Title: "XOVER: An Unusual Conversation Among Friends" (Last Knight and Ashes to Ashes spoilers) By: Arletta Asbury g4akl@charm.net This story is set far in the future and does not necessarily follow any of my earlier stories. Although reading them might help in understanding just how the characters could be where they are in this story. My previous stories (should you choose to read them) can be found at my web site http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/4523/ or you may request copies directly from me at the email address given above. Many of the Nick and Nat aspects of this story were 'borrowed' from an earlier story by Dawn Steele but some dissatisfaction with Lacroix's portrayal in her story ultimately led to this 'Light Cousin' story. However, Dawn's story "Forever Not: Lacroix's Worst Nightmare" remains one of my personal favorites and I would like to both thank her for writing it and highly recommend it to everyone else! I would also like to thank my patient beta readers for their suggestions and contributions to this story: April Hackett, Michael Pung, and Jan Wiles. DISCLAIMER: Some concepts and the character, Odo used in this work are from Star Trek/Deep Space Nine which is the property of Paramount Pictures, and are used here without permission. This is an amateur publication intended solely for the entertainment of its readers. No copyright infringement is intended. The concepts of vampires as used here, and the other characters used in this work are from FOREVER KNIGHT which is the property of James D. Parriott, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Television, and the SciFi Channel, and are used without permission. This is an amateur publication intended solely for the entertainment of its readers. No copyright infringement is intended. ******************************************************************** Odo walked back to rejoin his host who was sitting in a comfortable lounge chair on the patio outside his home. He had been joined out there by a friend and they were now apparently absorbed in a deep conversation. Odo overheard only the last of their remarks. ".........I don't understand what's the problem. She's one of the sweetest, kindest women in the universe. You're very lucky to have had her as your companion for such as long time. She puts up with your moods and jealousy. And I have never, ever, heard her complain about it," Odo's host remarked. "I have no doubt of that. *I* am the problem." Just then they both looked up to see Odo's return and broke off their conversation. "I hope you are comfortable here," his host said, addressing Odo. "My needs are few and you have been most hospitable," Odo replied. "I realize my request seemed most unusual......." "Not at all, and I'm very glad to have the constable from Deep Space Nine as a guest." "It's just that Starfleet regulations require personnel to take a ten-day leave periodically. Since I have no real family, I like to spend my time visiting various planetary law enforcement officials and viewing their routine procedures," explained Odo. "Ahhhh...," said his host's friend as if this cleared a mystery he had been puzzling over. "But this planet has a very low crime rate. Actually, I manage with only two deputies," Odo's host said, looking a little puzzled. "All the more reason for my interest. How do you manage to keep it so low?" asked Odo. His host replied, "I'm afraid I really can't take the credit. The people who were born here have a culture that strongly emphasizes moral values. Virtually all of the crime occurs within the relatively small group that has emigrated to this planet from off-world." "I believe you aren't part of the indigenous population yourself," Odo questioned. "No, I'm from Earth originally as is my ....... but I haven't introduced you properly. Odo, this is my closest friend, my foster father, Lucian Lacroix. Lacroix, this is Constable Odo, the chief civil law enforcement official on Starfleet's Deep Space Nine." "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," Odo said politely. "As am I, yours," Lacroix replied being just as polite. Suddenly the name rang a bell in Odo's mind, "Are you THE Lacroix, the philosopher whose lectures are a standard part of the basic Federation education?" he asked. "You flatter me," said Lacroix. "This is indeed quite an honor. I had not expected to meet someone of your distinction when I sought permission for this visit from Constable deBrabant. Perhaps I should have realized that you would have chosen such an planet as this for your home," Odo suggested. "Noooo, I would have chosen to reside among a more interesting population. When living among such ethical individuals...... well..... I cannot comment unfavorably upon their society. No, I chose to live here because Nicholas has chosen to make this his home, at least for a while," Lacroix replied. "There were reasons as you well know....." Nicholas said, bristling at the apparent criticism of his choice. "Ah, to be sure," said Lacroix. "Which were, if I may ask," Odo questioned. "This seemed a good place