MORIAH:  Is Silence Really Golden?
By:  Joni Latham

	Lacroix stood quietly in the darkness of the Raven, staring 
intently at the fledgling vampire sitting before him.  When he agreed 
to help Nicolas train Johnny, he said it was because he saw the new 
vampire's potential and did not wish to unleash another untrained 
vampire on the world.  Moriah, his newest fledgling, possessed a 
certain sweetness and a certain sense of morality, but when 
provoked, she became very dangerous.  This new vampire had the 
same potential as Moriah.  Without proper training, he could meet 
the same fate as his brother, Billy -- destruction at the hands of the 
Enforcers.  Johnny's potential was the public reason he gave for 
training him, but his real reason was Moriah.
	Moriah was very fond of Johnny.  They became fast friends 
when she returned to Texas to escape Nick's torment a few years 
earlier.  They shared the same small Texas town background and 
friendly attitude.  While Lacroix was well aware that Johnny was in 
love with Moriah, he also knew that Moriah had no interest in 
Johnny or any male, vampire or human.  For some reason he had as 
yet to understand, she appeared to be totally devoted to him. 
Through her actions, she continually proved her love for the old 
vampire master.  Twice, at the risk of her own existence, she saved 
him from possible annihilation.  Even with the knowledge that she 
loved him well lodged in his brain, Lacroix still found the closeness 
between the fledglings brought a certain amount of jealousy to the 
surface.
	Even now as he trained the infant vampire, Lacroix tried to 
limit Moriah's contact with him.  He sent her to the apartment during 
the day and out into the city at night.  He realized that she was only 
humoring him when she agreed to his suggestions to leave.  He 
discovered early in their relationship that her personality was just 
as strong and obstinate as his.  It was this lack of fear of him that 
had drawn him to her in the first place.  That, and her obvious love 
for him, compelled him to always keep her near.  He knew that if 
she wanted to see Johnny, she would eventually see him.  For now, 
he was pleased that she did as he asked, and he did not have to force 
his will on her. That, no doubt, would come later.
	As he turned back to Johnny and the task at hand, he 
wondered what Moriah was doing upstairs in the apartment alone.  
"Pacing, no doubt," he thought.
	Lacroix knew his lady love well. Moriah was indeed pacing 
around in circles in their apartment above the Raven.  She hated 
being cooped up and cooped up she was until sunset.  Normally, she 
and Lacroix spent this time together in their apartment, but since 
Johnny's training began, she was being left alone more and more.  
Even though she knew that Lacroix would not stop her from joining 
them downstairs, she stayed away in deference to his feelings.  He 
had done so much for her over the years that she felt that she could 
do this little something for him.  Besides, once Johnny was trained 
and out on his own, she would have ample opportunities to visit 
him.  She cared for Johnny a great deal, but despite his feelings for 
her she was not in love with him.  Her heart belonged to Lacroix 
and had since the moment that she saw him in the Raven when she 
was still mortal.  She only wished that she could convince him that 
unlike his other fledglings, she was not going to leave him.  She 
loved him and was more than content to stay with him for all 
eternity.
	Glancing at the clock on the mantle, she noted that sunset 
was not due for another four hours.  Lacroix would be busy again 
that night with Johnny, and since Nick was on duty, she was left to 
devise her own entertainment again.  She and Natalie had not spent 
any time together since long before her last trip to Texas.  When 
Natalie mentioned that she had the night and next day off and wished 
to spend it with her, Moriah jumped at the chance to have some 
company.  They planned to meet for a movie and dinner, then spend 
the rest of the evening and part of the next day together.  "Four more 
hours," she thought.  "What am I going to do for four hours?"  
Television was out of the question.  Soaps and magazine shows did 
not appeal to her.  She had read almost every book in her and 
Lacroix's combined library.  After roaming around the apartment for 
another thirty minutes, she grew tired and curled up on her bed.
	Lacroix walked into the apartment and called her name but 
received no answer.  He wanted to say his goodnights before she 
left.  He thought it strange that she did not answer since the sun was 
just disappearing below the horizon.  Since she was not in the living 
room, he walked down the hallway to her bedroom where he found 
her still curled up on the bed.
	Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached his hand out to 
wake her but stopped.  When he watched her at rest, it was hard for 
him to remember that she was a vampire.  As he stared at him he 
thought about the night he brought her across.  He had not wanted to 
do it for fear of corrupting her innocence and beauty, but if he did 
not bring her across, he would have lost her to a rival vampire clan.  
He remembered a feeling of total relief sweep through him when she 
regained consciousness and gazed at him with the same sparkle in 
her eyes.  Except for being a little paler, she looked and acted 
exactly the same.
	He gently touched her cheek with the back of his hand, 
savoring its soft smoothness.  The emotions she stirred inside him 
were a bit overwhelming and frightening, but he would have had it 
no other way.  He leaned over and brushed her forehead with his 
lips, wishing that he could pick her up and transport them to a 
deserted castle in the middle of a dense Bavarian forest where they 
would be undisturbed for a very long time.  He pushed the thought 
aside to answer a reality call.  They both had to be somewhere else 
and with someone else at the moment, but that was to soon end.  
After drinking in her innocent beauty one more time, he placed his 
hands on her shoulders and gently shook them.
	His gentle shaking motion woke her.  "Moriah.  Moriah, 
Little One," he called softly.  "It is evening.  You will be late for 
your appointment with Dr. Lambert."
	It took Moriah a few moments to realize that she was not 
dreaming and that he was actually sitting on the bed shaking her.  
She slowly opened her eyes, hoping that she was not dreaming.  
"Hello, Stranger," she whispered, smiling.  "I was beginning to 
forget what you looked like."
	Leaning over her, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.  "We 
cannot have that now, can we?  I promise that we will be apart only 
be one more day.  By the end of next week, you will be glad to be 
rid of me."
	She shook her head.  "Never," she said, glancing down at her 
watch.  "You're right though.  I need to go.  Would you kiss me again 
and make it last me for the next twelve hours?"
	A smile spread across his face.  It was one of those smiles 
that lit up his face and was reserved only for her eyes.  No one else 
ever saw these smiles or any smiles from Lacroix, except ones of 
self-satisfaction.  Picking her up his arms, he held her close.  In 
response, she wrapped her arms around his neck and stared 
longingly into his eyes.  It had been so long since they had any time 
alone together.  His lips moved towards hers ever so slowly, almost 
teasing her.  When their lips finally met, he kissed her deeply, 
passionately, only stopping when their fangs appeared.
	Lacroix quickly stood up and set her on her feet.  "Now, go 
and have fun," he said, kissing her forehead.  Sighing softly, he 
added, "I must return to Johnny since Nicolas must work tonight."
	His sigh told Moriah all she needed to know.  He did not 
enjoy training Johnny any more than she enjoyed him being gone so 
much.  She stretched up and placed a kiss on his cheek then walked 
into the bathroom to change clothes, touch up her make-up, and 
brush her hair.
	When she stepped out of her bathroom, Lacroix was no 
longer in her room.  While she was busy in the bathroom, he 
decided to freshen up and grab a drink.  He hoped to return before 
she left for the evening.  He hated leaving her alone, but the sooner 
Johnny's training was finished the sooner he was out of his hair and 
away from Moriah.
	Once Moriah realized that he was not in the room, she 
shrugged her shoulders and pulled back the drapes and blinds on her 
window.  Unless she had a purpose for walking through the club 
downstairs, she liked to just step out the window.  Just as she was 
pushing the window open, he stepped back into her room.
	"Allow me," he offered, walking over to the window.  She 
stepped back out of the way and allowed him to push the window 
pane upwards.  As she floated up to the window sill, he remarked, 
"Have a pleasant evening with Dr. Lambert."
	"I will, Lucien," she replied, smiling.  "Will I see you when 
I return?"
	"Probably not.  But, it should be the last time.  Nicolas will 
take him back to his loft and complete the training himself.  I think 
that you are the last fledgling that I actually enjoyed training.  I do 
not believe that I would want to do it again for a long while."  He 
pushed her gently out the window.  "Now, go have some fun," he 
commented.  "One of us should."
	She floated just outside the window staring back at him.  
"Lucien, are you sure you want me to go?"
	He smiled softly.  "Yes, Little One.  Go."
	"All right, My Love," she said softly, floating slowly away 
from the window.
	He stood at the window, watching her until he could no 
longer see her.  Sighing, he closed the window and pulled the 
drapes, then turned and returned to the task of Johnny's training.
	Moriah flew through the night sky towards the Natalie's 
apartment.  She loved spending time with Natalie, but her company 
was really not what she desired tonight.  "Oh well," she thought.  
"Might as well make the best of the situation."  At least she would 
not have to spend the night alone; she would have Natalie with her.
	As she flew over the city, it dawned on her that Natalie and 
Nick were really the only friends that she had besides Lacroix.  If 
any of the three was busy, she spent much of her time alone or with 
the humans.  For some reason, that she did not yet understand, none 
of the other vampires would have much to do with her.  They were 
friendly enough, but that friendliness usually stayed within the 
confines of the Raven.  Other than Lacroix, Nick was her only 
companion from the vampire community.
	Landing in a blind alley across the street from Natalie's 
building, she straightened her hair and clothes before stepping out 
onto the sidewalk.  As she walked up the sidewalk to the corner, she 
spotted Natalie's silhouette running back and forth across her 
bedroom window.  "She must be running late," Moriah thought.  She 
decided to give her a few extra minutes to dress and continued 
walking up the sidewalk.  After walking several blocks up, she 
crossed the street and walked back towards Natalie's building.
	She stood outside the building entrance a few more minutes 
watching the people walk past her.  Being a woman standing alone 
on the sidewalk at night, she elicited quite a few stares and several 
rather rude comments.  Neither the stares nor the comments phased 
her.  She chuckled softly to herself; if they only knew what she was.  
Human men were of no danger to her.  In fact, she was accustomed 
to being stalked by male vampires who were considerably more 
dangerous.  Lacroix told her that they were attracted to the light that 
burned within her.  She did not know whether it was true or not, but 
she did know that she had been pushed into protecting herself many 
times.  Fighting was not one of her favorite pastimes, but she had 
become quite adept at it.  She was small and fast so she was able to 
tire her adversary before they could capture her.  Most of the time 
though, Lacroix appeared out of the darkness to defend her.  She 
wished sometimes that he would allow her to handle the situation 
herself.  She realized that he would not always be there to protect 
her and that she needed to become proficient at protecting herself.  
Shaking her head to clear thoughts of Lacroix and the other 
vampires, she decided that it was time to pick up Natalie for the 
evening.
	Moriah stepped into the foyer and pressed the call button to 
Natalie's apartment.  There was a crackling sound and a low 
whistling, then she heard Natalie's voice.  "Moriah, is that you?  
Please say it is.  I need help with my dress."
	Moriah could not help giggling.  "Yes, Natalie.  It's me," she 
answered, holding the call button down to open the connection.  "I'll 
be right up."
	The buzzer sounded, indicating that Natalie had pressed the 
release button to allow her entrance to the stairwell that led up to 
the apartments.  Pushing the door open, she walked up the stairs to 
the third floor.
	Natalie met her in the hallway.  "Moriah!" she cried, tugging 
on the back of her dress.  "I'm trapped in this stupid thing.  Get me 
out!"
