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As Time Goes By
By Nancy Kaminski
(c) December 31, 2001
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The footfall behind Nick Knight was more felt than heard. Without
turning, he said, "I thought you might find me."

The pale light of a January full moon illuminated Lucien Lacroix's icy
features. "How could I not on this night of all nights?" The two men
fell into step on the path, two darker shadows amid those thrown by
the bare trees. "What brings you here? I thought you were in Toronto."

Nick shrugged. "I wanted to get away." They walked in silence for a
moment. "And I suppose I wanted to see you."

"Why?" The bitter question hung on the air. The animosity between them
was long-standing, almost legend, and though it had been waning in
recent years it still defined their relationship.

Nick shrugged again. "I don't know. Perhaps it's the events of the
past year." He smiled crookedly. " 'It doesn't take much to see that
the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in
this crazy world.'," he quoted. "Perhaps I'm gaining perspective."

Lacroix chuckled softly. "Are you casting me in the role of Ilsa?" he
asked, amused.

"Hardly. Major Strasser, perhaps, although I can't see you singing
'Wacht am Rhein' in a nightclub."

"I would have been more efficient than he --- the Laszlos would never
have left Casablanca, and Rick would have ended up in jail."

"Undoubtedly. For the sake of cinematic history, then, I'll be
thankful you didn't write the script."

They walked along the path in companionable silence. The air was cold
and the brisk wind rattled in the bare tree branches. The always-
present noise of the city seemed somehow hushed on this New Year's
Eve, as if the city was holding its breath in anticipation of some
momentous event.

As the path turned lower Manhattan came into view. The two men halted
and gazed somberly at the skyline and the gap now there. Nick felt a
pang of sorrow and turned to his companion to see a look of disgust on
his face.

"What, Lacroix, are you actually regretting the loss of human life?"
he asked mockingly.

"Stupidity. I hate stupidity and uselessness."

"How so?"

"They achieved nothing but their own destruction. Tactically and
strategically it was a pointless, stupid act."

"Ever the pragmatic general." Nick turned away from the sight. "Let's
walk."

They turned down another path and continued on. Presently, Lacroix
asked again, "So why did you want to see me?"

Nick shoved his hands in his pockets. He looked steadily at his
master's face then dropped his eyes. "To say thanks."

Lacroix stopped and stared. "Thanks? For what? Centuries of the misery
you tell me I've caused you?"

Nick turned away to examine the full moon, as if his reasons were
written on its face. "Like I said, perhaps I'm gaining perspective. I
find myself being thankful to you for the gift of time."

"I am astonished, Nicholas. Could it be that what I've told you for
eight hundred years has finally sunk in?" Lacroix asked sardonically
as he resumed walking. "The new year has brought wonders indeed."

The younger man followed slowly. When he caught up, he said, "It
struck me a while ago that I've become more than I could have ever
wished for as a mortal. I don't mean the bad things, those I shall
never cease to regret and despise --- I mean that I found an
appreciation for things I didn't know existed back then. Art and
music. Philosophy. The beauty of the world. They were all closed books
to me. You gave them to me, you allowed me to learn and to discover
that I had more to offer the world than my sword arm and that there
was more in the world than fighting and mere survival."

"It's true that you were little more than a barbarian when I found
you, Nicholas. You knew your letters, yes, but little else." Lacroix
said with a reminiscent smile. "I did see something more in you than
even Janette did. Although," he added, "I confess I could understand
her attraction as well."

"Despite everything, I find that I'm glad you did," Nick said simply.
"Thank you."

Lacroix clasped his hands behind him. "You're welcome, Nicholas," he
said quietly. "I do not have a gift for you today, even though it is
your Conversion Day. I know you never wanted to be reminded of that
New Year's Eve so long ago, and I have respected your wishes. And now
you have given me a gift that I never expected to receive."

Nick shook his head. "There's no need, Lacroix. I have almost
everything I want, and the other, well, you can't give me that
anyway."

Lacroix nodded. "True. I don't know that I would were it in my power."
They came to a gate. Beyond it the unceasing city traffic snarled its
urban song. "Will you go to Times Square and partake of the midnight
festivities?"

Nick shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I'm in a solitary mood
tonight. I think I'll just walk some more. I haven't seen Central Park
for quite a while."

"Very well. You know where I am if you desire company or need
someplace to stay." He touched Nick on the shoulder lightly. "Mon
fils."

Nick put his hand on Lacroix's and squeezed lightly. "Mon pere." He
smiled slightly. "Thanks again, Lucien. Happy New Year."

"It is now," Lacroix answered, and was gone.

FIN