The Turning Point David J. Duncan February 2002 Rating: NC-17 Summary: Nick and Alyce explore their relationship one night in the museum and discover their passion for each other. Notes: The characters from Forever Knight belong to Sony Tri-Star. The characters from Xena Warrior Princess are from StudiosUSA and Renaissance Studios. All other characters and scenarios are fictious and of my own creation. Thanks to Jarvinia for betaing this piece. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com Chapter 1 [Following "Aftershocks"] The Old Pueblo echoed with ramifications following the battle between Alti, Dave, and Xena, not to mention Dijon's challenge to the professor. Around the university, TV cameras picked up whatever they could of the battle scene, the shamaness's ashes, and the two Xenas. Unfortunately for them, the mists still hung heavily over the scene, concealing most of the details. By the time the fog dissipated, nothing remained for the reporters to cover, leaving them frustrated. But one thing remained certain: things had changed once again. **** Nick stood on the roof of his apartment building, looking over the city. His attention remained divided in many directions. On one hand, the Enforcers' appearance had torn the Community in two, forcing the vampires to either side with or against the professor and the warriors. The situation threatened LaCroix's sense of dominion, leaving the Elder to consider his options carefully. However, his feelings churned inside of him. In Toronto, Janette had competed for his interests with Natalie. After their move to Tucson, Natalie had taken center stage in his thoughts. During her misadventure with Ares, he hadn't stopped worrying about her and did everything to bring her back. Without the distractions from his previous lives, that relationship had solidified itself. The fact that Nat and Angie Dubois were such good friends only helped matters between them. As in the Toronto precinct, he had come to visit her in the Morgue, bringing her an occasional dinner or other surprise to her in order to brighten her day. They had also taken many moonlit drives on the Ajo Road west of the city to admire the unique scenery and spend time by themselves. Things seemed to be going well. Then, Alyce had appeared at the university, taking the night curator position with the museum. With that event, everything had started to change, once again forming the split in his emotional attention between Natalie and Alyce. Even when he was with the former, he could see the latter in his mind. What would he do? To the southwest, thunderheads flared and rumbled, reflecting his moods. Soon, nature's choreography would pour down upon the city, washing the buildings and environs clean. However, no amount of rain would cleanse his turmoil. That wouldn't happen until a resolution had been found one way or the other. But, which way would he go? As with so many things in his life, the former Crusader remained uncertain. Then, as if the heavens had heard his indecision, a familiar voice called, "Nicolas. What perplexes you?" Breaking his reverie, his senses immediately picked up on the speaker's vibrations. "Janette." "Oui," she replied flatly, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Could it be that the matters of the heart still puzzle you, mon Chevalier?" Circling him, she surveyed his features, allowing his feelings to come to her through their link. "Leave me alone, Janette," he grumbled. "I don't need the situation complicated any further by you. You promised Natalie that you would leave us alone." She chuckled knowingly, "That's correct. I promised that I would allow the two of you to pursue your feelings for each other. However, I cannot allow you to suffer like this, Nicolas." Embracing him, she rubbed her cheek against his chest before kissing him hard on the mouth. "Your path has been one of pain since before we met. I...I...cannot allow you to continue in this fashion. Nor can I allow you to cause others the same kind of pain." "As you have in the past?" he scoffed, glaring right into her eyes. She frowned at his words. "That's not fair! As I said at the time, it is our nature to grow and develop. We cannot stagnate. LaCroix knew this to be true." "So, what would you have me do? I cannot love three women at the same time, Janette," he stated. "My heart cries out for a resolution." "Your search for mortality deludes you, Nicolas. As a vampire, you have no heart! It was silenced the moment you turned away the Light! Don't you remember?" she argued. "I know what I feel!" he roared, raising his hands in the air. "I feel the passion welling up inside of me, overwhelming my senses! I care for Natalie and for Alyce! Which way do I turn? Who do I go to? I must have an answer!" "Mon Cher, only you know how this must end. Reach out with