	"Come on," Moriah laughed as she pushed Natalie back into 
her apartment.  "Let's see what I can do."
	After pushing the door shut with her foot, Moriah examined 
the back of Natalie's dress to find that the zipper had jammed half-
way up the material.  In her frenzy to free herself from the dress, 
Natalie broke some of the zipper teeth, causing the zipper to open up 
from the bottom.  Moriah informed her that she would have her out 
of the dress in a moment, but after she was free, a new zipper would 
have to be installed.  After Natalie assured her that the zipper was 
already ruined and it did not matter, she grabbed both sides of the 
zipper and gave a small tug.  The zipper gave way easily under her 
grip, and Natalie immediately stepped out of the dress.  Holding the 
mess of a dress in front of her, Natalie surveyed the damage and 
sighed.  It was the first time that she had worn the dress.  She could 
not believe that they used such a cheap zipper in such an expensive 
dress.  Maybe she would just return it tomorrow, but for the moment 
she was ready to have some fun.
	She dropped the dress in a nearby chair, then turned to 
Moriah.  "Thank you," she remarked, smiling.  "I just barely felt you 
tug on the zipper while I have been jerking on it for half an hour 
now.  Must be nice to have such strength"
	Moriah smiled.  "It has its advantages, but it can also be a 
real pain, especially if you don't pay attention to what you're doing."
	"Just the same, I bet the advantages outweigh the 
disadvantages," Natalie commented, stepping towards her bedroom 
door.  "I'll be right out, then we can leave."
	While Natalie was busy in the other room, Moriah walked 
over to the window.  Drawing the sheer panel aside, she looked out 
onto the street below where throngs of people were walking up and 
down the sidewalk.  As she leaned against the window frame, 
carefully watching the people milling around, she thought about 
Natalie and their relationship.  She loved her and loved spending 
time with her, but she longed to have some vampire friends, other 
than Nick.  Unless Natalie was brought across, she would eventually 
lose her to human death.  Moriah was not above bringing her across, 
but she chose to leave that option and duty to Nick unless drastic 
measures demanded otherwise.  It was Natalie's approaching 
mortality that caused Moriah to find herself thinking more and more 
about her vampire sister, Janette.
	The opportunity to meet Janette had not arisen yet, but over 
the years she had heard many stories about her.  It seemed that 
Janette figured prominently into most of Nick's and Lacroix's stories 
of their past adventures.  From what she had been told, Janette was 
a little older than Nick and that Lacroix had used her to lure Nick 
into his fold.   She also heard that she and Nick had lived as 
husband and wife for almost one hundred years.  She thought that she 
would like Janette but was not sure if Janette would like her.  
Maybe, being family she would accept her and treat her as Nick did.  
She hoped so, because she thought that it would be nice to have a 
female vampire's opinion occasionally.  Lacroix tried to help her, 
but he was, after all, a man.  A hand gently shook her shoulder, 
causing her to jerk her head back.
	"Moriah, I'm ready to leave now," Natalie said softly, taking 
her hand off Moriah's shoulder and stepping way back. She was 
well aware that startling a vampire could lead to disaster.  The look 
on Moriah's face was so serious that she felt that she had to ask if 
there was something wrong.
	Moriah shook her head.  "No, nothing's wrong," she said 
softly.  "Just thinking."  In a stronger more robust tone, she added, 
"Now, let's get out of here and have some fun."
	"I'm definitely ready for that," Natalie agreed, reaching for 
her bag.  "Lead on."
	Moriah grabbed her friend's arm, and together they ventured 
out to discover what excitement the evening held for them.
	They had not made any definite plans for the evening, other 
than dinner and possibly a movie.  They wanted to end the evening 
back at the Raven so that Moriah would not be trapped at Natalie's 
all day.  After walking around town for an hour or so, they tried a 
new comedy club that had opened a few weeks earlier.
	They stayed through two performances, leaving around 
eleven.  Natalie had not eaten anything since lunch time at noon.  
They were laughing so much that she forgot to order anything to eat 
at the club, so they decided to stop for fast food on the way back to 
the Raven.  They had thought about going to a restaurant earlier, but 
Natalie thought it best to eat back at Moriah's apartment.  
Considering that Moriah did not eat, she thought that she would feel 
uncomfortable sitting in a restaurant while everyone around her was 
eating real food.  Moriah pooh-poohed the idea but admitted that she 
liked the idea of relaxing with Natalie in her apartment for a little 
girl talk.  She had been left alone so much lately that any sort of talk 
was welcome.
	Once they picked up Natalie's dinner, they walked slowly 
towards the Raven lost in deep conversation about topics ranging 
from Nick and Lacroix's relationship to the cases that Moriah and 
Natalie shared when Moriah was on the force.  Moriah was having 
so much fun and was so engrossed in their talk that she did not pay 
attention to her surroundings or her vampire senses.  So, she did not 
know another vampire was watching them until it was almost too 
late.
	The male vampire spotted them walking alone very late at 
night and decided that he just found his next meal.  As he watched 
the two women, he realized that one of them was a vampire, but her 
vibrations were so weak that he did not give her presence a second 
thought.  He descended into the alley just ahead of them and waited 
for them to pass.
	Moriah was still oblivious to his presence as he stood at the 
alley's edge watching them approach.  Only when she and Natalie 
were a few yards away from the alley, did she realize that he was 
there.  She had just enough time to push Natalie to the side before he 
reached out to grab her. Natalie fell to the pavement and her dinner 
scattered across the sidewalk.  Instead of grabbing Natalie, his arms 
wrapped tightly around a rather irked Moriah.  He did not know it 
yet, but he had just made one of the biggest mistakes of his life
	"Let me go!" she growled, clamping her hands down on his 
arms.  Since he expected to grab the human woman, he was taken 
off-guard long enough to allow Moriah to break his hold on her.  
Spinning around, she shoved him and watched as he spun towards 
the back of the alley.  He made several revolutions before landing 
with a thud inside one of the many garbage cans lining the wall.  The 
force with which she shoved him lodged him deeply inside the can.  
While he recovered from the shock, she turned to check on Natalie.  
She stepped back quickly and pulled her friend to her feet.  Her 
clothes were mussed, and she was bruised but otherwise all right.  
Moriah apologized for shoving her so hard, but she was not about to 
lose her friend to another vampire.
	While Moriah busied herself with Natalie, the male vampire 
worked to free himself from the can.  He eyed Moriah with venom 
in his eye as he struggled to extract his bottom from the can.  How 
dare a young fledgling such as she interfere with his dinner plans?  
She was going to pay for her audacity.  After several attempts, he 
finally freed himself with one final tug.  He soared up a little way 
above the alley, preparing to exact his revenge.
	Natalie's ruined dinner was not given a second thought as the 
women scrambled for their purses.  Moriah knew that this vampire 
could destroy her; they had to reach the safety of Lacroix, Nick, or 
the Raven.  Natalie found her purse and slung it over her shoulder 
then turned to help Moriah search for hers but stopped dead in her 
tracks at the sight looming above her.
	"Moriah!" she screamed.  "He's loose!"  Knowing that 
Moriah would defend them as best she could but could not defeat 
this vampire, she yelled, "Should I get Lacroix?"
	Moriah did not have time to respond as she turned to meet 
the vampire's attack.  To her surprise, she found the vampire 
hovering above her head, muttering to himself.  Focusing on his 
words, she heard him repeating hers and Lacroix's names over and 
over.  This gave her an idea.
	He stared down at the young fledgling below him, shaking 
his head.  He must have heard the human wrong; this could not be 
the Moriah that he had been warned about when he first came to 
town.  His life could not be that cursed.
	On the ground, Moriah stared back at the older vampire.  
She very rarely called her master, Lacroix, much preferring Lucien, 
but after the vampire's initial reaction, she wanted to test his 
reaction to the name again.  Keeping her eyes on him, she called 
back to Natalie, telling her that they did not need Lacroix.  She 
thought that this vampire could be dealt with reasonably.  Natalie 
had no idea what she had planned, but she played along with her 
friend by agreeing then remaining silent.  As he heard Lacroix's 
name spoken, the look of confusion on the vampire's face grew.  Her 
plan had its desired effect as his feet finally touched the ground a 
few yards away from her.  Just as she thought that Lacroix's name 
had deterred any further attack, he reached over and grabbed her 
wrists.
	Glaring at her, he asked, "Just who the hell are you?"
	"I think you know who I am," Moriah remarked calmly, 
trying to remain very still and unaffected by his threatening gesture.  
She very rarely used Lacroix as a threat to anyone, but she had 
Natalie to consider, and it appeared that she was on her own this 
time.  She would bluff the best she could, and it seemed that 
Lacroix's name definitely had an effect on him.  She swallowed, 
took a deep breath, and said, "If my master gets wind of your attack 
on me, you'll be in big trouble."
	Pretty sure of what her answer would be, he asked, "And, 
just who is this all mighty master?"
	"You know.  You've heard us speak his name twice now."
	He tightened his grip on her wrists.  "I want to hear you say 
it again," he demanded.  "Say it!"
	Squelching the fear rising inside her, she answered, "Lucien.  
Lucien Lacroix."
	At the sound of Lacroix's name, he released his hold on her 
wrists.  When the vampire initially grabbed Moriah's wrists, Natalie 
reached for her cellular phone and began dialing the number to the 
Raven.  She just pushed the last number when the vampire released 
Moriah's wrists.  Thinking that Lacroix would not be needed, she 
quickly hit the disconnect button and dropped the phone back in her 
purse.
	"I can't believe this.  I have been in town less than two days, 
and I have to attack the one person that I was warned to stay away 
from," he complained, hitting one of the nearby garbage cans.  "You 
aren't going to report this to your master, are you?"
	Seeing that his anger was being tempered by a certain 
amount of fear, she decided to bargain for a few answers. "Hmm, I 
won't tell you attacked me, if you answer a few questions."
	"Who are you to bargain with me, Fledgling," he growled.
	Moriah, a little cockier than usual, answered, "I'm the one 
with the master who could destroy you."  After hesitating for a 
moment, she continued, "And, that's what I want to know about.  
What were you told when you arrived in town?"
	"What are you talking about?" he demanded.  "What do you 
mean, what was I told?  Doesn't your master tell you about his 
threats?"
	"Obviously not, or I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" she 
said rather indignantly.  When he grew quiet, obviously thinking on 
his answer, her patience ran even thinner.  "Well, we haven't got all 
night," she said, throwing her hands on her hips.
	Natalie stayed on the sidewalk at the alley's opening, 
watching quietly.  Moriah may have been young but she had as much 
courage and poise as a vampire Nick's age, or, maybe she was just 
arrogant like her master.  Either way, Natalie loved spending time 
with her.  She knew that she was as safe with her as she was with 
Nick, because, though young, Moriah was much more vicious than 
Nick was.  The vampire began to speak, so Natalie turned her 
attention back to the conversation.
	Deciding that it was best to answer her question then make 
himself scarce, he said, "All right, I'll tell you, but you promise not 
to tell Lacroix, right?"
	Moriah smiled.  "I always keep my promises."
	"Well, Lacroix threatened to destroy anyone who harms or 
has any contact with you what-so-ever.  I was also told that if any 
harm befell you, not only would that someone have to deal with 
Lacroix, but the Enforcers, too."
