FicWad

Title: Incarnations of Immortality
Author: TheBear!
Crossover: XF/HL/FK
Pairings: M/S N/N T/V
161,428 words
15-Apr-02

Disclaimer—I don’t own any of it.

=====

Chapter 18

Terminal 3

Lester B Pearson International Airport

6:02 p.m. Sunday December 17th.

MacLeod had kept his word; by 7 a.m. they were both so exhausted that they passed out, their bodies tangled in the sheets, their limbs wrapped around each other’s.

As the plane taxied to the gate, MacLeod was reliving the previous night in his head. He had marveled at his reaction to her. He hadn’t had that much sex… well, pretty much ever. In the short time he had known Janette, they had loved each other more times than he had done in a month with any other woman he had ever known. He had never had difficulty rising to the occasion before, but with Janette, it seemed like he was constantly aroused. A look in her eyes, a soft touch, a single sultry sentence- that was all it took for him to be ready for the next bout. Even more marvelous was the fact that she seemed to feel the same way. Her constant delight in his body didn’t seem to weaken with the frequency of their coupling. He had no doubt that if they had not succumbed to fatigue, they would have continued all day long.

They had stopped for a few moments at a time for Mac to drink and eat, as he needed to replenish his blood supply frequently. Neither of them even considered her not taking his blood- that was the most intense and intimate part of their union. For those few moments while she consumed him, they were joined more completely than mortals, or immortals, could ever imagine. To know one another so completely; to feel their deepest doubts and fears, their greatest joys and delights; to bask in the warmth of each other’s love; it was magnificent. He had lost count of the times they had cried at the beauty of this thing between them, it was second only to the number of times that they had laughed till they had no breath (figuratively for her).

Though they had been fast and furious at times, mostly it was leisurely- as they explored one another’s bodies, learning their secrets. It turned out that Janette had the most sensitive legs- from the backsides of her knees all the way up to the crease at the top of her thighs. When Mac would caress the backs of her thighs while running his tongue along the top, just under her glorious cheeks, she would squirm and moan almost as loudly as if he had been attending directly to her clitoris.

Janette had shown Mac his own unexpected erogenous zones- she found that nibbling on the soft bit of flesh at the crease on the front of his shoulder, where the arm meets the chest, she could send tingles of pleasure straight to his groin. His cock would twitch every time she nibbled him there. The insides of his thighs a couple of inches above his knees were so sensitive that when she bit him there to drink, he came prematurely. Any other time, with any other woman, he would have been mortified. Instead he and Janette had let fly peals of deep laughter- both of their bodies shaking with mirth. Of course the laughter had ended with a groan when she began to clean the spilled seed from his lap with her mouth and tongue.

MacLeod turned away from his reminiscing and looked at Janette. He found that she was staring at him, a small grin on her lips.

“Pleasant thoughts my love?” she asked.

“Very,” he answered. “I was thinking about how amazing you are, how unbelievable this thing between us is, and how amazingly much I am in love with you.”

Janette's grin softened into a broad smile and she grasped his right hand in both of hers, bringing it up to her face and nuzzling her cheek against his palm. “You are my heart, Duncan. I love you so much,” she whispered intently.

Mac slid his hand along her face and into her hair, gently grasping the back of her head and drawing her toward him for a slow, languid kiss. A kiss that might have turned into something more had the plane not reached the gate at that moment.

As the passengers stood up and began to gather their personal belongings, MacLeod noticed that Janette seemed hesitant to rise. Her bearing when she did rise was just slightly stiff- a noticeable change from the relaxation she displayed as they kissed. He imagined that he knew what the problem was; she was nervous about seeing her family. He didn’t pretend to understand the full convolution involved in her family dynamics. Her brother/master and her father/master/grandfather; not to mention the new additions that she hadn’t even met yet; she had a great many issues that she needed to resolve- if she could overcome her fear.

He kept them standing in front of their seats as the stream of passengers debarking passed them by. He drew her into a tender embrace and softly kissed her lips, never removing his gaze from hers. Knowing that the answer was probably ‘no,’ he whispered, “Is there anything I can do to help, Janette?”

Normally Janette would have been embarrassed by anyone who noticed her nervousness (or fear, if she were brutally honest with herself) and pulled away in denial. This being Duncan, however; her response was to melt into his arms, warmed by his tender concern- not even for a moment fearing that he would think poorly of her. She rested her forehead against his and gently sighed, “Mon cour, you are sweet for asking, but there is nothing to be done but to face this and move on. Knowing that you are by my side is all that I will need to make it through this ordeal.”

“Will it really be so horrible?” he asked gently, stroking her lower back with his large hands.

Janette pulled away from him and collected her purse from the floor in front of her seat before answering, “Probably not. Mostly I think, I did not want to be confronted with his guilty conscience, and self loathing,” she said as she indicated that he should collect their carry-on from the storage compartment and debark themselves. “Nicolas can be so tiresome, with his brooding self-pity, his constant whining about being damned…” she paused and looked down at her hands, which were nervously clutching at the straps of her handbag before continuing in a whisper, “The worst part is that, at the end, when I was with Robert, I began to believe what Nicolas had been saying for a century. I thought we were damned, and as I regained my mortality I thought I had been saved from that horrible fate.”

MacLeod simply put his hands on hers, waiting for her to finish.

“Then, for him to so callously disregard my request, for him to selfishly throw away what I had thought of as my salvation because he couldn’t have it!” her whisper had turned into a hiss by this point and she stopped speaking and took a moment to visibly get hold of herself.

MacLeod squeezed her hand gently and asked, “And now? How do you feel now?”

Janette smiled warmly at him. “Are you asking if I still believe that Vampires are damned? No. I am grateful to be immortal once again. What angers me is that he convinced me otherwise… That he almost made me give up eternity for a silly notion that immortality was a curse to be feared, rather than a gift to be savored.” She guided MacLeod out into the aisle to leave the plane, noticing that everyone else had already gone. “I suppose I should be indebted to him for helping me realize that humans shouldn’t be treated like cattle, but I don’t think I needed to give up immortality to learn that lesson. We don’t have to kill to survive, as I was once taught.”

MacLeod smiled as he followed her off of the plane. “Maybe this will be good for her,” he thought. He felt the quickening of an immortal as they entered the jet way, but was unconcerned, knowing that Methos was supposed to be picking them up. “I think Methos is here,” he said. The fact that the quickening wasn’t as strong as Methos’ didn’t register until Janet spoke.

“Duncan, there is at least one vampire out there,” she said. She wasn’t terribly concerned; on the one hand, a vampire wouldn’t do anything in such a public place, and on the other, he/she or they didn’t feel nearly as powerful as she knew she was.

MacLeod stopped, stilling Janette with a hand on her shoulder. “Now that you mention it, that quickening doesn’t feel strong enough to be Methos.”

Janette lightly gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth, “Could he have fallen to this Froag person you mentioned?”

MacLeod hadn’t seriously considered that Methos could loose to Phineas Froag. He had never met him, but knew by his reputation that he was an undisciplined, if vicious, fighter. He had been training with Methos ever since he decided to re-enter the game. He was confident that there were very few immortals that could defeat Methos; however, he also knew that in combat anything could, and often did, happen. “If it is, I will take care of him,” he answered coldly. Thinking of what she had said, he asked “Why would he have a vampire with him?”

“That would seem to be an odd coincidence,” she agreed. “Perhaps we should go see?” she asked. “If necessary, I can handle any interference from my type,” she reassured him. “They don’t feel more than two hundred years old, if that.”

“Well then, love of my life, let us indeed go and see for ourselves,” MacLeod said with a half-bow and a dramatic sweep of his arm.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

“Are you sure this is the right plane, Mulder?” Scully asked as they watched the line of passengers exiting the plane trickle to nothing.

“No. I’m sure it’s the plane Methos said he would be on, but that doesn’t mean that…” he trailed off as he felt the quickening.

Scully felt it as well, being intimately tuned in to Mulder’s feelings. She also felt something else.

“Is that a vampire?” Mulder asked.

“I think so.” Scully answered.

“Why would MacLeod feel like a vampire?” Mulder asked rhetorically.

“We’ll have to ask him,” Scully answered anyway.

Both raised an eyebrow when they saw MacLeod and a lithe, raven-haired vampire walking out together. Their body language was very intimate, even though they weren’t actually touching. There was no doubt that they were ‘together,’ they thought.

Ironically, that intimate body language was the first thing that Janette and MacLeod noticed about the duo waiting for them. MacLeod whispered, “It’s ok, I know those two,” as they saw Mulder and Scully standing outside the gate.

Scully reached out to the vampire with her senses and was struck by the age and power that she bore; much more than her master, but slightly less than LaCroix. Strangely, she felt like Nick- the same way Tracy felt like Vachon. That didn’t make sense; that she could be older than Nick, yet be his progeny. Suddenly, she recalled a memory of Nick’s and realized that it must be Janette. Still, she felt awfully powerful for someone a thousand years younger than LaCroix- nearly his equal!

