Characters beloved creations of James L. Parriot. No copyright violation intended.

"Fooled"

by elfin

Missing scene from "Faithful Followers"

"Usually," LaCroix told his errant child, "I would hate to lose. But the look of utter foolishness on your face makes it all worthwhile."

Nicholas gazed at his master, allowed the grinning vampire to wallow in his own supposed victory and self-congratulation for a moment longer, and then he smiled. LaCroix's expression changed instantly, from one of total glee to one of slight suspicion. Nick could almost read the thoughts passing through his father's thick skull, his defences momentarily dropped. The younger vampire waited another beat, and then dropped his head, the contentment clear in his young features.

"You never fail to amaze me, father." He said softly. Unsure whether this was Nicholas admitting gracious defeat... or something else, LaCroix warily thanked his son. But Nick continued. "Do you have such a low opinion of me?" He looked up now, seeing his sire's eyes harden. "Do you really believe that after so many years, so many tricks, I would honestly fall foul of you so easily?" LaCroix felt a chill run down his already cold spine. Clever. His son was cleverer than he had given him credit for. At another time, at another's expense, he would have been proud.

Nick glanced over his master's shoulder, and Thomas stepped out from around the tall elder, happier now that Nicholas had acknowledged him; he had been warned about getting involved in this bitter family feud. But Nicholas could be so charming.... He walked softly to Nick's side and dropped the dark draw-string purse into the waiting hand. Nicholas smiled at him, and let his eyes drop onto the crimson material in his palm. "Actually, father, it appears that *I* have won *our* little wager." He glanced at Thomas, ensuring he pushed the name of their colleague through the link he shared with his master. "You see, a while ago, as we enjoyed a lesirely meal at the table of a mutual acquiantance, Thomas here started to tell me of his long friendship with you, and he mentioned that you had remarked on my... beloved nature. I disagreed, arguing that you had very little regard for me these days. So Thomas proposed a wager. He believed that you thought more highly of me than to take a wager yourself, betting that I would fall for any casual trick the two of you could conjour up. I promised to go along with the plan until the bitter end, until you truly believed that you had won, or until you called his bluff." He smiled, a little sadly. "I knew that you wouldn't."

LaCroix was staring at his son now, listening in disbelief to what had gone on, to what he had been oblivious to. "But who... the woman...?"

"Anna. A self-confessed murderess. I promised to reward her, if she lived. I was that sure of victory. She was dead anyway; she thought it might be a fun way to go. She... knew what she was coming to. All she had to do was say what I had told her to say. Thomas identified her for you, didn't he? You've never actually met Helen Ruskin-Slater, and now she's now longer in the country. She was, as you know, but she has been warned that her life may be in danger. I expect her to remain safe, LaCroix. That's my price for my winning."

LaCroix nodded once, respectful of the request; he had indeed won the right to claim her protection as his prize. "One to you, Nicholas." The Elder stepped forward toward the flap in the tent wall, but before he stepped out into the night, he leaned down, placing his lips next to his son's ear. "I love you more at this moment than I ever have, mon fils," he whispered lushly. "And I have *always* loved you."

A moment later he was gone. But as Nicholas stared after him, he sighed gently. *And one to you* he murmured down the link to his father.

*Naturally, mon cher*

fin

elfin