	Now, she was confused.  "The Enforcers?" she questioned, 
shaking her head.  "I have only seen them once, and that was when 
they tried to kidnap me."
	"I only know what I was told, and now that I've told you, 
I'm leaving," he said backing away from her.  He lifted off the 
ground a little ways, then turned back to her.  "If I find that you told 
Lacroix about me, I'll be back."
	Moriah wanted to answer, "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," 
but she did not.  She just stood quietly thinking about what he had 
told her as she watched him disappear into the night.
	"So that's why Nick's my only friend from the community," 
she said quietly.  "Lucien chased the others away."
	Natalie walked over to her and placed her hand on Moriah's 
shoulder now that they were safe.  "Are you all right, Moriah?" she 
asked softly
	Moriah covered Natalie's hand with hers and smiled.  "I'll 
be fine, just a little confused a the moment."  She pushed the 
vampire's revelation out of her head for the moment and 
concentrated on Natalie.  "You lost your food," she commented.  
"Are you still hungry?"
	"A little," Natalie answered, looking at her watch.  "Is there 
anything open this late?"
	Thinking for a moment, Moriah answered, "There is a 
twenty-four hour cafe a block from the Raven.  When I was human, 
they had great hamburgers, meat loaf, and other home cooked 
meals."
	"Sounds good to me.  We can pick up something, then head 
straight to the Raven.  Wouldn't want you to be caught out in the 
sun."
	Curiously, Moriah looked at her watch.  "Natalie, it's still 
hours before sunrise."
	"Sorry, still a little shook up.  Just wanted to get you back to 
the safety of the Raven."
	After several minutes of searching, they found Moriah's 
purse and began their walk back to the Raven.  The conversation 
was non-existent as they walked in silence.  The cafe was still open, 
so Natalie picked up a hamburger and fries, then they stepped back 
out on the sidewalk to walk the remaining block to the Raven.
	After a few moments of silence, Natalie asked softly, 
"Moriah, are you going to confront Lacroix?"
	"I haven't decided yet," Moriah sighed softly.  "He really 
hasn't harmed me any.  All he's done so far is fix it where none of 
the vampires will have anything to do with me.  I just thought that 
they didn't like me, but now I find out that he threatened them.  I 
don't know what he's afraid of, and I won't know unless I ask him."
	"I understand.  Do you think that I ought to go home?"
	"Nah, Nick will be at the club soon, if he's not there already.  
I'm sure that you would like to see each other.  Johnny's training has 
sort of left both of us without our men.  Besides, I don't plan on 
saying anything to him until we're alone.
	Natalie laid her hand on her friend's shoulder.  "Moriah, you 
know that I am not a Lacroix fan, but from the little that I have seen, 
it is apparent that he cares a great deal for you.  He has been around 
an awful long time and from what Nick says has not had too many 
romantic relationships.  He just may not know how to deal with it 
properly.  He did come from a time when women were considered 
nothing more than slaves and procreators."
	Moriah placed her hand on top of Natalie's.  Most vampires 
had cold clammy skin, but Moriah's always seemed a little warmer 
than Nick's or Lacroix's.  It must be part of what Lacroix meant 
when he said that Moriah was special.  It did not matter to Natalie 
as she flipped her hand over and wrapped her fingers around 
Moriah's.
	Moriah smiled softly at her friend; Natalie was indeed her 
friend.  She squeezed her hand, then went on to explain, "I realize 
that.  That is why I'm not as angry as I feel I should be.  He does 
love me, at least as much as he can love.  I know that he was a 
Roman general before Divia brought him across.  Considering that, 
it's amazing that he can show as much love towards me as he does 
when we are alone."
	"You are too understanding," Natalie complained, as they 
continued to walk hand in hand the last few steps to the Raven.  
"Most women would be livid and ready to go for his throat."  When 
Moriah began laughing, she realized what she had said.  "Oh My!  I 
always forget that you're a vampire."
	"Sometimes, so do I," Moriah laughed.  "I have never really 
felt any different, just stronger."
	The door to the Raven loomed in front of them, but Moriah 
was not ready to enter.  Instead, she leaned against the wall and 
continued her conversation with Natalie.  "Maybe, it's because I do 
understand," she said.  "It's easy for me to understand why he does 
some of the things that he does.  Maybe, I do have some mental 
connection to him, I don't know.  I only know that I don't wish to live 
without him.  I just have to convince him of that.  He still seems to 
think that one day I'll leave like the others."
	Natalie smiled softly and wished that she knew what to do to 
help her friend, all she had were words.  "You will," she said.  
"You have an eternity to do so."
	Moriah gave a little laugh.  "You are right, my friend.  I do 
have an eternity.  Now, shall we go inside so that you can eat," she 
suggested, wrapping her hand around the doorknob.
	Natalie lifted the bag containing her dinner.  "All right," she 
chuckled.  "But, I think that I'm past hunger now.  It has been way 
over twelve hours since I've eaten."
	Moriah pulled the door opened and allowed Natalie to enter 
ahead of her.  The Raven was normally not a place for humans to 
socialize.  They did, however, keep a stock of liquor for the 
occasional human who wandered inside its doors.  Some humans 
came and left unharmed while others became an evening repast for 
one or more of the patrons.  It all depended on the attitude and the 
personality of the individual human.  When she was human, Lacroix 
gave Moriah safe passage throughout the entire town, which 
included the Raven.  Now that she was a vampire, she bestowed that 
same consideration on Natalie.  Although she was already under 
Nick's protection in a fashion, Moriah thought that it would not hurt 
to have two vampires watching out over her.  Natalie could not have 
been happier about this fact since she considered Moriah a more 
vicious vampire than Nick.  Besides, Moriah had Lacroix protecting 
her, so it was like having Lacroix protecting her, too.
	Stepping into the club behind Natalie, Moriah let the door 
snap shut behind her.  She steered her friend toward the back of the 
club and Lacroix's CERK broadcasting booth.  Since Johnny's 
training took place in the club's storeroom during business hours, 
she knew that the booth would be vacant.  She gave Natalie the 
choice of going upstairs to the apartment or staying down in the bar 
for a few hours.  Natalie did not even have to think about it but 
immediately picked the booth.  Like Moriah, she enjoyed watching 
people and observing their behavior.  They both found that vampires 
behaved no differently in social situations than most humans.
	The women sat quietly, wrapped safely in the darkness of 
the booth.  Hidden amongst the broadcast equipment, they peered out 
at the vampires wandering around near the bar.  Natalie ate her 
dinner while Moriah leaned on her elbow, watching the patrons 
hanging around the bartender.  Vampires fascinated her, even 
though, she was one of them.  She never understood the distinction 
that had been placed upon them of being the walking undead.  
Vampires possessed the same wide range of emotions that all 
humans did and sometimes, even more so.  Their senses were much 
more acute than a human's, and they were more aware of their 
surroundings.  In some ways, they were much more alive than 
humans.
	After Natalie finished her food, she shoved the leftovers 
back into the paper sack, then focused her full attention on watching 
the bar patrons along with Moriah.  They soon devised a game 
based on the each patron's possible background and age.  Using only 
each vampire's appearance, they tried to guess when he or she had 
been brought across and what their profession had been.  Moriah 
had the slight advantage of being a vampire and being able to 
narrow down their ages a little closer to the correct century.  They 
were having such fun and were so engrossed in their game, that 
Moriah did not sense the two vampires arrive at the edge of the 
booth.

	While Moriah was spending the evening with Natalie, 
Lacroix was locked in the storeroom with Johnny.  He did not want 
to be there and resented the necessity.  Not only was Johnny in love 
with his Moriah, but taking on the responsibility of his training was 
keeping Lacroix from spending time with her.  He was on edge and 
it showed.  It took all of his fortitude to maintain a calm, cool 
demeanor.
	Johnny was fortunate in that he learned quickly and asked 
few questions, so his training was passing faster than most.  He was 
astute enough to know how Lacroix felt about him, so he did his best 
not to antagonize the ancient one.
	Toward the end of the session, Lacroix grew impatient 
waiting for Nicolas to arrive..  "You are doing well, Johnny," he 
remarked coldly.  "From this point on, Nicolas will be your sole 
instructor.  You will go home with him this evening and remain 
there until you are prepared to venture out on your own."
	Johnny knew that Lacroix was ready to be rid of him.  
"Lacroix, thank you for taking me in," he said meekly.  "I will be out 
of your and Moriah's way as soon as Nick arrives.  I wouldn't want 
to be any further burden on you.  Who knows when I might need your 
help."  Wanting to start off on the right foot, he thought that he might 
as well address the issue that caused so much tension between them.  
"There is something else that I wish to say before Nick arrives."
	"Yes, Johnny," Lacroix responded, arching his eyebrow and 
checking his watch again for the fifth time in fifteen minutes.
	Johnny hesitated for a moment, hoping that he was doing the 
right thing.  "Lacroix, I just wanted you to know that I will never act 
on my feelings for Moriah.  She is yours; I know that.  She is a 
friend and I would like to keep that friendship, but only with your 
permission.  If you give it, I promise to always protect her when I 
am with her to the best of my abilities."
	Lacroix did not answer him.  In all honesty, he could not 
give his permission.  He wanted Johnny nowhere near Moriah, but 
by withholding his permission, he risked a rift with Moriah.  He 
was in a quandary on what to do when Nick arrived.  The subject 
was forgotten for the moment, giving him a little longer to mull it 
over in his brain.
	Johnny was well aware that he was keeping the two older 
vampires from their women, so he suggested that they leave him 
alone in the storeroom for a while and step out into the club to visit 
Moriah and Natalie.  Both he and Lacroix had felt Moriah enter the 
club several hours earlier, which was about the time that Lacroix 
started pacing like a caged tiger.  Lacroix was more than ready to 
spend the rest of the evening with Moriah.  Although Nick wanted to 
see Natalie, he also realized that as long as Lacroix stayed in the 
storeroom Johnny was in danger.  There was an expedient 
acceptance of Johnny's suggestion shown by Lacroix wasting no 
time in stepping out of the storeroom into the club.  After Nick gave 
Johnny a reassuring glance, he joined Lacroix in the club.

	Over in the CERK booth, Moriah and Natalie were busy 
watching one particular vampire reminded them of the vampire who 
had attacked them.  They were following his movements across the 
bar when they realized that their view was being blocked.  Moriah 
was about to make a snide remark when she realized that the solid 
objects blocking their view were Lacroix and Nick.  She elbowed 
Natalie and pointed upwards.
	"Hi, Lucien," Moriah giggled.  "Taking a break from 
Johnny?"
	Natalie glanced up at Nick, trying to keep a straighter face 
than Moriah.  She did not understand why, but Moriah always 
brought out the little girl in her.  She was not a giggler but around 
Moriah she could not help herself.  "Evening, Nick," she managed to 
say without cracking a smile.  "Is your shift over all ready?" she 
commented, looking down at her watch.
	A period of silence followed where no one uttered a word.  
No words were needed between them, emotions and eye contact 
said it all.  Nick slid into the booth beside Natalie while Lacroix 
remained standing.  Nick placed a kiss on Natalie's cheek, then 
wrapped his hand around hers.  It was not long before they were 
engrossed in conversation and forgot that Moriah and Lacroix were 
there.
