Dr. Nick Something-Or-Another (*smile* Oh Okay...! I looked ahead - it's *Parker*), Medic. After dispensing inoculations to the local children he unfortunately finds out that apparently one or some of *his* kind are munching too enthusiastically on the young of the Asian villagers. (Or so he *thinks*! Enter - Flashback (Not the first)

Zipping along *home* in his military hospital branded jeep, Nick is stopped and sorta interrogated by a band of 'friendly' soldiers. The closeness of the sunrise agitates him. He then rushes off to the safety and shelter of the burrows where he and his 'others' congregate, rest (and hide! *g*) during the daylight hours of this cruel travesty of a war. (But - It's all that 'free food' you know?? *g*) He barely has time to drop through the concealed trap door as the rising sun becomes his New enemy.

The main underground passage:

With sleeping and relaxing clansmen scattered about a dimly lit cavern, Nick regains his slightly singed composure to vent his dismay:

NK: "Wake up! All of you!!"

A half dozen or so uniformed 'beings' stir from the smattering of cots, or turn their attention to the obviously outraged comrade. One tall figure in the background stands inconspicuous to his view, lean and solemn with his back to the newly arrived vampire.

NK: [still impassioned] "All right... Who is it?! Who did it??! [louder now] Who's feeding on the children??!!"

LC: [cutting into the tirade] "Complain... Complain..." Close-up of Himself turning around slowly. (In a black beret no less! *g* Looks a damn sight better on him than a fedora!!! HeheheOkay everybody!?!? What's the Unit Daddy Vamp-Man is in -- Hmmm....? I figure Someone here must know?!)

LC: [continued] "That's all you ever do." (Ooooo.... terse little cut there to Puppy Blood!) "Do you think you're the *only* one with principles?" (Of Course he does!! This IS Nickness we're talking about, remember? *smirk*)

(Gulp!) Nick appears to be taken aback a moment (Didn't expect 'Ole Dad, didja?? NK: [shaking head slowly in disgust] "I should have known..." (And leaping to conclusions! How he became a ... Police Detective, surprises me sometimes! *bg* Can't see La Forest for La Trees?? eh?)

Cut out.

Cut back.

More of Present Day story... ala Casey Brooks.

Back to a bit of above ground flashbacking. Then some current Nick and Schanke in the Caddy.

Quick cut to NK fb - below once more:

An enraged Nicholas holds his master LaCroix' uniform front rather tightly in his right hand. He has soundly shoved the elder against the passage wall. He stands close.

(This is tasty UFfness! *vbg* YUM! Such the reverse of 'Father's Day" or perhaps, "Trophy Girl", eh??! *vbhUFg* Blond Hormone is quite *arousing* when he feels his mortal 'flock' is being taken advantage of. - Especially by one's of his own kind!!! YIKES, wipe dry your drool you Dark Knighties!! ;-[)!! Then of course, us Cousins or you NA's must be going nuts here too, watching Uncle acquiesce to his favorite's outburst?!?!? YES I SAY!! Hmmm, wonder how hard it's gonna be for LC to hide his erection of approval????)

LC: [obviously surprised by his son's uncharacteristic show of physical force] "Nicholas, I am *entirely* without fault in this matter!" Nick's vicious display has stunned LaCroix greatly. The ancient vampire blinks noticeably at the barely contained wrath of his child.

NK: [grabbing and wrangling the shirt in his hold even tighter. staring as his father. hissing in deep anger] "How can you victimize the living...? The *young* living?! [loudly spat] When there are so many dead there?" (Poor Poppa, seems even he can tell that NOW is not the time to chastise his protege. Nick is REALLY mad! Nick wrenches his hold off of LaCroix in disgust and abruptly turns and takes a few paces away. His back to the other.

LC: [placating some, but a bit amused. he senses the intense upheaval aimed at him, 'tho this once - not of his doing] "It's just a fever. They *will* recover."

Nick, hand resting on a juncture of the dampened wall, turns to respond:

NK: "If they are not made so weak that other diseases kill them!" (Grrrr! Grrrr! This is ONE PISSED NICKY!)

