The scene doesn't fit into any particular place in the series, but the
themes are there.  

This is my tribute to "Phantom of the Opera" - congrats on becoming the
longest running Broadway show!!
The following scene is my FK version of the final scene of the musical.
 I was listening to it today at work and a vision came into my head. 
The roles have be reassigned as such: 
 
The Phantom = Lacroix / Raoul = Natalie / Christine = Nick .  

Yeah, there's some gender reversal, but it works.  The emotions and
such are the same.

Note: Much (but not all) of the actual 'spoken' lines are directly from
the final scene in the musical.  

Disclaimer:  I do not own the characters of Nick, Nat or Lacroix Nor do
I own the lines taken from "Phantom of the Opera"  I am just borrowing
them for a bit.

Permission is granted to archive on the ftp site and the current 
fkfkiction site.

I apologize for any awkwardness of phrase, but I wanted to get this out
tonight.  Let me know and I can fix it before I put it on my site
(which at the rate I am going, could be a loloooooong time)  Also, for
some reason when I was typing, Lacroix kept becoming LaLacroix.  I
think I caught them all, but I apoligize if I missed one.

Questions, comments, angst ridden blond vampires or horribly disfigured
genius musicians can be sent to ninicholasedebrabant28@yahoo.com

Forever Phantom 01/01
by Amanda Berendt
Copyright January 9, 2006


	Nick stormed into the Raven, made even more angry to see his master
sitting calmly at the bar sipping from a glass. 
	"Have you gorged your self at last, in your lust for blood?" he
fiercely addressed the elder vampire.
	Lacroix set the glass on the bar, before calmly turning to his son and
raising his eyebrow as if questioning this affront.
	"You know what I mean, Lacroix"  his anger was boiling just below the
surface.  "They were my friends!"
	"Oh, Nicholas."  Lacroix shook his head.  "We share the same destiny -
this fate, which condemns us to wallow in blood, has also denied us the
joys of the flesh."  
	"What are you talking about?"  This sudden turn of the conversation
stopped Nick in his tracks.  
	Lacroix stood up, holding Nick's attention.  "You know the dangers of
becoming too involved in the mortal world.  It is something you have
lectured me on over and over."  He paused, allowing Nick to absorb what
he was saying.  "Think back - eight hundred years...  We had a
bargain."
	Before Nick could reply, the elder vampire turned his attention over
Nick's shoulder.  "Wait, I think we have a guest. I had rather hoped
that you would come.  This is, indeed, an ununparalleled delight."
	Nick spun around, and saw Natalie standing in the doorway of the club.
 "Natalie, get out!"
	But it was too late, Lacroix had already motioned to two vampires who
had been waiting in the shadows, and they stepped between Natalie and
the door.  
	Natalie gasped when she saw the two vampires step up behind her, but
she had resolved to show no fear to the ancient vampire.  "Let him go!
You have no right to him!"
	Lacroix smirked and turned to Nick.  "Your lover makes a passionate
plea."
	"Please, Nat, it's useless."  Nick said to her, not wanting her to
make the situation worse.
	"My dear, Dr. Lambert.  He is correct.  Nothing can save you now -
except, perhaps Nicholas."  he said, putting his hand on his son's
shoulder.  To Nick, he continued. "Start a new life with me.  Buy her
freedom with your love.  Refuse me and you send your lover to her
death."  He moved in close to emphasize his next words.  "This is the
choice - This is the point of no return!"
	Nick steeled himself against his master's ultimatum. "Lacroix you are
killing any compassion I still have for you."
	Natalie was beginning to lose her resolve.  "Oh, Nick I am sorry.  I
was doing it all for you, but it's all for nothing."  
	A moment passed before the three came to the same conclusion.  Any way
Nick chose, Lacroixould win.
	It was the elder vampire who broke the silence.  "So, do you end your
days with me, or do you send her to her grave?"
	"Why make him lie to you to save me?"  Natalie spat at him.
	Despite the fact that LaLacroixas so close to him, Nick stood his
ground and kept his calm.  "Lacroix why all this torment?  When will
you see reason?  All these years, I have tried to be what you want me
to be, but I just cannot."
	Becoming frustrated, Lacroix turned away from Nick and back to the
bar.  "You try my patience - make your choice!"
	Quietly, Nick moved toward the bar and stood close to Lacroix.
"Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known.  God,
gave me courage to show you you're not alone."  He stood calmly facing
his master and to Natalie's amazement and horror, he embraced the elder
vampire.
	When the long embrace ends, Lacroix turned away says quietly, "Take
her and go.  Go now and leave me."
	Nick turns to Natalie and sees that the two vampires who had been
guarding her are gone.  He runs to the steps and takes her in his arms.
 Just as they are about to pass through the door, Nick stops and turns
back to Lacroix. 
	"Nicholas, I love you...."
	Nick smiles sadly, then turns and follows Natalie out into the night.

~Fin~

Questions, comments, can be sent to ninicholasedebrabant28@yahoo.com

"Life after life, you won't need flowers on your grave
You won't need prayers, you have no mortal soul to save."  
--- Dracula the Musical
http://www.darksideoftheglass.com