	Once he was sure that his movements would go unnoticed, 
Lacroix reached for Moriah's hand and gently pulled her from the 
booth.  He wanted to hold her in his arms, feel the softness of her 
body in his arms, but he was still reluctant to do so when others 
were around them.  Moriah offered no resistance to his pulling her 
through the bar to the door which lead to the storeroom and their 
apartment.  Even though she was still a little miffed at him for 
cutting her off from the other vampires, she longed to feel his arms 
around her.  It had been so long since they had been together.  
Pulling her through the door into the back hallway, he pulled her into 
his arms and held her tightly against him.  Her arms entwined 
themselves around his neck as she pulled herself up closer to those 
lips, so wonderful, so full.  Anyone standing in the hallway could 
see the electricity shooting between them.  Of course, anyone 
standing a hundred feet away could have seen it, too.  It was present 
whenever they were together in the same room, and they had to work 
hard to keep it hidden from the rest of the vampire community.  This 
was one of the reasons that Lacroix limited his public displays of 
affection.  He occasionally lost control, and tonight appeared to be 
one of those nights which was why he pulled her to the hallway.
	They were not in public now, so he obliged his desire, and 
hers, to feel his lips on hers.  He lowered his head slightly and 
gently placed a kiss on her lips.  Lifting his head, he gazed into her 
eyes with the intention of kissing her again, but he stopped suddenly.  
Immediately, he knew that there was something bothering her.  
Although he taught her to block her thoughts from him, his blood tie 
to her was stronger than between him and any of his other fledglings.  
He knew when she was in trouble, when she needed him, and when 
something was upsetting her.  At the moment, there was definitely 
something tugging at her mind.
	Moriah's tie to him was just as strong as his was to her.  She 
knew that he had seen something in her eyes and felt his reaction to 
it.  She wanted to just blurt it out and ask him about it, but she 
restrained herself for a while longer.  They had spent so little time 
together lately, and she did not want to spoil it.  She slowly closed 
her eyes and floated up just enough so she was able to kiss him, 
without him having to bend over to accommodate her.  Tightening 
her arms around his neck, she gave him a long, passionate kiss.  He 
needed no prompting to return her kiss with the same passion.  His 
arms tightened around her and for a moment the thing he had seen in 
her eyes was forgotten.
	Fangs began to gleam and eyes to glow.  The idea of 
finishing what they started was toyed with then put aside.  There 
would be time when Johnny was packed off to Nick's in a few 
hours.  Lacroix reluctantly released Moriah, setting her gently on the 
floor in front of him.
	He sighed softly, caressing her cheek with the tips of his 
fingers.  "I suppose that you ought to return to Dr. Lambert, and I 
should help Nicolas with Johnny.  The sooner he's out of the club, 
the better."
	Normally, Moriah would have reacted to his last statement, 
but his crystalline eyes were holding her prisoner.  All she managed 
to whisper was, "I suppose so.".
	For the moment they existed in their own world separated 
from everyone else.  Suddenly, Lacroix saw it pass through her eyes 
again.  It flickered through her eyes then was gone.  Before returning 
her to Natalie, he had to know what was bothering her.  Without the 
advantage of reading her thoughts, he had to stoop to physically 
asking her what the problem was.  When he turned to speak to her, 
she had already stepped back into the club and turned towards the 
broadcast booth.  Using a little vampire power, he caught up with 
her and stopped her in mid-step.
	Turning her to face him, he asked, "Ma Petite, you would tell 
me if something was upsetting you, wouldn't you?"
	Moriah smiled gently.  "Yes, Lucien, I would and I will.  I 
just don't want to spoil this evening by bringing it up now.  It's 
probably nothing."
	"It may be nothing, but I wish to know what it is now," he 
said in a very demanding tone, his hands tightening around her arms.  
The resentment he felt over her keeping something from him grew as 
he stared down at her.
	"What the hell?" Moriah thought as the pressure increased on 
her arm  She sighed softly.  She did not really want to approach the 
subject right now, preferring to leave it until after they had spent 
some time alone, but he was being very insistent.  "All right, My 
Love, but do we have to discuss this now?"
	It was obvious that Lacroix was becoming more than a little 
agitated with her.  She was the only one in his existence that could 
make him feel as if he had done wrong.  In his whole life, he was 
always in the right.  No one ever dared to correct him or admonish 
him for anything that he had done.  All she had to do was give him a 
look or make a comment on his behavior, and he began to doubt 
himself.  Why he allowed her to do it was beyond him.  This was 
one time though, that he was not going to make it easy for her. He 
had to try to recapture some of the Lacroix of old before she entered 
his life.  He had no idea why it was so important to him now, but it 
was.
	"Yes, now," he demanded, his eyes flashing a bright blue.
	Moriah pulled with all might to free herself from his grip.  
Fear was building inside her, and she did not like the feeling.  She 
had never been afraid of him before, but there was something in him 
this time, something almost uncontrollable.
	He eased up on his grip a little, allowing her to pull free.  
Once again, he spoke, "Well, what is it, Moriah?"  Seeing the fear 
beginning to build in her eyes, he almost backed off and left her 
alone, but something drove him onward.  "Tell me now!" he 
demanded, arching his eyebrow.
	Moriah was beginning to wish that she had never found out 
about the other vampires.  Maybe it was not so bad to be isolated 
from the rest of the vampires and have only humans as friends, but it 
was too late.  She could only tell him what was on her mind and 
hope for the best.
	"Lucien, I asked you occasionally why the other vampires 
won't have much to do with me, only speaking to me in passing or 
here in the club.  You always tell me that the other female vampires 
were jealous of me and that the males only wanted to posses me, 
which they knew they could not because of you.  Well, I was told 
tonight that you threatened them, all of them.  You supposedly told 
them if they befriended me, you would destroy them.  Is that true?" 
she asked, her voice beginning to quake.
	His gazed hardened as he simply answered, "Yes."  He 
wanted to ask who had told her, but he knew that she would not tell 
him, and it really did not matter. The point was that she knew.
	"But, why?" she implored, obviously swaying between anger 
and fear.  "Why would you want isolate me like that?  You know 
what a sociable creature I am.  And, besides, you don't seem to mind 
Natalie being my friend or Nick.  What do you have against the other 
vampires?"
	Moriah was talking loudly enough where Nick was able to 
hear what she was saying.  Partly because he feared for her safety 
and partly because he was just plain curious, he slid out of the booth 
and walked over to where she and Lacroix were talking.  Natalie 
tried to follow, but Nick gently pushed her back into the booth, 
telling her to stay where it was safe.
	Lacroix glared at Nick as he stood only a few feet away.  
"Nicolas, this does not concern you or Dr. Lambert.  I suggest that 
you take her home now and make yourself scarce.  You might also 
consider taking that fledgling in the back room with you."
	Nick slowly backed away from Moriah and Lacroix.  It 
seemed that Lacroix was a little more than agitated at the moment, 
and it was definitely in Natalie's best interest to remove her from the 
premise.  Knowing that Lacroix was also very jealous of Johnny, he 
thought it best this time to follow his master's orders and take 
Johnny to his loft.  "Lacroix, I will take Natalie home for her own 
safety, then I will come back and remove Johnny from your presence 
for the same reason.  But, after he is safe in my loft, I will return.  I 
won't allow you to hurt or abuse Moriah.  You should learn to 
control your jealousy."
	"Is that it?" Moriah thought.  Lacroix's behavior was being 
driven by the old green-eyed monster.  If he was indeed jealous, she 
had no idea how to fight it.  From her experiences, one almost 
always lost.  She silently watched Nick defending her.  She was 
quite impressed with him and his willingness to incur Lacroix's 
wrath to protect her.  Although she felt that he would never do it, she 
knew that Lacroix could destroy him and her with a snap of his 
finger.  He had become angry with her and hurt her feelings before, 
but he had never done her physical harm.  For her own peace of 
mind she had to continue to believe that he would still do neither of 
them any harm.  Now that jealousy had possibly entered the picture, 
she was not sure how he was going to react.
	Lacroix did not answer Nick; he only glared at him.  He did 
not know what to say, because Nick was right.  He was jealous, just 
plain old "hot under the collar" jealous.  When he saw another male 
vampire near Moriah, it burned him to no end.  Although human 
males elicited a certain feeling of jealousy, it was such a minute 
reaction that he could dismiss it.  As a human, Johnny was no threat 
to him what-so-ever, but now he was almost Moriah's equal and as 
he saw it, a definite threat.  Lacroix's brain, as well as Moriah, told 
him countless times that he had nothing to fear -- she loved only him.  
She had proved this over and over, but something inside him would 
not allow him to accept it.  It had been so long since any female had 
shown him such love that he was having a devil of a time accepting 
it.  It even irritated him for her to have contact with the female 
vampires when he was not in attendance.  They were not really that 
much of a threat to him, but he felt better keeping the whole 
community away from her.  Exposure to the female vampires might 
have given some of the males an opportunity to seduce her that they 
might not have had otherwise.  He knew the whole thing sounded 
rather stupid and asinine but somewhere along the way he had lost 
control. Was it a weakness for him to accept and show her love?  
He wrestled with this question and yet another:  "What was he 
going to do about it?"
	Nick kissed Moriah on the cheek and whispered, "I'll be 
back before you know it.  Please be careful."
	"I will," she whispered.  "He won't hurt me."
	"Let's hope you're right," he answered.  He turned and 
walked to the booth to retrieve Natalie.  It was apparent the she did 
not wish to leave, but of course, Nick won, and they soon 
disappeared into the front of the club.
	Once she could no longer see them, Moriah turned back to 
Lacroix.  "Excuse me!" she said indignantly.  "But, who are you to 
decide who my friends are?  What's wrong with them anyway?"
	There was no way that he was going to tell her the real 
reason, so with a smug look, he replied, "They are all beneath you.  
You are leagues above them in class.  I do not want you associating 
with the lower class."
	Moriah looked around her to discover that all the vampires 
had moved away from them towards the front of the club.  
Obviously, they had no desire to be drawn into a confrontation with 
Lacroix.  Placing her hands on her hips; her fear gave way to anger.  
He promised he would never try to control her, but he was doing 
just that.  She was not positive that Nick was correct in his 
assumption that it was jealousy driving him, so she had to act as if 
he were telling the truth about thinking her superior to the other 
vampires.  He always thought of himself above everyone else and 
their superior, so it was feasible that he felt that she was, too.  Heck, 
she was just a simple country girl who just happened to fall for a 
very self-assured, very arrogant vampire.  She was no better than 
anyone else.
	"What are you talking about?  I'm just a plain ol' country girl 
from Texas, not a Duchess or a Princess.  Besides some of those 
same vampires are doctors, lawyers, and some are even of royal 
blood, too.  You, yourself, were a general at one time, among other 
things.  Are you below me, too?"
	He remained silent, only arching his eyebrow and glaring at 
her more intently.
	Well, since he was not talking, she thought that she might as 
well continue.  Maybe, she would hit upon something that he felt the 
need to respond to in some form or fashion.  She found herself 
thinking of Janette again.  Sometimes, she wished that she had been 
around the past few years, maybe she would have given her a 
different perspective on all of this.  As far as she was concerned, 
she was still very much human; although her physiology was now 
vampire.  She found herself wishing that Janette was here now, to 
help her understand some of this.  Nick was a good brother but was 
not a female.  Natalie was a female and a good friend but was not a 
vampire.  Also, Janette had known Lacroix longer than any of them 
and could possibly provide some insight on why he did certain 
things.  She wanted to spend time with Janette, providing that she 
was willing to guide her.  Since they had never met, she did not 
even know whether Janette would even like her, but she wanted to 
try anyway.