to raise a family. Now that our children are older my wife and I are thinking about relocating. If the right law enforcement job were offered to me, we would probably move. If there was nothing else holding us here, that is," answered Nick. "Please let's not speak of that," Lacroix remarked trying to avoid the subject. He also shifted slightly in his chair as if he were uncomfortable now. "Yes, let's talk about it. Let's hear Odo's opinion on the subject," Nick replied. "I hardly think he is in enough possession of the facts to judge," said Lacroix. "Well if you won't listen to my opinion on the subject perhaps you will listen to another's," insisted Nick. "All right, as *you* wish," said Lacroix who clearly did not want to discuss it. "I didn't mean to start an argument," Odo offered to calm the tension. "You didn't START this argument," Nick said to Odo then turned to Lacroix before adding, "Why don't you begin at the beginning......" The expression on Lacroix's face indicated a definite lack of enthusiasm as he began to speak. "What do you know of us? My background....," he asked. "As I said before, you are a well respected philosopher," answered Odo. "Do you know anything else of me?" Lacroix asked. "Let's see, your son said you are from Earth. Your lectures have been standard for many years," replied Odo. "Exactly!" said Lacroix. "Do you know for how many years?" Odo realized what he was implying. His works had been standard for nearly a century. He didn't look that old. In fact, earthmen were not one of the long lived species in the galaxy. Finally he said, "you don't look your age. Do you?" "Noooo. Nor does Nicholas." Then Lacroix suddenly asked, "Do you know what vampires are?" Odo blinked. He had heard of them, of course. They were a minor variation of earthmen but very long lived. "Ah, that explains it," Odo murmured before he turned toward Nick and asked, "Constable deBrabant, ...you're...a...vampire also?" "Yes," replied Nick. "I had no idea," remarked Odo. Then he recalled more of what he'd heard of vampires. "A vampire's diet is unusual and you can't tolerate sunlight...and...and.....something else." "Holy objects," offered Nick, "but that's just psychosomatic." "It is a reaction to the energy the holy object is infused with by believers," explained Lacroix. "Our senses and nervous systems are much more acute than that of ordinary humans and we can sense the object's energy. In the past, our belief that holy objects would harm us, caused all vampires to shun them." Nick added, "burn marks would usually appear on our skin if we touched one -- a cross, for example. But it was all due to our own beliefs. Now with some training and practice, we may attend religious services, receive communion, touch holy objects, whatever." "Nicholas regularly attends local services here. He is most..... devout," said Lacroix with an annoyed expression. "Lacroix's own religion died out many centuries ago. He worshipped the Roman gods when he was mortal. Perhaps if he could practice his own religion he would show more respect for mine," suggested Nick. Odo sensed an old argument between the two men. Constable deBrabant was clearly a religious man while his father was not. Nick continued, "I am not the only religious vampire now. My wife, Natalie, also worships regularly. And Urse, Lacroix's own companion, has gone to church with us occasionally." "You spoke of your children, don't they attend religious services too?" Odo questioned. "Yes of course, our children have been brought up in the church but I was speaking of other vampires. Our children are mortal, fully human as a matter of fact," Nick answered. "Nicholas, this discussion is getting us nowhere," Lacroix said with some impatience. Odo looked around him in puzzlement. The three of them had been sitting outdoors in daylight for some time with no apparent ill effects on his companions. "This sunlight doesn't bother you?" he asked. Lacroix answered, "Earth's sunlight is intolerable to us as well as the light from a few other suns. However, the light from the vast majority of stars in the known universe is harmless to us. For example, this planet orbits one of those harmless stars..... Actually, it's only light in a certain range of the spectrum which is the problem. One of the trace elements in Earth's star is the troublesome one. Fortunately that element is somewhat rare so that there are many other worlds like this one, where we can live quite comfortably." "Which element is it?" Odo questioned. "We'd rather not say, if you don't mind," Nick answered. I would prefer that the criminal element never learns which one it is and the fewer people who know; the safer it is for all of us." "I can see your point," Odo replied in agreement. "What about your unusual diet? Isn't it......blood.....?" "It really is not a problem now. With replicaters we can have all of the nourishment we need without ever harming another living being again," Nick replied. Lacroix nearly snickered. "Nicholas is understating the changes modern technology has made in his existence." "It's true that I no longer