your senses. What's your Natalie doing now?" she asked. Following her directions, he scanned for the coroner's presence. Ever since he had drained her essence in the loft, he had always knew when she was near. Now, he searched for her--in the loft, the morgue, her apartment. Finally, he found her at the airport. She was with the Dubois' friend, Steve Petersen, uncertain of her own feelings. Even as the FBI agent departed, he could feel her indecisiveness yet slight leanings toward the mortal. "Perhaps if this worked out, it would be for the best." Janette tapped him on the shoulder, requesting, "I apologize for making you see her indecision. As with you, she needs a final solution. Do this one thing. Break the cycle. The love triangle between Natalie and us only caused pain for us all, Nicolas. Don't repeat this error here. It seems the good Doctor yearns for a resolution as much as you." Glancing to the east toward the university, she hinted, "There is another who needs you, who yearns for you." "Alyce," he declared. "I always thought there was something between us." In his mind, the memories of their initial encounters in the museum, her phone calls, and the aborted visit to the loft rang through his mind. In a flash, he saw LaCroix sucking the life out of her, ripping her from her existence in the light into the eternal darkness. Now aware of her immortal nature, he felt her watching as Schanke, Natalie, and he walked out of the museum. [From within his head, the Vampire argued, "She's one of our kind. Now that she's a vampire, you can love her without restraint!"] "I can't betray Natalie!" he protested. [And she's not doing so to us?" the Other cracked. "Nicolas, she's tiring of our struggle. Let her and the mortal agent have each other. We're immortal, surely you realize that? Didn't our master not say that if we blink, they'll be gone?"] "LaCroix is no longer my master!" Nick roared. "And you don't rule me either!" ["Really?" the Vampire laughed. "Why do you deny me? Us? Sobering, it continued, "I realize the old Roman fool has no claim on us. However, give us something real. With Alyce, we can love one of our own kind. Remember how it was with Janette? We can have it again without LaCroix's threat. Please, Nicolas. Don't deny us again."] For a long minute, the detective stood on the rooftop, wondering how to resolve the conflict amicably. Then, he realized that there was only one answer. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Janette. "Merci," he expressed. She smiled warmly, noting, "You are my master whether we like it or not, Nicolas. I'm glad I could be of service." Nuzzling up to him and allowing a fang to scratch his lower left cheek, she sampled a drop of his blood and knew his mind, "I wish you success." With that, she took off into the night, heading for the El Gato Negro. A moment later, he had a firm grasp on his feelings. Following Janette's lead, he too took off into the evening sky, proceeding eastward. Chapter 2 [The University Museum] After the events across campus that day, Alyce found it difficult to concentrate on her work. In the five years since LaCroix had brought her across, shielding herself from the overwhelming emotions of the mortals around her had proven difficult. On the previous day, she had felt Nick and the General in the vicinity of the mayhem. Through their eyes, she witnessed the battle, Dave's anger, and Dijon's challenge. What would these events mean for their future? To find out, she could go to her own master. "No," she told herself. "I won't indulge him with my request! Ever since he left me to wander the world and die alone!" Pacing nervously, she felt her mind wander from place to place across the Old Pueblo. As with Nick, she felt the Community's growing schism over the Enforcers' challenge. Unlike many of her counterparts, however, she knew her place. "Dave and Angie are my friends! Since Nick will stand by them, so will I!" At that moment, a rush of air ruffled her hair and her head buzzed in a familiar manner. "Who's there?" she demanded. Reaching out with her perceptions, she brushed across a familiar set of vibrations. "Nick, is that you?" The detective stepped out of the shadows with a serious expression on his face. "Yes, it's me. I...I felt like seeing you." She smiled and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad to see you!" "As am I," he agreed, returning the embrace. Despite his misgivings, she felt so right in his arms. Her scent filled his mind with sweet feelings, sending his passions to new heights. Then, inexplicably, he saw Natalie's image floating behind the curator. Her eyes bored into his soul, calling to him. Once again, he felt torn, and the pangs of guilt flared up within him. Pushing the younger vampire away, he moaned, "I..I...can't." Alyce's eyes smarted as the blood