The Remembering: The Great Council

by Julia Freewoman
(julia@humboldt1.com)

The Remembering: The Great Council 1/11

My brother once told me that age does not bring wisdom, only experience brings it. Never was that simply fact shown more clearly to me then when I first stood in front of the tribunal. I had never considered that they would not listen to us because of simply fear and ignorance. -Fleur de Brabant.

The main chambers of the hall of the tribunal was a small room. It was compounded Fleur thought by the very tall tables or judges seats that the elders sat upon and the fact that the only light in the room was a fire burning at the end of the room. She let her eyes scan the room, her immortal training kicking in. The room was completely bare their where no visible doors or windows, the only thing you could actually be positive you did see was the faces of the 9 elders.

"State, your name and your age," said the leader of the tribunal to Fleur.

"Fleur de Brabant, 787 years old."

"The purpose general that this mortal was brought into our halls," said the leader.

"She is no mortal sir. She is immortal as you can determine by her age. We have come to introduce the vampire and immortal societies to each other," said Lacroix.

"That is impossible. If these immortals where to exits surely we would know of them by now," said another member of the tribunal.

"No it's not! You your selves have been a secret to the mortals for generations, save in legend. Is it so far fetched to believe that another group have escaped your deception especially it they are quite able to fool even the test of today for mortality." Fleur stepped closer to the tribunal trying to make her point.

"You do know that if you where to disappear from this hall no one would contest it. Not even your son Lacroix they would think that we had brought you here to die and that is all that would be thought of your disappearance."

"You could try to do that! But you forget one very important thing. I'm an immortal if I where to simple disappear I would be missed and I guarantee you that their would be a full and complete investigation into my disappearance and believe me when I tell you they would find the truth," Fleur said.

The door slowly opened and a young vampire walked in she wore a jeans jacket had long jet black hair and intense eyes. "Members of the council may I speak?"

"The council is always willing to hear your input Sarah proceed."

Sarah walks toward the council until she is sure that each member can see her then she begins. "As I understand it, the question is do immortals exists. I have evidence found in our own achieves of a vampires account of the murder of his immortal lover and his subsequent madness. I'm going to read a portion from the text that cough my eye: She who was my sun is gone. I return to my eternal night with no chance of redemption, she who was goodness and light and all that is mortal yet immortal is gone. My immortal love is gone. She that returned my life is gone, once we where two the immortal and the vampire now I am one alone the vampire." Sarah pauses for a moment.

"It goes into great depth about his loss and her life, but I will not bore the council with the entire text. Suffice it to say that he identified *immortal* and *vampire* as two separate things."

"Sarah you, Fleur and Lacroix wait outside we want to speak to Liessete alone," said the leader.
Outside the hall.

"My thanks. I do not think we could have done that without you. Lucien Lacroix."

"Sarah de Brabant and I've heard a lot about you."

Lacroix looked her u p and down. "Did not know that I was the subjected of talk among the Investigative office?"

"You aren't, just my Aunt her likes to talk a lot." Sarah turns to Fleur as she says it.

"Sarah is Michael's and Emily's childe. I assume Micheal called you and told you we might need a good investigator?" Fleur smiled at Sarah as she said that.

"Something like that."

"It seems that by giving one son his freedom I have inherited a larger family." Lacroix put out his hand for Sarah and she took it.

The door opens and Leissete beckons them in. One of the elders stands and looks at them, then he begins. "It is the ruling of this body that measures be taken to help the immortals right now. We acknowledge that they are their own people and we will not try to rule them, but set up their own body of government. We also agree that some kind of communication needs to exist between our two people's so tragedy do not happen ever again."

The Remembering: The Great Council 2/11

I've been enough wars to know what despair looks like in a person, it's never a pretty sight. The one thing that I do know about it is that those people who fall into despair have no one at home waiting for them and no one to talk to. I didn't and I've never know anyone who has. I would have stayed that way if it wasn't for Duncan. -J.T. Marsh

6 PM Fed 16, 1998, Seacouver

He sat on the bench and watched the trains go by, he was like them always coming and going, but never really getting anywhere. He watched the trains go by and he watched the trains stop, but sooner or later the same train would come again or he would see the same people again. The worse part was he had no one to share this emptiness with, no one to take away his loneliness.

He curls up into a little ball and watches the train go by again. He feels another immortal approached him, but still he doesn't get up, he doesn't care if he lives or dies it doesn't matter to him anymore.

The other immortal approaches J.T sighs with resignation and slowly gets up. "Duncan Maclead of the clan Maclead" the other immortal says.

"J.T. Marsh, if you haven't come for a fight will you please leave me alone," J.T says.

"I haven't come for one. How long has it been since you had a decent nights sleep and a meal"

J.T just shrugs.

Duncan sat down next to J.T he looked at the young immortal, he couldn't tell if he had eaten or not recently since immortal bodies keep themselves at a relive weight and size, but he didn't think he had eaten recently. Duncan looked at J.T.'s eyes they where empty and void, the way eyes look when the person has lost all hope in the world, when they don't care if they live or die. "What's wrong?"

J.T. looked at the pavement for several long minutes and then turned to Duncan. "I just don't care anymore. Why should I? After all what do I have to live for expect more killing? I watch the trains now because you see how even when you think that you are getting somewhere you're really just going to end up in the same place. Now will you please leave me alone?" J.T turns back to his trains.