LC: [patronizing some] "Which is exactly why I prefer to take a few drops from many... than a large swallow from one." [he grins]

NK: [sarcastically] "How thoughtful of you."

First LaCroix, then his young, gaze upward at the sound of machine gun fire overhead.

LC: "How thoughtful indeed... Considering that our little debate will soon be irrelevant." [openly smiling (Read: *smirking* at his anxious child now]

Nicholas suddenly realizes what is happening above ground and in a rush of a panic goes to the steps. Only to halt in frustration recalling that it's 'day' and there is nothing he can do.

Fin - Pt. 1

************************* *************************

Can't Run, Can't Hide (Pt. 2 of 6)

(Sliding back into the flashback where I left off.)

Vietnam. The Past:

Nicholas, below in the secret corridors, has run to stand just under the trap-door that leads to the 'mortal's world'. (Note the significance here? *smile* Our poor fallen angel must cower beneath. Unworthy of the land above?? Never mind the sunlight even. *g*...Oh, just ignore my rantings sometimes!! ;-[)!!)

We flow into various shots above ground:

Casey Brooks tries frantically to halt his "Cleaning Crew" as they lustily annihilate the piddly Asian village. They have twitched into rampant shooting by a flick of movement from a random resident. General mayhem above. Locals running, screaming. Families being shot down. Guns spewing destruction. Unwelcome warriors in green fatigues deploying death like gods. In a panic, the military unit guns down each of the residents - man, woman and child. They burn the thatched habitats in their fervent spree.

Shot:

Below - The Humankind Sympatico Blond Vampire slams himself against the earthen wall, right hand holding it. He seems to twitch in concert to the sounds of every round of bullets. With restrained panic he shows to be dramatically overwhelmed. (MY! What this devoted lad takes for a cause, eh? And LaCroix is looking on, he *must* remember that??!) Nick *knows* those people...!

More views from above:

Brooks harsh stance expresses his grim regret of the carnage. [close-up] His resolute look of determination advents his later actions we assume.

Below:

Nick Parker [Knight] responds to the actions occurring above him, beyond his reach. He turns away from the sounds, eyes suddenly cast aside. This commited gesture being a predicate to *his* future actions. Panting, the passionate golden immortal's fangs become very much in evident. (*hehehe* Very good dear boy! Feel the rush for the need of revenge course through you!!! Your 'Dark' suits you well, eh?? *bg*)

Cut to present:

Caddy races down a Toronto street, lights and siren blaring... Knight and Schanke arrive at Casey Brooks current home. The trio play a bit of 'cat and rat' - (Ooops... I mean *mouse*...) 'cat and mouse'. The partners eventually capture the Vet. (With a *huge* dose of vampire help, btw! *g*) Time to talk about Bihn Loc ... The detective explains.

Out.

Commercials.

(Enough of THIS!! ;-[)! Gotta get back to NK/LC Tasties!)

Present Day:

Misc. at the precinct:

Interogation of Brooks aka Travis Drake. Knight and Schanke - Good Cop/Bad Cop. Toss in a bit of Cohen and Lambert stuff.(Yawn *bg*) Knight becomes preoccupied for some reason, (Hmmm... What's he up to now? *bg*) and prepares to leave - alone.

[cutting some dialogue]

Schanke: "...Where you goin'?"

NK: [shrugging on his black coat, responding in afterthought to Skank and Nat] "I have a source. I think he can help us..." (Guess who???!!! *ebLCg* Heeheehee! - Make Room For Daaaaadddy!!!)

Schanke: [appears stunned that his partner is going so abruptly] "What 'source'? Who?"

Detective Knight shows quick regard to a bewildered Natalie too. He then answers briefly to both...

NK: [coolly] "You don't wanna know." (But WE do!!!!) [he is hastily on his way]

Schanke appears lost, blinks blankly after his partner, then scans to Nat. She can only offer him a shrug of 'I don't understand him either sometimes. - But I gave up trying YEARS ago.' look back. (I kinda admire Nat here for how she handles that scene. Least she isn't dogging Nicky, insisting he explain what he's up to!? Like she does *way* too often in Season Three!)

