Title: In Times of Need
Fandom: Forever Knight 
Category: Romance/ Slash 
Pairing: Nick/ Lacroix 
Rating: Adult 
Disclaimer: Forever Knight and its characters were created by Barney Cohen and 
James D. Parriott and 
are copyright to Sony/Tristar. None of the characters in this story belongs to 
me. I'm just borrowing them 
temporarily. No infringement intended. No profit is being made. 

Special thanks to Doris for beta reading and providing the dialogue from 
"Partners of the Month".

Well, I don't know about you, but I have always asked myself what would have 
happened if Schanke had 
not banged on the door in "Partners of the Month", rousing Nick so harshly from 
his thoughts while he 
listened to the Nightcrawler…
So I've tempered a little with this episode and written an alternate plot. Part 
of the dialogue is taken 
directly from this episode, written by Shelley Goldstein. 


In Times of Need
by PJ
May 2005


Nick sat on his couch, listening intently to his master's voice.
"Does everyone you see, everything you taste and smell remind you of her? I know 
what it is. You cannot 
accept what you must, but love is not eternal - it's not even long-lived. Let it 
die when it's exhausted. Don't 
try to resuscitate it - let it go."

His thoughts drifted involuntarily to the past. He had been devastated when 
Janette had left him. After 97 
years of nights filled with incomparable pleasure she had decided to move on. He 
had been terribly hurt 
when she had discarded him like one of her old gowns.
He had felt forsaken and completely alone.

But he hadn't been alone.

<<<<<<<

While he sat sulking on the window sill, his master had entered his bedroom.
"Did you really expect that she would stay with you forever?" he asked. "I want 
you to be painfully honest."
"I loved her," Nicholas whispered.
"This has nothing to do with love. This has to do with moving on," Lacroix 
explained. "Immortals cannot 
cling like lichen to the stone. It is our nature - our imperative -  to wander 
throughout the world, throughout 
time. We either change and grow, or we wither and die inside, and wouldn't that 
be eternal hell?"
Nicholas felt Lacroix's hand on his shoulder, squeezing in compassion.
"Let her go, Nicholas. There's plenty more love left in the world."
Nicholas turned to look at his master and was astonished at the longing he 
perceived in his gaze.
But he paid no further attention to it and returned to his sulking mood.

* * *

The following days had been pure torture. He had often woken in the middle of 
the day, calling out for 
Janette. His dreams were filled with her touch, driving him to heights of 
ecstasy, only to let him fall into 
deepest despair again when he woke up in his lonely bed.

"I will not tolerate this apathy any longer," an annoyed Lacroix stated a week 
later. 

Then one day Nicholas had woken in the middle of a pleasant dream. At least he 
thought he had woken 
up, but the touch of cool fingers on his face continued instead of evaporating 
as usual. She had returned! 
He dared not open his eyes lest she might vanish again.
Instead he remained perfectly still and savoured the feeling as fingertips 
brushed along his cheek towards 
his lips. Opening them with a smile he sucked a finger into his mouth. 
A shiver ran through his body as a wet tongue lapped along his neck. The finger 
was withdrawn from his 
mouth and replaced by sensuous lips. He willingly opened his mouth to allow 
access to the probing 
tongue that strove for invasion.
He moved his arms around, intent on entangling his fingers in the mass of soft 
hair and froze as he came 
in touch with short cropped hair instead. His eyes shot open and he gazed 
directly into Lacroix's.

"What are you doing?" he asked in alarm and tried to move out of Lacroix's 
reach. But the elder wouldn't 
budge.
"I'm taking care of your need, Nicholas," he said in a soothing voice.
"No, you can't," Nicholas exclaimed.
Lacroix gave him an indulging smile.
"I assure you, I am perfectly capable of doing so."
"It's against nature," Nicholas protested.
"Nonsense. Let go of your medieval upbringing and let me show you that this lies 
very well within our 
nature."
Nicholas opened his mouth to protest, but Lacroix clamped his hand over it.
"Trust me and relax," he breathed into Nicholas' ear.
Nicholas shivered as he felt his master's lips so close to his ear. His entire 
body was incredibly tense and 
he dared not move.
"Close your eyes," Lacroix instructed. "Think of Janette, if you wish."