	Just to elicit a reaction, she thought that she would bring up 
the subject of Janette.  "You once said that of all your children, Nick 
and Janette were the only ones that I was to have contact with.  Does 
that still hold true, or would you have kept me away from Janette, 
too?"
	It was hard for Lacroix to maintain his serious, emotionless 
appearance.  When he looked into her eyes, all he saw was a 
princess, his princess.  Ever since she entered his life, he wanted to 
protect her and keep her wrapped in an insulated cocoon.  He 
wanted her all to himself.  It even bothered him to share her with 
Nick, but if he had cut her off from all friends, he would definitely 
have lost her.  At the moment, he had to maintain his silence, or he 
might not be able to keep up his facade.  This was one time that he 
had to stand his ground and not allow her to soften his resolve.  He 
had gone through too many changes lately, changes that others were 
seeing.  His reputation had always kept them safe, and if it was 
thought that he had softened any, it might bring a multitude of 
challenges from other vampires.
	Lacroix's silence cut through Moriah.  They had always been 
able to talk, to discuss things before -- why not now?  What was 
happening to them?  What was running through his mind?  The more 
they stared at each other, the more each resolved not to give in to the 
other.  More than a half hour passed with she and Lacroix saying 
nothing, only staring at each other.  It seemed that they had reached a 
total impasse when they heard a noise coming from the front of the 
club.
	Moriah turned to look behind her and found that the club was 
empty except for the bartender.  Lacroix merely looked over her 
head into the darkness.  He knew who had arrived but was not 
overly concerned, just perturbed at having been disturbed.  Although 
Moriah recognized Nick as one of the vampires who entered the 
club, she knew only that the another vampire with him shared the 
same blood thread.
	"It couldn't be," she thought.  "Things like this just don't 
happen."
	Nick's face appearing out of the darkness interrupted her 
thoughts.  "Moriah, are you all right?" he asked softly.
	Moriah was so overwrought that she afraid if she tried to 
talk, she would break out in tears, so she only nodded her head.  
When she glanced back at Lacroix to see if he was ready to continue 
the discussion, he was gone.  He always appeared and disappeared 
quickly, without ever showing any sign of using his flying abilities.  
Was he gone for good, or did he just want time to himself?  Hoping 
that it was the latter, she sighed softly and turned back to Nick.
	"He's gone," she said quietly.
	"Oh, he'll be back," Nick assured her, smiling and wrapping 
his arm around her shoulders.  "He loves you.  As much as he tries 
to disguise it, I know he does."  Placing a kiss on her forehead, he 
squeezed her tightly.  "Now, cheer up.  I've brought you a surprise.  
Someone special came to visit you."
	"I thought that I felt someone with you," she commented, 
leaning against him and gazing into the darkness at the front of the 
club.  "If it's not Janette though, I don't want to meet them.  At the 
moment, she is the only other person  that I wish to see.  Do you 
think that she'll like me?"
	Dropping another kiss on her forehead, he answered, "Just 
slow down just  a moment.  Why don't you ask her yourself?"
	"Then, she is here!" Moriah exclaimed.
	A soft voice floated towards them from the darkness near the 
bar.  "Yes, I am here, Ma Petite Soeur"
	Moriah's head turned towards the source of the voice.  A 
very petite, very beautiful woman stepped out of the darkness.  Her 
hair and her eyes were of a dark mahogany color.  The dark contrast 
her hair and her eyes made against her pale vampire skin added to 
the depth of her beauty.  She dressed very fashionably and 
possessed a certain air of sophistication.  It was obvious from the 
look on her face that Moriah was in awe of her vampire sister.
	Moriah tried to smile as she whispered softly, "Janette?"
	A big smile came to Nick's face as he watched his two 
sisters giving one another a thorough scrutiny. "I had a feeling that 
you would eventually find out about the ban Lacroix had enforced on 
your behalf and might need Janette.  I sent word for her to return, but 
didn't know if she ever received it, or if she did, if she would 
come," he explained.
	Janette smiled at Nick.  "Cherie.  How could I not come?  
You said that I was needed, and besides, I desired to meet Lacroix's 
newest fledgling.  News of her reached my ears long before your 
request.  Don't you think that anyone who has the reputation of 
standing up to our Lacroix deserves a closer inspection?
	Nick laughed.  "Oh, most definitely.  She is a one-of-a-kind, 
Janette.  You will never meet another like her."  "Now," he said, 
pushing Moriah forward.  "Janette, this is Moriah.  Moriah, Janette."
	Moriah allowed Nick to push her towards the older 
vampire.  She nodded her head slowly when he introduced her.  She 
was afraid that the older vampire would not like her.
	"Hello," she said hesitantly, trying to smile.  She took a deep 
breath and the smile finally arrived in all its glory, lighting up her 
face and reaching out to Janette.  "Janette, I've heard so much about 
you.  I've been wanting to meet you."  Turning to Nick, she 
questioned, "You really sent for her?"
	Nick's heart warmed, watching Moriah's smile; it always 
did.  She had a knack for making him always feel warm and well, 
human.  "Yes, I sent word to Janette that she should come.  It was 
only a matter of time before you found out about your ostracism from 
the rest of the community.  I don't know why he ever thought he 
could keep if from you or that you would accept it."
	Moriah stretched up and placed a kiss on Nick's cheek.  
"Thank you, Nick," she said softly.  "I couldn't ask for a better 
brother, or friend."
	Janette watched Moriah and Nick interact with great interest.  
The warmth and light inside Moriah were beacons reaching out to a 
ship lost in the fog.  She definitely gave off different vibrations than 
any other vampire Janette knew.  She wanted to know if the stories 
she heard were true.  Since Lacroix had disappeared, she would not 
have the opportunity to observe her with him, so she would just 
have to come right out and ask.
	"Would you like to sit and talk?"  Moriah asked, moving 
away from Nick and walking towards Janette.  "You, too," she 
quickly added, turning back to Nick.  It was obvious that she and 
Lacroix were going to settle nothing tonight, so she might as well get 
to know Janette and have a little interesting conversation.
	"I would like that, Moriah," Janette answered, smiling at the 
younger vampire.  She wanted to learn about Moriah as much as 
Moriah wanted to learn about her.
	"And, you, Nick?" she questioned.  "I would really like for 
you to stay."
	He smiled.  "Then, I shall."
	"Good.  Would you take Janette over to the table by the 
CERK booth and have a seat.  I'll bring us something to drink, then 
we'll talk," she said, moving away from them and towards the bar.
	Sometime after Nick and Janette's arrival, the bartender left 
and locked the door.  As Moriah walked towards the now empty 
bar, she heard the conversation between Janette and Nick as they 
walked towards the table.  Mainly, they were catching up on what 
they had been doing since their separation.  She listened closely as 
she set three glasses and a bottle on a tray, then carried it to the 
table.  She wanted Janette here for her sake, but just the same she 
worried about the effect her return would have on Natalie's 
relationship with Nick.  She finally decided that she had her own 
problems right now, so Nick and Natalie would have to deal with 
their own.  She picked up the tray and walked towards the table.  As 
she approached them, she heard Janette ask Nick, "What is her 
story?  How did Lacroix find her?"
	Moriah laughed as she set the tray on the table and slipped 
into the empty chair between them.  "He didn't find me, I found him, 
or rather, stumbled onto him."
	Janette's eyes grew large.  "Stumble?  Someone stumbled 
upon Lacroix.  This I have to hear about.  Tell me?" she implored.
	Moriah giggled as she picked up the bottle and poured the 
liquid in the three glasses then passed them around.  As they slowly 
emptied the liquid in the bottle, she related the story of how she 
became Lacroix's fledgling.  Several hours later, between them, 
Moriah and Nick finished her story to the point where Janette had 
entered.  Of course, she left out any personal information about 
Lacroix and his feelings for her.  She only related the facts as they 
happened but she still held Janette's attention throughout her whole 
discourse.
	When they finished the story, Janette was quiet for a moment.  
"Cherie, I believe that I left town too soon," she remarked to Nick.  
"Look at what I missed."
	"Yes, Janette," Nick laughed.  "It has been quite interesting 
since Moriah accidentally stumbled into the Raven that night looking 
for me and found Lacroix instead."
	Turning to Moriah she asked, "Moriah, is this Johnny you 
spoke of still here in town?"
	"Yes, Janette, he is," Moriah answered.  Motioning towards 
Nick with her head, she added, "He's at Nick's loft.  Nick took him 
there a little while ago to get him out of Lucien's sight."
	Janette cocked her head the other direction to look at Nick.  
"Yes, Janette.  Lacroix and I have been training him together.  
Lacroix has been training someone who is not his own fledgling."
	"Why?"
	In response, Nick only glanced over at Moriah.
	Once again Janette turned her attentions to Moriah.  
"Hmmm," she murmured, crossing her arms in front of her.  "He 
trains someone else's fledgling, because he is a friend of Moriah's.  
How strange.  I must meet this Johnny."
	"You will meet him soon enough.  Oh, nothing is strange 
here anymore," Nick commented.  "Anything can happen lately and 
usually does."
	"Ah, that reminds me.  I heard about the Enforcers, too," 
Janette remarked.  Then turning to Moriah, she asked, "From what 
you have said, is it true then that they tried to take you with them?"
	Moriah cast her eyes downwards.  "Yes," she answered 
softly.
	Nick shook his head.  It was hard to believe that a vampire 
could be so shy.  "Yes, Janette," he answered for her  "They tried to 
take her, if it hadn't been for the persuasive powers of Lacroix and 
the respect that he commands in the vampire community, they would 
have succeeded."
	"And, where did our Lacroix hurry off to when I arrived?" 
Janette asked.
	Moriah sighed.  "Who knows.  As far away from me as he 
could get I suppose."
	Nick reached across the table and wrapped his hand around 
hers.  "Maybe you should leave for a while.  Give him a chance to 
cool off.  I could take some time off.  We could travel for a little 
while."
	Janette looked thoughtful for a moment.  "Or, Cherie, you 
could leave with me.  It would be the perfect opportunity for us to 
learn about each other and for me to teach you what Lacroix, as a 
man, can not."
	Moriah looked back and forth between her vampire siblings 
several times before speaking.  "I appreciate the offers.  It means 
more to me than you will ever know.  It means that you accept me as 
your sister and your equal, but I can't go with you.  That is exactly 
what he is expecting me to do, and I can't do that.  If I left now, it 
would be reinforcing his belief that one day I will leave him just as 
the two of you did.  I wouldn't be able to live with myself if that 
happened.  I have to stay, even if it means that I exist in silence for a 
long while."
	The shock was apparent on Janette's face.  "Nicola, what has 
Lacroix done to foster such devotion from this little one?"
	Nick shook his head.  "I don't know, Janette.  She loves the 
old man.  I questioned it myself in the beginning and almost lost her 
in the process, didn't I?"  he said, turning to Moriah.