Shot: Caddy on the road.

Tooling along the streets of Toronto, Nick Knight fades off to...

Flashback: (Caution all! Nickers be driving while he's doing this, remember! *snicker*)

Night. (Really?? We align our sight in on the remnants of the small village. Center - A feeble fire still fights to remain lit. On foot, a frantic 'Nick Parker' arrives in the distance. [his form is backed by the honeyed glow of the flame] He stumbles into the balance of the burnt out and ravished community. Corpses lay scattered everywhere.

The Emphatic Mortal Loving Vampire stoops to check the lifesigns [none] of the first body he encounters. Continuing on, breathless, he surges forward to suddenly drop next to a fallen pair. It's the mother and daughter that he administered to only a day earlier.

In the background we hear:

LC: [not yet seen. subtly] "Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk." (Yes! That many... I counted! Nicholas shown from overhead. Kneeling next to the fallen two. The intruding rich voice becomes attached to a set of booted legs that casually stroll past him.

'Nick Parker' is still on the ground, stunned. His sire walks around and behind him. [both are uniformed]

Shot, from ground level.:

A kneeling Nicholas forefront. LaCroix standing in background, having past him, to the left. His back to the other, looking slightly faced to the right.

LC: [now turns abruptly around to speak directly to Nick] "...Or something like that."

At his own remark, LaCroix gestures his arms out as if to accentuate the folly of the obvious (blood?) waste. (Actually it appears the 'ole master totally sympathizes with his favorite's loss here. He shows real remorse at the destruction laid before him and the effect it has on his child. Hmmm? LaCroix has chinks in his armour?? His companion is crestfallen. Anguishing *other* reasons. At the ridiculous loss...

LC: "I'm afraid they're all dead." ...of human life.

Intruding on the flashback to end here. ( Fin - Part 2

************************* *************************

Can't Run, Can't Hide (Pt. 3 of 6)

Flashback [cutting back in]

Bihn Loc, Vietman. The burned village, night:

LaCroix is standing in the near back ground. He's speaking quietly with more empathy than he usually allows [shows] his son. His arms hang loosely in a defeated droop at his side, fingers tic slightly.

LC: [to the back of the kneeling Nicholas] "...Such a pity they didn't save the raid for later in the day."

NP/K: [over his shoulder, not looking at his sire] "Why did they attack at all? [pondering aloud, to no one in particular, for any glimmering of sense to this debauchery] There was no military here. I told them." Nick shakes his head a bit in gesture of frustration. He ends to gaze at nothing, off to his left.

LaCroix appears to mirror his child's lament, also turning to eye off to the left. (Daddy is being SO uncommonly kind here - Hmmm.... I wonder why?? He must be missing his BH and wishes a tumble?? *hehehe*)

LC: (GRRRRR! FRENCH!! Gotta resort to my script - I *hate* havin' to do that!!) "C'est la guerre, mon ami." (A *very* distinct left thumb twitch here, as he makes his casual remark! His flippant comment, he knows, is futile and only a 'jab' reflex he is too accustomed to showing his offspring! Someone needs to slap that ancient puppy!! The off-hand remark has the predicted results on the younger, more sensitive vampire. He rises and turns in anger. - Not aimed to his taunting master, but in general rage at the atrocity.

NP/K: [scowling] "This isn't war. [shouting now] This is a crime!"

(Nickiness is *such* the vision enraged, eh! *g*)

Master LaCroix nods his head in amiable agreement. (Uh oh! Watch out boy!! This is too easy...!! *bg*)

LC: "Yes. [pause] Yes, it is."

Taking a few slow paces towards his son, the elder being stops to stand mere inches from his furious protege. He locks the others sight. LC: "What are you going to do about it...?" (Ooooo! Poke! Poke! Can you stir up your favourites passions' up a bit more ya think??!) Nicholas glances elsewhere. He understands he can't really change anything ... now. His gaze skitters temporarily away from his mentors'.

