust.

 

"You didn't need to fret, my dear."  Lucien said in a whisper only she could hear.  "I have been monitoring you.  To make certain that you would not inadvertently lose control.  I did not have to worry.  So far, you are doing an excellent job.  Although in Ms. Therman's case, that might not have been a bad thing.  How did you manage to endure her when you were mortal?"

 

Robyn smiled.  "I just tuned her out and thought of you."  She gave him a tiny peck on the cheek.

 

"Is that the best you can do?"

 

"See me later.  I will show you my best."  There was definite lust in her eyes.


"You have a date."  Her feelings were mirrored in his eyes. 

 

**********

 

Lucien was right.  While their lovemaking was exquisite that first night after she had been brought across, it had grown steadily better since then.

 

"And it will only continue to get better."  Lucien said.  "Can you even imagine what it will be like in a century from now?"

 

"Were you reading my mind?"  She asked. 

 

"Of course not!"  He said with mock indignation.  "But I do know you well enough by now to know what you are thinking.  Besides, I was thinking the same thing."

 

"But what if we aren't together in a century?"

 

 "And what if the Earth were to start revolving around the moon for a change.  That has as much of a chance of happening as we have of breaking up.  I love you, Robyn Parker.  I have never loved anyone as much as I do you. I will be here with you as long as you want me to be here.   Forever if that is what you want."

 

"That sounded an awfully lot like a marriage proposal."

 

"A marriage proposal?"  He blanched, if that were possible for a vampire to do.  "No, I ... I … " He got out of the bed and headed for the door.  A second later, he was dressed, out of the house, and in the air.

 

**********

 

< Now THAT was the stupidest thing you ever said.  You know how he feels about that subject.  Why couldn't you leave well enough alone? >   Robyn stared at the empty side of the bed where a few minutes earlier her lover had lain.  < But No!  You had to go and open up your big mouth and stick your foot in it clear up to your knee. >

 

She searched the house, but she knew he wasn't there.  She had heard him as he took to the sky. <DUMB! DUMB! DUMB! >   Eventually, she ended up n the kitchen.  If she were mortal, she would have gone for the blender and a tall glass of Death By Chocolate shake.  She really needed the endorphins and the seratonin right about now.  But she was a vampire.... But then again, she had seen Nick eat ice cream and other solid foods.  And she had eaten the blood jello at the party.  Maybe she could eat other things too.  It was worth a try.  She really needed an emotional fix, and chocolate was the only thing she knew of that would give it to her.

 

She went into the cellar.  The freezer chest was sill there.  She opened it.  Surprise.  No one had bothered to clean it out.  She reached for a familiar spot.  Yes.  It was still there.  Ice Cream.  Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream no less.  Left over from the chocolate orgy that she and Toni had on the last day.   Before ... 

 

With trembling hands, she brought it upstairs.  < Now if there still is some milk in the fridge. >  She opened it.  No such luck.  No milk.  No foodstuffs of any kind.  Only blood.  But there was a Seven Eleven not three blocks away!

 

**********

 

< Isn't that what marriage is all about?  Commitment? >   He asked himself as he soared above the city. 

 

<But I'm not the marrying kind. >  He argued with himself.  < And I certainly am not the type to remain faithful for any length of time. >  

 

< But you have been, as they say, going steady with Robyn for the past ten years, haven't you? > 

 

< Yes … But … >  He answered himself.  

 

<But what?  That's a commitment, isn't it? > 

 

< Yes, but I don't know if I'm ready to marry her. >  

 

< But you just told her that you would be with her forever.  What was that? > 

 

< I guess you're right. >  He told himself. < I guess that was a marriage proposal. > 

 

<Then ask her! >  He urged himself. < In so many words.  It isn't hard to do.  Repeat after me.  Will you marry me? > 

 

< But I'm not ready for that kind of a commitment. > 

 

< Then what kind of a commitment are you ready for? > 

 

< I don't know. >

 

***********

 

She turned the blender off.  The aroma was just as heady as she thought it would be.  Chocolate ice cream.  Chocolate milk.  Chocolate syrup.  And for the vitamins and minerals, a packet of chocolate instant breakfast.  She poured it into a glass.  She hesitated, as she always did, to let the aroma and anticipation work its subtle seduction on her system and brain.  When she could stand it no longer, she took a large swallow of the intoxicating liquid.  She held it in her mouth for a few seconds and then gently let it slide down her throat.  It had a distinctly off taste, but that was because the ice cream had sat in the freezer for over three months.  She told herself.

 

**********

 

He doubled over, and almost immediately started into a tailspin.  With considerable effort of will, he managed to keep his balance and regain his reckoning.  At the height and distance he was over the ocean, there was little chance that he would be injured, or injure anyone else, but  … the pain was exquisite.  His stomach burned and his head throbbed.  He had not felt this bad in many centuries.    He headed for the shore.   If whatever he was going through were to strike again, he wanted to be on solid land, or as close as possible.

 

Mentally, he probed his family.  Nicholas was contentedly sleeping, his arms probably entangled around Atonia.  Clarisse was busy trying to balance the account books.  He could almost see the cup of fang marked pencils on the desk.  Even though the link was not as strong as that with his immediate family, he could tell that Jebediah was vainly struggling to fit a two and a quarter inch pipe into a one and seven eighths inch opening in the motor he was attempting to rebuild.  Although he had severely skinned his knuckles in the effort, he was not in any real pain.  None of his children were the cause of his discomfort.  Another wave hit him.  This one was accompanied by nausea more severe than he had ever experienced before.  Not even as a mortal.  This time he had a blurry mental image of the person who was in such discomfort.  Bending over the commode.  Puking.  The person looked up.  There was a fuzzy picture of a landscape scene.  Just like the one that was hanging on the bathroom wall at  … Suddenly he KNEW who was in trouble.   He executed a ninety degree turn and headed for Studio City.

 

**********

 

Robyn knelt on the floor.  Thankfully, there was nothing more coming up.  Even the dry heaves had stopped.  The only thing was, she was too weak to get up.  < This was the second stupidest thing you've done in as many hours. >  She berated herself.  < Or maybe it’s the stupidest. >  She knew that she knew better than to try to eat mortal food, so WHY did she finish off a whole glass of Death By Chocolate shake?  <Because it tasted so good. >  At least for a few minutes.  Then the pain hit.  Burning.  Like the fire of molten lead.  Eating at her stomach.  Then the nausea.  She was lucky she made it to the bathroom before everything came gushing back up.  She breathed a small sigh of relief.   At least Lucien was not here to witness her folly.  He would never let her live it down.  That is, if he let her live at all. 

 

She remembered some of the lessons from the island.  He had been extremely harsh with her at times.  Of course he had stopped short of anything physical, but some of the dressing downs he gave her when she did not do exactly what he expected were nearly …  There were some instances when she had almost wished that he would have hit her.  It would have been less painful than the haranguing. 

 

She felt a thrumming in her mind.  The same sort that she had felt with Lady Zera.  That was impossible.  Lady Zera said she was going to remain on the island for a while after they had left.  No, it was coming from someone else.  She concentrated on the vibes as much as she could in her current state.  She had felt them before … before she became a vampire.  It was LaCroix.  And he was close.  If she could feel him, then surely he could feel her.  But could he feel the pain and agony she had just gone through over the shake?  She hoped not, but she had the sinking feeling that he had.  The vibrations were not pleasant.  She splashed some water on her face before she went into the living room and braced herself for the lecture that she knew was coming.

 

**********

 

He stormed up the walk.  At first, he had thought about making a more dramatic entrance, but decided that having to replace the living room picture window would not be the most practical thing.  No.  Merely flinging the front door open and letting his fury wash over her would be sufficiently intimidating.  Suddenly he stopped.  The vibes had changed slightly.  He could tell she was still sick, but now there was a very strong undercurrent of … fear?  No, that is not the feeling he wanted between the two of them.  Not fear.  He never wanted her to fear him.  He took a deep breath and willed the anger out of his system.  "I must be getting soft in my old age."  He said aloud to no one.  "If that were Nicholas, I would have beaten him within an inch of his unlife."  But this wasn't Nicholas.  This was Robyn.  He loved her with everything he knew.  Hadn't he just had an argument with himself over his feelings for her?  As furious as he was at her for even thinking of doing what she did, he could not stay angry with her.  Not for long.  All he felt now was her pain.  He wanted desperately to take that from her.  For him to suffer instead of her.  He knew that wasn't possible.  Like the leopard and the rabbit, he had to let her learn some lessons the hard way 

 

She opened the door even before he got to it.  From the look on her face, he could tell that she had been suffering.  And not just from the mortal foods that she had ingested.  Her eyes were bleary and there were the telltale signs of tears on her cheeks. 

 

He wanted more than anything to take her in his arms and take the pain and hurt from her.  He could not.  He was, after all, a Roman General.  And he was her tutor.  It would erode all that he had taught her on the island.  <Damn you, Lucius Gaius Pletano. >  He cursed himself.  <You are ten times more stubborn than Nicholas ever could think of being. >  

 

She took the decision out of his hands.  Almost before the door was fully open, she threw herself into his arms.  "I'm so sorry."  She sobbed.  "I don't know what came over me.  I know it was a stupid thing to do.  I … I'll never do it again.  I swear."

 

"I know you will never do it again."  He affectionately stroked the back of her head.  "If you even think about it, you will remember this episode and it will remind you of the consequences of your foolishness."

 

"I feel like a first class double A fool.  Especially after the things you tried to teach me on the Island."

 

"Do not fret so, my love."  He said.  "You are not the first fledgling who has attempted to eat mortal food, and you will not be the last one.  Everyone has done it at one time or another.  And everyone has had much the same results as you."

 

"But you … "

 

He smiled softly.  "I was sick for two days."

 

**********

The Road To Rome, 81 AD

 

Lucius bent over the edge of the low wall running along the road.  He felt as if the next heave would surely bring up his toenails.

 

"I TOLD you not to go to Senator Flavius's party."  Divia scolded.  "You know his wife.  She has no peace until everyone has eaten more than their fill.  But you said that you HAD to go.  That you couldn't turn down the invitation of such an influential person as Flavius.  Don't you realize that he cannot do anything for you?  That you have more power in your little finger that the whole Roman Senate could EVER have?  YOU can have anything you want. Without ANYONE'S help.    You SAID you could handle it.  Obviously, you can't handle it.  CAN you … FATHER?"  The last sentence was a sneer.

 

"But I … only had … a small … amount of  … food."  Lucius said between retches.

 

"You should not have had ANY amount of food.  That is, other than the guests themselves."  She rolled her eyes.  "You seem to forget.  You may have been my mortal father, but as a vampire, YOU are the child and … I … am the master.  When I TELL you something, YOU are to obey."  Her eyes turned a greenish yellow and she bared her fangs.  "Now we will be late arriving at the inn.  By the time we get there, all the good food will have already returned to their homes.  All that will be left will be the drunken rabble."

 

"I'm sorry … UUURLP … "

 

"You should be.   You know how I feel about dining on leftovers."  She pointed to a nearby road.  "There's a small village about a league down that way.  When you are finished regurgitating, go there.  You should be able to spend the day in either the stables or one of the barns.  I am going on to Rome.  I have to conduct some business there with … a friend.  I will return for you when I am finished."

 

"But … I … "

 

"You are in no condition to travel, and if I wait for you to recover, I will miss the meeting with my … friend."  Without waiting for her father / son's reply, the teenaged vampire turned and headed for the Via Roma

 

**********

Los Angeles

 

"If you even think about breathing a word of what I have just told you, I can guarantee you WILL regret it.  I will make it long.  I will make it slow.  I will make it hurt very much."  He said softly.

 

"Oh, I will not tell anyone."  She smiled wickedly.  "I will, however wait for just the right set of circumstances. Then I will blackmail you with it.  I … can guarantee you that."  She quickly kissed the tip of his nose.

 

"And just how will you blackmail me?"  He said, returning the kiss in the same spot on her.

 

"That, my dear is for me to know."  She nibbled on his chin.  "And for you to worry about."

 

"Worry me, will you?"  He laughed.  "I'll give you something to worry over."  He grabbed her middle and squeezed lightly.  Robyn screamed and made an effort to twist away, but Lucien's grip on her ultra sensitive ribcage was secure.  "That's … not fighting … fair."  She wheezed between peals of laughter.

 

"You are right."  He said as he ducked her half hearted attempt to cuff him.  "It is not fair.  You have much too much clothing on." 

 

"So do you."

 

He struggled to pull her t-shirt over her head, but it was not an easy task since she was trying to unbutton his trousers at the same time.

 

**********

 

They lay on the living room floor entwined in each other's arms.  Entirely exhausted and completely sated from the evening's activities.  They never made it into the bedroom.

 

"Have you learned your lesson?"  Lucien said, pulling a lock of sweat drenched hair across Robyn's forehead.

 

"What lesson is that?"

 

"If you do not know, then I must teach it to you again."  He pulled her close and covered her mouth with his.

 

"I think that is a lesson I will need to be taught every day."  Robyn said when she finally came up for air.  "Perhaps several times a day."  She covered his mouth with hers.

 

**********

 

Robyn stood in the supervisor's office.  She knew the work cold.  After all, she was the one who had designed and/or compiled many of the programs that they were running.  In a sense, this was a considerable downgrade for her.  She was going from senior AIS Programmer to Recovery Specialist.  This meant that instead of designing and writing the programs, she would be fixing them in case anything went wrong.  Unfortunately, it was one of the few jobs that worked the evening hours.  She didn't mind, though.  She was happy just to be back at work.

 

"Don't worry, Ms. Parker.  You'll get the hang of this in just a few weeks.  If you have any problems, anybody will be glad to help you."  Vera Coles, her new supervisor, thought her newest employee's nervousness was because she was worried about the job.  In reality, this was the first time Robyn would be around this many mortals since she was brought across six months ago.

 

"I know that, Ms. Coles.  And please, call me Robyn."

 

"Okay, Robyn.  And most of the people here call me Vera.  On the night shift, we're a lot more informal than the big boys in the front offices."  She put her arm around her shoulder to emphasize her remark.

 

"Sounds good to me … Vera."  Robyn smiled.  She was glad and relieved to see that there was only a faint stirring in the vampire.  This she could easily control.  < Lucien taught me well. >  She wasn't exactly sure what her supervisor's scent was composed of, but it was tangy and spicy, perhaps with a hint of jalapeno peppers.  She had the feeling she was going to enjoy this job.

 

**********

 

Lucien LaCroix was waiting when Robyn came to her car.  "I have a surprise for you."  He said.

 

"What kind of a surprise?  I really had a tough day … night, and all I want to do is go home and relax in a hot tub of bubble bath.  I managed to control myself, but it took a lot out of me.  I need to relax and recharge my batteries for tomorrow."

 

"I can guarantee my surprise will be much better than bubble bath."  He said solemnly.  Instead of opening her car door, he led her to his car, which was parked a few spaces away.

 

"How did you get in here?"  She asked as he opened the passenger door.  "Security around here is so tight, a bacteria couldn't come in with proper authorization."

 

LaCroix smiled softly.  "Do I really have to answer that?  Let us just say that the guard was open to suggestion. Besides, the singular is bacterium."

 

"Funny Lucien.  Funny." Robyn slid into the black leather seats of LaCroix's Porsche.  "Now, where are we going?"

 

"As I said.  You will know soon enough."

 

**********

 

"Griffith Observatory?"  Robyn asked as he pulled beside the triple domed Roman Art Deco building.  "I don't understand.  It's closed for renovations until 2005.  Why are we here?"

 

"You shall see."  He said with an infuriatingly smug smile.

 

"You'll see!  You'll see!  EEERGH!"  Robyn gritted her teeth.  "That's your answer to everything.  If you don't start giving me a straight answer, I swear I'll stake you and tie you to the top of the main dome … with rawhide strips soaked in your blood ... and leave you for the morning sun."

 

"Touchy, aren't we?"

 

"Where's the stake?"  Robyn seethed.

 

"That isn't necessary.  We are going to the top of the dome anyway.  If you do not like what is about to happen, then you have my explicit permission to stake me."  He reached into the rear compartment and took out a picnic basket.

 

"That's not much better than 'you'll see', but I guess it'll have to do for now."  She said as she followed him into the air.

 

They landed on the roof of the observatory dome.  From here, the entire city of Los Angeles spread out before them like a huge mosaic.  The shimmering twinkling lights gave it a sort of surreal look.  She had been to the observatory before.  She had even been on the roof, but she had never been here.  She was beginning to see that being a vampire did, indeed have some excellent perks.

 

Meanwhile, Lucien had opened the picnic basket and spread a white linen tablecloth on the floor.  He also took out two Waterford crystal goblets and set them on the cloth.  With a great show, he took a green bottle out of the basket and held it over his forearm.  "Does this vintage meet with Madame's approval?"  He said with a bad French accent.

 

She looked at the label.  It was Premier Mieux.  Also on the label, it said that it was blended with Chateau de Mer Chardonnay - 1965.  From what Clarisse had told her, that year was a benchmark year for the winery.  < That must have set him back a pretty penny.  I wonder what the occasion is? >

 

He poured her a glassful and one for himself. "To us."  He said as he handed her the glass.

 

It had only been a few weeks since she had begun to dilute her nourishment.  And then it was only with a fraction of an ounce of wine.  She had never drunk the precut stuff.  LaCroix had had a fit when she had even suggested it.

 

"Again.  What is the occasion?"

 

"A pleasant evening with a beautiful lady."  LaCroix answered.  "Does there have to be anything else?"  He went to the basket and this time he took out a CD player.  He inserted a disk, Robyn could not see the title, and turned it on.  Gentle music wafted over the couple.  He held his hand to her. "Would you care to dance?"

 

Robyn nodded yes and stood.  She closed her eyes and buried her head in his shoulder as the two of them swayed to the music.  < He's right again.  This is better than a bubble bath. >  Neither of them noticed that within a few minutes they were several feet off the ground.  She gasped as she opened her eyes and saw nothing but empty space beneath her feet. 

 

LaCroix looked down too.  "Are you frightened?"

 

"No.  It was just a little disconcerting, that's all.  I'm not frightened.  Not with you holding me.  Even as a mortal I wasn't scared.  I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to me."   

 

"And I never will."  He slowly floated back to the roof.

 

"I … Ah … Have something to ask you."  He said as he sat down on the cloth.  "I'm not certain that this … is the right place … or the right time … or even if there is such a thing."

 

 Robyn had never seen the elder vampire so flustered or at such a loss for words.  < It must be really important to affect him this way. >

 

He took her hand in his and gently drew her beside him.  "Would you… Would you … "  He swallowed hard.  "Would you like another glass of bloodwine?"

 

"Lucien."  She said as she held her glass to him to refill.  "Is that what you brought me all the way up here for, or is there something else?"

 

He took a deep breath and drank his refilled glass in one gulp.  "No.  I want to … to … to ask you if you would like to dance some more."

 

"LUCIEN!"  She said, getting to her feet.  "If you don't stop pussyfooting around and tell me why you brought me here, I am going to leave."  She went to the edge of the dome.  Although she had never flown that far on her own, she was determined that she was going to go home.  With or without LaCroix's help.  Lucien's silence told her all she needed to know.  She closed her eyes and thought about Nick, Toni and everybody.  Before she knew it, she was airborne.  She circled the dome a few times to get her bearings, and once she was sure of the direction, she took off for Studio City.

 

< Not you've really done it. >  LaCroix chided himself.  <You're a decorated Roman General.  You’re a national radio personality.  You're over two thousand years old.  Yet you can not say a simple sentence without getting tongue tied! >

 

< I have never had to ask that question before. >  He defended himself.  < My only other … My marriage to Selene was arranged by brokers and our families.  I had very little choice in the matter.  Neither did she.  And that was in 68 AD.  Marriages of convenience were common then.  I was away on military campaigns most the time we were married.  She did not love me, and I did not love her.  Not the way a husband should love his wife.  Not the way I love Robyn.  What if Robyn turns me down? >

 

< You will never know the answer to that until you ask her.  Now go to her!  Before she gets too far away. >

 

He took to the air.

 

"Lucien LaCroix."  Robyn shouted as he pulled alongside her.  "Unless you have something important to say to me, I suggest you get out of my way."   Her eyes were flecked with yellow but her fangs had not descended.

 

LaCroix knew of her feisty temper as a mortal.  He had not seen her angry as a vampire, and he wasn't sure that he ever wanted to see her like that.  Right now, though, he could tell that she was on the edge of her control.

 

"Look, Lucien. I'm tired.  I'm pissed.  And I didn't want to come here in the first place.  Now, unless you tell me what's on your mind, I'm going to hurt you ... And you know I can ...  Real bad."  With that, her fangs descended.  Her face mirrored her anger.

 

"Dammit. Robyn.  I'm trying to tell you I love you and I want to marry you." 

 

"Then why didn't you say … "  The realization of what he had just said hit her full force.  She dropped from the sky like a cement block.  In a flash, LaCroix dove beneath her.  He swooped her in his arms and seconds later he was gaining altitude once more.

 

"Did you just say that you wanted to marry me?"  She whispered as they leveled off and headed back to the observatory.

 

LaCroix hesitated a few seconds.  "Yes.  That is exactly what I said.  I want to marry you, Robyn Parker.  More than anything else in the world.  I want to marry you.  Do you want to marry me?"

 

"I think you know the answer to that."

 

"I hope I know, but I need to hear you say it.  Will you marry me?"

 

"Yes. I will marry you."

 

If anyone had been looking into the night sky over the Griffith Observatory, they would have seen a very interesting sight.  They would have seen two vampires doing loop the loops, barrel rolls and playing tag-you're-it.  If they had been listening, they would have heard the male vampire bellowing whoops and howls of joy.

 

**********

The End?

And I've got some phony Dot.Com stock

I'll sell you