Disclaimer: I don't own anyone; I'm just borrowing them. I'm poor please don't sue me. Continuity: [X-Files] After the episode Closure, where they found out what exactly happened to Mulder's sister. For more info about the show visit: www.thex- files.com [Highlander] This occurred before and after the episode Archangel, where Richie was killed. In my world he didn't die. For more info about the show visit: http://www.highlander-official.com [Forever Knight] The episode Last Knight and the events leading up to it did not happen and will never happen. Natalie is a Highlander style immortal being trained by Nick. Tracy knows that Nick is a vampire. For more info about the show visit http://www.scifi.com/fknight

From the Darkest Night to the New Dawn By: Carms

Toronto Int'l Airport

A weary sigh came from Duncan as he lifted the case containing his sword off the Customs Officer's desk. Gathering the documents he showed to the officer so that he can be allowed to keep his sword near him, he made his way to the waiting area. As he drew nearer to the lounge the louder the sound of Richie and Dana's bantering voice became. He entered the lounge and watched with amusement their argument. Not seeing a foreseeable end to their bickering, Duncan cleared his throat to get their attention. His method worked when the two redheads turned towards him with sheepish expressions on their faces, neither of them making a move towards him. It was Dana who finally moved first. She crossed the distance between them and enveloped Duncan into a big, welcoming hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Duncan, how wonderful to see you. I'm sorry we are late, I hope you haven't been waiting for too long." At Duncan's dismissive motion that their lateness was not a problem, Dana continued, "As usual it's the little punk's fault. He just had to stop to get the number from another girl on the street. I honestly don't know what they see in him.

Duncan smiled at Dana's explanation. He looked over at Richie trying to reassure himself that he is all right. Duncan can still remember how he felt when his cell phone rang and Richie's worried voice came over the line. Ever since that night when he and Tessa welcomed the boy into their home, he has always thought of him as his son and therefore will always have a special place in his heart. His worry and concern is somewhat relieved at seeing Richie is fine but he could see that the boy was a little uncertain about how he felt so he did the one thing that will reassure both of them that everything is alright. He walked up to Richie and enveloped him in a warm embrace. Richie was unsure what to expect or what to say to Duncan. It's been a while since he had to ask Duncan for help and with their recent history he wasn't sure asking Duncan would be the best idea. Deep inside he knows that Duncan will always be there for him but Richie wanted to prove to Duncan that he is now grown up, no longer the young juvenile that tried to rob Duncan's shop.

"Thank you Duncan." Duncan smiled, understanding that Richie is thanking him for more than bailing him out. "It no trouble, Richie, No trouble at all." Turning around, Duncan hooked his arm around Dana. "Alright now where are we going for dinner? I cannot stomach plane food so I'm starving." Laughing at the two men's attempt to brush off the emotional moment she lead them out of the terminal and towards her rental car.

After dinner they checked Duncan into the same hotel they are currently staying in. Duncan asked about what happened which they happily told him about. Towards the end of the narration, Dana brought up that there was something amiss about Detective Knight and how some of the events that had her mystified. Curious about it as well, Richie and Duncan volunteered to go to The Raven with her. Grateful for their presence Dana agreed and soon afterward they were headed to the club.

The arrived at the club just as things were heating up. The music was blaring, the lights were flashing and people were dancing. Dana ignored all the hubbub, her eyes intent on finding Knight. She finally caught sight of him in one of the dark coroner tables. A small tap to Richie and Duncan's shoulders were enough to get their attention, she motioned over to where she had seen Knight. Nodding their assent that they also saw him, they all moved together. As they got closer they sensed the presence of another immortal. They also noticed that Knight's female companion stiffened up at around the same time. When her eyes landed on Richie, she leaned forward and whispered something into Knight's ear. Knight looked up after hearing her and zeroed on them. He recognized Dana, as well as Richie, waving them over; he wondered why they were here.

