Sense and Insensitivity
a Forever Knight (and Highlander) fanfiction
by Havoc the Cat
©1999

        LaCroix raised the stake over his head, prepared to end his son's life, when, suddenly, a thought struck him.  "Nicholas," he said, lowering the stake.  "I think perhaps you're internalizing your pain entirely too much.  Perhaps we should discuss what's troubling you."

        Nick bowed his head, bloody tears running down his cheeks.  "LaCroix . . ."  He choked up, and LaCroix patted him gently on the shoulder.  "Father," he said.  "I've spent eight hundred years trying to win your approval; to have you validate my self-concept of adulthood."

        Natalie, who was still lying on the floor, and just a little more recovered from her near-death experience, rolled her eyes.

        "I never knew," said LaCroix.  "I spent too many centuries running from my inner vision of my self as an inadequate father.  I projected my failures with Divia onto you and Janette and expressed my anger at her in unhealthy ways."

        Nick stood and turned to face LaCroix.  The expression of anguish on LaCroix's face mirrored the pain on his own.  "Divia was not your fault," he told his father.  "She poorly expressed her internalized rage in very inappropriate ways."

        Natalie, yet more recovered, stuck her tongue out at the two men.  Neither of them noticed.  I can't believe them, she thought.  I'm lying here on the floor; I could be dying for all they know, and they're talking about an angry teenager from thousands of years ago!

        "Yes," said Nick.  "She just needed to remember that a frown is a smile turned upside down."

        LaCroix nodded.  "Perhaps she should have opened up to me long before."

        "She had poor role models," said Nick.  "Divia structured her 'internal me' after communicators who couldn't express negative emotions and cleanse themselves of them."

        "You're right!"  LaCroix brushed tears from his face.  "Nicholas . . ."  He paused.  "I need a hug."

        Natalie stood up and walked out the door.  I need to get soundly drunk! she told herself.  I need to forget that this ever happened.  The elevator door closed on the sight of Nick and LaCroix avidly "sharing their pain."  Where did I put Methos's phone number?

End