	"Yes, Nick, you did," Moriah agreed.  "But, if you had not 
mistreated me, I may not have left town, and Lucien may not have 
come after me, bringing me across in the process."
	"You enjoy being a vampire?" Janette questioned rather in 
surprise.
	"Why yes," Moriah said without hesitation.  "Why shouldn't 
I?  It's what I am, and I believe in making the best of any situation.  
Besides, as Nick pointed out, I do love Lucien very much and to be 
with him, I have to be what I am."
	After another hour of conversation, Moriah looked down at 
her watch to find that it was six a.m.  It was time for her to go 
upstairs and try to rest.  She would leave Nick and Janette alone to 
carry on their own conversation or whatever they intended to do 
since they would have to spend the rest of the day in the Raven.  She 
rose from her chair and excused herself, telling Janette that she was 
glad to meet her and hoped that she would come by to see her again.  
A weak smile came to her face as Janette told her that she had every 
intention of visiting again several times in the next few days.  
Moriah stepped around the table and hugged her, then gave her a 
kiss on the cheek.  As she straightened up, Nick stood and offered to 
walk her upstairs.  She declined his offer, but he insisted, so she 
allowed him to wrap his arm around her shoulders and escort her 
through the storeroom door and up the stairs to her apartment.  She 
insisted that he leave her at the door.  If Lacroix was inside, she 
wanted to be alone with him.  Nick abided by her wishes, leaving 
her at the door with a hug and a kiss then returning downstairs to 
Janette.
	Moriah slowly opened the door and stepped inside.  Lacroix 
was definitely in the apartment, but since the living room was 
empty, he must be in his room.  She did not dare disturb him in the 
mood he was in, and she did not really want to do so anyway.  She 
heaved a heavy sigh as she walked down the hallway to her own 
room.  There was no way that she was leaving him alone in the 
apartment, but at the same time she did not intend to make the first 
conciliatory move.  She knew that he was just as stubborn as she 
was and not about to admit to her that he was in the wrong either.
	When Lacroix left Moriah alone with Nick and Janette, he 
flew straight upstairs to his room and locked the door.  He reclined 
back on his bed with a book in his hand and tried to read, but found 
that he could not.  He wanted Moriah with him.  Over the years, they 
found that both rested easier when they were together and this time 
was no different.  He fought the urge to go downstairs and drag her 
away from Nick and Janette.  She was probably planning to leave 
him anyway; they always did.  He found that he was actually 
surprised when he heard and felt her enter the apartment.  Her 
footsteps passed his room, causing him to almost jump off the bed 
and fling the door open, but he fought that urge, too.  As he sat 
quietly on the bed listening to her every move, he half wished that 
she would knock on his door, but she did not.  He heard her door 
close and the lock turn.  Sighing, he lay back against the head board.  
Well, at least, she was still here, and he did not hear any noises 
indicating that she was packing her things.
	What could have ended that day lingered on for four weeks 
because of the stubbornness of the personalities involved.  Neither 
was willing to be the first to give in to the other.
	Over the next few weeks Moriah very rarely left the Raven.  
If she did leave at night, it was only for a couple of hours and only 
to check on her humans.  She never wanted to be too far from the 
Raven or Lacroix.  Besides, her friends came to the Raven to see 
her.  Nick stopped by every night to see her for at least fifteen or 
twenty minutes even when he was on duty.  Janette stopped by 
almost as often and stayed to the wee hours in the morning, talking 
and teaching Moriah a few things that Lacroix had not.  Johnny 
wanted to come by the Raven and see her, but it was thought best for 
him to keep his distance from her until she and Lacroix were back in 
each other's good graces.  Janette did meet him though and found that 
she liked him very much, but that is another story.
	It was killing Nick to see Moriah and Lacroix at odds with 
each other.  He and Janette even discussed devising a plan to bring 
them to some reconciliation but thought better of it after realizing 
that interfering with Lacroix was out of the question.  He even 
refused any of their attempts to talk to him, so they focused 
themselves on her and stayed out of his way.  As hard as it was, they 
sat quietly by and tried to give Moriah all the moral support they 
could.
	Lacroix passed Moriah in the apartment hallway and in the 
club without a word or a glance.  Well, at least a glance that she 
could see.  Whenever she was not watching him, he constantly stole 
glimpses of her, wishing that she was in his arms.  It pleased him to 
have his three favorite children near him, but watching her with 
Nick and Janette did not help his feeling of insecurity.  He felt that 
they would influence her to leave him as they had done.  He was 
almost as grumpy and touchy as he was when she left him the first 
time for Texas when she was still human.  Several times he saw 
Moriah in a situation where under normal circumstances, he would 
have come to her aid.  Unfortunately this time,  he stayed away, 
either allowing her to solve the situation herself or watching Nick 
come to help her.  When he saw her needing him, he almost broke 
the stalemate but quickly restored his resolve not to give in to her, 
so the stalemate went on for almost a month.
	Strange as it seems, it was Lacroix who broke the stalemate 
whether he did it consciously or not.  One night a month after the 
stalemate began, Moriah was in the living room trying to read.  She 
was curled up on the sofa with a book when she thought she heard 
her name being called.  There was no one in the room, but something 
drew her attention to the radio.  A glance at the clock told her that it 
was time for Lacroix to broadcast the Nightcrawler.  She found 
herself stretching across and turning on the radio, then settling back 
against the arm of the sofa to listen.
	Several minutes of dead air soon gave way to the silky, 
sultry tones of Lacroix in his Nightcrawler persona.
	Good Evening, Children of the Night.  What is a family?  
There are some who say that only the nuclear family; a mother, 
father, and two point three children, is the true family.  Others will 
argue the point that a family may consist of a group of people who 
are not related by blood, but who band together out of love and 
necessity, so that they will not face this cold dark world alone.  
Ultimately, a family is what everyone craves, even those who are 
known as an Ishmaelite, a loner.  My children, when someone offers 
you a true family and wishes to wrap you safely in their love, do not 
be a fool.  Accept them and accept their family.  Accept all they 
have to offer you without question.  Do not try to control them or 
lock them away in an ivory tower for this will only serve to drive 
them away.  Keep them close to you, but not too close.  Do not 
allow differences of opinion to destroy the family, a middle ground 
can always be found.  Compromise is hard, but if it will keep the 
one you love with you, then compromise you must.  In closing, my 
children, do not allow love and family to elude you.  Solitude is not 
as happy a state as some would have you to believe.
	Moriah sat frozen on the sofa as she listened to Lacroix's 
monologue.  This was not his usual style.  His speeches were 
always dark and foreboding, very depressing.  The book fell from 
her hand halfway through his speech, hitting the floor and distracting 
her for a moment.  Even with the distraction, she knew that he was 
talking about her, there was no doubt about it.  He would never 
outwardly apologize to her or even admit that he was in the least 
wrong.  This was as close to an apology as she was going to receive 
from him.  He obviously put a lot of thought and work into his 
speech and to air it publicly took even more courage, so who was 
she to discount his attempt at a reconciliation.  She was not such a 
stubborn person that she would let such an opportunity pass; 
besides, she missed him terribly.  She impatiently listened to the rest 
of his program, but once dead air returned to the radio she dashed 
downstairs and into the Raven.
	As she stepped into the club, she stopped for a moment to 
catch her breath.  She could not allow any of the other vampires to 
catch on to what was about to happen.  This was between her and 
Lacroix and needed to stay that way.  Nick, Janette, Natalie, and 
Johnny were already aware of the trouble between them but there 
was no need to bring anyone else into their private lives.  After 
taking several deep breaths, she walked to the bar to order a drink 
to steady herself before attempting to visit Lacroix in the CERK 
booth.  The bartender met her with a glass.  She took it from him and 
drank the whole glass of blood in one gulp.  Placing the empty glass 
on the bar, she turned towards the CERK booth.  Peering between 
the vampires milling around the club, she was able to make out 
Lacroix's silhouette sitting in the corner of the booth.  It was almost 
as if he were waiting for someone, waiting for her, she hoped.  The 
bartender refilled her glass and shoved it toward her; whereupon, 
she asked him for a second glass.  After picking up both glasses, she 
walked towards the booth.
	Lacroix peeked around the equipment and saw Moriah enter 
the club.  A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth -- his plan 
was working.  Four weeks away from her was more than he could 
stand.  A few days earlier, he had reached a point where he knew 
that he had to devise a way to break the stalemate between them 
without compromising himself.  One night earlier in the week as he 
was broadcasting the Nightcrawler, it dawned on him that she 
always listened to his program, even during her silence she was still 
listening to them.  He would use the Nightcrawler to draw her back 
to him, but how?  He could not outwardly apologize to her for two 
reasons.  The first being that he never apologized and secondly, he 
had no intention of lifting the ban on her.  The only thing that he was 
sorry for was that she found out what he had done.  To accept him, 
she would have to accept the ban enforced upon her.  If the truth be 
known, he had no intention of enforcing it unless she was in danger, 
or he was about to lose her to another vampire.  
	His heart skipped a beat, as he watched her picking her way 
through the crowd towards him.  She had been true to her word and 
had not left him.  He assumed that this would have been the perfect 
opportunity for her to flee him if she wanted to do so, but she had 
not.  Other fledglings had left him for much less.  Maybe she was the 
one who would stay with him through eternity.
	A glass placed on the table in front of him interrupted his 
thoughts.  The hand setting the glass on the table was on its way 
back to its owner when he quickly reached over, wrapping it tightly 
in his own.  The cool feel of his skin against hers almost caused 
Moriah to lose her composure right then and there.  She took a deep 
breath and concentrated to stop herself from vamping-out.
	Forcing a smile, she commented, "Lucien, I liked the 
Nightcrawler tonight, even though it was a little out of your usual 
repertoire."
	He tightened his hand around hers and with his other hand 
reached up, cupping the side of her face in his palm.  "I'm pleased 
that you liked it, Little One.  It was definitely not a subject that I 
would have normally addressed on the program, but I felt that it 
required some attention, especially tonight."
	"Well, I loved it," she remarked, trying not to look directly 
into his eyes, knowing that if she did, she would lose control.  "It 
was very eloquent, very riveting.  You put a lot of thought into it.  
Thank you, My Darling."
	"You are most welcome, Ma Cherie," he whispered, slowly 
pulling her into the booth.
	Moriah did not protest as he pulled her into the booth; she 
was exactly where she wanted to be.  As she saw it, he made the 
first overture to a reconciliation and was continuing to match her 
gesture for gesture, so there was no need to fight him.
	As he pulled her closer to him, he rearranged a black satin 
cape with a red lining fastened around his neck.  When she was 
close enough, he began to wrap the cape around her until it hid her 
from view.  All the vampires in the club were able to see, was 
Lacroix's head sitting above the cape.
	"Oh my!" she exclaimed as the cool satin fell against her 
skin.
	"This is just one of the little surprises I have planned for you 
tonight.  How do I measure up to your fictitious TV and movie 
vampires?" he asked, arching his eyebrow and lifting the cape up to 
conceal both of them from prying eyes.
	"Ah," she said, trying to keep her mind on the question as the 
satin and his hand caressed her skin.  "You are the real thing.  Bela, 
Christopher, and even that guy, Nigel something or other, don't hold 
a candle to you."
	"Very good answer," he replied, arching his eyebrow again 
and successfully suppressing the smile that wanted to form on his 
lips.