Seeing that he had no choice, Nicholas did as he was told. Soon he perceived the 
brushing of soft lips on 
his neck. Featherlight kisses were placed in a trail down his neck and shoulder 
towards his chest. Then a 
tongue swirled around his left nipple while fingertips danced around the other. 
A low growl escaped his 
throat as he felt his nipples harden into tiny nubs. He took in a sharp breath 
as lips closed over the tip and 
began to suck in a steady rhythm. The hand that had so skillfully played with 
his other nipple moved 
downward past his belly and came in touch with his arousal.
Nicholas gasped at the sensation, all thoughts about reluctance now gone from 
his mind. Only the need to 
find fulfilment remained. He raised his hips to buck against the hand that soon 
enclosed him and stroked 
him in an increasing rhythm, matching the sucking sensation on his nipple.
Nicholas roared deeply, the need for blood suddenly overwhelming.
"Janette!" he cried out and sank his fangs into the wrist that was offered. But 
the blood wasn't Janette's. 

When he came back to his senses, he realized in embarrassment that he had 
climaxed violently over his 
master's hand.
"Forgive me," he uttered and covered himself. "I shouldn't have ----"
"There's no need to feel ashamed, Nicholas," Lacroix interrupted him.
He raised his hand to his lips and licked it clean, savouring the remnants of 
his son's release.
"There's so much more that I can do for you," he continued in his velvet voice.
Nicholas stared at him. He knew he should feel repulsed, but the mere words 
sufficed to make him excited 
again.

Lacroix smiled at his son's obvious discomfort. He moved closer and pressed his 
lips on Nicholas' mouth.
Nicholas tried to evade the touch, the struggling movement causing his renewed 
hardness to collide with 
Lacroix's thigh. The unexpected sensation ran like a bolt of electricity through 
his body.
"Don't fight it, Nicholas," Lacroix whispered. "Just enjoy the sensation. And 
soon you will cry out my name 
in passion."
Nicholas was about to utter words of denial, when he noticed that Lacroix had 
moved his attention to his 
chest again, where he nibbled and licked his way around with increasing passion. 
Nicholas instinctively 
arched his back and moaned as Lacroix sucked first his left nipple and then the 
other into a throbbing nub. 
He realized that his hardness was straining for attention as well and noticed in 
a mixture of horror and 
desire that Lacroix's mouth had taken a distinctive path towards the centre of 
his craving.
He cried out in ecstasy as he felt smooth lips engulf him. Then all rational 
thought vanished and he thrust 
himself into his master's mouth.
Lacroix delighted in the way his child responded. He applied a sucking motion to 
his son that would soon 
drive him over the edge. When he reached up with his arm, Nicholas grabbed it 
instantly and tore his 
fangs into Lacroix's wrist. Lacroix swallowed hungrily as Nicholas found his 
release.
Satisfied he looked up at his child who lay panting on the sheets.

"This isn't real," Nicholas muttered. "This can't be happening."
Lacroix moved up Nicholas' body and claimed his lips again, pleased to find no 
longer any resistance 
there.
"Rest, mon fils," he whispered. "There are more pleasures to be had."

* * *

For the first time since Janette had left him, Nicholas slept undisturbed.
When he woke in the evening, he realized with some relief that he was alone in 
his room. He dressed and 
stepped into the main hall where he found his master in an armchair by the 
fireplace, reading a book.
Lacroix lifted his gaze and regarded him probingly.
"Good evening, Nicholas. I trust that you rested well?"
Nicholas nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the probing gaze.
"You must be hungry. Why don't you take care of that need before we continue 
where we left off?"
Nicholas wanted to argue that he had no intention to continue with whatever his 
master had in mind, but 
hunger prevented him from doing so. He left the castle and took to the air.

Soon he found what he had been looking for. A serving girl that was only too 
willing to accompany a richly 
dressed gentleman into a dark corner.
Nicholas took his time, proving to himself that he was a man who didn't need the 
attentions of another to 
find his release. And yet, after he had drained the girl in the height of 
passion, his thoughts returned 
involuntarily to his master's cryptic promise.
~ There are more pleasures to be had ~
What else could there possibly be?
Although he was still generally reluctant to get involved with a man, he 
couldn't deny a certain degree of 
curiosity of the unknown.
Thus it was with a certain eagerness that he returned to the castle.