[That’s Janette!] she thought to Mulder.

[Who?] he asked, not recognizing the name.

[She is Nick’s sister… well now she is Nick’s childé,] she thought.

Mulder was confused. [He turned his sister?]

[Long story, Mulder. I’ll explain later. I wonder how those two met,] she wondered.

[That’s an awfully big coincidence, Scully,] Mulder thought suspiciously. Struck by another thought he asked, [How many siblings do you have, Scully?]

Scully spent several seconds culling through the memories she had from the deep link with Nick before answering, [I think there is another surviving sister out there, but as I remember, they are estranged. Of course, I thought he and Janette were at odds as well, yet here she is.]

MacLeod and Janette approached the two FBI agents and Mac wondered to himself if their appearance was something taught by the Bureau to all of its agents- they stood nearly motionless, their eyes hidden by sunglasses, their body language alert but relaxed. The only movement they made was for their heads to move slightly toward one another, and then back toward Janette and himself. It was almost as if they were having a conversation without moving their lips. He found it highly disconcerting.

Janette, for her part, was intrigued by the pair. She felt the mental approach by the woman as she exited the jet way, and allowed her own power to flow forth in answer. The confusing thing was that Janette would swear that the woman was childé to Nick, yet she was over a century old, almost two! Janette would have instantly known if Nick had brought anyone across during the previous century when they had shared blood while she was still living in Toronto. Nick had never been skilled at hiding memories during the bloodkiss!

Then there was the question of the man by her side- his heart was beating, but so slowly! If it weren’t for that, she would have thought he was a fledgling vampire. Furthermore, he felt like he was the woman’s fledgling. Had she tried to turn him and he only came across partially? Such creatures were always wildly unstable, and had to be destroyed. Duncan indicated that he had felt an immortal, was that why this one felt so strange to her? Duncan was immortal, but he felt to her senses exactly like any other human.

Duncan said that he knew these two, and he didn’t seem concerned. She would remain wary, but wouldn’t worry about it unless she felt him change.

MacLeod set down his bag and stuck his hand out toward Mulder. “Agent Mulder? What happened to Methos?”

Mulder shook his hand and answered, “He had a conflicting engagement. He said he would meet us at the Raven tonight.”

MacLeod accepted that for the moment, not wanting to discuss anything of substance in the public airport concourse. He offered his hand to Scully and said, “Agent Scully, this is…”

“Janette dúCharme,” Scully finished for him. She decided to offer her the courtesy due a powerful elder vampire, “It is an honor to meet you, my sister,” she said with a half-bow. “I am Dana Scully.” [Play along Mulder! She is an elder, and could kill us both before we even knew what hit us. Plus, from what I remember, she was pretty pissed off at Nick last time she saw him…] she thought to Mulder.

[No need for us to bear the brunt of that,] he agreed. He gave a half-bow as Scully did and said, “It is an honor to meet you, elder, My name is Fox Mulder, but everyone calls me Mulder,” in what he hoped was an appropriately respectful tone.

Duncan was stunned. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say in response to the exchange.

Janette paused for a moment and then suddenly laughed out loud in delighted humor. “Are you sure you are a childé of Nicolas? I have never known him to have a polite bone in his body!”

Drawing on her memories of Nick and Janette’s last encounter, and her knowledge of Nick’s changed outlook on life, “or unlife, as he might have called it,” she thought; she said, “He is not as you remember him, Janette.”

She sobered. “So Duncan tells me,” she said as she turned to head toward the baggage claim, a perplexed MacLeod in tow.

[That went well,] Mulder said sarcastically as he and Scully turned to follow.

[Hey, we’re not dead!] she answered back with an internal chuckle.

[Well, I’m not anyway,] Mulder joked.

[Careful, Mister! Or you will be!] she said as they caught up to Janette and MacLeod.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Sam and Sullie’s Auto Parts

6pm Sunday December 17th

Methos sat cross-legged on the floor in the center of the largest room in the building. He had been waiting for three hours for Froag to show. Not that Froag was late, but he wanted to be here when he showed up. Hopefully he wouldn’t bolt when he saw it wasn’t Mulder waiting for him; he didn’t want to waste time chasing this walking pile of rubbish, he just wanted to take his head- take back Scott’s quickening and get the hell out of Toronto. He was well tired of seeing vampires everywhere he looked. He wanted to go spend some time someplace sunny- let the thought of night-stalkers bake out of his system as he lay on the beach, absorbing the rays. He knew his attitude towards this situation was somewhat pusillanimous, but he was having a very difficult time dealing with this sudden knowledge. That his 5000 years of life could be ended on a whim by any street punk who was lucky enough to get bitten as a snack and turned into a vampire. Not only that they existed, but also that they had been around as long as he had and he’d been totally unaware.

Methos’ musings were interrupted by the feeling of the quickening as Froag loudly entered the building.

Phineas was feeling furious. “Well, you cowardly bastard, I’m surprised you actually showed up! Finally got tired of running?” he shouted as he entered the building. He stopped short when he saw the figure sitting on the floor, a sword across his lap. “Hey! You’re not the freak I’m looking for. Where is that lily-livered sap? Sent you in his stead, huh? You his ‘teacher’? Poor little…”

Methos interrupted his rant, “Shut up and fight, or did you plan to wear me down with your charnel-house breath?”

Froag’s eyes narrowed and he suddenly charged the seated figure, drawing his sword from his trench coat.

Methos sat, unmoving until he could determine the angle Froag was going to strike from. As he swung his sword towards Methos’s head, Methos brought up his sword, deflecting the blow just above his head, and then rolling forward into a summersault and onto his feet. He immediately crouched back down as he sensed Froag’s recover and backhand swipe.

As the blade whistled above his head, he swept his own sword in a tight arc around his body and launched a snap cut behind him, calculating that he would at least partially eviscerate his opponent. He was surprised when his sword encountered almost no resistance at all. When his body caught up with his swing, bringing him around to face his opponent, he saw that Froag had been able to pull his abdomen back away from the strike. Methos had barely scratched him, drawing blood but leaving him essentially unhurt.

Froag was, however, overextended by his dodge and Methos sought to capitalize with a quick snapping cut up toward his head. Froag was able to block this, barely, and step back to regroup himself.

“Damnation! He’s quick!” was all Methos had time to think before Froag again hurled himself toward him with a stabbing lunge.

Methos parried the lunge and began to slowly back up as he parried blow after blow. He quickly realized that Froag’s style- inasmuch as it could be described as a style- was to utilize his quickness in a ferocious attack, attempting to overpower or overwhelm his opponent for a fast kill. He showed no finesse or skill- just speed and power. Methos was able to deflect every blow with relative ease, but couldn’t muster a counterattack. He resigned himself to a defensive role and waited for him to tire or make a mistake.

Froag saw that he wasn’t going to be able to break through with brute force- his favorite method- and so used the one trick he had ever mastered.

Methos parried a series of sweeping criss-crossing slashes bringing Froag’s sword up and over his right shoulder for a strong descending cross-body hack. He brought up his sword in both hands to his upper left to block what he was sure would be a massive strike- presenting his left shoulder forward, his right arm across his body. Too late he saw his mistake as, rather than sweeping out and down, Froag dropped his hands in front of his stomach and lunged forward, dropping the tip of his sword into a stabbing blow.

Methos was able to keep from taking the strike in the chest by bringing his right arm further up and taking the strike deep into his right bicep.

Froag saw the wound he had inflicted on his opponent’s sword arm and assumed the battle was over. Unfortunately for him, Methos didn’t even break stride as he countered- his bicep was out of commission, but he was able to twist his entire body to the right, bringing his sword across a horizontal plane toward Froag’s head. The blow wouldn’t have been enough to take his head, but Methos wasn’t aiming for a killing blow. He sliced across Froag’s eyes, blinding him.

Froag screamed out in rage and pain, dropping his sword as his hands came up to his face. Methos took the time to switch his grip and run Froag through the abdomen, causing him to drop to his knees and double over in agony.

Before pulling the sword from Froag’s gut, Methos harshly whispered in his ear, “Scott Santeramo was my friend.” He then yanked the sword free, twisting as he pulled. Froag would have screamed, but his diaphragm was shredded. The last thing he heard was his opponent shouting the ritual chant, “There can be only one!”

