Title: Legacy (part XIII)
Author: BELOVEDbyWAR
Rating: PG-13
TV verse: Blood Ties
Disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money.
Summary: Power & Instinct.
AN: Thanks to luvinmike for beta-reading!
WK: 1542

Legacy XIII:

When Mike finally arrived downstairs, Henry was already waiting for him, weapons in hand. They made their way to the gym in comfortable silence. Finally there, Henry spread Mike's cloak on a table. Together, they took stock of the blond's new weapons to decide with which to start.

As if drawn to it, Mike picked up the beautiful sword. The moment he touched it, he felt a power run through his whole body, similar to the one he had felt as he slipped the ring on his finger. This time, however, it did not hurt. It simply awoke a part of him he had previously not known existed.

Completely engrossed in these new discoveries, Mike had not noticed the vampire's sudden frozen posture.

Henry could practically taste the power. It called to him even stronger than before. Be it because he had not fed for a while or possibly because of the territorial instinct, he suddenly felt the overwhelming need to subdue the blond.

With no warning, Henry pulled a sword from a rack on the wall and attacked. All Mike could do was block and try to duck the angry blows.

"Fitz- roy! What – the – heck?!" he cursed, desperately trying to find his footing.

"Shut up and fight!" growled the vampire, displaying his sharp fangs.

Mike stood no chance. He may be a trained police officer, but his training did not include swordplay, unlike the vampire who been trained since childhood. Furious, Henry drove him across the gym, not caring if Mike stumbled or fell. It was all the taller man could do to keep his sword in hand.

On it went, blow after blow. Henry was merciless. He chased his prey, hearing the heart hammering wildly, the blood running faster and faster in Mike's veins and glowing under that translucent skin. It made the vampire practically salivate. He knew it wasn't right, but the thirst was too strong and he could not deny it.

One faint to the right was eventually all it took to penetrate the blond's defense and time suddenly stood still.

Shocked wide blue eyes looked into the vampire's black ones, as a ruby red drop of blood dripped slowly down the elf's chiseled cheek. Swords fell to the floor. Before Henry could give into temptation, he was thrown through the air. The next time he looked up, a large fist blocked his vision, hitting him so hard he slid a few feet along the floor. He had no time to find his bearings as he was held in a crushing grip around the neck and lifted like a helpless pup up in the air.

Feelings of anger and betrayal were all around him. That was when Henry fell from his trance and, swallowing hard, he stared transfixed at the creature holding him. With Mike's chest heaving with rage and skin glowing from within, Henry once again was both captivated by the blond's divine presence and scared. For the first time in a long while, he was not the top of the food chain.

Those blue eyes were glowing with emotion and none of them positive. In that moment, Henry knew he had made a big mistake and, as hard as it was, even his vampire side acknowledged the elf's superiority.

"Mike! Please, - I am – sorry!" he stammered out, but the grip was only tightened. Mike had again closed himself off as he had done in the park. Henry saw only one possibility to make things right again. He opened up. Until this point, he had done all in his power to keep his emotions hidden from the sensitive elf, but Mike had to know, had to understand that Henry had not acted out of malice, but simply been taken over by his darker nature's overwhelming need. Taking a deep breath, he let his emotions surface.

It was like a punch in the gut and Mike almost cried out at the sheer intensity of the vampire's emotions. He could suddenly feel them all, not suppressed like before, but raw and intense. He felt shame, sadness, angst, and, above all, such an enormous hunger, he felt himself weaken in the knees in sympathy. That need - it spoke to him and calmed his rage and feelings of betrayal and replaced them with compassion. Carefully, he sat Henry back to his feet.

Frozen, they stood in front of each other and Henry, in awe, witnessed Mike reemerge from behind his emotionless mask. Suddenly all the cards were on the table. No feelings were suppressed and this time Henry could feel Mike's need. His need to belong, to protect, and to nourish, and Henry understood. For all the time they had been adversaries, they had actually been the mirror images of one another both wanting to belong, to love, and to be loved in return. And in the center of it all they were united by one thing; their love for Vicki and their need to protect her, come what may.

But what came next surprised the prince beyond all else. He had not seen Mike take it, but, without warning, the blond drew one of his beautiful silver throwing knives and cut his wrist. Then he took one hesitant step in Henry's direction and offered the vampire what his nature so dearly craved.

Speechless, Henry looked from the bleeding wrist to Mike, back to his wrist. How could the man, after what Henry had almost done, still offer him this tremendous gift? How could he trust so readily? But there was no question. Henry could feel Mike's feelings clearly, as the elf could feel his, and there was no hesitation, no anger or distrust, only want and a need to help.

Carefully, the vampire accepted what was offered to him. Softly he took hold of the blond's hand and arm and led it to his mouth, all the while his eyes never left those stunning blue ones. Steadily searching for the slightest sign of hesitation, he found none. And when the first drop of red nectar touched his lips all else faded in comparison as a light as bright as the sun exploded behind his eyes.

Strong arms caught him as he sunk to the floor and the strong body of the other man went with him. Nothing could have prepared him for this.

He saw majestic woods in sunlight; some trees light green with fresh foliage, others in shades from yellow to deep red signaling Canada's Indian summer. It took his breath away. How long had it been that he had danced in sunlight? It drove tears to his eyes. What he would give to feel those rays upon his skin again! He was in a clearing, birds were singing and deer drank calmly at a stream, not at all disturbed by his presence. In the center of the clearing surrounded by a beam of light stood Mike, only not the Mike he knew. This Mike was dressed in his grey cloak, bow and quiver over his shoulder, sword at his side, and a mane of light golden hair spilling over his shoulders, held back by a few well placed braids. But just like his Mike only moments ago, this one beckoned him to come closer.

What Henry had not realized before was that they were not alone. Previously blocked from his view stood another smaller figure, also in a cloak and with a sword by her side. When he stepped up to them, he recognized Vicki. Beaming at him, she drew him into the light and he did not burn. His one hand in hers she took the elf's in her other and smiled lovingly at them both, drawing them in until all three of them were joined in an embrace. Never had Henry felt so complete and happy and protected.

With the sensation still warming his soul, his eyes slowly opened and he found himself back at the gym, lying on his side on the floor, his head resting on an outstretched arm and a body lying behind him as he suckled calmly at a wrist.

Sated like never before, he licked the wound closed and was surprised by the disappointed groan coming from behind him. When he turned around, he saw blue eyes flutter open, filled with curiosity and wonder.

"Did you see it too?" the vampire whispered. Mike nodded. Just like in the vision, they were completely at peace. The only thing missing was Vicki.

That is, until Mike suddenly took in a strangled breath. Henry immediately sat up, concerned he had taken too much.

"Mike?"

He hovered over the other man, not daring to touch him.

"GOD! Something is wrong!" Mike groaned. "I can feel it!"

***

Startled, Vicki woke from the most wonderful dream she had had in a long while. It was all fuzzy now, but she could still feel the happiness they had felt. If only dreams could come true…

Ahhh! There it was again! Her marks were burning, brighter than ever before. Looking on the clock next to her bed she saw it was barely 1 am. Quickly she grabbed the phone and dialed as fast as she could. Henry had to know.

With a sinking feeling she realized that the phone was dead.

This could not be good.