Part Three


When they reached the lake, Marguerite was true to her word and walked in
silence.  Natalie and Alejandro walked on either side of her for quite awhile,
patiently waiting for her to talk.  Eventually, Alejandro could stand the silence
no more.  He said, "I can't wait anymore, Mama.  I want to know what el Viejo
has done to you."

She whirled around to glare at her son.  She said angrily, "I will not tell you
anything if you're going to run off to confront Lacroix like the hot-headed idiot
you can be.  This is my fight, Alejandro, and if anyone is going to do him harm,
it's going to be me."

Alejandro stared at her in disbelief and said, "I won't do anything rash,
Margarita, I promise."

Marguerite merely shook her head and turned around.  She waited until they
were walking again to say, "I was in the basement of the Raven tonight, and I
found a mortal girl.  She had lost so much blood that she was almost dead, and
out of pity I finished the job.  There was so much confusion in her blood, but I
could tell Lacroix had something to do with it.  When I looked up from the
body, there he was.  I was so angry..."

After a moment, Natalie gently prodded, "What happened then, Maggie?"

"We had an argument, and I walked out.  Or rather, I tried to walk out.  On my
way out I found that new girl lurking in the shadows.  I think her name was
Eva."

Alejandro muttered, "I know who she is...was?  Margarita, I felt your rage,
what did you do?"

"I killed her," Marguerite said simply.  "When I saw her, I *knew* that she had
been the one to drain the girl.  Although Lacroix did help himself to a taste..."
she trailed off for a moment, then said, "and then I left.  Just because he hadn't
been the one to kill the girl doesn't change anything."

Natalie said, "I don't get it.  He still hunts occasionally, doesn't he?"

Marguerite turned and looked at her children as she said, "Yes, he does...but
then, he's never chosen someone who looks like you, Natalie."

Nat looked stunned for a moment, but then nodded slowly.  She murmured,
"You know, Maggie, in a twisted way, it makes sense..."  Together she and
Marguerite grabbed ahold of Alejandro, who had been about to take off.

Marguerite practically growled, "What did I tell you, Alejandro?  You wanted
to hear this, and you will do nothing...as you promised."  

Before Alejandro could protest, Natalie said, "Listen, Sasha, he's not going to
hurt me." 

He asked angrily, "How can you be so sure, Natalie?  Especially now?"

Nat replied, "If he was going to do something to me, he would have done it
already.  And he would do it in a way that no one would know he was
involved.  Maggie, why did Eva drain the girl?"

Puzzled by the change in topic, Marguerite said, "From what I read in the girl's
blood, Eva had some demented idea that if I was out of the way, she could
move in on Lacroix.   I think that she thought if I believed he drained the girl in
a rage, that I would leave him." 

Nat asked quietly, "And haven't you?  I think you should confront him about it,
Maggie.  I don't think he would do anything that stupid and obvious.  I think
that maybe he didn't even realize the girl looked like me...not consciously,
anyway."

Marguerite looked unhappy.  "There's only one way I'm going to know that for
sure, which means I have to go to him."  She sighed, "If you two don't mind, I
think I need some time alone."

Natalie nodded.  "I understand.  I have something I want to take care of
anyway.  Sasha, are you coming?"

He replied distractedly, "In a moment."

When Natalie was gone, Alejandro asked, "Are you sure you'll be all right,
amor?  I don't want to leave you alone."

Marguerite smiled wistfully as she said, "You never did, Sasha." 

Impulsively, she stood up on tiptoe and kissed him.  Encouraged by her
actions, Alejandro put his arms around her and deepened the kiss.  
Marguerite buried her fingers in his hair and let herself be carried away by the
moment.  It would be so easy to let this continue to its inevitable conclusion. 
It had been so long since she and Alejandro had been together, and she knew
he wanted her still.  Truthfully, if she had been with anyone else but Lacroix,
she would have gone back to Alejandro long ago.  But even now despite what
he had done, she loved Lacroix.  She couldn't be unfaithful to him.

She pulled back abruptly to look into Alejandro's glowing eyes.  "I can't do
this, Sasha.  It's not fair..."

He rasped, "Not fair to Lacroix?  After what he's done to you?  Let me treat
you the way you deserve to be treated."