Duncan sighs, and pulls J.T. up he didn't expect him to struggle or try to resist. "Where are we going?" He asks his eyes still empty still looking at the trains.

"to regain your hope?"

J.T looks at Duncan for a minute and then says, "It can't be regained."

"We'll see says Duncan."

J.T looked at the sign for a moment "Medical Research Facility". He shrugged it off like an old blanket, if this immortal wanted to show him something in this hospital he would go there, but only long enough to see and then go. Once he would have wondered what could regain his hope in a place of death, but not now. Now he didn't care, because his hopes and dreams where only distant memories squashed in the ashes of Vietnam and the Gathering, dead like everyone he loved.

Duncan sadly looked at J.T., he himself has sunk deep from time to time, over a lovers death or a friends. The feeling of not wanting to go was not an uncommon experience for immortals, but this young one was worse than he had ever seen any of his kind. Even in his worse days Duncan would have asked why they where here. He gently guided J.T. into the waiting room and his future.

The hall led to a door way beyond that J.T.'s eyes changed for a moment, in them Duncan saw a flicker of curiosity. He wanted to know why all these immortals where gathered around this one area. Duncan fought his way through at first, but gradually the others began to part ways to allow them to see. Duncan points toward Emily, and J.T. watches with fascination.

Micheal turns around to see Duncan waiting in the hall with a young immortal he doesn't recognize. He turns to Emily. "How are you doing?"

"You know how I'm doing Micheal. You feel what I feel, and I feel what you feel. Bring them in that cub needs a miracle."

Micheal gently kisses her forehead and heads toward the door. Duncan turns to him toward him as he walks out, Nick follows him to the door. "Hello, Duncan I didn't think that you would make it."

"I'm sorry, I'm late, but I think that J.T. here needs a miracle."

Micheal extends his hand to J.T. hoping that the young man will take it. "Come share this moment with us."

J.T. hesitates for a moment feeling that he will be intruding then grasp Michael's hand and follows him in. Michael returns to Emily and J.T. looks around in the room and 'feels' the peace of the moment.

"Don't worry, you're not intruding the entire community is watching."

"Why did he choose me to come in then?"

"Because you needed this miracle more than anyone else. As much as I needed one once and as much as he needed one once."

J.T. looked at Nick for a moment, this time his eyes showed something that they had not shown in a long time: the beginning of hope.

The Remembering: The Great Council 3/11

I think the thing that I will remember the most about the birth of my daughter is when I actually held her in my hands. Until that moment I had been worried that I could not love her as much as I love Emily, but when I held her in my arms I knew that I would change the world if I had to, to keep her safe. It's not the same kind of love bondlyings share with each other, but it's just as powerful and just as strong. -Micheal de Brabant

Fed. 17,1998 7 am, Seacouver

Micheal is sitting next to a sleeping Emily and holding his daughter. He rocks her back and forth gently singing a French lullaby. Micheal looks up from his daughter as Nick walks in with some food.

"I thought you and Emily could use some food," Nick sits down next to his brother and looks at his niece. "So have you and Emily decided on a name, yet?"

"Yes, Alyssa Darius du Brabant" Micheal says as he looks into the eyes of his daughter, Nick's hand touches his in silent reconition of thier bond together. And thier bond to this child, the first continuation of any immortal family in more than 5 thousand years.

"Darius?" Nick asks finally breaking the spell between the three of them.

"Darius was the first immortal to speak out against the Gathering, he originally was the General who conquered Rome. When he entered the city he cut of the head of a holiday man the oldest living immortal at the time, and he changed he entered a monastery in Paris and lived there till he died." Michael's voice broke, and tears began to fall down his cheeks.

Nick sent to his brother through their bond the strength that he needed. "You all right? I know I'm not as good as Emily at helping you through this kind of pain. Maybe I could wake her up...."

Micheal smiled at his brother, "Thanks, Nick, I needed that, it's been 6 years since he died but it still hurts to think about it. And when I thought that Darius would have loved to see this child, he would have loved to hold the thing that brought us together, more than words ever could. He would have loved to hold the child of one of his favorite student. I just.."

Nick looks down at his niece and then at his brother. "You know the hunters are going to hear about her very quickly because of all this publicity we are getting."

"I know," says Micheal. "But once the word is out it's out we couldn't denied that it happened and decides it's given our people so much hope. Don't get me wrong there is still a lot of mess to clean up."

"Like the 'head hunters'. What are we going to do about them?"

"I think that the best thing for us to do is try to get our people in order, and I know you agree with me on it. And for the head hunters, I've contacted the watchers and asked them to detain all those still activity hunting we'll decide what to do with them thier."

"Do one more thing to ease my mind?"

"Anything."

"Don't tell the watchers about her, not yet."

"Why, because we don't know if all the hunters are gone and I want to have those pretty more flushed out when my child is born. Natalie and I have decided to try to have a baby."

Micheal smiled at his brother for a moment and then said. " I always knew that you would. Once you got over the usual worries of all immortal parents?"

"Where did you hear that?"

"In the manustricts we uncovered 2 years ago. I thought that you needed to get through them before I told you." Micheal said.