feel tormented by my unnatural condition but the change in me came because of Natalie's influence," Nick explained. "It took decades of her patience and understanding and persuasion to make me realize that I have a life...A very good life, in fact....My soul is no longer in combat with 'evil vampire' tendencies. I have come to terms with my religious upbringing and I can once again practice my Faith. We have even had two children of our own!" Odo looked puzzled so Nick added, "vampires cannot have children." "Then how?" Odo questioned. "The RS series dual cloning techniques and in vitro gestation that are in fashion nowadays among some cultures have made it possible for us to have children that are ours, genetically. And Natalie didn't even have to go thru the discomfort and dangers of an old-fashioned pregnancy. It really *was* a wonder of modern technology put to good use by us." Nick smiled at the thought before continuing. "We have a son, Richard, and a daughter, Fleur. They are both young adults now and are just finishing up their studies. Richard has followed in his mother's footsteps and is working in the biological sciences. Fleur, for some unknown reason seems to be following in Urse's footsteps." "Urse's footsteps?" echoed Odo, confused. "My companion is in the entertainment field.." Lacroix replied. "Quite successfully, I might add." "Urse.....You couldn't mean Ursula the well known singer?" asked Odo. "The same," said Lacroix with what could be taken for pride. "Really Constable, this is quite unexpected, my awe of your family's accomplishments increases with each passing moment," commented Odo. "But let's return to the question at hand. I think we should continue seeking Constable Odo's opinion," said Nick to Lacroix. "What *was* the original question?" Odo asked, confused by the conversation's apparent lack of direction. No one answered him. Lacroix's icy stare was broken only by his own further comments. "Nicholas, you have stated you case quite persuasively. You have a very contented life now....a loving wife, children, a career you enjoy..... You have the freedom to practice *your* religion and you can walk without fear in the daylight ..... as well as immortality. It seems you that have everything you have ever wanted. Why are you so eager to assume that the elements that make your happiness are required in *my* life for my own contentment? Can you not accept that my life is full also?" "I could more easily accept it if *you* could," Nick answered. "Really, Nicholas," Lacroix said in a tone of disgust. "Really!" Nick said in a tone of insistence. "Lacroix, you have, as I stated before, one of the sweetest, kindest, most tolerant women in the universe for a companion. Never mind how beautiful she is and that many men desire her for her beauty and talents alone. She *loves* you. You have been together as long as....no... longer than Natalie and I have and yet you seem to deny her importance in your life." "No, Nicholas, I realize that Urse *is* important. I have given her anything she has ever wanted," answered Lacroix. "You have bought her any material item that you believed she wanted. But that was in the past. Now her wealth is nearly equal to yours," Nick argued. "She is with you because she wants to be with you....not out of any economic need. And I don't believe that was ever her motive for remaining with you." Nick continued, "According to Nat, you have given Urse a sense of stability and security that she never had before in either her mortal life or as a vampire. I think you fail to acknowledge your own good qualities which have caused Urse to want to be with you. Despite your unreasonable jealousy." "Jealousy?" Odo questioned. "Lacroix has been jealous of the one who 'brought Urse across' for centuries," Nick answered. "What do you mean 'brought Urse across'?" asked Odo. Nick replied, "Vampires are not born. That's why my children are not vampires.....yet.... Vampirism is a kind of mutation brought about by a virus. My wife has studied the matter thoroughly. In fact, she discovered the 'cure' for it long ago.... However, with that mutation, comes many advantages....including immortality and perfect health. The difficulties with food and Earth's sunlight that you mentioned are a part of the downside to it. One of the supposed advantages is a psychic link with the other vampire who exposed you to the virus.....the one who 'brought you across'." Odo began to look uncomfortable at the prospect of his exposure to an unusual communicable disease. He was obviously wondering if shape-shifters were susceptible to it. Sensing that, Nick continued, "you don't need to worry Constable Odo, the virus can only affect someone from Earth. Even those of mixed ancestry such as Earth/Betazoid are immune....... You are quite safe from the virus and besides it cannot be transmitted accidentally. An individual must be nearly dead from blood loss when they're exposed to the virus before it can take hold and cause the mutations leading to vampirism. You have nothing to fear. On the other hand, you cannot enjoy the