Note: The characters from "Forever Knight" are  owned by Sony Tri-Star. The characters from "Xena Warrior Princess" which is owned by Studios USA and was created by Rob Tapert and John Schulian. All other characters are fictitious and are of my own creation. Thanks to Emily, Jarvinia, and Mindi for their insightful comments. As always, their ideas have improved the story which you are about to read.


Prologue (Fifteen years before "Trouble in Toronto")

Traffic creaked slowly through the center of Scituate, MA on the third weekend of May. Horns honked, cars idled, exhaust hung heavily in the air, and tempers sizzled. Fourth in line at the traffic light by Maple and 
State Streets, a yellow Subaru sat waiting for its turn. Its owner tapped his fingers impatiently on the dashboard.

"C'mon, c'mon...." the young man hissed at the doddering red light. "Figures." He ran his fingers through his chestnut brown hair and glanced at his watch. 7:30 PM. At least, he still had an hour before he 
needed to be at his college roommate's house across town. Chill out, Dave.  Classes are over for the Summer, and Karen will be flying in this 
weekend. Just take it easy.

***************

Finals at the U of A had not been easy. Dave had completed a gauntlet of papers and tests. But, even more trying was the bizarre incident which took place during Dr. Tony Samuelsohn's last class of the semester. 
The lecture, aimed at discussing the Crusades and the Crusaders' impact on Europe and the Holy Land, proved fascinating. As with his other sessions, Dr. S. held his students' attention tightly. But, as he started into a discussion of a particular Flemish knight, a strange intruder halted the proceedings. The visitor was slim yet well-built with piercing icy eyes, a closely-shaved head, and an aura which seemed to project a regal persona. This man's presence told the bystanders that he usually got what he wanted without much argument.

"You will stop this discussion," the man ordered.

Dr. Samuelsohn stared at the intruder incredulously, "Excuse me?"

The other repeated himself, "You will stop this discussion, now." His eyes seemed to bore into the professor's consciousness.

Dave, for his part, felt a throbbing start in his own head. The spasms had started again and whatever this jerk was doing was only making them worse.

The professor's eyes went blank and he nodded, "I...will not...go any...further."

"Good," the intruder crooned with a soft yet threatening undertone. "I would hate to have to use more force. Now, dismiss this rabble and leave."

The instructor nodded and turned toward his class.  "You... are... dismissed."

This forced maneuver forced Dave over the edge. Standing up from his front row seat, he tensed and began to snarl, "Why...that sonuva..."

Andy Faulkner, his best friend, grabbed his arm. "Sit down! You wanna be next?" he asked.

"The asshole can try, but nobody ...does... that," Dave smoldered.

Andy shuddered. He had known Dave since junior high school. Despite the latter's friendly personality and wit, a bad temper had lurked beneath the surface. There had been several close calls throughout the years with his emotions. As a result, everyone wondered what would 
happen if Dave ever truly lost it and had nobody there to help him to stop....

The stranger glanced at them. "Let's not make a scene," he advised.

"Too late for that," Dave retorted. His eyes burned into the intruder's. "You picked this fight, Buster."

"I see that I must...discipline you as well," the other shook his head and directed his glare at the college student.

Dave gripped his head tightly as the pounding escalated. The figure and the room seemed to be turning crimson.

"You will forget," the man stated.

"Like Hell," Dave glowered.

The man frowned and redoubled his efforts. "You will forget...." he repeated, his eyes turning a slight shade of yellow.

Dave smiled wickedly. "And I said. like Hell!" He closed his eyes and shook off the stranger's spell. Then, he glared at his attacker. "Surprise, I can't be hypnotized! So, I guess you can go jump in a lake...of holy water."

The intruder snarled. This one would be trouble. He advised the impudent student, "Mark my words, you will rue this day. I will come for you in a more...private setting."

The college student sniggered derisively, "Anytime. And may I ask the name of my creditor?"

The other nodded, "Yes, you may call me, LaCroix. And we will meet again."

"I'm sure," the enraged student found himself saying.

LaCroix shrugged and took off through the open skylight and back into the night from which he had come leaving chaos in his wake.