LC: [continuing his prodding] "What will *you*, do... to bring these criminals to justice?" [smirk] ('Ole Vamp-Dad here knows he has his son caught in an impotent rage, and that delights him!)

Realizing LaCroix has perceived the pointlessness of his angry passion, Nick turns from the others scathing words.

The older immortal openly grins when he sees that this particular 'lesson' has hit home. He saunters off.

Out.

Fin - Part 3

************************* *************************

I offer Part 4 of my "CR,CH" Episode Slant.

Besides UFfishness some nice Immortal Beloved moments - for a change! *smile*... Just because!! *bg* Part 5 will have the Good Stuff!!! ;-[)

I now present another fine example of 'canon' showing that LaCroix speaks *directly* to Nick via his "Nightwatch" radio show. - Or at least our favorite blond vampish detective THINKS SO! *bg*

Puppy-Son hies on over to the CERKstation *so* fast it ain't even funny!! *snicker* But let my Ep. Slant unfold the intimate moments in a much more synsynch manner...

Trivial Note - Part of The Great Brown Eyebrowed One's uniform insignia indicates he's part of the Army's 'Special Forces' unit. And his name label states: LACROIX Now on with the show!!!!!!!!!

_________________________

Can't Run, Can't Hide (Pt. 4 of 6)

We left 'Nick Parker' and LaCroix ending in a Vietnam flashback.

Commercial.

Back.

Present Day - Toronto sky line. Night: (When else? The Caddy eases to a halt, to park around the corner of a familiar club. Our hero exits his vehicle.

In the background Nick walks on into the Raven and lines to the lone secluded woman seated at her regular high round table. She is in the foreground.

Ex-lover and sister, Janette, is sitting hunched over and totally engrossed in a paper laying flat in front of her. Pen in hand she wears a furrowed brow and is in deep concentration. (Really cute exchange for all you IB's out there ;-[)! I include this following banter mostly for you!! {{{}}})

Nicolas [said as: Nikolah] startles her from her task.

J: [jerks head up, then caresses Nick's cheek with her right hand] "Oh! Nicolas ... What a welcome relief." [smiles]

NK: [grinning] "From what?"

J: [sighs] "Taxes. My accountant says they're inevitable like death. He's an 'Accountant', what does he know?"

NK: [nodding] "It's a good point."

J: "Uhmm, hmmmm. So, you have that *I'm here on business* look about you..."

The detective changes his demeanor, gets serious now.

NK: [looks down guiltily] "Is there anyone new in town? From overseas maybe..."

J: [in a cool toned reply] "There are always rumors... Who's to say...?" (I think Janette knows where this topic is leading?! *smile* Her Brother/X-Lover be asking in the direction that'll head him straight {Ooops! - Bad choice of word there??! *eg*} to Daddy!!)

Nicky picks up on Janette's sudden attitude hedging. He fidgets at his next question.

NK: [squirming around uneasy. glancing down. he plays with the pen on the table. typical uncomfortable Nick stuff. finally, he continues] "Did LaCroix ever..." [he pauses]

(Bold Knight almost loses his nerve! *g* What?! Nickers? ... It bothers you to realise you're only here to pump your beloved Janette for information on MasterDad??!! Yeah, well... You *should* feel kinda bad, IMO! *bg* You're not boinking HER, are you?????????! NK: [continuing] "... Did he ever mention Vietnam?"

Janette must have decided to forgive him his insensitive actions, for she brightens in carriage. (I would think after almost *800 Hundred* - years, she, like her sire, must be *used* to this precious whelp acting selfish without thinking, eh???!!! *vbNKg*)

J: [gazing off in remembrance] "Vietnam...? Hmmm? Ooh... Only that it was a *much* nicer place under the French. [Nick suppresses a laugh] Of course he had plantations there. - Where *didn't* he have plantations...? And he never really forgave them ... That's right ... for defoliating the place, and ... he ... "

Her brother, grinning openly, silences her ramblings with a gentle finger pressed to her lips.