Just as Nick is about to resort, J.T. walks in. He looks better than he did when they first saw him. He still looks down, with a sadness in his eyes, but there is hope in those eyes again.

"J.T., why are you so upset?" Micheal asks.

J.T. looks at Micheal for a moment as if deciding whether or not to trust him then says. "I'm tired of living."

"J.T.," Nick begins. "We all do get tired of if sometimes, but what we have to remember is how wonderful it is to kiss someone to laugh those memories kept me going through some pretty rough times"

"But memories only go so far, it's hard always being left behind. I feel like it's not forth trying any more."

"J.T. let me tell you a story. In 1228 I became a vampire, for awhile it was fun and I enjoyed, but you know what over time I got tired of moving on, of killing to survive and never being able to make love to a woman without killing her. I stopped drinking human blood and only drank cows blood, and I began to search for a way to become mortal again.

"My life was already lonely, but when I started to search for a cure it become lonelier. Everyone believed that I was crazy wanting to become mortal again, mortals were either afraid of me or wanted me for a lab experiment. But through all that I kept the memory of what the sunrise looked like, and what if felt like to eat or make love to keep me going.

"Through my search for a cure I met Natalie and fell in love. When we both become immortal I realized this is where I was destined."

"Was it hard, being all alone?"

"Yes it was very hard, but it was something I had to do?"

"I've never really had anyone to talk to. I died during W.W.II, my teacher was a German and I left him as soon as I could. I was fighting for America he was fighting for Hitler we where liable to kill each other. I like you have become tired of the killing, I just want it to end!"

"My names Nick and my brothers name is Micheal and I assure that the killing will stop. Our people are remembering what it's like to be immortal, to be a people."

Micheal looked at J.T. and said, "The killing is passing J.T., immortals are beginning to remember what it's like to be a community.

The Remembering: The Great Council 4/11

Most people want to know about me or about my parents, but few if any want to know about Liessete. I remember asking Micheal once why no one is interested in Liessete he said that those who work be hind the scenes are rarely remembered. I think it's a great tragedy that someone who helped me so much is not remembered for her actions this time. - Sarah de Brabant.

Sarah sighed they had been talking about the ways of enforcement for immortals for 3 hours and it didn't look like they had any solutions. "The problem Liessete is that immortals don't react toward threats the same way that vampires do. For immortals a threat is a challenge by using the kind of enforcement we use right now with immortals we could end up with more trouble than we started with.."

"So what do you suggest something with no authority at all?" Liessete asked.

"No I didn't.... You know we've been arguing about not using the vampire type of enforcement, but not thinking about using another kind of enforcement. There are many kind of mortal systems that work well, because they don't rely on threats but facts. If I break a crime in the United States the police will investigate the crime, and most likely catch me then it will go to ....."

"I get the idea Sarah," Liessete said stopping her friends speech. "So what you are suggesting is using some kind of system that puts people on equal footing, no snap judgments, and no threats. But will it work?"

"No one knows that Liessete, but I can tell you one thing it's better for immortal society then what we work under." The phone rang and Sarah reached over and grabbed it. "This is Sarah. Who is this?"

"Hello Petite."

"Micheal! What are you calling me at this number for?"

"Fluer told me that you were one of the people in charge of putting together the Council, so I thought I could call you at your work number now and not get you in to too much trouble."

"No, I don't think that you'll get me into any trouble. So why are you calling?"

"Partly because I wanted to tell you that Aylssa was born a couple of hours ago, and to tell you that the rest of the holdouts are ready to talk."

"How did you manage both of those things at the same time?"

"I didn't, seeing Alyssa made them beleave that what we where saying is true."

"That's great! And congratulations, give my love to Emily." Sarah hung up the phone.

"So?" Liessete asks.

"Thanks for not listening in. We're on for the council now all that needs to be done is to contact the older immortals and set up a meeting."

"Let's get started then."

5 hours later.

"You'll be there then? No thank you sir!" Sarah hung up the phone. "Tell me that's the last one?"

"That's was the last one. Sarah am I old fashioned?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"Because I seemed not able to handle a lot of these people. Every time that I didn't agree with something I went back to the old mode of handling that kind of behavior threatening."

"Liessete you where raised a vampire, and have only known the ways of the vampire. I didn't expect you to be able to handle all of the old ones. Besides you have been thought for moist of your life that if it doesn't agree with you kill it or threaten it."

"There is something that has been bothering me for some time. How did you meet Micheal?"

"I've told you that when I was brought across my master abandoned me in the woods. That I didn't know any of the rules or how to control my hunger that I essential had gone rogue. I also told you that someone found me and nursed me back to health thought me how to use my powers, and how to live in the mortal world.

"What I didn't tell is that, that person is Micheal. I attacked him and Emily and they brought me hope and cared for me. I was so feral at the time that I didn't even comprehend what was happening to me. Micheal tough me how to be human again, but he also thought me the immortal way of thinking, and what he knew of the vampire way."

"So that's why you're handling this so well your teacher was an immortal. I'm impressed! How did he know how to handle you in that state."

"Micheal has tired since he met Darius to record every legend and every piece of history of immortals that he can find. In talking to some of the older immortals he found out bits and pieces about vampires. One of the things that he found was a mixture of herds and blood that is stronger then a ancient vampires blood. He used that to nurse me back to health."