Methos swept Froag’s head from his shoulders with a single cross-body swing. He then had time to gently lay his sword on the warehouse floor as the quickening began to pour forth from the decapitated corpse that was Phineas Froag. Had there been a living observer in the room they might have heard him whisper, “Welcome back, Scotty,” as the energy snapped into his body, picking him up off of the ground and tossing him around like a rag doll.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Sheraton Gateway Hotel

7:30 p.m. Sunday December 17th

Janette and MacLeod had invited Mulder and Scully to join them in their suite at the Sheraton before leaving for the Raven. As the hotel was connected to the terminal, they hadn’t even had to go to Mulder and Scully’s car. They sat in a rather comfortable conversation group, Mulder and Scully sitting in their customary position on an overstuffed leather couch, while Janette and MacLeod shared a matching loveseat. Janette was curled up against Mac, wrapped by his arm, but not actually in his lap as Scully was with Mulder.

MacLeod had gotten the story about Froag, sans Mulder’s vampiric abilities, and was at once glad for, and worried about his friend Methos. He imagined that Methos could take Froag with little trouble, but he was well aware that there are no guarantees in battle.

Janette finally began asking the questions that had been bothering her since she saw the pair in front of her. “Dana, is Mulder your childé?”

“Mulder isn’t a vampire, Janette. He is an immortal, like Duncan.” She answered.

Janette just stared at Scully, letting her incredulousness show, and letting some power slip forth as a subtle reminder of their relative stations.

[Mulder, if she requires me to share with her, she’s is going to find out anyway…] Scully began.

[Why not just share then. Maybe she will keep it quiet that way, if she understands why we want to…] he responded.

[Mulder, I’m pretty sure that what she knows, he knows. You know?] she thought.

“It’s ok with me, Scully.”

Scully stood up and stood before Janette expectantly.

Janette divined Scully’s purpose and asked, “Would you like to do this in private?”

Scully shrugged. “What I know, Mulder knows. I assume the same is true for you and Duncan?”

Janette smiled and stood, drawing the smaller woman into her arms.

Scully bared her throat; as the younger sibling she would play the submissive part.

Janette hadn’t shared with a sibling in a long time, and Dana was very beautiful. She felt her arousal quicken at the thought of taking this one and showing her some of the more pleasurable aspects of belonging to a vampire family. She hoped Duncan wouldn’t be too put off by this, but he would have to accustom himself to sharing her with her family. She licked at Scully’s jugular to make it stand out more prominently, eliciting a shiver of excitement from her just before she struck, sinking her fangs deep into her younger sister.

Scully had to restrain herself from jerking back at the shock of feeling Janette’s warm tongue on her neck. She was embarrassed by the arousal she was feeling from this woman, and by the fact that Mulder was feeling her response. She sighed as she felt the sting of Janette’s fangs in her throat. She responded by driving her own into the ivory smoothness of her neck.

Mulder almost embarrassed himself by groaning out loud. Probably the most erotic sight he had ever beheld was right in front of him. Plus, he could feel everything Scully was feeling, it was almost as if he was in the bloodkiss along with her.

Duncan would have seen Mulder’s eyes turn and his fangs drop if he had been able to tear his eyes away from the vision before him. He felt himself stiffening in his slacks and hoped that Janette would forgive his inherently male response to her behavior. He thought that this was probably normal behavior among vampire siblings, and didn’t necessarily have a sexual connotation, but to him it was like watching two beautiful women kissing and fondling one another. He didn’t know a heterosexual male who could realistically claim not to be turned on by such a sight. He hoped he would be able to keep himself from dragging her off to the bedroom the moment she released Dana.

Scully was again overwhelmed by the intensity of sharing with such an ancient vampire, though she could feel Janette’s humor at being described as ancient. “One millennium is not ancient, Dana” she heard Janette think. Scully saw the events surrounding her meeting Duncan MacLeod, felt the deep emotion she had for him. She also flashed back to Janette’s brief stint as a mortal, and the subsequent return to immortality- age and power intact. She felt Janette's feelings of betrayal for the way their master ignored her request, coupled with a secret relief that he had brought her back across regardless of her desires.

Janette was shocked to see that Dana had indeed only been turned the previous week. She felt a pang of sympathy at the events leading up to her conversion, and understood how it was that Nick came to be her master. She saw the changes in Nick and saw that he had brought Natalie across as well. She was astounded to see the depth of change in her brother/master. She would never have imagined that he would be willing return to the fold, as it were. “LaCroix must be so pleased,” she thought. She was amazed at the depth of the link Dana had with her lover and partner. She was also stunned by the changes he had gone through, while maintaining all of his human abilities. “You are correct to worry about the enforcers, Dana. Mulder’s conversion… if that is the correct term, should be kept hidden if at all possible,” she thought to Dana. “Duncan will have to know, though,” was her last thought to Dana as she broke the kiss.

Scully’s head was swimming, and her body was aroused to the point of pain. She needed Mulder, and she needed him right now!

Feeling her sister’s need, as well as her own arousal, she whispered, “You may use that room; gesturing toward the bedroom behind her. She then released her hold on Scully and grabbed MacLeod’s hand- dragging him toward the other bedroom.

Mulder heard the whisper and lunged forward, tackling Scully into the loveseat, bowling it over just as MacLeod stood up out of it, pulled by Janette. Again, Mac missed the sight of Mulder displaying his vampiric abilities. If he hadn’t had his eyes glued to Janette’s retreating form as she pulled him toward the bedroom, he would have noticed that the other two never hit the floor on the other side of the loveseat, but rather flew across the room and into the bedroom, staying about 3 feet off of the floor the whole way. Although, as lust-filled as his mind was at that moment, even that might not have been enough to move his thoughts away from getting himself buried inside Janette as soon as humanly possible.

Janette’s lust was such that they ended up having sex fully dressed. She unzipped MacLeod’s fly and pulled out his member while he slid her dress up around her hips and pulled her panties aside just enough to slide home. He was already inside her when they fell onto the bed and within moments he was pounding himself into her as if to drive her through the mattress. It took less than two minutes before her fangs were in his throat and they were wrapped in simultaneous orgasm. Janette once again licked him clean and put him away while waiting for him to revive.

She was still wrapped in the warm glow of the bloodkiss, reveling in the depth of feeling and caring that were communicated between them during those moments, when he ‘awoke.’

After the standard moment to recover from yet another ‘death,’ MacLeod turned to look upon the face of his beloved. “Thank God for the bloodkiss,” he said as he reached toward her and stroked her lips with his thumb.

“It is one of the very best things about being a vampire, I think,” Janette said.

“There are no words that could adequately convey to you just how much I love you, Janette. But I know you can feel it in the bloodkiss- because I feel your love for me,” he said.

Janette looked at her lover, his eyes dark with desire and shining with unshed tears, and felt her heart give an extra beat. “After they leave, you and I need to talk, Duncan.”

Normally when a woman said that to a man, the man would be worried for the future of their relationship. Another benefit of the intimacy of the bloodkiss is that MacLeod felt not even a glimmer of nervousness. He knew their relationship was secure in that aspect. “What about?” he asked, never ceasing his gentle stroking of her cheek and lips as they lay facing one another on the bed.

“There may be a way to establish a more permanent… a continuous link between us,” she said. Seeing his eyes light up, she hastened to add, “There would be side effects, and even some risk. It is something I saw in the kiss with Dana.”

Duncan tried to calm the feeling of overwhelming eagerness that he felt at the thought. “I can hardly wait for that discussion, Lassie,” he whispered.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Janette and MacLeod had moved back to the living room of the suite and were each enjoying a beverage- Mac from the room’s minibar, and Janette from her own stock which she had brought from the Corbeau- when Mulder and Scully came stumbling back into the room. They were both giddy and acting just slightly tipsy as they made their way back to the couch, arm in arm.

“Sorry about that,” Mulder said- not looking the slightest bit apologetic. “Scully gets… needy.”

“Hey!” Scully shouted, slapping Mulder on the chest. “That’s not true!” she said in mock indignation.

Mulder just stared at her, one eyebrow raised and a goofy grin on his face, for several moments.

Scully’s shoulders dropped and she sighed dramatically, “Ok, ok,” she capitulated. Turning toward Mac and Janette she crinkled her nose and whispered conspiratorially, “It’s true, I do.”

Mulder pulled her into his chest and nuzzled her hair, saying, “Hey gorgeous, that was not a complaint, just an observation.”

Changing the subject completely, Scully bounced excitedly and said, “Hey Mulder! Are you going to ask Duncan…”

As thought just remembering himself, Mulder said “Oh yeah!” Turning toward Mac and Janette again, he asked, “Does your offer of training still stand? I’d like to take you up on it, if it does.”

“Well, yes it still stands,” MacLeod answered. “However, it would appear that I am going to be moving to upstate New York just as soon as I can make arrangements to do so. It might be after the holidays before I can dedicate myself to your training.”

Mulder and Scully looked unconcerned, and MacLeod thought they might not be taking things seriously enough. “This is a dangerous time for you, Agent Mulder. You might not meet up with another immortal immediately, but if you did, you would be unable to defend yourself! Not all of us are good people- there are many who would just as soon take your head as look at you.”

“I know that MacLeod. I met one just the other day,” Mulder answered.