Marguerite put a finger to his lips to quiet him.  "No, it's not fair to *you*.  I
still love him, Alejandro.  No matter what happens here tonight, if I can forgive
him, I'll go back to him.  It wouldn't be fair to use you like this."

He growled softly, "Let me decide that, Margarita."

She shook her head.  "No, I can't; I'm sorry, Sasha.  I love you too much to do
this to you.  You deserve better than that."  Alejandro kissed her one more
time; it was slow and full of promise.  Knowing he would respect her decision,
Marguerite returned the kiss.  When it was over, he held her close.

After a few minutes, he loosened his grip and whispered, "I'll leave you alone
now, Margarita.  You know where you can find me if you change your mind. 
Te amo."  He kissed the top of her head and was gone.

Marguerite sighed as he left.  She walked along and stared out at the water. 
She didn't really see the scene before her, because she was thinking back to a
different time...

***Spain, 1453***

"Really, Marguerite, I can't understand why you are being so stubborn about
this." 

Marguerite kept her gaze on her mother as she tried to explain, "Maman, you
heard what Aristotle said.  My uncle is beginning to question his choice.  If I
go to Nicolas now, he'll only blame himself.  I can't do that to him."

Kayla studied her child intensely as she asked, "And Lucius?  Why are you
hiding yourself from him?"

Marguerite rolled her eyes while thinking of all the rumors she had heard over
the last few years.  "He's not ready for me yet, Maman.  I don't know if he ever
will be,"  she said dejectedly.

"You're never going to know unless you go to him.  I don't think this
fascination with him is healthy, Marguerite.  If you're not going to go to him, I
think you should find something to distract yourself."

"I was content where we were, Maman.  I don't understand why we had to
leave," Marguerite complained.

Kayla said, "It was time to move on, Marguerite.  I was getting bored."  And
then in an effort to distract her daughter, "Anton will be meeting us soon."

"And Anastasia?"

Kayla replied, "She will join us eventually."

Marguerite had been poised for a reply, but had the breath knocked out of her
when she slammed up against what seemed to be a wall.  She looked up and
gazed into the most handsome face she had ever seen.  He caught her as she
stumbled and said, "Lo siento, senorita."

She smiled up at him; he was so tall.  "No, yo tengo la culpa."  

He continued on in Spanish, "A lady as beautiful as you could never be at
fault."

Had she been mortal, Marguerite would have blushed.  "Thank you.  You are
very kind." 

He replied, "I only speak the truth; I have never seen two more beautiful
women.  My name is Alejandro Valera."

After exchanging glances with Kayla, Marguerite said, "My name is
Marguerite, and this is my sister, Celie."  Marguerite used the French form of
her mother's name.

Alejandro smiled.  "You are French?  Clearly, I have been living in the wrong
country." 

Marguerite was mesmerized by his turquoise eyes as she answered, "We are
from Paris, and are here to visit some distant relatives."  She was amazed she
could still remember the story she and Kayla had agreed on.

"With your permission, my lady, I would very much like to see you again," he
ventured. 

Kayla answered quickly, "I think that would be a wonderful idea.  I am sure
our uncle would approve.  You can escort us home now, if you like."

"Nothing would make me happier," he replied.

Kayla was elated.  This could be the very distraction her child needed.  If the
stubborn girl wouldn't go to Lucius, she needed a suitable male companion, at
least in Kayla's opinion.  It shouldn't be too hard to convince Marguerite that
this devastatingly handsome young knight would make a fine addition to their
family.  Watching the pair together, it was painfully obvious there was a very
strong attraction between the two, and it was time Marguerite learned how to
make a child anyway. 

She decided that Marguerite would probably be more amenable to the situation
if she thought the mortal was not for herself, but rather for Kayla.  It shouldn't
be too hard to maneuver them together from there.  Although she would like
to spend some time with him herself.

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

Marguerite had not been very happy to find she had been tricked into making
her first child, but deep down she knew Kayla had her best interests at heart. 
And Alejandro had been a more than suitable companion.  Even still, Lacroix
had always been on the edge of her mind.  Like now...what was she going to
do?