******************************

Ten minutes after he had cleared the traffic light, Dave parked his car in Andy's driveway. He was sure that this was going to be a great weekend after all of the hard work. Then, he saw Andy sprinting hard toward him. His face was pasty white and he trembled.

"Andy, what's wrong?" Dave insisted. "Is your family okay?"

His friend leaned against the Subaru and took two minutes to regain his breath. Finally, he nodded, "We're fine, Dave. But, it's Dr. Samuelsohn...."

"What about him?" Dave demanded anxiously.

"He called about fifteen minutes ago," his friend puffed nervously. "He sounded...scared. Something about his new find and that class last month."

Dave's mind flashed back over those events. Dr. S. had unearthed a manuscript in Eastern Europe containing several hereto-before untold secrets of the Medieval world. While this discovery excited many people, it sparked a rash of death threats culminating in the classroom incident.

"I'm sure that your folks will understand if I go there now, " Dave explained.

"I...I guess. Dave, what did you do when you provoked that guy?" Andy pushed.

"Nothing that wouldn't have happened anyhow," Dave asserted and sped away toward the north.

***************************

Tony Samuelsohn hurriedly poured over the notes spread across the oak desk in his study. Something in these memoirs was unnerving people. But what was it? And what would happen to him and his wife, Pauline, 
because of it?

Suddenly, he heard a crash coming from the kitchen. "Pauline?" he called.

"Tony! Help me!" she wailed.

Rising from his chair, he heard her scream once more. "No!" he realized and ran toward the kitchen. There, he found his wife lying motionlessly on the floor. He frantically felt her wrist for a pulse. He noticed that her 
head was turned at an awkward angle signifying that someone had broken her neck.

"Samuelsohn," a dark voice beckoned.

The professor turned to see a strange man standing directly behind him...or what seemed to be a man at least. The visitor's eyes glowed crimson and his fangs glistened in the moonlight.

"You were warned," the intruder continued. "Now, you will be disposed of." He signaled with his right hand.

Suddenly, Samuelsohn felt his arms being restrained. From nowhere, a medium-built Oriental man and a Caucasian male held him fast. "What?"

"You are going to die." the leader smiled coldly and bent over the professor's neck, his fangs descending toward the target.

Suddenly, the screeching of tires on the asphalt in front of the house grabbed the intruder's attention. He turned his head toward the window. "Wu Han! Deal with it!" he ordered.

The Oriental nodded and strolled through the front door.

"Now, you die," the vampire hissed.

Dave screeched his car to a halt in front of his mentor's Cambridge home. The young man shook his head fearfully. When his relations with his father had deteriorated, Dave had found support with his advisor and Mrs. Samuelsohn. When he had needed a helping hand, they had been there for him. Now, it was time to return the favor. Crawling into 
the back seat, he found his bow and quiver full of shafts. While several shafts didn't have tips, their sharpened edges would have to suffice. "Hang on, Doc!" he pleaded and bolted toward the house.

About halfway there, a figure dropped out of the sky, alighting in front of him. The Oriental figure was of medium-build with long raven-black hair which he wore braided down his back. His clean-shaven face was pale, his eyes glowed blood-red, and his fangs glistened in the moonlight. By all of the signs, he was a vampire.

"You should not have come. Now you die," Wu Han asserted.

Dave shook his head frantically. The figure in front of him inspired terror. His pulse quickened, his breathing grew shallow. "What have you done with Dr. Samuelsohn?" he demanded, albeit more forcefully than he felt.

The Asian vampire growled, "By now, he is dead. Do not worry. I will send you to meet him!"

That statement, meant as a preliminary threat, proved a provocative turning point. For, at that moment, Dave's spasms began anew. "Over...my dead...body," he protested.

Han snarled, "Parents should have taught brat better!" Before Dave could react, the Enforcer backhanded the young man, sending him into the massive oak behind him.

The graduate student sighed fretfully. Pain wracked his body. Frigid icy daggers stabbed at his brain. He hadn't felt like this since his father had done the same to him. His father...Dave had sworn that nobody would touch him like that again. From deep inside of his head, a terrible roar echoed.

The attacker stopped as his senses detected this transformation. Somehow, the latter's aura changed and a darker threat was surfacing. No matter, the interloper would be dead in another minute....