"Is there anything else that he knows about that we don't?"

"Yes, but you'll have to ask him about the rest." Sarah says smiling.

The Remembering: The Great Council 5/11

Nick and I spent 6 years trying to cure him so we could be together, after we both become immortal and bonded we started talking about marriage. When Nick and I started planning our marriage I realized that I not only wanted for this ceremony to be about our struggle to come together, but about our people as well. - Natalie Lambert de Brabant

April 6 1998

Natalie gently leaned back into Nick's arms as he flipped through the book full of wedding invitations. *Nick isn't this a little early to be worrying about wedding invitations?*

*I want everyone to come Nat.*

*You think that some people might not be able to come Nick?*

*Or make up an excuse why the couldn't on such short notice.*

*Ok, Nick.* Natalie flipped to another card it was white with a rose. * How about this one, I don't think it will insult anyone*

* I like it, it doensn't really give us a color scheme we have to follow all right. *

Nick gets up and buys the invitations from the clerk. "You know I never knew that planning a wedding cold be so hard."

"Neither did I, but it seems that we are having to appeases everyone." Natalie said. As they left the store.

*We want our mortal friends to participate and we want it outside, so we can't have it during the winter, but we want everyone else there to so we have to have when it gets dark earlier. Talk about a headache.*

*But you have found the place?*

*Right, Duncan has an island near Seacouver. He said that he would love for us to use it, it solves the problem of using holy ground and having vampires there. I wasn't to keen on having our weddding in a graveyard.*

*Add to that, if we did do a wedding in a church you would want to get married in Darius' church.*

*I don't know about that, but probably* They walk hand in hand to the park where Nick sets up the picnic basket.

Nat sits down and then looks and Nick seriously. *Nick what do you think about having a ceremony different from what is usually done."

"In what way?"

"I think that we should do a ceremony that has some to do with the immortal people with our bond, and have it not be a mortal ceremony. We are becoming more of a people I think that we should make this ceremony part of it."

Nick gently pulls Natalie into a kiss letting the bond which they share express is feelings for her. It wasn't long before they where both breathing hard. "I'd like that Nat, but I want this wedding to be for us as well. I don't want to do anything that doesn't seem right to either of us. I love you."

Natalie smiled and moved closer to him, kissing him on the noise. "I love you too Nick. I want this ceremony to be for us Nick, for it to be a symbol of our bond. I don't want anything thing that either of us feels uncomfortable about in it, this is our ceremony Nick someone else's. I just also don't want to do a mortal ceremony."

"Just wanted to make sure, I have the perfect person in mind."

"Who?"

"His name is Felix Twist he loves plants and computers. He'll love this kind of challenge besides he'll be overjoyed to hear how happy I am." Natalie scooted closer to Nick and put her head on his chest.

The Remembering: The Great Council 6/11

Felix, is one of the most creative people I know. He use to and still does form time to time drive my crazy with the misplacing of his gadgets in among his beloved plants, but he also had the kind of heart and creativity that could help with what Nat and I wanted to do-Nick de Brabant.

Nick and Natalie walk into Felix's home/green house, Nick looks around it doesn't look that much different than the last time he was here, but some how standing in this room he doesn't seem quite as intimidated by all the plants. * maybe it's you nick * Natalie sends gently to him.

* Maybe it is. * Nick spots Felix on the far side of the room at the same time Felix spots him.

"Nicholas! What a pleasant surprise, I didn't think that I would be seeing you here for quite some time, if ever. Come." He leads Nick and Natalie over to the corner where he was sitting. "I don't know what to say Nicholas, there has been so many rumors going around about what happened to you. I heard that you where mortal now, but I called Lacroix and he told me that, that had not happened. I also heard that you had become this other kind of immortal and that your people are suing for a kind of co-operative government with the vampire community. So tell me all!"

"Lacroix told you the truth I'm not mortal any more, but as you have noticed by now I'm not a vampire anymore. What you've heard is true Felix I am a different kind of immortal and we are asking for a cooperative government as you put it. What you haven't heard is that Nat and I have become bondlyings. It's the strongest kind of relationship around for immortals."

"How did it happen?"

"It's a long story suffice it to say that I ran into my past and my future at a crime scene." The room filled with laugher at Nick's comment.

"I take you two have not come here to just talk about old time sand bring me up to date. So what do you want?"

"Since Nat and I are bonded now, we have been talking about getting married. The problem is that Nat, suggested to me to make the ceremony more for the immortal and vampire people than for mortals and I'm stuck!"

"So you came to me thinking that I could help you come up with some good ideas? I'll help, but first thing I need is some back ground information on immortals and this bond that both of you have."

Nick looked at Nat and sighed. "As I said it's the highest form of relationship we have, it's also rare not as rare as twins but still rare."

"How rare is it Nicholas?"

"The count varies, but 1 out of every 50 people will have a potential bond. 1 out of every 4 will be a vampire and immortal mixture."

"Nicholas how many immortals are there?"

"The watchers say 900 in the entire world give or take a few who they don't know about or haven't met there first death. That's a 1.8 penchant chance."

"Nicholas is there anyone who as a higher chance?"