NK: [focusing. getting back to his original subject] "Vampires." (Oooo! Sweet little lusty scan dear Janette gives that simple digit that was so recently urging her mouth to quiet!!??!! SHE barely can contain herself. BUZZ-HEAD, is worse... How the HELL *does* Nick survive all the attention...?????!!!!! Because he LOVES IT!!!!! *beg*;-[)!!) "Did he ever mention any vampires might have made?"

Dark Sister ain't happy! Janette drops that stone cold mask again!! Nicky should know it's not prudent to ask one lover about another?! *smirk* NOT a KEWL move!! *vbg*

J: [stoic] (She *is* her Father's Daughter here! (Well, being fair... Janette understands Nicolas is determined to find out whatever he's looking for. So she basically was just being serious, for him.)

Knight sighs, somewhat disappointed and leans swifty to kiss Janette's grasped hand. He abruptly stands to go. His companion rises also. Janette still tries to hold his company by flirting with her old flame.

J: [soothing] "Oh poor Nicolas. So many burdens... [stroking his lapels] Tell you what ... One night I will close the bar early [in close-up. Janette is mere inches away], and you will be my only guest. And I will help you, to ... relax ... Hmmm?" [almost nuzzling] (Just keeping my sticky Unnamed parallel comment to myself here - This time! *smile*)

NK: [nose to nose. murmuring] "Janette...?"

J: [quietly, but still trying] "Yes...?"

NK: [whispering slowly, then turning away] "Don't - cheat."

J: [sounded] "hah"

Janette watches her sibling stride off. After a moment she turns her attention back to the unsavory tax task. (Always wondered where *Fenrisgot* her idea for "Tax Time"??!! Cut to detective Knight in his Caddy.

(Gee, guess what?! 'Ole Libido Lad reaches over and clicks on the radio. Wanna ponder which station it's pre-set to...??? Surprise!! ;-[)!!) Close-up of Nick's concentrated, zoned, face at the Nightcrawler's dialogue.

(I LOVE the direct LC-to-NK comments! This one is SO blatant!) The shots tend to go back and forth between Nick look in his car and LaCroix' mouth at the studio.

LC/N: [Nick in his car. LC/N is a voice-over] "I'm listening also. I hear your thoughts. [shot - LC at mic] You feel you're alone. But you're not. [back to Nick's look, from the car] I know your pain. Your frustration, your hunger ... for justice. I am the Nightcrawler, I feel ... everything. Come to me ... *Now*."

(WHOA! YUM...!! Oh! Sorry, back to the Ep. Slant! Got distracted - kinda like Nick!! *smile*)

His Nickness yanks a fast right turn at the next corner. (Methinks we ALL know where *he's* agoin'?!?! *snicker*)

The Caddy tools to a quick jerk halt at the curb.

Tadah! We're facing the front of a glass door that has a lighted sign proclaiming boldly across the entrance: CERK. (DUH! *bg*) Nick, ala long black coat, whisks inside.

Cut! (mine)

BTW: The address number on the door is - 78. ;-[)

Fin - Part 4

************************* *************************

Can't Run, Can't hide (Pt. 5 of 6)

Present Day:

N. Knight has just hastily disappeared through the entrance of CERK Studios. Compelled there by the airwaves siren's call of his master. (Like I stated previous ... this episode is a prime example that OFW,V,O {LC} speaks *directly* to his dearest offspring ala CERK, and his Wayward One knows it! *g*)

Seeing and hearing his 'father' beyond, Nick softly approaches the closed soundbooth.

LaCroix, as the Nightcrawler, is in the midst of an ON AIR - LIVE broadcast:

LC/N: [intent at the microphone] "I can be your strength where you have none. I can be your wisdom, your truth. [Nick now stills, to stand at the opposite side of the glass watching his master. the other has yet to acknowledge him] And all you need to share with me..." ({ Oh Man!! Nigel does a magnificent job here!} LaCroix ever so slowly turns his head just slightly to look at his son as he delivers his last few, poignant words...!! *bg*) "is your *very* soul."

Shot:

Nick standing stern, past the window, from LaCroix' POV.