Suddenly, the young man's left eye snapped open and a giant leer spread across his face. "Ah'm...Ah'm free!!!" the Child screamed malevolently and turned on Han. "Yer..." The open eye started to glow and from nowhere, a blast hit the Enforcer.

Han landed across the lawn, bruised by the energy pulse, and admittedly, unnerved by the other's transformation. Somehow, this young man was more than he appeared on the surface. No matter, the 
Code demanded his death and, as an Enforcer, Han was obligated to carry it out.

"I hope you aren't through yet," the Child chuckled. "I think ya'll're finished." The enraged man focused on his scattered shafts. Once again, the energy flowed through him and outward. As if they had a mind of their own, the projectiles levitated into the air and flung themselves faster than even a vampire's senses could follow. With cold precision, two stakes pierced him to the house behind him.

He advanced on his nocturnal adversary menacingly. "Now, what to do with ya'll? Ah wish that mah father were here fer this!" he laughed 
and sent a third missile through the vampire's heart.  After that, he 
 stalked purposefully through the open door.

From the darkness, another voice challenged, "What? Where is Wu Han?"

The Child turned to face the Caucasian Enforcer. "Ah nailed his sorry ass! the enraged student snickered, his tone much lower than before. "And ya'll?" He pointed at his opponent and fired a burst, knocking the vampire from his feet. Taking another sharpened shaft from the quiver, he staked his opponent as well.

"Asshole," he hissed and entered the living room. Lying in front of him was the professor, painfully shuddering.

"D...David?" the elder man whispered.

"Not exactly," the student's other persona informed him and looked around. Someone else was in the room with them. Somehow, he could sense the other presence, but couldn't react before something hard hit him across the back of his head.

He turned to see another Caucasian vampire dressed in what appeared to be fifteenth century Burgundian fashion who glowered at him.

"And who are ya'll?" the Child spat.

The lead Enforcer responded. "I am Bertrand du Dijon, and I am your death!"

"Big words, Peacock," the Dark One doubted and slammed Dijon with a pulse.

The latter fell backward, his arm reaching into the fireplace and catching fire. Dijon screamed painfully as he ripped the flaming sleeve off, and threw it onto the floor. Unfortunately, the arm was badly burned, and the Persian rug was going up in smoke as well. The young man would pay!

"What are ya'll waitin' for?" the Child challenged. "C'mon!"

Dijon tensed, only to hear a siren approaching them. The mortal authorities. "Damn them!" he hissed. To make matters worse, the whole room was ablaze. He would need to deal with this insolent mortal at another point. "Another time!" he cursed and took off through the open window.

The Child glowered at this act of apparent cowardice. But from within the recesses of his brain, his instincts guided him into his mentor's study.  Somehow, in the midst of the thick, cloying smoke and blistering heat, he located his professor's desk. Looking at the pile of manuscripts on Samuelsohn's desk, he decided to save as many as possible. Working quickly, he managed to get the desk cleared as well as flinging the contents of the adjoining case and the packing tube through the open window. By then, the flames burst into the area, forcing him to retreat.

"The old man!" he growled and rushed into the living room. By now, the inferno had consumed the room and threatened the bodies of Dr. S. and his wife. Somehow, he dragged them out of the burning house and laid them on the lawn.

"D...David?" the professor inquired weakly. "There is some…thing I… need…to…tell…you…."

"I'll give him the message," the student replied cryptically.

"You...You must keep going. Don't...Don't stop for anything," the dying man insisted. "Promise me."

The Child nodded. "We...Ah...promise."  With that, the change occurred leaving Dave to gaze upon his professor.

Samuelsohn smiled warmly. "You...were always...my favorite student. Make...me...proud." Then he closed his eyes and passed away.

"P..Professor?" Dave pushed. The realization of what just happened cut through the angry fog in his mind, bringing the student back to his senses. "Doc, wake up! You can't leave me!" He grasped his mentor's shoulders and shook him hard. Then, perhaps realizing that there was nothing more that he could do, Dave set the elder man's head gently 
on the grass, and stood up slowly. With tears streaming down his face, the student looked up into the overcast evening and made a vow.