"With twins it's almost guaranteed that it will happen with twins, their is a .001 percent chance of twins, and it was put into my ratio."

"So tell me more about this bond."

"A bond is the sharing of two quickening or souls, my soul and Natalie's soul are forever intertwined with each other. Oh, Felix I also hope that Lacroix will be able to make it."

"Why? I thought you two hated each other?"

"Since my change Lacroix and I have come to an understanding."

"Good then I'll get back to you on it, and Nicholas."

"Yes?"

"Congratulations!"

The Remembering: The Great Council 7/11

I think the thing that I hated most about the first days of my life as a vampire is the fact that I couldn't see Duncan. It was hard for my master to understand why I wanted to go back to him, never having the kind of love that Duncan and I did she could not comprehend what it was like to be without one's other half, nor how I planned to explain my reversion to him. I couldn't tell her what Duncan was I felt like that would be betraying his confidence in me. -Tessa Noel Macleod

Tessa gently pushed open the door to her master's room. It didn't bother her the artifacts from another time displayed out as if they where personal momentous of which they where. She had spent 13 years with someone who did the same thing, and if you wanted to know the story behind them could spend hours telling stories of long ago in his life. She remember that summer morning is Secouver that they had spent sorting things into thier newly purchased shop and house. Duncan had shown each and ever item and had told her the story behind many of them. Tessa sometimes wondered if anyone really knew as much about Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod as she did, and she had only begun to starch the surface.

"Liessete can I talk to you about something?"

Liessete smiled Tessa was one of her favorite students mostly because she did not require the time and energy the most of the others had. She had gone right into the vampire life without any complaints, save wanting to go to the man she loved a small one as far as it goes. None of the usual realization of what immortality means after the fact or hating not being able to eat solid food. She had asked her about it once and Tessa had told her that she couldn't tell her why. "What about Tess?"

"I would like to get back with Duncan."

"Tessa, you're a vampire now how do you know that he will even be interested in relationship with you. And even if he is what makes you so sure that you can trust him?"

"Duncan is immortal Liessete. I've heard that you've been working with them. As for how I know that we will even want me back? We had a kind of relationship that is hard to descried we where each other's souls at souls at times. I know that he misses me as much as I miss him."

"Tessa, why don't you sit down?"

Tessa sat down next Liessete. "Tell me what Duncan is like, how you met and most importantly where he was the day that you where shot."

"Duncan was born in 1592 in the Highlands of Scotland. We met when he jumped onto my tour boat he was trying to out run some officers that wanted to ask him so very uncomfortable questions about another immortal. I don't even know when I stopped being annoyed with him and when I fell in love it happened so fast. We courted for a couple of years and then you told me his secret, we moved to Seacouver the next day." Tessa voice is soft full of remembering and longing.

"Duncan is very much a Scotsmen much of his way doing things still come from those Highland traditions, but he is also a 90's man at the same time. He's very protective of the innocent and or his 'family', he's also very honor bound. He won't still nor will he allow someone else around him do it."

"Where was he when he got shot?" Asked Liessete she was beginning to like this Highlander.

"He was in the house that I was shot next to trying to get information about Hunter activity in the area." Tessa took a few deep breaths and continued. "3 days before I had been kidnapped and held hostage, he came to rescue me. He asked Richie to take me home while he checked out the computer, he said that he wouldn't be long. The person he shot us was just a punk, Duncan didn't know what was happening until it was to late." Tears where rolling down Tessa's eyes when she finished, and her voice was cracking.

"I'll do what I can to find him." Says Liessete. Tessa gets up and leaves.

The Remembering: The Great Council 8/11

Throughout my life I have been confronted by people who want to keep me in my place or to keep my words from getting out afraid of what I or my movement represent: change. I saw all that in the eyes of the Tribunal, but I also saw something that I had never seen before, they did not beleave us. Although they believed at least to some extent that immortals existed they where not willing to accept that Micheal was not Nicholas. I had never faced something like that before.- Emily de Brabant.

April 15, 1998

Emily looked at the tribunal throughout tired eyes, and sighed. She was tired of this conversation and so was the rest of the party, but it seemed the tribunal was unable and maybe even a little unwilling to accept the fact that Michael was not Nicholas. It seemed to her that when you invite someone into your home that you don't question thier identity upon thier arrival, but that wasn't what the tribunal thought, it seemed that they thought that anyone who entered 'thier' hall was subject to interrogation.

"So tell me de Brabant is your contempt so high for the community that you would put forth a serried like this?" Said one of the members of the tribunal.

Micheal sighed and then turned to the tribunal. "I don't know how I can convince that I am who I say I am. I'm not Nicholas de Brabant, I'm Micheal de Brabant Nicholas's brother. Is it so hard to beleave that Nicholas may have had a twin brother and that those twins would have been born immortal."

"Yes, it is." Said the tribunal as a whole.

Micheal looked at them for a long moment and then sighed. "If I can not convince you and one of your ancients can not convince you that you are mistaken about my identity it seems that we have nothing to say to each other. Come on Emily let's go, it's obvious they really don't want us here." Micheal said as he walked toward the door.