advantages that it has to offer." Odo looked relieved as he reminded Nick, "You mentioned jealousy." "Ah, well, you see... because Urse was not brought across by him, Lacroix is *not* psychically linked to her. And because of that he has always been jealous of her connection to another male vampire who is the one that *did* 'bring her across'," explained Nick. "Nicholas, you do me a disservice," Lacroix said before adding to Odo, "that vampire is a musician who sometimes provides background music for Urse's recordings and while he *does* travel extensively he also makes his home on this planet. We even socialize occasionally with him because he's related to one of Nicholas's deputies. I do *not* believe that I am guilty of 'unreasonable jealousy' as Nicholas has put it so indelicately." "No?" Nick argued. "Urse has said many times to Nat that she could never have remained with you so long, if she were psychically linked to you. Urse believes that you would have overwhelmed her. Yet you persist in envying her psychic connection with him." "Perhaps, but Urse does not appreciate her own strength of will," was all Lacroix could say in reply. "She is a remarkable woman in her own right, yet she does not seem to realize that fact." "Just as you do not realize your own good qualities. For example, Richard and Fleur both regard you as their grandfather. You've always acted as a grandfather to them," Nick said. "Nat and I appreciate that. We know that if anything had ever happened to us that you would have taken care of our children." "Nicholas, you are forgetting....." began Lacroix. Nick interrupted, "No, I am not forgetting Divia. You can hardly blame yourself for her. Her mother Selene was in charge of her upbringing. You were almost always away on military campaigns. You've said yourself that she bitterly resented being illegitimate. ............. and besides, Divia was much too influenced by the evil in the ancient one that brought her across." "Nicholas, I.........." "Lacroix, I felt for centuries that you were too rigid and demanding of both Janette and me. Yet I have come to accept that you were doing what you thought best...... You were reacting against your earlier mistakes with Divia. Didn't you spoil her terribly when you did see her? .......... That coupled with her mother's lack of attention, her mother's other preoccupation's, ...... and the influence of the ancient one; ....well... all of that combined ..... leading to disaster." Nick continued, "I know you've learned from the past and that if you had raised Richard and Fleur, you would have managed an appropriate parental balance." "Who are Janette and Divia, if I may ask," questioned Odo. "Janette is my foster daughter. She lives on a planet a few parsecs from here where she can better pursue her interests. She, also, is quite successful in her chosen career now," answered Lacroix. "Yes, she always was very fashion conscious," remarked Nick before adding, "and who would have thought that she'd wind up meeting Patrick when...." At Odo's perplexed expression, Nick stopped. Lacroix was also glaring at him but he couldn't resist adding, "and then MARRYING him,...Oh, I know......forget it. It's too complicated to explain right now." "Odo, please forgive Nicholas if he sounds a bit like a gossip regarding that matter," said Lacroix. "He has never fully approved Jeanette's choice of a match..... Actually Patrick had led a rather tragic mortal life...... His parents died when he was small, then later his first wife and their child died in an accident. When Jeanette crossed paths with him again, much later, he was dying from an incurable disease. After he was brought across, it is not so surprising that they found a mutual attraction. Personally, I have long suspected that Nicholas himself is a little jealous of Patrick." "And speaking of jealousy," Lacroix continued, addressing Nick, "What of Natalie's persistent jealousy of you and Janette? When you are absent they get along fine. They are friends in fact. But I have SEEN Natalie thwump you on the side of the head when she thought you were spending too much time with Janette." "Ah," said Nick who looked uncomfortable and quickly switched the subject, "And Urse dearly loves Fleur and Richard....." Odo stopped listening as he suddenly had a pain between his eyes when he realized just who Janette and Patrick were. Even he had heard of the famous fashion designers whose creations dominated the Federation's own social functions. When the top echelon and planetary rulers attended heads of state dinners they were all too often wearing items from that fashion line. Lacroix answered, "yes, Urse and I would have done our best as surrogate parents if anything had ever happened to you and Natalie. And Urse would have been a very loving mother to Richard and Fleur but aren't you being generous in your assumptions about my hypothetical behavior in that situation?" Odo said, "I'm almost afraid to ask, but when I was selecting which planet to visit during my vacation, I happened to see mention of a Federation Research Center located on