* * *

Lacroix took his son by the hand and led him into his bedroom. Stopping in front 
of the bed, he turned and 
leaned close to kiss Nicholas' lips.
Instinctively Nicholas pulled back.
"I ---I ---I--- don't know, Lacroix," he stuttered as his doubts returned.
"Ssssh," the elder soothed him and reached around his back to pull him close, so 
that their fronts were 
touching.
"I can feel your need," he said, rubbing himself against his son.
Nicholas swallowed as a realization struck him.
His master seemed to be aroused as well and he remembered that he hadn't found 
any release last night. 
Certainly he did not expect him to do the same things that Lacroix had done to 
him?
"Lacroix? You didn't receive any satisfaction last night. I---I'm not sure I can 
do what you have done for 
me," he mumbled, embarrassed.
"Don't concern yourself with that, mon fils," Lacroix replied, brushing his 
fingers over Nicholas' cheek. "In 
time you will see that you can."

Lacroix's fingers had moved to Nicholas' chest, where he began to unbutton his 
doublet. Nicholas 
remained passive as he couldn't bring himself to mirror the attention. Soon 
Lacroix had freed his chest. He 
leaned in to capture one of his nipples with his mouth while his right hand 
slipped into Nicholas' pants. 
Nicholas moaned as he felt his master's cool hand on his skin. Throwing his head 
back, he savoured the 
sensation as the elder began to massage him.
Then Lacroix pushed him backwards onto the bed and pulled off his pants. 
Nicholas gasped as he felt the 
cool air engulf him.
Lacroix regarded his child as he lay sprawled on the sheets and licked his lips. 
This time he would get his 
satisfaction as well. But he knew that he had to be careful with Nicholas.
He took his time to undress himself, fully aware of the unwavering gaze of his 
child. He noticed with 
delight as Nicholas' arousal grew when he had cast away the last of his 
garments.

Slowly he climbed onto the bed, covering Nicholas' body with his own.
"I don't know what to do," Nicholas whispered.
"Just relax and let nature take its course," Lacroix whispered back.
Then he began an arousing attack on his child's body. He pressed his lips on 
Nicholas', demanding 
entrance. At the same time he rubbed himself against his child, causing Nicholas 
to moan in desire. 
Seizing Nicholas' momentary distraction, he invaded his mouth, letting his 
tongue roam freely around in 
the moist cavern.
Then his lips wandered towards Nicholas' neck, where he nibbled and sucked at 
the vein. Nicholas 
moaned again and bared his neck, wanting to be bitten. But Lacroix moved further 
down towards his 
nipples. Taking one into his mouth, he pinched the other with his fingers, 
causing both to harden into tiny 
nubs. By this time Nicholas was writhing under his attentions. His hardness was 
throbbing with need. He 
gasped in delight as Lacroix closed his hand around it and started to stroke him 
in a slow rhythm. Nicholas 
was just about to urge him to increase the rhythm, when he became aware of 
another sensation. Lacroix 
had slipped his other hand between his buttock, pressing probingly into his 
entrance. After a while he 
pressed his finger more boldly into the opening, continuing to move in and out.

Nicholas felt as if bolts of lightning were shooting through him. His moans 
became more audible and 
turned into gasps as Lacroix inserted a second digit.
Just when Nicholas thought he was going to burst, Lacroix ceased his motions.
"What are you doing?" he gasped.
"I'm preparing you for the ultimate pleasure," Lacroix explained in a seductive 
whisper.
Nicholas watched as his master reached for a small flask on the nightstand and 
poured an amount of oil 
over himself. Then he altered his position and Nicholas realized in sudden shock 
that he was poised at his 
entrance.