* Micheal it will all be cleared up in a minute. What are you doing? *

* Making a point. They need to learn how to hear a lie, because obviously they don't know one if it came up and bit them on the face the same with the truth. *

"Go with your pet de Brabant, you certainly see..." The comment was cut off as Nick entered the hall followed by Natalie, Sarah and Liessete.

Sarah looked at the tribunal trying not to laugh at the situation or the chagrined look on most of the members faces. She took it all in the smug look on Lacroix's face at being right, Michael's and Emily's look of hidden laughter and boredom. Had they just made a point? Nick's obvious hidden laughter at the situation, Natalie's confusion and lastly Fleur's frustration. "Think this incident right before I waked in proves beyond a shadow of a doubt the need for both of our communities to have some kind of communication between us." Sarah begins.

"If there had been communication between immortals and vampires you would have known that about Micheal and Emily, and you would have known that Nicke and Micheal are identical twins, completely indiscernible except for a scar on the left palm of Michael's hand." Sarah waits for their reaction. The tribunal nods its collective heads slowly.

Emily steps forward next to Sarah her violet eyes obvious in the half light of the questioning area. "May I suggest then that we all agree to have immortals and vampires take about these rules, I suggest the elders and those who hold the most power and respect in each community be present as well as those who want to contribute, after all these will probable be the rules that we will be following for the rest of eternity if this tribunals policies are any example of how vampires are."

The tribunal looks at her for a moment and then speaks quietly among themselves. "We agree, but the it must be by invitation only."

"I don't think that will work sire, the immortal community is anything but organized right now." Says Sarah, "that is a good idea for vampires, but immortals you need to invite anyone who wanted to participate."

"May I also suggest sir that the person who presides over this have both immortal and vampire interests at heart. I dominate Sarah for that job. She was raised by Emily and me, but she is also an enforcer. She'd make a perfect chose." Micheal says.

"Micheal! I'm only an investigator and young at that!" Sarah says quite embarrassed.

"No, we agree the persuader needs to be someone who can think of both groups best interested. Micheal being your teacher/master makes you Sarah the most logical chose."

"I'll do my best sir," Sarah stammers quite overwhelmed.

"Micheal, Nicholas. It will take some doing for us to get in contact with all the elders together can you have everyone in your community ready in 3 or 4 months?"

"Yes, most of the community already has heard about it, it's only a matter of telling them the time and the place." Says Nick.

"Speaking of places, there are still some immortals who don't like this idea I think it would be safer if this meeting was on holy ground." Said Emily.

"Do you have an idea?" Said one of the younger members

"Yes, I do, it's on Indian Holy ground. Will that be a problem for you?"

"No, Doctor Lambert you know enough about vampires could you check and make sure that this will not be a problem for us?"

"Sure."

The leader turns to them, "In 3 or 4 months then."

The Remembering: The Great Council 9/11

I think the thing that I will remember most about the council is the marvel of getting all the immortals and vampires together in the same room and not having one fight- J.T. Marsh

The think that I remember most about the council is the immortals and vampires who stood out side of the chamber waiting for any bit of information they could get- Sarah de Brabant.

July 15, 1998, Duncan's Island.

Nick looked at across the island, they had of course the immortals who would be participating in the Council and then there where the ones who had come to get as much information as they could. It was something that the Enforcers had not planned for, but something Nick had expected. It was only human nature, even if someone chose not to participate in an event that would shape there future, they would want to know what was going on, so those who did not plan to participate where camping on the island.

It was not as many people was the Enforcers had expected, but it was what Nick had expected. After all this was there future that would be discussed. * It's incredible, isn't it? * Nat sent to him, as she walked up behind him.

* Incredible, but not unexpected. This is there future that we will be discussing after all. *

* I don't think that the enforcers expected. *

* No, but they are trained to handle vampires not immortals, it's different for them. The council will start soon. Shall we go? *

* Yes, Nick, let's go. Let's go into our future. *

Duncan's cabin in a matter of 3 months had be transformed from a house to a conference room. The living room or main area was where the council would be held. It was absolutely amazing less than 3 years ago the immortal race had been living and dying by the sword and now they sat there ready to face a new era. Every era and every ethnic group was present not one person would not have a voice. What really made Sarah smile was J.T.'s presence, the young man had changed since he saw Alyssa's birth. Looking at him now you would hardly expected that less then a year ago he had been watching trains and not caring if he lived or died. now he wore a pilot's uniform and had a twinkle in his eye and a sense of humor. HE had found hope and something to live for and had never looked back. Everyone was there and it was time to call the meeting to order, the only thing that saddened her was that neither Fleur or Lacroix had chosen to sit on the council.

They had both been asked to sit on the council, but had both declined for different reasons. Fleur because of her lack of respect for the vampire tribunal system and her search and relation with a certain vampire. Lacroix because of his relationship with Nick, he felt that if he was present he would be expected to speak for Nick and it would make them both uneasy. This was for the immortals more than anything and Nick needed to be heard by all not just the vampires the only way for that to happen was without Lacroix as one of the participants at least directly. Both Fleur and Lacroix would be handling what the press did in the mortal world keeping both communities up to date on what was going on, it was just as important as the council its self. Everyone was here so it was time to get started. "Since everyone is here, it's time to get started. As you all know this council has been set up to discuss the relationship between the immortal and vampire communities and the enforcement of. Since enforcement is going to be a big issue I would like to here everyone's opinion on how it should be handled. Most importantly how should enforcement of the immortals be handled, I would like for the vampires to go first." Sarah nodded, to the eldest vampire to begin.