Duncan sat back in the couch and whispered, “The diner. That was you?”

“How did…” Mulder began.

“Methos saw the quickening from the hotel room you loaned him. By the time we got there you were gone, but we found the blood and a sword.” MacLeod looked into Mulder’s eyes, “Who was he? How did you beat him? Where did you get a sword?” he finished shaking his head, realizing just how many questions he had.

Mulder looked at his lover, [How much should we tell him?]

[Janette said that we have to tell him, plus she knows everything already,] Scully answered silently.

Mulder just nodded. Turning back to MacLeod he said, “Janette can tell you about the changes, and what that means to the two of you.” Seeing MacLeod’s confusion he added, “Suffice it to say that I can take care of myself… I just want to know more about who we are… and I don’t want to have to rely on ‘special abilities’ every time I meet an immortal who thinks that I would look better if I were a foot shorter.”

He smiled broadly at MacLeod and stood up, bringing Scully up with him. “We are going to go back to DC and close out some things there…” he began.

“Resign from the FBI…” Scully continued.

“Sublet our apartments…”

“Put our things in storage…”

“Spend Christmas with Scully’s Mom…”

“Then come back here for Nick and Nat’s wedding at the end of the month,” Scully finished.

Mulder said, “If you are still willing, we will then find a place near wherever you are and we can begin training. If you change your mind, maybe you can give me a lead on someone else to train me.”

Scully looked at Janette and said, “Will you be going to the Raven tonight?” at Janette’s hesitation she added, “You know I can’t keep anything from Nick or LaCroix if they want to share blood with me.”

Janette stood, along with Duncan. “Of course. You may tell them that Duncan and I will be there in a few hours. We need to see his friend, and make sure he survived his contest in any case.”

Duncan stuck his hand out to Mulder and said, “We will see you later tonight then.”

Mulder shook his hand with a wry smile, knowing that MacLeod was in for a surprise when Janette told him everything that was going on. “Yes, tonight.” Turning to Janette he gave a half-bow. “It was an honor to meet you, elder. Thank you for… everything,” he said, indicating the bedroom with a tilt of his head and a small grin.

Janette smiled widely and said, “Of course. It was wonderful to meet you both.” Moving to Scully she hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, I will look forward to spending time with you while the ‘boys’ play with their swords. We can shop!”

Mulder laughed out loud, hearing the comment through their link, and thinking to Scully, [Oh, no! sister’s shopping- just remember, I’m not that rich!]

Scully just chuckled at both comments. “Thank you for your hospitality, Janette, Duncan. We will see you tonight.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Tracy Vetter’s Apartment

8:30pm Saturday

Tracy woke up hungry. She extricated herself from Vachon’s arms and went to the pack he had brought in with him the previous night. She quickly drained one of the four bottles she found therein, and started a second one as she returned to the couch in the living room.

She sat and stared at Vachon who was still asleep on the floor before her. She remembered the events of the night before. She was amazed to discover that they had slept almost 24 hours straight. “Good thing for vampire constitution or I would be almost crippled from lying in the floor that long,” she thought.

She was still amazed at the depth of Vachon’s love for her; she had used him last night- taking out her rage on him, drowning him in the tears of her sorrow- but he took it all with a tender smile and a loving touch. She was so in love with this man, she knew she would never be able to adequately express it. She hoped that he felt it in the bloodkiss, like she felt his love and passion for her. She remembered their conversation about appearances in community gatherings- his hesitancy to bring it up and his statement that he would never treat her like a slave, never discipline her physically.

She wondered why she suddenly felt a wave of disappointment at that thought. She was happy when he had said it, even though she had later extracted a promise from him to do whatever it took to keep them alive and together. She wondered now at the stirrings of arousal she was feeling at the memory- “Beat me or bleed me,” she had said. She decided to table that thought for the moment. Right now, she wanted to crawl into his arms and remind him just how grateful she was for last night, how grateful she was just to belong to him.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Vachon had gone to sleep, finally, after several hours of holding his beloved in his arms and feeing the sorrow and pain of her life- so evident in the final bloodkiss before she had finally passed out. He had felt angry that her father had been so cold and callous to her; he had felt her pain as though it was his own. Now he was slowly awakening to the joy that came from having Tracy for a childé.

He looked down his torso to see his childé on her knees, bowed as if in supplication before his erect member. She was gently licking and kissing its length, while her hands were on his balls, gently stroking and pulling on them. It was as if she were paying obeisance to his cock- lavishing attention on him with no thought for her own pleasure. He was accustomed to her vigorously pumping on him, while driving herself towards orgasm as well. That didn’t seem to be the goal this morning.

“Tracy, come up here,” he whispered, indicating that she should mount him.

Tracy shook her head, “Javier, let me do this for you,” she said between kisses and licks. “I am the luckiest vampire in the world to have you for a master. Let me show you how delighted I am,” she pleaded, not stopping her ministrations, but slowing, almost pausing while awaiting his permission.

Vachon again thought that he didn’t know what he had done to deserve this much pleasure, but he would certainly allow her to continue if that is what she wanted.

Tracy smiled broadly when he nodded his head in consent. She said, “Last night, I needed you. I needed you to possess me, remind me that I belonged to you alone.” She paused to take him into her mouth and slowly, inch by inch, slide him down her throat until her nose was pressed against his abdomen. She slowly bobbed her head up and down a few times and then, just as slowly as she swallowed him, she pulled up and off of him, her cheeks hollowing with the suction she applied. When his head came out with a resounding pop, she continued, “You did. And, this evening I wanted to show you how grateful I am.”

She continued her ministrations, switching between long slow strokes deep into her throat- with little bobbing movements at the base- and kissing and licking the head, paying special attention to the area just below and underneath the ridge of the head. She never put a hand on his cock, keeping them occupied on his balls, and stroking his perineum and anus.

Vachon thought he was going mad from the pleasure. His fingers were tearing into the carpet on the floor, and he it was all he could do to keep from grabbing her and throwing her to the floor so he could take her and drive himself into her- fast and deep. He could see that her nipples were painfully erect, and he could smell that she was dripping wet, and yet she didn’t touch herself. She just kept up this maddeningly slow pace. He felt as though he had been on the cusp of cumming for several minutes- he knew if she would just speed up even a little bit and let him bite her, he could cum; but she refused to do so- continuing to suck him hard and slow.

She felt his orgasm coming before he did, his balls tightening up against his body and the muscles under his perineum twitching. She slowly slid one hand up his torso, caressing his neck and then up to his mouth.

Vachon was desperately restraining himself from grabbing Tracy’s hand and bringing it to his mouth for the bite he needed. He was trying to let her guide this session, not sure what her plan was, but wanting to find out. When she moved her hand across his body to his neck and chin, he couldn’t wait any longer. He bit into he heel of her hand like it was a ripe peach, sucking the blood noisily. As soon as the blood hit the back of his throat, he came extremely hard, filling his lover’s mouth.

Tracy had her lips locked around the head of Vachon’s cock, her cheeks hollowed with suction, waiting for him to cum. Instead of swallowing it, she allowed it to fill her mouth, stream after stream, until her mouth was nearly full.

Vachon came down from his orgasm and released his childé’s hand, licking the bite until it ceased bleeding. When he looked down at her face she released his cock with a slight popping sound, causing a shiver to race up his spine. She then showed him the load that he had deposited in her mouth, and slowly let it drizzle down her throat, her mouth open the entire time so he could see it disappear. It was one of the most erotic things he had ever seen.

Tracy smiled as her master groaned at the sight of her swallowing his cum. She still felt an ache in her chest from the overwhelming desire to pleasure him, to show him how much she loved him and needed him. She dragged her nipples across his abdomen and up his chest as she laid herself out on top of his supine form. She brought her head up till her mouth was at his ear, “Good evening, my master. You must be thirsty. Drink me,” she said before offering her throat to his mouth.

Vachon was slightly taken aback; Tracy seemed to be in a somewhat strange mood this evening. He took her up on her offer, hoping the bloodkiss would show him what he needed to know. He gently sank his fangs into the ivory column before him and drank deeply of her.

Tracy resisted the urge to bite him, knowing that he would allow it, but wanting to nourish her master. She would replenish herself from the bottled blood he had brought.

Vachon drank long and deep, digging down into Tracy’s psyche, looking for the answer to his question. He found his answer at the same time he realized that she had not bitten him in return- she was intending to provide his breakfast from herself, rather than the bottles he had brought for that purpose. He was touched by this act of sacrifice and devotion his childé was displaying. He was also a little taken aback at the reason behind this evenings actions; Tracy was giving herself to him as a gift. She was making herself his reward for what she felt was the blessing he had bestowed on her- making her his childé. Subconsciously, Tracy wanted to be dominated. She needed for him to take her, to show her that he owned her. She wanted to show that she belonged to him.