Panic began to build in him. He had taken a woman occasionally in this manner, 
but never considered its 
application to his own body. In the crusades many of his fellow knights had been 
raped in this degrading 
manner. He had been lucky to escape. Why was his master punishing him like this 
now?
"No, please," he begged.
Lacroix halted in his motions as he noticed the change in his child.
"Nicholas?" he asked gently.
"What have I done wrong to deserve this? Why are you punishing me like this?" 
Nicholas exclaimed 
miserably.
Lacroix was slightly taken aback by Nicholas' reaction.
"I promised you delight, not punishment, Nicholas," he clarified.
"But---"
"Do you trust me, Nicholas?" Lacroix asked, holding his child's gaze.
After a moment Nicholas nodded.
"Then allow me to proceed and you will see that this is far from being a 
punishment."
Nicholas swallowed. But he complied and closed his eyes, awaiting his fate.
"No, look at me, Nicholas. I want you to be thoroughly aware that it is me who 
is going to take you."
Nicholas opened his eyes and stared mutely at his master.

And then Lacroix pushed himself inside, slowly and carefully, until he was all 
the way in. Instinctively 
Nicholas placed his hands on Lacroix's arms, squeezing them tightly as a firy 
pain shot through him. 
Lacroix waited until Nicholas had adapted to him, then he began to move, slowly 
at first, then as he 
noticed that Nicholas responded, with increasing force.
Nicholas gasped as the pain began to turn into bliss when Lacroix started to 
thrust. Automatically he 
matched his own movements to the rhythm his master had established. With each 
thrust he struggled to 
draw his master deeper into himself. He wrapped his arms around him, clinging to 
him with all his might.
With the increasing passion another need came along. He felt his fangs drop and 
bit instinctively into his 
master's neck. With the first taste of Lacroix's blood he came in a violent 
climax. Moments later he felt 
Lacroix's fangs enter his own vein. Another climax shuddered through him as he 
felt his own blood 
running into Lacroix, who found his release still buried deep inside him. 
Nicholas tasted his master's 
delight to find him responding so well and was astonished to find himself 
desired by his master for so long. 
He continued to drink until he passed out from sheer exhaustion.

>>>>>>>

Nick smiled at the memory. Lacroix had been so patient and gentle with him when 
he could have taken 
him by force. It had been the beginning of innumerable encounters. Nicholas had 
learned eagerly and 
soon laid aside all squeamishness, responding with a passion that matched that 
of his master. It had been 
a time of pure bliss until he had begun to search for his soul and distanced 
himself from his immortal 
family. The disputes between him and Lacroix had increased until the rift in 
their relationship was too big 
to be mended. But even now he sometimes caught himself yearning for his master's 
touch.
But that was impossible. Not after he had attempted to kill him two years ago.

* * *

"You aren't helping me much, Nightcrawler," the voice of a caller sounded over 
the airwaves and roused 
Nick from his reverie. 
"In time you'll see that I am. I'm cleansing your wound, waking you from a 
stupor. Because of your grief, 
you cannot see that I am an ally. In my way, I love you all and I want your love 
back."
Nick blinked all of a sudden. This last sentence had been uttered with a hint of 
despair in his voice. Like a 
wish one dared not express too often because of its futility and yet on occasion 
it is mentioned in the vain 
hope it might be fulfilled. Or was it just his imagination?
Was it possible that Lacroix still desired him despite his betrayal?

He turned off the stereo and paced the floor in an attempt to work off some 
energy. But he knew it was 
useless. There was only one way to get rid of this kind of energy. He could go 
to Janette, but he hated to 
use her like that.
~ I want your love back ~
The words haunted him.
With a sigh he grabbed his coat and left through the skylight.

* * *

Nick flew to Lacroix's mansion and landed in front of the entrance. He stared a 
while at the code pad 
beside the bell. After a moment's hesitation he pressed four digits and found 
the lock released. He smiled 
to himself. Ever since the invention of electronic locks, Lacroix had maintained 
the same code: 1228.

Nick entered and found Lacroix in the parlour, leaning against the mantel, a 
glass of bloodwine in his 
hand. Of course he had sensed his approach and regarded him expectantly.

When Nick remained silent, Lacroix placed his glass onto the mantel and advanced 
slowly.
"What have I done to prompt this visit?" he asked. "Another lecture about not 
meddling in your affairs? 
Although I don't recall having overstepped your precious mortal law recently."