Natalie was having a great time. This is the first night she has had off all week. She intended to just relax and enjoy herself. The fact that Nick is here with her goes along way to help her reach her goals. She smiled as she recalled how Nick looked when he woke up earlier that day. Her smile widened as she recalled what Nick did when he was more alert. Her pleasant reminiscing was abruptly interrupted by the announcing buzz of an immortal. Stiffing up, she looked around her trying to find the source of the buzz. When her eyes landed on the familiar red-headed man headed towards their table she leaned forward to let Nick know immediately as her hand automatically reached for the sword kept inside her jacket.

Nick sat up and looked at the direction that Natalie mentioned. He couldn't believe that Dana and her friends were actually here. From their previous conversation he got the impression that she wanted nothing more to do with them and will get out of town as soon as possible. Curious as to why they are here, he waved them over then sat back down to wait for them. He didn't have to wait for long. "Dana, this is a surprise. I didn't expect to see you after your insistence that you will be leaving shortly." Realizing how rude he sounded, Nick quickly tried to assure Dana and her friends. "Not that I'm not glad to see you. Oh, I'm sorry, this is my wife Natalie. Natalie, this is Dana Williams, Richie Ryan and. I'm sorry I don't know your name."

Dana spoke up for Duncan. "This is our friend, Duncan Macleod." At the mention of Duncan's name, Natalie drew in a startled breath, which Duncan noticed.

"Do I know you miss? You seem to know me." Duncan asked Natalie, his eyes focused on her as he tried to remember if they had met before.

"I'm sorry Mr. Macleod but I didn't' meat to put you on the spot. No we haven't met before but my first teacher was Cassandra, and well, she mentioned your name to me a few times while I was training with her."

"Ah, how is Cassandra?" Duncan said with a smile, clearly relaxing now that he knew Cassandra was Natalie's mentor. He knew of Cassandra's special gifts, particularly her skill to know if a person has evil or greedy leanings, someone that would harm others. If Cassandra willingly taught this young woman then she must be one with ties to the light, and not a corrupted or a headhunter. He shared a glance with Dana, who also knew of Cassandra's particular gifts, before she too smiled at Natalie, a bit more at ease but still tense.

Natalie beamed and continued to answer Duncan's questions. "Last time I talked to her, she was wonderful."

Dana tuned out their conversation, instead choosing to direct her attention on Knight. She observed him as he listened to the others' conversation, trying to figure out what it was about him that doesn't ring true.

Apartment above The Raven

Fox Mulder walked across the kitchen, towards the fridge. The small kitchen was part of the luxurious apartments that he is currently sharing with Janette and her temperamental sire, LaCroix. He pulled out a corked wine bottle and took a long draft of the blood wine within. Despite the fact that he can consume solid matter he sometimes like in imbibe on some blood wine procured from willing sources. Wiping his mouth on the sleeve of his shirt, he meandered towards his room so he could change. They have been in Toronto less than a week, the first time they have been back since the Council Trials just a little over a year ago, and they have been sequestered with the members of the council who are trying to decide whether or not if Mulder's presence can harm the Community. This is the first night that they have had an opportunity to relax. Walking into his room so that he could change and go down to the club with Janette his attention was seized by the small-framed picture by his bedside. Picking up small frame containing a picture taken before Scully's death. He smirked wistfully as he traced the smile forever captured in the picture. Several drops of blood tears fell upon the picture, wiping off the tears he wondered, yet again, what his life would be like if Scully was still with him. Mulder placed the picture down on the night table and he thought back to all the changes he has gone through. Sitting down on the edge of his bed, his mind wandered back to the events of his first day as a vampire.

Over a year ago.

Mulder approached consciousness with wariness. Something was wrong, no not really wrong just different. His curiosity drove his consciousness to surface. As his thinking capacity returned, his senses were overloaded. Growling in response to the pain caused by the over stimulation, his eyes changed, his canines elongated and his heart sped up. Angered and confused by the pain he tried to lash out by exerting his will against everything around him. From the corner of his eye he caught a slight figure entering the room. Instincts flaring up, Mulder prepared himself for a possible attack when the figure stepped back and left the room in a hurry. Nothing the immediate danger to him has passed his defenses lowered. The pain was still overwhelming, forcing himself to tone down his information intake he managed to somewhat manage the pain to the point that he noticed his surroundings. His system was almost overwhelmed once again when he noted that he was floating about a foot off the bed. The shock was enough to make him falter and fall back down onto the bed. As he began to regain his bearing and as the shock slowly ebbed away a new overpowering sensation struck Mulder. Hunger, unlike any he has ever felt consumed him. All his instincts were calling out for nourishment, Mulder used his new senses to try and seek out some food. Driven by impulse he stuck his head out the window, into the full sunlight, in search of a scent of something appealing. Catching the trace of something he leaps out of the balcony and down the street.