++++++++++++++++++++

Natalie walked into the Raven and watched Miklos pour a drink for her as she
approached the bar.  She accepted it gratefully, and drank it while she looked
around the club.  At this late hour, the club was half-full.  Lacroix was in his
broadcast booth; she could see that the "on air" light was glowing.  Wonderful,
a Nightcrawler monologue.  Just what Nat needed at this moment in time, her
father-in-law in morbid-mode.

She asked Miklos for two glasses of the special 'house-blend'.  Hoping the
assurances she had given to Alejandro to be true, Natalie made her way to the
broadcast booth and slowly opened the door.  Lacroix looked up from the
microphone and motioned her inside.  Nat nervously stepped inside, allowing
the door to close behind her.  The almost inaudible click of the lock sounded
deafening to her ears.

Lacroix wound up his speech as he cued up a song.  When he was done, he
gestured to a chair and took the glass Natalie offered to him.  He sipped at it
and then said, "So, you've spoken with Marguerite.  How is she?"  He was
trying to appear indifferent, but Nat knew better.  He wasn't about to show his
feelings to her--no matter what they were.  

She replied, "Angry.  I've never seen her this upset.  *Never*."  Nat sipped at
her drink, hoping it would relax her.  "Why do you resent me so much,
Lacroix?"

It was on the tip of his tongue to deny it, but why bother?  There was no hiding
what he had done, and his feelings must seem obvious to Natalie.  "It's not a
matter of resenting you, as much as it is resenting the changes you have
wrought in my life."

"Changes?  I would think that Marguerite has made the most changes in your
life."

Lacroix replied, "There have been...*many* changes over the last two years,
my dear.  Not all of them have been to my liking."  

Natalie eyed him warily; she wasn't at all sure where this conversation was
going.  He seemed calm...but then again, he always did.  She had done nothing
to Lacroix, and started to grow angry.  Forcing herself to remain calm, she
asked, "What is it you don't like, Lacroix?  I can't think of anything I might
have done."
  
"This is not a conversation for you, Natalie.  I should be having this discussion
with your mother," Lacroix said in a low, controlled voice.

Nat's eyes flashed in anger.  "It *is* a conversation for me, Lacroix.  This is
*my* life, and I'm not going to let you manipulate it any longer."

"Manipulate your life?  My dear Natalie, I have stood by and done nothing
while you have taken my son from me, but I will *not* let Marguerite slip from
my grasp as well, " he growled.

Natalie stood up and said angrily, "If you think you can try to control Maggie
the way you controlled Nick..."  By this time her eyes had turned, and she
struggled for control.  "I won't let you.  You'll probably kill me, but I'll die
trying to stop you.  And you'll lose Nick and Marguerite for good."

The door opened before Lacroix could reply, and Alejandro stepped into the
room.  He was at Nat's side in an instant, and he took her face in his hands to
stare into her eyes.  "Natalie, calmate!  If Marguerite senses what's going on
here..."  He turned to Lacroix and commented, "You seem to be bringing out
the worst in the women of this family, Viejo.  You're lucky Kayla isn't here."

Lacroix said grimly, "I think perhaps Kayla's mode of justice would have been
far swifter and kinder than this torture has been.  Where is your mother?"

"Probably sharpening a stake to kill you with," Alejandro retorted, "If you
think I'm going to tell you where she is, you're wrong.  If you want to see her
so badly, find her yourself...or is she still blocking you?"   He turned his
attention back to Natalie and said over his shoulder, "I can't believe Natalie
actually defended you to Margarita, Viejo.  Even after what you've done, she
was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt."

Lacroix ground out, "Being that I did nothing to *you*, Alejandro, I owe you
no explanations.  You may stay here if you like, I'm going out."  And he was
gone.

Natalie was livid; she smacked her brother's arm in frustration.  "How could
you let him leave, Sasha?  He told me he's not going to let Maggie go.  We
can't let him treat her the same way he used to treat Nick!"

Alejandro put his arms around Nat in an effort to calm her.  "We couldn't stop
him if we tried, Nat...and Marguerite doesn't want him to let her go.  She still
wants him, even after what's happened.  We have to let her handle this."