tears dribbled down her face. No! She wouldn't lose him again. Grasping him by the shoulders, the raven-haired fledgling pleaded, "Please, Nick! Don't deny us! Don't say our love is wrong! I love you!" Pushing herself forward, she sealed his mouth with her own, kissing him passionately. For five long minutes, this joining persevered, flaring the fires within them both and erasing any remaining doubts. As she released him, her fangs scratched along his lip, drawing his blood. As she tasted of his essence, she sensed his doubts, but also knew that he did love her as well. Now might be her only chance to show him how much she desired him. "Spend the night and tomorrow with me." Despite his inner confusion, Nick surprised himself with a quick response. "All right," he agreed. Taking her by the hand, the two vampires headed out of the examination room and toward the privacy of her office. **** Meanwhile, LaCroix flew over the city, surveying its inhabitants. It had been a dreadful day, especially since the Enforcers and Alti had disrupted everything. Worse, with Dubois now under the accursed Enforcer leader's challenge, the professor was out of his reach at least for the present. "Curse them!" he hissed. "Now, everything might be ruined!" As he flew by the museum, his senses alerted him to a situation. The vibrations told him that two of his children were inside. Alighting on the roof across from the building, the Elder glanced inside and witnessed the scene between Nick and Alyce and felt her desires pulling the knight to her. He smiled. Despite all of his efforts, Nick had remained beyond his control. Perhaps if she could succeed, his mistake could rectify all, justifying her existence in the process. "Well now," he snickered. "Perhaps the day might hold some good fortune after all." Watching the duo depart from the chamber, he grinned ferally. This interchange could prove fruitful for his larger plans. If this relationship did indeed develop, his wayward son could be dragged away from the Doctor and the Duboises. "This will bear watching. Meanwhile, I shall leave them alone to set things in motion." With that, he took off into the air, flying back toward KRAN and his upcoming radio show. **** Just as the Elder had departed, the two vampires reached Alyce's office. Entering the room, they felt with their senses, ascertaining that they were the only two beings in the building. "Don't worry, Nick. I've sent my assistant home an hour ago due to the troubles on campus," she assured him. "We're alone." Drawing the drapes, she made sure the windows were covered over with the thick cloth. "Lock the door, would you? I wouldn't want us to be disturbed." He slowly made his way across the room, still wrestling with his emotions. Despite what he had felt earlier, his guilt still ate at him. However, in his heart, he felt this was the right thing to do. He couldn't hurt Natalie anymore, especially if Steve would love her appropriately. Holding onto that thought, he secured the thick oak door. "There. It's done." "Then, come to me, Nick," she requested, lighting a pair of candles and placing them in the holders mounted on each side of the room. On the floor, she had a mattress prepared for this occasion. Sensing his surprise, she shrugged, "Sometimes I work later than I should, Nick. I've spent a lot of days here, you know." "I'm sure," he nodded, crossing the span between them. Once he reached her, he embraced her tightly, allowing the feeling from downstairs to sweep across his consciousness. She felt right. "Hold still," he told her as he allowed his fangs to descend. She smiled, revealing the left side of her neck. With her eyes, she motioned to that spot. Feeling his fangs sink into the skin and start to draw blood, she moaned passionately. As her blood flowed into him, his brain was on fire. Both he and the Vampire reveled in her essence. All doubts were quenched. "I want you," he murmured, bearing his own neck. Placing his hand over her raven-dark hair, he guided her mouth to his throat and bade her, "Take what you will." She grinned as her fangs descended. At last, he would be hers! She gently bit him, feeling his blood and completing the exchange between them. They now belonged to each other. Even as she did this, she groped blindly at his clothes, undoing the buttons on his shirt. Then, her hands slowly dropped, busily finishing the task of undressing him. That job done, she rubbed between his legs, arousing him. Releasing her mouth, she slurred sensuously. "Your turn." His eyes sparkled as he quickly undid her orange blouse, almost tearing it open in the process. The thin black belt around her waist came undone with little effort, as did the long gray skirt that it had held to her waist. Forcing himself to be gentle, his fingers carefully unclasped her brassiere, freeing her