"I beleave," he says. "That the system that the vampires are is the best, because it does not allow for any mistakes to be made and if they are made to be ratified quickly. I do not think that a system based on mortal rules would work because it would give to much chance or exposure. Control has to be totally render for safety."

This gets quite a reaction from the immortal side causing Sarah to have to quite them down. For the most part though the vampires agree that control has to be totally rendered and that the enforcer system is the bast way to handle it.

Sarah then signals to Nick to begin for the immortals. He stands up to his full height and says: "You all know me, I'm the vampire who wanted to be mortal, or more precisely immortal. The reason I wanted this is simple I wasn't happy as a vampire, and I hated the way vampires handled things, immortals are not vampires so trying to put vampires rules on immortals would be unfair, and the same for putting immortal rules on vampires, I think that each society should have it's own rules, and that thier should be some kind of council to handle conflicts that come up between our two societies." He sits down as most of the immortals clap thier hands.

Natalie squeezes Nick's hand and then says. "I agree with my bondlying especially either immortals or vampires to live under the others rules is unfair, but what we also have to keep in mind is the fact that some from each of our communities are going to more comfortable in the other's community."

Micheal looks at each of the members and then says. "I'll be the first to admit that immortals aren't prefect, and that we do make mistakes, but give us a little credit folks we have kept ourselves a relative secret for generations. I think that all this freaking out is about the fact that you didn't know about us, of course you didn't, up until now we have been isolationists. I think that one of the roles of this council has to and must be to put down some basic ground rules for our new society only then can we put down the rules for interaction." At the end of his speech Emily winks her eye at him and Nick gives him a thumbs up.

Emily takes a deep breath and begins. "I would like to remind all the vampires out thier that immortals have a different system than you do, and that we expect our cubs to go out on thier own and be able to survive we do not force them to stay home, once they can fly we make them get out of the nest, at least for a while, this little one next to me will." She points to Aylssa as she says that. "Someday be forced to leave her home and find herself, I want that world she goes out to, to not discriminate against her because she is immortal we are not just setting down rules for a little while we are making the future for those to come after us, please keep that in mind."

Most of the other immortal agree with them, and even start coming up with ideas on what kind of rules should be set down and how they should insure the safety of thier cubs. J.T. looks at the each council member for a moment and then says: "I may be the youngest member here, but it seems to me we have skirted around two very important issue's, mortals, and relationships between vampires and immortals, we all have probably noticed that some people are looking at each other from across the table, once our societies truly merge we will have to except this part and be able to handle it with grace."

Duncan comes running in this Tessa by his side, he takes his seat next to J.T. "I'm sorry for being late, but as some of you see I just had a much needed reunion." The erupts in laughter and not just on the immortals side, it's the first time the tension has been broken through the entire meeting. "But I did hear what J.T. just said, and I think that it is a valid point, both societies will have thier little rules about mortals, but how are we going to react toward each other, who will decide who is fit and who is not. You want to know who this is, this is Tessa she is my mortal, and now vampire lover, I didn't know about her being a vampire until this morning because her master one was to busy recently to call me and two wouldn't allow her to become involved with a mortal, if she could have told her this would never have happened, I think that thier needs to be some kind of rule around who can and can not be apporate in these kinds of couplings." Duncan looks up at Tessa and she at him they both know that this is the first toward a brighter future.

The Remembering: The Great Council 10/11

I think the most rewarding part of any project is finishing doing a good job on it, and having everything fall into place as it should be. Nothing gives more of an example of that then The Great Council. It was one of the hardest and rewarding things I have every done. There where only two things more rewarding working on Nick for a cure, and raising my daughter Billie.-Natalie de Brabant.

September 20, 1998

Nick walked up behind Nat, she was looking at one of the magazines they had picked up from the Realtor. He sits down next to her and begins to massage her shoulders. * Still thinking about a house, Nat? *

* Yes, I want this child that we are trying to have to have a place that she can call home. I don't want her to be moving from place to place all the while she is growing up. You can understand that? Can't you Nick? *

Nick gently caress her. * Of course I can understand Nat. Remember that was one of the things that I was worried about when we started to talk about trying. *

Natalie smiled as she felt Nick's mind reach out and join with hers for no other reason then to be with her, not in body but in soul. It was indescribable how it made her feel when thier minds touched, not in the act of talking but just to communicate how much they loved each other. How they would always protect each other.

* I've been thinking the same thing, so I talked to Micheal and we have both decided that we want our children to grow up where we did. What do you think Nat? *

* I love it! Oh, Nick I never thought about raising our child in the same place you grew up. It is big enough? *

* Yes, it's big enough and it'll give our child the chance to be herself without fear of discovery. And I do plan to send her to school *

Natalie put her head against Nick's shoulder. * So what do you think of the new rules. *

* I like them, and I think they'll work, because they allow for everyone to live the kind of life they want to live. Nat, are you ready for this child? *

* No one knows that Nick. But I think I am. Why? *

* I wanted to make sure before I told. Nat, your pregnant. *

Natalie almost jumped into Nick's arms as she let out a squeal of joy. Nick holds Natalie tightly to him. * I love you Nat! *

* And I love you, Nick with all my heart. * They talk into the night about thier up coming marriage, thier unborn child and how they feel about each other.