Nick couldn't explain the reason for his visit in words. So he simply reached 
for Lacroix's hips and pulled 
him against his hardness, surprised to find his master equally aroused.
"I need you," he whispered, holding his master's gaze.
"Ah," Lacroix breathed. "And what exactly do you need, Nicholas? Me or merely 
someone who takes care 
of your problem? Anyone can do that, even your mortal doctor if she's skilful 
enough."
"No." Nick shook his head vehemently. "I don't want anyone else."
"That's quite a sudden change in attitude," Lacroix remarked. "May I ask what 
has brought this change 
about?"
"That attitude never changed," Nick whispered. "And neither did yours."
"What makes you so sure about that?" Lacroix asked.
Nick began to rub himself against his master, causing the elder to stir with 
desire.
"This," he breathed, satisfied to see Lacroix close his eyes in pleasure.
He leaned boldly forward and kissed Lacroix on the lips.

Lacroix jerked back as if struck by lightning, his face an unreadable mask. He 
placed his hands on Nick's 
shoulders and held him at a distance.
"I will not indulge in one of your spur-of-the-moment moods, only to find myself 
rejected again later," he 
stated.
Nick was slightly taken aback by his master's reluctance. Was it too optimistic 
to hope he would be 
received with open arms?
"It's not a spur-of-the-moment decision, Lacroix. This desire has been steadily 
re-awakened. I just didn't 
want to admit it to myself and ---," he broke off.
"And?" Lacroix inquired, moving one hand to grab Nick's chin.
Nick cast his eyes to the floor.
"I was afraid," he mumbled.
"Of?" Lacroix asked, dreading the answer. If Nicholas was afraid of him, there 
was no way to find fulfilment 
tonight. Because he knew he couldn't be as gentle with Nicholas as he had been 
the first time. His need 
was too urgent. It was better to send him away before his self-control wavered 
and he took him, driven by 
passion alone.
"I was afraid to be rejected," Nick admitted in a whisper and raised his eyes to 
meet Lacroix's.
The expression he found there told him that his fear had been unfounded.
"I may not be able to take you as gently as I should," Lacroix warned, giving 
him a last chance to retreat.
Nick grinned at him.
"Don't worry. I can take it. Hell, I need it!"
As soon as the words left his mouth he found his lips devoured by Lacroix.

Nick's entire body began to tingle with anticipation. If Lacroix continued to 
take him with the same passion 
he now applied on his mouth, the bliss would be insurmountable. Nick wrapped his 
arms around the elder 
and opened his mouth to give him access. Lacroix slipped his tongue inside and 
caressed his fangs until 
they dropped. Then he left his lips and showered kisses over his cheeks and down 
his neck. At the same 
time he began to shove Nick towards his bedroom. Nick tossed his head back, 
enjoying the sensation his 
master created by licking along his throat. How he had missed this. To give 
himself to total abandon.

He realized that Lacroix had dragged him into his bedroom, but he had little 
time to look around as the 
elder now concentrated his attentions on his chest. Long fingers opened the 
buttons of his shirt which was 
quickly slid from his shoulders. As soon as his chest was bared, Lacroix's lips 
were on him, sucking at his 
collarbone before moving to his nipples. He closed his lips over Nick's left 
nipple and sucked it into a hard 
nub. His hands roamed across Nick's back, pressing him closer to him. One hand 
slipped into the 
waistband of his slacks, probing into the cleft between his buttocks.
Nick moaned in desire and began to fumble with the buttons of Lacroix's shirt. 
The elder halted a moment 
in his ministrations until Nick had freed him from his shirt. Then he moved his 
hands towards Nick's belt, 
removing it, before opening his slacks. In a smooth motion he brushed them down 
and pushed Nick onto 
the bed behind him.

Nick sat on the edge of the bed and reached for his master's belt. After 
removing his pants, he grabbed 
Lacroix by his buttocks and mouthed him completely.
Lacroix groaned in bliss as he felt his son's lips engulf him. He rested his 
hands on Nick's shoulders to 
steady himself when Nick began to suck on him, creating most wonderful 
sensations. Lacroix revelled in 
the pleasure his child created, delighted to find him remembering so well what 
he liked. But he wanted this 
first encounter to be special. He withdrew from Nick's mouth and motioned him to 
lie back on the bed. 
Nick sensuously reclined on the dark sheets, earning an admiring look from his 
master.
Then Lacroix was upon him, devouring every part of his chest with his lips until 
Nick squirmed under him.