He had sensed this need to be possessed in her subconscious. She felt it- knew she needed something but didn’t know what it was. This was going to require some serious thought- he had never really played D/s games before, and he had the impression that it wasn’t just a game Tracy was thinking of- she wasn’t even thinking in those terms, she hadn’t actually put words to the feelings she was having. Tracy needed to be dominated, but hadn’t fully realized yet it herself.

For now he would leave the subject alone. He would need to talk to someone and find out what he needed to do about this. He wanted to be anything she needed him to be for her. Right now, he needed to feed her and get her, and her stuff, back to the church. They were expected at the Raven in a couple of hours.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Nick’s Loft

8:30pm Saturday

Mulder and Scully arrived at the loft to find Nick and Nat cuddling on the couch, staring at the fire. Natalie looked slightly disheveled, her eyes and face slack with recent pleasure. Nick looked like the cat who ate the cream; unable to wipe the smug grin off of his face. The scent of sex and blood was heavy in the air.

They had left the loft just after sunset, before Nick and Nat had gotten up for the day, and it seemed that the two had made good use of their “empty nest.”

The smell hanging in the air of the room was too much for Scully, she thought to Mulder, [Upstairs Mulder. Now!]

Mulder was glad that she was able to restrain herself long enough to get upstairs while still clothed. He blurted out, “Uh, hey guys… We’re going to go… freshen up. We’ll be back down in a minute, Ok?”

Nick and Nat both smirked at the two as they went up the stairs. Natalie, still basking in the afterglow of another psyche-shattering ‘torture-gasm,’ as she was coming to think of them, was extremely emboldened and shouted after them, “Before or after you screw each-other’s brains out?”

Nick broke out into laughter as they heard the slightly embarrassed reply, “Uh, after,” that Mulder tossed over his shoulder just before Scully yanked him into their bedroom.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Natalie sank back into Nick’s chest and once again looked into the flickering flames of the fireplace. Feeling a vague sense of disquiet emanating from her lover she said, “Penny for your thoughts, Nick?”

Nick buried his face into the wavy mass of brunette hair against his chest and hugged his lover tightly to him. He gently sighed and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. “I worry about Dana,” he said quietly.

After a moment with no further elucidation, Natalie turned herself in his arms until she was sitting sideways in his lap so that she could look at his face. “What is it Nick?” she asked.

Nick wasn’t sure what he thought, exactly. Or, perhaps it would be more true to say that he did know what he thought, but not how to explain it, or even if his concerns were justified. Finally he asked, “What does Dana’s behavior remind you of, Nat?”

Natalie believed that she knew where Nick was going with this; she too had thought about Dana’s seeming addiction to Mulder’s blood and body. She was less concerned though. “You mean the way she acts when she hasn’t had a dose of Mulder recently?”

Nick nodded his head, “Exactly! It’s like she is an…”

“Nick,” Natalie interrupted. “You are looking at it from one viewpoint only- a cop’s view. Instead of picturing a junkie- think of the way a vampire acts when they’re hungry for blood, and think of the way you act when you’re affected by strong emotion.”

Nick’s brow wrinkled at Natalie’s words, “What do you mean, Nat?”

Natalie gently stroked his cheek and sought out eye-contact before continuing, “Nick, how many times did I come over here to find your refrigerator door yanked off of its hinges, and broken bottles all over the place? Isn’t that the behavior of an addict?”

Nick shifted uncomfortably, “Nat, that’s…” he began before trailing off; knowing that what he was about to say was thin rationalization at best.

Natalie finished his statement for him, “Different? Is it Nick?” she didn’t let go his gaze until he answered her.

“No. I suppose it isn’t that different at all.”

“I think the only difference is, that her actions are the result of overwhelming positive emotion, rather than negative.”

Nick acknowledged the truth of what Natalie was implying, “You’re right, Nat. It isn’t like a drug addiction, but it isn’t entirely the same as the bloodlust either. It seems to have a physical component independent of their emotional bond.”

“How do you mean?” Natalie asked.

“Remember how she was when Mulder was out to breakfast? She wasn’t even consciously aware that her body was suffering from withdrawal symptoms.”

Now it was Natalie's turn to crinkle her brow.

Nick continued before Natalie could comment, “And remember how she described the feeling- as a ‘yawning chasm of emptiness’. That’s the way heroin addicts describe their feelings when they need another dose.”

Natalie didn’t have any response to that.

Nick kissed his lover’s forehead and said, “I’m not saying that there is a problem. I don’t know if this is a bad thing or not. I do know that it is something I have never seen or experienced before and I am concerned for the well-being of my childé. That’s all.”

Changing the subject, Natalie asked, “How do you feel about all of these childér you have suddenly?” At his questioning look she elucidated, “You went from one estranged childé for the last eighty years, whose existence you regretted, to where you are now; four childér, two who are less than a week old, one who is also your sister- your older sister- and is also estranged, along with the original estranged childé.”

Nick chuckled. “I don’t think Serena ever counted as my childé, Nat. I never trained her; I never shared blood with her. She was a mistake, a victim of my misunderstanding.”

Natalie frowned, “Ah, ah, ah! No angsting allowed tonight Nick,” she said, not wanting her lover to start brooding. “And what about Janette?” she asked with brows raised.

Nick smiled down at Natalie, recognizing her attempt to lighten his mood. “Jealous, Nat?”

Natalie slid her hand up into his hair behind his ear as she said, “Hmmm, not any more.” Then she grabbed the hair on the back of his head in her fist and growled, only half in jest, “You’re mine now buster. Don’t forget it!”

Nick smiled gently at his love’s growl and answered, “I will never forget it, Natalie.” He then leaned down and kissed her thoroughly.

Natalie broke the kiss after several moments. “Mmm, nice! But, you’re avoiding the question Nick.”

Nick sighed heavily. “I can’t think of Janette as my childé, even though I guess she is, technically. In my mind she’ll always belong to LaCroix, and I’ll always think of her as a sibling.”

“Will she ever forgive you, do you think, for bringing her back across?” Natalie asked wistfully as she snuggled into his chest- just a little sad for her lover’s sake. She truly was no longer jealous of Janette. She was entirely secure in her relationship now- thanks to the bloodkiss and the revelation of Nick’s undying love that it brought. She was sad for Nick that Janette would hate him. She knew he loved Janette deeply- though in a different way than he loved her- and that he missed her presence in his life. She too looked forward to the day when she might become friends with the older vampiress, whether she was sister or aunt, she would be family.

Nick was glad that Natalie was secure enough to ask about Janette without any resentment or distrust. Even though she would never be his lover again, he still loved Janette. “Someday, Nat. She did have a choice, after all. She could have gone into the light and died just the same as if I hadn’t bitten her.”

Both of them turned as they heard Scully say, “Someday may be sooner than you think, Nick.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

When they got up to the room, Scully suddenly stopped and turned on the bemused Mulder.

Mulder, feeling the hesitation and disquiet emanating from her, gently asked, “What is it, Scully?”

“I… I feel so… so… I don’t know Mulder; out of control I guess?” she stuttered.

Mulder captured her face in his hands and drew her up to meet his eyes, “And that frightens you?”

[A little, bit?] she thought.

“Scully, you know that I love you. You are, literally, a part of me. You initiate this, but don’t think for a moment that I don’t need it just as badly as you do.” He answered. [Frankly, I don’t care if that makes me a freak or not, Scully.]

Scully was startled at his thought, “I never thought of you as a freak, Mulder!”

[No, but you were starting to think of yourself that way, weren’t you?]

Scully just hung her head, realizing that that was exactly what was scaring her. She thought she was becoming some kind of freak, laughable as that description might be given their current circumstances.

Mulder pulled her tightly to his body, squeezing her as hard as he could, knowing it wouldn’t hurt her. “Scully, to the world we are freaks, and we have been for years. Now it’s just more pronounced.” [This thing we have between us? It’s worth it. It is worth anything Scully.]

Scully whispered into Mulder’s chest, “You’re right, Mulder. It is worth the price.”

Her anxiety forgotten for the moment, she threw him to the bed and proceeded to ravish him. Their joining was fast and furious, neither wanting to keep Nick and Nat waiting too long for the somewhat momentous news they had to share.

They put themselves back together and were exiting the bedroom just as Natalie asked Nick if he thought Janette would ever forgive him.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

“What do you mean by that?” Nick asked. How would Dana know anything about Janette beyond what she had seen in his blood?

“Where did you two take off to this evening?” Natalie asked at the same time.

Scully went to the fridge to get some more blood, and a couple of glasses- Nick and Nat already had theirs- while Mulder went over and took up residence on the chair. “Well,” Mulder began, “We had to pick up MacLeod from the airport for Pierson, since he was going to be busy.”

Scully was pouring the blood for herself and Mulder and added, “So we had to hurry out first thing.”

Mulder couldn’t resist needling her just a little, “Well… second thing maybe.”