Hearing the sound of the banging balcony doors, Janette rushed into the room to see Mulder's fading figure running full tilt on the street. Unable to follow him and fearful for his safety, she did the only thing she could think to do. She called her sire for help.

Mulder raced down the street, urged to hurry by his hunger. Going by intuition alone he didn't question the yearning for something to feed on. Passing by a market stall, he grabbed a few loaves of bread and then ran straight into a nearby alley. Shrouded in shadows from the towering buildings nearby, he quickly consumed his stolen food. As he finished off the last of the bread he was glad to note that the hunger has abated to the point that it no longer controlled him. Slowly straightening he approached the entrance of the alley with hesitation. As soon as he stepped out onto the increasingly crowded street his senses were assaulted from all sides. The sounds and smell of the crowded avenue quickly overwhelmed Mulder. Fleeing like a hurt wild animal, Mulder didn't stop until the attack upon his senses abated somewhat. He found himself by the warehouse section of the city. The streets were abandoned with the exception of the occasional stray animal. Searching and finding a small corner where he could be hidden, Mulder sat down to try and understand what is going on. He tried to recall what exactly happened the night before but he could not recall much beyond rushing into the alley and feeling the impact of the bullets. Finding no answers in the past Mulder turned to the present events, more specifically to his reaction in the street. He cannot understand what it was that caused or can cause such pain from just the sound and sights of everyday things. He searched within himself to find any explanation but he could find none. All he can feel is hunger and a pang for something. someone. Delving more into this unknown urge Mulder felt the beckoning of an unknown haunting voice, a voice he wanted to instinctively follow but Mulder being Mulder stubbornly refused. Crouching deeper into his little corner Mulder tried to block out the calling, instead choosing to focus on his heartbeat in order to calm down. The little meditation technique worked fantastically and within minutes Mulder slept the sleep of the dead to only to awaken later to a brand new world.

When Mulder awoke it was almost dusk. The calling or he felt earlier before falling asleep was much stronger now, more urgent. He tried to ignore it but it kept at him until he gave into it. Closing his eyes Mulder focused on the call once he had a good sense from where the call was emanating he took off hell bent towards it. A few minutes later he found himself in front of a grand house. Quickly scaling the outer wall Mulder walked to the back of the house into a serene garden. The sun, which is just now setting, cast an otherworldly radiance to the garden. Awed by the riveting play of lights upon the horizon, Mulder reveled at the ability to witness the varying shades of red he has never seen before. Facing away from the house and towards the setting sun Mulder didn't see the man watching him from behind until he felt his presence. Turning away from the magnificent sunset he faced the man that is still hidden in the shadows of the doorway. As the sun completely set, the unknown man slowly stepped forward, projecting his power before him as a challenge to Mulder.

Mulder didn't know how to react. The power emanating from the man is remarkable. It feels like a wall of energy pushing him, taunting him, testing him.

"When Janette told me of you I didn't know what to expect. When she told me that you felt like an ancient and did not perish upon setting foot in sunlight I was intrigued, but now. Now that I have seen you myself, felt you myself. I don't know what to say. You are simply amazing. Unique."

LaCroix arrived not long before Mulder's arrival at the estate. He arrived to view Janette in a state of panic and worry. He had just managed to calm down Janette when he felt Mulder's arrival. He watched as the younger man stood in fading sunlight, never once flinching or indicating that the deadly rays of the sun were affecting him adversely. He was also surprised when Mulder turned to face him before he even stepped out of the shadows. Very few vampires have senses keen enough to detect his presence when he is concealing himself. Wishing to test out Mulder's power, LaCroix sent out his own power in order to get a reaction from him. The resulting reply to his probe was overwhelming, from just the essence of Mulder's power and without any other additional information, LaCroix would have said that the man before him is at least five thousand years old and not the day old fledgling he actually is.