Quick cut to: Bihn Loc, Vietnam. Flashback - Previous exchange:

LC: [close-up. facing his child. at the village] "What are *you* going to do about it...?"

Cut back:

CERK Studios. Present Day.

Knight in foreground. The view is over his right shoulder, the the booth's glass. LaCroix has just completed his current dialogue and as he has summed up with his last comment he smiles lightly at his companion. He switches off the mic.

The moment the LIVE sound source is cut, a dramatically serious looking Nick opens the broadcast room's door. He steps inside. (Our Vampguy don't look so happy...!? *g* Wonder what other accusations Towhead Tad is gonna assault Dad with??! LC: [calmly remaining in his seat. deceptively genial. seemingly ignoring his protege's less than delighted mood] "Nicholas, how... unexpected." (Oh yeah! - Right!?! Possessed Pappa practically be smirking in self-serving glee here!! ;-[) NK: [almost matching his sire's smirk. without preamble he then confronts the opposing vampire without mirth] "You did it. Back in Vietnam, you brought one over."

LC: [leaning back in his chair, openly grinning a moment now, at his Favored Gets' feverish manner] "Aaaaah... [LC rises, to attempt a towering over his accusing son. he steps close] ...so many things slip my mind these days..." [halts to less than a foot from his pup] ( Damn! Will these two EVER be more than a metre apart from each other when the 'talk' gets intense?! *vbg*)

"Believe it or not Nicholas, it was your 'rightousness' that inspired me. It *shaped* me." (Practically, - okay, not *practically* Knight tips his head back and rolls his eyes. He's getting weary of the blathering of excuses his master is deluging him with. (Ye Olde Crusader is *so* the controller in this scenerio! Like he is in so many others!! *bg* We UFfer's just LOVE this shit!! ;-[)!!)

Cut to Bihn Loc. Flashback ala LC: [LaCroix speaks in Present Day as we watch the fb]

LC: "After you left, I returned. [LC VampVision scanning the carnage - RedEyed] 'Compelled' by my... shame." (*GAK* Ooops! ... Sorry!! *vbg*) "I searched the village for survivors. I'd all but given up. [beat] When I heard a heartbeat ... Faint in strength - [LC's VampVision hovers over a native male laying partially across a small stream] Strong in emotion. And then, then I felt him... his young blood, boiling with rage. His heart crying out for vengeance."

Cut to Present Day:

CERK Studios, as the pale elder continues.

Nick looks a bit chastised at the revealing of the story. (Methinks he figured his dad was a wee more of a bastard back then, than he actually was..?)

LC: [stepping past and around his accusitory whelp] "The crimes of the "Cleaning Crew" were before me..." (LOL! FOCK HIM!! ... NB nudges Ger as he passes, to stand in back. Shit! - Hadn't noticed *that* in this episode too!! - See??! All the pseudo-subliminal UFfishness those two kept feeding us??! How can we *help* but think as we do?? *vbUFg*)

Fin - Part 5

************************* *************************

Can't Run, Can't Hide (Pt. 6 of 6)

I'm rehashing a bit into when after Nick had entered the CERK soundbooth - from the last Slant, to ease the flow.

Cutting in:

LaCroix is standing, facing his son's profile. He's slightly off his charge's left shoulder.

As the older vampire retells the beginnings of his story, we watch - via LaCroix' RedEyed VampVision - his perspective of a flashback. The elder's sight appears to be scanning the ground for any signs of life. We see a prone Vietnamese male *Tran* glancing up in panic and terror at someone...

Present Day:

[still from previous Slant Pt. 5] LaCroix has now stepped in front and slightly past Nick. As he speaks he strides around his child's right side and back. (Don't forget that *nudge*! *bg*)

LC: [flippant] "The crimes of the 'Cleaning Crew' were before me... and here *I* was, with the power to make justice possible... for the victims." LaCroix turns, arriving behind his companion here to face his precious pale scion. His brows rise.

LC: "Isn't that what you wanted?"

The scoffing sire pulls back a step to assess the weight of his words. Humour colours his reference.