She glared at Mulder for a moment before continuing, “Any way… We went to the airport and waited at the gate while the passengers debarked.”

“We waited while everyone left, but no MacLeod,” Mulder added.

Scully continued as she handed Mulder a glass and took up residence in his lap, “We were about to leave when I felt another vampire- a very old one.”

“At the same time I felt a quickening,” Mulder added. “Then MacLeod came off out of the jet way; but he wasn’t alone.”

“Are you saying that MacLeod was with a vampire?” Nick asked, looking back and forth between the two on the chair. “Did he know…”

“Oh yeah,” Scully said. “It seems that MacLeod found himself a lady friend while he was away.”

Natalie was bewildered. “MacLeod picked up a vampire girl, and brought her back with him? Why?” she asked.

Mulder and Scully both smiled tenderly at that question. It was Mulder who answered, “They are in love, Nat.”

Nick almost choked at that. “Love!? What? How? What?” he sputtered.

Mulder smiled a secret smile as he said- in a bad British accent, “Three very good questions.”

Scully hiccupped a laugh at that, dribbling a little of the bloodwine down her chin.

Mulder continued as though nothing had happened, “It gets better.” [You go ahead, Scully. I know you are dying to tell him,] he thought to his lover.

“I got to meet our sister, Nat,” Scully said as she wiped the spilled bloodwine onto her fingers and then licked them clean.

Nick felt himself get a little light-headed. He carefully set down his glass, as he thought he might spill it at any moment.

Natalie was a little behind the curve and said, “MacLeod is involved with Serena?”

Nick whispered, “No, Nat. Not Serena.”

“Oh my Goodness! You mean Janette is back?” Natalie gasped.

Looking into Scully’s eyes, Nick asked, “Is she still…”

Scully’s smile grew wide, “No. She isn’t mad at you Nick.”

“How can you be sure?” Natalie asked. She didn’t want brood-boy making a reappearance.

“We shared blood,” was Scully’s answer. “So, I can be certain that she and MacLeod are really and truly in love- strange as that seems” she said, answering the next question she saw forming on Nick’s lips. “And, I can be certain that she no longer holds a grudge against you, Nick. In fact, she was happy to hear of your ‘return to the fold’ as it were.”

“Would you…” Nick started to ask, but hesitated, looking at Mulder.

Mulder instantly knew what Nick was asking for, and felt a momentary pang of jealousy, but it was gone as soon as it started. He too was secure in his relationship, and he knew that this was common among vampire families. [It’s ok Scully. I don’t mind,] he thought to her, feeling her concern for him warring with her inherent desire to share with her master. [Just so long as he keeps his hands off of your Ass!] he added, jokingly.

Scully stood up. “You don’t have to ask, Nick. You did bring me across,” she said.

Nick simply said, “You’re right, I don’t have to ask.” He was reminding her that there might be times when he would make demands, but this wasn’t one of them.

Mulder knew it was a good thing that he could feel Scully’s feelings, and vice versa. He didn’t for a moment believe that he would have survived all of these changes without that. For example this; another man was about to bite his love on her neck and suck her blood. Despite knowing and feeling that this was not a threat to him, or to their relationship, there was that niggling little bit, that tiny smidgen of jealousy that wanted to rear it’s ugly head.

[Gee, Mulder. Where was that jealousy when it was Janette sucking on my neck?] Scully asked her lover with a knowing smirk.

[Ok, so I’m a pig,] he replied. [But, it was just a little, little, tiny bit of jealousy. Vestigial, really.]

[Mm-Hmm, and the lust you felt when it was Janette’s teeth in my throat?]

Mulder smiled sheepishly, [Ok, that was bigger, I admit.]

Scully didn’t have time to answer as Nick drove his fangs into her neck at that moment. She returned the bite and shared with him her experience with Janette. In return, she saw his memories since waking up that afternoon. “And you worried about my appetite?” she thought to Nick as they broke the link.

Scully tried to resist, but finally gave in to the laughter that was burbling up in her throat. “My Goodness, Natalie,” she choked out as she wiped the bloodtears from her eyes. “I can see the piano and the dining room table, but the Kitchen Sink?”

Mulder joined his mate in laughter, while Nick just looked unbearably smug. Natalie almost managed to flush with embarrassment, while fighting her own grin at the memories. She collected herself long enough to say, “We need to get ready. We’re supposed to be on our way to the Raven soon.

With that, she grabbed Nick’s hand and they went upstairs.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Sheraton Gateway Hotel

9:30 p.m. Sunday

After walking Mulder and Scully to the door, MacLeod returned to the love seat and sat down next to Janette, facing her. “Now then, lass. Tell me about this link that you saw in Dana.

Janette grasped MacLeod’s hand and brought it to her lips for a moment before speaking. “Dana and her lover share a bond… very much like the bloodkiss, but it exists all the time.”

Mac raised his eyebrows at that

“It is not entirely as intense; they feel each other’s feelings and hear each other’s spoken thoughts, but don’t experience each other’s memories,” she continued. “If they concentrate, they can see and hear what the other is seeing and hearing, but it doesn’t seem to intrude.”

Mac sat back and whispered, “Incredible!” as he considered the implications. Remembering what else Janette had mentioned, he asked, “What side effects? Was that what Mulder was referring to when he mentioned ‘special abilities’?”

Janette nodded her head

MacLeod suddenly stiffened; inhaling sharply, he asked, “Is he a vampire?”

Janette smiled at the combined fear and excitement in her lover’s voice. “Non, Mon Cour, he is not. However, he does have some… actually many of our abilities- apparently with none of our weaknesses.”

Mac frowned lightly as he reached back to his lover’s cheek, stroking softly.

Janette hummed with pleasure as she leaned into his gentle caress. “Hmmmm… you know; sunlight, garlic…” she said quietly.

“Does he drink blood?” MacLeod asked neutrally.

Janette smiled at the absence of tone to MacLeod’s voice. Recognizing that he might have some qualms about drinking blood, even though he had none about her consuming his own. “From a bottle? Yes, though not exclusively. He can, and apparently does, still eat solid food.”

MacLeod raised a single eyebrow, “And… from other than a bottle?” he prodded gently.

Janette smiled even more widely, turning her face to kiss the palm of his hand. She turned back and looked directly into his eyes. “It is the sharing of blood with Dana that has created the link.” She waited to see his response.

MacLeod had shuddered lightly at the thought of drinking a bottle of blood. Now he imagined himself drinking from Janette. Sharing blood with her as he had seen her do with Dana. The mental image of that bloodkiss, combined with the thought of drinking in the life of his lover, caused him to stiffen in his pants with desire.

Janette witnessed his eyes dilate, heard the increased heart-rate, and saw the movement in his slacks. “Not an entirely unpleasant thought then?” she asked playfully.

“Not entirely,” he said- his attempt to remain cool failing somewhat when his voice broke on the second syllable. Considering what else she had said earlier, he asked, “What risks?”

Janette pulled slightly back and spoke seriously. “One is the unknown. Their link has grown from mild empathy to its present state in only a week. This has never happened before in our history- at least so far a I or even my master, my original master, knows.” She added, “I have no idea what this could become.”

“I hardly think that fear of the unknown should stop us from experiencing anything in life, beloved,” Mac said with a gentle smile. His smile dimmed somewhat as he said, “You said ‘one’, what is another?”

Janette smiled at that, knowing that he would be more distressed at the thought of this than any potential danger that might befall him personally- because it would affect her directly and immediately. “She has become dependant on his blood.” At his raised brow she clarified, “Physically dependent. She becomes discomfited if she goes very long with out it.”

MacLeod lost any trace of excitement and became grave. “I will not do anything that might hurt you, Love. I couldn’t live with myself,” he said with great feeling.

Janette’s eyes welled up at the depth of affection emanating from MacLeod. “Mon Cour, I agree that we may not want to rush into this without more thought. I also know that, even though they entered into this unknowingly, they wouldn’t give up what they have for anything.”

MacLeod hugged Janette tightly to his chest and whispered, “We’ll see, Love… We’ll see.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

The Raven

11pm Sunday

Tracy and Vachon arrived at the Raven hand-in-hand. Tracy was excited; she hadn’t actually spoken to her partner or Natalie since her conversion Thursday night. She wondered what Nick would have to say.

Vachon, for his part was still riding on the high of his time with Tracy. He had never in his wildest dreams, and there were some pretty amazing dreams that he had had about Tracy, imagined that she could be this responsive, this desirable. She was like a sweet confection and he couldn’t get enough of her. He was imagining all the things he wanted to try and do with, or more to the point, to her. He had never played with dominance and submission in a relationship, but he would be lying if he said it didn’t interest him. Tracy’s behavior that evening had aroused him to the extreme. He would have to find out all he could- but who to ask…

Vachon’s musings were interrupted when his childé tugged on his arm and directed his attention to the back of the club.