	Moriah was still not looking him in the eyes for fear of 
losing control, so he placed his finger under her chin and lifted her 
eyes up to his.  Just as she could not look into his eyes without 
vamping-out, he could not gaze into hers either without exerting 
some major self-control.  As he found himself lost in her eyes, he 
was glad that he had taught her how to hide her thoughts from him.  
He would not have wanted to know everything that crossed her busy 
mind.  He would become one tired vampire trying to keep up with 
her.
	One of the reasons that he never used any of the vampire 
mind control on her was that all he had to do was kiss her or stare 
lovingly in her eyes and she was his.  At the moment, she really did 
not care what he had done or was going to do.  She knew that 
associating with her would remain taboo; he did not intend to recant 
his threat to the other vampires.  She would just have to resign 
herself to his interfering in her friendships with other vampires.  It 
really was not that bad once she thought about it.  What upset her the 
most was that he had not told her what he had done.  She had to find 
out the information from a strange vampire.
	Wrapping the cape tightly around them, he leaned over and 
placed his lips on hers.  Having been apart for so long, the kiss 
deepened faster than normally.  With the cape as a shield, they did 
not really care.  No one could see what they were doing anyway, 
which was the other reason Lacroix had brought the cape with him 
tonight.
	He released her lips from his, then gently stroked the side of 
her neck with his fingers.  "You do realize that I still refuse to allow 
you to socialize on your own with the others?" he whispered, 
dipping his head and replacing the caressing motion of his fingers 
with his lips and tongue.
	Moriah heard his statement but was unable to respond to it.  
His caressing of her neck was sapping her strength, mentally and 
physically.  She gently pushed him away, so that she could regain 
her senses, but she kept her hand on his cheek.  "I know, Lucien," 
she whispered, running her fingertips over his cheek.  "I don't think 
that it bothered me so much that you told the others to stay away 
from me as much as the fact you didn't tell me about it.  I had to find 
out from a vampire on the street."
	"Oh!" he exclaimed.  "And, I suppose that you will not tell 
me who, right?"
	"That's neither here nor there," she said calmly.  "He was 
just a strange vampire from out of town who tried to feed off 
Natalie.  Boy, was he surprised to find himself on the other side of 
the alley."  She saw no reason in telling him what had really 
happened.   It would have only caused him to become angry, and she 
was enjoying his mood at the moment.
	Moriah gave a little giggle as she finished her sentence.  It 
was that little giggle that caused Lacroix not to press the issue.  She 
was right, it didn't matter.  "I'm to assume that you enjoyed throwing 
him around?" he inquired, knowing full well that she did.  She loved 
to exercise her power when she could.
	She grinned.  "Of course, I did."
	He traced the outline of her lips with his finger.  "Although I 
have several surprises planned for you tonight, would you like to go 
to either to the ballet or a concert tomorrow evening?  I have not 
been able to escort you anywhere since Edward's ball and Johnny's 
County Fair."
	Her eyes lit up at his suggestion.  "Yes, please, I've missed 
our little excursions."  Suddenly, she looked away from him towards 
the crowd milling around the bar.
	Her moods changed so fast that Lacroix wondered how he 
ever kept up with her, but he would have had it no other way.  "Is 
something wrong?  Have I done something else now?"
	"Oh, no," she said, turning to lock his gaze into hers.  "When 
you mentioned Johnny, it got me to thinking about him, Janette, and 
Nick.  Are you going to give me trouble over them?  I'm just now 
beginning to know Janette.  I really like her."
	He was relieved to find that it was something rather simple 
on her mind.  "I have always wanted my three favorites close to me.  
I have no problem with you spending all the time you want with 
Nick and Janette.  I would have no objections to you traveling with 
Janette for a short while either.  It might be quite educational for 
you."
	The shock showed on Moriah's face.  "You are suggesting 
that I leave you for an indefinite amount of time to travel with 
Janette?  It sounded interesting when she asked me, but Lucien, I 
don't think that I could be away from you for too long; maybe a week 
or two at the most."
	"I would not want you to be away from me, either, but I felt 
that I had to leave this decision up to you.  I want to protect you and 
have you with me always.  This little situation has made me realize 
that I have to allow you some freedoms.  I know that you are as safe 
with Nick and Janette as you are with me.  Of course, I can be very 
influential in convincing you to stay, if I wish," he said, an evil grin 
spreading across his face.
	She did not respond to him right away.  Turning her head to 
the side, she placed little nibbling kisses along his jaw line.  "I 
know you can, My Love," she whispered.  "But, then again, so can I.  
There's just one more thing.  You haven't mentioned Johnny.  I know 
you're jealous of him; I can see it every time that he's with us, which 
is one reason, I don't understand why you agreed to train him."
	"My reasons for training him are my own," he answered, not 
wanting to tell her that she was the only reason he trained Johnny.  If 
not for her, he would have left Johnny to fend for himself.  Now, he 
would have to tolerate her having some contact with him, or they 
would be right back where they were four weeks ago.  Crushing her 
to him inside the confines of the cape, he whispered in her ear 
through tight lips, "For all intents and  purposes, he is one of my 
children and your brother.  I will allow you to see him, but I warn 
you, he shows anything more than a brotherly interest, and he will 
pay."
	Most women would have been shaking with fearing from the 
intensity in his voice and the force of his embrace, but not Moriah.  
She turned her head and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.  "I would 
expect nothing less," she said quietly.  "But, you know that you have 
nothing to worry about.  I am yours, totally and always will be."
	"Hmm, I know, Little One," he whispered, his lips against 
hers.  "You proved that by not leaving when you had the chance.  
Now, I think that you deserve the next surprise."
	He reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a small 
black velvet box.  Picking up her hand, he turned it palm up and 
placed the little box in the center of her palm.  Moriah gave the box 
a close inspection.  From the construction of the box, she could see 
that it was very old.  On the front, near the bottom, was a little silver 
release button.  She had no idea what could be in the box; Lacroix 
had never given her any jewelry.  Wrapping her hand around the 
box, she glanced up at him.
	"Well, open it," he said rather impatiently, wanting to see 
what she thought of his gift.
	Moriah opened her hand, then slowly pressed in on the 
button.  The lid of the box popped open to reveal a ring glinting in 
the low light of the hanging lamp above the booth.  Lacroix reached 
over and pulled the ring out of the box and at the same time, lifted 
her left hand up in the air.  He slipped the ring on her ring finger, 
then closed his fingers around hers.  Curious to inspect the ring 
closer, she pulled both of their hands closer to her face.  Spreading 
his fingers so that she could see the ring, it surprised her to see that 
it looked exactly like the crest ring that he wore, only smaller.  It 
just so happened that the hand that holding hers was the hand on 
which he wore his ring.  She turned his hand around and placed her 
ring next to his.  Her ring was an exact copy of his; they were a 
matched set.  She looked at him questioningly.
	"Do you like it?" he asked, wrapping his hand back around 
hers and readjusting the cape so that it cloaked her from everyone's 
view again.
	"My Love, it is beautiful, but why?"
	He smiled softly as he kissed the top of her hand.  "You have 
proved that you meant what you said about not leaving me on a 
whim.  I thought that you might like something other than blood, to 
bind you to me.  It is a symbol of sorts."'
	"So, you do believe that I won't leave now?
	"Yes, I believe, Moriah.  How can I not, after what we have 
just been through.  It was four of the worst weeks in my life."
	"Mine, too, " she whispered.  "Mine, too."  She smiled as 
she stared at the ring on her hand.  The fact that he had given her the 
ring showed that he trusted her and committed himself to her 
completely.  As long as she had known him Lacroix never did 
anything halfway it was all or nothing.  "Tell me about the ring.  Is it 
the mate to yours?"
	"Not exactly, but it is rather old.  Several centuries ago, I 
commissioned a jeweler to a fashion a mate to my ring, thinking that 
some day, I would meet someone who deserved such a gift.  It 
appears that the someone has arrived."
	Upon uttering the last sentence, he leaned over and kissed 
her until she felt her fangs beginning to grow.  She immediately 
pulled away and looked around her to find them still concealed in 
the folds of the cape.  She breathed a sigh of relief.  He usually did 
not like to make a show of his affection for her, but with things 
changing as fast as they did, she was not sure anymore.
	"Well, My Love.  You have definitely plied me with the 
most wonderful surprises tonight," she commented.
	"Ah, My Dear.  I am not finished yet.  Are you ready to see 
your next surprise?"
	She slowly nodded her head; whereupon, Lacroix scooted 
around the booth to the opening opposite her.  After standing up and 
allowing the cape to fall delicately around him, he extended his 
hand to her.  Moriah reached up towards his hand, fully expecting 
him to wrap his hand around hers and pull her to her feet.  To her 
surprise, the moment that his hand touched hers, she was standing 
before him under the stars on the rooftop.  Stunned for a moment, she 
could only stare into his eyes, then up at the stars above her head.
	The amazement showed on her face as Lacroix chuckled 
silently.
	"How do you do that?" she exclaimed.  "You're always 
disappearing in the blink of an eye."
	Squeezing her hand and arching his eyebrow, he answered, 
"There has to be some advantage to being this ancient."
	She did not know why his statement struck her as being funny 
but it did.  She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud.  He had 
only recently begun to regularly exercise his sense of humor around 
her, and it was usually so dry that she was never sure if he was 
joking or not.
	Her attempt to squelch her laughter did not go unnoticed.  He 
purposely made the statement, because he wanted her to laugh.  He 
needed to hear her laugh.  Her laughter for him had become an 
addiction, just as loving her had.  Bending over, he whispered in her 
ear, "You may laugh.  It was meant to be lighthearted."
	Moriah needed no more encouragement.  A giggle escaped 
from her lips, filling the air around them.  All of the tensions of the 
past few weeks released in that one giggle, and it lasted for a long 
time.  Lacroix dropped her hand and lifted the cape again, wrapping 
it tightly around them.  He found that he liked wearing a cape.  He 
had only worn it to simulate her fictional vampires but found that it 
had many good uses.  One in particular was forming a cocoon 
around her to shield her, to shield them, from any prying eyes.  
Another, and one of the best reasons, was that she thought he looked 
good in it.  What more could he ask?
	When he peered down inside the cape, Moriah was still 
giggling.  The sound of her laughter had its desired effect as he felt 
the cloud around him lifting.
	"Lucien, you did that on purpose?" she questioned gasping 
for breath.
	"Of course," he answered with all seriousness.  "I never do 
anything without purpose."
	Finally catching her breath, she asked, "What was its 
purpose?"
	He fluttered the cape away from her.  "To release your 
laughter, of course.  You needed the release as much as I needed to 
hear it, Little One."
	As the cape dropped away from her, he clapped his hands 
and music began to fill the air.  The strains were a haunting old 
world string melody.  The sort of tune that one always associated 
with a gothic movie.  It fit the situation perfectly, a vampire in a 
satin cape and his lady, dancing the night on a rooftop.  Something 
white fluttering in the corner of her eye turned her attention to her 
surroundings.
	For the first time, Moriah looked at the roof around her.  The 
first thing that she noticed was that a strange glow bathed her face.  
At first she thought it might be the glow of her or Lacroix's eyes, but 
neither was vamped-out.  The glow, she found, came from four 
candelabras set around them in the center of the roof.  Sitting in-
between two of the candelabras was a string quartet, playing glassy 
eyed on their instruments.
