By: gail Andrea    <TREKKINN@AOL.COM>  no warnings needed
Nick/LaCroix

Nicholas stared out into the vast ocean before him.  The warm sand felt fine and soft
beneath his feet.  He could feel the sun warming his arms and chest as the water lapped
at his toes.  He lifted his head and closed his eyes, turning to let the sun wash over his
face.  God, it felt so good to be standing in the sunlight.  "Why did I wait so long to
come out here?  Wait...This is impossible."  How can this be?"

From a distance he could see a figure walking towards him.  Long, unhurried legs
carried the figure ever closer.  "LaCroix!"  "Hello Nicholas."  LaCroix looked so pale
in the sunlight, but his eyes danced with a boundless joy. Bluer than the ocean, his eyes
gazed lovingly at his own child.  He ran his hands through the sandy windswept  curls,
marveling at just how beautifully the golden tendrils reflected the sunlight.

"Did you bring us here father?"  "Of course, Nicholas.  You wanted to come. How
could I deny you this simple pleasure?"  Nicholas took his father's hand in his own.
"You feel warm LaCroix.  This is impossible."  "Impossible mon fils?  Can't you feel the
sun warming you?  Can't you feel the sand caressing your feet?"  LaCroix cradled
Nicholas' sun drenched face in his hands and kissed him softly on his lips.  Nicholas
closed his eyes and let the kiss wash away any doubts.  "LaCroix gently broke the kiss
and lowered his hands. "You won't be needing these today Nicholas."  Nicholas
watched his father throw the police shield and gun into the ocean.  "Today you belong
to me again my child, and I to you."  "Can we stay here then?  Nicholas asked... as
they began walking hand in hand along the beach.  "I...I don't know Nicholas.  I do
know we can always come back, as long as you want me to come with you."  Then
LaCroix reached down and took a handful of warm sand.  "Here."  He poured the
sand from his own hand into Nicholas'.

LaCroix suddenly looked away.  "What is it father?  What's wrong?"  "Nothing
Nicholas.  It's just time to go home."  "Can we go together  father?"  Of course
Nicholas.  We're always together.  "Good."  Nicholas seemed relieved..."Then I'm
ready to go."  LaCroix took his son's hand again, and they walked towards the sun.
The warmth of the sun was no match for the warmth that bound the two men as they
disappeared out of sight down the beach.

Nicholas woke with a start.  He had to catch his breath as he bolted up from his bed.
"Oh God..It was a dream.  But it was so real."  He looked at his hand.  It was
clenched so tightly it ached.  He slowly released his fingers and the sand fell silently to
the floor.  Blood tears fell from his eyes as he raced to the phone.  His hand trembled
as he dialed the numbers.  As soon as LaCroix picked up the phone he knew it was
his son.  "Father..."  "Yes Nicholas."  "I'm coming home."  "Of course Nicholas.  I'll
be waiting."

                                                     -END-