“Look, Vachon, there’s Nick. Can we go talk to him? I haven’t spoken to him since…” she trailed off, looking into his eyes hopefully.

Vachon said, “You go ahead. I’m going to find Urs. You two should meet, at least. You’re basically sisters now.” He drew her tightly to him and roughly kissed her, as though reassuring her that he wasn’t looking for his older childé for any other reason than what he had stated, while also reminding her that she belonged to him, alone. As though she needed any reminder!

Tracy would have felt breathless after the short but intense kiss- if she had needed to breathe in the first place. She was giddy as she practically skipped across the room to where Nick was seated with Natalie.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Nick and Natalie were watching, with no little amusement, Mulder and Scully out on the dance floor. Vampirism seemed to have shed most, if not all, of Scully’s inherent stoicism- as she was flinging herself about with abandon. One moment she was grinding herself against Mulder in a dance that was almost equivalent to actual intercourse, and the next jumping away from him to convulse her entire body to the high-speed Techno pumping out of the speakers.

Natalie was laughing at the look of astonishment on Mulder’s face while watching Scully dance. Astonishment, turning quickly to lust as she once again began to grind herself against him.

Nick was amused, but too keyed up to really get into it. He kept glancing over to the entrance, waiting impatiently for Janette to arrive.

Natalie finally got tired of Nick’s fidgeting and lack of attention span. Every time she made a comment or tried to start a conversation, Nick would stare at her blankly for a moment then ask, “What?” She was about to get up and drag him downstairs for a quickie- just to help settle him down- when Tracy came bouncing up to the table.

Nick was startled by Natalie’s sudden laughter and looked up to see Tracy staring down at him with a quizzical look on her face. “What?” he asked, confused by Tracy’s sudden appearance and questioning stare.

“I said, Hello Nick… twice,” Tracy answered. “What century were you in this time?”

Nick sputtered as Natalie’s laughter increased in volume.

Tracy turned to Natalie and said, “Gosh, Nat. Is it old age? In a century or two do you think our minds will start to go too?”

Nick was still a little lost and Natalie took his hand and patted it gently, as if dealing with a senile old man, “It’s ok, Nick.” Turning to Tracy she added, “You’ll have to forgive him, Trace. Nick’s sister is supposed to be here tonight, and he’s a little nervous about seeing her.” Noting Tracy’s change, she said, “I see you and Vachon came to a decision.”

Tracy smiled and said, “You too, huh?”

Natalie couldn’t hide her deep pleasure as she responded, “Oh yeah! So, is it everything you imagined it would be?”

Tracy said, “I don’t think I really knew what I was getting into, not fully- but I love it. I love Vachon so much!” Tracy’s grin grew puckish and she added, “The things he does to me…”

Natalie’s expression matched Tracy’s as she responded, “Tell me about it!”

Nick stood up, saying, “On that note, I think I’ll go see LaCroix.” He bent down and caught Natalie’s lips in a quick, but passionate kiss, and whispered, “Let me know…”

“Of course,” Natalie answered quietly. More loudly, and with a wicked grin she added, “Now shoo! I have some bragging to do here.”

Nick mock-shuddered and quickly walked away, not entirely comfortable with the thought of discussing his sexual prowess with his partner.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Mulder and Scully didn’t last more than 45 minutes on the dance floor until they lost control. Mulder had enough presence of mind to drag her to the back door and out into the alley before she began tearing off clothes. He quickly looked for witnesses and grabbed her to his chest, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist and her arms around his neck as he flew them up to the roof.

He had his zipper down and his cock out before they landed and it was but a moment before her panties were pushed aside and he was inside her.

Scully didn’t restrain her scream of pleasure as he sheathed himself into her in a single hard stroke. He hesitated for a moment, buried inside the love of his life and thinking in amazement, [I’m so lucky, Scully. I still can’t believe I get to do this with you!]

Scully thought [I Love you so much!] She began chanting out loud as he moved within her, “So Good… So Big… So Good… So Big…” over and over.

“Ohhhhhhh, here it comes, Scully!” Mulder shouted.

She sank her teeth into his neck just as he began to ejaculate. Mulder restrained himself, wanting to feel the drain; wanting to feel the onset of his own death.

Scully felt Mulder hold himself back from biting her, and began to feel him slipping away. His light-headedness, combined with the shared sensation of Scully’s orgasm prolonged his own. He continued to gush into her center, as his blood poured out down her throat. It was a new level of intensity for them both, and it didn’t stop until his heart did.

Scully withdrew her fangs as his legs buckled and his body collapsed to the rooftop. She licked him clean and put him away as she waited for him to wake up. “Oh, Mulder,” she thought. “”What you do to me…”

Several moments later Mulder woke up to find himself physically, mentally, and emotionally enveloped in the loving arms of his soul mate.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

LaCroix gave a disapproving glance to his son. “They are doing what on my roof?”

Nick sighed. He was sitting in his master’s office, enjoying a glass of bloodwine and relaying current events, when LaCroix mentioned that he would like to speak to Mulder again, following his successful daylight adventure. Nick had opened his link to Scully- and immediately shut it back down, sensing her current activities might be better left in private. He instead asked Natalie where the two might be, and she answered that she saw them leave through the back door. Nick expanded his senses, searching for his overly amorous childé; he sensed more of an ‘up’ direction than toward the back alley. Putting two and two together he regretfully informed his master that Mulder was, at that moment, otherwise occupied on the roof with his childé.

“I will have Natalie send him in when they come back down.” Seeing that LaCroix was not mollified, he added, “It seems that part of the bond Mulder and Dana share requires frequent… reinforcement. Physical reinforcement.”

LaCroix raised a brow at that, but remained silent for the moment.

Nick continued with the latest news, “It seems that Janette is back in town, Father.”

LaCroix was surprised to hear that, “Really. I would have thought that we would not see her for at least a decade. She seemed quite angry with you when she left.” He couldn’t resist needling Nick just a little bit.

Nick frowned slightly and fidgeted in his seat. “Yes. Well… I didn’t expect to see her for quite a while either. However, it would seem that she met someone. She apparently thinks she is in love,” he said with just the slightest bit of rancor.

LaCroix grinned ever so slightly at his son’s bitterness. “Jealous, Nicolas? The good doctor isn’t enough for you?”

Nick would no doubt have flown off the handle at that comment not too long ago, but he was happy for the first time in several centuries, and not even his master’s needling could get to him. “I’m not jealous LaCroix; I’m skeptical. She only met him a few days ago, yet she apparently thinks of him as the love of her life!” he shook his head disbelievingly.

LaCroix leaned back in his chair and asked, “And how is it that you know all of this? Have you spoken to her?” His question came out evenly, giving away nothing; he thought.

Nick raised a brow and teasingly asked, “Now who is jealous?” He quickly continued before LaCroix could comment, “No. I haven’t spoken with her, but Dana has.”

“Why would she seek out Dana?” LaCroix asked, confused. “How did she even know you had another childé?”

Nick smirked and let drop the other shoe, “She and Mulder went to the airport to pick up Duncan McLeod. He had traveled to Buffalo, NY, where he met and fell in love with…”

LaCroix sat up quickly in he chair, “Surely not…”

“Your darling daughter,” Nick finished with a barely concealed snicker.

LaCroix corrected him. “She is your daughter now, Nicolas, not mine,” he grumbled.

“In any case… I think there is something compelling about immortals to vampires. Look how essentially attached Dana has become.” Nick began.

LaCroix stood up, and began pacing. “Are you suggesting that Janette has become similarly attached? That she is sharing blood with this man?”

“No. She is feeding from him, but he is not drinking from her. She isn’t physically dependant on him like Dana is with Mulder. But how else could she have fallen so hard, so fast for him,” Nick questioned. Beginning to pace furiously back and forth, he expanded, “It’s more than just the blood though. They were drawn to each other at their first meeting…” he tapered off as he saw the incredulous look on LaCroix’s face. “She shared with Dana. Dana shared with me,” he explained.

LaCroix raised a single eyebrow, clearly indicating that there should be one more sharing in that chain.

Nick knew there would be no point in arguing. Secretly he wanted this, but he had resisted it out of habit. He unbuttoned his collar and walked into his master’s embrace.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Mulder and Scully returned to the table to find Nick gone, and Natalie sitting with Nick’s partner, Tracy. They were both smirking and giggling.

Scully was still bright-eyed and slightly disoriented from her coupling with Mulder- The post-coital euphoria took several minutes to wear off any more.

Natalie and Tracy each took in Scully’s appearance and scent, coupled with Mulder’s slightly smug grin, and burst out in laughter.

Scully shook her head slightly and asked, “What’s so funny?”

Natalie gave her a salacious grin and teased, “God, Dana! I thought you were going to rip his clothes off and take him right out there on the dance floor!”