Mulder watched as LaCroix approached him, a low growl rumbled from his chest, his eyes turned red and fangs grew out as a warning to the other vampire. Mulder turned his head to follow LaCroix's progress to make sure that he will not be attacked unaware. Once LaCroix finished his examination of Mulder's physical being he took a step back and smirked.

"Truly magnificent. You have our physical features, the eyes, and the fangs. You are but a day old but feel much, oh very much older. I wonder." LaCroix watched as the man prepared for any possible attack from him. "Oh calm down I mean you no harm you know this. Oh how remiss of me. I did not introduce myself. I am LaCroix, your grandsire and now your mentor. You look thirsty and I'm parched. Let us adjourn inside for a drink and I'll answer your questions."

Mulder followed LaCroix into the house satisfied for the moment that he will receive the answers he seeks.

The events that followed that night were long and harrowing. LaCroix usurped Janette's right to teach Mulder their ways instead he chose to train Mulder himself. He showed Mulder the skills he needed to stay undetected, how to use their many abilities and along the way discovered that Mulder possessed abilities that no one else in the Vampire Community, as LaCroix knew it, have. Abilities such as the capability to mesmerize not only resistors successfully but also other Vampires, the ability to survive known methods to destroy a vampire, such as stake or exposure to the sun, and the ability to mask his power essence, to make his power output seem as should be right for a vampire less than a year old. His uniqueness has caused problems within the Vampire Community for they fear what Mulder could do. He was barely tolerated in Toronto and it was due to this animosity that prompted Janette to approach the Elders to intervene. The Elders summoned LaCroix and his progeny, where they tested Mulder's loyalty and ability. At the end of the test they obtained from Mulder a promise that should the Community need his skill he shall willingly cooperate or risk termination of not only himself but the rest of his family. Seeing that this is the best they can hope for LaCroix gave his permission for Mulder to accept the Elders' stipulation and from then on a tenuous alliance was forged. Despite the alliance the Community was still wary of Mulder and due to this tension and the threat against his blood kin that Mulder decided that it would be better if he left for a while. He, along with Janette, decided that returning to St. Louis might be the best idea that was seven months ago. A few months ago news reached them that Natalie was killed and that Nick has given up his quest for mortality. Intrigued at the changes occurring in Toronto, Janette convinced Mulder to go back to Toronto, which explains their current presence in the Raven.

Upon their arrival, everyone got a surprise. Apparently upon Natalie's death, they discovered that she is an Immortal. Found by another Immortal named Cassandra who informed her of the Game and how the society of Immortals function she is now knows of the needed changes she needed to make to her lifestyle. With Nick's offer to train her and Cassandra's help Natalie is adjusting to immortality better than anyone could have expected. When Mulder got within range of Nick's apartment Natalie tensed up and pulled out her sword. She waited by the elevator ready to defend herself from the other immortal. Imagine her surprise when Mulder, the other immortal she felt, came flying in from the roof and knocked her onto the floor. It was then they discovered about Mulder's dual status and a possible explanation as to why Mulder was so different from a typical vampire. It was after some consideration that they decided to keep this new discovery to themselves in order to not alarm the Community further.

"Cherie! You are not ready. You must hurry. LaCroix is almost done with his show and he is expecting us downstairs. We must appear together in order to appease the Community's curiosity and fear. Now you really must hurry! I'll meet you downstairs." Janette's exclamation drew Mulder out of his memories and back to the present.

Mulder did not respond to Janette but he did head over to pick up his shirt and shrugged it on. He headed out of his room but before he stepped over the doorway he turned around and reached for the picture frame on his bedside table. It was the last picture taken of them together before Dana's death and this picture is the only reminder Mulder have of his promise to Dana, his promise to continue on for her. Wiping the blood tears that ran down his cheeks, he carefully sat the picture back into place before heading downstairs to face the evening crowd and the new surprises awaiting him.

***Up next: Mulder and Scully meet again. If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to drop me a line at carmsfic@hotmail.com***