"We will meet again, Dijon. Count on it...and only one of us will walk away!!" he bellowed angrily. "Tonight, you have sown the wind... Tomorrow, the whirlwind will come, and it will come for you!" 
With that, he started to gather the strewn manuscripts before the rains came later that evening.

Chapter 1 (Back in the contemporary FK universe)

In a darkened chamber on Toronto's west side, a council of vampires had congregated to discuss recent infractions of the Code and how to deal with them. While the Elders had often met to decide such matters, 
this group took matters into their own hands, lest the Community be exposed.

The vampire at the table's head demanded, "What are we to do then?"

"We have been punishing infractors," another immortal argued.

"But not conclusively enough!" the leader snapped. "Observe!" He produced a videotape and started the VCR and television set to his right. On the screen, the recent battles between Xena, Dave and LaCroix were 
played out. First in Toronto, then in Tucson, and finally, in Wabash. The final standoff between the librarian and Divia added emphasis to the Community's crisis. "You see...we are in danger from two forces here. 
First, these fights shed unnecessary light on our kind. Secondly, Dubois is an unchecked force...a renegade who needs to be dealt with!"

"What about the woman warrior?" an attractive redheaded vampiress interjected.

The leader nodded. "Yes...both Xena and Gabrielle would be considerable problems as well. Both would need to be dealt with as will the so-called Messenger of Eli."

"And the vampires? What of them? LaCroix is an Elder. Since we don't want them interfering, certainly we wouldn't want to endanger his favorite or any of his companions...." she continued.

"They have broken the Code by revealing their existence to the mortal world. They should be dealt with. The Code makes no exceptions," the leader stated. LaCroix's favorite, Nicolas de Brabant, is a repeat offender and the fledgling, Alyce Hunter, has stepped out of line as well."

"And the mortals?" a red-haired immortal supposed.

"They must be eliminated as well, All of them," the leader urged. "Dijon?"

From the shadows, Dijon stepped into view. He had eagerly awaited his chance to kill the insolent mortal librarian. "Yes?"

"Why haven't you dealt with the mortals?" the leader demanded.

"The opportunity hadn't presented itself at that point," the Enforcer growled and rubbed his arm. Although the burns had healed long before, the hate and spite that he felt for Dave continued to burn brightly. "However, with your leave...."

"Yes, assemble a large group of your associates and deal with the situation!" the leader commanded.

"For Wu Han and Dubonay, it will be a honor," Dijon smiled wickedly. With a slight bow, he left the room.

The renegade vampires reclined in their seats. When the Burgundian set his mind on something, it was usually done. The situation would be dealt with soon...very soon indeed.

****

A week later, Dave sat at the Reference desk, eagerly helping students to prepare for their exams. Nervous energy and tension filled the air as he took about fifty questions in a two hour span. Finally, just as the clock struck 9:00 PM, he closed up the station and shuffled his way up the stairs. Leaning slightly on the cane, which he had used since the surgery in Wabash, Dave favored his right knee on the way to his office. Unlocking the door, he made his way to the desk and the chair behind it.

"I wish my knee would feel better," he groused impatiently. Still, he knew that a rebuilt joint was a small price to pay after a fight with Divia. Considering the mortals and immortals that she had killed, he was lucky to be alive. Still, despite the fact that the last three months had been relatively peaceful, productive, and enjoyable, the familiar dread burned in his gut. Something didn't feel right....

"I wonder if the anniversary of Tony's death has me on edge?" he mused. He shuddered as the memories flooded his consciousness once again causing the Child to stir momentarily. As with Dijon, Dave harbored his feelings from that faithful evening. "Someday, I will find that slime," he affirmed.

Then, his psychic senses picked up on a pocket of emptiness approaching his office. The essence had a familiar feel...from the Raven. He waited for the cold spot to touch the door knob before swinging the door open. "Bonjour, Janette. Entre vous," he greeted.

The female vampire was taken aback by his greeting. However, she steeled herself and entered the room. "Merci, David. You are looking better these days since your tete a tete with LaCroix's daughter, eh?" she noted.

"Except for the stiffness in my knee, I'll agree with that," he nodded. "So, what brings you to Tucson?"

"My debt to you," she replied grimly.

"Your debt? For helping you? Nonsense, it was my pleasure. My apologies, however, Janette. I have no bloodwine," he disagreed.

The vampiress smiled at his kindness. Nicolas picks his friends well. "I understand. In any case, David, I must warn you that the Enforcers are coming."

He sighed deeply. As usual, his instincts were dead-on accurate. This news meant trouble. Bad enough that LaCroix was permanently in town, but this situation could mean really serious danger.  "And..?"

"And Dijon is heading the group himself, I understand," she continued.

" Dijon. So the jackal returns...finally." he nodded, a sinister smile crossing his features.

"I heard that he ran into a sticky situation...A bit of unfinished business," she reported.

"That's putting it mildly," he shrugged. "I heard that two Enforcers were staked and a house burnt itself to the ground. Dijon himself fled with a 
burned arm."

Janette studied the man in front of her. How would he know? Despite the rumors circulating among her kind for the past decade, no one mortal or immortal had dared to come forward in such a manner…. Then 
it hit her. "Mon Dieu! You were there, weren't you…when the old professor, Samuelsohn, was killed?"

"Apparently, I was...Although, I don't remember much of it. I remember being attacked by Wu Han, the Oriental Enforcer, before blacking out. The next thing that I remember is the house burning, manuscripts all over the lawn, and my mentor lying dead in my arms," he noted. "I don't recall that episode, just like my memories of our confrontation are fuzzy at best."

She considered the librarian's words with great care. Of course, if what Nicolas and LaCroix had assumed was correct.... "So, the Enforcers went 
for Samuelsohn, but in doing so, encountered you," she guessed.

"Dijon's band released the Child. Accordingly, I guess you can say that the Enforcers are responsible for my situation," he stated. "And now, our mutual vendetta will be...addressed...one way or another." He opened the desk drawer and produced an oak stake.

She recoiled at the sight of this weapon. "Certainly, you aren't thinking of...."

"If he comes after me, I will have no hesitation. Janette, please understand. That murdering scum ripped a piece of me away...." he started and quaked suddenly. For a long minute, he sat silently. 

When he looked up again, the Child's smile was painted across his face again. "When he killed Doc, Mustard Boy hurt us! He'll pay! Ah guarantee it!"

The vampiress shuddered at his subtle shift between personalities. After that night in the Raven, she understood what it meant to be in the path of his rage. And on that evening, he had been in partial control The Community still buzzed over his clash with Divia and how easily he beat her to a pulp. When the Enforcers came, it would be essential to 
keep a close watch on his moods. "I see...." she said at last. "Well, I have delivered my message. Perhaps, you will do the sensible thing and avoid conflict."

He sighed and shuddered anew. The storm had abated as Dave once again took control. "If possible. After the last two events, I'm done for a while if I can help it," he asserted.

"I'm sure," she commented. "Well, if you will excuse me, I have other business to attend to."

"Of course, but, if you would allow me," he agreed and shuffled over to her. 

She smiled and raised her right hand. Bending slightly at the waist, he kissed it. "Enchante, Madame. A revoir."

Janette allowed her eyes to sparkle at him momentarily. Despite the boorish nature of his other personality, the librarian could be quite the 
gentleman when his senses were about him. "Merci. Bon soir," she replied pleasantly and departed back the way she came.

For a few minutes, Dave sat behind the desk, pondering what Janette had told him. Finally, realizing that it was getting quite late, he donned 
his coat and left the library himself.

*****

Natalie had typed for most of the evening at her computer. After three hours of work, she hit the "Print" button, allowing the printer to do its 
thing.

"Whew!" she sighed. "A good job completed!"

"I'm sure that you're glad to be finished," Annie, her assistant, surmised.

"Indeed, I am," the ME agreed. "Thanks for your help."

The intern flushed nervously, "I was just doing my job, Dr. LeBeau. But, I do appreciate it. Umm...do you have anything else for me to do  tonight?"

Natalie looked at her watch. It read 10:15 PM. "Wow! I'm sorry, Annie. I'll try to let you out a little early tomorrow," she realized.

"Fifteen extra minutes isn't going to kill me." the younger woman shrugged.

"That's an admirable attitude, and I appreciate it. Look, I'll finish here. You book off, okay?" Natalie complemented.

"If you would like. Good night, Dr. LeBeau," Annie smiled and left the room.

Natalie watched the young woman leave the room. Annie was learning more and more every day. By the end of the year, she would be ready to be a fine coroner. At least, Angie Dubois and Michael Fishburne could pick good interns....

A sudden knocking at the door stirred her back to reality. "Yes?" she asked.

Tracy Brown stuck her head into the room. "Hi, Natalie. Got a minute?" she requested, a bit of moodiness evident in her tone.

Natalie wondered what had happened now. Ever since Nick and Tracy had become partners, they had difficulties trusting each other. The situation had become more difficult since she learned that he was a vampire. "Sure, Trace. What's up?"

Tracy stalked into the room. She seemed twitchy and bothered. She was biting her lower lip. "I just wanted to talk to someone is all," she sighed 
despondently.

"About what? Trace, you've been like this for a week at least. Are you feeling okay?" the coroner inquired.

"Sure, I guess....it's Nick...." Tracy explained. "He's been with Schanke almost exclusively and well, I was wondering if I had...."

Natalie chuckled. So, this is what the moodiness has been about. "Tracy, you've done nothing wrong. It's just that Nick and Schanke were really close before the plane crash. Now that he's back, Schanke wants to get caught up is all," she assured her friend.

"So, just give them time?" Tracy probed.

"Absolutely. If you'd like, I'll talk to Nick," Natalie offered.

"Would you? I would appreciate it," the detective grinned gratefully.

"No problem," Natalie agreed. "Meantime, I'll walk with you upstairs." She took the report from the printer and placed it in a manila folder. "I have something for Ramirez. Now, shall we?"

**************************

Schanke scanned a folder pertaining to the latest case going around the department. The Mendoza homicide had turned out to be a particularly bad case. The officers had found Estelle Mendoza, an elderly Hispanic woman, lying in an alley, stabbed multiple times.

"Hey, Schank," Nick called to him.

"Huh? Oh, Nick. How's it goin'?" Schanke inquired.

"Okay, I guess," Nick replied. "Everything's pretty much the way it's always been. Tucson has some differences, but every city has its share of crime and homicides. Speaking of comparing cities, how are Myra and Jenny adjusting?"

"They're fine for the most part," his partner explained. "Jenny's a little down about having to leave her friends behind. Myra loves the weather. 
And, I gotta say, it's great being around you again."

Nick grinned. He never imagined when Stonetree first paired them together that they would become such good friends. But, they had grown on each other, and would continue to work on selected cases together.

Schanke looked at his watch. "Almost dinner time."

"Is Myra bringing dinner?" the vampire detective asked.

"No, actually Dave Dubois said that he's coming by. I would guess that he wants to talk with you. He said that he was bringing eats. Y' know, Nick....I gotta admit that I misjudged him. He is an okay guy, once you get to know him," Schanke admitted.

"That's true. Just as with all of us, he's dealing with certain issues. And he's...." Nick started and then, he felt a familiar sensation brush across 
his senses. "What?" he puzzled and looked around. He turned to see Janette standing at the counter talking to Chris Novak.

"Nick, what the heck is it?" Schanke demanded.

The vampire locked glances with his one-time lover and stood transfixed.

Schanke looked in the same direction and discovered the visitor. "Is that...?"

"Yes," Nick indicated.

"Man-o-man, I'll get the Interview Room pronto," Schanke indicated and rushed across the room.

"Do that," Nick urged and moved across the room. Once there, he told the desk sergeant, "She is a witness that I need to talk to."

"Okay, if you say so, Detective," Chris commented. "Thank you, Ma 'am, for checking in."

"You're welcome," Janette smiled sweetly. Although she disliked the pretense, for Nick's sake, she went along with it.

"Please come with me," Nick requested.

"All right. Do you have a place where we can talk in private, Detective?" she complied.

"Absolutely," he indicated and guided her into the Interview Room where Schanke awaited them.

Janette jumped at the sight of the resurrected detective. 

"Detective Schanke! Forgive me, but I had heard that you were dead!"

Schanke smiled, "The same might be said of you, Nick, and LaCroix."

She looked at her companion. "Nicolas, how?"

"He was resurrected. Please feel free to share anything with him as well," he noted.

The vampiress frowned. Normally, she wouldn't speak in front of mortals, but it seemed that Schanke was a special case. "Very well, Nicolas. I have grim tidings. The Enforcers are coming here."

"Are you certain?" her longtime associate demanded.

"Unfortunately, yes. It seems that the Duboises have created too much attention for the Community, as have you, Natalie, your partners, myself, and LaCroix," she continued.

Schanke shuddered. While he didn't know the exact identities of these thugs, if it made her and Nick nervous, they would be a major factor. "Great. It couldn't get any worse...."

Janette faced the balding detective. "Yes, it does. It appears that the Enforcers' leader, Bertrand du Dijon, has a vendetta against your friend, David." She sighed and turned back to the former Crusader. "Nicolas, I must warn you, David has a burning hatred for Dijon as well...from 
their last encounter," she reported.

He nodded. So, the stories were true. If so, his friend did indeed have a score to settle with the Enforcer. "And the Child?"

"A product of that encounter," Janette shuddered. "I talked with him about an hour ago. He teetered on the brink."

"You mean that monster?" Schanke probed.

"It's not a monster, Schanke," Nick corrected him. "It's an abused child with a great deal of power and a giant inferiority complex. We can't let Dave unleash his anger yet again." Now, he understood the full meaning of his former master's words at the Raven and again in Wabash. Samuelsohn....Yes, the old man had indeed found something and whatever it was, the Enforcers had missed it, but set off Dave's darkness in the process. In addition, LaCroix had mentioned the persistent rumor circulating around the Community. Whatever the initial cause, there would be trouble because of that clash so long ago.

"Wow! This is going to be something else," Schanke commented.

Nick glanced at his friend. While he agreed with Schanke's assumption, he certainly didn't need the reminder at that moment. Then, he sensed another presence. "Nat and Tracy are coming. And I sense Dave entering the building as well. How about we all meet at the loft later?" he proposed.

"Very well," Janette accepted. "I know where it is. Until then, mon Cher." Opening the room's window, she took off into the Sonoran night.

"She sure knows how to make an exit," Schanke admired.

"Yes, she does. However, we have a bigger problem right now," Nick advised him, albeit a bit too testily.

Just then, a knock came from the door. "Nick, it's Nat and Tracy. Can we come in?" Natalie requested.

"Sure," Nick agreed and opened the door, allowing them to enter.

"So, are you two having a private conference, or what?" Tracy probed.

Schanke shot Nick a sarcastic look which the latter shook off. Now was definitely not the time for their rivalry.

"Close the door and take a seat," the vampire detective advised everyone. "On second thought, get Dave in here. This concerns him as well."

Natalie stuck her head back out into the bullpen and signaled for the librarian to join them.

Dave nodded, and ignoring the surprised stares from the people around him, crossed the area quickly to join his friends. After walking into the room, he closed the door and handed Schanke a paper bag. "For you," he indicated.

The detective looked at him incredulously. "Nah, it can't be! I know that smell!" He unfolded the bag's top and exclaimed "Souvlaki!"

Natalie shook her head and stated, "You've got to be kidding me."

"I had Mike put extra oregano on it in place of the garlic," Dave indicated.

Schanke savored the sandwich. "This...is awesome," he commented happily. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Dave snickered. "Now, Natalie, what is this emergency of yours?"

"Is Angie working late?" Tracy wondered.

"She's just getting out now. Why?" Dave replied curiously.

"We have a problem...." Nick started.

"The Enforcers. Yeah, I know. Janette told me," Dave indicated.

"Can you get Angie, Eve, Francesca, and the kids over to the loft in let's say an hour and a half? I'll call Alyce," Nick continued.

"You bet," Dave nodded and put his coat back on. "I'll see you later." He walked back out of the room and left the precinct.

"Nick, just what are we facing here?" Natalie demanded.

"Something very serious. Very serious indeed," the vampire detective stated mysteriously, his mind fixated on the events to come.

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