	She looked questioningly up at Lacroix.  He smiled softly 
down at her.  "No, Little One, I have not harmed them.  When this 
evening is over, they will be released unharmed, with a little money 
in their pockets, and no memory of how they earned that money."
	"Oh," was the only comment to escape her lips as she 
returned to her inspection of the roof.
	Lacroix watched her closely as she surveyed his handiwork 
for any signs of displeasure; he found none.  He should have known 
better.  She always appreciated the least little gesture on his part.
	Draped in-between the other three spaces of the candelabras 
were several panels of sheer white gauze drape, flowing softly in 
the breeze.  The last thing that she noticed was a strange mist 
swirling up around their feet.  A glance at the tops of the other 
buildings, revealed no fog or mist anywhere except where they 
were.  Another thing that she would have to ask Lacroix about later, 
this was definitely not the time or place.
	"Pleased?" he asked, wrapping one arm around her waist 
and picking up her hand with the other.
	Stretching, she placed her hand on the nape of his neck, then 
tightened her hand around his.  As she stared into his eyes, she could 
have sworn that she saw them glowing; not the usual vampire glow 
but an ethereal kind of glow.  She had never seen the glow before 
and wondered what it could be; although, she had heard it said that 
her eyes glow unlike any other vampire's occasionally.  Maybe, it 
was just the shining light of love.  That would have to do for now 
since she had more important things to which she wished to attend.
	"Yes," she answered, then in a softer tone whispered, 
"Thank you, My Love."
	"You are welcome," he whispered, leaning over and kissing 
her.  "You deserve it and a lot more for your devotion to me, Ma 
Cherie.  Dance?"
	"Yes, My Darling.  Please."
	Lacroix began to move them slowly to the music.  When they 
danced, it was as if they were fused into one.  As they moved in 
circles around the make-shift dance floor, she felt as if she were in 
some sort of fairyland with the mist rising about them.
	The quartet switched to a piece that had a hauntingly sad 
melody.  The music was almost magical and affected Moriah in a 
strange way.  She found herself becoming very sad and melancholic.  
Taking a step, she closed the small gap between them, then laid her 
head against his chest.
	He had not planned this music nor did he understand the 
effect that it had on her.  However, he did not intend to question 
anything that brought her closer to him.  He dropped her hand, so she 
placed it around his neck with its mate.   Reaching behind him, he 
pulled the cape around and wrapped it around her.  He did not know 
why he had not thought of the cape before now.  For the next hour, 
they danced and kissed to the haunting music of the quartet.  Her 
hands lay on the back of is neck while his hands rested on her 
shoulders, holding the cape securely around them.
	They were totally lost in each other and considering retiring 
to the apartment when they both felt some familiar presence in the 
area.  Lacroix dropped the cape and Moriah stepped away from 
him.  She took no chances when it came to protecting his reputation.  
Nick knew how Lacroix was with her, but there was no need to 
outwardly publicize it.  They continued to dance but with the proper 
amount of space between them.  Even when they felt the mist around 
them disturbed as two other vampires landed on the roof, they 
continued to dance, ignoring the intruders.
	Nick landed first, then Janette.  Although they had arrived 
together, they came from different directions.  When they saw the 
scene laid out before them, they  felt very uncomfortable intruding 
on their master.  They stared at each other and almost turned to 
leave but Moriah stopped them by speaking.
	When they landed, Moriah glanced up at Lacroix who only 
nodded his head to her silent request.  "Nick!  Janette!  You don't 
have to leave!" she called.  "Enjoy the music if you wish."
	Nick bowed to Janette and gestured with his hand towards 
the dance floor.  After another sideward glance at Moriah and 
Lacroix, she shrugged her shoulders and reached for his hand.  He 
pulled her through the drapes and mist to join their master and his 
mistress on the dance floor.
	For several hours, the only noise on the roof was the sound 
of the quartet's music floating on the night air as the vampire couples 
danced.  Moriah occasionally pulled her attention away from 
Lacroix to glance over at Nick and Janette.  Janette fit perfectly in 
his arms, but so did Natalie.  As she watched them together, she 
began to feel a little uneasy.  It was apparent that she and Nick 
belonged together; they did have a history after all.  The strange 
thing was that he and Natalie also seemed to belong together.  It was 
all very confusing to her.  She tightened her hold on Lacroix's hand 
and moved just a little closer to him.
	Sensing her discomfort at seeing Nick and Janette dancing 
together and wanting her to himself anyway, Lacroix decided to 
move things along a little faster.  "Nicolas, to what do we owe the 
pleasure of your visit?" he asked as he danced Moriah over to them.
	Nick stopped dancing, and he and Janette turned towards 
them.  "We both heard your broadcast tonight.  We had to see if it 
was what we thought it was.  From the looks of this roof, obviously, 
it was.  Natalie will be so glad to hear this."
	Janette smiled softly and wrapped her hand around Nick's 
arm.  "Ma Petite Soeur, I think that under the circumstances, our 
plans for this evening are cancelled."
	A smile crept onto Moriah's face.  "I think that you're right," 
she responded, squeezing Lacroix's hand which was still holding 
hers.  Her two vampire siblings were standing in front of her and 
her master behind her.  This was as good as time as any to ask her 
favor.  "Could I ask a question, or possibly a favor?"
	"Yes, Cherie, is something wrong?" Janette asked, showing 
a little concern.
	Moriah laughed and shook her head.  "Oh, no, there's nothing 
wrong.  I just wanted to ask this while I have the three of you here.  I 
might not get this opportunity again."
	Nick's curiosity was getting the better of him.  "Well?  What 
is it?" he asked.
	"Lucien and I were talking of traveling earlier and well....I 
have heard all of you talk about your travels together in the past.  
And, I was wondering if you and Janette would consider traveling 
with Lucien and I.  I mean, we had such fun when you went with us 
to Texas."
	Lacroix stood quietly behind her, watching but keeping his 
hand wrapped around hers.  She opened her mind to him a few 
minutes earlier so he was well aware of her question.  He had no 
objection to her request if the others did not.  In fact, he was more 
than happy that she suggested it.  He missed all the traveling and 
adventures that he and his children had experienced.  Things would 
be different for them this time, Nicolas would not be so easy to dupe 
and Moriah would try to be the peace keeper.  Recently though, she 
was proving to be a little more mischievous and a little more like 
him than he first thought.  It could prove to be very interesting.
	Janette remained quiet, obviously pondering Moriah's 
question while Nick thought aloud.  "Well, I did have fun with you 
and Lacroix," he remarked.  "And, I did say that I wanted to travel 
with you again.  I don't see why not since you would be there."
	Moriah's smile widened.  "Good.  Now, Janette what about 
you?"
	Janette maintained her serious expression.  She wanted to be 
with Moriah but was not sure that she wanted to be that close to 
Lacroix again.  "Cherie, I would like more time to think.  I enjoy 
your company, and I would love to travel with my Nicola again, but 
I am a little leery about our Lacroix."  To her surprise, Lacroix did 
not seem upset by her answer.  He was not upset or hurt, because he 
did not really expect her to agree.
	Moriah smiled softly.  "No problem, Janette.  We have all 
the time in the world.  Let me know what you decide later. I really 
would like for all of us to travel together at least once."
	"I will give it serious consideration.  In the meantime, are 
we still meeting later this week?"
	"Of course we are, Janette."  After a few moments of 
thought, she added, "I like having a big sister, you know."
	Janette's serious demeanor took on a softer look.  "So do I.  I 
never thought that I would meet one of the community so 
independent and so satisfied with their lot in life.  It is a refreshing 
change."
	Moriah was overjoyed with the answers that she had 
received.  Lacroix and Nick were both willing to go with her, and 
although, Janette had not given her a definitive answer, she felt that 
she would eventually agree to go.  It would have been nice to take 
Johnny with them, but she was not going to push her good graces 
with Lacroix at the moment.  She was in the mood for a little peace 
and quiet for a while.
	"Moriah, we'll leave you and Lacroix alone now," Nick 
said, putting his hand on top of Janette's which was still wrapped 
around his arm.  "Before I go, Johnny has been asking if he will ever 
see you."
	Watching Nick's hand caressing Janette's, Moriah was a 
little concerned but immediately dismissed it.  "I really don't know, 
Nick," Moriah said hesitantly.  Looking up at Lacroix, she asked, 
"Will he, Lucien?"
	"Yes, Little One, he will," Lacroix whispered in her ear.
	"Nick, tell Johnny that I'll see him in a couple of days," she 
said.  She wanted to make Lacroix feel more at ease, so she 
suggested, "Maybe, all four of us can meet one night?"  She knew 
that her suggestion had its desired effect when she felt Lacroix's 
other hand caressing her back.
	"I'll tell him.  Sounds like it could be an interesting evening," 
he said, then after glancing up at Lacroix, he added, "Now, we'd 
better be going."  He pulled out from Janette's grip and placed a kiss 
on Moriah's forehead.
	"Bye Nick.  See you later this week, Janette," she called as 
they rose into the air.
	After they disappeared into the darkness, Lacroix pulled her 
into his arms.  "I have one more activity planned.  Would you like 
your last surprise?"
	"Hmmm.  I think I know what it is," Moriah answered, 
stretching up to place a kiss on his lips.
	"Oh, do you now?" he teased, returning her kiss.  "Allow me 
to dispatch these humans, then we will retire to the privacy of our 
chamber."
	Unfastening the cape, he dropped it over Moriah's shoulders 
then walked over to the musicians.  She wrapped herself in the soft 
satin as she watched Lacroix giving each of the four men 
instructions to clear the roof of the candelabras and drapes then 
return to their homes.  In the days of old, when such humans had 
worn out their usefulness to him, they would have met a more 
permanent end.  He shook his head to himself as he returned to 
Moriah.  Whether he cared to admit it out loud to anyone, she had 
become a major influence on the way he conducted himself.  He 
found that he did not savor destruction as he once had.  He was not 
ready to search for a cure to his eternal night as Nicolas did, but he 
was convinced that it was through her that the quality of his 
existence had increased from what it once was.
	Moriah watched him walking toward her, so strong, so 
defiant.  It always amazed her at the amount of love that welled up 
inside her when she saw him the way he was meant to be.  Seeing 
her wrapped up in his cape, almost caused him to lose his stately 
composure.  The cape was three times too large for her, swallowing 
her totally in its folds.  He shook his head, then picked her up in his 
arms, cape and all.  Just as before, in the blink of an eye, they were 
standing before the door to their living quarters.
	Once they were safely locked inside, all their self control 
gave way to the feelings that had been building all evening.  Their 
eyes bathed the room in a soft green glow as Lacroix gently carried 
her and set her down next to the sofa.  Moriah quickly pushed the 
cape off her shoulders, allowing it to drop to the floor.  Taking her 
face gently between his hands, he leaned over and kissed her the 
way he had wanted to all night long.  The kiss was electric, 
releasing all the tensions and emotions built up over the last month.  
The glow inside the room increased as their fangs began their 
descent into full tooth.  She nodded her head towards her room; 
whereupon, he scooped her up his arms and carried her down the 
hallway.  They immediately adjourned to the comfortable confines 
of her room and were not seen or heard from until she was to meet 
Janette a few days later.