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

Lacroix had wandered around the city after he'd left the Raven.  He hadn't
intended on fighting with Natalie, but she had been so belligerent.  It had been
very difficult for him not to answer her in kind.  He supposed he would have to
have a talk with her after he'd apologized to Marguerite.  Providing either of
them would still be willing to speak with him, of course.

Finally, he returned to the townhouse.  As he suspected, Marguerite was not
there.  He decided to go down to the basement to watch some television, or
perhaps occupy his time in a game of billiards.  The dog, after his initial
over-zealous greeting, had padded off.  The cat, however, had followed
Lacroix, twining around his legs, threatening to trip him.

He had just finished racking the balls on the pool table when Nicholas came
down the stairs; his son would not be so calm if he'd been apprised of the
evening's occurrences.  "Good evening, Nicholas.  Care to join me in a game?"
Lacroix said blandly.

Nick picked up a cue stick and said, "We can play while you tell me what went
on between you and Natalie tonight.  Between the two of you, I could barely
concentrate on work.  I'll break."

Lacroix answered carefully, "Natalie is angry with me...with good reason. 
Marguerite and I had...an altercation, and Natalie came to the Raven in order
to confront me.  I'm afraid I did not react well to her animosity.  I left before
the argument could escalate any further." 

Nick regarded his maker curiously.  He asked, "What did you and Marguerite
fight about, Lacroix?" 

Lacroix was silent for a moment, carefully choosing his words.  He said finally,
"Last night I went hunting, and I found a young woman to feed
from--something about her called to me.  I brought her back to the club in
order to enjoy her without interruption.  I had only taken a sip when I realized
what it was about her that was familiar to me...she reminded me of Natalie. 
Before I could do anything else, I sensed Marguerite in the club.  I left the
mortal in the cellar, intending on dealing with her later..."

When Lacroix trailed off, Nick prodded, "And Marguerite found her?"

Lacroix nodded.  "On the brink of death.  She gave a merciful end to the girl. 
And naturally enough, she thought I had been the one to drain the girl.  I
appeared in the doorway just as Marguerite was finishing up.  I could sense her
anger, but I couldn't understand it.  We argued, and on her way to the stairs,
she found someone lurking in the shadows."

Nick forced himself to remain calm.  For his niece's sake, he had to hear the
whole story.  He concentrated on setting up a shot while he listened to Lacroix
continue.  "...somehow Marguerite had known that Eva had drained the girl
and why.  I've never seen her so angry; she beat the hell out of the girl before
staking her.  She left, and I haven't seen her since."

"But Natalie has," Nick stated.

"Yes," Lacroix agreed, "and apparently Alejandro has spoken to her as well. 
He appeared in time to calm Natalie down."

Nick was baffled by the many feelings he was sensing from
Lacroix...confusion, anger, and...remorse?  Was he sorry for the fact that the
girl resembled Nat?  Nick asked, "What were you going to do with the girl
once you had a chance, Lacroix?"

Lacroix sighed, "I would have made her forget, and sent her on her way.  It
wasn't my intent to hunt for someone who looked like Natalie.  Alejandro said
that she'd defended me to Marguerite..."

Nick said, "I sensed Nat was very upset where Daisy was concerned, Lacroix. 
Why?" 

Lacroix had picked up his wineglass and was studying it as he replied, "During
the course of our conversation, she became under the impression that I was
going to use force with Marguerite.  She didn't give me a chance to explain
myself.  I don't blame her; she can only go by what she's seen of me."

"And you wouldn't try to force Marguerite to stay with you?" Nick asked.  

"Whatever else you might think of me, Nicholas, I know that you are well
aware that I love your niece," Lacroix answered in a tight voice.  He resented
discussing his feelings about Marguerite, even with his favorite child.

Nick replied in a noncommittal voice, "I've seen you do questionable things in
the name of love before, Lacroix."

"This is *different*, Nicholas.  I have no wish to force Marguerite to remain
with me.  I enjoy her spirit; to coerce her would take away from that.  She has
freely given all of herself to me, body and soul...everything I've ever
wanted...and she expects the same of me..."  Lacroix's voice trailed off, and he
looked into Nick's eyes.  