He willingly spread his legs, expressing his need to be taken. Lacroix reached 
for his legs and wrapped 
them around his hips. Then he moved into position, lingering at his son's 
entrance.
"Tell me that this is what you want, Nicholas," he demanded.
"Yes, please, take me," Nick rasped and cried out in a mixture of pain and 
fulfilment as Lacroix pushed 
into him. Lacroix breathed heavily as he remained unmoving for a while to give 
Nicholas the opportunity to 
get used to him again. He hoped he hadn't hurt his child, but Nick's muscles 
welcomed him and 
accommodated wonderfully around him. Driven by sheer joy, he captured Nicholas' 
lips in a passionate 
kiss.

Then he slowly began to withdraw before pushing back inside. His thrusts 
increased in force and speed 
and they were equally matched by Nick.
"Lucien!" Nick suddenly cried out and sank his fangs into his master's neck.
Hearing his name cried out in passion drove Lacroix over the edge. He gave one 
final thrust before tearing 
fiercely into Nick's neck.

Nick's senses reeled in sheer bliss as his master's blood rushed down his 
throat. He had been unprepared 
to find such an amount of desire directed at him. Instinctively he wrapped 
himself tighter around his 
master.

Lacroix revelled in the taste of Nicholas' blood he had been denied for so long. 
He squeezed his eyes shut 
as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him when he perceived the longing for 
him that had steadily 
been building in Nicholas. When Nicholas pressed himself tighter against him, he 
wrapped his arms 
around him, holding him in a tight embrace.
He continued to hold him as Nicholas slid into oblivion. Only then dared he look 
at the treasure he held in 
his arms. Lacroix didn't want to drift into sleep for fear Nicholas would change 
his mind again after a day's 
rest. Instead he kept his vigil, cherishing the feeling of Nicholas' skin 
against his.

* * *

Lacroix woke with a start, feeling oddly disoriented and scolding himself for 
falling asleep when he had 
meant to stay awake. His heart sank as he realized that he was alone in his huge 
bed.

He donned his robe and went in search for his son. He found him in the parlour, 
standing in front of the 
window, staring out into the night.
He approached hesitantly, wanting to delay the moment he would be rejected 
again.
With increasing concern he noticed as Nicholas stiffened at his approach.
"I ---," Nicholas began in an uncertain voice. "I don't know what to say…"
Lacroix took a deep breath.
"I will make it easy for you, Nicholas. How about 'thank you for the ride, but I 
can't bear the life you 
represent'?"
Nick whirled around at the sniding tone in Lacroix's voice.
"No!" he exclaimed, realizing what his father must be thinking. "That was not 
what I meant to say."
"What then, Nicholas?" Lacroix asked, bracing himself for the worst.
"I had no idea…"
"About?" Lacroix inquired, slowly losing his patience as he obviously had to 
draw every word from 
Nicholas.
"About how you feel," he continued. "I thought you didn't want me anymore."
"Why did you think that, Nicholas? I have always wanted you. From the 
beginning."
"Yeah, I know. But you never said anything. I thought you had lost interest."
"The very fact that I kept chasing you around the world should have told you 
that this was hardly the case. 
I was merely tired of being rejected by you."
"You could have taken me by force," Nicholas said.
"Yes, I could have. But I did not want that for you. I wanted you to come on 
your own accord."
"Even if it took centuries?"
"It was worth the time, don't you agree? And it wasn't the first time I waited 
that long."
"And you would wait that long again?" Nick asked, baffled.
"Do I have to?" Lacroix asked with a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"No," Nick whispered and wrapped his arms around Lacroix. "I couldn't bear to 
wait that long."
Then he pulled him into a searing kiss.
"Help me to enjoy this life again, Lucien," he pleaded.
Lacroix tightened the hold on his child.
"I will, Nicholas. I will," he whispered roughly into Nick's ear.

FIN