September 22, 1998

Micheal picked up the paper and headed toward the cabin where everyone was waiting. "I've got great news!"

Nick smiles at his brother, and looks up with a hopeful gaze. "Did it get ratified?"

"Yes! New vampire/immortal constitution ratified. The New Day articles or the Ghettie articles as they are called where ratified today by an overwhelming majority. Even though there was some concern by the vampires over the Ghetto system that would be the law body for both vampires and immortals." Micheal stopped as his voice cracked.

Emily comes up to Micheal and takes his hand. "We've finally done it Micheal! Our people are whole again!"

"They certainly are, and it couldn't have been done without you Nicholas." Says Lacroix.

"Me what did I do?"

"Spoke as someone who had lived as an immortal under vampire rules, it made us see how immortal view our rules. I was very proud of you."

"Thank you! I don't know what to.."

"Just be happy Nick! And remember this is the day we become a people the day we take back all the old ways of in the manuscripts and bring in some new ones. This is the day we begin to remember." Said Natalie.

The Remembering: The Great Council 11/11

Fate is one of those things that we can not control. It bids us to a certain path and we can not help but follow it. When I first met Natalie I knew in my heart that we where fated to each other even thought my brain tired to run away from it, my heart would not let it. So the day of our ceremony was one of long awaiting for even though my brain though that the day would never come by brain knew it would.-Nick de Brabant.

October 15, 1998

Natalie looked outside at the grounds, it was a cool October night and her wedding night. The field was lit by torches and the all the guest where there mostly immortals and vampires, but she knew that some of thier mortal friends they trusted where present. She could see Tracy and Grace among the crowd.

"Almost time?" said Fleur starting the old preparation ceremony that they had found in the manuscripts. When Felix had found out about them he and read all that he could find, trying to make a ceremony with some of the ancient immortal ways, yet have some mortal traditions too.

"We have already joined this is only a way of telling the community." Part of Natalie, the part that remembered the old ways of immortals responded without thinking without rehearsal.

"Then you are ready?"

"Yes I am ready."

"To walk with him in life and death, to join your soul to him." Fleur looked at her and smiled. "Well that's done! Now do you have.."

"My locket is old, my bracelet is new, I have blue in my dress, and I'm boring your earrings. Does that cover it?"

The music started and they walked out Natalie saw Nick standing ready. Wearing his tuxedo and looking very handsome it was hard to imagine that at one time they had both believed that this day might never happen save it thier dreams. She stood next to Nick and the priest. Fleur right behind her.

"We are gathered her today to witness the coming together of these to people. Who presents this man to this woman?"

"I do." Said Lacroix.

"And what right have you?"

"I was his teacher, and he was given to me by his parents so I give him to her." Said Lacroix as he lit the candle at Nick's side.

"And who gives this woman to this man?"

"I do."

"And what right have you?"

"I was her teacher and she was given to me by her parents so I give her to him." Said Fleur as she lit the candle at Natalie's side.

"Turn toward each other."

"Natalie is this the man you plan to pledge your life to?"

"Yes it is."

"And Nicholas is this the woman that you plan to pledge your life to?"

"Yes, she is."

"Pick up the candles. Light the candle in the middle. Repeat after me: Through this candle I pledge my life to you"

"Through this candle I pledge my life to you." They both said.

"To hurt when you hurt, to love when you love, to live when you live and to die when you die."

"To hurt when you hurt, to love when you love, to live when you live and to die when you die." They both said.

The Priest turned to Nick. "Nick and Natalie have made thier own vows. Nick."

"Natalie, you were always there for my and believed in my even when I didn't beleave in myself. You kept me going when I fell and cared for my when I was hurt. You made me remember what it is to be alive and you became that life. You are the most important thing to me, you are my sun, my rain, and my life. I love you." Nick placed the ring on Natalie's finger.

"Natalie."

"Nick, our relationship has been anything but easy. The good stuff never is, but every time something would set us back I could remember all the little things that you did. I didn't even see at first your way of saying I love you to me. Holding the door, or holding me when I needed to cry. I've loved you from the first day I met you, but over time you become more than just someone I loved you become my life. Nick I love you with all my heart and soul and I always will." Natalie puts the ring on Nick's finger.

"You may kiss the bride." Nick pulls Natalie to him and kisses her fully on the lips.

They turn toward the crowd and the priest says: "May I present Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas de Brabant. May throughout thier bond we never forget what it is like to be a people"

Later that night.

* Nick what are you going to do? * Natalie asks as she lays on his chest.

* In the immortal community you mean? *

* Yes. *

* I want to record our history like Micheal *

* Thinking of being and investigator like Micheal? *

* Yes, but I'm not sure if I want to with the baby coming. *

* I'll work with you as you partner, it would make a stable life for the baby. *

Nick smiles and at Nat. * As stable as it can be for the next 50 years. *

* What do you mean Nick? *

* I don't know Nat, I don't know. *

Return to The Remembering page.

You can return to the fan-fiction page.

Or return to Patrick Danner's ExoSquad page.