Scully just smiled guilelessly and said, “I was going to, but he dragged me outside.” This, of course prompted even more laughter from Tracy and Nat.

Mulder tried to change the subject by asking, “What are you two up to? Did you run Nick off?”

Tracy answered with a broad smile, “Natalie was just telling me how Nick tied her up and screwed her until she screamed.”

Mulder blushed ever so slightly and stammered, “Uh, Scully? You want me to go get us something to drink?”

All three ladies laughed at that.

“Don’t worry, Mulder; Nick and Lucien want to see you anyway. They’re in the office.”

Mulder turned to Scully, but she pre-empted him, saying, “You go ahead and play with the boys, Mulder.” Turning to Nat and Tracy, she eagerly took a seat and demanded, “Tell me all about it!”

Mulder beat a hasty retreat toward LaCroix’s office.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Mulder had just finished recounting his activities since last speaking with LaCroix, when he noticed both Nick and LaCroix stiffen, and suddenly stand up. He was rising to his feet as well when the door to the office suddenly opened and Janette swept in.

“I see that you have gotten rid of those dreadful strippers, LaCroix,” she spoke into the dumfounded silence that greeted her.

Mulder recovered quickly, but wisely kept silent, merely bowing his head slightly in acknowledgement to her.

“Yes, well… they tended to attract a rather boorish crowd, unfortunately,” LaCroix replied- his sardonic tone spoiled by the barest hitch of emotion.

Janette smiled at LaCroix before turning to Mulder and saying, “I left Duncan at your table; however, rather than abandon him entirely to the clutches of your lady friends, might I impose on you to chaperone him?”

Mulder glanced at LaCroix and raised a brow; seeking permission to leave, which the Elder Vampire granted with the barest of nods. He wasted no time in, once again, beating a hasty retreat from what was no doubt going to be a rather uncomfortable situation. On his way out, he noted that Nick was still standing dumbfounded- rendered speechless by the presence of his sibling/childé.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Mulder made it out to the bar to find MacLeod speaking with Adam Pierson. “I thought that felt stronger than just MacLeod,” he mused to himself.

“Janette said that she left you with the ladies.” Mulder stated as he approached the two immortals.

MacLeod chucked and said, “Yes. Well fortunately, Adam here came in just in the Nick of time to save me.”

Adam laughed, “Do you know what those women were talking about? I don’t think I’ve ever seen MacLeod blush like that before.”

Mulder laughed as well, “Why do you think Nick and I were hiding out in LaCroix’s office?”

Adam and MacLeod laughed even harder at that.

“Everything went alright, then?” Mulder asked Adam.

“Yes. It’s over now,” he answered simply. “Time for me to get the hell out of Canada. I feel a serious need for sun, sand and surf in my immediate future.”

MacLeod frowned slightly, “I didn’t know you were a big beach fan, Adam.”

Mulder recognized Adam’s feelings right off. “You mean that you want to go somewhere where the night life’s a little quieter, right?” he said with a sympathetic smile.

Methos wanted to end the conversation as quickly as possible. He felt paranoid being in a room full of them. “Yeah, well look- thanks for coming up here Mac- I owe you one…”

MacLeod interrupted, still concerned about his friend’s reactions, and trying to lighten him up, “Actually, I owe you. I wouldn’t have met Janette if you hadn’t called me up here to watch your back.”

MacLeod had told Methos about Janette in the little bit that they had been speaking before Mulder came out. The thought of Mac letting this ‘woman’ feed off him- actually killing him, repeatedly… Frankly, it gave him cold shivers up and down his spine. He wanted to be happy for his friend who had been moping ever since Anne had left him, but he was just too wigged out. He didn’t want MacLeod to know- didn’t want things between them to again be like they were when Mac had discovered that Methos had been one of the Four Horsemen. All he could think about was getting out of Toronto and getting his head together about this whole Vampire issue.

He said, “How about we call it even, Mac.” He drained his drink and added, “Look, I’ll let you know when I figure out where I’m headed, Ok?” He stuck his hand out to Mulder and added, “Nice to meet you, and good luck with your training, alright?”

Mulder quietly shook Adam’s hand and let him make his escape.

MacLeod started to follow him when he felt Mulder's hand on his arm, restraining him.

Mulder said, “Let him go, MacLeod. He needs to deal with this alone.”

“How would you know what he needs?” MacLeod demanded.

“I didn’t need a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology to see that the whole idea of vampires being real was freaking him out,” Mulder responded. “But, hopefully, it gives me some credibility when I tell you that I know what I’m talking about.”

Momentarily diverted, Mac asked, “I thought you were a field agent.”

Mulder began to regale MacLeod with the tale of this career in the FBI.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

“Well, Nicolas. I see that things have changed significantly since I left, hmm?” Janette began, as she gracefully slid onto the couch along the wall of LaCroix’s office.

LaCroix chuckled and sat back into his chair behind the desk. “I didn’t imagine I would find you in Toronto for at least a decade, my dear. Usually you punish Nicolas with your absence for much longer than two years. What brings you back so soon?” He hastily added, “Not that I am displeased to see you again.”

Nick finally recovered sufficiently to take his seat, though he still had yet to speak.

“How could I stay away grand-père? I have heard that I now have two new siblings. When I last saw my dear Nicolas, he was seeking his own mortality, not taking it away from others,” she teased not entirely ungently. “What a momentous two years it must have been to change the beliefs and behavior of two centuries.”

Finally, Nick brought himself to speak. “Yes, well… not even two years. It has only been two weeks… less actually.” He laughed at himself as he added, “I guess I finally ‘pulled my head out,’ as Natalie would put it.”

“And how is my newest sister...” Janette began, as the three of them lapsed into catching up on the events that had transpired since they all last parted.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

It was well past two in the morning and once again, all the mortals had left and the club was officially closed for the night. Always in the past that had meant that only vampires populated the dance floor and bar. Tonight there was more than one incarnation of immortality in the mix of bodies moving to the pulse of the music.

LaCroix looked upon his family, now an extended family; joyful and content in their existence.

Vachon had Tracy grinding against his front, and Ursula writhing against his back on one part of the dance floor. Near them were Janette and MacLeod, lost in each other’s eyes as they moved to the beat. Nick was moving Natalie about the floor with all the grace and style that centuries of formal dance could teach. Mulder and Scully were on the other side of the floor from Vachon and his childér- it seemed that Scully didn’t exactly hit it off with Urs. He thought that he would have to look into that situation before too much later.

As he watched them he realize that this was what he had dreamed of for centuries- maybe not exactly as he had once hoped it would be, but not at all bad.

“Perhaps,” he admitted quietly to himself, “Even better.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Epilogue

Somewhere in Toronto

8 a.m. Monday December 18th

A man stood before a desk. There was a chair there, but he had not been invited to sit, and- given his failure to acquire what the man behind the desk wanted- he didn’t want to press his luck.

The man behind the desk looked with icy contempt at the flunky before him. “I gave you a simple assignment. I told you where they were staying, and what they were doing here in Toronto. All I asked it that you keep an eye on them and tell me where they were at all times.”

The man tried to defend himself, “They haven’t been there since the first day of the conference. They had someone else check them out of their rooms, and they haven’t been back. They missed their flight out of Toronto, and there is no record of them taking any other flight. There is no movement on their credit cards, they haven’t checked in to any other hotel or motel in the city. Their rental car hasn’t been turned in yet, so it is possible that they have driven out of town, but there is no record of them going through any checkpoint into the states, nor any hotel or flight records anywhere in Canada.”

The man behind the desk raised his voice only slightly, “Do you think you are telling me anything I don’t already know? If I wanted an explanation for your incompetence, I would have asked for one. The only thing I want from you is their present location. Until you have that, you have nothing I want.” He leaned forward slightly in his chair and said in a more normal tone of voice, “Now, I suggest you find out where they are. Do it quickly, or I will find someone else to replace you.” The threat of permanent replacement was unspoken, yet clearly communicated.

The man spun around on his heel and left the room.

Another man, older stepped out of the shadows in the corner of the room and sat before the desk. “Good help is hard to find, but if you keep killing them off, you’ll make it even harder.”

The man behind the desk was not amused. “You were supposed to be my backup. Your daughter is partnered with the ones who were chaperoning these two, and you are no more help to me than he was!” he growled, indicating the man who had just left the room.

“My daughter… has chosen this time for one of her inconvenient little ‘I’m a grown woman, quit trying to tell me how to run my life’ temper tantrums.”

The man behind the desk angrily crushed out his cigarette. “I’m not interested in your family problems, commissioner. If you cannot handle a simple request to keep an eye on two people, doing nothing more devious than attending a conference, then it may be time for us to re-evaluate your usefulness to the program as well,” he said smoothly as he removed a pack of Morleys from his coat and lit his next, drawing deeply and blowing the smoke into the commissioner’s face.

the end.