Surprised to find he understood, Nick said softly, "And it scares you, doesn't it,
Lacroix?  But you don't want to lose her, so you unconsciously chose the
person you felt was taking Marguerite...and me...away from you.  But you
realized what you'd done, and you were going to correct it.  Marguerite will
understand that."

Lacroix was unconvinced.  "Will she?  The damage is done, Nicholas.  I fear
that I've made a fatal mistake."

Nick shook his head as he replied, "You're underestimating her feelings for
you, Lacroix.  Once Daisy calms down, she'll be back..."

Lacroix looked in the direction of the stairs.  "She's here...and she's not happy."

Marguerite appeared on the stairs.  She walked purposefully toward the pair as
she said, "Good evening, Uncle Nick.  Have you seen Natalie yet?  I don't
think she's in a very good mood."

Nick kissed her forehead and said, "No, I haven't been home yet.  I thought I'd
hang around here for a little while."  

Her eyes glowed with anger as she replied, "You may as well go, Nicolas. 
Lucien and I have things to discuss, and it could get...unpleasant.  But he
would never hurt me...not physically, anyway."

Lacroix said, "I think he's concerned for *my* safety, ma chere.  However,
your niece is right, Nicholas.  This should be a private conversation."  Nick
nodded and walked toward the stairs.

***
It doesn't mean much
It doesn't mean anything at all
The life I've left behind me
Is a cold room
I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
Where every step I took in faith betrayed me
And led me from my home
And sweet surrender 
Is all that I have to give
***

Marguerite waited until her uncle had left the basement, and then turned her
attention back to Lacroix.  He knew what she wanted, and had already
unbuttoned the cuff on his sleeve.  He silently held his wrist out to her, and she
drank deeply.  He held nothing back from her this time, and as she drank he
could sense most of her anger drain away.

She pulled away slowly, and Lacroix gently wiped at her lips.  Marguerite
looked pensive as she stared into his eyes.  He said hoarsely, "You should hate
me."

She closed her eyes and whispered, "I can't."  She opened her eyes in order to
study him as she continued, "But that doesn't mean that I've forgiven
you...yet."

"I am truly sorry, Marguerite," Lacroix murmured.

"You can show me how sorry you are by apologizing to Natalie first thing
tomorrow night."

"Of course, mon amour.  I had intended to do just that," he replied sincerely.

She added, "Good.  I'll leave it to you to decide how to make it up to me.  You
can be *very* persuasive when you put your mind to it."  Concerned that he
might say the wrong thing, Lacroix remained silent.  She shook her head.  "I
don't understand how you could've felt threatened..."

He replied softly, "Love doesn't last forever..."

She interrupted tiredly, "Spare me the Nightcrawler act, Lucien.  I've been in
love with you for 700 years, but you nearly lost me tonight.--I'm so tired.  I
think I'll go to bed."

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

It was shortly before dark when Marguerite awoke from a restful sleep.  She
stretched lazily as she thought about how surprised she sensed Lucien had been
when he found that she wouldn't be sharing their bed.  The door to the guest
bedroom was locked, but that wouldn't have kept Lucien out if he hadn't
chosen to respect her decision.  She had slept peacefully knowing that he was
brooding on what he had done.

Marguerite sat up and stretched again.  When she opened her eyes and looked
across the room she found that her lover had indeed been in the room.  On the
table by the window there was a large crystal vase filled with an arrangement
of her favorite lavender roses, mixed with daisies.  There were other packages,
and she crossed the room to investigate.  

Plucking a stem from the vase and inhaling deeply, she examined the other gifts
he had left her.  There was a chilled bottle of bloodwine with a crystal goblet
next to it.  After replacing the flower in the vase, she poured herself a drink. 
She sipped at her drink as she opened the boxes.  In them was a complete
outfit, down to the shoes--in exactly her size, of course.  Lucien'd had a
designer take her measurements when they were in Paris, and this must have
been one of the dresses he had ordered for her.  

Marguerite made her way to the bathroom; she decided to take a leisurely bath
while Lucien was off apologizing to Natalie.  She stretched out with her senses
and found that he was leaving the house.  Humming to herself, she filled the
tub and added her favorite scented bath oil.  She had no idea what Lucien had
in store for her, but she wanted to be ready when he came home.


End Part Three