Nick stands steadfast, listening, but appearing to not fully believe the unfurled tale, or whom be relating it. His eyes never leave his master as the other circles him in an almost predatory taunt; To then have the two come face to face.

NK: [solid in stance, but yet a bit hesitant. his look flickering down, nodding begrudgingly in agreement] "Yes. But not this way."

LC: [cutting in] "Lieutenant {Many thanks, Marti! *g*} Drake and his murdering minions should not have been punished for what they did?.."

(Oooo...!??! Gotcha Nicky! ;-[)! Brabant bristles at the point! *g*) (Daddy caught his righteous whelp in a nasty conundrum here! - And he jumps right in, to bore that lesson home. He never *was* one to miss such an easy opportunity! LC: "...Why Nicholas?... No justice for the wronged? No vengeance? [becoming quite adamant] What about the victims of his ill-conceived crusade? [blinking once, voice rising] ... What about my plantations?!" (This is about as close to being *whiny* as we will EVER hear Buzz Cut One!!! *ebg* Revel in it, for the scant breath it occurs!!! The pup shakes his head subtly in disagreement. (Just gotta let dad vent sometimes, eh? He's *such* a baby at times, huh, Nick??! *snicker*)

NK: [unmoving] "Drake was court-martialed. He's changed his whole life! [meeting the heightened zeal of tone of his consociate] He works with kids...!?"

LC: [a bit over the top in fervor and volume] (If you ask me VampMaster is at his edge of losing it!! LaCroix surceases, recovering himself from his outburst to twist Nicky with the following:

Stepping back and turning away the ancient pauses mid-bitch and points his right index finger towards his son, as if in sudden revelation.

LC: [returned to his usual controlled dulcet tones] "...Or... Or can it be, [pause] that if Drake can be forgiven for *his* sins, that it follows that *you* can be forgiven for yours? [Shot: Knight looks down] [pricking at his offspring's sensibilities] "*huff*... How ... perfectly ... convienient, [ending his sermon, to lean back against the wall - hands crossed at his lap] your logic is.. how perfectly self-serving."

The detective twitches his gaze up at that harsh remark.

NK: [lamely] "It isn't about me..."

(Big UFfish Line Coming Up Here!! LC: [responds immediately by stepping from his comfy wall-spot to reply. parting his hands - fervid] "It's *always* about you! [now getting in his beloved's face] About you, and your eternal struggle to manage your guilt! [catching himself, reining his passion back] You used to be so much more fun, Nicholas.."

(Holy Fock!? If that don't say a Whole HIVE full of Honey Sticks about how these two deal with each other??!! *vbUFg* As I alluded to earlier, this *is* probably the ONLY time we witness LaCroix dealing with Nick in this manner. To ME, it's also likely one of the lone times the elder comes across as the subordinate in much of it too. But I'll admit, not in *all* of the confrontation! *bg* But 'ole dad is even resting his hands on the consol, placing himself 'physically' lower than his protege in this instance!! YIKES! I Love These Guys!!!!! ;-[)!)

NK: [holding his ground, at the barrage] "Where is he?"

LC: [leaning down, brief shake of his head] "Stop tormenting yourself! You cried out for justice in the midst of the madness and the horror... And *I* delivered it." (*Who's* the 'slave' here? *eg*) "Let... it... run ... it's... course... [pause]. Leave [blink] this, one, be..." The insistent trill of Nick's cell phone breaks the potently charged exchange.

NK: "I have to go."

LC: [flippant once again. pushing up and off of the soundboard] "Don't say I never gave you anything *chuckle*..."

LaCroix saunters away, out of view.

Detective Knight turns from his 'father' to answer his phone. The voice of his partner Schanke yanks him back to his, assumed, mortal life .......

And out!

______________________

YAAAH! Powerful Shit, if you ask me!! ;-[)

Thus ends this Forever Knight Ep. Slant of mine!! *smile*

It be my deepest desire that you all enjoyed and laughed a wee reading it, as much I did writing it!!! {{{}}}

My love to you.

As ever,

Illinois Jules - UF Impaired, And Damn Proud Of It!!