breasts, and finishing off her undergarments. Having disposed of her clothing, his fingers brushed across her arms, feeling the softness of her skin. Moving his hands ever so slowly, the former knight brushed across her bosom, kneading each breast and feeling her nipples harden under his fingertips. Laying her down on the mattress, he admired her beauty for a little while before asking, "Can I?" She nodded, her eyes sparkling at him, "Yes, my knight! Come to me!" He sat on the bed, still admiring her. His hand brushed down her front, caressing her breasts once again before probing between her legs. He grinned, as both he and the Vampire knew what she offered them. Lying down beside her, he studied her once again, hesitating as the last vestiges of guilt washed over him and dissipated. Riding the momentum from his decision, he plunged into the experience, feeling her moan as he entered her. Once inside, the two immortals moved to a mutual rhythm as they engaged in the oldest dance of all. For most of that night, they enjoyed each other's pleasures and passions. Finally, just before sunrise and after hours of sex, they fell asleep in each other's arms, each comforted by their bond consummated on the night before. Conclusion [Early in "Considerations"] For most of the day, the two lovers spent their time in each other's arms, enjoying each other. They both knew that their experience had served as a proverbial Rubicon. Now that the barrier between them had been crossed, they had passed an important turning point. Reality would encroach upon them soon enough, but for now, they wanted to treasure the situation and the future. However, the outside world wouldn't be so agreeable as it intruded with a loud knocking at the door. "Alyce? Are you in there?" Schanke's voice called, stirring them from their reverie. "What?" she inquired dreamily. "Whoever it is, can you come back later?" By now, Nick was awake and staring at the door. His senses recognized his partner's aura along with that of Dave Dubois. By lying silently, he hoped not to alert the others to his presence. "Come on, Nick," the professor called. "I sense you're in there." The vampire detective growled to himself. Certainly, his friend could've been more discreet in that situation! Padding over to the door, he unlatched it and cracked it just enough to glance at the two interlopers. "Can you give us a minute?" The paunchy detective frowned at his partner's rumpled appearance. "Yeah, so you can think of an excuse for Natalie? Yeah right." "Schanke, that's enough!" Dave admonished. "Look, he's supposed to be in love with Natalie. You approve of him cheating?" "That's between him and Natalie, Schanke," Dave pointed out. "Nick, I'm going to get our overgrown Boy Scout out of here. Alyce, why don't you go meet Angie, Eve, and Francesca for coffee?" From inside of the room, her voice called, "The usual place? If so, I'll be right there." "Great. Nick, I think you'll have to talk with some folks at the precinct. Meanwhile, we'll leave you to your own devices," the professor indicated, dragging the souvlaki-loving detective along with him. Locking the door anew, he turned to her, admiring how her dark hair and eyes caught the light, reflecting its soft hue. Somehow, he knew that their passion had been right and that they would be together from now on. Dressing quickly, he prepared to head over to work. "Nick?" she asked. "Yes?" he responded. "Thank you for last night," she expressed, kissing him softly on the cheek. "It was everything I had dreamed it would be and more." "Same here," he beamed, his eyes sparking back at her. "Would you come by the loft later tonight to talk and...other things if you'd like?" "I'd like that," she nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face. With a last glance, he took off into the evening sky, heading for the precinct and the arguments waiting there with his partners. Despite all of that, he was ready to explain the changes and hoped his friends and colleagues would be able to accept them. From Dave's tone, he knew the professor had done so already. Maybe his older friends would as well. For her part, Alyce put on her clothes and walked downstairs. Sure enough, everything was as they had left it the night before. Busying herself with the task ahead, she allowed herself to focus on the artifact in front of her. Yet, she would periodically glance through the window in the direction of the loft, wondering what was to come for her and Nick. Out of a night of passion came two transitions ending many things but marking the beginning of several others.... THE END (Okay, this is the first adult story I've written in quite a while, but I felt the need to fill in what really happened between Nick and Alyce. I hope you all enjoyed it! Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .)