Disclaimer:  The Forever Knight characters belong to TPTB; all others are
mine.  Permission to post at FK Fanfic and FTP sites; anyone else, please ask.

Special thanks to LizM and Tamara for beta-reading this story for me, and Keri
for her encouragement!

This is the sequel to my story "About Last Knight", and like that one, it was
written quite awhile ago, but recently cleaned up so I could post it.  Title
comes from the song "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley.  It has no
meaning for the story, but I couldn't get it out of my head while writing
this--the chorus is about forgiveness.  Two other songs haunted me while I was
writing this--"#1 Crush" by Garbage, and "Terrible Lie" by Nine Inch Nails.  I'll
let you figure out where they go! :)
Feedback, requests for story parts are welcome, and can be sent to
lmharvey@hotmail.com 


The Heart of the Matter
By Lisa Harvey
c. 1998


Part One

Startled, Marguerite sat straight up in bed.  She could feel the blood-sweat
already drying on her forehead.  She glanced at Lacroix, who was still asleep
next to her.  Thankful she hadn't awakened him this time, she slid out of bed
and headed toward the bathroom.

Marguerite had been picking up on a few of Natalie's dreams for some time
now.  The dreams were the only way Nat could deal with all the memories she
had absorbed by sharing the blood of Marguerite, Nick, and Kayla at the same
time.  Most of the time, the dreams were just disjointed memories.--Almost
like watching someone's home movies.  But occasionally, Nat had a
nightmare...usually about Lacroix and Nick.  She had been skittish around
Lacroix for quite awhile, and was only now starting to accept that there was a
possibility that Lacroix could let go.

As she relaxed under the warm spray of water, Marguerite reflected on this last
dream.  She sighed.  Tonight was not a nightmare, but she had been disturbed
nonetheless.  The image that woke her was one of a woman being drained,
which in itself was not particularly disturbing.  However, the emotions she
sensed during the scene were--rapture and a total abandon in the kill that was
almost animalistic.  It hadn't had the distant feel of all the other memories, but
rather, it felt like it was actually happening at that moment.  She suspected this
image was from her son, Alejandro.  All hope of returning to sleep was lost
now; she dried herself off and decided to find something to relax herself.

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

Lacroix rolled over to discover he was alone in bed.  He had heard Marguerite
get up, but assumed she would return to bed after her shower.  Vaguely, he
heard the piano, and sighed as he got up.  Natalie was really going to have to
try harder at blocking her side of the link.  Lacroix longed for a full day's sleep.

Being in no rush to interrupt, Lacroix went into the kitchen first, and poured
himself a drink.  He also refreshed the water bowls for the dog and cat.  He
had been surprised to find that they didn't annoy him as much as he thought
they would; although the dog had its moments.  Lacroix waited until the piece
being played was almost done, and made his way to the living room.  He
entered the room as the last notes of the song were fading.  Marguerite was
already looking up at him.

"What took you so long?" she teased, "I sensed you down here long ago." 

Lacroix stopped by the couch and answered, "I didn't want to interrupt; you
were playing so beautifully.  I had a drink in the kitchen."

Marguerite said nothing as she got up from the piano bench and picked up her
own glass.  Lacroix watched as she approached.  Dressed as she was, she
looked even younger than her supposed mortal age.--Shorts, a T-shirt that
bared her midriff...it was something one expected to see on a teenager.  Her
hair was pulled into a loose ponytail on top of her head, baring her graceful
neck.  He felt the first stirrings of desire, but pushed them aside for the
moment.  He knew something was wrong, and he wanted to find out what had
her so agitated.  

"Another nightmare?" he asked.

Marguerite shook her head.  "No, just memories, but the last thing I saw
before I woke up was a woman being drained..."

Lacroix regarded her curiously.  "We *are* vampires, Marguerite.  It's what
we do," he reminded her gently.

"It wasn't that," she replied, "It was the emotions I sensed that bothered me.  It
felt like someone who's on the verge of losing control, and I think it's
Alejandro."

"And you called him," Lacroix surmised.

"He wasn't home...but, of course, he wouldn't be, it's still night where he is." 
She sipped at her drink before she continued, "He's sounding more and more
distant every time I speak to him, but he keeps insisting everything is fine.  And
now, he's blocking me."

"And Kayla?"

She answered, "She's preparing to leave as soon as the sun goes down."

Lacroix smiled to himself as he finished his drink.  Of course Kayla would run
to Alejandro's side.  She had been planning to leave very soon anyway.  Both
Kayla and Marguerite were hoping that Alejandro could be persuaded to come
for a visit. He put his glass down and asked, "What about you?"

He could see she was torn.  "I would like to go, but I feel I should stick close
to Natalie.  She *is* just starting back to work, you know."

Lacroix took the glass from her hand and placed it next to his own as he
nodded in understanding.  "Ah, yes, blood and cadavers and all that.  You're
worried about her control."

"Yes."  Marguerite smiled as she traced his jaw with her fingertips.  "If I
wanted to go, would you have gone with me?"

Lacroix took her hand and kissed it before he replied, "If you wished it, mon
amour, I would accompany you anywhere."

She leaned up to whisper in his ear, "Right now, cheri, I want you to
accompany me back to bed."

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

Natalie had wanted to use her dinner break to catch up on paperwork, but she
found her mind kept wandering back to her dreams.  That last one had seemed
so real; the feelings she sensed were so raw and intense.--The lust...the blood
lust...and then the ecstasy as the woman's life was drained away.  The memory,
combined with the scent of blood, made Nat's fangs ache.  It was an act of
sheer will that kept them from dropping, despite the fact that she had fed well
before coming to work.

She was still deep in thought when she felt a familiar tingle.  She looked up to
see Marguerite standing in the doorway.  "Zoning out already, I see.  How
goes your first week back at work?"

Nat shuffled some papers around as she answered, "Hard, but getting better. 
Nick usually spends his dinner break distracting me."

"But he's busy tonight?" Marguerite guessed.

"The case he's working on now is finally starting to come together.  He could
have enough to make an arrest tonight."

"If he's that busy, I take it he's still without a partner," Marguerite commented.

Nat nodded.  "Captain Reese told him that he'll be getting a partner soon, and
there'll be no more arguments--and you know Nick."

Marguerite looked amused.  "Well, you know what the captain says about
falling off a horse..."  She tipped her head and studied Natalie for a moment
before she continued, "Do you want to take a walk in the park or something?  I
think you need to get out of here for awhile."

Natalie didn't need to answer, because Marguerite hustled her out the door. 
Before Nat even had time to think, they were walking towards the park. 
Marguerite spoke first, "Don't try to push yourself, Natalie.  Your job wouldn't
be easy on any of us, and you're just learning control."  Natalie opened her
mouth, but Marguerite cut her off, "Don't say it..."

Nat started, "But, Maggie..."

"I know you're going to protest, Nat.--You're getting better at it, but you still
have a habit of broadcasting your thoughts when you get excited.--All I
wanted to say was...if you feel like you're gonna lose it, just get out of there,
okay?"

Nat ran her fingers through her hair and blew out a breath before she
answered, "I'm sorry, Maggie.  You're right."

"I know these dreams are distracting, Nat, but they *are* getting less frequent,
right?"  Marguerite asked.

"Yeah."  Nat thought to herself that the dreams might be getting less frequent,
but not less disturbing.

Marguerite was watching again, like she knew something was wrong but she
couldn't quite place it.  "You know if you have a problem, no matter how
small, you can come to me with it, don't you?"

Nat muttered, "I know."  Natalie told herself that there was no reason to tell
Marguerite about the dream, because it wasn't a problem.  She could handle a
few more memories, couldn't she?  She dismissed it; none of the dreams had
caused a problem before.  Except for not trusting Lacroix maybe, but she
hadn't trusted him when she was mortal either.  Natalie was jarred out of her
thoughts by Marguerite's voice.

"Hello?  Nat?  I hope I'm not boring you."

Nat answered in a distracted voice, "Oh, no.  I was just thinking about that last
autopsy report."

Marguerite gave her a dirty look.  "Well, could you focus on our conversation
long enough for me to tell you why I came to see you?"

Nat smiled ruefully and replied, "I'll try."
	
Marguerite shook her head.  "I wanted to tell you that Kayla left tonight to go
to Alejandro.  She's hoping to persuade him to come here for a visit."

Nat still didn't know what to think about her new 'brother'.  She was a little
nervous about meeting him.  "Do you think he'll come?"

Marguerite shrugged.  "Who knows?  I'd like him to come, but I don't know if
he will.  He was a little annoyed that I chose to leave my life there in order to
look for Uncle Nick and Lacroix.  He thought I should stay with my family and
leave the 'ties' to my mortal life behind.  It's one of the reasons he didn't come
to Toronto with us."

Nat was slightly stupefied.  "Nick and Lacroix are 'mortal ties'?  Isn't that a
little, well...ironic?"

"Ironic isn't the word I'd have used, but it'll do," Marguerite remarked, and
then changed the subject, "So, do you want to practice prowling on your next
night off?"

"I guess so..." Nat answered uncertainly, "if Nick is working."

Marguerite muttered under her breath in French.  Thanks to Lacroix's tutoring,
Natalie was able to understand most of what was said.  There were a few
idioms that Nat didn't get, so she filed them away.  "I see I'm going to have to
talk to Uncle Nick again."

"That wasn't a talk the two of you had, Maggie.  It was a screaming match."

Marguerite said, "Don't worry, Nat, I'm not about to make the same mistake a
second time.  I'll sweet-talk him; he won't know what hit him."

Nat was surprised to find that they had arrived back at the coroner's building
and had come to a stop in front of a silver Porsche.  Marguerite activated the
alarm remote and waited until after the beep to continue, "Well, it's time for me
to be going; you've got to get back to work.  Talk to you tomorrow?"

"Sure, call me," Nat answered before she turned towards the building.  "You
know where I'll be."  The sight of a smile on Nat's face reassured Marguerite as
she pulled away from the curb.

####################

Two nights later...

Lacroix swiveled his chair in the broadcast booth to gaze out into the Raven. 
He had been trying to decide on a topic for tonight's broadcast, when he sensed
Marguerite enter the club.  He gave up thinking about the Nightcrawler, and
focused on the object of his adoration instead.  She had settled herself on a
barstool, and now she was smiling up at Miklos, who had just brought her a
drink.

His dark angel...she was delightful.  It was contradictory to everything he
believed in.  Marguerite was a curious blend of human and vampire, and it
fascinated him.  He thought he could never be capable of those emotions again;
all the emotions Marguerite shared with him freely.  The emotions she had seen
under his stoic facade.  She would not allow him to hide behind it any
longer...at least not with her, which is not to say that he didn't try.

Marguerite sipped at her drink as she half-turned in her seat to gaze out at the
crowd.  Lacroix sipped at his own drink as he wondered why she had seemed
out of sorts over the last two days.  He surmised it was either Alejandro,
Natalie, or both.

Marguerite knew Lacroix was waiting for her to come to him, but she couldn't
yet.  She had been feeling strange, and now she sensed someone...who was
now nuzzling her neck.  She could tell from his touch it that was her son, and
she turned into his embrace.  The tension was palpable between them, and it
confused her.  Marguerite knew her feelings stemmed from the way he had
been treating her lately, but she couldn't understand his.  He held her close, but
she got the feeling that as much as he wanted the physical contact, he'd rather
not touch her.  

Lacroix had been in the act of setting down his wineglass when he saw
someone bending over Marguerite's neck.  The glass hung in his hand forgotten
as he stalked over to the window.  Lacroix relaxed only slightly when he
recognized who it was...Marguerite's son.  He smiled grimly when he saw
Marguerite avoid a kiss meant for her lips and take it on her cheek instead.

The pair spoke for a few minutes before Alejandro led Marguerite out to the
dance floor.  Not only did the young one put his arms around her, he had the
audacity to pull her close against him.  Lacroix's eyes were flecked with gold as
he watched them dance.  Temporarily distracted, he looked down to see that
the glass he had forgotten he was holding had shattered in his grasp.  He let the
shards fall to the floor, and brushed his hand off.

Lacroix forced himself to relax; it would not do to let Marguerite sense his
feelings, not like this.  He walked back to his chair, and picked up the bottle of
blood.  He drank straight from the bottle as he sat down. 

 Lacroix mulled over the situation as he finished the rest of his bottle.  He
would get nowhere with anger and demands, although it would have been his
instinctive response.  He would not share Marguerite with any man; she was
his.  Whatever intimacies she had shared with Alejandro were in the past.  The
thought of that whelp touching her so familiarly galled Lacroix.  Alejandro
knew that Marguerite was with him now, and that he owned this club.--Hmm,
a challenge, perhaps?  One Alejandro would lose if Lacroix had anything to say
about it.

The door swung open and the room was filled with noises from the club. 
Marguerite entered, with her son lagging behind sullenly.  The look in her eyes
told Lacroix that she wasn't exactly happy with the situation, but she was going
to try to make the best of it.  Lacroix decided to cooperate -- for now.  He
stood up to greet them.

Marguerite spoke first, "Look who's decided to come for a visit, Lucien."  She
turned to her son.  "Sasha, this is..."

Alejandro cut in, "Lacroix.  Are you taking care of my mother, Viejo?"

Lacroix smirked as he answered, "To the best of my ability, young one." 

Marguerite was horrified; Alejandro was going to get himself killed if he
continued to bait Lacroix.  "If I find out she is not happy..."

Marguerite interjected, "Alejandro!  Callate!  I think we need to go for a
walk."  She turned to Lacroix.  "I'm going to take Alejandro to Kayla's and
show him around."

Lacroix nodded in understanding.  "I'll see you at home then."

Marguerite gave him a relaxed smile and mouthed, "I love you," before she
turned to drag her son out the door.

Lacroix smiled to himself as he sat back down.  He was reassured by
Alejandro's attitude; perhaps he would not have to do anything.  Lacroix was
curious to see Alejandro's reaction to his new sister...and Nicholas' reaction to
Alejandro.  After all, Natalie was a beautiful woman, and if Alejandro found
her desirable, Nicholas would not be happy.  There might even be a topic or
two for the Nightcrawler in this...

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

The time had come for them to talk.  Marguerite had taken Alejandro home
and showed him around.  At home they had only spoken of the house and
Kayla, and they had driven to the lake in silence.  Because it was such a
beautiful night, Marguerite decided to take Kayla's car.  It was a brand new
Ferrari Spider and it had a convertible top, which was down.  Kayla had
purchased it with Alejandro in mind; it was something he would have picked
out.

Marguerite waited until they were walking before she handed Alejandro the
keys.  He used the opportunity to grasp her hand, and she didn't let go. 
Encouraged, he started first, "I've missed you, Margarita."

She snorted, "That's why you've been so distant on the phone with me lately."

"And you were so concerned that you rushed to my side?" he asked
sardonically.  

"Just because I did not come to you, Sasha, does not mean I wasn't concerned,
or that I didn't miss you.  I had to stay with Natalie.--I know you remember
what it was like when you were first brought across.  I can't leave her alone
yet; she's just started back to work, and she's having nightmares."

"Kayla said she was a coroner; it must be difficult for her to retain control," he
murmured as he filed the information away.

Marguerite agreed, "It is, but she's very strong willed."

Alejandro was not about to let this go.  "You could have brought her with
you."

Marguerite almost growled in frustration, "Sasha, it was just not possible.  You
could have come here at any time, you know; I kept asking you.  But you're
here now, and that's enough for me."

He stopped short and whirled Marguerite around to face him.  He rasped,
"Don't patronize me, Mama.  This is about el Diablo.  He must be really
something else if he can make you forget family."

Marguerite plucked her hand from her son's firm grasp.  Her eyes were flecked
with gold as she snarled back, "You mean to forget you.  This is all about you. 
Kayla was right; you've been spoiled rotten.  Your only concern is that you
won't be receiving all of my attention.  Well, it stops now.  I love you, and I'll
be here for you, but I will *not* baby you anymore."

Alejandro merely stared, his eyes glowing with anger.  Marguerite continued,
"I suggest you try to get used to the situation."

She touched his cheek.  "Alejandro, por favor...try to get along, for my sake."
He jerked away from her touch.  "I don't know.  I'm getting out of here...I need
to think."

Marguerite shook her head.  "Then go...or are you forgetting that I don't need
a car to get around?"  Before she could blink, Alejandro was racing away.  She
decided to take a walk, maybe it would help her calm down.

Alejandro threw the car into gear and sped away.  He couldn't believe it; his
mother had abandoned him for two strangers.  He had always been aware that
he might lose Marguerite to Lacroix one day, but it had always seemed distant. 
And his new sister, Natalie, would be no consolation...she was engaged.--How
ridiculous!  It was Natalie's fault Marguerite couldn't come to him anyway.

He turned on the radio.  It was tuned to CERK, and Lacroix was on, prattling
on about family.  Alejandro growled and switched to the CD player.  The first
Nine-Inch Nails album came on...perfect.  It would suit his dark mood.  He
skipped to the second track; it described the way he was feeling exactly.

He brooded on the situation as he drove.  So, his little sister was having
problems adjusting.  He would just have to show her who was in control, and
he knew just how to do it.  He turned the car towards the seedier section of
town; he needed to feed.

End Part One