Disclaimer:
The characters of Buffy – the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Forever Knight do not belong to me. I am only borrowing some of their characters.
Author's Note:
I'd like to thank TimeTwist from Twisting the Hellmouth for correcting me on LaCroix's age, I somehow managed to cut his age in half. As shown in the episode “A More Permanent Hell,” LaCroix was turned in 79 AD, making her nearly 2,000 years old.
This crossover fiction is part of my Cole/Willow AU and takes place around five years after the Angel finale.
Chapter 6 - A Talk With The Nightcrawler
Nick waited patiently outside LaCroix's studio at CERK for him to finish his show. He had to talk some sense into him. **Ha!** Nick thought to himself. **When did LaCroix ever listen to anyone but LaCroix?** So, here he was cooling his feet because he thought he owed it to his Sire. If he wasn't careful, he'd die a painful death.
Nick was very nervous when he thought of his new partner. He liked Angel, but he had to admit he was terrified at the thought of what Angel was capable of. He was capable of a lot more rage and violence than even he could visualize. Nick shuddered at this. He, LaCroix, and Janette had all done such horrible and bloody things, but they paled in comparison with what Angelus – the Scourge of Europe – was reputed to have done. Angel may be reformed, but all that was still in there.
**And, how? How had he reformed? That particular breed doesn't reform. It just doesn't happen.** Still, Nick mused, he really did trust Angel. He did feel a kindred spirit in him. He deserved a chance.
He looked up. LaCroix was done, Nick opened the door and stepped into the studio. Now silent. LaCroix was up and had poured two brandies. He handed one to Nick. “So, Nicholas, we will have our talk?”
Nick accepted his brandy and leaned back against the wall. “LaCroix, I saw how you looked at the childe. It was the same as when you looked at Fleur all those centuries ago.”
LaCroix reclined his head and closed his eyes. Opening them again, he looked hard at Nick. “Ah, yes, and I remember your demand there as well. Well, it doesn't apply here, Nicholas, this girl is already dead.”
“LaCroix, in this case, it isn't her death I'm concerned with. It's yours. I don't think even you could survive a confrontation with the Scourge of Europe.”
“Ah, but I thought he was like you now?” LaCroix asked mockingly. Nick shook his head in exasperation. Sometimes talking with LaCroix was like pulling teeth.
“I don't think that's the point. Damn it, you're a Sire, you should understand what is driving him in this! He's not like us, he's different. Hell, she's different! He told me he drove her insane!”
LaCroix nodded calmly. “Nicholas, sit down. I do know. I know that he can kill me without a second thought. I also know that Angelus would most likely torture me first.” He sighed and and finished his brandy in one swallow. “I also know that there is something about her. I know that my instincts won't let me let her go. I realize this is not the most discriminating of decisions.”
“LaCroix...” Nick began, not liking what he was hearing.
“Nick, let me continue.” LaCroix held up his hand to forestall whatever Nick was going to say. Nick and Janette were always the closest of his children to him. For all the times they insisted they never wanted to see him again, they always welcomed him back. They would always be a family. “You're family. Janette is family. And, Drusilla... well, I want her to be part of our family.”
Nick looked at LaCroix aghast. “But, that's... that's impossible! She's already been turned. She's already been taken by another. You know we always belong to our Sires. If not, I'd have been free of you several centuries ago.”
LaCroix chuckled at the truth of that. Yes, Nick made several good points. Still... He knew deep in his core he could not just leave her be. “Yes, Nick, very true. However, where there's a will, there's a way. Don't worry I won't rush at anything. That would surely be extremely unwise.”
“More like terminal.”
LaCroix smiled and nodded. He reached over and clasped Nick around the shoulders, paternally. “Nick, I do appreciate your concern. But I do know the dangers in this. I won't fool myself, Angel is an extremely dangerous vampire. But, you need to take care, too. After all, you'll be around him more often than I.”
“Then, there's his mate.” Nicholas mentioned.
“Mate, ah you mean this.. Buffy?” LaCroix mentioned. “That's hardly a concern. Well, not as much as Angel himself.”
Nick froze. He hadn't told LaCroix. He didn't know about... “Um, LaCroix, about his mate.”
“Nicholas, you are becoming tiresome. What is it?”
“She's the... She's the Slayer.” Nick finally spat out and flinched at the coming explosion.
“WHAT!” LaCroix demanded. “A vampire and a slayer. Impossible!”
“I met her, LaCroix. She's all the legends say. I saw her kill a vampire in Natalie's office. Although, she's a lot smaller than I would have imagined. I'd be careful around her. I even got the impression that Angel was intimidated by.. no, that's not quite right. It's more like he respects her abilities.”
“And, he says he's her mate?” LaCroix was intrigued by the turn of events. He'd never heard of such a thing. Slayers were supposed to stake first. The thought of one intimate with a vampire, especially one of Angel's breed, well, it was unthinkable.
“Yes, I saw his mark. I was dumbstruck.” Nick admitted.
“Toronto is suddenly becoming very crowded.” LaCroix mused. “This could get very ugly. There are certain quarters that might just decide to get rid of her.”
“I don't think it'd be that easy. I'd want to be far away from any battle with her. Say, a bomb shelter or something.”
“Indeed.”
“LaCroix?” Nick asked. “What are you going to do? No matter how many times I fight against you, I guess in the end I'd rather have a world with you than without.”
LaCroix smiled. **I wonder how hard that was for Nicholas to say?** But, the feeling was mutual. Nicholas and Janette they were his family. He would always return to them. But, now... Now there was these feelings for Drusilla. He groaned as he thought of her. Of how he wanted to be with her. He rubbed his injured wrist absentmindedly. The bones were knitting back together but it was a long process.
Nick looked at his Sire in concern. He had heard the soft groan, and knew that LaCroix was thinking of Drusilla. This could end so badly. So badly indeed. LaCroix was right. Toronto was becoming way too crowded. Nick looked out the window to the Toronto skyline. Roughly half an hour until sunrise. I've done all I can for now. He looked to LaCroix and touched his shoulder in farewell.
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