this planet. It does some kind of biological research, as I recall, but very advanced. Your wife wouldn't....." "Yes, Natalie heads that center but she uses the name Lambert," answered Lacroix because Nick was just staring at Odo wondering how he could *not* know that already. If Odo had done the background check he had claimed to have done, that information should have been obvious. "It is not difficult to earn some measure of success at an endeavor simply by persisting in the matter over some centuries," said Lacroix by way of an explanation to Odo who by now had an incredulous expression on his usually not very expressive face. Nick turned his gaze from Odo and back to Lacroix before saying, "Lacroix, *I* am the one who spent centuries angsting over what was not my fault..... Did I learn that trait from you? ..... I have learned that vampires are not inherently evil ..... just as humans are not inherently good..... We all have both good and evil within us ...... and it's up to us to choose which is to dominate.... I think that the time is long overdue for you to realize that *you* are just as human as the rest of us.....mortals and vampires. You need to stop blaming yourself... for what is not... and never was...your fault." "Nicholas, I have killed thousands over the course of many centuries to feed," Lacroix replied. "And before that I killed just as many in battle and thru other acts of war. How can you say that I am not responsible?" "Lacroix, I am just as guilty as you for killing in many battles but no more so than any soldier," Nick answered. "It is in the nature of war........ And yes, both you and I have killed in order to feed ourselves. But have you done it in the past few centuries? No! Like the rest of us, you use replicaters to produce what is needed out of pure energy....... Mortals don't kill for food now either. If replicaters had existed earlier............" Lacroix stood up suddenly and said, "Computer, end simulation. Save characters: Odo and Nick. Instantly Nick and Odo disappeared as the peaceful outdoor scene also vanished. Lacroix stood alone within the stark outlines of a holo-chamber. Realizing that after running dozens of variations of this same simulation, over the past few weeks with a holo-character representing Nick, he had exhausted all of its fresh insights, Lacroix added, "delete program and all of its data." Then he walked to the exit and said, "computer, unlock door." Lacroix left the holo-chamber and overheard Urse saying, ".... he's in the middle of a philosophical simulation. I wouldn't interrupt him, if I ......." when she caught sight of him. "Oh here he is now!" Nick and Odo turned and Odo said, "I just wanted to say good-bye before I left and to tell you again what an honor it's been meeting both you and Ursula. I hope that if I return to this sector that I might be allowed to visit you again." Urse smiled and said, "Of course, you're welcome anytime. It's been a real pleasure meeting you and hearing about Deep Space Nine." "Constable Odo, I cannot tell you how much I have appreciated making your acquaintance. I can only urge you to visit us again," said Lacroix with uncharacteristic warmth. "Yes, please return, if you can. Your ten-day visit has gone by too quickly. Natalie and I will look forward to seeing you again, soon," said Nick. Odo stepped away from them before touching his comm badge and disappearing in the shimmer of a transporter. Nick turned back to his friends before saying, "Nat wanted me to remind you that she expects both of you tonight at Richard's 'Welcome Home' party. He's planning to tell us all about his experiences at the Federation Rigilian Virology seminar." "I can't wait," said Urse without a trace of sarcasm. Both Nick and Lacroix smiled. Urse really meant it. She would happily endure tales of the seminar that would bore everyone else, except Natalie, just because she cared about her friends. Then Nick said, "See you later," before heading across the plaza that separated Lacroix's residence from his own. Urse started to turn toward the entrance to her studio when Lacroix stopped her by putting a hand on her arm. "I have been considering your request," he said. She looked up into his eyes but could not guess what lay behind them. "Have I persuaded you yet?" she asked with a false sense of bravado. "I have several stipulations. First we *must* marry immediately. A ceremony by a local religious official would suffice but one performed by someone of *your* original religious persuasion would be even better." Urse tilted her head to one side as she considered his words. "Marriage? Us?" After being together for hundreds of years, an official, legal marriage seemed almost redundant to her and that was not what she had requested. "I would not want another illegitimate child." Urse gasped at his words then suddenly flung herself into his arms. The End ******************************************************************** Send any comments to: Arletta Asbury g4akl@charm.net Nick&Natpacker, Light Cousin http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/4523/